Stone Canoe

Stone Canoe, a journal of arts and ideas from Upstate New York, is published by the YMCA's Downtown Writers Center at the Arts Branch of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse. The annual publication appears each February and showcases work from emerging and established artists and writers with strong connections to Upstate New York. Submissions are accepted from April 1 through July each year for publication the following spring. The call is open to visual artists, nonfiction writers, poets, and dramatists. Each category has a specific deadline (e.g., Poetry: July 30, 2026; Nonfiction: August 19, 2026; Visual Art: September 16, 2026). Applicants must be current or former residents of Upstate New York (excluding NYC and Long Island) and provide a biographical note documenting this residency. The journal offers publication in the annual issue and, for emerging creators, consideration for prizes such as the Bea Gonzalez Prize for Poetry and an annual nonfiction prize (subject to funding). No submission fee is required. Submissions are made through Submittable, and the journal emphasizes family‑friendly content aligned with YMCA values.