The Inquisitive Eater is a food based literary journal managed by MFA students at The New School. 

Submissions are now open for The Inquisitive Eater’s December 2026 issue: FERMENT. 

To ferment is to engage in a process of alchemy by so-called undesirable elements to transform into something new. Bacteria, yeast, and mold, beget kimchi, yogurt, wine, bread, and miso. Fermentation opens our senses to new flavors, textures, and aromas. In politics, ferment is agitation, unrest, excitement, turmoil, and possibility. What have you metabolized? What complex alchemy deserves its space on the page? Write about it. Send it to us.

Deadline: November 15th. Please send as a .doc,.docx, or .pdf file in 12 pt. font. 

Poetry: Up to four poems may be submitted for consideration.

Fiction: Please submit one fiction piece at a time. Ideally each fiction submission will fall under 2,000 words. 

Nonfiction/Essay: Please submit one nonfiction piece at a time. Ideally each nonfiction submission will fall under 2,000 words. 

Only previously unpublished work will be considered for publication. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but let us know if your work gets picked up elsewhere. Please wait for a response on your current submission’s status before submitting again. Submissions are accepted and managed through our Submittable page: inquisitiveeater.submittable.com

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Please send as a .doc,.docx, or .pdf file.
• All writers must submit their original works. 
• Previously published work is not accepted. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but let us know if your work gets picked up elsewhere. 
• Cover letter, 100 word bio, and submission can all be included in "Cover Letter" submission form. Text must include contact information (email) 
• Electronic submission ONLY
• Please feel free to include any related media to thepiece you are submitting (photographs, audio, video, etc.)
• Please wait for a response on your current submission’s status before submitting again.

 Submissions are accepted and managed through our Submittable page: inquisitiveeater.submittable.com