Literary Journal

Doubly Mad: A Journal of Arts and Ideas

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About the magazine

Doubly Mad: A Journal of Arts and Ideas is an independent literary and arts journal founded in 2016 by a collective of writers and artists in Portland, Oregon. Its founding ethos emerged from a desire to create a space where rigorous intellectual inquiry and aesthetic experimentation are held in equal regard, resisting the specialization that often separates creative and critical practices. The journal publishes poetry, fiction, essays, and visual art that engage with contemporary thought while remaining accessible to a general readership. Each issue is organized around a loose thematic inquiry, though submissions need not adhere strictly to the theme. The journal operates as a non-profit and is supported by a combination of subscription revenue, grants, and donations.

Editorial focus

Doubly Mad takes its title from the poem “Listening” by Robert Bly: “because the world is mad, / the only way through the world is to learn the arts / and double the madness.” It is interested not only in emotionally powerful work, but work that challenges them to think, and draws into question society.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodSep 2 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentContributor copies only

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Doubly Mad accepts submissions year-round via its online portal. There are no reading fees for standard submissions, though expedited options are available for a small fee. The editors appreciate work that demonstrates a clear awareness of contemporary conversations in art and literature without being overly academic or jargon-laden. They value originality, emotional honesty, and a willingness to take formal risks. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify the journal immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Response times typically range from three to six months. For visual art, include a brief artist statement and up to five high-resolution images. All submissions should be accompanied by a short bio.

The editors and volunteers who make Doubly Mad possible come from a wide range of backgrounds and enjoy work that offers different ideas, and different styles of writing. We don’t like to pigeonhole our publication. To learn more about us, we highly recommend that you read a few back issues of Doubly Mad .

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

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OpenDeadline · 2026-12-31