Nashville Review publishes the best in literary fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and comics. Both distinguished and emerging writers are encouraged to submit. Nashville Review also publishes lyrics and audio by up-and-coming musicians.

Fiction, nonfiction, and comics contributors are offered a flat fee of $100. Poetry contributors are offered $25 per poem.

All submissions may be made through our online submissions manager. Nashville Review has three reading periods: January 1 – February 1, May 1 – June 1, and September 1 – October 1. Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction submitted outside of these reading periods cannot be considered. Comics and music may be submitted at any time.

All submissions must be previously unpublished (in print or electronic form).

Fiction Guidelines

We welcome flash fiction, short stories, and novel excerpts of up to 8,000 words. No genre or children’s fiction. Please submit only once per reading period.

Poetry Guidelines

Up to five poems may be submitted at a time.

Nonfiction Guidelines

Creative nonfiction only, please. Anything up to 8,000 words.

Comics Guidelines

We’re seeking literary comics—comics that are more than simply funny or gory. Think Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, Chris Ware’s Jimmy Corrigan, Maira Kalman’s The Principles of Uncertainty, Lynda Barry’s One Hundred Demons, Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese, anything by Nilsen or Moebius or Tomine or Tezuka. We’d love to see anything from one-page comics to excerpts from graphic novels.

Music Guidelines

We prefer exclusive tracks: live recordings, studio versions, unreleased songs, remixes, and so on. But we’re happy to consider anything.

Oral Storytelling Guidelines

Oral storytelling submitted through our submissions manager must be in audio formats. To submit in video formats, please email the Editor at thenashvillereview@gmail.com.

Oral Poetry Guidelines

Oral poetry submitted through our submissions manager must be in audio formats. To submit in video formats, please email the Editor at thenashvillereview@gmail.com.

Film, Drama, Dance, And So On

Filmmakers interested in submitting a film should contact the Editor at thenashvillereview@gmail.com. We’re also happy to consider video recordings of original plays and dances. Paintings, drawings, and photography may be submitted for cover art as attachments to the Editor.