Incarcerated Writers, Breaking barriers finding emerging voices

The Incarcerated Writers Project was started by the editors at phoebe as a way to open the publishing platform to writers in prisons across the United States. This population has been traditionally overlooked, undervalued, and pushed to the margins. We believe the inclusion of their literary voices will enlarge and ultimately strengthen the artistic and scholarly community.

Submissions

As part of phoebe’s commitment to bring underrepresented voices into the public sphere, the Incarcerated Writers Project extends a special invitation to incarcerated writers to submit their work. Writers may submit work by mail at no fee.

 

We accept submissions in the following categories:

  • Fiction (up to 5,000 words)
  • Nonfiction (up to 5,000 words)
  • Poetry (up to 5 pages)


All submissions are eligible for general print and/or online publication in an issue of phoebe or as a feature on the journal’s website. All published writers will receive a copy of one print journal from phoebe, and may be eligible for a $50 honorarium if included in a print edition.

Guidelines

If possible, please submit all work in the same envelope on standard size 8.5 x 11 paper. All work must be previously unpublished. Please note that only one submission per genre is accepted for review, but each writer can include work of all three genres in one submission. The editors at phoebe will return manuscripts with hand-written feedback, and if applicable, possible offers for publication. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to requests for financial assistance. We will do our best to support your creative endeavors and provide a platform for your voice and art.

 
Writers should send physical copies of their work to:

Incarcerated Writers Project

Phoebe Journal 

George Mason University 

The Hub Suite 1201, MSC5

4400 University Drive 

Fairfax, VA 22030 

 

Email editors at phoebe with any questions you may have, or send a letter to the address above. All submissions will receive a response.

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