Blanket Sea is a magazine and small press dedicated to showcasing work by chronically ill, mentally ill, and disabled creators. They are currently open for chapbooks (25-40 pages) of poetry or creative nonfiction, which includes essays and short memoir. Hybrid works with both poetry and creative nonfiction will be considered. Chapbooks may also include original artwork, but must be primarily text.

“Our press has a focus and a mission. We’re interested in work that addresses lived experience around chronic illness, mental illness, and disabilities. Our goal is to help raise awareness, empathy, and understanding as well as promote disability advocacy and rights. To get a feel for the kind of work we’re interested in, please read our magazine and check out our press titles.”

For more information, see my interview with Founder and Editor-in-Chief Alana Saltz with a link to submission guidelines below.

HOPKINSON: Tell me a little bit about Blanket Sea. 

SALTZ:  Blanket Sea was founded in January 2018. We’re a literary magazine and small press dedicated to showcasing work by chronically ill, neurodivergent, and disabled creators. We will be accepting chapbook submissions until March 15th, 2022. 

HOPKINSON: How/why was Blanket Sea originally started? 

SALTZ: As someone who has lived with chronic illness, neurodivergence, and disability throughout my life, I’ve found it challenging to find the right outlets for my work. There aren’t many spaces, especially focused and dedicated ones, where disabled writers and artists can feel safe and welcome. I wanted to create a space and community like that.

HOPKINSON: Who is your target reader audience? 

SALTZ: The work is by disabled creators. We aim for the content to be experienced by anyone with an interest in reading, creativity, and the arts. Our goal is for the work we publish to bring new awareness around important and marginalized disability rights and issues to the general public.

HOPKINSON: What type of work are you looking for? 

SALTZ: We want work that is compelling, immersive, and evocative. We’re looking for honesty, truth, and openness. For this chapbook submission call, we’re only looking for writing that addresses personal, lived experience of chronic illness, chronic pain, and/or physical disability.

HOPKINSON: Where can we send submissions? 

SALTZ:  Our chapbook submission information can be found at http://blanketsea.com/submissions/chapbook-submissions/

HOPKINSON: If someone has a question, how can they contact you? 

SALTZ: Our email is blanketsealit@gmail.com. We can also be followed on and contacted via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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