We are proud to present our nominations for the Pushcart Prize! Read the nominated pieces in print or online with a Ploughshares subscription: https://bit.ly/4q0LXdl

"We all work with death, don't we? Mindy, you, me. All in our different ways."  Read Ian Stansel's story "O Holy Night" from the Winter 2023-24 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/3MHnCdT

Now through January 15, purchase a one-year print & digital Ploughshares subscription and receive one of our Emerging Writer hats and free entry to the Emerging Writers’ Contest! Add a subscription and hat to your cart and use discount code EWCBUNDLE25, or click https://pshr.us/ewcbundle to order.

We're pleased to announce our nominations for Orison Books' Best Spiritual Literature Anthology! Read the nominated pieces in print or online with a Ploughshares subscription: https://bit.ly/4q0LXdl

"Cursing in Kréyol especially, because there's something about swearing in the first language you could sing in that chains it down as of your blood." Read Juliana Lamy's story, "My Country Full of Thieves," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares! https://bit.ly/3KYwCKY

Calling all book lovers! We're looking for influencers who are interested in reviewing our quarterly issues on their Instagram accounts. Apply for the program today: https://pshr.us/influencers

For this year’s holiday party, we met at the Plough & Stars, the pub where Ploughshares was founded in 1971. Our staff each dressed as a favorite backlist issue cover, with Marketing Associate Lachlan taking the prize for best costume for their papier-mâché recreation of our Summer 2015 issue!

"If he can no longer conceive of a way out, and I'm the one remaining tether he has to this life, can I really let him go?" Read Eric McMillan's story "Gripped" in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

Applications for @lambdaliterary.org's Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices are open until January 8th, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST! Find out more on their website and apply: bit.ly/48cM1iy #LLWritersRetreat

During this busy time of year, take a moment to relax with our Fall 2025 issue. Pick up your copy today: https://pshr.us/fall25

Calling all emerging writers! When you purchase a one year print and digital subscription and our new Emerging Writer hat with discount code EWCBUNDLE25, you’ll also receive free entry to the Emerging Writers’ Contest. Or, bundle up by following this link: https://pshr.us/ewcbundle

"Everyone knew what was right without God having come into it, without unquestionable or immutable rules." Read Youssef Rakha's story "In Charge of My Soul in the Blink of an Eye" in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

"...He's blank and numb and separated so much from himself..." Read ari Banias's poem, "Giant Snowballs," in the Spring 2016 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/4oEEFuv

We're delighted to share that the awesome Crystal Hana Kim is the Fiction Judge for this year’s Emerging Writers’ Contest! 🎉 Find out more about Crystal below, or visit her website: https://www.crystalhanakim.com

Southern Humanities Review's winter issue is available now! Explore this brand-new collection of poetry and prose, featuring cover art of Sappho, a gypsograph, by Maurice Dumont (French, 1870–1899). Read the issue: https://www.southernhumanitiesreview.com/

"In this tug of war between tongue and tail, what got bruised, and what wavered, was the spine..." Read Geetanjali Shree's story (translated by Daisy Rockwell) "And I Saw Myself Running" in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/3MFC5Xy

We’re thrilled to reveal that the amazing Melissa Febos is this year's Nonfiction Judge for our Emerging Writers’ Contest! 🎉 Read more about Melissa below, or visit her website: https://www.melissafebos.com

We’re excited to announce that the incredible T Bambrick is the Poetry Judge for this year’s Emerging Writers’ Contest! 🎉 Find out more about T below, or visit their website: https://www.taneumbambrick.com/

Stay inside this weekend and avoid the frigid winds with a copy of our Fall 2025 issue. https://pshr.us/fall25

✨CONTEST NEWS!✨This year, our annual Emerging Writers’ Contest will be open from February 1 to March 31. Submit your fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for the chance to win $2,000, a conversation with Aevitas Creative Management, and publication in Ploughshares! Find out more: https://pshr.us/ewc26

Ploughshares’ weekly newsletter delivers essays, articles, author interviews, and more right to your inbox! Subscribe here: https://pshr.us/2w9Dg5w

"'Sculpt me a sphere and move that trash pail thirty paces farther away,' he says, using his hands to speak, 'and let’s place a wager.'" Read Fortunato Salazar's story, "The Bet I Won," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares! https://bit.ly/43HJVWy

Power the Plough this Giving Tuesday and help us support the important work of emerging and established writers. Those who donate $125 and above will be gifted an exclusive Ploughshares tote bag! https://pshr.us/donate

"When I heard the clear jangling of chains, I knew—without looking—that Lonny was unlocking the swinging gate." Read Eddie Chuculate's story, "Winter, 1979," from the Winter 2004-05 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/4oQIkWU

