We are looking for Jewish writing that doesn’t shy away from a bit of darkness. In our first issue, we asked specifically for horror, thriller and mystery—but in practice, all we are really looking for is a work where Jewishness, plot and mood work in tandem to tell a vivid story.
Most of our publications are prose, but we also put out poetry, creative non-fiction, and even screenplays. Format is not as important as content.
Submissions for Issue 2 open July 8th and close August 20, 2026.
Requirements
Submissions should not be more than 5,000 words.
Every submission, whether it’s poetry, creative non-fiction, or traditional storytelling, must have significant Jewish themes. That could mean characters, settings, or mythological background—but it must be perceptible withinin the story.
Make it good! We love twists, haunting atmospheres, and rich world-building. But anything that has us wanting to keep reading is good.
FAQs:
Is there a fee?
No. We do not ask our contributors to pay to be considered, and never will.
Are writers compensated for their submissions?
Unfortunately, at the moment we are a small publication. We do not yet have the resources to pay our writers, although it is a long-term goal.
What happens to the rights to my work when you publish them?
They remain yours. Our authors retain full copyright to their work. By submitting to us, you grant us non-exclusive license to publish your work. You’re then free to publish it elsewhere, but please make sure it’s clearly stated that it was first published on The Poison Well so new readers can find us.
When will I hear back?
For Issue 2, you should hear back by August 30 2026. That said, this is a small publication working off very few resources, so do allow a grace period of a couple of days. Thank you for your patience.
Are simultaneous submissions accepted?
Yes, but you must make it clear when submitting that this is not your only submission. Please submit all your work under the same name.
What languages are accepted?
At the moment, only English and Hebrew.
Do you have to be Jewish to submit?
While part of The Poison Well’s mission is to give Jewish writers a place where they can publish cultural themes freely, our writers do not have to be Jewish. All submissions must include Jewish themes, however.
I have a question that doesn’t appear here. How can I get in touch?
Click the button below to message us.