creative writing journal submissions

24 of the Best Places to Submit Creative Nonfiction Online

Sean Glatch  |  March 31, 2021  |  2 Comments

After weeks of deliberating over the right words and fine-tuning your creative nonfiction piece , you’re ready to begin submitting to literary nonfiction journals. The only problem is finding the right home for your creative nonfiction submission. What journals or literary nonfiction magazines should you prioritize submitting your work to?

Find your answer here: we’ve searched the net for great creative nonfiction journals, and any of the following 24 publications is a wonderful home for creative nonfiction—guaranteed.

If you’re looking to submit multiple genres of work, take a look at the best places to submit poetry and the best places to submit fiction , too!

24 Creative Nonfiction Magazines to Submit To

Just like our other guides on the best literary journals to submit to, we’ve divided this article into three different categories:

• Great journals to secure your first publications in
• Competitive journals for writers with previous publications
• High-tier creative nonfiction journals at the summit of publishing

Any publication in the following 24 journals is sure to jumpstart your literary career. So, let’s explore the best nonfiction magazines and journals!

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Great First Publications

The following eight journals sponsor creative nonfiction from both emerging and established writers, making them great opportunities for writers in any stage of their journey.

1. Sundog Lit

Sundog Lit loves the weird and experimental, and it regularly seeks innovative nonfiction for its biannual journal. All submitted works should be well-researched and play with both form and content. Submit your hybrid content to this great creative nonfiction journal!

2. River Teeth Journal

River Teeth Journal specializes in narrative nonfiction. The journal operates with the motto “Good Writing Counts and Facts Matter,” which captures their preference for well-researched and thoughtfully composed CNF. Literary nonfiction submissions are open twice a year, typically between September and May.

3. Atticus Review

Atticus Review posts daily nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. They publish work that is unabashed and resilient, finding hope in even the toughest of situations. All published works after September 19th, 2020 receive a $10 award from this creative nonfiction journal!

4. Barren Magazine

Barren Magazine publishes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and photography, preferring works with grit and muster. Each publication of this creative nonfiction magazine includes prompts: for their 17th issue, the prompts are “unorthodox, sensational, kinetic, quixotic, & transcendent.”

5. The Offing

The editors at The Offing look for work that’s innovative, genre-bending, and challenges conventions. The Offing is especially keen to support both new and established authors, making them a welcome home for your creative nonfiction submissions.

6. Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse sponsors emerging and diverse voices in its biannual publication. Submissions for this journal remain open between September and May, and they typically range between 2,500 and 5,000 words. This is a great literary journal to submit to for writers of all styles and narratives!

7. Dogwood: a Journal of Poetry and Prose

Dogwood is a journal of poetry and prose based out of Fairfield University. This annual publication only opens for submissions in the Fall, and each edition includes prizes for top pieces. Literary nonfiction from all walks of life are welcome here.

8. Montana Mouthful

Straight out of the Treasure State, Montana Mouthful seeks “just a mouthful” of fiction and nonfiction. Creative nonfiction submissions should not exceed 2,000 words but should still deliver a cogent, memorable story.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: Reputable Literary Journals to Submit To

The following literary magazines and creative nonfiction journals can be tough competition, but with a few previous publications under your belt and a special story ready for print, the following journals could jumpstart your literary career. All of these journals have fantastic literary nonfiction examples!

9. Conjunctions

Conjunctions publishes daring works of poetry and prose, living by its motto to “Read Dangerously!” Submitted works should provoke, excite, and linger with the reader. Conjunctions publishes both a biannual magazine and a weekly online journal, both of which house fantastic literary journalism.

10. Black Warrior Review

Black Warrior Review is a biannual literary journal run by the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. This Whiting Awarded journal nurtures groundbreaking literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, with many of its authors going on to win Pushcarts and Best of the Net prizes!

11. Hippocampus

Hippocampus Magazine is one of the best creative nonfiction magazines out there, as it focuses solely on the publication of personal essays and nonfiction stories. Their strictly digital publication is highly literary and has many great creative nonfiction examples and pieces. Despite being a highly competitive journal, both new and emerging writers can find a home at Hippocampus .

12. American Literary Review

The American Literary Review , run out of the University of North Texas, publishes engaging and precise stories and poetry. The journal is currently on hiatus, but read some of its back issues and you’ll understand why it’s a great literary journal to submit to.

13. Fourth Genre

Fourth Genre is a biannual creative nonfiction journal published through Michigan State University. The journal amplifies diverse and powerful voices, seeking stories that are refreshing, earnest, and imaginative. Fourth Genre only publishes nonfiction, so read its back issues for some great creative nonfiction examples!

14. The Cincinnati Review

The Cincinnati Review is interested in literary nonfiction that can “knock your socks off.” Submissions for personal essays are open between September and January; writers can also submit flash nonfiction year-round to its miCRo series.

15. Creative Nonfiction

“True stories, well told” is the motto of Creative Nonfiction , the aptly-named journal of all things CNF. Creative Nonfiction celebrates a diverse range of voices and experiences, championing both new and established essayists. Between its literary publications and its creative nonfiction blog, writers can learn a lot from this journal. Send your creative nonfiction submissions to Creative Nonfiction !

16. Witness

Witness publishes prose and poetry that examines and analyzes the modern day. They seek stories about modern issues and events, often publishing bold and eclectic takes on serious issues. Witness is a more politically-oriented journal, making it a leader in contemporary literary journalism.

Creative Nonfiction Magazines: The Summit of Literary Nonfiction

The following journals are notoriously difficult to publish in, as writers often have to have a name built for themselves in the literary world. Nonetheless, the following publications exist at the summit of CNF, so keep these publications on your radar as top literary journals to submit to.

AGNI , a highly literary publication run at Boston University, publishes fiery, transformative prose and poetry. Creative nonfiction submissions should be polished, inventive, and highly original. Be sure to read their previous publications for an idea of what they look for!

18. The Atlantic

The Atlantic is well-respected for its literary journalism, making it a premier publisher of creative nonfiction. Though many of its published pieces are solicited, The Atlantic is always looking for fresh, bold stories and poetry, so it’s a premier place for nonfiction magazine submissions.

Salon does not present itself as a creative nonfiction journal, but many of its previous magazine issues are highly literary in nature, examining current issues with a sharp, educated lens. If you have nonfiction stories that are both personal and global in nature, Salon accepts queries for articles and editorials, so check them out!

20. The Antioch Review

The Antioch Review is a real page-turner, as their past publications can attest to. This highly literary journal publishes fantastic prose and poetry, and if you have a creative nonfiction piece that’s riveting and influential, The Antioch Review is looking for your creative nonfiction submissions.

21. The Colorado Review

The Colorado Review is a tri-annual publication steeped in history, with original issues featuring poetry and prose from Langston Hughes, E. E. Cummings, Henry Miller, etc. The journal is committed to contemporary literature, seeking voices that are transformative and capture today’s (or tomorrow’s) zeitgeist. The Colorado Review is a fantastic space for literary journalism and will certainly welcome your creative nonfiction.

22. The Virginia Quarterly

The Virginia Quarterly publishes a wide array of literary nonfiction, fiction, and poetry, promising both ample readership and ample pay. VQR seeks inventive and imaginative stories, and it accepts both personal essays and nonfiction pieces on literary and cultural criticism. Submissions are generally open in July, but keep tuned for any special announcements or brief reading periods!

23. New England Review

New England Review is a quarterly publication of all things literary. The journal is dedicated to publishing both emerging and established voices, though it remains a highly competitive journal for creative nonfiction. NER is a great literary journal to submit to for stories that are engaged, critical, and sparkling.

24. North American Review

The North American Review is the oldest literary magazine in the United States. Since its inception in 1815, it remains one of the best nonfiction magazines to submit to, publishing strong literary voices with imaginative story arcs and moving messages. Nonfiction magazine submissions at North American Review are always spectacular—go check them out!

Tips for Publishing Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions

“How do I get my nonfiction published with so many other voices in the room?” This is a question we hear often, and as writers in the modern day, we can’t help but notice how diverse the publishing world is, and how everything “has already been written.” How can you make sure your story gets published in the right creative nonfiction magazines?

Of course, no story is guaranteed publication, but if you’ve written an earnest, sparkling story with grit, character, and truth, then the right literary journals to submit to are in this list. Additionally, you can boost your chances of success with the following publishing tips:

Start With a Powerful Title

Your creative nonfiction submissions should draw the reader in right away, which means starting with an attention-grabbing title. Your title could be a singular and obscure word, or it could be a long description, or anything in-between—the goal is to stand out while representing your story faithfully.

Here are some great titles we saw from a brief glance at the literary nonfiction examples from Hippocampus :

• Bar Bathroom Graffiti in New Orleans: A One Year Catalog by Kirsten Reneau
• Necrokedeia for Children by Mark Hall
• Ford Motor Company Tells Me About Perseverance by Alexis Annunziata

These titles give you an idea about the story itself while also drawing you in with wit, humor, or obscurity. Literary editors have thousands of stories to read each year; give them something to notice so you can stand out among the rest!

Follow the Creative Nonfiction Journal’s Formatting Guidelines

A surefire way to receive rejections on your literary nonfiction is to ignore the formatting guidelines. Each journal has its own requirements, though they often align with MLA formatting requirements, but be sure you follow the journal’s instructions faithfully, or else they may discard your submission without even reading it.

Read the Creative Nonfiction Magazine’s Past Issues

The 24 publications mentioned in this article are some of the best nonfiction magazines in the world, in part because they adhere so strongly to their tastes and preferences. As such, no two journals are alike, and each publication has its own expectations for the nonfiction they read and publish. Before you submit your creative nonfiction, be sure to read some past publications and gauge whether your essay will fit in with the journal’s literary tastes.

Keep Track of Your Submissions

Many creative nonfiction journals allow simultaneous submissions, meaning you can submit the same piece to multiple journals. However, if one journal accepts your work, you need to notify the other journals that it has been accepted and is no longer available for consideration.

Keeping track of your creative nonfiction submissions in a spreadsheet or personal organizer is essential: if multiple journals publish your story, it could harm your chances of getting published in the future.

Aim High—But Not Too High

Your personal essay deserves to be read, but if you’re only submitting to journals like VQR or The Atlantic, it might never see the light of day. Part of the publishing process means building your publication history and portfolio.

Your literary journalism will one day get published in Salon or the New York Times, but until then, focus on getting recognized in smaller and medium sized journals—and don’t let rejections bring you down, because it’s only up from here!

Fine-Tune Your Creative Nonfiction Submissions with Writers.com

Looking for extra help on writing your personal essay, lyric essay, or hybrid nonfiction piece? The instructors at Writers.com are ready to assist you. Gain valuable insight and diverse perspectives on your nonfiction stories before submitting them to the 24 creative nonfiction magazines we’ve listed.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Sean Glatch

This is a very well written, informative and inclusive article, and I will follow up. The art piece is wonderful.

Here is another market that pays authors https://www.authormag.com/paying-market/

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Writing Journals and Magazines Accepting Submissions

A curated list of creative writing publications and online platforms open for submissions..

Welcome to our list of creative writing journals and literary magazines currently accepting submissions. Clicking on an item will take you to page with a detailed description, additional information about the publication, and a direct link to the publisher’s page.

