CutBank has thrived for fifty-three years as Montana's foremost literary magazine, founded in 1973 by the Creative Writing program at the University of Montana and helmed initially by favorite literary son William Kittredge.


CutBank publishes two print issues a year of compelling poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, art, and hybrid work, as well as three prize-winning chapbooks. 

Over the years, CutBank has featured work by D. A. Powell, Wendell Berry, Louise Erdrich, Richard Hugo, Seamus Heaney, James Welch, Patricia Goedicke, James Lee Burke, Chris Offutt, Aimee Bender, and a number of other writers. CutBank's greatest joy is discovering and giving space to new and diverse voices. 

The mags in this list are competitive and publish physical print editions, so you get the satisfaction of seeing your work in print: pocket-sized, book-like, tangible. Way cooler than you'd expect.

Reputable Lit Mags with Print Issues

A targeted resource for short story placements with potential for Pushcart recognition.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Specialized publications that recognize exceptional brief fiction through Pushcart nominations.

Looking for balance between prestige and accessibility? These magazines are competitive but attainable for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writers.

Literary Magazines in the Sweet Spot

A comprehensive guide to journals that regularly nominate work for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

All-time most competitive literary magazines. Getting published in these is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

Highlights publications that regularly put forward essays, memoirs, and other creative nonfiction for Pushcart consideration.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Focuses specifically on poetry journals with established histories of Pushcart nominations.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

CutBank

A photo of mine was used as the cover for a cool issue. What was best about this was that it was unexpected, as an editor happened to see one of my photos in a small show and then got in touch asking for the use of the photo for the cover.  The journal has roots going back to friends and teachers of mine: Richard Hugo, Rick DeMarinis, etc. And every now and then, the editors still find surprising, great work to include. But Cutbank has moved too far to the boring side of MFA-style writing, and I wish they would get back to their roots when the story and the mood were the thing.

Poetry submissions may include up to five poems. All poems should be uploaded as one file, with page breaks between poems.<div>
Please only submit unpublished, original work. Please include a cover letter with a brief biography and contact info, including name, address, phone number, and email address. We're always happy to accept simultaneous submissions but ask that you withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted elsewhere. To withdraw your entire submission, use Submittable. To withdraw part of your submission, email us at editor.cutbank[at]gmail[dot]com and let us know via message on Submittable.<br></div>

Poetry

Nonfiction submissions should be double-spaced and no longer than 8,500 words, unpublished, and original.
 
Please include a cover letter with a brief biography and contact info, including name, address, phone number, and email address. We're always happy to accept simultaneous submissions but ask that you withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.&nbsp;

Nonfiction

Fiction submissions should be double spaced and no longer than 8,500 words.<div>
Please only submit unpublished, original work. Include a cover letter with a brief biography and contact info, including name, address, phone number and email address. We're always happy to accept simultaneous submissions but ask that you withdraw your work immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.&nbsp;<br></div>

Fiction

Visual art should be uploaded as JPEG or TIFF files of at least 300 dpi. CutBank welcomes submissions of all types of visual art for publication in our upcoming print editions. Painters, encausticists, draughtspeople, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, collagists, ceramicists, illustrators, comics-creators, metalsmiths, and Calderesque mobile constructors are welcome to submit. Conceptual and installation artists can join the party as well, as long as there is a way to exhibit your art in our journal. If your work is 3D, we recommend uploading multiple images to feature rotational perspective.&nbsp;
Please submit no more than five high-quality files and include an artist biography. We do not accept reprints. Artist statements are appreciated but not required. If your piece is accepted, it may be used in the print edition or as cover art, for which we pay $250 per piece. We will contact you with updates regarding selection and where we would like to display your work.

