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18 Literary Magazines Accepting Submissions in 2024

Erin Duchesne

Literary Magazines Accepting Submissions in 2024

Asimov’s science fiction, the georgia review, the gettysburg review, harper’s magazine, the iowa review, the kenyon review, narrative magazine, new england review, the new yorker, the paris review, ploughshares, poetry magazine, the sewanee review, the sun magazine.

Are you a creative or literary writer looking to share your words with a larger audience of your peers? Then look no further than these literary magazines accepting submissions!

The new year is just around the corner and there are plenty of literary magazines looking for high-quality writing for their next issue. Here is a list of some of the best literary magazines accepting submissions for next year.

A photograph of a styled scene. There is a market bag with oranges on the left, and a pile of four books on the right. This is to represent the article listing 18 literary magazines accepting submissions.

Literary magazines are periodicals, which are dedicated to publishing poetry, short stories, essays and more from writers at every stage of their careers. Here are 18 now accepting submissions. Unless otherwise indicated, all payments are in American Dollars.

AGNI , Boston University’s literary magazine, accepts a wide variety of works for their online and print publications. The publication accepts poems, short stories, think pieces, essays, reviews and memoirs from writers all around the world.

Submission dates: September 1 to December 15; February 14 to May 31
Payment: $20 per page for prose; $40 per page for poetry (to a maximum of $300)

The world’s leading science fiction magazine, Asimov’s Science Fiction , seeks character-oriented stories examining the human experience. They accept stories between 1,000 and 20,000 words from a wide range of topics in the science fiction genre.

Submission dates: Rolling
Payment: $0.08 to $0.10 per word for stories up to 7,500 words; $0.08 per word for stories over 7,500 words; $1 per line of poetry, up to 40 lines

Since 1947, the University of Georgia has published The Georgia Review . The goal of this publication is to promote essays, poems, book reviews and fiction that challenges readers and creates dialogue.

Submission dates: August 16 to May 14
Payment: $50 per page of prose (up to $800); $4 per line of poetry (up to $800); $150 for book reviews

Printed at the University of Gettysburg, The Gettysburg Review is one of the top literary magazines in the United States. This publication seeks high-quality submissions of poetry, fiction, essays and essay reviews for their tri-annual issues.

Submission dates: September 1 to May 31; graphics accepted year-round
Payment: $3 per line of poetry (maximum $300); $30 per page of prose

Granta is a literary magazine devoted to promoting talented new voices in the literary writing world. Each year, this publication accepts unsolicited poetry, fiction and nonfiction work during their four reading periods. Granta strives to open doors and remove barriers by offering 200 free submissions per year to low-income and/or marginalized writers.

Submission dates: March 1 to 31; June 1 to 30; September 1 to 30; December 1 to 31
Payment: The website states they pay “professional rates”

Harper’s Magazine publishes fiction and non-fiction pieces in each of their monthly issues. To submit a non-fiction piece, writers must send a query to their New York City office. For fiction, Harper’s Magazine accepts unsolicited submissions of physical copies.

Payment: Unspecified

Published three times a year through the University of Iowa, The Iowa Review has been continuously published for more than 50 years. The Iowa Review accepts online and hard copy submissions of unpublished poetry, fiction and non-fiction work.

Submission dates: August 1 to October 1 for fiction and poetry; August 1 to November 1 for non-fiction
Payment: $1.50 per line of poetry (minimum $100); $0.08 per word of prose (minimum $100)

The 2024 themes for The Kenyon Review are extinction, writing from rural spaces and literary curiosities. This literary magazine accepting submissions is seeking essays, short fiction, flash fiction, poetry, plays and excerpts of larger works through their online portal.

Submission dates: September 1 to 30
Payment: $80 to $450 for prose ($0.08 per word); $40 to $200 for poetry ($0.16 per word)

Narrative is a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting and promoting literary writers and improving literacy worldwide. Narrative Magazine accepts a wide variety of submissions through their online portal and also awards annual prizes for the best works in multiple categories.

Payment: $200 minimum for poems; $250 to $500 for manuscripts between 500 and 2,000 words; $500 to $1,000 for manuscripts between 2,000 and 15,000 words; $100 for reader’s narratives

New England Review is seeking submissions for all genres, particularly fiction, non-fiction, dramatic writing and poetry from writers of all backgrounds. Writers can submit their unpublished work to New England Review online portal or through the mail along with a cover letter.

Submission dates: September 1 to November 1; March 1 to May 1
Payment: $50 and one-year magazine subscription (for publication in NER Digital); $20 per page plus two copies of the issue and a one-year subscription (for publication in the journal)

The New Yorker , often thought of as the top literary magazine in the world, accepts submissions of cartoons, letters to the editor, shouts and murmurs, fiction and poetry.

As the name suggests, One Story focuses on publishing one story at a time. This literary publication launched in 2002, after the publishers noticed many small literary magazines shutting down and short stories disappearing from mainstream publications. One Story is seeking submissions of short stories of any style and topic between 3,000 and 8,000 words.

Submission dates: Opening in early 2024
Payment: $500 and 25 contributors copies

The Paris Review accepts hard-copy unpublished works of prose and poetry at different points of the year for their quarterly issues.

Submission dates: March and September for prose; January, April, July and October for poetry
Payment: $100 per poem; $1,000 to $3,000 for fiction; reimburses expenses for nonfiction projects

Ploughshares at Emerson College is a leading literary magazines and publishes short-form and long-form works including fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

Submission dates: June 1 to January 15
Payment: $45 per printed page; $90 minimum per title; $450 maximum per author

POETRY Magazine publishes all types of unpublished poetry, including text, audio, video and visual formats as well as some prose works.

Submission dates: September 16 to June 14
Payment: $10 per line (minimum $300) for text poems; $300 for visual, audio and video poems; $150 per page for prose

Dating back to 1892, The Sewanee Review is the oldest continuously published quarterly literary magazine in America. The publication accepts submissions of essays, poems and book reviews through their online portal most of the year.

Submission dates: September 1 to May 31
Payment: Minimum $100 for poetry and $300 for prose plus more depending on line and word count

The Sun Magazine publishes thought-provoking poems, essays, short stories and black-and-white photographs by new and established contributors from around the world.

Payment: $200+ based on length

Formerly Crazyhorse, swamp pink publishes a semi-monthly online literary magazine featuring fiction, non-fiction and poetry.

Submission dates: September 1 to December 31; February 1 to May 31; prize submissions are accepted in January
Payment: $40 for poems; $0.05 per word for prose

Whether you’re new to the literary world or well-versed, submitting your best creative or thought-provoking pieces to a variety of literary magazines is a great way to get your work and name out there.

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Write for Magazines: 21 Publications That Pay $500+ Per Assignment

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Want to write for magazines?

It’s a great way to make a living writing if you pitch the right publications. How about $500 or more per assignment?

If you’ve been cranking out magazine stories for $50 to $150 a pop, you may be wondering if that’s really even possible. That’s often the going rate for local, regional, or small-circulation magazines.

If you want to write for magazines, and have limited experience, these are great places to get some clips, and earn some money, but it shouldn’t be your last stop.

Many consumer and trade magazines pay $500 or more per assignment. And the pitching process is pretty much the same as smaller pubs:

Identify a magazine you want to write for
Study the submission guidelines
Develop a solid story idea
Do a little research and interview a source
Write a killer query letter, and pitch your story idea to an editor

If you can do that, you’ve got the chops to get paid well to write for magazines. But you need to know where to look for those $500-plus assignments. Check out these 25 magazines to get started.

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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!