Greyrock Review
Welcome to Greyrock Review
Greyrock Review is Colorado State University’s undergraduate literary journal, created and published by a group of undergraduate students during a year-long internship. The content of Greyrock Review comes from submissions from CSU’s students of all majors who seek to show off their talents and become published writers and artists. The goal is to support and promote the literary arts, while learning the intricacies of printing, promoting, and publishing a high-quality literary journal.
We are eager to see works that explore the unique way that individuals experience the world. Whether it’s about culture, nature, harmonies, emotions, dreams, the supernatural, horror, or anything else that inspires you, we want to see your fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art in this year’s Greyrock Review.
Quicklinks
Submissions
Every fall semester marks a new period of submissions to Greyrock Review. Beginning in September, the Greyrock team will accept undergraduate work from all majors in the categories of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art.
Poise your pen, queue your word processor, focus your camera, or clear your throat. We are ready to read the stories of CSU students in whatever form they may come. Voice your experience in a whisper or a shout. Show us the world as viewed from space or from the window of your childhood home. Identify yourself as a friend or stranger, adult or not-so-adult, dreamer or observer. Craft the story of your diverse experience with words, negative space, truth, metaphor, pixels, rhymes, magic, heart, or all of the above.
These are only a few possibilities for what pieces will cross our desk. Submitted work, whether prompted or unprompted by the above, will be evaluated by our editorial staff for content, creativity, and quality. Send us something to remember.
Thank you to all of our contributors. Your submissions are our foundation, and we look forward to finding the pieces that will comprise an issue of Greyrock Review we can all be proud of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Creativity and inspiration can be found in every aspect of our lives, and sometimes it finds its way to the page. We are looking to showcase the creative work written by our very own undergraduate CSU students, regardless of their previous artistic experience, current major, or aspirations.
Submissions open on September 4th and close on December 4th. We know that life can get busy, but we will not accept any work after December 4th at 11:59 p.m.—so try to submit sooner rather than later!
We use Submittable (see the link below). Identifying information should only appear in the Submittable portal and should not appear anywhere in the title or content of your submission. Please note, you must be a current CSU undergraduate student to submit. For more details on how to submit a piece in a particular genre, see below.
Submission guidelines
Each genre has different rules to follow when you submit your work to us.
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Guidelines by genre
Fiction Submissions
We consider pieces of short and flash fiction. We are looking for stories that can stand on their own and exist within one piece; we do not consider excerpts from larger works. Be fearless and view your fiction writing as a way to get at the truths of the human experience. You are welcome to submit up to three pieces of fiction, each submitted separately
Submission requirements include:
- 250 to 3,500 words
- Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format)
- Double-spaced
- 2-point font (Times New Roman preferred)
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Poetry Submissions
We welcome poems of any length and style. You may submit a maximum of five (5) poems, totaling no more than fifteen (15) pages. Line length should not exceed 60 characters, including spaces and punctuation (otherwise lines may be broken to accommodate layout).
All poems must be uploaded in a single document and each poem should begin on a separate page.
Note: formatting on an MS Word file may be altered by upload; if the format is important to you, please upload your poem(s) as a PDF file.
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Nonfiction Submissions
We consider all forms of creative nonfiction, from flash to literary journalism to lyric essay. All pieces should either be grounded in truth or make it clear to the reader when the piece departs from the truth. Any piece of creative nonfiction must stand on its own, and you are welcome to submit up to three pieces, each submitted separately.
Submission requirements include:
- 250 to 3,500 words
- Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx format)
- Double-spaced
- 12-point font (Times New Roman preferred)
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Cover Art Submissions
We welcome visual art of all categories. You may submit a maximum of five (5) pieces of your best work for consideration—multiple images of a singular piece are allowed for three-dimensional artworks. Please upload your visual work as a PDF or high-resolution JPEG file, 300 dpi minimum. We are not accepting any hard copies.
If you would like any sculptural pieces or large paintings/drawings to be considered, we require that you photograph the work yourself and then submit that image.
Submit your work now with Submittable
The Greyrock Review uses Submittable to receive, review, and accept work for publication. Submittable is a cloud-based online platform that is secure and simple to use. All art, fiction, poetry, and nonfiction must be submitted through Submittable. All original works will be considered for publication. Work may be accepted, declined, or resubmitted with suggested revisions from the editors. All majors are encouraged to submit.
Questions regarding submissions can be sent to greyrock@colostate.edu.
Current Issue of Greyrock Review
2026
This project was made possible in part through a grant from the Lilla B. Morgan Memorial Endowment, which works to enhance the cultural development and atmosphere for the arts at Colorado State University. This fund benefits from the generous support of all those who love the arts.
Cover art by Asiye Uctuk
© 2026 Greyrock Review
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in any form or by any means, without prior written consent from the authors.
Greyrock Review
Department of English
Colorado State University
359 Eddy Hall
Fort Collins, CO 80523
english.colostate.edu/greyrock/
Printed in the United States.
