Literary Journal

The Missouri Review

Closes in 10 days

Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listed

About the magazine

Founded in 1978 at the University of Missouri, The Missouri Review is a literary journal that has long balanced a commitment to traditional craft with an openness to formal experimentation. Its founding ethos centers on editorial discernment: each issue is curated to reflect a range of voices and styles, from established writers to emerging talents, without succumbing to passing trends. The journal publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations, and it is particularly known for its annual contests and the Peden Prize, which recognizes outstanding short fiction. Over four decades, it has maintained a reputation for rigorous editing and a belief that literature should challenge as well as delight.

Editorial focus

Founded in 1978, the Missouri Review has earned a reputation for finding and publishing the very best writers first. Each issue contains new fiction, poetry, and essays, along with author interviews, art, and found-text features such as never-before-published works by William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, and Katherine Anne Porter.

PoetryFictionCreative NonfictionTranslation

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeYes

PaymentCash

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should submit work that demonstrates a mastery of craft and a distinctive voice, as the journal prioritizes quality over thematic fit. Before submitting, read several recent issues to understand the range of work published; the journal values both traditional and experimental forms but insists on precision and emotional resonance. Follow the guidelines on the website carefully: simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify promptly if work is taken elsewhere. Contests offer a way to gain attention, but standard submissions are equally considered. Expect a response time of several months, and avoid querying before the stated period.

Our annual contest is the Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize, where the editors award $5,000 and publication to the winners in each of three categories (poetry, fiction, and nonfiction) for a group of poems, a short story, and an essay.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

1 listed

OpenDeadline · 2026-10-15