The Commonline Journal

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (November 2017). We provide the following information as an archive.

About

The Commonline Journal is an electronic literary journal of accessible poetry and discourse. Between 2007 and 2017 the journal published thirty-seven quarterly issues and a series of auxiliary installments.
Journal entries are primarily composed of exuberant and unsparing reflections on the self and the world. Named for its concept, The Commonline Journal features stark narrative free-verse poetry that is dramatic and resonant for the digital landscape.
The journal was originally developed as the curriculum of an interdisciplinary learning contract in the Culture, Text & Language program at The Evergreen State College. The study examined digital realism and networked authorship through the lens of emerging online platforms. It analyzed how hypertextual architecture—specifically systems for open access, submission and curation—collapse the distance between creator, editor and audience.
The architectural priorities of the platform pressed the short-form as an essential response to the mechanics of web-based composition, online reading and social media. This focus found its creative counterpart in the dirty realism of authors emerging through Web 2.0 networks. These writers used the journal's pages to document a meta-narrative of the digital self through brutal, unvarnished critiques of personal and social conditions.
As this creative practice merged with the technical inquiry of the project, it evolved from a terminal college study into a decade-long literary pillar. During its ten years in publication, The Commonline Journal featured a range of voices, from underground legends and prestigious award winners to the unknown writer. Since inception, The Commonline Journal was fueled by writing from a team of Literary and Contributing Editors, in addition to thousands of manuscripts submitted by the public at large.

Country of Publication

United States

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Published 4 x per year

Collapse section Fiction Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Specific group.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: No specific word count limits known (our definition: up to 1000 words); Up to 2 pieces.
Short Story: No specific word count limits known (our definition: 1000 to 7500 words); Up to 2 pieces.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

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

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Specific group.

Lengths:

Interview: Up to 4,000 words.
Review: Up to 4,000 words.
Essay: Up to 4,000 words.

Styles:

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

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Literature/Books: General, Theory/Analysis/Criticism.

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

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Specific group.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 4 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: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Specific group.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 4 pieces.
Graphic Narrative: No page limits known.

Art Media:

Open to all/most Art Media, including...
Illustration.
Cartoon/Comic strip.
Painting.
Photography.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Unknown.
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.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for The Commonline Journal

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The Commonline 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