Stellium is a literary magazine centering Black queer and trans prose writers.

We still accept work from other Black and QTPOC writers.

The literary scene is flush with racist, homophobic, transphobic, and elitist platforms that often discriminate against QTPOC writing, let alone that of Black queer and trans creators. We've noticed how we're a trend to be recognized after shootings or attacks on our communities. Rarely are we considered "legitimate" unless our creative work can generate donations for publications and institutions that stick to the status quo during the rest of the year.

At Stellium, we're setting our intentions to not just make a statement in the world of prose but to redefine the space entirely. The magazine will publish prose poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art within each issue. We seek work from emerging and established writers (with an emphasis on emerging). In due time, we hope to include a number of interviews, translations, reviews, and other works relevant to the QTPOC writing scene on our website, and (eventually) in print! 

We are currently curating pieces for our fifth issue. Two submission windows have been extended for our final issue of the year, as well as the host of our first annual Cusp Prize: one awarded to the best work in each genre (prose poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art) with an award of $200 and publication. Runner-ups will receive $30 each if they choose to publish in the issue. The theme is open.

What are we looking for?

Fiction - We welcome long- or short-form fiction. If you submit flash fiction (up to 2k words), you can submit up to three pieces of similar length. The sweet spot is around 2k to 5k words but we'll consider all lengths.

Nonfiction - We're seeking creative nonfiction submissions. Please note this description before submitting. We welcome memoir, social commentary, and new-journalism pieces among other works. Not academic papers. The sweet spot is around 1k to 4k words but we're not opposed to longer works.

Prose poetry - We do not accept traditional poetry. Please note this description before submitting. Prose poetry is "not broken into verse lines, [but] demonstrates other traits such as symbols, metaphors, and other figures of speech common to poetry." Write in paragraphs and with a poetic flow, and we'll want to see it. Please submit a maximum of five poems.

Art - We accept high-quality scans of any original, visual art.

NB:

• Each file submission must be titled: “Name - Title of Work(s).”
• Submissions should be in Times New Roman (or Garamond), 12pt font, double-spaced, with standard 1” margins. 
• We reserve the right to reformat titles, grammar, or style.
• Stellium does not buy serial print rights at this moment. This may change in the future. Copyright remains with the author during and after publication. We simply ask that you mention a first appearance in Stellium if we were first and your work appears elsewhere.