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Consequence

Consequence journal and Consequence online address the human consequences and realities of war and geopolitical violence through literature and art. We offer intellectual and emotional access to the experiences of combatants, victims, and witnesses, while providing the public with works and voices from around the world in order to promote a clearer and more nuanced understanding of what’s at stake in choosing to wage war or engage in conflict. We publish in five genres—fiction, poetry, nonfiction, visual art, and translations.

More specifically, however, we have two main criteria when considering work. First and foremost, the work needs to address the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence. This can include focusing on the experiences of combatants, but also victims and/or witnesses since, after all, it isn’t only combatants who are affected. Second, the work needs to have literary merit, by which we simply mean the piece needs to try to be greater than the sum of its parts. Does it inspire reflection? Insight? Anger? Joy? This is what we mean by literary merit.

Finally, all work is considered either for our print journal or as an online feature.

Thanks, and we look forward to reading your work.

Quick Links to Open Calls:

Translations Free Tip Jar Option

Open

We are NOT currently accepting submissions for publication in our print journal. Your work will only be considered for our Substack and/or our website. Thank you.

· Prose: Up to 2000 words, double-spaced in 12-pt font.
· Poetry: Up to five poems or up to ten pages total. (We consider longer pieces, but you must first pitch us your work at translations@consequenceforum.org)

We do not consider self-translations or previously published translations.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please read our submission guidelines carefully. Failure to follow the guidelines may result in a significant delay in receiving a response or rejection.

In a single Word document, please submit the following:

  1. A cover letter (see below)
  2. Your English translation
  3. The original text

The cover letter must include the following:

  1. Word count
  2. The date of publication of the original work
  3. A note about why you have chosen to translate this piece and how it corresponds to our theme of war and/or geopolitical violence
  4. Author’s and translator’s bio up to 100 words
  5. A confirmation that you have permission to translate the text

Thank you for considering us. We look forward to reading your work!

Questions and pitches? Please contact our Translations Editor at [email protected]

Submit

Young Writers Nonfiction Project Free Tip Jar Option

Open
Closes on Monday, June 30, 2025 11:59 PM EDT (in 40 days).

For this young writers’ project, the journal is looking for nonfiction pieces (such as personal essays) from writers aged fifteen to twenty-four that in some way center around themselves and their relationships, as well as how those relationships have been impacted by the global crises of today and yesterday.

What political and military decisions—made perhaps before you were born or before you were even allowed to vote—are plaguing the most personal parts of your world? How are you dealing with them?

In writing your piece, consider these questions:

  1. What personal relationships of yours are being impacted by what is going on in the world today?
  2. How are those same relationships being impacted by world events that happened before you were born?
  3. In what way do you feel connected to these events?
  4. What role does modern technology play in your perspective on said events/histories?
  5. What do you hope you’re able to change with your access to modern technology, education, and/or sphere of influence?

Questions? Please contact our Fiction Editor at non[email protected]

Submit

Fiction

Temp Closed
Opens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12:00 AM EDT (in 54 days).

We welcome any fiction that focuses on the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.

  • Short story (1,000 to 5,000 words)
  • Excerpts (up to 5,000 words)

Note: If your work is a translation, please submit it through the Translations portal. If you work is flash (< 1,000 words), please submit it through the Flash Fiction portal.

Questions? Please contact our Fiction Editor at [email protected]

Not Open

Flash Fiction

Temp Closed
Opens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12:00 AM EDT (in 54 days).

We welcome any flash fiction (<1,000 words) that focuses on the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.

Note: If your work is a translation, please submit it through the Translations portal. If your work is longer than 1,000 words, please submit it through the Fiction portal.

Questions? Please contact our Fiction Editor at [email protected]

Not Open

Nonfiction

Temp Closed
Opens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12:00 AM EDT (in 54 days).

We welcome any nonfiction that focuses on the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence. Specific forms would include but aren't limited to

  • Interviews
  • Personal Essays (up to 4,000 words)
  • Narrative Nonfiction (up to 4,000 words)

Note: If your work is a translation, please submit it through the Translations portal. Also, we are currently not accepting unsolicited reviews.

Questions? Please contact our Nonfiction Editor at [email protected]

Not Open

Poetry

Temp Closed
Opens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12:00 AM EDT (in 54 days).

We welcome poetry that focuses on the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.

You can submit up to three poems.

Note: If your work is a translation, please submit it through the Translations portal.

Questions? Contact our Poetry Editor at [email protected]. Thank you.

Not Open

Visual Art

Temp Closed
Opens on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 12:00 AM EDT (in 54 days).

We welcome visual art that focuses on the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.

For us, the term "Visual Art" has a broad meaning and would include graphic narratives, photo essays, and video essays. We're after pieces for our online Visual Art features, our eight-page print journal spread, and the covers of our bi-annual print journal.

NOTE: if you would like to be considered for our print journal spread, please submit ten to twelve images.

Questions? Please contact our Visual Art Editor at [email protected]

Not Open