⟁ SUBMISSION GUIDELINES ⟁
0. CORE PRINCIPLE NO RULES
Hidden Layer Media exists outside the typical editorial framework. We do not reject based on content, genre, or polish. If you made something and it resonates with the fractured space we inhabit — it belongs here. We publish what you create with meaning. No restrictions. No censorship. No gatekeeping.
"The only criterion is that it came from somewhere real — a dream, a glitch, a breakdown, a transmission, a forgotten folder, a late-night scribble."
1. WHAT WE ACCEPT
- Writing: prose, poetry, flash, experimental, essays, manifestos, unfinished drafts, fragments.
- Visual: digital art, analog collage, photography, glitch, scans, hybrid, AI-assisted, anti-AI, whatever.
- Sound: field recordings, noise, ambient, spoken word, music, corrupted files, voicemails.
- Video / time-based: short film, glitch video, screen recordings, VHS rips, webcam diaries.
- Other: code poems, interactive, html artifacts, anything you think fits.
2. FORMAT / DELIVERY
- Text: paste into form, or .txt, .pdf, .docx — we don't mind.
- Images: .jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff — grayscale or color, we love both.
- Audio: .mp3, .wav, .flac, .ogg — even youtube links (unlisted ok).
- Video: .mp4, .mov, or streaming link.
- No file too large? If >25MB use wetransfer/drive and share the link.
3. ANONYMITY & CREDIT
You may submit under any name, pseudonym, or remain completely anonymous. If you want to attach a contact (email, signal, carrier pigeon) we'll keep it only for correspondence. If you want no credit at all — the work will appear as "anonymous".
4. SIMULTANEOUS / PREVIOUS
We accept work that has been posted elsewhere (blogs, social media, zines, etc.). We accept simultaneous submissions — just let us know if it gets picked up elsewhere. We're not precious.
5. RIGHTS & COMPENSATION
You retain all rights. We never ask for exclusivity. We are unfunded, so we cannot pay contributors — we operate on passion, server fumes, and isolation. We will promote your work across our channels and include you in the eternal archive. If we ever generate funds, we'll share with contributors (but don't hold your breath — we do this because we have to).
6. RESPONSE TIME / ACCEPTANCE
We review on a rolling basis. Because we're a small collective of fractured beings, response may take anywhere from 3 days to 6 weeks. If you haven't heard in 2 months, feel free to nudge. Everything we accept will appear in the next suitable issue or on the site feed. We do not issue formal rejections — if you don't hear from us, your work may not have fit that particular moment, but we encourage you to submit again.
7. WHAT WE DON'T WANT
We don't want work generated solely to sell something... Everything else, why not....(we welcome dark themes, discomfort, and taboo). If you're unsure — send it anyway.
8. DEADLINES (LOOSE)
9. THE FINE PRINT (NOT FINE)
By submitting, you acknowledge that your work may be archived, displayed, and possibly shared in print compilations (with attribution). We will never sell your work. We may use excerpts for promotional purposes (social media, posters, etc.). You can ask us to remove your work at any time and we will comply.