Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild publishes the print-only journal County Lines annually and has since 2014. For inclusion, we look for works that grab us, move us, wow us, and make us laugh, cry and everything in between. Don't doubt your work. Polish it, then send it in for consideration.
Reading windows (2026):
- The Carolina Prize for Writing, Poetry, and Art: March 1 to April 30 —competitive entry, up to three winners each, cash prizes
- County Lines: a Literary Journal (prose, poetry, art): June 1 to July 31 —open submissions
3000 words or fewer.
Short Stories, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Essays, …
Detailed guidelines can be found here.
County Lines: a Literary Journal is published annually (PRINT ONLY) by the Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild, showcasing a curated collection of the finest poetry, prose, and interior art/photography by creators of all ages from all over North Carolina Piedmont, the United States, and beyond.
Writers, poets, and artists whose works are accepted for publication will receive one complimentary copy of the journal.
Responses should be completed within 4 weeks of close of the submissions window. Each volume of County Lines is published in late November or early December.
🌟New for 2026: North Carolina Writers are Prioritized🌟 For up to 20% of the accepted submissions, North Carolina writers, poets, and artists will be prioritized in our selection process.
30 lines or fewer. 1 poem per submission.
Detailed guidelines can be found here.
County Lines: a Literary Journal is published annually (PRINT ONLY) by the Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild, showcasing a curated collection of the finest poetry, prose, and interior art/photography by creators of all ages from all over North Carolina Piedmont, the United States, and beyond.
Writers, poets, and artists whose works are accepted for publication will receive one complimentary copy of the journal.
Responses should be completed within 4 weeks of close of the submissions window. Each volume of County Lines is published in late November or early December.
🌟New for 2026: North Carolina Writers are Prioritized🌟 For up to 20% of the accepted submissions, North Carolina writers, poets, and artists will be prioritized in our selection process.
.jpg, grayscale, 900 to 1200 pixels for each dimension (pixel counts are approximate)
Detailed guidelines can be found here and here.
County Lines: a Literary Journal is published annually (PRINT ONLY) by the Carolina Piedmont Writers Guild, showcasing a curated collection of the finest poetry, prose, and interior art/photography by creators of all ages from all over North Carolina Piedmont, the United States, and beyond.
Writers, poets, and artists whose works are accepted for publication will receive one complimentary copy of the journal.
Responses should be completed within 4 weeks of close of the submissions window. Each volume of County Lines is published in late November or early December.
🌟New for 2026: North Carolina Writers are Prioritized🌟 For up to 20% of the accepted submissions, North Carolina writers, poets, and artists will be prioritized in our selection process.