A non-profit literary magazine dedicated to showcasing the talents of emerging and established writers. Our mission is to offer the highest quality writing within a wide aesthetic.

Founded in 1976, Indiana Review is a non-profit literary magazine dedicated to showcasing the talents of emerging and established writers. Our mission is to offer the highest quality writing within a wide aesthetic.

As a biannual literary review, IR considers previously unpublished fiction, poetry, essays, and art. IR is housed by the Indiana University English Department, edited by Indiana University graduate students, and funded mainly by subscriptions, donor gifts, grants, and partial university support.

Top-tier magazines that specifically welcome first-time writers. No fancy bio required—these editors focus on the quality of your work, not your credentials.

Classy AF Lit Mags That Love & Support Emerging Writers

Mixed bag of competitive, accessible, and good-vibe magazines. All love publishing emerging writers and can be trusted with your work.

Lit Mags Every New Writer Should Know

Navel-gazing highly encouraged. These mags are actively seeking personal essays & narrative nonfiction.

Lit Mags That Love Personal Essays

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

The top nonfiction lit mags in our database, ranked by how many users have bookmarked them.

The Ultimate List of Places to Submit Your Nonfiction

They told us personally or put it in their guidelines. These magazines actively want to be the first to publish you.

These Lit Mags Want to Be Your First Publication

These mags specifically note in their guidelines that they publish established and emerging writers alike. Landing a piece in one of these would be a real nice bolster to the ol' (new) literary bio.

Top-Tier Lit Mags That Publish New Writers

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals demonstrate consistent excellence in identifying digital fiction that deserves wider recognition and readership.

Fiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

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

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

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

Fiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Specialized publications that recognize exceptional brief fiction through Pushcart nominations.

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

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

Digital publications with work selected for inclusion across genres. These journals consistently publish online work of exceptional quality that stands out in the digital literary landscape.

Lit Mags Featured in Best of the Net 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

Publications with stories selected for America's oldest prestigious short fiction award, established in 1919. Editorial committee selections only.

Lit Mags Featured in O'Henry Award 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

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

Best Microfiction, edited by Meg Pokrass and Gary Fincke, celebrates the art of the extremely brief narrative. These publications have editorial teams with particular sensitivity to the craft.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best Microfiction

A curated selection of publications that regularly submit work to this prestigious annual anthology showcasing 50 poems from emerging writers.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best New Poets

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

Publications that nominate work for this respected anthology series founded in 2015 by Tara Masih to celebrate fiction under 1,000 words.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for Best Small Fictions

Essential publications that nominate short fiction for the O'Henry Prize anthology, one of America's most venerable literary awards. Established in 1919.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the O'Henry Prize

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

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

Digital publications chosen for Best of the Net. These journals consistently publish digital essays and memoirs that exemplify the best of what's possible in online creative nonfiction.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Essay-focused publications with works selected for Pushcart Prize anthologies. These journals have repeatedly identified nonfiction that resonates with Pushcart editors and readers.

Nonfiction Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

Digital publications nominating outstanding essays and creative nonfiction for Best of the Net.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Highlights publications that regularly put forward essays, memoirs, and other creative nonfiction for Pushcart consideration.

Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

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

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

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

Poetry Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

Digital publications with poems chosen for Best of the Net. These journals consistently identify exceptional verse that represents the highest quality of poetry published online.

Poetry Mags Featured in Best of the Net Anthologies

Indiana Review

Submit one short story of up to 6,000 words for the annual Fiction Prize, with a cash prize of $1,000 and publication. The fee to submit is $20. All submissions come with a one-year subscription to Indiana Review and will be judged anonymously by the Indiana Review editorial staff and final guest judge. All submissions will be considered for publication.
We're delighted to announce our judge this year is Ananda Lima!

2025 Fiction Prize

We consider fiction submissions of up to 6,000 words in length, and prefer documents that are double-spaced in 12-point font with numbered pages. You may include up to three pieces of flash fiction (<1,000 words) in a single document.

We cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Indiana University, which includes those who have studied at or worked for IU in the past 4 years.

General Fiction

We consider creative nonfiction of up to 6,000 words in length, and we prefer files that are double-spaced in 12-point font with numbered pages. Up to three pieces of flash prose  (<1,000 words) may be included in a single document.

General Creative Nonfiction

We consider submissions of 3–6 poems, up to 12 pages total. Please include all poems in a single file.

General Poetry

Send us one creative nonfiction piece, up to 5000 words, for a chance at $1000 + publication. Each paid submission also gets you a year-long subscription to Indiana Review. Entrants without a US mailing address will receive an electronic version of the journal.

Please note the following:

Previously published works and works forthcoming elsewhere cannot be considered.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, each submission requires a separate reading fee. Please withdraw your piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.
IR cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Indiana University or the prize judges. This includes people who have studied or taught at Indiana University in the past four years.

Creative Nonfiction Prize

For our Poetry Prize, send no more than three poems in a single document.

The winner will be awarded $1000 and publication in an upcoming issue of Indiana Review.

Each $20 submission comes with a year-long subscription to Indiana Review. Entrants without a US mailing address will receive an electronic version of the journal.

 Please note the following:

Previously published works and works forthcoming elsewhere cannot be considered.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, each submission requires a separate reading fee. Please withdraw your piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere.
IR cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Indiana University or the prize judges. This includes people who have studied or taught at Indiana University in the past four years.
Your name or other identifying information must not appear on your submission.
All submissions will be considered for publication.
This year's contest will be judged by Victoria Chang.

We look forward to reading your work!

Poetry Prize

Send us one to three pieces of 500 words (or fewer!) each, for a chance at $1000 + publication. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are all welcome, as long as each individual piece is 500 words or fewer. Each paid submission also gets you a year-long subscription to Indiana Review. Please note the following:
Previously published works and works forthcoming elsewhere cannot be considered.
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, each submission requires a separate reading fee. Please withdraw your piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere. If you need to withdraw one piece from a packet with multiple, please leave a note on your submission.
Do not include your name on or in your submission file.
IR cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Indiana University or the prize judge(s). This includes people who have studied or taught at Indiana University in the past four years.
All entries will be considered for regular publication in Indiana Review.
This year's prize judge is Diane Seuss.

Indiana Review

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