If you think of literary journals as not a 5-star hotel that only a few privileged people can get into, but more of a public park where you can have a picnic anytime, anywhere, then submitting becomes far easier…
“Now What? is a monthly e-zine aimed at the unchurched that addresses the “felt needs” of people. Each issue centers on a personal experience, with optional objective articles related to the topic if the author provides them. Stories show an individual’s struggle that either led them to faith in Christ or deepened their walk with God.” Welcomes new writers.
Pays $25-$65 for 1,000-1,500 words. Submit query by email.
“Northwest Quarterly is a city/regional lifestyle and business publication highlighting the best of life in the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin and Northwest Chicagoland regions. Across two sister editions, we cover a wide variety of people and places that make our 16-county coverage area a great place to live. We especially enjoy topics such as conservation, local history, arts & entertainment, things to do/see, dining, home & garden, health & fitness, recreation & destinations, mind & spirit, personal finance, and business.” Welcomes new writers. Publishes 11 issues a year, 6/year in Northern Illinois. Pays on publication. Publishes ms 3-6 months after acceptance. Buys one-time rights. Occasionally accepts reprints. Responds within less than a week.
Pays $125-$500, depending on scope of assignment.
“Christian reader for adults. Favors true first-person testimonials. Also considers fiction, how-to and as-told-to. Stories must be from a Christian point of view and must have something the reader can readily identify with. We do not accept Bible-based fiction.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 15K. Quarterly. Pays on acceptance. Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buys first rights. Accepts reprints. “We evaluate completed manuscripts. Response time varies but should be less than eight weeks.
Pays $0.10/word for first rights; $0.07/word for reprints; $60 for first rights poems and $42 for reprinted poems.
“The mission of the Kenyon Review is to identify exceptionally talented emerging writers, especially from diverse communities, and publish their work (fiction, poetry, essays, interviews, reviews, etc.) alongside the many distinguished, established writers featured in its pages. Kenyon Review is also committed to the advancement of literary writing through education, seeking to improve the skills of young people and adults through intensive, high quality workshops.” Welcomes new writers.
Pays flat rate of $50 for Online book reviews; $0.08 per published word for prose ($80-$450); $0.16 per published word for poetry ($40-$200).
“Kaleidoscope magazine creatively focuses on the experiences of disability from the perspective of individuals, families, friends, caregivers, educators and healthcare professionals, among others. The material selected for publication challenges and overcomes stereotypical, patronizing and sentimental attitudes about disability. The criteria for good writing apply: effective technique, thought-provoking subject matter and a mature grasp of the art of storytelling.” Biyearly. Pays after publication. Publishes ms 6-12 months after acceptance. Buys one-time rights. Accepts reprints. “Email us to have your contact information added to our electronic list for notification each time an issue is posted online.”
Pays: $10-$100
“The Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide is a bimonthly magazine of history, culture, and politics targeting an educated readership of GLBT men and women. The G&LR publishes essays in a wide range of disciplines as well as reviews of books, movies, and plays. ‘It’s our intellectual journal,’ remarked Larry Kramer in The New York Times.” Bimonthly. Pays within 60 days of publication. Period between acceptance and publication varies. Buys one-time rights. Occasionally accepts reprints “excerpted from previously published works, and published on our blog.” Responds immediately if interested; otherwise, up to 6 months. Guidelines online
Pays $100 – $200
“FIDO Friendly is the Travel & Lifestyle magazine for you and your dog. Each issue includes hotel and destination reviews, adoption stories, health and wellness topics and the latest trends.” 100% freelance. Welcomes new writers. Circ. 50K. Quarterly. Pays on publication.
Pays $0.10/word.
We are a trade magazine devoted to exclusive coverage of independent books. Each issue contains reviews of approximately 110 titles across all genres, from independent and university presses only.” Welcomes new writers. Bimonthly. Pays writers each month. Publishes ms within a month of acceptance. Buys all rights. No reprints. Responds in about a week. Free to librarians and booksellers online. Guidelines by email.
“Cadet Quest is a 24-page magazine for boys ages 9 – 14. It is a Christian-oriented magazine for members of a Christian youth organization known as the Calvinist Cadet Corps. Boys from many Protestant denominations make up the Cadet Quest’s audience. Our purpose is to show how God is at work in the lives of boys and in the world around them. We have worked with new writers in the past and would do so in the future if their work fits our themes.” Circ: 7K. 7 issues/year. Pays on acceptance. Publishes ms within 1 year of acceptance. Guidelines online
Pays $0.05-0.08/word for 900-1300 words (fiction) and 700-1200 words (articles).
