Survivors to Superheroes invites you to submit to the next edition of Songs of Survival!

Songs of Survival is a literary journal by the organization Survivors to Superheroes 1, which strives to support young people aged 12-24 who have been affected by sexual violence. Our goal is to empower survivors and their loved ones by providing a space for them to share their stories in a creative way.

DISCLAIMER: Survivors to Superheroes only accepts submissions from individuals who are 18 or older. There are mandated reporters on staff who will be required to report any submissions detailing ongoing abuse or violence from a writer below the age of 18.

Survivors to Superheroes’ literary journal, Songs of Survival, will only accept a submission the writer/artist has the publishing rights to. If the writer has given the piece’s publishing rights to a different literary journal or publication, it will not be eligible for Songs of Survival. Writers/artists will have the option to publish their work anonymously. Nonetheless, to avoid any potential legal ramifications, Survivors to Superheroes will change all names of characters and/or organizations referenced in the submission. Any references to distinguishable characteristics of an organization or institution must also be omitted. If desired, writers can consult with the Survivors to Superheroes staff to ensure any name changes are in keeping with artistic intentions. Before publication, all writers will sign a contract agreeing to these terms.

Submit

Submission Guidelines 

We are accepting submissions of creative nonfiction and fiction stories, poems, artwork and photography relating to the theme of survival – whatever that may mean to you. 

  • Survivors to Superheroes strongly encourages submissions from members of marginalized communities including LGBTQ+ people and people of colour.
  • Submissions may come from survivors themselves or loved ones who have their own story to tell. Submissions by survivors may relate to the theme in abstract ways, but we ask that submissions from loved ones focus more directly on survival. 
  • Creators must be 18 years or older to submit.
    • Since Survivors to Superheroes strives to support young people aged 12-24, we particularly encourage submissions that reflect the experiences of young survivors and their loved ones.
  • Format: All literary submissions must be sent in a word document with the author’s name and the type of submission in the file name. (Ex. Jane Doe-Poem.doc)  
  • For artwork or photography submissions, file name must have artist name and type of submission in file name. (Ex. Jane Doe-photography.jpg) 
  • Narrative pieces must be no longer than 3000 words and poetry no longer than fifteen pages.
  • Privacy: Creators must provide their legal name for contract purposes, but may choose to publish their work anonymously (See Anonymous Publication Statement below). Survivors to Superheroes does not require you to provide any other personal information, but will protect any personal information you do provide. 

Eligibility

Please read the eligibility requirements below before submitting and note that submissions from those under18 years of age may be read by staff who are legally required to report ongoing abuse or violence affecting minors (see Disclosure Regarding Mandated Reporting).

Creators must be 18 years or older. If you submit a story about ongoing abuse or sexual violence, we will not be able to accept it. Instead, a team member will reach out to offer help in taking the next steps to find resources in your area. 

We will accept work that has been previously published only when the creator discloses information about other publication(s). Survivors to Superheroes will retain publishing rights of the written work for two (2) years after the initial publication of the piece by Survivors to Superheros. Contributors may showcase sample works as portfolio pieces that Survivors to Superheroes has published within the 2 year period, only with written consent and approval from the Survivors to Superheros Content Manager.

Anonymous Publication Statement

We require all authors to provide their legal name for legal and contract purposes. When it comes to publishing, preferred names will always be used and an author may choose to publish anonymously. We do not accept pseudonyms or pen names for legal purposes. 

If submitting under a preferred name, please add an asterisk (*) at the end of the document title to indicate that the name will not match your legal name. Survivors to Superheroes will never disclose personal information such as your legal name without your permission. 

Legal Statement Of Liability

While creators may choose to include their own names, any other real names included in the work will be changed. Creators are invited to consult with editors from the Survivors to Superheroes team to maintain the artistic integrity of their pieces during this process. Creators may not reference any institutions or organizations in their stories, including direct naming or distinguishable characteristics. 

Disclosure Regarding Mandated Reporting

Our staff includes mandated reporters who are required to report abuse or violence currently affecting minors. Submissions from authors under the age of 18 will not be accepted, but please be aware that they may still be read by mandated reporters. 

1 Currently filing for non-profit status