CutBank Visual Arts Submissions

CutBank Literary Magazine is seeking interesting, compelling prose of 750 words or fewer. Lyric essays, prose poems, short essays, vignettes — send us your best, most dazzling short form prose. 
This year's guest judge is Jasmine Sawers, author of The Anchored World, which was a finalist for the 2023 PEN America/Robert W. Bingham Prize for a debut story collection.
Contest Submission Guidelines:

  Submissions will be accepted through the Submittable submission manager. Print or email submissions will not be considered. Please include a brief cover letter that lists biography and contact information in the form provided. Please do not include identifying information in the body of your submission.
  Submissions must be previously unpublished.
  Simultaneous submissions are welcome, provided you withdraw your CutBank submission immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere.
  Submissions should be double spaced, no more than 750 words. 
  A submission fee of $7 helps us cover operational costs. 
  The winner will receive $500 and publication in CutBank 104. Two runners-up will be awarded $50 and publication in CutBank 104. All other submissions will be considered with submissions for the print edition of CutBank Literary Magazine. 
  We will accept submissions for the Big Sky, Small Prose between September 15 and October 15, 2025.

Big Sky, Small Prose - Flash Contest

CutBank Literary Magazine is seeking interesting, compelling prose of 750 words or fewer. Lyric essays, prose poems, short essays, vignettes — send us your best, most dazzling short form prose.&nbsp;<div>
This year's guest judge is Sherrie Flick. Sherrie is the author of six books, including the short story collection I Have Not Considered Consequences (Autumn House Press, 2025). She is co-editor for the Norton anthology Flash Fiction America and Senior Editor at SmokeLong Quarterly. Her work has been performed at Symphony Space for NPR’s Selected Shorts and has appeared in many journals and anthologies, including Ploughshares, New England Review, Prairie Schooner, and Flash Fiction Forward. An essay from her debut essay collection Homing: Instincts of a Rustbelt Feminist (University of Nebraska Press) was listed as notable in The Best American Essays 2023. Her most recent awards include a Creative Development Grant from The Heinz Endowments and a Writing Pittsburgh fellowship from the Creative Nonfiction Foundation. </div><div>
Contest Submission Guidelines:

Submissions will be accepted through the Submittable submission manager. Print or email submissions will not be considered. Please include a brief cover letter that lists biography and contact information in the form provided. Please do not include identifying information in the body of your submission.
  Submissions must be previously unpublished.
  Simultaneous submissions are welcome, provided you withdraw your CutBank submission immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere.
  Submissions should be double spaced, no more than 750 words.&nbsp;
  A submission fee of $7 helps us cover operational costs.&nbsp;
  The winner will receive $500 and publication in CutBank 106. Two runners-up will be awarded $50 and publication in CutBank 106. All other submissions will be considered with submissions for the print edition of CutBank Literary Magazine.&nbsp;
  We will accept submissions for the Big Sky, Small Prose between September 15 and October 15, 2026.</div>

Submissions will be accepted through the Submittable submission manager. Print or email submissions will not be considered. Please include a brief cover letter, biography and contact information in the form provided. Please do not include identifying information in the body of your submission.

Submissions must be previously unpublished.

Simultaneous submissions are certainly welcome, provided that you withdraw your CutBank submission immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere.

Submissions should be double spaced, no more than 750 words.

Submission fee of $7 includes consideration for CutBank's $500 flash prose prize and publication in the annual winter/spring issue of CutBank. Two runners-up will be awarded $50 and publication in the winter/spring issue of CutBank. All other submissions will be considered with submissions for the print edition of CutBank literary magazine.

