Issue No. 4 & Granules – Submissions Open!
Deadline: July 15
Mouthful of Salt accepts poetry, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, hybrid work, and visual art. We’re drawn to pieces that are beautifully messy, intimate, nontraditional, and hard to categorize—work that pushes boundaries and invites deep attention.
We publish two issues per year: Spring (April) and Fall (October). Our reading periods are January-February and June-July. In addition, our rolling web-feature, Granules, publishes work on an ongoing basis and periodically offers special calls outside the scope of our themed issues.
We strongly encourage writers from historically underserved and marginalized communities to submit, including (but not limited to) writers of color, LGBTQIA+ writers, writers with disabilities, and women writers.
Please carefully read our submission guidelines, as any submission that does not meet the requirements will not be considered for publication.
All work must be entirely original. Submissions are open internationally and inclusion of other languages is welcome, as long as the piece is largely written in English. At this time, Mouthful of Salt does not accept translated work. We only accept submissions that have not been previously published, in whole or in part. Simultaneous submissions are welcome but please notify us immediately if accepted elsewhere.
How to Submit
You can submit your work via Duosuma free of charge. Any tips received go directly toward operational costs and, we hope, eventual compensation for our team and contributors.
For writers seeking editorial insight, we offer two optional feedback tiers:
- $15 Feedback Tier: Includes a 250–300 word editorial response to your submitted work and light revision suggestions.
- $25 Expedited Feedback Tier: Includes an expedited response (within 7 days) with a more in-depth critique, heavier line edits, and revision suggestions.
Please note: Feedback tiers do not guarantee publication.
For more details, please visit our Duosuma page.
What We Look For
We are drawn to writing that does not fit neatly into genre or expectations. We want the jagged, the intimate, the unfiltered truths that live in the body and memory. Our editors are especially interested in work that explores relationships in their most layered forms: between lovers, cultures, identities, ancestors, and the self.
We are less interested in tidy resolutions and more interested in work that risks honesty. If your piece lingers, if it leaves something behind, we want to read it.
Because each issue is curated around a theme, submissions that thoughtfully connect to that theme will receive the fullest consideration.
What to Include:
With every submission include a brief cover letter and a third-person bio (50 words or less).
We read each submission blindly. Please make sure that your name does not appear anywhere on the pages of your manuscript or in the title of your submission.
Formatting Guidelines:
General Formatting
- Font: Times New Roman or Garamond
- Font Size 12pt
- Titles at the top of the page
- follow Blind Review guidelines
Prose
- Double-spaced
- no extra space between paragraphs
- indent each paragraph
- Max 2,500 words
- Applies to short fiction and CNF
Poetry
- Single-spaced with appropriate formatting
- intentional spacing is welcome, but avoid inconsistencies
- Start each poem on a new page
- Submit up to 5 poems per submission
Rights & Publication
Mouthful of Salt retains first publication rights. Upon publication, all rights revert back to the author. If your piece is republished elsewhere—whether in a journal, anthology, chapbook, or book—please credit Mouthful of Salt as the original publisher.
At this time, we are unable to offer payment. Still, we deeply value your work and the trust you place in us by sharing it.