Submissions are closed until 2026!
You may have heard of tabula rasa before.
It’s a philosophical theory that posits we are born with smooth, empty minds, ready to be carved and shaped into existence by our experiences. The literal meaning of tabula rasa is “blank slate”. We like to think that every poem or story you write begins as this, too – a blank piece of paper waiting to hold your creation.
What will you do with this emptiness?
How will you fill it?
We want to know.
Tabula Rasa Review is filled with poetry and prose that show us just how much can be done with a blank piece of paper. Our authors have formed dimension, and feeling in black and white text. They’ve created relationships, climaxes, and resolutions that make us feel as if we are there, too.
As a small independent literary journal, it’s just us, our social media, and our website. It’s our little blank slate, ready to be filled to the brim with gorgeous, potent writing. All in all, it’s a platform to have your voice heard.
What You Should Know Before You Submit to Tabula Rasa Review
Our Theme = Human Condition / Experience
We are now accepting fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that reflects the human condition. It isn’t as complicated as it sounds – if your writing is about the human experience, it counts! Take a look at our previous issues to see what kind of stories we like to read.
We Accept Reprints / Previously Published Writing
Whether your piece was published in a now-defunct journal, you put it on your blog before you knew that counted as publication, or you just want your piece to circulate again, we welcome you to submit it to us!
If You Get Accepted…
- We refund your submission fee of $1 – you don’t pay a penny!
- You’re automatically entered to win one of six bundles that include…
- A cash prize (proportionate to $$ made from submissions)
- Best of Net nomination (reprints not eligible, unfortunately)
- Inclusion in our 10-year anthology
We Love Promoting Our Authors
We create individual promotional posts on our social media that feature newly published writing. We also do alumni spotlights and other fun posts to promote you and your writing, if you get published with us!
We Are Constantly Growing = More Exposure for You!
- We receive an average of 10,000 views and 5,000 visitors on our website every year, and this number has continued to grow significantly year-over-year.
- Our issues have collectively been downloaded or purchased nearly 5,000 times, and we receive well over 1,000 submissions for our annual submission call.
- We have 4,500 followers across our social media platforms, and we receive between 10,000-20,000 views on Instagram and Facebook every month.
- Our authors have been nominated for Pushcart Prizes, Best of Net, and have formally published dozens of successful poetry collections since their work found a place with us.
Tabula Rasa Review 