Icebreakers Lit is all about collaboration. They publish collaborative poetry, flash writing, fiction, creative nonfiction, and “everything else”—written by two or more authors. Also, when requested, they help to pair authors for collaborations: “Icebreakers is about fostering connection within the lit community.”

Icebreakers Lit also loves meaningful chaos and unbridled creativity. They like surprising writing that doesn’t adhere to rules and doesn’t take itself too seriously. They also like, “80s and 90s nostalgia, nods to pop culture, and vulnerability.” You can read the journal online to get a sense of what they publish.

Now through July 31, Icebreakers Lit is accepting “hermit crab” writing. “Hermit crab” writing borrows an existing form (just like a hermit crab borrows a shell), such as a recipe, a letter, or an advertisement: “Send us a poem written in the form of a recipe, a CNF in the form of a parking ticket, micro fiction written as an astrology-a-day summary, visual art that’s an ad for a strange toy, etc.” You can learn more about the theme in the submission guidelines.

Poets may submit up to three collaborative poems in any form, of any length. Authors of fiction, nonfiction, and “everything else” may submit one collaborative piece, 2,500 words or fewer. Icebreakers Lit also accepts flash writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and authors of flash may submit up to three collaborative pieces.

There is no limit to how many authors can collaborate on one piece, but all submitted writing must be the collaborative effort of two or more people. Submitting authors can expect a response within one month.

Icebreakers Lit will match authors with other interested collaborators when requested. Authors 18 years or older can fill out an online form to request a match.

Icebreakers Lit posts both “chaotic pop-up windows” and longer submission calls on their website and on Twitter. They alternate between themed and un-themed calls.

Icebreakers Lit accepts submissions online using Submittable, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions, and they also accept previously published work.

Icebreakers Lit 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 Icebreakers Lit, please visit their website here.