RipRap Literary Journal is designed and produced annually by students in the Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing program at California State University Long Beach (CSULB). We highlight poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, visual art, and criticism from emerging and established poets, writers, and artists from across the country.
The journal is especially interested in work that is innovative, forward-thinking, and as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. New editions are published each May.
Submissions for Issue 47 are now open through February 28, 2025.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
- Please do not include any identifying or contact information in the file that you submit. Your name and contact information will be included in the Submittable fields. Files with identifying and/or contact information will not be considered for publication.
- You may submit to more than one genre except for fiction and essays; only one submission will be accepted for consideration in those genres.
- Submissions cannot be revised once submitted. If you catch a typo or spot an edit, please withdraw your submission and resubmit.
- Simultaneous submissions are encouraged. However, if your work is accepted elsewhere, please notify us as soon as possible via Submittable. You are welcome to withdraw or partially withdraw your work.
See genre-specific guidelines below.
Please send up to four poems with a maximum submission length of eight pages. Send all poems in one document. Published poets will receive contributor copies as payment in May.
Only one short fiction submission is allowed per reading period. If more than one story is submitted, only the first one sent will be considered. A count of 2,000-7,000 words is preferred.
Published writers will receive contributor copies as payment in May.
Please submit up to two essays with a word count of 1,000-2,000 words per essay. Send all essays in one document.
Published writers will receive contributor copies as payment in May.
Artwork must be original. Please submit up to three pieces – of any medium – as .jpgs. Hi-res (300 ppi) files will be requested if your artwork is selected.
All art submitted will automatically be considered for RipRap 47's cover art.
Published artists will receive contributor copies as payment in May.