Submissions and prizes
We aim to provide as many publishing opportunities as we can for new, emerging and established writers.
Submissions open periodically for poetry, fiction and nonfiction for print and Island Online. We have also run the Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize since 1996 and in 2021 we launched the Island Nonfiction Prize. See more details on these opportunities below.
Unless otherwise stated, Island welcomes submissions from Australia, New Zealand and Australians living abroad.
All submissions are via Submittable.
Full submissions are preferred, however, if you have a particularly timely piece that warrants immediate attention, please send a pitch directly to jane@islandmag.com
For more general guidelines, process and contributor fees click here.
Fiction — for print
Submissions are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF FUTURE ROUNDS. Although we are not strict about the length of works, we tend not to publish flash fiction or microfiction in print very often. This doesn’t mean you can’t submit very short works - just be aware that this is not our staple. In terms of upper limits, we are less likely to publish works longer than 4000 words. Again, this is a general guideline, we do not have a formal cut-off.
Nonfiction — for print
Submissions are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF FUTURE ROUNDS. We want to read about what fascinates, excites or enrages you. Your entry doesn’t have to be zeitgeisty – there are so many ways to be curious - however, we are always keen on unique perspectives, unheard voices, and on work that's insightful or urgent. We encourage you to investigate, experiment, wax lyrical and really enjoy the process of working with words. Introduce us to new ideas, new worlds and new forms of expression.
We are not strict about word limits, and prefer to consider all works on their merits. However, while we do not have a formal cutoff, we are less likely to publish works longer than 4000 words.
Poetry — for print
Submissions are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF FUTURE ROUNDS.We are interested in poems in any form. You can submit up to five poems, but please submit them in a single document.
Island Online
Fiction and Nonfiction for Island Online
Submissions are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF FUTURE ROUNDS. We are interested in new fiction and nonfiction content of approximately 1500 words.
Poetry for Island Online
Submissions are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF FUTURE ROUNDS.We are interested in poems in any form, provided they have not been previously published in print or online, including on blogs. We accept text submissions, and because this round is for digital content, we'd also love to receive poems in audio or video format.
Prizes
Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize
entries are currently closed. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF the 2025 Prize. The winner and shortlistees for the 2024 prize are published in Island 170. You can also enjoy reading some of the winners from recent years here.
The Gwen Harwood Poetry Prize was created by Island in 1996 in memory of Tasmanian poet Gwen Harwood.
Island Nonfiction Prize
Entries are currently CLOSED. Keep an eye on our newsletters and socials for deTAILS OF the 2025 Prize. We want to read about what fascinates, excites or enrages you. Your entry doesn’t have to be zeitgeisty – there are so many ways to be curious and about so many things. We encourage you to investigate, experiment, wax lyrical and manifest. Introduce us to new ideas, new worlds and new forms of expression.
The 2024 winner and shortlistees are published in Island 171. You can also enjoy reading the winners and shortlistees from previous years here.
This Prize is made possible thanks to the support of the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund