Submissions
It's the bell’s mission to publish an expanding list of poets and the other artists who write about the relationship between the environment, animals and humans. Our magazine honors bell hooks following her example of radical love that faces injustice by prioritizing mutual respect, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of the vulnerable. We believe that love is more than a feeling but a practice of freedom and an essential component of any project for social and political liberation.
We are searching for work in various forms —poetry, short story, non-fiction, hybrid & essay. We choose to publish work that emphasizes connections between humans and the environment. In spite of the environmental and social horrors that exist today, we remain hopeful for the future. Your writing doesn’t necessarily have to be political or ecological, it can simply open the heart. It can plant seeds or climb into the past to recover lost elixirs. Work published in the bell focuses on nature–inside and out.
The Basics
the bell considers submissions on a rolling basis. Send poems that surprise, harrow, and awe.
We like writing that's image-rich, inventive and sound-driven. A piece that's dark should have a hint of light. Work that’s filled with light needs to show the cracks and shadows. It's all about perspective.
We will not publish writing that's nationalistic, hateful or offensive in treatment of race, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability.
Please submit only once every six months. Previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please send an email immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
If Your Work Is Selected
When your work is selected, you are consenting for your work to appear in a future issue in the version submitted, barring minor copy edits.
Submissions that do not follow our guidelines closely will not be read. At this time, the bell can't offer monetary compensation. Upon publication, all rights revert back to the author. Authors are asked to acknowledge the bell in any future publications in which the work appears.
How to Submit
To submit poems for consideration, include the following in a single email with the subject line: SUBMISSION: Literary-Bell
- A brief cover letter in the email body
- Include a third-person author bio as you would like it to appear in publication. Word count is 75-100 words.
- 3-6 poems, no word limit
- Short stories and creative non-fiction up to 3,500 words.
- Send to Linda Bryant-Davis, editor@thebelljournal.com
- Response time varies, but you should generally receive an email response within six weeks.
