PFN – The Calendula Review: A Journal of Narrative Medicine. Issue 3 Theme: Inhale/Exhale

The theme for our November 2024 publication is “Inhale/Exhale.”

We carry the rhythm of breath in our bodies, always–it is ever-present and at the same time, finite and precious. At times, we are viscerally conscious of it, especially when we witness the first or last breath. We breathe with intention during illness, loss, or birthing, to harness our minds, our bodies, retain the moment while moving through. Catching a breath in elation syncopates the cycle in other ways. The simple act of drawing and releasing air has such vital and disparate qualities–it enlightens the senses, brings us in and out of our bodies, informs our actions. And what of the times we need to learn new ways to breathe? What of that liminal space between the inhale and exhale? What resides there? What is it that transitions, transforms, reframes, directs? Breath allows us the space to grieve, accept, be joyous, irate, or peaceful, and it facilitates the process by which we move forward in the world–and do not. Inhale/Exhale holds space for a moment, story, or image in all of us. What is yours?

Poetry: We accept up to 5 poems in whichever format you see fit, but no more than five pages in all; Times New Roman, 12 pt. font in a Word file. If you have specific formatting for your poem or you have embedded text within an image, please state this in the description of your submission (you may send us a PDF for reference if this applies). We are open to hybrid poetry pieces that include visual and written elements.

Prose: We accept prose submissions (both fiction and creative nonfiction) of up to 3000 words. Please double-space your work and use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font. Please send your piece in Word format. We accept up to three pieces of Flash at once as long as the culminating word count is under 3000 words. Please put all pieces in one document with clear titles for each.

General guidelines:

• Though we are fairly flexible on how this is interpreted, please reflect on whether your work fits within the genre of Narrative Medicine before submitting. For a clear description of what Narrative Medicine is, please visit the Home page and read past issues. 

• Please ensure that you include a bio of 100 words or less at the foot of your document, and a short cover letter in the body of your email with your submission.

• You may submit in only one category, and once per submission period.

• We do not currently charge a fee for submissions and we cannot pay contributors at this time.

• Our turnaround time is roughly two months.

• Currently, we can only accept submissions written in English, or that are translated to English. Please reach out if you have questions about this regarding any specific pieces. Quotes or small sections used for dialog or poetic effect are fine.

• We will immediately refuse anything that contains hateful, extremely or gratuitously graphic, or harmful language or ideas.

• We do not currently offer feedback. 

• Please do not submit previously published work, or work you have sent us before. 

• If your work was accepted for the most recent published issue, please do not submit to the following issue; we ask that you wait for the next one.

• Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please immediately withdraw, or let us know if your work has been accepted elsewhere.

• Please proof read your work for errors. We will not edit extensively for publication. Work that contains excessive errors will be rejected.

• The Author retains rights to all work upon publication, but we do ask that if the work is published elsewhere afterward, you credit The Calendula Review as the initial publisher.

• Please be sure to adhere to HIPAA guidelines on identifiers.

• Please title your submission as outlined below.

Submissions should be emailed to TCRSubmissions@cnsu.edu during the open period only, and with the subject line: GENRE_NAME_TITLE OF WORK. For example: POETRY SUBMISSION_WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE_SONNET 18. Please include a short cover letter in the body of the email, and an attach your work in Word format or similar. Please also remember to insert a short bio of 100 words or less at the end of your Word document so we have everything in one place; make sure your name and email address are clearly stated in the document with a word count in the top right corner. Please note that once you’ve sent your work, you should get an auto response saying your work has been received. If you do not see this after a couple of minutes, check your “outbox” or “sent” folder to make sure your message went out.

​By submitting their work, the Author agrees to the terms laid out in these guidelines. If accepted, a contract for the piece including these terms will be offered to the Author.

​Please be sure to adhere to HIPAA guidelines on identifiers when submitting any kind of work. This is especially pertinent for work in the realm of narrative medicine. For a list of identifiers and information on HIPAA compliance, please go here.