The Cream City Review has established a prominent place among independent literary magazines by featuring the work of up-and-coming as well as established writers.

Past contributors include: Kate Braverman, Charles Bukowski, Robert Olen Butler, Maxine Chernoff, Amy Clampitt, Billy Collins, Oliver de la Paz, Tess Gallagher, Diane Glancy, Joy Harjo, Bob Hicok, Allison Joseph, Caroline Knox, Ted Kooser, Audre Lorde, J.D. McClatchy, Simon Ortiz, Linda Pastan, Ricardo Pau-Llosa, Adrienne Rich, Alberto Ríos, Catie Rosemurgy, Denise Sweet, James Tate, Mark Turcotte, and Gordon Weaver.