University of Utah literary magazine featuring contemporary writing and critical essays.

Western Humanities Review is a triannual journal of contemporary literature & culture housed in the University of Utah English Department. The journal publishes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art, creative and scholarly essays, and work that resists categorization.

The journal was founded in 1947 and has since published a variety of work from emerging and established writers. Work first published in WHR has been reprinted or cited in O. Henry Prize Stories, Best American Short Stories, Best American Essays, Best American Poetry, Pushcart Prizes: Best of the Small Presses, and featured on Poetry Daily.

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

Specialized publications that recognize exceptional brief fiction through Pushcart nominations.

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

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

Western Humanities Review

Poetry submissions should include a cover letter and up to five poems combined into a single document. 
Your document title should read: "Last Name_First Name_Poetry Submission".

Poetry (General Consideration)

Guidelines:
Reviews are published on our website.  
500-800 words
Books must be forthcoming or published in the last 6-12 months.
We are especially interested in reviews of books from small press publishers.
To read previously published reviews, please see our website's Reviews page.

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Reviews

Please submit 6-8 images in a single .zip file and include a brief bio in your cover letter.
We accept only originals or high-quality copies or scans. No slides. Each piece must be saved as a separate .JPEG file no larger than 6 x 9 inches and at a resolution of 600 dpi for line art and 300 dpi for all others. 
If your piece is chosen for the cover, you may be contacted for a larger file.  Submissions which do not adhere to the above guidelines will not be considered. Please query with questions or for alternate submission method.

Artwork

Submit only one essay or story, or several shorter pieces (do not exceed 25 pages). Any multiple prose pieces should be combined into a single document. 
Submissions should include a cover letter (space provided in the online submission form). 
The title of the document file should read "Last Name_First Name_Prose Submission".

Prose (General Consideration)

Prose Contest Judge: Kiik Araki-Kawaguchi
GUIDELINES:
This is a regional contest: Writers must be living in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming at the time of the competition, and material submitted must be previously unpublished.
Prose submissions, either fiction or nonfiction, should not exceed 25 pages (double-spaced) in length.
Multiple submissions are welcome.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome so long as you immediately withdraw your submission if it is accepted elsewhere.
Previous winners of the competition may not re-enter in the category for which they won.
All entrants will receive a copy of the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue.
Winners will receive $500 and publication in the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue; Runners-up will receive publication in the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue.
Submissions must be received by 11:59pm, Mountain Time, April 15th, 2026*
SUBMIT:
Upload one file only.
Enter your contact information in the cover letter section provided in the Submittable submission form.
Remove all personal contact information from the manuscript. As all manuscripts are blind-reads by the judges, we will use Submittable to track your contact information.
There is a $10 entry fee.
Please email us at managingeditor.whr@gmail.com with any questions
*Deadline extended

This is a regional contest: Writers must be living in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming at the time of the competition, and material submitted must be previously unpublished.

Mountain West Writer's Contest Prose

Poetry Contest Judge: Catherine Barnett
GUIDELINES:
This is a regional contest: Writers must be living in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming at the time of the competition, and material submitted must be previously unpublished.
Poetry submissions should not exceed 10 pages or 5 poems.
Multiple submissions are welcome.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome so long as you immediately withdraw your submission if it is accepted elsewhere.
Previous winners of the competition may not re-enter in the category for which they won.
All entrant will receive a copy of the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue.
Winners will receive $500 and publication in the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue; Runners-up will receive publication in the Fall/Winter 2026/2027 issue.
Submissions must be received by 11:59pm, Mountain Time, April 15th, 2026*.
SUBMIT:
Upload one file.
Enter your contact information in the cover letter section provided in the Submittable submission form.
Remove all personal contact information from the manuscript. As all manuscripts are blind-reads by the judges, we will use Submittable to track your contact information.
There is a $10 entry fee.
Please email us at managingeditor.whr@gmail.com with any questions
*Deadline extended

Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming at the time of the competition, and material submitted must be previously unpublished.

Western Humanities Review

Highlights

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Featured Call

Poetry (General Consideration)

Appears in collections