Round Table Literary Journal
The Round Table Literary Journal is Accepting Submissions August 31, 2026-December 31, 2026.
The Round Table Literary Journal publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art once a year. The selected works will be honored, and awards will be given during an annual reading ceremony in the spring term. Learn more about our guidelines below.
For additional information or questions, please contact Caitlin Riley.
The Round Table Literary Journal History
The Round Table Literary Journal is the historic print literary journal of Hopkinsville Community College. Established by former HCC English professor, Frances Thomas, and her students in 1967, the journal has been published annually ever since, showcasing the best literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and high-contrast artwork from the local area and beyond.
Mission of the Round Table Literary Journal
The Round Table Literary Journal, is founded upon the idea that all voices deserve representation. We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and artwork that respect language and craft. We also strive to celebrate and honor the creative voices in our own community and service region.
We believe that good writing and well-rendered art has the power to change the world. Regardless of the medium, we want pieces that take us somewhere emotionally, pieces we can’t stop thinking about.
Note: we also feature the Next Generation of Round Table Voices for young people, so we are a family-friendly publication. That means we are not the market for overt sexuality, gratuitous violence, heavy use of profanity, or nudity in artwork.
About the Round Table Literary Journal Editors
Round Table editor, Caitlin Riley, is an Associate Professor who teaches English, Literature, and Integrated Reading and Writing at Hopkinsville Community College. She is primarily a nonfiction writer who dabbles in writing fiction and poetry. She holds an MFA from Murray State University. She is a past contributor to Paducah Life Magazine, Christian Woman, the Round Table, and Archive of Our Own. Connect with her by email at caitlin.riley@kctcs.edu.
Student editors for the Round Table help select writing and artwork for each issue and assist with the annual awards ceremony each spring. Students who are interested in serving on the editorial staff are invited to contact Caitlin Riley for more information.
Submission Guidelines
The Round Table Literary Journal publishes literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art once a year. At present, we only accept prose submissions under 2500 words, although we will give preference to work under 1000 words. All submissions that follow our guidelines below will be considered for an upcoming issue.
Simultaneous Submissions: We do accept simultaneous submissions; however, please let us know immediately if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
Rights: If your work is accepted by the Round Table Literary Journal, you’re granting us First Serial Rights to showcase your work in our publication. At the time of publication, all rights revert back to the author. If you republish the work elsewhere, all we ask is that you please credit us as the first publisher.
Editing: The Round Table Literary Journal reserves the right to edit manuscripts for grammar or clarity issues without notification if necessary. If a manuscript requires a substantial amount of editing, we will notify the author of such changes for review before publication.
Response Time: We’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible about your submission. If you haven’t heard from us in three months then query us; otherwise, please be patient. We are doing our best and giving each submission the attention it deserves.
Previously Published Work: The Round Table Literary Journal doesn’t consider previously published work (this includes journals, blogs, etc.).
Multiple Submissions: Please submit only one submission at a time and wait for a response before sending us another.
Payment: Contributors are paid in one copy of the journal in which her or his work appears.
Please adhere to these formatting guidelines when submitting work to the Round Table Literary Journal:
--Name, email address, and phone number appears on the first page of the prose or poem
--Prose is double spaced and is in a 12-point font (preferably Times New Roman)
--Prose has page numbers (this doesn't apply to poetry submissions)
--Artwork is submitted in a high-quality jpeg or png file
