Submissions

We take submissions in three categories: visual art, literature (poetry and fiction), and articles (social commentary, op-eds, creative nonfiction). Submissions are open throughout the year, but each category has its separate email address and submissions guidelines, which we ask you to respect.

As a final word, we respect the time and talent of those who submit to us and who expect a timely response, but we ask for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 weeks to get back to you. Rest assured, we have received your submissions and will get back to you as soon as we can, either way.

All rights revert to the author upon publication. Should your work be republished elsewhere, either online or in print, we would be very grateful if you credit The Missing Slate.

Literature (Fiction / Poetry)
Deadlines: All year round

Fiction
fiction(at)themissingslate(dot)com

Guidelines
Flash fiction, short stories and serialized long fiction are all accepted. We ask only that fiction be insightful and original with something to say.

Please do NOT:

Send submissions in the body of the email. That’s where your cover letter and third-person bio is expected to be.
Send multiple emails to us.

Please DO:

Submit up to a maximum of 3 pieces of fiction as Word attachments to the address above.
Label your attached Microsoft Word files as “Your Name – TMS Fiction“.
Include 1.5″-2.0″ line spacing, formatted in Georgia 11pt, justified.
If submitting serialized long fiction, please break down your story into serials/chapters.
Pay particular attention to grammar, unless experimental fiction or serving the purpose of the narrative.
Include a short (up to 60 words) third-person bio which can be published along with your submission.
Remember that simultaneous submissions (to other publications) are accepted, but please tell us as much and notify us immediately if your piece is accepted for publication somewhere else.
Realize that though we do not object to featuring previously published pieces, permission to re-print must be ascertained from the original publisher.
Credit TMS if your piece is re-published with another publication.

Poetry
poetry(at)themissingslate(dot)com

Guidelines
Poems of any theme and subject will be considered, but preference will be given to poems which demonstrate craft and originality; plagiarism will not be tolerated in any way.

Please do NOT:

Send multiple emails to us or multiple attachments in one email to us.

Please DO:

Submit a maximum of 3 poems, either in the body of your e-mail or as a single Microsoft Word attachment, to the address above.
Label your attached Microsoft Word files as ‘Your Name – TMS Poetry‘.
Include a short (up to 60 words) third-person bio which can be published along with your submission.
Remember that simultaneous submissions (to other publications) are accepted, but please let us know and notify us immediately if your piece is accepted for publication somewhere else.
Realize that though we do occasionally feature previously published pieces, permission to re-print must be ascertained from the original publisher.
Credit TMS if your piece is re-published with another publication.

Artwork
Deadlines: November 30, March 31, July 31
submissions(at)themissingslate(dot)com

Guidelines

When submitting works of art, please make sure that you send us high resolution (300 dpi) files.
Any artwork goes; paintings, illustrations, digital art photography, etc. If it’s art, we take it.
Concerning photo essays, please send in a series of up to 8 high res photographs with a meaningful theme: social, religious, cultural, etc.
Please ensure that the subject is relevant to our magazine’s audience and content. We don’t want random pictures of your pet puppies or cats in your backyard…there must be meaning and relevance behind your lens and it must reflect in your submissions.
Please send in all submissions as attachments. DO NOT include the work in the body of your email.

Please note, these submissions are not the same as our Roving Eye Spotlight series. However, submissions can sometimes be converted into a Spotlight interview as per our discretion. All material is credited.

Articles

articles(at)themissingslate(dot)com
Deadlines: Year round

Guidelines
We take submissions as op-eds, academic essays, or social commentaries / satires — though we have no word limit for public submissions, we do ask that you keep your initial pitch to about 1,500 words. If accepted, an editor will work with you for the duration of editing and publication.

While we believe in freedom of speech and opinion, we also choose to respect the beliefs and rights of others and will not accept indulgent, narcissistic and insulting pieces.

Please do NOT:

Send submissions in the body of the email. That’s where your cover letter and third-person bio is expected to be.
Send multiple emails to us.
Simultaneously submit articles to other publications.

Please DO:

Label your attached Microsoft Word files as “Your Name – TMS Articles“.
Include 1.5″-2.0″ line spacing, formatted in Georgia 11pt, justified.
Pay particular attention to grammar, spelling and language consistency. If American English, it must be American English all the way through.
Include a short (up to 60 words) third-person bio which can be published along with your submission.
Remember that simultaneous submissions (to other publications) are accepted, but please tell us as much and notify us immediately if your piece is accepted for publication somewhere else.
Credit TMS if your piece is re-published with another publication.