Submissions Open For Manatee Libraries Lit Magazine LGBTQ+ Issue

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – “805 Lit + Art,” a literary magazine published by Manatee Libraries, will publish a special issue to celebrate LGBTQ+ writers and artists, according to a news release from “805.”

LGBTQ+ creators worldwide can submit their work to "805" by April 18 online here.

The issue will be published June 1 to coincide with Pride Month, and will contain poetry, short fiction, essays, and art, the news release said. The issue will be free to read online. A virtual reading will be held sometime in June.

Aaron Drake, an editor for 805 and library assistant, said the issue will be “another enlightening edition of ‘805’ and one that’s needed in our community.”

“805 Lit + Art” is an online literary magazine founded in 2015 by Manatee Libraries. The literary magazine publishes short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art by debut and emerging writers and artists in Manatee County and across the world.

It was one of the first literary magazines published by a public library in the United States and won the Florida Library Association Innovation Award in 2018, the news release said.

Past special issues include an issue to celebrate Black Women writers and artists. Submissions are also open for 805’s Teen Poetry Issue and My Home Library blog series that features short essays and photos of people’s home libraries.