SQUID is a new literary journal of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, artwork, media reviews, and more, established earlier this year. They publish a wide range of writing for a broad audience: “Our vision is to provide a thoughtful, inclusive, accessible, and well-designed space for emerging creatives to showcase their work.” You can get a sense of what they publish by reading SQUID online.
In addition to SQUID online, where new writing is published on a rolling basis, SQUID also produces a print journal. So far, they’ve released one issue, which is available as a paid digital download or as a physical copy. This first issue, themed “Ocean of Self,” features writing and artwork by over 20 contributors, and focuses on showcasing Canadian creatives (SQUID is helmed in Montreal). Future issues of SQUID, as well the online journal, will feature writing from around the world.
SQUID holds submission periods at specific times throughout the year for their print journal. The submission period for their second issue recently closed, but you can watch their website for announcements about future calls.
They are open to submissions for their online journal year-round.
Poets may submit up to five poems of any length. Authors of fiction and creative nonfiction (such as essays and memoires) may submit pieces up to 2,500 words (1,800 words for the print journal when it’s open). There is no minimum length.
SQUID also accepts book and movie reviews up to 850 words, as well as comic strips (up to two pages), collaborative illustrations (illustrations to pair with writing published in the journal), and many other forms of visual art. They are also interested in writing that doesn’t fit within these categories: “What else you got? Transcript of an interesting conversation? A great joke? Your especially well-written grocery list? Send it our way.”
SQUID accepts submissions in both English and French. They accept submissions via email, not online or by post. They do not accept writing previously submitted for academic credit.
SQUID 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 SQUID, 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.
