Touchstone Literary Magazine aims to select the "gold" in literary work by new voices. We are dedicated to supporting emerging writers & artists beyond accepting their work.

Writers who are yet to publish a full book or collection and self-published, marginalized, or underrepresented voices are cordially welcome to find a home for their work here. 

We pride ourselves for having an editorial board that is kind, constructive, & encouraging in their communication process with submitters. We expect editors to reply supportively for works we reject & provide feedback for accepted pieces before publication. Although we aim to be selective in choosing works, Touchstone strives to be a platform—not a barrier—for artists. 

Touchstone is Kansas State University's student-edited literary arts magazine. Aside from our regular online publications, our annual issue is published each Spring by the Department of English at Kansas State University.

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

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

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

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

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

Touchstone Literary Magazine

$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). One work of short Fiction.
Emerge with us!  As a literary magazine that supports and amplifies new voices, we understand how hard it is for an emerging poet to enter the publishing world for the first time. The Debut Prize is set to usher writers into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community.
The Debut Prize in Fiction recognizes two works of short fiction, two never-published fiction writers, with a $25 cash award. In addition to paid publication, the winner and runner up will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong works we adore. With writers’ permission, we will gladly consider such works for publication in our regular online series.
For an example, click here to read 2021's Debut Prize in Fiction winner: "Hollow" by Ariana Tucker ________________________________________________________________
Submission Guidelines
Submissions period: March 27th, 2026 - April 10th, 2026
$3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
Submissions are open to all fiction writers who have never been published by a literary magazine before. Self-published writers are welcome if the work you are submitting has not been published on personal platforms (social media, blog post, etc.).
At the moment, we accept works of fiction primarily written in English.
Fiction works may be any style, format, or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of fiction. Remind us what a good story can do.
Approximately 5,000 word count max per submission.
Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, unless a piece demands weird spacing and wonky fonts.
Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your submission unless it’s part of the theme of the work.
Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) in the submittable portion. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when a current submission becomes unavailable.
We do not accept any AI generated content in any genre. Should we find that AI generated content is submitted, it will be rejected/disqualified.

Debut Prize in Fiction for Emerging Writers

$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). One nonfiction piece up to 5000 words.
Emerge with us!  As a literary magazine that supports and amplifies new voices, we understand how hard it is for an emerging poet to enter the publishing world for the first time. The Debut Prize is set to usher writers into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community.
The Debut Prize in Nonfiction recognizes two works of creative nonfiction, two never-published nonfiction writers, with a $25 cash award. In addition to paid publication, the winner and runner up will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong works we adore. With writers’ permission, we will gladly consider such works for publication in our regular online series.
For an example, click here to read 2022's Debut Prize in Nonfiction winner: "To Be Held" by Emma Zimmerman ________________________________________________________________
Submission Guidelines
Submissions period: March 27th, 2026 - April 10th, 2026
$3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
Submissions are open to all nonfiction writers who have never been published by a literary magazine before. Self-published writers are welcome if the work you are submitting has not been published on personal platforms (social media, blog post, etc.).
At the moment, we accept works of nonfiction primarily written in English.
Nonfiction works may be any style, format, or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of nonfiction. Remind us what a good essay can do.
Approximately 5,000 word count max per submission.
Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, unless a piece demands weird spacing and wonky fonts.
Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your submission unless it’s part of the theme of the work.
Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) in the submittable portion. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when a current submission becomes unavailable.
We do not accept any AI generated content in any genre. Should we find that AI generated content is submitted, it will be rejected/disqualified.

Debut Prize in Nonfiction for Emerging Writers

How far can you push something, until there is no give left? How do we define ourselves, and what effect does that have on us? When considering boundaries, we often think of restriction. The walls we put up in defense of our self, the cages that the world fits us in. Yet boundaries are oft artificial, demarcated lines of us vs. them. Boundaries are also our way of keeping ourselves safe, happy. We need boundaries to navigate the terrain of others. What do boundaries mean to you? Are they constrictive prisons? Something that does not allow others to see the real you? Or are boundaries a lifeline? A means of comfort? Consider this idea of boundaries, these borders, walls, and cages that make up the framework of your life. We invite you to submit your best nonfiction pieces that relate to these concepts of boundaries, both the good and the bad.
This nonfiction publication opportunity has a short submission window of two weeks, which will allow us to get back to you in a few short weeks. Pieces selected for publication will be digitally published by Touchstone.
Submission period: September 28th-October 12th.
Pieces submitted should be between 1500-5000 words, with a maximum of two pieces submitted per person.
12-point font, preferably in Times New Roman or Garamond. Please do not include your name or title in the header line of your piece. Unless needed for emphasis, nonfiction pieces should be double-spaced and adhere to general fiction formatting.
Include a brief cover letter and a third-person bio of between 25-75 words in the cover letter box. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but please let us know in advance if your work has been accepted elsewhere.
If your piece contains sensitive material (i.e. sexual or mental abuse, violence, sexual assault, self-harm, etc.), please establish a content warning, either in the cover letter box or before the piece itself. Pieces that explore these topics in problematic ways (celebratory or otherwise) will be rejected.
At the moment, we accept stories primarily written in English.
$3 donation per submission. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable fees, website domain, etc).

