The submissions window for the York Literary Review 2021 is now closed. Due to the small size of our editorial team and the overwhelming number of submissions we’ve received, we will not be able to respond to or provide feedback for everyone’s submissions. If you have submitted your work and have been successful, you can expect a response no earlier than the end of April.
We are extremely grateful for the amount of submissions we have received and would like to thank everyone who has submitted their writing!
The York Literary Review is an annually published anthology, distributed internationally by Valley Press, Yorkshire’s leading independent publisher. The anthology showcases the very best contemporary fiction, non-fiction and poetry, with a primary focus on showcasing the work of Northern talent. The anthology is edited, curated and designed by York St. John University’s postgraduate publishing students, as part of the innovative York Centre for Writing. Established in 2016, the York Literary Review has recently been revived with the aim to provide a platform for writing produced in the ever-changing landscape of the world. The 2021 edition will centre on the theme of time and memory, reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future – considering both where we have come from and where we will go.
Submissions Window 1st March – 26th March 2021
We are looking for contemporary and literary creative submissions in the form of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry that follow the theme of time and memory, as inspired by the idea of reflecting with optimism on this year of adaptation.
This could include, but is not limited to:
- The movement/ passage of time
- The changing nature of memories over time
- Experiences of particular spaces over a period of time
- Time travel
- Fond memories of times passed
- Forgotten time
- Clocks – both literally and figuratively
Submissions can be under consideration elsewhere, but if your piece is successful elsewhere, you must alert us. Submissions must be in English. Please submit via email to yorkliteraryreview@gmail.com.
Attach your submission to the email, in Word or PDF format only. Submissions can be made in multiple categories, but only one piece will appear in the anthology if you are chosen.
In the body of your email, please provide a title and tell us a bit about yourself! We would love to know about any previous publications, your interests and where you are from. Please indicate to us whether you would be happy for us to involve you in the launch event for a reading of your work.
Please see individual category guidelines below for further details:
Fiction
New fiction, including short stories or excerpts, should total no more than 3,000 words.
Non-Fiction & Essays
We welcome submissions of creative-nonfiction and essays on contemporary literature. Essays for this issue should be for a general, rather than academic readership, and of no more than 3,000 words.
Poetry
New poetry in any form. Please send no more than 3 poems. Max. 100 lines per piece.
There are no submission fees, but unfortunately, we are unable to provide payment for successful submissions. Regardless, successful submissions will be included in a printed anthology and will receive a pre-release copy.
