Submission Guidelines
Broadsided seeks poetry and prose that is evocative, riveting, and not too esoteric. Broadsides are out on the streets, and we hope that they compel all kinds of people to stop, read, and consider. We want them to draw in readers, not push them away. That said, we want smart, difficult work. Work that challenges and speaks strongly.
Real people on our all-volunteer editorial team read each and every submission. We are honored when writers we know and admire send work our way, we also leap with glee when a writer who has not yet been published blows our collective editorial minds. This is to say: your work gets a fair and real read at Broadsided.
If accepted for publication, a Broadsided artist will respond to your work visually, and then words and art will be made into a broadside. You will not be in conversation with the artist during this process, which is why we also publish a brief author/artist Q&A along with the broadside to lift the curtain and let people peer into the process behind a creation.
We nominate work published at Broadsided for consideration in national prizes, such as the Pushcart.
POEMS
Send your original, unpublished poems of 25 lines or less (shorter is better for Broadsided collaborations because it allows the reader time and space for both words and images). 3-5 poems at the most, please.
PROSE
Send your original, unpublished 300 words of prose (or less).
LESS IS MORE
For our format (on one sheet of paper, designed to be read by someone strolling by) short pieces work best. It gives us more space to play with design, more rest for the eye, a more open invitation to passsers-by. We reject out of hand work that is too long for our format.
Submittable
All submissions must be sent via Submittable. There is a $3 fee for submissions which goes toward keeping Broadsided “on the air” so we can give the broadsides away to any who want to download them and get your work onto the streets of the world. We appreciate your support.
Reading Periods
We have two annual editorial meetings (one in spring, one in fall) during which the editors come together and consider the work that has made our final editorial cut. We read them aloud, discuss them, and either accept, reject, or respond with editorial suggestions. Depending on when you submit, your wait time will be longer or shorter, but we do clear out the inbox twice a year.
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Upon Acceptance
A Broadsided artist will respond to your work visually, and then your poem/story/essay will be made into a unique, letter-sized poster for anyone to download and print.
The team of artists involved with Broadsided are phenomenally talented individuals in whom the editors have utter faith and confidence. You will not be in correspondence with the artist responding to your work. In fact, the first time you will see the visual art your writing inspired will be when you are sent a proof of the broadside to check for typographical errors. Sit back and see what happens!
You will be expected to answer questions for our “Collaborators’ Q&A” feature in which you can discuss the experience of having an artist respond to your work. You will also email us a photo of your Broadsided collaboration posted up in your community, preferably with you in the image. We want you to be part of putting words and art on the streets.
Once your work is Broadsided, it will be distributed on walls and telephone poles saved on this site as a PDF for others to download, enjoy, and post for all time.
