Our Poetry Contest is Open!
We are currently accepting Poetry for the 2026 Mississippi Review Contest Issue, with a publication date of Summer 2026.
- We will accept work from August 1 (2025) until January 1 (2026).
- Poetry submissions should be 3-5 poems, totaling 10 pages or less, submitted as one single document.
- The entry fee is $16.00.
- There is no limit on the number of entries you can submit, but each new submission requires a separate entry fee.
- Remove all identifying information from your submission as we read anonymously.
- Previously published work is ineligible.
- Current and previous employees/students of the University of Southern Mississippi are ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Anyone with a previous or current affiliation with a Mississippi Review staff member is ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcomed and encouraged as long as you notify us immediately of acceptance elsewhere.
- Translations and submissions written primarily in a language other than English are currently ineligible.
Prize/Publication
- One poem will be selected as the winner and will receive $1,000 and publication in the contest issue.
- All finalists will also be published in the contest issue.
- The winner and finalists will receive two copies of the contest issue.
- Winners and finalists are usually announced in March.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these guidelines or how to submit, email msreview@usm.edu. You can also visit our website for more info.
Our Fiction Contest is Open!
We are currently accepting Fiction for the 2026 Mississippi Review Contest Issue, with a publication date of Summer 2026.
- We will accept work from August 1 (2025) until January 1 (2026).
- Fiction submissions should be 800-8,000 words.
- The entry fee is $16.00.
- There is no limit on the number of entries you can submit, but each new submission requires a separate entry fee.
- Remove all identifying information from your submission as we read anonymously.
- Previously published work is ineligible.
- Current and previous employees/students of the University of Southern Mississippi are ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Anyone with a previous or current affiliation with a Mississippi Review staff member is ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcomed and encouraged as long as you notify us immediately of acceptance elsewhere.
- Translations and submissions written primarily in a language other than English are currently ineligible.
Prize/Publication
- One story will be selected as the winner and will receive $1,000 and publication in the contest issue.
- All finalists will also be published in the contest issue.
- The winner and finalists will receive two copies of the contest issue upon publication.
- Winners and finalists are usually announced in March.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these guidelines or how to submit, email msreview@usm.edu. You can also visit our website for more info.
Our Nonfiction Contest is Open!
We are currently accepting Creative Nonfiction for the 2026 Mississippi Review Contest Issue, with a publication date of Summer 2026.
- We will accept work from August 1 (2025) until January 1 (2026).
- Creative Nonfiction submissions should be 800-8,000 words.
- The entry fee is $16.00.
- There is no limit on the number of entries you can submit, but each new submission requires a separate entry fee.
- Remove all identifying information from your submission as we read anonymously.
- Previously published work is ineligible.
- Current and previous employees/students of the University of Southern Mississippi are ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Anyone with a previous or current affiliation with a Mississippi Review staff member is ineligible to submit to the contest.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcomed and encouraged as long as you notify us immediately of acceptance elsewhere.
- Translations and submissions written primarily in a language other than English are currently ineligible.
Prize/Publication
- One essay will be selected as the winner and will receive $1,000 and publication in the contest issue.
- All finalists will also be published in the contest issue.
- The winner and finalists will receive two copies of the contest issue.
- Winners and finalists are usually announced in March.
Questions?
If you have any questions about these guidelines or how to submit, email msreview@usm.edu. You can also visit our website for more info.