FN – Asymptote Journal Seeking Submissions about What A.I. Can’t Do

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW SPECIAL FEATURE ON AI

Deadline: 1 July, 2025

SUBMIT TO OUR NEW SPECIAL FEATURE: ”WHAT A.I. CAN’T DO”

For an upcoming Special Feature, we invite submissions of essays or creative work—translated into English or written originally in English by humans—that show why human authors and translators of literature will never be displaced by A.I. (this is our position—and we invite those who feel similarly to engage with the topic). Submitters might ponder the question: Just as the advent of photography caused painting to evolve away from realism, A.I. will surely change the face of literature. How? Submissions must be sent through Submittable. Regular guidelines (see below) apply. Deadline: 1 July, 2025

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Asymptote welcomes submissions of hitherto unpublished translated fiction, nonfiction and drama; certain types of original English-language nonfiction, including literary and critical writing. Please note the following genre-specific and general guidelines.

Fiction

The submission might include one or more works of short fiction or excerpts of a longer work translated into English. Please send no more than 5,000 words in total.

Drama

You may send a one-act play or an excerpt from a full-length play, in either case not exceeding 20 pages, translated into English. For full-length plays, send a brief synopsis first. Rolling deadline.

Literary Nonfiction

This includes genres such as memoir, despatch (reportage), travelogue and the occasional essay. Nonfiction submissions must be work translated into English, except for essays about translation, which may be written in English. To get a stronger sense of what we are looking for, go through the past articles that we have published. Send no more than 5,000 words in total. Rolling deadline.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. All submissions should be sent as one Microsoft Word attachment (as a .doc file, please) via Submittable.

2. Your submission must include the following:

• • The original work and the translation (where applicable).
  • A statement granting us permission to publish both the original work and the translation online, as well as declaring that you are in a position to grant us such rights (i.e., that you have the author’s permission—or the translator’s, if you are the author—and his/her publisher’s, if required).
  • Biographical notes, written in the third person, for both author and translator(s), beginning with the name, no longer than 150 words per bio.

Optional, but highly encouraged:

• • A short write-up providing context and discussing the challenges of this particular translation; fewer than 300 words.
  • An MP3 recording of a reading of the original non-English-language text (for poems and shorter pieces) or an excerpt of the original text (for longer creative work)—we usually ask for this only after acceptance is confirmed.

4. Translations must not have been previously published, although the source text may have been.

5. Submissions in English (where permitted: see above) must not have been previously published.

6. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but we ask in return that you notify us by email as soon as you learn of an acceptance elsewhere.

LANGUAGE GUIDELINES

Asymptote is a journal that celebrates translation and world literatures. Therefore, we mainly consider work translated into English, particularly for fiction and drama. The exceptions are:

• Criticism and essays about world literature and translation
• Interviews
• Brave New World Literature Feature

Providing the text in the original language and arranging all necessary permissions are solely the translator’s responsibility. Submissions with uncertain rights issues will not be considered at all. Submissions with no source text or introductory material (for poetry) will be at a significant disadvantage versus those that do have them.

Submission fee: $10