Calling all Black women writers – Write for Us

midnight and indigo literary journal for black writers

We’re Currently Accepting Submissions!

Next Deadline: December 30, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET
Short Stories, Essays and the Music issue
*updated 10/1/24

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT!

short stories. essays. melanin. Whether you’re an established writer or are just starting out, we want to hear from you!

midnight & indigo, a literary journal celebrating Black women writers, has issued a call for submissions to review short stories and narrative essays. We publish content on our digital platform and in our tri-annual literary journals.

Writers are invited to share their original, fictional, or personal stories. Stories can be funny, entertaining, serious, or sincere. Stories must be character-driven and leave readers with something to think about. All genres are welcome!

Open Calls for Submissions:

Upcoming Deadlines

The Music Issue – extended deadline 12/30

From Saturday mornings hiding under pillows as old school sounds creep under the door…to block parties and BBQs…let’s use music as our creative inspiration!

midnight & indigo is excited to announce an open call for submissions for short stories and essays inspired by music. In so many ways, music is a heartbeat of Black culture, the soundtrack to our lives, tied to memories of laughter, love, struggle, and triumph for generations. It’s more than just sound; it shapes our experiences, tells our stories, and connects us to our roots.

We invite you to explore and celebrate this connection by sharing your unique stories and essays that use music as a prompt.

  • Word count: 1,200-7,000 words
  • CLICK HERE for guidelines and to submit

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Short Stories – deadline 12/30

Are you a Black woman writer passionate about crafting beautifully written, character-driven short stories? We’re looking for previously unpublished short stories that capture the essence of the human experience. Need context? Check out our short story section and previous issues.

Literary fiction delves deep into the human condition, exploring themes of identity, relationships, and the intricate nuances of everyday life. These stories should resonate emotionally, offering readers a window into the world’s complexities and the richness of personal experiences. We want to celebrate the artistry and depth of Black literary fiction through your work.

  • Word count: 1,500-7,000 words
  • CLICK HERE for guidelines and to submit

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Personal Essays – deadline 12/30

Are you a Black woman writer with a story to tell that’s bursting with emotion, grit, and soul? We’re looking for previously unpublished, personal and evocative first-person essays that forge an immediate connection with readers. Need context? Check out our essay section.

Personal essays offer a window into the soul, capturing the raw, unfiltered essence of individual experiences. They provide a powerful platform for Black women to share their truths, challenges, triumphs, and everything in between. We want to celebrate and showcase writing that resonates on a deep level.

  • Word count: min. 1,200 words
  • CLICK HERE for guidelines and to submit

Guidelines

  • All genres and writing styles are welcome. It may be helpful to view our current short stories, essays, and literary journals to get a general sense of what we publish, but don’t be afraid to push the needle! We do not accept work created by AI. Any submissions not entirely created by a human author will be automatically rejected
  • Format: All stories must be submitted via Submittable — we will not accept stories via email. You may submit up to three stories at any time. Our average response time is 120 days
  • Word length:  Short stories: 1,500-7,000 words. Narrative essays: min. 1,200 words
  • Submission does not guarantee that your work will be published
  • Compensation: We pay for all accepted pieces. $0.07 per word for Short Stories and $150 for personal essays. Payment upon publication.

Rights

Each author retains the sole, individual copyright on her contribution. We only ask for first North American serial rights on any story we publish. This means that the story should not have appeared anywhere else, either in print or online. (This includes publication on an author’s own website).

We accept first world eBook, print, and audiobook rights, and non-exclusive anthology rights for our published anthologies. We also accept non-exclusive online rights to publish and archive your story on our website(s) or on our podcast. You will be asked to agree to our contract as part of the submission process.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT!