First Light Journal

First Light Journal

A biannual literary journal published by Starboard Press

FLJ Issue #2 is now available.

First Light Journal is a biannual literary journal published by Starboard Press featuring poems, short stories and essays from writers of all backgrounds.

Our third issue will be out in October 2026. The issue will include:

• Winning entries (and selected ones) from the First Light Fall 2026 Poetry Contest (Contest #3)
• Poems, short stories and essays submitted during the Open for Submissions time window for publication in the journal (see below)
• Entries from the editorial team and contest judges

Now Open for FLJ Submissions

Journal Submission Guidelines

E-mail all submissions to submissions@starboard.press.

Include in your submission:

• the poem, short story and/or essay you would like considered for publication
• a 2-line biographical note about yourself in the third-person

All submissions must be the original works of the contributors and must not be published elsewhere. The editorial team will have the final say regarding the acceptance/rejection of any entry. Our readership is universal. Entries with profanity-laced language and themes are unlikely to be selected for publication.