Getting published for the first time is a major milestone for any writer. Traditionally, emerging writers have gotten their start in literary journals. But what exactly are literary journals, and why should new writers care about them? Literary journals are periodicals focused on publishing fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and more from up-and-coming voices.

When I was an MFA student, submitting to literary journals was seen as the gold standard, a rite of passage for newcomers to reach targeted readers, get professional feedback, and begin building publishing credentials. However, changes to the publishing industry may have diminished the role that literary journals once held in expanding a writer’s audience. This guide will walk new writers through everything they need to know about literary journals, from what they are to how to submit.

Defining literary journals

A literary journal is a publication for literature, usually focusing on poetry, short stories, memoir, and literary reviews. In general, literary journals are interested in work that emphasizes language, a character’s internal experiences, and experimental forms. Some major literary journals include The Paris Review, Ploughshares, The Kenyon Review, and ZYZZYVA. You should always sample a literary journal before you submit to see if your work aligns with the editors’ taste.

More characteristics of literary journals:

• Literary journals provide a platform for writers to get their work published, especially lesser-known writers and new voices.
• Submissions are competitive, and acceptance rates are low, usually less than 1-5%.
• Literary journals are independent publications or affiliated with literary organizations, writing programs, or universities rather than large publishing houses.
• The publishing schedule is typically quarterly, biannually, or annually.
• Literary journals exist in both print and digital formats. Some publications may do one or the other, some publish both simultaneously, and some have print and digital editions that differ from one another.
• Writers use literary journals to build their publication credentials and expand their audience.
• Many prestigious grants, awards and fellowships require applicants to publish work in reputable literary journals.
• Journals often also sponsor contests, writing workshops, and literary readings.

Advantages and disadvantages of submitting to literary journals

While literary journal publication confers prestige, the process requires patience and perspective. Weighing drawbacks as well as benefits helps set reasonable expectations.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Status: Publication in an esteemed literary journal can bring immense prestige and credibility.	Extremely low acceptance rates: Top journals accept under 1% of submissions. Rejection can be demoralizing.
Exposure: Journals help writers reach targeted readers who are interested in contemporary literature. This audience may have never discovered your work if it was self-published or only on your website.	Lack of exposure: Many journals have relatively small print runs and limited audiences. Even online journals generate little traffic.
Incentives: Some journals offer small pay rates, contributor copies, or other incentives.	No or minimal payment: Most journals offer little or no monetary compensation beyond complimentary copies. Making money is very unlikely.
Feedback: Some journals provide submission feedback that helps writers improve their work.	Slow response times: Journals often take 3-6 months or longer to respond, leaving writers waiting anxiously.
Career advancement: Journal publications help develop a writer’s portfolio and authorial credentials. This can lead to jobs, grants and other benefits.	Rights and permissions issues: Journals usually ask for exclusive rights or first serial rights, limiting publishing the piece elsewhere for a period of time.
Community: Connecting with editors and fellow contributors can foster a literary community.	Genre constraints: Journals focus on literary fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Other genres like fantasy, horror or children’s literature may be marginalized.
To improve editing skills: Editing work for publication teaches writers valuable skills in self-editing.	Subjective selection: Editors’ individual tastes heavily influence acceptance, so submissions may be passed over despite merit.
Contests: Journals often sponsor contests with attractive prizes, including generous payments and publication.	Submission Fees: In the past decade, it has become normal for journals to charge $2-3 to read a submission. Because of low acceptance rates, these fees can add up.

While publication is very competitive, submitting to quality journals can enrich a writer’s craft, reputation, network, and audience if persistence and care is taken in identifying the right opportunities.

How have literary journals changed?

In recent years, the literary journal landscape has shifted in some important ways that aspiring contributors should understand. Our 21st century digital landscape has changed the way readers find what’s exciting to them. Here are a few of the ways Literary journals have adapted to try to keep up with our rapidly evolving world.

• Increased online presence: While print journals continue to publish, most also have websites, blogs, social media accounts, and digital subscription options.
• Rising submission volume: Because digital submissions through online systems like Submittable have removed postage barriers, more writers than ever are submitting their stories. Since acceptance rates remain very selective, this means writers get more rejections than ever.
• Predatory journals: Some fraudulent online journals charge submission fees but lack rigorous editorial standards or audience engagement. Writers must vet journals carefully before paying any fees.
• More contests and awards: Journals are using contests, fellowships, and awards to generate revenue and promotion.
• Multimedia integration: With online content, journals can now include audio, video, graphic art, and even interactive elements alongside traditional text.
• Wider genre diversity: While most literary journals remain uninterested in hard sci-fi or fantasy, more journals are open crossover work that combines elements of genre and literary fiction.
• Increased diversity: Following wider publishing trends, journals are making incremental progress in publishing more women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ writers.
• More public events: Literary journals host live readings, panels, and conferences to build community and connections beyond the printed page.

While rising costs and competition create challenges, these changes allow literary journals to stay vital and engage broader audiences. The core mission of publishing emerging voices endures.

What about submission fees?

