What is Grits?
Grits is a forthcoming independent publication that will be distributed on the internet. The goal of this publication is to unite reading/writing with design/art to share weird truths that make us feel human. It was founded in May 2020 with the belief that there are can never be too many small press publications. I hope this publication feels like a win-win when the bigger things lately have been feeling like loss after loss.
Why is it called Grits?
This publication is called “grits” because the word manages to balances all its disparate personalities in one syllable. It’s the dirt under your fingernails and it’s your badass tenacity. It’s scum and resolve, firm courage with a rough edge. It’s also a hearty wholesome comfort food, best served burn-your-tongue hot.
What kind of work can I submit?
Written works: poetry, prose, short story, flash/micro fiction, journal excerpt, lists, and personal essay.
Visual arts: photography, illustration, drawings, comics, diagrammatic expressions, collage, and photodocumentation of 3D works.
~We want to read your truest weirds. Words that smack you in the stomach. Words that gnaw your bones. Little grits stuck in your teeth that remind us of our humanity. Language that is demeaning, derogatory, or exclusionary is discouraged. No genre fiction or pornography please.
Keywords: momentary, gross, dreams, sticky, realizations, uncanny, confession
What is the submission window?
Grits will be accepting submissions until June 30, 2020 for the summer issue.
Is there a theme?
Yes! Each issue will have a single-word theme open to broad interpretation. But for the first issue, the theme will be decided after the first round of submissions are received. I hope to determine a common thread enough to tie works together. Please feel free to submit works which were created not specifically for this publication. Some future themes may include: misunderstood; email; noise
Does Grits cost money?
Issue #1 will be distributed online on this site as a PDF download for $3. Depending on how many issues are sold, contributors will receive some compensation after the first distribution. The goal is to create a model in which artists and writers can get at least a little compensation for their work, while keeping the cost low. This is a trial model and may change. A printed publication may come in the future, depending on interest (expressed as money). Contributors will always be credited and will always retain full ownership of their work. There is no fee to submit work. Published contributors will receive a free copy in advance.
Where do I submit?
Please send all written and visual art submissions, and other inquiries, to gritsquarterly [at] gmail [dawt] com