The Disappointed Housewife-SUBMISSIONS ALWAYS OPEN

Fiction, poetry, essays & more, with an idiosyncratic flair. Visit The Disappointed Housewife. thedisappointedhousewife.com #Writers, see our Submission Guidelines here: thedisappointedhousewife.com/submission-gui…

@brecht_dp 😂

Some lit mags when I submit to them again for the nth time...

Top three reasons for rejection at The Disappointed Housewife: 1—The work is too conventional/traditional in presentation. 2—The work mistakes “offbeat” for cute or silly. 3—The work is too dark for our overall vibe. Avoid these and your odds get 10x better! #writingcommunity

@1funnyfarmAdams You'd be surprised, Tracie. 😉 I'm glad you think it would be fair to ask that of writers. We know it's an extra step, and submitting is hard enough with different submission windows and formatting requirements, but being clear on why we're a good spot for the work is important.

@offbeatlit When asked to do this for other magazines, it helps me examine my reasons and articulate them in writing, so I think it’s reasonable. Your rejections are the kindest in the biz, so I’m not sure you’re capable of being snotty, are you? 🙂‍↔️

Sometimes we're tempted, Dottie and I, to have submitters tell us in the cover email why they think this piece is right for The Disappointed Housewife. Would that come off as snotty, ya think? Or is it reasonable, considering that we have a specific mission? think🤔

@chillsubs So does The Disappointed Housewife, for the record.

Submit to them here: chillsubs.com/lists/free-pus… #litmags

A little bit of found art this morning out on the tracks. thedisappointedhousewife.com/2026/05/05/tra…

We just got our copy of the latest from Guy Biederman, TDH contributor and good friend of the journal. If you're a fan of #microfiction, this one will float your little boat. Check out HERE'S WHERE WE GET OFF today! amazon.com/Heres-Where-We…

@MatherSchneider @rustybarnes23 I'm fairly empathetic about it, but it's all about tone. It's important for writers to understand there's always a next time.

@rustybarnes23 @offbeatlit I've never done it. And yet, I am sympathetic with the ones who do.

We rejected a story today, with nice comments, but the writer couldn't resist coming back with "you obviously didn't get it." Just one reason editors lean toward form rejections. Tip: Resist the urge to respond. Never helps.

@rustybarnes23 @MatherSchneider The handful of times I've done it, I tried to keep it respectful. Especially when I've been led down the primrose path only to get nailed with a rejection.

@MatherSchneider @offbeatlit I've probably done this. I don't think it's a good idea now, though.

@ca5eyj0 That's a nice take, CJ. I think part of the situation is the intensity some writers bring to submission--like pumping them out by the dozen. People could stand to relax a little.

It’s insane to me that this happens, and I’ve heard similar from other editors. I’ve THANKED editors that have sent me personal rejections. That person took the time out of a very hectic and busy endeavor to give you some kind of feedback!

@BulbRegion Ain't it the truth! I understand the frustrations, of course, but there's a way the game is played. Ideally, anyway.

@offbeatlit Feel you, Kevin. It’s no lie that these past four months have taught me quite a lot about writers, actually…

To be clear, we think the weird kids are the coolest 🤷 Submit to our community's favorites here: chillsubs.com/lists/fav-weir… @gonelawn @APCON_MAG @BlackWarriorRev @godscrueljokeLP @wallstrait @tinyspoonlitmag @scaffoldlitmag @SCAB_Magazine @bullshitlit @offbeatlit @CosmicDaffodil @fullhouselit @FiveMinuteLit @TheArgyleLitMag @MolotovLitZine @FrictionSeries

@pimpledrose 👏👏👏

Heading to Kenyon for a residency! 🥳💕🫠

Only it's not really a post about weed-whacking ... kevinbrennanbooks.wordpress.com/2026/04/22/sis… #journalism #publishing #AI

@RestrictedDaily Seemed pretty easy to me. But then I remembered Arqansas. Doh!

Who doesn't like #poetry in the form of a totally on-point list? Here's one I'm sure everyone can relate to. thedisappointedhousewife.com/2026/04/14/obj… #poem #writingcommunity #poetrycommunity

Using AI responsibly in #fiction. (Not in the writing, by the way.) kevinbrennanbooks.wordpress.com/2026/04/10/upd… #writingcommunity

#Poetry this morning inspired by an awesome assemblage by artist Kurt Reynolds. Drop over to read Robert Carr's "Haircuts" (and view the artwork too!). thedisappointedhousewife.com/2026/04/10/hai… #writingcommunity #readingcommunity

We have a hilarious playlet for you this morning, with dinosaurs pretty much anticipating "Waiting for Godot." Enjoy! thedisappointedhousewife.com/2026/04/07/car… #fiction #writingcommunity #readingcommunity