The Madison Review is an independent literary arts journal published through the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Published semiannually, each issue of The Madison Review contains previously unpublished fiction, poetry, and art as well as interviews with well-known writers. Contributors to the review have included I.B. Singer, Stephen Dunn, Lisel Mueller, May Sarton, Charles Baxter, Roberto Fernandez, and C.K. Williams. The Madison Review has also had the privilege of interviewing such literary figures as Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, David Sedaris, Lorrie Moore, and Dean Young. To see samples of art, poetry, fiction and interviews from past issues, please check out our "Past Issues" section of our website.
Founded in the early 1970s by students from the university's creative writing program, The Madison Review remains a student run journal to this day. The staff--including editors--is composed entirely of undergraduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since the staff changes frequently, each issue attempts to showcase the distinct aesthetics of that year's reviewing panel. Professor Ron Kuka has acted as the faculty advisor for The Madison Review since 1990.
The Madison Review hosts the Phyllis Smart-Young Prize in Poetry and the Chris O'Malley Prize in Fiction annually. The finest unpublished short story (30 pages max), and the finest group of three unpublished poems (5 pages each max) will be awarded $1,000 as well as publication in the spring 2009 issue of The Madison Review.
All entries must be postmarked by February 1st, 2009 and will be considered as submissions to The Madison Review for publication. Contest results will be announced March 15, 2009.
The Madison Review is published twice a year.
For a sample copy, please enclose $4.00
Please make checks or money-order payable to The Madison Review.
Michael Hudson for his poems
"Dreaming About Jozefa after Too Much Eggnog,"
"Drunk in Bed with a Book about Great Masterpieces of Western Art," and
"Why I Mostly Had Trouble With Girls in High School"
Jennifer Hritz for her story "Mixed Media"
Thank you for considering the Madison Review as a possible venue for your work. Manuscripts must be typed and previously unpublished. We consider short stories with a maximum of 30 pages. We consider up to 5 poems with a combined 15 page maximum per submission. Simultaneous submissions are welcome as long as you notify us of your fortunate publication elsewhere. We currently do not accept online or e-mail submissions. Submissions should include:
If you would like your manuscript returned, be sure to state this in your cover letter and include the appropriate envelope and postage. Submissions sent between May and August will not be read until September. The Madison Review pays two contributor copies (contributors can obtain more for five dollars per issue after that) and acquires first North American serial rights.
Contacting The Madison Review is quite simple...
General questions: madisonreview@yahoo.com
(Poetry, fiction, and art submissions sent by email will not be considered.)