Articles published by the Southwest Review embrace almost every area of adult interest: contemporary affairs, history, folklore, fiction, poetry, literary criticism, art, music, and the theatre. Material should be presented in a fashion suited to a quarterly that is not journalistic and not terribly overloaded with academic apparatus or jargon. It should not be too specialized, after the manner of papers that appear in "learned journals" of different fields of study.

In each issue the Southwest Review publishes two or three stories, which must be of high literary quality. We have published fiction in widely varying styles. We prefer stories of character development, of psychological penetration, to those depending chiefly on plot. We have no specific requirements as to subject matter. Some of our stories have a southwestern background, but even more are not regional. We prefer, however, that stories not be too strongly regional if the region with which they deal is not our own.

The preferred length for articles and fiction is 3,500 to 7,000 words.

It is hard to describe the Southwest Review’s preference in poetry in a few words. We always suggest that potential contributors read several issues of the magazine to see for themselves what we like. But some things may be said: We demand very high quality in our poems; we accept both traditional and experimental writing; we place no arbitrary limits on length; we have no specific limitations as to theme.

Thanks to Marilyn Klepak of Dallas, the Southwest Review gives an annual award of $1000 for a poem by a writer who has not yet published a first book of poetry. Owing to a generous supplemental donation by Mr. and Mrs. David T. Searls, Jr., we offer a second prize of $500. Contestants may submit no more than six poems in a "traditional" form (e.g., sonnet, sestina, villanelle, rhymed stanzas, blank verse, et al.). A cover letter with name, address, and other relevant information may accompany the pieces, which must be printed without any identifying information. Submissions will not be returned. Entry fee is $5.00 per poem. Postmarked entry deadline is September 30, 2008. The poems will be published in the Southwest Review.

THE DAVID NATHAN MEYERSON PRIZE FOR FICTION

We are pleased to announce a new prize for fiction writers who have not published a first book. Named for the late David Nathan Meyerson (1967-1998), a therapist and talented writer who died before he was able to show to the greater world the full fruits of his literary potential, the prize will consist of $1,000 and publication in the Southwest Review. With the generous support of Marlene, Marti, and Morton Meyerson, the award will continue to honor David Meyerson’s memory by encouraging and taking notice of other writers of great promise. Submissions must be no longer than 8,000 words. A $25 reading fee must accompany each submission. Work should be printed without the author’s name. Contact information should appear only on a cover letter. Submissions will not be returned. No simultaneous or previously published work. For notification, include a SASE. Postmarked deadline for entry is May 1, 2008. Winner will be announced in August.

The Southwest Review is published quarterly. We make a nominal payment upon publication and we also send the author three gratis contributor’s copies of the issue in which the work appears.