HerLore — Submissions
HerLore publishes work by women and nonbinary creators from Africa and the Global South.
We run two tracks: HerLore (Regular/Rolling) via form and HerLore Quarterly (Themed) via email.
Pitches for essays/interviews are welcome by email year-round.
Please read carefully—submissions not following the guidelines may be returned unread.
HerLore publishes work by women and nonbinary creators from Africa and the Global South, and by allies whose work centers women or directly addresses problems that affect women.
We run two tracks:
HerLore (Regular / Rolling): year-round online publications, submitted via form.
HerLore Quarterly (Themed): curated digital issues with a specific theme and deadline, submitted via email.
We also accept pitches (for essays, interviews, criticism, and features) by email.
We welcome: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid/Visual work, and Art.
We do not accept AI-generated writing or images.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed; notify us promptly if accepted elsewhere. One active submission per genre at a time.
How to submit: Use the Regular Submissions Form on this page (no email submissions for Regular).
What to prepare
Text files: .docx only (no PDFs for text).
Fiction: 2,000–4,000 words (flash 300–1,000)
Nonfiction: 1,200–3,500 words
Poetry: up to 2 poems, max 4 pages total, all poems in one file (new page per poem)
Art/Hybrid: up to 10 low-res previews (JPG/PNG). High-res requested upon acceptance.
Formatting: Arial,12-pt, double-spaced (poetry may keep intentional spacing), standard margins.
Filename: Genre_LastName_Title_WordCount.docx (e.g., Fiction_Okafor_RiverMouth_3200.docx).
Bio: 50–80 words, third person, include pronouns and location.
Content Note: if your piece includes sexual violence, suicide, child harm, or graphic scenes, add a brief note at the top of the file and in the form.
After you submit
On-screen confirmation + email receipt.
Typical response time 6–8 weeks; query after 10 weeks at
herlore@thefeministcode.com with subject: HL-QUERY | LastName | Title.
How to submit: Email only during the theme window.
Theme: Coming Soon
Window: TBA
Send to: herlore@thefeministcode.com
Email subject (exact format)
HL-QUARTERLY | Genre | [Theme] | LastName | Title | WordCount
Example: HL-QUARTERLY | Fiction | Inheritance | Mensah | Dust Marriage | 32000
Email body (copy, paste, fill)
Email body (copy, paste, fill)
Name:
Pronouns:
Country/Location:
Email:
Genre:
Title:
Word Count (or # of poems/artworks):
Content Note (if any):
Simultaneous submission? (Yes/No):
Bio (50–80 words, third person):
Socials (optional):
How this engages the theme (2–3 sentences):
Translation permissions (if applicable):
Attachments
Text: .docx (no PDFs for text).
Poetry: one docx file containing all poems (new page per poem).
Art: Art: up to 10 JPG/PNG (1–2 MB each). If accepted, we’ll request high-res (300 dpi, ≥2500 px long side; TIFF/CMYK if available).MYK if available).
Timeline
Reading begins after the window closes.
Most decisions are sent 6–10 weeks after the deadline.
Use this for essays, interviews, criticism, columns, reported features, hybrid features, and craft pieces.
Send to: herlore@thefeministcode.com
Subject line: HL-PITCH | Column/Essay/Interview/Feature | LastName | Working Title
Pitch body (200–300 words)
Angle: your thesis or core question (how it centers women / addresses a problem affecting women).
Why now: timeliness or relevance.
Structure: 3–5 bullet outline.
Access: interviews/sources/permissions.
Clips: up to 3 links (or 1 PDF sampler).
Mini bio: 2–3 lines + pronouns + location.
Responses: usually within 2–3 weeks. If greenlit, we’ll confirm word count, deadline, and deliverables.
Eligibility & focus: Work must be original and center women or directly address problems affecting women.
First publication: We request First Worldwide Serial Rights and Non-exclusive Archival Rights on our site/issue.
Reversion: Rights revert 180 days after publication. On reprint, credit first publication to HerLore (+ issue/date and link).
Edits: Acceptance may be contingent on light edits; you will review and approve edits.
Payment: At this time, HerLore is unable to offer payment; we aim to change this and will update this page when that changes.
Translations: Welcome with written permission; credit both author and translator.
No AI: We do not accept AI-generated text or images.
Can allies submit?
Yes—if the work centers women or directly addresses problems that affect women in ways aligned with HerLore’s mission.
Can I submit to Regular and Quarterly at the same time?
Yes, but not the same piece. One active submission per genre per track.
Are simultaneous submissions allowed?
Yes. Notify us immediately if accepted elsewhere (withdraw via the form for Regular; reply to your submission email for Quarterly).
Can I send a revision after submitting?
Withdraw and resubmit; we don’t replace files mid-review.
Do you accept previously published work?
No (including personal blogs), except new English translations not previously published in English.
What file types do you accept?
Text: .docx ONLY. Art: JPG/PNG previews; high-res requested on acceptance.
Accessibility requests?
Email herlore@thefeministcode.com before submitting to arrange format accommodations. Alt-text suggestions for images are appreciated.
When will I hear back?
Regular: 6–8 weeks (query after 10). Quarterly: most decisions 6–10 weeks after the deadline. Pitches: 2–4 weeks.
How do I withdraw?
Regular: withdraw in the submissions portal. Quarterly: reply to your submission email with WITHDRAW in the subject.
HerLore Regular Submission Form
This form is strictly for HerLore’s Regular (rolling) submissions; Quarterly entries by email only.