Submissions

Make sure to check the submissions page for each issue, as the guidelines will change from issue to issue.

Basic Info:

BIPOCRYPHA Magazine strives to compensate writers for their work. Payment is contingent on grant funding for each issue. We welcome original, unpublished and previously published poetry in English from established and emerging creatives 18 years and older. Just ensure you have permission from the original publication to republish it and let us know in your submission where it was originally published. We welcome simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your piece is accepted for publication elsewhere.

Issue 1:

Sound and Spirit, the inaugural issue of BIPOCRYPHA Magazine, is dedicated to exploring faith, resilience, and hope within the African diaspora. 

At the forefront of African American poetry lies the spirituals—melodic verses birthed by enslaved African Americans on Southern plantations—often dismissed as mere song and seldom recognized as the bedrock of the African American poetic lineage. This art form, evolving into genres such as gospel music, the blues, and freedom songs during the Civil Rights Movement, creates a vibrant tapestry of sound and spirit that resonates through time. It intertwines with contemporary verse, bequeathing a legacy of resistance, resilience, and profound artistic expression. The rhythmic pulse of these songs endures, a testament to the unwavering strength of the human voice amidst the trials of adversity.

So, share with us your contemporary poetic interpretations of the spiritual songs and themes found in African American spirituals. Spirituals were not just songs; they were a form of artistic expression for enslaved people. We accept poetry of all forms.

The issue aims to showcase the multifaceted spiritual experiences of people of African descent and highlight the enduring role of spirituality and religion in African American culture throughout history. Through the contemplation of Black diasporic contributors, readers will gain a fresh perspective on forms of resistance and expression within the African American community.

How to Submit:

Please send all solicited and unsolicited submissions to BIPOCRYPHA@gmail.com.

All submissions should include the following information:

In the subject line: BIPOCRYPHA Magazine Submission- Sound and Spirit- Poetry

In the email body:

  • Your name.
  • Title of submission(s). For poetry, 1-3 poems.
  • An artist’s statement of up to 150 words, addressing the theme(s) of the submitted pieces.
  • Bio of up to 150 words.
  • If you have any, please include a link to your artist’s web-page or social media handles.

Attached:

Submit 1-3 poems, ideally thematically or stylistically related, as we prefer to showcase multiple pieces as a set from each selected contributor. Each poem should start on a new page inside a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf file (up to 6 pages total), using Times New Roman or another readable font.

DEADLINE: September 30, 2025. If you have any questions, email us at BIPOCRYPHA@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @BIPOCRYPHA.

Feedback Timeline:

It is a privilege for us to review your work, and we are eager to share our thoughts with you! We’ll let you know as soon as humanly possible, but no longer than 90 days, if we’d like to publish your work. BIPOCRYPHA Magazine is requesting first publication rights and asks to be credited as the first place the work was published. Published pieces will find a permanent home on our website, allowing for easy access and ongoing appreciation.