Our submission period is currently closed.

Stay tuned for Issue 7, launching this spring.

Filament publishes writing and visual art on a variety of themes and topics. Open to all current middle and high school students ages 13+.

We also publish teen writing on our partner site, Zinc Learning Labs, visited by thousands of teen readers each day. Pieces chosen for publication in Filament may also be selected to appear on Zinc Learning Labs with accompanying educational materials.

  • Writers, we want writing from the heart, with an independent voice and compelling subject matter. We’re seeking pieces that wow us with purposeful imagery and structure, and a strong narrative arc or argument.

    Artists, we’re looking for visual pieces with a strong sense of purpose and commitment to craft.

    Some topics we’re loving lately include:

    • Learning on the job

    • Finding your voice

    • Standing up to oppression

    • Best friends

    • Food and identity

    • Animals and nature

    • Car culture

    These are just suggestions! We want to know what’s on your mind, and are open to a wide variety of subject matters and styles.

    • Be sure to review the full submission terms before sending your work.

    • Submissions are open to current middle and high school students ages 13+.

    • Writing: You may send one piece of fiction or nonfiction (800-2000 words) and up to three poems. Include your submission as a .doc or .pdf attachment. Do not paste your submission into the body of the email.

    • Visual art: You may send up to three images (e.g. photography, fine art, digital art, fashion design, sculpture, etc.–anything that can be captured in a high quality photo!). Images should be in .jpg or .png format, at least 150dpi resolution, and no larger than 500KB.

    • Pieces selected for publication will appear on Filament, and may also be chosen to appear on Zinc Learning Labs’ literacy platform with an accompanying reading quiz.

    • If your work is accepted, you and your parent/guardian will be asked to sign a release form before publication.

    • Please note: Filament is for readers of all ages. We don’t publish explicit, graphic, or violent content.

  • Filament is intended to publish the work of young creators, not content generated by artificial intelligence. Please only submit creations that you have made yourself.

    For Filament writing submissions, generative AI and AI-assistance should only be used to improve readability, grammar, and language. (For example, you may use the suggested improvements made by applications like Grammarly or Google Docs.)

    For Filament visual submissions, generative AI and AI-assistance may play a role in the creative process, but the final result should be created by the student making the submission. Please do not submit AI-generated images. Original digital submissions, created by students, are welcome to be submitted.

  • For examples of writing we love, check out our previous issues, or visit our article quizzes on Zinc Learning Labs.

  • Email us at submissions@zinclearninglabs.com