BTWN Magazine Wants Your Weird and Wonderful Words
So I was doom-scrolling through submission calls yesterday (as one does at 2 AM with coffee) when I stumbled upon this absolute gem that made me sit up straight. BTWN Magazine is hunting for fresh work, and if you’ve got something that doesn’t quite fit in conventional boxes, THIS is your moment!
What’s BTWN All About?
BTWN is this cool online journal that launched in 2023, specializing in what they call “unexpected, genre-bending writing.” Think of them as that friend who’s always saying “surprise me” when you ask what they want for their birthday. They’re all about pushing boundaries and getting weird (in the best possible way).
They’ve put out five issues so far, with these eye-catching, bold covers that immediately grab your attention. The downloadable zine comes out twice a year, and they even published their first two issues as a fancy boxed set. Fancy!
What They’re Looking For (Spoiler: Almost Everything)
Here’s where it gets good. BTWN isn’t just looking for one type of writing. They want:
- Fiction (up to 7,000 words)
- Creative nonfiction (personal essays, interviews, reviews—also up to 7,000 words)
- Poetry (up to 4 poems, max 10 pages)
- Hybrid writing (up to 7,000 words)
- Comics and graphic stories (up to 10 pages)
- Scripts and screenplays (up to 20 pages)
- Periodicals (up to 14,000 words, or 20 pages for poetry)
They even accept longer pieces that they’ll split across two issues. How cool is that?
The main thing they’re after is work that “subverts expectations” and is “unapologetically weird.” They also mention embracing “the darker side of human existence,” so dust off those delightfully disturbing pieces you’ve been too afraid to send elsewhere!
Deadlines You Should Actually Write Down
Their submission window is open RIGHT NOW through April 1 (no fooling!) for their June 17 issue.
Miss that? No worries! They’ll open again from June 30 through August 20 for their Halloween edition (October 31).
They’re also planning a print publication for November/December this year, which is extra exciting.
The Cherry on Top
One lucky contributor each year gets the BTWN literary award—a prize of CAD $100. Not life-changing money, but definitely nice validation and maybe a fancy dinner out to celebrate your literary brilliance.
Next Steps: How to Get Your Work to BTWN
- First, you’ll need a Google account to use their submission form (if you don’t have one, it’s free to create).
- Head over to their website and read their full guidelines Btwn Website. Seriously, read them. They specifically mention they only accept submissions that follow their guidelines.
- Submit using their online form (not email or snail mail).
- Wait patiently for 4-6 months (or less) for their response.
- Cross fingers, toes, and any other crossable body parts.
Remember, they don’t take previously published work, so send them your fresh, unpublished gems!
Ready to send BTWN your weirdest and most wonderful writing? Check out their full guidelines and submission details on their website. Your unapologetically strange masterpiece might just find its perfect home!