One significant change to literary journal submissions is the growing prevalence of submission fees, which all writers should be aware of. A submission fee is a charge required to submit written work to a literary magazine or journal for consideration for publication. They are typically between $2-$5 for prose or poetry submissions, though some journals charge up to $25.

These fees were once a rarity in the literary world, but in the past decade they have become ubiquitous. If you’re planning on sending your fiction, poetry or personal essay to a literary journal, it’s imperative that you understand what submissions fees are and how to determine if they are worth the cost. In my post “Should You Pay A Submission Fee?” I explore all the questions you should ask before coughing up your hard-earned cash. 

Who shouldn’t submit to literary journals?

My biggest tip is to wait until you have a strong grasp of craft, publication options, and the persistence required to withstand the submission process. Don’t rush out underdeveloped work. This will only waste your time and the editors’.

• Complete novices: Writers who are just starting out usually benefit more from joining workshops, classes, or writers’ groups to develop their craft before trying to get published.
• Genre writers: Most literary journals do not accept fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror or thriller. There are genre-specific magazines which are better suited for those writers.
• Children’s writers: Specialized children’s lit journals or magazines are better avenues for children’s literature and YA.
• Non-literary writers: Those writing speeches, self-help books, essays for mass audiences often find better homes elsewhere.
• Writers focused on book publication: If your goal is to publish a novel or book length memoir, literary journals may not be the best use of your time and energy.
• Writers who haven’t thoroughly revised work or considered a piece’s audience: Take the time to polish a manuscript and carefully match submissions to each journal’s editorial guidelines and style preferences.
• Writers impatient for quick acceptance: Publishing with literary journals is a slow process requiring persistence through many rejections.
• Writers unwilling to follow guidelines: Editors will dismiss submissions that don’t follow their requirements.

While literary journals have broad scope, writers need to carefully evaluate if their specific work and publication goals truly align with submitting to journals versus other options.

How do you find literary journals?

Once you’ve determined that literary journals are a good fit for your goals, the next step is identifying the right publications and doing your research. There are thousands of literary journals, big and small out there. It can be overwhelming to sift through them all to find the right home for your work. These are the steps I would recommend to start your submission process.

• Start by searching literary journal databases like Duotrope, Submittable Discover or New Pages to find journals accepting submissions in your genre.
• Consult literary journal ranking lists like BookFox Top 100 Literary Magazines to find acclaimed journals in your genre.
• Browse journal listings in Poets & Writers magazine or the annual Writer’s Market book.
• Attend literary conferences, readings, or workshops and collect issues of journals of interest.
• Follow literary journal websites, blogs, social media for submission period announcements. Sign up for newsletters.
• Network with other writers, teachers, editors to hear recommendations from people who understand your writing style.
• Research the acknowledgments of books you admire to see where excerpts or stories were published.
• Search bookstores or libraries for literary journal back issues to peruse.
• Keep it local: look for journals affiliated with nearby writing programs or regional arts councils.
• Read journals extensively to get to know their unique personalities and aesthetics.
• Focus on journals publishing work similar in style, genre, and voice to yours.

With so many journals to comb through, using multiple resources and doing thorough research is key to creating a targeted, effective submission list.

Ready to submit?

After you’ve built out a list of potential journals, here are some tips to evaluate when your work is actually ready for submission. Here are some tips on when a new writer should consider submitting their work to literary journals:

• After developing strong writing fundamentals: Before submitting, new writers need practice honing their craft through workshops, classes, or informal critique groups to build skill in elements like dialogue, description, structure, and plot.
• After producing multiple completed, polished pieces: Having a few strong options allows picking the best piece for a particular journal’s guidelines and editorial taste, and it provides fallback options if one is rejected. Some journals will encourage you to submit again if the rejection was a close call.
• After thorough revision: Pieces should go through multiple rounds of editing, with feedback from others if possible, before being sent out. Resist submitting first drafts.
• After researching target journals: Take time to read sample issues of journals, understand their aesthetic and voice, and ensure they accept new writer submissions.
• When mentally prepared for rejection: Develop resilience since all writers will face some rejection. Don’t let it discourage you from continuing to submit.
• After developing a submissions strategy: There are a lot of literary journals out there, so it helps to be organized. Keep track of all submissions to make the process efficient and track responses.

While publication in literary journals is no guarantee of fame or fortune, there are potential rewards for writers open to slowly building a career path. Eyes on your work, even if limited, creates a small but engaged audience. And persistence through the competitive slush pile can gradually lead to more milestones, whether it be a Pushcart nomination, residency fellowship, or simply carving out your niche among like-minded voices.

Ultimately the effort required comes down to personal priorities and patience. Literary journals are not the only valid route for writers, but for some it provides community, discipline and incentive to keep creating amidst isolation and rejection. Don’t buy into hype or false promises, but if you find satisfaction in the process itself, then keep faith and let each story find its readers. Keep writing, keep growing, and find communities that nurture, not limit, your voice. If you’d like to join my writing community, subscribe to the blog or follow me on Facebook and Twitter.