Kestrel publishes fiction, poetry, poetry in translation, creative non-fiction, book reviews, and visual art by established and emerging writers and artists. We are especially happy to publish work by West Virginian and Appalachian writers and artists.
Kestrel is now accepting submissions year-round. Submissions are only accepted through Submittable.
Note: Poetry Submissions are on pause for summer 2026. we will begin reading poetry submissions again in september 2026.
Kestrel reads submissions year-round. Response to most submissions is 3-5 months but allow 6 months for our response before inquiring. Please limit submissions in any one genre to one per calendar year. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. Kestrel retains first North American rights only. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but immediate notification of a manuscript accepted elsewhere is expected. Kestrel will NOT consider any work generated or influenced by LLMs/AI.
Submissions must be sent through Submittable ONLY. WE NO LONGER ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS VIA POST.
Poetry: Kestrel welcomes poems of all genres, styles, and traditions, including experimental and hybrid forms, as well as poetry in translation. Send 3-5 of your best poems during one of our reading periods. (SUBMISSIONS ON PAUSE FOR SUMMER 2026)
Fiction: Kestrel is open to any genre of short fiction that questions assumptions and moves us to reconsider everyday life. We enjoy stories with believable plots, developed characters, consistent points-of-view, vivid and symbolic settings, true dialogue, and thought-provoking themes, though we also enjoy experimental writing that makes new the expected conventions. 5,000 words maximum.
Non-Fiction: Creative nonfiction, memoir, or literary essays are preferred. Subject matter may vary but attention to writing as craft and art is paramount; the attention to diction, syntax, and detail should delight and surprise. We appreciate writing that makes a subject's complexity understandable and its familiarity new. We expect non-fiction to be non-fiction.
Reviews: Please query via email. See featured reviews online.
Visual Art: Submissions may be made in any medium. Image resolution should be at least 300 dpi and in .jpg format. We publish full-color and black and white images. Kestrel may use images for publicity purposes.
Wrongfully Neglected: Kestrel invites recommendations, reflections, and reviews of individual texts (poems, short stories, essays) or books that fall outside the conventional guidelines for reviews, in terms of publication age (typically under 2 years), length (500 words and up), and voice. We would like to read pieces that show our readers why overlooked or forgotten literature published more than 2 years ago should be hunted down and read (or reread) immediately. Form and formality may vary, but writing must be vivid and engaging. Length should exceed a typical blurb but not exceed 750 words.
(Guidelines updated 06/2026)
All accepted work is for the print publication; select work may be featured on our website. Kestrel submits each issue to Verse Daily, Poetry Daily, and Vox Populi, and, therefore, work published in Kestrel may be chosen for reprint in those venues.
Submittable is our only method for submissions.
Inquiries and Correspondence
Kestrel
Department of Humanities
Fairmont State University
1201 Locust Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554