Mission Statement

The Amistad is Howard University’s literary arts journal. Our goal is to elevate the creative voices of the Black diaspora through poetry, fiction, interviews, and art. We strive to publish the best up-and-coming voices in conjunction with local and established writers to create a journal that speaks directly to the black community. Under the banner of Howard - a premier Historically Black College and University - we are continuing the legacy of the campus’ great voices (Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Amiri Baraka,  Lucille Clifton, and Paul Laurence Dubar) by publishing unique works that push the boundaries of craft and theme. We are open to all writers and artists that speaks directly to our continuing mission. 

Call for Submissions

The Amistad is seeking previously unpublished work that speaks to our mission statement. We encourage multiple submissions in different genres, and we are taking 12 pt, double-spaced and Times New Roman submissions of:

• Poetry: 3-5 poems (no more than seven pages)
• Fiction: 5,000 words, maximum 
• Flash Fiction: 1000 words
• Essays: 2000 words
• Visual Art: All art is welcomed, but it must be submitted as a JPEG, PNG, or PDF, with a title and an intro. Please submit no more than 5 pieces.

In your subject line, please note the genre of your submission and your initials. If your work is accepted elsewhere (congratulations!), please let us know.

Our reading period is November 1, 2023 - February 5, 2024. All writers will be notified of their work by the end of March 2023. 

Email: Nick Seifert nicholas.seifert@howard.edu with any questions or concerns