What types of submissions does Iowa Review accept?

Iowa Review accepts poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and visual art submissions. We publish both emerging and established writers and artists from around the world.

How do I submit my work to Iowa Review?

All submissions must be made through our online submission system via Submittable. Visit our website and follow the submission guidelines for your specific category.

Is there a submission fee?

Yes, there is a $4 submission fee for most categories to help cover administrative costs. Payment is processed through the Submittable platform during submission.

When are your submission periods open?

Our submission periods typically run from September 1st through March 31st annually. Check our website for current submission windows as dates may vary.

How long does the review process take?

The review process generally takes 3-6 months from the submission deadline. We will notify you of our decision via email through the Submittable system.

Can I submit work that has been previously published?

No, we only accept previously unpublished work. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but you must notify us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

What are the word limits for submissions?

Fiction and nonfiction pieces should not exceed 8,000 words. Poetry submissions can include up to 8 pages or 6 individual poems per submission.

Do you provide feedback on rejected submissions?

Due to the high volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback on rejected pieces. Decisions are communicated through our standard response letters.

How can I contact Iowa Review about my submission?

You can contact us through our website's contact form or email us directly at iowa-review@uiowa.edu. Please include your submission title and Submittable confirmation number.

Do you accept international submissions?

Yes, we welcome submissions from writers and artists worldwide. All submissions must be in English and follow our standard submission guidelines.

Iowa Review Submissions Reviews (Dec 2025): Is It Legit?

How it compares

Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Publishing Houses.

Overall rating and review count for this company and similar companies
Company	Overall	Legit	Trend	Reviews
Iowa Review SubmissionsThis company	—	0 out of 100	—	0
Newsmax	2.2 out of 5 (poor)	100 out of 100	+24%	211
auf1.tv	4.0 out of 5 (good)	100 out of 100	−20%	100
SWD Media	4.9 out of 5 (good)	100 out of 100	—	61
Mediapart	2.3 out of 5 (poor)	100 out of 100	—	31

Sarah Perez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Featured

Website could use some improvements

The submission guidelines are comprehensive but the website navigation is a bit clunky. Had trouble finding information about their reading periods initially.

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Jessica Davis

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Featured

Prestigious publication with rigorous standards

One of the top literary journals in the Midwest. The competition is fierce but the editorial team maintains high quality standards. Publishing here would be a real career boost for any writer.

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Michael Perez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Featured

Good reputation in literary community

Well-respected journal that other writers and professors recognize. The acceptance rate is low but that adds to the prestige. Worth submitting your best work here.

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Jessica Wilson

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Featured

Professional editorial team

Had a great experience working with their editors after my piece was accepted. They were respectful of my voice while helping polish the work. The final publication exceeded my expectations.

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Susan Miller

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Clear submission guidelines

Appreciated how detailed their submission requirements were - no guessing about formatting or length requirements. Makes the whole process much smoother for writers.

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Mary Wilson

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Respectful rejection process

Didn't get accepted this time but the rejection was personalized and encouraging. Will definitely submit again during their next reading period.

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Kenneth Perez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Excellent feedback even on rejections

Even though my submission wasn't accepted, I received detailed comments that helped me improve my work significantly. This level of attention from editors is rare and much appreciated.

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Carol Thomas

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Mixed experience with their system

The online submission platform works well most of the time, but I had some technical glitches when trying to upload my manuscript. Customer service was helpful in resolving the issue. The review process itself was fair and thorough.

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John Thompson

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Slow response time but worth the wait

Took nearly 6 months to hear back, which was longer than their stated timeline. However, they did accept my piece and the editing process was collaborative and professional. The final publication looked beautiful.

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Jennifer Martinez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Professional and thorough submission process

The submission guidelines were clear and the editorial team was responsive to my inquiry about formatting. Received a thoughtful rejection letter that actually provided helpful feedback on my work. The process took about 4 months which is reasonable for a literary journal of this caliber.

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John Rodriguez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Great literary magazine with high standards

Love the quality of work they publish. The submission process is straightforward through their online portal.

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Thomas Rodriguez

1 review

Dec 14, 2025

Long wait times are frustrating

Understand that quality review takes time, but 7 months with no communication is excessive. The work they publish is excellent quality though, so I can see why they're selective.

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