SUBMIT
We offer three poetry book prizes.
Established in 2018, Inverted Syntax started as an independently run art and literary magazine. We have been publishing annually in print and periodically online through the Fissured Tongue series since 2019. Beginning in 2024, Inverted Syntax magazine issues will move from a print format to our well-established online format of the Fissured Tongue Series. There will no longer be a print issue of the magazine. However, we are embarking on a new venture of publishing poetry books. With the help of Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution services, Inverted Syntax will be publishing and debuting between 3-5 full-length poetry books beginning in the fall of 2026. Starting in 2024, we identified four exceptional manuscripts for publication. Check them out here!
Our editors are seeking work that risks everything. We favor the hybrid but welcome all writing. If it's well-crafted, uses language in inventive and daring ways, we want it.
Our editors are seeking work that risks everything. We favor the hybrid but welcome all writing. If it's well-crafted, uses language in inventive and daring ways, we want it.
THE AGGREY TABBIKHA PRIZE FOR POETRY
The Aggrey Tabbikha Prize for Poetry (previously two separate prizes) is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first-or second-poetry collections written in English by a writer who identifies as Black or as part of the S.W.A.N.A diaspora, residing within the United States, regardless of citizenship. Named after the Aggrey family of Ghana, and Tabbica/Tabbikha family of Lebanon, the prize honors and amplifies original poetry by Black and S.W.A.N.A writers whose communities remain underrepresented in contemporary literature. While there is no set theme, we seek work that reflects on intersectional perspectives, and encourage genre-breaking, hybrid work (can intersect with any genre including original visuals, excluding photography), as well as speculative, and experimental writing. Inclusion of other languages/code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
The Aggrey Tabbikha Prize for Poetry (previously two separate prizes) is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional first-or second-poetry collections written in English by a writer who identifies as Black or as part of the S.W.A.N.A diaspora, residing within the United States, regardless of citizenship. Named after the Aggrey family of Ghana, and Tabbica/Tabbikha family of Lebanon, the prize honors and amplifies original poetry by Black and S.W.A.N.A writers whose communities remain underrepresented in contemporary literature. While there is no set theme, we seek work that reflects on intersectional perspectives, and encourage genre-breaking, hybrid work (can intersect with any genre including original visuals, excluding photography), as well as speculative, and experimental writing. Inclusion of other languages/code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
- Publication with Inverted Syntax Press (using Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution).
- 25 author copies.
- $500 prize money.
- 5%-10% standard royalties on net receipts.
- Assistance in planning a reading launch with other writers within the winner's state and elsewhere when possible.
- Inverted Syntax-hosted online reading launch
- Weeklong writing retreat to a historic Victorian home located in Leadville, Colorado, with up to four members of your writing community.
- All other submission entries are also considered for publication and long-listing.
- Any work published beyond the winner and runner-up will receive everything listed above with the exception of the prize money and the writing retreat.
- The Aggrey Tabbikha Prize for Poetry is open to writers who identify as Black and S.W.A.N.A, of any citizenship, residing in the United States who have published no more than one book in any genre.
- Inclusion of other languages/ code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- Theme: We seek work that reflects on intersectional perspectives, including those that delve into themes of identity, cultural heritage, social justice, resilience, and the complexities of these narratives, fostering solidarity and empowerment. While there is no set theme, we encourage genre-breaking, hybrid work (can intersect with any genre including original visuals, excluding photography), as well as speculative, and experimental writing. Inclusion of other languages/code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- We will accept submissions between June 6 and August 15. The winner will be announced 6 months after the submission window closes.
- Please send a manuscript that is between 48-80 pages, not including front matter.
- The manuscript should be paginated and include a table of contents.
- Do not put your name on any page within the manuscript or in the file name.
- Include an acknowledgements page, for example, list any previously published poems.
- We accept simultaneous submissions. Notify us immediately if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- We accept multiple submissions, but each submission must be accompanied by its own fee.
- We will not accept changes to your manuscript during our review period.
- Anyone affiliated with the editors or reading staff of Inverted Syntax is not eligible.
- Any writer residing outside of the USA is not eligible.
- Submission Fee is $20 (Why we charge fees explained here)
- If the submission costs are a burden, please include an explanation of your situation and why you want to publish with Inverted Syntax, and we will send you a waiver for a reduced fee of $10.
- Inverted Syntax strongly encourages diverse and inclusive voices, especially those from under-represented and vulnerable communities, to consider submitting work to Inverted Syntax.