Past issues
2025
2024
2023
2026-2027 Greyrock Review Masthead
Managing Editor: Kelly Hobbick
Fiction Editors: Medhaa Lakshman, Vincent Ni
Poetry Editors: Naveah Ferradino, Ryan Offermann
Nonfiction Editors: Leah Stephenson, Emma Pelto
Typesetter: Natalia Caranci
Chief Copyeditor: Audrey Weishaar
Promotion and Publicity Manager: Makenna Wynn
Graduate Advisor: Abi Nelson
Faculty Advisor: Stephanie G’Schwind
Sponsors: Lilla B. Morgan
Memorial Endowment
CSU English Department
What’s in a name?
The Greyrock trail is one of the most famous hikes in Northern Colorado, located some 30 minutes outside CSU’s hometown of Fort Collins. From 1979 to 2001, CSU’s undergraduate literary journal, Greyrock Review, took its name from this landmark. In 2002 it was renamed A, and in 2012 it was renamed Garden Level. The 2013 team’s choice to renew the Greyrock name takes it back into the wilderness, but not so far as to lose sight of home. The hope is to reestablish Greyrock Review as a premier undergraduate literary journal, building on the foundation laid by each previous edition and every edition to come. The journal features outstanding creative undergraduate works of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art.
Greyrock Review Internships
Overview
Students participating in the Greyrock Review internship (E487B) will receive 1 credit per semester for 45 hours of work. Interns meet with the Graduate Student Advisor every week for an hour and complete assignments outside of the scheduled meetings. Students must commit to working on the journal for the entire academic year so that they are able to see the journal to completion. Students can register for E487B for 1 credit per semester for up to 4 semesters.
During this yearlong internship, students learn the intricacies of publishing, promoting, and printing a literary journal. As an intern, you will be expected to attend weekly meetings, where you will discuss advertising, promoting submissions, reading submissions, copy editing, writing acceptance and rejection notices, and potential career paths in publishing.
Backgrounds in editing and/or creative writing are preferable, though not necessary.
Time Involvement With E487B
During the fall semester, interns meet once a week for one hour. The fall semester is spent soliciting submissions, practicing copyediting, and discussing publishing career opportunities. Interns will read submissions over the winter break.
In the spring, interns will meet once each week for three hours. Final acceptance decisions will be made at the beginning of the spring semester, when production (copyediting, design, layout, and proofreading) begins.
Once the issue has been sent to the printer, one-hour meetings will resume until the end of the semester, and the focus will turn to planning the release party for the new issue.
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Internship editorial roles
Managing Editor
The managing editor oversees all editorial staff; coordinates classroom visits; communicates with contributors; coordinates and oversees the production timeline; serves as final proofreader before sending the journal to print; and speaks at the spring release party.
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Poetry Editors
Poetry editors read all poetry submissions and decide which poems will appear in the journal. In the spring, poetry editors copyedit poetry manuscripts as well as proofread poetry and fiction/nonfiction proofs.
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Nonfiction Editors
Nonfiction editors read all nonfiction submissions and decide which pieces will appear in the journal. In the spring, nonfiction editors copyedit nonfiction manuscripts as well as proofread poetry/fiction proofs.
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Fiction Editors
Fiction editors read all fiction submissions and decide which stories will appear in the journal. In the spring, fiction editors copyedit fiction manuscripts as well as proofread poetry/nonfiction proofs.
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Typesetter
The typesetter determines, with input from the team, the design of the new issue; uses InDesign to lay out the issue; makes corrections as noted by the managing editor, chief copyeditor, and genre editors; and designs the cover.
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Chief Copyeditor
The chief copyeditor oversees and checks the copyediting decisions made by the editorial staff; communicate with the managing editor; and makes final copyediting decisions alongside the managing editor.
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Promotion and Publicity Manager
The promotion and publicity manager oversees the Greyrock Review Instagram and Facebook accounts, take pictures at weekly meetings and events, and design posts and flyers to promote the submission period and Greyrock Review events.
Internship application
Registration
If you are interested in participating, please e-mail faculty advisor Stephanie G’Schwind to determine your eligibility for this internship. Instructions for registration will be emailed once the override is complete.
In your email, include:
- Full name
- CSU ID
- Year in college – junior or senior
Credit
Students participating in the Greyrock Review internship receive 1 credit per semester for 40 hours of work. Students can register for E487B for 1 credit per semester for up to 4 semesters.
Students must commit to working on the journal for the entire academic year (fall and spring semester) so that they are able to see the journal to completion.
Positions
Staff positions include the managing editor, poetry editors, fiction editors, nonfiction editors, typesetter/graphic designer, and social media manager.
Faculty and Graduate Student Advisor will assign positions early in the fall semester. All interns serve as copyeditors and proofreaders.
Required Qualifications
- Class Level: junior (60–89 credits) or senior
- English major or minor
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- Grade of “B” or better in E210: Beginning Creative Writing
Desired Qualifications
- Grade of “B” or better in E311, E412
Contact Greyrock Review
Colorado State University
Department of English
359 Eddy Hall, 1773 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523
970.491.6428
greyrock@colostate.edu
Support Greyrock Review
Greyrock Review is supported by the generosity of our community.
Make a gift here and select “Greyrock Review” as the designation. Thank you for your support!
