Literary Journal

Midwest Noir

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Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listedMO

About the magazine

Midwest Noir is a literary journal founded to explore the darker, more complex corners of the American Midwest. Since its inception, it has provided a platform for writing that resists nostalgic or pastoral depictions of the region, instead foregrounding narratives of isolation, economic decline, and quiet desperation. The journal's ethos is rooted in a commitment to stark realism and psychological depth, drawing from the traditions of noir and gothic fiction while remaining distinctly contemporary. Its pages are open to both emerging and established voices, with a particular interest in work that captures the tension between the Midwest's mythic self-image and its lived realities.

Editorial focus

Midwest Noir wants the grit under fingernails and the mud between toes. They believe in the Objective Correlative. Do not tell them you are lonely; show them the single plate on the table. Give them concrete work that is blunt and unflinching. Midwest Noir is proudly based in Missouri, the twenty-fourth state. In honor of their roots, and to force their own editorial discipline, they limit their main run to twenty-four pieces for the entire year.

PoetryFiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeNo

PaymentNo payment

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should familiarize themselves with the journal's aesthetic by reading recent issues before submitting. Work that leans into sentimental or romanticized depictions of the Midwest is unlikely to find a home here; instead, the editors seek narratives that are unflinching, atmospheric, and psychologically nuanced. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but please notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter that situates your work within the journal's thematic concerns, and adhere strictly to the stated word limits and formatting guidelines. Response times can vary, so patience is advised.

Read official guidelines