We are now accepting submissions for our first online issue, coming this fall. Deadline: July 31st
We welcome submissions from writers and artists who live in, are from, or maintain a meaningful connection to Beaufort County and the surrounding area. Submissions need not focus solely on our region, as long as you or the submission is in some way connected to the region. We want to see a variety of work.
Please review the guidelines below before you submit. Submissions that don’t follow guidelines cannot be considered.
If this is your first time submitting work to a publication, please review our tips at the bottom of this page.
For Prose and Poetry: Subject Line: (Insert Category) – Title Name – Word Count (Example: Fiction – Animal Farm – 29,966)
For Visual Arts: Subject Line: (Insert Category) – Title Name – Medium (Example: Art – Risen – Sculpture)
General
Submissions must be original, unpublished work.
Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us immediately if the work is accepted elsewhere.
Include a brief third-person bio (50-150 words).
Include a short note describing your or your submission’s connection to the region.
We do not accept previously published works.
We do not publish material that is gratuitously offensive, obscene, or intended to harass or demean any individual or group.
If your submission includes sensitive topics — such as violence, trauma, or sensitive content — please note this at the beginning of your submission. This allows our editors to handle your work thoughtfully and ensure it is presented responsibly.
No submission fee.
Any information identifying the author will be removed and sent to the appropriate editorial team to ensure anonymous review.
Art
Submit 3–6 images
We welcome paintings, drawings, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and other visual art that reflects the landscape, culture, and people of the Lowcountry.
High-resolution JPEG or PNG files
Include title, medium, dimensions, and year created
A brief artist statement (100 words max)
Photography
Submit 3-6 images
We seek photography that authentically and compellingly captures the Lowcountry’s environment, life, and character.
This may include landscape, documentary, portraiture, architectural, or cultural photography.
- High-resolution JPEG files
- A brief photographer bio or artist statement (100 words max)
Flash Fiction
<1,000 words
12pt font, double-spaced.
You may submit up to 3 flash pieces in a single document.
Short Fiction
1,000 – 4,000 words
12pt front, double-spaced
Character-driven, place-aware stories with strong narrative movement. We are especially drawn to work where the Lowcountry setting is more than background — it is integral to the story. While we will consider genre fiction, literary fiction is preferred.
Submit one story per reading period.
Nonfiction
<4,000 words
12 pt font, double-spaced
We accept: personal essays, short biographies, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, and lyric essays. We love work that explores memory, history, identity, or lived experience connected to the Lowcountry.
We are open to topics outside the Lowcountry. For example, if you’re submitting a memoir piece, the story topic does not have to relate to the Lowcountry region as long as the writer is connected to the area. Or perhaps you have written a personal essay that educates readers about a misunderstood topic.
Submit one piece per reading period.
Poetry
Up to 5 poems in a single document.
We welcome poems that reflect the landscape, culture, rhythms, and voices of the region in fresh and unexpected ways.
Local History and Cultural Reflection
<4,000 words.
Essays, historical fiction, or creative nonfiction that explore the history, traditions, and evolving cultural identity of the Lowcountry. This may include historical narrative, cultural commentary, or place-based reflection.
This category helps preserve and elevate the voices and stories that define this region.
We are especially interested in historical stories you can’t find in the top results of a Google search. We want stories or essays that focus on a specific moment or aspect of an already recorded historical site or event. Think of small, lived moments. Please refer to our current pieces for inspiration.
“Captain Woody Rehab” by Paul Tollefson is also a fantastic example of a creative nonfiction piece.
Not a writer? That’s okay. Literary talent won’t get in the way of sharing the region’s history. Somebody can work with you. Email us with your idea or memory.
Recipes
We are excited to include a small feature of historic, generational, or otherwise unique Lowcountry recipes. These should capture the flavors, traditions, and stories of the region.
We are especially interested in recipes passed down through families that reflect the culture, history, or character of the Lowcountry.
Recipe length: 1-2 pages, including ingredients, instructions, and a brief backstory or memory.
Story: Include a short note (150-250 words) about the recipe’s history, origin, or the family that has passed it down. We would love to settle on a specific moment in time around the recipe.
Photos: Optional, but preferred — high-resolution images of the finished dish, or historical photos if available.
Authenticity: Recipes should be tied to the Lowcountry — ingredients, techniques, or heritage that are unique or meaningful to the region.
Originality: Recipes should be original to your family or documented Lowcountry tradition; we do not accept recipes copied from books, blogs, the internet, or other publications.
Tips Before Submitting
- You do not need previous publications to submit. If the quality is top-notch, we want to see it.
- Before submitting a piece of writing, please make sure you have polished your work.
- When photographing your artwork, use bright, indirect light to avoid glare and shadows.
- One strong piece is better than multiple pieces.
- Rejection is a part of the process and in no way means your work isn’t worthy. We do not publish all submissions. You’re free to resubmit or submit something new.
- Be open to suggestions if accepted for publication.
submit@lowcountryreview.com