Indie contemporary literature magazine (quarterly, print and online) pairing creative writing and visual art, on a mission to Make Writing Mean More.

Quibble Lit is an indie literature publisher with a mission to make writing mean more.
We publish prose, poetry, and visual art on a  quarterly schedule -  in print first, digital second.

Quibble welcomes both emerging and established artists, and we champion voices that provoke discovery. We love inquiry, curiosity, variety, originality, irony, and humor.

We believe that stories, poems, and ideas help people shape culture, and vice versa. 

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Quibble Lit

General call

Vessel

Quibble, an online & print lit mag for prose, poetry, and art, is excited to open submissions for PASTEL: Volume VI of Quibble Lit! Check out the website to get a sense of the publication.
Selected submissions will be published online at Quibblelit.com and promoted across our platforms. They will also appear in print in PASTEL – Volume VI of Quibble Lit, to be published in late November/December 2025. Contributing authors will receive a complimentary copy.
By submitting, you consent to publication online and in print. You retain all rights to your work—Quibble only wishes to share your writing, not own or profit from it.
Theme: PASTEL
This volume’s theme is Pastel. We selected this word for its evocations of color, delicacy, softness, and subtlety—but also its layered meanings: the sketch beneath the final painting, the muted voice, the gentle mood. We invite you to interpret it widely—personally, creatively, literally, and metaphorically.
As always, our themes are a creative challenge, not a hard requirement—but our guidelines are required.
Submission Guidelines

   Prose:      Submit a single work of no more than 2,000 words. 
  Poetry & Art:      Submit up to 3 pieces. 
  Include a short personal bio (third person). 

Document Specifications

   File type: .doc or      .docx only 
  Format: single-spaced,      12pt, standard readable typeface (Times New Roman, Georgia, etc.) 

Simultaneous submissions are welcome—please notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Poetry : PASTEL - Volume VI - Quibble Lit

Quibble, an online & print lit mag for prose, poetry, and art, is excited to open submissions for PASTEL: Volume VI of Quibble Lit! Check out the website to get a sense of the publication.
Selected submissions will be published online at Quibblelit.com and promoted across our platforms. They will also appear in print in PASTEL – Volume VI of Quibble Lit, to be published in late November/December 2025. Contributing authors will receive a complimentary copy.
By submitting, you consent to publication online and in print. You retain all rights to your work—Quibble only wishes to share your writing, not own or profit from it.
Theme: Pastel
This volume’s theme is Pastel. We selected this word for its evocations of color, delicacy, softness, and subtlety—but also its layered meanings: the sketch beneath the final painting, the muted voice, the gentle mood. We invite you to interpret it widely—personally, creatively, literally, and metaphorically.
As always, our themes are a creative challenge, not a hard requirement—but our guidelines are required.
Submission Guidelines

   Prose:      Submit a single work of no more than 2,000 words. 
  Poetry & Art:      Submit up to 3 pieces. 
  Include a short personal bio (third person). 

Document Specifications

   File type: .doc or      .docx only 
  Format: single-spaced,      12pt, standard readable typeface (Times New Roman, Georgia, etc.) 

Simultaneous submissions are welcome—please notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Prose: PASTEL - Voulme VI - Quibble Lit

Visual Art : PASTEL - Volume VI - Quibble Lit

Theme: JUNGLE
This volume’s theme is JUNGLE—a word that can mean lushness, danger, heat, hunger, overgrowth, and the beautiful chaos of systems that refuse to stay orderly.

We invite prose that explores jungle as:

 place (real, imagined, mythic, sci-fi, urban) 
 state (sensory overload, obsession, survival, ferality, desire) 
 system (ecosystems, social hierarchies, bureaucracy, the “concrete jungle”) 
 metaphor (entanglement, inheritance, violence, wonder, transformation)  
Send us stories where something grows unchecked—where the path disappears, where language gets sweaty, where characters get lost (or found) in the thick of it.

As always, our theme is a creative prompt, not a requirement. The guidelines below are required.

JUNGLE

Quibble, an online & print literary magazine for prose, poetry, and art, is thrilled to open submissions for PEOPLE: Volume VII of Quibble Lit.
Work selected for this volume will be published online at QuibbleLit.com, shared across our platforms, and collected in our print edition—scheduled for release in February/March 2026. Contributing authors receive a complimentary print copy.
At Quibble, you retain all rights to your work. We never ask for exclusivity or ownership—only the chance to celebrate your writing and share it with our readers (and respect other publishers' agreements).
Theme: PEOPLE
This volume’s theme is PEOPLE—a word stretching across countless stories, identities, communities, contradictions, and constellations of connection.   We invite you to explore it broadly or intimately: portraits, crowds, strangers, ancestors, avatars, alter-egos, lovers, enemies, neighbors, selves.
As always, our themes are a creative prompt, not a requirement. The guidelines below are required.
Submission Guidelines
Prose
Submit one piece of fiction, nonfiction, or hybrid prose, up to 2,000 words.
Poetry & Art
Submit up to 3 poems and/or 3 visual art pieces.
Author Bio
Include a short, third-person bio in your document or submission form.
Document Specifications

