Submissions are now Closed!
The Stray Branch is not currently reading any new submissions and will not resume reading until October. Any submissions sent now (after April) will not be read until then. Reading times for the The Stray Branch are from October through April.
Submission Guidelines
Poetry can be sent within the body of the email, all story, artwork and photography submissions please send as attachments No simultaneous submissions please! Previously published poems okay.
Poetry
The Stray Branch is open to form and style, however it is not looking for crazy, complicated, messy looking forms. Free verse is preferred. Shorter poems have a better chance of being published.
Open to subject matter but prefers edgy, raw material written from the gut that reflects the heart and the human condition....These include, depression, loss, sorrow, addiction, recovery, abuse, survival, daily exitence, self struggles and discovery through words, Art as healing, as coping. Wants poetry by real people that can be understood by all readers. Prefers works of a darker nature. Rhyming poetry is okay.
Does not want!! over-schooled, arrogant, self righteous, religious, political, sentimental, or happy and light, pretty poetry. No erotic poetry!! Looking for well crafted, honest, mature work from experienced writers.
Submit up to 6 poems.
Short Stories
Open to subject matter though the same as with poetry, does not want political pieces, erotic pieces, pieces on religion or stories written by children. Would like to see humor, anything dark and edgy. personal pieces, horror, vampires, thrillers, mysteries and suspense.
Please limit stories to no more than 2 and ½ pages. Shorter stories have a better chance of being published.
Artwork/Photography (Will appear On-line Only if it is color) Black and white will appear in print.
Looking for artwork and photography that is dark, edgy, gothic, unique, abstract, powerful and interesting. Nothing boring. Artwork can be computer generated graphics (will appear on-line only) drawings, sketches, etc;. The only requirement is that it be your own original work. Drawings, sketches and black and white photography will appear in print. Submit up to 4 pieces via e-mail (sent as attachment) with Artwork/Photography submission in the subject line. Response time 2-3 weeks depending on submissions. Submissions should be sent as jpg files.
Cover letter not required but brief bios, contributors notes are preferred and will be published along with your work. Also, feel free to send a small photo to go along with bio but please only send a serious, tactful black and white photo of yourself.
Deadline for submissions
The Stray Branch reads submissions from October through April.
Response Time
Up to three weeks.
Payment
The Stray Branch currently does not offer payment for accepted works and after the production of issue #4 will no longer offer free print copies to its contributors due to cost. However, they will still receive a pdf file version of the issue they appear in and will be able to purchase copies at a discounted rate.
Rights
The Stray Branch requires one time rights, this includes publication on the website. All rights revert back to author upon publication.
Send all submissions to thestraybranchlitmag@yahoo.com with name, email, brief bio at the top left hand side of the page before your work. Poetry can be sent within the body of the email, all story, artwork and photography submissions please send as attachments. A small black and white bio photo (optional) can be sent as a jpg attachment. Bio photos will appear in print and on the website.
please do not send more than 2 submissions per a six month reading period.
Thank you.
