Root Smoke is a new online journal of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. They also sometimes publish other literary offerings like book reviews, interviews, and hybrid writing. Their mission is to bridge divides within the literary world: “Root Smoke brings together genre writers, literary writers, visual artists and more within a single threaded and intentional community.” They also aim to showcase both emerging and established authors, and to nurture “connection, reflection, and creative exchange.”
Root Smoke will begin publishing in February of this year, and right now they are seeking submissions for their first publications. They plan to publish three times a week, featuring poetry every Tuesday, fiction every Thursday, and an essay, interview, or artwork every Sunday. Then on the last Wednesday, they will share a compilation of everything published that month.
In general, Root Smoke is looking for memorable writing with emotional resonance and “clarity balanced with mystery”. Poets may submit up to five poems. Authors of fiction may submit up to three flashes or short stories, totaling 8,000 words or fewer. Authors of creative nonfiction may submit up to two pieces, totaling 6,000 words or fewer. Root Smoke also accepts book reviews, interviews, and hybrid writing.
Root Smoke accepts submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw writing published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work, and they do not accept writing generated or assisted by AI.
Root Smoke only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.
If you would like to learn more or submit to Root Smoke, please visit their website.
Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.
