FROM THE JOURNAL

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About The Parliament

Our Story

Based in Highland Park, New Jersey, and named for a group of owls — a term made famous by C.S. Lewis — the journal is a gathering place for writers of all genres.

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Call for Submissions

Submit Your Work

The Parliament welcomes poetry, fiction, and art from writers and artists worldwide. Submissions are managed through Submittable.

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Fall 2022: Ecstasy and Despair

Past Issue

A curated selection of poetry, prose, and art exploring the extremes of human experience.

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Contact Us

Get in Touch

Reach us at parliamentlit@parliamentlit.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram. We welcome your feedback.

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The Parliament Literary Journal is built on the belief that literature thrives at the intersection of voices. Writers and artists from every corner of the globe bring their distinct perspectives, and the result is a publication that resists easy categorization. Whether one arrives through poetry, fiction, or visual art, the journal offers a space where craft is honored and risk is encouraged. The editorial approach prizes both polish and provocation, seeking work that lingers in the mind long after the page is turned. For readers, each issue is an invitation to wander through unfamiliar terrain, guided by the instincts of contributors who are unafraid to ask difficult questions and explore uncomfortable truths.

The journal takes its name from a group of owls, a term popularized by the writer C.S. Lewis, and that avian association runs deeper than mere curiosity. Owls are creatures of the twilight, sharp-eyed and patient, watching what others miss. The Parliament carries that same spirit into its pages, attending closely to the subtle movements of language and image. Based in Highland Park, New Jersey, the journal draws on its local roots while remaining resolutely international in outlook. The result is a publication that feels both grounded and far-reaching, attentive to the particular while always glancing toward the universal.

Submission is at the heart of The Parliament's mission. The journal actively welcomes poetry, fiction, and visual art from writers and artists at every stage of their careers, and the process is managed through a straightforward online platform. There is no gatekeeping by reputation or résumé; what matters is the work itself. Each submission is read with care and an openness to surprise. The editors understand that a strong piece can arrive from anywhere, and they remain committed to discovering voices that might otherwise go unheard. For contributors, this means a genuine chance to find an audience and a community.

The Fall 2022 issue, titled Ecstasy and Despair, exemplifies the journal's commitment to exploring the full spectrum of human feeling. The curated selection moves between the heights of joy and the depths of sorrow, tracing the ways these extremes often mirror and shape one another. Poetry, prose, and art sit side by side, each piece contributing to a conversation about what it means to feel deeply in a complicated world. The issue invites readers to sit with discomfort as well as delight, recognizing that literature's greatest gift is often the permission to feel without apology.

The Parliament is more than a magazine; it is a gathering place. The journal cultivates an ongoing dialogue among its contributors and readers, one that extends beyond the pages of any single issue. Through features, news, and community engagement, the publication fosters connections across geography, genre, and generation. Writers find not only an outlet for their work but also a network of fellow practitioners who understand the solitary and communal dimensions of the craft. Readers, in turn, become participants in a shared literary culture, one that values discussion, curiosity, and the occasional productive disagreement.

The journal's aesthetic extends from its pages into its presentation, with a warm palette of burnished gold, terracotta, deep navy, and olive green evoking the feeling of a well-loved literary artifact. This visual identity reflects an editorial philosophy that values clarity and intention in every element. Typography is clean and geometric, section labels are letter-spaced and deliberate, and generous spacing gives each piece room to breathe. The design serves the writing rather than competing with it, creating an environment where words and images can exert their full effect without distraction.

The Parliament's archives represent a living record of contemporary literature in motion. Each issue adds another layer to an ongoing conversation about craft, culture, and the human condition. Readers who return to past editions discover that the journal's concerns are both timely and enduring, touching on questions that have occupied writers for centuries while remaining alert to the particular pressures of the present moment. The archive is not a static collection but a resource for rediscovery, a place where a reader can trace the evolution of a voice or stumble upon a forgotten gem.

The journal maintains a particular fondness for the unexpected image, the turn of phrase that snaps the spine of expectation. Its pages have featured talons and owls, catch and prey, and the delicate violence of language doing what language does best. There is a wildness at the edges of even the most polished work, a reminder that literature remains one of our most vital forms of provocation. The Parliament embraces this energy, trusting that readers come to a literary magazine not for comfort alone but for the jolt of recognition that comes when a writer sees clearly and says it boldly.

For artists and writers alike, The Parliament offers something increasingly rare: a venue that values the work itself over the noise surrounding it. There are no gimmicks, no manufactured controversies, no attempts to chase the attention economy. Instead, the journal stays focused on the fundamental transaction between creator and reader, the exchange that has sustained literature for centuries. This commitment to craft and sincerity gives the publication a distinctive character, one that resonates with those who believe the written word still matters enormously, even in an age of distraction and fragmentation.

The Parliament looks forward with both ambition and humility, aware that the future of literary magazines lies in their ability to adapt without losing their soul. The journal remains dedicated to its founding impulses: gathering voices, showcasing talent, and fostering genuine exchange. New issues will continue to arrive, each one a fresh attempt to capture something true about the world we share. For writers seeking a home for their work and readers seeking a reliable source of stimulation and reflection, The Parliament stands ready, its pages open, its attention sharp, and its spirit welcoming.