Exposition Review is an independent, multi-genre literary journal that publishes narratives by new, emerging, and established writers in the genres of fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, scripts for stage & screen, experimental narratives, visual art, film, and comics (see guidelines below).
Wondering what to submit to us? We like to be surprised; we like writing that is razor-sharp, immediately transporting us with a strong voice and sense of place. We like work that’s thoughtful and cathartic, work that embraces conflict and isn’t afraid to take risks. We love pieces that blur the boundaries of genre. To get a better idea of what we look for in submissions, please read our previous issues. You can also follow the Expo blog to get news about latest submission and contest openings.
ANNUAL ISSUE SUBMISSIONS:
Every issue has a theme from which writers and artists can draw inspiration. We encourage those who submit to think outside the box; we look for stories that fit the theme yet make us think about it in different ways; we want work that satisfies and challenges traditional forms of storytelling.
The theme for our tenth annual issue is "Spring."
Read more about how to submit below!
Spring:
When one reaches a milestone anniversary—ten years, for example—it’s a moment of both reflection and anticipation, a period of celebrating the past and looking forward to the future, an occasion to marvel at the cyclical nature of time and revel in a new beginning.
Exposition Review is at just such a juncture as we open submissions for Vol. X—proud of all that we have accomplished in our pages and our community in Vols. I through IX, and excited for the growth that lies ahead.
And we’re looking to ride that momentum with “Spring”—the sense of renewal and rejuvenation that comes with the season. Springs are also life-giving sources—of water or, say, creativity. They’re elastic and resilient, snapping back into place with reverberating force. To spring is to bounce forward (or backward), to release from captivity, or to pay for drinks—always with a sense of energy in the transition from one state to another.
So for Vol. X—a milestone issue for Expo—bring us your spring breaks, your spring fevers, your spring rolls. Tell us tales that spring a surprise or spring a leak or spring a trap. We’re looking for stories that well from the imagination, language that leaps off the page, writing that’s liberated from the constraints of genre and crackles with the energy of a spring storm.
Spring it on.
Submissions for Vol. X will be open September 15–December 15.
All work is read and given fair consideration by our editorial staff. Guidelines for individual genres are as follows:
- Fiction. Short stories and stand-alone novel excerpts up to 5,000 words.
- Flash Fiction. Up to three pieces of flash or microfiction. Each piece should be no more than 1,000 words; there is no minimum word count. The shorter, the better!
- Nonfiction. Memoir, personal essays, and creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words.
- Poetry. Up to three poems of any form and in traditional or experimental styles. Translations are accepted as well.
- Stage & Screen. One-act plays, scenes, or short film and screenplay excerpts up to 15 pages. Please format according to the standard unpublished playwriting or screenwriting format.
- Experimental Narratives. We love narratives in all forms. Whether it’s digital poetics, a video, or a genre-bending transmedia piece, if it tells a good story, creates compelling characters, and/or tickles our literary senses, we want it. Consider the limits of other categories and our online platform for length guidelines.
- Visual Art. Up to five pieces of art and/or photography per submission. If submitting more than one piece of art, please compile into one file (PDF or otherwise). Please include a brief artist’s statement or statement about the work (1–3 paragraphs), and include appropriate credit lines for all pieces (Artist Name, Title of Work, Year. Medium, Dimensions.)
- Comics. Comics should be self-contained, up to three pages per piece, with no more than three pieces per submission.
- Film. Short films in live-action narrative, documentary, or animation up to 15 minutes in length. Please include a brief summary and credits list in the cover letter of your submission.
Author receives $50.00 USD for accepted work. All submissions received by October 31 will receive guaranteed feedback from editors.
FLASH 405 WRITING CONTESTS:
Our Flash 405 competitions accept short from work in the genres of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and stage & screen. Contests are judged by members of Expo's editorial team as well as guest judges. Each contest has a theme and winners are awarded cash prizes and online publication. For more information visit the Flash 405 page on our website.
We accept submissions of short stories and stand-alone novel excerpts up to 5,000 words. Pieces that exceed this limit will NOT be read.
Note that we tend to lean toward literary fiction, but exceptional genre fiction that fits the theme will be considered.
We accept submissions of up to three pieces* of flash or microfiction. Each piece should be no more than 1,000 words; there is no minimum word count. The shorter, the better!
Pieces that exceed this limit will NOT be read.
Note that we tend to lean toward literary fiction, but exceptional genre fiction that fits the theme will be considered.
*Please include all flash fiction in a single document!
We accept submissions of memoir, personal essays, and creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words. Pieces that exceed this limit will NOT be read.
We accept submissions of up to three poems of any form and in traditional or experimental styles. Any additional poems will NOT be read.
*Please include all poems in a single document!
We accept submissions of one-act plays, scenes, and short film and screenplay excerpts up to 15 pages.
Please format according to the standard unpublished playwriting or screenwriting format. For plays that are unpublished but have been performed, please mention the original date and location performed in your cover letter.
We love narratives in all forms. Whether it's digital poetics, a video, or a genre-ending transmedia piece, if it tells a good story, creates compelling characters, and/or tickles our literary senses, we want it. Consider the limits in our other categories and our online platform for length guidelines.
We accept up to five pieces of art and/or photography per submission. If submitting more than one piece of art, please compile into one file (PDF or otherwise). Please include a brief artist’s statement or statement about the work (1–3 paragraphs), and include appropriate credit lines for all pieces (Artist Name, Title of Work, Year. Medium, Dimensions.)
We accept submissions of short, self-contained literary art comics. This includes hybrid forms (i.e., a poem in comic form, graphic nonfiction, graphic flash fiction, etc.). All comics must be previously unpublished.
We accept three pages per comic, three comics per submission. Anything longer or incomplete will not be considered.
We accept submissions of short films in live-action narrative, documentary, and animation up to 15 minutes in length. Please include a brief summary and credits list in the cover letter of your submission.