Submissions are now open through April 11!

How to Submit to TPL

  • Create It

    Face the blank page and put your ideas into words, be it a poem, story, essay, screenplay/stage play . . . let the writing inspire you and lead the way.

    Or, you could choose an unpublished piece you’ve already written.

    We also take visual art submissions!

    Revise the piece. Proof it for errors. Repeat. Take a deep breath. You’ve done it. Now it’s time to send it to TPL.

  • Review It

    First, review the guidelines (just scroll down to read them). We encourage submissions in multiple categories.

    Please include a brief author/artist bio (up to 50 words, third person).

  • Submit It

    Click the link below to go to the submission form. Fill it out, upload your file(s), and pat yourself on the back.

    Submissions will be reviewed anonymously so that everyone receives a fair chance.

    All submissions will receive a response.

Submit

Rules & Guidelines

Poetry submissions are limited to roughly 1,000 words total. All poems must be submitted in a single file of DOC or DOCX format. Up to a maximum of 5 poems.

Prose submissions are limited to roughly 5,000 words, double-spaced, with page numbers, and must be in DOC or DOCX format. Up to a maximum of 3 works of prose.

Visual art submissions must be hi-res images in jpg or png format. Please include two copies: one in color and one in black and white. Be sure to specify what medium you use on the submission form. Up to a maximum of 5 pieces of visual art.

The goal of the Paper Lantern is to uplift and showcase the authentic voices of Normandale students. Therefore, AI-generated work will not be considered for review or publication. Do not submit AI-generated work. 

Do not include any identifying information within the body or margins of your work.

Keep a copy of your work. Your materials will not be returned to you.

Please make sure to include a title with your work.

Submissions must be by students at Normandale.

Editorial Process

Submissions selected for publication will appear in both the print and online versions of the magazine.

All work is reviewed anonymously, and acceptance is based on literary and artistic merit.

Submissions, with names and contact information removed, will be evaluated by Normandale students in the AFA Capstone Class and/or Creative Writing Club.

The reviewers do not provide written feedback of individual submissions unless requested by the submitter on the submission form.

Contributors will be notified whether their work has been accepted for publication shortly before the magazine goes to press late in the semester.