Storm Cellar curates writing that is surprising, formally and affectively innovative, and represents the highest quality of various literary traditions. Each issue reflects the current tastes of the editorial team. It actively prefers authors in under-represented demographics, such as Black and Indigenous, POC, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, disabled, fat, poor, and border-straddling writers. Storm Cellar also emphasizes works connected to its home in the American Midwest, and includes striking visual art.