The Headlight Review is an online journal of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry published by Kennesaw State University. Launched in 2017, the journal was originally named “The Crambo.” It was established as part of a course in which students learned about publishing by producing the journal. Now the journal is rebranding itself as The Headlight Review and seeking, “stories with characters that become flesh and blood—poems that light up the senses.” The Headlight Review is now produced through a collaboration between the university’s faculty, graduate students, and community.
The Headlight Review now publishes four times a year online. They showcase both emerging and established authors from around the world. They also nominate authors published in the journal for the Pushcart Prize.
The Headlight Review is accepting submissions for their upcoming issue.
Authors of fiction may submit up to 5,000 words in any of the following genres: speculative fiction, afro-futurism, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction, thriller/suspense, western, contemporary, historical, experimental, or humor.
Poets may submit up to three poems in any of the following genres: prose poetry, speculative poetry, free verse, nature writing, romantic poetry, or religious/spiritual poetry.
Authors of creative nonfiction may submit up to 5,000 words in any of the following genres: biography, autobiography, lyrical essay, memoire, travel writing, or religious/spiritual writing.
The Headlight Review also accepts reviews of works of fiction by new or emerging authors. They prefer to feature reviews of books published by small presses. Reviews should be 750 to 1,500 words.
Other offerings at The Headlight Review include a chapbook competition (not currently open) and interviews with authors and artists (not currently a submissions category).
The Headlight Review accepts submissions online, not via email or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions, but they don’t accept previously published work. They read all submissions blind, so they ask that authors remove identifying information from submitted writing.
The Headlight Review only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.
If you would like to learn more or submit to The Headlight Review, please visit their website here.
Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.
