Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Other
Old Pal
Old Pal compensates contributors $50 upon publication for poetry, fiction, criticism, excerpts, audio, mixed media and art, with all rights reverting to the author on publication. It asks for up to 10 pages of poetry, 15 pages of prose, 10 images, or five minutes of audio or video, and charges no submission fee. Simultaneous submissions are welcome with notice, previously published work is refused while work posted to social media is still considered. Submissions are closed at present; reading periods run in spring and fall.
🔴 Currently closed Verified 2026-10
The docket
The nine things that decide whether a pitch is worth sending. Every answer below is either taken from the publication’s own guideline or computed by BRYME from the 300-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- $50 upon publicationOf the other 71 records quoting in USD on this desk that state a figure, 49 state less, 15 state more, 7 state exactly this. On publication.
- Length
- Up to 10 pages of poetry, up to 15 pages of prose, up to 10 images or visual artworks, and up to five minutes of audio or video.
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo country restriction is stated; the magazine encourages artists from all experience levels and communities.
- Reading period
- Not yet assessedBRYME has not recorded a reading period for this market from its guideline page. That is our gap rather than the publication's silence: it does not mean the window is open, and it does not mean there is none. Read the guideline linked on this page before you send.
- Response time
- Not statedNo response time recorded. A follow-up after two to three weeks is reasonable; silence past that is a soft no, not a rejection.
- Simultaneous submissions
- You may submit elsewhere at the same timeSimultaneous submissions are welcome; we just ask that you notify us to withdraw works if accepted elsewhere. — https://www.oldpalmagazine.com/submissions (read 2026-10-02)
- AI policy
- Not statedThe guideline is silent. BRYME records that 134 of the 300 publications on this desk do restrict AI-assisted work, so silence here is not permission — ask.
- Rights
- StatedAll rights revert to authors and artists upon publication; the magazine requests first publication acknowledgement if the work is published elsewhere in future, and asks permission to post brief excerpts to social media for promotion.
- Experience
- Not statedThe guideline sets no experience requirement. BRYME records that as silence, not as a welcome — a first-time writer is not excluded, but nor are they invited.
What this record does not tell you
This publication leaves 5 of the nine questions unanswered. BRYME publishes that gap instead of filling it — a generated answer would look complete and cost you a pitch.
- Who can submit — the guideline leaves this open, so ask before you spend an evening on the pitch rather than assuming a yes.
- Reading period — no window recorded yet, so check the guideline before you pitch rather than assuming it is open.
- Response time — expect to wait blind, and keep other pitches live.
- AI policy — assume disclosure is expected unless the editor says otherwise.
- Experience — look at what kind of writer this publication normally publishes before you pitch; its guideline does not say.
Record last human-checked 2026-10-02. Sources listed at the foot of this page. Figures are compared only against other records quoting in USD on this desk quoted the same way, so a per-word rate is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- $50 upon publication
- Word count
- Up to 10 pages of poetry, up to 15 pages of prose, up to 10 images or visual artworks, and up to five minutes of audio or video.
- Submission
- Online submissions through the magazine's form during its spring and fall reading periods.
- International writers
- Yes
- Status
- 🔴 Currently closed
- Last verified
- 2026-10
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, Essays, Other. Official guideline: Old Pal guidelines.
Topics, themes and styles they look for
- Poetry, fiction, criticism, excerpts, audio, mixed media and various mediums of art.
- Artists from all experience levels and communities; the magazine says it encourages them.
- Work already posted to social media, which the magazine says will still be considered.
Subjects they avoid
- Previously published work in the traditional sense, beyond social media posts.
- Submissions over the stated limits: 10 pages of poetry, 15 of prose, 10 images or five minutes of media.
- Sending outside the spring and fall reading periods.
Key requirements
- Note that submissions are closed at present; reading periods run in spring and fall.
- Respect the limits: up to 10 pages of poetry, 15 pages of prose, 10 images, five minutes of audio or video.
- There is no submission fee and no subscription required.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome - notify the magazine to withdraw works accepted elsewhere.
- Know that all rights revert on publication, with a first-publication acknowledgement requested for later reprints.
Who can submit
No country restriction is stated; the magazine encourages artists from all experience levels and communities.
Rights
All rights revert to authors and artists upon publication; the magazine requests first publication acknowledgement if the work is published elsewhere in future, and asks permission to post brief excerpts to social media for promotion.
AI policy
Not stated in the guideline
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.
- Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
- Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
- Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
- Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
- Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
- Say why it fits this publication.
- Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
- Close professionally and thank them for their time.
- Send through the official channel only.
Not accepting submissions at the last check.
How to submit
Online submissions through the magazine's form during its spring and fall reading periods.
Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.
- Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
- Submission: Online submissions through the magazine's form during its spring and fall reading periods.
What the guideline asks you to prepare
- Wait for the spring or fall reading period; submissions are closed now.
- Send poetry, prose, criticism, excerpts, audio, mixed media or art within the stated limits.
- There is no fee to submit.
- Mark simultaneous submissions and withdraw on acceptance elsewhere.
- Expect all rights to revert to you on publication.
What happens after submission
Expected response: Not publicly 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.
Check, question or correct this record
BRYME publishes its working, not just its conclusions. Last human check: 2026-10.