Namibian literary magazine Doek! is now accepting submissions for Issues 17 and 18. The magazine seeks original and exciting writing that explores new thematic terrain, with submissions opening in two windows: December 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 for Issue 17, and June 1 to September 30, 2026 for Issue 18.

Eligibility: For fiction and poetry, only Namibian citizens (living in Namibia or the diaspora) and foreign nationals permanently residing in Namibia may submit. For nonfiction and visual art, eligibility extends to African writers and visual artists and those of African descent living on the continent or in the diaspora.

What They’re Looking For: Doek! seeks narrative-driven short fiction of any genre that lingers with readers, and poetry written for the page that takes readers to the edge of their senses. The editorial team is interested in a wide variety of topics in interesting styles. Death, grief, and trauma have been extensively covered in past issues, so contributors exploring these topics are encouraged to find fresh approaches. Submissions directed at the white gaze are not encouraged.

Submission Guidelines: Fiction and poetry submissions may not exceed 4,500 words (minimum 1,500 words for fiction; no minimum for poetry). Writers can submit one piece per window, while poets may submit up to five poems in one document. Nonfiction submissions must be between 1,500 and 4,500 words. Visual artists must submit five images from a project in JPEG or PNG format (maximum 1.5 MB, 300dpi, 1500px width) with a 300-word write-up. All submissions must be typed in Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced, and must not include identifying details in the document. Work produced with AI software will not be considered.

Payment and Rights: Currently, there is no funding for remuneration as of January 2025. However, Namibian contributors may receive token payments, book vouchers, or other opportunities when funding becomes available. Copyright remains with contributors, who license their work exclusively to Doek! for three months from publication. All successfully published submissions from Namibian writers, poets, and visual artists are automatically eligible for the Bank Windhoek Doek Literary Awards.

For detailed submission guidelines and to submit, visit the Doek!