Submission Guidelines

580 Split, the graduate literary journal of Mills College, publishes poetry, prose, creative non-fiction, and art. The editors seek diverse and innovative work: diversity of style, form, genre, content; and diversity of the writers themselves. Writers of color, LGBT writers, and under-represented writers are strongly encouraged to submit.

We are currently accepting submissions for issue 12, to be published in Spring, 2010. Submissions must be received by December 1, 2009.  During the academic year, we try to respond within 2 to 4 months.  If, after four months, you have not heard back regarding your submission, you may query the appropriate section editors.

580 Split does not accept simultaneous submissions.  All submissions must be typed.  When submitting via e-mail, please send your writing as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file only.  The attached file should be ONE document that includes a brief paragraph stating the title(s) of your work, each work for consideration on a separate page, and a 25-word bio.  Please do not send additional items like resumes or reviews from other publications.

580 Split does not publish work that has been previously published elsewhere.  We acquire First North American serial rights, and payment is one contributor copy.

Submitters may purchase copies of 580 Split online to familiarize themselves with the work we publish. Please see below for more information on where to submit your work, as well as specific artist statements from this year’s editors.

Managing Editor statement -

Raphael Cohen:

Raphael is especially committed to literary work that splits, exposes, explores, and subverts dominant cultural narratives, specifically those related to pressing contemporary social and political issues.  He looks for writing that prioritizes the lived experiences of everyday people, centralizes the poly-lingual/multi-ethnic context of early 21st century Americas, extracts magic from the mundane, and ignites constructive dialogue on the role of art in effecting meaningful social change.  Please see www.raphaelcohen.net for more info on his writing, performance, and educational work.

Poetry:

All forms will be considered. Up to three (3) poems may be submitted, with a maximum of 6 pages in total, per submission. Must be typed in a readable font. Please include any special formatting instructions. Special formatting may be adjusted to fit our page size.

Poetry Editors statements -

Kiala Givehand, poetry editor:

Kiala enjoys reading lyrical and jazz poetry about all topics. Poets who grab her attention usually play with language and seamlessly include cultural specific references while demonstrating sensitivity to world issues. She appreciates work that deconstructs the notion of a “traditional form of poetry.” Poetry does not need to rhyme to be brilliant, but she welcomes poems that rhyme brilliantly. Kiala thinks that long poems should have length because they require length, not because the poet wants to go on and on. Minimal words, maximum impact. In the end, Kiala just wants to experience amazing poetry that knocks her off her current idea of what great poetry looks/sounds like, thus forcing her to revise this statement.

H.K. Rainey, poetry editor:

In reading poetry, H.K. always enjoy interacting with poems that practice modesty: modesty in the use of poetic tropes, literary devices, polysyllabic words and other types of so-called “poetic” language. She enjoys poems that give words their proper weight, that tickle her imagination with their messages, and poems that make her laugh. She wants poems to be well thought out, but to appear effortless, like the movements of an artful gymnast. A wonderful poem should be far-reaching in its scope and intimate in its detail. Write whatever form or non-form you write, but do it with style.

Please submit poetry to 580poetry@gmail.com

Fiction:

All (sub)genres will be considered. Must be typed and double-spaced in a 12-point, readable font. Up to two (2) pieces may be submitted. Maximum length: 5,000 words. Special formatting may be adjusted to fit our page size.

Fiction Editors statements -

Naamen Tilahun, fiction editor:

Naamen enjoys stories that play with the idea of the fantastic in literature, whether that be in the language itself, in plot, setting, descriptions, characters, narration, etc. He is always intrigued by the experimental – things that cross genres, play with forms, re/invent language, re/create narratives, re/position, re/examine, challenge the power dynamic of writer versus reader.

Lisen Stromberg, fiction editor:

Theme. Narrative. Plot. Structure. Voice. Story. Make her want to read more. It’s really as simple as that.

Please submit fiction to 580prose@gmail.com

Creative Non-fiction:

All (sub)genres will be considered. Must be typed and double-spaced in a 12-point, readable font. Up to two (2) pieces may be submitted. Maximum length: 5,000 words. Special formatting may be adjusted to fit our page size.

Creative Non-fiction Editor statement -

Jessica Langlois, creative non-fiction editor:

Jessica looks for creative nonfiction stories with a distinctive narrative voice; character development and emotional honesty are more important than dramatic arc. Though linear storylines comfort her, she is seduced by clear and effective nonlinear or experimental structures. The best stories are the ones that demand to be told.

Please submit creative non-fiction to 580cnf@gmail.com

Artwork:

Any work that can be effectively rendered in two dimensions will be considered. Submit up to six (6) pieces labeled with the artist’s name and titles. Include a brief description or artist’s statement, if necessary. For all submissions, enclose electronic copies saved to CD as .pdf, .jpg, .ai or .tif files. Color images may be considered, however, due to budget limitations, black and white images are preferred.

Lyall Harris, art editor:

Please submit artwork to 580arts@gmail.com