The Jawbone Journal
Submission Guidelines
The first issue of the Jawbone Journal is open for free submissions
from 1st April until Midnight on 30th April 2025
General Guidelines...
The Jawbone Journal is an A5 - 64 Pages Perfect Bound print publication limited to a maximum print run of 500 copies, colour cover, monochrome interior.
We ask that you do not submit simultaneously... We will always try to respond quickly to submissions, if you haven’t heard from us your work is still being considered.
We will respond to all submissions within 1 month from closing date of submissions.
Depending on the quantity and quality of submissions we reserve the right to close submissions until the next edition. This will be announced on the website.
All copyright remains with the author.
On being published: In the event of subsequent publication elsewhere please mention Jawbone Journal as 'first published by' for your work.
If your work is accepted and scheduled, there can be no editing requests for that work, unless we spot a typo. In that event we will contact you with any editing issues.
There’s currently no payment for work. We will promote the work of contributors on our social media channels.
Submissions outside the submission window will be automatically rejected. Anything offensive will, of course, also be rejected.
We are a female centric organisation and subscribe to all the tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion. We will never accept abuse of our staff or volunteers in any form.
"In the beginning, the word was...?"
The theme for the first edition relates to words.
Language is ephemeral, it is constantly changing, influenced by society, geography, circumstance and those who record it. The phrase “Poets and writers are the conscience of society” is often referenced and credited to many different voices.
We believe that we have an opportunity as creatives to influence others. Words are powerful, they can dissuade, enrich, distract, empower, change, influence for good or ill… We see everyday the ramifications of words used as political weapons. Diplomacy. Propaganda. Rhetoric. Conciliation. Accord. Truth.
Words are being weaponised, being used to radicalise, persuade and obfuscate by corporations and politicians. Or are we being too sensitive? As a civilised and democratic society, what should we allow?
The wrong words (or the right?) at the right (or wrong?) moment can change history. We want words of protest, words of rebellion, words of peace, words of love, words of healing.
Share your words with us in any form: poetry, prose, flash fiction, or short story. Surprise us, we like a twist.
Submissions for issue 1 are free and eligible for selection for the inaugural print edition of The Jawbone Journal.
Each edition of The Jawbone Journal has a section devoted to a particular poetry form. In the first edition it is the poetry form of the Kyrielle. Follow the link to Wikipedia to find the form and further links on how to construct a Kyrielle.
Send your submissions in a single attached document...
We accept Pages, Word, RTF, or PDF
Your pieces should all be in a single document
The attachment file should be named 'SurnameForename-poetry' or 'SurnameForename-flash'
The first page should include your name, mail address, email, phone number and titles of your submissions. Also a 50 word bio in the third person.
Each poem or story should be on a separate page with a page break between pieces.
Font should be 10pt Helvetica or Helvetica Neue or Times New Roman.
Single spacing between lines.
Blank lines between stanzas.
The Jawbone Journal is A5 size so long line lengths and titles will not fit.
Original work only, No Translations
AI poetry is not accepted in any form.
Email subject line should say
"Submission - Journal One"Email to: jawbonejournal@gmail.com
Subscribe to the Jawbone Journal
4 Subscription Levels Available
Starting With Basic
Issue One Submissions limited to South-West UK* Only...
Poetry - 1 to 4 pieces | Maximum total line count of 80 lines - including titles and stanza breaks.A single Long Form Poem up to the maximum line count accepted - Make it good! |
Flash Fiction | 1 to 2 pieces - Total Word Count across both pieces not to exceed 400 words.Flash (upto 300 words), Micro Flash (less than 100 words). |
Short Fiction | Maximum 500 words - Space limitations make this our ceiling currently.Short factual articles also considered. |
* In order to be considered for publication you need to live, work or have a major connection to the Wessex region. You probably live or work in the postcode areas including Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Bristol and Avon, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and The Isle of Wight.
THE JOURNAL TEAM
Jawbone Journal Editors and Avid Readers
Clare Morris
Co Editor
Peter Roe
Co Editor
Izzy Robertson
Producer &
Copy Editor
Caroline Burrows
Support Angel
Juggling Heaps of Stuff
More From The Jawbone Collective
Poetry & Creative Writing Workshops
In person and online offerings throughout the year
A wonderful opportunity to take time out, explore and draw out your creative voice on the edge of the Jurassic Coast
l loved how much freedom we were given, especially when it came to wandering the grounds and with the prompts. Not boxed in, but rather guided which was different from a lot of previous workshops. Also, the location was gorgeous. Would love to visit there again.
Workshop Participant
Landscape, Myth and Magic Workshop
"These workshops have been transformational for me as a creative soul, and the community and opportunities that are building up as a result of these workshops and the Jawbone work generally are incredible. I can't thank Peter and Megan enough for creating this thriving poetry and writing scene in Dorset."
Simone Webber - Dorset
Regular workshop attendee
2025 Workshops Available for Booking Now
Let's get in touch
The Jawbone Collective CIC
1 Manor Farm Court
Walditch, Bridport
Dorset UK
DT6 4LQ
thejawbonecollective@gmail.com
+44 7876596184
We would love to hear from you!
Fill out the form, we'll be in touch soon.
The Jawbone Collective CIC 2025 All rights reserved.
