StoryQuarterly has long served as a vital venue for serious literary fiction, and its general reading period remains a central pathway for writers seeking publication in a nationally distributed journal. Issue 59 will be assembled from submissions received between August 22 and November 22, 2026, with accepted work appearing in the spring/summer 2027 release. The magazine's editorial scope is deliberately broad within the realm of literary fiction, yet it maintains a consistent standard: prose that is crafted, urgent, and fully realized. There is no theme or constraint beyond the usual expectations of the form, which places the burden of distinction squarely on the writing itself. The submission guidelines are precise and non-negotiable. Manuscripts must be previously unpublished, double-spaced, and no longer than approximately 6,250 words. Novel excerpts are welcome only if they function as stand-alone pieces, a requirement that demands structural self-sufficiency rather than reliance on surrounding chapters. The journal accepts one piece per reading period; additional submissions will go unread. A reading fee of $5.00 (USD) applies. These parameters are not arbitrary—they reflect the practical realities of a small, attentive editorial team managing a high volume of submissions. What the journal offers is publication in a respected fiction annual, with the editorial care that comes from a committed staff. There is no cash prize attached to this call, and the reward is the work itself: placement in a journal that has, over decades, published writers at pivotal moments in their careers. The curatorial vision is one of discernment without orthodoxy—StoryQuarterly does not chase trends, but it does seek fiction that earns its place on the page.