Submission Guidelines

Updates: 
Please note we’ve extended the short fiction word count to 8000 words and have added a new romance category.
Optional Editorial Review added to ClickUp checkout. 

 

Withdraw Your Piece      ♦︎♦︎♦︎      Submit Via ClickUp 

♦︎♦︎♦︎  Submit Via Submittable 

TL;DR:

  • Accepting poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.
  • Word counts: No more than five poems, up to 1000 words for flash fiction, up to 3000 for non-fiction, 1000-5000 for romance.
  • Typed in Times New Roman or Arial, size 12, with single spacing for poetry and double spacing for fiction/nonfiction.
  • Include name/contact info on first page; prose should have page numbers.
  • No previously published work accepted.
  • Pay what you want
  • Response time varies; check social media for submission status updates.
  • Accept simultaneous submissions; notify if accepted elsewhere.
  • Claim first North American serial rights; rights revert to author upon publication.
  • Editorial feedback not guaranteed.
  • Contact submissions@fivesouth.net for inquiries.
  • By submitting, you agree to guidelines.

Genres:
We accept submissions in the following genres: poetry, fiction, romance, and creative nonfiction.
Word Counts:
Flash Fiction: Up to 1000 words.
Short Fiction: 1000 to 8000 words 
Non-Fiction: Up to 3000 words.
Poetry: Three poems or five pages, whichever comes first
Romance: 1000 to 5000 words
Format:

  • Submissions must be typed in a legible font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
  • Poetry should be single-spaced.
  • Fiction and creative nonfiction should be double-spaced.
  • Include your name and contact information on the first page of your submission.
  • Prose submissions should be formatted with page numbers.
  • Please do not send PDF’s.
  • Download our formatting guide.
Submission Method:
We accept electronic submissions through our bespoke and preferred submissions manager on ClickUp, as well as via Submittable for those who prefer that platform. Please do not submit work that has been previously published elsewhere, including personal blogs or social media platforms.
Submission Fee:
We operate a “pay what you want” system exclusively through our in-house ClickUp platform, where submissions are available for a $3.00 fee. This option helps us cover the costs of running the journal. For those who prefer to use Submittable, we charge a $5.00 fee to offset the additional processing costs associated with that platform. If you are experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to editor@fivesouth.net. We also offer free submission windows several times a year—subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on when these occur. For more information, please read our explanation of fees and submission platforms here.
Contract and Payment:
Authors will receive a contract upon acceptance and payment upon publication.
Response Time:
We aim to respond to all submissions within 3-6 months, but response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions received.
Submissions are open all year and closed sporadically for catch-up periods. We will notify on social media when submissions are closed.
Simultaneous Submissions:
We accept simultaneous submissions, but kindly notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Rights:
Five South claims first North American serial rights for all works published. All rights revert to the author upon publication, though we kindly request acknowledgment in future reprints.
Editorial Feedback:
Enhance your submission with an in-depth editorial review by the Editor-in-Chief of Five South. Receive personalized feedback designed to elevate your fiction and provide insights into how your work can be improved. While this service offers valuable critique, please note that it does not guarantee publication. Take advantage of this opportunity to refine your craft with expert guidance. The option is available via ClickUp checkout only at this time.
Contact Information:
For inquiries or clarifications regarding submission guidelines, please contact submissions@fivesouth.net.
By submitting your work to Five South, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to these guidelines. We look forward to reading your submissions!

✅ Report your submission on Duotrope.