The goal of the Stonecoast Review literary journal is to publish innovative and deeply resonant literature that embodies our core values of justice, awareness, and exploration. The Stonecoast Review is edited by students and alumni from the University of Southern Maine.

Stonecoast Review is a Pushcart Prize-winning literary magazine aiming to publish innovative and deeply resonant literature that embodies our core values of justice, awareness, and exploration. We seek work from both emerging and established writers. Just like the Stonecoast program, we promote work that runs the gamut from poetry to genre fiction, including everything in-between. We pride ourselves on placing the work of writers from all backgrounds, genres, and styles, onto the same stage. Stonecoast Review is edited by students and alumni from Stonecoast’s low-residency MFA Program in Creative Writing through the University of Southern Maine.

Story-focused publications with works chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Less than 5% of nominated fiction typically makes the anthology.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Publications with pieces chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Recognition of exceptional quality across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Lit Mags Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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

Essay-focused publications with works selected for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have repeatedly identified nonfiction that resonates with Pushcart editors and readers.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Verse-centered publications with poems chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have consistently identified poems that stand out in this intensely competitive field.

Poetry Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Stonecoast Review

Submissions are now open for the Winter 2027 Issue (#26).
Final deadline is  11:59 p.m. on September 30th 2026.
We support the Stonecoast community's goal to promote inclusivity, equity, and social justice through writing.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE SUBMITTING
Genres Accepted: We solicit fiction, popular (genre) fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, dramatic works, experimental literature, and visual art. We can’t wait to see your best pieces!
Issue Format: Beginning with Issue 21, released in June 2024, Stonecoast Review assumed the form of a print/online hybrid journal. The print form now consists of a 48-page chapbook, with art throughout, as well as a QR code that directs readers to more new content on StonecoastReview.org. As such, all pieces selected for publication will be featured online but, due to page limitations, only a select number of pieces will be able to be featured in the print Issue. Please see below for new guidelines regarding word count limitations for each type of publication.
Rights: Stonecoast Review acquires First Serial Rights and First Electronic Rights for all work published in the journal. Rights revert to the author upon publication. Contributors selected for print publication will receive a complimentary copy of the Issue in which their work appears.
Our staff: We are a volunteer group of Stonecoast MFA Program alumni and current students. Most of us have experience working on numerous Stonecoast Review issues or other literary journals. Any Stonecoast alumni and current students working on Issue #26 of Stonecoast Review are ineligible to submit.
Consider supporting us! We rely upon donations to cover advertising, website, and printing costs. To support Stonecoast Review, click on the "Donate" button found on our website.
Buy an issue: Visit "Where to Buy Stonecoast Review" here.
Send submissions via Submittable only.
Please include a short cover letter and bio (50- and 100-word max., respectively).
We accept one prose submission, one poetry submission (of up to three poems), or five pieces of visual art per author, per submission cycle. Submissions that do not abide by these rules will not be considered for publication.
Your work must be previously unpublished. (Stonecoast alumni may submit already published work for consideration as reprints.)
We encourage simultaneous submissions. However, please withdraw your submission immediately if it's accepted elsewhere. If you submit multiple poems and one is accepted at another publication, please attach a note on Submittable identifying which poem is no longer available.
Please adhere to standard manuscript format: Double spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman font. Poetry may be single spaced. (If you tell us that diverging from these rules is integral to your piece, we will consider it.)
Please do not include your name in your manuscript.
While we love to represent stories with raw, emotional truth, we ask that you refrain from submitting pieces featuring excessive sex, violence, assaults, or suicide. We also ask that you include trigger warnings when needed.
We will reject pieces determined to be written by the use of AI software.
As a reminder, all pieces selected for publication will be featured online in January 2027. Due to page constraints, only a few of these selected pieces will be featured in both the print and online Winter 2027 Issue. Please see below for word count limitations based on consideration for either Hybrid (Print + Online) or General (Online-only) publication formats.
Fiction. We are looking for stories that push the boundaries of traditional fiction with regard to form and content. Our team appreciates pieces that can be both current and timeless, and accessible yet elevated.
For consideration for Hybrid Publication: limit submissions to 2,500 words or fewer.
For consideration for Online-Only Publication: limit submissions to 5,000 words or fewer. One submission per author, per submission cycle.
Popular/Genre Fiction. We are looking for popular fiction of all genres and storytelling traditions.  We are looking for stories that say something new and break the mold.
For consideration for Hybrid Publication: limit submissions to 2,500 words or fewer.
For consideration for Online-Only Publication: limit submissions to 5,000 words or fewer. One submission per author, per submission cycle.
Creative Nonfiction. We are looking for a diverse array of Creative Nonfiction works that engage with readers and challenge the boundaries of conventional storytelling. We encourage experimentation with hybrid forms of essay and memoir and are particularly interested in works that are both socially-relevant and personal.
For consideration for Hybrid Publication: limit submissions to 2,500 words or fewer.
For consideration for Online-Only Publication: limit submissions to 5,000 words or fewer. One submission per author, per submission cycle.
Poetry. The staff values attentiveness to language, form, and craft.  We want poems that make us gasp and wonder and take us beyond ourselves. Send us your best work.
One submission per author, per submission cycle, of up to three poems.
Dramatic Works. We are seeking short dramatic works of all types. Plays, screenplays, and hybrid works including monologues, one-minute scripts, ten-minute scripts, and experimental works are all welcome. Excerpts from longer dramatic works are welcome if they stand on their own. Plays must be formatted according to these Dramatists Guild formatting standards. Likewise, screenplays must be formatted according to film industry standards, as outlined here.
For consideration for Hybrid Publication: limit submissions to 5 or fewer pages.
For consideration for Online-Only Publication: limit submissions to 12 or fewer pages. One submission per author, per submission cycle.
Visual Art. We seek visual images for the cover and selected inside pages. We welcome experimental and unusual art forms. We accept 2D digital images of photography, sculpture, painting, and mixed media. Please send high-res digital images (300 dpi or higher) in JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, or RAW file format.
Limit submissions to five pieces. One submission per author, per submission cycle, of up to five pieces.

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