Issue 79: NONFICTION: Free Submissions for Underrepresented Writers

Free Submissions for Underrepresented Writers

At HFR, we believe that as a literary journal we have the responsibility to publish creative work that reflects diverse experiences, identities, and cultures on both a national and global scale. We are especially committed to uplifting the voices of those who have long been marginalized and underrepresented. 

Towards this cause, we will have 100 free submissions in each genre for underrepresented voices. If you consider yourself to fit into this category, please submit for free to “Free Submissions for Underrepresented Writers.” Among the many types of underrepresentation that exist in literature, we particularly encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and those who belong to the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities to submit to HFR. 

We do not discriminate on any impermissible basis, including race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, or disability. Anyone without regard to these categories is welcome to submit as an underrepresented writer if they consider their experiences or identities to be underrepresented in the literary industry. If you have any questions please email us (haydensferryreview at gmail dot com).

A Note on Hybrid Work:

If you’re unsure what genre to submit your hybrid work in, please select the genre that feels most fitting.

A Note on Content Warnings:

If you are submitting work that you feel would be appropriately accompanied by a content warning, please feel free to include such content warning at the bottom of your cover letter, and/or at the very top of your submission file.

Submission Guidelines

• Please only submit to one call for submissions at a time.
• Submissions are open June 15 - July 15 or until we hit our cap of 100 nonfiction submissions in this free category. Please note that we do not have a cap on submissions in the general nonfiction category.
• We accept one non-fiction piece or memoir/longform excerpt per author at any given time.
• Prose should be double-spaced. Submit a maximum of one piece totaling up to 20 pages (though we favor pieces under 17 pages).
• Please include your entire submission in one file.
• All work should be uploaded through our submission manager. Acceptable file formats include .doc, .docx, and .pdf.
• Please send one submission per genre at a time and wait for a response before you submit additional work.
• Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If your work is accepted elsewhere, please notify the editors immediately by adding a message to your submission in Submittable.
• Withdraw your submission using Submittable. If you are only withdrawing a section of your work, add a message to your submission in Submittable.
• We do not accept previously published material.
• We do not accept work that was produced wholly or in part by AI.
• We do not consider book-length works. Submitters are strongly encouraged to read the journal before submitting. Sample work from current and past issues is available on our website.
• Anyone affiliated with ASU (staff, faculty, and graduate/undergraduate students) should refrain from submitting to HFR until they have been unaffiliated for three years.
• If you have previously been published in HFR's print journal or a web issue, please wait 2 years from your publication date before submitting again.
• By submitting, you are agreeing to receive occasional newsletter emails from us. You are welcome to opt out at any time and a link to do so will be included in each newsletter.

Anonymous Demographic Survey

After submitting your work, we'd appreciate it if you'd consider filling out our optional and anonymous Issue 79 Demographic Survey. Your responses to this survey will help us better understand who our calls for submissions are reaching and better fulfill our mission!