Indie Lit Journal is a quarterly publication from Indie Lit Lounge, featuring fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction from independent writers. We publish four times per year (March, June, September, December) with beautifully designed PDF issues available free to all readers. Selected work is compiled into an annual print anthology.
What We Publish:
Fiction
Up to 3000 words
Literary fiction, genre-blending work, experimental narratives
Stories with strong voices, compelling characters, and emotional resonance
We value craft, originality, and work that surprises us.
Poetry
Any style, form, or length
Free verse, formal verse, experimental, prose poetry—all welcome
We’re drawn to poems with vivid imagery and emotional depth
Poetry that takes risks and trusts the reader
Creative Nonfiction/Personal Essays
Up to 2500 words
Memoir, lyric essays, personal narrative, literary journalism
True stories that reveal something essential about being human
Strong voice, reflection, and narrative arc
Composite characters should be noted in cover letter
Submission Periods
Issue #1 (Spring 2026)
Theme: Open submissions
Deadline: January 2, 2026
Publication: March 17-21, 2026
Issue #2 (Summer 2026)
Theme: TBA
Deadline: April 13, 2026
Publication: June 16-20, 2026
Issue #3 (Fall 2026)
Theme: Open submissions
Deadline: July 13, 2026
Publication: September 15-19, 2026
Issue #4 (Winter 2026)
Theme: TBA
Deadline: October 13, 2026
Publication: December 15-19, 2026
Future submission windows will be announced on our Substack
General Guidelines
Eligibility:
Open to all indie writers
Previously unpublished work only (includes personal blogs, Medium, Substack, Wattpad, etc.)
Work published in print or online literary magazines is not eligible
Simultaneous submissions accepted—notify us if accepted elsewhere
Submission Limits:
One submission per category per reading period. You may submit in multiple categories (one fiction + one poetry + one creative nonfiction)
Previously rejected work may be resubmitted after revision
Formatting:
Prose: Standard manuscript format
12pt Times New Roman or similar serif font
Double-spaced
Include word count in header
Pages numbered
Poetry: Single-spaced
File format: docx
Cover Letter (required):
Brief bio (50-100 words)
Publication history (if any)
Note if submission is simultaneous
Note if using composite characters (nonfiction only)
How to Submit:
Submit via our form here once we open up submissions.
Attach your manuscript file
Paste or attach your bio
Content Policies
We do not accept:
Hate speech or work that promotes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
Work that glorifies violence against specific individuals or groups
Content that sexualizes minors in any way
Plagiarized or AI-generated work
Work with graphic sexual violence or torture as entertainment
Conspiracy theories presented as fact (in nonfiction)
We welcome:
Difficult subjects handled with care and craft
Complex characters, including flawed or morally ambiguous ones
Diverse perspectives and marginalized voices
When in doubt: We’re looking for work that handles difficult material with intention, craft, and respect for human dignity.
Response Time
We aim to respond within 4 weeks of the submission deadline.
Accepted writers will be notified by email. We may request minor edits for clarity or length.
Rights
Rights:
We acquire first publication rights for the quarterly journal (meaning this is the first place your work will be published)
We acquire non-exclusive anthology rights for our annual print anthology (meaning you retain the right to republish your work elsewhere, including in your own collections, but we can also include it in our anthology)
All other rights remain with you
What we’re looking for:
We want work that:
Has a strong, distinctive voice
Takes creative risks
Reveals something true about human experience
Stays with us after we’ve finished reading
Shows attention to craft and language
Surprises us
We’re less interested in:
Work that relies heavily on shock value alone
Stories that feel like writing exercises
Poetry that prioritizes obscurity over meaning
Essays without reflection or insight
Work that hasn’t been carefully revised