The Broad River Review publishes high-quality literary works.
Writers have two avenues for submission.
We invite general submissions of original poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, and we also encourage visual artists to submit samples for possible cover art. General submissions are open each year from February 1–April 1.
Because we have a small staff for the 2026 reading period, short fiction submissions are capped at 200, poetry submissions capped at 250, and creative nonfiction submissions are capped at 100.
We also invite entries to our contests, the Rash Awards, which offer $500 first prizes in both Fiction and Poetry. Entries for the Rash Awards are accepted each year from February 1–April 15. For complete details about the contest, please see our Contest Rules on our website. Rash Award entries are never capped.
Both general and contest poetry submissions are restricted to five poems, with no more ten pages total per submission. Fiction and creative nonfiction submissions must be no more than 5,000 words. Previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, although works accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately.
All general submissions and contest submissions received during the reading period will be considered for publication. However, only official entries for the Rash Awards and the $20 entry fee will be eligible for the prize awards.
Our Submittable platform allows 300 general submissions per month. If you see that one of the general submission links is not active or showing, wait until the first day of the next month to submit (this includes April 1 as the start of a new month).
We look forward to reading your submissions!
Contest Rules
1. All manuscripts meeting the requirements listed below and submitted between February 1, 2026 and April 15, 2026, will be considered for the cash awards as well as for publication in the Broad River Review.
2. All Rash Award contest entries must be submitted through Submittable (see the link at the bottom of the page). A contest entry fee of $20 (U.S.) will be collected. Writers may submit multiple times in one or both genres, but the $20 fee will be collected for each entry.
3. No previously published works or works accepted for publication are eligible, including previous online publication. Simultaneous submissions are eligible, although any manuscript accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately.
4. Poetry entries are restricted to five poems, with no more ten pages total per submission. Fiction entries must be double spaced and no longer than 5,000 words.
5. Winning manuscripts will appear in the Volume 58 of the Broad River Review, which will be published in fall of 2026. All entrants will be receive one copy of Volume 58 of the Broad River Review.
6. Manuscripts will be judged blindly. In the Submittable submission form, enter contact information (including name, address, phone, and email), a short biographical entry, and the names of all titles submitted for the contest. Writers must NOT include their names anywhere in the file name or inside the attached manuscript file. For those who enter more than one submission to the Rash Awards, please include a name and address for a gift copy of the Broad River Review 2026 in the Submittable form of any subsequent entry, if you desire to do so.
7. Winners will be notified by telephone. Finalists may also be offered publication, and will be notified through Submittable. All entrants will receive notification with a full list of winners and finalists by June 15, 2026.
8. In the event that judges do not deem any submissions worthy of the prize, we reserve the right to extend the call for manuscripts or to cancel the award. If an award is canceled, entry fees will be refunded.
9. Anyone with a previous reciprocal professional relationship with the judges will be disqualified from the contest. Submissions will be screened by the staff of the Broad River Review, and finalists will be forwarded for final judging.
Contest Rules
1. All manuscripts meeting the requirements listed below and submitted between February 1, 2026 and April 15, 2026, will be considered for the cash awards as well as for publication in the Broad River Review.
2. All Rash Award contest entries must be submitted through Submittable (see the link at the bottom of the page). A contest entry fee of $20 (U.S.) will be collected. Writers may submit multiple times in one or both genres, but the $20 fee will be collected for each entry.
3. No previously published works or works accepted for publication are eligible, including previous online publication. Simultaneous submissions are eligible, although any manuscript accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately.
4. Poetry entries are restricted to five poems, with no more ten pages total per submission. Fiction entries must be double spaced and no longer than 5,000 words.
5. Winning manuscripts will appear in the Volume 58 of the Broad River Review, which will be published in fall of 2026. All entrants will be receive one copy of Volume 58 of the Broad River Review.
6. Manuscripts will be judged blindly. In the Submittable submission form, enter contact information (including name, address, phone, and email), a short biographical entry, and the names of all titles submitted for the contest. Writers must NOT include their names anywhere in the file name or inside the attached manuscript file. For those who enter more than one submission to the Rash Awards, please include a name and address for a gift copy of the Broad River Review 2026 in the Submittable form of any subsequent entry, if you desire to do so.
7. Winners will be notified by telephone. Finalists may also be offered publication, and will be notified through Submittable. All entrants will receive notification with a full list of winners and finalists by June 15, 2026.
8. In the event that judges do not deem any submissions worthy of the prize, we reserve the right to extend the call for manuscripts or to cancel the award. If an award is canceled, entry fees will be refunded.
9. Anyone with a previous reciprocal professional relationship with the judges will be disqualified from the contest. Submissions will be screened by the staff of the Broad River Review, and finalists will be forwarded for final judging.
Short Fiction submissions are limited to 5,000 words. However, shorter works often stand a better chance of acceptance due to space in the publication. Previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are eligible, although any manuscript accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately. Due to our small reading staff, the number of Short Fiction submissions will be capped at 200.
Poetry submissions are restricted to five poems, with no more ten pages total per submission. Previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable if our editors are notified immediately that the work has been accepted elsewhere. Due to our small reading staff, the number of Poetry submissions will be capped at 250.
Creative Nonfiction submissions are limited to 5,000 words. However, shorter works often stand a better chance of acceptance due to space in the publication. Previously published work will not be considered. Simultaneous submissions are eligible, although any manuscript accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately. We do not currently publish general nonfiction, such as book reviews. Due to our small reading staff, the number of Creative Nonfiction submissions will be capped at 100.
We accept submissions for cover art. While we will consider just about anything, please take a a look at our recent covers. We do not typically use covers with real people featured in the artwork. Please submit up to five digital images for consideration.
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