Guide: How to Prepare & Submit to The Paris Review — A Beginner’s Roadmap

Section 1 · What the magazine is

What The Paris Review publishes and who reads it

The Paris Review is one of the world’s most respected literary magazines — a quarterly journal and a continuously updated website that publishes fiction, poetry, letters & essays, long-form interviews, and art/photography. The site mixes archive material (the famous interviews) with contemporary fiction and poetry. Their audience is readers of serious literary work: writers, students, and general readers who appreciate carefully crafted language and formal experimentation. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Section 2 · When & how to submit

Open windows, Submittable, and postal submission basics

Two practical things to know straight away:

• They use Submittable for unsolicited submissions and open windows seasonally: prose submissions typically open in specific months and poetry in others; when Submittable shows “no open calls” it usually means the online cap has been reached and you may submit by mail instead. For the precise windows and how Submittable is handled, check their official Submissions page and their Submittable manager. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
• They accept postal submissions following the instructions on their Submissions page; historically the office has used a New York mailing address for physical manuscripts (see their submissions/contact pages and archival references for the current address). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Section 3 · Before you submit

Prepare a small portfolio: samples, revisions, and why craft matters

The Paris Review receives exceptional work. Before you send anything, do these things:

• Read recent issues in your chosen category: read 3–6 recent fiction pieces (if you write fiction) or 6–10 poems (if you write poetry). Notice how pieces begin and end, paragraph rhythm, and the magazine’s preferences for lineation and pacing.
• Create 2–4 strong samples: these can be previously published pieces (if they are allowed), or polished drafts on your blog, in a literary journal, or in a private portfolio. Editors like to see work that’s ready for publication and thoughtfully revised.
• Get external feedback: use a trusted workshop, writer friend, or paid editor to catch structural problems. Make sure language is tight and development is intentional.
• Test formatting: submit in a clean, easy-to-read layout (double-spaced for prose manuscripts, standard font for poetry with clear stanza breaks). If mailing, bind or enclose as they instruct; if uploading to Submittable, follow the file type guidelines on the submission form.

Section 4 · How to prepare the submission packet

Step-by-step: from final draft to the plate (digital or postal)

Section 5 · Cover letters & pitch language

Short, polite, and professional — ready-to-use templates

Editors appreciate brevity. Below are templates you can copy and paste, then edit to fit your details.

Section 6 · Rights, payment, response times

Practical legal & money facts (what to expect)

Here are the load-bearing facts you must plan around:

• Response time: The Paris Review’s contact guidance advises allowing up to six months for a response on fiction, nonfiction, or poetry submissions. If you have not heard after that time, they provide a process for querying. Plan accordingly — six months is typical for major literary journals. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Payment & compensation: Payment rates are sometimes discussed in industry listings and vary by piece and by era. Third-party market listings (Duotrope and others) report that The Paris Review has historically offered substantial pay for selected pieces (figures vary by piece and by year; check current communications from the magazine for any exact rate). Treat public figures as estimates and confirm with the editor if you reach the acceptance stage. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
• Rights: Many literary magazines request first print or first electronic rights and then allow reprints after an agreed window; check the acceptance agreement closely. Duotrope and other index sites note that reprints are often not allowed without permission — always confirm with your contract. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Section 7 · Checklist & common pitfalls

Final micro-SOP before you hit send (or postmark)

Section 8 · Alternatives & building a publication ladder

If The Paris Review feels too ambitious today — where to publish first

Many writers build a steady ladder of publications. The goal is not “any byline” but “a track record of finished, edited pieces.” Consider these tiers:

• Local journals / university journals: often welcome emerging writers and provide helpful editorial feedback.
• Reputable online journals: places like The Parker or medium literary journals (search Duotrope or Poets & Writers for listings).
• Mid-tier print journals: regional magazines and genre-crossing lit mags — good for experience with editors.
• Top-tier journals: The Paris Review, The New Yorker, and Granta often expect experience, though new writers are occasionally accepted when the work is exceptional.

Section 9 · FAQ & resources

Quick answers and direct links you’ll need