Category: Literary Markets

  • Markets for Writing Moms

    Brain, Child: The Magazine for Thinking Mothers–Brain, Child treats motherhood as a subject worthy of literature. And in the best tradition of literature, it celebrates the diversity of mothers and their styles. Our essays and features address readers as thinking individuals, not just medicine- dispensing, food-fixing, boo-boo-kissing mommies. We think of it this way: When our mothers wanted to hash over the important stuff with their girlfriends, they’d say to us, “Honey, the grown-ups are talking.” Brain, Child is like that: the place where grown-ups are talking.

    Literary Mama: Writing about the many faces of motherhood–We celebrate an inclusive understanding of motherhood as experienced through diverse lenses and bodies and welcome perspectives that challenge readers’ assumptions and values about motherhood. We’re excited to publish work that crosses boundaries of race, gender, sexuality, culture, religion, age, disability, and/or economic status and encourage contributions that build community.

    Mom Egg Review publishes literary work on mothers, mothering, and motherhood, in an annual print and quarterly online issues of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art. We also present craft notes, interviews, features, and book reviews online at http://merliterary.com. We publish established and new writers whose work reflects diverse experiences and perspectives on motherhood, literature, and art.  MER supports and promotes the work of mother writers and artists through publications, performances, workshops, and educational programs. MER is about being a mother, in its many varieties. It is also about being a daughter, worker, partner, artist, a member of cultures and communities, and explores how these identities can collide and coexist.

    Mutha: We’re interested in reading nonfiction about all aspects of the journey to becoming a parent (or determining a different path). Trying to conceive, LGBTQ parenting, birth stories of all variety, experiencing loss, early days and later struggles, joy and tough times and hope and forgiveness, funny stuff and sexy stuff and stuff you didn’t think you could say out loud but just wrote it down. Politics and rants and sob stories and what you wish you had heard before you thought of it. Send it to us.

    Raising Mothers: Since 2015, Raising Mothers has served as a digital literary platform that amplifies and provides a supportive and inclusive space for Black, Asian, Latine(x), Indigenous and other marginalized identities from the global majority to share their experiences and creative works, while also advocating for social justice and equity.
    Raising Mothers publishes experimental and traditional fiction, micro and flash, creative nonfiction, interviews, book reviews, photo essays, and comic/graphic narratives.

  • WordPress Hosted Literary Journals accepting submissions

    WordPress Hosted Literary Journals accepting submissions

    This list is regularly monitored and updated, so come back often to see what’s been added.

    Burning House Press: Burning House Press is born from a community arts ethos and focus. We seek to cultivate spaces where people feel safe and encouraged to explore and express their creativity. We hold a belief in the power of creativity, and share a faith in the fundamental connectivity of all peoples, especially as expressed through the commonality and community of multi-disciplinary arts. We believe that capitalism and its attendant profit culture is a public health issue, affecting us all on the level of our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health and well-being.

    Dogwood: A Journal of Poetry and Prose: An annual national literary journal seeking works from writers during its fall reading period each year. We publish fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction of both contest winners and other writers in May of each year. The literary journal is produced by the faculty in the Department of English at Fairfield University, and Fairfield undergraduate students gain hands-on experience in helping to edit and produce the journal by taking EN 340: The World of Publishing or The World of Publishing II.

    Eyes+ Words: Words have immense power and, when used responsibly, can help shape the world in hopes to make a better tomorrow. Let’s come together and share a story or two. Please feel free to share your original poetry/stories and we will gladly post them on our website, full credit will be given. Email us: EyesPlusWords@gmail.com

    Gulf Stream Literary Magazine: Publishing emerging and established writers of exceptional fiction, nonfiction and poetry since 1989. We also publish interviews and book reviews. Past contributors include Sherman Alexie, Steve Almond, Jan Beatty, Lee Martin, Robert Wrigley, Dennis Lehane, Liz Robbins, Stuart Dybek, David Kirby, Ann Hood, Ha Jin, B.H. Fairchild, Naomi Shihab Nye, F. Daniel Rzicznek, and Connie May Fowler. Gulf Stream Magazine is supported by the Creative Writing Program at Florida International University in Miami, Florida.

