Submissions for Blue Heron Review Now Temporarily Closed Until the Next Reading Period. 

Our forthcoming BHR issue #19 on the theme of OFFERINGS will be published in late spring 2025 (date TBD). Thank you to everyone who submitted work for this issue. All submissions will be read with great care. *Responses will be sent out approximately 8-10 weeks after receiving a submission.  (Please do not ask about the status of your submission until after 10 weeks have passed. We do NOT have an automated response system, and we do NOT send out auto reply messages about your submission being received.)

A Special Note From the Editor:

After almost 13 years of publishing issues, please be aware that we receive a very high number of submissions for Blue Heron Review.  As a result, the most common reason for not being able to include someone’s work is that we have too many poems under consideration and too few spots available in our issue.  Each submission is read and re-read with great care and deep appreciation for the time and dedication that goes into creating new work.  Thank you for your patience during the decision making process.

All kind thoughts,
Cristina M. R. Norcross

(*Artist credit: Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash)

SUBMISSIONS FOR BLUE HERON REVIEW NOW OPEN / Jan. 1-15, 2025

BHR 19 subs image javardh-MLt_kyFBl8M-unsplash copy

Our Reading Period for BHR Issue 19 / Spring 2025 Is January 1-15, 2025.  (Deadline is 11:59pm US Central on Jan. 15th)

THEME: OFFERINGS.

What will your offering be to the world? What have you received as an offering that has made a difference in your life? Reflect on this topic of what we give (and what we receive), and how this makes a difference. Some examples include: mentorship, volunteerism, friendship, love, support, kindness, one’s vocation, a safe space. Please visit the SUBMISSION GUIDELINES PAGE for a complete list of instructions on how to submit your work and follow carefully.

I look forward to reading your poems!

—Cristina M. R. Norcross
Founding Editor, Blue Heron Review
(*artist credit: Photo by Javardh on Unsplash)