25 Recently Opened Submission Calls, Upcoming Deadlines, Contests, Theme Calls & More
Where to Submit This Week (11.18.24)
Welcome to Sub Club’s Where to Submit This Week! Our weekly report of up-to-date submission opportunities for writers.
This week is a slow one. Middle of the month slump. Nobody wants submissions before the holidays, right? But somethin’ isn’t nothin’ so here’s what we’ve got:
This week, we’ve got:
10 Recently Opened Submission Calls
3 Last Chance to Submit
7 Theme Calls To Inspire You!
5 Lit mags that are always open for submissions
1 Vetted writing contest closing this week
We’re doing a bit of a switcheroo and killing our weekly digest. Kinda seems like it could just be an email, you know? So we’re adding in our “what we published” here and will announce whatever else in this intro from now on. So! What did we publish last week? Well, here it you go:
This week from our Sub Club Submissions Help Line:
Q: I’ve been publishing my writing in lit mags for over a decade but over the past few years had some issues with publications. I’ve had several times where publications are terrible at communicating, with large delays in publishing dates or getting paid. I’ve also had my work/bio published without approving a proof so sometimes there are errors. If the publication is online, I can request a correction, but I can’t do that with something printed. It’s hard to tell who is reliable and I’m frustrated and unsure what to do.
Ben: This is a tough one. First, the industry is expanding. We’ve seen the number of lit mags founded each year double in the past decade. This is great that the industry is expanding, but leads to a lack of quality control. I think publishing dates are something that has always been a casualty of publishing. But if a lit mag isn’t paying you, that’s something to report to Writers Beware. There are a few things you can look out for. First, never submit somewhere without a masthead. This way, if you’re fucked over, you have someone to hold accountable and contact directly, not just a faceless email address. Definitely read a magazine before submitting to check for things like grammatical errors. If you want to be extra careful, contact a writer they’ve published and ask what their experience was like. I am sure plenty of writers would be happy to share. Hmm, maybe that’s something we could do here? Who’d be interested in something like that? Basically a testimonials page to share what your experience was like submitting to and working with a magazine.
Have a question about submitting? Ask us, and we’ll answer it in next week’s Where To Submit This Week. Visit our submission helpline. And if you are a paid subscriber you’re welcome to our chat here on Sub Club where you can ask questions and chat with us and others about submitting.
Literary Magazines & Journals
Recently Opened Calls
Third Street Review | Deadline: December 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography.
Literally on the Edge. California has always been synonymous with innovation, boundary expansion, and re-invention. TSR is no different. Please share your best writing and visual art; make it weird, make it tame. Whatever it is, we want to see it!
Fee: $3 | Pay: $25
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 42 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #nominates for industry awards
Pedestal Magazine | Deadline: December 9
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2000 that publishes Poetry, Review.
publishes reviews of full-length poetry collections
Fee: $3 | Pay: Yes
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 56 days. Acceptance rate of 22.22% based on 35 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #very competitive #krouse top 500 #20+ years old
Hellbender Magazine | Deadline: December 15
United States-based literary magazine that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art.
Hellbender Magazine—formerly Cheat River Review—is a home for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Acceptance rate of 7.14% based on 24 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
Hominum Journal | Deadline: December 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2020 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography, Play.
A creative arts journal that de/reconstructs the somatic and explores the anatomy of narrative.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 28 days. Acceptance rate of 4% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards #brecht top 1000 #highly competitive
HeartWood Literary Magazine | Deadline: January 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2015 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
A LITERARY MAGAZINE IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LOW-RESIDENCY MFA AT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 150 days. Acceptance rate of 20.32% based on 58 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #university affiliated #very competitive
WIREWORM MAGAZINE | Deadline: January 1
Wireworm is looking for things that are visceral, strange, and experimental. We want weird and teethy: the best of your worst.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints.
Noteworthy: #one week response time #somewhat competitive
Orca, A Literary Journal | Deadline: January 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2019 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
Orca publishes short stories, flash fiction, and nonfiction. We are a literary journal and we believe in the literary style of writing. We are open to almost any topic, as long as it’s written in a literary style.
Fee: $3 | Pay: $25-$50
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 2% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards #highly competitive
After Happy Hour Review | Deadline: January 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2013 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Comics.
We push beyond our boundaries, geographically and literarily, while staying true to our roots as a writing group and community, priding ourselves on our personal touch and often working with our contributors to improve work we really, really like into work we love.
Fee: None | Pay: varies, see guidelines for details
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 42 days. Acceptance rate of 2% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #highly competitive #10+ years old
On Gaia Literary Magazine | Deadline: February 14
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Poetry.
Shoving the most decadent poems we can find down your throat. Consensually, of course.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials
Apprentice Writer | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 1984 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography.
