Literary Journal

Hellbender Magazine

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About the magazine

Hellbender Magazine is an independent literary and arts publication founded in 2020 by a collective of writers and artists based in the Appalachian region. Taking its name from the elusive hellbender salamander, the magazine is dedicated to work that is deeply rooted in place yet formally adventurous, often featuring writing and visual art that explores the intersections of ecology, identity, and rural experience. The magazine publishes two issues per year, alongside a regular online supplement, and has gained a reputation for its carefully curated, genre-defying content. Its mission is to provide a platform for voices that are underrepresented in mainstream literary culture, with a particular emphasis on Appalachian and Southern artists, while also welcoming submissions from anywhere that share its sensibilities.

Editorial focus

Hellbender Magazine —formerly Cheat River Review —is a home for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art that isn’t afraid to share its unique perspective and tone of resilience with the world. They are a hardworking team of volunteer grad students in the MFA, MA, and MA-PWE programs at West Virginia University. They publish online issues biannually—in the spring and fall. The theme for their Spring 2024 issue is “metamorphosis,” which can be interpreted broadly.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJul 1 to Sep 15

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsNo

Hellbender Magazine accepts submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art. They are particularly interested in work that demonstrates a strong sense of place, ecological awareness, and formal experimentation. Before submitting, read at least one recent issue to understand the magazine's aesthetic. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify them immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. They charge a small reading fee for print submissions, but online submissions are free. Response times vary, but typically range from 4-8 weeks. Include a brief cover letter with your submission, and for visual art, provide a link to your portfolio or attach low-resolution images.

We are looking for work that is daring and transformative, as well as work produced by emerging writers and artists.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

1 listed

ClosedDeadline · 2026-09-15