Call for Submissions: A Public Space Magazine | How to Submit
Open Call for Writers: A Public Space Magazine Invites Submissions on “The Present”
Writers of fiction and nonfiction, take note—A Public Space Magazine has announced an exciting open call for unpublished prose that explores the richness and complexity of the present moment. As part of its Editorial Fellowship program, this unique opportunity invites contributors to submit writing that is not simply about the present, but of it.
Curated and edited by Editorial Fellow Louis Harnett O’Meara, this issue seeks work that inhabits time with sensuous immediacy, intellectual engagement, or existential disorientation. If you’re fascinated by how narrative can capture the fleeting now, this call is for you.
Eligibility for A Public Space Magazine Open Call
This open call is for early-career writers who meet the following criteria:
- You have not yet published a book or been contracted to write a book-length work in English.
- You are submitting one piece only (fiction or nonfiction), which must be previously unpublished.
- Submissions must be in English (multilingual work is welcome as long as English is primary).
- International submissions are encouraged.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted; however, if your piece is accepted elsewhere, you must withdraw your entire application.
Submission Requirements for A Public Space Magazine
Writers must submit their applications through Submittable between July 1 and July 21, 2025. Submissions will close at 11:59 p.m. (EST) on July 21.
Each submission must include:
- A cover letter with a one-paragraph biography and a paragraph explaining how your work engages with the present moment.
- One manuscript (fiction or nonfiction) of up to 8,000 words, double-spaced.
- Submit two separate files: one for the cover letter and one for the manuscript (PDF or Word format only).
Important Notes:
- Incomplete submissions or those not aligned with the theme of “The Present” will be returned unread.
- Do not submit replacement pieces after the deadline.
If you have questions, contact Editorial Fellow Louis Harnett O’Meara at louis@apublicspace.org.
Benefits
Selected writers will:
- Publicity
- Receive an honorarium for their work.
- Work closely with an editor to refine and present their prose.
This is a rare opportunity to join a celebrated archive that has featured authors like Garth Greenwell, Friederike Mayröcker, and David Hayden.
Deadline for Submissions
- Opens: July 1, 2025
- Closes: July 21, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Mark your calendars and prepare your best work that captures the pulse of the now.
Submission Guidelines
- One submission per person
- Unpublished fiction or nonfiction only
- Up to 8,000 words
- Cover letter + bio + thematic statement required
- PDF or .doc/.docx only
- Submit between July 1–21, 2025 via Submittable
Writing Tips for Crafting Your Submission
If you’re wondering how to write prose that thoughtfully embodies the present, here are some helpful guides:
- How to Get Your Characters to Pause Effectively – Learn how stillness and silence can deepen narrative tension and reflection.
- Understanding Theme in Fiction – Explore how thematic development can structure your treatment of time.
- 10 Essential Content Writing Tips for Beginners – These universal techniques can sharpen your voice and clarity.
A Public Space Magazine is not looking for trendy references or generational timelines. Instead, it invites you to explore how language, memory, body, and emotion encounter the now. How do your characters live in time? How does your voice stretch, distort, or collapse the present?
