What kind of submissions are you looking for?
We have set submission guidelines to ensure a certain uniformity in the works we receive, but we are pretty open to all genres, styles and themes. We do not set themes because we want our submitters to express themselves in whatever way they deem necessary. We particularly enjoy magical realism, experimentalism, and surrealism but these are not required. We also love to read and see works from all over the world aswe strongly value the opportunity to provide a platform for writers and artists from all backgrounds and cultures.
Do you have any requirements regarding who is allowed to submit?
None at all! We welcome submitters of all ages, expertise, and backgrounds. We welcome both emerging and established creatives. We do not ask for a bio until after making a decision on your piece so that we can be as objective as possible.
Should I submit my work to you?
If you are still doubting whether Spellbinder is a good match for your work, we would really enjoy reading and seeing your work either way. So yes, send it!
What happens if my piece is accepted somewhere else?
If this happens (yay!), but do please let us know at your earliest convenience. If you wish, you can submit us another piece instead and we will be happy to consider it. If it is within the submission window, it will be considered for the upcoming issue but, if the submissions have already been closed, it will be considered for the next issue after that.
How many people submit to Spellbinder?
The number of submitters is the most well-kept secret of any literary journal. Each of your submissions is read by one primary and one secondary editor to ensure fair and objective reviewing. To pull that off, we need many editors and readers – have a look at our staff page for more details.
How long do I need to wait for a response?
We look at and make decisions on pieces after our submissions have closed. You should hear from us within a month of our submissions closing date. If you have submitted while our submissions were closed, please wait until the next submissions window closes because we will consider your piece then.
Are you a paying market?
Starting with the Autumn 2022 issue contributors, we pay a £3 honorarium per acceptance after print publication. We are a non-profit organisation and have only recently gathered enough funds to become a paying market.
Will I receive a complimentary contributor copy?
We currently are not able to provide contributor copies but we hope to be able to once we have the funds.
Can I win prizes?
Once you are accepted, you are automatically entered in our yearly category-specific competition. We announce winners in October every year and you can win a Spellbinder Annual Award. Pretty neat, right? Also, with your permission, we plan to submit the works that win a Spellbinder Annual Award to more famous awards such as The Pushcart Prizes and The Best American Series among others.