Submissions for ROPES 2026 have 0pened

We are delighted to announce that written submissions for Issue 34 of ROPES literary journal are now open.

Issue 34 theme: 'punk'

What does Punk mean to you?

Submission Guidelines

What is the submission deadline for ropes 2026?

The deadline for visual submissions is Monday 19 January, 2026.

What is the theme for ropes issue 34?

The theme for 2026 is Punk.

Punk is many things to many people.

Punk is rebellion. Punk is anti-establishment. Punk is love. Punk is loud. Punk is colour. Punk is community. Punk is dystopia. Punk is utopia. Punk is past. Punk is present. Punk is future.

Punk is not dead.

We encourage writers and artists to explore and develop their own unique interpretations of this theme.

WHAT kind of Material does ropes accept?

ROPES welcomes both written and visual submissions from Irish and international writers of all origins and backgrounds. We encourage work from first-time writers and members of minority groups or underrepresented communities. We accept a variety of written and visual work, including, but not limited to, fiction, flash fiction, poetry, memoirs, essays, art, and photography.

All submissions should be original, previously unpublished work.

If you are eager to share a piece of work (within the designated word count: see below) but are unsure about its category or content, feel free to send a query to [email protected].

What is the word count?

The word counts are as follows:

• Fiction: Max 3,000 words (ONE piece per submission)
• Non-fiction (memoirs, essays, other): Max 3000 words (ONE piece per submission)
• Flash fiction: Max 500 words (up to THREE pieces per submission)
• Poetry: Max 40 lines per poem (up to TWO poems per submission)

If you are submitting prose or any type of long-form content, please note the word count of the piece in the document. Please ensure that multiple pieces (poetry, flashes, etc) are compiled within a single document.

How should I format my submission? 

Please do not include your name or any other identifying information anywhere on your submitted files.

All writing should be formatted in a clear font such as Times New Roman, in an easy-to-read size such as 12pt, with easy-to-read spacing, no less than 1.15.  All submissions should be in PDF, .doc or .docx format.

Can I submit more than once?

We allow one submission per category (this may comprise a singular piece or multiple, depending on the categories listed above).

Should you choose to submit in multiple categories, we ask that you treat these as separate submissions and complete a new Google Form each time. Please note that your submission will not be considered unless submitted through our Google Form.

What about visual submissions?

Visual submissions should adhere to the following criteria:  

• Must be 300+ PPI
• Must be previously unpublished work
• Must be artists' original work
• Collage artists should be cautious of possible copyright on images used

Can I submit to ropes if i've already submitted my work somewhere else?

We are happy to take simultaneous submissions (provided the work is original), but we ask that you notify us should your work be accepted elsewhere, as we will then be unable to publish it.

Will I receive feedback on my work?

Please note that we will be unable to offer feedback on unsuccessful applications due to a high volume of submissions.

Where do i submit?

Please submit your visual work here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzFNPYVIjt-CBqCn6zt0QtQK2JMeNWRQZ0KN2tKiBDPA8vLw/viewform 

Thank you for choosing ROPES as a potential home for your work. We can’t wait to read your work!