real life in real words from real people, for everyone - dedicated to making an online home for compelling nonfiction storytelling. We publish stories of real life in real words, for everyone.

We publish an online issue the first Sunday of every month, and each issue features the work of one writer, one voice, one way of looking at the world. 

We publish compelling, well-written true stories (nonfiction), and our editorial team works directly with each author we publish to polish their story and showcase it in the best possible light. 

sneaker wave magazine is turning two!

To celebrate our birthday, we are waiving all General Submission fees from September 15th through October 15th, 2026.

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

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

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

Literary Magazines That Nominate for the Pushcart Prize

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

Explore the all-time most popular nonfiction literary magazines. These outlets have been influential for writers of essays, memoirs, and nonfiction.

Most Popular Nonfiction-Only Literary Magazines of All Time

Find out the all-time most submitted-to nonfiction literary magazines. These publications are the go-to for writers of creative nonfiction.

Most Submitted-To Nonfiction-Only Literary Mags of All Time

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

sneaker wave

sneaker wave submissions guidelines
sneaker wave magazine’s mission is to be a leading online home for compelling nonfiction storytelling. If you have written a compelling true story, submit it to us! 

*SUBMISSIONS WILL BE OPEN MAY 15, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2026.*
Submissions will be responded to on a rolling basis (our average response time is less than two months!). Our submission window will be open through June 15, 2026, or until our cap of 300 submissions is reached.

We only publish nonfiction. No fiction or poetry, please. All submissions must be between 2,000 and 4,000 words. Standard formatting is expected: standard twelve-point font, double spacing, and page numbers, please.&nbsp;

Stories must be original, previously unpublished work. We acquire first serial rights in English and non-exclusive anthology rights. All submissions must come through Submittable. Simultaneous submissions are welcome! Please let us know if your submission has been accepted elsewhere.&nbsp;

These fees go directly toward paying our writers. Should your piece be accepted, the magazine will pay you a small honorarium (recently increased to $75!) the week after publication. We recognize this is just a token and not the true value of your work, and we hope to pay more in the future. 

We look forward to reading your story. Thank you for considering sneaker wave magazine as a home for your writing!

sneaker wave magazine, general nonfiction

For one month, we are WAIVING our regular submission fee in honor of sneaker wave mag turning TWO YEARS OLD. Send us your 2,000-4,000 word compelling true stories (nonfiction only, please) and we will get back to you within three months. NO SUB FEE AND WE PAY WRITERS!

sneaker wave

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