Our aim is to make this the best list available on this topic, so we are constantly working to develop it and keep it as up-to-date as possible. If you’d like to add a publication or suggest an edit, please let us know. We are constantly working on developing new functionalities and features to make this page better, so please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to share any ideas or requests.

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Yellow Arrow Publishing

Yellow Arrow Publishing supports and inspires writers identifying as women through publication and access to the literary arts. This project is based in Baltimore with a focus on literary events and publishing local writers. Find out more

Thimble Literary Magazine

At Thimble Literary Magazine, we believe armor can be found in the oddest of places: whether that’s facing a hard truth head-on or reframing it so you can better understand it. We believe the stories we tell ourselves to be the most powerful protection for our edges. Find out more

STORGY Magazine

STORGY was founded in 2013 by Tomek Dzido and Anthony Self as a means by which to explore the short story form and engage with readers and artists alike. An online literary short story magazine consisting of a core group of dedicated writers, STORGY aims to inspire artistic collaboration and… Find out more

MOSS is a literary journal of writing from the Pacific Northwest. Published annually, Moss is dedicated to exploring the intersection of place and creative expression, while exposing the region’s outstanding writers to a broad audience of readers, critics, and publishers. Since its debut issue in the summer of 2014, Moss… Find out more

The Atlantic

Since 1857, The Atlantic has been challenging assumptions and pursuing truth. As we reflect on our past and look toward the future — in a world where ideologically narrow or simple answers are less adequate, and can even be more destructive, than ever — we decided to put to words… Find out more

Kissing Dynamite Poetry

Twelve poems each month— Kissing Dynamite curates compact issues that honor the thematic threads presented by contributing poets. Our goal is to present multiple facets of a theme/topic/issue to break the narrative of "the single story." Find out more

ZYZZYVA was founded in 1985 in San Francisco with the goal of publishing a superb literary journal shining a spotlight on West Coast poets, writers, and artists from a wide range of backgrounds, many of whom were otherwise overlooked by established publications, and providing them with a much needed platform. Find out more

Raconteur Literary Magazine

Raconteur is a literary magazine publishing engaging, interesting, eclectic and witty writing and artwork by international writers and artists, online and in print, 3 times per year. Find out more

The Temz Review

​The /tƐmz/ Review is a literary journal based in London, Ontario that publishes fiction, poetry, and reviews. We publish 4 issues per year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter), and we focus on publishing work from a diverse range of emerging and established voices. Our goal is to reflect a wide… Find out more

La Piccioletta Barca

La Piccioletta Barca was first conceived of in 2018, when our aspiring sailors realised that there was no boat to take them the lands they wished to visit. Unwilling to give in, they began to construct their piccioletta barca (or ‘little boat’), at which point the crew grew rapidly (taking… Find out more

Uncanny Magazine

Uncanny Magazine is an online Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine featuring passionate SF/F fiction and poetry, gorgeous prose, provocative nonfiction, and a deep investment in the diverse SF/F culture. Each issue contains intricate, experimental stories and poems with verve and imagination that elicit strong emotions and challenge beliefs, from writers… Find out more

Narrative is dedicated to advancing literature in the digital age by supporting the finest writing talent and encouraging reading across generations, in schools, and around the globe. Our digital library of new literature by celebrated authors and by the best new and emerging writers is available for free. Find out more

The Cincinnati Review

Since its inception in 2003, The Cincinnati Review has published many promising new and emerging writers as well as Pulitzer Prize winners and Guggenheim and MacArthur fellows. Poetry and prose from our pages have been selected to appear in the annual anthologies Best American Poetry, Best American Essays, New Stories… Find out more

The Carolina Quarterly

The Carolina Quarterly publishes a variety of poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, and artwork twice a year and is distributed to readers locally and to individual subscribers, public and university libraries, and bookstores in the United States and worldwide. Back issues are sold throughout the year. Free online access to the… Find out more

The Vitni Review

Our intention is to publish writing that pushes against convention, which challenges, subverts, or skillfully manipulates tradition, and which serves to advance the understanding of human culture and experience via interesting metaphors, exciting diction, and engaging content. Good writing has always done this, but we believe this is true now… Find out more

Tiny Seed Literary Journal

Tiny Seed is an online journal for readers and writers of nature-inspired writing. Tiny Seed is an online nature-focused literary journal publishing short fiction, poetry, art, and photography by emerging writers & artists. Find out more

The Antioch Review

The Antioch Review, a small independent literary magazine founded in 1941 in a small town in the cornfields of Ohio, is one of the oldest, continuously publishing literary magazines in America. Publishing essays, fiction, and poetry from promising and prominent authors, the Antioch Review has an international readership and reputation… Find out more

Barren Magazine

Barren Magazine is a literary publication that features fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and photography for hard truths, long stares, and gritty lenses. We revel in the shadow-spaces that make up the human condition, and aim to find antitheses to that which defines us: light in darkness; beauty in ugliness; peace… Find out more

American Literary Review

Since 1990, the American Literary Review has been published through the Department of English at the University of North Texas. From the journal’s inception, we have made a point of publishing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction by writers at all stages of their careers. Find out more

Atticus Review

Atticus Review is a daily online journal that publishes fiction, poems, and creative nonfiction, as well as graphic art, mixed media, music essays, and, on occasion, blog posts, interviews, and non-traditional book reviews. We have been publishing great work since 2011 and have had over 1200 contributors. Find out more

Black Heart Magazine

Black Heart Magazine is an independent online literary magazine, transmitting tenacious text around the world at the speed of wifi. Since 2004, our site has been combating clichés and skipping straight to supercharged stories with a simple catchphrase: we heart art. Find out more

The Alaska Quarterly Review

Alaska Quarterly Review is a literary journal devoted to contemporary literary art, publishing fiction, short plays, poetry, photo essays, and literary non-fiction in traditional and experimental styles. It is published by the University of Alaska Anchorage in partnership with the Center for the Narrative and Lyric Arts. The editors encourage… Find out more

Witness seeks original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and photography that is innovative in its approach, broad-ranging in its concerns, and unapologetic in its perspective. The magazine blends the features of a literary and an issue-oriented magazine to highlight the role of the modern writer as witness to their times. Find out more

American Short Fiction

Issued triannually, American Short Fiction publishes work by emerging and established voices: stories that dive into the wreck, that stretch the reader between recognition and surprise, that conjure a particular world with delicate expertise—stories that take a different way home. Find out more

Black Fox Literary Magazine

Black Fox Literary Magazine was founded by Racquel Henry, Pamela Harris, and Marquita Hockaday. The three writers met during an MFA program at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. Here at Black Fox, we publish both established and new writers. We welcome all fiction, but we especially like fiction… Find out more

The Blake-Jones Review

The Blake-Jones Review has already experienced its first move in its young life. It has been transplanted from Toronto to London, Ontario. In due course, it will eventually move to Nova Scotia, Canada at which time there will most likely be a total revamping including rebranding and potential name change.… Find out more

Lightspeed Magazine

Lightspeed is a digital science fiction and fantasy magazine. In its pages, you will find science fiction: from near-future, sociological soft SF, to far-future, star-spanning hard SF—and fantasy: from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, and contemporary urban tales, to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folktales. Find out more

The Sun is an independent, ad-free magazine that for more than forty years has used words and photographs to evoke the splendor and heartache of being human. Each monthly issue celebrates life, but not in a way that ignores its complexity. The personal essays, short stories, interviews, poetry, and photographs… Find out more

Black Warrior Review

BWR publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, and art twice a year. Contributors include Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners alongside emerging writers. Work appearing in BWR has been reprinted in the Pushcart Prize series, Best American Short Stories, Best American Poetry, PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize, New Stories… Find out more

F(r)iction is a triannual publication that boasts work from both industry legends and emerging writers. Each issue is carefully curated to evaluate an important cultural topic from vastly different perspectives. We accept short fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, comics, and poetry submissions all year round, and also host contests featuring… Find out more

Milk Candy Review

Milk Candy Review is a journal of flash fiction that publishes one story a week on Thursdays. We will also offer two-question interviews from participating writers the Monday after their story is published! Find out more

Little Stone Journal

We're a newborn litmag focusing on poetry, essays and book reviews. We accept submissions from everyone and aim to showcase the best words from new and established writers. We'd love to grow into print. Brave and curious words are necessary. We don't think there should be any rules on what… Find out more

Sonora Review

Sonora Review is among the oldest student-run literary journals in the country, and has been devoted since its founding in 1980 to offering a venue for exciting new and emerging authors, as well as prominent southwestern writers and artists. Find out more

McSweeney’s

McSweeney’s is a nonprofit publishing company based in San Francisco. As well as operating a daily humor website, we also publish Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Illustoria Magazine, and an ever-growing selection of books under various imprints. You can buy all of these things from our online store. You can support… Find out more

Tint Journal

Tint Journal is the first online literary journal with an explicit focus on writers who produce creative texts in English as their second or non-native language. Find out more

The Banyan Review

The Banyan Review is an online, international journal promoting poetry, art, and the natural world. We publish four issues annually, and our “intervals” section features poets, artists, thinkers, and essayist between published issues. A print anthology of selected work is published every other year. Find out more

Boulevard was founded in 1984 in New York City and incorporated in 1985 as a nonprofit by writer Richard Burgin. Its first issue, published January 2, 1986, featured fiction by Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer, poetry by Kenneth Koch, and interviews with renowned composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich and… Find out more

Beneath Ceaseless Skies

Beneath Ceaseless Skies is a non-profit, SFWA-qualifying pro-rate online magazine dedicated to publishing literary adventure fantasy: fantasy set in secondary-world or historical paranormal settings, written with a literary focus on the characters. Find out more

Turnpike Magazine

Turnpike is a literary and art magazine that focuses on positive themes and under-represented voices. Our mission is to provide positive content, to create a space for all voices, and to hopefully brighten a few days. Find out more

Taco Bell Quarterly

Taco Bell Quarterly is a literary magazine for the Taco Bell arts and letters. We’re a reaction against everything. The gatekeepers. The taste-makers. The hipsters. Health food. Artists Who Wear Cute Scarves. Wendy’s. We think great writing can be about Taco Bell. We think trash can be beautiful. Find out more

Zoetrope: All-Story

Founded by Francis Ford Coppola in 1997, Zoetrope: All-Story is a quarterly print magazine of short fiction, one-act plays, and essays on film. Among the most celebrated literary periodicals in the world, it has won every major story award, including four National Magazine Awards for Fiction, along with a number… Find out more

AGNI is a literary magazine housed at Boston University and known “among readers around the world,” as the writers group PEN put it, “for publishing important new writers early in their careers, many of them translated into English for the first time.” Find out more

Timeworn is a biannual literary journal based in Buffalo, NY, focused on historical fiction with a splash of the speculative. We want to highlight unrepresented corners of history—to find obscure writers working on the fringes of this genre and present their stories in a beautiful hand-bound issue and ebook. Find out more

The Chicago Quarterly Review

Since 1946, Chicago Review has published a range of contemporary poetry, fiction, and criticism. Each year typically includes two single issues and a double issue with a special feature section. Find out more

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20 Respected Literary Journals and Magazines that Publish Creative Writing

The literary journals and magazines on this list reject the vast majority of what is submitted to them. Sometimes authors’ works are rejected for years, decades even, before they receive an acceptance.

