Established in 2014, Headland is an online journal publishing quality short fiction and creative nonfiction. The journal gives voice to aspiring writers alongside established authors from Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad. New Zealand is home to remarkable talent, and Headland aims to explore literary frontiers at home and abroad.
Headland is edited by volunteers and produced in partnership with Massey University’s Creative Writing programme, home of the completely online Master of Creative Writing degree.

• Submissions for issue 26 are open until 5pm 24 August 2026
• Read Headland’s previous issues
• Read Headland’s submission guidelines

Headland accepts short fiction and creative nonfiction only (up to 5,000 words). Headland does not publish poetry, novel excerpts, scholarly essays, reviews or art. It does not include any illustrations in the pieces it publishes.

All submissions are read blind. Writers are asked to format their work as set out in Headland’s submission guidelines, and email to headland.journal [at] gmail.com

Submissions will be acknowledged and, after that, writers will hear by mid-October whether their work is accepted for the next issue.

Chief Editor Dr Thom Conroy says of Headland, “it’s always exciting to read new work from emerging writers alongside more established voices. We are thrilled to be preparing for our 26th issue, and we look forward to reading submissions from writers based in Aotearoa New Zealand and further afield.”

Follow Headland on social media:

• Facebook
  Instagram @headland_journal
  X (Twitter) @HeadlandJournal