SUBMISSIONS
Guidelines for contributors
At carte blanche we believe there is more than one way to tell a story. Our mandate is to provide a venue for narrative of all forms from fiction and nonfiction, to poetry and photo essays.
carte blanche is published twice a year, in the spring and the fall.
How to submit
We accept original, previously unpublished submissions through our online submission form ONLY. See carte-blanche.submishmash.com/submit for instructions. If you have problems using our submission form, please send us an email
Deadlines
Spring issue – March 1st (May publication)
Fall issue – September 15th (November publication)
Our reviewing period is in the few weeks following each deadline date. We do not accept new submissions during this period. Come back after our issue launch to submit for the next issue.
How to format
Text should be in Word and double-spaced (except poetry). We like it if you use Verdana 10 pt as your font.
The first page of each submission must include the author’s name, the name of the piece, its length, the category of submission, and a short bio. Each page should be numbered and include a header or footer with the name of the piece and author name. If you are submitting more than one piece, please upload each poem, story or file separately. Make it easy for us!
Simultaneous submissions: We accept simultaneous submissions. Please indicate on your cover page if you are sending your piece elsewhere and notify us immediately if it is accepted somewhere else.
Rights: We ask for first world serial rights and the right to archive your work on the website. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication.
Payment: carte blanche pays a modest honorarium per submission. We hope to increase the amount in the future.
What to send
Fiction and Nonfiction
We like narrative: a story that moves from some kind of a beginning to some kind of an end, be it short fiction, memoir, personal essay or literary journalism. If it’s well written and tells a story, we’ll consider it.
Word limit: 3500 words; maximum of two prose submissions per author per issue; each submission must be on a separate document and uploaded separately.
Poetry
Send us your best work. From odes and haikus to free verse and sonnets, we welcome poems in any form. Limit: 3 poems per person per submission round. Please upload each poem separately.
Translations
We accept English translations of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction written originally in French. If possible, please include the original work on which the translation is based. If we like your piece and choose to publish it, you will be required to provide proof of permission from the copyright holder of the original work to translate and publish the translation. Obtaining permission can take time, so please do so before you submit!
Graphic fiction
Along with your work, please include a brief overview of what the piece is about. If your work is selected for publication, we will contact you for a high-res version. Final submissions must be in JPG, GIF, or PNG format.
Photography
Tell a story in 12 photos or fewer. Together, your photos should create a narrative – whether abstract or concrete – and have something to say.
Send a Word or PDF doc with your work pasted in it and include a statement, captions, and any other relevant text. If your work is selected for publication, we will contact you for a high-res version of the photo essay. Final submissions must be in JPG or PNG format.
Audio
Tell us a story in sound. This can include soundscape, documentary, spoken word, author readings, comedy, experimental, etc. Audio pieces do not need to contain words (although they can!) but they should have a
narrative progression, i.e. a beginning, middle, and end. 5 minute max per piece, submissions should be mp3 or wav files.
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Now, time to use our handy online submission form!
Once you have registered, created an account, and uploaded your work, you can come back to check your status. Our reviewing period is in the few weeks following each deadline date (once in the spring, once in the fall). Depending on when you submit, please allow enough time for us to process the submissions and make our decisions. During this period we will be closed for submissions. Come back after our issue launch to submit again for the next issue.
Please keep in mind that we are a largely volunteer organization and that we have limited resources and time. But we will look at your work. Promise.