Actually Inclusive - Best Lit Mags of 2025

Issue VI: Winter Blues submissions open October 15th!

Tension is at the center of all great writing.

​We are committed to publishing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction that stirs, shocks, or surprises us.

At Tension, we strive to uplift marginalized voices, so LGBTQIA+ individuals and POC are encouraged to submit. ​

Issue V: Rebirth is live and free to read on our website!

Poetry - 5 poems max

We accept submissions from everyone, but we encourage BIPOCC, nonbinary, LGBTQ+, women, neurodivergent, creators with disabilities, and new authors to submit.

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Tension Literary

Issue V: Rebirth is an open and un-themed call for your best poetry.

All submissions should be emailed to editor@tensionliterary.com with the genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in the subject line. Include a cover letter and third person bio in the body of the email. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to tell us if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. Only previously unpublished pieces will be considered.


At Tension, we strive to uplift marginalized voices, so neurodivergent individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and POC are encouraged to submit. ​

Issue V: Rebirth

Fiction: Must be no longer than 6,000 words. Please use Times New Roman 12 pt font, double spaced.

All submissions should be emailed to editor@tensionliterary.com with the genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in the subject line. Include a cover letter and third person bio in the body of the email. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to tell us if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. Only previously unpublished pieces will be considered.


Nonfiction: Must be no longer than 6,000 words. Please use Times New Roman 12 pt font, double spaced.

All submissions should be emailed to editor@tensionliterary.com with the genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in the subject line. Include a cover letter and third person bio in the body of the email. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to tell us if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. Only previously unpublished pieces will be considered.


<div>Send us up to five poems.</div>All submissions should be emailed to editor@tensionliterary.com with the genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) in the subject line. Include a cover letter and third person bio in the body of the email. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to tell us if your piece has been accepted elsewhere. Only previously unpublished pieces will be considered.

Issue VI: Winter Blues

Fiction: Must be no longer than 6,000 words. Please use Times New Roman 12 pt font, double spaced.

<div>Nonfiction: Must be no longer than 6,000 words. Please use Times New Roman 12 pt font, double spaced.</div>

Tension Literary

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