Masthead

Editors for Fall 09 & Spring 10:
Mitchell Dahlhoff, T. J. Staneart

Assistant Editor:
Dannica Dufur

Readers for Fall 08 & Spring 09:
Jodie Webb, Ari Copenhaver, Lois Haak,
Dan Vierck, Cailin Iverson, Rochelle Luebke

SMSU Faculty Advisor:
Anthony Neil Smith

The Bare Root Review is now open for submissions. We will be reading from January through April.
We want your best works of flash fiction, short fiction, and poetry.

So what is a bare root?  The name stems from the Minnesota state flower, the pink and white lady’s slipper.  It is a plant whose roots must be cut and individually transplanted—but then it grows thick.  The roots of this plant entangle the soil around it, like we are entangled in our emotions.  These emotions are as essential to our human growth as the soil to the root.  When the topsoil is washed away, the underlying complexity is revealed.  

We invite you to dig deep and expose your true complexity.  Wash away the perfection, the pretty, and expose your bare truth. Writing is a high risk, high reward endeavor – don’t be afraid to take chances. 

We’re looking for submissions that surpass usual expectations. Submissions should showcase solid writing and demonstrate complexity of thought. Fiction with strong prose and command of narrative is highly valued. Poetry submissions should give us new insights into the possibilities of the medium and language. Creative non-fiction can cover any possible topic as long as it gives us an introspective and honest view into the world you see. Graphic short stories shouldn’t just be stories with pictures; they should be stories that couldn’t be told without them. We want work we will be compelled to come back to again and again.  

You may submit:

Short Fiction – Up to 3000 words.
Poetry – Up to three poems.
Creative Non-Fiction – Up to 3000 words.
Graphic Short Stories – No more than 5 standard pages. Must be completed work – no scripts. Must be submitted in .png format 

We will be reading from September through November 15th.

It is Bare Root Review's policy to read work within two months and notify the author of acceptance or rejection.We do not pay authors at this time.

Works can be can be submitted as an attachment to an email message in .doc or .rtf format.

Please send work to: bareroot@smsu.edu