Submission Guidelines

Ascendency accepts fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, book reviews, and visual art of all mediums. We will soon begin accepting interviews.
Please note that we are entirely volunteer run and do try to give you an answer as soon as possible. However, responses can take up to 10 weeks.
Ascendency retains first publication rights, after which return to the author. Please include us if you publish elsewhere.
Please format and proofread your work very carefully.
Do not include any identifying information within the actual submission, particularly your full name or address. Submissions are read blind.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: DocumentName_JaneDoe.pdf
We accept previously published work. Please include which piece(s) and where it was accepted in the "Other" section.
Please include your full name (with a pen name, if different) and a short biography through this google form.
If a piece has a content warning, please include the notification in the "Other" section. We would like to give our readers the warning.
We will always accept simultaneous submissions. If your piece is accepted elsewhere, please email the staff with your name, the title of the piece, and where it was accepted. We are more than happy to publish it after the rights have been released back to you - good work should be appreciated by all.
We do NOT and will NEVER accept AI generated work.
We do not accept any pieces promoting hate, discrimination, or bigotry.
You are permitted to submit into multiple categories, but not over the limit for each submission category. Doing so will result in your other submissions not being read or considered.
We cannot offer payment for publication at this time. However, free copies will be available as a PDF with the option to purchase physical copies at cost of printing.
Submissions open on August 1st for our second edition of Ascendency. We have rolling submissions all year for our website.
Submissions sent via email will not be read or considered.

Fiction Guidelines

Up to 5 pieces, with a cap of 5000 words for each piece. Any further words will be ignored.
Submit each piece in its own document.
Please double space your work, number your pages, and have it in Times New Roman 12pt.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: FicName_JaneDoe.pdf
Give us the stories that keep you up at night thinking about them. Give us the stories that feel like a load has been lifted from your shoulders when the words are finally on paper. Give us your best, your brightest, or one you just feel great about. Flash? Micro? Nano? The full 5000? We look forward to reading it.

Poetry Guidelines

Up to 5 pieces, with a maximum of 5 pages per poem. Any further pages will be ignored.
Submit each piece in its own document.
We accept translated work. Please include the name of the poet and the piece in the "other" section. You must also include any information such as if the translated poem has appeared in publication anywhere else for proper attribution.
Poems may be single spaced or within their final format. Please number your pages and have it in Times New Roman 12pt if the final format is standard.
We strongly recommend uploading your poetry as a PDF if it is a particular style or form that will not translate well as a DOCX.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: PoemName_JaneDoe.pdf
Give us your all. The simple thought to the latest and greatest epic, the tight fitting form to something that throws it out with the baby and the bathwater.

Nonfiction Guidelines

Up to 5 pieces, with a cap of 5000 words for each piece. Any further words will be ignored.
Submit each piece in its own document.
Please double space your work, number your pages, and have it in Times New Roman 12pt.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: CNonFic_JaneDoe.pdf
Give us your thoughts, your experiences, your vision through words. We want all there is to experience and encourage this blooming genre with particular reverence. Tell us about the weird bodega that's haunted, or the simplicity of spelling bee's. Tell us a story that's going to have us gnawing for more.

Visual Art Guidelines

Up to 5 pieces, with the medium of creation listed in the "Other" section.
Submit each piece in its own document.
Sculpted art may be submitted. Please take multiple photos of the sculpture and submit it as a single PDF for one complete piece.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: ArtName_JaneDoe.png
Submissions for Visual Art are automatically considered for the cover art of the magazine.
Give us the beauty that words cannot capture. Give us what it means to be human, or to not be human at all. We want to see what you can show us.

Book Review Guidelines

Up to 5 reviews, with the book title listed in the title of the submission document.
Submit each review in its own document.
Please double space your work, number your pages, and have it in Times New Roman 12pt.
Minimum of 500 words. There is no maximum.
Please feel free to be as critical or praise-worthy as you like.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: TheLordoftheRings_BookReview_JaneDoe.pdf
Books can be of any genre and any publication date.
Bonus points if the reviews are literary in nature. We are an English major majority here at Ascendency and would love to read why you thought that way about a particular piece with supporting evidence.

Interview Guidelines (Accepting Soon)

Up to 2 interviews, with the individual being interviewed being named in the "other" section.
If the interview is completely digital in nature, we please ask that you include a transcript or subtitles. This is imperative if you are submitting for consideration for the print copy of Ascendency.
Submit each interview (or transcript) in its own document.
Please double space your work, number your pages, and have it in Times New Roman 12pt.
Please include your name in the file of the document. Example: Interview_GrandmaDoe_JaneDoe.pdf
If you have a link to the interview in a video medium, please include it in the "other" section.
Minimum of 500 words in the transcript. There is no maximum.
We are rather liberal on the theme of these interviews. There is wisdom to be gained from the perspective of all sorts of people - so humor us. We love to listen to the stories of others.