Chicago Review does not publish typical trade-style book reviews (reviews that focus, for instance, on the timeliness, quality, or personal appeal of new or forthcoming titles). Instead, we look for argument-driven criticism that advances an original, rigorous reading of new or recent texts and contributes to live conversations in poetics, modern literature, and related fields. We publish essays with polished, engaging prose that are grounded in close reading, scholarship, and theory. We’re especially drawn to discussions of literary form and critical practice. We maintain a list of books we’re potentially interested in (which is a good place to look for the kinds of writing we focus on), but we’re quite open to things that aren’t on our radar, too.
How to pitch us
All potential reviews should be submitted as emailed pitches. Write to us at editors[at]chicagoreview[dot]org with the word “PITCH” in the subject line and a summary of your piece in the body of the email. In about 200–300 words, introduce your review and frame a clear, original argument about the book (or, in the case of a cluster review, books) under consideration. You might also indicate why your piece is a good fit for Chicago Review. Finally, please include a short bio.
If you would like to submit a completed draft of a review, please follow the same steps outlined above: write to us with “PITCH” in the subject line and a 200- to 300-word summary of your piece, plus a short bio, in the body of the email. Then include your draft as an attachment. We will read both the pitch and the draft in making our decision. However, reviewers who submit a draft without a thoughtful, detailed pitch are less likely to be accepted.
If we’re interested in your piece, we can usually request an ARC or digital review copy for you.
Things to note
Prospective writers should be aware that our editorial process for nonfiction is thorough and tends to take at least a few months from acceptance to publication. We strive for timeliness, but our priority is producing rigorous criticism of lasting value. Accordingly, all nonfiction pieces go through two or more rounds of intensive editing. You may be asked to do a full or partial rewrite.
Presses and authors should note that we do not have staff writers, which means that we are unable to assign books to reviewers. Everything we publish is contributed by independent writers on a voluntary, case-by-case basis. If you have published a book that could be of interest to CR and our readers, please encourage a trusted writer to pitch us.
Click here for detailed reviewer guidelines.
Click here for our list of books for review.