The aim

The Triptych Journal is an independent digital sanctuary for the raw, the unpolished, and the beautifully strange. Founded in 2026, we seek work that bypasses the "pretty" to find the extraordinary within the ordinary. We are specifically interested in poetry, short fiction, and personal essays that explore "unseen roots"—the hidden, messy, and authentic experiences of the human heart. We champion emerging voices and outside-the-box perspectives, offering a platform where the "not-pretty" side of life is not just accepted, but celebrated. 

The inaugural issue 

The inaugural issue is currently open for submissions

We are looking for your best free writing, poetry, and art. While we don't have a strict theme, we are looking for pieces that explore what lies beneath the surface—the hidden, the growing, and the 'unseen roots' of your experience. 

Deadline for Submissions: May 30, 2026 

Title: the unseen roots.

Best regards,

Dasha editor in chief. 

Welcome! Dear writers.....

We are looking for poetry, short stories,    and personal essays that embrace the 'not-pretty' side of life."

 We accept stories upto 2,000 words and three poems in one go.

Please upload your work as a PDF or .docx file." We would like you to submit your work with right formatting Just like the way you want it to appear after getting published. 

No changes can be made once you fill the form and hit the submit button.

Our editor (that's me!) reads every single word. We look for heart, "not-pretty" details, and unique voices.

You will hear back from us within one week. We believe in respecting a writer's time! 

If selected, your work will appear in our upcoming Quarterly Issue. 

We also permit simultaneous submission,Yes! We know you want to share your work everywhere. Just let us know if it gets accepted elsewhere first.

"Stuck? Look through the window. These prompts are designed to help you find the extraordinary in the ordinary. If a prompt sparks a story, send it to us!" 

Prompt 1: The Anatomy of a Secret

"What does a secret look like when it’s left in a drawer for too long?"

Think about the texture. Is it dusty? Does it have sharp edges? Write a poem or a 100-word story about finding a secret that was forgotte n.

Prompt 2: The Beautiful Decay

"Describe a 'not-pretty' flower."

Forget the fresh roses. Write about the dandelion growing through the sidewalk crack, the wilted brown petals at the bottom of a vase, or the weeds that no one wants. Why are they more interesting than a perfect bouque t?

Prompt 3: The Blue Vase Perspective

"If the blue vase could speak, what would it say about the people in the room?"

Objects see everything but say nothing. Write a dialogue or a short scene from the point of view of a piece of pottery watching a messy human moment. 

1. Who Can Submit?

Age: You must be 13 years of age or older to submit. If you are under 18, we assume you have a parent or guardian’s permission to share your work.

Experience: We love emerging voices! Whether this is your first poem or your fiftieth, if it’s strange and soulful, we want to see i t.

2. What We Are Looking For

Poetry: Up to 3 poems per submission.

Prose & Flash Fiction: Stories that feel raw and real. Please keep these under 2,000 words.

Theme: We favor the peculiar, the imperfect, and the beautifully stran ge.

3. The Fine Print

Originality: All work must be your own. No AI-generated content—we want your human heart.

Simultaneous Submissions: Yes, you can send your work elsewhere at the same time! Just please email us immediately if your piece is accepted by another journal or magazine.

Rights: The Triptych Journal requests First World Serial Rights for all accepted pieces. This allows us to be the first to publish your work digitally. All rights revert to the author immediately upon publication. We only ask that if the work is reprinted elsewhere, The Triptych Journal is acknowledged as the original publisher.

While the primary text should be in English, we strongly encourage writers to include words, phrases, or idioms from their mother tongue. We love work that carries the rhythm and heart of your home.