Twisted Vine Literary Arts Journal
There are presently no open calls for submissions.
TWISTED VINE LITERARY ARTS JOURNAL
Call for Submissions
Submit at: twistedvineliteraryjournal.submittable.com/submit
Twisted Vine is a student-run literary arts journal curated by the graduate writing program at Western New Mexico University. We champion both emerging and established voices, welcoming work that pushes or reimagines artistic boundaries — a lively mix of experimental and traditional forms.
We do not accept AI-generated poetry, prose, or visual art.
We cannot accept submissions from current WNMU faculty or staff.
AT A GLANCE
Poetry: up to 3 poems, 5 pages total
Short Literary Fiction: 1 story, up to 4,000 words
Creative Nonfiction: 1 essay, up to 2,500 words
Visual Art: up to 3 images (.jpg/.jpeg)
Submit once per genre category; include all poems or images for that genre in a single entry. Once you receive a response, you may resubmit. There is no entry fee. Twisted Vine does not pay contributors.
FORMATTING
- All written submissions should be in Arial 12-point font, double-spaced, with standard grammar and spelling (creative license acknowledged).
- All visual art submissions should be formatted .jpg / .jpeg.
- Please include a biography of at least 100 words with your submission.
REVIEW PROCESS
- We use a blind review process. Do not include identifying information in your submission file.
- Because this is a university press, we follow the standard academic calendar. Do not submit queries after the submission deadline — editors will not respond outside the semester calendar.
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Please submit only original, unpublished work.
Poetry: up to 3 poems, 5 pages total
We accept traditional and experimental poetry. Work should reflect artistic excellence.
Short Literary Fiction: 1 story, up to 4,000 words
We seek diverse literary work with strong narration, character development, and plot. We are especially interested in stories that engage with ideas beyond a single perspective or that blend forms or influences in meaningful ways.
Creative Nonfiction: 1 essay or other CNF genre, up to 4,000 words
We welcome wide-ranging essays that blend forms or approaches—such as personal narrative with research, reflection, or cultural analysis. Submissions must remain literary in essence.
Visual Art: up to 3 images
We accept photography, painting, collage, graphic art, comics, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media. Please identify each image by title and medium.
TERMS OF SUBMISSION
By submitting to Twisted Vine, you confirm your work is original, unpublished, and not currently under consideration elsewhere. Copyright remains yours. If accepted, you grant Twisted Vine:
- Rights to publish your work in the journal and on affiliated digital platforms.
- Exclusive rights for 90 days following publication.
- Non-exclusive rights to republish, store, and distribute your work after the exclusivity period ends.
If your work is accepted elsewhere before hearing from us, please let us know rather than withdrawing your entire submission. If you need to withdraw accepted work, submit a written request to twistedvine@wnmu.edu as soon as possible before the publication date.
We look forward to reading your work!
CONNECT WITH US
Website: twistedvine.wnmu.eduLinks to an external site.
Submit: twistedvineliteraryjournal.submittable.com/submitLinks to an external site.
Email: twistedvine@wnmu.edu
Facebook: @TwistedVineJournal
X: @TwistedVineLit