submissions

all the deets for submissions . . .

Poetry & Prose — Open Tomorrow

We have two open reading periods for submissions:

  • October 1st – Jan 31st for our spring/summer issues. (Published in March 2027)
  • April 1st – July 31st for our fall/winter issues. (Published in September 2027)

Visual Art — Open

What is visual art? Photography, acrylic, oil, watercolor, charcoal, pen and ink, visual poetry, mixed media, hybrid art, collage, erasure poems/art, and experimental — essentially, you name it, we want it. So, show us something new and different in the visual realm. Most importantly, if it’s art and speaks to us, we want to publish it!

Why Submit to INK?

  • No Fees
  • All-inclusive
  • Paying Market
  • We Respond to ALL Subs
  • Literary Prize Nominations
  • Fast Turnaround Time (typically under 7 days)
  • Full-color 126 page Print Issues (& digital download)
Ink In Thirds Magazine font image

(Also, while we still love angst, gritty, and anything that gives us the feels, let’s use common sense here.) Feel free to peruse back issues to get a feel for what we are looking for in print. In fact, many of the back issues are available for free download on MagCloud. We DO NOT accept AI-created content.

Additionally, we currently publish two full-color issues a year, filled with words and art galore, keeping the rich quality you’ve come to know and love synonymous with Ink In Thirds.

For detailed guidelines, see FAQ’s below under General Guidelines.

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prose

submit up to 600 words max (1 per form)

This includes 3 word stories, 100 word stories, drabbles, microfiction, flash fiction, and whatever your imagination can conjure. Give us something to sink our teeth into, something that makes us forget we’re editing.

In reality, our only absolute requirement is to make us feel something! Sad, fine. Tormented, better. Angst, gah. Happy, meh—we’ll take it. Most importantly, move us with your words. 

SUBMIT
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poetry

submit up to 3 poems (in one form)

We’ll consider anything from free verse to haiku to haibun to you-name-it. But, of course, we love Three Line Poetry. ::insert wink::  Invented and experimental forms are always welcome. So, show us something new. But we especially like mental floss, unforgettable imagery that clings to your marrow.

Be different, unique, or weird. In truth, give us something to chew on for months, even years to come. 

SUBMIT

photography/visual art

submit up to 6 photos/artwork selections (in one form) 

We are looking for high-resolution photos of all art forms in addition to traditional photography. Specifically, we want acrylics, oils, watercolors, charcoals, pen and ink, mixed media, hybrid art, and any additional experimental forms you can conjure. If it is art and speaks to us, we undoubtedly want to publish it!

Regardless, if you’re unsure or need additional information, drop us a line, and we will try to help.

Some Basic Guidelines for Print:
  • all photos/images MUST be a minimum of 300 dpi
  • minimum requirements for a cover photo or interior page  2250×2775 pixels (300 dpi) = 7.5 x 9.25 print 
  • minimum requirements for full-page magazine spread 4500×2775 pixels (300 dpi) = 15 x 9.25 print 

We want vivid imagery, even in photos. In general, transport us with your visual art form.

Submit
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F.A.Q.

Quick Facts and All Things Wordy

  • NO AI-CREATED CONTENT

  • WE DO NOT ACCEPT PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORK

Therefore, any work that has been posted or otherwise made publicly available online is considered to have been “previously published.” This includes blogs and social media sites.

  • We DO ACCEPT simultaneous submissions

We also write and understand the process required to publish your work. Now go, get out there! Just be kind enough to let us know as soon as possible if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  • We strive to respond within 7 DAYS (typically much sooner).

  • We respond to every submission. If you haven’t heard back from us within 7 days, query via the contact form.

  • We currently have two reading periods for Poetry and Prose:

      • April 1 to July 31

      • Oct 1 to Jan 31

  • Photography and Visual Art Submissions are ALWAYS OPEN

(Please, no lewd or graphic images, use of excessive profanity, or overtly disturbing mental images. Let’s use common sense here.) Think sensual, seductive, all things nature, and evoking the five senses. No overindulgent gore or pornography will be accepted. 

Please submit only one form for each category.

  • Prose

  • Poetry

  • Photography/Visual Art 

(Yes, you can submit once to each category every submission period.)

Be advised that we read all submissions in the order they are received and will respond to the email address provided as quickly as possible. If the provided email address is incorrect, we cannot reach you. Please double-check the email address before submitting.

We give each submission the time and consideration it deserves and strive to keep response times within 7 days.

Ink in Thirds acquires Exclusive First Rights. We ask for 30 days exclusive after our initial publication date. After 30 days, the copyright automatically reverts to the author. Feel free to publish and submit your work elsewhere, and please mention Ink in Thirds as the first place it appeared. We also maintain Nonexclusive Archival Rights. All work may be permanently archived on our online database and digital issues.

Unfortunately, we cannot afford to provide contributor copies at this time. We make $3.30 per print issue sold, which goes directly into the magazine to cover basic operating costs.

We DO NOT charge submission fees. Therefore, we rely on donations and issues sold to produce quality products. We do not profit from this magazine; we do this because of our love and passion for writing and the arts!

Contributors make this beautiful print magazine possible. We promote our contributors on socials and nominate them for literary prizes to help champion writers on their publishing journeys.

Each 126-page, full-color print magazine will be available for $29.50, which includes a free digital download. Additionally, we will offer a digital-only version (to keep things affordable) for $3.33. Currently, we publish two issues a year.

Thank you for considering Ink In Thirds as a home for your creative endeavors!

As of 2025, we’ve become a paying market! Our current payment is $5 USD per contributor (it can vary based on yearly donations but will not be less than $3 per contributor).

We also offer praise and want to promote and champion other work you publish. Therefore, please include your website or blog, X (Twitter), and Insta info in the submission form!

We also nominate for literary prizes:

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