Founded in 1956, Portland Review publishes prose, poetry, art, and translations reflecting a wide spectrum of aesthetic styles and voices. Produced by the graduate students in Portland State University’s English Department, Portland Review is proud to publish both established and emerging writers.

During 2020, we made the switch to digital publishing. We publish one new piece each week, right here on our website.

Portland Review aims to:

showcase a diverse spectrum of literary and artistic engagement across genres and disciplines
encourage exploration and experimentation
make space for different approaches and vantage points
build literary community
acknowledge both the rich and conflicted history of Portland, as well as its connection to the natural environment of the Pacific Northwest and beyond
be a platform dedicated to issues of diversity, equity, and environmental awareness

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals demonstrate consistent excellence in identifying digital fiction that deserves wider recognition and readership.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Online publications putting forward exceptional short stories for Best of the Net.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Digital publications with work selected for inclusion across genres. These journals consistently publish online work of exceptional quality that stands out in the digital literary landscape.

Lit Mags Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Publications with narratives under 1,000 words selected for this anthology series. These journals consistently identify short-short fiction, exemplifying the artistry possible in compact narratives.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Small Fictions Anthologies

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

Identifies publications that put forward outstanding online work for this respected digital anthology established in 2006.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals consistently publish digital essays and memoirs that exemplify the best of what's possible in online creative nonfiction.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Digital publications nominating outstanding essays and creative nonfiction for Best of the Net.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Online journals that specifically champion poetry for Best of the Net consideration.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Digital publications with poems chosen for Best of the Net. These journals consistently identify exceptional verse that represents the highest quality of poetry published online.

Poetry Mags Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Portland Review

Portland Review will consider submissions of up to three poems. Poems must be contained within a single document of no more than ten pages in total length. Unless otherwise necessary for the piece, please use a standard (Times New Roman or equivalent) 12-point font. Any poems that do not adhere to Portland Review's guidelines will be declined unread.  
 For over sixty years, Portland Review has published the works of emerging writers and artists alongside the works of well-established authors. We warmly encourage previously unpublished writers and artists to submit, and we aim to support work by those often marginalized in the artistic conversation, including (though certainly not limited to) people of color, women, disabled people, neurodivergent people, LGBTQIA people, and people with intersectional identities.  
Work must be original, unpublished, and follow our submission guidelines. All accepted submissions will be published online.

Poetry

General call

Portland Review publishes traditional, experimental, flash, and genre-bending stories up to 5,000 words. We will only consider one submission per author per reading period. Unless otherwise necessary for the piece, please double-space your work and use a standard (Times New Roman or equivalent) 12-point font.  
For over sixty years, Portland Review has published the works of emerging writers and artists alongside the works of well-established authors. We warmly encourage previously unpublished writers and artists to submit, and we aim to support work by those often marginalized in the artistic conversation, including (though certainly not limited to) people of color, women, disabled people, neurodivergent people, LGBTQIA people, and people with intersectional identities. 
Work must be original, unpublished, and follow our submission guidelines. All accepted stories will be published online.

Fiction

Portland Review publishes narrative nonfiction, personal essays, memoir, flash, and interviews up to 5,000 words. We will only consider one submission per author per reading period. Unless otherwise necessary for the piece, please double-space your work and use a standard (Times New Roman or equivalent) 12-point font. 
For over sixty years, Portland Review has published the works of emerging writers and artists alongside the works of well-established authors. We warmly encourage previously unpublished writers and artists to submit, and we aim to support work by those often marginalized in the artistic conversation, including (though certainly not limited to) people of color, women, disabled people, neurodivergent people, LGBTQIA people, and people with intersectional identities.  Work must be original, unpublished, and follow our submission guidelines. All accepted submissions will be published online.

Nonfiction

Portland Review accepts book review submissions from September through April via Submittable.
We are looking for thoughtful, engaging book reviews between 1000-1750 words. Reviews should be for forthcoming or recently published works, within the last two years of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, including anthologies, graphic novels, or hybrid works. While we may accept reviews of popular books or authors, we are especially interested in small press and indie titles. 
A strong submission will go beyond a mere book summary to show a writer’s engagement not only with the book’s content, themes, and craft, but also with its meaning—aesthetically, politically, or intellectually. We celebrate rich language, thoughtful analysis, and investigation. As a literary journal, we are specifically seeking out creativity in craft rather than strictly academic analysis. Please see examples of reviews we have published previously. 

  Please submit completed reviews, rather than pitches. We will respond within 3-6 months. 
  Please do not send simultaneous submissions.
  Please disclose any relationship you have to the author of the book you’re reviewing if one exists.
  In your cover letter and at the top of your review, please list the book title, author’s name, press name, publication date, and your name and email address.

Portland Review

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