Spare Parts is an online literary magazine of poetry, fiction, plays, and novel excerpts. They aim to showcase writing that doesn’t fit elsewhere, and authors that feel like outsiders: “Spare Parts Lit was born out of the hopelessness of feeling like a spare part.” They hope to reframe the rejection that authors often experience as a form of re-direction: “…at Spare Parts Lit we believe that these nos that get spat at us are just what we may need to grow, strengthen and ultimately discover a greater YES down the road.” Although they can only publish a fraction of the writing they receive, they aim to affirm that each voice has a purpose and a place.
Spare Parts was established in 2022, and since then they’ve published six issues. Each online edition contains writing from around 25 contributors. Spare Parts is published six times a year, every two months.
Spare Parts accepts submissions from the 7th through the 21st of every month. Poets may submit up to three poems. Authors of fiction may submit one piece, 1,500 words or fewer. Authors of plays and novel excerpts may submit up to 10 pages. Authors in all categories should submit only once per submission window (once per month).
Spare Parts also accepts artwork and photography. Visual artists may submit up to three pieces per submission window.
Spare Parts accepts submissions via email, not by post or using an online submissions manager. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published writing; however, they will consider writing that was previously published in journals that are now defunct and no longer available online. They will also consider writing that has been significantly revised since publication. In both of these cases, they ask that authors email the editor to discuss before submitting.
Spare Parts 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 Spare Parts, 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.
