Yalobusha Review is a journal of new writing, founded in 1995 and operated by the graduate writing program at the University of Mississippi. We seek to showcase work that alters or subverts mainstream forms of expression—work that is, in a broad sense, experimental, though that takes many forms. We believe the reading experience should be a kinetic one, and to that end, we favor art that has its own source of energy, drawn from tonal individuality, linguistic texture, and above all, a sense of exploration.
YR accepts free submissions until we have reached capacity for the month. At that point, submitters may use our tip jar submissions or wait until the new month to submit for free.
Submissions may close during contests and summer months.
All submissions should include a cover letter (the shorter the better) with titles of submissions, a brief, press-ready biographical statement, and any relevant contact information. YR does not accept previously published pieces. Simultaneous submissions are not only permitted but expected; please notify us immediately if a piece is chosen for publication elsewhere. Response time can take up to five or six months.
Named in memoriam, the Barry Hannah Prize in Fiction celebrates writing that captures the surreal, absurd, and magical within the usual and everyday.
Submissions open: March 1-March 31, 2024
We are proud to announce that our 2024 judge is Michael Wang. His story collection, Further News of Defeat, won the 2021 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize and the 2022 Great Lakes Colleges Association's New Writers Award. It was also a finalist for the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses Firecracker Award. His debut novel, Lost in the Long March, came out in fall 2022 from Abrams: The Overlook Press. Wang’s fiction has appeared in The Southern Review, The New England Review, Greensboro Review, Juked, and many other journals. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the MFA program at the University of Mississippi.
Winner receives $500, publication and interview in YR:38
Theme: Radical Futurism
For this year’s contest, we seek experimental fiction — in both content and/or form — that propels beyond the obvious boundaries of the contest theme, stories that force readers to confront near or distant futures that are profound, peculiar, or just plain unexpected.
Guidelines
- Please submit fiction (1 full-length short story, or multiple flash fictions), totaling no more than 2500 words, through Submittable. We accept only previously unpublished work. Although first place is guaranteed for publication, all other entries will also be considered for general publication.
- Only one submission per contestant. Simultaneous submissions are permitted. Please notify us immediately if a piece is selected for publication elsewhere.
- Please do not include your name anywhere on the manuscript.
- Contest entries must be received by March 31.
- The contest fee is $8.
- General submissions will be closed during the contest period.
Eligibility
YR cannot consider work from anyone affiliated with the University of Mississippi or the prize judge.
Yalobusha Review seeks stories that resist outdated tropes and ideologies, rather than uphold them. Writers of color, women writers, and writers who identify as LGBTQIA+ are especially encouraged to submit. All submissions will be considered for general publication.
Yalobusha Review is excited to announce the 2024 Yellowwood Poetry Prize. This year’s judge is Jake Skeets. The winner of the Yellowwood Poetry Prize receives $500 and publication in Yalobusha Review. The contest is open March 1st through March 31st.
GUIDELINES
- Please submit up to 3 poems, totaling no more than 5 pages, through Submittable. We accept only previously unpublished work. All entries will be considered for general publication.
- Only one submission per contestant. Simultaneous submissions are permitted. Please notify us immediately if a piece is selected for publication elsewhere.
- Please do not include your name anywhere on the manuscript.
- Contest entries must be received by March 31.
- The contest fee is $8.
- General submissions will be closed during the contest period.
ELIGIBILITY
YR cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with the University of Mississippi or the prize judge, Jake Skeets. This includes those who have studied or taught at the University of Mississippi.
FINAL JUDGE
Jake Skeets (he/him) is the author ofEyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers, winner of the National Poetry Series, American Book Award, Kate Tufts Discovery Award, and Whiting Award. His poetry and prose have appeared widely in journals and magazines such asPoetry,The New York Times Magazine, andThe Paris Review. He holds an M.F.A. in Poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts. His honors include a National Endowment for the Arts Grant for Arts Projects, a Mellon Projecting All Voices Fellowship, and the 2023-2024 Grisham Writer in Residence at the University of Mississippi. He is from the Navajo Nation and teaches at the University of Oklahoma.
Because we are a volunteer-run publication, tip jar submissions help us to host readings and events, attends conferences like AWP, buy thank-you gifts for our staff readers, and keep a steady flow of coffee in the hands of the editors.
Please submit one essay (up to 4000 words) or up to 3 micro essays (less than 1000 words apiece). If submitting 3 shorter works, please include all pieces in one file.
Please submit in standard manuscript format (12-point font, double spaced, Times New Roman)
Simultaneous submissions are encouraged, but please let us know if a piece is accepted elsewhere by manually withdrawing your submission. If a flash piece needs to be withdrawn, please notify us via the notes tool on Submittable. Submit in .docx, .doc, or .pdf format.
Please wait thirty days after response before submitting again.
Please wait at least 120 days to query the status of your manuscript. Questions and queries may be sent to yreditors@gmail.com.
We welcome previously unpublished work from writers of all backgrounds and identities, particularly including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, members of religious minorities, people outside the United States, and all others whom traditional publishing has historically excluded.
Please submit one essay (up to 4000 words) or up to 3 micro essays (less than 1000 words apiece). If submitting 3 shorter works, please include all pieces in one file.
Please submit in standard manuscript format (12-point font, double spaced, Times New Roman)
Simultaneous submissions are encouraged, but please let us know if a piece is accepted elsewhere by manually withdrawing your submission. If a flash piece needs to be withdrawn, please notify us via the notes tool on Submittable. Submit in .docx, .doc, or .pdf format.
Please wait thirty days after response before submitting again.
Please wait at least 120 days to query the status of your manuscript. Questions and queries may be sent to yreditors@gmail.com.
We welcome previously unpublished work from writers of all backgrounds and identities, particularly including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, members of religious minorities, people outside the United States, and all others whom traditional publishing has historically excluded.