About

Writers aged 14 to 18 submit poetry of up to 80 lines or prose of up to 1,800 words, up to three pieces a year, during reading windows that close early at 200 submissions. General submissions are free and receive feedback; each is blind read by two junior editors and one senior editor, all high school volunteers. Themed contests charge nothing for the first 200 entries and $4 after, and reward a winner and two finalists with publication, a scholarship to the magazine’s editing course, and feedback. Each year the Seaman Awards give $200 to one winner in each genre from the published work.

Publication here is a published credit, not a competitive award, and the organizer publishes no acceptance rate, so selectivity cannot be stated. The only cash goes to the three Seaman winners. The magazine, a nonprofit founded in 2004, also offers editing roles and workshops.

A published piece shows work accepted by peer editors and, for award winners, a panel of published authors.