An online literary magazine publishing creative writing in all genres and art in all media.

The Offing publishes work that challenges, experiments, provokes — work that pushes literary and artistic forms and conventions.

The Offing is a place for new and emerging writers to test their voices, and for established writers to test their limits.

The Offing actively seeks out and supports work by and about those often marginalized in literary spaces, including Black and Indigenous people, and people of color; trans people, cis women, agender, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, two-spirit, and non-binary people; intersex people; LGBQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual/aromantic) people; people with disabilities; and especially people living at the intersections of these identities.


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

Impressive Bylines for Your Literary Bio

Quality magazines that compensate writers and don't charge submission fees. Supporting writers financially from both ends of the transaction? Hell yeah.

Lit Mags That Pay & Don't Charge Fees

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

Lit Mags in Wigleaf's Top 50

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)

Not just words. These magazines publish paintings, comics, illustrations, and other visual art alongside or instead of traditional text-based work.

Magazines That Publish Comics, Art, or Other Visual Works

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

Forgot about National Poetry Month? Don't miss these reading periods before April ends. Here are all our favorite lit mags closing on April 30th / May 1st for that sweet, sweet last-minute sub rush.

Where to Submit for National Poetry Month (at the Eleventh Hour)

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

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

The ultimate ranking of the world's liveliest indie literary magazines, curated by author and editor Charlie Fish. These are the passion projects; the kaleidoscopic cutting edge.

FISH List of Lively Indie Literary Magazines 2025

FISH List of Lively Indie Literary Magazines 2026

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

Looking for balance between prestige and accessibility? These magazines are competitive but attainable for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction writers.

Literary Magazines in the Sweet Spot

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

Uncover the most competitive literary magazines this year. These are the publications where getting published is a significant achievement for any writer.

Most Competitive Literary Magazines This Year

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

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

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

The Offing

Ten- to 560-character (including spaces) works in any genre. You may submit one to five Micros in a single submission. Please submit only once per reading period.  

Micro

Translated work of prose.<div><br></div><div>Please title your submission with the author’s last name and the title of the piece. We accept work no longer than 7,500 words.</div><div><br></div><div>In your cover letter, please include the original language, the year of original publication if previously published, brief biographical statements for both the translator and author, and any contextual information for the work that might be helpful for our editorial staff. It is the translator's responsibility to obtain permission from the author/rights-holder prior to submitting the piece.</div><div><br></div><div> We look forward to reading!</div>

Translation: Prose

Creative nonfiction (usually personal essay) that centers one’s personal experience against the backdrop of art, literature, and culture. In essence, Insight essays are personal essay meets cultural criticism. These essays generally fuse together two topics that don’t typically belong together, weaving—and investigating—what is perceived versus what is true. Ultimately, these essays explore the ways in which interacting with this aspect of culture or ideology changed you or made a lasting impression. Word limit: 5,000.

Insight

Back of the Envelope seeks writing of any length and genre which relates to, or draws on, science and the natural world. Sharing its wonder or its horrors, relating the untold stories of discovery, or toying with everyday curiosities, we're interested in hearing from those inside and outside the scientific community.

Back of the Envelope

Translated works of poetry.

You may submit up to six poems, unless you have a reason for submitting a larger set (in which case, please let us know).

Please title your submission with the author’s last name and the title of the piece; or for poetry, please indicate the number of poems. (e.g., “Five poems by [Author]”) 

In your cover letter, please include the original language, the year of original publication if previously published, brief biographical statements for both the translator and author, and any contextual information for the work that might be helpful for our editorial staff. It is the translator's responsibility to obtain permission from the author/rights-holder prior to submitting the piece.

We look forward to reading!

Translation: Poetry

Personal essays, rather than commentary or criticism, of any length.

Essay

Beyond Representation is an inclusive series for Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) and SEA (Southeast Asian) and SWANA and SEA diaspora writers, curated by Marianne Manzler, Michelle Zamanian, and Leila Mansouri. Our open reading period will begin on July 1, 2026 and will continue until July 31, 2026. Submissions will be received through Submittable.
We consider creative nonfiction, graphic essays, fiction, poetry, micro works, and hybrid work by SWANA and SEA writers on a wide variety of subject matter. We are interested in work that disrupts, surprises, challenges media stereotypes and amplifies unseen narratives and marginalized voices. We are especially interested in stories and pieces that celebrate our experiences, find meaning in being who we are, and challenge the imperial status quo.
Prose submissions should be between 1,500-5,000 words, and poetry submissions should include three to five poems, up to twelve pages. Micro pieces should be ten- to 560-character (including spaces) works in any genre.
We can only consider work that has not been previously published (this includes personal blogs and social media). Please reach out to info@theoffingmag.com with any questions, but we will NOT accept any submissions via email, only through this portal.

Beyond Representation — Fiction

Beyond Representation — Nonfiction

Beyond Representation — Poetry

Our humor department. Send us your comedic work in any genre. We love strong character voices, absurdity, momentum, vulnerability, and surprise. We want the pieces only you – yes you, weirdo – could write. We want to think, we want to cry, and we want to laugh our butts off. We’ve been attached to our butts for far too long. Please no more than 8 pages (if your piece is longer, please choose your strongest, and hopefully funniest, section).

The Offing

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