Book of Matches is an online journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, established in 2020. They aim to “celebrate the best in humanity through the very real magic of words.” They’re interested in both the knowing that comes through living, and the unknowing too. You can get a sense of what they publish by reading past issues online.
So far, Book of Matches has published eight issues, each with around 90 contributors, and around 200 pages. Book of Matches is published three times a year.
Book of Matches is accepting submissions right now through August 11. Poets may submit up to three poems, six pages or fewer total. Authors of fiction and creative nonfiction may submit one story or essay, 2,100 words or fewer. Book of Matches does sometimes consider longer work if it’s exceptional. They also consider micro fiction and micro nonfiction, 100 to 500 words.
Book of Matches also accepts translations of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, provided that the English translation rights are available.
Authors may submit work in multiple genres, but should send only one submission per genre during each reading period.
Book of Matches does not pay, but they nominate authors published in the journal for the Best of the Net anthology and The Pushcart Prize.
Book of Matches accepts submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work.
Submitting authors should take care to remove all identifying information from the submission, including the submission email. This means that authors should not send a bio with the submission.
Book of Matches only accepts submission 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 Book of Matches, 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.
