Bold and Weird - Best Lit Mags of 2025

Best WTF Is Genre Lit Mags of 2024

25 Best Lit Mags of 2023 - Chill Subs Community Favorites

We had an idea that started as a joke. We had an affinity for that minimalist look and feel of early online journals. We do spontaneous, popup submission calls.

We had an idea for a journal that started as something of a joke... until it became a real thing. 

We had such a love for those early, minimalist web journals (elimae, McSweeney's, eyeshot, Surgery of Modern Warfare...) and so thought we would nod back toward them. 

If submissions are open, we've probably had a couple drinks. We're HAD.

Community Favorites: Our 2024 Best Lit Mag Awards winners for WTF is genre, selected entirely by community vote. Over 500 magazines nominated with thousands of votes cast.

Out of 3,264 votes, these lit mags came out on top in 2025 as the best lit mags for experimental work.

These flash fiction readers work fast. These magazines respond to submissions in under a week, so you won't wait long for an answer.

Fastest Flash Fiction Magazines

One-person operations made possible by the internet. These magazines have singular editorial visions and faster response times than larger publications.

Lit Mags Edited and Published by One Person

These magazines have a strong social presence and promote contributors. Here, your work will be amplified with high engagement rates, beautiful presentation, and growing follower counts.

Lit Mags for Social Media Exposure

Publications with stories in this respected annual flash fiction showcase. Perhaps the most prestigious flash-specific recognition.

Lit Mags in Wigleaf's Top 50

For the full list of 26 lit mags (plus Shannan's amazing analysis) check out our full Substack article here: https://subclub.substack.com/p/want-attention-on-social-media-submit-bf5

Want Attention on Social Media? Submit to These 10 Literary Magazines

Community poll results. In an internet drowning in AI and advertising, your real recommendations are everything.

Where The Cool Kids Are Submitting Their Writing: Part 2

Not about prizes or prestige. Solely based on the writing community's nominations.

Online publications putting forward exceptional short stories for Best of the Net.

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Digital publications advancing very short fiction for Best of the Net consideration.

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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 ultra-short stories under 400 words selected for this anthology series. The definitive collection for the microfiction form.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Microfiction Anthologies

Publications with narratives under 1,000 words selected for this anthology series. These journals consistently identify short-short fiction, exemplifying the artistry possible in compact narratives.

Lit Mags Featured in Best Small Fictions Anthologies

Identifies publications that put forward outstanding online work for this respected digital anthology established in 2006.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

These magazines have the fastest response times, so you won't be left hanging for months. No more endless waiting. Just, you know, regular waiting.

Literary Magazines with the Fastest Response Times

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

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

Online journals that specifically champion poetry for Best of the Net consideration.

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

We don't have a specific theme, though we have a method. Submissions will be open for a few hours at a time, with the goal of everything receiving a reply as quickly as possible—within 24 hours, max. This will happen sporadically and spontaneously—open submissions will be announced via Twitter and/or sometimes through email or text messages. Sign up to receive notifications.



Opens Randomly

NEWBIES ONLY
Submit if you've never managed to hit one of our open windows.
If I catch you repeating, I'll be very cross, I will reject you and leave a permanent note on your file.
Loose guidelines: any genre, prose length < 1200 words, poetry up to 5 poems or 3 pages.
Yours,
@crowjonah / @crowjonah.com on bsky

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