Submission Guidelines for Kaleidoscope Dispatch

We publish literary fiction, hysterical realism, magical realism, satire, and other experimental fiction/nonfiction.

Kaleidoscope Dispatch is thrilled to have you join our vibrant literary community. We specialize in literary fiction, hysterical realism, magical realism, satire, and various experimental forms of writing in both fiction and nonfiction. We believe in the power of storytelling to transform and challenge the way we perceive our world.

If you’re a writer seeking a platform for your innovative work, we invite you to submit to Kaleidoscope Dispatch. Please review our submission guidelines below.

Request to Be Added to the Publication

To begin, you’ll need to request to be added to our publication. Please follow these steps:

1. Follow Kaleidoscope Dispatch on Medium
2. “Clap” for this submission guidelines post
3. Comment on this post with a brief biography and your @username

Once we’ve received your request, we’ll review your Medium profile and consider adding you as a writer for Kaleidoscope Dispatch. Please allow up to two weeks for us to process your request.

Submitting Your Work

Once you have been added as a writer, you may begin submitting your work for publication. To do so, add your work to our publication. If you aren’t sure how to do this, review this step-by-step guide.

We accept both unpublished and previously published works. If your piece has been published elsewhere, please include a link to the original publication and ensure you have the rights to republish.

Submissions should range from 1,000 to 7,500 words. We may consider longer works, but please allow additional time for us to review and provide feedback. Currently, we only accept works written in English but hope to expand to other languages in the future.

Evaluation Criteria

Our editors will review each submission based on the following criteria:

1. Creativity: We’re looking for unique, imaginative stories that push the boundaries of conventional storytelling.
2. Craftsmanship: Show us your mastery of language, structure, and style.
3. Emotional resonance: Make us feel something, whether it’s laughter, sorrow, or awe.
4. Relevance: While we appreciate timeless tales, we’re particularly interested in stories that engage with contemporary issues and themes.
5. Presentation: Submissions must include a title, tagline, and image with source credit (which can include your own AI generated images). Please utilize headings, subheadings, and other formatting tools effectively.
6. References: In addition to including image sources, any other sources in your piece should feature in-text citations followed by a complete list of references at the end of the piece.

Tips for Success

Before submitting your work, we recommend reading some of the pieces published in Kaleidoscope Dispatch to familiarize yourself with our style and preferences. Here are a few tips for submitting a successful piece:

1. Edit thoroughly: Proofread your work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors
2. Be original: We’re drawn to fresh, inventive stories that challenge our perceptions and offer new perspectives.
3. Pay attention to structure: Ensure that your piece has a clear narrative arc and maintains a consistent tone and style.
4. Develop your characters: Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, vivid, fully realized characters are essential to a compelling story.
5. Engage with your audience: Consider the readers of Kaleidoscope Dispatch and craft your work with them in mind.
6. Call to action: Your work may feature one call to action for readers (e.g., inviting them to read your work elsewhere, follow your Substack) — but keep it brief and classy.

Resubmissions & Multiple Submissions

If your piece is not accepted for publication, you’re welcome to submit a revised version later. You may submit multiple pieces simultaneously.

Final Thoughts

We’re excited to read your work and appreciate the time and effort you’ve put into crafting your stories. By submitting to Kaleidoscope Dispatch, you’re joining a community of writers and readers who share a passion for innovative, thought-provoking literature. We look forward to discovering the stories you’ve woven and sharing them with our audience.

Thank you for your interest in Kaleidoscope Dispatch. Together, let’s continue to push the boundaries of storytelling and celebrate literary expression. We look forward to hearing your story!