MEND:

MEND is an online and print journal that celebrates the lives and creative work of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people as well as individuals who have been impacted directly or indirectly by the criminal justice system. This annual publication showcases writing of all types, including fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. While prospective authors may submit pieces that describe their experiences with incarceration, the publication welcomes contributions on any topic. Written submissions should be no more than 6 pages (or 1,800 words). All accepted written pieces will be considered for an annual award that recognizes exceptional writing and includes a $100 prize. Submissions for consideration for the 2023 issue must be made by March 1, 2023. 

All submissions should include:

• contact information (mailing address as well as email and phone number, if available)

• a 50-word bio to be used if your piece is accepted

• a brief note confirming that you have been impacted by the criminal justice system

REMAKE:

REMAKE is a journal published by the College Writing Program at Washington University in St. Louis and accepts submissions from current first-year students of any work produced during their first year of undergraduate study. Submitted work may have been completed independently or for course credit but should be previously unpublished. They accept all manner of written work (including essays, fiction, poetry, and research), visual art (including digital art, painting, photography, and sculpture), and other multimedia projects. Submissions are accepted from October 1 to May 31. Accepted work will be published in an annual print and digital issue released in late summer/fall featuring work from the previous academic year.

phoebe:

Phoebe is an online and print journal published by George Mason University’s Office of Student Media. Their Incarcerated Writer’s Project aims to open the publishing platform to writers in prisons across the United States. They accept submissions for fiction (up to 5,000 words), nonfiction (up to 5,000 words), and poetry (up to 5 pages) by mail. All work must be previously unpublished. All published writers will receive a copy of one print journal from phoebe, and may be eligible for a $50 honorarium if included in a print edition. Submissions for their Spring 2023 issue are due by March 15, 2023.

2023 National Adult Systems-Impacted Writers Award:

The 2023 National Adult Systems-Impacted Writers Award culminates in a chapbook of winning entries published by the University of Southern California’s Prison Education Project. The 2023 contest theme is “MOVEMENT” and writers are asked to reflect on the theme in their work. They accept submissions for traditional essays (max: 1000 words), fiction, poetry, songwriting, rap lyrics, and comic strips. All work must be previously unpublished. Winning writers will receive ten copies of the book and be eligible for monetary prizes between $1000 and $250. Entries for the contest must be received by April 15, 2023 and can be submitted by email or physical mail.