Spectrum Literary Journal

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About

Spectrum is an annually printed journal of art and literature founded in 1957 by Marvin Mudrick, published by the University of California, Santa Barbara College of Creative Studies. The journal aims to publish a spectrum of voices, genres, and topics in each issue that encompass a wide range of human experiences. We are a student-run, national publication that features the work of writers and artists from all over the world.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 1957

Publication Medium & Frequency

Print Publication Print Publication: Published 1 x per year

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed

86 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

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

Learn more about our statistics

Collapse section Fiction Open

Dates:

Open to fiction submissions through 31 December 2026* (approx. 107 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Open to all/most Genres, including:
General

Lengths:

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

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment. Details: Three pieces per year will be awarded USD $300.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Nonfiction Open

Dates:

Open to nonfiction submissions through 31 December 2026* (approx. 107 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: Up to 5,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 5,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Academic, Literary, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment. Details: Three pieces per year will be awarded USD $300.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Poetry Open

Dates:

Open to poetry submissions through 31 December 2026* (approx. 107 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Open to all/most Genres, including:
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 including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment. Details: Three pieces per year will be awarded USD $300.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Visual Art Open

Dates:

Open to visual art submissions through 31 December 2026* (approx. 107 days from now).

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 5 pieces.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment. Details: Three pieces per year will be awarded USD $300.

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 Spectrum Literary Journal

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Submission/Response
Correction/Update
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Social Platforms:
None known

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

Spectrum 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.

Filter:

Group by submission

Include outliers

Accuracy

We have received 16 reports from 15 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Days Reported

44 min | 170.3 mean avg | 195.5 median | 246 max days (604.2 std dev)

Responses

87.50 %

Acceptances:

6.25 % of submissions accepted (240.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 6.67 % of submitters accepted

Rejections:

81.25 % (186.0 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 61.5 % form, 38.5 % unspecified

Non-Responses

0.00 %

Lost/Returned:

Never Responded:

Withdrawals

12.50 % (56.5 avg. days per withdrawal)

Pending

4 responses are pending (1 min | 28.3 mean avg | 31.0 median | 36 max days waiting | 490.5 std dev) from 4 different members

Other Information

Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 14 Mar 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 23 Dec 2025.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:46 UTC (less than a minute ago).

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Your Submissions

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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: 03 Aug 2026

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