Watershed Review A project of Flume Press (see other related projects). About For forty years, Watershed Review has been an integral part of the Literary Editing and Publishing (LEAP) certificate program at California State University, Chico, providing professional training to countless creative writers and future editors. Students who participate in the creation and maintenance of Watershed Review learn valuable skills in digital publishing, developmental and copy editing, professional writing, editorial process, and a greater understanding of the larger literary community. Since 2012, Watershed Review has thrived as a digital publication, embracing the affordances of an online platform’s connectivity.Our mission is to publish literature and visual art illustrating diversity in thought and experience, capturing the crucial narratives and images of our current cultural moment, as well as awareness of the shifting edges of genre. We aim to create a multifaceted gathering of voices, including all identities of race, ethnicity, indigenous tribe, gender, class, sexuality, age, education, ability, language, religion, and region. Two times a year, we aim to publish both known and emerging authors side-by-side, featuring poetry, nonfiction, fiction, and art. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for some submissions. They charge fees for written work, except for students and those with financial limitations. The fee is USD $3 (average for magazines that charge). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 1977 Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 2 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Slower Watershed Review's overall average response time is slower than most magazines. More ApproachableWatershed Review's overall acceptance rate is higher than most magazines. More ResponsiveWatershed Review's overall rate of non-response is lower than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fee-based fiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 23 days from now).1Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 2,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fee-based nonfiction submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 23 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 2,500 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 2,500 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fee-based poetry submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 23 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 4 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Visual Art Open Dates:Open to visual art submissions through 30 September 2026* (approx. 23 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Artwork: Up to 8 pieces.Art Media: Open to all/most Art Media.Art Styles:Open to all/most Art Styles.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:No monetary payment No monetary payment.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Image. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @watershed.csucInstagram @flumepress For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Watershed Review Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Visual Art Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 11 reports from 11 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 18 min | 131.5 mean avg | 130.5 median | 174 max days (341.7 std dev) Responses 90.91 % Acceptances: 27.27 % of submissions accepted (102.3 avg. days per acceptance) | 27.27 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Rejections: 63.64 % (122.1 avg. days per rejection) | 28.6 % personal, 42.9 % form, 28.6 % unspecified | 9.1 % shortlisted Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 9.09 % (171.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 11 responses are pending (1 min | 140.0 mean avg | 177.0 median | 229 max days waiting | 184.0 std dev) from 11 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The most common submission fee paid: USD $3.00. (63.2 % of reports specified whether they paid a fee; of those, 91.7 % paid fees.) Most recent response reported was received on 27 May 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 01 May 2026. Date compiled: 07 Sep 2026 23:30 UTC (less than a minute ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsFlume Press Chapbook Contest Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 31 Jul 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only