Issue II: KALEIDOSCOPE subs are OPEN!
Theme: Kaleidoscope
Have you ever looked into a kaleidoscope? Did the fractals of stained glass geometry dazzle or discomfort you? Did you feel like you were being transported into a magical reality or an overstimulating nightmare?
A kaleidoscope bends the world of natural light through a series of precise reflective dimensions. Some may see this as an alternative, eye-opening way to process the natural world, while others may find the infinite refraction beautiful yet unsettling.
How do you interpret this Issue's theme? We'd love to hear it: send us your poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures...or anything else you think is worth seeing through your kaleidoscope.
Submission Deadline: September 30th, 11:59 PM EST
Prompts (you're not limited to these!)
1. You picked up a kaleidoscope meant to personify you. What colors and shapes do you see?
2. Have you ever experienced anything that resembled the disorienting/pleasurable/trippy sensation of looking into a kaleidoscope? If so, tell us about it!
3. You're transported into the world within a kaleidoscope. What happens?
4. An old man in the village makes kaleidoscopes by hand and sells them. What is his story?
5. How do you think the kaleidoscope was invented? An innovative father trying to create a toy he and his child could explore? A heartbroken lover putting together pieces of broken glass?
* * * * * READ ABOUT ISSUE II AWARDS LATER ON THIS PAGE!
best of issue + editor's choice awards!
For Issue II: Kaleidoscope, all submissions will be considered for a BEST OF ISSUE or EDITOR'S CHOICE Award.
The BEST OF ISSUE award will be issued to ONE entry.
This award will be given to the piece that demonstrates the most unique voice/finest technique/best conceptual elegance. All genres are eligible for this award.
An EDITOR’S CHOICE award will be given to ONE piece in EACH of the following categories: POETRY, PROSE, and VISUAL ART.
These awards will be given to standout entries in their respective categories: entries that exemplify innovative ideas and fine craft.
Thanks to everyone who submitted to Issue I! Our team is tirelessly working to ensure it will be available to read on our website soon, so stay tuned!
Submission Guidelines
1. The Chromatic Scars Review does NOT tolerate any form of racism, homophobia, sexism, or any other kind of blatant discrimination. Do NOT submit any works with these themes/messages.
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2. All works must be submitted to the submission form (which will always be available on our Linktree and website) and ADHERE TO THE FORMATTING GUIDELINES:
******Only submit docx or PDF (you may submit a JPEG if you are submitting art/photography), do not put multiple pieces into one file, and title each file "FIRSTNAME LASTNAME - GENRE - TITLE." ***********
Any submitted pieces that do not adhere to this will NOT be considered and be auto-rejected.
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3. Simultaneous submissions are allowed but PLEASE let us know ASAP if the work has been accepted elsewhere.
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4. If your work was previously published, you MUST let us know the name of the previous platform so we can credit them.
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5. If your work was NOT previously published, the Chromatic Scars Review will hold first North American serial and electronic rights for accepted works, which will return to the author/artist after publication.
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6. ABSOLUTELY NO USE OF AI WILL BE TOLERATED IN THE CREATION OF WRITTEN OR VISUAL WORKS.
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7. We do NOT accept plagiarized works. If we find out that you have plagiarized a piece and submitted it to us, you will be banned from submitting to us in the future.