Published on May 22, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers, welcomes new writers
“Contrary® was founded in 2003 at the University of Chicago by alumni of Chicago’s Master of Arts Program in the Humanities. It was quickly embraced and has been abundantly nourished by graduates of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Writing program. It now operates independently and without a thought of profit on the South Side of Chicago and publishes writers from throughout the world. It publishes poetry, fiction, lyrical commentary, creative non-fiction, and especially works that blur the edges of those categories.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Quarterly. Pays on receipt of invoice. Publishes ms one month after acceptance. Buys all rights: “1) worldwide rights to publish in any or all versions of Contrary and other Contrary-affiliated media, including domestic and foreign, whether in the English language or translated into a foreign language, including any successor, similar or replacement versions thereof; 2) exclusive worldwide rights for a period of 90 days from the date of Contrary’s first publication of the work; 3. non-exclusive perpetual rights to republish, store, syndicate or distribute the work or portions of the work in any language and in any country, and 4) the right to use your name and likeness in a fair and dignified manner and to publish information about you in connection with the advertising and promotion of Contrary and of the Work. 5) When exclusive rights expire after three months, the author is free to seek republication elsewhere, but Contrary must be credited in all subsequent publications. 6) All rights granted by this agreement are granted in perpetuity and applicable in all media including, but not limited to, all electronic media, internet, wireless or mobile platforms whether now known or hereafter created.” No reprints. Responds in less than 90 days. Sample copy online. Guidelines online
Pays $20 per author, per issue.
Published on May 22, 2026
diversify your writing income, Paying Markets for Writers
THIS PUBLICATION USES SUBMITTABLE, WHICH IS KNOWN TO CHARGE WRITERS A FEE TO SUBMIT THEIR WORK.
“The Common is a literary organization whose mission is to deepen our individual and collective sense of place. Based at Amherst College, we aim to serve as a vibrant common space for the global exchange of ideas and experiences through three main areas of activity: publishing, public programming, and mentorship and education. We publish works that embody particular times and places—literature and art powerful enough to reach from there to here—and feature new and underrepresented voices from around the world. Publications include: two print issues per year; and an open-access online platform updated weekly. We host and participate in programs that serve the public and foster literary community, including: readings and conversations featuring writers, editors, and translators; and collaborations with schools, museums, libraries, and other publications and nonprofit organizations. We provide mentorship and education to the next generation of writers, editors, and publishers through: hands-on literary publishing internship program for college students; classroom programs serving high school, college, and graduate students; and strong editorial support and guidance to launch the careers of emerging authors.”
Pays $40 – $200
Published on March 19, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers, welcomes new writers
100% freelance. “A speculative fiction webzine with a global perspective.” Welcomes new writers. Weekly. Pays on Fridays following management receipt of contract. Publishes ms around 6 months after acceptance. Buys first rights for six months. Only accepts reprints for nonfiction articles. Responds in 50-80 days. Guidelines online.
Pays .10/word – $90 (See Current Needs)
Published on February 19, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers
“We are a journal of literature and culture, publishing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, book reviews and interviews since 1968.” Welcomes new writers. Biyearly, occasionally publishes special topic issues. Pays on publication. Publishes ms one week to one year after acceptance. Buys first rights. Responds in one week to eight months. Sample articles available online. Guidelines online.
Pays $175/prose piece, and $50/poem.
Published on February 5, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers, welcomes new writers
“Electric Spec is a not-for-profit speculative fiction magazine published four times per year. Our primary goal is getting great speculative fiction into the hands (or screens) of readers. Since 2005, we’ve been publishing short stories from authors all over the world. We’ve worked with all kinds of authors, from published professionals to new writers. We also believe in the value of the editorial process, and we edit every story we publish.” Quarterly. Pays on publication. Publishes ms within one month of acceptance. Buys first-printing world exclusive rights for four months. No reprints. Responds within four months. Guidelines online.
Pays $20/story
Published on February 5, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers, welcomes new writers
100% freelance. “Cast of Wonders is the leading voice in young adult speculative short fiction, founded in 2011 by Graeme Dunlop and Barry J. Northern. It became a part of the Escape Artists family of podcasts in 2016 alongside genre siblings Escape Pod, PseudoPod and PodCastle. It is presently edited by Katherine Inskip, with assistant editor Alicia Caporaso. Cast of Wonders is a qualified market for the SFWA and the SCBWI.” Welcomes new writers. Weekly. Pays within 60 days of publication. Publishes ms within 3-9 months of acceptance. Buys nonexclusive digital print publication rights, nonexclusive audio rights, non-commercial promotional use (reviewer materials, award consideration, ‘best of’ anthology submission, etc.), and promotional use of image and biographical information. Accepts reprints. Responds within one week for contact queries, and up to three months for submissions. Sample issues available online. Guidelines online.
Pays $0.08/word / $20 / $100
Published on January 29, 2026
paying, Paying Markets for Writers
“Factor Four Magazine is a monthly magazine featuring flash fiction stories from the Speculative Fiction realm. We publish stories you can read on the go right here on our website.” Monthly. Sample articles available online. Publishes ms within 2 weeks of acceptance. No reprints. Responds within 30 days. Guidelines online.
Published on January 29, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers
THIS PUBLICATION USES ‘SUBMITTABLE’ FOR SUBMISSIONS. SUBMITTABLE CHARGES WRITERS TO SUBMIT THEIR WORK.
“Flash Fiction Online publishes short fiction of 500-1000 words, both originals and reprints, and in a variety of genres including literary, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. We consider flash fiction a complete story in a tiny package. We want developed empathetic characters and discernible resolved plots.” Welcomes new writers. Pays on publication. Publishes ms 4-8 months after acceptance. Buys first worldwide English rights for originals with one year exclusivity, and non exclusive worldwide rights for reprints. Accepts reprints. Responds usually within 48 hours, sometimes up to 10 weeks. Sample copies online. Guidelines online.
Pays $0.08/word for originals and $0.02/word for reprints.
Published on January 8, 2026
Paying Markets for Writers, welcomes new writers
“Since 1956, Westerly has been publishing lively fiction and poetry as well as intelligent articles. The magazine has always sought to provide a Western Australian-based voice, although its contributors and subject matter have never been geographically exclusive. It covers literature and culture throughout the world, but maintains a special emphasis on Australia, particularly Western Australia, and the Asian region.” Welcomes new writers. Bi-annual. Pays on publication. Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buys non-exclusive rights (rights remain with each writer). No reprints. Responds within one to two days. “Writers can get a sample of our publication through our website: free download of online special issues, full digital archive.”
Guidelines online.
Pays $180 to subscribers for stories ($135 + subscription for
non-subscribers); $180 to subscribers for essays ($135 + subscription
Published on December 19, 2025
Paying Markets for Writers
“Biannual themed print magazine featuring the best new short fiction, non-fiction and poetry from around the world.” Welcomes new writers. Biannual. Pays on publication. Publishes ms within three months of acceptance. Buys first rights. No reprints. Responds within two weeks of submission deadline. Guidelines online.
Pays £5 – £500
