Issue II: The Bug Collector

Deadline: Passed!

Are you the collector or the collected? If the latter, do you feel safe, comforted nestled amongst others grouped for display? Or, do you serve a purpose, singled out from the others- a centerpiece? If you are a collector, what defines the bugs you collect- are they living or dead, are they even tangible? Do you seek solace in the objects of your interest or bitter emotions? How closely related are humans and bugs, and how distant are they? This prompt & issue, '“The Bug Collector,” arouses many metaphors, questions, and insights, that will hopefully reflect within submitted work from young, talented creatives! This prompt may be taken literally or figuratively, as an echo, an afterthought, or a muse. As always, just remember to submit your best work!

This prompt also applies to artwork and photography! All submitted art pieces are eligible for usage for/on the issue cover, however, if you would specifically like us to consider your art piece for the issue cover, feel free to send us an email letting us know!

Please ensure all work submitted adheres to the submission guidelines posted below, and please review the guidelines thoroughly.

Writing/Art Categories

  • Poetry: Any style of poetry is accepted (free verse, sonnet, erasure, prose-poetry, etc). 1-3 pieces per writer/submitter.

  • Prose: Flash-fiction, fiction, short stories, anything 2000 words or less per prose submission is accepted. 1-3 pieces per writer/submitter.

  • (Coherent) Rants: Rants discussing any topic are accepted, but please take care to view the guidelines below for what is not accepted. Rants must be legible and coherent, and may not exceed a word count of 2000. 1-3 pieces per writer/submitter.

  • Art/Photography: 1-10 art/photos will be accepted, for any questions about this category, kindly email lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com.

  • Other Types of Writing: If you wish to submit writing that does not fall under one of the listed categories (literary criticism, interviews, etc.) please email us at lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com.

  • Only writers/artists aged 12-20 may submit to this literary magazine.

Submission guidelines

  • Please do not submit work to us through email (unless it is a blog post), submit all work via the Google forms linked. To access the submission hub, (Google form), simply click on the buttons.

  • Double check for any mechanical errors found in your work (grammar, spelling, spacing, etc). Understand that our editors would rather not spend time correcting these, and the number of mechanical errors will play a role in the decision if your work is accepted.

  • ANY work that contains even a slight discriminatory intent will not be accepted or considered (racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, etc.)

  • However, work that discusses the negative effects of racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, etc in communities or your daily life will be potentially accepted. Keep in mind to tread lightly on sensitive topics.

  • Submissions with unnecessary gore/graphic violent imagery will not be accepted.

  • Submissions written in another language are accepted and encouraged, as this is an international magazine, but only if an English translation is included as well.

  • Currently, only ages 12-20 may submit work to this literary magazine (if you email us to make an exception, we will consider it)

  • Must include a third-person biography discussing yourself and your work when prompted. Include in this bio where you are located, prior publications (if any), your passions, inspiration, etc.

  • If you use quotes or anything that is not originally your work, take care to give credit to the original writer/owner. The Looking Glass Review will not accept plagiarized work.

  • The turnaround period for your work, whether it was accepted or not + edits, generally takes around 1-2 weeks. In rare cases, 3 weeks are needed, if your work takes any longer than 3 weeks to return, please email us at lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com

  • If your work was not previously published, The Looking Glass Review will hold first North American serial and electronic rights for accepted works, these rights will return to the author/artist after publication.

  • Concurrent (simultaneous) submissions are accepted, but please email us ASAP if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  • Feedback/comments from our editors will be offered to all works, accepted or rejected

FAQs

  • Yes, works written in other languages are accepted as well as encouraged, but please include an English translation.

    Note: Written work may be submitted in Russian or Ukrainian without a translation, as one or more of our editors is fluent.

  • Generally, 2-5 weeks is the turnaround period, however, in rare cases, it can bump up to 6 weeks. Any longer than this, contact us at lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com

  • Normally, your work will be passed to our genre-based editors and/or executive editor, and afterwards, it gets passed over to our Editor-in-Chief. Editors of all ranks decide whether or not your work gets accepted.

  • Because of the fact this literary/art magazine accepts free submissions, and does not make profit, we cannot pay you anything. Despite this, we hope you still submit and seize this opportunity for your work to be read by a larger audience.

  • You can email us at lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com, or feel free to message us on our Instagram, @thelookingglassreview

  • Yes! However, we ask that you contact us immediately if your work gets accepted somewhere else.

  • As of now, yes, two staff positions are open for application submissions. These two positions are staff artist and website designer. In the near future, however, we will also be looking for more team members (prose/poetry editors, social media managers, etc.) Keep your eyes peeled for updates!

  • Currently, we are only accepting submissions from the listed age group (12-19). However, if you wish for us to make an exception, please email us at lookingglassrevieww@gmail.com. We will then review your work and get back to you.

  • Follow us on our Instagram, @thelookingglassreview, and our TikTok, @tlgreview to stay updated. Also, for updates, content, news, and more, sign up with your email down below!