We are currently OPEN for submissions.

Our reading period is from August 17th to May 17th. Our issues come out in late May. While we do try to get to all submissions within the reading period, any leftover submissions may be rolled over to our next reading cycle.

All submissions will be considered for publication in our issues which are released in print format.

We are currently accepting flash fiction, short stories, and any creative prose that falls in-between (this includes creative non-fiction, craft essays, and experimental work). Our maximum word count is 5000 words. For flash fiction, we accept up to three stories (3000 words total) in a single submission.

We also accept all types of visual art (photographs, paintings, drawings, etc.). You may submit 1-5 pieces. Title your attachments as the title of the work you are submitting. All attachments need to be at 300 DPI. For art, please include the medium you used for its creation in your cover letter. If submitting images of someone other than yourself, you will need to obtain permission and rights over these images prior to submitting.

We accept simultaneous submissions, but please withdraw your submission if accepted elsewhere. We do not accept previously published work. We do not consider work posted to blogs, personal websites, or social media to be previously published.

We do not accept work that has been created with AI in any capacity.

We do not accept multiple submissions. Please submit only once per open submission period.

You must be at least 18 years of age to submit.

We do not accept submissions from SDSU Students enrolled in the MFA program for Creative Writing.

We do not accept poetry. Prose works with poetic elements will still be considered for publication.

All submissions must be in modern manuscript format. (A good source for this format can be found HERE.) Any piece submitted to us that is not in this format will be automatically rejected.

West Coast Review acquires first North American serial rights and electronic rights. We provide two contributor copies to all contributors accepted for publication. Please note: we are only able to ship contributor copies within the U.S. Response time: 6-9 months.

We accept submissions via email at thewestcoastreview@gmail.com or on our Submittable.