Digging Press Journal is a literary and arts journal with a strong commitment to fostering experimentation and cultural inclusion. Thanks for your interest, and we look forward to reading your work. Please be familiar with the journal and our mission before you submit.
About Our History
In 2010, Digging Press founder Gessy Alvarez established a blog, Digging Through The Fat: ripping out the heart. In 2013, she began publishing interviews with fellow writers. In 2014, the blog evolved into a literary journal which featured original short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. In 2018, Digging Press was established and the first Digging Press Chapbook Series competition was launched. In 2024, the journal Digging Through The Fat became the Digging Press Journal.
Open Reading Period for Digging Press Journal
We welcome unsolicited submissions of short stories, flash fiction, and poetry
Next submission period: April 15 – June 30, 2026
What to Submit:
Short Story (751 – 2,500 words)
Poetry (three poems max.)
Flash Fiction (one piece – up to 750 words)
Submission Guidelines:
- Submitting to The Digging Press Journal is free. The age requirement is currently 18 and older.
- Please submit to the Digging Press Journal only once per submission reading period (regardless of genre).
- We only accept submissions through our submission form.
- All pieces should be original, and previously unpublished in any format in English.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted; please be sure to withdraw your piece promptly if it’s accepted elsewhere by emailing editor@diggingpress.com.
- Please don’t send more than one submission per genre.
- We’ll do our best to respond by August 31, 2026 or sooner.
PUBLICATION RIGHTS STATEMENT
Upon acceptance for publication, Digging Press LLC requests the following rights:
First Serial Rights: First-Serial Rights to publish the Work on Diggingpress.com – After publication, all rights immediately revert to the contributor.
All additional rights granted are non-exclusive, meaning you keep the right to grant these same permissions to other parties. Digging Press LLC will always give appropriate attribution when exercising these rights.
Archival Rights: The non-exclusive right allows for the maintenance of the Work in the Digging Press online archives – Contributors may request removal from archives with 30 days written notice.
Distribute the Work through the journal’s website, email newsletter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky accounts.
Anthology and Promotional Collection Rights: Limited to annual ‘best of Digging Press’ collections and non-commercial promotional materials distributed free of charge, with advance notice to contributor.
If the submitted work is accepted for publication, a full publication agreement will be sent to the contributor for review and acknowledgement.
COMPENSATION
Digging Press LLC does not provide monetary payment for published works.
We offer the following benefits:
* Author bio and link prominently featured on our website
* Social media spotlight posts featuring the author and their work
* Author spotlight newsletter featuring their work and bio
* Invitation to virtual reading events and online literary discussions
Digging Press Journal operates as an all-volunteer organization under the fiscal sponsorship of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) charity. Revenue from book purchases and donations directly supports the press. These funds also support our website and archives.
Questions? Contact us at editor@diggingpress.com
