We accept original, unpublished poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, translations, art/photography, and hybrid pieces from both UNA and non-UNA creators. Eligible translations submissions include original, unpublished translations of literary works from any language into English, and submission must include the text in the original language with the submission, as well as the source of the original non-English piece. Eligible submissions in photography and artwork may be any medium, including, but not limited to, printmaking, digital art, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, drawing, painting, and comics/narrative art, and should include a title for your work.

All submissions should be sent via email to lightsandshadows@una.edu. Correspondence should include identification of current university/school, classification, and the submission type/genre. The magazine is always accepting submissions, but those received after February 1 will be considered for the next year’s issue.

If interested in submitting, email your work as attachments to lightsandshadows@una.edu. Please see the submission guidelines below:

• Deadline for Spring 2026 issue: February 1, 2026
• Submit to: lightsandshadows@una.edu
• Fiction & Nonfiction: Up to 2,000 words
• Poetry: Up to 5 poems, limited to 100 lines each
• Literary Translations: Submission Limit: 2,000 words of prose or up to 5 poems
• Requirement: Submissions should state current school and classification.
• Preferred Text Format: .doc or .docx
• Preferred Artwork Format: JPEG, minimum 300 pixels per inch
• Fees: No submission fee or payment
• Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed, but please notify us if the work is accepted elsewhere and withdraw immediately
• Awards: Outstanding submissions are awarded and recognized in the categories of prose, poetry, and artwork. Prize to be stipulated.
• Editing: Accepted submissions may undergo light grammatical editing