“Working with and publishing with Half Mystic has been one of the highlights of my writing career. Half Mystic is the rare organization that devotes endless time and gentleness to each author and their respective work. Each poem that I have had published in this space was and continues to be treated with a unique tenderness and thoughtful consideration. Additionally, Half Mystic’s presence and insistence that the writing community be a safe, open, accommodating space makes me exceptionally proud to have work included in this space. I am so thankful to this team for their kindness and dedication to beautiful work.” —Jill Mceldowney, author of Otherlight

Submissions to the journal, press, and blog are hosted on Submittable. Click here to submit.

Journal submissions: Send a cover letter (including a biographical note) and up to five pieces of less than 3000 words each. No previously published work, including on personal blogs and social media. The theme for Opus II, Issue I is Presto, a musical direction indicating that an artist play a piece at a rapid tempo, and an English adverb meaning “suddenly, as if by magic.” For our eleventh issue we’re looking for vanishing points, beat drops, bar hops, glow stick raves, impulsive haircuts, disco ball suncatchers, man-made magick, glitter in the shadows, blurred vision, sleight of hand, immaterialism, songs half-lucid and bewitched by the myth of movement. Please only send us work that interprets or embodies this theme, whatever it might mean to you. Submissions close April 18, 2024.

Manuscript submissions: Send a cover letter (including a biographical note, a list of acknowledgements of previous publications, a brief description of what music means to you, and an explanation of why you’ve chosen to submit to Half Mystic Press) and a complete manuscript of at least 60 pages. We publish only full-length manuscripts—no chapbooks. We welcome submissions from both agented and unagented writers.

Featured artist submissions: Send a cover letter (including a biographical note, an artist statement, and a brief description of what music means to you) and five to ten examples of previous art, in any medium. Featured artists illustrate Half Mystic Journal with a suite of 13-15 pieces inspired by the issue’s theme.

Band and musician interview requests: Send a cover letter (including a biographical note, the musical genre in which you primarily work, and your most recent releases), links to where we can find you online, and—if applicable—a press kit. Interviews are published on our blog, sent to our mailing list, and promoted on our social media.