The Rumpus

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Essays, Fiction, Poetry, Personal essays. Official guideline: The Rumpus guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Original unpublished fiction, poetry, essays, comics, criticism, interviews — when that genre is listed as open.
• One submission per section at a time. Simultaneous submissions allowed if you withdraw promptly.

Subjects they avoid

• Do not submit essays, fiction or poetry before 15 September 2026.
• Pitches. Official: they do not accept pitches under any circumstances.
• Work written with assistance from or by AI.
• Previously published work, including personal blogs and social media.

Key requirements

• Wait until 15 September 2026
• Submittable
• Previously unpublished
• No AI

Who can submit

No country list. Official: emerging and established writers.

Rights

Not fully stated on the About 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.

Opens in windows. Currently between reading periods.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Submittable when the genre reopens — do not email

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

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Submittable when the genre reopens — do not email

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Do not submit now.
• On or after 15 September 2026, use https://therumpus.submittable.com/submit and only the categories that appear.

What happens after submission

Expected response: They hope to respond within three months. Do not query sooner.

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.