We don’t want work that adheres to outdated definitions. We want experimental. We want hybrid. We want progressive. We want work that takes unorthodox approaches to form and aesthetics.

At Inverted Syntax, we feel similarly. We want to be your Salon des Refusés. We believe that something is missing from the current literary and visual arts landscape— work that feels rogue, daring. Work that breaks the rules. Work that doesn't have any rules. We don’t want work that adheres to outdated definitions. We want experimental. We want hybrid. We want progressive. We want work that takes unorthodox approaches to form and aesthetics. We want work that rebels against the establishment and pushes us toward something we have yet to define— or perhaps something that resists definition altogether. We want memorable, haunting approaches to art and language that turn us inside out and convey novel insights into the human experience. We want it all.

Online publications putting forward exceptional short stories for Best of the Net.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

A targeted resource for short story placements with potential for Pushcart recognition.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Specialized publications that recognize exceptional brief fiction through Pushcart nominations.

Digital publications advancing very short fiction for Best of the Net consideration.

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Publications with narratives under 1,000 words selected for this anthology series. These journals consistently identify short-short fiction, exemplifying the artistry possible in compact narratives.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Small Fictions Anthologies

Best Microfiction, edited by Meg Pokrass and Gary Fincke, celebrates the art of the extremely brief narrative. These publications have editorial teams with particular sensitivity to the craft.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best Microfiction

Identifies publications that put forward outstanding online work for this respected digital anthology established in 2006.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

A comprehensive guide to journals that regularly nominate work for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Discover the all-time most popular poetry literary magazines. These outlets have maintained a significant presence in the world of poetry.

Most Popular Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most submitted-to poetry literary magazines. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Digital publications nominating outstanding essays and creative nonfiction for Best of the Net.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Highlights publications that regularly put forward essays, memoirs, and other creative nonfiction for Pushcart consideration.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Online journals that specifically champion poetry for Best of the Net consideration.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Focuses specifically on poetry journals with established histories of Pushcart nominations.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Inverted Syntax

The Sublingua prize is dedicated to the discovery of an exceptional debut poetry collection written in English by a female-identifying writer of any citizenship residing in the United States who has not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 30 pages. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and do not print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
NOTE: Inverted Syntax may also offer a runner-up publication of another manuscript in addition to the winner. This runner-up author will receive everything listed above with the exception of the $500 prize.
Contest guidelines:
Additional guidelines:
*​​​Inclusivity statement:
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.

Submitters must be female-identifying writers residing in the United States who have not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 30 pages.

Sublingua Prize for Poetry  (1st Book Award)

The Aggrey Tabbikha Prize for Poetry (previously two separate prizes) is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first- or second-poetry collections written in English by a writer who identifies as Black or as part of the S.W.A.N.A diaspora, residing within the United States, regardless of citizenship. Named after the Aggrey family of Ghana, and Tabbica/Tabbikha family of Lebanon, the prize honors and amplifies original poetry by Black and S.W.A.N.A writers whose communities remain underrepresented in contemporary literature. We seek work that reflects on intersectional perspectives, including those that delve into themes of identity, cultural heritage, social justice, resilience, and the complexities of these narratives, fostering solidarity and empowerment. While there is no set theme, we encourage genre-breaking, hybrid work (can intersect with any genre including original visuals, excluding photography), as well as speculative, and experimental writing. Inclusion of other languages/code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
NOTE: Inverted Syntax may also offer a runner-up publication of another manuscript in addition to the winner. This runner-up author will receive everything listed above with the exception of the $500 prize.
Contest guidelines:
Additional guidelines:
*​​​Inclusivity statement:
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.

Submitters must be writers who identify as Black or as part of the S.W.A.N.A diaspora and reside within the United States, regardless of citizenship. The prize is for first- or second-poetry collections.

Inverted Syntax

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