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The Pinch

See other projects related to this listing.

About

We’re a literary journal focused on publishing work that dissolves boundaries set by traditional publishers. More than 90 % of our content is from unsolicited writers. The students and faculty editing this journal embrace the cultural legacy and grit & grind mentality of our city, Memphis.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for some fee waivers available for general submissions, and they do not offer monetary payment for accepted submissions. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.)
The fee is USD $4.95 (above average for magazines that charge).
Important: Check their submissions manager to see what categories they are currently accepting.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States
Established in 1980

Publication Media & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
Published 52 x per year
Print Publication Print Publication
Published 2 x per year

AI Policy

Human-created work only; no AI use allowed
986 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

Statistics Synopsis

Regular Speed
The Pinch's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines.
More Challenging
The Pinch's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines.
More Responsive
The Pinch's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines.
Learn more about our statistics

Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed

Dates:

Will be open to submissions from 01 November 2026* (approx. 46 days from now) through 30 November 2026.

3

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces.
Short Story: 1,000 - 4,000 words; Unknown number of pieces.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed

Dates:

Will be open to submissions from 01 October 2026* (approx. 15 days from now) through 31 October 2026.

3

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces.
Essay: 1,000 - 4,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces.
Narrative Nonfiction: 1,000 - 4,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Payment:

No monetary payment No monetary payment.

Submissions:

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

Collapse section Poetry Open Fee-based

Dates:

Open to poetry submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 15 days from now).

11

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 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: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Expand section Visual Art DNQ

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 The Pinch

Go to publication's website

Report:
Submission/Response
Correction/Update
New Cover Art

Social:
Instagram @thepinchjournal
X (Twitter) @pinchjournal

Support this Publisher:
Subscribe

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

The Pinch 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:
Accuracy
We have received 207 reports from 169 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 | 71.3 mean avg | 75.0 median | 193 max days (72.1 std dev)
Responses
90.82 %
Acceptances:
6.28 % of submissions accepted (62.5 avg. days per acceptance) | 7.69 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here.
Rejections:
84.54 % (75.1 avg. days per rejection) | 37.1 % personal, 46.9 % form, 16.0 % unspecified | 0.5 % shortlisted
Non-Responses
0.00 %
Lost/Returned:
-
Never Responded:
-
Withdrawals
9.18 % (37.8 avg. days per withdrawal)
Pending
53 responses are pending (1 min | 57.8 mean avg | 45.0 median | 288 max days waiting | 491.9 std dev) from 52 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days

Other Information

The editors will try to make a decision within 180 days. (0.5 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 180 days.)
Do not query on the status of your submission before 180 days have passed.
The most common submission fee paid: USD $4.95.
Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day.
Most recent response reported was received on 04 Sep 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 02 Jul 2026.
Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 03:10 UTC (6 hours, 4 minutes ago).
View report of recent responses from this project

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Your Submissions

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GLISH: Variety English Poetry Project CLOSED
The Page Prize in Nonfiction  Charges fees for all submissions
The Pinch Art Contest DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
The Pinch Literary Award in Fiction  Charges fees for all submissions
The Pinch Literary Award in Poetry  Charges fees for all submissions

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: 31 Aug 2026

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

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