a literary journal that explores what it means to be human in the modern world.

Interstice (n.) - An intervening space (usually, empty); esp. a relatively small or narrow space, between things or the parts of a body; . . . a narrow opening, chink, or crevice.

In a world that moves quickly and demands clarity, we are constantly forced to place people, relationships, and experiences into labels and categories so that we function more like data for computers and algorithms rather than actual humans; our lives are thus diminished by the labels we place on ourselves. But the reality is that humanity embraces ambiguity—we are human because we exist in the spaces between. And Interstice Journal publishes works that linger in the gap.

Interstice Journal explores the gaps that make us human, such as the gap between what is said and what is meant, or the gap between the identities we possess and the identities we perform, or the gap between the moments we don’t fully understand until much later. We are drawn to writing that occupies these in-between spaces: works that are attentive to what is left unsaid, works that resist easy resolutions, works that focus on what is difficult to put into words alone. Interstice Journal strives to create a space that acts as a respite from the fast-paced world and reminds people what makes us truly human.

Our focus is on the human experience in its most intimate forms—relationships that cannot be easily defined, emotions that are difficult to name, and moments that feel small but carry immense weight. We are especially interested in character-driven work that prioritizes introspection and subtlety over exposition. In a world that tries to diminish our humanity, Interstice Journal rejects the current notions by bringing the focus back on what makes us human: the ambiguity in our identities and actions, our pauses and contradictions, and our constant search for meaning. 

Interstice Journal

Was fun to have a story in the inaugural issue. Expecting great things from this one.

Interstice Journal is now accepting submissions for our Winter 2026 issue! 

We are drawn to writing that is:
- Character-driven instead of plot-driven; focused on relationships and intimacies
- Pieces that feel inexplicably human in a world that constantly challenges our humanity
- Intimate, restrained, and emotionally layered
- Attentive to silence, subtext, and what remains unsaid
- Willing to sit in ambiguity rather than resolve it; exploring the gaps/uncertainties in humanity and our relationships

Submission Details:
- Short Fiction: up to 5,000 words
- Flash Fiction: up to 1,000 words
- Creative Nonfiction/Essays: up to 3,000 words
- Submit as a .docx file
- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced)
- Include a title and word count on the top of the first page, and number the pages
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere
- One submission per category per reading period

The reading period will be from October 1 - November 30. We aim to respond within 4-6 weeks.

If your piece is accepted, you grant Interstice Journal exclusive rights to publish your work for the first time. All rights revert to the author after publication; you are free to submit the published work elsewhere or republish it. Interstice Journal does not accept previously published work, including works published on personal blogs and social media sites. After publication, we may keep your work archived on our platform indefinitely. We may also use your work for promotional purposes during and after publication, with proper credit given.

Submissions Open for Fiction!

Submissions Open for Creative Nonfiction!

Interstice Journal is now accepting submissions for our Winter 2026 issue!<div> <div></div><div>We are drawn to writing that is:</div><div>- Character-driven instead of plot-driven; focused on relationships and intimacies</div><div>- Pieces that feel inexplicably human in a world that constantly challenges our humanity</div><div>- Intimate, restrained, and emotionally layered</div><div>- Attentive to silence, subtext, and what remains unsaid</div><div>- Willing to sit in ambiguity rather than resolve it; exploring the gaps/uncertainties in humanity and our relationships</div><div><br></div><div></div><div></div><div>Submission Details:</div><div>- Short Fiction: up to 5,000 words</div><div>- Flash Fiction: up to 1,000 words</div><div>- Creative Nonfiction/Essays: up to 3,000 words</div><div>- Submit as a .docx file</div><div>- Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt, double-spaced)</div><div>- Include a title and word count on the top of the first page, and number the pages</div><div>- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere</div><div>- One submission per category per reading period</div><div><br></div><div></div><div></div><div>The reading period will be from October 1 - November 30. We aim to respond within 4-6 weeks.</div><div><br></div><div></div><div></div><div>If your piece is accepted, you grant Interstice Journal exclusive rights to publish your work for the first time. All rights revert to the author after publication; you are free to submit the published work elsewhere or republish it. Interstice Journal does not accept previously published work, including works published on personal blogs and social media sites. After publication, we may keep your work archived on our platform indefinitely. We may also use your work for promotional purposes during and after publication, with proper credit given.</div></div>

Interstice Journal

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Submissions Open for Fiction!