FAQ

Question: Do you accept online submissions?
Answer: Yes.  Please see our Submissions page for more details.

Question: Do you accept submissions via email?
Answer: Nope.  Please see our Submissions page for more details.

Question: What’s an example of a “pinchy” story, essay, or poem?
Answer: We hope that you will review a recent copy of The Pinch before submitting.   In truth, we are just looking for strong voices and well-written prose and poetry.   We want beautiful, muscular work with strong emotional threads.  We want to read essays, stories, and poems that move us, provoke us, and excite us.  As well, you can check out some of our favorite pieces from our submission pool in our new Poem of the Month feature.

Question: How should I format my submission?
Answer: All submissions must be typed with 1″ margins and in Times New Roman 12pt font or similar.  We ask that you include page numbers.  For prose submissions, please double-space.

Question: Do I have to address my submission to a genre editor? Shouldn’t you know the difference between a poem and a short story?
Answer: Please address all submissions to [INSERT GENRE HERE] EDITOR and NOT to our Editor-in-Chief. There’s no need to address your submission to a specific staff member by name unless you have a connection to that editor.  Not only does addressing your submission to a genre editor help with our mail sorting process, but it can occasionally be difficult to tell a memoir from a short story.

Question: How do I know if my submission is still under consideration?
Answer: For regular submissions, we will notify you of acceptance via email or use your SASE to send a rejection.  Please wait at least 3 months to inquire about the status of your submission.  We pride ourselves on the fact that each submission gets attention from 4-6 editors before a decision is made–but thoroughness takes time.

Question: Can I send in multiple submissions?
Answer: Please wait until we have responded to your first submission before sending another.  With poetry, you may send up to 5 poems at once.

Question: Do you accept simultaneous submissions?
Answer: Yes!  We ask that you inform us of simultaneous submissions in your cover letter and that you notify us immediately if your work is excepted elsewhere.

Question: I moved and didn’t send you my new address.  Why didn’t I receive my issue?
Answer: If we are not informed of your new address, we are not responsible for issues that are returned to us or that are not forwarded to your new address.  We don’t have the funds to cover these losses.  Please inform us of any address changes immediately.

Question: Does the Pinch do theme issues?
Answer: Nope.

Question: I can’t recognize a comma splice to save my life.  Will grammar and spelling mistakes hurt my submission?
Answer: Yes–if it’s disrupting our reading of your submission.  We might not fault you for one tiny comma splice (especially if it’s clearly a stylistic choice), but if we can’t understand your writing, we can’t properly critique it.

Question: Can I submit even if I’ve never been published before?
Answer: Yes, please!  We strive to find new, exciting voices.

Question: I read this great book that I think your staff will love! Can I send you a review to print?
Answer: We love a good book recommendation, but The Pinch does not publish book reviews at this time.

Question: I have a great essay I wrote about craft (or about the history of Greek bucolic poetry or about Southern Gothic stories), can I send that to the Nonfiction Editors?
Answer: Please only send us your creative nonfiction essays (which does not include critical essays).

Question: Would you be interested in publishing my interview with a fabulous, famous author?
Answer: Currently, all interviews are done by The Pinch staff.  Most of our interviews are a part of the River City Writers Series held by the MFA program at the University of Memphis.

Question: If I am published in The Pinch, how long before I can submit again?
Answer: We ask that you wait for at least one year before submitting again.

Question: So, you rejected my submission.  Can you give me notes on my story or let me know how to make my poem better?
Answer: We wish we could!  If only we had the time.  Our editors regret that due to the high volume of submissions, we can’t offer you notes on your piece.

Question: So, you rejected my submission.  Was it close to what you publish?
Answer: We hope you’ll review a copy of The Pinch before you submit to us.