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.
| | Aoife's Kiss
Monthly magazine of magazine of science fiction, fantasy, and horror is open to work by emerging writers. They publish short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and illustrations. (Aoife is pronounced "EE-fah," and is Irish for "Eve.")
| | Asian American Literary Review
The Asian American Literary Review is a space for writers who consider the designation "Asian American" a fruitful starting point for artistic vision and community. In showcasing the work of established and emerging writers, the journal aims to incubate dialogues and, just as importantly, open those dialogues to regional, national, and international audiences of all constituencies. They select work that is, as Marianne Moore once put it, "an expression of our needs...[and] feeling, modified by the writer's moral and technical insights." Published biannually, AALR features fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, comic art, interviews, and book reviews.
| | Avocet, A Journal of Nature Poems
Avocet is devoted to publishing Imagist Nature Poetry that depicts meaning through the use of precise visual images. Editors say, "We prefer nature poetry that has vivid, concrete imagery, insight and interconnectedness with nature. We avoid poems that have rhyme or metrical schemes, cliche, abstraction, and sexual overtones." Authors they admire include Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, and Wallace Stevens. Previously published poems accepted, but no simultaneous submissions.
| | 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.
| | Collective Fallout
This literary magazine is dedicated to queer-themed sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and mystery fiction and poetry. Fiction submissions must be queer-related, and fall into one or more of the the science fiction, fantasy, horror, or mystery genres. Stories may not be longer than 10,000 words. Poetry submissions must be queer-related, both form and free verse, and of a surreal, metaphysical, or similar nature. Up to 5 poems per submission, no more than 450 total lines. No "blatant erotica", fan-fiction or "slash". Send entries as MS Word, RTF or PDF attachments to collectivefallout@gmail.com. Issue deadlines are June 1 and December 1 annually.
| | 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.
| | Ganymede
Ganymede is a literary/art print journal by and for gay men published quarterly in New York as a paperback book, and also sold as an online version. Contributors have included David Sedaris, Edmund White, Jee Leong Koh, and Daniel Mendelsohn.
| | Global City Review
Based at the City College of New York, Global City Review seeks to embody that city's diversity and dynamism, with an international reach. "Edited and produced by writers, it celebrates the difficulties and possibilities of the 'global city' and other constructions of community...while honoring the subversiveness and originality of ordinary lives." Past contributors include Marilyn French, Robin Blair, Wayne Koestenbaum, and Cornelius Eady.
| | H.O.W. Journal
This journal of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and artwork raises money and awareness for the 15 million children worldwide who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. For each submission, they request a $5 donation that they will send to a relevant charity. H.O.W. stands for "Helping Orphans Worldwide".
| | 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.
| | J Journal: The Literary Journal of John Jay College of Criminal Justice
This literary journal, launched in 2008, is published by a well-regarded college in the CUNY system. J Journal presents perspectives on contemporary justice issues through the medium of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. Contributors have included Paul Mariani, Erika Dreifus, Randall Brown, Paul Hostovsky and Kathryn Howd Machan.
| | Jewish Review of Books
Launched in 2010, this print and online journal features critical essays about religion, literature, culture, and politics, as well as fiction, poetry, and the arts.
| | 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."
| | Kartika Review
Kartika Review publishes literary fiction, poetry, and essays that endeavor to expand and enhance the mainstream perception of Asian American creative writing. The journal also publishes book reviews, literary criticism, author interviews, and artwork. They focus on works relevant to the Asian Diaspora or authored by individuals of Asian descent. Issues can be read for free as PDF files on their website, or purchased as hard copies.
| | Kyoto Journal
Founded in 1987, this English-language quarterly based in Japan publishes thought-provoking writings and visual explorations that dispel stereotypical views of Asia, for a worldwide readership. See website for submission guidelines for poetry, prose, and artwork. Recent themed issues have included "Unbound: Gender in Asia" and "Transience: Dwelling in the Moment".
| | MAKE: A Chicago Literary Magazine
Biannual print journal of poetry, literary prose, articles and interviews. Contributors have included Joyelle McSweeney, Eula Biss, Gabriel Gudding, and Joe Meno. See website for upcoming themed issues. Editors say, "Chicago is a storyteller's city, and MAKE is the story's magazine. Chock full of fiction, poetry, essays, art, and reviews, MAKE is substantial in both feel and scope. MAKE expands on the Chicago tradition to entertain and to inform."
| | 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.
| | Meanjin
This quarterly journal founded in 1940 is committed to publishing the best of new writing in Australia. Meanjin also gives wide coverage to issues of global concern. It is an imprint of Melbourne University Publishing. The journal's name, pronounced Mee-an-jin, is derived from an Aboriginal word for the finger of land on which central Brisbane sits.
| | 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.
| | Notes & Grace Notes
This website for emerging writers looks for works that seek to combine the art of "literary" writing with the craft of "popular" writing. Members can enter monthly contests offering small prizes ($10-$25) and a chance to be published in their magazine and anthology.
| | 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.
| | Ploughshares
Founded in 1971, this prestigious literary journal makes its home at Emerson College in Boston. Submissions are accepted June 1-January 15. They publish mainly poetry and literary fiction, with a small amount of creative nonfiction. Ploughshares is a paying market. See website for print and online submission guidelines.
| | Quiddity: International Literary Journal & Public-Radio Program
Quiddity is a literary journal published by Springfield College-Benedictine University in Illinois. Contributors to the journal may also be invited to read their work and be interviewed about the writing process on Illinois Public Radio, an NPR affiliate. Links to samples of these broadcasts are available on their website. Contributors have included Douglas A. Blackmon, Dan Guillory, and Martin Willitts, Jr.
| | 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.
| | StoryQuarterly
This well-regarded journal of literary fiction and creative nonfiction, founded in 1975, was acquired in 2008 by Rutgers University-Camden. SQ pays $150-$200 for accepted submissions, 8,000 words maximum. Enter online only. They seek to publish both prominent and first-time authors in every issue.
| | Subtropics
Literary magazine from the University of Florida pays $1,000 for short fiction, $500 flash fiction, $100 poetry. Simultaneous submissions accepted for prose but not 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 Cafe Review
Founded in 1989, The Cafe Review is a quarterly journal of poetry, art and reviews that is based in Portland, Maine. Contributors have included Paul Muldoon and Taylor Mali.
| | 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.
| | Versal
Versal is the literary journal of wordsinhere, an international collective of writers, based in the Netherlands. Visit their blog for the editors' thoughts about their submission review process and the wide(ning) aesthetic that Versal seeks out. Contributors have included Peter Shippy, Jennifer Chapis, and Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé.
| | Vestal Review
This journal of flash fiction publishes both online and print editions. Vestal Review pays 3-10 cents per word for accepted stories. Submissions should be 500 words maximum and have a plot.
| | 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.
| | Wild Apples: A Journal of Nature, Art, and Inquiry
Wild Apples is a twice-yearly journal of writing and visual art. Taking its name and inspiration from Henry David Thoreau's essay, "Wild Apples," the journal brings together the work of artists and writers who are connected by the common threads of care for the environment, engagement in social concerns, and commitment to the arts and the way they shape our world. This is a print journal but selections are available online for free download as a PDF file.
| | Women's Review of Books
This influential bimonthly tabloid-format periodical is devoted to reviewing books by and about women. They are mainly interested in women's studies books, poetry, and literary prose. They also publish author interviews, photography, and original poetry. Women's Review of Books is published by the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College, in collaboration with Old City Publishing in Philadelphia, PA.
| | 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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