We welcome all authors and poets who identify as historically marginalized to submit here, without cost. There are a limited number of free submissions each month, so be sure to submit early. 

If you can't submit to this category, we have reached our current cap. We do expand how many submissions are available throughout the reading period, so follow us on social media or check back here to hear about future openings. 

What we’re looking for in Fiction
 

• We like stories that offer imaginative premises, unusual or marginalized characters, and high stakes.
• Show us characters driven by lifetimes of experience and complex motivations.
• Experimental writing is also welcome.
• We are not reading children’s or YA literature.
• Word limit for fiction is 1,101 to 6,000 words.

For a full critique of your story, see our Critique category.

What we're looking for in Nonfiction

• Be brave. Send us the stuff you never thought would get published anywhere. Send us the thing you have to take a deep breath over before submitting or running by your critique group.
• We are always interested in hearing different viewpoints from different sectors of society, and work in different forms, too: we'll read lyrical essays; experimental essays; and narrative nonfiction.
• Be professional. Polish your work; make sure it’s clean. Your word limit is 6,000 words. (It’s okay to swear in your work, though. That’s not the kind of “clean” we mean.) We won’t accept anything remotely misogynistic or bigoted.
• Be concise. Ranting, raving, or emotive logorrhea are never good ways to get important ideas across, so leave those on the cutting-room floor. We believe in brevity, so if you have flash nonfiction, we are happy to read that, too.
• We're not looking for: Book reviews, academic work, cultural criticism, or writing about writing. 

Select the "Feedback" option for specific commentary from an editor. For an in-depth reading and analysis of your piece, consider our Critique service. 

Tahoma Literary Review now welcomes poems in translation. Please follow the general formatting guidelines for poetry submissions, with some additional requirements specific to submitting translations:

• Send up to 6 poems per submission, in one file; no more than one poem longer than 7 pages. If a poem is ten pages or longer, please submit as a single poem.
• Include originals of the translated poems in your document. 
• As part of the cover letter, include a translator's note of 250-300 words that contextualizes the work. 
• Provide a biography of the translated poet as well as your own bio.
• If accepted you will be asked to provide proof that you possess publication rights.
• Tahoma Literary Review welcomes poetry submissions from diverse perspectives, particularly those underrepresented in the literary world. We adhere to no particular aesthetic; simply send your best work.
   

In flash, we are looking for pieces that combine the lyricism of poetry with the impact of short prose to surprise, challenge, and move the reader.

You may submit 1 or 2 pieces of flash prose in one file, with a total word limit of 1,100.
Please submit prose poems as Poetry.


For an in-depth reading and written analysis of your flash piece, consider our Critique category.

The Full Critique, but without submitting
Sign up for a full critique of your work from a qualified reader. We vet our readers carefully, and have chosen those who are gifted at and enthusiastic about the critique process.
With a full critique you will receive an editorial letter that details your story or essay's strengths and potential next steps. This category is for a detailed analysis of your work. If you would like to submit your work for publication, please use the Fiction or Flash categories above.
If your story is:

• 1-1,499 words (i.e., flash fiction), the price for a full critique is $50
• 1,500 to 4,999 words, the price for a full critique is $60.
• 5,000 to 6,000 words, the price for a full critique is $72.
• 6,000+ words: We can consider longer pieces depending on workload. Please contact us for specific pricing and authorization before selecting.

Response time will be between four and eight weeks, depending on workload.


Here’s what submitters who chose the full critique had to say:

• “Your comments inspired me to roll my sleeves back up and get to work. I didn’t realize this until now, but on some level I’ve been worrying about the very thing you pointed out.” 
• “Thank you for this incredibly helpful review of my work. You have helped me see how to pare down the content and pursue the central theme.”
• “Thank you so much for your comprehensive and thoughtful critique of my story. You've given me much to think about. I appreciate your directness and candor and am eager to take on the challenges you've laid out.” 

To receive a full critique, please select the appropriate category from the dropdown menu.