Shifting the Prism’s Collaborations Into a Quarterly Publication
The why behind Collaborations
I launched community collabs with one goal to create publications for marginalized voices to be heard. (I wanted to help their art be seen too, of course, and their business be found.) To be read by others would then be able to find voices similar to their own. Themed calls gave structure, that I thought would help. However, I like art when the creator feels compelled to create it, not when it’s created per a submission theme.
Why I’m Changing the Model
It became clear that themes sometimes act as invisible boundaries. They shaped not only what people created, but who felt comfortable submitting. Themes feel a bit too much like gatekeepers, for my comfort. Hear me out, you had to fit the art, poem, or essay in like a key based on theme.
That contradicts who I am or whom I want to be. I want this space to belong to the creators themselves. I want to invite people to bring what’s real. What’s needed, even if it doesn’t fit.
So I decided: no more themes. Instead, I’m opening Poeaxtry up to open‑theme quarterly magazines. I was already planning a Quarterly & this fits the bill.
Any suggestions on names? Guesses welcome!
This change isn’t a retreat. It’s expansion. By removing themes, the door stays open wider for more voices, more art, more perspectives. By increasing frequency, I can amplify more people across time.
What’s Changing: The New Quarterly Model
Open‑theme submission calls:
poetry, prose, art,or essays
rights stay with creators:
you keep your work. Poeaxtry curates and publishes but does not claim ownership or restrict distribution.
Contributor bios, links, and photos welcome!
Free ads space to minority‑owned shops, indie authors, small businesses to support community visibility.
Digital magazine format means no forced downloads
Eliminates 4 bulky PDFs a year.
Always Viewable online
Readers & Contributors now can share by link
2026 Quarterly Schedule
(Submission + Publication Dates may change slightly!)
Q1 2026 (First Edition)
Taking submissions: now– Feb 12, 2026
Launch: Mar 8–15, 2026
Q2 2026 (Second Edition)
Taking submissions: March 9-May 5th
Launch: Jun 5–12, 2026
Q3 2026 (Third Edition)
Taking submissions:Jun 5 – Aug 5, 2026
Sep 5–12, 2026
Q4 2026 (Fourth Edition)
Taking submissions: Sep 5 – Oct 31, 2026
Launch: Dec 5–12, 2026
Note: The first edition will include existing submissions from the original themed collabs. It will also include any new open-theme submissions received during the submission window. Future editions will be fully open‑theme. The last quarter is stretched out because of holidays, birthdays, and death days.
What This Means for Contributors & Community
You’re free to send your work when you feel ready. This includes poetry, art, essays, and prose, just like before, just no need to match a theme. The spotlights from the website will be shared in the quarterly as well. The magazine lives online, shareable by link. More frequent releases = more opportunities for visibility, community building, connection.
What Happens to the Original Themed submissions?
Their submitted work will be included in the first quarterly edition as long as they consent.
No more waiting.
Just art, voices, visions.
Your Voice Matters, Always
Poeaxtry was born from a belief that the best art comes from the darkest places. That minority voices of every difference have stories and voices that matter. Lastly, to build a community for all of us to share our creations with each other and the world.
This shift isn’t a change of heart, it’s evolution. As the world shifts, as art shifts, as voices shift, we must too…
Shift.
If you’re a minority artist, an ally writer, a survivor turned storyteller. Send in your voices or visions to Poeaxtryspoetryprism@gmail.com or submit this form.
Small business owners, entrepreneurs, indie-creatives, communities, etc. send your ads to the above email or form as well!
To have a Spotlight post on the website fill out this form or email Poeaxtry@gmail.com
To review ebooks and other digital items in exchange for honest reviews, use this form
Thank you for being here. Let’s start building community.
Axton N. O. Mitchell
