At FROSTburn Magazine, we believe in the transformative power of words. 

As psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott writes, “Artists are people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.” We are drawn to this compelling interplay—the beauty found in opposing forces and the richness within contradictions. Our work spans fiction, nonfiction, poetry, literary reviews, and essays, often with a psychological or psychoanalytic perspective, delving into the intricate layers of human nature and the nuanced spaces “in between” relationships, emotions, and identities.

We seek writing that resonates intuitively with readers, speaking to them on a level of the collective unconscious. In Jungian terms, we are drawn to literature that taps into a shared reservoir of experience and symbols—timeless archetypes that connect across cultures and eras. 

As John Banville observed, “The world is not real to me until it has been pushed through the mesh of language.” We are endlessly curious about how language shapes our understanding of reality. This fascination draws us to pieces that experiment with and reshape language, and we value writing as a form of exploration, where words serve as bridges between disparate ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

At FROSTburn, we reject elitist gatekeeping, cultural authoritarianism and rigid standards that limit creative expression in service of intellectualism and systems of power. We believe literature is about inclusion, so we seek texts that integrate with life and reflect it. Our mission is ultimately to provide a home for readers and writers who may not always feel at home in the world. As Norman Rush put it, “It’s a rare reader who doesn’t go to the novel looking for a kind of encouragement to live.”

FROSTburn seeks to offer that encouragement through literature that connects, inspires, and reminds us that we are part of a vast human experience. As James Baldwin profoundly expressed, “You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read… it was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.”

We seek writing that feels tangible and alive, where the author’s voice resonates so vividly it feels like they’re right beside us, sharing their story in person. We want to be drawn so deeply into their world that each scene feels immediate and real, as if we’re moving through the story with them, experiencing every moment firsthand.

Submission Guidelines

1. Compensation: At this time, we are unfortunately unable to offer payment for accepted submissions. We hold great respect for writers’ work and hope to provide compensation as the magazine grows.
   
2. Exclusivity: We accept only original, unpublished work. By submitting to us, you confirm that your piece has not been published elsewhere, whether in print, online, or self-published formats.
   
3. Simultaneous Submissions: We understand and welcome simultaneous submissions. However, if your piece is accepted elsewhere, please notify us immediately so we can adjust our consideration process accordingly.
   
4. Publication Rights: If your work is accepted, we request first publication rights. This means that, while you retain full ownership, your work will debut with Frostburn. After publication, please wait three months before re-publishing your piece elsewhere, and we kindly request a mention of its original appearance in Frostburn.
   
5. Our Commitment to Diverse Voices: We welcome and actively seek works by writers from all backgrounds and experiences. This includes immigrant, working class, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, and disabled writers, as well as those from other historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. At Frostburn, we believe in amplifying diverse voices that enrich our understanding of the world and resonate with the human experience in all its forms.