In general ...
I would love to see submissions representing not only multiple cultures but subcultures, exploring issues of race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, and many things I haven't thought of. Does this mean you have to represent everybody and everything in 1000 words? Of course not. But be aware that we are creating a magazine that overall reaches and represents the true diversity of the world we live in.
In terms of genre, I am looking for work that constitutes the ever-moving edge of its kind, as a place between light and dark, consciousness and un, today and tomorrow; work exhibiting the strange, the bizarre, that which is not of the world we know, but more of a twilight realm or even altogether alien place. Not necessarily science fiction, not necessarily fantasy, not necessarily horror, and not necessarily not these things. In short, ideally edgy. Maybe even idealistically edgy. I am NOT looking for porn.
Penumbric generally accepts submissions in the following categories: fiction, poetry, illustration, graphic narrative, animation, music, or combinations of these (e.g., a spoken-word version of a poem). If you have something that fits some other category that can be displayed to advantage on the web, try me; I'll take a look.
All works must be the creation of the author(s) submitting them, and must not infringe upon any right of any other person or entity. I prefer to buy worldwide first periodical rights (for one year from publication), but will buy reprint rights on a case-by-case basis. We are also buying the right to continue to display your work on our website for an indefinite period of time, and to publish your work in the annual print-available anthology (if it is selected). We also reserve the right to use your work when advertising the magazine (such as displaying the cover in an ad or on social media). All remaining rights stay with the author. See Payments, below, for more information.
There is no fee for submissions. Payment to the author is on publication.
All submissions should be e-mailed (if less than 10 MB in size) to
submissions@penumbric.com. Alternatively, we can make arrangements for submission via DropBox or Box for larger submissions, or if security is an issue. Penumbric is not responsible for submissions lost in the mail, electronically speaking.
Specific content
Fiction or poetry must be less than 10,000 words, double-spaced, typed (but can be arranged on the page as desired; eventual layout can also be indicated, if part of the art of the piece). Cover page must include author's name, address, and phone and/or e-mail address. Each page thereafter must include a page number and the author's name. Format: PDF, Word document, plain text, rich text format.
Illustrations are stand-alone art, color or black & white. Format: JPG, GIF, PNG, or PDF. Art must be accompanied by a cover page including author's name, address, and phone and/or e-mail address.
Graphic narratives may be color or black & white. Format: JPEG, GIF, PNG, or PDF. They must be accompanied by a cover page including the author's name, address, and phone and/or e-mail address. It is possible an ongoing narrative could continue over multiple issues, in which case the author will be paid for each issue in which the work appears.
Animation submissions must include the completed work and (separately) the author's name, address, and phone and/or email address. Format: Anything web-playable as animation.
Music or other audio submissions must be accompanied by lyrics/text (if applicable), along with any other authorial notes on the piece. Format: Any sound file playable on multiple platforms (PCs, Macs, Android, iPhone, etc.).
Any combination submissions should follow the above guidelines as applicable to your combo.
Payment
Payment for first-time contributors is US$10 for non-exclusive worldwide periodical rights and the right to publish the work in the annual anthology (online and possibly in a "print" version to be available on Amazon through CreateSpace, and possibly other online venues). We are also buying the right to continue to display your work on our website for an indefinite period of time. If you are published in the anthology, you will be paid royalties amounting to a percentage of sales (that percentage determined at the time the anthology is created and based on the number of works in the anthology, but at least 2%). Note that this might not amount to much ... but who knows?
Questions? Contact us at
submissions@penumbric.com.
