Library Introduces First Literary Journal to Showcase Local Creativity

The library is introducing its first literary journal, creating a new space to celebrate the voices, stories and creativity of the community.

The journal will feature original work from writers, artists and photographers, giving community members an opportunity to have their work published in a real, professionally produced collection. Submissions may include poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, visual art and photography.

Organizers said the journal is intended to reflect the heart of Avoyelles Parish and serve as more than a publication. It will be a place for local voices to be seen, shared and remembered.

The library is seeking bold ideas, quiet reflections, powerful stories and creative expression in all forms. Community members who have wanted to see their work in print are encouraged to submit.

Accepted categories include poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, artwork, including digital or scanned traditional pieces, and photography.

All submissions must be original, unpublished work and appropriate for a general audience. Written pieces may be no longer than 5,000 words. Submissions must be the creator’s own work. AI-generated or plagiarized content will not be accepted.

Participants may submit up to three pieces total, but each piece must be submitted separately and one at a time.

For written submissions, documents should be uploaded exactly as the writer would like them to appear in the journal. Writers are responsible for making sure their work is free of errors. Accepted document formats include .doc, .docx and .pdf. Each document should include a title and use a readable font, such as Times New Roman or Arial.

Artwork and photography submissions may be uploaded as .jpg, .png or .pdf files. High-resolution images are preferred, with 300 DPI recommended if possible. Each artwork or photograph should include a title.

Those submitting work will be asked to provide their name, phone number, age, title of the work, category, a short author or artist bio and the file upload.

By submitting, participants grant the library permission to publish their work in the literary journal in print and/or digital form and to use the work for promotional purposes related to the journal. Creators will retain full ownership of their work.

The library reserves the right to decline any submission deemed inappropriate for a general audience or not aligned with community standards. This includes, but is not limited to, content that is excessively graphic, hateful, discriminatory or otherwise unsuitable for a public library setting. All submissions are subject to review and selection at the discretion of the editorial team.

Submissions open June 1, 2026, at 8 a.m. The deadline to submit is September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. Late submissions may not be considered.

The literary journal launch will be held December 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. Participants may choose to read their work at the launch.