    Little Patuxent Review: Little Patuxent Review is a community-based publication focused on writers and artists from the Mid-Atlantic region, but all excellent work originating in the United States will be considered.Although our issues are organized around themes, we allow considerable leeway in how contributors interpret them in order to ensure access to the broadest range of high-quality work.

    The Mantle: Founded in 2017, The Mantle Poetry is an online quarterly journal dedicated to contemporary poetry. We’ll publish the most memorable poems we receive. When the time comes, we’ll nominate for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize.

    Naugatuk River Review: What NRR is looking for are poems that tell a story, or have a strong sense of story. They can be stories of a moment or an experience, and can be personal, fictional or historical. A good narrative poem that would work for our journal has a compressed narrative, and we prefer poems that take up two pages or less of the journal (50 lines max). We are looking above all for poems that are well-crafted, have an excellent lyric quality and contain a strong emotional core. Any style of poem is considered, including prose poems. Poems with very long lines don’t fit well in the format. Hope this helps

    Panoply, A Literary Zine: Join us for a wide-ranging and impressive array of writing

    Peacock Journal: strives to publish beautiful creative works. Please read the guidelines below carefully before you submit work (and please note our “Alice’s Restaurant” Rule).

    Prosetrics, pronounced as “Pro-zet-ricks,” is an independent publication based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It was created with aspiring poets, writers, artists, and photographers in mind. This effort is for the talented people out there who are looking for a place to display their work, and we aim to publish new talent. “Prosetrics” is a combination of prose and poetry in its matrix. In other words, Prosetrics is a prose, art, and photography matrix created by extremely outstanding poets, authors, artists, and photographers around the world.

    QuillsEdge Press: A small (yet mighty) non-profit press dedicated to publishing the poetry of womxn and non-binary femmes who are at least 40 years old. Please browse our available books and support the indispensable poetry we’re proud to be publishing. We are committed to equity in publishing, and honor the voices of womxn who are members of historically underrepresented groups.

    Third Wednesday began as a monthly writers’ workshop for poets meeting at an Ann Arbor bookstore every third Wednesday. While another literary anthology might seem unnecessary, we believe it’s vital to publish contemporary creative work. Third Wednesday offers writers and artists another opportunity to see their work in print. Our initial focus was publishing compelling poetry, but we’ve expanded to include short fiction and artwork to reach more contributors and satisfy readers’ creative appetites.

    Vox Populi A curated webspace for Poetry, Politics, and Nature reaching over 20,000 subscribers each day and featuring over 8,000 archived posts.

  • Literary Journals Seeking Work from Undergraduate Students updated for 2025

    Literary Journals Seeking Work from Undergraduate Students updated for 2025

    Please read and research potential submission opportunities to see if your work is a good fit and that the journal or contest is reliable and reputable.

    30 North Literary Review: 30 North is one of the few nationwide undergraduate literary journals in the country. We are dedicated to publishing the finest in undergraduate poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and artwork in our annual print journal. We also publish author interviews and reviews of contemporary literature conducted and written by our staff on our website.

    The Albion Review: a national literary journal based out of Albion College in Albion, Michigan. Published annually since 2004, The Review features works of short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art. The Albion Review strives to showcase the work of emerging undergraduate talents.

    The Allegheny Review: in print since 1983, is the oldest national undergraduate literary magazine in the United States dedicated exclusively to undergraduate works of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Published annually, the periodical showcases some of the best literature the nation’s undergraduates have to offer. The magazine is and always has been edited and produced by students at Allegheny College.

    ANGLES (St. John FISHER University, Rochester, NY): a magazine that publishes brief prose and poetry that reveals distinct and important perspectives on ourselves and our world. We seek fresh, urgent writing that cares about language and pays close attention to it, that uses form and structure purposefully, and that isn’t afraid to take risks. We value traditions but are keen on challenging them. As a publication edited by undergraduates, we value and prioritize college-aged voices with distinct perspectives, and take pride in being among a writer’s first publications. 

    Applause Journal: A national annual literary journal devoted to the advancement of undergraduate work on the national stage; publishes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography.

    Aster Lit: an international youth literary community founded by young writers who met during the Between the Lines: Peace and the Writing Experience 2020 program at the University of Iowa. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to empower and connect youth ages 13-25 from around the world through creative writing. We’re excited to continue expanding our constellation of voices.

