CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Share your voice with the world
Chicago Indian Literature Festival. May 30, 2026
Apply NowWe Want to Hear Your Story
Thank you for your interest in contributing your work to the Chicago Indian Literature Festival. We welcome submissions across fiction, poetry, essays, memoir, scripts, and experimental writing. Our team will review submissions and reach out as soon as we are ready to roll out the schedules.
Whether you are an established author or an emerging voice, our festival is your platform to share your literary vision with the Chicago community and beyond.
Accepted Submission Types
Poetry
Short Story
Memoir / Personal Essay
Experimental Writing
Novel
Biography
Academic Research
Script
Submission Guidelines
Original Work Only
All content presented must be the original work of the speaker or properly attributed, and must not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights.
All Genres & Languages Welcome
Programming includes works in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Bengali, and other languages of India and the Indian diaspora, with English translations where feasible. We welcome poetry, fiction, memoir, essays, scripts, and experimental writing.
Your Rights Are Protected
Participants retain all copyright and intellectual property rights to their original literary works. Chicago Indian Arts does not claim ownership of any participant’s creative work. Any use beyond festival documentation requires separate written consent.
Participation Opportunities
Selected contributors may be invited for author talks, poetry readings, panel discussions, open mic sessions (5 minutes per participant), book launches, and writing workshops at Chicago Indian Literature Festival 2026.
Terms & Conditions
All submissions must be the original work of the applicant and must not infringe upon any third-party intellectual property rights.
By participating in Chicago Indian Literature Festival, you grant Chicago Indian Arts a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use images, video, and audio captured at the event for educational, promotional, and archival purposes.
Participants retain all copyright and intellectual property rights to their original literary works. Chicago Indian Arts does not claim ownership of any participant’s creative work.
All participants must adhere to the Festival Code of Conduct. Harassment, discrimination, hate speech, and disruption of sessions are strictly prohibited.
Speakers and presenters agree to adhere to their allotted session time and format as determined by the programming committee. Open mic slots are limited to 5 minutes per participant.
Speakers may not use their platform to promote commercial products or services without prior written consent from Chicago Indian Arts.
Chicago Indian Arts reserves the right to curate and select works for the festival program based on literary merit, cultural relevance, and thematic alignment.
Content that is defamatory, obscene, or violates any applicable law is strictly prohibited.
These terms are excerpted from the official Chicago Indian Literature Festival Rules & Regulations. For the complete document, please contact us.
Every story deserves a stage. Every voice deserves to be heard. The festival is where your words find their home.
Ready to Submit?
Read the guidelines above and click below to fill out the submission form. Our team will review your work and get in touch.
Apply Now