The Closed Eye Open is an art & literature website that was started as an exploration of the many forms of self-expression. Our main goal is to feature work from a wide range of people that may not necessarily connect with other publications. Pieces that are weird, unconventional, or even experimental may very well fit with what we're going for.
We welcome everyone who has interest in creative expression, from established writers & artists, to those in academic disciplines, to those who may be new to the world of sharing their work with a larger audience.
We're interested in a multi-disciplinary approach.Whether your own interest in expression stems from a scientific background, a spiritual tradition, a liberal arts discipline, or an intrinsic desire to investigate your own subjective world, you have a place here. We would like to explore the creative output of anyone who has spent time with the big questions--whether those questions are on the grand cosmic scale, are more focused on the human condition, or are grounded in personal and practical concerns.
Here are the general submission guidelines:
- Between 1-10 visual art pieces; .jpeg file type preferred. Send file sizes that are convenient for you and we will ask for higher resolution images if needed for publication.
- 1-6 poems (send in a single file, .doc/.docx preferred).
- 1-3 pieces of short fiction or flash fiction (10 page/3,000 word maximum as a total length of submission)
- 1-3 pieces of creative non-fiction/essay (10 page/3,000 word maximum as a total length of submission)
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media. For art submissions, you may also add a list of titles as you would like them to appear.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere.
If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
If you would like to be considered for one of our upcoming issues or Maya's Micros features, good news! We have a submission available for expedited reading of your work. You will receive a response within 10 days, and as an extra thank you we'll send a PDF download of the most recent issue with the reply.
Here are the poetry submission guidelines:
- 1-6 poems (send in a single file, .doc/.docx preferred).
- We'll use the category of "poetry" to include prose poems, micros, experimental writing, and other hybrid forms. (The attachment also allows image files, so if you create visual art as well, feel free to show us!)
- We generally view each piece individually, so you may submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
In between main issues of The Closed Eye Open, we have an ongoing supplemental feature on our website. This little “extra” is called Maya's Micros and exclusively features the littlest form of creative writing—micros. Whether you consider them micro-poems or micro-fictions, they are welcome here… as long as each individual piece is 108 or fewer. (Why 108, you may ask? Have fun speculating: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/108_(number).)
Here are the submission guidelines:
- Up to 6 pieces (send in a single file, .doc/.docx). You may send both poetry & fiction in the same submission.
- Each individual piece must be 108 words or fewer (not counting title).
- We generally view each piece individually, so feel free to submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
Include your cover letter/submission info, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
With this submission, you will receive our editor commentary. This individualized feedback includes strong points, areas to consider revising, and suggestions for further development. You will receive a response within 30 days.
Here are the poetry submission guidelines:
- 1-3 poems / 5 pages max please (send in a single file, .doc/.docx).
- We'll use the category of "poetry" to include prose poems, micros, experimental writing, and other hybrid forms. (The attachment also allows image files, so if you create visual art as well, feel free to show us!)
- We generally view each piece individually, so feel free to submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
We are currently open for submissions to be considered for upcoming issues of The Closed Eye Open. Submissions will be considered for upcoming issues as well as our ongoing Maya's Micros feature.
Here are the poetry submission guidelines:
- 1-6 poems (send in a single file, .doc/.docx preferred).
- We'll use the category of "poetry" to include prose poems, micros, experimental writing, and other hybrid forms.
- We generally view each piece individually, so feel free to submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
We are currently open for submissions to be considered for upcoming issues of The Closed Eye Open. Submissions will be considered for Issue XI (Spring 2024).
Here are the fiction submission guidelines:
- 1-3 pieces of short fiction, flash fiction, or creative non-fiction (10 page/3,000 word maximum as a total length of submission)
- We generally view each piece individually, so feel free to submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
- Send a single file, .doc/.docx preferred.
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.
We are currently considering artwork for the cover of our upcoming Issue XII (Fall 2024).
The selected winner of the contest will have the cover image for the issue, which is a digital PDF release. In addition, the selected artist will have a gallery feature in the issue (5-8 works), as well as an opportunity to provide written commentary on the published pieces that will appear in the issue.
*If not selected as the cover art, your pieces will still be considered for publication in the issue.*
Here are the cover art submission guidelines:
- Up to 15 visual art pieces; .jpeg file type preferred.
- Please send high-resolution images as much as possible, as we may need to crop to meet the needs of our cover. (If you submit lower-resolution files as samples, please have high-res copies available.)
- Our PDF format is vertical 5.5" x 8.5" dimensions; however the submitted pieces do not need to be in that exact ratio.
- Visual art may include painting, drawing, photography & print-making, digital art, and hybrid forms.
- We generally view each piece individually, so feel free to submit pieces that vary in style or subject matter. If you prefer to have your submission viewed as a collection, please note that in the cover letter.
Include your artist statement/cover letter, a short 3rd person bio, as well as any relevant links to your website/social media. For art submissions, you may also add a list of titles as you would like them to appear.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw pieces from consideration if they are accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted, you agree to give The Closed Eye Open online publishing and archival rights; following publication, all rights revert back to the author/artist. We ask that you credit The Closed Eye Open if the work is published elsewhere in the future.