BreakBread Literacy Project:
BreakBread Magazine
The BreakBread Literacy Project is a space for young creatives to take root and grow. The Project seeks to empower and honor the voices of all young artists through four initiatives:
- BreakBread Magazine: groundbreaking new work in arts and letters from young creatives under the age of 25
- BreakBread Reading Series: community reading events for young and established voices in literature
- BreakBread Creative Classroom: a pop-up creative education program that brings creative writing workshops to local schools, libraries, youth centers and community venues.
- BreakBread Literary Apprentice Program: We offer competitive, high-quality internships in publishing to promising writers who lack access to the traditional literary world. By cultivating the next generation of young editors, we seek to change the face of publishing.
BreakBread Magazine: What we do
BreakBread Magazine is a magazine for all young creatives under the age of 25. We are always looking for vivid, timely poetry, nonfiction, short stories and visual arts—fine art, photography, comics, illustrated narratives, and hybrid work that explores new directions in arts and letters.
BreakBread seeks to engage, develop and publish the work of all young artists, including creatives who identify as AfrX-Caribbean, Asian-Pacific Islander, Black, First Peoples/Indigenous, Incarcerated, LatinX, Migrant/Refugee/Diaspora, Roma, LGBTQIA, Appalachian-Affrilachian, and all people living in poverty. This is by no means an exhaustive list, and we understand that many people hold identities that are intersectional, multidimensional, and complicated. We invite and embrace all work by young creatives that shares the authentic, lived experiences of oppressed peoples.
Breakbread Submission Guidelines
- BreakBread only accepts original, unpublished work by creatives under the age of 25. (Unfortunately, if you have turned 25, you are no longer eligible.)
- If you are new to publishing your work, and need assistance with Submittable, please email us at help@breakbreadproject.org.
- BreakBread only accepts submissions through our Submittable page.
- Pen-and-paper submissions are only accepted from young creatives in detention facilities. Those submissions should be sent to: The BreakBread Literacy Project, #252, 716 North Ventura Road, Oxnard, CA 93030.
- All young creatives whose work is accepted for publication will be asked to verify their age.
- You may publish under a pen name, but we do not publish anonymous work.
- If you are under age 18, we must have permission from your parent/guardian to publish your work.
- Creatives are limited to one submission per genre, per submission period.
- BreakBread does not publish erotica or fanfiction.
- Submissions that are excerpts from longer works must be fully realized in their own right, and must “stand alone” as complete.
- Creatives must submit their own work and correspond directly with BreakBread staff. BreakBread does not accept submissions made on behalf of young artists (for example, work submitted by parents, teachers, mentors or guardians). The only exception to this policy is for youth in detention facilities. Please email us at help@breakbreadproject.org for more information.
- When using the submittable.com submissions program, please be sure to add BreakBread's general email address (help@breakbreadproject.org) to your spam blocker software so that you can receive correspondence from us.
- BreakBread retains First North American Serial Rights to published work. Those rights revert to the creative upon publication.
- Submissions are open May-August, September-December, and January-April with short closures (a week or less) between each submission period for updates to guidelines.
- We appreciate simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if your piece is accepted elsewhere so we can withdraw it from consideration.
- BreakBread does not print previously published material. Work is considered previously published if it has been posted in any digital arena, including social media, online forums (Wattpad, blogs/website, Amazon Kindle). Work is considered previously published if it has been self-published, appeared in a literary magazine or Zine, published in a newspaper or newsletter. If you’re not sure whether your work is OK to submit, please use this handy list:
Can I submit it to BreakBread?
- Printed in a school newspaper or yearbook: Yes
- Sent in an email: Yes
- Written and posted on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube or other social media: No
- Read aloud/performed on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube or other social media: No
- Performed live on stage, radio, TV, or other public broadcast media: Yes
- Printed in local, municipal, or community newspaper/newsletter: No
- Published on a blog or website: No
- Self-published print book or e-Book: No
Still not sure? Email us at help@breakbreadproject.org and we’ll let you know.
GENRE GUIDELINES
VISUAL/ILLUSTRATED ARTWORK AND NARRATIVES
BreakBread accepts art, photography, illustrated narratives, comics, photoessays, and hybrid forms (multimedia, 'new' media, intermedia, etc.). Your entire submission should be no more than four creative pieces. Please upload your work in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, SVG, or PNG format. Your work should be high-resolution, 2500x2500 and a minimum of 600dpi. Title each art submission and the body of work presented.
