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.  

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.