Submit to Margins of Thought
Margins of Thought publishes writing and art that does not fit neatly into categories. We look for work that questions, lingers, and pushes past the expected. The personal is political here, and what is hard to say deserves an audience.
Reading period
Upcoming window: November 1–December 15, 2025. We aim to respond within 6–8 weeks after the window closes.
What We’re Looking For
• Poetry
• Personal Essay
• Creative nonfiction
• Hybrid work
• Photo essays / visual work
We welcome pieces that surprise, unsettle, and make room for reflection. We do not consider hateful, discriminatory, or exploitative work.
Length & Limits
• Personal Essay / CNF: up to 2,000 words
• Poetry: up to 5 poems in one document
• Hybrid: describe form briefly in your cover note, up to 2,000 words or equivalent
• Photo essays: 6–12 images with captions or a short statement
Please send one submission per genre per window.
How to Submit
• Use the submission form on this page when the window opens.
• Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Let us know if a piece is accepted elsewhere.
• We read lightly blind when possible. Remove your name from the manuscript file. Your name can stay in the form and bio.
• No fees. We do not charge to read your work.
Rights & Payment
• We acquire first serial rights and the right to archive the work on our site.
• All rights revert to the author upon publication.
• Payment: at launch we are not able to offer honoraria. Our goal is to introduce small payments in a future issue.
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