Orca: A Literary Journal A project of 55 Fathoms Publishing (see other related projects). Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (April 2025). We provide the following information as an archive. About Orca publishes short stories, flash fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We are a literary journal and we believe in the literary style of writing. We are open to almost any topic, as long as it’s written in a literary style.We are committed to diversity of identities, origins, and perspectives on our pages. Many of our contributors are from other countries and cultures. But the main criterion by which we judge submissions is the quality of the writing. We seek work that is high concept: imaginative, thoughtful, even speculative, and open to possibilities. We look for deep, diverse characters, and narratives that blend genres, or connect seemingly disparate ideas. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for some submissions. They charge fees for feedback and post-quota submissions. The fee range is USD $3 to $29 (average to above average for magazines that charge). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2019 Publication Media & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 3 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationPublished 3 x per year Collapse section Fiction Closed Dates: Rolling Deadlines: Check cutoff dates.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Open to all/most Genres, including: General Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words. Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Token payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $50 for stories 2,500 words or longer, $25 for stories under 2,500 words.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Closed Dates: Rolling Deadlines: Check cutoff dates.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Narrative Nonfiction: 1,000 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Token payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $50 for stories 2,500 words or longer, $25 for stories under 2,500 words.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Closed Dates: Rolling Deadlines: Check cutoff dates.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: Open to all/most Genres, including: General Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Other: May vary.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Provides free copy/copies Semi-pro payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $25.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Expand section Visual Art Closed Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Correction/Update Support this Publisher: Purchase Issue(s) Subscribe Orca: A Literary Journal 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. This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months. Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related Projects55 Fathoms Publishing CLOSEDOrca Cover Letter Contest CLOSED 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: 22 May 2026 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. 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