Prick of the Spindle is a quarterly online journal that is open to forms in both traditional and experimental modes. We have a special bent toward fresh and innovative voices that use language in unique ways. Editors are currently reading submissions in all categories for Vol. 2.4, forthcoming December 23, 2008. If you are interested in being considered for publication in Prick of the Spindle, please take care to read the guidelines for submitting your previously unpublished work.
There is no reading fee, and submissions are accepted year-round. We do send a courtesy e-mail notifying authors that we have received their submission; if you do not hear from us with a decision within three months of submitting, please feel free to send a query.
Poetry submissions should be directed to cvera (at) prickofthespindle (dot) com, fiction to emcknight (at) prickofthespindle (dot) com, and drama, nonfiction and reviews to pseditor (at) prickofthespindle.com. Please indicate the category of work you are sending in the subject line of your e-mail, followed by last name (Poetry Submission: Smith). Entries should be included as text in the body of the e-mail (please do not send attachments unless you receive advance permission or it is requested of you), along with a brief bio. Submissions should be formatted to read title first, name, then body. Please do not use text smaller than 12 point. Fiction submissions should be double-spaced with only one space between sentences.
There is no length requirement for fiction, and we are open to publishing novella-length pieces (traditionally defined as consisting of anywhere from 17,500 to 40,000 words). We are seeking reviews in the realms of academic literature, fiction, and poetry. Reviews can consist of works of literary criticism, book reviews, and academic analyses or essays.
Simultaneous submissions are fine on the condition that you notify us immediately if your work is accepted for publication elsewhere. You may submit up to five pieces per category. Upon acceptance, Prick of the Spindle acquires first (electronic) serial publication rights, after which the copyright reverts to the author. When you submit, you do so with the understanding that your work will be archived on the site. If you have been published within our virtual pages, we ask that you wait a year before submitting again. However, if you submit and your work is rejected, you may continue submitting once per (quarterly) reading period.
We do not publish children's or young adult fiction, and we tend away from genre fiction (fantasy, science fiction, religious), unless it is especially well-written with a particularly contemporary flavor.
Please direct general questions and inquiries for reviews and interviews to pseditor (at) prickofthespindle (dot) com.
To submit art, please see the Submission Guidelines at AmateurArtwork.com.
Electronic submissions are encouraged, however postal correspondence may be directed to:
Prick of the Spindle
4400 Ambassador Caffery, Suite A
PMB 315
Lafayette, LA 70508-6706