But these literary journals are respected and trusted. Most have a large readership and good distribution in libraries and bookstores. Many of these are the journals and magazines that the editors of publications like The Best American Short Stories read through to select work from. Acceptances at one of these 20 journals and magazines can make a huge difference in your career as a writer.

The list is not in any particular order. Not all are currently open to submissions.

None of the literary journals charge readers for all submissions. We never review publishers that charge , and  these are some of the reasons why . So if a well- known literary journal or magazine that publishes creative work is not listed here, that is one of the reasons why.

We limited this list to 20 literary journals and magazines. There are lots of great respected and established literary journals that are not on this list and do not charge submission fees, but we didn’t want to overwhelm anyone. Because of that reason, there are no publishers that focus on genre writing (like Tor.com or Shimmer) on this list.

The name of the publication links to their submission guidelines.

The Atlantic

The Atlantic is open to submissions of poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. They pay well.

The New Yorker

The most famous (and most profitable) magazine with a literary bent, The New Yorker is very competitive to get into. However, they accept unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and cartoons. They pay very well.

This is the most famous poetry magazine there is. It is published by The Poetry Foundation. The first time you have a poem printed by them, an asterisk appears next to your name to note your appearance as a debut poet with them.

The Sun is a fabulous ad-free magazine that has been around for over 40 years and has published so many famous writers, I have a hard time choosing even five. The publish fiction, creative non-fiction, memoir, and poetry. They only accept submissions through the mail. They even pay well.

This prestigious print magazine also has a wonderful weekly online feature called “Poets Respond” which features poems that are responses to news articles published that week.

They publish one story per issue. They pay well and they have published many established, reputable, bestselling, and award-winning authors.

The Paris Review

This venerable print publication accepts only postal submissions. They publish poetry and fiction, as well as interviews, which they are rather famous for. They were founded in 1953 and have published many well-known writers since then. Some famous authors including Adrienne Rich, Philip Roth, V. S. Naipaul, and Rick Moody were first published by The Paris Review.

This print and electronic literary journal publishes great straight-forward fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Granta has editions in twelve languages across three continents. Unfortunately in November 2017 they started charging a 4 dollar fee for all prose submissions but they are still open to free poetry submissions.

The Virginia Quarterly Review (VQR)

They publish poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction by award winning writers. They pay $200 per poem, and start at $1,000 per fiction piece.

Harper’s Magazine

Harper’s considers unsolicited fiction. It is the second-oldest continuously published monthly magazine in the U.S.

Cimarron Review

This respected literary journal publishes some of the most established writers, and on their pages appear a wide range of non-fiction, fiction, and poetry.

McSweeney’s Quarterly

Also known as Timothy McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, this literary journal publishes nonfiction and fiction only, and is reformatted every time it is published. Sometimes it resembles a journal, sometimes a box, sometimes something else entirely. Some of the many writers they have published include Denis Johnson, Jonathan Franzen, Joyce Carol Oates, Jonathan Lethem, and Michael Chabon. The amount they pay authors varies.

The Threepenny Review

According to Tony Kushner, “Everybody should rush right out and subscribe to The Threepenny Review”. This quarterly arts magazine publishes poetry, fiction, memoir and criticism. They have very fast response times. They pay.

The Rupture

This online-only literary journal publishes fiction, excerpts, poetry, and nonfiction. They are highly respected and have published many contemporary authors that have become part of the establishment.

The Kenyon Review

They publish short fiction, essays, poetry, plays, excerpts, and translations of poetry and short prose. When you submit to their print journal, you are also submitting to their online magazine; both have a large readership.

A Public Space

They publish great writing and work, everything from novellas to excerpts. They are respected, modern, and compelling. They have an open reading period once a year.

This is one of the most prestigious poetry-only journals. They are print-only, and do a fabulous job.

This is a wonderful print journal that publishes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Known for publishing “important new writers early in their careers” (PEN), six contributors have gone on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.

The Missouri Review

This established print journal publishes some of the best non-fiction around; they also publish poetry and fiction. They do charge for electronic submissions, but postal submissions are free.

ZYZZYVA has some of the best distribution I have ever seen. If a bookstore sells only three different literary journals, ZYZZYVA is one of those three journals. They have published many famous poets and writers, including Haruki Murakami and Sherman Alexie.

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A Journal of The Literary Arts

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Grist: A Journal of the Literary Arts,  seeks high quality submissions from both emerging and established writers. We publish craft essays and interviews as well as fiction, nonfiction, and poetry—and we want to see your best work, regardless of form, style, or subject matter.

Past issues have included such writers as Dan Albergotti, Dorothy Allison, Ellen Bass, Richard Bausch, Katherine Boo, Maud Casey, May-lee Chai, Peter Ho Davies, Timothy Donnelly, Denise Duhamel, Tom Franklin, Elizabeth Gilbert, Joy Harjo, Lyn Hejinian, Bob Hicok, T.R. Hummer, Adam Johnson, Fady Joudah, Dorianne Laux, Dorothea Lasky, Dana Levin, Julia B. Levine, Lisa Lewis, Thomas Lynch, Khaled Mattawa, Joseph Millar, Ander Monson, Danielle Pafunda, Ron Rash, Hilda Raz, Maggie Smith, Maura Stanton, Michael Steinberg, Virgil Suárez, Julie Marie Wade, William Wenthe, and many others.

We read between May 15th and August 15th. Please note that we do not accept snail mail submissions. Please do not mix genres in the same submission. For each genre, please wait until we have responded to your current submission before submitting another. We do not consider previously published work. We discourage the submission of multiple drafts of the same work during a submission period unless a revision was requested by an editor.  We do not consider work from those currently or recently affiliated with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Simultaneous submissions are acceptable as long as we are immediately notified if the piece has been accepted elsewhere. While we can’t always personally respond to each withdrawal or partial withdrawal notice, rest assured that the information has been entered into the system. We’re sorry, but  Grist  does not accept authors in back-to-back issues.

Grist  is committed to diversity, inclusivity, cultural interchange, and respect for all individuals. In the case of all submitted and/or accepted work, if an author behaves or speaks publicly—or is revealed or accused to have behaved or spoken, even in private—in ways that contradict these expressed values of the journal, then we reserve the right to disqualify an author’s submission, release the author from any contract, and/or remove their work from our archives.

Our submission fee ( waived for subscribers ) is $4 for three to five poems, for one work of fiction up to 7,000 words, or for one work of non-fiction up to 7,000 words (in all of our prose categories, we are also open to considering flash pieces as long as they are submitted in one document and do not total over 7000 words). The bulk of our reading fee goes to paying our writers; the rest covers our Submittable fees and a portion of our publishing costs, which helps us to make a high-quality home for a wide variety of the best national and international creative and literary work available to us. We hope that you will regard this fee as an investment in you, the writers who keep us going, while also serving as a sign of your support for the literary art we all value so much.

Average response time is 2-4 months. If you have not received a response after four months, send a query email to your genre’s editor.

Submissions will be considered for publication in either the print issue or here online. Payment is $10 per poem or 1 cent per word for prose (up to $50), as well as a contributor copy. Additional copies are also available at a reduced price for contributors.

To submit your work to the journal, please read our guidelines below and then submit via our online submissions manager,  Submittable . To pitch ideas or submit reviews or craft essays please read our submission guidelines on this page. To submit to our annual ProForma contest, please see our  Contest  page.

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ISSUE 16 GRIST STAFF

Read online content.

Alive in Ohio

Abby Wheeler lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a 2021 finalist for the Great Midwest Writing Contest, and has work published or forthcoming in SWWIM, The Free State Review and elsewhere. Her chapbook, In the Roots , is available from Finishing Line Press.

Confessional to Famous Iranian Pop Singer Dariush II

Darius Atefat-Peckham is an Iranian-American poet and essayist. His work has appeared in Indiana Review, Barrow Street, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Florida Review, Brevity, Crab Orchard Review and elsewhere. His work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including My Shadow is My Skin: Voices from the Iranian Diaspora (University of Texas Press). Atefat-Peckham lives in Huntington, West Virginia and studies Creative Writing at Harvard College.

beach house

Rachel B. Glaser is the author of the novel Paulina & Fran, the short story collection Pee On Water, and the poetry books MOODS and HAIRDO. Glaser studied painting at RISD and received her MFA in Creative Writing from Umass-Amherst. In 2017, she was on Granta’s list of Best of Young American Novelists. Her fiction has been anthologized in New American Stories. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts and teaches at the Mountainview Low-Residency MFA.

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Submissions

General Overview

Unlike many magazines, Creative Nonfiction draws heavily from unsolicited submissions. Our editors believe that providing a platform for emerging writers and helping them find readers is an essential role of literary magazines, and it’s been our privilege to work with many fine writers early in their careers. A typical issue of CNF contains at least one essay by a previously unpublished writer.

We’re open to all types of creative nonfiction, from immersion reportage to lyric essay to memoir and personal essays. Our editors tend to gravitate toward submissions structured around narratives, but we’re always happy to be surprised by work that breaks outside this general mold. Above all, we’re interested in writing that blends style with substance and reaches beyond the personal to tell us something new about the world. 

Creative Nonfiction accepts submissions online through Submittable. Please read specific calls for submissions carefully. 

When you submit online, you will receive a confirmation email from Submittable. We try to respond to all submissions as quickly as possible, but because the submissions are more often than not at the upper end of the word limit and because we really do read everything carefully, the process often takes a long time. Unfortunately, this is especially true for work we like. If you have not heard from us since the initial confirmation email, please assume your manuscript is still under consideration. 

What is Creative Nonfiction?

Dive in with CNF Founder and Editor, Lee Gutkind

Current Issue

78 / Experiments in Voice

Uncoventional narrators & shifting perspectives

What is voice? How do you find yours? How can you change it, rearrange it, play with it? And then, how can you use it to make change in the world? This issue is a celebration of writerly playfulness, exploration, and risk-taking, featuring breathless, epistolary, speculative, second-person, and snarky essays.

Current submission calls

Accepted All Year

We’re looking for writing about writing—smart and insightful ideas related to the art, craft, history, or philosophy of creative nonfiction.

Recently closed Submission Calls

Closed / June 27, 2022

True stories by (or about) nurses

For a special expanded anniversary edition of I Wasn’t Strong Like This When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse , Creative Nonfiction/In Fact Books is seeking essays by and about nurses.

Closed / August 1, 2022

Sunday Short Reads

Creative Nonfiction is currently seeking original short nonfiction for the Sunday Short Read email, which reaches 8,000+ readers weekly. Accepted work is also featured and archived online. We’re open to submissions on any subject, in any style.

Closed / May 15, 2022

We are actively reading the submissions received and will update submitters on the status of their work as soon as we can.

Closed / February 22, 2021

New Nonfiction by Older Writers

Closed / January 11, 2021

Experiments in Nonfiction

Pitch us a craft piece.

As of May 2022, we’ve retired this portal; see new guidelines, above.