    The Blue Route: an online undergraduate literary journal run by students and faculty from Widener University. We publish short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction written by undergraduate writers from any school other than our own.  There is a great deal of emerging talent in the undergraduate population, and we aim to showcase that talent in our journal. We pay our contributors $25 upon publication, and work hard to provide our contributors with a professional publication experience.

    The Chimes (Shorter University): accepts submissions from students, faculty, and alumni of Shorter University, as well as from undergraduate students enrolled at any college or university. All submissions must be original; plagiarism, whether accidental or purposeful, is unacceptable. The Chimes, having been part of Shorter University’s history for over 130 years, holds to the values upheld by the University. We withhold the right to reject any pieces submitted for publication that do not fit with the University’s mission (“Transforming Lives Through Christ”);

    Collision Literary Magazine: dedicated to publishing well-crafted, previously unpublished undergraduate work. It encourages experimentation in form and structure, whether in poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, or art. Attention to character and language is preferred in writing, and vignettes are always welcome. Our only preference for art is that it be publishable in static, two-dimensional form.

    Différance Magazine: an online literary platform that publishes young writers of all ages (up to 30 years old) and backgrounds. We request First World Electronic Serial Rights and Non-Exclusive Archival Rights for submitted pieces, which will revert back to the submitter after publication. We open submissions and publish issues on a rolling basis, with preferred deadlines listed.

    Green Blotter: published annually by the Green Blotter Literary Society of Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, and features poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art submitted by undergraduate student writers everywhere. Our mission is to provide a much-needed platform for undergraduate creative writers and artists and to foster outstanding work in each of the genres we publish.

    King’s River Review: Based out of Reedley College, California, publishing artwork, creative nonfiction, short fiction, and poetry of community college students from across the country and featuring a Reedley College writer and artist in each edition.

    Mistake House: Based out of Principia College, Illinois, this annual online publication accepts fiction, poetry, works in translation, and photography from students currently enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs from around the world.

    The Mochila Review: an annual international undergraduate journal published with support from the English and Modern Languages department at Missouri Western State University. Our goal is to publish the best short stories, poems, and essays from the next generation of important authors: student writers. Our staff, comprised primarily of undergraduate students, understands the publishing challenges that emerging writers face and is committed to helping talented students gain wider audiences in the pages of The Mochila Review and on our website.

    Ninth Letter Web Edition: dedicated to poetry and fiction by graduate and undergraduate creative writing students across the country.

    Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review: The purpose of the PUR is to provide undergraduate students with an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, online forum to publish their research and creative scholarship. Sponsored by the Frederick Honors College, PUR strives to build an integrative community of all undergraduate scholars to showcase the work done under the mentorship faculty researchers. Our submissions fall under four categories: research, creative writing, visual arts, and review. Submissions are open to all undergraduate students.

    Red Cedar Review: Established in 1963 at Michigan State University, Red Cedar Review is the longest-running undergraduate-managed publication in the United States. We are proud to feature exclusively the work of writers with limited publication experience from undergraduate students currently enrolled in the United States..

    Sagebrush Review: We seek a variety of work from diverse voices and perspectives. We want well-crafted pieces that engage and surprise us. We’re unlikely to publish gratuitous sex or violence and won’t accept discriminatory content.

    SeaGlass Literary Journal: An online journal with a staff of writers and editors from around the globe, SeaGlass Literary publishes short stories, flash fiction, poetry, traditional and digital art, and creative nonfiction with the option to purchase print copies. Submissions are open to creatives between the ages of 13 and 30 years old.

    The Sucharnochee Review: A print publication from University of West Alabama publishing poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction by undergraduates.

    Sink Hollow Literary Magazine: We value pieces that light fires strong enough to survive a freeze. We call for works that call back, that echo, that stun, that sink inside us and stay. Whoever you are, we ask you to give us your words, your art, your passion—and in return we’ll give your piece a place to call home.

    The Tower: We aim to showcase the best creative writing and visual art by undergraduate students across the country. We believe artistic expression is necessary, and that it has the power to enlighten, challenge, and captivate. That’s why we provide a creative outlet for those who wish to share their work.

    South 85 Journal: South 85 Journal is a semi-annual online literary journal run by the Converse University Low-Residency MFA Program. We publish fiction, non-fiction, poetry, interviews, and blog posts by new, emerging, and well-established writers. While we consider all quality work that follow the submission guidelines, we are especially interested in pieces that demonstrate a strong voice and/or a sense of place. We nominate for annual Best of the Net anthology and Pushcart prize. While we are unable to pay for work at present, published pieces are eligible for our Editor’s Choice Award of $100 which will be awarded to ONE piece in the issue.

