Literary Journal

Peatsmoke Journal

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About the magazine

Peatsmoke Journal is an independent literary and arts publication founded in 2016 by a collective of writers and artists seeking a space for work that is both formally adventurous and emotionally resonant. Rooted in the Pacific Northwest, the journal takes its name from the lingering, atmospheric haze of peat fires—a metaphor for the slow, smoldering impact of art that refuses easy consumption. From its inception, Peatsmoke has prioritized writing and visual art that engages with landscape, memory, and the quiet complexities of interior life, without succumbing to nostalgia or regional cliché. The journal publishes two print issues annually, alongside a rotating online supplement, and maintains a commitment to paying contributors, however modestly, as a matter of ethical practice. At its core, Peatsmoke Journal operates as a curated salon rather than a mass-market magazine. Its mission is to foster a community of readers and artists who value deliberation over speed, texture over trend. Each issue is organized around an evocative, open-ended theme—such as 'Fault Lines,' 'Nocturne,' or 'The Long Thaw'—but the editors resist prescriptive interpretations, instead seeking work that complicates the theme from unexpected angles. The journal's editorial process is notably hands-on: accepted pieces often undergo collaborative revision, and contributors are invited into conversations about layout, sequencing, and visual pairing. This ethos extends to the journal's public programming, which includes intimate readings, workshops, and an annual retreat for past contributors.

Editorial focus

Peatsmoke Journal is committed to diverse voices, an accessible journal, a journal for everyone. They’re interested in the work a writer produces—not where they’ve been published before. Their passion lies in giving readers a place to find exciting new work that inspires, stirs, surprises, and sparks the empathetic imagination.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeYes

PaymentNo payment

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Peatsmoke Journal accepts submissions through its website during two annual reading windows: September 1–30 and February 1–28. There is no submission fee for print or online consideration, though expedited review is available for a modest fee that directly supports contributor payments. Editors recommend reading at least one full issue—print or online—before submitting, as the journal's aesthetic is best understood in context rather than through isolated pieces. Work that engages with the current theme is welcome but not required; the editors prioritize craft, risk, and emotional precision over thematic fit. For poetry, send 3–5 poems; for prose, one story or essay up to 5,000 words; for visual art, 5–10 images with a brief artist statement. Simultaneous submissions are accepted with immediate notification of acceptance elsewhere. Response times average 6–10 weeks, and all rejections include a brief note, with occasional invitations to revise and resubmit. Contributors receive two copies, a modest honorarium, and an open invitation to participate in the journal's online reading series.

We accept previously unpublished poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let us know right away if your work is accepted elsewhere. You can include a cover letter full of amusing tidbits about you or of fascinating trivia you learned from a podcast recently, but we are not interested in reading a list of the journals your work has appeared in. What is important to us is that you are sending us writing that feels urgent and necessary, work that is ready to go out for a stroll in the world. As a journal, we are committed to publishing diverse voices of all kinds.

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Submission calls

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