Submission Information

Writers, poets, and artists/photographers that have their work selected for publication will receive two complimentary print copies of Spring Thaw, to be picked up at the reading and release party or mailed if they cannot pick up a copy at the event.

General Submission Information & Guidelines
  • Submissions to Spring Thaw are open each year from December 1st to March 1st
  • Work must be original and previously unpublished
  • Contributors may send work in multiple genres/categories (prose, poetry, art/photography)
  • At this time, we ask that submissions be submitted digitally to [email protected]. Please reach out if you have questions or prefer another format. 
  • For each genre you submit work in, please send a separate e-mail. For example, if you are only submitting poetry, you only need to send one submission e-mail, but if you are submitting poetry and prose for consideration, please send two separate submission e-mails. Further instructions follow:
    • In the e-mail subject line, include the category (poetry, prose or art) of your submission and your name
      • Example Email Submission Subject Line: Poetry Submission from Jane Doe
    • In the body of your e-mail, please include:
      • An author's bio of 75 words or less
      • Contact information, including postal address if you are not local to the Grand Rapids, MN area
      • A brief summary of your submission(s)
    • Attach all written submissions as Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) documents. If you cannot attach a submission, please contact us at the same email address.
    • Do not include your name in the body of the attached work (artist signatures or watermarks are acceptable for scanned/photographed artwork and photography).
Poetry
  • Submit up to three poems
  • Poems must be a single page or less (single spaced)
  • Please follow all general submission guidelines

Prose
  • We accept both fiction and nonfiction 
  • Submit up to two prose pieces of 3,000 words or less

Photography/Artwork
  • We accept both photography and artwork 
  • Submit up to three photographs or pieces of photographed artwork