8 Literary Journals for New Writers
Submitting your work to literary magazines can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. Maybe you’re wondering how to write a cover letter, or how to keep track of your poetry submissions, or even what the basics of submission etiquette are. But don’t fret! Everyone has to start somewhere. To help you get started, we’ve highlighted eight literary journals that welcome work from new and emerging writers.
New Reader Magazine
New Reader Magazine values the human experience above all in its editorial curation. The magazine is always looking for fresh perspectives and new voices, and it welcomes fiction, poetry, memoirs, profiles, interviews, and much more. Bonus points if the work defies the conventions of genre. Check the magazine’s submissions page for deadlines and guidelines.
Longleaf Review
If dreams inspire your work, the Spring 2021 issue of Longleaf Review might be the perfect fit. From Feb. 15 to 25, the magazine will accept submissions that bring the dreamscape into focus. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a fledgling poet, your haunting, hopeful, and/or strange world of dreams is welcome here.
The Magnolia Review
The Magnolia Review is a great choice for unpublished authors. It even includes a sample query letter on its submissions page, so be sure to review it before sending your work out. The magazine accepts submissions year-round, so whenever you’re ready to take the plunge, The Magnolia Reivew’s mailbox is ready for you.
Litbreak Magazine
Litbreak Magazine aims to publish a diverse mix of work—across geographies, genders, and ethnicities. To underscore that effort, Litbreak only publishes authors once. They accept submissions year-round, but only accept fifty each month. If you don’t make it before the Submittable page closes this month, be sure to check early in the next one.
Baltimore Review
The Baltimore Review has been publishing emerging and established writers since 1996. The magazine is published online quarterly and once a year in print. Its submissions page offers more than guidelines. You’ll also find tips from the editors, preferences they’ve expressed, and details on their typical response time.
New Delta Review
Produced by the graduate students in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Louisiana State University, NDR is a great place for emerging writers across all genres to submit their work. The journal is committed to publishing underrepresented voices and fostering diversity, and the fee for your submission will fund future readings and other literary events and outreach.
The London Magazine
With a history that stretches back to 1732, The London Magazine is one of England’s oldest literary journals. It aims to publish the best in contemporary fiction and poetry—no matter the author’s previous publishing history. Check their submissions page to see if your work might be a good fit for the magazine.
Lily Poetry Review
A fairly new journal on the literary landscape (established in 2018), Lily Poetry Review publishes a print journal twice each year. Contemporary poetry, art, flash fiction, and more are welcome. The magazine’s submission page states, “Our porchlight is always on.” It accepts submissions year-round, but if more than 400 submissions are received that month, you’ll have to wait until they open again next month.
