The Great Smokies Review Gold Star Program Gold Star

The Great Smokies Review accepts submissions year-round from current and former Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors. Submissions are open to the public each January and July.

GSR publishes new poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, book reviews, craft essays, author interviews, and visual art. For hybrid works, please submit in the genre that most closely aligns with your piece. (If you are unsure, just choose one!) We are also interested in hybrid work or work that resists easy classification. Translations are acceptable if the work is in the public domain or if you have secured permission to publish your translation from the author or rights holder. Please include the original text along with your translation. Literary quality is always our primary criterion.

We encourage submissions from historically marginalized populations, including but not limited to members of the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Disabled/differently-abled communities.

We only accept previously unpublished work. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable; please notify us immediately if your submission or any portion of it is accepted elsewhere. We acquire first serial rights as well as the right to archive the material online in perpetuity. All other rights revert to the author upon publication.

We aim to respond to submissions within three months of receipt. Please do not query about your submission’s status until three months have elapsed, and do not send a new submission until you have received a response on your current submission.

Do not submit AI-generated “work.”

Quick Links to Open Calls:

GSWP CNF Submissions Free
GSWP Criticism & Interview Submissions Free
GSWP Fiction Submissions Free
GSWP Photo/Artwork Submissions Free
GSWP Poetry Submissions Free

GSWP CNF Submissions Free Open

This form is for submissions from past and current Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors only.

We consider creative nonfiction of any length up to 5,000 words. If submitting “flash” or very short work (under 1,000 words), you may submit multiple pieces, up to 10 double-spaced pages.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

GSWP Criticism & Interview Submissions Free Open

This form is for submissions from past and current Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors only.

We prefer book reviews that engage the craft elements of the work in consideration, rather than simply responding positively or negatively. Reviews should be at least 1,000 words, and no more than 3,000 words.
Craft essays should aim to illuminate techniques, aesthetic approaches, and/or formal strategies for fellow writers. 5,000 words maximum.
For interviews, please submit a pitch detailing the author (any genre) you plan to interview, and the focus of the interview. We want the deep questions, interviews that engage in an author’s craft, literary influences, and aesthetics.
If your piece contains citations, please follow the Chicago Manual of Style’s guidelines.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

GSWP Fiction Submissions Free Open

This form is for submissions from past and current Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors only.

We consider stories and stand-alone novel excerpts of any length up to 5,000 words. If submitting “flash” or very short work (under 1,000 words), you may submit multiple pieces, up to 10 double-spaced pages.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

GSWP Photo/Artwork Submissions Free Open

This form is for submissions from past and current Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors only.

Submit a portfolio of up to 12 images of your work in a single PDF file.
Please include the title and medium details of each piece.

GSWP Poetry Submissions Free Open

This form is for submissions from past and current Great Smokies Writing Program students and instructors only.

You may submit up to 6 poems at a time, not to exceed 12 single-spaced pages total. Each poem should begin on a new page.
Please use a standard 12-point font, single-spaced, unless alternate spacing is an intentional stylistic aspect.

Public CNF Submissions Temp Closed

Opens on Friday, January 1, 2027 12:00 AM EST (in 112 days).

We consider creative nonfiction of any length up to 5,000 words. If submitting “flash” or very short work (under 1,000 words), you may submit multiple pieces, up to 10 double-spaced pages.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

Public Criticism & Interview Submissions Temp Closed

We prefer book reviews that engage the craft elements of the work in consideration, rather than simply responding positively or negatively. Reviews should be at least 1,000 words, and no more than 3,000 words.
Craft essays should aim to illuminate techniques, aesthetic approaches, and/or formal strategies for fellow writers. 5,000 words maximum.
For interviews, please submit a pitch detailing the author (any genre) you plan to interview, and the focus of the interview. We want the deep questions, interviews that engage in an author’s craft, literary influences, and aesthetics.
If your piece contains citations, please follow the Chicago Manual of Style’s guidelines.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

Public Fiction Submissions Temp Closed

We consider stories and stand-alone novel excerpts of any length up to 5,000 words. If submitting “flash” or very short work (under 1,000 words), you may submit multiple pieces, up to 10 double-spaced pages.
Please use a standard 12-point font, double-spaced.

Public Photo/Artwork Submissions Temp Closed

Submit a portfolio of up to 12 images of your work in a single PDF file.
Please include the title and medium details of each piece.

Public Poetry Submissions Temp Closed

You may submit up to 6 poems at a time, not to exceed 12 single-spaced pages total. Each poem should begin on a new page.
Please use a standard 12-point font, single-spaced, unless alternate spacing is an intentional stylistic aspect.