What We're Looking For
We publish work that takes risks, finds its voice, and speaks with honesty. We're interested in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, essays, cross-genre and hybrid work across a wide range of genres including humor, mystery, horror, thriller, suspense, sci-fi, fantasy, speculative fiction, and feminist writing.
We value craft, originality, and emotional truth. We welcome emerging and established writers alike.
Submission Categories & Fees
Standard Anthology & Magazine Submissions
Reading Fee: $5
What's Included: Editorial consideration for publication in our anthologies or Emergent magazine.
Genres Accepted: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction/memoir
Previously Published Work: We accept only unpublished, original work (including work not published on blogs, social media, or other platforms).
Teaching Program Submission Packages
Fee: $35
What's Included:
- A developmental editorial feedback report on your submitted work
- Consideration for publication in our anthologies and magazine
If Accepted for Publication:
- Free developmental editing services during the revision process
- Two (2) complimentary copies of the anthology you appear in
- Promotion through Garden of Neuro's marketing channels
- Consideration for Pushcart Prize nomination
Single-author collections are handled separately. Contact us to be considered for teaching package.
Learning-Writing Cohort Members
Writers who participate in one of our Learning-Writing Cohorts receive all anthology submission fees waived for the year. This is our way of investing in writers who are actively developing their craft with us.
Cohort members still receive the full benefits of acceptance if their work is selected for publication.Learn more about our Learning-Writing Cohorts →
Fee Waivers & Scholarships
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accessibility is core to our mission. We offer full and partial fee waivers for writers experiencing financial hardship.
To apply: Send a brief email to Susan.Brearley@GardenofNeuro.org with the subject line
Fee Waiver Request. Please include your name, which submission opportunity you're interested in, and a short statement (2–3 sentences is sufficient) describing your circumstances. No detailed financial documentation is required. Requests are reviewed promptly and kept confidential.No writer should be prevented from submitting their work due to financial constraints.
Publication Terms
We believe in full transparency with our contributors. Here are the complete terms of publication.
Rights Acquired
First English-language anthology publication rights in print and electronic formats (including ebook and PDF). After a twelve (12) month exclusivity period, contributors may republish their work in any format, provided Garden of Neuro is acknowledged as the original publisher.The publisher retains non-exclusive, perpetual rights to continue selling the anthology containing the work. Contributors retain copyright ownership and all rights not expressly granted.
Compensation -
Contributors receive:
- Two (2) complimentary copies of the anthology, shipped at no charge
- Professional publication credit
- Developmental editing support during the revision process
- Promotion through Garden of Neuro's marketing channels
- Consideration for Pushcart Prize nomination (not guaranteed)
- Author discount on additional copies
No cash payment, honorarium, or royalties are paid for contributed work. This is consistent with industry standards for nonprofit literary anthologies.
Editorial Process
We may request reasonable revisions to meet editorial standards, with reasonable notice and time provided. If no edits are received within stated time, we may forgo its publication. No substantive changes are made without contributor approval. Minor copy-editing and formatting may be applied to conform to our style guide.
Use of Proceeds
Garden of Neuro Publishing is a nonprofit organization. All proceeds from submission fees and anthology sales support our mission: scholarships and programs for writers, developing voice in the world.
CALL FOR COVER ART
Help us give a book its face
Rolling submissions, no fee
Garden of Neuro Institute Publishing is looking for original artwork for the covers of our anthologies. We publish four collections each year: Emergent (new voices), Entropy (dark fiction and poetry), Bread (food, family, and the table), and Wouldn't You Rather Be Laughing? (humor), with additional still in planning. We welcome painting, drawing, photography, fiber art, collage, printmaking, and other original visual work. Our Emergent, Volume 2 cover features fiber art by contributor Laura Berlage, a plant emerging, and we would love more work like it. What you receive: a cover credit, a credit on the copyright page, an artist bio inside the book, two complimentary copies, and promotion through our newsletters, publications, and social channels. As a nonprofit, we are not able to pay for cover art at this time. What you keep: you retain all rights to your work. We ask only for permission to use the image on the cover of one anthology and in that book's promotion. What to send:
- One to five images, as JPEG, PNG, or TIFF files.
- High resolution: at least 1800 by 2700 pixels (6 by 9 inches at 300 dpi). Portrait orientation works best.
- A short note on the work, and which anthology you see it suiting, if any.
- A third-person bio of 75 words or fewer.
Please note: we accept original human-made artwork only. We cannot accept AI-generated images. We review submissions on a rolling basis and will contact you if your work is selected for a cover.
Tales of an AirBnB Host, VOLUME 1, A Garden of Neuro Literary Anthology
Reading Period: October 1, 2026- March 31, 2027
ABOUT THIS ANTHOLOGY
This is a new anthology title for the Garden of Neuro Institute, published through Garden of Neuro Institute Publishing, the publishing arm of Garden of Neuro Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing writers and the craft of writing.
Volume 1 in inspired by the many stories that will be included in this anthology, that come from our EIC, who runs her own AirBnb community out of her home. This call is specifically designed to collect stories from other hosts who have funny, amazing or unbelievable stories to share. Sure to be a humorous collection, we can't wait to read the submissions. We want to publish work that takes risks, finds its voice, and speaks with honesty. We are looking for poetry and creative nonfiction, memoir, essays.
Good storytelling will be important.
Selected works will be considered for Pushcart Prize nomination.
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
Standard Submission -- $5 Editorial consideration for publication in Emergent, Volume 2. Includes all genres listed above.
Teaching Program Submission Package -- $35 Includes a developmental editorial feedback report on your submitted work, consideration for publication, and -- if accepted -- complimentary developmental editing during the revision process, two complimentary copies of the anthology, promotion through Garden of Neuro marketing channels, and Pushcart Prize consideration. Make inquiry at Susan.Brearley@gardenofneuro.org
Garden of Neuro Learning-Writing Cohort Members -- Free All submission fees are waived for writers currently enrolled in a Garden of Neuro Learning-Writing Cohort. Cohort members receive the full benefits of publication if selected.
WHAT WE ACCEPT
- Poetry: Up to 3 poems per submission. Each poem no longer than 2 pages. Longer works or sequences: query first.
- Creative Nonfiction, Memoir, Essay: 1,000 to 5,000 words. Personal essay, memoir, literary journalism, and hybrid forms welcome. No academic papers.
One piece per category per submission. Writers may submit up to three pieces for consideration. The same piece may not be submitted to more than one Garden of Neuro anthology project simultaneously. Work must be previously unpublished.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS
- File format: .docx or .doc preferred; No PDFs or Google Docs links. Up to three pieces in one .doc file, separate with page break and start at top of next page for each new piece.
- Font: Times New Roman, 12-point
- Prose: Double-spaced. Poetry: Single-spaced acceptable.
- Margins: 1 inch on all sides
- File name: LastName_Title.docx
- Word count below the title on the first page
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORK
We accept only unpublished, original work. This includes work not previously published on blogs, social media, personal newsletters, or other platforms. If you are a Garden of Neuro Editor or regular contributor and your work has appeared in a Garden of Neuro publication, contact us before submitting.
COVER LETTER
You should include a brief cover letter (100 words maximum) with:
- Title and word count
- One sentence describing (not summarizing) your piece
- Previous publications, if any
- Confirmation the work is unpublished elsewhere
FEE WAIVERS
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accessibility is central to our mission. Full and partial fee waivers are available for writers experiencing financial hardship. To apply, send a brief email to Susan.Brearley@GardenofNeuro.org with the subject line Fee Waiver Request. No detailed financial documentation required. Requests are reviewed promptly and kept confidential.
No writer should be turned away because of finances.