Welcome to Sub Club’s Where to submit this week! Our weekly report is of up-to-date submission opportunities for writers.
This week, we’ve got:
6 Recently Opened Submission Calls
2 Lit mags closing for submissions this week
6 Theme Calls To Inspire You!
15 New Friends (new listings we’ve added to our database)
5 Contests That Probably Won’t Scam You
3 Agents Who Don’t Care Where You’ve Published Before (NEW!)
This week from our Sub Club Submissions Help Line:
What should I ACTUALLY put in my cover letter for short story submissions to magazines? I feel like half the time I see people saying "keep it short, just your name/bio/that it's a simultaneous submission," and then the other half the time people say that magazines really actually want to hear about your story and its inspirations, etc. But that feels to me like it makes the story more trite—shouldn't it speak for itself? What is the truth?!
This: "keep it short, just your name/bio/that it's a simultaneous submission." If you feel like it, add a nice line about the magazine. Any magazine that wants more will say so in their guidelines. I wrote a whole lesson about this you can access for free here.
I want to get published without having to pay for it, and don't necessary want money back. I just want them published. Where can I send my poems? How? When?
On Chill Subs you can filter for free lit mags that are open for submissions and inside each listing it will tell you all you need to know to submit to them. Aside from that? Consistency, luck, time. Here is a saved search with those elements to help you out showing around 850 lit mags.
What is typical etiquette for literary magazines going dark, from the writer's standpoint? I had submitted a poem to a magazine, it was accepted for their 9th issue, and it has now been months since the originally planned publication date. I've reached out as respectfully as possible, but have not heard anything back. Should I send a withdrawal email even though it was already accepted, as a formality, before beginning to submit it again to other magazines? Should I wait a certain amount of time? Is it even okay to submit to other outlets since it had been accepted elsewhere, even though it was never formally published? I'm bummed that I had withdrawn it from so many other magazines and journals, only for it to not be published, and I'd like to attempt publication again for this specific poem. I'm new-ish to the publication world and just want to make sure I don't burn any bridges.
If it has been so long since the planned date, I'd withdraw then submit elsewhere as soon as you feel it is no longer worth it to be published in that magazine. The way I see it, respect is a two way street and there is no ultimate blacklist out there of writers. Worst case, by withdrawing, you've upset one isolated team of editors who are not professional enough to communicate a delay or respond to emails. So, honestly....fuck 'em. It's a shame they wasted your time. You can resubmit to places you withdrew from. I've never seen there be a problem with that. As long as no decision was previously made on it, I wouldn't consider it a resubmission or "previously published" because of all the factors you've laid out.
How many publishers should I pitch a poetry chapbook to?
As many as you can find where you'd be proud to see it printed.
Some lit mags give flash fiction word limits (say, 1,000 words) and then say its okay to submit 2 or 3 flash fiction pieces at once. Does this mean the TOTAL word count across all pieces needs to be under the word count limit (e.g. if two pieces for a 1k word count limit, each could be 500 words or something along those lines)? Or does it mean each piece just needs to be under the word count limit?
This is a common phrasing and it means that each has to be under 1,000 and not that the total need be under 1000. If they have a max word count for all together, they will specify. So the default is that it is referring to individual pieces within a packet. if it is for the whole packet, that will be made clear (every time I've seen it mentioned).
I'll try to keep this non-specific. I'm doing a number of erasure--or found--poems. I hope to do enough of them for a chapbook or book. I know I will need permission from the source book's publisher [Penguin]. They have a website form to get permissions, and they say to only use the form. On the form it says they will not give permission until my work has a publisher. Thing is: I don't want to write a whole book, send it for publishing, then fail to get permission. I want to get permission to use the whole book, and get it ahead of time. I don't know how to do this or if it will only piss them off if I try. Suggestions? Thanks!
