The Wave (KJ Blog)
The Wave (Kelp Journal's bi-weekly blog) publishes year-round.
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 We are looking for previously unpublished: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
- Crime, thriller and suspense fiction (for a special Kelp Crime section)
- short essays on any topic;
-Local Monterey and Santa Cruz County Stories
- 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_PoetryEx: 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.
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For The Wave, Kelp Journal's bi-weekly blog is actively seeking previously unpublished micro, flash, and short fiction in any genre; translations and short essays on any topic; book reviews; poetry, and photography and art.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, social justice 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.
SUBMISSIONS
Kelp Crime, Kelp Journal's bi-monthly fiction section, is actively seeking previously unpublished micro, flash, and short fiction in the crime, thriller, detective, and noir genres. We are part of the Edgar Awards, and submit our best pieces to them.
And, as with Kelp Journal, Kelp Crime does prefer oceanic, conservationist, social justice, 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.
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, Locals Only seeks oceanic, conservationist, social justice, 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.
MUST LIVE IN MONTEREY OR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FOR THIS SECTION!
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.
Kelp Journal is a 501c3 through Fractured Atlas.
If you would like a waiver from the submission donation, please contact: editor@kelpjournal.com
Student Writing Competition Guidelines
Overview
The Student Writing Competition is designed to encourage emerging writers to develop their voice, sharpen their craft, and share original work. Cash scholarships will be awarded to the top three entries.
Awards
- First Place: $300 Scholarship
- Second Place: $200 Scholarship
- Third Place: $100 Scholarship
Scholarship funds may be used toward educational expenses, writing programs, books, or related academic costs.
Eligibility
- Open to students currently enrolled in middle school, high school, or undergraduate college.
- Entrants must be enrolled in school and under the age of 22.
- One submission per student.
- No AI is allowed at all. Any student using anything generated by AI will be disqualified and banned from ever submitting to Kelp Journal in perpetuity.
- MUST BE A MONTEREY COUNTY RESIDENT AND ATTENDING A MONTEREY COUNTY SCHOOL!
Genre & Theme
- Accepted Genres: Short fiction, personal narrative, memoir, creative nonfiction, poetry
- Theme: Open theme.
- Submissions must be original, unpublished work and not generated by AI.
Length & Format
- Word Count: 1,000–5,000 words (poetry of any length).
- Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman or similar).
- Pages numbered.
- Student’s name and contact information should appear at the top of the manuscript.
Submission Requirements
Each submission must include:
- The manuscript (PDF or DOCX).
- A separate cover page with:
- Student name
- School and grade/year
- Email address
- Title and word count
- A signed statement confirming the work is original.
Submissions should be emailed submitted through submittable portal.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated on:
- Originality and voice
- Storytelling and structure
- Character development or insight
- Language, clarity, and style
- Emotional impact or thematic depth
All decisions by the judges are final.
Timeline
- Submission Deadline: [March, 27th]
- Winners Announced: [May, 4th]
- Winners will be notified by email and may be featured in a publication and/or public reading (with permission).
Rights & Permissions
- Writers retain full rights to their work.
- By entering, students grant permission for their work to be shared for promotional or educational purposes with proper credit.
Questions
For questions, please contact: David M. Olsen editor@kelpjournal.com