- Manuscripts are screened carefully by our aesthetically diverse volunteer editorial staff. If you are interested in being a reader for the Prize, contact us here.
- Before you submit, check that your work meets our standards. Work is automatically ignored, rejected, declined, dismissed if it contains any manner of abusive behavior and this extends to the creators of said work. To be clear: NO racism, NO misogyny, NO homophobia, NO sexism, NO transphobia, NO body-shaming, NO Islamophobia, NO Anti-semitism, NO xenophobia, absolutely no work that in any way perpetuate stereotypes.
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
To stand with Palestine is to be human.
Read Inverted Syntax's letter of solidarity with Palestine:
Editors' Letter to the Community
The Sublingua Prize for Poetry
The Sublingua prize is dedicated to the discovery of an exceptional debut poetry collection written in English by a female-identifying writer of any citizenship residing in the United States who has not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 30 pages. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and do not print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
Contest guidelines:
Additional guidelines:
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
The Sublingua prize is dedicated to the discovery of an exceptional debut poetry collection written in English by a female-identifying writer of any citizenship residing in the United States who has not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre nor a chapbook exceeding 30 pages. The poetry manuscript can be a hybrid, that is, it can intersect with any genre, including speculative prose and visual elements (note: we do not publish photographs and do not print in color); essentially, we are looking for work that celebrates hybridity and resists genre specificity.
Judged by the editors of Inverted Syntax*, one winner will be selected with the possibility of runners-up.
Winner receives:
- Publication with Inverted Syntax Press (using Bookmobile for printing and Itasca Books for distribution).
- 25 author copies.
- $500 prize money.
- 5%-10% standard royalties on net receipts.
- Assistance in planning a reading launch with other writers within the winner's state and elsewhere when possible.
- Inverted Syntax-hosted online reading launch
- Weeklong writing retreat to a historic Victorian home located in Leadville, Colorado, with up to four members of your writing community.
- All other submission entries are also considered for publication and long-listing.
- Any work published beyond the winner and runner-up will receive everything listed above with the exception of the prize money and the writing retreat.
Contest guidelines:
- The Sublingua Prize for Poetry (1st Book Award) is open to female-identifying emerging writers of any citizenship residing in the United States who have not yet published or self-published a full-length manuscript in any genre, nor a chapbook exceeding 30 pages.
- We encourage genre-breaking writing--hybrid, speculative, and experimental submissions.
- Inclusion of other languages/ code-switching/meshing is very much welcome as long as the book is largely written in English.
- We will accept submissions between June 6 and August 15. The winner will be announced 6 months after the submission window closes.
- Please send a manuscript that is between 48-80 pages, not including front matter.
- The manuscript should be paginated and include a table of contents.
- Do not put your name on any page within the manuscript or in the file name.
- Include an acknowledgements page, for example, list any previously published poems.
- We accept simultaneous submissions. Notify us immediately if your work is picked up elsewhere.
- We accept multiple submissions, but each submission must be accompanied by its own fee.
- We will not accept changes to your manuscript during our review period.
- Anyone affiliated with the editors or reading staff of Inverted Syntax is not eligible.
- Any writer residing outside of the USA is not eligible.
- Submission Fee is $20
- If the submission costs are a burden, please include an explanation of your situation and why you want to publish with Inverted Syntax, and we will send you a waiver for a reduced fee of $10.
Additional guidelines:
- Inverted Syntax strongly encourages diverse and inclusive voices, especially those from under-represented and vulnerable communities, to consider submitting work to Inverted Syntax.
- Manuscripts are screened carefully by our aesthetically diverse volunteer editorial staff. If you are interested in being a reader for the Prize, contact us here.
- Before you submit, check that your work meets our standards. Work is automatically ignored, rejected, declined, dismissed if it contains any manner of abusive behavior and this extends to the creators of said work. To be clear: NO racism, NO misogyny, NO homophobia, NO sexism, NO transphobia, NO body-shaming, NO Islamophobia, NO Anti-semitism, NO xenophobia, absolutely no work that in any way perpetuate stereotypes.
*Inclusivity statement
We value and respect all volunteers, readers, subscribers, submitters, and participants, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, and/or disability. Inverted Syntax editors are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and welcoming environment where our community of contributors and supporters feel valued.
Inverted Syntax stands in solidarity with the Palestinian plight for liberation. Read our October 2023 letter for more information.
To stand with Palestine is to be human.
Read Inverted Syntax's letter of solidarity with Palestine:
Editors' Letter to the Community
