Porchlight publishes fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry throughout its annual reading periods. We welcome work that reflects the depth and diversity of Southern voices—emerging and established. Please note:
Fiction
- Length: Up to 7,500 words (one story or excerpt or up to 3 flash pieces).
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Creative Nonfiction
- Length: Up to 7,500 words.
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Submit one essay or lyric piece per reading period.
- We accept simultaneous submissions but require notice upon acceptance elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Poetry
- Submit: 3–5 poems (no more than 10 pages total).
- Fee: $3 per submission
- Poetry should be submitted in a single document.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed; please notify us if a poem is accepted elsewhere.
- Submit only unpublished work.
Formatting Guidelines
- Use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font; prose should be double-spaced.
- Remove all personal identifying information from your document and filename.
- Submit only one piece per genre per reading period.
- Response time: 12–16 weeks.
The William Gay Memorial Prize in Short Story
Porchlight is proud to announce the 2026 William Gay Memorial Prize in Short Story which will present at least $300 and a trophy to the first place winner, $150 for second, and $50 for third, along with a featured presentation in Porchlight.* All three will be included in our printed anthology in 2027.
GUIDELINES:
Entries must be original, unpublished short stories of no more than 7,500 words, submitted by established and emerging writers whose voices embody the high literary standards set by the late William Gay. However, this is NOT a “write like William Gay” contest.
Please include a cover letter as part of the document that includes a brief bio and a statement attesting that the submitted work is not AI-generated. Entries without this statement will not be considered and entry fee will be forfeited.
Other than in the cover letter, entries should be devoid of any information that indicates authorship since judging—to be done by Porchlight editors and our panel of readers—will be anonymous.
Double space entries in Times New Roman 12 point and enter either a .doc or .pdf through Submittable. Only digital entries will be accepted.
Entry fee is $20, payable through Submittable.
Deadline is midnight, Saturday, October 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced on or before December 31, 2026, via email, social media, and on the Porchlight website.
*If the number of entries exceeds 2025 levels, prize money will be increased.