Ploughshares See other projects related to this listing. About Ploughshares’ mission is to champion innovative writing, elevate emerging and established voices, and spark new dialogues in local, national, and global communities.Founded by DeWitt Henry and Peter O’Malley, Ploughshares has published quality literature since 1971 and has been based at Emerson College in downtown Boston since 1989. Ploughshares blends the unique editorial perspectives of two guest-edited issues with two staff-edited issues each year, showcasing a variety of established and emerging writers across each issue.Among its catalog of literary greats, Ploughshares has published such writers as Tim O’Brien, Toni Morrison, Jorie Graham, Fanny Howe, Ellen Bryant Voigt, Lauren Groff, Brigit Pegeen Kelly, Claudia Rankine, Afaa Michael Weaver, Paul Yoon, and many, many others. Writers published in Ploughshares have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes, National Book Awards, Guggenheim Fellowships, O. Henry Prizes, Pushcart Prizes, and more. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for some submissions. They charge fees for online submissions, except for Ploughshares subscribers. The fee is USD $3.75 (average for magazines that charge). Important: They may accept different prose lengths at different times. As always, check their current guidelines before submitting. Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1971 Publication Media & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 4 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationPublished 4 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Ploughshares's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ChallengingPloughshares's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. More ResponsivePloughshares's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Dates:Open to fiction submissions through 15 November 2026 4:59 PM EST (in 60 days).44Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 6,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.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 $45 per printed page, with a $90 minimum and $450 maximum.Submissions:Methods: Online form (fees apply). Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Dates:Open to nonfiction submissions through 15 November 2026 4:59 PM EST (in 60 days).6Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 6,500 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 6,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Personal.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Memoir.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 $45 per printed page, with a $90 minimum and $450 maximum.Submissions:Methods: Online form (fees apply). Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Dates:Open to poetry submissions through 15 November 2026 4:59 PM EST (in 60 days).60Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; 3 - 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Provides free copy/copies Professional payment. Provides free copy/copies. Details: USD $45 per printed page, with a $90 minimum and $450 maximum.Submissions:Methods: Online form (fees apply). Postal. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @ploughshares.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookInstagram @psharesjournalX (Twitter) @pshares Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Ploughshares 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 project ranks among the 25 Most Challenging Fiction Publishers in our database. This project ranks among the Extremely Challenging Nonfiction Publishers in our database. This project ranks among the 25 Most Challenging Poetry Publishers in our database. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 765 reports from 646 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 2 min | 75.2 mean avg | 80.0 median | 399 max days (163.5 std dev) Responses 95.16 % Acceptances: 0.52 % of submissions accepted (106.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 0.62 % 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: 94.64 % (74.7 avg. days per rejection) | 19.3 % personal, 63.4 % form, 17.3 % unspecified | 1.8 % shortlisted Non-Responses 0.78 % Lost/Returned: 0.26 % (45.5 avg. days before reporting submissions as lost or returned) Never Responded: 0.52 % (333.7 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 4.05 % (53.4 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 174 responses are pending (1 min | 56.7 mean avg | 54.0 median | 432 max days waiting | 776.6 std dev) from 173 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 150 days. (3.8 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 150 days.) Do not query on the status of your submission before 150 days have passed. The most common submission fee paid: USD $3.75. (63.1 % of reports specified whether they paid a fee; of those, 98.3 % paid fees.) Most submissions are acknowledged within one day. Most recent response reported was received on 14 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 02 Sep 2026. Date compiled: 16 Sep 2026 12:42 UTC (less than a minute ago). View report of recent responses from this project 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 ProjectsThe Ploughshares Blog ON HIATUSPloughshares Emerging Writers' Contest 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: 02 Aug 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. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only