THE VERMIN

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

• As a multi- and anti-genre publication, we strongly encourage experiments with form, viscosity and porosity. In the past, we’ve accepted art criticism, political essays, fiction, manifestos, poetry, visual art, photography, graffiti, film, and sculpture. We like to push the limits of what can be published in a magazine, and encourage experimentation from our contributors. 
  
• We do not have a house style. However, we do not publish academic essays or academic manuscripts.
• While theoretical writing is welcome and highly encouraged, such essays must be written with a broader audience in mind.
• We discourage overly literal interpretations of our themes, and appreciate attempts at stretching the limits of a given theme.

• All works (both submissions and pitches) must be original and unpublished. We do, however, accept previously exhibited art works (please specify this in your application). 
• We accept submissions in any of the genres/forms listed above. However, we only accept certain forms/genres for pitches (see below). 
  

• Pitches are ideally for longform essays, criticism, and other experimental forms. We do not accept pitches for poetry.
  

• We expect artists to complete works within a month of their pitch being approved, but we can accommodate if the work needs more time. 

• We understand that pitches are often ideas still in gestation. However, a successful pitch should include more than just a general idea you would like to explore. It should specify the exact thrust of your piece (even if it is experimental), and how exactly you intend to expand on the idea. From what angle do you intend to explore this idea? Why does it matter? Who is it for? Why are you the right person to write it? 

• If you are pitching an experimental piece (either visual or written), we require a small sample of the work such that our Editorial Team can visualize how the piece will fit into the rest of the magazine.

1. Files should be saved under the form and title of work. For example, “ESSAY_ TitleOfWork” or "VISUAL_Title ofWork" or “EXPERIMENTAL_TitleofWork”
2. If you are including multiple files (in the case of visual submissions) they should be saved by number, (e.g., VISUAL_title_1, VISUAL_title_2, etc.)

1. For written pieces, please only include google docs or word docs (no PDFs). 
2. For visually written pieces (i.e., visual poetry), you may send an InDesign file or other creative cloud file.
3. For visual pieces, any file type is permitted. 
4. If there are any concerns with file type (e.g., you have a piece that requires a certain kind of file type), please send us an email and we will do our best to accommodate. 

1. Please place the title of your piece at the top of the page.
2. Please remove your name or identity from inside of the document to permit an anonymous review process.  
3. Ideally we prefer Arial font, 12pt. However, if you are experimenting with typography and size, you do not need to keep a consistent font.  

1. Please refrain from sending book-length manuscripts. We will not review pieces that are over 10 pages (single spaced). 
2. Typically, we do not publish writing beyond 2,500 words.

1. Essays, fiction, experimental pieces: We will review 1 piece per submission. 
2. Poetry: We will review up to 3 poems per submission. We will make exceptions if you are submitting a series with multiple sub-sections, however, please specify if all pieces must appear at once or if you are open to publishing selected parts of the series.
3. Visuals: For images, we will review up to 10 images per submission. We will review films no longer than 30 minutes in length.