A Note About Fact-checking

Essays accepted for publication in Creative Nonfiction undergo a fairly rigorous fact-checking process. To the extent your essay draws on research and/or reportage (and ideally, it should, to some degree), CNF editors will ask you to send documentation of your sources and to help with the fact-checking process. We do not require that citations be submitted with essays, but you may find it helpful to keep a file of your essay that includes footnotes and/or a bibliography.

A Note About Reading Fees

Here at Creative Nonfiction, we are always reading, searching for excellent new work to showcase in our various publications. At any given time, we usually have several submission portals open (see above calls for submissions), many of which require writers to pay a reading fee to submit their work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? View additional FAQs here , or contact us .

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Submitting to Literary Magazines

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OVERVIEW  

This section of the OWL seeks to demystify the process of submitting creative work to literary magazines. We’ll review topics such as how to figure out what to submit in the first place, how to find good potential homes for your work, and how to maximize your chances for acceptance. We’ve also included examples of writing relevant to the submission process such a cover letter and a biography as well as an acceptance and rejection letter to provide a look into what correspondence with literary magazines looks like.  

INTRODUCTION  

You’ve done it! Whether it was a lightning bolt of inspiration or weeks (months? years?) of writing and revising, you’ve crafted a piece of creative writing you’re proud of. Maybe it’s a sestina; maybe it’s a lyric essay. Whatever it is, you want to get it published. Reasons for publication are numerous: wanting to see what others think of your work, seeking a way to bulk up your CV, or hoping for a chance to get some hard-earned cash, just to name a few. Regardless of if you’ve submitted 100 times before or this is your first time, this resource will help you navigate the submission process.  

We’ll start by thinking through what you can submit in the first place. Next, we’ll move into thinking about where to submit, considering strategies for finding places to submit in the first place as well as how to discern whether or not a particular publication is a good fit for your work. After, we’ll think through the logistics of how to submit and talk through an example cover letter and biography (written materials you’ll almost certainly be asked to include in your submission). Finally, we’ll discuss what happens after you submit and review a few example rejection letters as well as an example acceptance letter.  

WHAT DO I SUBMIT?  

There are three main considerations when discerning what to submit: 1) whether or not a piece has already been published, 2) the genre of a piece, and 3) the length of a piece.   

First, if a piece has already been published, including on a personal blog, a website, and/or on social media, your piece is almost always not eligible for re-publication. The same goes for work that has already been self-published. Lit mags (also referred to throughout this document as literary magazines, literary journals, and journals) want to be the first to feature your work in question and not just “another place” that offers your work a home.  

Second, different lit mags accept different genres. For example, if you only write short stories, you won’t be able to publish in Rattle , which only publishes poetry. If you write in multiple different genres, you might find that you are able to submit your fiction to one magazine, and your essays to another.  

Third, lit mags often have length restrictions, which can vary widely. You might be able to submit poems only if they are 50 lines or less; or, you might be able to submit any type of prose so long as it is 6,000 words or less. If you tend to write particularly long pieces but want to submit to a lit mag that has length restrictions, try finding an excerpt of a larger work to submit or condensing your work for the sake of submitting it.  

WHERE DO I SUBMIT?  

After deciding to submit what work to submit, one question often looms: Where do I submit? Finding lit mags is just a Google search away. Chances are, you’ve heard of some flagship publications: The New Yorker , Paris Review , Ploughshares …. Just as there are myriads of different types of writing in the world, so too are there myriads of different kinds of lit mags. Some have been around for decades; some were founded earlier this year. Some only publish online; some only publish hard copy. Some are themed (nature poems only, zombie fiction only, Wyoming-themed work, etc.). Some operate through universities; others are independent. Some require payment to have your work read (usually a smallish fee, say, $3) whereas others allow you to submit for free. Some pay their contributors, though most don’t, or do only minimally. Some ask you to submit your work through Submittable (an online submissions-management platform) whereas a select few ask for hard copy submissions mailed to their office. (For more on this front, “How do I submit?” is a good place to start.) Seeking the right home for your work can be intimidating, but it’s not an impossible task. Below are four strategies to help you find places to submit to in the first place.  

1. This list from Driftwood Press: a good starting point!  

If you don’t know where to start, Driftwood Press keeps a massive “Where Else to Submit” list, linked above, that includes links to hundreds of different magazines and presses, what genres they accept, when their submission deadlines are, whether or not there is a submission fee, and whether or not they offer compensation for publication.  

The enormity of the list can be overwhelming, but you can always select a few lit mags on this list at random and begin scanning their websites to see what their publication is all about as you consider whether your work might find a good home there.

2. What writers do you like? Where did they publish?  

Do you have a favorite author? Favorite poet? Take a look at a book of theirs and see where they’ve published. This is especially relevant for books of poetry, essays, short stories, or other work often published as a collection. Just like musical artists often release a few singles before their album, it is commonplace for a writer to have portions of their work published in lit mags before putting out a book-length collection.  

In other words, if you like Writer X’s work, maybe you’ll like where she publishes, too! If you are reading contemporary work, it’s helpful simply to read the “Acknowledgements” pages and slowly get familiar with the names of different lit mags.   

3. Look local.  

If you are a Purdue student, maybe you’ve grown particularly fond of the cornfields in Indiana, and publishing work through a local journal is particularly appealing to you. If so, maybe you’d be especially drawn to the Sycamore Review , The Indianapolis Review , or any number of other journals based out of Indiana. To find local lit mags or publishers, a good start would be to visit a bookstore or library in your area and browse their shelves to see what lit mags they’re carrying. 

4. Consider submission windows.  

A vast majority of literary magazines do not accept submissions year-round; rather, they may have a “submission window” where they accept work. Some magazines only accept work one month of the year, whereas others may have two different three-month submission periods during the calendar year. Some magazines might have a month-long submission window (June 15-July 15, for example) that will automatically close once they reach a certain number of submissions. If, for instance, you only have time to commit to submitting your creative writing in the summer months, you’ll want to find magazines that accept submissions in the summertime. As you begin the process of finding lit mags you like and want to publish in, it might help to make a document to organize when you can submit to which magazine.   

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY WORK IS A GOOD FIT?  

Below are three considerations to help you gauge if your work seems like it could be a good fit for the journal you’ve found.  

1. Read the most recent issue.  

This is arguably the most time-consuming (and perhaps frustratingly obvious) tip, but it has to go first. Just like the best way to figure out if you like a restaurant is to try its food, the best way to figure out if you want to submit to a lit mag is to give it a read. If paying the $10 or $15 dollars necessary to order the lit mag (or pay for online access to it) isn’t possible or doesn’t appeal, fear not! There is often online content for your perusal. Most, though not all, lit mags have online features, so while you may not be able to read the most recent issue in its entirety, you can still read work that the magazine’s editors deemed fit for publication. Even if a lit mag doesn’t publish any of their work online (or a paywall prevents you from accessing it), lit mags that offer contests will often publish contest winners.

2. Read the “About Us.”  

Beyond growing familiar with work the lit mag publishes, check out the “About Us” page. This will often include the mission statement / vision for the journal, which can also be helpful in discerning if there might be aesthetic similarities and/or shared interested between you and the folks who run the journal. Further, it can be great to look into who runs the lit mag. If you’re sending in a short story, who is the fiction editor? Look that person up—maybe even read a short story published by the editor. Does this person seem like they might be interested in the kind of work you create?  

3. If you are in touch with other writers, use them as resources!  

Not everyone is in the position of having other writers nearby, but if you are in touch with other writers and/or know of writers who have publishing experience, feel free to ask them if they have any experience with the journal you have in mind. Maybe they won’t, but maybe they will—or know someone who does. (Consider this is a broader encouragement, too, to seek out community as you seek readers for your work.)  

WILL MY WORK BE ACCEPTED?  

It’s important to make a few concessions, here.  

Concession Number One: There are many more writers than there are literary magazines, journals, and publishers.   

Concession Number Two: Except for the most widely renowned writers (think, those who have entire bookcases devoted to them at big-name bookstores), creative writing is not a lucrative field, and likely will not become one.  

These two concessions combine for Concession Number Three: Readers and editors for literary magazines are swimming in submissions. It’s not unreasonable for a magazine to receive 700 short story submissions and only be able to publish five of them, or to receive 200 poetry submissions and only be able to publish eight.   

Space within magazines, especially print ones, is at a premium; the time of the person reading your submission is at a premium, too. It is actually a great sign of encouragement when, in response to your submission, you receive what’s known as a personalized rejection rather than a form rejection. That is, you might receive a note informing you that, while the journal cannot publish your work at this time, they enjoyed reading it and would love to hear more from you in the future. (Read more below on I submitted: Now what?)  

So, will your work be accepted? Statistically speaking, it’s unlikely. But, it’s also unlikely for an NFL team to win a Super Bowl, or a scientist to win a Nobel Prize, or a student to get admitted into Harvard, but these things happen every single year. If publishing is something important to you, don’t let the odds stop you from trying.   

WHAT CAN I DO TO MAXIMIZE MY CHANCES OF BEING PUBLISHED?  

While publication percentages may not be particularly confidence-inspiring, there are things you can do to increase the chance your work will get picked up.  

1. Submit your best work.  

This is perhaps obvious, but it bears noting. As discussed above, readers for lit mags are often inundated with submissions. Submit your best work first to help yourself stand out. If you’re unsure which is “best,” ask a trusted reader for their opinion. Further, if you are submitting a packet (two different flash fiction pieces, or five pomes) rather than an individual work, start with the strongest. 

2. Read the submission guidelines!  

For better or worse, lit mag readers and editors are almost always looking for ways to easily shrink their stack of 1,000 submissions, to, say, 100. And then to 10. There is no easier way to get your submission denied than by neglecting to follow every submission guideline. This means that you should not submit four poems when the magazine only accepts three, submit a PDF when the magazine asks for a Word doc, or submit your fiction to the nonfiction category. Similarly, do not send in a 2,500-word essay when the journal asks for a 2,400-word maximum.  

Follow all submission guidelines exactly, not because it is so important to, say, have your bio in third-person as opposed to first-person, but because following these guidelines will allow the reader to immediately dive into the important material—your work—without getting bogged down by any logistical hiccups. Further, adhering to the submission guidelines shows that you yourself are a careful reader and that you respect the journal by following said guidelines in the first place.  

3. Make sure your work is a good fit in the first place!  

Revisit “How do I know if my work is a good fit?” above.  

4. Consider simultaneous submissions.  

Most journals accept simultaneous submissions, which is, as the term suggests, submitting your work story to multiple different journals simultaneously. Most journals will clarify in their guidelines whether or not they accept simultaneous submissions (a vast majority do, so long as you let Journal B know that your piece is no longer available as soon as Journal A accepts it .) If there’s a short story you really want in the world, consider sending it to a handful, maybe even two handfuls, of places.  

CONTESTS VS. GENERAL SUBMISSIONS 

Another consideration for submissions is whether you’d prefer to submit to magazine’s general submissions, their contests, or a mix of both. Contests, offered by some—not all—journals, are generally more competitive and more expensive to enter (fees usually range between $20-$30). But, winning them almost always comes with clout as well as prize money, ranging from modest sums ($100) to larger ones ($1,000+). Sometimes, contest winners are selected by a guest judge (generally a respected and perhaps well-known writer), and other times they are chosen by the editors of the magazine themselves.  

