Web Address
Type Of Organization
Online
Phone
(619) 357-3047
Mission Statement / Editorial Focus
Coastal Shelf is dedicated to publishing the highest quality poetry and short prose. We believe that the act of writing stimulates a person's empathy—something the world could use a lot more of these days—and encourage our contributors with recommendations on every submission. As submitting writers ourselves, we understand the value that a little feedback has.
Social Media Platforms Used
Facebook
Is Your Group Affiliated With A University, Portal Or Other Agency?
no
Primary Editor/Contact Person
Zebulon Huset
Contact Title
Editor
Contact Email
Publishes
fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art
Submissions Policy
We read submissions blindly, and offer a small amount of feedback and suggest journals you might try with every submission. Additionally we publish a feature called "Waterlogged Paper" for pieces that have been published in print but not online. In 2021 we're reading regular (no fee and tip jar) submissions 1/1-1/7 and 5/15-5/31, then also no fee and tip jar submissions for our Science Theme 5/1-6/30. See our website for contest information (which includes a no fee option)
Accepts Unsolicited Submissions
Yes
Submission Guidelines URL
Simultaneous Submissions Accepted
yes
Reading Period
Varies
Reporting Time
1 - 9 months
Author Payments
cash
Contests
FuPo Poetry Contest & Ceiling 200—Deadline 3/5/21
In One Go Folio Contest—Deadline 10/30/21
Number Of Paid Staff
1
Number Of Unpaid Staff
4
Year Founded
2019
Number Of Issues Per Year
4
Ads?
no
Average Page Views Per Month
unknown
Average Unique Visitors Per Month
unknown
Publish Print Anthology?
no
Fiction
30
Poetry
70
Name
Zebulon Huset
Title
Editor
How Did You Arrive At Your Current Position?
I started the journal!
What Is The Staff Structure At Your Magazine/press?
I have 4 editorial staffers that help with submissions, myself & my tech whiz (who is one of those staffers)
Do You Have Any Cover Letter Advice?
I mostly want just the name of the pieces & the bio. I don't need a summary of the story or what inspired the poem—we don't look at cover letters until we've already made our decision & we're putting our notes together for the writer.
How Are Submissions Processed In Your Magazine/press?
I read every single piece of writing. 2 readers make some notes on pieces for me when we're backlogged, & then 2 additional editorial staff members also give their comments about pieces that make it to that round. I make final decisions.
What Do You Look For In A Submission?
We like a wide variety, but especially pieces with surprise at the language level (that aren't too obscured). Pieces with humor but also depth. We want a larger takeaway or point—something to pop back in our head an hour after we've read the piece.
What Advice Do You Have For First-time Submitters?
For the love of whatever you hold sacred, read the submission guidelines & take a look at the journal before submitting. Far too many submissions clearly don't extended that simple courtesy & we hate to start out on the wrong foot. Also, submit!
Do You Have A Favorite Unsolicited Submission Discovery Or Anecdote?
The ekphrastic poetry feature in our first double issue was originally one piece submitted with an unrelated poem, after selecting it, we saw it was part of a sequence & we requested to see more of the series, ultimately accepting 5 poems & photos.
Who Is Your Ideal Reader?
Someone who is willing to read closely, but is also expecting to be hooked. Someone not totally averse to parataxis or 'rolling with it' when an author has something larger in mind.
Online