Since 2014, Life and Legends has featured the work of over 800 poets, writers, and translators—including nominees for the Nobel Prize in Literature, recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, Poets Laureate of the United States, and other distinguished literary figures—alongside new and emerging voices from more than 150 countries.
With a renewed editorial focus, Life and Legends continues its commitment to publishing exceptional literature, with particular emphasis on poetry, translations, critical book reviews, in-depth interviews, and curated features that engage with the work of contemporary poets, authors, and literary translators.
Publication Schedule
Winter Edition – January 15
(Submission Deadline: November 30)
Spring Edition – April 15
(Submission Deadline: February 28)
Summer Edition – July 15
(Submission Deadline: May 31)
Autumn Edition – October 15
(Submission Deadline: August 31)
Poetry translations, interviews, and features are published on a quarterly schedule.
Response Time: We aim to respond to submissions within ten-twelve weeks. If you do not receive a response within that time frame, please contact us at: lifeandlegendssubmissions(at)gmail(dot)com.
Contributor Rights & Compensation
Life and Legends acquires First Serial Rights (including First North American Serial Rights) upon publication. All rights revert to the author immediately after publication. By submitting, authors grant Life and Legends the non-exclusive right to publish the work in its print and/or digital formats, and to archive the work as part of the magazine’s permanent online and promotional records.
Authors agree to credit Life and Legends as the first publisher of the work in any subsequent publication, including in books or other venues.
At this time, Life and Legends does not offer monetary compensation for published work. Contributors receive publication and international exposure through the magazine’s platform.
Important Note: Please read the submission guidelines carefully and submit your work accordingly. As we currently operate with a very small team, entries not submitted in accordance with the guidelines may not receive a response. All tips and submission fees are non-refundable. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Poetry & Translation Submissions
We publish work that reflects diverse voices, lived experiences, and meaningful engagement with the world, while demonstrating originality and attentiveness to language and poetic craft.
Please read the submissions guidelines carefully and submit your work accordingly.
Poetry
Submit up to five original, unpublished poems in a single PDF file containing only the poems and a third-person author bio of no more than 100 words. Please do not include personal details, hobbies, or unrelated information in your bio, and do not include a cover letter in this file. Each poem must have a title and begin on a new page. Each poem must be fully proofread and must not exceed two pages.
Translation
Submit three to five unpublished English translations of poems, in a single PDF file containing only the translations, the original poems, and the bios of both the author and the translator, each no more than100 words and written in the third person.Please do not include personal details, hobbies, or unrelated information in your bio and do not include a cover letter in this file. Each translated poem must have a title; if untitled, indicate “Untitled.” The translation must be followed by the original text, and each poem must begin on a new page.
Guidelines (Poetry and Translation)
Acceptable format and file type: Submit your work as a PDF file. Format your document in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and name it as: LastName_SubmissionType (e.g., Smith_Poetry or Smith_Translation) before submitting.
Submission Fee: There is no submission fee for Poetry and Translation submissions. However, as an independent journal that does not receive grants or sponsorships, Life and Legends welcomes optional contributions of any amount to help sustain its editorial and operational work. Support may be sent as a donation using the Tip Jar option on Duotrope or via PayPal to our email: silentriverflow(at)gmail (dot)com
If selected, contributors may be asked to provide high-resolution author photos (and translator photos, where applicable) in JPEG or PNG format. Please do not include any images in the submission file.
Cover Letter: A cover letter is not required but is welcome as a separate file.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us promptly if the work is accepted elsewhere. We do not accept AI-generated work or AI-generated translations and maintain a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism.
Submit via Submittable or Duotrope
Reviews, Interviews and Essays
Submission Guidelines
Reviews
We invite well-crafted reviews of poetry collections, works of fiction, literary nonfiction, and books in translation published between 2024 and 2026 by traditional or independent presses. We do not accept AI-generated reviews and reviews of self-published books.
We value reviews that are insightful, respectful, and engaging—placing the work within a broader literary and cultural context without being overly promotional or dismissive.
