Please read the following submission guidelines before submitting for the first time.
The Crucible accepts works of fiction and nonfiction prose, poetry, photography, artwork, graphic novels, essays, and short plays. We are open to works that break the molds of traditional writing and feature strong and compelling voices. Although we are a UNC organization, we gladly accept submissions from writers and artists around the world.
Genre: We accept any genre or style as long as it is not discriminatory toward any one person or group. We're looking for fresh voices and original ideas.
Theme:
We have a theme for you to consider in 2024:
"Notice."
For example:
Write us your stories, your secrets, your sorrows, anything you like! Pieces will be selected based on their creative use of the theme as well as general quality. The Spring 2024 edition of The Crucible is in your hands.
Length: While we'd love to showcase longer pieces, space for each edition is tight. Formally our maximum is 3000 words per submission, but keep in mind with pieces nearing that limit every word should count.
Format: Please submit in a standard file format (e.g .doc, docx), with 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Include the title of your work at the top of the piece, but do not include your name anywhere on the document. The submission form will add your name to the file title, this is okay. All submissions are read blind. Any submissions that have identifying information will be disregarded. For art submissions, please use a .jpg or .png format and forego watermarks.
Multiple Submissions: We gladly accept multiple submissions, but please do so in moderation. Two strong pieces leave a better impression than ten of everything you've ever written.
Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but make things more difficult. If your submitted piece is accepted at another publication you must notify us as soon as possible.
Submitting as an Editor: Our editors are allowed to submit to the edition, with some restrictions in place. An editor is allowed to have at most two pieces in the edition. If an editor submits a piece and it is not accepted, they are allowed to edit and resubmit only once. If the re-submission is not accepted, a new, original piece is allowed to be submitted before the deadline. If the editor's identity is revealed at any point of the decision making process, the submission is voided and will not be accepted.
Previously Published work: We do not accept previously published work. This includes work currently published online, such as writing websites and personal blogs. Writing websites that are password protected do not count as previously published.
Payment: The Crucible is a small, student-run literary magazine that is funded by fundraising, donations, and our university. Unfortunately, we cannot offer monetary payment as all our funding goes towards publishing the edition. Writers and artists selected for publication will receive a complimentary copy of the edition they are featured in.
Rights: All rights revert back to the writer or artist upon publication. We do ask that The Crucible be credited as the first publisher for future publications. We also reserve the right to archive the work featured in each edition.
Bio: When submitting your work, please include a brief third-person bio about yourself. If you are a student, your bio should include the name of your college/university and field of study. If your work is selected for publication, you may be asked to submit a new bio with a specific word count.
Response Time: Response times may vary, but we aim to inform you within two weeks of the submission box closing. If you haven't heard from us by then, feel free to contact us.
Note: Photography submissions of sculptures or artwork not created by the photographer will not be accepted.
The Crucible accepts works of fiction and nonfiction prose, poetry, photography, artwork, graphic novels, essays, and short plays. We are open to works that break the molds of traditional writing and feature strong and compelling voices. Although we are a UNC organization, we gladly accept submissions from writers and artists around the world.
Genre: We accept any genre or style as long as it is not discriminatory toward any one person or group. We're looking for fresh voices and original ideas.
Theme:
We have a theme for you to consider in 2024:
"Notice."
For example:
- [Verb] to observe or pay attention to something
- [Noun] notification or warning of something, especially to allow preparations to be made
Write us your stories, your secrets, your sorrows, anything you like! Pieces will be selected based on their creative use of the theme as well as general quality. The Spring 2024 edition of The Crucible is in your hands.
Length: While we'd love to showcase longer pieces, space for each edition is tight. Formally our maximum is 3000 words per submission, but keep in mind with pieces nearing that limit every word should count.
Format: Please submit in a standard file format (e.g .doc, docx), with 12 pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Include the title of your work at the top of the piece, but do not include your name anywhere on the document. The submission form will add your name to the file title, this is okay. All submissions are read blind. Any submissions that have identifying information will be disregarded. For art submissions, please use a .jpg or .png format and forego watermarks.
Multiple Submissions: We gladly accept multiple submissions, but please do so in moderation. Two strong pieces leave a better impression than ten of everything you've ever written.
Simultaneous Submissions: Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but make things more difficult. If your submitted piece is accepted at another publication you must notify us as soon as possible.
Submitting as an Editor: Our editors are allowed to submit to the edition, with some restrictions in place. An editor is allowed to have at most two pieces in the edition. If an editor submits a piece and it is not accepted, they are allowed to edit and resubmit only once. If the re-submission is not accepted, a new, original piece is allowed to be submitted before the deadline. If the editor's identity is revealed at any point of the decision making process, the submission is voided and will not be accepted.
Previously Published work: We do not accept previously published work. This includes work currently published online, such as writing websites and personal blogs. Writing websites that are password protected do not count as previously published.
Payment: The Crucible is a small, student-run literary magazine that is funded by fundraising, donations, and our university. Unfortunately, we cannot offer monetary payment as all our funding goes towards publishing the edition. Writers and artists selected for publication will receive a complimentary copy of the edition they are featured in.
Rights: All rights revert back to the writer or artist upon publication. We do ask that The Crucible be credited as the first publisher for future publications. We also reserve the right to archive the work featured in each edition.
Bio: When submitting your work, please include a brief third-person bio about yourself. If you are a student, your bio should include the name of your college/university and field of study. If your work is selected for publication, you may be asked to submit a new bio with a specific word count.
Response Time: Response times may vary, but we aim to inform you within two weeks of the submission box closing. If you haven't heard from us by then, feel free to contact us.
Note: Photography submissions of sculptures or artwork not created by the photographer will not be accepted.
Submissions for the Spring 2024 edition are closed. Fall 2024 will open in summer.