Where to submit this week (07.22.24)
Closings, openings, contents, themes, agents, oh my!
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:
7 Recently Opened Submission Calls
5 Lit mags closing for submissions this week
6 Theme Calls To Inspire You!
18 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
This week from our Sub Club Submissions Help Line:
Quick reminder, this help line is not for specific inquiries about your work. We will have that as a service soon, but for now I do not have time to give specific recommendations.
This may sound a dumb question, but I run an indie press and I'm wondering how we can get you to promote our call for submissions? I've looked around and can't find the answer.
Ah, so we have a classifieds for our Chill Subs newsletter that is $30 a pop. We only share requested promotions through this since we get them multiple times a day and couldn't handle them all even if we had the space. For Sub Club, none of the listings we share are requested. All come from Chill Sub's database. So if editors list, claim, and keep their listings up to date there, they are much more likely to appear here.
Is it preferred if cover letters use the actual name(s) of an editor? Or will “Dear Editor” or “Dear Editors” suffice? (I’ve heard mixed advice). If I do choose to address them by name, do I use a formal title or their first name? Thank you SO MUCH for providing this, you guys are great!
I used to obsess over this but not anymore. I know a lot of folks who submit heavily (more than me and I submit a good amount). After a time you realize that time is better spent on researching new opportunities than keeping up with what may or may not offend an editor with some innocuous like this. If it is a small magazine with only a few editors (something I know before submitting usually), then I'll find a name and submit to them out of courtesy. But for a large magazine, most of the time, a reader or intern is seeing your work before any editor so going through the trouble, in my opinion, isn't worth it. So, does it impact your overall chances 98/100? No. Especially with large, well-established lit mags. Is it the right thing to do? That's up to you. But if you do it, use their full name, no title — clean, professional, less opportunity to accidentally offend.
After getting a higher tier rejection that invites a writer to submit again, is there a respectable amount of time one should wait before submitting another piece to that editor?
Submit whenever you're ready unless their guidelines state otherwise.
A number of poetry magazines I've submitted to indicate that if your poem extends past one page you should indicate whether the lines that flow onto the next page are supposed to be a normal line break or a stanza break. But where and how exactly am I supposed to indicate that? At the line break itself (" I drink milk. *Note this is only a line break from the previous line "I love cows.") At the end or beginning of the poem? In the cover letter? It feels clunky no matter where I put the note or word it.
In this case of a poem extending beyond a page and creating confusing about stanza breaks, I honestly just cheat a bit and make the document margins bigger or that particular stanza's text smaller so if it is indeed part of the same stanza then things just fit. If this is not possible, in the case of a giant stanza, I have never indicated that "This is a stanza break" nor have I ever been asked to and nor would I, as an editor, expect that. If poems are accepted, all of this gets worked out in "post", or rather, "pre", before we make the poems live on the website (or, I assume, for print mags before they go to print/production)
Can you explain exactly what goes into a chapbook… should there be a theme? A cover? Stapled together? Generally how many poems ? Can you include essays?
A chapbook is a fun lil forgiving yet fulfilling thing. However if you're thinking to submit yours to contests, then follow the guidelines quite strictly. Otherwise, go all out — design your chapbook however you want. Fill it with hybrid works and poems and photos and art! Generally, the page-length doesn't go over 40 and seldom over 60. Usually, the chapbook sweet spot is 25 but can even be as low as 15. Below 15 and you start getting into "poetry pamphlet" territory, which is also pretty cool. Themes are a popular choice these days for collections and chapbooks alike but it's not a requirement (unless you're submitting to places which have that as, well, a requirement). And cover — yes! All books deserve a great cover, right? In terms of how it is produced, a lot of that will depend on who is printing it. Most chapbooks however, being very short books, will indeed be handbound or stapled and honestly, they can look incredible!
Hello - I'd like to know which genres are currently popular with readers and publishers? I've researched a topic and now need to decide whether to use this to write a fiction or nonfiction book. I'm enjoying reading and writing a whole load of everything, so have no preference. - Thanks
If your specifically talking about books? Hm, I think your best bet would be to look at Publishers Marketplace to see what books are selling, then explore My Query Wishlist to see what agents are looking for. Those places will know the market way better than any "creative" since their job is to make money, and money-making-focused people tend to be way better at sussing out what's popular.
