Submissions
Preparing your Submission
Epistemic Literary magazine is a digital anthology printed once a year.
We accept submissions from a diverse population of writers as we hope to include the stories and literary perspectives that will expand our communities and bring understanding through the written word. In an attempt to make publication accessible for all, we will never charge a fee for submission and welcome questions. As such, we are a non-paying publication. If there is an obstacle keeping anyone from submitting, we hope you will reach out so we can remove such impediments.
Simultaneous submissions and previously published work are welcome as well as collaborations; please note the original publication so we may give appropriate credit.
We kindly request that you notify us immediately if your work is accepted for publication elsewhere.
The use of AI for written work or art submissions is strictly forbidden and will result in being disqulaified from future submissions.
All published work will be archived on epistemiclit.com, but all rights remain with the author. If we wish to nominate your work for awards, you will be notified.
Knowledge, connection, and growth are key to our mission. As we explore themes within each issue, we are seeking poetry, creative non-fiction, and short fiction that shows a willingness to share, explore, and learn.
Kristin, Melissa, and Genalea
Submissions will open August 1, 2026.
Theme: Agency vs. Determinism
As we brainstormed ideas for our submission theme, we’d already selected Choices for the paired Nimblewitlit theme. We wanted to elevate the concept for Epistemic Literary but do so in a new and interesting way from how we usually operate.
So let’s get philosophical!
Is there a predetermined order to the world? Fate? An ultimate plan written in the stars? Or are free will, individual action, and choice driving the course of our lives and our relationship with the universe?
It’s not always such a black and white topic when you bring in culture, religion, and the like. Is there room for both? Do we control anything?
We want you to put on your metaphysical thinking cap, channel your inner Parmenides (or Heraclitus), and let us know if we were always going to have this theme or if we are writing our history as we go.
The specifics:
Window: Submissions will be accepted August 1-31, 2026. Expected publication October 2026. Please submit a new form for each genre.
Genre:
Poetry, including prose poems: One poem, up to two pages – Read by Kristin
Flash, one piece not to exceed 1500 words – read by Melissa
MicroFiction, up to three pieces, each with a maximum of 200 words – read by Melissa
Creative Nonfiction (CNF), maximum two pieces up to 1000 words each – read by Genalea
Visual Art, maximum three pieces, submitted as separate image files (jpg or png) – joint editorial decision
(All final decisions are joint.)
Format: Please submit your work using our Google Form, which will go live on the website when submissions open on August 1st. Attach your file as a Doc or docx (If this is a problem, submit how you need to and give us a heads up in your email), saved as “genre-last name” such as “Poetry-Houlihan.” We will ask for a short third-person bio upon acceptance.
Art submissions should be submitted as jpg or png following the same titling convention as written pieces.
Simultaneous submissions and previously published work are welcome; please note the original publication so we may give appropriate credit. Collaborations are welcome.
All submissions will receive a response prior to publication.
DONATIONS are accepted through PAYPAL to help us reach our goal to pay contribtors for their fantastic work. We are hoping to offer a print edition of our magazine in the future as well. RIght now, we cover all costs of running Epistemic from our own pockets. Donations can be made using our email address; anything helps.
PAYPAL: EpistemicLit@gmail.com
Contact
We are always open to hearing from you. Whether a question about submissions and themes, a suggestion on how we can make the process more accessible, or simply a note to say you’ve enjoyed our content, we look forward to hearing from you all!
Additional Contact Info
- EpistemicLit@gmail.com
- nimblewitlit@gmail.com
- Bluesky @EpistemicLit
- Bluesky @nimblewitlit
- Instagram @EpistemicLit
- Instagram @nimblewitlit
