Submissions to FERAL: A Journal of Poetry & Art are currently OPEN!
***Please read carefully as our submission process has changed!***
Call For Submissions: The EARTH, WATER, FIRE & AIR Issue
As always, we are open to a wide interpretation of our theme. Here are some ideas to inspire you– thank you Merriam-Webster.com!
The ancient Greeks believed that there were four elements that everything was made up of: earth, water, air, and fire. The idea that these four elements – earth, water, air, and fire – made up all matter was the cornerstone of philosophy, science, and medicine for two thousand years.
The 12 Zodiac Signs & Their Elements
- Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
- Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
- Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
- Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Earth
: the fragmental material composing part of the surface of the globe
: the sphere of mortal life as distinguished from spheres of spirit life
: areas of land as distinguished from sea and air
: the planet on which we live that is third in order from the sun
Water
: the liquid that descends from the clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is a major constituent of all living matter and that when pure is an odorless, tasteless, very slightly compressible liquid oxide of hydrogen H2O which appears bluish in thick layers, freezes at 0° C and boils at 100° C, has a maximum density at 4° C and a high specific heat, is feebly ionized to hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, and is a poor conductor of electricity and a good solvent
Air
: the mixture of invisible odorless tasteless gases (such as nitrogen and oxygen) that surrounds the earth
also : the equivalent mix of gases on another celestial object (such as a planet)
: a light breeze
: outward appearance of a thing -an air of luxury
: a surrounding or pervading influence : ATMOSPHERE
: NOTHINGNESS —usually used in the phrases into thin air and out of thin air
Fire
: the phenomenon of combustion manifested in light, flame, and heat
: one of the four elements of the alchemists
: burning passion : ARDOR
: liveliness of imagination : INSPIRATION
Our general guidelines are listed below.
One note about guidelines: we’ve been in existence for 3 years and have never rejected someone solely on the fact that didn’t follow our guidelines perfectly. However, as the volume of submissions increases – we need to ask you to thoroughly read the guidelines.
Specifically, DO NOT PUT ANY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION in the file containing your poetry/art (name, address, etc.). We no longer have time to remove that information from your submission. Going forward, any submission with identifying information in the file will be rejected without consideration. That would make us very sad – so PLEASE doublecheck.
General Submission Guidelines:
Our submission windows for 2024 are as follows:
May 1-31: Published June 30, 2024 (The EARTH, WATER, FIRE & AIR Issue)
August 1-31: Published September 30, 2024 (Unthemed)
November 1-30: Published December 31, 2024 (The DREAM Issue)
Please note that at the core of both FERAL and Animal Heart press is love. Although we wish it didn’t need to be said, we will not accept any work that is racist, homophobic, sexist, or hate speech of any kind. We are committed to publishing a variety of new, emerging, and established voices. Further, we are committed to inclusion and equity in publishing. We highly encourage submissions from underrepresented voices including, but not limited to: women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent individuals. International submissions are welcome, but we are only considering work in English at this time; no translations.
All submissions should be sent via email to:
feralpoetryandart[AT]gmail[DOT]com
POETRY:
For poetry submissions, please submit 1-4 poems and attach your submission in a single document (doc. docx. pdf.) Please do not put your name or any identifying information on the submitted file. We will consider all forms of poetry including erasure poetry and visual poetry.
ART:
For art submissions, please submit 1-10 pieces (jpg. png.) in high resolution with each piece clearly titled. Please do not put your name or any identifying information on the submitted files. “Art” is a broad and subjective term & we are very open-minded: drawing, collage, painting, sculpture, textiles, photography, something we haven’t thought of?
Cover Letters: We’ve heard you loud and clear about how daunting many of you find writing cover letters, so they are welcome but not required. At a minimum, please provide your name and preferred pronouns.We are not currently accepting submissions of fiction, CNF, reviews, videos, etc. BUT if you think you have something you think we might like that falls outside these guidelines, feel free to query.
Please submit only once in each category per submission period. Additional submissions will not be considered. We typically do not accept previously published poetry or art, but if you have work that needs to be “rescued” just let us know the circumstances. Work that has been published on your personal social media pages or website is not considered previously published. Simultaneous submissions are welcome but PLEASE notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
If your work is accepted, we will request a bio at that time. We strive to respond to all submissions within 60 days (often sooner). Please do not query about your submission until 60 days have passed.
The entire staff of FERAL and Animal Heart Press work on a volunteer basis and receive no compensation, therefore we are unable to pay you for your work at this time. If your work is accepted, we request First North American serial rights as well as the right to archive your work on our website and in print, and to use your work, with credit given to you as the author, for promotional purposes. Otherwise, upon publication, all rights revert back to the author under the condition that you will credit FERAL: A Journal of Poetry & Art as the original publisher should your work be reprinted.
We can’t wait to see the ways you surprise us.
