Blue Earth Review is Minnesota State University–Mankato’s graduate-run literary magazine. Before being wholly revamped and renamed in 2003, BER was published under such titles as Medicine Jug, The Muse, and Minnesota River Review. Our contributors have included folks such as Steve Almond, Nicelle Davis, Alex Lemon, Jennifer Whitaker, Kristen N. Arnett, and Charles Baxter.

We're looking for ambitious and exuberant works of short fiction, essay, memoir, poetry, and visual art that offer insights, complicates existing conversations, and enriches our understanding of what it means to be human in this increasingly diverse world. We gravitate towards small, focused works in which every word matters.

We accept all voices, and do not discriminate based on race, ancestry, disability, gender identity, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Our mission is to create a collection of artistic works that celebrate the uniqueness of the world--compacted into our square magazine.



Blue Earth Review "Eligibility" for contests is limited to US residents/taxpayers. 

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Blue Earth Review

We publish full-color reproductions of a wide range of artwork: paintings, photography, woodcuts, ink drawings, sculpture, and more. Generally, we feature one work on the front cover plus an interior layout of several additional works and an artist bio and statement. Our preference is for groupings that display an engaging variety within some overall thematic unity, which highlights originality, the artist’s individuality, mastery of medium, and technical virtuosity. We publish in a small, square, focused format, so we gravitate towards works which transfer well to this size and elicit a strong, immediate reaction. Submissions must include at least nine and up to sixteen related images. You may submit up to twice a year. Editors reserve the right to select which of your submitted pieces will be published.

Cover Art / Featured Interior Artwork

We consider poetry in any style.
Please limit poetry submissions to no more than five poems or 10 pages at a time, and place all poems in a single document. 
If you wish to withdraw just part of your submission, please send an email notifying us which poems are still available. Withdrawing the entire submission through Submittable will remove all of your poems from consideration.
Please only submit one poetry submission at a time. 
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declinations, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.

Poetry

Our unique square format fairs best with shorter pieces that reflect our mission of dramatic impact in a small size. Submissions are capped at 4,000 words. Pieces longer than 4,000 words will not be considered.
We welcome all genres, including literary, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, surrealist, magical realism, and any others, or blend of others.
Please provide the title of your story when prompted for a title for your submission. Please only submit one story at a time.
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declinations, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.

Fiction

We are interested in creative nonfiction (memoir and personal essay) with contemporary themes. No literary criticism.
Blue Earth Review is most interested in essays that are under 3,000 words. We love nonfiction that works on more than just a narrative level. Surprise us with metaphor and layers of meaning. We can't wait to read your work!
Please provide the title of your piece when prompted for a title for your submission. Please only submit one work at a time.
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declines, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.

Creative Nonfiction

Our annual flash creative nonfiction contest is now taking submissions. Submit up to two flash creative nonfiction pieces of no more than 750 words each. If you include multiple pieces, please include them both in a single file (.doc or .docx). The deadline to submit is August 21, 2026.
The flash creative nonfiction contest fee is $5.00.
The winner will receive $500 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review.
We may offer publication to additional finalists.
Submission fee is non-waivable and non-refundable. One submission per participant is allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $500 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Contact us with any questions.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.

Flash Creative Nonfiction Contest

Our annual flash fiction contest is now taking submissions. Submit up to two flash fiction pieces of no more than 750 words each. If you include multiple pieces, please include them both in a single file (.doc or .docx). The deadline to submit is August 21st, 2026.
The contest fee is $5.00.
Winner will receive $500 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review.
We may offer publication to additional finalists.
Submission fee is non-waivable and non-refundable. One submission per participant is allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $500 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Contact us with any questions.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.

Flash Fiction Contest

Our annual poetry contest is now taking submissions. Submit up to three poems per submission in a single file (.doc or .docx). The deadline for entering is August 21, 2026.
The poetry contest fee is $5.00.
The winner will receive $500 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review.
We may offer publication to additional finalists.
Submission fee is non-waivable and non-refundable. One submission per participant is allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $500 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Contact us with any questions.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.

Blue Earth Review

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