The Rumi Review

About Us

The Rumi Review is a literary magazine dedicated to amplifying the voices ​of writers of Middle Eastern descent.

We are looking for poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction, that narrate the ​burdens and beauties of Middle Eastern heritage. We consider all writers ​regardless of age, experience, or any other designation, as long as they are ​respectful and conscious of our mission and the social realities behind it.

Only 1% of people in the U.S. identify as Middle Eastern, yet the Middle East ​maintains an unremitting presence in American media. These media ​depictions are often deeply prejudiced and inaccurate. This is why we created ​The Rumi Review (named after the Persian poet, Rumi) a platform where ​Middle Eastern identity can truly be represented and celebrated.

Submissions

Eligibility

We are open to all poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction from those who ​identify as Middle Eastern, regardless of where they reside. Since the ​designation “Middle Eastern” is deeply complex itself, we allow submitters ​to decide if The Rumi Review is the right place for their work.

Submission Guidlines

• There are no restrictions on a submission’s subject/content!

• We will not accept any work that is inherently prejudiced or oppressive.

• We accept simultaneous submissions (as long as you inform us if your work is ​accepted elsewhere) and previously published work.

• By submitting your work to The Rumi Review, you are giving us consent to publish ​and feature your work on our website if it is accepted.

• We ask for First North American Serial Rights for unpublished work. You (the writer) ​will retain all legal rights to your work. Once your work has been published here, you ​may submit it to other publications if you wish, though we ask that you credit The ​Rumi Review as where your work was first featured. For previously published work, ​we ask for non-exclusive archival rights.
  

• Poetry submissions should be limited to 3 poems.
  

• Prose submissions are limited to 2 submissions, each under 3,000 words.
  

• Creative nonfiction submissions are limited to 2 submissions, each under 3,000 ​words.
  

• Submissions do not need to be in English, but non-English pieces must include a ​translation for accessibility purposes.
  

• Submissions will close when we reach our submission cap, so check our website and ​Chill Subs page for updates.
  

• Please keep in mind that each issue will only include 5 poems, 5 prose pieces, and 1-2 ​essays/creative nonfiction pieces. We seek to maintain around a 5% acceptance rate.
  

• If you are interested in submitting to The Rumi Review, please send your submission ​to therumireview@gmail.com. Your subject line should read as follows: “Genre - Full ​Name.” Each piece you submit should be shared as a separate attachment. Please ​include a brief third-person bio for us to include if your work is selected for ​publication. Feel free to include which part(s) of the Middle Eastern diaspora you ​identify with!

• We look to respond to all submissions within a week. Thank you for considering The ​Rumi Review!