Literary Journal

The Light Ekphrastic

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About the magazine

The Light Ekphrastic is an online literary and arts journal founded on the principle of creative exchange. Since its inception, it has operated as a collaborative platform where poets and visual artists engage in a call-and-response: artists submit original artwork, and poets craft new work in response, or vice versa. This model fosters a dialogue between mediums, emphasizing process and interpretation over finished product. The journal publishes quarterly issues, each pairing a curated selection of art and poetry, and maintains an archive that documents these creative conversations. Its mission is to cultivate a community of makers who value ekphrasis not as illustration but as generative provocation.

Editorial focus

The Light Ekphrastic seeks artists and writers interested in collaboration resulting in the creation of new works inspired by the old. Those chosen will be paired with another artist (a poet with a painter, for instance), and each will create a new piece based on their partner’s previous work. The old and new works will be presented together on TLE .

Poetry

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsNo

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Artists and writers should first review several past issues to understand the journal's rhythm and expectations. Submissions are typically open on a rolling basis, but check the website for specific reading periods. For visual artists: submit high-quality images (JPEG or PNG, 300 dpi) of original work; include title, medium, dimensions, and year. For poets: submit 1-3 poems that respond directly to a piece from the current art call, or general ekphrastic work. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify promptly if accepted elsewhere. The editors value clarity, emotional resonance, and a genuine engagement with the source material over technical polish. Response times vary; query after three months if you haven't heard back. There are no fees to submit or publish.

If you are chosen to participate, you will be: Paired with another artist (if you are a writer, you will be paired with a visual artist, and vice versa) Sent three to five previous works created by your partner artist Expected to create a completely new work inspired by one of your partner’s previous artworks or writings

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

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