a free access online poetry journal publishing great

River Heron Review has been established to support the arts through the sharing of poetry in our free-access online journal, at readings, workshops, and by making public the transformative power of poetic expression.

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

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

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

These magazines have the fastest response times, so you won't be left hanging for months. No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting.

Literary Magazines with the Fastest Response Times

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

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most competitive poetry literary magazines. These legendary publications are where only the best poetry gets through.

Most Competitive Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most popular poetry literary magazines. These outlets have maintained a significant presence in the world of poetry.

Most Popular Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most submitted-to poetry literary magazines. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the most submitted-to poetry literary magazines this year. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines This Year

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

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

River Heron Review

General call

Poets may submit up to 3 poems, 5 pages maximum.

River Heron Poetry Prize

CONTEST GUIDELINES

  Name or initials should not appear on any part of the poetry submission. Submissions will be assigned an auto-generated number by Submittable. Submissions not adhering to this guideline will be declined.
  Judging will be done by the editors of River Heron Review, Robbin Farr and Dawn Terpstra.
  Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Let us know immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere by sending us a note through the “Messages” section of Submittable.
  Poets should refrain from entering the contest if their relationship with either judge constitutes a conflict of interest. This includes close personal friends and current RHR associates. Please see our statement at the bottom of this listing regarding the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) Contests Code of Ethics. Any questions may be directed to editors@riverheronreview.com
  There is a $15 submission fee. Multiple submissions require an additional form and fee. 
  Poets may submit up to 3 poems. Previously published poems are not eligible. Entries must not have been previously chosen as winners, finalists, or honorable mentions in other contests.
  The winning poem and four finalists’ poems will be announced in January 2026. The selected poems will be published on February 1, 2026.
  All submissions through Submittable.

Originality and Contest Integrity
By entering a River Heron poetry contest, all participants affirm that each submitted work is their own original creation, not previously published and not generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence tools or copied from another source.
River Heron Review reserves the right to disqualify any entry, rescind recognition, or remove a winning piece from publication at any time if it is determined that the submission violates these terms. This right extends beyond the close of the contest and includes the ability to revoke awards if questions of originality or authorship cannot be satisfactorily resolved.
We may request verification of authorship when necessary. Entrants who cannot provide satisfactory proof may have their submissions disqualified without refund.

Council of Literary Magazines and Presses Contests Code of Ethics

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.

River Heron Review is not funded by any university, college, or organization. We do not receive any grants.

River Heron Editors' Prize

Guidelines

  Submit up to three poems in one document.
  It is our practice to read all submissions without seeing the name of the contributor. We ask that submissions remain anonymous so that we may make our selections based on the quality of the writing. Names or initials are not to appear on any part of the poetry submission.
  Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere by sending us a note through the “Messages” section of Submittable. 
  Previously published work is not accepted. Unpublished work means work that has not appeared in any form of print or digital media, including personal and public blogs.
  If your work has been accepted to River Heron Review, please skip one general issue (does not include contest issues) before submitting again.
  RHR assumes First Electronic/Online Rights including the right to archive.
  Please credit River Heron Review should your poem be published again elsewhere.
  Submissions not adhering to our guidelines will not be considered for publication. 

Originality and Editorial Discretion By submitting work to River Heron Review, all authors affirm that their submission is original, created solely by the submitting author, and has not been generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence tools or platforms. Plagiarized, previously published (unless explicitly allowed), or non-original content will be disqualified.

River Heron Review

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River Heron Editors' Prize

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