College of Arts & Sciences

Submission Guidelines

The Licking River Review is a literary/arts journal that is published annually at Northern Kentucky University.

LRR is sponsored by the Department of English. We publish a wide range of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, critical essays and art from writers and dreamers the world over. We invite submissions of traditional and experimental styles by both new and veteran writers. Our reading period extends from September 1 through January 31. If your work is selected, you will be notified by May 1.

Requirements for submission

Poetry:

  • Up to five (5) poems; no more than 75 lines each 
  • All poems should include full contact information 
  • When submitting digitally, include all files in one .doc or .rtf. Each poem should have its own page

Prose:

  • 5,000 words or fewer. Given space restrictions, we are partial to shorter work (around 3,000). 
  • Genre work is considered.

Art:

  • Web ready JPGs of up to 5 pieces. Email preferred. lrr@nku.edu.
  • If interested, we will contact you for 300ppi JPGs measuring about 8 inches on the long side.
  • Include a list of titles and matching JPG file names. Media and size are helpful, too. 
  • All media considered & encouraged! 
  • CDs of images are accepted via snail mail. 
  • Do not send originals or slides.

All Submissions:  

  • Standard manuscript format.
  •  Digital submission is preferred. lrr@nku.edu.
  •  Hardcopy submissions should be clean copies & include SASE for our response.
  •  Include a short bio of around 50 words.
  •  Cover letter: be brief. We wish to see only your short bio, list of title(s), and genre. It's not always easy to tell a work of fiction from a creative nonfiction piece. Help us get your work to the proper editor. Cover letters may be written in the body of your email.
  •  Email subject line should read: YOUR NAME - GENRE SUBMISSION — such as Dorothy Parker - Poetry Submission.

By submitting work to The Licking River Review, the author/artist gives permission to publish the works in hard & electronic copy at the discretion of The Licking River Review. Accepted authors/artists will receive two (2) contributor copies. If you would like to purchase additional copies or a sample copy, you may send a check for $5 to Licking River Review at the address below.

Please address comments and/or questions to the editor via email to lrr@nku.edu.

The Licking River Review
Department of English
Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY 41099