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We accept submissions only between October 15th and May 15th.
We are looking for literary material that engages, entertains, and provokes thought in fresh and creative ways. For an idea of the kind of work we like, you're encouraged to read previously published work--either by buying a copy or reading our on-line back issues.
Contributors will receive 3 copies of the issue in which their work appears.
An Editor's Prize of $150 will be awarded to one contributor for prose and one contributor for poetry in each issue. Generally this award is given to prose writers who have not published a full-length, widely distributed book (self-published authors remain eligible). Due to the often limited print runs of poetry collections and chapbooks, the poetry award will be skewed in favor of newer writers, but will not be entirely limited to unpublished authors. Exceptions remain at our discretion, but we do try to be fair.
Download a saveable, printable pdf copy of the Guidelines.
FICTION
We'd like to read your very best work. We want tension and interesting dynamics from page one. We want fully realized characters that live beyond the page. We want vivid details, fresh situations, gripping interactions. We like experimentation, but not the kind that obfuscates the story. We want a narrative that flows--that grabs us by the lapels and hauls us forward, and a voice that's unique and solid throughout. Yes, we are asking for a lot. But we have faith in you!
1. 6,000 words is the approximate limit. We will consider longer works (up to 10,000 words), but the longer the work, the better it will need to be, and the more the odds will be stacked against it. We no longer need queries for longer works; just go ahead and submit them through the online submission manager.
2. Simultaneous Submissions are okay, just notify us asap if accepted elsewhere.
3. We do appreciate cover letters. When submitting online, you may include a cover letter as the first page of your submitted .rtf file (no separate files, please), or you may give a couple brief credentials in the comment section.
4. Do NOT send your only copy! We are not responsible for things getting lost in transit.
5. Include an SASE for our response or the return of your manuscript. If you do not include an SASE, we will not be able to respond.
6. For the time being, we'll accept submissions either via the Submission Manager or regular postal service, addressed to:
Minnetonka Review, P.O. Box 386, Spring Park, MN 55384
(NOTE: INTERNATIONAL SUBMITTERS, PLEASE USE THE ONLINE SUBMISSION MANAGER)
POETRY
Show us something that grips us in a fresh way, evokes thought and emotion. We do not limit our selections to any particular type or style of poem. We like vivid imagery, strong word choice, curious descriptions, and lyrical rhythms as well as strange off-beats. This may go without saying, but the poems that attract us more tend to be the ones that avoid cliche and do something unexpected, but true. Follow the same general details for submissions under the Fiction heading above, and submit up to 6-8 poems by mail or with the online Submission Manager. Please paste all your poems into one document rather than attaching 6-8 separate documents.
NONFICTION
We're open to a wide variety of non-fiction subject matter: memoir, essays on craft or artwork, biographies, or narratives of real-world events. Essentially, what we're most after is clear prose and writing that engages--strong voice or a fresh new aesthetic. We aren't interested in book reviews or academic papers with lots of citations. Please follow the same general guidelines as listed under the Fiction heading above.
QUERIES
If you have work that falls outside of the above parameters but you feel may be appropriate, feel free to query. If you haven't gotten a response from us on a submission in about 3 months or have any other questions or feedback, please fill out the form on our CONTACT US page.