One thing to note is that even if you don’t win the contest, it can be possible to still be picked up for publication by the journal as a finalist or simply as someone who caught the attention of the judges. Whether or not finalists and/or semifinalists are published alongside the contest winner (or winners) is up to the magazine’s discretion.  

HOW DO I SUBMIT?  

On the websites of most journals, there will most likely be a tab that says “Submit” or “Submissions.” Occasionally, this tab is slightly buried somewhere on the webpage. (Look in the “About Us” or “Contact Us” sections of the site if you have trouble finding it.)  

In terms of actually submitting, a vast majority of journals only accept—or greatly prefer—online submissions. Generally, this is done via a platform called Submittable that allows you (as the submitter) to manage and track your submissions, just as it allows the journal editors to track and view their submissions. Sometimes, submitting is done via an in-house submission portal, and, in the rarest of circumstances, a magazine will only accept mailed, hard copy submissions. Regardless, the lit mag will (or should ) have their submissions process clearly demarcated on their website in terms of 1) how to submit, 2) what time(s) of year they accept submissions, and 3) what they are looking for in terms of submissions (genre, page length, etc.).  

As noted previously, following these submission guidelines exactly is in your best interest. Beyond preparing your piece of writing for submission and figuring out the journal’s guidelines so you can follow them, there are two other pieces to the submission puzzle you’ll need: a strong cover letter and a solid, succinct bio.    

COVER LETTER + EXAMPLE  

The cover letter is your chance to briefly let the journal know 1) what you are submitting as well as 2) why you are submitting to that magazine in particular. The best-case scenario for a cover letter is that you’ve presented yourself in a professional manner as an eager, capable writer with a strong reason for submitting to the journal. What follows is an example cover letter:  

Dear Audrey Li and the entire Coffee Journal team,  

Please consider my following poems, “Exciting Poem 1,” “Clever Poem 2,” and “Memorable Poem 3” for inclusion within an upcoming edition of Coffee Journal . I especially admired Ash Lever’s “Brilliantly Titled Poem” in your latest edition and would be honored for my work to be considered for publication in an upcoming edition of your journal.  

This is a simultaneous submission, and I will let you know immediately if any of these poems are accepted elsewhere.   

Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider my work.  

Best,  

It’s helpful to make a few quick notes on this example cover letter and what this writer does well. She…  

• Addresses, by name, the relevant genre editor to whom she has addressed the cover letter.  
• Includes the name of the work she is submitting, as well as the professional, polite request to consider her work in an upcoming edition of the journal.  
• Mentions something she specifically admires about the journal in question, revealing herself as someone who has “done her homework”—that is, she is showing that she really does have (at least some) vested interest in this magazine.  
• Notes that her submission is simultaneous; that is, she is submitting these poems to other magazines as well. As previously noted, this is fine to do if the magazine accepts simultaneous submissions so long as she lets Coffee Journal know that one (or more) of her poems is no longer available as soon as she learned another journal has accepted them.   
• Concludes the note by thanking the editor(s). Remember, these cover letters are being read by readers who are often underpaid or unpaid and who have, more often than not, dozens and dozens of pieces to read. Kindness in a cover letter is important here just as it is elsewhere.  

For more, The Adroit Journal has a great piece further explaining the ins and outs of cover letter writing with an annotated example.  

BIOGRAPHY + EXAMPLE  

The biography is your chance to briefly give a glimpse of who your writer-self is. Common information to include is where you are from, where you went to or are going to school, what you do for work, and where you have been previously published (if applicable). Writing in third person is the best way to go.   

Generally, these are expected to be professional. That said, if the journal you are applying to is particularly quirky, or you have no desire to confine yourself to the constraints of a traditional cover letter, feel free to be quirky. The best-case scenario for a biography is that, similarly to the cover letter, you’ve presented yourself as a professional and given the magazine a small glimpse of who you are.  

For those of you asking, “What do I put for publications if I haven’t published anywhere yet?” the answer is simple: nothing. Don’t let your lack of publishing be a catch-22 stopping you from trying to publish in the first place. And take heart: Many magazines exist specifically with the mission to promote new and emerging writers.   

What follows is an example biography:  

A. Writer is a poet from Indiana. She received her MFA in poetry from A Super Excellent University, and her poems have appeared in This Cool Journal and are forthcoming from Another Cool Journal . She lives in West Lafayette where she teaches high school English.

I SUBMITTED! NOW WHAT?  

Congratulations! Even if your work is not selected by the particular lit mag you submitted to, you are putting your work out in the world. At this point, you wait. Response times vary widely, from several weeks to up to a year (or more). Many magazines have submission guidelines indicating about how long you should expect to wait to hear back. Some will also ask that they not be contacted with an inquiry about your submission until a certain amount of time has passed.  

During the waiting process, don’t let your writing life be put on hold! A common saying in the journalistic field applies here: “Work is never finished, it just meets deadline.” Feel free to continue shaping the writing projects you submitted, or leave them until you hear back from journals and allow yourself to start writing in new directions.   

REJECTION LETTERS: TWO TYPES + EXAMPLES  

Generally speaking, there are two different types of rejection letters a lit mag can give, and—perhaps surprisingly—one of these is actually good news. The first type is a form rejection letter. This is a generic rejection, meaning this letter is copy and pasted to each person who receives it (with the exception of changing the submitter’s name and the title of their submitted work). A form rejection might look like this:  

Dear A. Writer,  

Thank you for submitting “Exciting Poem 1,” “Clever Poem 2,” and “Memorable Poem 3” to Coffee Journal . Unfortunately, we decided your work was not a fit for us at this time.  

Sincerely,  

The Editors  

A personalized rejection, on the other hand, while still a rejection, often includes some kind of encouragement. Two different examples, followed by an explanation of why a personalized rejection is good news, follows:  

Thank you for submitting “Exciting Poem 1,” “Clever Poem 2,” and “Memorable Poem 3” to Coffee Journal . While we are not able to find a place for it at this time, we found your work exciting and greatly enjoyed reading it. We would look forward to reading more of your writing in the future.  

Thank you for submitting to Coffee Journal . Though we have decided against publishing your work at this time, we found “Clever Poem 2” particularly moving. Please keep up in mind for future work.  

On the outset, the form rejection letter and the personalized rejection letters don’t have much of a difference. But take heart: That extra line in the personalized rejection letters is a big deal. Anything such as an invitation to resubmit, a specific, encouraging note about your work, and / or commentary about your specific pieces or writing are signs your rejection was personalized rather than a form rejection. This means that out of the large amount of work that journal received, while your work wasn’t part of the teeny percentage chosen for publication, it stood out to the editors. It’s not a bad idea to consider submitting again a future reading period for that lit mag; if you do so, consider adding a note in your cover letter that you’ve been encouraged to resubmit.    

DEALING WITH REJECTION  

In an interview with Michigan Quarterly Review , poet Hannah Ensor spoke well on creative writing awards (and, perhaps by extension, publication): “I think that it means a lot when you do win, but it means almost nothing when you don’t.”   

In a world where editors and readers for lit mags are swimming in submissions, a rejection is not so much a condemnation of your work as a “out of the 100 pieces we received, this is not one of the five we are able to accept.” This isn’t to say that rejection doesn’t sting; no one likes getting turned down. For better or worse, rejection is simply part of the process.  

Further, being rejected from a particular journal is not necessarily a suggestion that your work isn’t a good fit for the journal; much is up to chance in terms of who first reads your work. Many lit mags, especially larger ones, have teams of readers that will curate a small portion of submissions for more serious consideration by the section or genre editor(s). Your submission to Coffee Journal this year may be read by a completely different set of eyes than last year.   

Finally, consider the following positive spins on rejection:  

• Rejection is an invitation to keep writing.   

On the one hand, it’s an opportunity to return to your work: What might be revised? How might you make your work come more fully into its own? On the other hand, it can be an opportunity to dive into something new, with all the knowledge and experience you’ve now gained from writing what you’ve already written. (If having writing that never gets published is a depressing thought, consider this encouragement by accomplished writer Anne Lamott in an essay of hers embracing the messiness of first drafts: “Just get it all down on paper, because there may be something great in those six crazy pages that you would never have gotten to by more rational, grown-up means. There may be something in the very last line of the very last paragraph on page six that you just love, that is so beautiful or wild that you now know what you’re supposed to be writing about, more or less, or in what direction you might go – but there was no way to get to this without first getting through the first five and a half pages.”)  

• Rejection is an opportunity to revisit why you write in the first place.  

Why did you write that story, that poem, that essay in the first place? Rejection can provide a tangible time to revisit your “Why?” as a writer. If you’re writing for the money and you’ve gotten numerous rejections from paid awards, perhaps writing is not the most prudent path forward. If you’re writing because you feel you have something to say, because you love language, because it’s a way for you to discover what you’re thinking and how you feel about the world, well…rejection can’t touch those motivations. Remind yourself why you got into writing in the first place and keep at it.  

ACCEPTANCE LETTERS: YOU’RE IN! WHAT’S NEXT?  

The purpose of acceptance letters is simple. You’re in! Like a job offer, an acceptance letter from a lit mag means you have an offer for publication—they want you if you want them. After your work is accepted, there a few things that will happen:  

• You will need to read and sign a contract detailing:  
• What the lit mag needs from you (such as an updated bio) between that moment and publication.  
• What happens with the rights of your creative work ( this page by Poets & Writers details copyright information in more depth).  
• What compensation you will be provided with (if applicable).  
• You may correspond with an editor from the journal to perform final edits and/or revisions of your creative piece(s).  
• You may need to submit an updated author information, such as a bio, and/or a finalized version of your creative piece(s).  
• You need, if applicable, to immediately withdraw the work that is being published from any other lit mags you submitted it to. This is generally done by contacting the magazines through Submittable or by emailing the editors—lit mags’ Submissions page will generally clarify how they’d like to be notified if you need to withdraw part or all of your submission.  

EXAMPLE ACCEPTANCE LETTER  

Thank you for sending us “Exciting Title Number 1” and “Memorable Title Number 3.” We greatly enjoyed both of them and would like to publish them in Coffee Journal ’s next edition.  

As per our submission guidelines, we offer three free copies of the edition in which your work appears. Please click here to confirm acceptance.   

Thank you for sending your work! We look forward to hearing from you.  

Audrey Li  

Coffee Journal Poetry Editor  

Just a few things to note, here:   

• Getting an acceptance does not necessarily mean the journal is accepting every piece of work your sent; it simply means they are accepting one (or more) of your pieces.  
• Generally, acceptance letters are more personalized; the magazine has chosen your work and is eager to make a good impression on you just as you’ve made a good impression on them. In this vein, acceptance letters are generally sent from the particular editor who chose your work or oversees your genre, whereas a rejection letter is often from the unnamed “Editors”.  

CLOSING THOUGHTS  

Submitting work can be any number of things: exciting, gut-wrenching, confusing, tedious. Regardless of your personal attachment to—or detachment from—the submission process, it’s an important process to understand as a creative writer. Even though the odds may be that a rejection is much more likely than an acceptance, you never know unless you try.   

