Dark Phrases is creatively fueled by the talent of students of color, whose distinctiveness and breadth of their creative scope shape our community.

For our Spring 2026 print edition, the theme is Wandering through Gardens.* Send us your prized work in the form of artistic and literary submissions. We prioritize ideas of empowerment and embrace themes of multiculturalism and intersectionality, but such themes are not a requirement.

Peruse Dark Phrases’ interpretations of the theme here, but trust your instincts. We value your interpretations and visions—they shape each and every issue in their own unique way. Feel free to ask us questions; our inbox is always open.

*While we would love to have submissions that reflect our theme, we recognize that this isn't always possible. Nonetheless, we want to acknowledge your work, so send it in.

Submissions are now open for our spring print edition, Wandering through Gardens, until February 28th, 2026, at 11.59pm EST. 

Submit here
Submit here

Spring Print & DP Digital Guidelines

Writing

Submit all writing as a Google document.

  • Creative Nonfiction (3,000 words limit.)*

  • Fiction (3,000 words limit.)

    • Short stories, flash, and excerpts from longer works are acceptable.

  • Poetry, with a maximum of 3 poems per submission.

    • Prose, with a 2-3 page limit.

If you have work outside of these guidelines and would still like to submit, please contact us.

Please omit any identifying information from all submitted file names.

Design

Submit all Design pieces as a .jpeg.

  • Studio Arts, with a maximum of 3 pieces, titled*, sent via JPEG.

  • Film, with 1-4 stills that best represent your project. If a YouTube or Vimeo link exists, please send it.

  • Photography, with 1-5 photos, titled.*

Please submit an artist’s statement (around 250-350 words) per project, series, or photograph.

*We consider “Untitled” to be a title, but please discuss its meaning in the artist’s statement.

Submissions are currently open for our Spring Print edition, Wandering Through Gardens.

Submission Windows

DP Digital

  • Submissions are rolling.

  • To submit, send us an email at darkphrases@gm.slc.edu with a one-line pitch. Please indicate section (Writing or Design) in the email header. CC the Senior Section Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

    • Refer to this document for more specific details on the submission process.

Spring Print

  • Submissions are now open for our spring print edition, until February 28, 2026. Find the submission link here.