Chestnut Review operates an open chapbook reading period twice yearly, from March 1 to April 30 and September 1 to October 31. This call falls within the autumn window, with a deadline of November 1, 2026. The press aims to select four manuscripts from the queue regardless of genre, though it reserves the right to publish more or fewer based on the quality of submissions received. Manuscripts undergo a multi-stage reading process involving the journal's readers and editors, who ultimately select chapbooks for publication. Selected works are published and promoted in tandem with Chestnut Review's quarterly issues, placing them within a sustained literary conversation rather than as isolated releases. The scope is deliberately genre-agnostic: chapbooks may be poetry, prose, or hybrid, with length parameters of 15–25 pages for poetry and 15–30 pages for prose. Submitters are asked to select the genre that aligns most closely with their manuscript. The journal maintains a clear material constraint—no images or other media—and specifies formatting preferences: Times New Roman, 12-point font, single-spaced for poetry and double-spaced for prose, with each piece beginning on a new page. These guidelines reflect a curatorial emphasis on textual clarity and structural coherence, allowing the work itself to remain the focus. There is no submission fee, a detail that aligns with Chestnut Review's apparent commitment to accessibility. The reading process is described as multi-stage, involving both readers and editors, which suggests a collaborative vetting that weighs both individual pieces and the manuscript's overall arc. The stated goal of selecting four manuscripts is not a quota but a benchmark, indicating that the editors prioritize quality over quantity. For creative practitioners, this opportunity represents a chance to place a focused body of work with a journal that integrates chapbooks into its broader editorial rhythm.