If you’re interested in writing for The Sunlight Press, send a completed piece to thesunlightpress@gmail.com. Please see guidelines below. Please note: We are now closed to all submissions. We will reopen to all work after the first of the year, on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (Currently, we are reading work submitted this fall. We will contact writers on the status of their work as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.)
What are we looking for?
The Sunlight Press considers submissions within the following categories:
- Personal Essays (Nonfiction): 750-1,000 words
- Fiction: Includes microfiction (under 400 words); flash fiction (under 1,000 words); and short stories (under 2,000 words)
- Poetry: Up to three poems in one submission (all in one attached document, please). Note: Unusual formatting in poetry often cannot be replicated on our site.
- Reviews: Review of books (fiction & nonfiction), short story collections, and essay collections (750-1,000 words); preference for newly published books. Reviews of current films (750-1,000 words).
- Artists on Craft Series: Interviews/Reflections by artists on their process of the art of choice (accompanying photos welcome); under 1,000 words
- Photography: Up to three photographs in one submission (Note: Only unfiltered images in jpeg format)
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Contest News
We announced the winner and finalists in our 2023 spring Flash Fiction Contest in September. We published the winning story, “Pinch Hitter,” by Michelle Ross, on Sept. 10. The second place finalist was “George Gershwin Invites Arnold Schonberg Over for Table Tennis,” by Laton Carter, and the third place finalist was “Love Says My Husband,” by Jill Witty. The top cash prize for the winner was $750; the prize for the finalists was $100. Entries accepted but not chosen as winner or finalists will be published on our site and will receive our regular payment for published work ($40 for fiction). We thank writer Sabrina Hicks for judging our contest.
In last year’s news, Aria Dominguez won our 2022 spring Essay Contest. Her winning essay, “The Art of Negotiating,” appeared in June 2022. Our two finalists were Skye Pratt Epperson and Diana Spechler. Their essays appeared in July 2022. We are grateful to Windy Lynn Harris for judging our contest.
Find other contest winners on our Contests page.
How do you submit work?
Email submissions to thesunlightpress@gmail.com with the subject line clearly indicating the genre — fiction, nonfiction, poetry, review, artist on craft, or photography. Submissions should be attached in a Word document (docx., doc.), without names and contact info on the document.
Please submit written material in only one category at a time (in other words, do not submit written work in multiple categories at the same time. The only exception: You may submit a written piece and photography simultaneously). In written pieces, please use only one space after periods.
Do not send new work for consideration until hearing back from us on the status of a current submission. Also if a piece is not accepted, please wait three to six months before submitting new work. Writers whose work has been accepted, please wait three months after its publication to submit new work. Thank you.
We typically do not consider pieces beyond the word lengths above. We also do not publish how-to articles, or work that is religious or political in nature, nor about current social issues.
What should accompany your submission?
Please include a 3-4 sentence bio and any social media handles (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), as well as a current email address and contact information. We review simultaneous submissions; please inform us of this status upon submission.
Does The Sunlight Press pay writers upon publication?
Yes, The Sunlight Press pays for original work only, via PayPal. We occasionally accept previously published work (in print, on a personal blog, or another digital publication) but offer no payment.
Our payment rates as of July 2022 are as follows:
$40 for essays (including book reviews and Artist on Craft pieces)
$40 for fiction (short stories and flash fiction)
$30 for the first poem accepted, and $10 for each additional accepted in the same submission
$15 for photos
When will you hear from us?
Every submission will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the submission from the editors. Writers will be informed of the status of their submission within three to four months of submission. Please query after that time period if you have received no update.
The content of The Sunlight Press is exclusively online. The Sunlight Press claims first publishing rights, which revert to the author upon publication; however, please acknowledge The Sunlight Press if your work appears later online or in print. Many thanks.
Final word: We strive to publish pieces within six months of acceptance and welcome your query if that time period has passed.
Still have questions?
Additional information is published at NewsPages.com, and in a June 2018 Q&A with editors at the “Six Questions For…” editors blog. Read more here. Further questions, email us at thesunlightpress@gmail.com. We welcome all questions and inquiries.
Many thanks for considering us for your work.