Submission FAQ

What should I include in my cover letter?

• There are many great online resources that can help you craft the perfect cover letter. We suggest The Adroit Review as a good reference point. 

Can I still submit a piece even if I know someone on the staff?

• Yes. We request that you remove your name from all submitted work to keep the scoring process fair and unbiased; our editors do not receive the names of the authors who have submitted, only their pieces. That being said, if an editor recognizes your piece, they will sit out of the scoring process.

Can I submit a piece that is part of a larger work and/or narrative?

• No. The Cypress Dome only publishes work that can stand on its own and consists of a closed narrative.

Can I submit a piece that has been published in another magazine/publication?

• No. The Cypress Dome only publishes work that has not been published elsewhere.

Do you accept simultaneous submissions (pieces that are under consideration at other journals)?

• Yes. Please include this information in your cover letter. If your piece is picked up somewhere else, please withdraw your submission. If only one piece from your submissions (e.g., one poem, one flash piece) is accepted elsewhere, do not withdraw your submission. Leave our editors a note.

Are there any content or topic limitations?

• No. We are open to all creative work. However, we kindly ask that you refrain from gratuitous use of gore, violence, expletives, and eroticism. Submissions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. You are encouraged but not required to include a content or trigger warning. More on this in the submission guidelines.

Can I use generative AI to create, design, or edit my work?

• No. All submissions must be original to the author from inception to completion. This includes all use of AI. If a work is directly inspired by or after another poet or writer, please include a necessary epigraph.

Can I make edits, changes, or revisions to my work after it was submitted?

• No. All work will be considered by our editorial team, as is. If selected for publication, your piece will undergo an editing process. During this time, you are welcome to propose any revisions/changes you wish to make to your submitted work. However, proposed changes may not be accepted by our editorial team if they significantly alter the work we received.

How do I know my work was received?

• When your submission is received, Submittable will send you a confirmation email. Please check your spam filters and the email you used to sign in to Submittable. If you do not receive an email, please contact cdome@ucf.edu to make sure your submission was received (especially if you are submitting near the end of the Open Submission period).

Can I contact any of The Cypress Dome’s editors during the Open Submission period?

• If you have any questions, please contact us at cdome@ucf.edu. We cannot discuss any of your pieces during the submission process, nor can we accept any cash, food, or other gifts—your submissions are the only form of bribe we accept.

How does the scoring process work?

• All work will be reviewed by the editors, evaluated according to artistic meter, and then accepted or denied.

If I am accepted, when will I be notified?

• Final decisions on all submitted work will be made in the spring when all submissions have been reviewed. Responses are typically sent by the beginning of April.

If I am accepted, are there any awards and/or ceremonies I can look forward to?

• Awards are given for the strongest submissions in each category. The Cypress Dome lead genre editors will select the winning entries. A celebratory reading will be held upon the release of the magazine in late April.