Submissions for Issue 01: “Acknowledge the Cockroach” 

We are looking for submissions for Issue I of The Vermin. Critical essays  (including cultural and political criticism), short stories, images/visuals, and (on occasion) poetry are all open to submission so long as they fit the theme.  

Theme: 
“Acknowledge the Cockroach” is about pure confrontation and the exposure of filth: we want work that rips the blanket off the inhibited, sanitized, illusory world we live in—to look directly in the eyes of dirt, decay, dread, despair, taboo, and death. We are looking for an exposé of not only what we hide in society, but what we hide from ourselves: whether it be the realities of capital, ugliness, moral blasphemy, bodily fluids, or the brute reality of death. We welcome anything that engages with themes that “Acknowledge the Cockroach”—namely, that which Kafka’s Metamorphosis exposes so well: the vermin that remains tucked away in the other room. What that vermin may look like depends on the artist, and we welcome your interpretation. 

Submission Guidelines:

• All submissions must be sent to theverminmag@gmail.com with the subject : “submission to Vol I.” The email should include the title of the work(s), your name, where you are based, and a short bio. If you request to remain anonymous, please let us know.
  
• Files should be saved under your last name, and the title of work: for example, “LASTNAME_ TitleOfWork” 
  
• Please limit literary submissions to a maximum of 2 files.
  
• Submissions for images and artwork can include more than 2 files,  which should be saved by number, (e.g., LASTNAME_title1, LASTNAME_title2, etc.) 
• Submissions must be original and unpublished work. 

Deadline: March 31st, 2022.

For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Submissions, look here. 

Photo By William Normand-Robichaud