Kenyon College

We 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. 

The Kenyon Review was the vision of poet Roberta Teale Swartz and her husband, Gordon Keith Chalmers, who became the thirteenth president of Kenyon College in 1937. Roberta Teale Swartz, a protege and friend of Robert Frost, published two acclaimed books of poetry. She was also instrumental in recruiting John Crowe Ransom to found a literary magazine in Gambier.

From the beginning, Swartz and Chalmers had grand ambitions for The Kenyon Review, and John Crowe Ransom’s stature in the literary world gave the magazine immediate clout. The inaugural issue, published in January 1939, included work by Delmore Schwartz, Ford Madox Ford, Randall Jerrell, and Robert Lowell (then a student at Kenyon, who had transferred from Harvard to study with Ransom). During Ransom’s 21-year tenure as editor, The Kenyon Review became one of the most influential literary magazines in the English-speaking world.


Prestigious publications that strengthen your literary credentials, signaling serious accomplishment and catching attention from editors and agents.

Impressive Bylines for Your Literary Bio

Who said that poets don't make money? Okay, we don't. But sometimes we do. Start with these amazing magazines paying highly competitive rates.

Lit Mags Paying Big Bucks for Poetry

Wouldn't it be cool to be like, "Hey, I'm published in the same mag as Sylvia Plath!" Well, anything is possible. These lit mags published Plath, are quite competitive, and still accept submissions.

Lit Mags That Published Sylvia Plath

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

Lit Mags in Wigleaf's Top 50

These lit mags are some of the titans and mainstays of the lit mag landscape. They've won tons of awards, published tons of people who have gone on to win tons of awards, etc.

Lit Mags with Excellent Reputations

Basically what it says in the title. Our top most bookmarked fee-free lit mags that nominate for the Pushcart Prize.

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize (and Don’t Charge Fees)

Are there agents that rep poets? Of course there are! While your writing matters most, certain publications are shinier than others and help widen that toe-in-the-door space—like the ones below.

Poetry Magazines That Will Make Agents Notice You

Main characters publish in them, read them, and run them! Please note this list is far from exhaustive. All poets have main character energy, honestly.

Poetry Magazines with Main Character Energy

Literary magazines recently opened for submissions that don't charge fees and pay for acceptances. Fresh opportunities.

Recently Opened Fee-Free Paying Magazines

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

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

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

Flash Fiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

Publications with nonfiction in BAE, the premier American essay anthology. These journals consistently publish thought-provoking, beautifully crafted nonfiction defining contemporary essay excellence.

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

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

Lit Mags Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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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.

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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

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

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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

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Nonfiction Magazines That Nominate for Best of the Net

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

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Poetry Magazines Featured in Pushcart Prize Anthologies

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

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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

Kenyon Review

<div>We pay $0.08 per published word of prose (minimum $80, maximum $450) and $0.16 per published word of poetry (minimum $40, maximum $200).</div>

Flash Fiction

When you are submitting poetry, please group up to six poems in a single document and then upload your submission. Please do not submit your poems individually.<div><br></div><div>We pay $0.08 per published word of prose (minimum $80, maximum $450) and $0.16 per published word of poetry (minimum $40, maximum $200).</div>

Poetry

Short Fiction

Short Nonfiction

Flash Nonfiction

In 2012, The Kenyon Review welcomed the first of its KR Fellows. This initiative was inspired by the great tradition of Kenyon Review literary fellowships awarded in the 1950s to writers such as Flannery O’Connor and W.S. Merwin in their formative years. These fellowships represent a significant fulfillment of one aspect of our continuing mission: to recognize, publish, and support extraordinary authors in the early stages of their careers. We believe that after two years, these KR Fellows will be more mature and sophisticated writers, teachers, and editors. As a result, they will be extremely attractive candidates for academic positions as well as for significant publishing opportunities.<div><br></div><div>During these two years, fellows will undertake a significant writing project and teach one course per semester in the Kenyon College English Department, contingent upon departmental needs. Fellows will also assist with creative and editorial projects for The Kenyon Review. Fellows are required to live in the local community and are expected to participate in the cultural life of Kenyon College. <br><div><br></div><div>This post-graduate residential fellowship at Kenyon College offers qualified individuals time to develop as writers, teachers, and editors. The fellowship provides an annual stipend, plus health benefits.</div></div>

The Kenyon Review Fellowship 2027-29

The Kenyon Review is a small nonprofit literary arts organization dedicated to fostering creativity, community, and literary excellence. We publish a quarterly literary journal, host online and residential workshops, and work collaboratively with a dedicated board of trustees to achieve our mission.

Kenyon Review

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