Deadline: "We read literary submissions continuously."
Germ is a magazine that celebrates beginnings, futures, and all the amazing and agonizing moments in-between. We are currently looking for original art and literature, including short stories, flash fiction, self-contained excerpts of novels/plays/screenplays, poems, memoirs, personal essays, songs, short films, short plays, photography and other visual art that in some way embodies what it means to be a young woman — or alternately, that somehow captures a “germ” moment in time. A “germ” moment is that pivotal point in time when something (person, place, thing, feeling, or idea) begins to grow. In this way, we are interested in a broad array of subjects, although our audience should still be taken into consideration when submitting.
We are open to work that explores the full range of human experience, including edgy, darker, or experimental work, but we are not interested in work that is profane, offensive, overly simplistic/stereotypical, work that seeks to promote an agenda, or work that does not adhere to our Manifesto. We are interested in original work that upholds the highest literary and artistic aspirations, and we are open to submissions from writers and artists of all ages and genders from all over the world.
While we will accept previously published work, writers and artists must have full rights to republish the work in Germ. Germ will not be responsible for any conflicts that arise from previous publications. Please ensure that you have permission to republish with us.
Reading Period: We read literary submissions continuously.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please write us at germ@germmagazine.com if you’d like to:
Say hi, propose a topic, or ask a question.
Other submission options:Write a Dear Me letter to your high school or future self.
Show us where you’re Wandering.
Whether you’re wandering in your hometown or traveling, if the place is big or small, we want to see it. You can record your journey via video, pictures, drawings, or words. Please use Google Drive and share your file(s) with germ@germmagazine.com.
- Submit your writing. See our Literary Submission Guidelines for all the details.
- Submit your own works (music albums, books) to be considered for review.
- Pitch us a piece for one of our categories, including the Daily Germ, which can be an inspiring/funny/memorable quote or word of the day.
- Add some of your Bucket List items to our Before I Die page. Please send no more than five (5) items.
- Send a suggestion for our How To…, Be Lovely, or Truth About… categories.
Other submission options:Write a Dear Me letter to your high school or future self.
Show us where you’re Wandering.
Whether you’re wandering in your hometown or traveling, if the place is big or small, we want to see it. You can record your journey via video, pictures, drawings, or words. Please use Google Drive and share your file(s) with germ@germmagazine.com.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
While we value your work very highly, we are unable to offer payment except publication at this time.
Although you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram, please do not pitch us ideas or send submissions there. Contact germ@germmagazine.com.
If you are pitching ideas, please know that we’ll respond as soon as we’re able. Unless it bounces back to you, we’ve gotten your email and will be in touch.
What to include in your email:
- Your name
- Your hometown
- Your preferred pronouns
- A short (fewer than 100 words) description of your pitch/idea
- The name of the category/subcategory/column where you think your piece belongs
We do not accept attachments. Please cut and paste your written work into the body of the email, directly following your short description of the work.
Word Count
Love, Life, and Daily Germs category submissions: 10–250 words.
Other article submissions: between 500–800 words.