Submissions | Oscail Magazine

Submission Guidelines

What We Publish

We publish literary, experimental, and genre work from queer, trans, neurodivergent, disabled, working‑class and other marginalised writers. We welcome speculative, horror, romance, crime, slipstream and hybrid forms alongside literary realism.

Works by neurodiverse writers (including but not limited to autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, and other neurodivergent experiences)

Works by queer and trans writers across the full spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities

Works by writers from intersectional and marginalised communities

Writing that challenges conventional forms and boundaries

Works that reflect the complexity and richness of contemporary Irish experience

International voices that resonate with our mission

Visual Art Submissions

We accept photography, digital illustration, painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, and any traditional art that can be digitised.

Up to 5 artworks per artist

Files must be high-quality JPEG or PNG (300 dpi preferred for clarity)

Works should have no visible watermarks

Each file must be named with the title of the artwork and the artist’s name

Along with your submission, please include:

Short artist bio (50–100 words)

Titles, mediums, and year of each work

1–2 sentences about how your art connects to Oscail’s themes

Optional: Short statement on your process/inspiration

*Important notes*

Only submit work you have the right to share

Please provide descriptive alt text for each artwork for accessibility

If submitting traditional art, please scan or photograph your work in good lighting and at a high resolution

Selected contributors will be paid €25 for each piece

No submission fees

We do not judge work by academic background, publication history or “prestige.”

We are interested in what the work is doing on the page and how it speaks to queer, neurodivergent, disabled and other marginalised experiences.

We welcome writers with and without formal education or prior publications.

We are actively opposed to gatekeeping and respectability politics in publishing. Oscail is a space for messy, hybrid, playful and serious work alike.

Writing Submission Categories

Poetry

Quantity: Up to 5 poems per submission

Length: No strict limit, but poems should be appropriate for publication in a literary magazine

Format: Submit all poems in a single document (Word, PDF, or Google Doc)

Short Fiction

Quantity: One piece per submission

Length: 1,500 - 3,000 words maximum

Format: Submit as a single document (Word, PDF, or Google Doc)

Flash Fiction

Quantity: Up to 3 pieces per submission

Length: Up to 1,000 words per piece

Format: Submit all pieces in a single document

Non-Fiction

Quantity: One piece per submission

Length: Up to 3,000 words maximum

Format: Submit as a single document

Film Reviews

Quantity: Up to 3 pieces per submission

Length: From 500 - 1,500 words

Any films with strong LGBTQ+ and/or neurodivergent representation. Films that speak to your community.

Critical analysis welcome, but personal reflection and accessibility commentary encouraged too

How to Submit

Email Submissions (Primary Method):

Send your submission to: oscailmagazine@gmail.com

Email Subject Line: Use this format: "Submission: [CATEGORY] - [YOUR NAME]"

Example: "Submission: Poetry - Katie Murphy"

What to Include in Your Email:

Submission files (see formatting requirements below)

2. Brief bio (50-100 words, third person)

No Submission Fees

No Reading Fees

Formatting Requirements

Font:

Use accessible fonts such as Arial, Verdana, or Open Sans (12-14 point)

Avoid decorative fonts, script fonts, or Times New Roman

Spacing:

Use 1.5 line spacing throughout your document

Margins:

Use standard 1-inch margins

Alignment:

Left-align all text (avoid justified text)

Page Numbers:

Include page numbers on all pages except the first

Document Format:

Submit as .doc, .docx, or PDF files

Ensure your document is conversion-ready for accessibility tools

Include your name and contact information in the document header

Accessibility Support

We are committed to making our submission process accessible to all writers. If you need accommodations or alternative formats, please contact us at: oscailmagazine@gmail.com

We can provide:

Extended deadlines for writers who need additional time

Alternative submission formats

Assistance with technical issues

Plain language explanations of our guidelines

Audio Submissions:

For writers who prefer to submit work in audio format, please contact us to arrange this option.

Submission Policies

Simultaneous Submissions:

We accept and encourage simultaneous submissions. Please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Previously Published Work:

We only accept previously unpublished work. Publication on personal blogs or social media is acceptable.

Response Time:

We aim to respond to all submissions within 2-3 months. If you haven't heard from us after 3 months, please feel free to query.

Withdrawal Policy:

You may withdraw your submission at any time by emailing oscailmagazine@gmail.com

Payment & Rights

We pay our contributors:

Accepted writers receive €25 per published piece, regardless of length or category.

Rights:

We request first Irish rights and the right to archive your work on our website. All other rights remain with you.

Editorial Process

Review Process:

All submissions are read by our editorial team. We aim for a fair, thoughtful review process that considers both literary merit and alignment with our mission.

Feedback:

While we cannot provide individual feedback on all submissions due to volume, we may offer brief comments on work that comes close to acceptance.

Acceptance:

If we accept your work, we will contact you with details about publication, payment, and any minor editing suggestions.

We will not accept work generated by AI in any medium

We value respect, inclusivity, and professionalism in all our interactions. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or hate speech of any kind.