Spend one last day in the park with our Fall 2025 issue before the snow falls. Grab your copy today: https://pshr.us/fall25

"'Sculpt me a sphere and move that trash pail thirty paces farther away,' he says, using his hands to speak, 'and let’s place a wager.'" Read Fortunato Salazar's story, "The Bet I Won," from the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/43HJVWy

Donate to Ploughshares this Giving Tuesday and help us support the writers of today, tomorrow, and beyond. Those who donate $125 and above will be gifted an exclusive Ploughshares tote bag! https://pshr.us/donate

"In this tug of war between tongue and tail, what got bruised, and what wavered, was the spine..." Read Geetanjali Shree's story (translated by Daisy Rockwell) "And I Saw Myself Running" in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

"We can be beautiful again beneath the yarrow, the sumac, the bitter water." Read Jake Skeets's poem, "In the Fields," from the Spring 2019 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/4hPigc7

As the world around us continues to change, we know that writers are hard at work creating “tomorrow’s classics today,” creating an enduring record of the human experience. This Giving Tuesday, support our mission to publish the best writers of today, tomorrow, and beyond. https://pshr.us/donate

Relaxing in a pile of leaves never looked so good. Grab your exclusive Ploughshares hat or tote today and read outside as the leaves fall 🍂 https://pshr.us/newmerch

Ploughshares publishes the leading and rising voices of the literary world. Subscribe today and never miss an issue! https://pshr.us/subscription

There’s still time for some pond-side reading before the weather becomes too cold. Take our Fall 2025 issue outside today: https://pshr.us/fall25

Our Regular Reading Period is now closed! Thank you to all of the wonderful writers who submitted. We look forward to reading your writing!

"Maybe the Hindus got it right with their burning pyres. Maybe it's the smoke that reaches God, just enough to sting His all-seeing eyes." Read Andrea Thurairatnam Imdacha's story, "Seven Urns," from the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/47EFRHx

"The feeling of being lucky can sometimes subsitute for the feeling of being good." Read Heather Thompson-Brenner's story, "Junk Truck," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

Fall in love with our new hats! Grab your exclusive Ploughshares merch today: https://pshr.us/newmerch

Love Ploughshares? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for announcements, blog articles, events, and more! https://pshr.us/2w9Dg5w

"Your daddy's choices have got nothing to do with yours. You've your own course to chart. And don't you forget it." Read Devon Walker-Figueroa's story, "Hold Harmless," from the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/47uMxbg

There’s nothing better than staying in with a good book as the leaves fall outside. Curl up with our Fall 2025 issue today. https://pshr.us/fall25

There’s only two weeks left until our Regular Reading Period closes! Submit your fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and longform works before it’s too late. https://pshares.org/submit/

"I will go to the archives. What will I look for? Another place, simply, where the past speaks?" Read Corinna Cook's piece, "Chooutla," from the Spring 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! https://bit.ly/3Wyp6ZD

"Maybe the Hindus got it right with their burning pyres. Maybe it's the smoke that reaches God, just enough to sting His all-seeing eyes." Read Andrea Thurairatnam Imdacha's story, "Seven Urns," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

Ploughshares publishes the leading and rising voices of the literary world. Subscribe today and never miss an issue! https://pshr.us/subscription

"Your daddy's choices have got nothing to do with yours. You've your own course to chart. And don't you forget it." Read Devon Walker-Figueroa's story, "Hold Harmless," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares. https://pshr.us/fall25

Thanks to everyone for celebrating the launch of our Fall 2025 issue with us and enjoying the amazing stories read by Juliana Lamy, Heather Thompson-Brenner, and Devon Walker-Figueroa. Thank you to our friends at Trident Books, and our staff and community members for supporting 🎉

"If he can no longer conceive of a way out, and I'm the one remaining tether he has to his life, can I really let him go?" Read Eric McMillan's story, "Gripped," in the Fall 2025 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! http://bit.ly/4n74EK0

It’s truly a dream to have my story “Angelo” selected by Celeste Ng for this year’s edition of Best American Short Stories! Special thanks to Nicole Lamy and @marinerbooks.bsky.social and to Laila Lalami and Ladette Randolph for selecting it for @pshares.bsky.social (where it first appeared)!

There’s nothing better than staying in with a good book as the leaves fall outside. Curl up with our Fall 2025 issue today. https://pshr.us/fall25

"Please, as long as I'm pouring my heart out, withhold your good opinions." Read Jody Gladding's story, "Squash (Cucurbite)," in the Winter 1997-8 issue of Ploughshares, free this week! http://bit.ly/43piBfl