Publication: Torch Literary Arts
Topics: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Script, Literary Writing, Experimental Writing
Rate (USD): $150
Deadline: Rolling submissions
Submit Via: Torch Literary Arts Submittable

Torch Literary Arts is accepting rolling submissions for its Friday Features, inviting original creative work from Black women writers aged 18 and older. The publication is seeking bold, original voices that challenge and disrupt conventional expectations of contemporary writing by Black women.

What Torch Literary Arts Is Looking For

Torch welcomes original, unpublished work in the following genres:

• Fiction
• Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Script (Drama/Screenwriting)

The editorial team is interested in compelling stories, poems, essays, and scripts that are thought-provoking, engaging, personal, and creatively ambitious. Submissions across literary, speculative, fantasy, sci-fi, and experimental genres are all welcome.

Submission Guidelines

Before submitting, ensure your manuscript meets the following requirements:

• Include a one-page cover letter with the title(s) of your submission and a brief author bio.
• Cover letters are mandatory and do not count towards the manuscript page limit.
• Upload manuscripts as DOC, DOCX, or PDF files.
• Number all pages.
• Use margins between 1 and 1.5 inches.
• Double-space prose (poetry may be single-spaced).

Genre-specific limits include:

• Poetry: Up to five poems, maximum eight pages.
• Fiction: Up to 15 pages or 3,500 words, whichever comes first.
• Creative Nonfiction: Up to 15 pages or 3,500 words.
• Drama/Screenwriting: One act or short scenes up to 15 pages.

Self-contained excerpts from longer works are accepted.

Important Submission Rules

Torch Literary Arts has several important eligibility requirements:

• Only one submission in one genre may be under consideration at any time.
• Wait for a response before submitting another piece.
• Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but writers must immediately notify Torch if work is accepted elsewhere.
• Previously published work is not accepted.
• Writers must be at least 18 years old.
• AI-generated or AI-assisted creative work is not permitted.
• If your work is published by Torch, wait one year before submitting again.

Payment and Rights

Writers selected for a Friday Feature receive:

• $150 (USD) upon publication.
• Online publication at Torch Literary Arts.
• Rights revert to the author after publication.
• Eligibility for award nominations including:
  • Pushcart Prize
  • Best of the Net
  • O. Henry Prize
  • AKO Caine Prize for African Writing (eligible fiction must exceed 3,000 words and be written by an African writer).

Response Time

Submission status can be tracked through the online submission portal. If no decision has been received after three months, authors may contact the publication through its contact form.