Iron Horse

Themed Issue submissions should center on weather, landscapes, the environment, humans in the wild, humans gone wild, or anything untamed. The 2025 schedule was October 15–November 15; the page does not state the current year's theme or dates.

Themed Issue submissions should center on weather, landscapes, the environment, humans in the wild, humans gone wild, or anything untamed. The 2025 schedule was October 15–November 15; the page does not state the current year's theme or dates.

Themed Issue submissions should center on weather, landscapes, the environment, humans in the wild, humans gone wild, or anything untamed. The 2025 schedule was October 15–November 15; the page does not state the current year's theme or dates.

The Open Issue accepts fiction on any topic. Prose writers may send one manuscript of 5,000 words or less. The schedule is February 1–March 15.

The Open Issue accepts nonfiction on any topic. Prose writers may send one manuscript of 5,000 words or less. The schedule is February 1–March 15.

Chapbook submissions rotate by genre; 2027 is for prose collections of 40–56 pages, double-spaced. Submissions are accepted January through March; the schedule specifies January 15–March 15. Entry fee: $18, including a year's subscription. Winner receives $1,000 and 15 copies.

The Open Issue accepts poetry on any topic; poets should send 3–5 poems. The schedule is February 1–March 15.

The IHLR Book Prize accepts a first prose manuscript, preferably 150–250 pages, including story or essay collections, linked essays, story cycles, flash nonfiction or fiction, or one novella with other stories. Submit every summer; the schedule is June 15–August 15. Winner receives $1,000 and publication with Texas Tech University Press.

PhotoFinish accepts flash prose of less than 500 words and short poems of up to 15 lines in response to its online photo prompt, posted every May. Submit July 1–August 30; the winner receives $250 and nine finalists receive $75 each. Entry fee: $5.

The IHLR Long Story accepts prose longer than 17 pages, including stories and essays, for an electronic full-color e-single. Submit every fall; the schedule is August 15–October 1. Entry fee: $15, including a year's subscription. The winning manuscript receives $1,000.

NaPoMo accepts poetry for its April publication; submit every fall. The schedule is August 15–October 1. One poem wins $1,000, two runners-up receive $150 and $100, and other finalists receive $50. Reading fee: $15, including a subscription.