After Hours A Journal of Chicago Writing & Art See other projects related to this listing. About The first issue of After Hours was unveiled in June of 2000. The mission of this new semi-annual magazine was to create a forum, a showcase and gallery for the voices and visions of Chicago poets, fiction writers, artists, and photographers. For all of us who live it, feel it, see it ... there is a Chicago voice, there is a Chicago School of literature and art. After over two decades, we continue that mission. Limited Demographic: Submissions are restricted to "Writers/artists living in and around Chicago, as well as Chicago expatriates." Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2000 Publication Medium & Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationPublished 2 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed After Hours's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 30 September 2026* (approx. 15 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Americans, People in a specific region.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 2 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 1,250 words; Up to 2 pieces.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Methods: Email. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 30 September 2026* (approx. 15 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Americans, People in a specific region.Lengths: Essay: No specific word count limits known.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Methods: Email. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 30 September 2026* (approx. 15 days from now).2Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Americans, People in a specific region.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; 3 - 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Methods: Email. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Open Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 30 September 2026* (approx. 15 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Americans, People in a specific region.Lengths: Artwork: Unknown number of pieces.Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media, including... Black & white photography.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Methods: Email. Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Image. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @afterhourspress Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope After Hours Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include related projects Accuracy We have received 4 reports from 4 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 24 min | 84.8 mean avg | 73.5 median | 168 max days (63.4 std dev) Pending 2 responses are pending (32 min | 33.0 mean avg | 33.0 median | 34 max days waiting | 1.4 std dev) from 2 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 120 days. (25.0 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 120 days.) Most recent response reported was received on 25 Jul 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 07 Feb 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 08:56 UTC (51 minutes ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsMary Blinn Poetry Prize Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 07 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only