Each contributor may submit up to 3 works of art or writing of any kind, including (but not limited to!): fine art, illustration, photography, poetry, short fiction, essay, criticism, diary entries, one-page comics, confessions, memes, manifestos, recipes, interviews, love letters, instructions, etc. AI-generated work will not be accepted.
There is no specific theme for individual issues of Substrate. Instead, contributors are encouraged to explore their dreams and desires for ways of living that reject the current status quo. What we are trying to do is to kill the fascists inside our hearts by allowing ourselves to truly, deeply want better for the collective of life on this planet. In this zine, that desire takes the form of Black and Indigenous futurisms, expressive collage, erotic queer poetry, solarpunk flash fiction, recipes for dinners shared with loved ones, photographs of cherished places, and so much more. No matter the subject or scope, if you have something that gives you hope and makes you feel connected to others, it has a place in this zine and I want to include it.
There is no submission fee for Substrate and never will be. Repeat contributors are welcomed. Submissions for Issue 08 are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Issue 08 will be published digitally and in print late May 2026. Substrate is available for free download and distribution and does not generate any profit. All contributors will receive two print copies of the zine.