gates open
newsflash
closed temporarily
Send us your brief responses to immediate current events: prose (800 words or less) and poetry (25 lines or less). We receive only 20 submissions a week and publish the best ones the following week.
napomo 2021
aug 15 - oct 1
Every year, during National Poetry Month, Iron Horse releases a special electronic issue dedicated to all things poetry. Send us your poems! Entry fee: $15 (which includes a subscription). The best poem receives $1,000. Ten other finalists receive $50 each. All eleven are published.
the long story
aug 15 - oct 1
Every fall, we accept submissions for The IHLR Long Story, which is your chance to publish those marathon essays and stories most journals won't consider. Manuscripts must be between 20 and 40 pages. Entry fee: $15 (which includes a subscription). The winner--either an essay or story--receives $1,000.Every fall, we accept submissions for the IHLR Long Story, which is your chance to publish those marathon-long essays and stories most journals won't consider. Length: 20 to 40 pages. Entry fee: $15 (which includes a subscription). The winner--either an essay or story--receives $1,000.
power, 23.2
oct 15 - nov 15
Send us your poems, stories, and essays that address ideas of power: authority, empowerment, privilege, muscle, independence, strength, fortitude, unity, protest.
chapbook issue, 23.3
jan 15 - mar 15
Each year, Iron Horse publishes one issue as a chapbook. This year, we're accepting collections of poetry, 28-36 pages. Submissions due by March 15. Entry fee: $18 (which includes a subscription). Winner receives $1,000 and 15 copies of their chapbook.
the photofinish
july 1 - aug 15
Every year on New Year's Eve, we'll publish an e-issue featuring ten short pieces of prose or poetry in response to a photo we post in May. Send us your best flash stories and essays (500 words or less) or your best poems (fifteen lines or less). Entry few: $5. First prize: $250. Ten finalists: $50 each.
ihlr book prize
june 15 - aug 15
We are seeking short story and essay collections at least 200 pages in length from emerging writers, and we particularly encourage writers from under-represented groups to send us their work. One winner will receive a $1,000 honorarium and publication with Texas Tech University Press. All submissions will be considered for publication.