ABOUT US: For over sixty years, Portland Review has published the works of emerging writers and artists alongside the works of well-established authors. We warmly encourage previously unpublished writers and artists to submit, and we aim to support work by those often marginalized in the artistic conversation, including (though certainly not limited to) people of color, women, disabled people, LGBTQIA people, and people with intersectional identities.

Please note Portland Review does not accept previously published material. Portland Review accepts simultaneous submissions, but please immediately withdraw your work via Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere. If one work out of a collection of poems or images needs to be withdrawn but the other works in the collection are still available, message us via Submittable with the title of the withdrawn piece.

By submitting your work to Portland Review, you confirm that you hold full copyright on all work submitted and agree to allow Portland Review print and distribution rights for both print and online publication. All rights to the piece(s) revert to the authors and artists upon publication, although we kindly request that you credit Portland Review as the initial publisher should the piece(s) be reprinted elsewhere. You also permit the editors of Portland Review to edit your work, within reason. Authors and artists will be contacted regarding edits prior to publication.

In 2020, we switched to an online-only format; all accepted work will now be published online. We will do our best to respond within six months. Please do not query us before then.

REVIEWS: We accept book review submissions from September through April.

We are looking for thoughtful, engaging book reviews between 1200-2500 words. Reviews should be for forthcoming or recently published works of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction, including anthologies, graphic novels or hybrid works. While we we may accept reviews of popular books or authors, we are especially interested in small press and indie titles. 

A strong submission will show a writer’s engagement not only with the book’s content, themes, and craft, but will also interrogate/apply its meaning in broader historical or cultural contexts whether aesthetically, politically, or intellectually.  Please see examples of reviews we have published previously. 

• Please submit completed reviews, rather than pitches. We will respond within 3-4 weeks. 
• Please do not send simultaneous submissions.
• Please disclose any relationship you have to the author of the book you’re reviewing if one exists.
• In your cover letter and at the top of your review, please list the book title, author’s name, press name, publication date, and your name and email address.