Requirements:
- Word Count: 750–800 words (excluding reviewer bio)
- Submit your review in a single PDF file (Times New Roman, 12-point font)
- Include the following within the same file:
- Book Title
- Author Name
- Reviewer Name
- Publisher Name
- ISBN Number
- Date of Publication
- A valid purchase link (preferably from the publisher or a major bookseller)
- A brief reviewer bio (50–75 words, third person)
- Book Cover Image: Attach a high-resolution JPEG image of the book cover as a separate file
Interviews and Essays
We welcome interviews and essays that spotlight contemporary poets, writers, and literary translators whose work contributes meaningfully to global literature and cross-cultural dialogue. Submissions must demonstrate literary insight and originality.
Please note that we do not accept interviews of self-published authors or individuals whose primary practice is outside of writing, where writing is not their principal body of work. As Life and Legends is primarily a poetry magazine, the featured author must have published at least one full-length poetry collection, in addition to any other publications.
You may submit your interview or essay directly; however, we do not guarantee that all direct submissions will be considered for publication. Alternatively, you may pitch your interview or essays to us via email, prior to submission. We require a brief summary of the proposed piece (150–250 words) and encourage pitches that demonstrate literary insight, originality, and diverse global perspectives.
Submissions must also include a bio (75–100 words), official website, and social media links of the author to be interviewed or featured, along with a bio of the interviewer or the author of the article.
Requirements:
- Submit your interview or essay in a single PDF file (Times New Roman, 12-point font), not exceeding 3,500 words, including the author’s and interviewer’s bios. Interviews or essays exceeding this word limit will not be considered for publication.
- The interview must begin with a creative introduction of the author (do not begin by copying and pasting the author’s bio). The introduction should thoughtfully contextualize the author’s work and literary contribution.
- Include a brief bio of both the interviewer and the author (75–100 words, third person).
- Ensure the interview and article are well-structured, fully proofread, within the specified word limit, and publication-ready.
- Acceptable format and file type: Submit your work as a PDF file, formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and name it as: LastName_Interview or Essay (e.g., Smith_Interview).
- You may upload up to two files: one submission file and one optional cover letter as a separate PDF file. Do not include a cover letter within the submission file.
- If selected, contributors may be asked to provide a high-resolution author photo (and other photos, if applicable) in JPEG or PNG format. Please do not include any images in the submission file.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please notify us promptly if the work is accepted elsewhere.
- We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and AI-generated content.
Submit via Submittable or Duotrope
Pitch & Publish (No Submission Fee)
We welcome thoughtful pitches year-round for interviews and essays that spotlight contemporary poets, writers, and literary translators whose work contributes meaningfully to global literature and cross-cultural dialogue.
Please Note: We DO NOT accept self-pitch.
There is no submission fee to pitch, but you’re welcome to leave a tip in our Tip Jar. Interviews and essays are published on a quarterly basis. If your pitch is accepted, the completed interview or feature must be submitted along with a basic submission fee, within 60 days of acceptance.
Response Time: We respond to pitches within four weeks or less. If you have not heard from us within that time frame, it is likely that we are unable to consider your proposal at this time..
Pitch Requirements
- In a cover letter, be sure to include all of the following:
- Specify whether the pitch is for an interview or an essay.
- A brief summary of the proposed piece (150–250 words). We encourage pitches that reflect literary insight, originality, and diverse global perspectives.
- The name, bio (75–100 words), official website, and social media links of the author to be interviewed or featured.
- The name, bio (75–100 words), official website, and social media links of the interviewer or feature writer.
Please note: We respond to pitches within four weeks or less. If you have not heard from us within that time frame, it is likely that we are unable to consider your proposal at this time.
If your pitch is accepted, the completed interview or an essay—under 3,500 words, including a creative introduction of the author in the opening paragraph of the written piece—must be submitted along with a basic submission fee (Non-Refundable), within 60 days of acceptance. Full submission guidelines will be provided upon acceptance.
Submit your pitch via Duotrope