Big Sky, Small Prose: Flash Contest

Submission Period 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;January 1 - May 31, 2027 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 Award 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;Print publication, $1,000 cash prize (winner) or $250 (two runners-up), and 25 contributor copies &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 Eligibility 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;This competition is open to original English-language manuscripts in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and hybrid work. While previously published stand-alone pieces or excerpts may be included in a manuscript, the manuscript as a whole must be an unpublished work. Translations and previously self-published collections are ineligible. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please note that reading fees are non-refundable and you must withdraw the manuscript immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere. Please do not include cover artwork with your submission; black and white illustrations are acceptable so long as you’ve obtained the rights. The author must not have a close personal or professional relationship with any current or previous CutBank staff members, and may not be a current student, faculty member, or employee of the University of Montana. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 Reading Fee 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;Your $20 non-refundable reading fee helps cover the costs of printing, awards, postage, and distribution. Our chapbook readers are an all-volunteer staff of University of Montana creative writing graduate students. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 What We’re Looking For 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;Startling, compelling, and beautiful original work. We’re looking for a fresh, powerful manuscript. Maybe it will overtake us quietly; gracefully defy genres; satisfyingly subvert our expectations; punch us in the mouth page in and page out. We’re interested in both prose and poetry – and particularly work that straddles the lines between genres. Manuscripts should be cohesive and coherent; in other words, your manuscript should resonate and make sense as a book. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 Guidelines for Electronic Submissions 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;Submissions are accepted exclusively through Submittable. Entries must be received no later than midnight MST on May 31, 2027. Please submit 25 to 40 pages of typed poetry or prose in either DOC/DOCX/RTF/PDF format. Images are acceptable, but only in black and white; you must obtain reprint rights for any included images. Include page numbers, table of contents, and, if applicable, an acknowledgments page addressing where sections have been previous published. Submissions should include two cover pages as the first two pages of the document: one with the manuscript’s title, the other with the title, author’s name, address, and e-mail address. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else in the manuscript. Results will be announced via e-mail and posted at www.cutbankonline.com in September 2027. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 The Long and Short of It 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;The CutBank Chapbook Contest honors a book of original poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work by a single author. Translations are not eligible for this award. The winning author receives a $1,000 honorarium plus 25 copies of their published book. Two runners-up receive $250, publication, and 25 copies of their published book. The winners will be announced by CutBank, and the winning books will be featured and available for sale on the CutBank website. The contest will be judged by the CutBank editorial staff. Entries must be submitted between January 1 and May 31, 2027. Winners will be contacted and announced in September 2027.
 &nbsp;&nbsp;All entries must be made through our submission manager. Manuscripts should be 25-40 pages in length of poetry (a cohesive poetry manuscript), fiction (either a short fiction collection or novella), creative nonfiction (one long essay or a short collection of essays), or hybrid work. Please indicate in the acknowledgements if any sections of the manuscript have been previously published, and where; the manuscript as a whole must be an unpublished work. Manuscript revisions are not permitted during the contest. Multiple entries are fine as long as each is accompanied by a submission fee. The author must not have a close personal or professional relationship with any current or previous CutBank staff members, and may not be a current student, faculty member, or employee of the University of Montana. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 The CLMP Code of Ethics 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;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. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	
 &nbsp;&nbsp;It is truly an honor to read your work. We wish you the best of luck!

CutBank Chapbook Contest - Prose

Submission Period
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	January 1 - May 31, 2027
 
 Award
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	Print publication, $1,000 cash prize (winner) or $250 (two runners-up), and 25 contributor copies
 
 Eligibility
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	This competition is open to original English-language manuscripts in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and hybrid work. While previously published stand-alone pieces or excerpts may be included in a manuscript, the manuscript as a whole must be an unpublished work. Translations and previously self-published collections are ineligible. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please note that reading fees are non-refundable and you must withdraw the manuscript immediately via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere. Please do not include cover artwork with your submission; black and white illustrations are acceptable so long as you’ve obtained the rights. The author must not have a close personal or professional relationship with any current or previous CutBank staff members, and may not be a current student, faculty member, or employee of the University of Montana.
 
 Reading Fee
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	Your $20 non-refundable reading fee helps cover the costs of printing, awards, postage, and distribution. Our chapbook readers are an all-volunteer staff of University of Montana creative writing graduate students.
 
 What We’re Looking For
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	Startling, compelling, and beautiful original work. We’re looking for a fresh, powerful manuscript. Maybe it will overtake us quietly; gracefully defy genres; satisfyingly subvert our expectations; punch us in the mouth page in and page out. We’re interested in both prose and poetry – and particularly work that straddles the lines between genres. Manuscripts should be cohesive and coherent; in other words, your manuscript should resonate and make sense as a book.
 
 Guidelines for Electronic Submissions
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	Submissions are accepted exclusively through Submittable. Entries must be received no later than midnight MST on May 31, 2026. Please submit 25 to 40 pages of typed poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or hybrid work in DOC/DOCX/RTF/PDF format. For poetry, please include no more than one piece per page. Images are acceptable, but only in black and white; you must obtain reprint rights for any included images. Include page numbers, table of contents, and, if applicable, an acknowledgments page addressing where sections have been previous published. Submissions should include two cover pages as the first two pages of the document: one with the manuscript’s title, the other with the title, author’s name, address, and e-mail address. The author’s name should not appear anywhere else in the manuscript. Results will be announced via e-mail and posted at www.cutbankonline.com in September 2026.
 
