Submitting to The McNeese Review
Submissions for Volume 64 of The McNeese Review are open June 1st – August 15th, 2026.
Please follow the guidelines for the relevant genre of your work and please submit no more than once per reading period (multiple submissions will not be read unless the editors have specifically requested that the writer submit again). Submit only original work. Let us know if your writing borrows from or quotes another writer.
We encourage simultaneous submissions; however, please use Submittable to withdraw your submission if it is accepted by another publication. If you need to withdraw a single poem or piece of flash fiction or nonfiction but wish to keep other pieces in your submission under consideration, please use the Note feature on Submittable.
No material published in The McNeese Review may be reprinted or reproduced, in whole or in part, without the permission of the authors. Writers retain all rights to their work. We ask that The McNeese Review be credited with first publication. All print contributors receive one contributor copy and a $50 honorarium. Contributors outside of the U.S. will receive an additional contributor copy in lieu of honorarium.
Visit our Submittable page to buy current and past issues or to submit your writing. There is a $3 charge for submitting to help offset production costs. We look forward to seeing your work!
What We’re Looking For
In all genres, we are particularly interested in seeing work from women, people of color, LGBTQ writers, non-binary writers, people with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups.
Fiction
We want to read your best writing. Our favorite stories are not didactic or moralizing; we want to hear how humans are living, not how they should live. While we do welcome genre elements, we lean towards voice, character, and theme-driven work. Please share a single story of up to 4,000 words, or up to three flash pieces of no more than 1,000 words each.
Poetry
We are interested in poems that engage imagery and sound in unexpected ways: work that braves the challenge of describing what seems indescribable, that explores the complexities of life that have no real answer with a bold, authentic voice.Share with us writing that leaves the reader with a revelation, a new way of experiencing the world, a feeling.Sendup to 3 poems (5 pages maximum),with each poem beginning on its own page.
Creative Nonfiction
We seek nonfiction that lingers with the reader long after the final word. We are most interested in short, potent experiences no longer than 1,000 words; however, if your piece is doing something new and experimental (or has been perfected to the point it simply can’t be a single word shorter), be sure it meets all other guidelines and send it our way. You may submit up to 3 pieces, with a combined maximum word count of 3,000 words.
Submission Formatting
Word documents (.doc or .docx) are required. If formatting issues are a concern, you may also submit it as a PDF (in addition to the Word document) for reference. Please title or name your document using the following format: LastName_FirstName_Title (Ex: Robins_Michael_IfYouLivedHere). Submissions that do not follow the guidelines above will not be read.
Articles on the Craft & Pedagogy of Creative Writing: August 15th Deadline
The McNeese Review is requesting scholarly articles that focus on the craft and/or pedagogy of creative writing. We encourage submissions on a wide range of topics, including:
CRAFT ANALYSIS: Deep dives into the artistic elements of storytelling, such as character development, plot construction, dialogue, and narrative voice. Explore how authors harness these elements to create impactful and resonant narratives. GENRE EXPLORATION: Investigations into the unique attributes and challenges of various genres, such as poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and hybrid forms. Consider how genre-specific craft techniques and pedagogical approaches can be employed effectively. TEACHING METHODOLOGIES: Discussions on innovative and effective methods for teaching creative writing. Share experiences, case studies, and best practices that engage and inspire students to develop their creative voices. CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES: Explorations of how cultural contexts influence creative writing, both in terms of content and style. Examine how diverse cultural backgrounds impact the craft and its teaching. DIGITAL AGE ADAPTATIONS: Analysis of how technological advancements have transformed the creative writing landscape. Investigate the integration of digital tools, online platforms, and multimedia elements into the writing process. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Deliberations on the ethical responsibilities of writers and writing instructors. Address issues such as representation, cultural appropriation, and the impact of creative work on society.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
We accept original articles (3,000 to 8,000 words) that have not been published previously, whether in print or online. Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please withdraw your submission upon acceptance elsewhere. Manuscripts should adhere to academic writing standards, with clear structure and appropriate citations, and follow a recognized academic style guide (MLA/Chicago). Please submit your manuscripts electronically to mreview@mcneese.edu by August 15th, 2026.
Contributors receive one contributor copy and a $50 honorarium. Contributors outside of the U.S. will receive two additional author copies in lieu of the honorarium. Submissions of scholarly articles is FREE.