Imagine if the writer of your own favorite book never took the chance to submit it for publication in the first place. Thank goodness they did take that chance so their writing could change you and others—in however big or small a way. This chance, submitting work for publication, is one that you can take, too.  

Best of luck, and happy submitting!  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  

Submission Etiquette: The Cincinnati Review has a short, helpful article on submission reminders.   

Writing Cover Letters: The Adroit Journal has a great piece explaining the ins and outs of cover letter writing.  

Submission Opportunities: Driftwood Press: Where Else to Submit  

The Invisible Art of Literary Editing : an in-depth look into the inner workings of literary magazines.  

Submittable : a common platform lit mags will request submissions through.  

Copyright Information : This page by Poets & Writers explains relevant copyright information for writers.   

REFERENCES  

Jenkins, Marlin M. Somatic Pinging: An Interview with Hannah Ensor, Michigan Quarterly  Review Blog, Mar 25, 2019, https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/2019/03/somatic-pinging-an-interview-with-hannah-ensor/ .  

Lamott, Anne. "Shitty First Drafts.” Language Awareness: Readings for College Writers. Ed. by  Paul Eschholz, Alfred Rosa, and Virginia Clark. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005: 93-96.  

Secondary Menu

Undergraduates: here’s where you can submit your creative writing for publication, november 19, 2020.

Caroline Petrow-Cohen, '22 | English Digital Media intern

Established in 1887, The Archive is Duke University’s undergraduate literary magazine , showcasing students’ original poetry and prose. The biannual collection is published online and in print, and welcomes submissions of any theme or subject. 

For Duke’s aspiring writers and creative thinkers, The Archive provides a platform for exceptional literary work to be recognized and shared. Getting a piece published in The Archive might be a first step towards becoming a novelist or poet. Submitting is an exciting opportunity for any student who’s passionate about creative writing — and The Archive is far from the only option. 

Duke undergraduates have had their work published in various literary journals and magazines across the country, including the Oakland Arts Review , The Foundationalist , and Proteus . Many publications at universities and online are designed for undergraduate writers and devoted to literature of all kinds.  

If you’ve written something you’re proud of, in any style or genre, you have the opportunity to submit your work for publication. Many undergraduate magazines focus exclusively on creative writing, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, short prose, and plays. Others also accept literary analysis in the form of essays or research. 

Read on to learn about select publications for undergraduate writing. You’ll find submission guidelines, deadlines, and what types of work each magazine or journal seeks. This list is far from exhaustive, but includes some great opportunities for young, ambitious writers.

The Foundationalist

The Foundationalist is an online and in print literary journal run collaboratively by the editorial boards at Bowdoin College, Yale University, and the University of Iowa. Issues are published biannually, in the fall and spring. Selected works are published digitally on Acedemia.edu and made available in print and in e-book format.

The Foundationalist accepts undergraduate literary essays, poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. There are no page limits, word limits, or restrictions on themes. However, previously published works will not be considered. The deadline for the fall has passed, but there will be another call for submissions in the spring.

Oakland Arts Review

The Oakland Arts Review is an international literary journal for undergraduates, published by Oakland University in Michigan. Issues are published online in e-book and PDF format and include literary nonfiction, fiction, poetry, comics, and artwork. Submissions must be original undergraduate work that has not been previously published. 

The journal accepts submissions year round. The deadline to be considered for this spring's publication, Volume Six, is December 1, 2020. 

The Blue Route

The Blue Route is Widener University’s literary journal for undergraduate writing. Published exclusively online, The Blue Route accepts short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Students selected for publication receive a small cash reward for their contribution. 

The submission deadline for the journal’s 25th issue is March 1, 2021. Poetry submissions may include up to three poems, and prose submissions may include up to three pieces of fiction or nonfiction totaling no more than 3,000 words. The Blue Route does not accept previously published work and seeks “highly imaginative writing about contemporary life as you see it.”

Green Blotter 

The Green Blotter Literary Magazine is published annually by Lebanon Valley College’s Green Blotter Literary Society. The magazine features undergraduate poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. 

Submissions are accepted year round, but the deadline to be considered for next year’s issue is February 22, 2021. Students can submit up to two pieces of fiction or nonfiction prose, no more than 3,000 words in length. Poetry submissions have no exact word limits, but cannot exceed five pages. Green Blotter also accepts up to five images of photography or other visual art for consideration. 

Outrageous Fortune

Based at Mary Baldwin University, Outrageous Fortune is an online literary magazine created by and for undergraduates.. The magazine publishes poetry, short stories, essays, novel excerpts, plays, films, and artwork. 

The deadline for submission for the upcoming issue is November 25, 2020. Students may submit up to five poems, and can even include a video of a poetry performance. There are no word limits for short stories, novel excerpts, essays or plays. However, the editorial board stipulates that essays must be creative nonfiction or other creative genres, but cannot be literary criticism. Students may also submit up to five photos or other pieces of artwork, and no more than two films for consideration. 

Mosaic is the University of California, Riverside’s undergraduate literary journal, published annually. The journal was founded by a small group of poets in 1959, and has since expanded to include not only poetry but also fiction and creative nonfiction, plays, and visual art. 

The submission deadline is March 1, 2021, and submitted works must be previously unpublished. Poets may submit up to five poems, with no length restrictions. For plays, fiction, and creative nonfiction, undergraduate writers may submit up to five pieces of work totaling no more than 8,000 words. This can include multiple shorter pieces or a single longer piece, as long as it does not exceed the word limit. Mosaic also accepts visual art and photography, accompanied by a brief artist statement.

Prairie Margins

Prairie Margins is a national undergraduate literary magazine founded at Bowling Green State University. Each volume is published in print and archived in a digital format. The magazine accepts submissions year round, and welcomes poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art. The deadline for the 2021 issue is March 1, 2021. 

Writers submitting fiction or creative nonfiction are limited to 6,000 words, and poets are limited to six poems. Artwork submissions may include up to eight photographs, paintings, or other pieces of visual art. 

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NewPages Guide to Calls for Submissions

In the NewPages Guide to Submission Opportunities, find announcements of current and upcoming calls for submissions from literary magazines, independent and university presses, anthologies, and more. Looking for writing and book contests? You can find them here .

Would you like to advertise a call for submissions with NewPages? Learn more and submit your call here .

Note: Descriptions provided by advertisers. NewPages does our best to vet all opportunities. If there is an issue, please contact us .

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March 27, 2024

The New Verse News Seeks Current Events Poetry

Deadline: Year-round

Since 2005, The New Verse News has covered the news of the day with poems on issues, large and small, international and local. It relies on the submission of poems (especially those of a politically progressive bent) by writers from all over the world. The editors update the website every day with a poetic take on a current and specific headline. See the website for guidelines and examples. Then paste your non-simultaneous submission and a brief bio in the text of an email (no attachments, please) to nvneditor(at)gmail.com. Write “Verse News Submission” in the subject line of your email.

Feminist Horror Magazine Bloodletter seeks Submissions for Issue Three: Hysteria

Deadline: May 7, 2024

Bloodletter  is a feminist horror magazine showcasing personal and analytical perspectives on the horrific by women, trans, and non-binary writers. At Bloodletter , the definition of horror is expansive, cooperative, and inclusive. Bloodletter offers an exploratory space for writers to share their lived experiences of horror and the theoretical implications of the genre through fiction, nonfiction, film criticism, poetry, and cross-genre writing. A featured artist is selected to illustrate each issue of the biannual magazine, resulting in an unconventional and truly unique multidisciplinary digital platform. The theme for Issue Three is Hysteria, in its myriad meanings. Submission instructions and form can be found at bloodlettermag.com/submit .

March 26, 2024

Call for Submissions: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art

Deadline: April 30, 2024

New monthly digital magazine, Creative Cosmos , seeking submissions of short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and original artwork. Creative Cosmos challenges mainstream narratives and champions the power of intuition, creativity, and high sensitivity as essential forces for self-understanding and positive change. First issue June 2024. Please visit our website for details: creativecosmosmagazine.com/call-for-submissions/ . Be sure to note the deadline for submissions.

March 25, 2024

Gold Man Review Open for Submissions

Deadline: June 23, 2024

Gold Man Review , a West Coast Journal, is currently looking for submissions in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for Issue 14. We are open to all topics and themes and love writing that pushes boundaries. If your work is on the unusual side, then we’re probably the journal for you. If you’re interested in submitting to Gold Man Review , please see our website for full submission guidelines. Please also note that we only accept submissions from writers in Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington. www.goldmanpublishing.com

Oyster River Pages Call for Submissions

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Oyster River Pages is a literary and artistic collective seeking submissions for our annual issue that stretch creative and social boundaries. In addition to submissions of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts, we also seek to promote new voices in our Emerging Voices Poetry and Emerging Voices Fiction sections. We believe in the power of art to connect people to their own and others’ humanity, something we see as especially important during these tumultuous times. Because of this, we seek to feature artists whose voices have been historically decentered or marginalized. Please see www.oysterriverpages.com for submission details.

Kings River Review Call for 2-Year College Student Submissions

Deadline: Rolling

The Kings River Review publishes artwork, creative nonfiction, short fiction, and poetry of current 2-year community college students . Submission Deadlines: March 15 for the spring issue and October 15 for the fall issue. Submission requirements: up to 5 pieces of artwork and photography sent as .JPEG files; creative nonfiction and fiction of up to 3,000 words; and up to 5 poems. Go to kingsriverreview.com for full submission guidelines.

March 19, 2024

bioStories Open Call for Submissions—Creative Nonfiction

bioStories is an online magazine of creative nonfiction focused on literary quality biography and autobiography. We publish weekly “feature essays,” annual digital issues, and digital and print thematic anthologies. We read submissions year-around for essays keeping with our tradition of “sharing the extraordinary in ordinary lives,” and run occasional thematic contests. Writers are encouraged to visit the website to gain a full sense of our reading tastes and literary mission of presenting exceptional writers exploring the subtleties of the lives we might otherwise overlook. Full submission guidelines are available by visiting: www.biostories.com .

Call for Submissions: Voyage of Verse, A Poetry Anthology for High School Students

Deadline: April 14, 2024

Voyage of Verse is a poetry collective for high-school students, to be published in print and online semi-annually. Submissions are welcome from all poets in 9th to 12th grades. Voyage of Verse seeks to be a platform for young poets from all backgrounds and beliefs, a community where poets champion each other’s ardent, unique and empathetic voices. A curated selection of poems will be reviewed by three celebrated guest poets. For this inaugural issue, Yrsa Daley-Ward, Paisley Rekdal, and Malia Chung will be our honored reviewers, and will pen commendations on the winning poems. There is no fee to submit to Voyage of Verse , and submissions are open until April 14. Submission details can be found here: voyageofverse.com/submissions/ .

Syncopation Wants Your Work About Paris

Deadline: April 16, 2024

Syncopation Literary Journal is an online publication dedicated to music. We are currently accepting submissions for Volume 3, Issue 2: Paris. Send us your music-themed poetry, flash fiction, nonfiction and short stories related to Paris. See link for full submission details: syncopationliteraryjournal.wordpress.com .

