Mission
Simply put, we’re tired of so many barriers to entry. Whether it’s word count, subject matter limitations, political or religious implications, we’re tired of seeing so many great works being cast aside for one arbitrary reason or another. So, we created a space where that kind of work can thrive. We are in the business of publishing stories, poems, essays, and art that make us feel something and stretch our brains to new realizations of form and possibility.
Cult, as the name suggests, wants the weird, the risk-taking: the stuff that gets tucked away because someone thinks no one would ever publish that. We want art that challenges and confronts; not coddles and reaffirms.
We will never subscribe to a particular style, theme, or artistic movement. We want all voices from all backgrounds and experience who feel they have something worthy to say to submit. Of course, we want all kinds of folks to submit and grace the pages of our little rag, but what ultimately matters is what shows up on the page. In summation, the work takes priority.
Submit
All artists who are published will be paid for their work. $25 for online publication and $40 for inclusion in our biannual print edition.
In hopes of building a community and making real connections with our artists, we plan to call each person we choose to publish so, please, alongside your name, genre (poetry, fiction, photography, etc.), the title of your work, as well as a brief description of yourself, please include your phone number. Submissions must be previously unpublished.
For bios, please keep them short. By all means, tell us where you’re from, what college you attended (if applicable), and where people can find your work (if applicable). But please don’t tell us about your dogs, cats, wonderful spouses or partners, or your job. With all due respect, we don’t care. As our mission statement says: The work takes priority.
Pitch
Have an idea for an interview or a review or something that falls outside the bounds of standard submission guidelines? Send us a pitch detailing the idea to SUBMISSIONS@CULTMAG.NET. Please include “Pitch:” at the beginning of the subject line of your email and a brief outline of what you're thinking. Payment will be at the same rate as standard publications unless discussed otherwise.
Note: By submitting to Cult. Magazine, you give your permission to receive periodic email newsletters.
Seriously, folks. READ ALL OF THIS.
If you're a writer, you've probably been in a workshop. If you were like us who made the horrid mistake of getting an MFA, workshops were often excruciating. Small rooms filled with people who didn't try to make your story better, but liked to hear themselves talk. And when the workshop is over, you don't really know how to improve your story.
We want to give you the opportunity for detailed feedback and have an enriching experience discussing your writing process, your editing approach, and what you aspire your writing to become, all in the context of your work. We accept all kinds of fiction because our end-goal is to make the story as great as it can be, whether you publish with us or not.
Here's what you get for signing up
- Detailed notes and annotations of your work
- A two-hour session with Matt Gillick or Jake Hargrove
- A list of recommended journals to submit to
- Consideration from Cult. Magazine (three months after the one-on-one session)
About the Workshop Leaders
Matt Gillick has been publishing in journals and magazines for over a decade. His writing has appeared in over thirty publications and he's been nominated for the Pushcart, Best MicroFiction, and written some wild stuff. He's been banned and lambasted for taking risks, so nothing is off-limits, as long as it serves the work. He's also genuinely trying to make people better writers, including himself. Want some credentials? See examples here, here, here, here, here. Check out his other stuff on his website.
Jake Hargrove is a published fiction writer, as well as co-founder and EIC of your favorite literary magazine. He's recently published provocative fiction on the site Ceramic Horses. He is also a co-host of the Cult. Magazine Podcast where he examines politics, literature, and how both come together in the 21st century.
Ground rules
- If you don't follow these instructions, we aren't refunding you and will consider this a donation, so please read the following
- No novels, no novellas, no poetry
- Again, no refunds even if your piece gets accepted elsewhere
- Only one short story or up to five pieces of flash fiction (less than 1,000 words each)
- Working with us does not guarantee publication in Cult. Magazine but we will consider the workshopped piece(s) if you choose to submit it three months after the workshop