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Literary Journal

Yalobusha Review

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About the magazine

Founded in 1995 at the University of Mississippi, Yalobusha Review is a literary journal with a distinct editorial sensibility that balances a deep respect for the literary tradition with a commitment to publishing work that feels urgent and alive. The journal has long been a space where emerging and established writers converge, and its pages reflect a curatorial ethos that prizes precision, emotional resonance, and formal risk over mere novelty. Over the decades, it has maintained a steady presence in the literary landscape, not through flashy gestures but through a quiet, persistent dedication to the craft of writing. As a student-run publication affiliated with the university’s MFA program, Yalobusha Review operates at the intersection of academic rigor and independent literary spirit. Its mission is to provide a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard, while also inviting contributions from writers whose work has already garnered national attention. The journal’s aesthetic is difficult to pin down—it resists easy categorization—but readers can expect to encounter poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that is carefully wrought, emotionally honest, and unafraid of complexity.

Editorial focus

Yalobusha Review is a journal of new writing, founded in 1995 and operated by the graduate writing program at the University of Mississippi.

PoetryFiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeNo
PaymentNo payment
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should approach Yalobusha Review with a clear sense of its aesthetic: work that is polished, resonant, and willing to take risks. Before submitting, read at least one recent issue to understand the range of voices the journal publishes. Poetry submissions are typically open during specific reading periods, so check the website for current guidelines. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify the editors promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter that situates your work without over-explaining it. The editors appreciate concision and professionalism. Response times can vary, so patience is advised. Above all, trust that the journal’s editors are looking for writing that moves them—not writing that merely fits a mold.

We seek to showcase work that alters or subverts mainstream forms of expression–work that is, in a broad sense, experimental, though that takes many forms. We believe the reading experience should be a kinetic one, and to that end, we favor art that has its own source of energy, drawn from tonal individuality, linguistic texture, and above all, a sense of exploration. We accept simultaneous submissions. Please familiarize yourself with our aesthetic before submitting.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

3 listed
OpenDeadline · 2026-11-21

Yalobusha Review — Tip Jar: Poetry

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OpenDeadline · 2026-11-21

Yalobusha Review: Poetry Submissions

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