SUBMITTING YOUR WORK
Gordon Square Review, a publication of Literary Cleveland, holds two open readings periods each year. The journal is currently closed for general submissions. The journal will reopen for general submissions from writers of all geographic locations on February 1, 2024 and will remain open through April 1, 2024.
Starting with issue 14, writers accepted for publication receive a $15 honorarium.
Starting with issue 14, writers accepted for publication receive a $15 honorarium.
2024 ECLIPSE BLACKOUT POETRY CONTEST
Gordon Square Review is holding a special Blackout Poetry Contest in connection with the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Cleveland is in the path of totality, and we are looking for blackout poetry that uses erasure of an existing text to reveal something new.
This contest is open to anyone around the world. Submit a single blackout poem of any length with a $10 entry fee. The contest winner will receive $500 and publication in Gordon Square Review. Selected blackout (erasure) poems will be featured in a special issue on the day of the eclipse: April 8, 2024
The contest opens on January 8, 2024 and closes on March 8, 2024. Click here to learn more and submit.
This contest is open to anyone around the world. Submit a single blackout poem of any length with a $10 entry fee. The contest winner will receive $500 and publication in Gordon Square Review. Selected blackout (erasure) poems will be featured in a special issue on the day of the eclipse: April 8, 2024
The contest opens on January 8, 2024 and closes on March 8, 2024. Click here to learn more and submit.
GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Gordon Square Review requests will consider works that have been previously published (for general submissions) but are no longer available online or in-print. If work has been published on a personal blog or website, we request that it be taken down prior to publishing it.
- Gordon Square Review welcomes simultaneous submissions. We ask that you withdraw your work if it is accepted elsewhere. If your work is accepted elsewhere, and after you have withdrawn the accepted submission, you may resubmit to us during the same reading period.
- Gordon Square Review encourages writers to submit poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. For genre specific guidelines, please see below.
- Gordon Square Review encourages submissions from women, writers of color, writers with disability, LGBTQ writers, and previously unpublished writers.
- Gordon Square Review requires non-exclusive world English rights and all rights revert to the author on publication.
- Gordon Square Review is unable to accept print or email submissions. Please contact us, however, if this presents accessibility issues.
POETRY SUBMISSIONS
Only include one poem in your submission. We request that no cover letter or author bio be included in your submission.
FICTION PROSE SUBMISSIONS
Only include one story in your submission. The word limit is 7,500 words. We request that no cover letter or author bio be included in your submission.
SHORT CREATIVE NONFICTION PROSE SUBMISSIONS
Only include one story or essay in your submission. The word limit is 1,000 words (if fewer than 1,000 words, that is okay). We request that no cover letter or author bio be included in your submission.
EDITORIAL MENTORSHIPS
All general submissions from writers in any geographical location are eligible for our competitive editorial mentorships. Each Gordon Square Review editor will independently choose one piece of writing received during the open submission period and work with that writer to revise the piece for publication. Selected writers will be asked to contribute a micro-essay about the process. Writers should indicate in their submission [1] if the they are interested in the editorial mentorship and [2] that the work being submitted is a work-in-progress.
NORTHEAST OHIO WRITER?
As a publication of Literary Cleveland, Gordon Square Review is proud to support Northeast Ohio writers. Please make a note in your submission if you currently live in Northeast Ohio (including the Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Youngstown, Kent, or Lorain/Elyria/Oberlin areas) or if you have a strong tie to Northeast Ohio as a past resident, student, etc.