Midwest Review is an annual print magazine featuring the Midwest in new work by writers, photographers, and artists who live in, or have lived in, the Midwest.
The Midwest is the region of the north central United States that includes the Great Lakes area and the upper Mississippi River valley (according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Midwest is comprised of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, and Missouri). Of course, the Midwest is also a state of mind.
We look for thoughtful and thought-provoking writing and visual art that examines, interprets, and redefines the wide spectrum of life, past and present, in the Midwest. We accept unsolicited submissions of original creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and visual art starting in June. We are interested in new, diverse, and emerging voices. We do not consider previously published work (work that has appeared previously in any publication, print or online, including self-published work, in print or online). Simultaneous submissions are okay; please notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.
Authors of work accepted for publication by Midwest Review receive a contract granting non-exclusive first serial rights. Copyright reverts to the author upon publication, with the request that subsequent re-publication of the work acknowledges first publication in Midwest Review.
General submissions for Issue 8: June 1 – December 15, 2019.
Great Midwest Writing Contest submissions: December 1, 2019– March 1, 2020.
Midwest Review is a publication of the Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. ISSN 2471-6871
Submit up to 6,500 words of creative nonfiction. Simultaneous submissions are okay; let us know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Previously unpublished submissions only. Entries must be submitted online via Submittable.
$500 prize and publication in Midwest Review for the winning entry. All entries will be considered for publication.
Contest Selection Process & Guidelines
1st Round: Blind Read by MR Editorial Staff with 10 finalists forwarded to contest judge.
2nd Round: Blind Read by Contest Judge (TBA).
Judge will select winner from a group of finalists chosen by Midwest Review editorial staff.
CLMP Code of Ethics
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines — defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.
Submit up to 6,500 words of fiction. Simultaneous submissions are okay; let us know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Previously unpublished submissions only. Entries must be submitted online via Submittable.
$500 prize and publication in Midwest Review for the winning entry. All entries will be considered for publication.
Contest Selection Process & Guidelines
1st Round: Blind Read by MR Editorial Staff with 10 finalists forwarded to contest judge.
2nd Round: Blind Read by Contest Judge (TBA).
Judge will select winner from a group of finalists chosen by Midwest Review editorial staff.
CLMP Code of Ethics
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines — defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.
Submit up to 10 pages of poetry (one poem or several; one poem per page). Simultaneous submissions are okay; let us know immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Previously unpublished submissions only. Entries must be submitted online via Submittable.
$500 prize and publication in Midwest Review for the winning poem. All entries will be considered for publication.
Contest Selection Process & Guidelines
1st Round: Blind Read by MR Editorial Staff with 10 finalists forwarded to contest judge.
2nd Round: Blind Read by Contest Judge (TBA).
Judge will select winner from a group of finalists chosen by Midwest Review editorial staff.
CLMP Code of Ethics
CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines — defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.
This is to purchase a copy of the current Midwest Review, issue 7 (this is not a submission category). Please put "purchase copy 7" in the Title field and your name and mailing address in the Cover Letter field. You will receive an automatic email from Submittable thanking you for your submission, even though this is an order to purchase a copy. That email is your confirmation that we received your order. We hope you enjoy the magazine. Thank you for your interest and support!
This is to purchase a copy of Midwest Review issue 6 (this is not a submission category). Please put "purchase copy 6" in the Title field and your name and mailing address in the Cover Letter field. You will receive an automatic email from Submittable thanking you for your submission, even though this is an order to purchase a copy. That email is your confirmation that we received your order. We hope you enjoy the magazine. Thank you for your interest and support!
This is to purchase a copy of Midwest Review 5 (this is not a submission category). Please put "purchase copy 5" in the Title field and your name and mailing address in the Cover Letter field. You will receive an automatic email from Submittable thanking you for your submission, even though this is an order to purchase a copy. That email is your confirmation that we received your order. We hope you enjoy the magazine. Thank you for your interest and support!
This is to purchase a copy of Midwest Review 4 (this is not a submission category). Please put "purchase copy 4" in the Title field and your name and mailing address in the Cover Letter field. You will receive an automatic email from Submittable thanking you for your submission, even though this is an order to purchase a copy. That email is your confirmation that we received your order. We hope you enjoy the magazine. Thank you for your interest and support!