Pratik, one of the premier international poetry
journals, will feature a special Ghazal Issue in Fall 2025. This
landmark issue will explore the rich tradition of the ghazal, its modern
interpretations, and its evolution across cultures. We invite poets,
translators, and scholars to contribute their work and be part of this exciting
literary endeavor.
CALL FOR
SUBMISSIONS
We seek:
- Original
ghazals written in English
- Translations
of ghazals from various languages into English (with
permission from the original poet, if applicable)
- Prose pieces
on ghazal writing: its history, evolution, influence, or personal
reflections
- Essays or
columns on singular ghazal poets like Mir, Ghalib, or recent masters from your
country
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- Submit five
ghazals or one prose piece (up to 3,000 words).
- All
submissions should be in a Word document format.
- Include a short
bio (max 150 words) of the poet, translator, or both, where
applicable.
- Translations
must be accompanied by the original text and relevant permissions.
- Please use a
standard font (Times New Roman, 12pt) and double-spacing for
prose.
- Submissions
must be previously unpublished (online journals, blogs, and
self-published books included).
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: [30 September,
2025]
EMAIL FOR SUBMISSIONS: [pratikmagsubmissions@gmail.com]
WHAT IS A GHAZAL?
A ghazal is a poetic form originating in Persian
and Arabic traditions, later flourishing in Urdu, Hindi, Turkish, and
other languages. It has a rich history, particularly in Sufi, romantic,
and philosophical poetry. The form is characterized by:
- A series of independent
couplets (two-line stanzas).
- A rhyme
and refrain in the first couplet, repeated in the second line of
each subsequent couplet.
- The final
couplet (maqta) traditionally includes the poet’s signature
(name or pseudonym).
- Themes often
explore love, loss, spirituality, and the passage of time.
TIPS FOR WRITING
A STRONG GHAZAL
- Ghazals can
be a series of standalone couplets or have a common theme.
- Each couplet
should be self-contained yet contribute to the overall tone.
- The first
line sets up, and the second line delivers impact—whether
emotional, ironic, or humorous.
- Traditional
ghazals follow strict rhyme and refrain patterns, but modern
variations allow more flexibility.
- The best
ghazals feel organic, not forced; use homonyms, homographs, and
wordplay to make the repetition natural.
ABOUT THE EDITORS
Yuyutsu Sharma is one of the few poets in the world who make their living through poetry. Called "The world-renowned Himalayan poet" (The Guardian), "One-Man Academy" (The Kathmandu Post), and "Himalayan Neruda" (Michael Graves, Brand Called You ), Yuyutsu is an internationally recognized voice in contemporary poetry.
He has received fellowships from The Rockefeller
Foundation, Ireland Literature Exchange, Trubar Foundation, and The Institute
for the Translation of Hebrew Literature. Yuyutsu is the author of eleven
poetry collections, including Lost Horoscope. His readings and
workshops have taken place at Heidelberg University, University of Ottawa,
Columbia University, Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University Belfast, and the
Irish Writers’ Centre, Dublin.
Yuyutsu represented Nepal and India at the Poetry
Parnassus Festival (London Olympics 2012), and his work was exhibited at Royal
Kew Gardens (2020). His memoir, Not of Flesh and Bones, is
forthcoming in 2026.More: www.yuyutsusharma.com
Tony Barnstone teaches at Whittier College and is the author of 23 books. His latest works include Apocryphal Poems (Nirala Press, 2024), Faces Hidden in the Dust: Selected Ghazals of Ghalib (co-translation from Urdu), and The Radiant Tarot: Pathway to Creativity. His forthcoming critical book, Cyborg Modernism: William Carlos Williams, Technoscience, and the Arts, examines the relationship between poetry and technological innovation.
Barnstone is currently working on a libretto for
an opera, further extending his artistic and literary influence.
SUBMIT NOW AND
JOIN THIS GLOBAL GHAZAL CELEBRATION!
Be part of a distinguished literary tradition
and contribute to the worldwide appreciation of the ghazal. Whether
you're a poet, translator, or scholar, this issue will serve as an important
platform for contemporary voices engaging with this timeless form.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: [30 September,
2025]
EMAIL FOR SUBMISSIONS: [pratikmagsubmissions@gmail.com]
WEBSITE:
[https://whitelotusbookshop.com/product-category/pratik-series/]
Blog: [https://pratikmagazine.blogspot.com/]
We look forward to reading your work!
