What types of submissions are you looking for? And why are you more interested in pieces that have nothing to do with the web or technology?
We look for submissions which make sense in the context of a literary magazine to some degree, but also take advantage of being on the web. Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essays, graphic storytelling, and experiments are all welcome. Past contributions have included durational works, playable poems, interactive essays, hypertext stories, musical instruments, word terrariums, ASCII memoirs, and all manner of forms we could not have previously imagined.
We love the ultra specific. We often say we are interested in the “web as a medium,” and really want to see that medium used to explore subject matter other than commenting on the medium itself. This isn’t to say a piece can’t explore or critique one’s relationship with technology. Of course you can make a great painting about painting, a great ballet about ballet, or a great website about websites, but we also love it when art takes its gaze outward.
How do you work with accepted proposals? What is the process until publishing the pieces on the first day of Spring?
We meet with each contributor and plan deadlines for each piece depending on its specific needs. Sometimes the process is more focused on story or language, sometimes on code and design. One of the great joys of working on each issue is every one of these interactions is unique. Our goal is always to help give a piece its best possible life.
How do people participate?
For those who would like to contribute:
Submissions are open from October 1st–November 1st and can be sent to submissions@thehtml.review. Pitches can be a couple of paragraphs explaining the idea and can include visuals or links to a work in progress.
Of course anyone who reads an issue, who shares the work with their friends, is also a crucial participant in the project.