AMERICAN WRITERS REVIEW: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS AND CONTEST ENTRIES FOR 2026 THEMED ISSUE: The Truth Will Set You Free

   For this theme, we are looking for stories, poems, and images that  reflect a moment of potential release from a dire moment. Maybe the  release is successful. 

 And maybe not. 

We aren’t looking  for religious tracts, or even a literal adherence to the theme. As an  example of something that might work, you might look at https://penmenreview.com/then-and-now/. 

This is an example, and not a template. 

Please read the submission guidelines carefully before submitting. 

We welcome submissions of previously unpublished poems,  short stories, creative non-fiction, art, short plays/monologues and  photography, and seek contributions from anywhere in the world. Our  recent issues have featured contributions from England, Scotland,  Australia, China, Israel, the Philippines, as well as the United States.

If  your piece has appeared in an online or print journal, it is not  "unpublished." 

Our  recent issues have featured contributions from England, Scotland,   Australia, China, Israel, the Philippines, as well as the United  States.  Submissions can be sent to us through our Online  Submission Manager.  We will not accept emailed or snail mailed submissions. 

For both  contest and regular submissions, we are looking for previously  unpublished work, well-written with a human sensibility. Excerpts are   acceptable, but they must work as stand-alone pieces. We reserve the  right to edit for punctuation, sense, and length.  

Few  things are  complete turn-offs, but porn, excessive gore, and gratuitous  violence  are a few. Work aimed at a children's audience is likewise not a  good  fit for us.  We also welcome submissions that include  both written work  and images. If an image evokes a written response, we  want to see it.  If a written work cries out for an image, feel free to  send one along.  Needless to say (but we will say it), if you submit  written pieces and  images, you must be the owner of both. We reserve the right to  accept/reject/separate both pieces.

Submissions can be sent to us through our Online  Submission Manager. We will not accept emailed or snail mailed  submissions.

We particularly welcome submissions that  include both written pieces and images that spring from a shared  experience or inspiration.

Follow the instructions on the submission page carefully.

The  contest is open all writers, of any experience level. Written entries  must be in English, (prose must be double-spaced) in Word or RTF format,  Art and photography must be in JPEG format, 200-300 dpi, suitable for  black and white reproduction. While we expect to produce an e-book  format in color, our print journal is black and white only.

Contest submissions will be accepted from February 5 to July 1, 2026 There is a single cash prize of $250, based on the judges' scores, plus  publication of the winner and finalists. There is a $15 fee to defray  our costs. 

For contest entries only: Please  do not include identifying information on your contest submissions,  except in the section of the submission manager marked “cover letter.”  If we see identifying information anywhere else, we will disqualify your  submission and not refund your fee.

For  both contest and regular submissions, we are looking for previously  unpublished work, well-written with a human sensibility. Excerpts are  acceptable, but they must work as stand-alone pieces. We reserve the  right to edit for punctuation, sense, and length.

Few  things are complete turn-offs, but porn, excessive gore, and gratuitous  violence are a few. Work aimed at a children's audience is likewise not a  good fit for us.

We also welcome submissions that include  both written work and images. If an image evokes a written response, we  want to see it. If a written work cries out for an image, feel free to  send one along. Needless to say (but we will say it), if you submit  written pieces and images, you must be the owner of both. We reserve the  right to accept/reject/separate both pieces.

All authors grant first publication rights only.

Again, submissions must be in English, double-spaced, in Word or RTF format.

Simultaneous submissions:  Of course, you do it. Everyone does it. Just let us know as soon as you  can if you have been accepted elsewhere. If you want to enter a piece  in the contest and as a regular submission, you are, of course, free to  do so.

Any questions, please email us at info@sanfedelepress.com.

FICTION GUIDELINES: Submit no more than two pieces at a time.  American Writers Review seeks  distinctive, character-driven stories. Aim for 2500 words or fewer, although  we will not necessarily reject pieces that are slightly over that  length. If you are submitting a written work with an image, that will be considered two pieces.

 While we are not dogmatic about  genre, we do not want porn, children’s fiction, or things that will make  us retch without a really good reason. 

Put “Fiction” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of the entry form.

POETRY GUIDELINES: Submit no more than two poems at a time.  We are seeking pieces that make  their point in a tight, concise fashion. While we do not have a strict  word limit for poetry, we do not encourage you to submit epics (think  “The Illiad”) or multi part structures (“Spoon River Anthology” is many poems,  not one). Also, please note that we publish in 6"x9" format. If your  poems do not fit that format, consider how they can be accommodated. If  you are submitting a written work with an image, that will be considered  two pieces.

 Put “Poetry” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of the entry form

NONFICTION GUIDELINES: Submit no more than two works at a time.  American Writers Review seeks  distinctive, concise, tight pieces. Aim for 2500 words or fewer, although we  will not necessarily reject pieces that are slightly over that length.

If you are submitting a written work with an image, that will be considered two pieces.

 Put “NonFiction” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of the entry form

DRAMA/MONOLOGUES: This  is a new area for us. Please submit only one work, concise and short.  Aim for 5 minutes for monologues, 7-9 minutes for dramatic works,  although we will not necessarily reject pieces that are slightly over  those lengths.

PHOTOGRAPHY AND OTHER ART GUIDELINES:

You are welcome to  submit color and black and white photographs and digital copies of  drawings and paintings. Art and photography must be in JPEG format,  200-300 dpi, suitable for black and white reproduction.    

