Main Street Rag

Main Street Rag Publishing Company has been publishing our print magazine: Main Street Rag, uninterrupted since 1996. Among its features are poetry, short fiction, photography and graphic images, essays, interviews, reviews, cartoons and commentary.

SUBMISSIONS - We will not return or reply to any submission or correspondence that is not accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) or a current email address nor will we be responsible for submissions of any kind that are improperly posted or do not fit in the envelope provided.

We do not consider simultaneously submitted work.

No emailed submissions (from within the US--others: please inquire first). 

***NEW POLICY***
We have been under pressure to accept emailed submissions and have declined due to the increase it would cause in an already heavy volume of submissions. As a compromise, we have decided to start accepting emailed submissions--BUT ONLY FROM THOSE who subscribe to our print magazine.

Not interested in anything derogatory on the basis of race, gender, s _ xual orientation, or religious persuasion. Pissing off politicians, corporations, zealots, and/or lawyers is acceptable and, in fact, encouraged.

We have an admitted bias toward submissions from subscribers or those who (at the very least) have sampled a copy of the magazine, however, sampling and/or subscribing is no guarantee of finding a seat on our bus.

Poetry

Any style, any subject, emphasis on grittier material, but we're not interested in the graphic details of your love life and we do enjoy a good laugh now and then--so just send your best and let the rest sort itself out. What we are least interested in is "garden" poetry, poetry about poetry, or the often over-used wading pool of Greek and Roman mythology.  We prefer work that is alive with the poet's own experiences.
If this isn't a good enough description of what we're looking for, we suggest you buy a copy of the magazine and see what we are publishing.

Photographs/Original Art

The best way to submit images for consideration is on CD. The image needs to be 9.25 inches tall, width (at least) 6.125, at a print quality resolution of 300 dpi. Low res images may be emailed for viewing and we will research website suggestions when a link is sent.
Pays one contributor’s copy per appearance for internal art. Cover art contributors receive five copies or $25. 

Short Fiction

We are temporarily filled for short fiction through Winter 2004/2005 and will only be reading short story submissions for our anthology and book series through the MSR Short Fiction Contest:
Deadline: June 15 (postmarked)
Reading Fee: $10
Prizes: First: $200 and 10 copies of published anthology, Second: $100 and 5 copies, Third: $50 and 5 copies. In the event that we do not have enough entries to justify an anthology, only the top prize will be awarded and accepted manuscripts will be offered publication in our quarterly magazine.
All entries will be considered for publication and receive a copy of the published anthology. Finalists may be invited to submit a book length manuscript for publication consideration.
Length: Up to 10,000 words.
Essays, Interviews, Reviews
We consider submissions of essays, interviews, and reviews, but only when they are presented according to our demands.

Annual Poetry Chapbook Contest 
Deadline: May 31, 2004.  
Reading Fee: $15

Winner receives $500 and 100 copies of chapbook. All entries receive copy of the winning manuscript. Send between 24 and 32 pages of poetry, any style/form, no more than one poem per page and no smaller than 10pt type of an easily readable font like Arial or Times New Roman.
MSR will accept entries via email, BUT only until May 1.
Contact Main Street Rag for instructions before sending any manuscript via email.
*Although MSR frowns on simultaneous submissions for our magazine, it is acceptable for our book contests. Upon notification, however, winner must immediately withdraw his/her mss from consideration elsewhere (or from the MSR Chapbook Contest--if the manuscript has been chosen winner in another contest).
The Main Street Rag Poetry Book Award

Deadline: January 31
(postmarked--but if it hasn't arrived by February 7, it won't be considered).
Reading Fee: $20.
Winner receives 50 books and $1000. All entries receive a copy of the winning book.
Send between 48 and 80 pages of poetry, no more than one poem per page, no smaller than 10 point type in an easily readable font like Arial or Times. Do not include Table of Contents in page count.
No restriction on content style or subject--we're looking for the best manuscript.
*Although MSR frowns on simultaneous submissions for our magazine, it is acceptable for our book contests. Upon notification, however, winner must immediately withdraw his/her mss from consideration elsewhere.

***Early Bird Special***
For those who read the fine print!!!
Poets who enter between September 30 and December 15 will be permitted to EMAIL their entire manuscript (saving on postage).
Entries must be emailed in attached PC compatible Words files. Payment may be made through PayPal or Credit Card (additional $2 processing fee) or by Check (additional $1 processing fee).












This page is a small part of the resources available at
www.resources.poetryinarts.org/