Blue Earth Review is Minnesota State University, Mankato’s graduate-run literary magazine. Before being wholly revamped and renamed in 2003, BER was published under such titles as Medicine Jug, The Muse, and Minnesota River Review. Our contributors have included folks such as Steve Almond, Nicelle Davis, Alex Lemon, Jennifer Whitaker, Kristen N. Arnett, and Charles Baxter.
We're looking for ambitious and exuberant works of short fiction, essay, memoir, poetry, and visual art that offer insights, complicates existing conversations, and enriches our understanding of what it means to be human in this increasingly diverse world. We gravitate towards small, focused works in which every word matters. We currently publish twice a year in the fall and spring.
We accept all voices, and do not discriminate based on race, ancestry, disability, gender identity, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Our mission is to create a collection of artistic works that celebrate the uniqueness of the world told through characters, verse, and artists—compacted into our square magazine.
We read general submissions for all genres year-round. For contest submissions, we read all genres during and up to a month after the contest period. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. We ask that writers notify us immediately if the work is accepted elsewhere.
At this time, we do not accept AI-generated works.
We consider only previously unpublished work. If we accept yours for publication, we assume First North American Serial Rights. All other rights remain with the writer. Payment is two contributor's copies.
Blue Earth Review is pleased to announce the continuation of the annual Minnesota Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Emerging Writer Award in Poetry! Submit up to three poems in a single file (.doc or .docx). Max 5 pages. The contest will run from December 1st, 2024 and close January 15th, 2025. Rules and restrictions apply. See below for details.
There is no submission fee.
The winner will receive $1000 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review. We may offer publication without winnings to additional finalists.
There is no submission fee. One submission per participant is allowed. Only submissions made here, through our official Submittable portal, are allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Eligible participants must self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color and have a history of producing artistic work. Participants must not have published their first book. Participants must have resided in the state of Minnesota for at least six (6) months prior to submission and have rented, owned, maintained, or occupied an abode in Minnesota during that time (see 183-Day Rule). Furthermore, participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $1000 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Taxes may apply. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Email us with any questions. Put “MN BIPOC Emerging Writer Award” in the subject line.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.
Blue Earth Review is pleased to announce the opening of its first annual Minnesota Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Emerging Writer Award in Flash Creative Nonfiction! Submit one flash creative nonfiction piece of no more than 750 words. Accepted file types are (.doc or .docx). The contest will run from December 1st, 2024 and close January 15th, 2025. Rules and restrictions apply. See below for details.
There is no submission fee.
The winner will receive $1000 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review. We may offer publication without winnings to additional finalists.
There is no submission fee. One submission per participant is allowed. Only submissions made here, through our official Submittable portal, are allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Eligible participants must self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color and have a history of producing artistic work. Participants must not have published their first book. Participants must have resided in the state of Minnesota for at least six (6) months prior to submission and have rented, owned, maintained, or occupied an abode in Minnesota during that time (see 183-Day Rule). Furthermore, participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $1000 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Taxes may apply. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Email us with any questions. Put “MN BIPOC Emerging Writer Award” in the subject line.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.
Blue Earth Review is pleased to announce the opening of its first annual Minnesota Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) Emerging Writer Award in Flash Fiction! Submit one flash fiction piece of no more than 750 words. Accepted file types are (.doc or .docx). The contest will run from December 1st, 2024 and close January 15th, 2025. Rules and restrictions apply. See below for details.
There is no submission fee.
The winner will receive $1000 plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review. We may offer publication without winnings to additional finalists.
There is no submission fee. One submission per participant is allowed. Only submissions made here, through our official Submittable portal, are allowed. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Notify us immediately if the piece is accepted elsewhere. Eligible participants must self-identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color and have a history of producing artistic work. Participants must not have published their first book. Participants must have resided in the state of Minnesota for at least six (6) months prior to submission and have rented, owned, maintained, or occupied an abode in Minnesota during that time (see 183-Day Rule). Furthermore, participants must be United States residents or valid US taxpayers. Split winnings are not allowed. Winners will be paid the full $1000 upon confirmation and processing as allowed by our affiliated institution, Minnesota State University–Mankato. Taxes may apply. Payment will be received on or after publication of the featured magazine. Email us with any questions. Put “MN BIPOC Emerging Writer Award” in the subject line.
Alumni of Minnesota State University–Mankato must wait a minimum of 5 years after graduation to be eligible to submit to Blue Earth Review.
The Blue Earth Review publishes ambitious and exuberant works of short fiction, essay, memoir, poetry, and visual art that offer insight, complicate existing conversations, and enrich our understanding of what it means to be human in this increasingly diverse world.
Subscribe and receive a year's worth (Fall and Spring) of our literary journal. It is the perfect pocket-size book to bring with you anywhere to read.
Our unique square format fairs best with shorter pieces that reflect our mission of dramatic impact in a small size. Submissions are capped at 4,000 words. Pieces longer than 4,000 words will not be considered.
We welcome all genres, including literary, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, surrealist, magical realism, and any others, or blend of others.
Please provide the title of your story when prompted for a title for your submission. Please only submit one story at a time.
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declinations, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.
We are interested in creative nonfiction (memoir and personal essay) with contemporary themes. No literary criticism.
Blue Earth Review is most interested in essays that are under 3,000 words. We love nonfiction that works on more than just a narrative level. Surprise us with metaphor and layers of meaning. We can't wait to read your work!
Please provide the title of your piece when prompted for a title for your submission. Please only submit one work at a time.
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declines, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.
We consider poetry in any style.
Please limit poetry submissions to no more than five poems or 10 pages at a time, and place all poems in a single document.
If you wish to withdraw just part of your submission, please send an email notifying us which poems are still available. Withdrawing the entire submission through Submittable will remove all of your poems from consideration.
Please only submit one poetry submission at a time.
File types accepted: Word (.doc and .docx).
If you find you are unable to submit to this form due to a prior submission, please allow us time to review your submission first before submitting to us again. For declinations, you may submit again after receiving a notice of declination. For acceptances, you may submit again after publication. Contact us with any questions.
We publish full-color reproductions of a wide range of artwork: paintings, photography, woodcuts, ink drawings, sculpture, and more. Generally, we feature one work on the front cover plus an interior layout of several additional works and an artist bio and statement. Our preference is for groupings that display an engaging variety within some overall thematic unity, which highlights originality, the artist’s individuality, mastery of medium, and technical virtuosity. We publish in a small, square, focused format, so we gravitate towards works which transfer well to this size and elicit a strong, immediate reaction. Submissions must include at least nine and up to sixteen related images. You may submit up to twice a year. Editors reserve the right to select which of your submitted pieces will be published.
Donations of any amount are tax-deductible subject to IRS regulations.
Buy issues of Blue Earth Review.
1 Issue - $6.50
2 Issues - $10.00
5 Issues - $20.00