Now Accepting Submissions for:
Empathy Epidemic
Submission Guidelines:
What We Happily Accept:
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Fiction Prose
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Non-fiction Prose
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Poetry
What We DO NOT Accept:
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Copyright-infringing pieces of writing, poetry or art - including fan art.
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AI-generated, AI-prompted, or AI-assisted writing, poetry or art. We want HUMAN creations with intention and skill, not plagiarized slop.
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Previously published material - let’s keep it fresh around here, send us something that’s never been published!
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Manuscripts, novels or chapbooks - automatically rejected without reading.
General Submission Guidlines
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Genre-specific guidelines are included in the submission forms below. Here’s what you need to know:
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All written and visual work must be submitted through the correct form below. We no longer review submissions sent to our email; submissions sent to our email without a form or prior approval will be automatically rejected.
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We require a small fee to submit work in order to support our nonprofit's workshop programs which contribute to the publication of this zine. While this is helpful, we are fully reliant on community support and encourage everyone to--if able-- consider making an additional donation in any amount to our PayPal. Our platform for artists and writers is growing rapidly, and we greatly appreciate your support. Head over to our Donation page (here) for more information!
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Simultaneous submissions will be considered, but please inform us immediately if your piece has been accepted elsewhere!
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Response time varies and can last up to three months. If you do not hear back from us within 90 days, please reach out to confirm we received your submission.
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After a piece has been accepted (or rejected), do not send us another entry during the same submission period. If you were published in a previous issue of Mulberry, please wait a full year before submitting again.
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Editors cannot provide personal responses to any applicants. Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, critique and feedback will not be provided with rejections. Please understand that we all cherish the chance to read and view your work, but reply on volunteer efforts to read hundreds of submissions each year.
If your work is accepted:
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You are published! Exciting, we know! More details below…
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Mulberry Literary receives first North American serial publication rights (FNASR). After the Issue is published, feel free to re-publish your piece elsewhere afterward - make sure to state Mulberry Literary as its first appearance.
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Minor edits on accepted prose and poetry may be requested by our editors. An proofed version of your work will be sent to you before the release of an issue. We encourage you to read it. If there are any changes you do not agree with or changes you would like to make in addition, do not hesitate to let us know.
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Excerpt of your work will be published to our website and social media in a graphic, designed by one of our editors, which directs readers back to you and your work for many months (and years) to come.
Formatting
Prose and Poetry:
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Include your FULL NAME in the TITLE of your file, plus a HEADER with PAGE NUMBERS.
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Attach your work in a single .docx, .doc, or .pdf file to your form.
Publication:
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Dates: TBA for Issue 2 (Winter 2025-26).
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Medium: Full length issue available online via web browser, abridged issue will be available physically in zine form.
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Cost: Submissions require payment of $5 per submitted piece to help support Writer's Block Ink and the resources used to edit each issue.
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Marketing: Word of mouth via social media, writing groups, coffee shop letterboards. We don’t believe in giving multi-billion dollar companies your hard-earned money to buy an invasive advertising blip on someone else’s screen - so if you like what we’re doing here, please share the word!
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Have questions we didn’t cover?
Email ceci@writersblockink.org
We look forward to reading and sharing your stories!