Mithila Review

What this publication wants

This is BRYME's summary of the publication's focus — not a copy of their website. Type of writing: Fiction, Poetry, Essays, Reviews, Interviews, Analysis. Official guideline: Mithila Review guidelines.

Topics, themes and styles they look for

• Speculative work that explores politics, identity and culture - the guidelines ask for fiction that makes the reader feel and think.
• Stories and poetry from under-represented and marginalised writers, named explicitly in the guidelines.
• Non-fiction: reviews, essays, listicles, reaction pieces and critical articles about SFF media and pop culture that get little mainstream attention.
• First-time writers. The page says it happily encourages them, and asks you not to self-reject.

Subjects they avoid

• More than one story and three poems before you hear back. Pitches and non-fiction may be sent separately.
• Submissions outside the .doc or .docx formats the page names.
• Assuming fiction or poetry is open - both have been closed since 18 September 2021, and non-fiction is the live window.

Key requirements

• One story, one non-fiction piece or pitch, and up to three poems, in a single document.
• Standard manuscript format, which the page strongly prefers and links a template for.
• A cover letter with a short background and your pronouns - preferred, not required.
• A note in the cover letter if the piece is simultaneously submitted, and immediate notice if it is accepted elsewhere.

Who can submit

Open to writers from around the world. The magazine states it encourages first-time writers from anywhere, and says it is especially committed to publishing BIPOC creators, LGBTQIA+ writers, people with disabilities, and voices from Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi and other subaltern communities.

Rights

First world electronic rights, plus non-exclusive audio and anthology rights for the planned annual anthology.

AI policy

Not stated in the guideline

How to write for them

Official requirement: always follow the publication's own guideline exactly.

BRYME's practical advice: write for the publication's audience, use a clear structure, keep paragraphs short, lead with a specific angle, and confirm the word count before submitting. These are practical suggestions — they are not the publication's official rules.

How to pitch

Where a pitch is required, this is the general pattern BRYME recommends — always adapt it to the publication's guideline.

1. Research the publication and read several recent pieces.
2. Choose a specific idea that fits their beat and audience.
3. Write a concise subject line naming your idea.
4. Introduce yourself in one or two lines (who you are, where you publish).
5. Explain the proposed piece in a short paragraph — angle, structure, length.
6. Say why it fits this publication.
7. Include 2–3 relevant clips or links.
8. Close professionally and thank them for their time.
9. Send through the official channel only.

Accepting submissions now, with no stated closing date.

Track this pitch

How to submit

Non-fiction by email; fiction and poetry through the submission form when open

Apply through the official channel below. BRYME only records submission destinations it has verified.

• Official guideline: opens the publication guideline (new tab)
• Submission: Non-fiction by email; fiction and poetry through the submission form when open
• Submission email: submissions@mithilareview.com

What the guideline asks you to prepare

• Check the current status before sending: fiction and poetry are closed, non-fiction is open.
• For non-fiction, email the pitch with a detailed outline or a completed article.
• For fiction and poetry, use the submission form when the window reopens.
• Say in the cover letter if you are submitting elsewhere at the same time.

What happens after submission

Expected response: 2-8 weeks; average 2+ weeks (their figure)

If the publication does not state a response time, BRYME records that it is unknown. A follow-up is generally reasonable after a couple of weeks; if there is still no response, treat that as a likely non-acceptance rather than a rejection. Acceptance is normally communicated by the publication. If they accept, they will tell you exactly how to submit the final piece and, for most, how and when payment is made.