Submit to the Applause Journal
Applause publishes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, visual art, and photography that exhibits practiced craft and polished style. We are interested in authentic & personal work that displays an understanding of craft & creativity. We want work that honors tradition and respects risks.
We are currently considering submissions for Issue 34 from 11/17/23 – 3/15/24.
Applause is an annual, full-online journal with a strong web platform allowing us to offer an immersive reading experience as we showcase in each issue the writing that moves us most during our reading period from undergraduate writers across the country and world. We acquire First North American Serial Rights. Work selected for publication will receive both publication and national exposure through our social media support systems. Our response time is approximately one to four months.
Each annual issue is a (loosely) themed issue. Our current call for submissions is as follows:
For issue 34, we are eager to explore the rich tapestry of the human experience through the following thematic elements:
- Sensory Reverie: Dive into the sensory realm as we seek submissions that evoke the
essence of sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. We encourage you to paint vivid
scenes, compose mellifluous verses, or craft prose that awakens the senses of our
readers.
- Rhythms of Resistance: In a world filled with challenges and adversities, we are interested
in narratives of strength, perseverance, and activism. Share stories of personal resilience,
accounts of overcoming obstacles, or reflections on the power of advocacy and social
change. Illuminate the indomitable human spirit through your words and art.
- Place Personified: Places have stories to tell. We invite you to submit pieces where the setting is not merely a backdrop but a living, breathing character in itself. Whether it's a bustling cityscape, a cozy hometown, or an uncharted wilderness, let the setting come alive and influence your work in profound ways.
We are accepting submissions now until March 15th, 2024, but the earlier the better for submissions.”
The (In)Evitable Ending
Evitable; adj. That admits of being avoided; avoidable
Applause is looking for the most interesting angles you can give us as your piece approaches its “evitable ending.” We’re reading submissions from 9/29/2022 until 2/14/2023.
Every poem, story, and essay begins with knowing there’s an end, but the ending doesn't have to be inevitable to satisfy the reader. The narrative’s end isn't always the best ending to choose. Sometimes the end of “what actually happened” is really the poem, story, or essay’s beginning. We’re looking for original poems, stories, essays, and artwork that showcases what happens when we avoid the avoidable.
Imagine the ending. Avoid it. Then send it to us.
Genre Specific Guidelines
Poetry
- Submit up to five poems for consideration.
- All forms will be considered for publication.
- Put the title(s) of the works submitted in the “Title Your Submission Box,” separated by commas.
- If submitting multiple poems in one submission, include them all in a single PDF file with the poems separated by title. Do not put multiple poems on one page or begin a poem on the page another poem ends.
Fiction
- Submit up to one piece for consideration.
- We accept works up to 5,000 words.
- Put the title of the works submitted in the “Title Your Submission Box.”
Creative Nonfiction
- Submit no more than one creative nonfiction piece for consideration.
- We accept creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words.
- Put the title of the works submitted in the “Title Your Submission Box.”
Art & Photography
- Submit up to five pieces for consideration.
- Please upload files in .pdf format.
- Files must be uploaded in 300 dpi for print reproduction.
- Put the title(s) of the works submitted in the “Title Your Submission Box.” If submitting multiple pieces in one submission, include them all in a single PDF file with the pieces separated by title.
Submit Your Work