Skip to Content

Blackbird an online journal of literature and the arts

About

1,413 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Blackbird: an online journal of literature and the arts offers visitors from around the world outstanding fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and reviews, as well as plays, visual art, new media, and video essays, which we present in inventive arrangements with an eye toward revealing the process of their creation. The Blackbird aesthetic aims to be large-minded and adventurous. We believe that contributors should be paid—as a gesture of respect—as we endeavor to give their work and their lives as artists our sustained support and attention by taking note of their ongoing accomplishments.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for some submissions. They charge fees for electronic submissions, except for currently-enrolled students. The fee range is USD $2 to $3.
Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Check before submitting.
Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States Established in 2002

Publication Media & Frequency

Audio Publication Audio PublicationPublished 2 x per year.
Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 2 x per year.
Video Publication Video PublicationUnknown publication frequency.

Fiction Open

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:
General General
Lengths:
Short Story Short Story1,000 - 7,500 words.
Novelette Novelette7,500 - 8,000 words.
Novel Excerpt Novel ExcerptUp to 8,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Absurdist, Experimental, Humorous, Literary, Satirical.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

Unknown payment Unknown payment.

Submissions:

Methods: Submittable submission manager (fees apply). Postal.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.


Nonfiction Open

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:
Essay EssayUp to 8,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction Narrative NonfictionUp to 8,000 words.
Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Humorous, Literary, Personal, Satirical.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics, including: Memoir.

Payment:

Unknown payment Unknown payment.

Submissions:

Methods: Submittable submission manager (fees apply). Postal.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text. Video.


Poetry Open

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:
General General
Lengths:
Poem PoemNo line limits known; 2 - 6 pieces.
Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Absurdist, Experimental, Humorous, Literary, Satirical.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

Unknown payment Unknown payment.

Submissions:

Methods: Submittable submission manager (fees apply). Postal.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.


Visual Art Open

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:
Artwork ArtworkUp to 10 pieces.
Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

Unknown payment Unknown payment.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager (fees apply).
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.

Blackbird Submission Statistics — Free Preview!

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.
AccuracyWe have received 193 reports from 168 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported1 min | 112.9 mean avg | 103.0 median | 286 max days (54.1 std dev)
Responses84.98 %
Acceptances1.04 % of submissions accepted (61.5 avg. days per acceptance) | 1.19 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here.
Rejections83.94 % (119.7 avg. days per rejection) | 7.4 % personal, 74.7 % form, 17.9 % unspecified
Non-Responses15.02 %
Lost/Returned-
Never Responded1.55 % (254.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded)
Withdrawals13.47 % (58.3 avg. days per withdrawal)
Pending130 responses are pending (1 min | 67.1 mean avg | 53.5 median | 342 max days waiting | 66.1 std dev) from 123 different members This only includes pending reports from users who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days

Other Information

The editors will try to make a decision within 180 days. (13.5 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 180 days.)
The most common submission fee paid: USD $3.00. (63.7 % of reports specified whether they paid a fee; of those, 96.4 % paid fees.)
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 08 Oct 2024.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 06 Aug 2024.

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!

Dates

Last Updated: 30 Aug 2024
Last Audited: 30 Aug 2024. (We audit each active listing twice a year. Learn more at link.)
Date Added: 11 Feb 2006

Before Submitting

We 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.