Vita Poetica Journal is an online quarterly publication of creative work explored through a spiritual lens. This may be engaging directly with religious faith or a broader inquiry into meaning and the human experience. We appreciate a sensibility that is open and thoughtful rather than didactic. We seek diversity in experiences, backgrounds, and spiritual perspectives, as well as in genres and art disciplines. We also welcome cross-genre, cross-discipline, or multimedia experimentation. Those interested in submitting are encouraged to read previous issues to gain a sense of the kind of work we're looking for.
GENERAL SUBMISSIONS
General submissions to poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual arts are currently closed while we read for our writing and art contest. We will reopen for submissions to these sections on Jan. 1, 2025.
Our multimedia, reviews, interviews, and contemplative practices sections remain open year-round to queries and pitches.
For multimedia, please see guidelines below.
For reviews, please see full guidelines and suggested review titles on our website here.
For interviews and contemplative practices, please send queries to hello@vitapoetica.org, along with a brief bio and 1-2 writing samples.
We do not accept previously published work, including web-published or self-published material. Simultaneous submissions are welcome provided you notify us immediately if the work is placed elsewhere.
We ask for first-time rights of publication and request acknowledgment as the first place of publication. All rights revert to the author/artist after publication.
Please allow up to 3 months while we review your submission. We publish on a quarterly cycle, and it can sometimes take a bit longer if the submission arrived in between issues. If you sent a query or pitch, we will confer as a team and respond in about a month.
We regret that we’re unable to offer payment for publication at this time. Vita Poetica is a nonprofit organization and relies on a small team of volunteers who read every submission carefully. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for sharing your work with us.
Join our team! Vita Poetica is seeking a colleague for the volunteer position of Contemplative Practices Editor. We are a small nonprofit organization with a mission to connect artists of faith and enliven spiritual conversations through the arts. Individuals with a heart for building community and a desire to engage more deeply with the arts are especially encouraged to get in touch.
The position entails a commitment of 6-8 hours per month, with some months being busier than others. Currently, editor positions receive a stipend of $50 each quarter as a small token of our appreciation. There is potential for increase as our organization develops. All positions require familiarity with our mission and with our quarterly online journal, which publishes work at the intersection of art, faith, and spirit.
Please note that editors are ineligible for the publication of their creative work in the journal but are welcome to contribute interviews, reviews, and contemplative practices in conjunction with the respective section editors.
The Contemplative Practices Editor manages our journal's unique section that blends creativity and contemplation in guided meditations. This includes developing contacts and seeking qualified contributors in a variety of creative disciplines and contemplative / spiritual backgrounds. Strong communication skills preferred, as the editor will work with contributors to develop ideas and will edit the pieces for a fitting tone and style.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until filled. Those interested should submit, via Submittable, a resume and cover letter introducing themselves and sharing why the position appeals to them. The application process requires a free Submittable account. If you need any help with the process, please email hello@vitapoetica.org.
As a digital publication, we are open to exploring new ways to create and share, as well as new ways to publish and help creative people reach as wide an audience as possible. We welcome submissions of multimedia art, short film or performance, audio, and other hybrid or experimental forms suitable for web publishing and within the duration of 15 minutes in length. The work should engage, whether directly or indirectly, the theme of art and faith. Submitters are strongly encouraged to look at past issues to gain a sense of the kind of work we publish. Work may be submitted as a file (compressed if needed) or via private link.