earthwords will be accepting submissions for our 46th issue from September 7th, 2025, to 11:59 pm on October 12th, 2025. earthwords is the University of Iowa’s oldest literary magazine and is open to all University of Iowa undergraduate students, regardless of major or area of study. All submissions are read blind, meaning our editors do not see any identifying information with the work. Do not include your name on the submitted document. Writers and artists are allowed 3 submissions total, with a max of 2 submissions in any one genre. Be sure to carefully read the different guidelines for each genre while preparing your work.
We look forward to reviewing your work!
Best,
--The earthwords Staff
Please ensure that your document does not include your name or any other identifying characteristic. If your name or any identifying characteristic is in the submission, please use [REDACTED] or another placeholder.
You are INELIGIBLE if you:
- are NOT an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa
- were accepted for publication in earthwords Issue 45
The Non-fiction chapbook is looking for pieces grappling with themes of Artifice, Reality vs. Unreality, and Truth vs. Untruth, whatever meaning that may entail for the writer. For example, this may include (but is not limited to) the writer’s perceptions of memory or discussions on artificial intelligence. We would love to promote diverse perspectives and pieces that experiment with form. Above all, we are looking for the writer’s unique perspective on what reality means to them.
We will accept prose pieces or collections of prose pieces that are 10-15 pages in total per submission, in double-spaced Times New Roman 12-point font. If you are submitting a collection of pieces, there must be an overarching theme. Please include your student ID number and year in school in the submission form, not in the uploaded document. Your submission will not be considered if you fail to follow these instructions. We accept or reject submissions as-is, with no editing or excerpting.
Please ensure that your document does not include your name or any other identifying characteristic.
You are INELIGIBLE if you:
- are NOT an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa
- were accepted for publication in earthwords Issue 45
The drama team encourages submissions that are centered around the theme of nature or rebirth. Submitted pieces can be either play or movie scripts. Typically, we ask for excerpts, scenes, or monologues within 10-15 pages. If your play has been produced and performed, feel free to attach any photographs of production and performance.
Please use a standard and readable formatting, typically with 12-point Times New Roman or Courier New. Please include your student ID number and year in school in the submission form, not in the uploaded document. Your submission will not be considered if you fail to follow these instructions. We accept or reject drama submissions as-is, with no edits.
Please ensure that your documents do not include your name or any other identifying characteristic.
You are INELIGIBLE if you:
- are NOT an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa
- were accepted for publication in earthwords Issue 45
The art team is looking for art that follows the theme of sci-fi with an emphasis on industrial vs. natural. Your submitted piece does not have to be from this prompt, but we encourage submissions of this genre. If you are submitting multiple pieces, we will only consider 2-3 based on received submissions. Please submit each artistic piece separately.
We accept photographs, visual art (any medium), and multi-media works.
Images: (Photographs, Illustrations, Prints, Graphics, etc.) Please submit a clean original or digital file in the form of TIFF or PSD. Images need to be cropped to fit, and dimensions should be included along with the medium and materials used to create your piece (i.e. Film or digital, painting in oil or acrylic, lithography/release/indigo, 3D render or graphic, etc.).
Sculptural pieces/ 3D pieces: A photo of your sculpture or 3D piece should be lit with soft lighting, preferably shot with a white background, and cropped tightly. Please submit your photo in TIFF or PSD form. You must also submit dimensions and the mediums used. (i.e. Silver, copper, brass, earthenware, porcelain, plaster, etc.)
Please include your student ID number and year in school in thesubmission form. If the piece contains any identifying information about the artist such as name or signature, it will not be accepted into the chapbook. Your submission will not be considered if you fail to follow these instructions. We accept or reject art submissions as-is.