Hey, funny people! I’m Greg, the founder and editor of Chortle. I’m seeking topical short humor submissions.
What does topical mean? It could be politics, sure, but it could also be anything timely and culturally resonant: the arrival of spring, previewing summer blockbusters, allergy season, whatever's feels of the moment. Accepted pieces pay $100.
Keep reading to see the full submission guidelines and a link to the submission form…
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Deadline:
This round of submissions is due by 11:59 PM on Thursday, April 9th. Responses will go out by April 16th at the latest.
Payment:
Accepted pieces pay $100. Writers retain future ownership of their work.
The Basics:
We’re seeking short humor pieces (700 words or fewer) with a funny, unique POV on a timely topic.
Short humor means we’re generally open to satire, parody, lists, fake articles, absurdist pieces, and other formats you might see in McSweeney’s or The New Yorker’s Shouts and Murmurs section.
Generally speaking, we DO NOT publish personal essays or short fiction.
Pieces should be previously unpublished, including on personal newsletters/blogs.
Comics and other multimedia formats are welcome for consideration.
Please do not submit multiple pieces.
Before you submit, I highly suggest you read some of our most popular posts to get a sense of our readers’ tastes.
Tips for a Strong Submission:
Your comedic premise should be clear within the first paragraph.
The piece should build and escalate throughout.
Keep it tightly written without extra fluff.
Show off a unique voice or perspective.
Common Mistakes I See:
The piece has no clear focus.
There aren’t enough jokes.
It requires extensive setup to reach the funny part.
It covers well-worn topics or points of view.
It consists mostly of dialogue and/or is written like a script.
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Do you want feedback on your writing?
I frequently get asked to provide feedback on submissions, and I can’t respond to everyone. But if you’re a paid Chortle subscriber, I’m happy to provide notes on your piece—there’s a place to request them on the submission form.1 (New readers/writers are also welcome to take advantage of this offer by upgrading their subscription.)
👉 SUBMIT HERE 👈
If you’re ready to submit a piece, click the button below to go to the submission form!
QUESTIONS?
Feel free to email me directly at greg@chortle.blog or leave a comment on this post.2
All submissions are reviewed blind, so your subscription status won't affect whether your piece is accepted.
Please be nice! I am but a humble writer trying my best… just like you!