   File types: .doc or .docx  
   Formatting: single-spaced, 12pt, readable standard typeface (Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond, etc.)  
   File name: LastName_Title (or similar clear labeling)  

Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Just notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Prose: PEOPLE - Volume VII - Quibble Lit

Quibble Lit invites writers to respond to two original collage artworks by Devon Balwit, which will serve as the front and back cover images for our upcoming issue, Volume 7: PEOPLE.

   "Smoking" — Front Cover
   "Shave and a Haircut" — Back Cover

 View the artworks here:

   https://www.quibblelit.com/featured-ekphrastics

We’re seeking five standout pieces—poetry or prose—that engage directly with the artworks through observation, imagination, interpretation, or dialogue. These are ekphrastic responses in the broadest sense: works that allow the images to provoke voice, story, reflection, tension, or transformation.
This call is an invitation to look closely and respond with intention. Writers may approach the artwork literally or abstractly; narratively or lyrically; intimately or expansively. We’re interested less in description alone and more in what the image unlocks or stirs.
About This Feature
This is not a competition, but a curated feature opportunity. Selected works will appear first in sequence within PEOPLE, creating an immediate & layered experience of visual and literary conversation. These pieces will anchor the issue and introduce readers to its themes through both image and language.
Because the artworks are central to the issue’s presentation and promotion, selected pieces will also benefit from a highly shareable, visually anchored format—designed to travel well and reach new audiences.
Genre & Form

   Poetry and prose are both welcome 
   Any style, voice, or approach is encouraged 
  Work should engage meaningfully with "Smoking", "Shave and a Haircut", or both

Selection Process
All submissions and selections will be handled by the Quibble Lit editorial team. We’re looking for work that demonstrates clarity of engagement, originality of response, and a strong sense of artistic presence—whether subtle or bold.
Who Should Submit
This call may be a good fit if you enjoy:

   Ekphrastic writing or visual prompts 
   Portraiture, character, or human-centered work 
   Writing that begins with looking closely 
   Being published with specificity, context, and care

Featured Ekphrastics  — Responses to Cover Art for Quibble Vol. 7: PEOPLE

Poetry: PEOPLE - Volume VII - Quibble Lit

ABOUT THE AWARD
The Ps&Qs Audio Poem Awards celebrate poetry that rises beyond the page and comes fully alive through voice, breath, cadence, and performance. This a blind, audio-only prize contest. We’re looking for poems that thrive in their spoken form—pieces where sound and presence are the craft. 

  Submission Window: December 1 – March 1 (11:59 PM EST) 
  Entry Fee: $8 per poem
  Prizes: $250 / $125 / $75 + 6 Superlatives ($25 each) + publication + showcase 

WHAT TO SUBMIT
We accept one audio poem per entry.
Audio Requirements

  Length: Poem recording up to 2:00
  You may include up to 15 seconds extra for title only (no other spoken info)
  Total file length must not exceed 2:15
  File formats accepted: MP3, WAV, M4A
  No background music, sound effects, or multitrack mixing                         
    
      Light noise reduction / leveling is fine
    
      Transcript (Required)   Please upload a written transcript of your poem (PDF or Word).   Transcripts are not shared with judges — they are used only for accessibility and captioning.   Multiple Entries   You may submit multiple poems; each requires its own entry and fee.    ELIGIBILITY   Open to all poets, all backgrounds, all regions.        
    Eligible Work 
  
  New, unpublished audio recordings
  For 2026, we're able to review English poetry only
  Print-published poems are allowed only if the audio is newly recorded (shared consent is important too!)

 Not Eligible 

  AI-generated text or AI voice performance
  Audio previously published anywhere public (podcasts, YouTube, social media, etc.)
  Poems containing identifying information spoken aloud
  Work created or edited with multitrack audio production or added soundbeds

 JUDGING PROCESS
Judging is blind and based entirely on the audio experience.
The Top 3 Awards will be selected by a five-judge panel representing performance poetry, editorial craft, indie publishing, and contemporary poetics:   

  Jeff Bogle — Stanchion
  Derrick Brown — Write Bloody Publishing
  Leah Browning — Apple Valley Review
  Maria Giesbrecht — Gather
  Timothy Green — The Poetry Space_
  Zuri McWhorter — Juste Milieu Zine

 All audio files are anonymized and scrubbed of metadata before judges receive them.   


