Submission Guidelines

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

WISP is a literary review postcard of mini poetry, fiction, and memoir/ creative nonfiction.  WISP keeps outstanding literature and art in hands and on the streets, alive and circulating. Selections are published quarterly, digitally and in print. 

A collaboration between writers and visual artists, WISP is a mini lit journal on a postcard -- The perfect size for passing around, tucking into a purse or briefcase, or slipping into a friend's gift. Leave them at coffee shops, libraries, or waiting rooms, or pin them onto bulletin boards. refrigerators, and telephone poles. WISP postcards pack a powerful literary punch and are brief enough to read on trains, planes and buses.  In this age of digitalization, WISP postcards in snail mail are something you can touch, collect and pass around!

WISP is dedicated to discovering the best imaginative unpublished works from emerging and established poets and writers.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

Winter issue: deadline January 1, 2026; Spring issue: deadline April 1, 2026.

Send 1-3  unpublished poems, flash fiction, creative nonfiction and memoir to ph185@cox.net or info@thepoetryloft.org in the body of the email.
On the Subject line write: WISP Submission, followed by your last name.

Each piece must be fewer than 150 words, and 18 lines.

Include a brief bio, no longer than 3 lines, which will appear on the postcard if accepted. All submissions will be read blind. 

If accepted, poet/ writer grants First Serial Rights. Your work may be creatively formatted to fit on a postcard. 

Artwork for accepted literary pieces will be chosen by the editors.  A selection of  literary works will be sent to visual artists on our roster to create art in response to the literary piece. (Ekphrasis).
We seek artwork that opens up the interpretation of the literary piece rather than a literal representation.  Accepted writers may also submit artwork of their own. 

WISP postcards will appear online on this website, or other social media. 

Accepted writers and artists will receive a free packet of 10 postcards. Additional packets will be available upon request.

We will respond to submissions in 3-4 weeks. If you don't hear from us in 4 weeks, please send an email to get an update on the status.  

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

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