Assignment Literary Magazine positions itself as a venue for literature that resists easy categorization, and its poetry call for the 2026 Winter Issue reflects that same openness. The editors state plainly that they are 'excited to see the work you're excited about'—a curatorial stance that privileges genuine investment over adherence to a narrow house style. The magazine accepts simultaneous submissions, acknowledging the practical realities of a literary field in which writers must circulate work widely, while asking only that accepted pieces be withdrawn promptly. The submission requirements are specific and procedural: one piece per page, genre indicated in the submission title, a single submission per reading period, and no identifying information on the manuscript itself. A third-person biography of no more than 100 words, including social media information, is required. Work must be original, previously unpublished, and created without the use of AI. There is no minimum word count, but poets are asked not to exceed five poems per submission. There is no fee to submit, and no prize is attached to the call; the reward is publication in the Winter 2026 issue. The magazine's stated interest in writing that 'doesn't quite fit' conventional categories suggests an editorial sensibility receptive to hybrid and formally restless work, provided it meets the stated terms. The deadline is exact: November 16, 2026.