If you’ve got a powerful short story, essay, or poem in your drafts folder, here’s your chance to get published by a prestigious journal and get paid up to $450.

The Kenyon Review has been championing great literature for over 80 years — and they’re still actively seeking fresh voices today.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about writing for The Kenyon Review: what they publish, how much they pay, and how you can submit your work and get noticed.

Let’s get started. 

What is The Kenyon Review?

The Kenyon Review is one of the most prestigious literary magazines in the United States. It’s known for publishing exceptional fiction, poetry, and essays.

It was founded in 1939 by poet and critic John Crowe Ransom. But the idea and vision behind the magazine came from poet Roberta Teale Swartz and her husband, Kenyon College president Gordon Keith Chalmers.

Swartz, a friend and protégé of Robert Frost, played a key role in recruiting Ransom to Kenyon College and launching the publication.

The magazine quickly became a major force in American letters.
It featured early works from greats like:

• Robert Lowell
• Flannery O’Connor
• Maya Angelou
• Thomas Pynchon

Over the decades, it’s remained one of the most respected literary journals in the English-speaking world. Many of its short stories have won O. Henry Awards (42 and counting), and its poems regularly appear in The Best American Poetry series.

Based in Gambier, Ohio, the magazine is institutionally housed at Kenyon College and supported by the college to this day.

Now under the leadership of poet Nicole Terez Dutton, The Kenyon Review continues to showcase innovative and moving work from both established and emerging voices.

What kind of content do they accept?

The Kenyon Review accepts a wide range of literary work, including:

• Short fiction and essays (up to 7,500 words)
• Flash fiction and flash essays (up to 3 pieces, each under 1,000 words — submit all in one document)
• Poetry (up to 6 poems in a single document)
• Excerpts from longer works (up to 30 double-spaced pages)
• Translations (in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry)

Submissions are often shaped by their annual feature folios — themed sections that appear in upcoming issues.

Each year, The Kenyon Review announces new folio themes and invites writers to submit work that broadly interprets those topics.

You’ll need to check their site each submission period to see which genres and themes are open. Availability can shift depending on the issue.

For example, some years they may highlight translation or drama.
Other years may focus on specific cultural, political, or artistic questions.

Writers are welcome to submit to more than one genre.
However, only one submission per genre is allowed per reading period.

What are their writing guidelines?

Here are a few important submission rules to keep in mind:

• Only unpublished work is accepted
• Submissions must follow Chicago Manual of Style conventions
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but notify them immediately if accepted elsewhere
• You may submit to more than one genre, but only one submission per genre
• Do not send revisions or updated drafts unless requested

Who can write for them?

Anyone can submit.

There are no eligibility requirements or restrictions.

Whether you’re a seasoned author or a first-time writer, your work will be read and considered.

How much do they pay?

The Kenyon Review pays contributors as follows:

• Prose: $0.08 per published word (minimum $80, maximum $450)
• Poetry: $0.16 per published word (minimum $40, maximum $200)

Payment is made upon publication.

Writers retain full copyright of their published work.
This means you keep complete ownership of your writing — including the right to republish it elsewhere after it appears in The Kenyon Review.

Note:
You do not get paid just for submitting.
You get paid if your piece is accepted and published.

Why should I write for them?

Few literary magazines combine artistic prestige, historical significance, and fair payment the way The Kenyon Review does.

With a legacy of publishing literary giants and a commitment to discovering new voices, getting accepted here isn’t just another publishing credit — it’s a milestone.

Their thoughtful editorial process, themed folios, and broad readership give writers a rare platform to be taken seriously — both artistically and professionally.

Whether you’re looking to build your literary career, share bold ideas, or reach a deeply engaged audience, The Kenyon Review offers a space where your work can truly shine.

Plus, they actively seek diverse perspectives and innovative work.

If you’ve got something powerful to say — in fiction, nonfiction, or poetry — this is the kind of publication that will treat your work with care and respect.

How do I get started?

Here’s how to submit your work to The Kenyon Review:

• Step 1: Read some of their past work. You can subscribe to their magazine, or access up to 5 pieces for free each month via their archive.
• Step 2: Format your work properly and follow their guidelines.
• Step 3: Submit your work through Submittable during their open reading periods.

They do not accept email submissions.
Print submissions are only accepted from those without internet access (e.g., incarcerated individuals).

Mail submissions (if eligible) should be sent to:

SUBMISSIONS
The Kenyon Review
102 W. Wiggin St.
Gambier, OH 43022

Expect a response within six months.
They read every submission, but the volume is high.

Before you submit:
Paid writing opportunities like these are limited — and they exist because editors are still willing to accept unsolicited submissions from writers around the world. To help keep these opportunities open, don’t submit AI-generated content or low-effort work clearly intended as spam. It wastes the editors’ time and takes away chances from real writers who care about the craft. Respect the opportunity. Respect the process. And respect the people reading your work.

Ready to submit your story, essay, or poem?
Head over to their website to get started.

WRITE FOR THE KENYON REVIEW ➤

Final thoughts

The Kenyon Review has built its legacy by publishing bold, beautiful, and unforgettable writing for over 80 years.

For writers, it offers a rare mix of prestige, payment, and genuine literary engagement.

What sets them apart is not just their history, but their forward-looking vision. Through their feature folios and evolving themes, they open space for timely, innovative work that reflects the world we live in.

That means there’s always a new opportunity to speak to the moment — and to be heard.

If you’re ready to share your best work with an audience that truly values craft, depth, and originality, this is one place that’s worth the effort.

Looking for more sites that pay you to write?

Here’s a curated list of sites that pay writers.

You’ll find magazines, websites, and platforms in all kinds of niches, from poetry, fiction, and greeting cards to travel, lifestyle, parenting, and more.

Each site includes everything you need to know — from the type of content they’re looking for, to how much they pay, to how to submit your work — so you can confidently land your next paid writing gig.

SEE THE FULL LIST ➤