Art—even lower-case-a art or writing—is not a surefire way to get rich. Sure, it would be nice, but for creative people, the process itself is the reward. We create art because it helps us to maintain some semblance of sanity—creating things heals us. We create because we must. But, hey, baby’s gotta eat! The editors at Skipjack Review have decided to crack open their billfolds and roll up all the quarters in the swear jar. It’s not much, but it’s not nothing. 

Here at Skipjack Review, we have our eyes on the prize—the Dead Herring Prize, that is. Beginning with our inaugural 2023 issue, the Dead Herring Prize will be awarded annually to one or more staggering works that slay red herrings in our day-to-day lives. 

All stories, poems, prose, comics, words, pictures, whispers, and whimsy accepted and published in Skipjack Review will be considered for the Dead Herring Prize each year. The winner (or winners; we really do hope to award more than one) will receive $100, a Spotlight feature of the prize-winning work, and additional promotion on social media.

Skipjack Review publishes work that reflects on the natural world and place. Our Dead Herring prize winners will take these themes and run off with them in an unexpected direction. Maybe out into the Ozark Mountains or somewhere else upstream. Winning work will have a weight to it that sits heavy on our minds and enough meat on its bones to last us for days.

Writing is an act of love and pain. To do so is to celebrate and mourn both life and the world. Ignore the very real possibility that you will not earn a living from your art and create anyway! We are compelled to create—there is no other option for any of us. 

Skipjack Review is still fishing for submissions and the editors are keeping their eyes peeled for writing that speaks the truth. Send your work our way.