Submission Guidelines
Submission guidelines for our November/December issue are available now!
We look forward to seeing how you interpret the holidays! Help us weave the next chapter.
Please email all submissions to submissions@tapestry-journal.com.
Send us your poetry!
Tapestry Journal invites submissions for our upcoming November/December issue that explore the holiday season and all its complexities.
Theme: The Holidays Are Here!
DEADLINE: October 31st, 2026
Submission Fee: Free!
Poem Count: You may submit up to 2 poems.
Length: Each poem should not exceed 2 pages. Shorter forms (haiku, sonnet, etc.) are welcome.
Format:
- Submit your poems in a single Word document.
- Use a legible font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt).
- Please title your poems.
Original Work Only. We only accept previously unpublished poetry.
Author Info: Include a brief third-person bio (50 words) in the body of your submission email.
We want your short stories!
The lights are going up, the days are getting shorter, kitchens are filling with familiar smells, and somewhere between the celebration and quiet reflection, we find ourselves gathering with family and friends.
Theme: The Holidays Are Here!
DEADLINE: October 31st, 2026
Submission Fee: Free!
Word Count: 2,000-2,500 words
Requirements:
- Fiction only (no nonfiction or memoir)
- Stories must be original and unpublished (including self-publishing and blogs)
Format:
- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman or Garamond, 12 pt)
- Include your name, email, and story title
- Include a brief third-person author bio (50 words)
Showcase your photography and art!
What does this time of year mean to you? Maybe it’s joy, wonder, tradition, family, faith, or community. Maybe it’s nostalgia, grief, or change. Or maybe it’s a favorite tradition, a winter landscape, a crowded table, a childhood memory, or a holiday you’ve invented entirely for yourself.
Theme: The Holidays Are Here!
DEADLINE: October 31st, 2026
Submission Fee: Free!
We welcome:
- Digital photography
- Color or black & white
- Editorial, documentary, still life, or conceptual approaches
- Artistic designs
Submission Guidelines:
- Submit 1–3 high-resolution images
- Name your photos or art
- Include a brief artist statement or caption (50 words) explaining how your work connects to the theme
Voices of Tomorrow
(submission opportunities for writers and artists age 10-18)
Please include with all submissions your name, age, location (state), and a brief 2–3 sentence author or artist bio.
Poetry
Deadline: October 31st, 2026
Submission Fee: Free!
What We’re Looking For:
Original poetry in any form or style—free verse, sonnet, haiku, spoken word (in written form), prose poetry, or experimental forms. We welcome poems that are personal, imaginative, emotional, reflective, or bold.
Length:
Submit 1–3 poems, with no poem exceeding two pages. (Shorter is fine!)
Originality:
Your work must be your own and unpublished elsewhere.
Format:
- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman or Garamond), 12-point size.
- Single-spaced (unless your poem formatting requires otherwise).
- Include a title for each poem.
- Submit all poems in one document.
Short Stories
Deadline: October 31st, 2026
Submission Fee: Free!
What We’re Looking For:
Original short stories in any genre—realistic fiction, magical realism, gentle fantasy, mystery, coming-of-age, speculative, or slice-of-life. We welcome diverse characters, imaginative settings, and heartfelt storytelling.
Story Length:
1,000 to 2,500 words. Make every word count.
Originality:
Your story must be your own and unpublished elsewhere.
Format:
- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman or Garamond), 12-point size.
- Title your story.
We are also accepting artwork and photography from artists age 10–18 using the same guidelines as above!
Other Submission Opportunities
Opinion Pieces
Opinion pieces (500–800 words) should engage with literary, cultural, or social topics with clarity and conviction. We value strong, well-supported arguments, a distinctive voice, and timely relevance. Please avoid overly academic language; aim to spark thought, not just prove a point.
Book Reviews
We welcome short book reviews (300-500 words) that offer insightful, original perspectives on fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Focus on analysis over summary, and highlight the book’s strengths, themes, and relevance. Reviews should be thoughtful, respectful, and spoiler-conscious.
Explore the threads. Discover the voices. Celebrate the craft.
Tapestry Journal — Stitching together literature, art, and indie spirit.