Southwestern American Literature is a biannual scholarly journal that includes literary criticism, fiction, poetry, and book reviews concerning the Greater Southwest. Since its inception in 1971, the journal has published premier works by and about some of the most significant writers in the region.

  In fiction, Southwestern American Literature looks for crisp language and an interesting approach to material; submissions must deal with the Southwest.  Please send only one story at a time and wait for a response before submitting new work. Do not submit a PDF. Word documents only. 

  We seek stories that probe the relationship between the tradition of Southwestern American Literature and the writer's own imagination in creative ways — stories that move beyond stereotype. Submissions should generally be 25 pages or less (6,000 words or less). We allow simultaneous submissions as long as we're notified immediately upon acceptance. 

  Manuscripts are read year-round. Recently published stories have later appeared in Best of the West and have received Pushcart Prize nominations. The journal demands high quality in submitted work, and we strongly suggest reading previous issues for a clear idea of what types of pieces we tend to accept.


Generally speaking, we seek material covering the Greater Southwest. We publish only work dealing with the region, and we prefer poetry that sheds new light on what the Southwest is about. Submissions should generally be no more than five poems at a time, and no poems over 100 lines in length. Do not submit a PDF. Please only send us your work as a word document.
Simultaneous submissions are okay as long as you notify us immediately upon acceptance of your work elsewhere. Manuscripts are read year-round.  Recently published poems have later appeared in collections that have won the National Poetry Series and the PEN/Open Book Award. The journal demands high quality in submitted work, and we strongly suggest reading previous issues for a clear idea of what types of pieces we tend to accept.

Southwestern American Literature publishes nonfiction about the region's writers, works, and issues in the form of critical articles and personal essays. We strongly suggest reading previous issues for a clear idea of what types of pieces we tend to accept. Manuscripts should conform to current MLA style, including in-text citations, end notes, and include a Works Cited page listing all primary and secondary sources. Include a cover letter, bio, and list of publications with your submission. Simultaneous submissions are okay as long as you notify us immediately upon acceptance of your work elsewhere. Please send us your work only as a word document. Do not submit a PDF

Southwestern American Literature is also seeking quality photographs, paintings, and drawings.  We like pictures that capture the general southwest, the mystery and the wildness of it all.  This includes the people, the landscape, the buildings, the roads, and the wildlife.  Please send us your work (no more than eight pieces) and make sure they are all 300 DPI. 
Southwestern American Literature