Our Reading Periods Have Changed
Spring/Summer
- General Submission Reading Period January 1 - March 15
- Our Contests in Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry will be open from January 1 - March 15
- Open for Cover Art submissions January 1 - March 15
Fall/Winter
- General Submission Reading Period will run from July 1 - October 15
- Open for Cover Art submissions July 1 - October 15
Fiction and Non-Fiction submissions will cap at 200, Poetry will cap at 500. Please keep an eye on our social media for when we open so you don't miss it!
Harpur Palate is a student-run journal. Please allow at least 4 months for a response, as our goal is to offer each submission the attention it deserves. We appreciate your patience.
Fiction submissions should be no longer than 4,500 words. Flash stories cannot exceed 1,000 words each. Please send no more than one fiction submission per reading period. We can accept up to three flash pieces per submission. We are interested in both traditional literary fiction that excels in form and experimental fiction that pushes boundaries. We love pieces that play with style and structure in daring ways. We appreciate stories grounded in realism as well as speculative pieces that depart from our expected reality. Above all, we look for strong writing that captivates us from start to finish. We value inclusivity and publish work informed by a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.
Creative nonfiction submissions should be no longer than 5,500 words. Flash essays cannot exceed 1,000 words each. Please send no more than one CNF submission per reading period, either as a single essay or up to three flash essays. We prefer narrative nonfiction from diverse voices, and welcome hybrid and experimental forms. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere.
We accept submissions of 1-3 poems per reading period–no more than 5 pages total. Please send no more than one poetry submission per reading period. We prefer poems with a strong lyric voice and sense of urgency. Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as you withdraw your piece immediately should it be accepted elsewhere.
For $3 we will respond to your submission within 2 weeks. Choosing our expedited submission option does not guarantee acceptance.
We accept submissions of 1-3 poems per reading period–no more than 5 pages total. Please send no more than one poetry submission per reading period. We prefer poems with a strong lyric voice and sense of urgency. Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as you withdraw your piece immediately should it be accepted elsewhere.