CIRQUE
A literary journal based in Alaska.
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Open for submissions all genres.
See the current contest:
"A Fly on the Wall," observational poetry.
Scroll down for the details. Scroll down to enter.
Submissions for this issue, including the contest, close March 21, 2026.
EMAIL: cirquejournal@gmail.com
On CIRQUE: Cirque is a literary journal, based in Alaska, soliciting submissions from writers, poets and artists who live in the region loosely referred to as the North Pacific Rim. Cirque invites emerging and established writers and artists living in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Yukon Territory, British Columbia and the Russian Far East — to submit short stories, poems, creative nonfiction, translations, plays, and images.
Cirque submissions are not restricted to a regional theme or setting. We are open to compelling work.
Cirque is published twice yearly, summer and winter.
Submissions are open.
Cirque is always open to submissions. Work received after a deadline will be held or the next issue.
SUPPORT THIS INDEPENDENT JOURNAL
Cirque is an independent journal staffed by volunteers. We need your support. Readers and contributors keep us in print through direct donations, subscriptions, purchases of single copies and by advertising with Cirque
Advertising: This "best deal ever" offers a full-page, full-color ad for $100. Contact us at 907 764 - 1945 for details or email, cirquejournal@gmail.com.
Donations: On the submission site, there is an opportunity to donate $10 - $100 or to subscribe. Your support allows us to skip fundraising and to focus on publishing a journal described by many as beautiful and exceptional.
Subscriptions: Subscribe here.
ONLINE AND IN PRINT
Cirque is a print journal but it is also published online. See the current issue and all past issues at www.cirquejournal.com.
When you publish in Cirque, your work can be found online, for many years into the future.
Anticipated publication of Cirque #30. January of 2026.
Eligibility: you were born in, or are currently residing in, or have previously lived for a period of not less than 5 years in the North Pacific Rim region, detailed above.
Open Poetry: 4 poems MAX - Submitted as a single document.
Fiction, Nonfiction, Plays: 12 pages (double-spaced) MAX
Artwork and Photography: 10 images MAX, in the highest resolution possible; images will likely be between 2 and 10 mb each. If you do not submit full-size photo files at time of submission, we will respond with an email reminder.
With your submission, please send a literary or artist's bio of 100 words MAX.
Replies average two to three months.
Correspondence email is: cirquejournal@gmail.com
CIRQUE PRESS
Sandra Kleven, Managing Director
Michael Burwell, Senior Editor
Cynthia Steele, Associate Editor
Tyler Kleven, Administrative Assistant
Signe Nichols, Chief Designer
Design Team, Dale Champlin, Kari Odden, Lizzie Newell
Cirque Press
3157 Bettles Bay Loop
Anchorage, AK 99515
907 764 - 1945
Cirque Press emerged from Cirque, a literary journal showcasing the work of writers, poets, and artists from the North Pacific Rim. This expansive region includes Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and—by generous extension—Oregon, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, Hawaii, and the Russian Far East.
Founded by Sandra Kleven and Michael Burwell in 2017, Cirque Press responded to a growing need: too many noteworthy manuscripts were on hold for lack of a responsive local literary press. We created Cirque Press to change that—to support and publish exceptional writers of our region, amplifying their work in the world where it can inspire, provoke, and endure.
Our advocacy is rooted in place. Through poetry, story, and art, Cirque Press contributes to a living literature that reflects the landscape, cultures, and voices of our region.
Sandra Kleven & Michael Burwell
Note: If you have a book manuscript for review, send a query to: cirquejournal@gmail.com.
Check out our publications, here:
Please read submission guidelines before you submit.
Please submit no more than four poems on a single document. You may give a generic title to the group such as "Four poems for Cirque" or use abbreviated titles. "Black Bird, God's Raven, Eagle Summit, Punchy Plaster," for example. On another document, include a cover letter and your third erson literary bio of 100 words or less. Thanks so much! Sandra Kleven and Michael Burwell, editors
Check out our publications, here:
https://cirquejournal.com/cirque-press/
Fiction submissions should be double spaced and no longer than 12 pages in a 12 point font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. Please include your literary bio of no more than 100 words. Thanks so much! Sandra Kleven and Michael Burwell, editors
Check out our publications, here:
Plays/drama submissions should be double spaced and no longer than 12 pages in a 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. Please include your literary bio of no more than 100 words.
Check out our publications, here:
Nonfiction submissions should be double spaced and no longer than 12 pages in a 12 point font, preferably Times New Roman or Arial. Submissions between 9/21/2020 and 3/21/2120 will be considered for Issue # 23, which we expect to publish in June 2021.
Please include your literary bio of no more than 100 words.
Check out our publications, here:
Cirque is a literary journal, based in Alaska, publishing the work of writers, poets, photographers and other artists who live in the North Pacific Rim.
Please adhere to the guidelines, below.
Artwork and Photography: 10 images MAX, in the highest resolution possible; between 2 and 10mb each. If you do not submit full-size photo files at time of submission, we will respond with an email reminder. More than 40 images are used in each issue. Please submit with your artist's bio. 100 words MAX.