Creative Writing: Local Literary Community

The Fourth River is the literary journal of Chatham University’s MFA Program, printed annually. We welcome submissions of creative writing that explore the relationship between humans and their environments, both natural and built, urban, rural or wild. We are looking for writing that is richly situated at the confluence of place, space and identity–or that reflects upon or makes use of landscape and place in new ways.

The Minor Bird is a literary magazine published in print each semester by Chatham University undergraduate students. The magazine represents the creative work of Chatham University’s undergrads and is sponsored by the English Department. We welcome creative writing submissions of all forms and accept work that is polished and well-crafted.

Ten days of intensive workshops, craft lectures and readings with award-winning poets, fiction and creative nonfiction writers on Chatham University's gorgeous Shadyside and Eden Hall campuses. Each participant also receives a 30 minute manuscript consultation with a workshop instructor. For-credit and non-credit options available. ACT 48 available for-credit only.

Words Without Walls is a creative writing outreach program that serves Allegheny County Jail, State Correctional Institution Pittsburgh and Sojourner House, a residential drug and alcohol treatment program for mothers and their children. Since 2009, creative writing classes have been taught by students at Chatham University who are earning their MFA in Creative Writing. Our program teaches 15 classes per year, serving over 250 men and women in the Pittsburgh area. We also hold a weekly creative writing workshop called Voice Catch at the East Liberty branch of the Carnegie Library for all those who have been released from jail, prison or have completed their treatment at Sojourner House. Any member of the Pittsburgh community is invited to attend.

Autumn House Press is a nonprofit corporation registered in the state of Pennsylvania whose mission is to publish and promote poetry and other fine literature.

Bloodletters Literary Magazine is intended to provide a safe space for those who have suffered physical, mental, or emotional trauma.

Braddock Avenue Books is an independent literary press dedicated to publishing both new and established writers whose work engages honestly and meaningfully with contemporary circumstances.

Caketrain is a literary journal and press based in Western Pennsylvania. Our interest is in the very best contemporary creative writing, regardless of its length or genre

Carnegie Mellon University Press, now in its forty-first year of publishing, was founded by Gerald Costanzo in 1972 as “Three Rivers Press.”

Chapter and Verse is published biweekly in the Pittsburgh City Paper.

Coal Hill Review is the online imprint of Autumn House Press. We strive to further Autumn House’s mission of publishing the work of excellent contemporary writers who have a following among readers, but whose work has been overlooked by commercial publishers.

Provides a place for children and young adult writers to showcase their stories. Above all, quality matters. Looking for great writing, especially short forms: poems, prose, and flash fiction, within the realms of magical realism, fabulism, and fantasy.

The Creative Nonfiction Foundation pursues educational and publishing initiatives in the genre of literary nonfiction. Publishes the magazine Creative Nonfiction, as well as the In Fact Books imprint.

The Fourth River is the literary journal of Chatham University’s MFA Program, printed annually. We welcome submissions of creative writing that explore the relationship between humans and their environments, both natural and built, urban, rural or wild. We are looking for writing that is richly situated at the confluence of place, space and identity–or that reflects upon or makes use of landscape and place in new ways.

Our mission is to foster and represent a community of writers and artists in Pittsburgh and share their work within the city and beyond.

Hyacinth Girl Press is a micro-press that publishes up to 6 poetry chapbooks each year. We specialize in handmade books of smaller press runs. We consider ourselves a feminist press and are particularly interested in manuscripts dealing with topics such as radical spiritual experiences, creation/interpretation of myth through a feminist lens, and science. We think outerspace, in particular, is pretty darn cool.

Since IDK’s mission revolves around the Millennial generation, we primarily seek to publish emerging writers born between the years of 1980 and 1995. We don’t want to be ageists, though, so if you fall outside those brackets but are writing about the life and times of Generation Y, send us your work.

Lilliput Review is a print magazine founded in 1989 and dedicated to the short poem. The magazine's normal format, 4.25 x 3.5", reflects its name and that focus. It is published irregularly, two issues at a time, with every 4th issue or so being a broadside featuring the work of a single poet.

The Minor Bird is a literary magazine published in print each semester by Chatham University undergraduate students. The magazine represents the creative work of Chatham University’s undergrads and is sponsored by the English Department. We welcome creative writing submissions of all forms and accept work that is polished and well-crafted.

PPR is a quality print journal to highlight and celebrate the best of Pittsburgh poetry and its many groups. PPR will devote at least half of each issue to local poetry, and about half to work from around the country. We don’t have a specific aesthetic except quality.

Pretty Owl Poetry is an online quarterly journal that publishes new, emerging, and established writers in poetry, flash fiction, and the visual arts.

Here, writers can get a deeper sense of the journals by reading reviews of the latest issues.

If our bodies are oppressed by an outside force, we are "written over." Rogue Agent wants to retaliate. Rogue Agent wants reconciliation. Rogue Agent wants to share your stories about the poem that is the body.

Sampsonia Way is an online magazine sponsored by City of Asylum/Pittsburgh celebrating literary free expression and supporting persecuted writers worldwide.

The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition is a non-profit community organization dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life in the 14h Ward of the City of Pittsburgh.

The University of Pittsburgh Press is dedicated to advancing scholarship and promoting fine writing through its ambitious publishing programs. The generous support of individuals and foundations helps us to continue existing programs and launch new initiatives.

Uppagus publishes poetry and flash fiction.