Summer Literary Forecast: Six Journals with Themed Deadlines

Every month we do a roundup of literary magazine and contest deadlines, but what about journals with themed submissions that change by the season? Here is a list of six publications whose themed issues are open to submitters this summer. Why not experiment with new forms and content by submitting to one of these publication calls?

The Pedestal Magazine – The editors are calling for humorous flash fiction for Pedestal‘s June 2015 issue. All styles and genres are welcome. Submissions are capped at 1000 words, but you can enter multiple pieces. Guidelines here. Entry Fee: $.03 per word. Due May 31

Tin House – For the Spring 2016 issue, enter fiction, poems, essays, and interviews that tackle the theme of Faith (not only religions, but in terms of “knowledge, math, science, people, animals, places, institutions, food, color—anything that could possibly be a receptacle for one’s faith”). Check it. No Entry Fee. Due May 31

Thema – In anticipation of the summer issue, send in short stories, essays, poems, photographs, and art that include “Lost in the Zoo” as an integral theme of the work. Details here. No Entry Fee. Due July 1

Conjunctions – This lit mag’s fall issue will explore the theme Sleights of Hand. They are looking for “fiction, poetry, and essays on the theme of deception—provocative explorations of worlds in which truth is a fragile, elaborate, and mercurial thing.” Get those submissions in fast. Conjunctions will be reading for this issue through July. So go for it. No Entry Fee.

Slice – Slice publishes both emerging and established writers in issues guided by different cultural themes. For Issue 18, contribute a piece that grapples with the theme “Enemies.” Authors are paid $100 each for their published stories and essays. More information here. No Entry Fee. Due August 1

Bombay Gin – The literary journal founded by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman in 1974 is seeking work that “challenges the boundaries of language, form, and genre” with the theme of “Reprogramming the Wilderness.” Go ahead, submit. No Entry Fee. Due August 15

 by Corinne Gould