Frequently Asked Questions
What can I submit?
You can submit fiction, nonfiction, and poetry! For fiction and nonfiction, the word limit is 8,000 per piece. For poetry, there is no page or word limit, but only one poem per document, please! If you wish to submit multiple poems or multiple stories, have each piece be in a separate document.
How many pieces can I submit per issue?
There is no limit to how many pieces you can submit per category, as long as it falls within the word/page limit.
How old do I have to be to submit a piece?
You must be at least 18-years-old to submit to Ghost Light Mag.
Is there a submission fee?
Nope!
What should I write?
It’s up to you! You’re free to send in anything you’re proud of, or write something unique to your own style. We’d love to see spooky stories, but we’re open to every genre (comedy, drama, historical, etc.)
Do you allow simultaneous submissions?
Yes. We will allow simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your work is accepted by another publication so we can remove it from our consideration.
How do I submit a piece?
Here! There is a Google Form you can fill out. It will ask for your name (pen names are acceptable as well!), age, pronouns, and a short bio that will be included with your piece if it is accepted.
Do you accept previously published/self published work?
Long story short: unfortunately, we do not accept work published elsewhere.
Do I need to write a cover letter?
No! If you really want to, you can include one with your submission, but it is far from necessary.
Do I have to submit using my real name?
Not at all! If you’d like to use a pen name, that’s totally alright! Just include that in your Google form, and let us know if it’s a pseudonym.
When can I expect to hear back about my piece?
We will get back to you as soon as possible; expect a response within five business days of your submission.
What will happen if my piece is accepted?
Congratulations! We will email you (please check your email, we can’t publish anything if you don’t respond) with any revisions or suggestions we have for your piece. During this stage of communication, we will work to maintain the integrity of your writing, but we may strongly suggest a few edits. You will have the final say in what you wish to keep or change, but please keep in mind that we may reject the final product under certain conditions.
What conditions (see question above)?
We will not accept pieces that are racist, transphobic, or in any way hateful.
Do I maintain ownership if my work is accepted for publication?
Yes, you will maintain ownership of your work whether or not it is chosen for publication.
What if I change my mind after I’ve been accepted?
That’s alright! If at any point you wish to revoke your submission, or take down your piece once it has been published, just let us know by emailing us at ghostlightnewyork@gmail.com, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
Who are you guys?
Just a pair of college students hoping to give other writers a platform : )
Ghost Light NY 