Submission Guidelines

Poetry submissions are open in September, and July only.

Chapbook submissions are open in December.

Issue 1: Naming

When asked about his view on naming, our renowned Prof. Wole Soyinka replied, “A name is an active and potent tool that transcends simple labeling, functioning as a meaningful potential that carries socio-cultural, symbolic, and moral significance.” It’s why, for our inaugural issue, we seek submissions on the concept of naming. We call for entries that answer these questions in the Yoruba language context: What does a name mean to you? How does your name reflect your socio-cultural and psychological background? Does a name weigh more than a means of identification for you? How has your name shaped your past, how is it shaping the present, and how do you imagine it will shape your future?

As editors and readers, we believe that names are not merely designations but function as social indices; that names leave a mark on us—a memory we incessantly carry with us as we walk through the dark corners of existence. It’s why we would love to read entries that approach the theme through a myriad of lenses. Think sentient etymology, inherited mysticism, haunted anatomy, and any wildest imagination possible. Unveil the narratives hidden within your name or that of others, and let the syllables scream secrets of seclusion, heritage, and destiny. We crave submissions that sonically sculpt the essence of naming, where every word is a brushstroke painting the broad canvas of Yoruba culture and beyond.

We are moved by poems of keen sound and clarity, poems that haunt and enlighten, with the orality of their verses and the profundity of their context. Let your poems sing; we will do the dancing for you.

Nígbà tí a bí Òjógbón Wolé Sóyinka lórí òrò orùko, ó sọ̀rọ̀ pé, ‘Orùko kojá nǹkan àmì lásán,ó tún ní ohun èlò nípa agbára láti gbé ìtumò fun àwon nǹkan pàtàkì bíi ti àsà, ìse, àmì àti ìwà. Ìdí nìyí tí a fi fé gba àkosilè lòrí èrònǹgbà orùko fún ìwé àtẹ̀jáde wa. A pè yín láti fi àwon isé ránsé tó dáhùn àwon ìbéèrè wònyí nínú àyè Yorùbá; kí ni orùko túmò sí fún o? Báwo ni orúko re se fi àsà, ìse àti ìwà re hàn? Sé orúko jé nǹkan ìdànimò lásán fún o? Báwo ni orúko re se lórò nípa ìgbésí ayé re télè, nísinsìnyí áti ní ojó òla re?

Gégé bí olóòtú àti òǹkàwé, a gbà gbó pé orúko kojá nǹkan àpèjúwe lásán, orúkọ fí àmì ìrántí sí wa lára bí a se ń rìn nínú àyè. Ìdí nìyí tí a fi fé gba àkosilè lòrí èrònǹgbà orùko láti onírúurú ojú ìwòye. Ronú nípa ìtàn ìpilèsè orúko re, àsírí ìdílé re, bí orùko re se tè mó o lára àti gbogbo ohun tó bá ti rìn lòkàn. Sí ìtàn inú orúko re tàbí ti àwon mìíràn, jé kí orúko náà so àwon àsírí àṣà, ìran àti àyànmọ́ nínú wón. A ń fojú sónà fún àwon àkosílè tó se àwòrán Yorùbá àti jù béè lo.

Àwon ewì tó ní ohùn àti ìtumo tó dájú, pèlú ewì tó fúnni ní ìmólè àti òrò ìjìnlẹ̀ òrò ni a ń wá. Jé kí ewì re korin, àwa yóò jó fún o.

Submission Window: September 20th to October 20th

Decisions & Publication: November/ December

Categories

Original Poems

Each submission may contain up to three poems written in Yoruba only.

Translated Poems (Yoruba)

Each submission may contain English translations of up to three poems originally written in Yoruba. Poems can either be self-written or previously published in public domain.

Translated Poems (English)

Each submission may contain Yoruba translations of up to three poems originally written in English. Poems can either be self-written or previously published in public domain.

See samples

1. Anvil
2. Too Much Wahala in This Country
3. Why Do You Answer in Yoruba

Guidelines

1. We accept only unpublished works.
2. Any writer of African descent anywhere in the world is welcome to submit.
3. Send your work to batamagazine@gmail.com
4. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but contributors must notify us if their work is accepted elsewhere.
5. Submit your work as a single .doc or .docx file (12-point font, single-spaced) with the subject: Name_Category (Example: AdesiyanOluwapelumi_Translated Poems(English))
6. Your document should include the original poem, the translation (where applicable), the name of the original author and the translator’s name (where applicable).
7. Title your document as follows: Name_Category (Example: AdesiyanOluwapelumi_Translated Poems(English))
8. Multiple submissions will not be considered—please send all your poems in ONE document.
9. Include a brief cover letter with any relevant publication history, if applicable.

Permission

For translations, you must have permission from the original author if the poem is not in the public domain (unless you are the original author).

Compensation and Rights

Unfortunately, we are unable to compensate translators, authors or artists at the moment. But we hope to change that in the near future. We ask for first serial rights, after which the rights for all work revert to the author and translator.