On this page, you can find important information and submission instructions for our next issue. Please make sure you read through these details before sending us your materials.
Want to submit to our upcoming issue?
What is the release date for Issue 02?
Our upcoming winter issue will be released this February 2026!
What is the theme of Issue 02?
The theme of this issue is APRICITY.
What does the theme mean?
This is an archaic word that dates back to the 17th century. It translates to: the warmth of the sun in winter.
It was first recorded by English lexicographer Henry Cockeram in his 1623 dictionary: The English dictionarie: or, An interpreter of hard English words.
It didn’t quite catch on, and it won’t be found in any modern dictionary aside from the Oxford English Dictionary.
What are possible interpretations of this theme?
What brings you a sense of coziness during the cold, dark winter months? Is it a person? Is it a piece of clothing? Is it a place in your home?
A reprieve from a difficult phase of life / a dark period of experiencing grief, loneliness, sadness, struggle, instability, etc. What/who offers relief during this time?
A divine intervention.
Art that plays with the juxtaposition between cool and warm colors.
The elements - hot and cold, snow and sun.
Polar opposite subjects/characters. How does the “warmer” one bring out a new side of the colder one? How do they find a common ground?
Photography that plays around with scenery and sunlight.
What is giving you hope right now?
When do submissions close?
Submissions close on November 30th, 2025 at 11:59pm PT.
When will I find out if my work has been accepted?
The week of December 14th-20th, 2025.
We will be sending out acceptance status letters about two weeks after the submission window closes. We will be notifying all submitters of their status, regardless of whether they’ve been accepted or not.
Can I submit if I do not fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella?
We are grateful for our allies, but please refrain from submitting to this publication if you do not identify as LGBTQ+. Thank you for your understanding and your continued support as we fight for spaces that center LGBTQ+ voices.
Can I submit something that was created with AI?
If you submit an AI “art piece,” not only will we reject your submission, but our Editor-in-Chief will send a video of them laughing and pointing at you for doing such a silly thing. And yes, we can always tell.
What are other guidelines I should know before I submit?
One submission per person.
Please do not submit anything that has been published in another magazine/publication. If you submit your work to us and it is accepted to another publication before you are notified by our team of your acceptance status, please email us at submit@flagthemag.com and we will pull your submission.
International submissions are happily accepted!
What kind of compensation will I receive if I am accepted into Issue 02?
All contributors with accepted work will receive a free print copy of our issue upon release. We can deliver it either in-person or via the mail. At this time we cannot provide any additional compensation.
What kind of work is accepted?
Collages (up to 2 images per submission; must be in a single series)
Paintings (up to 2 per submission; must be in a single series)
Digital art (up to 2 images per submission; must be in a single series)
Comics (up to 2 full magazine pages allotted per accepted comic submission; must be in a single series)
Poetry (200 words max)
Photography (up to 5 photos maximum; must be in a single series)
Personal essay / creative writing (500 words max)
Horoscopes (up to 40 words per astrological sign + 200 words of additional copy)
HOW TO SUBMIT
Please submit your piece to submit@flagthemag.com and include a short artist statement + a title of your work.
We kindly ask that you submit the finalized version of your piece.
Note: If you are submitting a visual piece, please export it to the best resolution possible before sending us your work.