Kelp Journal publishes issues twice a year—once in the summer and once in the winter. For each Kelp Journal issue, there is an open and closed submission period. The Wave (Kelp Journal's bi-weekly blog) publishes year-round except for a 30 day period surrounding the publication of the summer and winter issues of Kelp Journal. Kelp Journal and The Wave use Submittable to receive submissions. 

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• Kelp Journal summer issue submissions open February 15 & close May 15

• Kelp Journal winter issue submissions open August 1 & close November 1

• The Wave submissions are ongoing

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SUBMITTING TO KELP JOURNAL

We are seeking previously unpublished fiction, non-fiction, and poetry for our Summer and Winter issues. We are not particular in terms of style and aesthetics; however, we are looking for quality work that befits a top tier publication.

 

Kelp Journal section submission guidelines:

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When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.

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Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Fiction 

Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry

Ex: Larks_Birds of Paradise_Nonfiction

 

Kelp Journal Fiction

We accept all kinds of previously unpublished fiction, generally in lengths of under 6,000 words. A sense of place is important to us, and while no place is excluded from our appetite, we strongly prefer coastal themes, cli-fi, West Coast locales, surfing, and works that embody travel and adventure; however, all themes will be considered.

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Kelp Journal Poetry

We also seek previously unpublished poems long and short. Send us 3 to 5 of your best poems for consideration. Again, coastal, travel, adventure, nature, and ecological themes are preferred; however, all themes will be considered.

 

Kelp Journal Non-Fiction

We consider previously unpublished essays of all types, generally in lengths of under 6,000 words, with extra emphasis on oceanic and surf themes as well as nature, ecological, and conservationist themes. Unique takes on global travel, like a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that blew your mind, or a strange experience abroad interest us as well. 

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***Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.***

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Kelp Journal retains non-exclusive, first North American rights, which revert to the author upon publication. However, we do retain work indefinitely in our archives, so please let us know immediately if there is any reason this is not acceptable to you. If this work is published again in the future, we would appreciate your acknowledging Kelp Journal as the original publisher.

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SUBMITTING TO THE WAVE

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A delightful mixture of all our sections, (fiction, non-fiction, and poetry) with the addition of photography, art, and film. As with the journal, we are not particular in terms of style and aesthetics; however, we are looking for quality work that befits a top tier publication. As always, coastal, travel, and adventure; nature, ecological, and conservationist themes are preferred; however, all will be considered. For The Wave specifically, we like to say that shorter is better. We are looking for previously unpublished:

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• micro, flash, and short works in any genre;

• short essays on any topic;
• book reviews (or pitches);
• poetry, and
• photography and art. 

 

When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.

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Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Fiction 

Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry

Ex: Larks_Birds of Paradise_Nonfiction

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The Wave, Kelp Journal retains non-exclusive, first North American rights, which revert to the author upon publication. However, we do retain work indefinitely in our archives, so please let us know immediately if there is any reason this is not acceptable to you. If this work is published again in the future, we would appreciate your acknowledging The Wave, Kelp Journal as the original publisher.

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