The Pinch is a national literary journal that publishes fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction and art. Now accepting submissions! www.thepinchjournal.submishmas
Run out of the University of Memphis, The Pinch has published the work of many fine contemporary writers including: Bobbie Ann Mason, Lee Sharkey, Dinty W. Moore, Floyd Skloot, Ander Monson and many others.
The Pinch conducts annual Literary Awards which have been judged by esteemed poets and novelists like Rick Bass, Jeffrey McDaniel, Allen Weir and Beth Ann Fennelly.
The Pinch was founded in 1980 by William Page and has always been dedicated to producing high art on every page. We have a strong passion for finding and publishing great work of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and visual art.
The Pinch was originally called the Memphis State Review. In it’s first few years the journal published such well-known writers as Robert Bly, Phillip Levine, Mary Oliver, Robert Penn Warren and Margaret Atwood.
In 1988 Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program was formed and the name of the journal changed to River City. Page handed his editor in chief position to Sharon Bryan. Under Bryan’s leadership River City published notable issues such as “Where We Stand: Women Poets on Literary Tradition” which was later published as a book by W. W. Norton & Contemporary Culture.
From 1998 to 2001 editor in chief, Thomas Russell, returned River City to its focus on creative and literary work. Russell produced many issues that went under themes such as “The Other (Inside Us)” and “Luck.” Russell also published a special issue for the 20th Anniversary of The River City Writers Series featuring the works of famous authors such as Donald Justice, Marvin Bell, Adrienne Rich, Lucille Clifton, Mary Gaitskill, John Updike, and Margaret Skinner, as well as the photography of William Eggleston. In 2002, Mary Leader became editor in chief and moved the journal away from themes to an emphasis on poetry.
Kristen Iversen , the current editor in chief, started in 2005. Under her leadership, the journal has transition to its current name The Pinch and has incorporated more creative nonfiction in addition to fiction and poetry. In recent years, our contributers have included Linda Gregerson, Bobbie Ann Mason, Lee Gutkind, Scott Russell Sanders, George Singleton, Lee Sharkey, Ron Rash, Bob Cowser, Jr., Steven Church, Robert Root, Dinty W. Moore, Floyd Skloot and many others.
The Pinch is printed on a higher-quality heavier paper and filled with glossy pages. Most recently, The Pinch logo and cover have been redesigned by Gary Golightly, the Graphic Design Program Coordinator at the University of Memphis Art Department. Golightly has won awards for these beautiful covers.
We continue this tradition of high-quality art in several forms. The Pinch is an example of the hard work and dedication of a group of people who are passionate about literature and the arts.
I would like to submit a short story of 5,000 words to be considered for your contest. Does the information in the 2012 Writer’s Market give me all dope i need?
It should. But if it doesn’t, the contest submissions Guidelines can be found here: here.
I received my submission confirmation. In the email, it said my entry fee entitles me to a complimentary copy of the Fall 2012 issue of The Pinch. Will that be Snail Mailed or is there a link for me to access the issue?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Linda, Thanks for supporting the Pinch! Your copy of the Fall 12 issue will be mailed to you at the address associated with your submishmash account. If you need to change this address, let us know at editor@thepinchjournal.com. Thanks! Best, Pinch Staff
I wanted to know whether or not I was allowed to submit one poem and one short story or if I was only allowed to submit up to three works in one category? If allowed, when I mail it would I have to include a total of 30 dollars (20 for first entry and 10 for subsequent) or because they are one submission for each category, it would be 20 for each?
Hi Kristina, Thanks for your interest in our contest. The initial entry to the contest, for poetry or for fiction, is $20. One poetry entry is 1-3 poems. One fiction entry is one story up to 5000 words. After that initial entry, each additional entry of 1 story or set of 1-3 poems will cost an additional $10. Feel free to reach out to us at editor@thepinchjournal with additional concerns or questions.
It’s past the deadline for the contest, but I am considering making a submission for consideration as a non-contest item. Is that allowable?
Hi Jack, Thanks for your interest in our contest! The contest and regular submission deadline has been extended to April 1, so you still have time to submit! Best, Pinch staff
Hi I submitted a poem for the contest about a month ago and I already recieved an email saying that I have been denied. I also posted a comment asking how long it would take to receive a email about our submitted entries. My question is, was that email just an example of a rejection letter, or do you guys reject submissions before the submission deadline?
Hi Richard, Thanks for your interest in our literary awards! We review entries on a rolling basis once the contest opens, and so not all contest entries pass on to the next round. We hope you’ll continue to send us your work for future contests and publication consideration. Best, Pinch Staff
Hello, I just wanted to know that since I’m mailing my submission in, one short story and one poem, if I needed to mail them to the two separate places for poetry and fiction or if I could send it in all to one place?
Thank you very much.
Kristina Rivera