The Fourth River logo
OpenSep 17

The Fourth River

Literary Magazine

Art

Poetry

Nonfiction

Fiction

57
0

The Fourth River is the literary journal of Chatham University’s MFA Program. We welcome submissions of creative writing that explore the relationship between humans and their environments, both natural and built, urban, rural or wild.

Highlights

  • Vibe:Send us your best but less intimidating
  • Response time:  / 
    131 days*
    Chill Subs tracker stats
  • Acceptance rate:  / 
    9.09%*
    Chill Subs tracker stats

PaysNo

FeeNo

  • Accepts simultaneous submissions

    What's that?

    When you can submit your work to multiple magazines at the same time

  • Accepts previously published

    What's that?

    When the magazine wants to publish your previously published work. Requirements vary

  • Nominates for prizes

  • Active on social media

  • Available in print

  • Provides contributor copies

    From the editors

    yes

  • Has examples online

  • Offers expedited response

    What's that?

    Expedited submission: When the magazine offers a faster response time for an extra fee

Art

Max pieces: 3

Submission fee: $

1-3 pieces of visual art that grapple with your specific (hyper)locality. How is your place unlike any other place? Show it off. Show us around. Cast it in vivid, complex, human relief.

Poetry

Max pieces: 5

Submission fee: $

3-5 poems

Nonfiction - 4000 words max

Max words: 4000

Submission fee: $

Fiction - 4000 words max

Max words: 4000

Submission fee: $

How to submit

  • Processs

    Submittable

  • Cover letter

    No cover letter advice

  • Eligibility

    No specific eligibility requirements

  • Formatting

    We don't have formatting requirements for this magazine

  • Author's rights

    We don't have rights information for this magazine

  • Additional info

    Copies. Contributors to our print issues will be offered one copy of the issue in which their work appears. Digital contributors will be offered either one back issue or a copy of the upcoming print issue. We welcome especially work by writers who are part of marginalized groups: immigrant and indigenous writers; writers of color; women, non-binary, LGBQA and trans writers; writers with disabilities both visible and invisible. Send us your best work! There is a $2 submission fee for our issues, however we will announce FREE submission days occasionally over social media.

Tracker statistics

54

Total submissions tracked

131 days

Average response time

9.09%

Average acceptance rate

68 days

Fastest response time

181 days

Slowest response time

*Weird response times we excluded from calculations: 535 days, 535 days

Сhill Subs is able to provide internal statistics because you use our tracker! You're the best!

person with a laptop

Submission calls

    General

    Open

    Deadline: Sep 17, 2025

About

Founded

Country

US

www.thefourthriver.com

Masthead

    Editor Sheila Squillante avatar

    Sheila Squillante

    Editor-in-Chief

    Editor Lauren Hunter avatar

    Lauren Hunter

    Managing Editor