Evaluation Criteria 
 Judges consider:

  Sonic quality: breath, rhythm, pacing, clarity
  Voice & presence
  Craft: language, structure, originality
  Emotional or atmospheric impact
  Performance & embodiment
  How strongly the poem succeeds as audio-first



 PRIZES Finalist Awards

  1st Place — $250 + publication + feature showcase
  2nd Place — $125 + publication
  3rd Place —  $75 + publication



 Six Superlative Category Awards   Each Superlative Winner receives:   

  $25
  Publication
  Digital certificate
  Feature in  Showcase

  Superlative Categories:

  Most Humorful
  Most Heartbreaking
  Most Phonetic
  Most Haunting
  Best Sonic Experimentation
  Best Use of Silence



 Finalist Showcase   Finalists - once notified - may optionally submit:

  A video performance
  A cleaned-up re-recording (if desired)

 
RIGHTS
 Poets retain full copyright to their work.
 By submitting, you grant Quibble Lit non-exclusive rights to:   

  Publish the audio
  Publish the transcript
  Publish an optional finalist video
  Share brief promotional excerpts
  Archive the work on the Ps&Qs landing page

 You may publish your poem elsewhere at any time.


CONFIDENTIALITY & BLINDNESS 

  Judges receive audio only
  No names or transcripts are provided
  Metadata is stripped
  If another judge recognizes a voice, they notify the coordinator and recuse from that selection

 
GENERAL TERMS

  Entry fees are non-refundable
  You may withdraw before judging begins
  If accepted elsewhere, please withdraw immediately
  Disqualification may occur for rule violations, identifying information, or audio over time limit
  Quibble Lit reserves the right to adjust timelines if necessary

 TIMELINE

  Dec 1 — Submissions open
  Mar 1 — Submissions close
  Mar 8 — Finalist playlist released to judges
  Mar 27 — Judge selections due
  April 1 — Winners announced +  honoraria distributed

 HOW TO PREPARE A STRONG ENTRY (Optional but recommended for Submittable)

  Find a quiet room; minimize background noise
  Speak clearly, naturally — no need for performance theatrics unless intentional
  Use your phone or laptop mic — studio equipment not required
  Take a breath before you begin
  Keep pacing mindful: smaller poems often land stronger in audio
  Avoid rushing; silence is part of the craft



 QUESTIONS?
  Email: Editor@quibblelit.com 
  Website: quibblelit.com/psandqs 
  Lift your poem beyond the page — we can’t wait to hear your work.

The 2026 Ps&Qs Audio Poem Awards

Quibble Lit invites writers to respond to two featured artworks selected as cover artwork for our upcoming issue, JUNGLE: Volume VIII:
“Frog Prince” by Carella Keil

 “The Frog’s Return” by Sophia Kurtz
View the artworks here:

 https://www.quibblelit.com/featured-ekphrastics
We’re seeking 3–5 standout pieces — poetry or prose — that engage directly with one or both artworks through observation, imagination, interpretation, tension, transformation, or dialogue.
These are ekphrastic responses in the broadest sense. You may approach the artwork literally or abstractly, narratively or lyrically, intimately or wildly. We’re interested less in description alone and more in what the image opens: voice, myth, memory, humor, unease, beauty, creatureliness, story.
Selected works will appear in sequence within JUNGLE, creating a layered conversation between visual art and literary response. These pieces will help invite readers into the issue’s central atmosphere: the strange, lush, living edge between the human, the animal, the magical, and the overgrown.
Because these artworks are part of the issue’s visual identity and promotion, selected pieces will also benefit from a shareable, visually anchored format designed to travel well, with extra promotion being associated to JUNGLE's cover art.
Poetry and prose are both welcome.

 Any style, voice, or approach is encouraged.

 Work should engage meaningfully with “Frog Prince,” “The Frog’s Return,” or both. Please indicate which piece your work is in response to, or else it will not be considered.
All submissions and selections will be handled by the Quibble Lit editorial team.
We’re looking for work that demonstrates clarity of engagement, originality of response, and a strong sense of artistic presence — whether subtle, strange, elegant, funny, feral, or bold.
This call may be a good fit if you enjoy:

