Autofocus publishes autobiographical writing. They launched in 2020 as an online journal and podcast, and in 2022 they also become a small press, Autofocus Books.
Autofocus Lit Mag is published on a rolling basis. They post new content online frequently, averaging about 12 to 15 new published pieces each month. The lit mag is attractively designed and easy to navigate.
Autofocus publishes a wide variety of autobiographical writing: personal essays; memoirs; confessional poems; thoughtful journal entries, letters, and emails; and hybrid writing that explores the self. They even extend these categories to include, “any writing that makes art from your life.” Before submitting, it’s a good idea to read the magazine online to get a sense of what they publish.
Since it could be said that all autobiographical work is, in a sense, fictional–“due to the nature of memory and self-perception”–Autofocus also accepts autofiction (fictionalized autobiographical writing). Authors should be aware, however, that Autofocus doesn’t label the writing published in the journal as fiction or nonfiction, so most readers will regard it as nonfiction.
Autofocus also welcomes collaborative writing, as well as writing accompanied by visual art or photography. The visual art or photography can be created by the author, or it can be created by someone else, as long as the author has permission to publish it.
Poets may submit up to three poems, totaling four pages or fewer. Authors of prose may submit one piece, 2,000 words or fewer, or up to two flashes, 750 words or fewer each. Authors of hybrid writing may submit work of approximately the length required for other genres. Submitting authors can expect a response within one to two months.
Autofocus also accepts reviews and interviews. They’re looking for reviews of autobiographical books or interviews with authors of autobiographical writing. Reviews should be 2,500 words or fewer, and interviews should be 3,500 words or fewer. Authors are welcome to send completed reviews and interviews, or to pitch ideas for reviews and interviews before writing them.
Autofocus accepts submissions online, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions, but they do not accept previously published work.
Autofocus 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 Autofocus, please visit their website here.
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.
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