Every year we run an an experiment that – with the exception of the occasional heavyweight anthology – is generally left untouched by publishers. Among traditional journals, it’s strictly taboo. An editor’s no-no. An unspoken gentlemen’s agreement sealed with a handshake in the backrooms of literary Geneva Conventions everywhere.

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to republish some unsolicited literature.

The way we see it, the start of every publication cycle sends scores of outstanding writing from yesteryear to the literary wayside. (Not everyone so thoughtfully offers up their complete archives at pay-what-you-can rates.) An ever-expanding swamp of forgotten literature is the nature of the beast we call publishing, but it’s an imbalance we aim to help correct. Past finalists came from name-brand publications and journals long defunct and upstart gems on the rise. And that’s the way we like it. The Editor’s Reprint Award features the best writing we can get our hands on. We don’t know what corner of the literary world it’ll come form until we read it.

For more on our thoughts regarding reprints, scroll to the bottom of the page. Otherwise, the guidelines follow:

Editor’s Reprint Award Details:

• $200 and publication in Sequestrum will be awarded to one previously-published piece of prose.
• A minimum of one runner-up will receive $25 and publication. Finalists listed on the site.
• Contest doors close April 30th 2016, dependent on submission volume.
  • As always, our first obligation is to giving every submission the time and consideration it deserves, and we reserve the right to close contest doors early in order to do so.
  • The short and long: Get your work polished and submitted and don’t dawdle about it.
• Entry fee is $15.
• Winners announced in August. Publication in our Fall-Winter’16 Issue.
• Regarding the original publication of a piece, there is no time frame or format (electronic or print) limitations, so long as it meets the copyright agreement with the original publisher. Many journals hold exclusive rights for between 3-6 months. Some are longer. We will be checking eligibility of finalists with original editors.

Submission Guidelines:

• The contest is only open to prose (fiction and creative nonfiction).
• We will only consider submissions through our online submission manager.
• In addition to a brief bio, include the name and email address of the original publisher in your cover letter so we can confirm availability should your submission be a finalist.
• Include a word count in your cover letter.
• Length and subject are open. Read our Archives and About Us if you’re new here.
• One piece per submission.
• Multiple submissions allowed.
• Do not include any identifying information on your manuscript, including your name or the original publisher. This information should be in your cover letter.

Happy submitting and best of luck.

Curious why reprints?
There’s no shortage of opinions regarding reprints. Between writers and publishers, it’s a topic right up there with religion and politics. You hold grudges over it. You lose friends over it. Preteens of opposing families are forced into midnight-balcony soliloquies and graveyard rendezvous ending in cyanide-lipstick kisses. We consider it a civic duty to take a stand. For the children.

While our primary obligation is to finding and publishing new writing and voices (we’re still reading regular submissions year-round), what we’re ultimately interested in is providing a stage for the best writing. Whether a piece is new or was published a decade ago in a heavyweight journal or landed in a niche market last July or resides in the pulpy wasteland of defunct journals, we want to read the best writing out there. And in this case, two lucky pieces will get a second breath of life normally reserved for ultra-exclusive anthologies. As writers, we know too well that guttural rumble of an old story hungering for the eyes and ears and minds of a second audience, and that’s why we’re offering the publisher’s equivalent of an egg-salad sandwich. Hearty, simple, with a vegan hummus alternative.

Past Contests:
2015 Editor’s Reprint Award Results