Submissions delay: January 2026

By Joel Troutman
April 4, 2026

Expect responses on April 18th

We are unfortunately still very backed up on our submissions. Our previous goal was to have all submissions responded to by April 1st. However, the joke is on us, because that day has come and gone, and we are still reading submissions. Our final goal for general responses is April 18th. If you do not hear from us by then, it is because we are working on your feedback or your story has made it onto our shortlist and is still being considered. I apologize for the additional delay.

To be totally blunt, we’re not happy with how we’ve been handling this submission period. We’re finding stories and poems we’re excited about – no problems there. But we are feeling burnt out. Far too much history has happened in the last four months, our work lives have become increasingly stressful, and the extra weight of the slush pile has been more than we can manage. We’re making progress, but it’s taking much longer than we need it to. 

We want publishing to be an escape for us rather than an additional task hanging over our heads. However, these submissions are a responsibility we’ve given ourselves, and we need to be respectful of the writers who give us their time and trust alongside their stories. It doesn’t feel good continually pushing back due dates. We are now locking ourselves to our keyboards and taping our eyes open to make this one stick.

Thank you so much for your patience as we work through these final submissions.

From my pond to yours,
-Joel

​~ Joel Troutman ~

Joel Troutman is not part-fish, but, some days, he wishes he was. Instead he’s a writer and editor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania who makes a living by stocking grocery store shelves. In his precious free time, he has fun writing about the smell of space, stressing out over hockey, and drawing shy cryptids.

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