The North Carolina Literary Review (NCLR), produced at East Carolina University, publishes interviews and literary criticism about North Carolina writers and high-quality poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction by North Carolina writers or set in North Carolina. Our definition of a North Carolina writer is anyone who currently lives in North Carolina, has lived in North Carolina, or uses North Carolina as subject matter.
A cross between a scholarly journal and a literary magazine, NCLR has won numerous awards and citations, including six from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals: the Best New Journal award in 1994, the Best Journal Design award in 1999 and 2010, the Parnassus Award for Significant Editorial Achievement in 2007, the Phoenix Award for Significant Editorial Achievement in 2014, and Best Public Intellectual Special Issue in 2023.
Latest News
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NCLR Releases Fourth Issue of the Year
The Fall issue feature rounds out with pieces by Ashely Harris, Vivian Bikulege, Paula Gallant Eckard, and more. (Cover art by Nysie Hurst)
Current Call for Submissions
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2026: Saluting Veterans’ Writing
This special feature section of NCLR seeks to bridge the gap between military personnel and civilians by celebrating veteran writers and their impacts on literary and cultural studies.
Upcoming Events
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NCLR Celebrates NC Book/Drama Awards
Join us for the NCLHA Awards in December.
From the Archives
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Literary Historical Markers: Find & Write!
Friday from the Archives: “State Highway Historic Markers: Public Commemoration and Literary History” by Michael Hill from NCLR 2 (1993) Looking for your next literary research subject? May we suggest riding around your town til you find a local literary highway historical marker? There are over a hundred around the state, in many unexpected places.
Book Reviews
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Southern Reviews Frese
Saturday Review: “Between Life Before and Life After” a review by Kristi Southern of The Saddest Girl on the Beach (2024) a novel by Heather Frese in NCLR Online Winter 2025
Editors’ Blog
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Discoveries at the Library
“Serendipity: The faculty of making happy and unexpected discoveries by accident.” I wouldn’t call it serendipity that all our incredible writers have come from North Carolina (our soil seeming to provide sustenance for writerly types from Murphy to Manteo), but it is highly likely that many readers find favorite passages/poems/books/writers that way.
North Carolina Literary Review
East Carolina University
Mailstop 555 English | Greenville, NC 27858-4353
NCLRstaff@ecu.edu | 252-328-1537
