Passages North publishes original fiction, poetry, short-shorts, nonfiction and hybrid pieces. We print one annual issue, as well as weekly online bonus content throughout the school year. We welcome submissions from everybody. To get a better sense of what we like to see in submissions, see our specific genre guidelines below.
A few things to keep in mind when submitting:
- Though Passages North does not pay contributors at this time, we promise to treat your work with care and to shout our love via our social media platforms. Contributors receive two copies of their issue of the magazine.
- Subs to shorts, poetry, and nonfiction/hybrid categories are usually open from September 1 through April 15. We may sometimes close within this window if we receive a high volume of submissions.
- Fiction is usually open September 1 through October 15, and January 1 through February 15. We may sometimes close within this window if we receive a high volume of submissions.
- While we allow authors to have active submissions in different genres, we ask that you use your best judgment and avoid overloading our editors.
- We accept simultaneous submissions, but we ask that if a piece is accepted elsewhere, you withdraw the piece and let us know immediately.
- If we're closed when we would otherwise be open, it's because we've hit our free submission limit for the month. Please check back on the first of the next calendar month, or submit through our Rocket Fuel category for a small fee.
- If you’re wondering if your submission needs a content warning, go ahead and add it to your document and know that we appreciate your care.
We look forward to reading your work!
We love experimental CNF forms so much that we made a whole new category! In Visual Essay, we are seeking work that plays on the page, bringing in color, texture, dimension; we're drawn to pieces in which the look is as meaningful as the content. We'd like to consider new meanings of the word "collage." Draw us in, consider the physicality of your work in our hands, turn us into Flat Stanley as we traverse the 2d space... and of course, above all, give us work that is curious and compelling.
Note: Submissions with extensive use of color are less likely to be publishable in our issues, though not impossible.
Send us your best fiction up to 10,000 words. We're open in terms of content and form. The contest fee is $15.00 per story and submissions will close April 15, 2026.
Judge: Megan Milks
First prize: $1000 and publication in Passages North. One or more honorable mentions may also be selected and published.
All entrants receive a copy of the contest issue.
Submissions must be previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please let us know if the piece is accepted elsewhere (refunds are not available). Students of Northern Michigan University and close friends of the Passages North staff are not eligible.
Send us your best short-shorts (1000 words maximum). We open to any genre: stories, nonfiction, prose poems, hybrids, etc. Submit up to 3 short-shorts in a single document. The contest fee is $15.00 per entry and submissions will close April 15, 2026.
Judge: Zachary Schomburg
Stephen Fishbach is a Pushcart-winning writer, reader, parent, podcaster, and Survivor legend. Learn more about Stephen at his website: https://stephenfishbach.com/ and follow him on twitter or on instagram.
First prize: $1000 and publication in Passages North. One or more honorable mentions may also be selected and published.
All entrants receive a copy of the contest issue.
Submissions must be previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please let us know if the piece is accepted elsewhere (refunds are not available). Students of Northern Michigan University and close friends of the Passages North staff are not eligible.
PLEASE READ. We're making room here for submissions from writers who have a killer story or some genius shorts but who can't swing the $15 entry fee. The category will close when we reach 50 submissions. To be fair to your fellow writers, please do not submit more than one entry. Please also do not submit in the free category if you can comfortably pay the regular entry fee. (Free entries do not receive a copy of the magazine.)
If this category is for you, please submit! You don't have to make a case for why you chose this category in the cover letter. We're excited to see your stories and your shorts! See the regular contest guidelines in each category for all those pesky details. <3