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 submissions through our online Submission Manager only. If you have problems using our submission manager, please send us an email.

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 should 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. Make it easy for us!

Word limit: 3500 words

Simultaneous submissions: We accept simultaneous submissions. Please indicate in your cover letter if you are sending your piece elsewhere and notify us immediately if your piece 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.

Deadlines:
Spring issue – March 15th
Fall issue – September 15th.

If you send your submission after our deadline, it will be considered for the following issue.

Poetry, fiction, nonfiction:

Send us your odes, sonnets, free verse, short stories, memoirs, personal essays, or literary journalism. As long as it's well written we'll consider it.

Poets: Each poem is considered a separate submission. Please submit each poem separately up to a maximum of 4 poems per issue. If your poem has special formatting requirements, please submit a PDF along with your Word document.

Translations:

We accept English translations of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction written originally in French. If your translation is accepted for publication, you will be asked to provide the original work on which the translation is based. You will also be required to obtain proof of permission from the copyright holder to translate and publish the translation.

Graphic fiction:

Send us a sample of your work (please keep email attachments to a reasonable size) with a brief overview of what your piece is about. If you have a website where your work is displayed, please include a link in your email. If we like your stuff, we will contact you and ask to see the complete piece. Final submissions should be in PNG format.

Photography:

Tell a story in 12 photos or less. Email us with your idea, including not more than six low-res jpegs as an example of the work. If you have a website where your photos are displayed please include a link in your email. If we like your stuff, we will contact you and ask to see the complete photo essay. Final submissions should be in JPG or PNG format.

Now, time to use our handy Submission Manager!

Once you have registered and uploaded your work, you can come back to check your status. Our reviewing period is in the few weeks preceding each publish date (once in the spring, once in the fall). Depending on when you submit, allow enough time for us to process the submissions and make our decisions.

Please keep in mind that we are a volunteer organization and that we have limited resources and time. But we will look at your work. Promise.