A biannual literary journal that is at once direct, playful, inventive, irreverent, and darkly beautiful. Despite common sense and the laws of economics, Conduit has been thwarting good taste, progress, and consensus for over twenty years.

Conduit is a biannual literary journal that is at once direct, playful, inventive, irreverent, and darkly beautiful. Despite common sense and the laws of economics, Conduit has been thwarting good taste, progress, and consensus for over twenty years. Conduit publishes distinctive voices of literary merit—experimental to accessible, established to emerging—in snazzy volumes, featuring work that demonstrates originality, intelligence, courage, and humanity. Conduit champions a fresh mix of writers. If that isn't enough, Conduit reaches beyond the literary by interviewing astronomers, ethno-botanists, artists, graphic artists, and historians, et cetera, believing a vigorous imagination is one that is cross-pollinated by diverse areas of human inquiry.

The mags in this list are competitive and publish physical print editions, so you get the satisfaction of seeing your work in print: pocket-sized, book-like, tangible. Way cooler than you'd expect.

Reputable Lit Mags with Print Issues

Story-focused publications with works chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Less than 5% of nominated fiction typically makes the anthology.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

A targeted resource for short story placements with potential for Pushcart recognition.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Publications with verse selected for America's foremost poetry anthology. These journals consistently publish poetry representing the most significant contemporary verse across styles and approaches.

Lit Mags Featured in Best American Poetry Anthologies

Publications with pieces chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. Recognition of exceptional quality across poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Lit Mags Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

A comprehensive guide to journals that regularly nominate work for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

BASS represents the most mainstream recognition for short fiction in America. These journals serve as the initial screening layer for potential inclusion in this widely-read collection.

Literary Mags That Nominate for Best American Short Stories

All-time most competitive literary magazines. Getting published in these is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most competitive poetry literary magazines. These legendary publications are where only the best poetry gets through.

Most Competitive Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Explore the most popular literary magazines of all time. These long-established publications are a staple in the literary world for writers of all genres.

Most Popular Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most popular poetry literary magazines. These outlets have maintained a significant presence in the world of poetry.

Most Popular Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Discover the all-time most submitted-to poetry literary magazines. These publications have consistently attracted a high volume of poetry submissions.

Most Submitted-To Poetry-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Verse-centered publications with poems chosen for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have consistently identified poems that stand out in this intensely competitive field.

Poetry Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Focuses specifically on poetry journals with established histories of Pushcart nominations.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Conduit

Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages

Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize

Conduit is looking for previously unpublished poetry that demonstrates originality, intelligence, courage, irreverence, and humanity. Please send 3-5 poems). Reporting time is 9 weeks to 9 months. Payment in copies. Future issues include What in the World (Wonder) and Bad Connections (Fun of Forgetting). These titles are primarily for our own amusement. Submissions are evaluated at the nexus of their merit and our taste, rather than whether or not they match any theme. If you haven't seen or read Conduit before, we recommend you sample our mad concoction before submitting.
If another journal has seduced you with promises of fame and glory, please notify us immediately to withdraw your submission, including the date the piece was submitted.

International Poetry Submissions

Conduit is looking for previously unpublished poetry that demonstrates originality, intelligence, courage, irreverence, and humanity. Please send 3-5 poems). Reporting time is 9 weeks to 9 months. Payment in copies. Future issues include What in the World (Wonder) and Bad Connections (Fun of Forgetting). These titles are primarily for our own amusement. Submissions are evaluated at the nexus of their merit and our taste, rather than whether or not they match any theme. If you haven't seen or read Conduit before, we recommend you sample our mad concoction before submitting.
If another journal has seduced you with promises of fame and glory, please notify us immediately to withdraw your submission.
(Writers outside the United States who would like to purchase a sample copy must use the International Poetry Submissions form.)
PLEASE NOTE: Neither Conduit nor Conduit Books & Ephemera will accept or publish any submissions generated entirely, or with the assistance of, AI processes of any sort—this includes, but is not limited to, the generation of prompts, titles, names, outlines, dialogue, plot elements, and descriptive passages.

Poetry Submissions

Awarded annually and open to any poet writing in English, regardless of previous publication record, the prize seeks to represent the best contemporary writing in high-quality editions of enduring value. Prospective entrants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Conduit, which champions originality, intelligence, irreverence, and humanity. All manuscripts are welcome, be they first books or last books.
Because the prize is judged anonymously, the author’s name should not appear anywhere in the collection, i.e., neither on the title page nor in the body of the manuscript. If applicable, please include an acknowledgments page, listing any previous publication for the individual poems in the collection.
The winning poet will receive $1,500 and 15 author copies. The Conduit editorial board will select the winning manuscript. Current and former employees and interns of Conduit are not eligible.
Manuscript Length: 48-90 pages. Previously unpublished manuscripts only.
Submission period: August 1-November 3, 2026.
PLEASE NOTE: Neither Conduit nor Conduit Books & Ephemera will accept or publish any submissions generated entirely, or with the assistance of, AI processes of any sort—this includes, but is not limited to, the generation of prompts, titles, names, outlines, dialogue, plot elements, and descriptive passages.

Conduit

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