Submissions

We use a blind-review process.

This means only the story content is considered. Your actual story file should not include information that identifies the author (not in the filename, any headers or footers, etc.). The form will walk you through all the questions and ensure that your story is sent to readers without your information, but your story remains connected to you in the system. All the questions in the form are there for a reason. 

We’ve provided links to the review criteria rubric for each submission type in the appropriate area.

While we do ask for a short (100 word) biography with story, art, and non-fiction article submissions, the biographies are not used as part of the review process. The bios exist so that we can publicly celebrate the achievements of those whose work is selected and not as a part of the selection process.

We use a rubric when we read your story. We recommend you check it out: Review Criteria

Yes! A family that reads together has great discussions. We love stories that are character-driven, in worlds that create wonder, awe, and are a joy to read.

Sally Port is unique in that it includes stories for middle grade, YA, and General Audiences. There is a gap of good stories for those who love reading. We’ve heard many stories of readers moving from chapter books into the likes of Stephen King. 

Know which audience you’re writing for and choose the right option on the form (see the specific audience sections below for more details). Hint: The age of the main character will point you in the right direction.

Make sure your story fits the parameters we’ve set for your chosen audience. If you have small and reasonable variations on the guidelines, send an email (submissions@forever-mountain.com) before you submit. (Note: asking us to serialize your 150,000 word erotic horror novel in our mid-grade section is not, and will never be, small or reasonable!)

For science fiction, we’re only accepting middle grade and YA stories (and that’s real YA, not romance for wine-moms). So make sure your story is written for someone between 8 and 21 years old (for middle grade and YA) and choose the right audience. 

“What’s the difference between science fiction and fantasy?” is one of our favorite interview questions for interns and authors. Everyone has their own answer. . . Read more. . .

Our mid-grade audience is 8-12 old. Stories in this section should have protagonists 8-12 years old as well. 

Stories should have subject matter appropriate to this group and challenges that can be (creatively) met with the resources available to a character of this age. That means lots of ingenuity and imagination and fewer credit cards and driver’s licenses. If your 3rd grader character is acting like a college sophomore, you’re probably missing something.

Word Count: Middle Grade Audience (1,000 – 10,000; the sweet spot is 2,500 – 5,000)

The young adult audience runs 12-18 years old, but often includes the eighteen to twenty-something new adult audience (and includes advanced readers under 12. . .). Protagonists should also fall into this age group. 

There’s a wide range of possible subject matter for this audience. Teens are exploring new parts of their lives and moving into more mature relationships and responsibilities. ‘Moving into’ is a key term. Though readers and characters in this age range are exploring new parts of life, specifically mature content and issues should probably be avoided (Do the math… It’s very unlikely that a 16-year-old is considering ending a 10 year marriage…). Relationship issues and dating are very much part of the teen experience, but stories should remain age appropriate.

Keep the magazine’s audience in mind. A YA science fiction story should explore YA-appropriate subjects, but remember younger readers often read up. 

Word Count: YA Audience (1,000 – 20,000; the sweet spot is 2,500 – 10,000)

This section’s readers are most likely to be over 18, as are the main protagonists. A full range of life experiences and challenges are available to these folks. However, remember that the magazine contains content for all ages (please don’t make me say the thing about excessive violence and erotica again. . .).

Word Count: General Audience (1,000 – 13,000; the sweet spot is 6,000 – 7,000)

Make your characters interesting and unique. But, make them interesting in a way that makes us want to read more. Give us characters that feel like real people and draw us into the story. Making us ask “why would he/she/whatever do that” is good. A character whose entire personality is being a green skinned, purple-haired whatever that spells all their f-bombs with a Q may be different, but may not resonate with readers (and ain’t all that original in today’s market. . .).

Characters, especially main characters, both good and bad, should be three dimensional and engaging (no stereotypes or cardboard cutouts). Your character might mostly be a “typical whatever” but you need to show us why the character isn’t typical.

