Outskirts Literary Journal: Poetry Submissions
Overview
Outskirts Literary Journal positions itself at the periphery of contemporary poetry, seeking work that engages with the margins of experience and form. The journal's title suggests a curatorial interest in voices and aesthetics that reside outside the mainstream, though the exact thematic contours are left to the poet's interpretation. This call is for a general issue, not a themed anthology, indicating an openness to a range of styles and subjects within the poetic discipline. The submission parameters are precise: 3–5 unpublished poems, no more than 10 pages total, formatted in a single .docx file with standard 12-point font, single-spacing (unless the poem's formatting necessitates otherwise), and page numbers. This attention to formatting signals a professional editorial process that values clarity and readability. The $3.00 reading fee is modest and aligns with many independent literary journals' practices to offset administrative costs. There is no monetary prize or honorarium mentioned; the reward is publication itself, which for poets can be a vital step in building a readership and a body of work. While the journal's specific curatorial vision is not detailed in the provided facts, the name 'Outskirts' implies a leaning toward poetry that explores liminal spaces—geographic, psychological, or formal. Poets should consider how their work might resonate with an audience interested in the unorthodox, the overlooked, or the boundary-pushing. The absence of a stated theme suggests that the editors are open to a diversity of approaches, but a cohesive submission that demonstrates a distinctive voice and careful craft will likely stand out.