The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.
The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
This submission portal is for Young Voices--writers in middle and high school, ages 12 through 18. Submissions must include a cover note by a teacher, mentor, or parent as well as an email address for that person. Please identify either a school or writing program that the author attends or participates in. This can go in the cover letter portion of the submission, along with the student's bio. Submissions may include nonfiction (1500 word limit), fiction (1500 word limit), poetry (1 to 3 poems) or flash (up to 750 words). For prose pieces, please identify as fiction or nonfiction.
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.
The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
We welcome essays to 5000 words.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.
The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.
The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
PLEASE BE SURE TO MARK AS FLASH FICTION, MICRO ESSAY, OR PROSE POEM. THANKS!
You may include up to three flash pieces in a single file. Each should be no longer than 750 words.
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.
The theme for the Spring 2027 issue is "The Metamorphic Issue."
WE WILL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS ON OCTOBER 15, 2026--AND CLOSE WHEN OUR SUBMISSION CAP IS REACHED.
The pattern of darkness and light impacts everything. From the pupae resting in a chrysalis to the newly emerged insect drying its wings to seeds waiting in the earth to the child sleeping at night, we all need times of darkness. And then, where water and land meet, where mountains part, where prairie gives way to town, where life changes in the magical ecotones, light grows out of the blue-black and eventually fills the sky. The moment of delight as we feel the warmth of the sun—apricity. Perhaps in that new light, you begin to notice things you might typically walk past: insects, water, trees, new sprouts, broken shells, peeping noises, silence.
What stops you? What astonishes you? What changes you? How do you effect change? What makes you grow?
We invite writing that explores the small wonders of the world, that details the minute particulars, those things one notices as the world grows dark or as light begins to break the darkness.
Please include an author bio and a cover letter that addresses how your work intersects with our theme.
Because we value the creative process, we do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted writing (even partially created).
A Chautauqua poem is not just a pretty exercise in language. It exhibits the writer’s craft and attention to language, employs striking images and metaphors, and engages the mind as well as the emotions. It emerges from the poet’s deep reading and knowledge of poetic tradition, reacting to that tradition to reveal a definite aesthetic approach, opening insights into the larger world of human concerns. This may include traditional or experimental work, but each poem should be meaningful to a smart reader beyond the writer’s private code of expression.
Submit a maximum of three poems, typed single-spaced, justified left, saved in a single document.
If you are considering submitting to Chautauqua, https://www.chautauquajournal.com/, please visit our website where our newest issue is live. You will get a thorough feel for the kind of writing we love—and, clearly, what we publish. If you’re interested in writing a craft essay or book review for our Porch, please email us at chautauquajournal@gmail.com.