A home for independent voices in poetry, prose, portrait essays, and short fiction
Debut edition coming April 2026
Theme: Seasons
Poetry, Essays, and short fiction under 2000 words!
Submit your work here!
The Skyfreight Journal is the official bi-annual literary publication of Skyfreight Publishing House, created to spotlight the voices of independent poets, storytellers, and essayists from around the world. Each issue centers on a theme that captures a shared aspect of the human experience — love, identity, time, resilience, creation, loss, or rebirth — and invites writers to explore it in their own way.
The Journal exists to give a platform to writers who are crafting on their own terms — outside of institutions, agents, or mainstream publishing cycles. It’s a space for those whose art speaks directly, honestly, and with courage.
Through thoughtful curation and design, each issue becomes a portrait of independent literature: raw, diverse, and beautifully human.
Our Mission
The Skyfreight Journal is committed to showcasing independent artists and their creative work with the same care and respect as large publishing houses offer established names.
We believe that independent literature deserves to be not only read, but celebrated — presented with intention, visual beauty, and editorial precision.
Every issue is both a creative collection and a statement of purpose: that the future of literature lies in the hands of the independent voices shaping it today.
What We Publish
Each issue features:
- Poetry — from lyrical and experimental forms to narrative and free verse. We look for work that moves with emotional honesty and artistic risk.
- Short Fiction (under 2,000 words) — tightly written, imaginative, and character-driven stories that leave a lasting impression.
- Portrait Essays — introspective pieces exploring identity, personal experience, or the human condition through vivid, reflective storytelling.
We encourage both emerging and established writers who identify as independent artists — whether you self-publish, post your work online, or are simply creating on your own path.
Themes and Submission Windows
The Skyfreight Journal releases two issues per year, each centered around a unique theme announced in advance on our website and social media.
Themes are intentionally open to interpretation, designed to give writers creative freedom while maintaining a shared emotional thread through the collection.
Each submission window welcomes entries across poetry, short fiction, and portrait essays. You may submit multiple works within a category as long as each piece aligns with the current theme.
Publication and Contributor Features
Contributors selected for publication will:
- Be featured in both the digital and print editions of The Skyfreight Journal
- Receive a digital contributor copy
- Have their work highlighted on the Skyfreight Publishing House website and social platforms
- Join a growing network of independent artists whose work is showcased with care and professional design
We treat each contributor’s work as part of a larger artistic conversation — one that values authenticity, individuality, and creative courage.
Why We Charge Submission Fees
The Skyfreight Journal is part of a small, independent publishing house built from the ground up by creators who believe in the importance of independent literature.
Our modest submission fees support the costs of design, editing, web hosting, printing, and promotion, ensuring that every piece we publish receives the quality presentation it deserves.
As a new and growing platform, Skyfreight depends on this community of writers to sustain and expand the opportunities we offer.
Your support allows us to continue showcasing independent art — and building a permanent home for it.
Submission Fee: $10
Submissions open for each themed issue will include poetry, short fiction (under 2,000 words), and portrait essays.