4AM Poetry Review
Eclectic, zesty new journal lists Theodore Roethke, Anne Sexton and Robert Hass among its influences. Published annually in August, reads submissions year-round (submit online or by mail). Read sample work on site before sending.
| | Barrelhouse
Edgy, energetic literary journal publishes poetry and prose that juxtapose serious art and pop culture in creative and unsettling ways. Published in print and online editions. See website for essay contest.
| | Cider Press Review
Contemporary poetry journal from Pennsylvania has published such authors as Joanna Catherine Scott, Simon Perchik, Philip Dacey, Diane Lockward and Sandra Kohler. They also offer a poetry manuscript contest which accepts online entries.
| | Cue: A Journal of Prose Poetry
Publishes prose-poems, book reviews, critical essays, interviews and translations. Featured authors have included Ron Silliman, Lisa Jarnot, David Lehman, Mathea Harvey. [12/30/08: New website coming soon]
| | Fairy Tale Review (The)
This annual literary journal publishes "elegant and innovative" contemporary fairy tales in poetry and prose. Distinguished contributors include Marina Warner, Jeanne Marie Beaumont, Cate Marvin, Joyelle McSweeney and Donna Tartt.
| | Feminist Studies
This scholarly journal published by the University of Maryland also accepts submissions of poetry, short fiction, personal essays and artwork, with deadlines of May 1 and December 1 annually. No simultaneous submissions. "Feminist Studies is committed to publishing an interdisciplinary body of feminist knowledge that sees intersections of gender with racial identity, sexual orientation, economic means, geographical location, and physical ability as the touchstone for our politics and our intellectual analysis. Whether work is drawn from the complex past or the shifting present, the pieces that appear in Feminist Studies address social and political issues that intimately and significantly affect women and men in the United States and around the world." Authors published in Feminist Studies since its inception in 1972 include Meena Alexander, Nicole Brossard, Jayne Cortez, Toi Derricotte, Diane Glancy, Marilyn Hacker, Lyn Hejinian, June Jordan, Audre Lorde, Cherrie Moraga, Sharon Olds, Grace Paley, Ruth Stone, and Mitsuye Yamada.
| | Fulcrum: An Annual of Poetry & Aesthetics
Erudite literary journal with an international focus, edited by prizewinning poets Philip Nikolayev and Katia Kapovich, aims at furthering communication between poets, critics and philosophers from different cultures and literary traditions.
| | Hanging Loose
Born amid the cultural ferment of 1960s Greenwich Village, this journal has been discovering new talent for 40 years. Star find: Sherman Alexie. Important influences include the New York School and the "New American Poetry" defined by the Donald Allen anthology of that name, but the magazine is open to a wide variety of styles and themes. Read an interview with co-editor Mark Pawlak here.
| | Kaleidoscope Magazine
Akron-based journal exploring the experiences of disability through literature and the fine arts. They accept poetry, fiction, essays, interviews and book reviews. Submission deadlines are March 1 and August 1 annually. The editors say: "Unique to the field of disability studies, this award-winning publication expresses the experiences of disability from the perspective of individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. The material chosen for Kaleidoscope challenges and overcomes stereotypical, patronizing, and sentimental attitudes about disability. Although content always focuses on a particular aspect of disability, writers with and without disabilities are welcome to submit their work."
| | Me Three Literary Journal
Well-written journal publishes fiction, personal essays, reviews and cultural criticism. Read the online edition for a sample, or subscribe to the print journal.
| | Missouri Review
Prestigious journal that offers large literary prizes. We especially enjoy their fiction selections.
| | New Letters
Publishing for over 70 years, this prestigious literary quarterly from the University of Missouri-Kansas City features a broad spectrum of poetry, fiction and essays by emerging and established writers. Past contributors have included May Sarton, J.D. Salinger, Marianne Moore, Joyce Carol Oates, Tess Gallagher and Richard Wright. See their website for audio archives from their radio program, New Letters on the Air, and rules for their annual writing contests.
| | New Millennium Writings
Handsomely designed literary journal with a diverse aesthetic, encompassing magical realism, mainstream fiction, memoirs, essays and poetry.
| | Pavement Saw
Offbeat, experimental journal with a sense of humor. Pavement Saw Press also publishes innovative poetry books and chapbooks that get good reviews. See website for their contests.
| | Sentence: A Journal of Prose Poetics
Critically acclaimed prose-poem journal from Firewheel Editions has published such authors as Russell Edson, Beckian Fritz Goldberg, kari edwards. Jamey Dunham's 'Urban Myth' from the first issue was selected for Best American Poetry 2005.
| | Subtropics
New literary magazine from the University of Florida pays $1,000 for short fiction, $500 flash fiction, $100 poetry. Past contributors include Steve Almond, Charles Wright, D.A. Powell, Anne Carson, and Billy Collins. Read editors' preferences on website before submitting. Best for authors with some professional publication credits.