I had a question about different types of rejections writers receive. I have been submitting work for about three years and have gotten many different rejection letters with one common pattern of "no." I have heard there are levels of rejection- is this true and how do you decipher them? Most notably for example, I've received emails back like: "this piece is not a great fit for us at the moment," what does that even mean? and how do you adjust your submission strategy depending on the type of "no?"
Shannan and I have different opinions here. For me (Ben), I don't care what a rejection letter says but Shannan adamantly tracks special rejections. BUT what she means by "special rejections" are when your work is sited and the editors specifically ask to see more of her work. As in, whatever they have written is clearly personal for you. Things like, "not a great fit" or "we hope you submit again" are just generic responses. Best way to judge is that if your friend who wrote something different could receive the same letter with the title and name switched, it means it's a template rejection. And for both of us, we don't care about "tiered" rejections. A rejection is a rejection is a rejection. It's wasted energy dissecting them.
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
MEMEZINE | Deadline: July 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Flash Fiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Comics.
We want to explore all facets of our participation in the digital landscape. Blur the lines between art, literature, and content. Get sloppy & get into it.
Fee: None | Pay: $4.2
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
The Shore Poetry | Deadline: September 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2019 that publishes Poetry.
An online poetry publication seeking cutting, strange, and daring work from new and established poets alike.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Acceptance rate of 6.76% based on 74 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time #nominates for industry awards # consistent quality #engaged editors #extra popular
Weird Lit Magazine | Deadline: September 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction.
Weird Lit Magazine is a platform for the weird and boundless. We strive to support freedom of expression, engage community, and foster the free exchange of ideas. Weird Lit Magazine values inclusivity, emerging voices, diversity of ideas, and nonconformity.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
The Dawn Review | Deadline: September 15
literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Art, Photography, Play.
The Dawn Review is an international literary magazine publishing three issues annually, featuring poetry, prose, art, and hybrid submissions from emerging and established writers and artists. We nominate work for the Pushcart Prizes and Best of the Net.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 3% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #nominates for industry awards #highly competitive
the borderline litmag | Deadline: September 15
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, Art, Photography.
Words + art from the borders, est. 2021. Youth litmag wanting to peruse the work from your creative margins; the pieces drawn from the colorful space between melding ideas and thoughts.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 21 days. Acceptance rate of 21% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards #somewhat accessible #popular
The Qafiyah Review | Deadline: October 1
literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art.
A literary magazine for Middle Eastern/South West Asian North African writers & artists.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 14 days. Acceptance rate of 33% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #two week response time #nominates for industry awards #accessible
For Page and Screen | Deadline: October 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Play, Audio, Video.
A bi-annual online publication that features short stories, scripts, and films from storytellers around the world. We are looking for your most ambitious work. Surprise us, shock us, move us, and, above all, tell us a good story.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 180 days. Acceptance rate of 40% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #accessible
Last Chance to Submit
Anti-Heroin Chic | Deadline: July 25
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2016 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
A collective journal of poetry, photography, art work, stories, essays, interviews and more. Send us your observations. Send us your heart. Send us your honesty.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days. Acceptance rate of 27.66% based on 94 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #brecht top 1000 #somewhat accessible #super extra popular
Midnight Fawn Review | Deadline: July 25
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Micro Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Art.
Midnight Fawn Review is a literary and art magazine for the writers and artists who love to make beautiful pieces (in whatever way that means to you).
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
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
Waves of Words Literary Magazine | Deadline: July 25
literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction.
Waves of Words is a literary magazine for Christian teens that are looking for a place to connect religion and writing.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #30-day response time
Ouch! Collective | Deadline: July 28
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Translation, Art, Photography.
Ouch! Collective is a community of queer and nonbinary creatives holding space to resist hierarchy in the art community and uplift traditionally erased voices.
Fee: None | Pay: $20
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 90 days. Acceptance rate of 59.09% based on 22 tracked submissions.
Noteworthy: #has print issues # consistent quality #beautiful design
Theme Calls To Inspire You!
The Kingfisher Magazine | Deadline: July 25 | Theme: Minor Anthropologies
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
a literary journal for crybabies, notes app poets, & wild, perfect, animals.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 20 days.
