KELP JOURNAL
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 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
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We are seeking previously unpublished fiction, non-fiction, and poetry for our Summer and Winter issues.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:
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We accept all kinds of previously unpublished fiction, generally in lengths of under 6,000 words.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, West Coast locales, surfing, and works that embody travel and adventure; however, all themes will be considered.
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We also seek previously unpublished poems long and short.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, and adventure 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We consider previously unpublished essays of all types, generally in lengths of under 6,000 words, with extra emphasis on oceanic and surf themes. We are also looking for unique takes on global travel, like a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that blew your mind, or a strange experience abroad.
When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.
Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Fiction
Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry
Ex: Larks_Birds of Paradise_Nonfiction
***Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.***
SUBMITTING TO THE WAVE
A delightful mixture of all our sections, (fiction, non-fiction including translations, 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 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:
- micro, flash, and short fiction 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.
Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Fiction
Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry
Ex: Larks_Birds of Paradise_Nonfiction
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.
Kelp Journal is a premier digital and print literary magazine. With a global reach, and the spirit of adventure in our DNA, we are always searching for new and established voices from around the world. Located on California's West Coast, we are especially interested in stories pertaining to oceanic and conservationist themes.
Kelp Journal values diversity and seeks to promote the work of writers of all ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds, both domestic and abroad. We accept fiction, essays, poetry, and travel memoirs so long as the writing is in the English language or translated into English. We have no genre restrictions.
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.
When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.
Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Fiction
**Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.
Kelp Journal is a premier digital and print literary magazine. With a global reach, and the spirit of adventure in our DNA, we are always searching for new and established voices from around the world. Located on California's West Coast, we are especially interested in stories pertaining to oceanic and conservationist themes.
Kelp Journal values diversity and seeks to promote the work of writers of all ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds, both domestic and abroad. We accept fiction, essays, poetry, and travel memoirs so long as the writing is in the English language or translated into English. We have no genre restrictions.
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.
When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.
Ex: Santana_Pirate Ghosts_Poetry
**Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.
Kelp Journal is a premier digital and print literary magazine. With a global reach, and the spirit of adventure in our DNA, we are always searching for new and established voices from around the world. Located on California's West Coast, we are especially interested in stories pertaining to oceanic and conservationist themes.
Kelp Journal values diversity and seeks to promote the work of writers of all ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds, both domestic and abroad. We accept fiction, essays, poetry, and travel memoirs so long as the writing is in the English language or translated into English. We have no genre restrictions.
Non-Fiction/Wanderlust -
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.
When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.
Ex: Olsen_Surf’s Up_Non-Fiction
**Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.
SUBMISSIONS
For The Wave, Kelp Journal's bi-weekly blog is actively seeking previously unpublished micro, flash, and short fiction in any genre; translations and short essays on any topic; book reviews; poetry, and photography and art. As always, coastal, travel, adventure, nature, and ecological themes are preferred; however, all will be considered.
And, as with Kelp Journal, The Wave seeks oceanic, conservationist, and surf forward themes. We publish writers, travelers, artists, and photographers from all over the world in all types of genres. Kelp Journal values diversity and seeks to promote the work of writers of all ethnicities, orientations, and backgrounds, both domestic and abroad. We accept fiction, essays, poetry, and travel memoirs so long as the writing is in the English language or translated into English. We have no genre restrictions.
FORMATTING
When submitting, please name your submission file with your last name, title of work, and section.
Ex: Olsen_Crush_Fiction
Ex: Santana_Gone Fishing_Non-fiction
Ex: Larks_Snowfall_Poetry
Please note that submissions that do not follow Kelp Journal guidelines will receive an automatic decline.
Approximate response time 6 months.
KELP BOOKS
Kelp Books is an independent press located in Pebble Beach, California. The press seeks to discover new talents and publish brave, off-beat, and adventurous fiction.
We're looking for submissions of crime, thriller, noir, and mystery manuscripts. A sense of place is important to us, and while no place is excluded from our appetite, we strongly prefer coastal themes, West Coast locales, surfing, and works that embody travel and adventure. We are big fans of surf noir.
No agent is required in order to submit.
We will consider novel-length (70,000-120,000 word) manuscripts. However, please follow the submission guidelines listed below.
Guidelines:
**Note: We will not read submissions that don't follow these guidelines and they will be automatically declined.
Please submit
- a single file
- word document or pdf, that includes:
- a query letter, synopsis, and the first ten pages of the manuscript.
There is a 6 month response time.
If you need a waiver from the submission fee, please contact: editor@kelpjournal.com