Welcome!
Submissions are open for our next issue until December 15, 2026.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw accepted pieces promptly from consideration.
We will try to respond to your submission in less than 30 days. After 60 days query to upthestaircase [at] gmail [dot] com.
Please submit only once per quarter (or wait three months).
We do not accept previously published poetry for regular issues, but previously published artwork is okay. No AI, please.
If your work does not fit into a category below, please send us a query at upthestaircase[at] gmail [dot] com.
Up the Staircase Quarterly obtains first serial publishing rights. After a piece runs, all rights revert back to the author.
Unfortunately, we cannot currently pay writers for the work we accept.
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Submit 3 to 12 .jpg attachments of your visual artwork in a single submission.
Art submissions will be considered for both features and for pairings with writers (Issue Illustrator). An artist's statement is welcomed with your submission but not required. We will consider any genre, subject, and medium, but we are mostly looking for photography, paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Please include titles of work (if titled).
All Up the Staircase Quarterly cover art includes a staircase in the work. Although the staircase does not need to be the central focus, only artwork with a staircase somewhere in the piece will be considered.
Please submit 1-10 attachments from any type or style of visual art.
You can submit to our Tip Jar with any genre. Please check out the submission guidelines for your chosen genre.
Submitting to our Tip Jar helps us keep Up the Staircase Quarterly running. Thank you.