Testament: A Rural Anthology

Call for Submissions Now Open

What do we carry? What refuses to be erased?

Backwoods Literary Press invites writers and artists to contribute to Testament: A Rural Anthology, a collection centered on what endures—across memory, bloodline, land, grief, work, resistance, and joy.

This is a book about what we keep close. We’re seeking work shaped by the complexities of rural and small-town life: its inheritances, contradictions, and quiet truths. In a time of bans, backlash, and distortion, Testament is an act of remembering—and a refusal to let go.

We welcome both seasoned artists and first-time storytellers. Priority will be given to LGBTQIA2S+ folks, people of color, immigrants, and disabled people with connections to rural places, small towns, or reservations.

Submission Guidelines
Deadline: July 19, 2025
Genres accepted: Poetry, short fiction, essays, hybrid works
You may submit up to 5 total pieces, in any combination of the following: up to 3 poems, up to 2 short stories (1,200 words max each), and up to 2 essays or hybrid works (1,200 words max each).
Total submissions: Up to 5 pieces total
We accept previously published work as long as it hasn’t appeared in a publication that claims exclusive rights.
No submission fee

Submit your work and a short bio using our online form below.

Your story matters. What will you pass down?