Since 1974, The Bitter Oleander has been publishing uncommon writing—poetry and fiction that unhinges the door of imagination. Beyond the contrivances of culture and habit, the Bitter Oleander brings readers and authors from around the world face to face with one another and their uncovered selves. Their pages host the lofty music of linguistic rhythm and the unforeseeable theatrics of deeply image-driven verse. They publish unheard of writers, often-heard writers, and all writers in-between, but they don’t publish writing we’ve all heard before—easy truisms and worn-out wording. They’re looking for honesty and invention in any form and style. To get a sense of their taste, you can read their featured work online.
The Bitter Oleander is published in print twice a year, spring and autumn. They read submissions all year, except for the month of July. Submitting writers can expect a response within about one month. Since The Bitter Oleander aims to cultivate a meaningful author-editor relationship, they personally answer all submissions.
Poets may submit up to eight poems. Fiction writers may submit one or more pieces of short fiction, 2,500 words or fewer. They also accept flash fiction, 1,000 words or fewer.
The Bitter Oleander accepts submissions online, but not via email or post. They accept simultaneous submissions, but ask that writers immediately withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work.
If you’d like to learn more or submit to The Bitter Oleander, please visit their website at http://www.bitteroleander.com/submission.html.
