I’ve been submitting my writing to literary magazines since about 2018. Based on my (mostly) reliable records, I’ve submitted around 10 short stories, 10 flash fiction pieces, and 100 poems to easily over 100 literary magazines. In turn, my work has appeared in about 20 different ‘zines, which have paid me a cumulative of about $1,000. (Yeah, I donate or waive a bunch of those payments, but it’s still a point of pride!)
In short, I love literary magazines. I’ve found my way into a few better-known ones: Palette Poetry, Strange Horizons, Threepenny Review, the NoSleep Podcast. I totally encourage you to check those options out if you’re submitting your work. But there are other magazines that are also doing an incredible job.
As of early 2026, these literary magazines are all free to submit to. There’s no reading fee. On the contrary, they all offer authors at least a small payment to acquire their work. These magazines also have a “no GenAI writing” policy, reflecting their sincere interest in the human side of writing.
Plott Hound Magazine
“A sharp nose for amazing animal stories“
Plott Hound Magazine seeks writing with anthropomorphized animals as viewpoint characters and protagonists. Why submit here? First off, just look at the love going into that cover design. Their Spring 2025 issue has cover art by freakin’ WolfSkullJack, an artist I urged everybody to check out in my WOLVES oddities list. On top of that, Plott Hound takes its theme seriously. Its focus on animal-centric pieces isn’t a gimmick, and that sincerity shows in the quality of writing selected. It comes out too in their “About” page, which is so much more than just critter puns (though the critter puns are good too).
BRAWL
“The poetry mag where you choose your reader”
BRAWL is run by two competing readers: Taylor and Martheaus. They’ve each got distinct taste, and it’s your job to decide which one is more likely to love your work. Part of the joy of BRAWL is that the editors are incredible writers. Who knew reading submission guidelines could be fun? The editors bring that energy to publishing too. Often, you get to read not only the published piece but also the respective editor’s take on it plus a light-hearted author interview. BRAWL also offers really affordable feedback on submissions, making it a great option if you’re a new writer looking for some insights into how your writing comes off to editors.
34 Orchard
“Darkness is just across the street.”
34 Orchard is a literary journal that seriously resonates with me. Its vibe is so clear and distinct, leaning hard into the uncanny, unsettling, haunting side of horror, with an emphasis on nuance and layered meaning: “we like dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth.” I love the clean, consistent aesthetic of the issues. The letter from the editor that frames each issue is also always beautifully written.
Baubles from Bones
Baubles from Bones is a Pittsburgh-based ‘zine dedicated to uplifting aspiring fantasy and sci-fi authors. Its cover art is also simply gorgeous, each issue totally unique. Their vibe is distinct too, leaning into genre-blended pieces that tend toward hope and gentleness. Even when it’s spooky, there’s a touch of whimsy. “Authenticity” is hard to measure, and it’s not uncommon among great literary magazines, but here, the “passion” side of this passion project feels especially present; as a contributing author, I was so impressed by the kindness, thoroughness, and care in their communication with me.
After Happy Hour
“A workshop-based indie publisher located in Pittsburgh, PA”
After Happy Hour takes me straight back to the best times I’ve spent in writer workshops and groups. It feels organic and oddball, a lot like reading my latest new paragraphs aloud to writer buddies over some beers (or coffee). Their issues, which are all in this easy-to-access online library, put art alongside the poetry and short stories. Plus each collection feels “random” in the best way, with pieces curated based on what the editors loved—full stop.
Why submit to literary magazines?
For me, submitting my writing marked a huge leap forward in my skills and knowledge as a writer:
- Submission guidelines taught me about the William Shunn formatting norm for manuscripts.
- I learned to match my pieces with the “vibe” of particular magazines and editors.
- My ability to handle and respond to feedback improved dramatically.
- Rejections and declines (mostly) lost their sting, just becoming a normal part of the process.
- I developed stock materials like author bios and cover letters, which meant refining my understanding of why I write and what I want to accomplish with my writing.
I can draw a direct line from these lessons to my success in agent querying. And that’s not to mention the incredible confidence boost of having someone—a reader you don’t know—saying “your writing brought me enough joy I want to help you share it.”
If you’re a brand new writer flirting with the idea of submitting . . . go for it!
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