On This Page:
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Submissions Portal - https://ellaspoems.com/onlinesubmissions#online-submissions
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Submission Guidelines - Online Submissions
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How to Write an Author's Bio - https://ellaspoems.com/onlinesubmissions#how-to-write-an-authors-bio
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About Masthead - https://ellaspoems.com/onlinesubmissions#about-the-chief-editor
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We are a small team of writers, operating under a new masthead. We publish submissions from well-known and established writers. We Only Process One Submission Per Person Each Quarter, Thank You.
Please Submit:
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An unmetered poem of 40 lines Maximum (We Accept Poems in English. But Due to the Nature of Our Audience, We Also Want Poems in African Languages, Bajan Dialect/ Creole or Jamaican Partos Etcetera, Sufi Poetry, African Traditional Poems and Their English Translation.)
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A Flash Fiction/Nonfiction of 1,000 words Maximum
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A Short Story of 1,200 words Maximum
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An Essay of 1,200 words Maximum
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A Chapbook Review of 1,200 words Maximum
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Art/Photography
Essay Guidelines: we want essays that explore African literature and its many intersections, LGBTQ+ related topics, political discourse affecting Black communities and the personal. Please make your writing objective and engaging.
Literary fiction Verus Genre Fiction
Penned in Rage Publishes Literary Short Fiction, Flash Fiction/Nonfiction
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Complex Characters and Themes – Literary fiction tends to focus on the complexities of human nature and the layered, nuanced experiences of human. Of course, using anthropotheism, plants, animals and objects can be protagonists in your literary fiction too,
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Emphasis on Prose and Style – We expect language to take centre stage. Please give us experimental prose too. Also give us something unexpected at the end by subverting the plot.
Chapbook Reviews
We believe in the power of the small but indomitable chapbook. We think poetry collections facilitate conversations. We want to provide a home for literary reviews of poetry chapbooks/collections published in recent years, by reputable traditional or independent presses. We do not accept reviews of self-published books..
Photography/Art
Our literary magazine welcomes expressive, atmospheric photography.
[In the ongoing war against fake art, we reserve the right to decline AI-generated pieces.)
Any of these types will be considered:
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Documentary photography — real-life scenes on social themes.
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Fine art photography — visually striking images of artistic value.
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Conceptual photography — staged or symbolic images that represent social themes popular in African discourse.
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Street photography — candid urban images depicting an African setting.
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Landscape and nature photography — photos of your country/village/animals.
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Still-life photography — objects symbolically arranged in original photos to suggest a narrative.
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Experimental photography — blurred, layered, black and white images etcetera altered with an app, but not created entirely by AI.
We Do Not Pay for Submissions, Except Where A Creative Has Been Approached and a Piece Commissioned.
This is a small, self-funded project.
How to Submit/ Online Submissions
Via the Portal Above, Submit Free of Charge:
Response Time - Up to 6 Weeks
Please Address Your Submission to Dr Jive Lubbungu, Editor-in-Chief, Penned in Rage Journal.
About Penned in Rage Journal
Penned in Rage magazine is focused on publishing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, flash fiction, experimental prose and hybrid works, written by underrepresented writers particularly creatives from the LGBTQ+ community in sub-Saharan Africa.
Submissions Window
Open in January, May (for the poetry competition; submissions from the slush pile will be considered for their suitability for the journal too) and September each year.
The 'unthemed' submission window reopened 01 August 2026 for the sixth online edition of Penned in Rage Literary Journal.
CLOSES 15th September, 2026 September, 2026.
What We Don't Publish
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We DO NOT publish works of any type featuring sexual activity involving characters below the age of consent in the UK (16) across all four nations.
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We do not publish metered poetry of any shape or form.
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We won't not accept any material which offends other social groups.
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We do not publish writing done solely for the purpose of depicting gratuitous violence.
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When sending us work for consideration, please bear in mind that most of our readers live in sub-Saharan African countries, where strict laws about public decency are in place. Thank you.
AI-Generated Content Policy Clause Regarding Creative Content Generation
You may wish to read why this clause was introduced: https://www.ellaspoems.com/editorial/can-a-large-language-model-write-an-original-poem
Our literary outlet does not accept nor publishes any work that is wholly, substantially generated or edited by LLMs/Large Language Models. All submissions must be the original work of the author and reflect human authorship. We reserve the right to decline any submission we reasonably believe has been created, co-written, or materially altered by AI tools, at any point, even after a piece has been published.
Social Media & Authors Websites
Please be informed in order not to impinge on the copyrights of other outlets, we do not accept previously published material. This includes pieces posted to social media accounts, since we like ‘unveiling’ a piece to the reading public.
From July 1, 2026, Penned in Rage Journal will no longer accept submissions from writers hiding their real identity, due to the difficulty of marketing their work through social media adverts run by B. James. We won't accept photographs that are pixilated, altered or doctored to conceal the writer’s face. This means you cannot send us photographs in which you have used props like sunglasses and hats to disguise your features.
Further, we ask that you please include your social media profiles and/or author websites in your bio.
With the proliferation of AI-generated content in the creative space, being discoverable and traceable helps your credibility. We aren't saying it prevents the use of artificial intelligence to write poetry, stories, essays or create art, we're saying trusted voices are less likely to risk reputational damage by sending outlets AI-content. A creative who is well known may have hundreds of followers that can identify what that creative’s authentic voice sounds like.
Simultaneous Submissions & Withdrawals
We accept simultaneous submissions, but we must be immediately notified if a piece is accepted elsewhere. If you wish to withdraw your submission, please email us directly at pennedinrage@outlook.com with the title/s of the work(s) you are withdrawing.
