Indigenous Stories, Poems, and Creative Nonfiction Essays for Justice and Compassion

For the Fall / Winter 2025 issue of Yellow Medicine Review, we are seeking bold, thoughtful, and heartfelt work that stirs the reader's sense of compassion and illuminates the struggles and triumphs of social justice. Send us your stories, poems, and creative nonfiction essays that not only move us emotionally but also deepen our understanding of the human condition in the face of inequity, resilience, and transformation.

We welcome writing that confronts the realities of injustice with honesty and nuance; elevates indigenous voices and perspectives; explores the intersections of identity, power, and belonging; and/or inspires empathy, action, and hope through lived experience or imaginative vision.

Whether lyrical or raw, quiet or urgent, we want work that lingers in the heart and sparks conversation long after the page is turned. Together, let's create a collection that testifies to the power of art in shaping a more compassionate, just world.

Please send original, unpublished work only. A good rule of thumb to follow for submissions is: short stories (up to 5,000 words); poems (up to 5); and creative nonfiction essays (up to 4,000 words). [Note: there are always exceptions to these guidelines for superior pieces.]

Deadline for Submissions:    October 18, 2025

Expected Publication Date:    Early December 01, 2025

Submit work as a single email attachment to: editor@yellowmedicinereview.com

In your email/cover letter, please include the following:

• Your name and physical mailing address
• List of all titles and genres (story, creative nonfiction essay, poetry) of included work
• Short bio
• Your tribal affiliation [YMR is a journal of Indigenous writing]
  

 Please adhere to the YMR submission format and guidelines:

• Send work as a Word or RTF attachment. If  there is unusual formatting in your piece, please also include a PDF.

• The subject line of your email should read as follows: YMR FW 2025 Last Name (ex: YMR FW 2025 Wilson)

• Simultaneous and/or multiple submissions are acceptable, just please advise the editor if your work is accepted elsewhere.

• Please no previously published work (though we do sometimes make exceptions--so maybe ask before submitting such).