Submission Guidelines

Runestone considers previously unpublished works of fiction, creative nonfiction, digital storytelling, and poetry by undergraduate writers and artists. 

The theme for Volume 13 is INTO THE DEEPS. 

This year, Runestone is asking writers to dive deep. What lives below that goes unseen? Take us to the depths of the ocean, show us the inner most layers of earth. Your literary archeology, dusting off the artifacts of unearthed family history. How can depth can challenge power structures, and guide us to transcendent revelation? What new poetic forms might emerge from the idea of "the deeps?" Bring us your giant squid and earthworms, your cemeteries and secrets. In the Ojibwe creation story, muskrat dove deep into a water-covered earth for just a handful of mud that then became the whole continent. Let our muskrat serve as inspiration for your best writing this year: what will you bring from the deeps that can grow  new life? 

You must be a current undergraduate at a two- or four-year institution or if unaffiliated with a college, between the ages of 18 and 22 at the time you send your work. We do not consider work by students currently enrolled at Hamline University.

Submit work for our issues between April 1 – October 1 of each year.

Your work should include a cover letter, in which you should verify that you are an undergraduate (or fit the age criteria); include the name of your college or university, your field of study, and your year (sophomore, junior, etc.). Include the title(s) and genre of the piece(s) you’re submitting, as well as a mailing address, phone number, and an e-mail address.

For fiction or creative nonfiction, including flash, submit up to 3 files in each genre not to exceed 5000 words total (flash should be up to 500 words each). For poetry, you may submit up to 5 poems. You may submit work in more than one genre, but please do not send more than one piece or suite of fiction, one piece or suite of nonfiction, and one suite of poems per reading cycle. For more information, see the FAQ.

The editorial process of considering your work takes place in Hamline’s Introduction to Literary Publishing: Runestone course during the fall semester. You should hear from us regarding the status of your submission via e-mail no later than December 31.

Thank you for sending us your work!