Months to Years is a digital journal of creative nonfiction and poetry that explores the themes of death, mortality, and terminal illness. They also publish writing on grief and loss, and they’re looking for writing “that explores our complex relationships” with these topics: “We seek personal stories with universal appeal.”
Months to Years was founded in 2017, by two writers who had each experienced the loss of a spouse. So far, Months to Years has published 27 issues, each with writing from around fifteen to twenty contributors. You can read the journal for free online, on their webpage or as a thoughtfully designed digital flipbook. They also offer the journal in print.
Months to Years is published four times annually—in the spring, summer, fall, and winter—and they hold four corresponding submission periods each year. This year, they’re accepting submissions from October 15 through December 1 for their Spring 2026 issue, from January 15 through March 1 for their Summer 2026 issue, from April 15 through June 1 for their Fall 2026 issue, and from July 15 through September 1 for their Winter 2027 issue. They also sometimes put out additional calls for themed publications.
Authors of nonfiction—essays, memoires, and other creative forms—may submit one piece, up to 2,500 words. Poets may submit one poem. Authors should send only one submission per submission period.
Months to Years does not accept fiction. And while they do accept writing about the death of pets and animals, they are primarily interested in writing about the death of humans.
Months to Years accepts submissions online using Submittable, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw writing published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work, including writing published on personal websites and social media. And they do not accept writing created by AI.
Months to Years 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 Months to Years, 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.
