Gordon Square Review, a publication of Literary Cleveland, holds two open reading periods each year:
- February 1 to March 31. Publication drops May 15.
- August 1 to September 30. Publication drops November 15.
Gordon Square Review pays writers $25 after publication.
Gordon Square Review considers works that have been previously published but are no longer available online or in-print. If work has been published on a personal blog or website, we request that it be taken down prior to publishing it.
Gordon Square Review welcomes works of translation; simultaneous submissions; and writing from writers from diverse backgrounds, voices, and experiences.
Gordon Square Review encourages writers to submit poetry, fiction, or brief nonfiction. For genre specific guidelines, please see below.
- Poetry Submission. Only include one poem in your submission.
- Fiction Submission. Only include one story in your submission. The word limit is 5,000 words (if fewer than 5,000 words, that is okay).
- Brief Nonfiction Submission. Only include one story or essay in your submission. The word limit is 1,000 words (if fewer than 1,000 words, that is okay).
Thank you for submitting your work to Gordon Square Review, a Literary Cleveland publication!
- Only include one story in your submission.
- The word limit is 5,000 words.
- Simultaneous submissions are okay, but alert us via submittable if the work is accepted elsewhere.
- Submissions must not be available elsewhere, print or online (including personal websites).
- Submissions should be double-spaced, paginated, and in a 12 point legible font (Times New Roman, for example).
Thank you for submitting.
Thank you for submitting your work to Gordon Square Review, a Literary Cleveland publication!
- Only include one story or essay in your submission.
- The word limit is 1,000 words.
- Simultaneous submissions are okay, but alert us via submittable if the work is accepted elsewhere.
- Submissions must not be available elsewhere, print or online (including personal websites).
- Submissions should be double-spaced, paginated, and in a 12 point legible font (Times New Roman, for example).
Thank you for submitting.
Thank you for submitting your work to Gordon Square Review, a Literary Cleveland publication!
- Only include one poem in your submission.
- Simultaneous submissions are okay, but alert us via submittable if the work is accepted elsewhere.
- Submissions must not be available elsewhere, print or online (including personal websites).
- Submissions should be single-spaced, paginated, and in a 12 point legible font (Times New Roman, for example).
Thank you for submitting.
Gordon Square Review is holding a 2025 Flash Fiction Contest for Midwest writers. Submit a single flash piece up to 1,000 words with a $10 entry fee. The winner will receive $500 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review. Additionally, the runner-up will receive $250 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review.
Final Judge: Amber Sparks
Amber Sparks is the author of three collections of short fiction, including And I Do Not Forgive You and The Unfinished World. Her essays, film and book criticism have appeared widely, in Bright Wall/Dark Room, The Paris Review, Slate, Tin House, Granta, and The Cut, among others. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, daughter, and two cats.
The contest opens on August 1, 2025 and closes on October 1, 2025.
Contest Guidelines
- To be eligible, writers must currently reside in the Midwest. GSR defines the Midwest as an extension of Northeast Ohio, including neighboring states Indiana and Michigan. Please detail your residency information in the space provided in the Submittable form.
- All writer information (name, bio, etc.) will be withheld from contest judges. Please do not include your name or any identifying information anywhere on the document or in the document file name.
- The fee for each entry is $10. All entries will also be considered for publication.
- Contest entries must be previously unpublished in either print or online venues, including personal blogs.
- Entries must consist of a single flash piece up to 1,000 words within a single document. Writers may submit more than one entry, but a separate fee is required for each entry.
- Submissions should be double-spaced, paginated, and in a 12 point legible font.
- Writers are welcome to make a separate general submission in addition to a contest entry. There is no need to submit the same writing to both the contest and the general submission pool, however: all contest entries will be considered for publication. The editors will individually notify any contest entrants selected for general publication.
- Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but we ask that you withdraw your work through Submittable if it is accepted elsewhere. Entry fees will not be refunded in the event of a withdrawal.
- All entries must be submitted via Submittable. Print or emailed entries will not be accepted (please contact us if this presents accessibility issues). Entry fees are nonrefundable.
- The winner will receive $500 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review.
- One runner-up will receive $250 and publication in Issue 16 of Gordon Square Review.
- Gordon Square Review editors will read submissions and select finalists to send to the judge, Amber Sparks, who will decide the contest winner and runner-up.
The contest opens on August 1, 2025 and closes on October 1, 2025. Results will be announced in November 2025. All writers will be notified prior to the contest results being announced.