Long Dumb Voices
There are presently no open calls for submissions.
What We’re Looking For: Long Dumb Voices accepts poetry submissions only. Please read the inaugural issue, for it consists entirely of solicited poems and therefore best reflects our mission, core values, and artistic aesthetic. We are open to free verse as well as formal poetry, but clarity and precision of language and faithfulness to Whitman’s tradition of defending “the rights of them the others are down upon” are absolutely paramount. We cannot urge you enough to pay close attention to the inaugural issue.
Previously Published Work: Though we prefer to receive new work from our contributors, we will publish material that has already appeared in another literary magazine or in book form. Our goal here is to promote social justice-oriented work, so if you really believe your poems need to be seen in another platform, we want to support that. However, it is your responsibility to identify where your poem has previously appeared so we can give due credit to other editors and journals. We are trying to create a community of poets, editors, and magazines who share the same values, and there is no better way to undermine that endeavor than by failing to acknowledge one another’s efforts in the cause.
Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are encouraged—we know how competitive it is out there!—but we ask that you withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted by another magazine.
When to Submit: Long Dumb Voices will publish twice a year (Summer/Winter), in July and January. The reading period for the January publication will run from August 1st-October 31st. The reading period for the July publication will run from February 1st-April 30th. (Eventually, we hope to publish three issues a year, but we want to keep our expectations in check!)
Response Time: We will strive to get back to you in three months’ time, if not sooner. For the January issue, you can expect to receive a response in November. For the July issue, you can expect to receive a response in May. Variations in response time will be contingent upon how far into the reading period you submitted your work and how much time our day jobs afford us to read it.
Previously Published Work: Though we prefer to receive new work from our contributors, we will publish material that has already appeared in another literary magazine or in book form. Our goal here is to promote social justice-oriented work, so if you really believe your poems need to be seen in another platform, we want to support that. However, it is your responsibility to identify where your poem has previously appeared so we can give due credit to other editors and journals. We are trying to create a community of poets, editors, and magazines who share the same values, and there is no better way to undermine that endeavor than by failing to acknowledge one another’s efforts in the cause.
Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are encouraged—we know how competitive it is out there!—but we ask that you withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted by another magazine.
When to Submit: Long Dumb Voices will publish twice a year (Summer/Winter), in July and January. The reading period for the January publication will run from August 1st-October 31st. The reading period for the July publication will run from February 1st-April 30th. (Eventually, we hope to publish three issues a year, but we want to keep our expectations in check!)
Response Time: We will strive to get back to you in three months’ time, if not sooner. For the January issue, you can expect to receive a response in November. For the July issue, you can expect to receive a response in May. Variations in response time will be contingent upon how far into the reading period you submitted your work and how much time our day jobs afford us to read it.
How to Submit: Please submit 3-4 poems, a biographical statement, and contact information in a single document. Your name and email address should appear on all pages of your submission. Each poem should start on a new page. You are encouraged to write a brief cover letter telling us a little bit about who you are and why you write the poems you write. Though not required, cover letters will be read with interest. If your work is accepted for publication, you will be asked to include a brief comment about your poem and an author’s photo.
Publication Rights: We ask for first North American serial rights only. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication. Previously published work will be acknowledged accordingly.
Publication Rights: We ask for first North American serial rights only. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication. Previously published work will be acknowledged accordingly.