iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 12/10/2026

We've gotten questions about what constitutes hybrid work and wanted to share this example from William Roberds-King from the 2026 anthology. We use the now-defunct Cutbow Quarterly's definition of "hybrid" ...

"Transgender Stat Block" by William Roberds-King, a hybrid work which uses the form of a D&D stat block to impart the experience of being transgender

110

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 30/09/2026

A reminder: we also accept visual art nominations! Send us your faves. Here's "Unfinished Tree" by Kyrico from the 2026 anthology, first published by Artists From Maryland.

a promotional slide featuring "Unfinished Tree" by Kyrico, a dark and foreboding illustration of a tree in the dark with red eyes emerging from the darkness

032

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 16/09/2026

Can we interest you in some excellent queer writing on this fine Tuesday? Here's an excerpt from "I'll Be Waiting" by @aniking.bsky.social, first published in @psmokejournal.bsky.social 2027 nominations are open: monarch.gay/nominate

I’ll Be Waiting
Ani King
from Monarch 2026, first published by Peatsmoke Journal

"Because you invited me in after I drove you home, and I wanted to touch your hand that was touching your collar, I wanted to touch your collar that was touching your neck, I wanted to touch your neck."

131

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 10/09/2026

Thinking of nominating for this year's award but not sure what to pick? Check out the 2026 anthology to see what we loved last year! Here's an excerpt from "girl, possessed" by Tara Labovich, first published by @dishsoapquart.bsky.social Read the rest at monarch.gay/monarch-2026

an excerpt from "girl, possessed!" by Tara Labovich
from Monarch 2026
first published by Dishsoap Quarterly

"lovehunger, touchache, the singsong / from the cloister of want. / i had forgotten the way it hurts."

032

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 01/09/2026

Editors, Monarch Queer Literary Award nominations are open until 11/30 🦋 head to our site to learn more about nominating your favorite queer writing and artwork! The 2027 anthology will be published in collaboration with @fifthwheelpress.bsky.social monarch.gay/nominate

the upside-down, tie-dyed MONARCH butterfly is placed above black text which reads, "attention editors: nominations are open! read full guidelines and send work at monarch.gay/nominate"

053

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 03/03/2026

MONARCH 2026 is out now! 🦋 Buy a print copy of the anthology: fifthwheelpress.shop/products/monarch-2026 Read it online: monarch.gay/monarch-2026/

A screenshot of the Monarch Queer Literary Awards website. Text superimposed on top reads, Monarch 2026 now available to read. Beneath it is the cover of the anthology, a photo of a person lying on their back in a field of tall grass with their left arm covering their face. Cover text reads Monarch 2026, a queer literary awards anthology published by fifth wheel press.

052

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 17/01/2026

We are elated to announce the awardees and finalists for MONARCH 2026. Thank you to all of the organizations who nominated work for making our first anthology so stunning 🦋 and a special shoutout to @esichr.bsky.social and @bleatingthing.bsky.social for the beautiful cover photograph!

The cover of Monarch 2026. A photo of a person lying on their back in a field of tall grass with their left arm covering their face. Text reads Monarch 2026, a queer literary awards anthology published by fifth wheel press.

Awardees. Michael Agunbiade, Maddox Emory Arnold, J. L. Bermúdez, C. Ray Borck, Finnian Burnett, Connor, a.d., Gion Davis, Erin Dorney, Dante Fuoco, Ranudi Gunawardena, Katy Haas, Annalisa Hansford, K.M. Hanslik, KT Herr, Jennessa Hester, Esmé Kaplan-Kinsey, Jules Kennedy, Ani King, Kyrico, Tara Labovich, Olivia Lehman, Jackson D. Moorman, Chi Pham, William Roberds-King, Cristina Sanchez, Steven Sanchez, January Santoso, Elena Sichrovsky, Mark Spero, Ashley Steineger, Liam Strong, Gordon Taylor, Holly Lyn Walrath, Cela Xié.

Finalists. Hayden Berry, Alex Bortell, Isabella Boyd, Jordan Byrum, J. J. Carey, James Diaz, Emily Franklin, Isaiah Gardner, Michael Getty, Finnley Greet, Kimberly Hall, Calvin Jones, E.G.N. Lafleur, Angel Leal, Parker Logan, Abby E. Murray, Karol Olesiak, Bleah Patterson, Rowan Procter, Eli V. Rahm, Luke Rudman, Mk Smith Despres, Meghan Sterling, Liam Strong, Wendy Vardaman, Alicia Wright, Steven C Wright.

24010

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 16/12/2025

Thank you for nominating works for the 2026 Monarch Queer Literary Awards! We publish in March — here's what we'll be up to until then. 🦋

What to expect. December 2025, Monarch team makes final decisions, notifies selected outlets and authors. January/February 2026, Monarch anthology enters production. March 2026, Monarch enters the world in print and digital formats.

1120

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 29/11/2025

Nominations close at the end of the day tomorrow, Sunday, November 30! monarch.gay/nominate

Text on a purple floral background reads, One day left, monarch.gay/nominate.

010

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 23/11/2025

Nominations close on November 30 — that's one week away! 🦋 Check our our guidelines and FAQ: monarch.gay/nominate

One week left. Nominations for the Monarch Queer Literary Awards 2026 anthology close November 30. Lit mag editors, check our our guidelines and nominate ASAP! monarch.gay/nominate

031

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 01/11/2025

One month left to nominate work for the inaugural Monarch Queer Literary Awards! Nominations close November 30. 🦋 Editors, visit monarch.gay/nominate to learn more about the anthology, what we're looking for, and how to nominate works from your publications.

Shimmery purple graphic with a purple and pink butterfly at the bottom. Text reads, One month left to nominate work for Monarch's 2026 anthology.

141

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 27/09/2025

We're thrilled to see so many nominations coming our way! 🦋 Here's a quick reminder of what's eligible to be considered for the Monarch Queer Literary Awards (and what's not):

Let’s talk eligibility. Black text on a light purple background with a large butterfly under the text, colored in abstractly in many purples and pinks.

120

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 01/09/2025

The Monarch Queer Literary Awards are now open for nominations until November 30, 2025! Visit our website (monarch.gay) to learn more about us and how editors can nominate work. 🦋

We're open! Monarch Queer Literary Awards, September 1 to November 20, 2025, monarch.gay

1138

Monarch Queer Literary Awards @monarch.gay · 01/08/2025

Hello, friends! We're Monarch Queer Literary Awards, a project of @fifthwheelpress.bsky.social. Monarch is a new anthology recognizing the best new queer writing and art published by literary magazines and independent presses. 🦋 Submissions open September 1. Until then, get to know us: monarch.gay

Hi, we’re Monarch. Monarch Queer Literary Awards is a new anthology recognizing the best new queer writing and art published by literary magazines and independent presses. We aim to uplift the groundbreaking and often under-celebrated poems, short stories, essays, and artwork that are published in magazines, chapbooks, zines, and other collections.

More about Monarch. We want to celebrate excellence in all regards: great writing and great community stewardship. While submissions from both emerging and established publications will (of course) be given equal consideration, we really hope to see some of our longstanding community members come out and join us in the revelry of it all!

Submit to Monarch. We will accept submissions from September 1 through November 30, 2025. Submissions must come from the editor or editors of the publication. Journals and independent presses are eligible. The work must have been initially published between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, either online or in print.

13017