About THE RAZOR
The Razor is a literary magazine produced by Gotham Writers Workshop. We publish two pieces each month—one fiction, one nonfiction. For now, we do not publish poetry (though we do appreciate the poet’s artistry with words). Each published piece will be presented with audio and original artwork.
What we’re looking for
The Razor wants your best story in a 2,000-word box.
The story that could have been 3,000 words, but didn’t need to be.
Surprise us with how deep your simplicity can be. That doesn’t mean we don’t like literary, or stories that take place in a character’s head. Be it minimal or maximal, send us a story where every moment counts. Where every word counts.
Drop into your box a single pristine jewel, or fill it with mud that’s crawling with worms. Just make sure it stays in the box, whatever it is.
NOTE: The Razor will be CLOSED for submissions from December 15, 2023 – January 31, 2024 so that we can catch up on responding to some of the stellar work you’ve submitted to us so far. We look forward to reading more of your work when we reopen for submissions on February 1, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding this closed submission period, please email us at therazor@gothamwriters.com.
Bare necessities
- No more than 2,000 words. No minimum word count.
- Don’t stress about format. Focus on the story.
- We pay writers $100 for accepted work.
Technical
- No multiple submissions. Send one thing at a time. When a decision has been made, feel free to submit again.
- We read submissions blind. Your identifying information is not visible to the editors unless you are accepted. Please do not include any identifying information in the body of your work.
- We nominate for Pushcart and Best of the Net.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome, just please let us know if it’s accepted elsewhere.
- By submitting, you ensure that the work is:
- new, original, and has not appeared elsewhere
- not plagiarized and does not infringe on someone else’s copyright or trademark
- not libelous or defamatory
- if nonfiction, true to the best of the author’s memory and ability to verify facts.
- Any questions, or to withdraw a piece, email therazor@gothamwriters.com.
- Do not send any submissions via email, they will be deleted. All submissions go through our submission form. (NOTE: Submissions will be CLOSED from December 15, 2023 – January 31, 2024 and will reopen on February 1, 2024.)
Editors/Directors
Editor
Emma Stephenson is the Director of Communications and Events at Gotham Writers. She has a voracious appetite for stories, and since her graduation from Emerson College’s Performing Arts program, she has gravitated to places where stories are front and center: including Symphony Space in New York City, the Columbia Publishing Course in Oxford, England, and a brief stint selling tickets at an aging movie theater in Cambridge, Mass.
Art Director
Justin Street is a writer, performer, and designer in New York City. He is the Director of Design and Marketing for Gotham Writers Workshop. Whether it’s visual art, design, prose, music, or food—he’ll always prefer a big swing. The Razor commissions original artwork. If interested, contact justin@gothamwriters.com.
Audio Director/Casting
Paul Liberti has worked 25 years as a skilled animation voice director, teacher, coach, audio book director, accent coach and all kinds of voice over. He teaches nationally for The SAG/AFTRA Foundation and at Universities. He is also an accent coach for Broadway, West End, SAG/AFTRA Film & TV. Voice of Curious George: www.CuriousGeorge.com