Previously Published Work
We will not publish pieces which have appeared elsewhere, including social media sites.
Publishing Rights
We ask for first time worldwide rights for accepted pieces. Following publication, all rights revert back to the author.
How is the journal published?
Triannual Online Publication - Downloadable PDF: January 31st, June 30th, October 31st
How to Write a 50-word Author’s Bio for Penned in Rage
Key Tips: KEEP IT BRIEF
• Write in the Third Person: Sounds more professional.
• Lead with Credentials: Start with your strongest achievements (bestselling status, major awards).
• Include Key Info: Your name, relevant publications, awards, and location/background.
• Add Personality: A brief, relevant personal detail (e.g., hobby, inspiration) makes you memorable, but keep it concise.
About the Editor-in-Chief of Penned in Rage
Incoming Editor-in-Chief: Dr Jive Lubbungu. We are proud to introduce our new Editor-in-Chief. He holds a PhD Lit., MA Lit., MBA -Project Management, Cert. Monitoring & Evaluation, Cert. Project Consultancy, Cert. Climate Change AI, Cert, Development Economics. He's a lecturer, author, and researcher. He's also an Assistant Dean at the Postgraduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kwame Nkrumah University, Kabwe, Zambia.
ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6562-547x
LinkedIn Link: www.linkedin.com/in/jive-lubbungu-5222157a
Google Scholar Link: jive lubbungu - Google Scholar
ResearchGate Link: ResearchGate
Website: https://www.nkrumah.edu.zm/home/
SEED Project link: https://seed.maynoothuniversity.ie/
ESSA Project link: https://essa-africa.org/node/2104,
About the Lead Editor of Penned in Rage
Pushcart Prize and Best-of-the-Net nominee: Onyishi Chukwuebuka (he/him) is a Publicity Secretary for Muse no. 51, and a graduate of the University of Nigeria. He is the winner of the 2025 Coalition of African Literature in partnership with the University of Leicester’s Avoidable Deaths Network and the SEVHAGE Literary and Development Initiative, a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominee, runner-up for the 2025 Bridgette James Poetry Prize, a shortlist for the inaugural BCD-Utulu Prize, Reader at Chestnut Review, and longlisted for the Paradise Gate House. His work has appeared in Eye to the Telescope: (non)binaries, Harrow House, Northern Writers Forum, Heathentide Orphans: Zoetic Press, African Studies Review, Pill Bottle Press, The Port Harcourt Literary Review, Wherein The World, African Studies Review, The Biochar, Strange Quark Press, Kathai Literary, The Nine Muses Review, Ojuju Magazine, Poets in Nigeria Initiative, EveryBody Magazine, University of Bournemouth Journal, African Migration Report, The Muse Journal, Hidden Peek Press, and elsewhere. He tweets @Bukaty33612. Read more about him here: https://ellaspoems.com/general-9#editorial-chukwuebuka-onyishi.
At Penned in Rage Journal, our esteemed editorial staff keep the online publication active. They will review your submissions, reject pieces, edit and proofread accepted work prior to the journal going live. Editors may suggest topics and themes to cover or interview creatives for publications. Our Editors are avid readers who stay up to date with current trends in the literary world. They ensure Penned in Rage serves its targeted literary audience. Editors reserve the right to decline a piece they suspect to be AI-generated.
About the Editor of Penned in Rage
I’m pleased to announce that the winner of the 2026 poetry competition Janine Milne A Literature and Creative Writing graduate from University of South Africa/UNISA, has joined the editorial board. Janine Milne's poetry has appeared in Sol Plaatje European Poetry Award anthologies and Stanzas. She won the 2026 Bridgette James Poetry Competition as well as the 2017 MacGregor Poetry Prize. She has published short fiction in Short Sharp Stories, Bloody Parchment, and Lemonwood Quarterly.
About the Business Admin of Penned in Rage
Dr. Ebenezer Mowete is a Nigerian writer, medical doctor, and communications professional whose work spans literary fiction, long-form journalism, essays, and editorial writing. His writing explores culture, identity, faith, medicine, and the lived experiences of ordinary people with depth and nuance. His work has been published in The Republic, Lost Art, Tint Journal, FAMSA SCOPA, Red Rose Thorns Journal, and Oozezi Creative Collective, among other platforms. His fiction, essays, and criticism have received recognition in literary competitions and anthologies, and he has been nominated for the Best of the Net Anthology. Alongside his literary work, Dr. Mowete is passionate about editorial development, mentoring writers, and building thoughtful literary communities. He currently practises in the field of Paediatrics.
About the Submissions Manager of Penned in Rage
Our Submissions Manager also doubles up as a Story Editor, Lergon Parris is a national award-winning writer from Jamaica. His short story won a Short Story competition run by Ella’s Writing School in 2023.
Reader This Quarter: Fish Lu, a writer, was born in Henan, China. He worked as a community doctor in China for over twenty years, while also devoting himself to experimental writing in poetry and other literary forms. He is the author of several books, and now lives in England with his partner, Xi Nan.
Reader: Penned in Rage Edition 6
Brett Anderson is a writer, improvisor, speaker, and poet, but above all tries to be a lover of God and people, Brett is trying to spend his life becoming a better version of himself and motivating others to work to make the world a better place for everyone who lives in it.
Content Writer: Brett Anderson
Malawian witer: Emerson, is a Sub-Editor at Malawi Eye. He studied Media & Communication Studies at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences- MUBAS
Content Writer: Emerson Sam Navaya
