The Southern Review Submission Guidelines

The Southern Review seeks to publish the very best new fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and literary essays by established and emerging writers. All manuscripts, even by those authors not yet published, are given full consideration. We consider novel excerpts if they stand alone, short short stories, experimental work (provided the form has function), and translations (provided the translator has secured appropriate rights.)  Generally, we are not interested in works typically considered “genre” such as romance, science fiction, historical fiction or fantasy.  Please read the following guidelines carefully.

• The Southern Review accepts unsolicited manuscripts from September 1 through June 1.  All manuscripts submitted during the summer months will be returned unread.

• Only previously unpublished work will be considered.

• The Southern Review does not accept electronic submissions. Please include an SASE for response. Queries are not necessary. 

• Allow at least two months for editorial decisions.  Please wait until you’ve received a response regarding a submission before submitting additional work for consideration. 

• Please use regular post.

• Contributors are paid thirty dollars per printed page upon publication; in addition, they receive two copies of the issue in which their work appears and a year’s subscription. 

• For prose, please submit only one manuscript at a time. Length varies but preferred maximum is 8,000 words. 

• For poetry, please submit no more than five poems at one time. 

• Book reviews, in most cases, are assigned to specific reviewers with titles chosen by the editors. If you are interested in writing book reviews for The Southern Review, please send a brief email of introduction including citations for previously published reviews to southernreview@lsu.edu.

• Sample copies of  The Southern Review are available for $8, payable in advance.

• Please submit your work to:  The Southern Review, Old President’s House, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803