Broadsided seeks poetry and prose that is evocative, riveting, and not too esoteric. Broadsides are out on the streets, and we hope that they compel all kinds of people to stop, read, and consider. We want them to draw in readers, not push them away. That said, we want smart, difficult work. Work that challenges and speaks strongly.
Who have we published? You can browse our archives or see an alphabetic list of authors or list of artists with links to their publications.
SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS/PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORK: We are glad to accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere. We only consider unpublished work.
RESPONSE TIME: We will do our best to respond within 8-9 weeks.
PUBLICATION TIME: As of 2023, we publish a folio of broadsides twice a year, fall and spring. Our lead time, particularly since an artist is responding to your work, is fairly long. If you have timeline issues (eg: a book in which your submitted poem will be published) please let us know. We'll do our best to work with you.
CLOSED FOR SUMMER: We DO NOT READ submissions from May 15 - September 1. You are welcome to submit during that time, but we will not respond to you until the fall.
UPON ACCEPTANCE: A Broadsided artist will respond to your work visually, and then your poem/story/essay will be Broadsided (made into a unique visual/literary document). The artists involved with this project are all talented individuals in whom the editors have both faith and confidence—because our goal is to have the Broadside be a commingling of literary and visual art, we want to give the artists as much freedom as possible. Therefore, you will not be in correspondence with the artist during the process. Sit back and see what happens!
You will be expected to answer questions for our "Collaborators' Q&A" feature and to email us a photo of your Broadsided Press collaboration up in your community, preferably with you in the image. We want you to be part of putting words and art on the streets.
FEES: To cover operational costs, we must charge a $3 fee for each submission. If, for reasons of financial hardship, you cannot afford to pay the submission fee, please send us an email at broadsided at gmail dot com.
SUPPORT: If you'd like to bump up your contribution and help us, we would be grateful for your donation. Broadsided is a 501(c)3 entity, and your donations are tax-deductible. They go toward website fees, emailing services, and promotions such as postcards, a table at a conference, and the like. We do not, at this time, pay staff or contributors for their work, though we hope to in the future.
BROADSIDED's ANNUAL SWITCHEROO
WANTED: Ekphrastic Responses to artist Sara Tabbert's woodcut, New Growth
DEADLINE: May 1, 2024
Broadsided is seeking submissions of poetry and short prose that respond to this sculpture by artist Douglas Culhane. The winning entry will be published on June 1, 2024 as a Broadsided collaboration to enliven the doors, utility poles, bus stops, and walls of the world. Submission guidelines and details follow.
See the image and read more here.
What's a Switcheroo?
A turning of the tables. In The Switcheroo, writers respond to the work of a Broadsided visual artist, rather than the other way around. You can see all our past Switcheroos here. Because the art and literature will be presented together, in a single broadside, we encourage you to consider how strangeness might emerge from their juxtaposition. The writing does not need to describe the image. Together, writing and art will create a unique whole.
This year, we have posted a piece by Sara Tabbert for you to respond to in words.
Only one response per entrant, please.
- Poems should be 20 lines or less.
- Prose should be 300 words or less.
- Please include a brief bio.
“New Growth” by Sara Tabbert. 2022. Wood, veneer, acrylic on carved panel, 10″x10.”
FEES: To cover operational costs, we charge a $3 fee for each submission. If, for reasons of financial hardship, you cannot afford to pay the submission fee, please send us an email at broadsided at gmail dot com.
If you'd like to bump up your contribution and help us, we would be grateful for your donation.
LESS IS MORE:
Submit your 25-line (or less) poems (3-5 at the most, please).
For our format--one sheet of paper, designed to be read by someone strolling by--short pieces work best. It gives us more space to play with design, more rest for the eye, a more open invitation to passsers-by.
BIOS
Please include a bio in your cover letter. The pdf bio will be quite short, but we can put a longer note online.
We will do our best to respond within 8-9 weeks.
LESS IS MORE:
Submit your 300 words of prose (or less). You may submit up to 3 short pieces.
For our format (on one sheet of paper, designed to be read by someone strolling by) short pieces work best. It gives us more space to play with design, more rest for the eye, a more open invitation to passersby.
We know that a snippet of story or essay cannot convey the full complexity of your work. Although the published broadside will have at the most 300 words, we are more than happy to put the rest of your text online. If you choose to send a story in its entirety, please begin with the section that you think is appropriate to broadside.
BIOS
Please include a bio in your cover letter. The published Broadsided bio will be quite short, but we can put a longer note online.
We will do our best to respond within 8-9 weeks.