 The Long and Short of It
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	The CutBank Chapbook Contest honors a book of original poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or hybrid work by a single author. Translations are not eligible for this award. The winning author receives a $1,000 honorarium plus 25 copies of their published book. Two runners-up receive $250, publication, and 25 copies of their published book. The winners will be announced by CutBank, and the winning books will be featured and available for sale on the CutBank website. The contest will be judged by the CutBank editorial staff. Entries must be submitted between January 1 and May 31, 2027. Winners will be contacted and announced in September 2027.
 &nbsp;&nbsp;All entries must be made through our submission manager. Manuscripts should be 25-40 pages in length of poetry (a cohesive poetry manuscript), fiction (either a short fiction collection or novella), creative nonfiction (one long essay or a short collection of essays), or hybrid work. Please indicate in the acknowledgements if any sections of the manuscript have been previously published, and where; the manuscript as a whole must be an unpublished work. Manuscript revisions are not permitted during the contest. Multiple entries are fine as long as each is accompanied by a submission fee. The author must not have a close personal or professional relationship with any current or previous CutBank staff members, and may not be a current student, faculty member, or employee of the University of Montana.
 
 The CLMP Code of Ethics
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	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.
 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;	It is truly an honor to read your work. We wish you the best of luck!

CutBank Chapbook Contest - Poetry

Submissions are accepted December 1 through February 1. Submissions are accepted through our online submission manager only. The $20 contest entry fee covers the reading of a single submission in a single genre. Please send only a single work of no greater than 35 pages.           <div>Please DO NOT include any biographical information in your manuscript, but do include a short cover letter in the space provided that mentions your address, phone number, and email address, as well as the title of your work.           Author names will be removed from the pool of submissions that goes before our contest judges. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your submission via Submittable immediately should it be accepted elsewhere. We are unable to offer refunds.  </div><div>          </div><div>Entrants will be notified of their submission status no later than May 1, 2027. One winner in each genre, as chosen by our guest judge, will receive a $500 award and publication in CutBank 107, our summer/fall 2027 issue. All rights to selected manuscripts revert to the author upon publication. The author grants their permission to have their work electronically archived as part of CutBank 107 in EBSCO International's subscription-based research database. Current University of Montana students and faculty and former CutBank staff are not eligible for the awards.</div>

Montana Prize in Fiction

Submissions are accepted December 1 through February 1. Submissions are accepted through our online submission manager only. The $20 contest entry fee covers the reading of a single submission in a single genre. Please send only a single work of no greater than 35 pages.        Please DO NOT include any biographical information in your manuscript, but do include a short cover letter in the space provided that mentions your address, phone number, and email address, as well as the title of your work.        Author names will be removed from the pool of submissions that goes before our contest judge. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your submission via Submittable immediately should it be accepted elsewhere. We are unable to offer refunds. Entrants will be notified of their submission status no later than May 1, 2027. One winner in each genre, as chosen by our guest judges, will receive a $500 award and publication in CutBank 107, our summer/fall 2027 issue.         All rights to selected manuscripts revert to the author upon publication. The author grants their permission to have their work electronically archived as part of CutBank 107 in EBSCO International's subscription-based research database. Current University of Montana students and faculty and former CutBank staff are not eligible for the awards.

Montana Prize in Creative Nonfiction

Submissions are accepted December 1 through February 1. Submissions are accepted through our online submission manager only. The $20 contest entry fee covers the reading of a single submission in a single genre. Please send only a single work of no greater than five poems or 35 pages.  Please DO NOT include any biographical information in your manuscript, but do include a short cover letter in the space provided that mentions your address, phone number, and email address, as well as the title of your work. Author names will be removed from the pool of submissions that goes before our contest judge. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your submission via Submittable immediately should it be accepted elsewhere. We are unable to offer refunds. Entrants will be notified of their submission status no later than April 1, 2027. One winner in each genre, as chosen by our guest judges, will receive a $500 award and publication in CutBank 107, our summer/fall 2027 issue. All rights to selected manuscripts revert to the author upon publication. The author grants their permission to have their work electronically archived as part of CutBank 107 in EBSCO International's subscription-based research database. Current University of Montana students and faculty and former CutBank staff are not eligible for the awards.

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