For comic submissions, please provide a storyline pitch and up to five pages of sequential art for comics that have a clear beginning, middle, and end. We currently accept:
- Short-form comics – They may be up to 12 pages from beginning to end, with works over 6 panels only published online.
- Long-form comics -- A max of 20 pages of sequential art, from beginning to end, with works over 6 panels only published online.
- For submissions over 5 pages/panels, Art Editor Cara Echols will reach out for more if interested.
POETRY
BreakBread invites poets to submit up to two poems; your entire submission should be no more than four pages or about 1500 words. Poems longer than four pages are not generally accepted. Please use a standard 12 point font, leave a 1” margin on all sides, and title your poems. Include your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page. Title your file: Lastname, Firstname_Poetry.
FICTION AND NONFICTION PROSE
BreakBread publishes original short fiction and nonfiction (memoir, essays, journalism). Submissions should be no more than 25 pages or 7500 words. Please double-space your work, use a standard 12 point font, leave a 1” margin on all sides, and number your pages. Hybrid works, like photoessays and illustrated texts, should be submitted in our “Visual/Illustrated Artwork and Narratives” genre. Include your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page. Title your file: Lastname, Firstname_Fiction or Lastname, Firstname_Nonfiction.
A NOTE ON COVER LETTERS
We’re excited to get to know you and your work and look forward to reading each and every submission we receive. With that in mind, please keep your cover letters brief. The information we would like you to include is:
- Name, age, location
- Submission title, genre, wordcount (or number of poems/ number of visual pieces) and trigger warnings (if applicable)
- A list of previous publications (within reason—if your list is lengthy give us the highlights!)
A NOTE ON CONTRIBUTOR COPIES
BreakBread will send print contributor copies to any U.S. postal address.
Connect with BreakBread
https://breakbreadproject.submittable.com/submit
Twitter: BreakBreadProj
Instagram: BreakBreadProject
BreakBread Literacy Project/ BreakBread Magazine
BreakBread Literacy Project is an all-volunteer, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides free creative writing workshops, pre-professional publishing apprenticeships, literary readings, and curates BreakBread Magazine. Our organization provides access to high-quality literary experiences, instruction, and support to young creatives who lack access to the traditional publishing world.
We are looking to fill several volunteer positions that have reached their term limit and/or are seasonal hires. Please read the role descriptions attached before indicating on your application which position you are applying for. Interviews to begin immediately and applications will remain open until roles are filled. Volunteers can expect to start in April of 2023.
Social Media Manager: Role Description
The Social Media Manager helps us fulfill our mission by sharing BreakBread Literacy Project events, ideas, opportunities and vision across social media platforms, engaging young creatives who are interested in arts and letters through dynamic, 21st century storytelling.
- Help guide social media team members in the development and scheduling of content creation and execution.
- Assist with generating and updating engaging content on BreakBread social media platforms 4-5 times a week
- Overlook metrics/analytics and maintaining continual development of Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter platforms.
- Connect with other youth-serving literary organizations on social media through direct messaging, likes, re-shares and utilization of the Who We BreakBread With content share program.
- Build following of young writers on social media through continual engagement with other organizations and their posts.
- Devise and execute social media/marketing campaigns to drive submissions to BreakBread Magazine, publicize events,
- Schedule and Organize regular social media meetings
- Attend bi-weekly PR Meeting (online) and collaborate with BreakBread Leadership on an ad hoc basis.
- Attend monthly AllStaff meetings.
Ideal Candidate
- Expert user of multiple social media platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.
- Expert user of Canva, Adobe Creative Suites, Google Suites and/or similar software
- Collaborative worker, flexible and adaptive to shifting deadlines and needs of a start-up organization.
- Excellent communicator who is straightforward, coachable, and able to exchange ideas and feedback in the spirit of growth and honesty.
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Willing to join a team of deeply committed individual artists/activists who strive to create opportunities for young creatives through art and writing.
- Entry-level, eager to learn and adaptive.
Time Commitment
- Typically, this position will require about 8-10 hours/ week.
- During bi-annual production, weekly meetings will require a total of 10-12 hours/week.
- This role requires attendance at regularly scheduled Zoom meetings.
- We ask that interested candidates commit to a 6 month term (renewable if mutually agreeable to both parties).
