The Agora, VOLUME 9 – CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2025

The Agora's Submission Guidelines

PLATO members are invited to submit original works of poetry, fiction, nonfiction (including essays), and/or visual art (painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography) for PLATO’s The Agora Volume 9 scheduled for publication in Autumn of 2025. Submissions will be reviewed by jury panels appointed by the Editorial Board of The Agora, and decisions will be announced in April/May of 2025.

– All submissions must be received by 4:30pm on Friday, March 14, 2025.

– Current PLATO members may submit material for consideration – click here to explore previously selected Agora Features.

– Submissions must be original, unpublished work, and not infringe on any copyright.

– Each PLATO member is encouraged to submit up to three pieces in one or more categories (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual arts).

The submission process requires two steps:

1. The first step is to complete and submit this online form.
   

2. The second step is to email your submission to PLATO's Office Coordinator, Stephanie Steigerwaldt, at info@platomadison.org. Because submissions undergo blind review, please name your submission with the title of your piece only. The name of your piece should match the title on the submission form exactly.

LITERARY SUBMISSIONS must be emailed to info@platomadison.org. Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction submissions of up to 2,500 words should be in Microsoft Word format. If you don't have access to Microsoft Word, please submit your work by typing (or copying and pasting) it directly into an email, using indentations for paragraphs in prose and line breaks for poetry. If you have questions, please reach out for assistance to Edie Urness-Pondillo at epondillo@aol.com or 615-424-5960. We don't want technology to interfere with members' ability to participate! You will find assistance at city libraries and at the Goodman Center for general help in using Microsoft Word.

VISUAL ARTS SUBMISSIONS must be photographed and emailed to info@platomadison.org. The .jpg format is preferred, although .tiff is acceptable, and 300 dpi is a must. Do not send original artwork. You must include the medium used in your art, as well as dimensions. If you are having problems sending your work, contact Edie Urness-Pondillo at epondillo@aol.com or 615-424-5960.

PLEASE NOTE:

– All submissions will be acknowledged via email. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, please contact info@platomadison.org to make sure the piece arrived.

– The Agora Editorial Board is not responsible for materials that may be lost in the submission process. Therefore, those who submit are advised to retain copies of all work submitted.

– If you wish to withdraw your submission from consideration, please notify PLATO's Office Coordinator, Stephanie Steigerwaldt at info@platomadison.org by April 1, 2025.

Thank you for participating in this biannual PLATO tradition!