Transcend is currently closed to new submissions. Issue 01 - Transcend.Horizons is postponed due to CoViD-19.

This issue was scheduled to be released on June 19, 2020. We accept poetry (of any kind), prose of fiction, non-fiction, and creative non-fiction varieties (though we only skim non-fiction), and artwork of all genres. We aim to respond to your submissions within three (3) to four (4) months. 

Once we can get things back to normal we will update the website and this submission page

We have a "Tip" option during our free submission periods where you can optionally use a tipped submission to support us here at Transcend. Currently all our review and editing work is completed on a volunteer basis, and we greatly appreciate your support. If you are unable to, or prefer not to tip, please use the Free Submission Form during our FREE periods, or email your submission to submissions@transcendlit.com during our TIPPED submission periods. (more information on our submission periods is available on our website, at https://transcendlit.com/submissions)

General and Formatting Guidelines:

WARNING: We are significantly more likely to reject your submission if it does not follow these guidelines, and we will outright reject a submission that has author info visible, regardless of any paid requests (such as feedback or expedited response), and with NO REFUNDS. Please do not put your name anywhere in the title or submission file. 

• We host two submission periods per year: April-August and November-March. Information on these two submission periods is available at our website, linked above.
• During the first three months of each submission period, Submittable submissions are in Tipped-only mode. Should you be unwilling or unable to use Submittable or pay the tipped fee, please contact the editors to arrange for an alternative submission option.
• During the final two months of each submission period, we open Submittable to FREE submissions. Tipped submissions are still available, should you choose to support Transcend with your submission. Once again, if using Submittable poses an accessibility issue, please contact the editors.
• We undergo an editing and revising process for accepted submissions during the last month and the month following the end each submission period.
• When possible, please use Word format for your submission. Google Docs has an option to download your file as a Word or PDF document. We will also accept PDF format if necessary.
• If you choose to provide a cover letter, please do so using the option on our submission form. We enjoy reading cover letters, especially when they are used to tell us about yourself, not your submission. 
• We read all submissions blind, so please do not provide this cover letter in your submission, and please refrain from providing authorial information in your submission. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in an outright rejection regardless of submission method.
• For Poetry, Prose, and Art guidelines, please see the "Submissions Requirements" section on the Transcend website. 
• Please, only one submission per genre until you receive a decision response. After a response, you are welcome to submit again.

What we expect with Poetry submissions

• Limit of 4 poems per submission, totaling no more than 7 pages. If a single poem is 7 pages long, submit it standalone.
• All forms of poetry are accepted, though we will only skim most shaped and formatted poetry.
• We do, however, encourage and enjoy poetry with meter or form, any contemporary poetry, and poetry which breaks the rules in unusual and controlled ways - new ways to express old ideas, new ideas expressed with different language forms, passionate and masterful.

What we expect from Prose submissions

• We will accept novel excerpts if they are fully self-contained. We do not accept full novels.
• We encourage all genres and forms of prose: fiction, non-fiction, creative non-fiction, lyric essays, braided essays, literary fiction, and more.
• Though we will consider academic essays, genre fiction, or YA fiction, we generally skim these pieces.
• There is no minimum word count—we accept and encourage flash-fiction and six-word-story style prose.
• There is an approximate 8,000-word maximum. Be aware that, while we will not outright reject a piece without reading it if it goes a little over this limit, we are more likely to do so.

Artwork

• Please limit each submission to up to ten (10) pieces of artwork
• All mediums and all styles are accepted
• Please provide a digital copy of the artwork from 72—300dpi. A watermark is acceptable.
• Please realize that, should your submission be accepted, a minimum 300dpi source will be required for printing (600dpi is preferred).
• Each accepted piece will be considered for use as cover art.

Free Submission Feedback (Free):

The staff of Transcend are writers and editors too. We know how effective well thought, critical, actionable feedback can be, so we provide an opportunity for this kind of direct feedback on each submission for a small fee. However, our editors may leave general feedback on a piece if they see merit, even when we do not ultimately accept a submission, or solicited feedback was not requested. If you do not wish to receive this free unsolicited feedback, select the checkbox on the submission form indicating you wish to opt-out of free feedback. Please note that this kind of feedback is never guaranteed, and staying opted-in does not guarantee any feedback or indicate acceptance of your work.

If you wish to guarantee the receipt of more direct and actionable feedback, please select the "Direct feedback" or "Full critique" option in the "Payments" section of the submission form. More information about these feedback options we offer is below.

General Feedback ($10):

By selecting the "General Feedback" box on your submission, you are asking the editors to provide you with a few lines detailing our thoughts when we were reading and evaluating your submission. This can include information on how we feel you could improve your piece, general information on a passage or paragraph we thought was particularly strong or could use some work. If we choose to work with your piece(s) when you elected to receive general feedback, this $5 fee will be refunded. This option is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Expedited Response ($10):

When submitting your work, you will see optional Payment options. By selecting the "Expedited Decision" box on your submission, you are asking us to expedite your submission. This means your submission will go to the top of the pile and will be granted a decision before the rest of the queue. Our normal response time is between three (3) and four (4) months. However, when you ask for an expedited decision, we send a response to you within approximately two (2) weeks. This option is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Expedited General Feedback ($20):

A combination of the two options, you will get an expedited decision on your work within approximately four (4) weeks, and it will come with general feedback consisting of up to a paragraph of general feedback concerning your piece. This option is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Full Critique ($35):

By selecting the "Full Critique" option on your submission, you are asking the editors to provide you with a fully detailed critique of your piece(s). This will include a minimum 250-500 word response of our impressions for the strengths, weaknesses, and options available to improve for your piece(s). The response time for a full critique three (3) to four (4) months from submission. This option is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Note that if you would like a full critique without having your work(s) considered for publication, please note this in your submission.

Expedited Full Critique ($45):

By selecting the "Expedited Full Critique" option on your submission, you are asking the editors to provide you with a fully detailed critique of your piece(s) within two (2) weeks of submission. This critique will include a minimum 250-500 word response of our impressions for the strengths, weaknesses, and options available to improve for your piece(s). This option is not a guarantee of acceptance.

Note that if you would like a full critique without having your work(s) considered for publication, please note this in your submission.

Also note that, should we receive more interest in this option than we can handle, this option may be closed from time to time.