Submission FAQs

What counts as having a 'connection' to Wales?

We’re reluctant to be too prescriptive or introduce ironclad rules about what constitutes having a Welsh connection, as we know that different people will have different interpretations of this, dependent on their story and experience. It’s also intentional that our subtitle refers to Wales ‘and beyond’ – for sometimes we will commission writers from other languages and countries, too. It’s important to us that Welsh writing is seen as part of a global context.

That being said, we are still primarily committed to platforming the very best emerging Welsh or Wales-based writers. Because of this, work submitted by Welsh and Wales-based writers will be prioritised when it comes to the final selection of contributors for each issue.

So we’re not saying don’t submit – but bear this in mind if you do!

Why don't you accept poetry?

For now, we’re focusing on prose only – partly because of our editorial interests, but mainly because we recognised the particular need for more publishing opportunities for short-form fiction and non-fiction in Wales. Plus, our friends at Poetry Wales are doing a grand job already at championing poetry – check them out if you have something you want to submit.

Does my work have to relate directly to an issue theme?

Our issue themes are meant as a springboard rather than a limitation. This means that we’re interested in work that interprets that theme in unexpected and creative ways. You don’t have to submit to a specific issue theme (our portal is open all year round) and we will keep work that we really like on file in case it fits with something else in the future, but we would recommend at least paying attention to it. Submitting something that engages with a set theme will give you a better chance of being considered for a specific print issue.

How literally should I engage with the theme?

Put it this way: if we set the theme as ‘Roots’, and the title of your piece is ‘Roots’, and the opening line is ‘Roots are like…‘ then we’re probably less likely to shortlist it. As mentioned above, these themes are meant as springboards. They create a hook for us to hang the pieces of an issue on – but we still want that issue to be full of variety and different stories. The last thing we want is for everyone to write about the same thing! While it’s lovely to see people who have written new work specifically in response to our theme, we often see work that is very ‘on the nose’ about doing so, for instance using the exact phrasing of the theme repeatedly in their essay. This isn’t what we’re after – we want your words, not ours.

When will I hear back?

We will respond to every submission, though bear in mind that our team is small and at busy times this may take a while. We tend to read all submissions together ahead of each issue, so if you submit early on for an issue later in year, then you might be waiting a little longer. If your piece is accepted elsewhere in the meantime, please let us know.

While we can’t give an exact time-frame, we can promise that you WILL hear back from us.

Will I get an email confirmation when I've completed the submission form?

You won’t get an email, but you will see a confirmation page once you’ve filled out the form, and that means it’s been safely received. If you’re unsure for any reason, just drop us an email and we’ll check it’s come through for you.

Do you take pitches?

We don’t currently take pitches via our submissions form, only completed work. However, if you’re an artist working across disciplines, and would like to talk to us about an idea (such as a visual essay or art commission) then feel free to get in touch via email. Likewise, if you’re a translator with a short-form project in mind, we’d love to hear from you.

In both cases, if the project is already complete (and you have the necessary permissions for it), then you can submit directly through the form, too.

We also commission occasional review essays for print. If you have an idea for a piece that critically explores three new books from Wales, and that fits with our themes (however loosely), then send a pitch to kathryn@foldingrock.com. You can see an example of our review essays here.

Do you accept reviews?

See above – we don’t accept reviews via our submissions form, but we do commission occasional review essays for print. If you have an idea for a piece that critically explores three new books from Wales, and that fits with our themes (however loosely), then send a pitch to kathryn@foldingrock.com. You can see an example of our review essays here.

Do I have to be Welsh to submit my work?

Short answer: no. You don’t.

Long answer: in a world where very few other publications are going to prioritise Welsh writing, we plan to do exactly that. But we also have a generous definition of what ‘Welsh writing’ is, and you are invited to interpret that in a way that feels right to you. (See earlier answer.)

In the submissions form, we will ask you to tell us what your connection to Wales is. This is because, while we read everything submitted anonymously, if it comes down to a shortlist between a few equally brilliant pieces, that’s the only piece of information we’ll allow to influence the final call.

Do I have to write about Wales or Welshness?

Absolutely NOT! You can, and should, write about anything you like. We’re not interested in state-of-the-nation commentaries or coal-mining stereotypes. We’re just interested in good stories. There are many ways to be Welsh – and one of them is to be a writer.