FAQ
We know submitting can be a nerve-racking process, so we want to make it as easy as possible for you. Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about submitting with us. We hope you find these helpful and handy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many times can I submit?
You may submit to us as many times as you wish, but please only send us your most polished work each time.
Q: Can I submit to multiple categories—e.g. New Voices and a contest—with the same story?
Every submission to a contest is also considered for New Voices, so while you can submit the same piece to both categories, know that everything we read is considered for publication. We also process each story individually, so if you submit twice, you’ll receive separate responses for the same piece. If you submit work to us that is under consideration elsewhere, please let us know immediately if it is accepted so we can remove it from our consideration.
Q: Can I send you my work via email? Can I send submissions in the mail?
You must use Submittable to submit your work. We do not consider work submitted via email or by postal mail. Incarcerated writers only may submit via USPS if submitting via Submittable is not possible. Please ensure all mail is addressed to:
Discover New Art
c/o The Masters Review
70 SW Century Drive Suite 100442
Bend, OR 97702.
All other submissions received by mail will be discarded unread.
We kindly note that we cannot guarantee communication for postal submissions. Writers will only be contacted if an editor expresses interest in their piece. Additionally, feedback is not provided for postal submissions, and there are no refunds for this submission method.
Q: Do you accept international submissions?
We absolutely accept international submissions, provided the work is written primarily in English.
Q: What is Submittable?
Submittable is the platform we use to collect, read, and accept work. An account is free to set up, and can be found here: www.submittable.com.
Q: I lost my Submittable password, am having issues submitting, or am having trouble with my payment. Can you help?
The best thing to do for technical issues is contact Submittable directly, as they handle all the back-end support regarding payments and passwords. You can contact them here or find additional information at https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/
Q: Can self-published writers submit?
Yes. We accept work from self-published writers all the time, but the work you submit must be previously unpublished. That includes personal blogs and social media!
Q: Can I submit if I have published a novel or collection?
Writers with single-author book-length creative work published or under contract with a major press are ineligible. We are interested in providing a platform to new writers; authors with books published by indie presses are welcome to submit unpublished work, as are self-published authors.
Q: What are your guidelines about format, e.g., Times New Roman, double-spaced, etc.?
Please submit in a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman or Garamond are great choices) and double-spaced; this is easier on our eyes!
Q: What am I supposed to write in my cover letter?
A: Think of your cover letter as a brief author bio and what you would like posted on our site should your piece be selected for publication. Don’t overthink it; we just want to know a little about you! Most writers choose to include publication history or a little about the story that is being submitted. You can find more of our guidance on cover letters here.
Q: Do you require anonymous submissions?
A: We no longer require anonymous submissions; however, we do recommend leaving personal information off the submission itself and incorporating it into the cover letter. Our foremost focus is on the writing itself, but our readers review the cover letter after reading the submission for any additional context necessary. In the past, we have required anonymous submissions, but over time, our philosophy on the matter has changed. For more, check out “The Politics of Gatekeeping: On Reconsidering the Ethics of Blind Submissions” by Joyce Chen at Poets&Writers.
Q: I submitted my story, but I need to make revisions. What do I do?
We fully understand that at times revisions need to be made and errors corrected. Please email us (contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com) in the event you need to make changes to your submission and we will open it for editing. You will be notified via email when your submission is open, and you will be allowed to make your changes and/or re-upload a new document if necessary.
Q: Can I get feedback on my work?
Yes! (For a fee.) Due to the number of submissions we receive, we cannot provide feedback on every story. However, you may choose to pay for our Editorial Letter add-on, which will provide you with up to two pages of feedback on your work from one of our guest editors.
Q: Do I maintain ownership and first serial rights if my work is accepted for publication?
You do maintain ownership of your work when you submit. If your work is selected for publication, our contract states we buy first serial rights and exclusive rights for three months after publication.
Q: When can I expect to hear back about my story?
For New Voices, you will hear back within eight to twelve weeks from the day you submit. For contests and awards, we will notify everyone of their standing within twelve weeks of the contest’s closing date. If you haven’t heard from us within sixteen weeks of your submission, please email us (contact [at] mastersreview [dot] com).
Q: Do you accept memoir, fantasy, romance or other genres?
We accept any submission as long as it fits the guidelines listed on the contest and award page. Please keep in mind, however, that we are a literary publication and therefore we are looking for stories that are character-based over plot-based. So while a story may fall into the realm of a certain genre it should be considered literary prose first and foremost. We recommend you read all our guidelines carefully before submitting.
Q. What is your stance on AI?
We do not consider any work that has been generated or assisted by an AI or LLM at any stage in the creative process. This includes tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and similar. We reserve the right to remove any work from our archive that we can credibly determine was generated or edited using such tools.