Our theme for this issue of CURA is Ghosts Around the Block.

As the seasons are changing, nostalgia and interpersonal reflection abound. Autumn is a time of both bountiful harvests and of decay. Our Fall 2026 issue, “Ghosts Around the Block,” is centered around better understanding our histories and all those histories around us. We are committed to honoring the bones of the physical spaces we inhabit and our own memories and emotions. The following is a rumination on what haunts us, whether we want it to or not, and how the past can inform the present

In your submissions, we are looking for works that muse on the past. We would love to know what haunts you, your regrets, the secrets you keep. Consider the space and histories around you and how they play into your life and go from there. We are open to poetry, flash fiction, short stories, photography, paintings, and more. As long as you are honoring bones, there is a space for your work here.

We accept submissions from students, staff & faculty, and all others. We ask that your submissions are in English and that they are original submissions published nowhere else. 

All works must be works of fiction. We will not accept non-fiction / creative non-fiction. Submissions that are non-fiction and/or neglect the guidelines will be discarded and not considered by our editing team. 

Please do not use AI in your submissions. Artificial intelligence does not reflect the soul and passion of an artist and has no place in our literary magazine.

CURA only accepts online submissions. You can submit to a maximum of 2 categories. Submissions for each category must be in one document.

Please follow the guidelines below for submissions [MAX 2 CATEGORIES]:

  • SHORT STORIES

    • 1 submission per person

    • Work must be no longer than 7,000 words

  • FLASH FICTION

    • 2 submissions per person 

    • Work must be no longer than 1,500 words

  • POEMS

    • Up to 5 submissions per person

    • Combined submissions must be no longer than 10 pages in total

  • PLAYS / SCREENPLAYS

    • 1 submission per person

    • Maximum of 20 pages

    • Can be excerpts or full pieces

      • If your work is an excerpt, please provide a brief one-paragraph summary of the full piece

  • ART/MULTIMEDIA

    • 2 submissions per person

    • This may include traditional or digital paintings, drawings, and other forms of art and media

    • This category also includes photography [as a series 5-7 photos]

    • All submissions in this category must include an artist statement of about 150-300 words

  • SHORT FILMS

    • 1 submission per person

    • Maximum of 10 minutes

    • Upload your submission as a link to a separate platform [ex: Vimeo]. The video will appear as an embed on our site

    • All submissions in this category must include an artist statement of about 150-300 words

Please do NOT include your name in the work contained in your submissions. The works will be sent as anonymous documents to our editing team for selection, review, and editing without personal bias. If you are selected for publication, your name will be attached in the final issue.

After submission, please expect an email from our team about whether or not you have been accepted. If you are accepted, check your email periodically, as our editing team may send you suggested edits that will require your input. If you do not respond to our editing team within the timeline they provide you, your work will not be published.

The deadline for all submissions is OCTOBER 26TH, 11.59 P.M. Late submissions will not be accepted.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: curamagazine@fordham.edu

Thank you so much for your interest in our litmag. Please stay tuned for updates!

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