Susquehanna University’s international literary and arts magazine for high school creatives.
Fee: None | Pay: $0-$100
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 183 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials #university affiliated #highly competitive #30+ years old
Last Chance to Submit
Persimmon Tree: An Online Magazine of the Arts by Women Over Sixty | Deadline: November 18
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2009 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography.
Persimmon Tree, an online magazine, is a showcase for the creativity and talent of women over sixty. Too often older women’s artistic work is ignored or disregarded, and only those few who are already established receive the attention they deserve.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 180 days.
Noteworthy: #somewhat accessible #10+ years old
Lumina Journal | Deadline: November 21
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2000 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Art.
A multi-genre literary journal and visual art publication, run by Sarah Lawrence College's MFA in Writing students.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #has print issues #30-day response time #university affiliated # fosters inclusivity #engaged editors #20+ years old
Headlight Anthology | Deadline: November 22
Canada-based literary magazine founded in 1998 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
Concordia University's (Montreal) graduate literary journal, open for all to submit.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 185 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials
Theme Calls To Inspire You!
StudentKind Literary Journal | Deadline: January 20 | Theme: Snow Angels
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Wtf is genre, send anything.
StudentKind Literary Journal is a youth-led magazine accepting innovative written work from contributors across the globe.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 7 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Contemplit Magazine | Open for submissions | Theme: Tragedy through the Sublime
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Play.
Youth led Literary Magazine dedicated to work with an excessive focus on the use of language.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 2 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Puerto del Sol | Deadline: November 18 | Theme: freak
United States-based literary magazine founded in 1964 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Review, Art.
For over half a century, Puerto del Sol has been dedicated to provide a forum for inventive and fresh prose, poetry, reviews, criticism, and artwork. We pride ourselves in not following a standardized aesthetic—instead, we seek work that presents authenticity, sincerity, and respect.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 90 days. Acceptance rate of 5.49% based on 165 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #brecht top 1000 #extremely competitive #fiction prize winner #krouse top 500 #50+ years old #extra popular
Two Lines | Deadline: November 19 | Theme: Female Afghan Poets
United States-based literary magazine that publishes Translation, Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction.
We publish original translations into English and essays on language, literature, and translation.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 180 days.
WayWords Journal | Deadline: November 20 | Theme: kindness
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2020 that publishes Fiction, Poetry.
Current theme: "flash fiction" Editors ask you to show big emotions in micro moments using few words.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 46% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #very accessible
Sans. PRESS | Deadline: November 21 | Theme: Out There!
Ireland-based literary magazine founded in 2020 that publishes Fiction, Hybrid, Wtf is genre, send anything.
Send us stories that are fresh & weird
Fee: None | Pay: €200
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 56 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #highly competitive
Vocivia Magazine | Deadline: November 22 | Theme: Wanderlust
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Flash Fiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography.
Vocivia Magazine aims to amplify the voices of those who cannot scream loud enough into the void we call the internet to create an immersive multimedia experience through new and innovative mediums.
Fee: None | Pay: Yes
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 40 days. Acceptance rate of 40.00% based on 37 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials #good vibes #popular
Always Open!
The Furious Gazelle | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2013 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Humor, Play.
Before you submit to the Furious Gazelle, ask yourself the following about your submission: Does it have a good story? Is it compulsively readable? Are you a living human being who has written some words? If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, we encourage you to submit.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 90 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #10+ years old
Tales of the Unreal | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction.
A quarterly pulp revival magazine in humble imitation of Weird Tales. Featuring weird, horror, and slipstream fiction.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 90 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #nominates for industry awards
Bare Back Magazine | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2005 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
A premier erotic fiction and poetry ezine founded in September 2005. Providing the very best in erotic fiction and poetry. Unleash Your Erotic Imagination.
Fee: None | Pay: $1-$3 per piece
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 56 days.
Noteworthy: #has print issues #10+ years old #popular
FEED | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2020 that publishes Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Fiction.
FEED is a weekly online lit mag of short-form literature. If long-form journals are elaborate holiday meals, FEED is a quick bite with morning coffee or a light midnight snack.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 50.00% based on 25 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #extra popular
Vagabond City Literature | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2013 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Review, Interview, Art.
a digital space feat. poetry, art, nonfiction, interviews, and reviews by marginalized creators
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 42 days. Acceptance rate of 34.62% based on 38 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #nominates for industry awards #extra popular
Contest Closing This Week!
Sixfold Poetry and Short Story Awards | Deadline: November 21
Submit up to five poems totaling no more than 10 pages or up to 20 pages of prose
Fee: $5 | Pay: $1000 | Judge: Editors
Below, we have a downloadable spreadsheet for this week’s opportunities for paid subscribers.