     Zaum: A literary and art magazine providing college students a venue for publishing their poetry, prose, fiction, and visual artwork. The magazine is distributed and produced by students at Sonoma State University in California. Any student, at either SSU or any other university, may submit their work to Zaum.


  • Flash Fiction Contest – $500 Award

    One week left to submit your best short fiction for the 2019 Julia Peterkin Award for Flash Fiction – $500 prize (ends August 15, 2019)
    • Previously unpublished fiction of 850 words or less are eligible for this contest. We are especially interested in stories that demonstrate a strong voice and/or a sense of place, but we consider all quality writing.
    • All submissions will be read blind, so do not include personal information with your submission. Submissions that include identifying information will not be considered.
    • We will select one winner to receive a cash prize of $500.
    • Four semi-finalists will be chosen for publication in South 85 Journal
    • Winners will be named in October.
    • All winning entries will be published in the Fall / Winter issue of South 85 Journal, which will be released December 15.
    • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your entry if your piece is accepted elsewhere.
    • All winners must be over 18 years old and reside in the U.S. in order to claim their cash prize.
    • Please use double-spacing and a 12 point, standard font. We suggest Times New Roman. We consider only previously unpublished work.
    • Current and former staff members are not eligible for participation.
    • Current Converse College students and Converse College alumni are not eligible for participation.
    • SUBMIT HERE
    South 85 Journal does not publish work which has been previously published either in print or online. Our reply time is typically six to eight weeks. We acquire exclusive first-time Internet rights only. All other rights revert to the author at publication, but we offer formal, written reassignments upon request. Works are also archived online. We ask that whenever an author reprints the work that first appeared in our pages, South 85 Journal be given acknowledgment for the specific work(s) involved. Only the main contest winner will receive a prize.
  • Call for Submissions – South 85 Journal

    South 85 Journal is open for submission beginning today, August 1, 2019. South 85 Journal accepts poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction and is published online twice yearly. Please read past issues for a sense of our aesthetic.  Submission fees are waived from August 1-14 for early-bird submissions. Click here to read past issues and full submission guidelines.

  • Zingara Poetry Review – Call for Submissions

    Submissions are open for Zingara Poetry Review. 

    ZPR will feature particular groups of individuals in the upcoming months, so please take a look at the following preferences. If none of the categories below feel like a good fit for you, please submit your work for National Poetry Month when ZPR will be publishing a poem every day of the month.

    August: Work by undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program (any discipline) or who have graduated within two years. CLOSED

    September: Work by graduate students currently in a writing-related graduate program, including MFA, MA in English, etc.

    October: Work by indigenous people, particularly Native Americans.

    November: International Writers (anyone who isn’t living, or wasn’t born, in the United States).

    December: Poets over 50

    January: New and unpublished poets (0-3 single publications, no books or chapbooks)

    February: African American/Black American Poets

    March: Women only please!

    April: Poetry Month – a poem will be published every day this month so send your best work early!

    May: Poets who live WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI

    June: LGBTQ

    July: Editor Favorites

    Guidelines:

    • Send 1-3 previously unpublished poems of 40 lines of fewer in the body of an email, any style, any subject, to ZingaraPoet@gmail.com with the submission category (e.g. Undergraduate Student) as the subject of your email.
    • Include a cover letter and brief professional biography of 50 words or fewer, also in the body of your email.
    • Submissions are accepted year round.
    • Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let me know immediately if submitted work is accepted elsewhere.
    • Published poets receive bragging rights and the chance to share their work with a diverse and ever-growing audience.
    • Submissions which do not follow these guidelines will be disregarded.
    • If accepted work is later published elsewhere, please acknowledge that the piece first appeared in Zingara Poetry Review.
    • There are no fees to submit, though you will be subscribed to the Zingara Poetry Review newsletter.
    • Check Zingara Poetry Review every week to read new poems, which are normally published by 9:00am Eastern Time.
    •  Zingara Poetry Review retains first digital rights, though rights revert back to the poet upon publication.

