Literary Journal

Thema

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About the magazine

THEMA is a literary society and independent publisher dedicated to the short story form, founded on the belief that narrative fiction thrives when given dedicated, unrushed attention. Since its inception, THEMA has operated as both a periodical and a small press, curating themed issues that bring together established and emerging writers under a shared conceptual umbrella. Its core mission is to sustain the literary short story as a vital art form, resisting the market pressures that often reduce fiction to mere content. Each issue is built around a specific theme—sometimes whimsical, sometimes philosophical—inviting writers to interpret the prompt with originality rather than mere compliance. The society also maintains a commitment to print, valuing the physical object as a site of careful reading and lasting cultural value.

Editorial focus

THEMA is a theme-generated journal of short stories, poetry, art and photography. Each issue is a standalone anthology based on a unique theme.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentCash

Response timeGreater than 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should first obtain a recent issue or review the submission guidelines on THEMA's website to understand the current theme and length parameters. The society favors stories that engage the theme imaginatively rather than literally, and it values strong voice, narrative control, and emotional resonance over experimental obscurity for its own sake. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify promptly upon acceptance elsewhere. Because THEMA is a small operation, response times can be slow; patience is expected. Always include a brief cover letter with publication history, but avoid over-explaining the story. Reading the journal before submitting is not just advised—it is essential to grasp the house style.

Please check out the list of upcoming themes before submitting. On submission, be sure to specify the target theme. Poets: please honor our request to submit no more than three poems per specified theme. Stories should be limited to no more than twenty double-spaced pages.

Read official guidelines

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THEMA — Submissions

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Past issues

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