Current Submission Status
Issue 78 submissions open through October 15, 2026.
Submit to Red River Review
Red River Review welcomes original work across poetry, prose, hybrid forms, visual art, and photography. We are interested in work from emerging and established writers and artists, and in a wide range of subjects, styles, and approaches.
We are especially drawn to work that takes creative and imaginative risks — work that creates a sense of encounter with a distinct voice, image, question, atmosphere, or way of seeing.
Open Submissions & Editorial Invitations
Most work published by Red River Review is selected through open submissions. Occasionally, the editors may invite work from writers or artists whose work aligns with the journal’s editorial vision. Invited work is held to the same editorial standards as all published work and does not displace work selected through the open reading process.
Before You Submit
Please make sure you understand the following:
✓ Written work must be submitted as a single PDF.
✓ Visual art and photography must be submitted as high-resolution JPEG files.
✓ Your name or identifying information does not appear in the submission file.
✓ Your work has not been previously published, including on a personal website, blog, or newsletter.
✓ Your submission does not include AI-generated or AI-assisted content.
✓ You are submitting only once per genre during this reading period.
✓ Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but you will withdraw your work promptly if it is accepted elsewhere.
✓ You understand that Red River Review does not currently offer contributor payment.
✓ You understand that the $10 submission fee is nonrefundable and does not guarantee publication.
✓ You understand that all submitters will be notified before the issue connected to this reading period is released.
Please review the full guidelines below before submitting.
Reading Schedule
Red River Review reads submissions during four annual reading periods. Current submission dates are posted here and through Duosuma.
Issue 78 submissions open August 31 and close October 16, 2026.
Reading period dates may vary slightly from issue to issue.
General Submission Policies
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome; please withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.
- Previously published work, including work that has appeared on personal websites, newsletters, blogs, or other public platforms, is not eligible for submission. In limited cases, we may consider work whose original publication is no longer publicly accessible, such as work published by a now-defunct journal. If you believe your work may qualify for an exception, please contact publisher@redriverreview.org before submitting.
- One submission per genre per reading period.
- AI-Generated or AI-Assisted Work: Red River Review does not accept work created or meaningfully assisted by generative AI. By submitting, you affirm that your work is entirely your own and free of AI-generated content.
- Editorial Discretion: We reserve the right to decline work that does not meet our standards for originality or fit.
- Compensation: As an independent, volunteer-run journal, we currently do not offer payment. Contributors receive publication, visibility in a curated issue, and archival inclusion.
Guidelines by Genre
Poetry
- Submit 3–5 poems in a single PDF
- One poem per page
- No identifying information in the file
Short Fiction
- Submit one story up to 3,000 words, or
- Up to three flash pieces, 1,000 words each, in a single file
- Submit as one PDF
Creative Nonfiction
- Submit one essay up to 3,000 words
- Lyric, braided, and experimental forms are welcome
- Hybrid essays should be grounded in a strong narrative, reflective voice, or investigative arc
- Submit as one PDF
Hybrid Work
- Submit one work of up to 3,000 words.
- We welcome work that moves across literary genres or combines text with visual form, including visual poetry, erasure, collage, fragmented or nonlinear work, and other formally experimental pieces.
- The relationship between form and content should be intentional and integral to the work.
- Submit the complete work as one clearly formatted PDF so that spacing, placement, and visual elements are preserved.
Art & Photography
Red River Review considers visual art and photography primarily for use as issue cover art.
Our issues are not themed, so submitted work does not need to correspond directly to the writing in an issue. Cover selections are based on artistic strength, visual impact, technical quality, and suitability for the visual and editorial identity of Red River Review.
We currently consider photography and artwork originating in physical media, including painting, drawing, collage, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and similar forms. At this time, we do not accept digitally created artwork. All submitted work must be original and must not be created or meaningfully assisted by generative AI tools.
Submission requirements:
- Submit up to 3 images
- JPEG format only
- High-resolution files, preferably 2000–3000 pixels on the longest side
- Files should be prepared in RGB mode using the sRGB color profile for web display
- For physical artwork, submit a clear, high-quality photograph or scan that accurately represents the original work
- In Duosuma, provide the title, year, and medium for each work in the order uploaded
Artwork Details Example:
River Study, 2026 — oil on canvas
Submitted images must be publication-ready and of sufficient quality for editorial review and web reproduction. Red River Review does not have the capacity to prepare or digitally correct artwork files, so submissions that are too dark, low-resolution, poorly cropped, distorted, or otherwise difficult to reproduce accurately may not be considered.
Selected work may be used as the visual cover for an issue and in related issue promotion. Red River Review may occasionally publish additional visual work within an issue at the editors’ discretion.
If selected, an artist may also be invited to provide a brief statement when additional context would support presentation of the work.
Fees & Payment
Submission fee: $10 (USD)
- Red River Review charges a $10 submission fee.
- Submission fees are processed securely through Duosuma using Stripe. Charges should appear with a Red River Review-related billing descriptor.
- Submission fees help support Red River Review’s digital submission platform, website and hosting costs, archival preservation, and educational programming for writers and artists.
Important Terms of Service:
- Payment of the submission fee does not guarantee publication, acceptance, feedback, or inclusion in any issue of Red River Review. Submission fees do not constitute the purchase of a physical or digital product and are non-refundable, except in limited, case-by-case circumstances as outlined in our Terms of Service.
- By submitting work and completing payment, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
Refund Policy
Submission fees are nonrefundable once a submission has been received. If a duplicate payment is made in error, or if a technical issue occurs, please contact publisher@redriverreview.org
Rights & Copyright
Red River Review acquires first serial digital rights and the right to archive accepted work on our website. All rights revert to the author upon publication. If the work is republished elsewhere, we ask that Red River Review be credited as the original publisher. Accepted work may also be included in future Red River Review anthologies or special collections on a non-exclusive basis, with full author attribution.
By submitting, you agree to the following:
- First Serial Rights: We request first publication rights (digital or print).
- Non-Exclusive Anthology Rights: Accepted work may be included in future anthologies or special collections, with full attribution.
- Reversion of Rights: All rights revert to the creator upon publication.
- Archiving: Published work may remain archived on our website or in digital issues unless removal is requested.
© 2026 Red River Review. All rights reserved.
Submit via Duosuma
Red River Review accepts submissions through Duosuma, Duotrope’s submission manager.
Questions
If you have questions about the submission process, please contact publisher@redriverreview.org.