Reading Series Coordinator: Role Description
The Reading Series Coordinator (RSC) will work closely to organize BreakBread’s public events: two launch parties per year celebrating BreakBread Magazine’s spring and fall issues; two open mic events per year, and one Literary Apprentice showcase each fall. The RSC will conduct outreach to guest writers, create scripts and event plans, set up Zoom events, and strategize with PR to publicize each event.
- Plan and implement all five BreakBread Reading Series events per year, in collaboration with Leadership and PR/Social Media teams.
- Keep your hand on the pulse of new work by young creatives; be comfortable reaching out to and engaging young writers to invite them to read at BreakBread events.
- Compose scripts, invitation emails, event plans, and social media copy.
- Attend weekly Leadership meetings.
- Work independently and proactively to ensure events are well-organized and professional grade.
Ideal Candidate and Time Commitment:
The goal of this position is to increase outreach and engagement with our audience of young creatives through workshops that are aimed to help them in their publishing and writing journey. No previous experience is required. BreakBread provides on-the-job training and is an ideal volunteer opportunity for graduate students, and those recently completing undergraduate or graduate study.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, responsible, a strong writer, skilled in interpersonal communications, organized, enthusiastic about working with diverse populations and perspectives and detail-oriented. We ask that all candidates considering this role commit to a 6-month term (renewable upon mutual agreement.)
Outreach & Engagement Coordinator: Role Description
The Outreach & Engagement Coordinator (OEC) will collaborate with BreakBread’s Leadership Team to maintain and build relationships with our existing allies (teachers, youth advocates, community organizers, teaching artists, etc.); identify and engage new allies; and recruit young creatives to participate in BreakBread initiatives. The goal of this position is to expand our work and reach a larger audience while building our community. No previous experience is required. On-the-job training is provided. This role is ideal for students and recent graduates. BreakBread is a national organization that collaborates remotely and meetings are typically held via videoconference.
- Composing letters, emails, and pitches for email, social media, and print to engage allies in recruiting young creatives from diverse backgrounds
- Working independently to conduct prospect research, use evaluation skills to identify allies and partner organizations.
- Pitching and developing innovative youth recruitment strategies.
- Building, managing and maintaining accurate records in our database.
- Attend weekly Outreach Team meetings and occasional AllStaff/Leadership/Development Team meetings.
- 4-6 hours week commitment on a seasonal/semester schedule in Fall/Spring/Summer. Dates of service will be negotiated with each applicant, based on volunteer availability.
Ideal Candidate and Time Commitment:
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, responsible, a strong writer, skilled in interpersonal communications, organized, enthusiastic about working with diverse populations and perspectives and detail-oriented. We ask that all candidates considering this role commit to a 6-month term (renewable upon mutual agreement.)
Education Coordinator: Role Description
The Education Coordinator is charged with coordinating one of our four core initiatives: the Literary Apprentice Program. The person filling this position will be responsible for managing Literary Apprentice recruitment, portfolio development, and mentoring our cohort of 25-30 high school students. The Education Coordinator is ideally a young-at-heart creative with great enthusiasm, energy, and empathy for young people seeking careers in writing/editing/literary publishing. The goal of this position is to help BreakBread Literacy Project’s Leadership Team more effectively and cohesively manage our growing Literary Apprentice program, provide logistical support and a single point-of-contact for our Literary Apprentices, and to spearhead development of a Literary Apprentice advisory committee that joins our Leadership Team and keeps our programs youth-centered and driven by the needs of the young creatives we serve.
No previous experience is required; this is essentially on-the-job training and is ideal for college students, graduate students, and those recently completing undergraduate or graduate study.
- Coordinate Literary Apprentice recruitment, interviews, and orientation in tandem with BreakBread’s Leadership Team.
- Serve as a point-person and mentor to BreakBread’s Literary Apprentices by building positive, supportive relationships with each cohort of LA’s.
- Assist young creatives in acquiring and honing 21st century team-based collaborative skills in an administrative setting.
- Collaborate with BreakBread’s Leadership Team and attend weekly Leadership meetings.
- Maintain consistent communication with Genre Editors, Management/PR team and other BreakBread staff to support Literary Apprentices.
- This position is a 4-5 hour week commitment from May 2023- June 2024
Ideal Candidate and Time Commitment:
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, responsible, a strong writer, skilled in interpersonal communications, organized, enthusiastic about working with diverse populations and perspectives and detail-oriented. BreakBread is a national organization that conducts business, meetings, and planning sessions remotely. We ask that all candidates considering this role commit to a 1 year term (renewable upon mutual agreement.)
