The Maine Review (MER) See other projects related to this listing. This listing may be deactivated on: 01 Oct 2026. Learn about this process. About The Maine Review (MeR) is a biannual online literary journal that publishes culturally significant and innovative writing by writers living in Maine, across the country, and around the world. Maine Review Publications is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to making contemporary literature accessible to readers and writers of all incomes.We cherish our Maine heritage, which values sustainability and stewardship of vital resources. We’ve modeled MeR after the local farmers who respect the land and feed our communities, and the fishers, lobsterers, wormers, clammers, hunters, conservancies, and environmental non-profits who advocate for and protect our wilderness and wildlife.Through MeR’s publication and Community Supported Literature program, we aim to responsibly steward Maine’s literary landscape. MeR’s editors and staff readers are passionate about literature; we are fervent advocates of excellent writing; and we strive to be a safe harbor for an inclusive creative community. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for cases of economic hardship. (Note: About 8% of magazines always charge fees.) The fee is USD $3 (average for magazines that charge). Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Important Notice: On our latest check, they were not open to submissions, although their website states they should be. Want more insight into the editors' preferences? Read our interview with the editor(s). Country of Publication & Year Established United States Established in 2014 Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 3 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Slower The Maine Review's overall average response time is slower than most magazines. More ChallengingThe Maine Review's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. Less ResponsiveThe Maine Review's overall rate of non-response is higher than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Fee-based Dates:Open to fiction submissions through 30 November 2026* (approx. 76 days from now).1Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Short Story: 1,000 - 3,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: USD $25 for 1,000 words or fewer; $50 for more than 1,000.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 nonfiction submissions through 30 November 2026* (approx. 76 days from now).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Essay: 1,000 - 3,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 1,000 words; Up to 3 pieces. Narrative Nonfiction: 1,000 - 3,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: USD $25 for 1,000 words or fewer; $50 for more than 1,000.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 poetry submissions through 30 November 2026* (approx. 76 days from now).6Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 3 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) Semi-pro payment. Details: USD $25 per poem.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. 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 FacebookX (Twitter) @TheMaineReview Support this Publisher: Make a Donation For the Editor(s): Request Interview Link to Duotrope The Maine 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. This project ranks among the 25 Slowest Poetry Publishers in our database. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 157 reports from 147 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 4 min | 229.7 mean avg | 263.5 median | 500 max days (318.5 std dev) Responses 73.88 % Acceptances: 1.27 % of submissions accepted (227.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 1.36 % 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: 72.61 % (262.4 avg. days per rejection) | 11.4 % personal, 63.2 % form, 25.4 % unspecified Non-Responses 3.18 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 3.18 % (305.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 22.93 % (110.6 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 80 responses are pending (1 min | 186.9 mean avg | 179.5 median | 455 max days waiting | 309.3 std dev) from 78 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The editors will try to make a decision within 180 days. (66.2 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 180 days.) Do not query on the status of your submission before 180 days have passed. The most common submission fee paid: USD $3.00. Submissions are acknowledged within 6 days on average. Most recent response reported was received on 14 Sep 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 20 Mar 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:47 UTC (less than a minute ago). View report of recent responses from this project 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 ProjectsEmbody CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsEnvirons Prize BELIEVED DEFUNCT Charges fees for all submissionsThe Maine Review Annual Poetry Contest DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsMaine Review's Annual Short Story Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsRocky Coast Writing Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsWhite Pine Writing Contest CLOSED 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: 03 Sep 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