Following the extremely successful launch of its fifth issue in May, by celebrated Galway/Congolese poet Nithy Kasa, Ragaire Literary Magazine is now open for submissions of short stories, creative nonfiction, poetry and cover art for its sixth issue, planned for launch in November. The submission window will remain open until July 15th, or until the maximum number of submissions for consideration has been met.

Ragaire is a Galway based magazine edited by Cormac Culkeen, Aileen McCarthy and Lucy Bleeker that champions writers who offer fresh approaches to telling a story. Submissions of poetry (max. 40 lines), short stories and creative nonfiction (1,000 to 3,000 words) will be considered. All writing must be unpublished and the author’s own work. Artwork proposals for the issue’s cover will also be considered.

Guidelines and submission links can be accessed via the website. There are also recordings of some of the contributors reading their work at the launch. To see exactly what Ragaire like to publish, past issues are available to purchase on the website www.ragairemagazine.com or in independent bookshops such as Charlie Byrne’s and Kenny’s Bookshop in Galway, or in Raven Books, Chapters Bookstore, and The Winding Stairs in Dublin.

The Ragaire editors read all submissions blind to the identity of the author. This eliminates any bias in the selection process and work submitted by a talented emerging writer who is looking for their first publishing opportunity will be given the same attention as a more established author.

Editor Cormac Culkeen is delighted with the magazine’s success: “I’m so happy and grateful with how each issue has been received. Each edition of Ragaire has its own particular style and aesthetic. Issue 5 has been so well received, it’s great to see that people like it. There’s a real appetite out there for new writing, and work that contains the particulars of life, its strangeness, that beckons the reader in. We’re really looking forward to starting work on Issue 6.”

Editor Aileen Mccarthy is looking forward to the potential for Issue 6: “After the great launch we had for Issue 5, we’re delighted to open submissions for Issue 6. We’re looking for surprising work; that makes us laugh, moves us, gives us pause or simply allows us to see something differently.”

Editor Lucy Bleeker is equally excited: “Issue 5 saw our highest number of submissions to date. We were inundated with quality writing from all over the world, and we can’t wait to sink our teeth into the submissions for Issue 6. So please, get writing!”

Ragaire Literary Magazine is proudly supported by The Galway City Arts Office and The Galway County Arts Office.

Keep an eye out for updates on www.ragairemagazine.com.  

Contributors at the launch of Ragaire’s last edition in May: from left to Right.

Back Row: Laura Carroll, Barbara Dunne, Emily Cullen, Clare Bohane, Liam Boyle, Úna Ní Nualláin, Marilyn Letts, Nithy Kasa, Theodore Deppe, Jennifer Lee.

Front Row: S.J. Coules, Christopher Kestell, Aileen McCarthy (editor), Cormac Culkeen (editor) Lucy Bleeker (editor), Clare O’Malley and Sean Rowan.