October’s Lit Mag Spotlight is shining on The Missouri Review! This highly regarded literary journal has a reputation for being the first to publish up-and-coming new writers. Each issue of The Missouri Review features stories, poetry, and essays selected from submissions sent from writers throughout the world. Find out what they look for in a submission, what’s the most common oversight writers make…and then send them your best work!
CONTEST: Leave a comment on this blog post by October 27 to win a T-shirt AND your choice of The Missouri Review fiction anthology or essay anthology! This contest is now closed. The winner will be announced shortly!
Give us the lowdown on your journal’s mission.
We’ve always been especially interested in publishing the work of new and emerging writers. We think of ourselves as a “discovery” magazine—we really do read to discover the best work. Our issues tend to be a mix of emerging and established writers, but always leaning toward the new.
Describe your ideal submission in 15 words or less.
Our ideal submission has command of style; an inventive, fresh subject; or a fresh perspective on a familiar subject.
Tell us about a piece you recently published that got the staff really excited. Why did you love it? Why did it strike a chord?
Our fall issue features a first fiction publication by Zach Dayhuff that brings together the West Texas slaughterhouse industry and Bible-belt religion. It’s a stunning piece—a complete original in the Southern Gothic tradition.
Regarding submissions: What’s the most common turnoff that you encounter (in terms of craft)?
We are patient readers, so we hate to talk about turnoffs. Our biggest turnoff is a writer who is not as patient a submitter as we are readers.
What’s the most common oversight (in terms of submission guidelines)?
Writers who send flash fiction are not paying attention to our guidelines.
Why is your journal awesome?
We are awesome because of our writers; especially our debut authors. And we like to think we’re awesome because we like our slush pile—we know there’s good material in it.
Where can readers find your submission guidelines?
Here on our website.
What else would you like us to know?
Restrictions on length seem to be shrinking these days. Although we cringe a little at not spreading the wealth, we’re still a good market for longer work. If you have a 7,500-word story, or even a 10,000-word story, we’ll read it and consider it for publication.
Like The Missouri Review on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
CONTEST: Leave a comment on this blog post by October 27 to win a T-shirt AND your choice of The Missouri Review fiction anthology or essay anthology! This contest is now closed. The winner will be announced shortly!
It’s encouraging to see how frequently this magazine supports emerging authors, and longer lengths of work.
I am a new writer, I have not completed any works yet. But, I’m doing my research now for marketing and publishing etc.
When there is talk about submitting to, this magazine for instance, do you submit a sample or the finished product?
I feel like I found a gold nugget with this site! Very helpful!
Hi, Holly! We’re glad you find our site helpful. You should submit finished work to literary journals.
I am a writer under construction , studying for an English Lit degree. I write poetry/ prose, articles, short stories and I am working on finishing my first novel. Your site looks very intriguing . The journal themes/ titles are alluring. I am tempted toward submission. Do you publish any/ many British writers in your literary journals? I would love to win the fiction journal to whet my appetite further- if I may be so bold to say so.
A stimulating review. Although they say they will consider pieces of 7,500 words, they do not specify the ideal length of a piece for publication. Will check out the website and perhaps submit.
I have published three books, but only one short piece. Your program is encouraging, and I am tempted to submit. I am printing out your advice and tacking it up over my computer. Thank you!
Rosemary
Thanks to The Missouri Review for doing this interview. It gives a perspective on the publication that’s fresher than just a plain listing, and a slightly different perspective than what’s on the website.
One thing not mentioned in the interview are the audio issues. I am a lover of audiobooks, and love when literary magazines offer this option.
Good info The Missouri Review.Thanks.
I am new to the literary world and have somehow singled out The Missouri Review as the place I most to be. Maybe it’s because they were kind enough to send me two handwritten, very kind rejection letters. Can’t beat that. Well, I suppose an acceptance would be ever so slightly better. But their few words of encouragement have been enough to keep me writing — and, more importantly, submitting.
Writer’s Relief, thank you for your work on our behalf.
Missouri Review, thank you for understanding we writers have tender, eager hearts.
Cathy
I had a really great Missouri Review t-shirt and outgrew it. Years ago, I read the publication and somehow—perhaps through expatriation—lost touch with it, as I did many things. Henceforth, I will be submitting, reading, and supporting.
P.S. – Initially, I was opposed to flash fiction, perhaps unfairly perceiving it to be a manifestation of increasing demand for instant gratification. But I tried to keep an open mind and consider benefits I may have overlooked. I’m glad I did. Writing flash fiction has honed my focus, sharpened my editing tools, and forced me to write more concisely.