The Adroit Journal welcomes original creative work through a range of opportunities for writers and artists from high school students to Pulitzer Prize winners:
General Submissions (no fee) for all writers and artists.
February 15-April 1 and September 15-November 1
Please follow these guidelines:
Fiction- up to 3 pieces at a time, 6,000 words maximum (across pieces).
Creative Nonfiction- up to 3 pieces at a time, 6,000 words maximum (across pieces).
Poetry - up to 6 poems at a time, no length limits.
Translation - up to 6 poems at a time, no length limits; OR up to 3 pieces of prose at a time, 6,000 words maximum (across pieces).
Art - up to 6 pieces at a time, both black/white & color accepted.
Submissions in multiple genres accepted, multiple submissions to a single genre are not.
In addition, look for opportunities to submit Interviews & Reviews and to apply for volunteer staff positions withThe Adroit Journal.
Adroit Summer Mentorship Program for high school writers (no sub fee.
February 1-March 15
Adroit Prizes for high school and undergraduate writers.
April 1-May 1
Submissions of poetry, creative non-fiction and fiction accepted. Multiple submissions welcomed.
Editors Prizes for established writers who have published at least one full-length book.
July 1-July 30 or as submission caps are reached.
Submissions of poetry, fiction and translation accepted.
Scholars for emerging writers who without a published full-length book.
November 15-January 1
For emerging writers who have not published full-length books of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction or translation are eligible (regardless of age, geographic location or educational status). Submissions in multiple genres accepted, multiple submissions to a single genre are not.
For specific guidelines for each opportunity, see the relevant Submittable tab below.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or tolerated. BTW, we use AI detection tools.
The Adroit Journal pays our contributors. Click here to read and familiarize yourself with The Adroit Journal.
The Adroit Journal is seeking a volunteer Podcast Editor to help produce and edit our podcast, including both its audio and video components. This is a flexible, freelance-style position with a light workload of approximately four episodes per year, ideal for someone interested in literary publishing, multimedia storytelling, or arts programming.
Responsibilities
- Edit podcast recordings for clarity, pacing, and overall listening experience.
- Clean and balance audio levels, remove distractions, and prepare audio files for release.
- Edit video recordings of podcast episodes, including basic cuts, pacing adjustments, and audio-video synchronization.
- Prepare video episodes for publication, including basic formatting and exports for relevant platforms.
- Incorporate intro/outro music, transitions, and other production elements as needed.
- Coordinate with podcast hosts and Adroit staff on production timelines and deliverables.
- Maintain organized project files and deliver final audio and video assets ready for publication.
Qualifications
- Experience editing podcasts, spoken-word audio, video, or other multimedia content.
- Familiarity with audio and video editing software (e.g., Audition, Audacity, Reaper, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or similar platforms).
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and reliable turnaround times.
- Interest in literature, publishing, or the arts is welcome but not required.
- Experience preparing content for digital publication or social media is a plus.
Commitment
This is a volunteer position with a flexible, project-based structure. The podcast typically releases approximately four episodes per year, and the editor will work on an episode-by-episode basis rather than maintaining a weekly commitment. Specific deliverables and timelines will be coordinated with the team in advance.
What You'll Gain
- An opportunity to contribute to The Adroit Journal and its literary community.
- Experience working with writers, editors, and artists across the contemporary literary landscape.
- Published audio and video production credits.
- Flexibility to balance the role alongside school, work, or other commitments.
To Apply
Please submit:
- A brief note of interest.
- A résumé or CV.
- One or two samples of audio, video, or multimedia projects you have edited (links preferred).
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Please submit up to three prose pieces OR up to six poems in one document via our Submittable page (adroit.submittable.com).
Prose submissions may be up to 6,000 words per entry of between 1-3 pieces. There is no length limit for poetry.
All work in the submission packet should be by the same author. If you would like to submit translations of works by different authors, please make a separate submission for each one.
Your translation should be accompanied by a translator’s note explaining the significance of the work and providing a brief biography of the author, followed by a summary of your previous publications and a few words about how you came to learn about the work. You should include this information in your cover letter in Submittable and in the uploaded file.
You must secure the right to publish your translation before submitting it to us. If your translation is accepted for publication by Adroit, you will be required to document that you have obtained the English-language rights to the work from the copyright holder (unless the work is in the public domain).
Please paginate your submission and include a word count at the top.