March 18, 2024

Our Doors are Open

The Blue Mountain Review launched from Athens, Georgia in 2015 with the mantra, “We’re all south of somewhere.” As a journal of culture, the BMR strives to represent all life through its stories. Stories are vital to our survival. What we sing saves the soul. Our goal is to preserve and promote lives told well through prose, poetry, music, and the visual arts. We’ve published work from and interviews with Jericho Brown, Kelli Russell Agodon, Robert Pinsky, Rising Appalachia, Turkuaz, Michel Stone, Michael Flohr, Lee Herrick, Chen Chen, Michael Cudlitz, Pat Metheny, Melissa Studdard, Lyrics Born, Terry Kay, and Christopher Moore. bluemountainreview.submittable.com/submit

March 14, 2024

Submit Now to Able Muse (Poetry, Fiction, Essays & More)

Deadline: July 15, 2024

Able Muse is now accepting submissions for our forthcoming issue, winter 2024/2025. Submit poetry, fiction, essays, book reviews, art, and photography. Submission opens yearly January 1 and closes July 15. Read our guidelines and submit at www.ablemuse.com/submit/ .

Adanna Literary Journal Seeks Submissions for their “New” News Feed

Deadline: Year Round

Adanna has recently moved online and has added a feature that includes the idea of “Women in the News” or “Women on the News.” We seek timely interviews, book reviews, or opinion that addresses current issues impacting women in addition to our annual issue which is moving to an online platform. See Adanna ‘s new website and for more information on submissions go to:  www.adannajournal.com/submissions . Send all original, unpublished, AI free work please to [email protected] , Subject Line “News Feed.” 

March 13, 2024

Magazine1 is Looking for Submissions for its Second Issue!

Deadline: May 15, 2024

Magazine1 is searching for submissions of all kinds for its second issue. We want work that pushes the boundaries of our traditional understandings. This can mean pieces that push the limits of form, or pieces that push the limits of feeling. We want work that might have had a hard time finding a home elsewhere. We also want to feature writers who we share a home with on the Gulf Coast of Florida (Sarasota/St. Pete/Tampa). We have a specific call for those that find themselves to be our neighbors. Send us your forgotten, your lonely, your marginalized, and your strange. www.magazine-1.com/submit

March 12, 2024

Driftwood Press Contest Deadlines Incoming

Deadline: July 15, 2024 (Adrift contests); Year-round (general submissions)

Driftwood Press  is happy to share a plethora of submission opportunities for writers and artists! Our Adrift Short Fiction & Poetry Chapbook Contests, in which every work submitted is considered for publication as winner or runner-up, is ending soon! For our yearly print anthology, we are looking for poems, short stories, comics, and visual art that will wow our readers, accepted as both contest and normal submissions. We are a paying market, and our published writers also get to take part in bespoke interviews about their work!  Driftwood  is also on the hunt for amazing book-length titles to grow our catalogue, so if you have a novella, poetry collection, comic collection, or graphic novel manuscript, we would love to read it! Visit us  here  for our Submittable page, and we encourage you to follow us on social media (@driftwoodpress) to learn about even more submission opportunities!

Make Us Forget We are Reading a Poem

Submission opportunity with Yearling , a poetry journal with Workhorse Writers. Yearling is in its third year, based out of Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky. We especially pride ourselves on providing contributors supportive and constructive feedback for every poem sent that does not adorn our pages. We do ask that what you send be finished work, work with which you are happy, and overall, that it has the capacity to make us forget we are reading a poem.  We accept all forms of poetry—send what you enjoy writing. Kindly visit our Submittable at workhorsewriters.submittable.com .

March 11, 2024

Club Plum Seeks Works for April Issue

Deadline: April 1, 2024

Club Plum publishes works from award-winning writers and artists from around the world as well as works from never-before published creators. We look for beautiful and surprising writing, strange writing from small, tortured spaces, and writing that bridges the personal and political. Send us your prose poems, your flash fiction, your flash nonfiction, your lyric essays and your dreamy art. No AI assisted work. Deadline 4/1. See our guidelines at clubplumliteraryjournal.com/submit/ .

March 6, 2024

Heron Tree Call for Submissions

Deadline: May 1, 2024

Until 1 May we are accepting found poetry submissions for Heron Tree Volume 11. There is no fee to submit. Please see our submission guidelines at herontree.com/how/ .

UReCA Seeks Undergraduate Literary Works

Deadline: June 1, 2024

UReCA , the NCHC journal of undergraduate research and creativity activity, seeks submissions of prose, poetry, and art from currently enrolled undergraduate students. Send us your work through Submittable. Our first deadline to submit is June 1. Send us your best work. Do not include your name or other identifying information on the submitted document. Visit nchcureca.com to view the journal.

March 5, 2024

Blink-Ink Issue #56 “Addicted to Love”

Deadline: April 15, 2024

Not platonic, familial, or devotional, this is the rascal love where your heart sweats and you lose your mind. The world well lost for lust. Dreaming days followed by sleepless nights. A special someone, or just playing with the idea, the feeling.  Please send us your best stories of approximately 50 words, about being addicted to love…. Submissions are open March 1st, 2024 through April 15th, 2024. No attachments, poetry, bios, or AI generated content please. Send submissions in the body of an email to [email protected] . Prompt respond to all submissions and inquiries. www.blink-ink.org

March 4, 2024

Plant-Human Quarterly Seeks Poems and Essays for Upcoming Issues

Plant-Human Quarterly reads year-round. We seek unpublished or published poetry and essays that explore the myriad ways writers manifest their relationship to the botanical world—whether through heavily researched pieces, keen observation, or more intuitive ways of knowing—that attempt to communicate across boundaries and approach a plant’s-eye-view of the world. Send no more than 5 poems or an essay of no more than 1500 words (flash essay or essay excerpt) in a single word document. Past contributors include Ellen Bass, Forrest Gander, Kimiko Hahn, Brenda Hillman, Jane Hirshfield, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Pattiann Rogers, Scott Russell Sanders, Arthur Sze. Submission guidelines: otherwisecollective.com/phq-submissions .

March 1, 2024

Sky Island Journal: Issue 28 Call for Submissions

Deadline: March 31, 2024

Sky Island Journal is an independent, international, free-access, quarterly literary journal publishing the finest poetry, flash fiction, and creative nonfiction. Accomplished, well-established authors appear side-by-side with fresh, emerging voices. We provide over 150,000 readers in 150 countries with a powerful, focused, advertising-free literary experience that transports them: one that challenges them intellectually and moves them emotionally. Our average response time is 9 days, and we have a family of over 900 contributors. Every submission receives a prompt, respectful response detailing what we appreciated. Enjoy our previous issues, and submit to our stunning Issue 28 before March 31st at www.skyislandjournal.com .

February 28, 2024

Palooka Seeks Chapbooks, Prose, Poetry, Artwork, Photography

Palooka is an international literary magazine. For over a decade we’ve featured new, up-and-coming, and established writers, artists, and photographers from around the world. We’re open to diverse forms and styles and are always seeking unique chapbooks, fiction, poetry, nonfiction, artwork, photography, and graphic narratives. Submissions open year-round. palookamag.com

February 20, 2024

Lit Fox Books Seeks Poetry Collections

At Lit Fox Books, our mission is to create a literary haven where authors find not just a publisher, but a genuine partner in their creative journey. Founded by writer and editor Lisa Mottolo, Lit Fox Books recycles books’ proceeds into promoting its authors and is determined to stand out as a press that values responsiveness, high royalty percentages for authors, and intriguing book covers. We are currently open to submissions of book-length poetry collections. Please visit litfoxbooks.com to submit.

February 15, 2024

Get Lit: Writing Contests & Calls for Submissions Delivered Weekly

For only $5 a month, get writing contests and calls for submissions you want to know about delivered to your inbox every week. Plus, book and magazine review updates, new issues and title announcements, creative writing progam deadlines and announcements, upcoming writing conferences and events, and more. Subscribe to the NewPages Newsletter here:  newpages.substack.com .

February 14, 2024

Rockvale Review Issue Twelve Seeks Poetry, Fiction, CNF, and Art

Rockvale Review is an online literary journal publishing poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and art since 2017. We seek writing that is bold as well as vulnerable, that makes us think and moves us emotionally. We are also seeking a visual artist to be the Featured Artist for Issue Twelve. This issue will be published in May 2024. Writers, please read all the submission guidelines carefully. We read blind. Submissions are accepted only through Submittable and there is a small reading fee. Artists, email [email protected] to be considered for the feature. We look forward to hearing from you. rockvalereview.com

Announcing Our Next Creative Writing Conference

Register today and join us, michael campbell poster, call for fine lines submissions:.

• We are looking for new submissions to add to our journal. If you have something you want to send in and aren’t sure how, download this flyer to learn more!
• Have something you want to share with us? Click here to learn more. We want to read your writings!
• Help Fine Lines today! Donate today to help us continue bringing you new writings in our quarterly journal!
• Want to read more adventures by Fine Lines writers? Click here for more information
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Newest Fine Lines Issue Is Here

The Fine Lines Winter 2023  printed copy now available at Amazon .

The back issues are also available at this link .

Where Writers Grow

Fine Lines is a Non-Profit organization based in Omaha, Nebraska.  Fine Lines offers: – Quarterly literary journals. – A place to submit their work, hone their craft, and have community.

Donate To Fine Lines Today!

Donate to Fine Lines and get the issues as they come out! Click here for more information.

Where Are Our Writers?!

Fine Lines receives creative writing from authors of all occupations: prose articles of medium length, reflective essays on widely diverse topics that reflect life experiences, what one learns through the writing process, and poetry in all forms. We printed writing from a six-year-old, a 94-year-old great-grandmother, ministers, janitors, doctors, lawyers, scientists, teachers, and students of all educational levels.-->

Fine Lines receives creative writing and artwork from authors of all genres, ages, abilities, and occupations: prose articles of varying lengths, reflective essays on widely diverse topics that reflect life experiences, what one learns through the writing process, poetry in all forms, and mixed media. We printed writing from a six-year-old, a 94-year-old great-grandmother, ministers, janitors, doctors, lawyers, scientists, teachers, and students of all educational levels. Fine Lines has published at least one author, poet, or artist from the countries shown below.

Click here to see full list of countries.

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Call for Submissions

BRIO , NYU’s undergraduate comparative literature journal, invites undergraduate students from across the nation to submit short stories, poems, articles, academic writing, translations, visual images, screenplays, stage plays, sheet music, lyrics, and other interdisciplinary works to be considered for the Spring 2024 evil issue of the journal.

The submission deadline is Sunday, April 7th, 2024. All undergraduates, regardless of their field of study, may submit materials of an intertextual, intercultural, inter-disciplinary focus in any language. Creative as well as academic submissions are equally welcome, providing they fit the criteria for submissions. Prose, whether the submission is an academic essay or multiple short stories, must be under or around 1,000 words. 5 poems are the limit for poetry submissions. All text documents should be in an editable .doc or .docx format. All submissions and further questions should be sent to briojournal at nyu.edu.

The Foundationalist

The Foundationalist accepts literary essays, poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction pieces from current undergraduate students. We would also be happy to accept anything that had been written for class. There are no page limits or themes. We simply want students to submit their best work! The deadline is March 10th, 2024 at midnight in your timezone. More information can be found on www.thefoundationalist.com .

