Sinister Wisdom: Lesbian Stories
Call for Submissions

What are lesbian stories in the twenty-first century? A new generation is choosing the term “lesbian,” sometimes alongside other terms, including queer, sapphic, nonbinary, and more. At the same time, established authors firmly grounded in their lesbian identities have for decades created work that deepens our understanding of what it means to be lesbian.

For this issue, we’re seeking work that shows how younger writers are building on and challenging work that came before—as well as how established lesbian writers have grown or changed their work. We also want to see how writers may be addressing a broader community—queer, bisexual, pansexual, trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, and more—while also including all the elements “lesbian” has meant historically. Authors are invited to submit a brief statement accompanying their work that can include their influences and hopes for the lesbian community of the twenty-first century.

We’re seeking short fiction and creative nonfiction lesbian stories up to 4000 words in length. A variety of genres are welcome, including realist, memoir, speculative, science fiction, fantasy, mystery and romance. We strongly welcome diverse writers and themes, including those related to race/ethnicity, class, gender identity, religion, disability, and neurodivergence.

Submit to Sinister Wisdom and label your submission as LESBIAN STORIES.
Deadline for submissions: April 1, 2024
Any questions can be sent to sinisterwisdom@gmail.com

About the Editors:
Katherine V. Forrest’s seventeen works of fiction include her ten-volume Kate Delafield mystery series and the lesbian classics Curious Wine and Daughters of a Coral Dawn. Her awards and honors include five Lambda Literary Awards, a Lifetime Achievement from the Publishing Triangle, the Trailblazer Award from the Golden Crown Literary Society, and the Pioneer Award from Lambda Literary. Senior editor at the storied Naiad Press for ten years, she is currently editor-at-large at Bella Books.

Penny Mickelbury is the author of fifteen novels and a collection of short stories, and she is a contributor to half a dozen short story collections. She is a Lammy and Goldie finalist. She is the 2020 recipient of the Alice B Medal. The former journalist was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in 2019.

Judith Katz is the author of Running Fiercely Toward a High Thin Sound, which won a 1992 Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Fiction, and The Escape Artist. She has been an advocate for lesbian stories and lesbian storytellers since the 1970s and probably even before that.

Rachel Gold (they/she) is the author of multiple award-winning queer and trans young adult novels. Currently an English professor at Macalester College, Rachel has a diverse writing career from journalism to marketing. Rachel is a nonbinary lesbian, all-around nerd, and avid gamer. For more information, visit: www.rachelgold.com.