We are so excited to announce our 2026 Print Edition theme:
ancient future
We have collectively found ourselves in the midst of a polycrisis where many of us feel paralyzed. How did we get here, and what do we do now? We know we have to create innovative solutions to these new challenges, but as the law of conservation tells us, nothing is created or destroyed, only transformed.
In order to move forward, we must first look at our pasts. Our future requires us to turn around to see what we’ve turned our backs on. To remember where we came from. To trace back our roots to the resilient lineages and traditions that held strong through everything. To reassess which traditions we should revitalize and which to let go of. To reassess which structures we should repurpose or recycle.
We must reckon with our mistakes and histories, both known and hidden. We must honor the original stewards of our lands. We must honor Indigenous Knowledges as the oldest forms of environmental science. We must keep returning to our cores to remember why we’re here, what we’re striving towards, and what drives us.
Ancient future is a vision of the future that re-centers ancient wisdom.
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We are offering awards of $250 for the winner of each category: poetry, prose, and visual arts. We will have a grand prize award of $500.
Within these art forms, we welcome any creation you are compelled to submit – sci-fi, creative mapping, etc. This year’s editorial team is particularly intrigued by uniting dualities and honoring traditions—more specifically, themes of heritage, the eclectic & experimental, diversity, queer ecology, environmental & community flourishing amidst resistance, and symbolism & sigils, among many things.
We especially encourage submissions from Indigenous artists and artists of color.
Deadline for submissions is December 19, 2025. Please submit your pieces through this google form.
Word count limits for each piece are a maximum of 3,000 words. We will select 1-2 longer-form pieces, with hope of receiving shorter prose pieces as well. See our instagram @magazine.sage to follow along, get more information, and DM us with questions.
