general guidelines

Formerly known as Crazyhorse, swamp pink publishes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction semi-monthly online.

Our aim is to continue publishing exceptional work from writers at all stages of their careers. We are particularly interested in submissions from writers of color and writers from marginalized and underrepresented communities. And yes, we pay our contributors.

Poems receive $40 each, and we pay $0.05 a word for prose. Maximum payout for accepted work is $200.

Submissions of fiction and nonfiction can be up to 7,500 words in length. We have published exceptional work that falls outside this range, but it is an unusual occurrence.

For poetry, please submit a set of 3-6 poems.

We accept general submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from September 1st to December 31st and February 1st to May 31st. During the month of January, we only accept entries for the swamp pink Prizes in Fiction, Nonfiction, & Poetry.

We accept simultaneous submissions for all genres. It typically takes us 12-16 weeks to respond to submissions.

More specific guidelines for each genre can be found below.

fiction

Please send previously unpublished short fiction up to 7,500 words. We welcome work by writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.

poetry

swamp pink looks for poems that reckon with internal and external worlds. Poems that sing. Poems that don’t call attention to everything behind the curtain. Poems that leap from the very first line. Poems that keep us in their world long after we read them. Poems from the established writer, the rising star, and those just beginning their journey. We’re happy to consider simultaneous submissions.

nonfiction

We believe creative nonfiction can take any shape, from letter to list, from biography to memoir, from ekphrasis to critique, from flash to long-form (up to 7500 words). We’re especially eager to work with emerging writers from underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.

flash fiction

Please send previously unpublished flash fiction up to 1,500 words (you may send up to three flash pieces in a single document). We welcome work by writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.