Hey, future contributor!
Thanks for all the great contest submissions! We are now OPEN for general submissions until March 1st, 2024.
We are also open to submissions to our Halloween contest!

Please check out our art or writing guidelines BELOW for submissions details, but in general, here’s what to submit for general submissions:
At the Hedge Apple, we believe that literature and artwork are essential parts of humanity. These powerful channels can offer us hope and healing, bring us together, and give voice to the marginalized. They aren’t highbrow pursuits reserved only for intellectuals—literature and art are for everyone. Fresh voices are essential, and we love fledgling artists. We are passionate about helping you find your niche, whether it’s through our feedback or the resources provided on our website, and yes, we want to hear from you veteran crafters too, so please send us your stuff as well. We want to hear what you have to say.
We are looking for mixed media submissions (prose, poetry, art, photography, and videos) of all genres. We are especially drawn to pieces that showcase vulnerability and draw from real life experiences. That does not mean we don’t enjoy comedic takes on life, fantasy epics, and unconventional pieces. We like to uphold the unique, showcase the weird, and embrace the uncomfortable.
Response times:
Contributors will receive a complimentary copy of their work if it is published in print. With deep apologies to our international contributors, we are unable to mail copies outside of the United States at this time.
Payment:
Contributors will receive a complimentary copy of their work if it is published in print. With deep apologies to our international contributors, we are unable to mail copies outside of the United States at this time.
Submission Guidelines for WRITING:
Please send fiction, poetry and nonfiction to hedgeapple@hagerstowncc.edu with the subject “Fiction/Poetry Submission.” Please feel free to include a brief bio written in the third person, pasted into the body of your email, if you’d like. If you choose not to include an author bio in your email, please understand that it be understood that you are choosing not to have one published with your work.
If you are writing for one of our themed issues, please mention the theme in the subject line. We do accept simultaneous submissions; however, please be courteous and withdraw your story/poem from consideration upon acceptance at another venue.
By submitting, you are agreeing to light editing that does not change the meaning or style. If your work is accepted for publication, you will receive a galley of your submission. We encourage you to review this email and respond with either corrections or approval. However, nonresponse will be considered approval of minor editing changes.
Manuscript Guidelines:
Please use Times New Roman or some similarly legible font, and please label all files with your name and the title of the work. Please simply paste your work into the body of an email or attach a Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx) files. Please do not submit PDFs. Please stay under 2,000 words.
Payment and Rights:
By sending your work to be considered for publication in our magazine, you are granting us North American serial rights, which means that we will publish the work online and in print, and then the copyright will return to you. If the work is republished, we ask that the Hedge Apple be credited.
Response Times
Our reading period is from September – March 1st, and we won’t send any acceptances or rejections until the reading period is over. If you haven’t heard anything from us by April 15th, don’t be afraid to email us at hedgeapple@hagerstowncc.edu with a clear subject line.
Submission Guidelines for ART:
Please send visual art (photos, 2D art, photos of 3D art, digital art) to hedgeapple@hagerstowncc.edu with the subject “Art Submission.” Files should be clear, professional images. Jpegs under 8 MB are preferred.
No cover letter is necessary; if you would like to send us a few sentences of author bio, you are welcome to, but it’s optional.
By sending us your work, you do grant us permission to publish it both online and in print, but you retain rights to publish or show it anywhere else that you wish.