Cottonwood Literary Magazine

Cottonwood is a literary magazine publishing new and well-known writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. We publish a wide variety of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Poetry submissions should be limited to the five best, fiction to one story. Fiction submissions are closed until September 1, 2024. 

Over the years authors such as William Stafford, Rita Dove, Connie May Fowler, Virgil Suarez, and Ann Waldman have appeared in the pages of Cottonwood, and recent issues have featured the work of Doug Ramspeck, Patricia Corbus, Joanne Lowery, Donna Pucciani, and Oliver Rice, among others.

Publishes: 1/year (Spring)

Established: 1965

Circulation: 500-750

Copyrighted Publication

Most recent issue published: Cottonwood 79 (Spring 2024), released June 2024 ($10.00)

Forthcoming issue: Cottonwood 80 (Spring 2025), expected release June 2025 ($10.00)

To subscribe or order copies of Cottonwood or books published by Cottonwood, visit our e-store: Cottonwood (touchnet.net) 

Submissions

We welcome submissions of short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry from new as well as established writers. We read submissions year-round, and usually report in 2-5 months. Please wait to submit again until after we have responded to any pending submission. 

To submit your creative work to Cottonwood or to view previous issues, please visit our website: Cottonwood (ku.edu) 

*Prose submissions closed until September 1, 2024. 

All mail correspondence should include an SASE with correct postage. We will also consider emailed submissions. We acquire one-time print and digital rights.

Fiction length: 1500-8000 words

Flash prose length: 150-1000 words

Poetry length: 10-80 lines

Publish: 5-8 stories, 10-15 poems/issue; 2-4 reviews, photos, and nonfiction pieces occasionally

Reporting time: 2-5 months

Payment: 1 copy

Sample copy: $6.00/copy

Back issues: $5.00/copy

Current issue: $10.00/copy

Subscription: $18.00/2 issues

Writers should address work to the appropriate editor via email or mail submissions to:

Cottonwood

Room 400 Kansas Union

1301 Jayhawk Boulevard

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS 66045