A Writer's Digest article from 2014 suggests the following: "There is a line to be drawn between erasure/blackout poems and plagiarism. If you're not erasing more than 50% of the text, then I'd argue you're not making enough critical decisions to create a new piece of art. Further, it's always good form to credit the original source for your erasures." Having said that, the jury's still out on what exactly constitutes getting inspired from something and creating something totally new as opposed to firmly using the source text and then referencing it enough to require permission. If Penguin isn't down to answer these questions, try inquiring from the agents/publishers you hope to submit to prior to preparing the full submission.
Got a question about submitting? Ask us and we’ll answer it in next weeks Where To Submit This Week. Visit our submission help line.
Last week, we had a some extra lists:
As always, as an extra thank you to paid subscribers, we’ve included a spreadsheet download at the end.
Literary Magazines & Journals
Recently Opened Calls
Encephalon | Deadline: July 15
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
A youth-led journal devoted to publishing and honoring the voice, craft, and originality of emerging writers, artists, and scientists
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 42 days. Acceptance rate of 5% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #nominates for industry awards
Where Meadows | Deadline: July 31
Canada-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Wtf is genre, send anything.
Where Meadows (formerly Where The Meadows Reside) is an art collective weaving various mediums for the pursuit of exploration and uncertainty.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 6% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
Kitchen Table Quarterly | Deadline: August 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
We are a journal preoccupied with history— cultural, political, geographical, personal— and how each interacts with the other to mold our experience. Adolescent blunders, dental records, the archaic origins of long-held or long-lost traditions— we want to know all of it.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 90 days. Acceptance rate of 4.54% based on 44 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #extremely competitive
Juste Literary | Deadline: September 14
Nigeria-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Humor, Play.
An arbitrary online literary magazine dedicated to random poetry, arts and creative writings. Established in April, 2023.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 61% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials
Ourania Review | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Play, Comics, Audio.
The Ourania Review is a literary magazine that strives to highlight marginalized and underrepresented voices.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 55% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #active on socials #30-day response time
A Sufferer's Digest | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Poetry, Hybrid.
We are looking for norm-challenging, gritty, or modern gothic short stories or poems between 1-2000 words for rolling online publishing and physical issues.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 31 days. Acceptance rate of 15% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials
Last Chance to Submit
Deal Jam Magazine | Deadline: July 12
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Wtf is genre, send anything.
An indie magazine by writers, for writers. We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art from all genres!
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 24% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Seaside Gothic | Deadline: July 14
United Kingdom-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
A quarterly print magazine from the edge of the sea where the frontier of civilisation meets the wild of the water.
Fee: None | Pay: varies, see guidelines for details
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 90 days. Acceptance rate of 18.12% based on 138 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards # consistent quality #very competitive #beautiful design
Theme Calls To Inspire You!
ONLY POEMS | Deadline: July 11 | Theme: Summer
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Poetry.
Open All Year | Free submissions 1st week of every month | Fast response and Editorial Feedback available | We pay $55
Fee: None | Pay: $55
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 1% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #extremely competitive #engaged editors
coalitionworks | Deadline: July 16 | Theme: 3 themes to choose from! unreasonable silence, how i decorate myself, infinity ribbons
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Micro Fiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography, Wtf is genre, send anything.
3 themes for issue 8: unreasonable silence / how i decorate myself / infinity ribbons. use one or all three as you wish.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 14 days. Acceptance rate of 40% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #two week response time # good vibes #somewhat accessible #engaged editors
Thread (by Chill Subs) | Deadline: July 31 | Theme: Fresh Start
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Micro Fiction, Flash CNF, Poetry.
Size matters. An alternative literary magazine in the poem and micro prose space.
Fee: None | Pay: $20 per piece
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards #highly competitive
re•mediate | Deadline: August 1 | Theme: re•mediate: a home for Computer-Assisted Writing
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Wtf is genre, send anything.
A critical, literary home for computer-assisted creative writing & writing about C-AW. The WIRED of lit mags.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 7 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
The Blunt Space Incorporated | Deadline: August 20 | Theme: Resistance Against Oppression
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2020 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Audio, Video.
