West Windsor, N.J. - Area writers and artists are invited to submit their work for possible inclusion in Kelsey Review 2011, a Mercer County literary journal published annually by Mercer County Community College. The review accepts short fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction essays, excerpts of novels, black and white line drawings (suitable for digital scanning), and cartoons.

According to Dr. Ed Carmien, editor of Kelsey Review and associate professor of English at the college, the major requirements for inclusion are that the material be of high quality and that the writers or artists live, work or give readings in Mercer County, NJ. "We welcome material from all local writers and artists, even those whose work has not been published before," he said. "We are especially looking for submissions that offer novel perspectives and intriguing insights."

The editorial board also includes poetry editors Luray Gross, a "Poet in the Schools" for the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and Ellen Jacko, an English teacher at Allentown High School. Fiction editor is Dr. Robbie Clipper Sethi, an English professor at Rider University, novelist, poet and short story writer.

The deadline for submissions is May 15, 2011. Responses will be sent no later than August 15. Fiction pieces must be limited to 4,000 words. Creative non-fiction essays must be limited to 2,500 words. Poetry should be limited to no more than six poems. No submissions should be simultaneously submitted for publication elsewhere or have been previously published.

Authors and artists are asked to mail hard copy manuscripts of poetry and prose and/or legible copies of art (not the only copy) to: Kelsey Review, Liberal Arts Division, Mercer County Community College, P.O. Box B, Trenton, NJ, 08690. A cover letter should include contact information, including e-mail address and a short biography beginning with full name. A self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope should be enclosed for the editors' response. If the work is accepted, Kelsey Review will request an electronic version (MS Word or .RTF file) for scanning. All rights are retained by the author or artist.

Published annually in September, Kelsey Review is distributed free at libraries and bookstores. Area residents and groups are encouraged to support the arts in Mercer County by sponsoring Kelsey Review. Sponsorships help to underwrite the publication and distribution costs for this unique literary arts journal. Individuals or companies interested in supporting Kelsey Review will have their logo or other information printed on the front or rear inside cover page. For more information on sponsorship, email kelsey.review@mccc.edu or visit the webpage here.

Funding for Kelsey Review is made possible in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Council for the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.