Literary Journal

Pineberry Literary Journal

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About the magazine

Pineberry Literary Journal is an independent online publication founded in 2018 by a collective of writers and editors seeking a space for work that resists easy categorization. Operating without institutional affiliation, the journal has maintained a consistent focus on poetry, short fiction, and hybrid texts that prioritize linguistic precision and emotional risk over market-driven trends. Its editorial ethos is rooted in the belief that literary journals should function as communities rather than gatekeepers, and this principle shapes both its reading periods and its editorial feedback. While Pineberry does not charge submission fees, it also does not offer payment, a trade-off that reflects its grassroots, volunteer-run structure. The journal publishes two issues per year, with occasional special features curated around thematic prompts.

Editorial focus

Inspired by pineberries and their transformation from the ordinary into something mesmerizing, Pineberry Literary Journal aspires to provide a home for poetry that touches the readers, where ordinary words are versified into noteworthy works of art.

Poetry

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Pineberry accepts submissions via email during two reading windows each year, typically in spring and fall; check the website or newsletter for exact dates. Send up to five poems or one prose piece (under 3,000 words) as a single .docx or .pdf attachment. Include a brief third-person bio and your contact information in the body of the email. The editors appreciate work that demonstrates a clear attention to sound and structure, and they are open to hybrid forms. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but notify the journal immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Response times average four to six weeks; if you have not heard back after ten weeks, a polite query is acceptable. Do not submit more than once per reading period unless invited.

Read official guidelines