Everyone has to start somewhere, so why not here? The following is a list of publications that are that are open to new faces as long as you fit with their vibe. The list includes possibilities for a variety of genres and styles. So if you have something to share, why not give it a go?
Before submitting your work, however, make sure to thoroughly read the provided guidelines which differ for every publisher.
Please note that the places mentioned on this list are not the only publishing uppertunities. They are simply the ones that stood out to me personally. If these for one reason or another do not suit you, please keep in mind that there are dozen other options out there - if only you care enough to look for them.
1. One Story
Chose to put this one at the very beginning for convenience sake. One Story is pretty self-explanatory: a literary magazine that publishes one great short story every three to four weeks, and nothing more. The main criteria for getting a shot at being published? A story “that leaves readers feeling satisfied and [is] strong enough to stand alone.” Works can be any style or subject as long as they are between 3,000 and 8,000 words.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: September 1 to May 31
Payment: $500 plus 25 contributor copies
2. The First Line
A quarterly publication that provides you with a writing prompt. Each issue contains short fiction stories (300-5,000 words) all of which begin with the same pre-assigned first line. There is also an option of writing a nonfiction critical essay (500-800 words) about your favorite first line from a piece of literary work. For those up to the challenge, there is also an option of writing a four-part story that uses each of that year’s first lines. For further information please check out the submission guidelines link.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: Each line has its own deadline. February 1 (spring); May 1 (summer); August 1 (fall); November 1 (winter)
Payment: $25 to $50 for fiction; $25 for nonfiction plus a contributor’s copy
3. The Sun Magazine
The Sun Magazine offers some of the biggest payments, yet that also means that the chances of making it are lowered. While The Sun Magazines guidelines DO specifically mention personal writing and provocative political/cultural pieces, they also mention that the editors are “open to just about anything.” Works should remain under 7,000 words. Take a look at their previously published work, submit something the editors love, and you could get a nice payday.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: Non-specified
Payment: A one-year subscription plus $300 to $2,000 for nonfiction or $300 to $1,500 for fiction.
4. Virginia Quarterly (VQR)
Open to emerging writers, VQR accepts short fiction (2,000 to 8,000 words) and nonfiction (3,500 to 9,000 words) like travel essays that examine the world around us. Worth noting that they are not big fans of genres such as romance.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: Submission periods are June 15 to July 31 and October 1 to November 15. VQR also accepts nonfiction pitches from June 15 to December 1.
Payment: Generally $1,000 and above for short fiction and prose.
5. Shimmer
When it comes to Shimmer, they “encourages authors of all backgrounds to write stories that include characters and settings as diverse and wondrous as the people and places of the world we live in.” Shimmer’s editors are after contemporary fantasy and “speculative fiction” with strong plots, characters, and emotional core — the more unique the better. You will want to keep your stories under 7,500 words.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: Opens for submissions on September 4
Payment: Five cents per word
6. The New Yorker
Last on the list but far from least is The New Yorker. Adding this publication to your portfolio puts you in a whole new league. Odds of making it, however, are astronomically low. It accepts both standard short fiction as well as humorous short fiction for the “Shouts & Murmurs” section. No word counts are mentioned.
Further on Submission Guidelines:
Deadline: None-specified
Payment: Vaguely mentioned, yet it does provide you with HUGE bragging rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment