The Curator explores the best things humans make and do.
By that we mean, our writers explore matters of the heart and spirit reflected in cultural objects, experiences, and the arts.
We publish at least one piece of prose (including creative nonfiction essays, reviews and interviews) and one poem each week.
Thematically, we curate writing about art intersecting with humanity. Here’s what interests us:
- Essays that contemplate the stories behind everyday objects;
- coverage of artists and their artworks with personal reflection and/or cultural commentary;
- Photo essays and travelogues;
- personalized reviews (though because of our schedule, we’re not usually looking for time-sensitive reviews);
- intimate artist interviews;
- or philosophizing on cultural kitsch or personal objects of value.
Aesthetically, we desire to showcase a diverse range of voices, artforms, and styles, but we do not accept academic essays. We do publish personal essays, interviews, reviews, reported stories, and memoir with a tie to an artwork, piece of music, or an everyday object. If there is meaning to be had in this world, our writers will find it.
In other words, as Marianne Moore put it in her poem “When I Buy Pictures”:
of whatever sort [the picture is] is,
it must be “lit with piercing glances into the life of things”;
it must acknowledge the spiritual forces which have made it.
Culture at large, or art, or writing, all are material manifestations of the workings of the inner life and of the spirit of the times (the zeitgeist). A pitch or submission should, on some level, address deeper questions within ourselves and our society.
Because we explore the meaning we find in artistic and everyday objects, we’re open to writing that incorporates spiritual elements. We welcome writers from all backgrounds to share their work with us.
Call for Submissions
We’re honored you’d send us your work, and we want to respect your time and talents. We’re interested in original works, not reprints. Sadly, we cannot pay writers at this time (but we're working to change that).
Note: Please send your submission through Duosuma NOT through email.
Submit here: https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/the-curator-YHG2b
Here’s what we're looking for:
Prose
- completed essays submitted on spec (simultaneous submissions okay, as long as you notify us ASAP if you've been accepted elsewhere AND withdraw your submission from Duosuma),
- original works, not reprints,
- word count between 800 and 2,000 words,
- writers who are willing to work with us to edit a piece,
- your submission double-spaced and as close to AP style as you can get.
You’ll hear back from us within three months. If we accept your submission, we’ll:
- connect you with an editor, who will give you relevant guidance in a google doc. (content and line editing),
- set a mutually agreeable timeline to publication,
- ask for a short bio and your social media handles.
Poetry
We’re interested in craft and poems that make us want to read them again. We aim to publish a new poem every Thursday morning.
Guidelines:
- 3 poems maximum
- All poems should go into one document (acceptable file types: .doc .docx .rtf or .pdf)
- Email subject line: “Poetry submission”
- Simultaneous submissions are ok; let us know asap if a poem is accepted elsewhere.
- We do not accept previously published poems.
Submit your poems through Duosuma. We will aim to get back to you within approximately one month.
A Note About Copyright:
The writer retains their copyright when publishing at The Curator. The Curator claims First Serial Rights and publishing exclusivity for six months unless otherwise specified by the writer. After six months, an author may reprint the work however they choose.
If the work is reprinted, we ask the writer to provide acknowledgment of your original publication in the Curator Magazine. We do not retain any rights that would keep a writer from publishing a writer’s work in their own book.
We may occasionally approach writers to ask if we may reprint their work. In that case, we would claim Second Serial Rights.