Figs & Thistles is Presbyterian College’s annual literary arts journal, publishing student works of fiction, poetry, art, and photography.

This year, the theme for our 56th edition of Figs and Thistles is Popular Culture! We are looking for submissions that reflect your unique insight on movies, music, media, and all of the other forms of Pop Culture.

Theme Guidelines

This means: You can write about, paint, draw, or photograph ANY interpretation you hold in terms of Popular Culture. Subjectivity and creativity are ALWAYS welcomed.

  • Possible (but not limited to) prompts for Pop Culture pieces

    • A nonfiction piece about an experience at a concert

    • A fictional piece inspired by your favorite Sci-Fi film

    • A poem inspired by a song

    • Artwork or photography reflecting your take on a Pop Culture reference

Submission Guidelines

General Guidelines

The editors of Figs and Thistles appreciate your interest in submitting a piece(s) for potential publication. Please read and follow the guidelines below when submitting your work: 

  • Submissions should be sent to figsandthistles@presby.edu

  • The submission deadline is February 15th, 2024. We WILL NOT accept pieces for the 56th edition if they are submitted after this date.

  • Submissions should have an accompanying title(s), A short biographical statement about yourself and your piece, your name, & PC box number.

  • Submissions should list the type of submission that is being submitted: Prose nonfiction, prose fiction, poetry, and/or artwork

  • By submitting your work to Figs & Thistles, you give us permission to publish your submissions in the print edition & on our website.

Submitted works may be used in other venues as well, such as the college bookstore. Publication in Figs & Thistles does not hinder your right to reprint or sell your works elsewhere; however, you should acknowledge its original place of publication.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding the publication process, please contact us directly at Figs and Thistles or contact our faculty advisor, Dr. Terry Barr.

Poetry Guidelines

  • In the subject line of your email, type “Poetry Submission”
  • Manuscripts should be submitted as Word (.doc) or Office (.docx) attachments.
  • Submissions must be typed in a 12-point font, such as Times New Roman or Courier, and must have 1-inch margins all the way around.
  • Poems should be single-spaced within stanzas.
  • Use left justification unless another formatting is necessary.
  • Consult William Shunn’s Poem Format for additional information.
  • Poems should not run more than four pages.
  • Submissions are limited to five poems, which should be submitted in a single email.
  • Please submit poetry and prose in different emails.

Prose Guidelines

  • In the subject line of your email, type either “Fiction Submission” or “Nonfiction Submission”
  • Prose includes both fiction and nonfiction (memoir, travel writing, etc.)
  • Manuscripts should be submitted as Word (.doc) or Office (.docx) attachments.
  • Submissions must be typed double-spaced in a 12-point font, such as Times New Roman or Courier, and must have 1-inch margins all the way around.
  • Consult William Shunn’s Short-Story Format for additional information (formatting applicable for nonfiction as well as fiction).
  • Prose pieces should be 3,000 words or less. Query the editor first before submitting longer pieces.
  • Prose submissions are limited to three pieces.
  • Please submit poetry and prose in different emails.

Artwork Guidelines

  • Artwork should be submitted as JPEG attachments.
  • Photographs, drawings, and paintings are all accepted.
  • Please submit high quality and clear images of your drawing and paintings. JPEGs should be sized at 300 dpi or higher resolution.
  • You may submit up to ten pieces of artwork for consideration.

2017-2018 Figs & Thistles edition