Submission Guidelines
Masque & Spectacle reads submissions for its bi-annual issues November 1 – January 31 and May 1 – July 31. Submissions received outside of this time period will be automatically deleted. Responses can be expected within a month. Acceptance rate is around 10%. Submissions not titled/tagged or formatted or properly under the Submissions Guidelines will not be considered for publication.
We do not accept previously published work, and we ask for First Electronic Rights and Non-Exclusive Archival Rights upon acceptance. Unfortunately, we are unable to pay contributors at this time.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
For any queries, please contact us at masqueandspectacle@gmail.com.
Fiction
We publish short fiction of all genres. Individual works can be up to 7,500 words Please send all prose submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com
Please attach written submissions in a single Word doc or docx file.
Include the word “FICTION” in the email subject line.
Poetry
We are looking for all forms of poetry, including formal and experimental work. Longer works are acceptable if the content/form necessitate and best self-editing is practiced.
New poets are as welcome as veterans. Poems that have an association to artistic works (music, visuals, performance, film, etc.) are encouraged. Masque & Spectacle welcomes and encourages a variety of voices, including those that identify themselves as “non-traditional.” The worlds of art and language have no boundaries. No subject is off limits, but exploitive hate or pornographic work will not be accepted. While we fully support creative expression, we are also sensitive to purposefully inflammatory language and images.
Send 3-5 poems per proposal via email to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com, as an attached Word doc or docx file. Please make sure that each poem is clearly distinguished from the others included in your attached document.
Include the word “POETRY” in the email subject line.
Drama
We welcome 10-minute plays (up to approximately 10 pages in length). No full-length plays will be considered at this time.
While traditional plays are welcome, we are particularly interested in innovative and/or interdisciplinary texts that break new ground, either in relation to their subject matter, or in how the text itself is performed/written/represented on stage.
Playwrights may submit one previously unpublished 10-minute play for consideration. The script should be accompanied by a cover letter, which includes your name, address, phone number, and email address. Proper playwriting format should be used. If you are uncertain about this format, several examples can be found online.
Send drama submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com. Attach written submissions in a single Word doc or docx file, and include the word “DRAMA” in the email subject line.
Nonfiction
We are looking for unpublished nonfiction essays, literary analysis pieces, and personal essay/memoirs of up to 7,500 words.
Send nonfiction submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com. Attach written submissions Word doc or docx file, and include the word “NONFICTION” in the email subject line.
Visual Art
Please send files as jpgs and include any captions with titles, materials, canvas size, names of performers, etc. in email. Please send all art submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com.
Include your last name in the file name and the word “ART” in the email subject line.
Video
For initial consideration, please send a YouTube or Vimeo link to your video. Send all video submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com.
Please include the word “VIDEO” in the email subject line. Unfortunately, we currently cannot host videos on our site, but can provide links and screenshots.
Music & Sound Installation
Please attach all MP3 files with titles and your last name in the file title. Send all sound submissions to masqueandspectacle@gmail.com.
Include the word “SOUND” in the email subject line.