New Plains Review invites submissions for our Winter 2025 issue with a theme focused on transformation and the unconventional. As a process, alchemy acts as the framework for transformation. We view New Plains Review as an environment for writers to grow, change, and experiment.
We are interested in original work from emerging writers who have not yet been published, by writers of color, writers from marginalized and underrepresented communities, and from you, if you’ve read this far. We welcome the stories and perspectives of writers from all communities and seek diversity in all dimensions.
We are currently accepting general submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, plays, visual art, and photography. Simultaneous submissions for all genres are accepted. We only print previously unpublished work, so in the event that a piece from your submission is accepted elsewhere, please notify us immediately.
It typically takes us 4-6 weeks to respond to submissions. We do not permit submissions with AI generated content.
The deadline for submission is October 14, 2025.
Poetry Guidelines
New Plains Review seeks poems from new and old voices alike, poetry that comes from the individual and is shaped by unique experiences. We want to read work that transcends worlds and blurs boundaries. We are looking to publish your poems and we want to hear your voice. We will consider up to three poems per submission (no more than six pages total). Poetry in languages other than English is permitted.
Nonfiction+ Guidelines
The transformation is complete! Please share your finest nonfiction with us, work that reflects your most essential experiences. We encourage writers who push narrative boundaries and accept submissions of up to 6,000 words in any form. While we are focused on nonfiction in a traditional sense, we also invite work that tests the boundaries of genre and form, hence the plus. We welcome the stories and perspectives of writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.
Fiction Guidelines
We are looking for work that pushes boundaries and transforms the mind. So, given this issue’s theme of transformation/alchemy, we want stories that give new life to those worlds inside your head, stories that change everything. Please submit previously unpublished work ranging from 1,000 to 7,500 words—generally, one short story or three flash fiction pieces. We are also interested in worlds unlimited by the usual constraints of genre. We also welcome work by writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.
Guidelines for Plays and Scripts
Please share your finest plays and scripts with us, work that comes alive on the page. We encourage writers who push narrative boundaries and accept submissions of up to 6,000 words in any form. While we are focused on plays and scripts in a traditional sense, we also invite work that tests the boundaries of genre and form. We welcome the stories and perspectives of writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable.
Guidelines for Art and Photo+
New Plains Review is proud to accept multimedia submissions, visual art & photography, dance videos, and music (videos or audio), especially from local or regional artists.
In our selection process, we value submissions that examine the regions where borders overlap in order to analyze and redefine our knowledge of the self in all of its nuances. Your work does not necessarily have to reflect your connection to the region, but we love to see creators test the boundaries of their art form to bring their passions and experiences to life. This includes pieces that blend genres and mediums. We hope to uplift voices that have been systematically ignored in our society, and we do not discriminate against race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, etc. We especially encourage artists of intersectional or marginalized identities to submit their work. We will consider any submission in this category for the cover of this issue.
Please limit to four images per photo/art submission and to single-file submissions for all others.