Windhover is dedicated to promoting poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and discussions of craft that consider Christian perspectives and engages spiritual themes. In the spring of odd-numbered years, select authors have the opportunity to read their own work, attend award-winning authors' presentations, and attend workshops on campus at the biennial Windhover Writers' Festival.

Issues are released each August and each February. Submission periods for each issue are as follows:

February 1 to April 15: August issue

August 1 to October 15: February issue

When submitting your work, please follow these specifications:

  • Send one prose piece or no more than five poems submitted in one document. (Works longer than 4,700 words are not considered.) Craft essays should be no more than 3500 words.
  • Include a brief cover letter with your name, address, email, the title of your submission(s), and a third-person bio of fewer than 75 words.
  • Include your name and email address on each page of your submission(s).
  • All works for consideration must be submitted via our online submission manager.
  • We do not consider previously published work.
  • We do not consider e-mailed or postal submissions.
  • Minimum Age. To submit work, you must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Simultaneous submissions are acceptable provided that you let us if your work has been accepted elsewhere. (Please contact us via email and withdraw your submission from our online submission manager.)
  • Please only submit one submission during each submission window, regardless of genre. 
  • Do not resubmit something we have already rejected in a previous submission window.

From the editor, Toby F. Coley: “Send us your best. We are looking for writing that avoids the didactic, the melodramatic, the trite, the obvious. Eschew tricks and gimmicks. We want writing that invites rereading.”  

We do not publish genre fiction (romance, horror, YA), so please do not send it. We are open to well-crafted, character-driven science fiction, fantasy, and magical realism.

We do not publish any writing that uses AI (artificial intelligence). All work generated should use human intelligence and creativity only.

The Windhover homepage: https://umhb.edu/windhover

Find The Windhover on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WindhoverJournal

Follow The Windhover on X @WindhoverMag

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Submit to 2027 Windhover Writers’ Festival

Dear Fellow Writers and Thinkers,

The Windhover Writers' Festival (February 18-19, 2027) promises to be a vibrant gathering to explore the intersection of faith and creativity, with a central theme of Narrative Beauty.

The Windhover Writers' Festival has long been a cherished space for writers, scholars, and readers to connect, share their work, and delve into the power of words. We invite you to be a part of this exciting event by submitting a proposal for an individual or a panel discussion.

Proposals:

We are seeking proposals for engaging and thought-provoking discussions that explore the theme. Here are some potential areas of focus:

  • The interplay between narrative, faith, and beauty.
  • How faith informs and shapes the creative process.
  • The ethics of Christian storytelling in any medium.
  • The unique challenges and rewards of writing for a Christian audience.
  • The intersection of faith and specific genres (e.g., fantasy, mystery, poetry).
  • Examining the legacy of Christian literary giants.
  • The evolving role of Christian publishing.
  • Fostering a vibrant Christian literary community.
  • Craft talks on specific elements of the writing process.
  • The role of visual and performing arts in appealing to God’s beauty and telling God’s story.
  • Community involvement projects and discussions
  • Creative Panels/Papers will also be considered.
  • We also welcome proposals that explore the theme in new and innovative ways.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Proposals should be no more than 300 words and should include: 
  • A clear and concise title for your panel.
  • The names and brief biographies of all panelists (including yourself).
  • A description of the panel/proposal topic and its relevance to the festival theme.
  • Format of the panel discussion (e.g., lecture, Q&A, creative writing exercise/workshop).
  • Please submit your proposal by November 1st, 2026.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to welcoming you to the 2027 Windhover Writers' Festival.

ALL submissions must use Submittable.

All submissions will receive a 15% off discount code for registration around the first week of December. Accepted proposals will receive a 25% discount code for registration.

The Windhover