Genres & Theme
Experimental Literary Mainstream Open to all / most themes The editors of West Branch welcome submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and book reviews, and are open to both experimental and traditional forms. We seek work from any writer, regardless of reputation-it is the task of the writing, not the bio, to convince us. We are not interested in genre work (romance, mystery, science fiction, etc.). Please do not query us about the status of your manuscript until five months have passed. TEMPORARILY CLOSED: Temporarily closed to submissions. Submissions Periods Open to submissions from Friday, August 15, 2008 to Wednesday, April 15, 2009 (90 days from now)	Go To: Website Support this Publisher: Subscribe Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover
Lengths
Poetry (varies, read guidelines) Short Story (1,000 - 7,500 words; may vary)
Media
Print Publication
Payscale
Payment ranges from semi-pro to professional rates for Short Fiction Payment ranges from semi-pro to professional rates for Poetry
Other Info
Accepts postal submissions only
Allows simultaneous submissions (always follow proper simultaneous submission etiquette)
No reprints accepted
No multiple submissions allowed
Published 2 x per year
USA
Response Times
Show Overall Short Fiction Poetry   Note: These statistics are compiled from response reports sent to us anonymously and through our submissions tracker for registered users. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's staff. This market ranks among the Top 25 Most Challenging Poetry Markets Accuracy We have received 141 reports within the past 12 months, not including 5 pending responses (with an avg. wait of 192 days). The more responses reported, the more accurate the info. Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most markets have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Days Reported 3 | 47.6 | 204 (min | avg | max) Responses (93.6%) Acceptances: 0.7% (43 days avg. per acceptance) Rejections: 92.9% (47.1 days avg. per rejection) | 4.6% personal, 89.3% form, 6.1% unspecified Rewrite Requests: - Non-Responses (6.4%) Assumed Rejections: 1.4% (192 days avg. per assumed rejection without response) Author Withdrawals: 5% (17.4 days avg. per withdrawal by author) Other Information Most recent response reported was received on: 01 May 2008 Responses have been received for submissions sent as late as: 13 Apr 2008 Do not query before 150 days have passed. (2.1% of the responses reported to us for this market have taken longer than 150 days.)
Awards, "Best of" Annuals, etc.
Work published has been awarded, nominated for, or received honorable mention in the following: O. Henry Prize Pushcart Prize
Market Added: 11 Feb 2006 Last Updated: 15 Apr 2008 Last Checked: 10 May 2008

Before Submitting
We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close overnight. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Just remember ...

• Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
• Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
• Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
• For novel/collection publishers, it is standard to submit a cover letter, synopsis, and sample instead of the full manuscript.  Do this unless otherwise instructed.
• Include a SASE with all mailed submissions, queries, and requests for guidelines.
• Be professional, patient and persistent.