Awakened Voices Magazine is a digital publication of literary and visual art made by survivors of sexual violence. The magazine is part of a program in Chicago that makes survivor art visible through both a gallery showcase and an online presence.  The program provides, “a safe space and supportive community for survivors who wish to share their stories.”

Right now through February 1, Awakened Voices is accepting submissions for their twelfth issue, scheduled for publication in June 2021. To get an idea of what they publish, submitting authors can read the current issue here: https://awakeningsart.org/issue-11-legacy/.

Awakened Voices prioritizes submissions by survivors of sexual violence, secondary survivors, counselors, and educators. Writing must be about the experience of sexual violence, and they prefer writing in which the immediacy of the experience is processed in some way. They accept both unpublished and previously published work. 

Authors of fiction (including flash) or creative nonfiction may submit up to seven double-spaced pages. Authors of poetry may submit up the three poems. Awakened Voices also accepts visual art, and visual artists may submit up to three pieces. Additionally, they accept graphic work, including comics, and cross-genre pieces. Awakened Voices pays authors $12 per published piece. Submitting authors can expect a response within six months.

Awakened Voices only accepts work that adheres to these submission guidelines. Please read their guidelines in full before submitting. They accept submissions online, using Submittable. They don’t accept submissions via email or by post. If you would like to learn more or submit to Awakened Voices, please visit their website at https://theawakeningsfoundation.submittable.com/submit/180461/awakened-voices-issue-12