Submissions

Our Submission Criteria

We are looking for creative work with passion and positive messages on environmental and social change themes. You can interpret this in your own unique way and using any creative form.

Here are some example topics to get you thinking:

Community, social issues, mental health, equality and diversity, climate change, love, hope, the environment, and sustainability.

Please submit up to a maximum of 3 pieces/projects for consideration in a submission window.

For Poetry & Creative Writing submissions

For written works, we are looking for uncurated poems, prose, flash fiction and short stories. Uncurated means work not published in a curated collection – books, magazines or anthologies, in print or online. Work shared on social media, video streaming and audio streaming is fine.

We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you tell us if it has been accepted elsewhere. Our entry fees are non-refundable.

Poetry - up to 40 lines is preferred, but we do accept longer pieces.
Prose (Poetry) - As above.
Spoken Word - 3 minutes maximum recording length with a written version included in your submission.
Flash - up to 500 words.
Short fiction - up to 2500 words.
Creative non-fiction - up to 1000 words.

Please use a legible font of 11-12 point in size.

Please state what each piece is (poetry, prose, spoken word, flash, short fiction, creative non-fiction) in the file name or within the document.

We may suggest edits before the publication of your work if selected.

If you are unsuccessful, please submit again, but in the next selection window (Scroll above to see the dates).

For Art & Photography submissions

We prefer new artworks that are available for our readers to buy. However, you may choose an older piece if it fits with Steel Jackdaw's ethos. We want people to be able to buy your work, which is why we prefer work that’s available for purchase (originals/prints).

We do not facilitate purchases or charge commissions - all transactions are between the creative and the buyer.

For Performance, Film, Music & Storytelling

Due to the nature of performance work, we would prefer new work to be submitted. You can send us Video and Audio links (not actual files). These should be linked to accessible hosted services, such as YouTube and SoundCloud. Please send a written version of a performance piece, if available, so that our readers can enjoy that version also.

Good luck with your entries!

Submission Rules

We require all 5 items listed in the submission form above to complete your entry.

Please remember to send in your best uncurated work.

Please follow the submission guidelines when sending in your work.

Due to the volume of submissions, we will not be able to offer feedback on your work if you are not accepted.

Free submissions for all

In June 2024, we changed our submission process to make submissions free to all. We believe that there should be no barriers to people. As a magazine, we generate our income from magazine sales and advertising.

Contributor Rights

All work accepted for inclusion in our quarterly magazine or on our website remains the property of the artist/creative.

For poetry and creative writing contributions

Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please tell us if this is the case and get in touch if your work is accepted elsewhere.

For successfully selected and curated work, please leave 3 months from the publication date before sending it to other submission/competition opportunities.

For non-writing submissions

Steel Jackdaw does not restrict pieces from being submitted to other publications. This is important to us, as we want your work to be enjoyed and purchased by as many people as possible.

All rights remain with the creator, and the creator is free to sell and promote their work.

Steel Jackdaw promotes the work of published contributors to its readership and via social media channels. As such, Steel Jackdaw is a promotional vehicle for published contributors, giving them an opportunity to be published and reach a new audience.