    What I look for in a poem:

    Like all editors, I like to see interesting poems that do what they do well. Whether traditional, conceptual, lyrical, or formal, they should exhibit the poet’s clear understanding of craft and, just as importantly, revision. Very elemental poems that have not undergone effective revision will probably not make the cut. Likewise, poems which are contrived, sacrifice meaning for the sake of rhyme, feel incomplete, do not risk sentimentality (or are too sentimental), or lack tension when tension is needed, will also be dismissed. I am a fan of rich, vivid imagery, cohesive discursiveness, and surprising metaphors. Finally, poems which perpetuate harmful stereotypes of gender, race, or class will most certainly not be considered.

    For a very good discussion on the elements of effective poetry, take a look at Slushpile Musings by James Swingle, publisher and editor of Noneucildean Cafe’

    Response time is 2 days to 6 months

  • Submissions Open Today

    Zingara Poetry Picks seeks submissions of previously unpublished poems (on-line or in print) of 40 lines or fewer for 2016 picks. New, emerging, and established poets are encouraged to submit and all submissions will be given careful consideration.

    Please keep the following in mind when submitting your best poems:

    • Reading period for Zingara Poetry Picks is from August 15 to December 31st. Unless the deadline is extended, submissions received outside of this time period will not be acknowledged or considered. In fact, they will be deleted.
    • There is no fee to submit
    • Title of poem(s) should appear in the email subject line. Poems should be attached as word documents and mailed to zingarapoet@gmail.com
    • The body of the email should include a cover letter and a professional biography of 50 words or fewer written in the third person
    • Attach a word document with no more than three poems of 40 or fewer lines
    • Only one submission at a time (please wait to hear back before submitting more poems)
    • Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please let ZingraPoet know immediately if submitted work is accepted elsewhere
    • ZingaraPoet does not accept previously published work
    • Published poets receive bragging rights and the chance to share their work with a diverse audience
    • Poets who are published on Zingara Poetry Pick should wait 24 months before submitting again
    • Do not submit if you have had a poem featured on Zingara Poetry Picks in the last 24 months.
    • Submissions which do not follow these guidelines will be deleted without acknowledgement
    • If accepted work is later published elsewhere, please acknowledge that the piece first appeared as a Zingara Poetry Pick.

    What I look for in a poem:

    Like all editors, I like to see interesting poems that do what they do well. Whether traditional, conceptual, lyrical, or formal, they should exhibit the poet’s clear understanding of craft and, just as importantly, revision. Very elemental poems that have not undergone effective revision will probably not make the cut. Likewise, poems which are contrived, sacrifice meaning for the sake of rhyme, feel incomplete, do not risk sentimentality (or are too sentimental), or lack tension when tension is needed, will also be dismissed. Finally, poems which perpetuate harmful stereotypes of gender, race, or class will most certainly not be considered.

    For a very good discussion on the elements of effective poetry, take a look at Slushpile Musings by James Swingle, publisher and editor of Noneucildean Cafe’

    A note on formatting: poems that contain lines which are flush with the left margin are more conducive to publication on a blog site than those which have unconventional indention or unusual margin settings. Likewise, poems which feature long lines may require additional line breaks or may require the right-scrolling function to be viewed in full.

    Response time is 6 months.

  • Blue Ships Banner Issue Now Available

    The first monthly issue of Blue Ships Creative Arts Magazine is now available. Take a moment to peruse its digital pages for quality creative works from artists all over the country. In addition to literary works, this premier issue features stunning photography, evocative artwork and graphic full-color tales. Blue Ships takes submissions year round, so submit something today!

    Blue Ships Issue 001

    How to Submit work to Blue Ships:

    • Submit via email to submissions@blueshipsmag.net.
    • Put the media you sending in the subject line (i.e. poetry, short story, etc.).
    • Send multiple submissions in a single file.
    • Each entry must have page number, author’s name, and email address in a header.
    • We accept previously published and simultaneous submissions.  (Please provide where and when work was published).
    • Rights return to artist upon publication.
    • One short story will be featured per month.
    • One short play will be featured per month.
    • Flash fiction must be between 100-1000 words.
    • Short story must be between 1001-5000 words.
    • No rules for poetry.
    • Both color and b/w art and photography accepted.
    • Send small bio with work including any contact info that you want to release to the public.
    • Picture of artist is requested, but is not required and has no effect on acceptance of work.