Under Hwy 99

Submission Guidelines

Audio-Lit Crossover:  A Confluence of Music and Writing

 

Music has inspired many authors, such as Jack Kerouac for example, not just in terms of subject, but also in their voice, style, and use of language.

 

When submitting for this category, don’t write about the music that’s inspiring your tale.   We’re not looking for music reviews here or literal descriptions of music.  Just sit back, listen to the notes, and allow the scene to unfold in your mind.

 

Your story should contain all the usual components of any good piece of literature:  Character, setting, theme, voice, pacing, (etc.).  The same fiction guidelines as above apply.

 

Have fun with this one!  Be sure to include the name of the band/composer/musician inspiring your work.  We’d be happy to briefly plug them. 

 

 

 

What To Send:

 

What sets one piece apart from another?  We have a weakness for smart, imaginative pieces that bring out the uniqueness in any given situation.  We tend to find stories that cast ordinary things in an unusual light or unusual things in an ordinary light particularly irresistible.  Skillful execution of the story is of course always important.   Surprise us with something idiosyncratic or compel us to keep reading through humor, sweat, or tears—it’s up to you.  However you approach your talent, we thank you for pursuing your passion and for submitting your best material to Under Hwy 99.

 

General:

 

We’re seeking to publish thoughtful, provocative, creative works of fiction and non-fiction.   Subject matter isn’t as important as quality, although we do bend towards clarity  and originality.  Both published and unpublished authors are welcome.  Please send multiple pieces as separate attachments.  Simultaneous submissions are fine, but do let us know immediately if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. 

 

Authors grant Under Hwy 99 the one-time right to publish their piece in a printed format, and the one-time right to publish their piece on our website/online archive.   Authors retain all rights beyond these one-time publication rights. 

 

Regrettably, as a free publication  we cannot pay authors for their work, other than in the currency of publication and readership  by those who value talent, quality, and creativity.  All contributors receive a complimentary copy.

 

Fiction:

 

We wish to represent a broad and eclectic array of genres, styles, and subjects.  However, we are not interested in romance, horror, or pieces containing excessive/unnecessary violence or vulgarity.

 

Double-spaced, 12-point font.   Approximately 3,500 words per piece. 

 

Non-Fiction:

 

We’re especially interested in cultural, personal, essay, & opinion pieces, as well as other original true stories.  Please  no excessive/unnecessary violence or vulgarity. 

 

Double-spaced, 12-point font.  Approximately 3,500 words per piece.

 

Other Categories:

 

We offer several other unique categories, including our FLASH category, and Audio-Lit Crossover.  See sidebars to the left and below for details.  Photographers can query at: info@underhwy99.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLASH Category:

 

Do you have a very short piece of fiction or non-fiction, perhaps something from a writing assignment, prompt, or sudden midnight inspiration that you’re especially proud of? 

 

If so, send it to us.  Pieces in this category should be  roughly 500 words or less.

 

 

Highway Signs

 

“The woman sleeping on my porch”

 

Word Limit:

 

500

 

 

 

Highway Signs offers a writing prompt for each upcoming issue.