About BSR:
Barely South Review is dedicated to publishing prose, poetry, and art from both emerging and established writers and artists. Our name refers to our home – the coastal Tidewater region of southeastern Virginia and its unique blend of diverse cultures and histories. We feel there is great complexity in any creative assertion of “here,” and it is in this spirit that BSR features voices that defy regional, thematic, and stylistic categorizations. We seek great writing in its myriad forms.
The best way to get a clear sense of our tastes is to explore our recent issues.
Guidelines:
BSR seeks original, unpublished works of nonfiction, poetry, short fiction, and art. We have two reading periods:
- September 1 – November 1st for our Winter issue.
- 15 January – 15 March for our Spring issue.
Along with your submission, please provide a brief cover letter and bio. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please note this in your cover letter, and notify us immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
Fiction and nonfiction submissions must be 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Include the word count on the first page. Please avoid any nonstandard formatting or alternative fonts.
You may submit to multiple genres, but we ask that you submit once per genre per submission period. If you are a recent contributor, please wait at least two submission periods after publication to submit again.
We accept submissions internationally, and we do nominate for the Pushcart.
BSR uses Submittable to process submissions. This allows for better, more timely contact with those who send us their work. There is a link at the bottom of this page. Your submission must be in Word or Rich Text format (.doc or .rtf) format. The system will not accept other formats, including .pdf.
BSR acquires only the first serial publication rights of accepted work. Copyright is asserted on behalf of the author; all reprint rights (print or electronic) revert to the author upon publication, but we ask that you mention Barely South Reviewas first publication appearance.
Genre Submission Details:
Fiction: One short story (<4000 words).
Poetry: Up to three poems. Please submit all poems in one document.
Creative Nonfiction: One essay (<4000 words).
Flash Non/Fiction: Up to three flash pieces (<1000 words each). Please submit each piece separately.
Literary Comics: Up to three strips (<19 images).
Art: Up to five pieces. Art submissions of all mediums will be considered. Works must not have appeared elsewhere (other than on the artist’s personal website). Formats accepted include .jpg, .gif, .tiff, and .png.
Up to three flash pieces (<1000 words each).
Manuscripts must be 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around, and the word count must be included on the first page. Paragraphs must be indented. Please avoid any nonstandard formatting.
Barely South Review is now expanding to include editing services externally to our publication selection process. Have you ever found yourself wondering why your piece isn't being accepted for publication? Have you ever wondered what a form rejection really indicates? Our editorial team is a group of experienced, educated writers who will provide you with critical feedback about your piece.
In this feedback letter you will receive information about:
1.) what you're doing well. Maybe this is your writing style, or your imagery, or your plot line.
2.) Feedback about what's not working. Maybe this is your ending, or your structure, maybe a character needs to be cut, etc.
3.) You will receive in-line comments about where we think your piece is doing well versus where it needs work.
After three weeks, we will get your piece back to you with comments that will help you grow and a short vision for where we think the piece could go next.
The limitations for this submission are the same as our regular submission guidelines: less that 4000 words, times new roman 12pt font.
Up to three flash pieces (<500 words each).
Manuscripts must be 12 point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around. The word count must be included on the first page. Paragraphs must be indented. Please avoid any nonstandard formatting.
One essay (<4000 words). Excerpts from longer works are acceptable as long as they adhere to our word maximum and can stand alone as essays independent of the larger work.
Manuscripts must be 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around, and the word count must be included on the first page. Paragraphs must be indented. Please avoid any nonstandard formatting.
Up to Three poems. Please submit all poems in one document.
One short story (<4000 words). Must be double-spaced, and the word count must be included on the first page.
Manuscripts must be 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around, and the word count must be included on the first page. Paragraphs must be indented. Please avoid any nonstandard formatting.