America’s most influential journal of religion & public life.


First Things is happy to accept unsolicited manuscripts. Writers should familiarize themselves with the magazine before sending their submission, and include with it a short biography.



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

Journals that forward outstanding nonfiction to this respected anthology series founded in 1986. These publications identify exceptional essays that might reach the broader readership BAE provides.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best American Essays

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

First Things

Poetry submissions should be addressed to our poetry editor, Micah Mattix, and emailed to submissions@firstthings.com, with the phrase “Poetry Submission” in the subject line. We accept simultaneous submissions on the condition that poets withdraw poems that have been accepted elsewhere. Poets should wait three months between submissions and send no more than six poems. If we are interested in publishing your work, you will hear from us within six weeks. Due to the volume of submissions, we can only reply to those whose work has been accepted. An honorarium is paid upon publication.

General call

First Things is happy to accept unsolicited manuscripts. Writers should familiarize themselves with the magazine before sending their submission, and include with it a short biography. The word limits (which should be adhered to strictly) are:<div><br></div><div>Opinions: 1,000 to 2,000 words</div><div>Feature Articles: 2,500 to 4,000 words</div><div>Web exclusives: 800 to 1,000 words</div>

First Things

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