New Writers

Welcome New Writers. You've found a nice place to land. Claudine loves the newbies!

About the New Writer Category

This category is born of deep love and respect for New Writers. Our EIC didn't start writing until midlife and is forever grateful to those who helped her start out.
All New Writer submissions are considered for general microfiction and CNF spots as well. In theory, the entire issue could be comprised of the work of new writers, but the New Writer Micro category is reserved for those new to the world of published prose . . .and we're so excited to be part of your journey!
At Claudine, a "New Writer" is a writer with three or fewer literary publications. (That is, your piece in Claudine can be, at most, your fourth publication.)
We mean published poems, stories, flash, micros, novels, novellas, chapbooks, essays--words published on paper or online by a third party.
We don't mean pieces you've published in journalistic or trade publications. If you routinely publish, for example, scientific articles because you're a scientist in addition to being a writer, we don't count those. They're not literary in nature (although we're sure they're brilliantly written).

Examples

If you've performed a series of one-woman shows that you wrote yet the script has not been separately published, you're a new writer at Claudine. (If the script were published, we would count that.)
If you've written poems your whole life and you've performed them in dozens and dozens of readings, but you've never published a single one, you're a new writer at Claudine.
If you're a blogger who has only self-published micros on instagram, you're a new writer. But if you self-published that same work in a series (read over 4) of chapbooks, you're not a new writer.
Perhaps you see a spirit emerging here more than formal rules. You're correct! We're looking for writers new to publishing their written work.

New Writer Journey at Claudine

Submissions. This category is the most likely to get personal feedback or comments in a response. We want to help you grow your knowledge of craft even if we don't publish your piece.
Accepted Pieces. A chance to work hands on with an editor. We are very generous with our editorial time for new writers. We view this category as a learning experience as well as a publishing venue.