alchemical accepts the following submissions:

short fiction (1,000 to 5,000 words.)

essays (on the craft of writing, the magic of writing, and so on.)

one-shot graphic narratives (6-pages, sequential panel art, complete story.)

cover art (no AI, analog mediums preferred.)

Sorry, we don't consider reprints, nor translations.

Simultaneous submissions are welcome, though do inform us as soon as possible if you'll be withdrawing your submission. We aim to accept submissions year-round.

Fees: There are no submission or reading fees.

Payment: We are not a paying market. However, we will nominate our favorite pieces for the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net awards, and the Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy series, among others, as well as promote our top writers in an annual showcase.

For information regarding content restrictions, click here.

For information regarding publishing rights, click here.

 

SHORT FICTION SUBMISSION DETAILS

"A literary journal of the speculative" - wait, so is that literary fiction? Or speculative fiction? What's going on here?!

And this is where the magic lies, friends. Let's blur those dividing lines and break some new ground. We want genuine, literary fiction first and foremost, but we want it delivered through the lens of our favorite genres. Yes, we want original science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but more than this--we want amazing stories not bound by limitations!

From new takes on these classic genres to amalgamations and beyond, we want both startling new beginnings and unsettling reimaginings. Give us spec fiction as we've never seen it before, but give it to us at a standard that writers and readers both will appreciate for what makes it a great, literary story:  characters of depth, scenes of transformation, creative prose, and lasting, emotional resonance.

We want the very best when it comes to contemporary fiction that is both literary and speculative. Period.

(Short fiction submissions must fall between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Mind you, a slight over or under is completely acceptable.)

 

To submit short fiction:

Email alchemicaljournal@gmail.com with a brief cover letter, attaching your submission as a PDF. Please model your email as such:

SUBMISSION EMAIL SAMPLE/TEMPLATE

To: alchemicaljournal@gmail.com

Subject: Short Fiction Submission

Dear Editor:

Please consider my short story, The Way the Wolves are Poison, for publication in Alchemical. It is attached as a PDF for your convenience.

Mini Bio

Dorian Gray has published short fiction and poetry, with longform essays also out for consideration. He is an MFA in Creative Writing student at Kings College, and resides in London, England.

Sincerely,

Dorian Gray

 

PDF FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point, and with the following details in the upper left corner of the document:

Title of Piece, Word Count

 

We aim to respond within 45 days. You may certainly query after such time has passed. Do only send one submission at a time, and please wait for a response before submitting again.

 

ESSAY SUBMISSION DETAILS 

If there is one overall theme to the magazine, it might be surrounding the inherent, yet often overlooked, magical element of writing. A certain craft, a certain necessary speculation; perhaps ritual, manifestation, sacrifice, and so on. It's a simple acknowledgement of that wondrous mystique that bellies the very nature of the undertaking.

Do your essays need to represent this idea? Not at all. It's just there. Part of the ol' aura, if you will. Perhaps, though, it inspires you to write something. We welcome craft essays in all their forms.

What about other nonfiction? Creative nonfiction, personal essays, memoirs, and reportage are all welcome. We do like subjects such as technology, science, magic, the occult, and the strange, but the skies are wide and vast, friends; send us what thou wilt. (Though, please, no book reviews or other criticism, no top ten lists, and no interview pitches).

 

To submit nonfiction:

Email alchemicaljournal@gmail.com with a brief cover letter, attaching your submission as a PDF. Please model your email as such:

SUBMISSION EMAIL SAMPLE/TEMPLATE

To: alchemicaljournal@gmail.com

Subject: Nonfiction Submission

Dear Editor:

Please consider my essay, Two Trials are Enough, for publication in Alchemical. It is attached as a PDF for your convenience.

Mini Bio

Dorian Gray has published short fiction and poetry, with longform essays also out for consideration. He is an MFA in Creative Writing student at Kings College, and resides in London, England.

Sincerely,

Dorian Gray

 

PDF FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Double spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point, and with the following details in the upper left corner of the document:

Title of Piece, Word Count

 

We aim to respond within 45 days. You may certainly query after such time has passed. Do only send one submission at a time, and please wait for a response before submitting again.

 

ARTWORK SUBMISSION DETAILS

We intend to feature original cover art and one six-page graphic narrative per issue. Acceptable art submissions include:  photography (B&W and color), painting, drawing, mixed media, and both analog and digital forms (though we prefer analog).

Regarding cover art, any themes or styles are welcome, but understand that we’ll generally choose those which somehow invoke, if not directly embody, some aspect of the speculative genre (sci-fi, fantasy, horror), or somehow represent the craft or the magic of writing.

Regarding sequential panel art (graphic narrative) submissions, they need to be 6 pages drafted at the industry standard (fully inked and lettered), containing a complete story (a "one-shot"). We will not feature any ongoing series concepts. B&W or color is welcome. All speculative genres are welcome. Note that while we love traditional superhero stories, these are not what we are seeking. Superheroes and superpowers are certainly welcome, though do make sure the narrative contains a clear speculative core (science fiction, fantasy, horror), beyond that of, simply, superheroes and superpowers.

Each artist, including writer-artists or teams for the graphic narratives, will have an accompanying interview featured within the journal, allowing readers to learn more about the art, the artists behind the art, and any current projects or related fun.

 

To submit artwork:

Email alchemicaljournal@gmail.com with a brief cover letter, attaching your submission as a PDF. Please model your email as such:

SUBMISSION EMAIL SAMPLE/TEMPLATE

To: alchemicaljournal@gmail.com

Subject: Artwork Submission

Dear Editor:

Please consider my piece, Red Sun / Blue Sun, for publication in Alchemical. It is attached as a PDF for your convenience.

Mini Bio

Dorian Gray has produced artwork featured in a variety of magazines. He is currently at work on a mural project for The Oscar Wilde Museum. He is a second year graphic design student at Kings College, and resides in London, England.

Sincerely,

Dorian Gray

 

ALL ARTWORK should be submitted as an attached PDF. If submitting multiple pieces, please combine them into a single PDF.

We aim to respond within 45 days. You may certainly query after such time has passed. Do only send one submission at a time, and please wait for a response before submitting again. We do not charge submission fees.

 

Questions?

Email our editorial staff: editor@alchemicaljournal.com

Please note this address is for inquiries only. All submissions should use: alchemicaljournal@gmail.com