Guidelines: The Magazine

What we Accept

    • No more than 200 stanzas and no specific word count.

    • Context behind the poem and how it relates to the theme.

    • If you have specific formatting requirements, please provide a PDF file.

    • Up to five images.

    • Include a caption for each image you submit.

    • Please write a little about how it relates to the theme (if applicable).

    • Please keep all submissions in either docx or odt format and in size 12/14 font.

    • As many pieces as you would like totaling 2000 words (unless the theme says otherwise).

    • Avoid openings to larger works (but these may be taken on a case-by-case basis).

    • Should be scanned or photographed

    • Up to five images 

    • Include a caption for each image you submit

    • Please write a little about how it relates to the theme (if applicable)

A note on the alternative submissions process 

The significant difference between INQ and traditional publishers is that we understand the conventional downfalls and inaccessibility of the publishing process. By contrast, we have an innovative process for both submissions to the journal and the press.   For submissions to the journal, presentations can be emailed as slide decks due to the shorter length of these submissions. 

Provided the written work is strong, prospective writers can pitch in a way that is thematic to their project and not necessarily the traditional way - for example, a formal presentation or interactive website – it’s all about putting your best foot forward. We remain committed to breaking down the too-well-known additional barriers to hearing these diverse, intersectional voices. 

You must be able to state a robust, evidence-first case. We will give you the time and space to shine if you can do that. In practice, this means leading with what makes you different. In other words, what perspective do you have? What have you been reading with which you are in a “conversation” with? 

The point here is to create space for diversity of experience and cater to the variety of intersectional writers the charity is built to serve. Especially neurodivergent writers may find this way of submission helpful, as the fine-tuning of the written format of a query letter is not for everyone.

How to submit

If you need further support with developing your submission, please see here for a quick submission inspiration document with questions to help spark your creativity.

  • Any transphobic, ableist, or otherwise intentionally derogatory writing will be banned, and you will be blocklisted. You can write about and critique these issues (as they are critical); however, please research before you do.

  • The Magazine is looking for stories that are:

    • Bold (stories which take action, or a perspective, which diverts from the traditional norms).

    • Brutal (stories which tell uncomfortable truths, surface destructive tendencies, or horror)

    • Boundary-breaking (stories which do something different, unique or unseen)

    • Societally engaged (stories which provide critique on current social issues in an engaged way)

      Any suspected AI use will be brought up with the authors and their work, if found to be AI generated, will be rejected. We do not take writing by robots here.

  • We look for the following:

    • A slide deck, recorded walk through, short form video, or alternative other medium which contains the following information for the Editing team:

    • Name of the piece

    • What it is about

    • How it relates to the submission criteria (if applicable).

    • Evidence that the submission is at least two of the criteria listed:

    • Bold (stories which take action, or a perspective, which diverts from the traditional norms).

    • Brutal (stories which tell uncomfortable truths, surface destructive tendencies, or horror)

    • Boundary-breaking (stories which do something different, unique or unseen)

    • Societally-engaged (stories which provide critique on current social issues in an engaged way)

      Any suspected AI use will be brought up with the authors and their work, if found to be AI generated, will be rejected. We do not take writing by robots here.

  • The cover letter should be:

    • a brief (up to two sentence) presentation of what your work is about, with any relevant trigger warnings stated.

    • For example: Boy watches his mother’s murder and has a burning desire for revenge. This piece contains allusions to death.

  • Dear Editor-in-chief

    I'm hoping you will consider [piece name] for publication in [issue number: issue name].

    The piece is [genre] about [insert two sentences about the piece].

    Thank you for the time.

    Yours sincerely,

    [name]

    1. Be over the age of 16

    2. Committed to intersectionality (where an individual comes from multiple oppressed groups) 

    • It is also worth noting that all submissions should be blind, so any authors' names on the document will result in disqualification. Upon successful admission, we will ask for these.

    • You must use the form below with the title, a summary, and relevant trigger warnings.

    • Submit any attachments as piece title - issue title

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