submissions

guidelines

  • themes and accompanying prompts are announced, and posted on both the ‘current theme’ page of our website and our instagram, on the 10th of every month.

    SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY THE FIRST DAY OF

    THE CURRENT THEME’S PUBLICATION MONTH.

    for example: submissions for the December issue will be open from 10 November until 1 December, giving you approximately 3 weeks to write.

  • you must stick to the monthly theme in some way, and we strongly encourage following one of our accompanying prompts.

  • 1500 word limit. title and footnotes do not count.

  • cover art: you can attach photos/illustrations of your own or made by a friend, but we can also pick one for you, if you’d prefer.

  • proems are also accepted — proems being short, poetic works of prose that DO NOT follow an inherent narrative structure. what falls under this umbrella: creative non-fiction or memoir-esque pieces… what does NOT: essays, fictional short stories, letters, etc.

  • three poems maximum (per person, per month). if you submit multiple, submit each of them in separate forms/emails.

  • English, please. if you choose to write in any other language, please provide a translation in your email, within the poem, or with footnotes.

  • anonymous submissions are welcome.

  • No AI writing or art whatsoever.

instructions

  • send an email to ampersand.poets@gmail.com.

  • use this exact subject line:

    ENTRY: [THEME], [‘TITLE OF WORK’], YOUR NAME/ANON

    eg.: ENTRY: LOVE & HATE, ‘Flowers’, Jessica M

  • in your email, include:

    1. a link with edit/comment access to a google doc of your poem. (required)

      1. times new roman, size 12. style the typography exactly as you want it to be published. the title of your work should be at the top of the doc.

    2. cover art in JPEG/JPG format. (optional)

      1. credit the photographer/artist and make sure it is not copyrighted. ‘self’ if it is yours.

    3. your name/pseudonym and your age. (required)

      1. and (optional but encouraged): any other short facts for publication (location, date written, etc.)

    4. your selected half of the theme and your selected prompt. (required)

      (eg.: LOVE 3). if you did not follow a prompt, write ‘X’ in the spot of the prompt number.

    5. …and any further questions you might have.