The Fourth River welcomes submissions that explore the relationship between humans and their environments, both natural and built, urban, rural or wild. We are looking for writing that is richly situated at the confluence of place, space and identity—or that reflects upon or makes use of landscape and place in new ways.

Recent authors we’ve published include Tina May Hall, Michael Byers, Ander Monson, W.E. Butts, and BK Loren. Contributors to The Fourth River have received Pushcart Prizes, NEA Fellowships, and The Drue Heinz Literature Prize. The Fourth River’s contributors have been published in Glimmer Train, Alaska Quarterly Review, The Missouri Review, The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and The Best American Travel Writing.

The Fourth River accepts unpublished poetry, literary short fiction, and creative nonfiction. Please send up 3-5 poems or 7,000 words of prose at a time. All submissions will be considered for print or online publication.  

Reading Period for Print Journal: July 1 – September 1.
Reading Period for Online Journal: December 1 – February 1.

PLEASE NOTE: There is an error in the Writer's Chronicle that states that our Women and Nature issue has a deadline of March 15th. That call for submissions has closed. Thanks to all the writers who submitted.

The Fourth River only accepts submissions via Submittable.  Emailed submissions will not be read. Mailed submissions will be recycled.