Veritas & Arcana Submissions

THEME & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Veritas & Arcana is the theme of the third volume of the Elixir Verse Equinox.

Every culture throughout history has sought to understand the unknown. Our oldest stories and beliefs endure in the same world where Einstein’s equations provide explanations to the intersection of space and time. From Persephone’s arrival and departure to the tilt of Earth’s axis—both explanations for the equinox; one believed in ancient times and the other proven millenia later. It is at this crossroads that the next volume of the Elixir Verse Equinox seeks to exist.

Like the High Priestess we contain multitudes, guarding all but a scant few lines. Which of your mysteries will you choose to reveal? Will they be an undeniable truth? Ringing loud and clear like a bell? Or will you share a whispered riddle? Leaving us to ponder each word’s meaning; prompting within us eternal debate.

We ask you to share your truth’s evolution. Your veritas. To speak your unspoken secrets. Your sacred wisdom. Your magical systems. Your arcana. The lore behind your beliefs.

Reveal the mythos and memories that have molded you. Declare the truth of who you were, who you are, and who you might yet be.

GENERAL CONTENT GUIDELINES

We look for and celebrate voices which are diverse, unexpected, clever, raw, honest, and inspiring. We aim to provide our readers with transcendent escapism and guidance in a variety of forms. We love works about self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. We especially adore magical, mystical, lyrical, uplifting, and otherworldly content. We are not interested in works which feature hate speech or that rely on shock value. We are interested in works which are unique and create a bond between the writer and reader.

Note: We will not be accepting written or visual content that has been generated with the use of AI, no exceptions.

FORMATTING

Please submit each work as its own Google Docs or Word file (Google Docs preferred). The file name should be the author’s last (pen) name followed by the title of the piece (or first 20-25 letters if the title exceeds that length).

Documents should be typeset in 12 pt font, 1.5 line spacing, Times New Roman. Header and footer should be blank. Include a title page with the title of the piece and your pen name at the beginning of the document.

POETRY GUIDELINES

Please submit up to three poems per submission period, each as its own file. All styles of poetry are welcome as long as the poem addresses elements of the theme. (Up to 2,000 words)

FICTION GUIDELINES

Please submit only one per submission period. Short stories and flash fiction of up to 5,000 words will be accepted in any genre, as long as it somehow addresses elements of the theme. (Up to 5,000 words)

CREATIVE NON-FICTION GUIDELINES

Please submit only one per submission period. We are open to a variety of creative non-fiction, from straightforward slices of life to experimental essays, as long as it somehow addresses elements of the theme. (Up to 5,000 words)

The Elixir Verse Equinox is our now annual literary journal, which includes poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. In our first year, we released two editions, one on the Spring equinox and one during the fall. For 2025, we have reduced that to one issue a year, to be released annually on the Fall Equinox.

This year’s edition will be released on September 22, 2025.

To learn more about our first two collections (or to leave a review!) check them out at the links below!

SUBMIT TO THE EQUINOX

“"We're always changing, what is true now may not be tomorrow,
but don't we all believe in tomorrow?"
—Cara Plym, Elixir Verse Equinox: Stella Verses