Midnight & Indigo: A Literary Home for Black Women Writers | How to Submit
Submit Your Work to midnight & indigo: A Literary Home for Black Women Writers
Are you a Black woman writer with a powerful story to tell? Whether you’re crafting rich short fiction, personal essays full of grit and soul, or transporting readers to imaginative speculative worlds—midnight & indigo wants to hear from you.
The acclaimed literary magazine is currently open for submissions across three exciting categories: Short Stories, Speculative Fiction, and Personal Essays. The next submission deadline is June 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET, and accepted writers will be published in either the magazine’s digital platform or one of its tri-annual literary journals.
Why Submit to midnight & indigo?
midnight & indigo is more than a publication—it’s a global literary platform uplifting the voices of Black women across the diaspora. With over 400 writers published from the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and beyond, the journal is a launchpad for both emerging and established storytellers.
They are currently accepting previously unpublished submissions from Black women writers in the following categories:
1. Short Stories – Deadline: June 30, 2025
If you’re passionate about literary fiction that explores the nuances of identity, relationships, and the human condition, this is your chance to share your voice.
Requirements
- Word count: 1,500 – 7,000 words
- All genres welcome (yes, including literary realism, romance, humor, and more)
- Character-driven narratives are encouraged
Before submitting, check out these 6 easy ways to keep readers engaged to refine your pacing and character arcs.
2. Speculative Fiction – Deadline: June 30, 2025
Do your stories blur the boundaries of time, space, or reality? Whether you’re writing dystopian futures, eerie mysteries, or magical realism, midnight & indigo is open to imaginative and original speculative work.
Requirements
- Word count: 2,000 – 7,000 words
- Stories must be character-driven, with a fresh take on speculative concepts
Not quite sure if your work fits? Explore this clear breakdown of what speculative fiction really is to help you understand the genre’s wide-reaching possibilities.
3. Personal Essays – Deadline: June 30, 2025
Do you have a personal story that’s deeply moving, honest, and rooted in lived experience? midnight & indigo is looking for narrative essays that forge emotional connections and bring authenticity to the page.
Requirements
- Word count: Minimum 1,200 words
- First-person, previously unpublished essays only
Essays should be introspective and emotionally resonant, offering insight into a moment or theme that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
What You Need to Know about Midnight & Indigo
- Payment: $0.07/word for short stories; $150 for personal essays
- Format: All submissions must be made via Submittable—email submissions are not accepted
- Response Time: Approximately 120 days
- Ownership: Writers retain individual copyright; midnight & indigo requests first North American serial rights only
Importantly, they do not accept AI-generated work. All submissions must be created by human authors.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re building your portfolio, seeking meaningful publication, or ready to share your voice with the world, midnight & indigo provides a supportive, empowering space to do just that.
Visit their submission page to learn more and submit your work by June 30, 2025.
