The Louisville Review publishes two issues each year. 

There is no fee to submit fiction, poetry, or poetry by young writers in grades K-12 for our Cornerstone section.

Submissions for our Cornerstone section for The Louisville Review Number 99 are open NOW - February 28, 2026.

The submission window for the general call for The Louisville Review Number 99 (Fall 2026) was open January, 24-29, 2026.Submissions for Fiction  and hybrid prose were capped at 200, and submissions for the general call are now closed.

Please note that we will only be reading for Fiction and Cornerstone for this call, as the Poetry section for TLR 99 will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Affrilachian poets. We will hold the next general call (including Poetry) September 7 - 12, 2026

General Call

Only one submission in one genre per submitter.

Please Note: We enthusiastically welcome submissions from previous TLR contributors! However, if you have had work accepted in the general call for either Poetry or Fiction in the last two years (TLR 95 -TLR 98) please wait 4 issues (from publication) before submitting again in that genre. 

The Louisville Review accepts unsolicited submissions of fiction and poetry. We accept only unpublished work. Reply time is 8-10 weeks. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, however any work accepted elsewhere must be withdrawn immediately. All submissions are considered based on quality of writing above all else.

If your work is selected for publication you will receive one complimentary copy of the journal, international contributors receive a digital copy.

Fiction

We accept submissions in two categories of fiction:

Fiction: Submissions of 1,500 words or greater. While we do not have a set word limit, please know that our editors are less likely to choose longer pieces simply because it leaves less room in the journal for other work. Submissions should be double-spaced and page numbered. Capped at 100 submissions.

Short Fiction / Hybrid Prose: Submissions less than 1,500 words. Send us your short and flash fiction! This category is also open to experimental or lyrical short prose. While we do not read unsolicited creative nonfiction at this time, we welcome work that is fictive but does not fit neatly into the fiction genre. Please note we cannot print in color or print images. Capped at 100 submissions.

Poetry

Submit up to five poems. Please be sure all poems are in a single document before uploading. Each page should include complete contact information for the author. Translations are welcome if permission has been granted by the original author.

Cornerstone

The Louisville Review accepts submissions of previously unpublished poetry from students in grades K-12. We seek writing that embodies fresh ways to recreate scenes and feelings. *Cornerstone submissions must be accompanied by parental permission to publish if accepted.*

Please Note: We enthusiastically welcome submissions from previous TLR Cornerstone contributors! However, if you have had work accepted in Cornerstone in the last  year (TLR 97 - 98) please wait 2 issues before submitting again.

Have any questions you’d like to ask before submitting? Send us an email at associateeditor@louisvillereview.org.

Frederick Smock Poetry Prize

The Louisville Review Announces Inaugural Frederick Smock Poetry Prize Judged by Richard Taylor.

Accepting submissions NOW – December 20, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Kentucky Poet Laureate Emeritus Richard Taylor will serve as distinguished judge for the inaugural Frederick Smock Poetry Prize! This national, first-book poetry prize invites Kentucky affiliated writers living in the United States who have not yet published a full-length book of poetry to submit manuscripts of 48-70 pages. All styles of poetry are welcome in this inclusive contest committed to representing the diversity of writers affiliated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Please Note: We broadly recognize a Kentucky affiliated writer as a person currently lives or has lived in Kentucky, or who has an affiliation with the Commonwealth through family, ancestry, education, or employment.

Winner will receive $1,000 and publication through The Louisville Review’s Fleur-de-Lis Press in fall 2026, 25 author copies, and online distribution through Barnes & Nobel and Amazon.

Finalists will receive publication of a selected, previously unpublished poem in The Louisville Review, and we will hold an online reading for the winner and finalists. 

The reading fee of $25 includes a 1-year print subscription to The Louisville Review. Thanks to a generous donation a limited number of few waivers for economically vulnerable writers are available. For assistance email associateeditor@louisvillereview.org