CALL FOR PITCHES

TYPES OF SUBMISSIONS

COPY SUBMISSIONS | Short Fiction, Essays (long and short form), Poetry, Profiles, Interviews

VISUAL SUBMISSIONS | Photography & Photo Essays, Original Artwork, Original Comics

GUMBO MAGAZINE

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Black and Brown communities are filled with talent. But opportunities can be hard to come by, especially when steady media narratives are driven by monoliths or entertainment and celebrity. Much in our communities remains unseen, and we’re calling on all emerging artists to help us bring it to light. In the spirit of shining a spotlight, we open our call for submissions to any and all Black creatives—of all identities, expressions, backgrounds, abilities, personalities, and communities (including global)—to submit.

Through October 15th, Gumbo will be accepting drafts and completed content under the following sub-themes. All content must be original and previously unpublished to be considered. To maintain balance, please submit no more than 3 total pieces—if we wish to see more, we will request it.

Gumbo Media reserves the right to publicly share any and all submitted responses. Work will only be shared if selected. Creators of selected work will be notified, credited, and compensated for their contributions.

All selected works will be PAID.

** TWO NEW PROMPTS have been added, seen below following asterisks.

ESSAYS/NONFICTION

• “Blackness” | An essay on the expansiveness of Black life around the world and the many (changing) definitions of “Blackness.” Answering the question, “what does it mean to be Black?” (750-1000 words max)

• Black Baggage | A thoughtful essay on Black baggage. Musings on the generational weight we carry, and why we must learn to let go so that we might make room for ourselves. (750-1000 words max)

• Anthology: Unspoken Communication | Assembling a series of short essays about unspoken communication from diverse perspectives. From the head nod to handshakes and dances, each micro-essay should select one form of unspoken communication and speak to its value in the Black community. Can take the form of a (true) story, a reflection, or both. (250 words max per topic)

• Q&A: Colorism | Taking submissions in the form of written answers to questions around colorism. We will compile and publish our favorite answers. To submit, please fill out this form.

• Anthology: Regional Black Influences on US | Fashion, food, music, business, etc.—we’ve influenced it all. Share what your region of the US is best known for, and give us its history in Black roots. (100 words max per topic)

• Q&A: An Ode to Hip Hop | Are you a hip-hop head? We’re taking submissions in the form of written answers to questions on Hip Hop, its influence, and its personal impact. We will compile and publish our favorite answers. To submit, please fill out this form.

• Op-Eds | We’re also accepting op-eds with musings on anything. No specific prompt. If it’s thoughtful and well-crafted, we’ll consider it. Does not have to explicitly relate to race or Black life. Just make it evergreen; avoid writing about a specific news story or passing phase. We want this content to feel relevant to readers whether they’re reading it today or in 5 years. (700-800 words max)

FICTION

• **Short Story | No guidelines here. If you’re sitting on any really strong short fiction and wish to submit it, we’ll review it. We’re particularly seeking stories that engage with one or more of the themes discussed across this call for submissions, but all unpublished short stories written by Black writers are welcomed.

• Black Faith | Faith traditions are changing. Particularly for Black Millennials and Gen Zers. We’re currently accepting short fiction pieces depicting compelling characters in spiritual and/or religious transition. The story can intersect with any other issues and interests you want, as long as it anchors faith. (4,000 words max)

POETRY

• Anthology: Blackness As Genesis | The color “black” has been associated with all forms of darkness and evil. But we see it differently. From the depths of the oceans, the earth, the cosmos, the womb, etc., most life emerges from blackness. We would argue Black culture is also a genesis for global culture. We’re currently accepting poems that run freely with the thought of blackness as a beginning. Will compile the series of poems we feel are the strongest and work the best together. Short to mid-length poems encouraged. (1-page poem max)

• Anthology: Lessons to carry forward vs. lessons to leave behind | Some traditions are sacred, others are toxic. We’re accepting poems around the lessons of Black coming of age. Which do we carry forward? Which do we leave behind? You don’t have to take a definitive stance, we’re more interested in the reflection. Each poem should center a specific thought or two. Consider this poem, by Natasha Tretheway, as a narrative example. Short to mid-length poems encouraged. (1-page poem max)

• “Black People Time” | We’re seeking a poem exploring time as a social construct, and “Black people time” as something cultural and generational, deeper than a stereotype. The focus can come from any global perspective. (2-page poem max)

PHOTOGRAPHY

• **Photo Essay: Black Women | Looking for a photo essay that somehow centers Black women. The theme therein is at the discretion of the artist. We will select the photo series that feels most aligned. Photography should be all be from the same photographer and have a clear visual identity.

• Photo Essay: The People | Looking for an array of raw, powerful portraits of Black folks. They should be all be from the same photographer and have a clear visual identity.

• Photo Essay: Black Male Friendship | Looking for a photo essay (black and white) that portrays Black male friendship. Should explore kinship and intimacy. These sorts of images are not shared enough. All photos should be from the same photographer and have a clear visual identity.

• Photo Essay: Black Fashion | If you like capturing fashion, we’re seeking a photo essay that highlights fashion in the Black community. It can be diverse or themed in some way, but all photos should be from the same photographer and have a clear visual identity.

• Photo Essay: Food As Expression | Are you a food blogger? We’re hoping to curate a collection of photos (with accompanying copy) that explores food around the world as an expression of Black culture and Black people. Photos can (and likely will be) from different times, but should all have a clear visual identity.

ART

• Comics | Are you a Black comic artist/storyteller? We’d love to see (and potentially feature) what you got! We’re particularly interested in comics that explore Black relationships (of any sort) but open to any and all submissions of original comics. (4 pages max)

• Regional Map of the US | We’re looking for an artistic approach to a map of the United States. Should span two full-length pages (17x11in) as a spread. You can mimic these regions.

• Art | No guidelines here. If you have art completed and wish to have it featured in Gumbo Magazine, Issue 001, submit it and we’ll select our few favorites, and/or those that align the best. Art should look good in print format and should display cleanly on a vertical page (8.5x11in) or horizontal two-page spread (17x11in).