Put “Photography” or “Art” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of the entry form.

You must be the creator/owner of any work submitted. By this, we mean, we are uninterested in AI created, plagiarized, or otherwise "not your work." If we discover that it is not your work, we will reject it.

We are aiming for publication in winter 2026, so you will find out fairly quickly if your work has been accepted.

SAN FEDELE PRESS ANNOUNCES:

 AMERICAN WRITERS REVIEW:

 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS AND CONTEST ENTRIES FOR 2026 THEMED ISSUE:

 The Truth Will Set You Free

   For this theme, we are looking for stories, poems, and images that  reflect a moment of potential release from a dire moment. Maybe the  release is successful. 

 And maybe not. 

We aren’t looking  for religious tracts, or even a literal adherence to the theme. As an  example of something that might work, you might look at https://penmenreview.com/then-and-now/. This is just an example, and not a template.

 Please read the submission guidelines carefully before submitting. 

We welcome submissions of previously unpublished poems,  short stories, creative non-fiction, art, short plays/monologues and  photography, and seek contributions from anywhere in the world. Our   recent issues have featured contributions from England, Scotland,   Australia, China, Israel, the Philippines, as well as the United  States.  If  your piece has appeared in an online or print journal, it  is not  "unpublished."

  Submissions can be sent to us through our Online  Submission Manager.  We will not accept emailed or snail mailed submissions. For both  contest and regular submissions, we are looking for previously  unpublished work, well-written with a human sensibility. Excerpts are   acceptable, but they must work as stand-alone pieces. We reserve the  right to edit for punctuation, sense, and length.

  Few  things  are complete turn-offs, but porn, excessive gore, and gratuitous   violence are a few. Work aimed at a children's audience is likewise not  a  good fit for us.

  We particularly welcome submissions that  include both written pieces and images that spring from a shared  experience or inspiration. We also welcome submissions that include   both written work and images. If a written work cries out for an image,  feel free to  send one along. Needless to say (but we will say it), if  you submit  written pieces and images, you must be the owner of both. We  reserve the right to accept/reject/separate both pieces.

  Regular submissions will be accepted from February 5, 2026 to August 1, 2026.   We charge a small reading fee of $5 to defray our costs. Payment is in  contributors' copies. Entries must be in English, (prose must be  double-spaced) in Word or RTF format. Art and photography must be in  JPEG format, 200-300 dpi. 

For Regular Submissions only: please make sure you put your name on your submission.

 All authors grant first rights only.

 If  you are submitting a written work with an image, please submit each  piece in a separate file. The Form will accept one document and one  image.

 Simultaneous submissions:  Of  course, you do it. Everyone does it. Just let us know as soon as you   can if you have been accepted elsewhere. If you want to enter a piece   in the contest and as a regular submission, you are, of course, free to   do so.  Any questions, please email us at info@sanfedelepress.com.

 FICTION GUIDELINES: Submit no more than one piece or one piece and an image at a time.   American Writers Review seeks  distinctive, character-driven stories.  Aim for 2500 words or fewer, although  we will not necessarily reject  pieces that are slightly over that  length. 

If you are submitting a written work with an image, please submit each as a separate file.. 

While  we are not dogmatic about  genre, we do not want porn, children’s  fiction, reviews, or things that will make  us retch without a really  good reason.  Put “Fiction” and the title of your piece in the “Title”  field of the entry form.

 POETRY GUIDELINES: Submit no more than one poem, or one poem and an image at a time.   We are seeking pieces that make  their point in a tight, concise  fashion. While we do not have a strict word limit for poetry, we do not  encourage you to submit epics (think  “The Illiad”) or multi part  structures (“Spoon River Anthology” is many poems,  not one). 

Also, please note that we publish in 6"x9" format. If your poems do not fit that format, consider how they can be accommodated. 

If  you are submitting a written work with an image, please submit each  piece in a separate file.  Put “Poetry” and the title of your piece in  the “Title” field of the entry form.

 NONFICTION GUIDELINES: Submit no more than one piece or one piece with an image at a time.   American Writers Review seeks  distinctive, concise, tight pieces. Aim  for 2500 words or fewer, although we  will not necessarily reject  pieces that are slightly over that length.  If you are submitting a  written work with an image, please submit each piece in a separate file.  Put “NonFiction” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of  the entry form

 DRAMA/MONOLOGUES: This  is a new  area for us. Please submit only one work, concise and short.  Aim for 5  minutes for monologues, 7-9 minutes for dramatic works,  although we  will not necessarily reject pieces that are slightly over  those  lengths.

If you are submitting a written work with an image, please submit each piece in a separate file.  PHOTOGRAPHY AND OTHER ART GUIDELINES:  You are welcome to  submit color and black and white photographs and  digital copies of  drawings and paintings. Art and photography must be  in JPEG format,  200-300 dpi,. 

We will consider photo essays, if they  are consistent with our journal and our theme. Put “Photography” or  “Art” and the title of your piece in the “Title” field of the entry  form.  You must be the creator/owner of any work submitted.

  By this, we mean, we are uninterested in AI created, plagiarized, or  otherwise "not your work." If we discover that it is not your work, we  will reject it. We are aiming for publication in winter 2026, so you will find out fairly quickly if your work has been accepted.