Bird’s Thumb is an online journal dedicated to publishing emerging writers. As a young and evolving journal, they publish a wide array of voices. Their goal is singular: to discover and publish the best new writers. Writers can get a sense of the journal by reading its content online. Recordings of authors reading their work accompany some pieces. The editors at Bird’s Thumb aim to read each submission with care and attention. To this end, they don’t maintain a slush pile. Submitting writers can expect a prompt response, usually within three to six weeks.
Bird’s Thumb publishes three annual editions, in February, June, and October, each with work from around 40 writers. They accept submissions on a rolling basis. The cutoff dates to submit for each edition are December 1st, April 1st, and August 1st, respectively.
Poets may submit three to five poems per submission cycle. Bird’s Thumb does not accept prose poems. Fiction writers may submit up to two stories per submission cycle, 1,000 to 5,000 words each. Bird’s Thumb accepts all styles of fiction except genre fiction. Nonfiction writers may submit up to two essays per submission cycle, 2,000 to 5,000 words each. Bird’s Thumb prefers not to receive essays with religious and spiritual themes. Bird’s Thumb also accepts interviews and book reviews, which can be submitted by querying the prose editor at prose@birdsthumb.org.
Bird’s Thumb accepts simultaneous submissions, but requests that submitting writers contact them immediately if their work is accepted elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work, including work that has been published on personal webpages. Writers may submit work online, but not by post or email. Submitting writers may email their work, along with contact information and an informal biography.
If you would like to learn more or submit to Bird’s Thumb, please visit their website at http://birdsthumb.org/submit/.
