Rose & Thorn Journal

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions. We provide the following information as an archive.

About

Rose & Thorn seeks to bring the voices of emerging and established writers to a discerning audience. We strive to reflect a diversity of style, content, and perspective in the short-fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry showcased each quarter in Rose & Thorn Journal. Our goal is to provide readers with a variety of resources that offer insight into the writing process and writing life. Through the postings at our blog, “Roses & Thorns,” we endeavor to convey what motivates the writer to create as well as the passion that sustains him or her in the craft. It is our love of the literary arts and respect for the creative process that compels us to provide a place of exchange and inspiration for the poet and author.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published 2 x per year

Collapse section Fiction Closed

Fiction works should exhibit technical skill, dynamic characters, strong narrative voice, and provide readers with a compelling, thought-provoking experience.

Audience:

Unknown

Genres:

General
Action-Adventure Open to all/most Subgenres
Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres
Horror Open to all/most Subgenres
Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres
Romance Open to all/most Subgenres
Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres
Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most Subgenres

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words.
Short Story: 1,000 - 3,000 words.

Styles:

Unknown

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Nonfiction Closed

Creative non-fiction should exhibit a distinctive voice that conveys factual accuracy in a literary style that entertains and informs readers without coming across as didactic or preachy. Forms include, but are not limited to, memoir, essay, satire and parody, literary diaries, and literary journalism.

Audience:

Unknown

Lengths:

Essay: No specific word count limits known.
Narrative Nonfiction: No specific word count limits known.

Styles:

Unknown

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Closed

Rose & Thorn Journal welcomes emerging and established poets whose verse exhibits technical skill, distinctive style, lyric intensity, and is thematically fresh and substantive. Adjective stacking doesn’t make a poem better, but we do like strong, vivid images. Please avoid trite imagery like: “Our hearts beat as one; our lips joined in passion.” While we prefer shorter poems, consideration is given to longer works if they meet the above criteria. Also, forms are welcome if they do not contain obtrusive rhyming.

Audience:

Unknown

Genres:

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms, including: Short poetry.

Styles:

Unknown

Topics:

None found.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

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Rose & Thorn 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.

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Before Submitting

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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: 22 May 2026