Sliced Bread

Deadline: Rolling.  Sliced Bread , an undergraduate literary and arts publication, wants your art, photography, poetry, and short prose! Check out our  website  and  Instagram , and submit using  this form . We're excited to hear from you!

Deadline: Rolling.  Euphony  welcomes submissions of unpublished poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, creative nonfiction, plays, and translations. Nearly all of our writing comes from outside the University of Chicago community, by first-time and professional authors from around the country and the world—and everything in between.

Memoryhouse Magazine

Deadline: Rolling. Memoryhouse Magazine  is a semi-annual publication that seeks to curate personal narratives through creative nonfiction and visual art, with special emphasis on stories and art from Chicagoland-based writers and artists. The editorial board is a diverse collection of students at the University of Chicago who share a love of the written word and the city of Chicago.

Seabirds Writing Conference: Call for Participants

Deadline: Rolling. The  Seabirds Writing Conference (SWC)  is an intercollegiate organization dedicated to helping writers at all levels from across the US improve their writing. We host weekly writer's workshops, special themed events, and help each other find opportunities to publish their work.

The Taborian

Deadline: Rolling. The Taborian an online literary publication that will launch in January 2024.  The Taborian’s mission is sharing written works from all walks of life.  We are seeking submissions on a year-round basis for essays, short stories, and poems.  Writers belonging to historically underrepresented racial or ethnic groups are especially encouraged to submit. You can find submission information at https://thetaborian.com/submission .  

The Alcott Youth Magazine

Deadline: Rolling . Submissions to The Alcott Youth Magazine are strongly encouraged. Our contributors are primarily young women from ages thirteen to twenty-two, as we feel it is important to provide a platform for their unique and often unheard voices. However, we accept submissions from everyone who would like to be featured in our publication. We are open to publishing articles, essays, short stories, illustrations, cartoons, photographs, or any other works. If you have a unique idea for The Alcott Youth Magazine, please contact us before submission. We particularly love to accept journalistic pieces. Send submissions to [email protected] . Instructions for submission are here.

Bending Genres

Deadline: Rolling . Bending Genres is committed to publishing the best fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and microreviews from dedicated writers. We are open for submissions year-round. Our writer’s work has been included in Best Small Fictions, Best Microfictions, Best Poetry, and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. To learn how you can send your work, please visit us here on Submittable.

The Bibliopunk

Deadline: Rolling . The Biblipunk Lit Zine is looking for English language work of any genre from authors ages 13-24, from any and every background, experience, and voice. What we don’t want: hatred of any kind, plagiarism, or gratuitous sex, violence, or profanity. That’s it. We accept never been published authors and many times published authors. You can find guidelines for submissions here and send them to [email protected] .

Blue Marble Review

Deadline: Rolling . Blue Marble Review welcomes submissions from students ages 13-22. It is published four times a year and accepts submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, essays, opinion pieces, travel writing, photography, and art on a rolling basis. We are looking for new work that hasn’t been published anywhere else either online or in print. Contributors published online in Blue Marble Review will receive $30 per published piece and $75 for cover art. Submit here.

Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine

Deadline: Rolling. Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine is currently accepting submissions from youth authors ages 12-22 from anywhere in the world! We accept submissions on a rolling basis and update the online magazine with new works daily to weekly. This is an open space to express yourself, be creative, deal with emotion, and be read! We are looking for unique works for a young adult audience, with an emphasis on mental health - any writing used as catharsis or reflection, or used to draw attention to societal issues, is particularly welcomed. We are also open to stories about the teenage experience, mental health articles, and more. If in doubt, send it in; we are very open to any type of writing. Guidelines for submissions can be found here and writing sent to [email protected] .

Coexist Literary Magazine

Deadline: Rolling . Coexist Literary Magazine is an international, youth-led publication dedicated to exploring identity, emphasizing diversity, and encouraging activism. We do this by publishing and amplifying youth and marginalized voices. We accept poetry, art, photography, personal essays, opinion editorials, short stories, and videography. You may apply for a blog feature at any time here.

Diet Water Magazine

Deadline: Rolling . Here at Diet Water , we wish to provide a creative space for America’s young emerging writers and artists. We strive for authenticity and for work that is equally raw, personal, and representative of each artist. We want your favorite work that describes, relates to, or symbolizes life in America, offering critique or insight into American culture. You can find the submission guidelines here and submit your poetry, prose, or visual art and photography work to [email protected] .

Glass Mountain Literary Journal

Deadline: Rolling . Glass Mountain , the undergraduate literary journal at the University of Houston, is run by undergraduate students for undergraduate students, with the wants, needs, and curiosities of the emerging artist in mind. Forward-thinking and -moving, Glass Mountain is aimed at inspiring creativity, and encouraging growth within a craft. Regardless of genre, style, or even language, Glass Mountain invites all undergraduates to join in our celebration of the spirit of community. You can find submission guidelines and submit your fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or art here .

Green Blotter Literary Magazine

Deadline: Rolling . Green Blotter is published annually by the Green Blotter Literary Society of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, and features poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art submitted by undergraduate student writers everywhere. Our mission is to provide a much-needed platform for undergraduate creative writers and artists and to foster outstanding work in each of the genres we publish. You can learn more about how to submit your fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or art here . Email your work to [email protected] .  

Hot Knife Magazine

Deadline: Rolling . Hot Knife is a new digital literary magazine focused entirely on music. We seek to publish work at the intersections of creative nonfiction and music criticism—the more experimental and genre-exploding, the better. We are currently open to submissions from all undergrad and graduate students everywhere. We are run entirely by undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania. To submit your work click here .

The Incandescent Review

Deadline: Rolling . The Incandescent Review is a nonprofit magazine & blog dedicated to illuminating youth voices. It is run by an interdisciplinary team based on collaboration between different specializations, including filmography, visual art, creative writing, journalism, marketing, and more. We are looking for work that expresses honest opinions and emotional responses to timely and relevant personal or world issues.  You can find the submission guidelines here and submit your poetry, art, or prose work to [email protected] . 

Parakeet Magazine

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Spatial Variations of the Activity of 137 Cs and the Contents of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Products in the Polluted Soils of the City of Elektrostal

• DEGRADATION, REHABILITATION, AND CONSERVATION OF SOILS
• Open access
• Published: 15 June 2022
• Volume 55 , pages 840–848, ( 2022 )

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• D. N. Lipatov 1 ,
• V. A. Varachenkov 1 ,
• D. V. Manakhov 1 ,
• M. M. Karpukhin 1 &
• S. V. Mamikhin 1  

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The levels of specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms (1 M ammonium acetate extraction) of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb) and petroleum products were studied in the upper soil horizon of urban landscapes of the city of Elektrostal under conditions of local radioactive and chemical contamination were studied. In the soils within a short radius (0–100 m) around the heavy engineering plant, the specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn were increased. The lognormal distribution law of 137 Cs was found in the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer; five years after the radiation accident, the specific activity of 137 Cs varied from 6 to 4238 Bq/kg. The coefficients of variation increased with an increase in the degree of soil contamination in the following sequence: Co < Ni < petroleum products < Cr < 137 Cs < Zn < Pb < Cu ranging from 50 to 435%. Statistically significant direct correlation was found between the specific activity of 137 Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the upper horizon of urban soils, and this fact indicated the spatial conjugacy of local spots of radioactive and polymetallic contamination in the studied area. It was shown that the specific activity of 137 Cs, as well as the content of heavy metals and petroleum products in the upper layer (0–10 cm) of the soils disturbed in the course of decontamination, earthwork and reclamation is reduced.

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INTRODUCTION

Contaminants migrate and accumulate in urban ecosystems under the impact of both natural and technogenic factors. The processes of technogenic migration of 137 Cs are most pronounced in radioactively contaminated territories. It was found in urboecological studies that the intensity of sedimentation of aerosol particles containing radionuclides and heavy metals is determined by the types of the surfaces of roofs, walls, roads, lawns, and parks and by their position within the urban wind field [ 12 , 26 ]. Traffic in the cities results in significant transport of dust and associated contaminants and radionuclides [ 15 , 24 ]. During decontamination measures in the areas of Chernobyl radioactive trace, not only the decrease in the level of contamination but also the possibility of secondary radioactive contamination because of the transportation of contaminated soil particles by wind or water, or anthropogenic transfer of transferring of ground were observed [ 5 , 6 ]. Rainstorm runoff and hydrological transport of dissolved and colloidal forms of 137 Cs can result in the accumulation of this radionuclide in meso- and microdepressions, where sedimentation takes place [ 10 , 16 ]. Different spatial distribution patterns of 137 Cs in soils of particular urban landscapes were found in the city of Ozersk near the nuclear fuel cycle works [ 17 ]. Natural character of 137 Cs migration in soils of Moscow forest-parks and a decrease in its specific activity in industrial areas have been revealed [ 10 ]. Determination of the mean level and parameters of spatial variations of 137 Cs in soils is one of primary tasks of radioecological monitoring of cities, including both unpolluted (background) and contaminated territories.

Emissions and discharges from numerous sources of contamination can cause the accumulation of a wide range of toxicants in urban soils: heavy metals (HMs), oil products (OPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other chemical substances. Soil contamination by several groups of toxicants is often observed in urban landscapes [ 20 , 23 ] because of the common contamination source or close pathways of the migration of different contaminants. A comprehensive analysis of contamination of urban soils by radionuclides and heavy metals has been performed in some studies [ 21 , 25 ]. The determination of possible spatial interrelationships between radioactive and chemical contaminations in urban soils is an important problem in urban ecology.

A radiation accident took place in the Elektrostal heavy engineering works (EHEW) in April 2013: a capacious source of 137 Cs entered the smelt furnace, and emission of radioactive aerosols from the aerating duct into the urban environment took place. The activity of molten source was estimated at about 1000–7000 Ci [ 14 ]. The area of contamination in the territory of the plant reached 7500 m 2 . However, radioactive aerosols affected a much larger area around the EHEW, including Krasnaya and Pervomaiskaya streets, and reached Lenin Prospect.

Geochemical evaluation of contamination of the upper soil horizon in the city of Elektrostal was carried out in 1989–1991. This survey indicated the anomalies of concentrations of wolfram, nickel, molybdenum, chromium, and other heavy metals related to accumulation of alloying constituent and impurities of non-ferrous metals in the emissions of steelmaking works [ 19 ].

The aim of our work was to determine the levels of specific activity of 137 Cs, concentrations of mobile forms of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, and Pb) and oil products in the upper soil horizons in different urban landscapes of the city of Elektrostal under the conditions of local radioactive and chemical contamination.

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D. N. Lipatov, V. A. Varachenkov, D. V. Manakhov, M. M. Karpukhin & S. V. Mamikhin

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Lipatov, D.N., Varachenkov, V.A., Manakhov, D.V. et al. Spatial Variations of the Activity of 137 Cs and the Contents of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Products in the Polluted Soils of the City of Elektrostal. Eurasian Soil Sc. 55 , 840–848 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229322060072

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Received : 21 October 2021

Revised : 22 December 2021

Accepted : 30 December 2021

Published : 15 June 2022

Issue Date : June 2022

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1134/S1064229322060072

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