Submission Guidelines

WISP: a small, thin piece or bundle of something; a flock of birds

WISP is a literary-arts publication of original poetry, prose and art on postcards and mini-chaps. WISP keeps outstanding writing and art in readers’ hands and on the streets, alive and circulating. WISP works to create joy. 

A mini-ekphrastic journal, WISP is a collaboration between writers and artists. WISP is the perfect size for sharing, tucking into a purse or pocket, slipping into a gift, or a neighbor's mailbox. Leave them at coffee shops, libraries, or waiting rooms, or pin them on bulletin boards, refrigerators, and telephone poles. WISP postcards and mini-chaps pack a powerful literary punch and are brief enough to read on trains, planes and buses. In this age of digitalization, WISP postcards travel in snail mail and are verses you can touch, collect and pass around. And we love that WISP may inspire new deltiologists (collectors of postcards) among writers and artists!

WISP is dedicated to discovering the best imaginative unpublished works from emerging and established poets and writers. WISP showcases beautiful and evocative works of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction.

Submission period:  Jan. 1 - April 15 (summer issue) and  Aug. 1 - Nov. 15 (winter issue)

Postcards are published twice a year, digitally and in print: 

• Send 3-5 poems, flash fiction or creative non-fiction to info@thepoetryloft.org in the body of email. 
• On the Subject line write: WISP Submission, followed by your name.
• Poems should not exceed 25 lines. Stanza breaks count as lines. 12 pt. Times New Roman is our preferred font.
• Flash fiction and creative non-fiction should not exceed 500 words. 
• Include a brief bio, no longer than 2 lines, which will appear on the postcard or mini-chap if accepted.
• Simultaneous submissions are fine but please notify us as soon as you get accepted elsewhere.
• We encourage work from new and established writers.
• Submissions must be original and unpublished, including on social media.
• If we pass on your submission, we request that you wait 6 months before submitting again.

Literary Work:

We accept unpublished poetry, flash fiction, and creative non-fiction. Poetry should be no longer than 25 lines (including spaces). Prose should not exceed 500 words. Submit 3-5 pieces to info@thepoetryloft.org in the body of the email.

We are interested in literary work that is surprising, memorable, and meaningful. Words that have staypower. We also like the funny, the strange, the poignant. We accept any forms of poetry and prose, including formal and surreal verse. We love poetry and prose that is gripping and pushes the imagination with a unique voice. Send us writing that is both graceful and risk-taking.

Original work only—if any lines are not completely your own, or if the work is inspired by another author, you must provide attribution. 

Artwork:

We seek original art that responds to or is inspired by the literary work. (Ekphrasis)
We are interested in artwork that opens up the interpretation of the literary piece rather than a literal representation.  Only non-AI work is considered. 

Accepted writers may also submit artwork.  

Send only high quality images of artwork, illustrations or photography. Maximum of 3 pieces. Each file (jpg or png) should contain your name, title of work, medium, and date created. Artist statement is optional. For questions, please contact us at info@thepoetryloft.org.                     

Publication

Our selection process—every submission is reviewed by multiple readers / assistant editors before a final determination is made

Your work may be creatively formatted to fit on a postcard or mini-chap. Postcards have a blank space on the back where authors can write a personal message. Postcards are published in various sizes. If multiple poems or prose pieces (3-5) are accepted from an author, they will be published in a 4x6 mini-chapbook.

WISP publications will appear online and may be included in an anthology. Audio files of select pieces may also be requested.

Shortlisted poems and prose are considered for online publication and anthology.

Payments

Accepted writers and artists will receive a complimentary packet of 5 postcards or mini-chaps and online publication, including a link to their website. Additional packets will be available upon request

Notifications

We do not send confirmations of work sent. If you have concerns that we did not receive your work due to computer problems, please email us at: info@thepoetryloft.org 

 
Rights 

Author grants First North American Serial Rights, First Anthology Rights and First Audio Rights, as well as the right to archive work. After publication, rights revert back to the author to republish the work elsewhere at a later time.

We request that authors kindly acknowledge WISP as the place where their work was first published. 

Response Time:
We respond to submissions in 3 months, sometimes sooner.

Deciding which poems and prose to publish is often difficult due to the many wonderful pieces that we receive. We often admire many works that do not fit our literary needs or format. If we pass on an acceptance this time, we encourage you to submit again in 6 months.

WISP is proud to nominate for the Pushcart Prize and other national prizes.

We will not consider AI generated or assisted work as well as writing that seems offensive or exhibits homophobia, misogyny, or xenophobia. 

An imprint of The Poetry Loft.  By donating to The Poetry Loft, you are making a charitable contribution. Thank you for supporting our work!