NONFICTION POP-UP PROJECT: "Boundaries"

Have you ever imagined your words as blocks of clay, moldable to your hands? Have you ever wanted to take something once created and reshape it, turn it anew? The resistance of solid form, transformations abound, the revolution of thoughts and ideas. Consider reform as the seed of improvement, hope's beckoning call--in life, in art, in structure. Change for the better, reform asks us to constantly resist the temptation of stagnation. We invite you to submit your best fiction works surrounding these ideas of reformation, transformation, revolution, hope, and change. Feel free to bring this theme to life with your creativity!
Send Touchstone your best story or stories fulfilling the theme of Reform and show us your creativity! This project has a two-week submission window, and the selected story for this project will enjoy digital publication on Touchstone's website. Please make sure to follow the guidelines below for your submission.
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Stories may be about any topic, setting, or character. Genre fiction is welcome! Stories should be polished, and ready for print, though editors might reach out to make some editorial adjustments as they see fit. Writers will have a chance to review edits before they are published.
We accept short stories (6,000 words max) or flash fiction (less than 1,000 words). Novel excerpts and stories that exceed the maximum word count will not be read. You may submit up to two stories, each of at least 1,000 words per piece. Please include both stories in the same document before uploading to Submittable.
Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, and the pages numbered.
Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your document submission.
Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) on the Submittable form. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you.
Simultaneous submissions to other journals are fine, but please do let us know immediately if your piece is no longer available.
At the moment, we accept stories primarily written in English.
$3 donation per submission. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable fees, website domain, etc). We'd also love to continue paying our debut contributors. Your donation help us to do just that!
To protect our readers, please provide a content warning if your work contains anything potentially triggering such as sexual assault, animal abuse, or anything else graphic or violent.

FICTION POP-UP PROJECT: "Reform"

$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). One Poem.
Emerge with us!  As a literary magazine that supports and amplifies new voices, we understand how hard it is for an emerging poet to enter the publishing world for the first time. The Debut Prize is set to usher writers into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community.
The Debut Prize in Poetry recognizes two poems, two never-published poets, with a $25 and $15 (respectively) cash award. In addition to paid publication, the winner will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong poems we adore. With poets’ permission, we will gladly consider such poems for publication in our regular online series.
For an example, click here to read 2020's Debut Prize in Poetry winner: "unplugged" by Ayaz Siddiqui. ________________________________________________________________
Submission Guidelines
Submissions period: September 28th, 2026 - October 12th, 2026
$3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
Submissions are open to all poets who have never been published by a literary magazine before. Self-published poets are welcome if the work you are submitting has not been published on personal platforms (social media, blog post, etc).
At the moment, we accept poems primarily written in English.
Poems may be any style, format, or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of poetry. Remind us what a good poem can do.
1-3 poems or 5 pages max per submission, whichever comes first.
Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, unless a poem demands weird spacing and wonky fonts.
Include all poems in one document, each new poem starting on a separate page. Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your submission unless it’s part of the theme of the poem.
Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) in the submittable portion. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when a current submission becomes unavailable.

Debut Prize in Poetry for Emerging Poets

$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). Two Pieces of Art.
Emerge with us!
In Fall 2020, Touchstone transformed into what you see today: a fully digital magazine, open to all writers and artists nationally and internationally, with an annual issue series that is FREE and available digitally; an open platform that shares and celebrates our favorite works with all of our readers, old and new.
We are immensely proud of our debut online issues, but as we continue to grow, we also understand how hard it is for an emerging creators to enter the publishing world for the first time. If you have never published piece of visual art with a magazine, we’d like to invite you to emerge with us. Let us be the first home for your art!
The Debut Prize is set to usher artists into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community (yes, art is indeed part of the literary tradition). The Debut Prize in Art recognizes two pieces of art, and their outstanding creators, with a $25 cash award and $15 runner-up award. In addition to paid publication, the winner will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong submissions we adore. With artists’ permission, we will gladly consider such works for publication in our annual issue.
Touchstone Literary Magazine seeks art that provides touchstones for discovery. Who are we? And what is this strange world we find ourselves in? And, most important of all, how do we make sense of any of it? We're looking for art that teases out the truths of life. Art that expresses what words have failed to define. Art that helps us understand and makes discovery possible
Send us your best. We can't wait to discover.
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Submission Guidelines
Submissions period: September 28th, 2026 - October 12th, 2026.
$3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
You may submit 1-5 pieces
We will accept all mediums: painting, digital art, photography, experimental, sculpture, multimedia, etc. We do not accept AI generated art, and all AI generated submissions will be disqualified.
Submissions are open to all new artists who have not had their work published before.
One art piece should appear on a single page with the following information at the bottom right: title, media, dimension, & date of completion
Each new piece should start on a new page. The artist’s name and personal information should not appear on the submission itself.
Your work may be in any style or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of art. Remind us what great art can do.
Please include a cover letter with your submission. Your cover letter should include the title of your pieces and a 25-100 word bio in third person. It can be about anything. Commonly, the bio contains such things as pronouns, education history, state of residence, current occupation (if applicable), hobbies/interests, etc.
Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when it becomes unavailable.
We look forward to receiving your work!

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NONFICTION POP-UP PROJECT: "Boundaries"

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