REVIEWS | 2026

Reviews Submission Guidelines

We welcome reviews that engage deeply with ecological and theological concerns in the broadest sense. We look for writing that moves beyond summary toward critical inquiry—reviews marked by an artful sensibility and a clear, distinct voice.

You can pitch, submit, or share an Advance Review Copy via Submittable. Please note that while we list upcoming titles for our contributors, our reviewers choose books based on their own interests; inclusion on our list is not a guarantee of a review.

Reviews can be any length, but we are particularly interested in the breadth and depth offered by 1200-1500 words. Our reviews editor may work collaboratively with writers on tone and formatting.

In terms of review content, we are interested in how you read the work. Identify the text’s concerns and how the writer makes them visible. Does the text present itself/its argument via sound, image, form, logic? Who is the text’s ideal audience? An excellent EcoTheo review generally includes:

• An exploration of how the work speaks to our core themes in the sacred and the natural world.
• Insightful critical engagement with the author’s craft, imagery, and central arguments.
• Brief, impactful quotes that showcase the book’s prose or poetic style.
• A concluding thought on why this work is significant for our community in this current moment, which points to the cultural relevance.

FORMATTING

At the top of your review, please provide the following information:

• [Book Title] by [Author Name]. [Press] ([Publication Date]). [Pages]. [Price].
• In your cover letter, please include a brief bio of yourself.

Poetry Reviews

• When citing poetry, we ask that you handle the text with care: please replicate the original lineation faithfully and double-check all quotations. To give the reader a true sense of the work, aim for three or four excerpts of at least three lines each.
• Follow these general poetry citation guidelines.

Policy Reminders

We publish all forms of expression, including poetry, prose (i.e., fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, interviews, and reviews), and visual art that reflect our values of curiosity, justice, and community. 

Work that has been created, in any part, with the assistance of AI tools is not eligible for submission or publication.

We consider all submissions for publication on our website and/or in our quarterly print issues. 

Please allow us at least three months to review your submission. Our editors are volunteers with other work, family, and creative commitments. We appreciate your patience as we give all submissions the consideration they deserve. We do not accept previously published work, but we do accept simultaneous submissions. Please notify us promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

For inquiries related to the website or other matters, email our Managing Editor at emmye@ecotheo.org.