We welcome work from both emerging and established creators, and we are especially committed to uplifting Southern creators and publishing hopefuls whose stories are often overlooked. Rooted Literary Magazine is looking for work that makes us question our convictions or pushes the boundaries of genre and narrative. We are especially drawn to speculative fiction and pieces that challenge conventions, expand perspectives, or reimagine reality.
We currently accepting submissions for our Spring anthology, Rooted in: Music. We accept Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Audio (Spoken Word/Music, Musings), Video (Film, Animation, Video Essays), and Visual Art.
Rooted in: Music
We invite creatives of all genres—poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, music, animation, spoken word poetry, and more—to share how music weaves through the fabric of our lives, shaping our identities, emotions, and memories.
Music sits in the passenger seat on long car rides, follows us on walks, soothes us to sleep, helps us put on makeup, and urges us to move. It transcends time and language to connect individuals all over the world, marking the rhythm of eras or uplifting the voices of revolution. It’s also the simple comfort after a bad day.
We are seeking submissions that engage with music in unexpected, inventive ways, push the boundaries of form and genre, challenge conventional narratives, and explore how we interact with music as listeners or creators.
Whether your concept of the art of music is screaming at the top of your lungs or crooning in the wind, we want to hear (see, read, experience, whatever you feel is right) it. Show us how you are rooted in music.
- Poetry
- Short Fiction
- Flash Fiction
- Creative Nonfiction (Personal Essays, Book Reviews)
- Visual Art (Photography/Illustration/Graphics)
- Audio (Spoken Word Poetry/Music)
- Video (Animation/Short Film/Visualizers)
- Flash Fiction: 1000 words or less
- Short Stories: 5000 words or less
- Poetry: Up to 3 poems (2 pages max)
- Nonfiction: 2000 words or less
- All written work should be submitted as a PDF, Word, .docx
- Visual Art: Up to 3 pieces
- Visual Art should be submitted as JPEG or PNG
- Audio: Up to 4 Minutes
- Audio should be submitted as MP3 files
- Video: Up to 5 Minutes
- Video should be submitted as MP4 files
- 12 Pt. Times New Roman Double-Spaced. *Poetry can be single-spaced
- All submissions must be original and unpublished.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know if it is accepted elsewhere by emailing [email protected]
- Any work created entirely, in part by, or with the assistance of AI will be rejected.
- We do not accept the following:
- Fanfiction of any kind (Work based on copyrighted characters, universes, or celebrity likenesses),
- Erotica (Sexual content that exists solely to arouse; non-erotic intimacy is fine.),
- Gratuitous Gore or Violence (Work that relies on shock value, graphic detail, or exploitation rather than narrative purpose)
- Explicit Hate Speech or Discriminatory Content (Work that promotes harm, discrimination, bigotry, or harassment toward marginalized groups.)
- Overtly Religious or Proselytizing Content (Work centered on preaching, conversion, religious instruction, or material intended to advance a specific religious belief. Faith may be present in a piece, but it cannot be the primary purpose or message.)
- All submitters must be 18 years or older at the time of submission.
Publication Rights
First Electronic Publication Rights: You grant Rooted Literary Magazine exclusive rights to publish your work online for the first time, whether in text, image, video, or audio form. Rooted Literary Magazine does not accept previously published work, including works published on personal blogs and social media sites.
For music submissions only: We accept previously released or published tracks. Unlike written work, music distribution is an essential part of an artist’s career. We are happy to feature work that has already been shared on streaming platforms or social media.
Archival Rights: After publication, we may keep your work archived on our platform indefinitely.
Non-Exclusive Rights: Following the initial publication, you are free to submit the work elsewhere or republish it.
Promotional Rights: We may use your work for promotional purposes (e.g., social media, newsletters, and website promotions) during and after publication, with proper credit given.
Compensation: Accepted contributors for digital anthologies will be paid a one-time stipend of $10.
Anthology/Compilation Rights: If Rooted Literary Magazine decides to create an anthology or print collection, you grant Rooted the right to include your work, with proper compensation to be discussed at that time.
