Short Fiction (The Waking: Ruminate Online)
(Looking for nonfiction/hybrid submissions? Go here.)
The Waking is Ruminate's online publication space. We’re looking for short-form fiction that questions, that shakes off easily won meaning, that is rooted in image, specific moment or memory, that, as Bernard Cooper says “magnif[ies] some small aspect of what it means to be human.” We seek to publish work that invites us into the moment: a pause, an in-between, an opening.
Editor of The Waking: Cherie Nelson
- We prefer submissions that are less than 1500 words but won’t rule out work that's a tad longer. You can send up to 3 micro pieces in the same document if the total word count is under 1500.
- We are particularly excited about sharing voices that aren't often heard (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized groups). If this is you, feel free to let us know!
- If your work is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre unless an editor requests more work from you.
- Please send your piece as a Word doc.
- Simultaneous submissions are fine. Please withdraw your piece on Submittable if it has been accepted elsewhere.
If your work is accepted:
Part of the ethos of our magazine is working collaboratively with our writers to illuminate their lovely work! Most pieces we accept go through a revision process beyond line editing.
We are also excited to now offer our published writers an honorarium of $10 and a complimentary back issue of our print magazine (normally $15 each)!