SUBMITTING YOUR WORK
Gordon Square Review, a publication of Literary Cleveland, holds two open reading periods each year:
Writers accepted for publication receive a $25 honorarium.
- February 1 to March 31. Publication drops May 15.
- August 1 to October 1. Publication drops November 15.
Writers accepted for publication receive a $25 honorarium.
GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Gordon Square Review welcomes works of translation, simultaneous submissions, and previously published work no longer available in print or online.
POETRY SUBMISSIONS
Only include one poem in your submission.
FICTION/PROSE SUBMISSIONS
Only include one story in your submission. The word limit is 5,000 words.
BRIEF NONFICTION SUBMISSIONS
Only include one essay in your submission. The word limit is 1,000 words (if fewer than 1,000 words, that is okay).
POETRY SUBMISSIONS
Only include one poem in your submission.
FICTION/PROSE SUBMISSIONS
Only include one story in your submission. The word limit is 5,000 words.
BRIEF NONFICTION SUBMISSIONS
Only include one essay in your submission. The word limit is 1,000 words (if fewer than 1,000 words, that is okay).
CONTEST GUIDELINES
Gordon Square Review is holding a 2025 Flash Fiction Contest for Midwest writers. Submit a single flash piece up to 1,000 words with a $10 entry fee. The winner will receive $500 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review. Additionally, the runner-up will receive $250 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review.
Final Judge: Amber Sparks
Amber Sparks is the author of three collections of short fiction, including And I Do Not Forgive You and The Unfinished World. Her essays, film and book criticism have appeared widely, in Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Paris Review, Slate, Tin House, Granta, and The Cut, among others. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
The contest opens on August 1, 2025 and closes on October 1, 2025.
Final Judge: Amber Sparks
Amber Sparks is the author of three collections of short fiction, including And I Do Not Forgive You and The Unfinished World. Her essays, film and book criticism have appeared widely, in Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Paris Review, Slate, Tin House, Granta, and The Cut, among others. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
The contest opens on August 1, 2025 and closes on October 1, 2025.
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.
