When I enter writing contests, I always pay a little extra to get a subscription to the literary journal in question. That way, even if I don’t win (which I usually do not) I still get the present of a new literary journal to read, which usually numbs the pain of rejection. (I’m being over-dramatic here, folks). Back in March I submitted two short stories to New Delta Review, didn’t get accepted, and received a back issue yesterday. And let me just tell you, I’ve fallen in love.
The writing is wonderfully good. It’s definitely a quality publication. But for the first time in a long time, I’ve stumbled upon a literary journal in which the STORYTELLING is good too. I’m actually enjoying the contents. My favorite so far has been “Anyone’s Devil” by Maggie Anderson, a fiction piece about an unusual childhood friendship. I totally recommend getting your hands on a copy. They also have the most recent issue available online.
Once you’ve read an issue, consider submitting!
What they want: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, book reviews, interviews, and artwork. Rarely publish genre-fiction.
When they want it: They accept year round, but only read August 15 through March 31, so summer submission response times are EXTRA slow
How they want it: snail mail. Post to:
New Delta Review
Department of English
15 Allen Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-5001
Attn: (specify genre or type of submission)
Official Submission Response Time: 6 months
My Personal Submission Response Time: Honestly, they never responded to my submission. I just kind of kept checking the website for a posting announcing the winner of the contest until I finally saw somebody’s name (it wasn’t mine). I submitted in March and they posted it on the website in May. Not ideal, but hopefully they respond more personally to general submissions?
Payment? Don’t think so.
Hannah Karena Jones 