Tension is at the center of all great writing. ​We are committed to publishing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that stirs, shocks, or surprises us.

At Tension, we strive to uplift marginalized voices, so LGBTQIA+ individuals and POC are encouraged to submit. ​

Tension Lit is a not-for-profit journal. All reading fee and feedback fee donations are put directly back into the running of the site and promoting the work in each issue. The editor and any readers are unpaid volunteers. Therefore, we do not have the funds to pay writers to publish their work at this time. We hope to be able to do so in the future.

Submissions are now open for Issue III: Resistance.

Send us your best fiction, nonfiction, and poetry centering around resistance. This can be interpreted any way you like. For example, resistance to change, The Resistance, or resisting someone or something. Submissions close April 15, 2025. The issue will be published online in May 2025.

All submissions should be emailed to editor@tensionliterary.com with the genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in the subject line. Include a cover letter and third person bio in the body of the email. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to tell us if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. Only previously unpublished pieces will be considered.

Submissions are free!
​The reading fee is an optional and appreciated donation toward the running of our site. However, feedback requires a $10 donation. If you would like feedback, please note that in your cover letter.

Poetry: ​Must contain no more than five poems. Poems can be single spaced, but please use Times New Roman 12 pt font.