Bicoastal Review is a journal of poetry, nonfiction, photography, and art. We aim to foster cross-genre conversations between readers and contributors, often on (but not limited to) topics related to the East Coast and West Coast. We publish writing that offers a lens into varied schools of thought and showcases epiphany and mastery of language. Our collective of voices encompasses a study of American writing, highlighting the movements, ruptures, and allegiances unfolding simultaneously at opposite ends of the nation. Writers and artists from anywhere in the world are welcome to submit, though we prefer American English spelling.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

POETRY

5 poems max, in .Doc or .Docx. Please separate poems by page. Titles are preferred. No need to put your contact info in the document. If your poems are haikus or otherwise very short, feel free to submit more than 5. 

Please read our past issues (free online) to get a sense of our vibe. We particularly appreciate political poetry, ecopoetry and nature poems, love poems, poems about the body, feminist poetry, queer poetry, and poems that engage with history, literature, art, and/or modern culture. Hybrid, experimental, and cross-genre work is welcome. No covid/quarantine poems, please. We are wary of alternating rhyme schemes. We also don't usually accept light verse. 

We accept translations into English with the permission of both author and translator. 

NONFICTION

We accept creative nonfiction, critical essays, reviews, interviews, think pieces, and similar works. 

1,000-3,000 words preferred, though this is not a hard rule. 

FICTION

Occasional short fiction (or hybrid works) may be considered if you think it matches the tone and themes of our journal.

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

Submit up to 10 photos or works of art using the highest image quality possible. Feel free to include a few sentences explaining materials, process, theory, and/or anything else you would like to share about the art. Please don't select Fast Response if you're submitting photography or art. 

*** We do not accept anything created with AI tools, prompts, or edits. We do not accept writing that espouses bigotry, hate speech, discrimination, or harmful stereotypes targeting any group or individual based on their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc. We value accessibility and social progress, and seek to represent a diversity of voices across the U.S. literary landscape.

Simultaneous submissions are fine. Please notify us and/or withdraw your submission if your work is accepted elsewhere. We generally do not publish reprints, but we may consider doing so with permission from the prior publication. Upon acceptance with us, kindly withdraw your work from consideration elsewhere.

We may charge a reading fee, as our journal is unaffiliated with a university, is free to read online, and we pay judges as well as contest winners. If the posted fee presents an economic burden, email us at theeditors@bicoastalreview.com.

Book & Chapbook Editing

Need an experienced, credentialed editor to refine your fiction, nonfiction, or poetry manuscript for clarity, voice, cohesion, impact, and more? Initial consultations are free. I edit in Word or Google Docs. 

Fill out the form below or email me at theeditors@bicoastalreview.com with a bit of info on your project, goals, concerns, and timeline. I love working with manuscripts! As this is not my day job, I will not overcharge, or take on work I'm not the best fit for. 

I look forward to reading your writing!

Marina

Note: This is not Bicoastal Review's Fast Response option (if you would like to hear back from us quickly on your general submission, with feedback and suggestions.) Hiring me has no impact on your submissions to or relationship with Bicoastal Review or any of our contests or editorial decisions.