- We welcome submissions that reflect the heart of storytelling in all its forms — written, visual, or experimental. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a passionate newcomer, we’re honored to consider your work.
What We Accept:
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- Artwork (original illustrations, digital or traditional – JPEG or PNG format)
- Short Stories (one story per submission, up to 3,000 words)
- Poetry (up to 5 poems per submission)
- Flash Fiction (up to 3 pieces per submission, each under 1,000 words)
- Creative Nonfiction (memoir, essay, personal reflection – one piece, up to 2,000 words)
- Photography (up to 5 high-resolution images)
- We accept previously unpublished work only. Work posted publicly on personal blogs or social media counts as published.
Themes & Style:
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- Open themes — we love stories that are heartfelt, thought-provoking, mysterious, lyrical, or unexpected.
- We look for voice, creativity, originality, and emotional depth.
- Visual pieces should tell a story or evoke strong emotion.
- Every submission is read and selected by our human editorial team. We do not use AI tools to make editorial decisions, and we do not accept work generated by AI.
Audience:
Submissions should be suitable for a general audience (13+). Please refrain from:
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- Excessive profanity
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- Graphic violence
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- Explicit sexual content
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- Hateful or discriminatory themes
Note: We’re not looking for perfection — we’re looking for pieces with soul, spark, and a reason to be told.
How to Submit:
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- Email submissions to: [email protected]
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- Subject Line: Top-Shelf Submission – [Your Name]
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- Attach documents as .doc, .docx, or PDF files. Images as .jpg or .png.
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- Include a short third-person bio (50–100 words). To keep contributor pages consistent, all bios follow our house style: your name, prior publications, awards or honors, literary affiliations or education, and optionally your location and where readers can find you online. We edit all bios to fit this format.
Response Time:
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We aim to respond to submissions within 2–6 weeks. If your work is accepted, we will contact you with next steps and publication details.
- Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- Rights: Authors and artists retain copyright to their work. If accepted, Top-Shelf Literary Magazine requests first electronic publication rights and the nonexclusive right to archive and promote the work as part of the magazine.