Written River is a literary journal published bi-annually by Hiraeth Press which focuses on poetry and non-fiction prose exploring nature and our relationship to it. Published on the Summer and Winter Solstices in digital format, we strive to encourage the discipline of eco-poetics and return the voice of the poet to the body of the Earth. Eco-poetics is poetry in which the energy of the ecosystem flows through the poem, creating a written river of words which ebbs with the creativity of the entire Earth community. Written River marks the confluence of many streams and many voices as they flow back into the nourishing ground of the watershed.
A river flows with poetry—
the water’s source: deep within
the dream of the earth ...
–“A River Flows with Poetry” excerpt from Jason Kirkey’s Estuaries
Call for Submissions | Winter 2011
Although we accept any eco-poetic relevant submissions, we will be structuring the Winter 2011 issue around a loose theme: “Mountains.” We are also looking for appropriate seasonal pieces (late autumn, winter or early spring). Please see our submission guidelines below.
Next Deadline: November 20th
Submission Guidelines for Written River
Written River accepts unsolicited submissions. Our Journal primarily publishes poetry (any form as long as the verse is theme-relevant), nonfiction, (essays, autobiographical stories, and travel writing), interviews and book reviews.
Please send a short cover letter, biographical statement and a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) attachment of:
- Up to 5 poems not exceeding 15 pages. Please send a query letter and an excerpt if you would like a long form poem to be considered.
- Nonfiction work of 5000 words or less.
We prefer electronic submissions. This is currently our only method of accepting submissions. Email submissions to: writtenriver@hiraethpress.com. We usually respond to submissions within 4 – 6 weeks.
Submitted works should be previously unpublished. We are open to publishing a limited number of poems/essays may have appeared in print or online, but the author must hold sole rights to the work.We do accept original artwork/photographs. We request that images be scanned with a resolution of at least 300 dpi and attached it to the query email, which should also contain a cover letter. Simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, we ask to be notified promptly if your submitted work is accepted elsewhere.
NOTE: If your work is seasonally themed you should consider our issue deadlines below.
Written River Submission Deadlines
Winter Solstice Issue: November 20th
Summer Solstice Issue: May 20th
We donate 1% of our yearly profits to an Eco-Charity. The 2012 charity is the International Appalachian Trail.