The Current Issue
Spring 2026
Volume LXXIV · May 2026
Poetry, short fiction, translations, essays, reviews, photography, and visual art — the latest gathering from the Columbia community.
The Literary Magazine of the Philolexian Society
Columbia University · Established MDCCCII
The Current Issue
Volume LXXIV · May 2026
Poetry, short fiction, translations, essays, reviews, photography, and visual art — the latest gathering from the Columbia community.
Recently Published
Fall and Spring issues collect original work from the Columbia community; the Winter issue is given over to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Bad Poetry Contest.
Winter Issue
The Kilmer Issue, 2026
Spring Issue
Spring 2025
Fall Issue
Fall 2024
From the Editors
Surgam has been the literary publication of the Philolexian Society since the Society took up its present form, and the title — "I shall rise" — has been the Society's motto since 1802. The magazine accepts work in any form from members of the Columbia community: poetry, short fiction, translations, essays, reviews, photography, and visual art. Submissions for the Fall and Spring issues are eligible for the Philolexian Prize, awarded each year by the Columbia English Department.
Submissions are read year-round at submit2surgam@gmail.com.