Editor Interview: The Palisades Review

Compressed true stories

Currently a big fan of magazines that publish flash fiction and nonfiction. The Blood Pudding, which publishes stories about the human condition; Okay Donkey, which specializes in the off-kilter and weird; Big Whoopie Deal; On The Run; and Passengers Journal.

My favorite writers of old are Albert Camus and James Baldwin. In more contemporary terms, I love T Kira Madden and Ocean Vuong.

Unlike many literary magazines that publish a variety of genres, The Palisades Review is dedicated exclusively to short-form nonfiction, featuring compressed stories of 1,000 words or less that aim to deepen the collective sense of self. We also offer our "Of The Moment" feature, a dynamic online section dedicated to publishing timely pieces that respond to current events and pressing topics. From global issues to awareness weeks, this space allows writers to engage with contemporary matters in real-time, fostering immediate and meaningful conversations.

Explore our previously published work. While we seek short-form pieces, each one we publish is a complete, self-contained story. Every author reveals something meaningful to the reader, crafting a beginning, middle, and end through a uniquely creative lens. As you prepare your submission, ask yourself—does your writing do the same?

The ideal submission for The Palisades Review is a concise yet powerful work of nonfiction, no longer than 1,000 words, that tells a complete and compelling story. It should captivate readers with a strong narrative arc, while offering a fresh, creative perspective on personal or universal experiences.

Submitting fiction...

We request a third-person bio for our website, but rest assured—our selection process remains unbiased. Every submission is judged solely on its merit, independent of the author's background.

We carefully read every submission from beginning to end before deciding if it's the right fit for The Palisades Review. If a piece shows promise but isn’t quite ready for publication, we often collaborate with writers on edits to help bring it to its full potential.

None, really.

We receive submissions almost daily, and I make it a priority to check Submittable regularly, reading as efficiently as possible. As a writer myself, I understand the frustration of long waits, so I strive to provide both timely responses and prompt publication dates whenever possible.

Our goal is to preserve the writer’s voice while ensuring clarity, coherence, and overall impact. The level of editing depends on the needs of each piece, but authors can expect a thoughtful and collaborative process.
We believe in a transparent editing process, so authors always have the opportunity to review and approve final edits before publication. Our aim is to polish each piece while staying true to the writer’s original vision.

We haven't, but we should start doing that! Good idea, Duotrope!