the engine(idling is a literary journal seeking poetry and art submissions from the restless.

the engine(idling is a literary journal seeking poetry and art submissions from the crafty / the restless / the difficult personalities of this world.  

We want to highlight voices that are rich with expression / language that is playful and impactful / and imagery that is evocative and unexpected. 

We asked, you guys answered. Here are the community's spring 2026 favorites for you cool kids, weird kids, very serious adults, etc. 

Want to check out Parts 1 & 2? We've un-paywalled them for you guys, so get them before they're gone.
Part 1: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/cool_kids_3
Part 2: https://www.chillsubs.com/lists/Cool_kids_2

Where The Cool Kids Are Submitting Their Writing: Part 3

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

These magazines have the fastest response times, so you won't be left hanging for months. No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting.

Literary Magazines with the Fastest Response Times

Discover the all-time most competitive poetry literary magazines. These legendary publications are where only the best poetry gets through.

Most Competitive Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

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

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

the engine idling

Intimate, passionate, ferocious, and undeniably gorgeous, the engine(idling is home to some of the best anthologies of poetry l've ever read. I am so grateful to have been included in their selection!
Read a more in-depth review of e(i here: https://open.substack.com/pub/meibackof/p/magbog-4-the-engineidling?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

6/26/26 - 8/31/26: 
Subs are OPEN for our big 10th Issue:  A Day In The Life. 


 … um, like The Beatles’ song?‍  ‍

YES!  

We’re interested in the ways in which art like this exists in the world — with such wildly different fragments and contrasting energies not just coming together but overflowing with a vivid, mad, inventive creativity!  (We do like this song.)

So, do we want poems and artworks about this song, or pieces about The Beatles?  NO!  

Do we want literal interpretations of the term “A Day In The Life”?  Also, NO!

We want magic:  wild juxtapositions / controlled chaos / glissando! / movement, flow and shifting focus / epic collisions / fluid energies / building tensions and crescendos / the dreamy and the surreal / key changes / the joining of voices (real or imagined) / the unexpected snapping at your heels / the connective tissue of disparate parts / highlighting the art of the transition / connections / parallels / pieces that max out at full volume / pieces that play with space, time, form, and voice / works that go for it unabashedly / pieces that let loose, push the limit, and stick the landing.  Please use this sub opportunity to experiment freely and have fun with it!

We’re looking for both poetry and visual art pieces.  Collaborative pieces are absolutely welcome.  Fill out this Google Form if you need a collab partner: https://forms.gle/w44H6YEu9MkgmNBB9 and hopefully we’ll have enough interest that we’ll be able to partner you up with someone.

#10: A Day In The Life

Guidelines page: engineidling.net/drive

<div><br></div><div>TLDR:
</div>
No entry fee.

Deadline:  September 30, 2026.
Winner notified by early November 2026.

Rules:
One poem only.
Adults only (ages 18+).
No names in the file.
Use a standard font.
No previously published work.  
Simultaneous subs ok.
Must have an active Venmo or Paypal account.
Former contributors welcome.
No A.I.  
No translations.
No collaborations this time.

Final Judge:
Donald Zirilli.
The final judge will not have access to the finalists' names until after the winner is selected.

Winner gets:
$205.58 via Venmo or Paypal.
e(i stickers.
e(i t-shirt.
Confetti!
A congratulations card.

the engine idling

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