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.

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 78 (Spring 2023), released June 2023 ($8.00)

Forthcoming issue: Cottonwood 79 (Spring 2024), expected release June 2024 ($9.00)

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.

All correspondence should include an SASE with correct postage. We will also consider emailed submissions. We acquire one-time 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: $8.00/copy

Subscription: $15.00/2 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