Other, Fiction, Essays
The Offing
The Offing’s Wit Tea window ended October 1, 2026. Its next opening is unconfirmed; check the official manager for currently open sections.
🔴 Currently closed Verified 2026-10
This window has closed. The deadline BRYME recorded was 1 October 2026, which has passed. BRYME has not yet re-checked whether a new window has opened — read the publication’s own guideline below before you pitch.
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 304-publication desk. Where the publication does not say, the docket says so instead of filling the gap in.
- Payment
- $25–$100 on publicationOf the other 51 records based in the United States that state a flat-fee figure, 7 state less, 37 state more, 7 state exactly this. Upon publication.
- Length
- No more than 8 pages
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo country list on the official guidelines.
- Reading period
- Wit Tea listed as ending 1 October 2026
- Response time
- They try to respond within six months
- Simultaneous submissions
- You may submit elsewhere at the same timeSimultaneous submissions are accepted; please be sure to withdraw your piece promptly if it’s accepted elsewhere. — https://theoffingmag.com/submit/submission_guidelines/ (read 2026-09-30)
- AI policy
- AI use must be disclosedThe guideline allows AI use but requires you to declare it.
- Rights
- StatedFirst serial rights worldwide in English and non-exclusive anthology rights. Contributor retains other rights and must cite The Offing if relicensed.
- 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 2 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.
- Experience — look at what kind of writer this publication normally publishes before you pitch; its guideline does not say.
Record last human-checked 2026-10-03. Sources listed at the foot of this page. Figures are compared only against other records based in the United States quoted the same way, so a per-word rate is never ranked against a flat fee.
Quick facts
- Payment
- $25–$100 on publication
- Word count
- No more than 8 pages
- Submission
- Check the current Submittable department list; the Wit Tea category has expired.
- 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: Other, Fiction, Essays. Official guideline: The Offing guidelines.
Topics, themes and styles they look for
- Comedic work in any genre. Strong character voices, absurdity, momentum, vulnerability, surprise.
Subjects they avoid
- Email submissions.
- More than one piece per department at a time.
- AI unless it is an intentional engagement or critique of AI, marked with where and how it was used.
Key requirements
- Submittable only
- ≤8 pages
- Previously unpublished in English
Who can submit
No country list on the official guidelines.
Rights
First serial rights worldwide in English and non-exclusive anthology rights. Contributor retains other rights and must cite The Offing if relicensed.
AI policy
Disclosure required
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
Check the current Submittable department list; the Wit Tea category has expired.
Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.
- Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
- Submission: Check the current Submittable department list; the Wit Tea category has expired.
What the guideline asks you to prepare
- The Wit Tea Submittable category expired after 1 October 2026; The Offing says departments not listed in the manager are not currently accepting.
- Check https://theoffingmag.submittable.com/submit for departments that are currently open.
- Do not submit through the expired Wit Tea category link.
What happens after submission
Expected response: They try to respond within six months
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.