SHiFT A Journal of Literary Oddities

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About

Shift is an international, student-run literary journal published by Ringling College of Art and Design.
We welcome new, emerging, and established writers to submit fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, graphic/hybrid texts, or other word-based work in English or in translation. We cast a similarly wide net for images.
We’re especially interested in literary oddities–language-based creations that push boundaries, challenge expectations, and defy easy categorization.

Important: They accept up to five pieces across all categories, with a five-submission limit per issue.

Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2018

Publication Media & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published 1 x per year
Print Publication Print Publication: Published 1 x per year

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

46 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Slower: SHiFT's overall average response time is slower than most magazines.
More Challenging: SHiFT's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines.
More Responsive: SHiFT's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines.

Learn more about our statistics

Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed

Dates:

Opens to submissions on 15 October 2026* (approx. 29 days from now)

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Short Story: 1,000 - 4,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed

Dates:

Opens to submissions on 15 October 2026* (approx. 29 days from now)

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: Up to 4,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 4,000 words; Up to 5 pieces.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed

Dates:

Opens to submissions on 15 October 2026* (approx. 29 days from now)

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: Up to 75 lines; 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: Online form.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Temp Closed

Dates:

Opens to submissions on 15 October 2026* (approx. 29 days from now)

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 5 pieces.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media, including...
Photography.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Online form.
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.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for SHiFT

Go to publication's website

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Social:
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Instagram @shiftlitjournal
X (Twitter) @shiftlitjournal

For the Editor(s):
Request Interview
Duosuma Submission Manager
Link to Duotrope

SHiFT 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

Include outliers

Accuracy

We have received 13 reports from 12 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Days Reported

26 min | 144.3 mean avg | 143.0 median | 192 max days (526.6 std dev)

Responses

53.85 %

Acceptances:

0.00 %

Rejections:

53.85 % (149.9 avg. days per rejection) | 28.6 % personal, 42.9 % form, 28.6 % unspecified

Non-Responses

0.00 %

Lost/Returned:

Never Responded:

Withdrawals

46.15 % (118.0 avg. days per withdrawal)

Other Information

Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 04 May 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 07 Jan 2026.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:48 UTC (less than a minute ago).

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Before Submitting

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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.
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Dates

Last Updated: 09 Jun 2026

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