Witness A Magazine of the Black Mountain Institute See other projects related to this listing. This listing may be deactivated on: 29 Sep 2026. Learn about this process. About Witness seeks original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and artwork that is innovative in its approach, broad-ranging in its concerns, and bold in its perspective. The magazine blends the features of a literary and an issue-oriented magazine to highlight the role of the modern writer as witness to their times.Our mission is to amplify extraordinary voices, feature writers from every part of the globe, and highlight pieces that speak to the present moment in an enduring and distinctive way. The magazine seeks to open up conversations surrounding oppression and transcendence, prejudice and compassion, fear and raw honesty. The editorial team is also proud to feature the work of emerging voices alongside that of established writers. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.) The fee is USD $3 (average for magazines that charge). Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Important Notice: On our latest check, they were not open to submissions, although their website states they should be. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1987 Publication Media & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 2 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationPublished 1 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Slower Witness's overall average response time is slower than most magazines. More ChallengingWitness's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. More ResponsiveWitness's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 19 days from now).5Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 1,200 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,200 - 7,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Nature/Environment. Politics/Political Science. Religion/Spirituality. Society/Culture: General, Crime, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues. Other: May vary.Payment:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $150 per piece.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to nonfiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 19 days from now).3Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 7,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 7,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Nature/Environment. Politics/Political Science. Religion/Spirituality. Society/Culture: General, Crime, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues. Other: May vary.Payment:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Provides free copy/copies Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $150 per piece.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. 19 days from now).11Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: 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... Nature/Environment. Politics/Political Science. Religion/Spirituality. Society/Culture: General, Crime, Current events, Ethnicity/Race, Social issues. Other: May vary.Payment:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Provides free copy/copies Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $75 per piece.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. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @witnessmagX (Twitter) @witnessmag Support this Publisher: Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Link to Duotrope Witness 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: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 80 reports from 71 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 0 min | 163.4 mean avg | 164.0 median | 264 max days (104.5 std dev) Responses 77.50 % Acceptances: 5.00 % of submissions accepted (195.5 avg. days per acceptance) | 5.63 % 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: 72.50 % (177.1 avg. days per rejection) | 20.7 % personal, 62.1 % form, 17.2 % unspecified Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 22.50 % (105.6 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 43 responses are pending (180 min | 202.2 mean avg | 199.0 median | 369 max days waiting | 586.8 std dev) from 42 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. (41.3 % 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 300 days have passed. The most common submission fee paid: USD $3.00. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 31 May 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 13 Mar 2026. Date compiled: 11 Sep 2026 19:11 UTC (4 hours, 48 minutes ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsWitness Literary Awards Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe 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. DatesLast Updated: 01 Sep 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. 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