The Arkansas International announces Issue 15: The Women’s Issue. Since our founding in 2016, the Arkansas International has been dedicated to publishing diverse, transnational voices. In 2024, we will advance this work by publishing our first issue dedicated entirely to women-identifying writers, translators, and artists.

VIDA: Women in Literary Arts has conducted a study focused on women in literary publishing since 2009. In its most recent study (2019), VIDA estimated that women writers made up only 35% of the total writers published when compared to men. This includes publications such as Harper’s (36.68% women published or employed), The Atlantic (36.55% women published or employed), and the New York Review of Books (33.37% women published/reviewed). VIDA reported only three major publishers––Tin House, New York Times Book Review, and Poetry––reached the benchmark of women representing 50% or more of their total writers published.

The Arkansas International defines women’s literature authored by women-identified writers, including transgendered and cisgendered women, as well as non-binary writers who also identify with the traditionally female pronouns, she/her/hers. We are especially interested in work that tells untold stories from experiences and identities often marginalized by the larger publishing industry. We’ll consider previously unpublished fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translation between May 15 and August 15.

If you are submitting multiple pieces, please put them together in one submission. Since the number we can receive every month is capped, subsequent submissions will have to be returned unread.

Submissions of translated works must include a copy of the original text. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent you from including a copy of the original text at the time of your submission, please note that in the cover letter.  Before submitting translations of works that are not in the public domain, translators should identify the rights holder and obtain a statement that the rights to publish an English translation are available.

The Arkansas International cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, which includes those who have studied or worked there within the past 4 years.

While we are no longer open to free submissions, we are happy to offer waivers to those identifying as BIPOC or in need of financial assistance. For more information on how to apply, please email editor@arkint.org.

Contributors will be paid $20 a printed page (capped at $250) and receive two complementary copies of the journal.

We accept electronic submissions only, via Submittable.