Ready to submit work to literary magazines, but feeling overwhelmed? Though the journals below are well-respected, many of them contributing to prize anthologies such as "Pushcart" and "Best American," they are also open to new writers. Brief descriptions of each literary magazine are provided here; click through for more information.
A quarterly, American Short Fiction strives to discover and publish new fiction in which transformations of language, narrative, and character occur swiftly, deftly, and unexpectedly. They are drawn to evocative language, unique subject matter, and an overall sense of immediacy. Representative authors include Charles Baxter, Susan Steinberg, and Ander Monson. Submit work to: Fiction Editor Stacey Swann, American Short Fiction, P.O. Box 301209, Austin, TX 78703-0021.
Five Points is out of Georgia State University and has published work by Madison Smartt Bell, Ursula Hegi, and Alice Hoffman. Prefers stories or self-contained novel excerpts in the 7500-word range. Pays $15 per printed page. No simultaneous submissions and does not accept mss from May-August. Mail manuscripts to: Five Points, P.O. Box 3999, Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3999. Estab. 1996, circ. 2,000.
"We seek the very best work whether by Nobel laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners or by little-known (or even previously unpublished) writers." Pays $40/printed page. Does not read mss from May 15-August 15. Has published work by Guy Davenport, Charlie Smith, and James Tate. Send submissions to: Acting Editor, Stephen Corey, The Georgia Review, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-9009. Estab. 1947, circ. 5,000.
The Gettysburg Review, which has featured work by Alice Fulton, Brett Lott, and Tom Perotta, is published by Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA. Pays $30/printed page. Submit work between Sept. 1-May 31 to: Peter Stitt, Editor, The Gettysburg Review, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325-1491. Estab. 1988, circ. 4,000.
One Story publishes one story every three weeks in an artful, easy-to-read format, with the belief that stories are best read alone. Has published work by Judy Budnitz, Alix Ohlin, and Gregory Maguire. Pays $100. Simultaneous submissions OK. Submit literary fiction of 3,000-8,000 words via automated online system Sept. 1-May 31. Estab. 2002, circ. 3,500.
"Pleiades publishes fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews by authors from around the world. Past issues have featured brand new work by Joyce Carol Oates, Campbell McGrath, Sherman Alexie, Chris Offutt, and Jean Valentine." Considers work year round. Send stories to G. B. Crump, Phong Nguyen, and Matthew Eck, Pleiades: A Journal of New Writing, Department of English, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Estab. 1991, circ. 3,000.
Prairie Schooner, of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Press, "is home to the best fiction, poetry, essays, and reviews being published today by beginning, mid-career and established writers." Since it began in 1927, it has published Eudora Welty, Joyce Carol Oates, and Richard Russo. Send submissions to the editor at: Prairie Schooner, 201 Andrews Hall, PO Box 880334, Lincoln NE 68588-0334 from Sept. 1-May 1. No simultaneous submissions. Circ. 3,200.
"As a multicultural journal of poetry, prose and art,
River Styx publishes works of both new and established artists significant for their originality, energy and deft of craft. The high quality of its form and content have made it a leader among literary magazines for 30 years." Submit one story between Sept. and Nov. to: Editor Richard Newman, River Styx, 3547 Olive Street, Suite 107, St. Louis, MO 63103. Estab. 1975.
Published by Skidmore College, Salmagundi is widely regarded as one of the most influential intellectual journals. Work by Nadine Gordimer, J.M Coetze, Andrea Barrett, and Cynthia Ozick has appeared within its pages. Unfortunately, Salmagundi is not accepting submissions at this time. Estab. 1965, circ. 4,00.
Out of Northwestern University, TriQuarterly was founded in 1958 and has been described by the New York Times as “perhaps the preeminent journal for literary fiction” in America. Has published John Barth, Chaim Potok, and Joyce Carol Oates. Their reading period runs Oct. 1-March 31. Send submissions to: Editors, TriQuarterly,629 Noyes Street, Evanston, IL 60208-4302. Estab. 1964, circ. 5,000.
