Literary Journal

The Broken City

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Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listedCanada

About the magazine

The Broken City is an online literary and arts magazine founded in 2014 by a collective of writers and artists seeking a platform for work that engages with urban experience, social fracture, and the poetics of repair. Rooted in the belief that creative expression can illuminate the fault lines of contemporary life, the magazine publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art that is formally adventurous and emotionally resonant. Its mission is to foster a community of voices that reckon with the complexities of the modern city—its beauty, its violence, its resilience—without resorting to easy sentiment or polemic.

Editorial focus

The Broken City is a semiannual literary magazine that deals in cutting-edge poetry, prose, illustration, and photography. Submissions from both new and experienced writers are welcomed.

PoetryFictionCreative NonfictionTranslation

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Before submitting, read several recent issues to understand the magazine's aesthetic range and editorial preferences. The Broken City favors work that is concrete, image-driven, and attentive to the textures of place and community. Avoid abstract or overly academic language; instead, ground your writing in specific detail and lived experience. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter with your submission, and adhere strictly to the stated word limits and genre guidelines. Response times vary, but the editors appreciate patience and professionalism.

Read official guidelines