The Pedestal Magazine offers an online base for critiques, artists and writers to publish their work and thoughts into a discussion spanning all literary genres. Their guidelines vary from issue to issue, and often they have themes. Pedestal does not accept previously published work, though they will take simultaneous submissions if noted. In addition, submissions may only be completed through the submission form; those sent through direct email or snail mail are not valid. No queries are required for fiction or poetry submissions.
The Pedestal Magazine publishes an issue once every two months starting in February of every year.
Fiction Submissions
Pedestal prides itself on being a platform for all genres, though certain issues may have a featured theme or genre. Because they change the tone and focus of the magazine, their are general guidelines for each issue.
Their February 2012 issue will be accepting longer works of up to 5,000 words; the reading cycle for this issue is December 14 - February 14. Pedestal asks that writers submit work to be considered for a themed issue during its reading cycle so that it may be properly featured if that is the desire.
The April 2012 issue is prompt-based and feature stories centered on the fictional character Mark Nipple. The Pedestal Magazine details Mr. Nipple below:
Pedestal 69 Brings You...The Adventures of Mark Nipple! All stories MUST be about Mark Nipple. Mark Nipple grew up in New England in the 1970s, where he was an aspiring musician. He was in a punk band and fantasized a recording career. This did not happen. He married during the first year of the Clinton administration and has two children, a son and a daughter. He and his wife Anita live in Pittsburgh, and Mark makes his living as a graphic artist. His son, Aubrey, is similarly an aspiring musician. His daughter Samantha lives in California. Mark does not believe in UFOs but he does have “lucky numbers” that he keeps to himself; not even Anita knows what they are.
Poetry Submissions
In keeping with their fiction standards, Pedestal accepts poetry of all kinds and lengths, from a surrealist free-verse to a Spenserian sonnet. Poets may submit up to six poems at once through the submission form.
In every June issue, The Pedestal Magazine features speculative poetry, including science fiction, horror, slipstream, fantasy, surreal and experimental, and poetry that does not fall under the speculative genre will not be considered. The reading cycle for June issues is April 28 - June 14.
The April 2012 issue will be publishing only ekphrastic poems, which are poems inspired by works of art. A digital file of the artwork related to the poem is required for each submission, so copyright rules may apply.
In addition to publishing poetry and fiction, Pedestal also publishes book reviews between 850 and 1,500 words in length, though one must query first; they offer $0.02 per word for review pieces.
The Submission Process
Submissions must be sent through The Pedestal Magazine’s online submissions form, and writers can expect a reply generally within 4 to 8 weeks. Previous contributors must allow two issues to pass after having their work first published to submit subsequent pieces.
Payment
- fiction: $0.05 per word
- poetry: $40 per poem
Rights
The Pedestal Magazine will obtain first rights, and upon publication, rights will immediately refer back to the author. Pedestal will have the capability to publish the work in subsequent issues without paying the author additional compensation.
Closed For Submissions
- January 12 - 18
- February 14 -27
- March 12 - 18
- April 14 - 27
- May 12 - 18
- June 14 - 27
- July 12 - 18
- August 14 - 27
- September 12 - 18
- October 14 - 27
- November 12 - 18
- December 14 - 27
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