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Literary Journal

Grande Dame Literary & Art Journal

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About the magazine

Grande Dame Literary is an independent literary organization dedicated to the cultivation of fiction, nonfiction (essay/memoir), and poetry. Founded with a commitment to literary excellence and the nurturing of emerging voices, it provides a platform for writers who prioritize craft, emotional precision, and intellectual rigor. The organization operates with a quiet, discerning ethos, favoring depth over spectacle and sustained attention over fleeting trends. Its core mission is to support writers at all stages of their careers through publication, mentorship, and community, while upholding the traditional values of literary merit.

Editorial focus

Grande Dame Literary & Art Journal (Moth & Thistle) is dedicated to supporting women writers and artists. Writers range from emerging voices to self-published novelists to award-winning, traditionally published authors. Contributors span generations, from teens to writers in their nineties. GDL seeks to publish stories with strong characters that have a solid arc, memoirs that read like stories, inspiring essays, flash fiction and flash nonfiction that is punchy and to the point, and poetry that is moving and poignant.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeYes
PaymentNo payment
Response timeLess than 3 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsNo

Writers should approach Grande Dame Literary with polished, carefully revised work that demonstrates a command of language and a clear understanding of form. The organization values authenticity and emotional resonance over experimental gimmicks or sensationalism. Before submitting, review past issues or publications to understand the aesthetic range. Simultaneous submissions are generally discouraged unless explicitly permitted; always follow the stated guidelines regarding length, genre, and formatting. A brief, professional cover letter that contextualizes the work is appreciated. Response times may be longer than average, reflecting a thorough review process.

GDL was founded on the basis of how can a author be successfully published on the site. Authors may make changes and resubmit an updated story. The goal is to help the writer be sucessful, not to keep the acceptance rate down. The criteria is based on how well the writer tells a story and if the elements of a good story are present. Stylistically, not all writers have had equal access to workshops and writing classes, and we seek to give writers a chance.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

2 listed

Prize history

Past winners and selected work.

2024Noelle Sterne

2024Lisa Bernard

2024Carole Ornstein