Folly is an international, bestselling and award winning, print-only literary journal and publishing project based in New Zealand. Folly is stocked in indie bookstores around the world.
We publish writing and art that reflects the cultural moment as it actually is - intimate, political, funny, uncomfortable, and alive. Our work is smart without being academic, accessible without being polite, and unafraid of desire, power, class, sex, or contradiction.
Awarded a silver medal at the Best Indie Book Awards 2025, and named as one of the 'Coolest' lit mags in the world by ChillSubs, Folly is home for work that both entertains and unsettles (which is probably why Issue 003 was banned from 47 stores of a national book chain in New Zealand).
Each issue of Folly is produced as a limited edition physical object. We care deeply about design, print quality, and the pleasure of reading something that can’t be scrolled.
We publish emerging voices alongside established writers, and we’re particularly interested in work that might not fit neatly elsewhere. We've built a reputation for doing things differently — sometimes contentiously, often joyfully, and always with intent.
We are a member of the Community of International Magazines and Presses, and in 2024 received a runner up award for Best Debut.
SUBMISSIONS
We publish a small selection of poetry, fiction and nonfiction print only each year. In 2026, we are also looking for standalone works that could be published as chap books or collections.
We strongly recommend that you read a copy of Folly prior to submitting to our publishing house.
Visit our website to order directly.
'A magazine of contradictions that wants to do things differently.' - Stack Magazines UK
In 2026, Folly is looking to create standalone books that remind readers why literature still matters - and why it is fun when it’s done properly.
We’re interested in manuscripts that get read on trains, argued about over wine, and left conspicuously on coffee tables. Work that looks beautiful, feels risky and earns its provocations.
What we’re looking for
- Chapbooks: 20 - 40 pages
- Novellas: 17,500– 30,000 words
- Short story collections: Up to 30,000 words total
We like writing that’s smart without being academic, and accessible without being sanitised. Emotional honesty over cleverness. If the work is sexy, confrontational, funny, or uncomfortable - it should provoke and enlighten. We’re not interested in shock for its own sake and encourage any work based on trauma to have been thoroughly distilled before submission.
To submit
- Complete manuscript as a single document (.doc, .docx, or .pdf)
- Cover letter with a brief bio and a one-paragraph synopsis
- Table of contents (for collections)
- File must be uploaded as a word document and saved as: title_firstname_lastname
We respond within 90 days. Simultaneous submissions are fine — just withdraw promptly if the work is accepted elsewhere.