Literary Journal

Shift: A Journal of Literary Oddities

Closes in 10 days

Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listedWorldwide

About the magazine

Shift: A Journal of Literary Oddities is a literary magazine based at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Founded with the aim of showcasing writing that defies conventional categories, the journal has established itself as a home for experimental fiction, poetry, and hybrid texts that might be deemed too unusual for mainstream literary publications. Its mission is to celebrate the strange, the innovative, and the formally adventurous, providing a platform for voices that challenge readers' expectations and expand the boundaries of literary expression.

Editorial focus

An international, student-run journal published by Ringling College of Art and Design, Shift features fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, graphic texts or other work in English or translation by emerging and established writers. It welcomes art and photos, too, and delights in literary oddities that push boundaries, challenge expectations, and defy easy categorization.

PoetryFictionCreative NonfictionTranslation

Submitting your work

Reading periodOct 15 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentContributor copies only

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should familiarize themselves with past issues to understand the journal's aesthetic, which favors work that is formally inventive, surreal, or otherwise 'odd.' Submissions should be polished but need not adhere to traditional narrative or poetic structures. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify promptly if work is placed elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter and adhere to stated word limits. Response times vary, so patience is advised. The editors appreciate concise, well-crafted pieces that surprise and delight.

We want to see your best work, regardless of style, form, subject matter, or genre. Follow submission guidelines on the website. Limit AI use to spelling and grammar checking. We value human creativity and effort and do not accept AI-generated or AI-assisted work. Don’t lose heart. Your work will find its right home.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

1 listed

OpenDeadline · 2026-10-15