Submissions
During submission windows, here is where you’ll find the submission form. Our next window will be open March 2, 2026 for publication in our Summer 2026 issue.
Before submitting, please read our small but mighty guidelines.
The Cliff’s Notes version:
1,000 words or less (fiction, poetry, nonfiction)
12 point, Times New Roman (or similar), double-spaced
.doc or .docx file type (please no PDFs)
Terms of Submission
By submitting your work to Coming Up Short, you agree to the following:
Originality: You warrant that the work is your own, previously unpublished (unless specified otherwise), and that you hold all necessary rights.
Rights: Upon acceptance, you grant us First North American Serial Rights to publish the work in our digital/print issues and archives. All other rights remain with the author.
Privacy: You consent to the collection of your name, bio, and contact info for the purpose of editorial review and publication credit.
Response Time: We aim to respond within 6 weeks. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please let us know if your work is accepted elsewhere.