BreakBread Magazine: A space for young creative voices to take seed and grow
- Please review our full submission guidelines before sending in your work.
- We only publish creatives under the age of 25.
- Submissions are always free.
VISUAL/ILLUSTRATED ARTWORK AND NARRATIVES
BreakBread accepts art, photography, illustrated narratives, comics, photoessays, and hybrid forms (multimedia, 'new' media, intermedia, etc.). Your entire submission should be no more than four creative pieces. Please upload your work in PDF, JPEG, TIFF, SVG, or PNG format. Your work should be high-resolution, 2500x2500 and a minimum of 600dpi. Title each art submission and the body of work presented.
For comic submissions, please provide a storyline pitch and up to five pages of sequential art for comics that have a clear beginning, middle, and end. We currently consider:
- Short-form comics – They may be up to 12 pages from beginning to end, with works over 6 panels only published online.
- Long-form comics -- A max of 20 pages of sequential art, from beginning to end, with works over 6 panels only published online.
- For submissions over 5 pages/panels, Art Editor Cara Echols will reach out for more if interested.
A NOTE ON COVER LETTERS
We’re excited to get to know you and your work and look forward to reading each and every submission we receive. With that in mind, please keep your cover letters brief. The information we would like you to include is:
- Name, age, location
- Submission title, genre, wordcount (or number of poems/ number of visual pieces) and trigger warnings (if applicable)
- A list of previous publications (within reason—if your list is lengthy give us the highlights!)
BreakBread Magazine: A space for young creative voices to take seed and grow
- Please review our full submission guidelines before sending in your work.
- We only publish creatives under the age of 25.
- Submissions are always free.
NONFICTION BreakBread publishes original short fiction and nonfiction (memoir, essays, journalism). Submissions should be no more than 25 pages or 7500 words. Please double-space your work, use a standard 12 point font, leave a 1” margin on all sides, and number your pages. Hybrid works, like photoessays and illustrated texts, should be submitted in our “Visual/Illustrated Artwork and Narratives” genre. Include your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page. Title your file: Lastname, Firstname_Fiction or Lastname, Firstname_Nonfiction.
A NOTE ON COVER LETTERS We’re excited to get to know you and your work and look forward to reading each and every submission we receive. With that in mind, please keep your cover letters brief. The information we would like you to include is:
- Name, age, location
- Submission title, genre, wordcount (or number of poems/ number of visual pieces) and trigger warnings (if applicable)
- A list of previous publications (within reason—if your list is lengthy give us the highlights!)
BreakBread Magazine: A space for young creative voices to take seed and grow
- Please review our full submission guidelines before sending in your work.
- We only publish creatives under the age of 25.
- Submissions are always free.
FICTION BreakBread publishes original short fiction and nonfiction (memoir, essays, journalism). Submissions should be no more than 25 pages or 7500 words. Please double-space your work, use a standard 12 point font, leave a 1” margin on all sides, and number your pages. Hybrid works, like photoessays and illustrated texts, should be submitted in our “Visual/Illustrated Artwork and Narratives” genre. Include your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page. Title your file: Lastname, Firstname_Fiction or Lastname, Firstname_Nonfiction.
A NOTE ON COVER LETTERS We’re excited to get to know you and your work and look forward to reading each and every submission we receive. With that in mind, please keep your cover letters brief. The information we would like you to include is:
- Name, age, location
- Submission title, genre, wordcount (or number of poems/ number of visual pieces) and trigger warnings (if applicable)
- A list of previous publications (within reason—if your list is lengthy give us the highlights!)
BreakBread Magazine: A space for young creative voices to take seed and grow
- Please review our full submission guidelines before sending in your work.
- We only publish creatives under the age of 25.
- Submissions are always free.
POETRY BreakBread invites poets to submit up to two poems; your entire submission should be no more than four pages or about 1500 words. Poems longer than four pages are not generally accepted. Please use a standard 12 point font, leave a 1” margin on all sides, and title your poems. Include your last name and the page number in the upper right hand corner of each page. Title your file: Lastname, Firstname_Poetry.
A NOTE ON COVER LETTERS We’re excited to get to know you and your work and look forward to reading each and every submission we receive. With that in mind, please keep your cover letters brief. The information we would like you to include is:
- Name, age, location
- Submission title, genre, wordcount (or number of poems/ number of visual pieces) and trigger warnings (if applicable)
- A list of previous publications (within reason—if your list is lengthy give us the highlights!)