The Blunt Space Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to promoting the arts of marginalized communities, advocacy, and culture
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 56 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials
The Kintsugi Journal | Open for submissions | Theme: Resilience, Healing and Transformation.
India-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Poetry, Review, Art, Photography.
A team of two, we're looking for diverse voices and stories that highlight themes of healing, and art of mending.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 14 days. Acceptance rate of 50% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #active on socials #two week response time
New friends
Genesis Gazette | Deadline: July 20
literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Nonfiction.
☾ student stem 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒆 & blog .⋆est. dec ‘23 ✩ eic: naisha Empowering young minds in STEM Issue 2 Subs OPEN
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 3 days. Acceptance rate of 90% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
The Red Branch Review | Closed for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Review, Interview, Art, Photography.
Literary and visual art annual based in Knoxville, TN.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 90 days. Acceptance rate of 15% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards
MicroStack | Deadline: July 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Micro Fiction.
microfiction (noun) something invented by the imagination, of varying lengths, no more than 500 words.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 14 days.
Noteworthy: #two week response time
ButterMochi Journal | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Art.
ButterMochi Journal is a literary and arts journal that amplifies Asian and Pacific Islander (API) youth.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 14 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #two week response time
Razzle Dazzle Cafe | Open for submissions
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction.
Razzle Dazzle Cafe is an audio zine seeking to give voice to good stories and find meaning through fiction.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints.
Noteworthy: #read for free #one week response time
constellations: a cultural rhetorics publishing space | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2018 that publishes Review.
constellations is an online double-blind peer-reviewed publishing space featuring works discussing cultural rhetorics.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Disjointed | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Poetry.
A disjointed magazine of poetry for all!
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #30-day response time
Tea Table Magazine | Deadline: July 19
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
Run by North Carolina Asian American Together (NCAAT), Tea Table Mag publishes work by AAPI Creators from North Carolina
Fee: None | Pay: $15 per piece
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 15 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
100-Foot Crow | Closed for submissions
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Micro Fiction.
We’re the magazine for busy people who want to be wowed by great science fiction & fantasy stories—in exactly 100 words.
Fee: None | Pay: $0.08 per word
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials
Trace Fossils Review | Deadline: July 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art.
The art in wake of the artist.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 112 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials #nominates for industry awards
Milk Press | Deadline: August 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2018 that publishes Poetry, Hybrid, Art.
The Poetry Society of New York presents Milk Press, a multi-disciplinary journal that nurtures the conversation between poetry and visual art.
Fee: $5 | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 7 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time #nominates for industry awards
Bread and Butter Magazine | Closed for submissions
Thailand-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
A youth-led literary magazine dedicated to empowering new voices!
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Carmilla Collective | Deadline: July 11
United States-based literary magazine that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Art.
Carmilla Collective is an art and literature magazine made by and for youth.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 7 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
KUDU | Deadline: August 15
South Africa-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art.
KUDU is an online biannual literary journal of South African writing.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 56 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free
The Marrow International Poetry | Deadline: July 30
Australia-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Poetry.
An online literary journal featuring the finest new international poetry from emerging and established poets.
Fee: None | Pay: AU$40
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 56 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #nominates for industry awards
The Groke | Deadline: December 2
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
An independent art and literature magazine (online), focused on building community.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #30-day response time
Akpata Magazine | Closed for submissions
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Nonfiction.
Akpata Magazine is open for submissions of creative nonfiction that dares to provoke thought.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 20 days. Acceptance rate of 20% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
the ikebana magazine | Open for submissions
India-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
We are an online Magazine for anything and everything<3
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 85% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
The Rumi Review | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
The Rumi Review is a literary magazine dedicated to amplifying the voices of writers of Middle Eastern descent.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 7 days. Acceptance rate of 5% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #one week response time
DivWrites Magazine | Deadline: July 20
India-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
We are an online magazine which has been active since 2021. We accept writings, artwork, and photography.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 7 days. Acceptance rate of 85% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
Afflatus Apparatus | a journal for the creative collective | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Review, Interview, Art, Photography, Humor, Comics, Video, Wtf is genre, send anything.
