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Submissions

Submit writing and visual art that encourages us to see the world from a new perspective or angle. Urge us to consider something we may not have previously imagined. We’re eager to read your work.

Submissions are currently closed.

Please familiarize yourself with our guidelines below. We compensate our contributors with a $20 honorarium per published piece.

General Guidelines

  1. We only consider previously unpublished works. No exceptions. Thank you.
  2. We do not accept submissions via email or postal service. You can submit your work to us through our submission manager. If you run into any technical difficulties while uploading your submission, please contact us at invisiblecity@usfca.edu.
  3. We do accept simultaneous submissions. However, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible if your work is accepted elsewhere.
  4. We have a 5,000 word limit for all prose. Flash is welcome; for regular-issue submissions you may submit up to three flash pieces (less than 1,000 words each) in a single document.
  5. If you’re submitting poetry, please submit no more than three poems. The best things come in threes: Olympic medals, wishes, Cerberus heads.
  6. At this time, we do not accept novel excerpts, unless they can function as stand-alone stories.
  7. If we publish your writing, we ask you to please wait three reading cycles before submitting again. For example, if your work is accepted in the Spring 2025 cycle, you will be eligible for Spring 2028 submissions. This waiting period allows us to best honor our mission of giving space to new voices.
  8. We accept visual art submissions on a rolling basis. We do not mandate a waiting period following art publications.
  9. Please submit your art in either .PDF or .PNG format. If you would like to submit multiple pieces for consideration, you may upload a .ZIP file, or include a link to a portfolio.
    We will not accept photos of artwork taken by a smartphone— please scan any physical copies.
  10. We do not accept written submissions from current students at the University of San Francisco. Alumni may submit.
  11. All honorariums associated with an international address will be made by wire transfer. If you are an international resident, in order to be paid the honorarium you must have a bank account in your own name. The bank account cannot be in a family member’s, friend’s, or in any other person’s or entity’s name. Otherwise, the honorarium will not be processed. Also include the SWIFT or IBAN code associated with your country on the paperwork we require to complete the honorarium request. 
  12. Please include content warnings when and where applicable.

Photo credit: Ian Simmonds on Unsplash