Island

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Poetry, Fiction, Creative nonfiction, Essays. Official guideline: Island guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Print poetry for Island 180: a maximum of three poems in any form.
• Island Online nonfiction: new nonfiction of approximately 1,500 words.
• Writing about what fascinates, excites or enrages you — it does not have to be zeitgeisty.
• Graphic narrative pitches for 8-page works, with specialist editor Joshua Santospirito.

Subjects they avoid

• Anything you have written, rewritten or otherwise created using AI. Their stated reason: "AI is destroying writers' income."
• Print nonfiction while that door is closed, and work much over 4,000 words for print.

Key requirements

• Submittable
• Australia, NZ or Australians abroad
• Max 3 poems
• No AI

Who can submit

Official and restrictive: "Island welcomes submissions from Australia, New Zealand and Australians living abroad." Writers based elsewhere are outside the stated eligibility.

Rights

Not stated on the submissions page.

AI policy

Prohibited

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Not accepting submissions at the last check.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Submittable; pitches by email to the editor

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable; pitches by email to the editor
• Submission email: jane@islandmag.com

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Read https://islandmag.com/submit and pick the right call — several close 18 September 2026.
• Check the contributor fee on the linked Submittable listing before submitting.
• For graphic narratives, pitch jane@islandmag.com directly.

What happens after submission

Expected response: Not stated

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.