Eastern Kentucky University

Bluegrass Writers Studio

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Submit to Jelly Bucket

Three copies of an issue of Jelly Bucket.

Jelly Bucket accepts work during our open reading period- July 1st through December 1st.

We are committed to publishing writers from, and writing about, marginalized and under-represented communities. Jelly Bucket will make a specific call for work from that community and showcase it alongside our regular, high-quality, general submissions. The special section will comprise roughly 50% of the issue and will be guest-edited by an established writer who is connected in some way to the community being featured.

For issue #14’s special section, we’re looking for poetry, prose, 10-minute plays, and art from neurodivergent writers and artists. Our guest editor for the special section is Nathan Spoon.

Founded in 2009, Jelly Bucket features established and new writers. We accept works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction from anywhere in the world. Each issue also contains visual art that incorporates text and/or features an aspect of the book arts, as well as translation features from a variety of languages.

To submit, please visit our electronic submissions portal (via Submittable):

Submit Here

Only one submission per genre per reading period. Simultaneous submissions are considered, but if your work is accepted elsewhere please withdraw submission via Submittable. If you need to withdraw a portion of a submission, leave a comment on your submission via Submittable. Previously published work will not be accepted. We define previously published work as a piece published in another journal (paper or electronic), in a book or chapbook (traditionally or self-published), or one that is currently online in a public blog or within a public forum.

Poetry

Please send us one to five poems. All poems should be in a single document. Each poem should begin on a new page. Format poems on the page as you would have them printed.

Creative Nonfiction

We welcome nonfiction pieces of up to 5,000 words. For short nonfiction (1,000 words or less), up to three pieces may be included in one submission (one document). Please double-space all entries.

Fiction

We welcome fiction pieces of up to 5,000 words. For short fiction (1,000 words or less), up to three pieces may be included in one submission (one document). Please double-space all entries.

Text-as-Art

Each issue features a text-as-art cover feature and color insert. We are looking for any art that incorporates words, books (book arts), or altered book pages in a lovely and creative way. You may submit up to 5 pieces of artwork. Artwork must be hi res, 300 dpi, at least 6″ wide by 8″ tall. We accept jpeg, tiff, or eps files.

University Disclaimer

Jelly Bucket Literary Journal cannot accept submissions from students currently enrolled in Eastern Kentucky University. In addition, a period of four years must have passed between studies at EKU and any submission to the journal. There is a publication for student work, Aurora Online, whose reading period takes place each Fall.