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #30-day response time
Echo Review | Deadline: July 22 | Theme: Trouble
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Poetry.
Echo Review wants history. We don't mind what it is, or how personal it is--we simply want work that will force us to look back at the past. We want your raw, beautiful, hideous, real, wonderous depictions of it.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time #nominates for industry awards
Palette | Deadline: August 5 | Theme: summer, change, and memory
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Audio, Video.
A quarterly, online art collective focused on uplifting marginalized artists.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 3 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
Mängata Magazine | Deadline: August 15 | Theme: ISSUE 001: MOONLIGHT
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Mängata Magazine: The internet's first international spoken word magazine.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 14 days.
Noteworthy: #active on socials #two week response time
Dead Hand Lit | Deadline: August 31 | Theme: Anything Short
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Micro Fiction, Poetry.
Literary Magazine. An unknown entity printing out messages into the deep, dark abyss. Your messages.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Acceptance rate of 30% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #active on socials #one week response time
the borderline litmag | Deadline: September 15 | Theme: Geometry
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2021 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, Art, Photography.
Words + art from the borders, est. 2021. Youth litmag wanting to peruse the work from your creative margins; the pieces drawn from the colorful space between melding ideas and thoughts.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 21 days. Acceptance rate of 21% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards #somewhat accessible #popular
New friends
Little Free Lit Mag | Deadline: July 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
Little Free Lit Mag is a quarterly journal founded with the aim of publishing quality short form writing of any genre.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 90 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #nominates for industry awards
Tiger Leaping Review | Deadline: July 31
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Poetry.
Tiger Leaping Review is an online literary magazine that carefully curates pieces to showcase poets worldwide.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time #nominates for industry awards
Underbelly Press | Deadline: July 31
United Kingdom-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Flash Fiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
Working class online lit mag seeking gritty poetry, flash fiction & art.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 21 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Promised Protagonists | Deadline: August 13
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Art.
A children's magazine that showcase diverse characters as the heroes of their own stories!
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Acceptance rate of 25% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
13tracks | Deadline: August 15
Netherlands-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography.
Writing and art inspired by music. Each issue is based on a specific 13tracks playlist, which inspires the content.
Fee: None | Pay: Profit sharing
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 5 days.
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials #one week response time
Epiphany's Muse | Deadline: August 22
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes .
Epiphany's Muse is all about good writing. If the story interests us, we'll take it.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 56 days. Acceptance rate of 90% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #has print issues #active on socials
Frazzled Lit | Deadline: August 28
Ireland-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction.
Frazzled Lit is a new and excited lit mag, headed by Jennifer McMahon and Laura Cooney.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 3 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Dreamweaver Narratives | Deadline: September 1
literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
Dreamweaver Narratives is a digital scientific creative magazine dedicated to maladaptive daydreaming.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 21 days.
Noteworthy: #30-day response time
Nomadology | Deadline: September 14
Singapore-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Art, Play.
NOMADOLOGY is a quarterly review of literature, art, and philosophy, oriented at amplifying our youth and marginalized.
Fee: None | Pay: S$3
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Paraselene | Deadline: November 1
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Poetry, Review.
A new online literary magazine with the goal of creating and nurturing a close literary community centered on Poetry.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 60 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials
Hibiscus | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
Hibiscus is a literary and arts magazine with sweet and tangy content that warmly feeds the soul.
Fee: $3 | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 7 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Pato Journal | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2023 that publishes Fiction, Poetry, Translation, Art, Photography, Wtf is genre, send anything.
Pato Journal is an online literature and arts journal accepting poetry, short fiction, art, and photography.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Do not accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 40% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time
Marigold Community Zine | Open for submissions
literary magazine that publishes Poetry, Art.
The Marigold Community Zine is a project aiming to bring readers ready-for-print free poetry and art in the form of zines.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
Locust Shells Journal | Open for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Wtf is genre, send anything.
Becoming. Emerging. Keening. Poetry, prose, and art collected in one place
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions. Respond within 30 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
Borderline Tales | Open for submissions
Canada-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry.
