Literary Journal

Chicago Review of Books

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About the magazine

The Chicago Review of Books is an online literary publication founded in 2015 as an independent subsidiary of the Chicago Review of Books, Inc. Its founding ethos emerged from a desire to provide a dedicated, thoughtful critical forum for books and authors often overlooked by mainstream review outlets, with a particular emphasis on Chicago's vibrant literary community and national small-press publishing. The magazine publishes reviews, interviews, and essays that prioritize rigorous, accessible criticism over promotional coverage, aiming to foster a conversation about contemporary literature that is both intellectually serious and welcoming to a broad readership.

Editorial focus

The Chicago Review of Books is dedicated to making the literary conversation more inclusive. It publishes reviews, interviews, essays, and features.

Creative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentCash

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should familiarize themselves with the magazine's review style and coverage areas before pitching. Pitches should be concise, include a clear argument for why the book merits attention, and demonstrate awareness of the publication's preference for under-reviewed titles. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but writers should note that response times can vary; a polite follow-up after several weeks is appropriate. The editors value criticism that balances critical rigor with genuine enthusiasm, avoiding both snark and hollow praise.

The CHIRB is always interested in hearing from potential contributors. If you’re interested in pitching a review, interview, feature, or essay, please send us an email at [email protected] . Be sure to include a short bio and clips of recent work if you have them. Read the submission guidelines for more information.

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Submission calls

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