Welcome!
We are currently seeking themed submissions for our next issue, Kindred: Poems on Platonic Love.
All works of platonic love will be considered, but we are especially interested in works that highlight friendship and community.
Deadline for themed submissions: July 1, 2025.
Regular submissions will reopen August 1, 2025.
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.
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.
Follow us on Twitter @upthestaircase for more info and update
Would you like to join our team?
Anyone can apply!
Our 4 reading periods are: February 1st-March 15th, May 1st-June 15th, August 1st-September 15th, and November 1st-December 15th, unless otherwise stated. We ask that Readers dedicate at least 1 hour per week to reading submissions during these periods.
If you are interested in joining us, please submit a document that includes your 3rd person bio and your responses to the following:
1. Who are your favorite contemporary poets? What do you enjoy about their work?
2. Which online journals do you love and what draws you to these publications?
3. Please choose a poem from Up the Staircase Quarterly's archives that you enjoy and let us know why it stands out for you and why you enjoy the poem.
We look forward to hearing from you and will get back to you as soon as we can!
UtSQ.