Mission Statement

Chapter House Journal is an online literary journal committed to empowering and uplifting Indigenous and marginalized stories, values, cultures, and art. We publish writers and artists from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, styles, and aesthetics whose work aligns with this mission. We strongly encourage submissions from Native American, First Nation, and Indigenous people, Black and Brown people, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, individuals with disabilities, and all members of historically marginalized communities. We welcome submissions from both emerging and published writers.

Housed within the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Low Residency MFA Program, we publish issues on a biannual basis. We accept submissions in fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. All submissions, including solicitations, are read by our dedicated editors, comprised of IAIA MFA students and faculty advisors. Our editors also manage publication decisions, website design, and blog content. 

We are committed to serving as a literary well for Indigenous and marginalized communities. We warmly invite all creators with aligned interests and passions to contribute to this powerful, dynamic, and ever-growing landscape of art and literature.

Submission Guidelines 

Chapter House Journal accepts submissions twice a year:

• Fall/Winter Reading Period: November 1 – December 31
• Spring/Summer Reading Period: May 1 – June 30

We welcome simultaneous submissions, but please notify us promptly via our online system if your work is accepted elsewhere.

We do not accept previously published work, including material that has appeared on personal blogs or websites.

Poetry

• Submit 3–5 poems, not exceeding 5 pages total.
• Begin each poem on a new page.

Literary Fiction

•  Please submit one story, or up to three shorter pieces (such as flash fiction), with a combined word count of no more than 5,000 words.
•  All submissions must be original and unpublished, including online (blogs, websites, or social media).
•  Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please notify us immediately through our submission platform if your work is accepted elsewhere.
•  Include a brief cover letter with your submission, introducing yourself, your background, and any relevant publication history or context for your work. If you identify as an Indigenous writer, please include your tribal affiliation in your letter.
•  Use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt), and format your manuscript with double spacing and page numbers.
•  Please submit your work as a single document (.doc, .docx, or PDF) via our online submission system.

Creative Nonfiction

•  Submit one full-length piece or up to three shorter pieces, totaling no more than 5,000 words combined. 
•  We encourage submissions that take risks in form, language, and perspective while remaining grounded in truth. 
•  Please include a cover letter with a brief bio and any relevant context for your work.
•  Double-space your manuscript and use a standard, readable font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt).
•  All work must be previously unpublished, including on personal blogs or websites.
•  Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

Visual Arts & Practice

•  Submit up to 5 images of your work as JPEG files
•  Both 2-D and 3-D pieces are accepted
•  Images should be clear, high-quality photographs or scans

Rights & Publication

We request first North American serial rights and non-exclusive electronic rights to publish your work on our website. All rights revert to the author upon publication. If your work is reprinted elsewhere—digitally or in print—we ask that Chapter House Journal be credited as the original publisher.