The Young Voices of Missouri project encouraged the work of young writers (grades 9 through 12) in Missouri, and gave them an opportunity, at an early age, to have work published and circulated to an audience beyond their own school. All works submitted were reviewed by a screening panel and the editors of Chariton Review; all students who submitted work received written feedback on their work. From the items submitted, the editors selected works for publication in Young Voices of Missouri, which was published as a special issue of Chariton Review, a literary journal published by Truman State University Press.
After works were selected, Press staff followed standard processes for publishing a journal: contacting authors to secure written permission and get electronic files, laying out and proofreading files, submitting proofs to authors for review and approval, and printing. Contacts with student authors were made through their teachers unless directed otherwise.
Each participating high school received a copy of the journal for the school library and one for each submitting teacher. Each student who had work published in the journal also received a copy. Additional copies were available for purchase at a nominal price.
