the TONIC is a literary journal affiliated with Lesley University’s MFA Program.

We publish a wide range of prose, poetry, and text-based art and are drawn to provocative, innovative, and experimental writing.

We’re interested in previously unpublished work in the following categories - simultaneous genre submissions are welcome:

  • Fiction, including excerpts from larger pieces (up to 5,000 words)

  • Poetry (up to 5 poems)

  • Literary Non-fiction (up to 5,000 words)

  • Critical Essays (up to 5,000 words)

  • Stage and screen (up to 6,000 words)

  • Text-based art (up to 4 pdf pages)

  • Young Adult Fiction (up to 5,000 words)

We’re committed to removing the barriers to publishing access and have a no-fee submission policy for our journal.

Unfortunately, we’re not able to accept any revisions to pieces that have already been submitted once the submission period has ended unless an editor specifically requests corrections.

If your work has been accepted in another publication, we ask you to please notify us as quickly as possible. You can withdraw your piece via Submittable after notifying us.

Our submission period will reopen on March 14th, 2024, and run through May 14th, 2024.

For Issue 002, we will also be on the search for a Featured Visual Artist; submissions for artists will open in May.

  • “Dear Paulo”

    Kamal is a self-taught photographer and fine artist whose practice revolves around exploring the many forms and styles a photograph can be interpreted into. The 29-year-old Nigerian began his journey in Malaysia while he was studying for his BSc. in Software Engineering. Despite his technical training, Kamal was determined to pursue his passion for design. His determination paid off when he was invited to participate in a group art show organized by an NGO in 2018, where he was able to showcase his works under the pseudonym "Someoneschild". His piece, “Scarred”, was well-received and it was eventually displayed at the UN Headquarters in New York. Since then he has been featured in multiple publications, magazines, and newspaper columns.

    Kamal's photography captures a wide range of subject matter from nature to portraits, to documentaries, and more. His body of work is designed to inspire viewers to look closer at the world around them and discover beauty in unexpected places.

    His creative process is constantly evolving as he continues to explore the many forms of photography and fine art. With his eye for detail and passion for creativity, Kamal has established himself as an innovative photographer and fine artist.

    See more of his work at KamalObat