| | The Cresset
Valparaiso University literary journal considers the arts and culture from a Christian perspective. They accept submissions of poetry, essays and book reviews.
| | The New Criterion
High-modernist journal of arts and culture is a bastion of the New Formalist movement in poetry.
| | The New Republic
Left-leaning journal of politics and opinion also publishes poetry. Culture section is particularly good.
| | The Open Face Sandwich
Brilliantly deranged literary journal of innovative prose and found texts. Highlights from the first issue include a short memoir by Ariana Reines, excerpts from the unpublished novels of Hortense Caruthers (an author so reclusive that she may not exist), and lovely photos of Atlanta roadkill.
| | The Raintown Review
Semiannual journal of formal poetry, literary criticism and translations. Founded by Harvey Stanbrough, The Raintown Review has published such authors as William Baer, Annie Finch, Joseph Salemi and Jennifer Reeser. Submit 3-5 poems, pasted into the body of an email message, to publisher John Oelfke. Previously published poems accepted. For prose submissions, query first.
| | The View From Here
Down-to-earth, witty literary magazine features author interviews, book reviews, flash fiction, cartoons, news and events. Their editors hail from the US, England and Australia, allowing them to introduce overseas audiences to new authors and publications worth watching.
| | Unsaid Magazine
Literary journal founded in 2003 by David McLendon publishes innovative work by a mix of emerging and established authors. Past contributors include Brian Evenson, Deb Olin Unferth, Jenny Boully and Rick Rofihe. Read their first three issues online.
| | War, Literature & the Arts
Handsome literary journal published by the English Department at the US Air Force Academy features writing by well-known authors such as Philip Caputo, Andre Dubus and Carolyn Forche.
| | Wisteria: A Journal of Haiku, Senryu, and Tanka
Engaging pocket-sized quarterly journal of poetry in traditional Japanese forms, edited by Tony Thompson, formerly of Gin Bender Review. See website for the Pinewood Haiku Contest with prizes up to $100. (Note that the journal's name is spelled differently in the URL.)
| | Words Magazine
British magazine for emerging writers offers quarterly contests on selected themes, plus an annual fiction contest for members of UK trade unions. Entry fees support charitable organizations.
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Anglican Theological Review
This scholarly journal accepts unpublished poems demonstrating creative engagement with Christian tradition. No simultaneous submissions. Poetry editor is prizewinning author Sofia M. Starnes.
| | First Things
Thoughtful journal looks at public life from a conservative Catholic perspective. Poetry and book reviews are high quality.
| | Image
Gorgeous magazine bridging the arts and religion.
| | Literature and Belief
Intelligent, thought-provoking journal publishes poetry, literary criticism, book reviews and interviews with a moral/religious focus. No website; send submissions to 4145 Jesse Knight Humanities Building, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602. Email poetry editor Lance Larsen at
lance_larsen@byu.edu for submission guidelines.
| | Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression
Relief, a new Christian literary journal, will be accepting submissions of short fiction for its second issue till November 1, 2006. Online entry system lets you track the progress of your story through the evaluation process. "The goal of this publication is to pursue a complete picture of Christ and life - real, gritty, painful, wonderful, this-side-of-heaven life. In an effort to never offend, too many Christian publications fail to express the power of a real Christ in a real world, opting instead for clichés and placating expressions of the ideal. Relief seeks to bridge the gap between mainstream fiction and cotton-candy Christianity. Christ's goal was never to keep us sheltered and comfortable. He did not pull his punches. The primary measuring stick for good Christian writing cannot continue to be safety. It must be skill - the ability to expose what is real, express it eloquently, punch the reader."
| | Rock & Sling: A Journal of Literature, Art, and Faith
Attractively produced journal publishes poetry, prose, and artwork that engages with Christian spirituality in complex and subtle ways. The editors started the journal in 2004 to find a middle ground between "the narrow religious market, which is driven more by theology than literary quality, and the literary world which is often dismissive of faith." Contributors include award-winning writers such as Ellen Bass, Luci Shaw, Sydney Lea, and Susanna Childress. The glossy pages even smell good. UPDATE: Rock & Sling suspended operations in fall 2008, but back issues are still available.
| | Ruminate Magazine
New quarterly journal of literature and visual art that "resonates with the complexity and truth of the Christian faith." The handsome photography and inventive mingling of typefaces add to the sense that this magazine is wide open to new perspectives and the free play of the imagination. Ruminate's poetry and prose often address serious subjects, but with a note of hope that is never merely sentimental. Emerging writers welcome.
| | The Cresset
Valparaiso University literary journal considers the arts and culture from a Christian perspective. They accept submissions of poetry, essays and book reviews.
| | Zeek
Wide-ranging, edgy Jewish literary magazine covers arts, politics, popular culture and humor. Zeek publishes both a monthly online journal and a biannual print edition. Unpredictable, thought-provoking and fun.
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