Afflatus Apparatus (A2) is a journal for diverse creative works in language, art, and culture, available online & print.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 14 days. Acceptance rate of 50% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #has print issues #active on socials #two week response time #nominates for industry awards
Gray Flamingo Review | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction.
A brand-new magazine for writers who are college students!
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions.
Noteworthy: #one week response time
Morning Star Literary | Deadline: July 25
Ireland-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Play.
Morning Star Literary is a small, youth-led magazine looking for pieces that explore deep, complex emotions and topics.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 20 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Contests That Probably Won’t Scam You
Narrative Poetry Contest | Deadline: July 18
The contest is open to all poets. Entries must be unpublished and must not have been previously chosen as winners, finalists, or honorable mentions in other contests. Each entry may contain up to five poems. The poems should all be contained in a single file. You may enter as many times as you wish, but we encourage you to be selective and to send your best work.
Fee: $26 | Awarding: $1,500 | Judge(s): Editors
Noteworthy: A lot can be said about Narrative’s ridiculous general submissions reading fee, but at the end of the day they are kind of the shit in the lit mag world. Having said that, please read a few previous winners (here especially) before submitting.
Connecticut Poetry Society Experimental Poetry Contest | Deadline: July 31
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Connecticut River Review is given annually for an innovative poem. Claire Donato will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than 80 lines each composed using a new form, an existing experimental form, or a radical subversion of a traditional form with a $15 entry fee by July 31. Audio and video recordings are also eligible.
Fee: $15 | Awarding: $1,000 | Judge(s): Claire Donato
Noteworthy: I love experimental poetry contests where the fees are less than the norm. Also, the judge is a very cool person!
Anthology Magazine Short Story Competition | Deadline: July 31
Established to recognise and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, the Anthology Short Story Competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. There is no restriction on theme or style. Stories submitted must not exceed the maximum of 1,500 words. Writers can submit as many entries as they wish. Each submission will require a separate entry form and is subject to a separate entry fee.
Fee: €18 | Awarding: €1,000 | Judge(s): Editors
Noteworthy: I once received a free issue of the magazine and totally loved it. They also print and promote artists.
Red Wheelbarrow Poetry Prize | Deadline: July 31
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Red Wheelbarrow is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives 20 copies of a letterpress broadside of the winning poem, printed by Gary Young at Greenhouse Review Press. Kim Addonizio will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of no more than one page each with a $15 entry fee by July 31. All entries are considered for publication.
Fee: $15 | Awarding: $1,000 | Judge(s): Kim Addonizio
Noteworthy: Karan (my partner and the EIC over at ONLY POEMS), won this contest a few years ago. It was the first prize he ever entered. So, that tells me they like new poets.
The Sewanee Review Fiction, Poetry, & Nonfiction Contest | Deadline: July 31
Three prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Sewanee Review are given annually for a single poem or group of poems, a short story, and a creative nonfiction essay. Shane McCrae will judge in poetry, Lorrie Moore will judge in fiction, and John Jeremiah Sullivan will judge in creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit up to six poems or a story or essay of up to 10,000 words with a $30 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Sewanee Review, from July 1 to July 31. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Fee: $30 | Awarding: $1,000 | Judge(s): Lorrie Moore (Fiction), Shane McCrae (Poetry), John Jeremiah Sullivan (Creative Nonfiction)
Noteworthy: The Sewanee Review is a dream mag for me and I think it’s safe to say for many people. There are some great judges here even though the reading fee is a bit on the higher end. I do like that they take stories and essays up to 10K words!
Below is for paid subscribers only. We have our Agents Who Don’t Care Where You’ve Published Before and a downloadable spreadsheet for this week’s opportunities.