Dive into the extraordinary with Borderline Tales, dedicated to exploring the wacky and wonderfully unconventional.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 60 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free
Pandan Weekly | Closed for submissions
literary magazine founded in 2022 that publishes Fiction, Flash Fiction, Micro Fiction, Nonfiction, Flash CNF, Poetry, Hybrid, Play, Wtf is genre, send anything.
a zine celebrating art made with and for a community + a weekly email newsletter delivering hearty pieces from Asia
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #one week response time
House of Arcanum | Closed for submissions
United States-based literary magazine that publishes Fiction.
Independent journal exclusively for fiction.
Fee: None | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 30 days. Acceptance rate of 10% (reported by editors).
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #30-day response time #nominates for industry awards
Behemoth Biennial | Closed for submissions
United States-based literary magazine founded in 2024 that publishes Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Interview, Art, Photography, Comics.
A web magazine of punk and giant monster aesthetics, rebellious creativity, colossal imaginations, and surreal adventures.
Fee: $5 | Pay: No
Accept simultaneous submissions and some reprints. Respond within 14 days.
Noteworthy: #read for free #active on socials #two week response time
Contests That Probably Won’t Scam You
Other Futures Award | Deadline: August 15
The Other Futures Award is given annually to an innovative, adventurous full-length work that challenges conventions of genre and language, content and form. We are interested in writing that imagines new lived or literary possibilities, and questions established paradigms. The 2024 Other Futures Award is open for submissions July 15 – August 15. The selected manuscript will receive publication with Futurepoem, an honorarium of $1000, a standard royalty contract, and 25 author copies.
Fee: $9-28 | Awarding: $1,000 | Judge(s): Editors
Noteworthy: First of all, huge fan of their website. Second of all, how cool is it they have a reduced fee and further reduced fee right there for you to choose from at your own discretion.
Omnidawn Poetry Book Contest | Deadline: August 16
The winner of each of Omnidawn’s poetry book and chapbook contests wins a cash prize, publication of the book by Omnidawn with a full color cover (unless the author prefers black and white), 20 free copies of the winning book, and extensive publicity through our newsletters and social media channels.
Fee: $30 | Awarding: $3,000 | Judge(s): Katie Peterson
Noteworthy: They’re a reputed press whose books win notable awards every year. Plus, since 2022 they’re a women-run press!
Masters Review Summer Short Story Award for New Writers | Deadline: August 25
We welcome submissions of previously unpublished fiction or creative nonfiction up to 6,000 words. This year’s winners will be chosen by the acclaimed Colin Barrett, author of the collections Young Skins and Homesickness, as well as the new novel Wild Houses. Our contest runs from July 1 to August 25, 2024, and is open to any writer who has not published a novel or memoir with a major press. The first-place winner of this contest, selected by our guest judge, will receive a $3,000 grand prize, along with online publication. All finalists will receive agency review from our six partnered agencies. Participating agents include Nat Sobel from Sobel Weber, Victoria Cappello from The Bent Agency, Andrea Morrison from Writers House, Sarah Fuentes from United Talent Agency, Heather Schroder from Compass Talent, and Marin Takikawa from The Friedrich Agency.
Fee: $20 | Awarding: $3,000 | Judge(s): Colin Barrett
Noteworthy: The Masters Review has been getting more and more popular and they have a plethora of cool opportunities for writers and novelists (!). Also I love it when awards specifically stipulate they are for new writers.
Gemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest | Deadline: August 31
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Gemini Magazine is given annually for a work of flash fiction. All six finalists will be published online in the October 2024 issue of Gemini.
Fee: $8 | Awarding: $1,000 | Judge(s): Editors
Noteworthy: This is the 16th annual iteration of the award!
Nine Syllables Press Chapbook Contest | Deadline: August 31
Nine Syllables Press is delighted to announce our second annual chapbook contest. torrin a. greathouse will be the final judge for 2024. The winner will be awarded $500 and author’s copies. The chapbook will be published within a year. Winners will be announced by February, 2025. Trans and nonbinary poets of all genders, and cis women poets can submit their chapbook to the Nine Syllables Press chapbook contest. We especially encourage trans/LGBTQIA++ poets and BIPOC poets to submit their work.
Fee: $10 | Awarding: $500 | Judge(s): torrin a. greathouse
Noteworthy: A chapbook award especially for trans & nonbinary people + cis women!
Below is for paid subscribers only. We have our Agents Who Don’t Care WherevYou’ve Published Before and a downloadable spreadsheet for this week’s opportunities.