Welcome to Cæsura 2026, this year’s theme is:

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LIFELINE

What helps you feel grounded? How do you remember what you know?  We live life with a constant sense of urgency and it is hard to filter through the chaos. What or who is your filter to calm, inspiration, and or radical joy? 

Is your lifeline a pet or a nostalgic hideaway? Do you start your day humming a melody that you consider your own personal theme song? Maybe your lifeline is found in the pages of a favorite author. Maybe it is the joy you get from watching a bird visit a bird feeder.

It can be a turn of phrase from a loved one or an internal vow to avoid personal pitfalls. Maybe it’s the irony of a well crafted punchline that reminds you that hope exists because it makes you laugh. Maybe it is simply knowing that your child made it home safely at the end of a long day. 

So, What is your Lifeline?

We accept submissions from March 15th–June 1st 2026 for the general public, June 15th 2026 for Poetry Center San Jose Members.

We have a print and online edition. During the submission process, you will be asked if you want to be considered for print, online or both. Submissions may be published on one format or the other. We rarely print pieces in both editions.

  • We accept unpublished work only. No reprints.

  • No AI submissions: We currently do not accept work from artificial intelligence (“AI”) generators or similar.

  • Simultaneous submissions are welcome. If your work is accepted elsewhere, please email caesura@pcsj.org to withdraw the whole or part of your submission.

  • Submissions sent to our email address will be disqualified.

  • Only one submission per genre per reading period.

  • Please do not mix genres together when submitting. Submit again for different genres.

  • All work must be submitted blind (no identifying information in the file). If identifying information is in the file, the submission is disqualified.

  • All written submissions should be in 12-point font. Garamond, Times New Roman, Georgia, Arial fonts okay.

  • Accepted file formats:

    • Writing: .doc, .docx, or .pdf

    • Visual Art: .pdf

Genres & Requirements

Poetry

  • Submit up to 3 poems.

  • Each poem may be up to 32 lines.

  • All poems should be in one document.

Prose (Fiction, Nonfiction)

  • Submit up to 3 pieces.

  • Each piece may be up to 2,500 words.

  • All prose pieces should be in one document.

Visual Art

  • Submit up to 3 pieces

  • All visual art disciplines are welcome, including:

    • Ceramics

    • Crafts

    • Drawings

    • Paintings

    • Mixed media

    • Digital art

  • All art should be in one document.

  • For the print edition, artwork may be reproduced at 6×9 inches or 12×9 inches depending on layout needs.

Response Time:  We strive to set out responses 8 to 12 weeks after the end of the submission period. For inquires, please email caesura@pcsj.org

Submit Here