Poetry
Uncanny Magazine
Uncanny is open to original unpublished speculative poetry of any length from 17 to 31 August 2026. Official pay is $40 per poem. Up to five poems, sent as separate submissions. AI-written work is banned.
🔴 Currently closed Verified 2026-09
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
- $40 per poemOf the other 51 records based in the United States that state a flat-fee figure, 15 state less, 35 state more, 1 state exactly this.
- Length
- Any length
- Who can submit
- Not statedNo country list. Same magazine-wide invitation to writers from every conceivable background.
- Reading period
- Closed.As of 6 September 2026 Uncanny is open to short fiction only (24 August – 7 September); it states it is closed to all other submissions, poetry included. Watch their newsletter for the next poetry window.
- Response time
- They try to respond in 30 days; query after 60 days
- Simultaneous submissions
- Not statedThe guideline does not address simultaneous submissions. BRYME records that as silence rather than assuming a yes: if you are sending the same piece to several publications, say so in your cover letter and withdraw it everywhere the moment it is taken.
- AI policy
- AI-assisted work is prohibitedThe guideline forbids AI-generated or AI-assisted writing.
- Rights
- StatedNot fully quoted on the public page.
- 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 3 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.
- Simultaneous submissions — the guideline leaves this open, so declare it in your cover letter rather than assuming.
- Experience — look at what kind of writer this publication normally publishes before you pitch; its guideline does not say.
Record last human-checked 2026-09-06. 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
- $40 per poem
- Word count
- Any length
- Submission
- Moksha — poetry window open through 31 August 2026
- International writers
- Yes
- Status
- 🔴 Currently closed
- Last verified
- 2026-09
What this publication wants
This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Poetry. Official guideline: Uncanny Magazine guidelines.
Topics, themes and styles they look for
- Original unpublished speculative poetry.
- Up to five poems, each as its own Moksha submission.
Subjects they avoid
- Resubmitting a rejected poem.
- AI-written poetry.
Key requirements
- Moksha
- Window closes 31 August 2026
- No AI
Who can submit
No country list. Same magazine-wide invitation to writers from every conceivable background.
Rights
Not fully quoted on the public 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.
- 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
Moksha — poetry window open through 31 August 2026
Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.
- Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
- Submission: Moksha — poetry window open through 31 August 2026
What the guideline asks you to prepare
- Submit via the poetry Moksha link on https://www.uncannymagazine.com/submissions/.
What happens after submission
Expected response: They try to respond in 30 days; query after 60 days
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: 2026-09.