Frequently Asked Questions

Are contributors compensated for their work? 

At the moment, we are unable to pay our contributors for their work. All contributors will receive a free copy of the issue their work appears in and a discount on additional issues of Out of Bounds.

What rights does the author/artist keep?

All of them! We share your selected work in our print and digital issue. After that, you can do whatever you please. We may share your work(s) on social media, but if you don't want that to happen, you'll have a chance to opt out.

How long is the submission period? 

Our submission period is six weeks. Out of Bounds is a quarterly publication and we will hold four submission periods per year.

How long will it take to hear back?

We try to get back to applicants within two weeks of the submission period ending, but our day jobs/classes/commitments/etc sometimes make that hard. Please wait three weeks before inquiring about your submission.

Are there content guidelines/restrictions?

We are generally a 16+ publication. Profanity, mature themes, and some nudity is okay. Extremely gory, sexually explicit, or otherwise offensive works will be turned away. If you're unsure if your work is appropriate for us, ask. 

Can I submit fanart or fanfiction?

We do not accept works that would get us in trouble for copyright infringement. This means no fanart or fanfiction. Essays pertaining to pre-existing media, or works pertaining to media in the public domain may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

I want to submit my work to other publications/competitions. Is this okay?

Yes, absolutely! While we love being the first eyes on your incredible work, we completely understand if contributors are submitting to other publications, competitions, etc. If your work is previously published, please just let us know.

I have a question not in the FAQ or submission guidelines page!

email us at [email protected] and we'll do our best to help you!