Rappahannock Review
There are presently no open calls for submissions.
We are currently closed for submissions.
Our next reading period for all categories (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, audio, and visual art) will open in August 2025. Please check back then to submit your work.
General Guidelines:
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.
If you are submitting poetry or flash pieces, please compile your work into a single document and then upload your submission.
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, experimental forms, and formal poetry. Poems may be part of a series. Submit up to five poems.
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
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.
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. 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.