Themed Submissions: Return
Ends on
What does it mean to turn back towards something or someone? A return can be a homecoming, a homegoing, or a gesture of affection (as in returning a hug from another). In literature, Odysseus returned after a long absence and sea voyage; for Penelope, who went to her loom to undo the day's prior work, returning happened in the smallest of gestures. Balls are returned in sports; juries return judgments. People, money, and objects come back to us. We return unwanted or defective purchases. We come back, again and again, to ourselves and to the places we have tried to leave.
Send us your best interpretation on the theme "returns" as fiction or flash fiction up to 3,000 words. Pieces will be published in April 2024.
Details:
- 3,000 words max.
- include 1-2 sentences in your cover letter telling us how your piece touches on the theme. No need to go deep here. We just want to check that you've read the sub guidelines.
- Simultaneous submissions are fine. Do not send multiple submissions.
- Double space your submission. Use an unobtrusive font so we can focus on your story and not how difficult it is to read.
We will gladly consider new translations on the theme of stories not widely available in English, with all rights the responsibility of the translator. Please indicate prominently in your submission that is a translation.