Akpata Magazine has announced its submission windows for 2025, inviting writers and artists from diverse backgrounds to contribute their work. The magazine, known for its dedication to thought-provoking and impactful content, is seeking submissions that explore a variety of themes across fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art.
Here’s an overview of the submission periods and their corresponding themes:
January 7 – February 14: Stirred
This period calls for work that delves into the complexities of human emotions. Writers are encouraged to explore the raw and messy realities of feelings such as love, grief, anger, and joy. Fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction are welcome, with a focus on capturing the essence of the human experience.
April 7 – May 14: Coming Out
Akpata Magazine invites submissions that examine the multifaceted nature of identity. Pieces exploring religious, sexual, cultural, and personal identities, as well as stories of self-discovery and acceptance, are highly encouraged. The magazine is looking for work that navigates the challenges and triumphs of embracing individuality in a world often driven by labels.
August 1 – September 7: The Scars We Share (Anthology of Resistance and Resilience)
In commemoration of the ENDSARS protests, this submission window focuses on themes of resistance against oppression. Submissions addressing state-sponsored brutality, as well as gender, capitalist, and religious oppression, are particularly sought after. The magazine aims to amplify the voices of Black people while highlighting narratives of resilience and defiance.
Submission Guidelines:
- Fiction submissions must be no longer than 6,000 words.
- Creative nonfiction submissions must be no longer than 4,000 words.
- Poetry submissions should include up to 4 poems.
- Visual art submissions can include up to 5 images, submitted as high-resolution JPEG or PNG files.
- Only unpublished, original work is accepted. Submissions containing plagiarism or derivative content will not be considered.
- AI-generated content is not permitted.
- Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but contributors must notify the magazine if their work is accepted elsewhere.
- Written submissions must be in .docx format, double-spaced, using Times New Roman 12 pt font.
- Pages should be numbered, with the title of the piece and word count included on the first page.
- Visual art submissions should include brief descriptions of the work (70–200 words) explaining the concept and inspiration.
- A brief cover letter should state the contributor’s name, contact information, and title of the piece.
Submissions should be emailed to akpatamag@gmail.com , with the subject line formatted as “Genre – Title” (e.g., Nonfiction – The Sun Smiles).
Akpata Magazine is a literary publication founded in 2024 by students of the Department of English and Literature at the University of Benin. The magazine is dedicated to showcasing diverse voices and narratives that reflect the richness of the human experience, with a particular focus on African stories. It features a range of genres, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and serves as a platform for both emerging and established writers to share their work.
For more information, kindly visit the Akpata Magazine Official Website.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Bakare Oluwatobiloba
I write to educate, motivate and define history with literature. Just being me!