Whatever details you include should matter in making the character real and/or be important in the story, that goes for everyone. If you spend three pages clarifying that the character is from Ammon, Idaho, and not Idaho Falls, Idaho, it’d better matter in the story (I’ve been to both and it doesn’t matter 99.99% of the time). The same goes for spending three pages on whether the character orders a salad with or without carrots. . .

Don’t put in “representation” for representation’s sake. We have no problem with male, female, unsure, black, brown, green, purple, pink, human, Elven, Dwarven, Orcish, dragon, blind, deaf, paraplegic, etc. characters. But, unless it actually matters in the story, why waste word count on it?

Your story should have stakes. It doesn’t always have to be a literal world-ender. But if the story doesn’t matter to the people in it, why would it matter to us?

Each issue of Sally Port has a theme. You’ll see the themes/issues we’re actively accepting submissions for on the submission form. The open themes are for issues between four and eighteen months in the future; as one closes the next will open. We may have more themes announced than we have open; for the most recent list of announced themes check the Upcoming Themes page.

The themes help each issue be about something. So, your story should fit the theme in some way. The good news is we’re pretty flexible on what that fit is, here are some examples:

• Stories for a Second Chances (and other firsts) issue should be about redemption and achievement. Whether that means the main character succeeds where they failed before or the story bounced back from a rejection, we’ll consider it.
• Stories for a History Reimagined issue should probably have a “what if factor” about a historical period or event. Since we’re doing fantasy (and as of January 2027 middle grade and YA science fiction) there should probably be magic or alternate tech involved. Time travel’s on the table for this one!
• A Sudden Turns issue? We’re looking for stories with a twist. We’ve seen some good ones

The same idea applies for any other theme we offer: match the story to the theme in some way but tell your story with it.

Yes. We do have an Other option in the themes drop down. It’s there for a reason but most of the time it’s best not to use it. There are times we’ll ask someone to use the Other category; that’s an organizational thing on our part. At other times people dump stories in there because they don’t find a theme match or just don’t want to take the time to think about what theme to go for.

If you’re not sure, reach out! We’re pretty good at responding. Otherwise, choose the best fitting theme.

We do not accept simultaneous submissions, as they create managerial headaches for all parties involved.

We do not accept reprints.

Sally Port Magazine publishes human-created content.

We do not accept AI generated art or writing. Our magazine is about good, human-generated, creativity. Do not submit AI-generated pieces; they will be rejected immediately (and any that slip through will be viewed as a breach of contract on the “author creator’s” part).

Sally Port Magazine includes stories from middle grade to general audiences. The magazine is for an entire family to share and enjoy.

It’s predictable that there’s going to be a fight or two along the way. However, any violence depicted should be at a level appropriate to the audience/age group you’re writing for and should not be excessive.

As a writer we invite you to be creative in helping your characters express their frustration, anger, and overwhelm in ways other than commonly crass cuss words.

As for pornography and similar content. Seriously? What part of family friendly don’t you understand? Pornography and similarly sketchy content are not, and will not be, accepted.

Please format your written work in the industry standard Chicago Style (with author identifying information removed).

Here is an example of what a story manuscript should look like for Sally Port. 

• Sally Port Magazine Example Submission story

Note: Every publisher, including Forever Mountain Publishing, and most publications have their own perspectives on how a style should be applied. For Sally Port Magazine, we ask you NOT to include the name and address block on the front page of the manuscript. 

All your personal information will be collected in the submission form.

How to Name Your File

Please use the title of your story, or the first 20 characters of your story as a filename.

Reminder: We do blind submissions. That means your identifying information shouldn’t be in the story manuscript. It also shouldn’t be in the filename when you submit. Don’t worry, our story submission form will gather all the information we need to contact you. 

What File Type To Submit

Please submit your story as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file.

We won’t sell your contact information. In fact, we won’t give your contact information to anyone unless we really have to (if you send us illegal content, that’s on you). 

If you’re interested in submitting to a magazine like ours, there’s a good chance you’re interested in the kind of content we publish and making progress in your publishing career. We send out email newsletters and information approximately “every so often”. Your contact information will be added to the list automatically. If you don’t want to be on the list, there is a handy “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the emails.