Featured Ekphrastic Call: JUNGLE, Volume VIII - Fiction

Featured Ekphrastic Call: JUNGLE, Volume VIII - Nonfiction

Featured Ekphrastic Call: JUNGLE, Volume VIII - Poetry

Quibble is a literary magazine and collective interested in work that takes risks, asks difficult questions, and gives audiences something worth lingering over. We publish contemporary writers and artists across print, online, and community programming. We like work with imagination and tension in it.
For Volume IX, our theme is HUMBLE.
To be humble is not necessarily to be small. It can mean remaining teachable: knowing that certainty has limits, that attention & postures change us, and that there is always something - or someone - we have not yet learned how to understand.
We’re interested in work that encounters those limits. Images of revision, naivete, misjudgment, discovery; work that shifts its attention, changes our perspective, or makes strange what we thought we knew.
HUMBLE is an invitation to learn, unlearn, look again, and stay unfinished.
As always, the theme is a creative prompt, not a requirement. Strong work does not need to fit neatly inside it.
Submit up to 3 works for consideration.
We welcome photography, painting, illustration, collage, digital work, mixed media, and other visual forms that translate well to print and online publication.
Please include a short, third-person artist bio.
File type: .jpg, .png, or .pdf
Resolution: highest-quality version available; 300 DPI preferred
File name: LastName_Title, or another clear equivalent
Please submit only work you have the rights to publish. Simultaneous submissions are welcome; just let us know if a piece becomes unavailable.
Selected work will be published at QuibbleLit.com, shared through Quibble's platforms, and collected in the print edition of Volume IX: HUMBLE.
Every contributor receives a complimentary print copy.
You retain the rights to your work. Quibble asks only for permission to publish and promote your work as part of the issue, while respecting any existing publishing agreements.
Thank you for trusting us with your work. We look forward to seeing it.

Visual Art : HUMBLE

Quibble is a literary magazine and collective interested in writing that takes risks, asks difficult questions, and gives readers something worth lingering over. We publish contemporary writers and artists across print, online, and community programming. We like work with imagination and tension in it.
For Volume IX, our theme is HUMBLE.
To be humble is not necessarily to be small. It can mean remaining teachable: knowing certainty has limits, that attention and posture change us, and that there is always something—or someone—we have not yet learned how to understand.
We’re interested in poems that encounter those limits: work of revision, naivete, misjudgment, and discovery; work that changes its mind or finds itself made strange by what it thought it knew.
HUMBLE is an invitation to learn, unlearn, look again, and stay unfinished.
As always, the theme is a creative prompt, not a requirement.
Submit up to 3 poems in a single document.
Please include a short, third-person author bio.
File type: .doc or .docx
Formatting: single-spaced, 12 pt, readable typeface
File name: LastName_Title or another clear equivalent
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If a poem is accepted elsewhere, simply withdraw it or let us know.
Selected work will be published at QuibbleLit.com, shared through Quibble's platforms, and collected in the print edition of Volume IX: HUMBLE.
Every contributor receives a complimentary print copy. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer payment as part of our publication process - we're still a negative-profit venture, but we will champion the hell out of your work however the best we can.
You retain the rights to your work. Quibble asks only for permission to publish and promote your work as part of the issue, while respecting any existing publishing agreements.
Thank you for trusting us with your work, we take the honor gratefully and look forward to reviewing it!

POETRY: HUMBLE

Quibble is a literary magazine and collective interested in writing that takes risks, asks difficult questions, and gives readers something worth lingering over. We publish contemporary writers and artists across print, online, and community programming. We like work with imagination and tension in it.
For Volume IX, our theme is HUMBLE.
To be humble is not necessarily to be small. It can mean remaining teachable: knowing certainty has limits, that attention and posture change us, and that there is always something—or someone—we have not yet learned how to understand.
We’re interested in stories that encounter those limits: work of revision, naivete, misjudgment, and discovery; work that changes its mind or finds itself made strange by what it thought it knew.
HUMBLE is an invitation to learn, unlearn, look again, and stay unfinished.
As always, the theme is a creative prompt, not a requirement.
Submit up to 2 pieces of prose in a single document. Fiction, nonfiction, hybrid work, and other forms are welcome.
Please include a short, third-person bio in your submission.
File type: .doc or .docx
Formatting: double- or single-spaced, 12 pt, readable typeface
File name: LastName_Title, or another clear equivalent
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If your work is accepted elsewhere, simply withdraw it or let us know promptly.
File type: .doc or .docx
Formatting: single-spaced, 12 pt, readable typeface
File name: LastName_Title or another clear equivalent
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If a poem is accepted elsewhere, simply withdraw it or let us know.
Selected work will be published at QuibbleLit.com, shared through Quibble's platforms, and collected in the print edition of Volume IX: HUMBLE.
Every contributor receives a complimentary print copy. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer payment as part of our publication process - we're still a negative-profit venture, but we will champion the hell out of your work however the best we can.
You retain the rights to your work. Quibble asks only for permission to publish and promote your work as part of the issue, while respecting any existing publishing agreements.
Thank you for trusting us with your work, we take the honor gratefully and look forward to reviewing it!

Quibble Lit

Highlights

About

Featured Call

Visual Art : HUMBLE

Appears in collections