Root Smoke

About

Root Smoke exists to cultivate a shared literary space that bridges worlds often kept separate. We seek to highlight both emerging and established voices, welcoming work that moves beyond traditional literary binaries and embraces the full spectrum of genre, form, and artistic expression.
Rooted in the small press tradition and open to experimentation, Root Smoke brings together genre writers, literary writers, visual artists and more within a single threaded and intentional community. We believe meaningful work refuses easy categorization.
Our mission is to curate a space that feels alive, embodied, honest, and resonant. We value language with texture. By offering a space where diverse voices can be held, seen & shared without hesitancy, we aim to foster connection, reflection, and creative exchange.

Voluntary Fees: This project accepts voluntary fees for "tip jar" submissions.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2025

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published on a rolling basis

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

15 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Regular Speed: Root Smoke's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines.
More Approachable: Root Smoke's overall acceptance rate is higher than most magazines.
Responsive: Root Smoke's overall rate of non-response is within a normal range for magazines.

Learn more about our statistics

Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
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.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Duosuma submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: Up to 6,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 6,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Duosuma submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Duosuma submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 6 pieces.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Duosuma submission manager.
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.

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Social:
Instagram @root__smoke

For the Editor(s):
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Link to Duotrope

Root Smoke 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:

Group by submission

Accuracy

We have received 74 reports from 67 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Days Reported

1 min | 51.3 mean avg | 59.0 median | 113 max days (33.6 std dev)

Responses

59.46 %

Acceptances:

16.22 % of submissions accepted (54.3 avg. days per acceptance) | 17.91 % of submitters accepted

Rejections:

43.24 % (74.9 avg. days per rejection) | 12.5 % personal, 87.5 % form, 0.0 % unspecified

Non-Responses

2.70 %

Lost/Returned:

Never Responded:

2.70 % (94.5 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded)

Withdrawals

37.84 % (19.1 avg. days per withdrawal)

Pending

126 responses are pending (5 min | 49.0 mean avg | 41.0 median | 130 max days waiting | 38.1 std dev) from 124 different members

Other Information

The most common submission tip paid: USD $3.00. (23.1 % reported giving a tip.)
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 07 Sep 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 04 Sep 2026.
Date compiled: 11 Sep 2026 22:48 UTC (5 hours, 14 minutes ago).
View report of recent responses from this project

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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.

Dates

Last Updated: 06 Sep 2026

We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year.