5 Literary Journals Open to Submissions

There’s a reason why literary journals are perpetually popular among writers looking to get published: Like the magazines on this list, many of them are paying markets that publish fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. So, there’s room for most types of writers among literary journals.

Many literary journals have specific reading periods because their readers may include college students. Also, in a world increasingly filled with email and online form submissions, each of the following five markets offers writers the option of submissions by mail.

So, whether your characters are found in poems, short stories, or personal essays, I hope you can find a good match for your writing here.

AGNI is a literary magazine published twice per year that publishes poems, short stories, and essays. Housed at Boston University, the magazine was established in 1972 and has published several winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature since.

The editors say, “At AGNI we see literature and the arts as integral to the broad, engaged conversation that underwrites a vital society. Our poets, storytellers, essayists, translators, and artists lift a mirror to nature and the social world. They not only reflect our age, they respond. We have no formula. We seek fresh vision and listen for dynamic voices that address our common reality.”

Potential writers can submit complete manuscripts via their online submission form (bu.edu/dbin/agni/) or via mail to AGNI Magazine, Boston University, 236 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215. The reading period for postal submissions is September 1 to May 31, while online submissions can be sent from September 1 to December 15 and February 15 to May 31. AGNI pays $20 per printed page for accepted prose and $40 per page for accepted poetry (maximum $300).

The editors say, “Our mission is straightforward: To bring our readers into the living moment, not as tourists but as engaged participants. And—as means and method—to champion writers who engage the world in and around them, shaping their words so intimately that the ripple of their seeing the quirks of their thinking become part of the portrait.”

Boulevard is a biannual literary magazine that publishes contemporary fiction, essays, interviews, and poetry. Established in 1985, Boulevard is currently based in St. Louis, though it was originally founded in New York City and was published in Philadelphia for a time.

The editors say, “Boulevard strives to publish only the finest in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. If you have practiced your craft and your work is the best it can be, send it to Boulevard.”

Boulevard’s reading period is from November 1 to May 1. Potential writers can submit online (Boulevard.submittable.com/submit) or by mail to Boulevard, 3829 Hartford Street, Saint Louis, MO 63116. There is a $3 fee to submit online, though no fee for postal submissions. Prose pieces should be no longer than 8,000 words, and poets should limit poems to 200 lines or fewer. Boulevard pays $100–$300 for published prose and $50–$250 for published poetry.

The editors say, “We do not accept science fiction, erotica, westerns, horror, romance, or children’s stories. We do not accept light verse.”

Established in 1978, The Missouri Review is a quarterly literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Based at the University of Missouri, this magazine pays writers $25 per published page.

The editors say, “Each issue contains approximately five new stories, three new poetry features, and two essays, all selected from unsolicited submissions sent by writers throughout the world. Additionally, we publish special features and interviews with a diverse body of writers.”

Prospective writers can submit online (Submissions.MissouriReview.com) or by mail to The Missouri Review, 453 McReynolds Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. There is a $4 fee to submit online, though no fee for postal submissions. There are no length restrictions for prose submissions, but the editors advise writers to check previously published pieces for guidance. Since poetry features are a little more involved, the editors advise poets submit up to 20 pages of unpublished poetry for consideration.

The editors say, “Some magazines talk about discovering new writers, but we really do it. In fact, we’ve published the first story of more than 100 new fiction writers.”

New England Review is a quarterly literary magazine published by Middlebury College. Established in 1978, NER publishes poetry, fiction, and different forms of nonfiction, including travelogues, lyric essays, and more.

The editors say, “While each piece in the magazine can be read and appreciated on its own, the issue as a whole is assembled with an eye to flow and thematic coherence or dissonance, creating a sum greater than its parts. NER is on the lookout at all times for writing that rewards the reader for spending time with it. Our editors are impressed by work that’s attentive to the craft without drawing attention to it, that takes risks whether noisy or quiet, and that’s serious in its purpose even when its leading edge is humor. We believe that writing is an art form that is under constant revision, renovation, and innovation.”

NER has two open reading periods during the year: September 1 to November 1 and March 1 to May 1. However, the editors advise writers to submit early, because they can close the reading period ahead of schedule when they receive too many submissions. Prospective writers may submit online (NewEnglandReview.submittable.com/submit) or by mail to New England Review, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753. Writers are paid $20 per page ($50 minimum) for writing published in the journal and $50 for pieces published online.

The editors say, “We welcome and encourage submissions from writers of every nationality, race, religion, and gender, including writers who have never been affiliated with an MFA program and whose perspectives are often underrepresented in the literary world.”

THEMA is a magazine that publishes fiction, essays, and poetry. Published three times per year, this magazine is unique in that each issue has a predetermined theme (for instance, upcoming themes include “A New Routine” for July 1, 2024, and “Maybe Next Time” for November 1, 2024).

The editors say, “THEMA literary journal was born in a Chinese restaurant in 1988 as the result of a conversation over how different writers would respond to a single quirky theme—specifically, stories involving the fortune cookies received that day. Our curiosity evolved into a mental exercise among friends—a challenge. What we didn’t expect was how much fun we would have.”

Prospective writers should submit their entries by mail to Virginia Howard, editor, THEMA, Box 8747, Metairie, LA 70011-8747 (with a self-addressed, stamped envelope). Stories should be no longer than 20 double-spaced pages; poets should submit no more than three poems at a time. Published writers are paid $25 for short stories, $10 for short-short pieces (under 1,000 words), $10 for poems, and $10 for artwork.

The editors say, “The premise (target theme) must be an integral part of the story, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental. … indicate target theme in cover letter or on first page of manuscript.” 

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