Potomac Review, based in Rockville, Maryland, is a peer-reviewed literary magazine with a global audience.

Rooted in the nation’s capital’s suburbs, Potomac Review is the antidote to the scripted republic that surrounds it. By taking on D.C.’s values of international inclusion, Potomac Review looks out into the world from its lush Potomac River basin, collecting and absorbing the world’s literary diversity. Potomac Review seeks literature from emerging as well as established writers around the globe to facilitate in the literary conversation.


Basically what it says in the title. Our top most bookmarked fee-free lit mags that nominate for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize (and Don’t Charge Fees)

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

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

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

Potomac Review

For our spring 2026 issue, we are especially interested in work that (however broadly) addresses the theme of "Water".
There are no specific word limits for nonfiction submissions, though like everyone else, we are constrained by page counts, and the longer a piece of work, the more difficult it is to find room for it. However, we've never not been able to publish something we love.   Please note that we do not publish academic essays; we're interested solely in creative nonfiction.   We only ask that you send one submission at a time (no multiple submissions), and that you withdraw your submission if it has been accepted elsewhere.  .
Thank you! We look forward to reading your work.

Nonfiction: Special Themed Issue (Water)

For our spring 2026 issue, we are especially interested in reading work that addresses (however broadly) the theme of water.
While we don't have specific word limits for fiction submissions, we are, like everyone else, constrained by final page counts. The longer the work, the more difficult it is to find room for it; on the other hand, we've never turned down something we loved. We only ask that you withdraw your submission if it has been accepted elsewhere. And please, only send us one submission at a time. Thank you.

Fiction: special themed issue (Water)

For our spring 2027 issue, we are especially interested in poetry that addresses (however broadly) the theme of water.
Please send us up to five poems per poetry submission.     If any of your poems have been accepted elsewhere, please leave a note in your submission specifying which were selected for publication, and we'll consider the remaining poems.
Thank you. We look forward to reading your work.

Potomac Review

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Nonfiction: Special Themed Issue (Water)

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