You are welcome to submit no more than two (2) times per reading period. Additional submissions will be returned unread.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or even tolerated. Every line, word and punctuation mark must come from you or if it is inspired by another poem, work or resource, you must provide attribution. BTW, we use AI detection tools!
Please, no self translations.
Happy submitting, and thanks in advance!
Click here to view our Call for Interviews & Reviews, full of titles we'd especially love to see covered. Thank you for your interest in interviewing or reviewing for us. Interviews & Reviews -- we are currently accepting completed reviews and interviews for consideration on our blog. At this time, we have a preference for reviews. IMPORTANT: please consult our style guide for reviews and/or our style guide for interviews prior to submission. Thank you! Click here to view our most recent interviews and reviews.
Please submit UP TO SIX full-color images (unless intentionally greyscale in the first place) via our submission manager (adroit.submittable.com). Please make all image submissions .jpg or .png, and as high-quality as possible. Image scans or screenshots are alright for submission (for the purpose of considerably lowering the file size), but please have access to higher-quality versions the art/photos prior to submission.
Submitted art may have previously been recognized for an award, but should not be previously published. Also, we DO accept simultaneous art submissions, but expect you to withdraw your submission(s) if accepted elsewhere promptly after the acceptance elsewhere. Please submit no more than two (2) times per genre per reading period. Additional submissions will be returned unread.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or even tolerated. We employ AI detection tools!
Reader in Translation
The Adroit Journal seeks readers in translation to join our growing team. This is a volunteer, remote position with a start date of ASAP. The monthly commitment is approximately 6-8 hours when the submissions portal is open. Readers will read, discuss, and vote on submissions of translated work, and will attend monthly meetings, convened by the section editor.
Candidates need not be expert in multiple languages to apply. We’re looking, first and foremost, for experienced readers who are passionate about language and story, who are willing to read across genres, and who are enthusiastic about literary translation as an art form.
Please apply with a statement of interest (no more than a page) detailing your experiences as a writer, editor, and translator, if applicable; and what you would add to the journal’s literary and/or artistic community. You are encouraged to include things such as experience in the specific field(s), writing and publication, and other commendations and accolades, but this statement should NOT read like a résumé.
Your statement should highlight your history, passion, and experience with the areas of the position and creative writing. Feel free to discuss other topics you feel are appropriate, as well as any specific connections, measures, or initiatives you might have (or aspire to have) with The Adroit Journal’s staff community.
Please upload a cv/résumé.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. This position is volunteer and remote, with a start date of ASAP. Due to the volume of applications, we can only respond to people we wish to interview for an opening.
Before applying please familiarize yourself with the journal by visiting our About page, and perhaps also an issue or two.
Please submit up to six poems in one document via our Submittable page (adroit.submittable.com). We encourage you to submit prose (fiction and CNF), art, and/or photography in addition to poetry.
Please no multiple submissions. Additional submissions will be returned unread.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or even tolerated. Every line, word and punctuation mark must come from you or if it is inspired by another poem or resource, you must provide attribution. BTW, we use AI detection tools!
N.B. PLEASE SUBMIT MULTIPLE POEMS IN ONE DOCUMENT.
Happy submitting, and thanks in advance!
Please submit up to three prose pieces in one document via our Submittable page (adroit.submittable.com). We invite you to submit poetry, CNF, art, and/or photography in addition to fiction.
Prose submissions may be up to 6,000 words per entry of between 1-3 pieces. Please include a word count at the top of each submission. Please no multiple submissions. Additional submissions will be returned unread.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or even tolerated. Every line, word and punctuation mark must come from you or if it is inspired by another work or resource, you must provide attribution. BTW, we use AI detection tools!
N.B. PLEASE SUBMIT MULTIPLE PROSE PIECES IN ONE DOCUMENT.
Happy submitting, and thanks in advance!
Please submit up to three CNF prose pieces in one document via our Submittable page (adroit.submittable.com). We invite you to submit poetry, art, and/or photography in addition to prose.
Prose submissions may be up to 6,000 words per entry of between 1-3 pieces. Please include a word count at the top of each submission. Please no multiple submissions. Additional submissions will be returned unread.
No AI-generated or AI-assisted work will be considered or even tolerated. Every line, word and punctuation mark must come from you or if it is inspired by another work or resource, you must provide attribution. BTW, we use AI detection tools!
N.B. PLEASE SUBMIT MULTIPLE PROSE PIECES IN ONE DOCUMENT.
Happy submitting, and thanks in advance!