The Iowa Review

Open now for fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and other work.

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The Iowa Review is a literary magazine accepting fiction, poetry, nonfiction, visual literature, reviews, and interviews during seasonal submission periods and an annual contest.

Submission calls

fictionLiteraryEligibility requirementsCloses Oct 2Fee-free for one manuscript during the submission periodPays: $0.08 per word, $100 minimum

Open to: Reserved for subscribers; submissions are checked against the subscriber list.

Subscriber-only fiction submissions are accepted August 1–October 1; subscribers may submit one fee-free manuscript during the submission period. The page limit is 25 double-spaced pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple stories.

fictionLiteraryCloses Oct 2Fee: $4.00Pays: $0.08 per word, $100 minimum

Fiction submissions are accepted August 1–October 1. The page limit is 25 double-spaced pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple stories. AI-assisted submissions are not accepted.

poetryLiteraryCloses Oct 2Fee: $4.00Pays: $1.50 per line, $100 minimum

Poetry submissions are accepted August 1–October 1. The page limit is 8 pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple poems. AI-assisted submissions are not accepted.

poetryLiteraryEligibility requirementsCloses Oct 2Fee-free for one manuscript during the submission periodPays: $1.50 per line, $100 minimum

Open to: Reserved for subscribers; submissions are checked against the subscriber list.

Subscriber-only poetry submissions are accepted August 1–October 1; subscribers may submit one fee-free manuscript during the submission period. The page limit is 8 pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple poems.

nonfictionLiteraryEligibility requirementsCloses Nov 2Fee-free for one manuscript during the submission periodPays: $0.08 per word, $100 minimum

Open to: Reserved for subscribers; submissions are checked against the subscriber list.

Subscriber-only nonfiction submissions are accepted August 1–November 1; subscribers may submit one fee-free manuscript during the submission period. The page limit is 25 double-spaced pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple essays.

nonfictionLiteraryCloses Nov 2Fee: $4.00Pays: $0.08 per word, $100 minimum

Nonfiction submissions are accepted August 1–November 1. The page limit is 25 double-spaced pages, and submissions may contain one or multiple essays. AI-assisted submissions are not accepted.

otherCloses Nov 2Pays: Reviews pay $0.08 per word; interviews pay $300 flat

Reviews and interviews are accepted during the submission period ending November 2, 2026. Reviews and interviews should be complete submissions rather than queries or pitches. Reviews and interviews should be 1,500–3,000 words.

fictionLiteraryOpens Jan 1, 2027

The annual fiction contest opens January 1 and closes January 31. Contest-specific fee and payment information is not stated on this page.

nonfictionLiteraryOpens Jan 1, 2027

The annual nonfiction contest opens January 1 and closes January 31. Contest-specific fee and payment information is not stated on this page.

poetryLiteraryOpens Jan 1, 2027

The annual poetry contest opens January 1 and closes January 31. Contest-specific fee and payment information is not stated on this page.

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