We are open for submissions of visual art only at this time.
We are currently closed for submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We will reopen for submissions in these categories in August 2024. Please check back then to submit your work.
During an open reading period, please follow the general guidelines below.
General Guidelines:
If you are submitting poetry or flash pieces, please compile your work into a single document and then upload your submission.
We do not accept previously published work, including work that has appeared online in blogs or other forums. Simultaneous submissions are fine, though if your work is accepted elsewhere, please withdraw your submission. If you need to withdraw one poem or part of a submission, you should email us at rappahannockreview@gmail.com.
Current or former employees of the University of Mary Washington are not eligible to submit work to the Rappahannock Review. We will not consider work from current UMW students; however, we will read work from alumni who graduated three or more years ago. If you are a previous contributor, please wait at least one year from publication before submitting new work.
While we strive to respond to all work as quickly as possible, careful attention does take time. Please wait at least six months from submission before querying.
Poetry
We accept poems ranging in any length and employing any aesthetic, including free verse, prose poems, and formal poetry. Poems may be part of a series. Send up to five poems per submission.
Nonfiction
We are looking for creative nonfiction with insightful perspective and attention to craft. Experimental form is encouraged. Submissions may be any form of narrative or lyric nonfiction, ranging from flash to extended memoir. Submit one longer piece (up to 8,000 words) or up to three flash pieces (up to 1,000 words each).
Fiction
We are looking for original, well-written fiction. Work experimenting with form is encouraged. Submit one longer story (up to 8,000 words) or up to three flash pieces (up to 1,000 words each).
Audio
We are now accepting audio. Spoken poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and other audio adventures of all kinds are welcome, and we’re especially seeking pieces with enthralling voices, compelling stories, strong and moving narratives, or anything else that can excite us from the moment we press play. We encourage experimenting with the form—performance, soundscapes, narrative noise, that which pushes past the edge of the genres are all welcome. Submit up to three short pieces or one longer work up to 15 minutes in length per submission; please submit to the submission category (poetry, nonfiction, or fiction) that aligns with your work. Feel free to query us if you prefer to submit media files via email.
Visual Art:
Our site showcases original work in each new issue, and all artists are archived under our art page vaults. We review and accept visual art in a wide range of mediums and genres. If your work is selected, we will request a short bio and artist's statement, which you may send with your original submission or provide upon selection. Please send a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of twenty (20) images. Please note, no submitted image or piece may have been previously published in another journal. Please feel free to query us if you prefer to submit visual art or media files via email.
Guidelines for Visual Art Submissions:
We will accept a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of twenty (20) pieces. No submitted piece may have been previously published in another journal. If your work is selected we will need a short bio, no longer than a paragraph in length. You may send us one with your original submission or provide contact information for us to request one upon selection. If you want to have additional information about a specific piece displayed, or a link to your webpage, feel free to include that information as well.
To submit, use this submission form. Alternately, you may email your pieces and bio to: rappahannockreview@gmail.com (you may e-mail files directly or link to a third party distributor such as Dropbox or Google Drive).