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Bluestem Magazine

About

248 members set this magazine as a Favorite.

We have deep roots and we thrive on the prairie. We’re Bluestem, a national literary journal, produced by the English Department of Eastern Illinois University. Since 1966, we’ve given voice to writers and poets from around the world--writers who’ve won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize, Pushcart Prize, and more.

Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Check before submitting.
Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States Established in 1966

Publication Medium & Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 3 x per year.

Fiction Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Open to all/most Genres, including....

General.

Lengths:
Flash FictionUp to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces.
Short Story1,000 - 5,000 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.


Nonfiction Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:
ReviewNo specific word count limits known.
EssayUp to 5,000 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.


Poetry Temp Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

Open to all/most Genres, including....

General.

Lengths:
PoemNo line limits known; Up to 5 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.


Visual Art DNQ

This project does not qualify to be listed at Duotrope in this category. Reason: No guidelines available on the publisher's official website for this category.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Bluestem Magazine Submission Statistics — Free Preview!

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.
AccuracyWe have received 51 reports from 46 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported1 min | 129.5 mean avg | 138.0 median | 275 max days (223.6 std dev)
Responses88.23 %
Acceptances9.80 % of submissions accepted (112.6 avg. days per acceptance) | 10.87 % 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.
Rejections78.43 % (133.0 avg. days per rejection) | 22.5 % personal, 52.5 % form, 25.0 % unspecified
Non-Responses11.76 %
Lost/Returned-
Never Responded-
Withdrawals11.76 % (75.7 avg. days per withdrawal)
Pending27 responses are pending (67 min | 77.7 mean avg | 85.0 median | 110 max days waiting | 253.7 std dev) from 27 different members This only includes pending reports from users who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days

Other Information

Most submissions are acknowledged within one day.
Most recent response reported was received on 12 May 2025.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 24 Feb 2025.

Work submitted here was also submitted to...

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Members accepted here also had work accepted by...

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Your Submissions

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Dates

Last Updated: 13 Apr 2025
Last Audited: 14 Jan 2025. (We audit each active listing twice a year. Learn more at link.)
Date Added: 31 Aug 2010

Before Submitting

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  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
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