Notice: Our Submission Periods Have Changed

Harpur Palate is working towards a more sustainable model for submissions starting in 2024.

Going forward, for general submissions we will on January 1st with a cap of 200 in each category. General submissions will be open until March 15–or until the cap of 200 is reached. Once we get through the first 200 submissions in each category, we will re-open only if more pieces are needed for our spring/summer 2024 issue. Please keep an eye on our social media if you miss the first cap but would still like to submit!

For our three contests, we will be opening from January 1 to April 1, 2024.

In 2024, our Fall Reading Period will run from September 15 to October 15, 2024, for consideration in our Fall/Winter 2025 issue.

General Submission Information

OUR AESTHETIC: Harpur Palate has no restrictions on subject matter or form. Quite simply, send us your highest quality short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.  In order to get an idea of what we are looking for, we encourage potential submitters to peruse our online issues or view our online archive, hosted by the Online Repository at Binghamton (ORB). 

HOW TO SUBMIT: We accept online submissions through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but please notify us if your work is accepted elsewhere. We cannot accept submissions from current Binghamton University students, faculty, staff, or recent alumni.

READING PERIOD: The reading period for general submissions in our spring/summer issue will begin on January 1st, and run until March 15 or until the cap of 200 submissions is met.  

CREATIVE NONFICTION: Creative nonfiction submissions should be no longer than 5,500 words. Flash essays cannot exceed 1,000 words each. Please send no more than one CNF submission per reading period, either as a single essay or up to three flash essays. We prefer narrative nonfiction from diverse voices, and welcome hybrid and experimental forms. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere.

FICTION: Fiction submissions should be no longer than 4,500 words. Flash stories cannot exceed 1,000 words each. Please send no more than one fiction submission per reading period. We can accept up to three flash pieces per submission. We prefer scene-driven stories that are strange, off-kilter, and sometimes ruthless. Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as you notify us immediately should your piece be accepted elsewhere.
     Aesthetic statement from Fiction Co-Editors Samia Ahmed and Alycia Calvert: “For long form fiction we are interested in both traditional literary fiction and experimental fiction. We especially like fiction with well rounded characters who take us on journey’s that linger. For flash fiction we look for brevity, stories that unapologetically rearrange our understanding, and use the most beautiful language doing it. We also value inclusivity and hope to publish work informed by a diverse range of perspectives and experiences.”

POETRY: We accept submissions of 1-3 poems per reading period–no more than 5 pages total. Please send no more than one poetry submission per reading period. We prefer poems with a strong lyric voice and sense of urgency. Simultaneous submissions are accepted as long as you withdraw your piece immediately should it be accepted elsewhere

 

Contests in Poetry, Fiction &
Creative Nonfiction

CONTEST FEES: $19 per entry

AWARD: $500 and publication in Harpur Palate.

2024 CONTEST SUBMISSIONS PERIOD: January 1-April 1

GENERAL MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES: Include name, address, phone number, email, & piece title(s) in the provided cover letter space in the online form (separate from your submitted file). Remove all identifying information from the rest of the manuscript. Please be advised that we do not accept submissions from anyone affiliated with Binghamton University, past or present. Simultaneous submissions are accepted so long as you withdraw your piece upon acceptance elsewhere.

CONTEST DETAILS: 

Milton Kessler Memorial Prize in Poetry
Milton Kessler—poet and teacher—was a great friend and mentor to students in the Creative Writing program at Binghamton University. In honor of his dedication to the development of writers, Harpur Palate is pleased to award the annual Milton Kessler Poetry Prize in his name. 

GUIDELINES: Poems in any style, form, or genre are welcome, provided they are no more than five pages long and previously unpublished. You may submit as many times as you wish, but no more than five poems per entry fee.

Harpur Palate Prize in Creative Nonfiction
We are pleased to award the Harpur Palate Prize in Creative Nonfiction. Developed by former Editor-in-Chief Marissa Schwalm, the prize is awarded annually.

GUIDELINES: Creative non-fiction submissions should be previously unpublished, original work shorter than 5,000 words. You may enter as many essays as you wish (one per contest entry fee). 

John Gardner Memorial Prize in Fiction

John Gardner—prose writer and teacher—was a great friend and mentor to students in the Creative Writing program at Binghamton University. In honor of his dedication to the development of writers, Harpur Palate is pleased to award the annual John Gardner Memorial Prize for Fiction in his name.

GUIDELINES: Short story submissions should be previously unpublished and shorter than 4,500 words. You may enter as many stories as you wish. The entry fee is $19 per story.


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