Next stop on our roadtrip: Indiana! Rebecca Williamson has rounded up the great Indiana literary journals for all of us to visit, support, and send our work to. Join us on our tour through the Hoosier state!
Indiana may be known for its car racing, but there’s more to the 19th state of the United States. There’s quite a large literary scene for writers in Indiana. From the Central Indiana Writers’ Association to the Writers Guild at Bloomington, a writer can probably find all the resources. The crossroads state is also home to many literary journals, such as the ones below!
Indiana Review
This bi-annual print journal began publishing at the Indiana University in 1976. Indiana Review accepts fiction, essays, poetry, and art from both emerging and established writers. The journal has had contributors’ work appear in several anthologies, including Best American Short Stories and The Pushcart Anthology. Indiana Review has no specific aesthetic that writers need to adhere too; they only need to submit their best quality of work. Submissions are currently closed, but when they reopen on Submittable, there is a $3 fee.
Southern Indiana Review
Southern Indiana Review is another bi-annual journal publishing during the fall and spring. The journal is published through University of Southern Indiana. Writers across the country can submit fiction, interviews, nonfiction, poetry, and art. Although submissions just closed, they will reopen October 1 on Submittable for a fee of $4. In addition to the bi-annual publications, there are also contests and awards for all writers.
Inwood Indiana
Launched in 2010, this journal publishes all forms of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction with a focus on the unusual. If strange things happen or things go missing, Inwood Indiana wants to see it. Inwood Indiana is actually a very small town in the state, too. There are online and print versions, and submissions are accepted via mail or their online form.
Northwest Indiana Literary Journal
They encourage submissions from new and emerging minors with an emphasis on underrepresented or marginalized individuals. The journal searches for authenticity and directness, so send them your short stories, flash fiction, humor, art, photographs, and poem—but only one at a time. Northwest Indiana takes special notice of work featuring industrial themes. Submissions can be emailed to erniepyle18@gmail.com.
Sycamore Review
Published out of Purdue University, Sycamore Review publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. While there is no overall aesthetics, each genre has some guidelines based on editor preferences; however, Sycamore Review maintains that any story could sway their minds. The first issue was published in 1989 and dedicated to graduate student Ann Griffith Lindsey who dreamed of a literary journal but sadly passed before she could see it. Submissions are closed on Submittable until September 1 when they open with a small fee of $3. There is also the Wabash Prizes in fiction and poetry to look out for. Book reviews and art can be queried.
Burningword Literary Journal
Publishing since 2000, this international journal releases four issues each year. They accept poetry, short fiction, short nonfiction, and photography. All submissions are evaluated in a double-blind review, meaning both the reader’s and writer’s identities are hidden. The next submission deadline is June 10 for their July 5 issue via Submittable.
The Indianapolis Review
The Indianapolis Review is a poetry, art, and visual poetry journal published quarterly online. They want to showcase any poetry or art from writers and artists around the world, though they hope to showcase regional creators. Currently, the journal is accepting submissions for a special issue, “Poets are Funny,” which is meant to showcase the poets who use humor in their writing since it’s not displayed as frequently. The deadline for this special issue is July 1 via email at theindianapolisreview@gmail.com.