The Harvard Advocate accepts submissions of art, fiction, and poetry of any form or length created by members of the Harvard community, as well as outside contributors at our discretion. All submissions are considered anonymously.
Spring 2026 Issue
FEAR has an odd directionality. At times it emerges from within, a frenzy of unease that clings desperately to the world around us: the unseen corners of the bed that breed monsters; waves against the hull making known the presence of some great beast stirring underneath; darkness that acquires weight, tapping insistently at the shoulder. At other times, fear is pressed upon us and a sudden realization makes known that we should indeed be afraid, forged by threat. Today this is our shared experience. As the world turns in ways that are nothing if not terrifying, fear becomes the texture of our condition.
On The Harvard Advocate's 160th anniversary we hear the word coming from the Old English fǣr — calamity, danger. We contemplate our motto, Dulce Est Periculum — danger is sweet. Who are we to be lovers of danger in an age of fear? The Advocate, too, is trembling, and so it speaks.
We are currently accepting submissions for our Spring 2026 issue.
Submissions for Fiction, Poetry, and Art are due November 14, 2025.
- We have no minimum or maximum word counts, but the work we publish tends to be between 700 and 7000 words.
- Please include a cover letter and brief third-person biographical statement with your submission.
- Attach your work as a Microsoft Word file. (Please consider double-spacing and using 12-point Times New Roman font with standard margins.)
- Because submissions are considered anonymously, please make sure your name is not anywhere in the document.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- We have no minimum or maximum word counts.
- If you'd like to, you may include a message to the editor with your submission. In this message you can describe your work, if you like, or give any background necessary to understand it.
- Attach your work as a Microsoft Word file or PDF file. Word files are the preferred format, but either is acceptable.
- Because submissions are considered anonymously, please make sure your name is not anywhere in the document.
- Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
- We primarily read and publish various styles of written poetry, but illustrated forms of poetry (like poetry comics)—along with other nontraditional poetic formats—can be submitted as well.
You can submit your work through the link above, or by emailing art@theharvardadvocate.com
2025