Submissions
Cheers to getting this far. Will this be your time to submit?
Our General Guidelines are below. We acquire via Submittable. No email solicitations.
Please complete the Inquiries for any wholesale, marketing, and publicity requests. Library, press/media, bookstore, journal/magazine, vendor, and school/university representatives are welcome.
If you’re a customer, please complete the Inquiries about an online order with your order number. We will reply during standard business hours.
Click or tap the button below to read our samplers. Poetry and Prose by our talented authors.
Click or tap the Submit button, where you will be taken to our Submittable hub.
Inquiries
thirtywestph [at] gmail [dot] com
OR fill out the form below.
Donate
General Guidelines
The Aesthetic
We are open to many literary themes and poetic forms & styles. We enjoy the succinct, the startling, and the sublime. Some humor will keep us turning pages. Nature has been prevalent in the last few years. We root for intimate characters & their relationships with whomever or whatever.
Genres we’re not actively seeking: young-adult, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery/suspense, historical fiction, or conceptual writing. We do not publish plays, screenwriting, academic studies, children’s books, or art books. Maybe for the right manuscript someday. If you are unsure, please query before submitting.
A 3rd-person bio containing geographical and publication info is appreciated in the cover letter. We prefer shorter bios.
There may be periods when we request a specific theme, genre, or manuscript. Please double-check individual guidelines.
The Pragmatic
All manuscripts must be original and unpublished. Previously published pieces within are fine with acknowledgment.
Reprints of previously published or out-of-print books are considered only via solicitation. Additionally, manuscripts that have been extraneously typeset or have mock cover spreads will be rejected. We build your book from the ground up.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted. If a partial withdrawal is required, please message us which piece(s). If it is a full withdrawal, please use the 'Withdraw' function in Submittable.
We request that the first page include the manuscript title, your name, and word + page count. Everything else is up to your vision.
The Ethic
We will not accept any graphic violence, racism, bigotry, or actions/symbols targeted toward people's race, religion, sexual orientation, or personal identities unless you empathize with such.
We highly encourage writers from historically marginalized demographics and debut authors to submit.
We reserve the right to reject singular pieces or entire manuscripts at any time. This has never happened, so please don't be the first.
Writing and/or images generated with artificial intelligence (AI) will be rejected.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, we implore you to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It is toll-free and available 24/7. Dial 988 or 1-800-273-8255
2026 Chapbook Project
*CLOSED; READING SUBMISSIONS & MAKING FINAL DECISIONS *
Thirty West Publishing has entered a new era: monochrome. Our newest printer is here, and we're ready to read your chapbooks once again.
For 10 years, TW has crafted fine, handmade chapbooks for debut writers & seasoned authors who have a lot of heart and are passionate about their writing. We enjoy fierce poetry, punchy prose, a hybrid of styles, and even some stunning photographs. Some limited editions were produced separately from the general print run. Dozens of these chapbooks were bound in various ways. Sometimes, we 'ruinate' the interior with strategic & artful wrinkling, dirtying, and even burning. Readers in the past marveled at our craftsmanship, and we hope you will, too.
As always, it is free ($0) to submit. We encourage you to peruse our samplers to read previous authors and our Afterimages journal to get the full TW picture. If you wish, you may leave a tip or purchase a TW book or chapbook. These funds directly aid our operating costs and give authors royalties. Please email us if you have any questions. Thank you for considering Thirty West. Escape the mundane with us.
Manuscript Specifications
Ensure the first page includes the manuscript title, genre, your name, and page/word count.
Historically, our chapbooks range from 26-44 pages. We will still read slightly under/over these numbers.
We accept only .doc .docx, and PDF formats.
Only submit one chapbook manuscript. Your best writing, your best project, your best voice.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Please withdraw if accepted elsewhere. Vice versa, if we accept.
We strive to respond within 90 days of initial submission. You may send a follow-up after this period.
We appreciate your readership. If you tip and/or purchase a book, expect an email with a thank you and info.
What TW offers you
A TW author contract for 6 months with the potential of extension.
A flat rate royalty structure per unit for both basic and limited editions.
12 author copies, free of charge.
Author discounts and event support for book launches and readings.
You may be part of a cohort of authors, encouraging camaraderie and mutual support.
Your chapbook will be for sale and fulfilled with in-house shipping for online orders & in-person events like book fairs & readings.
All the support and labor we can give with social media, marketing, editing, jacket design, assembly, & more.
Afterimages
ISSN: 3066-2621
*OPEN *
Afterimages, the literary journal of Thirty West, wants your writing (and more). Crafted literary fiction. Steadfast reviews, particularly indie books. Send us something unique and timely. You blink twice, and it’s gone; hasty ideas in your notes.
All accepted articles will obtain a light editorial from the TW staff, remain on Afterimages in perpetuity, and reach 1,000+ subscribers via email on the chosen publication day. We request that TW obtain first publication rights and be acknowledged if the work is submitted elsewhere or compiled into future manuscripts. Please consult our General Guidelines before submitting any questions. We wish that you read widely and at the speed of Afterimages.
*NEW for 2026*
Afterimages is now a paying market! See details below.
What we read and publish:
Personal essays.
Flash fiction/nonfiction.
Short stories.
Memoirs.
Book/chapbook reviews.
A proposal and sample are required for the following:
Craft essays.
Semi-regular columns.
Author interviews.
Original photograph and artwork galleries.
Document details:
Default formatting (unless the work requires a different style) in .doc, .docx, or .pdf format.
A maximum of 3,000 words per submission (see below for info on serials).
Payment:
FLASH FICTION OR NONFICTION ≦1,000 WORDS: $5
TRADITIONAL SHORT STORY/MEMOIR ≦3,000 WORDS: $10
SERIAL FICTION OR NONFICTION ≦6,000 WORDS: $10 each (3 installments max)
BOOK REVIEW/CRAFT ESSAY/INTERVIEW/GALLERY: $15
Disclaimer: Payment issued as a paper check (U.S. only), CashApp, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or reputable wire transfer. If no payment information is given to TW within 30 days of acceptance, or if we cannot successfully send you the money, the honorarium will be forfeited. Regardless, your writing will still be published.
Serials and Pitches:
Do you have a longer project you wish to submit? Are you interested in guest-editing for Afterimages in the future? Do you possess a craft essay, a series of non-AI artwork?
Pitch it to us!
Please provide the following:
An artist statement/summary of the project
A sample of the project
Preferred month of publication
Your website, social media, and links to works
Want to help fund Afterimages?
Afterimages operates on tips, book sales, and subscriptions. You can upgrade from free to a paid subscription directly on Substack. Your monetary gift will uplift and support both new and experienced writers.
$5.99/MONTH
$39.99/YEAR