Strip Mall Magazine positions itself as a venue for writing that resists easy categorization, and its open call for nonfiction and hybrid work reflects that ethos. The editors are explicit in their desire for range: they ask for both the piece you are most proud of and the piece you are scared to share with the world. That framing suggests a curatorial vision rooted in emotional risk and formal restlessness rather than thematic uniformity. As a magazine without a stated institutional affiliation or geographic anchor, Strip Mall operates as an online and remote publication. Its scope is therefore defined by the work it chooses to gather rather than by a physical exhibition space or regional identity. For nonfiction writers, this means the submission is evaluated on the strength of the writing itself—voice, structure, and honesty—rather than on proximity to a particular scene or institution. There is no submission fee, which lowers the barrier for writers at all stages. The absence of a prize or monetary award is not unusual for literary magazines, and it places the emphasis squarely on publication and readership. The deadline is fixed: October 15, 2026. Writers should treat this as a firm cutoff and plan accordingly.