Saturday, February 21, 2026

Call for Submissions on Theme of "The Aftermath": Barrel House Online

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Barrelhouse Online 

The Aftermath

Stories often focus on the climactic events in one’s life, but after these points of intensity, the world goes on. What happens when the adventure is over? How do you live your daily life after being abducted by aliens? What do you fill your days with after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize? What happens in the sequel to a story that doesn’t need one? This spring, Barrelhouse is calling for short stories, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art that measure moments in and after abnormal times. The ways we can feel elated, apathetic, tortured, or fixated on the events that shape us. What does it look like once the afterglow has faded?

The Details

Fiction and Creative Nonfiction: up to 5,000 words

Poetry: 3-5 poems

Art: Make sure files are in a format and resolution appropriate for web posting

Simultaneous Submissions: Are welcomed! Just make sure to withdraw a piece immediately if it's accepted elsewhere.

Multiple Submissions: Please only submit once for this call

Payment: $50

Deadline: Submissions will stay open until March 16, or when we reach our submission cap for this call (500), whichever happens first. Likely we'll hit that cap, so don't wait too long to submit. 

Submission link here. 

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