Best Literary Magazines for New Writers: Where to Submit First

One of the most common questions from emerging writers is: where should I submit? With thousands of literary magazines in operation, it can be difficult to know where to start. Some journals are highly competitive; others are specifically designed to welcome first-time submitters. Knowing the difference saves you time, frustration, and helps you build a publication record more quickly.

This guide to the best literary magazines for new writers breaks down the landscape and gives you a practical starting point — including what to look for and how to approach your first submissions.

 

What Makes a Journal Good for New Writers?

Not all literary magazines are equal in terms of welcome for emerging voices. When evaluating where to submit as a new writer, look for:

• Explicitly welcoming emerging writers in their submission guidelines
• Reasonable or quick response times
• A mix of established and debut voices in their published issues
• Active reading periods (many journals close to submissions for months at a time)
• A clear submission process through a platform like Submittable

Smaller, newer literary magazines often provide better odds for first-time submitters simply because they receive fewer submissions. Don’t overlook them in pursuit of big names.

Categories of Literary Magazines to Know

University-Affiliated Journals

Many universities run literary magazines as part of their creative writing programs. These are often well-funded, professionally edited, and have been publishing for decades. They tend to be moderately to highly competitive. Examples include journals affiliated with MFA programs across the US and UK.

Independent Online Journals

The rise of online publishing has produced hundreds of excellent independent literary magazines that operate outside academic structures. Many of these are actively looking for new voices, publish quickly, and have built loyal readerships. Online-only formats mean no printing costs, which often translates to more issues per year and more publication slots.

Print Journals

Some print literary magazines carry enormous prestige in the literary world. They’re highly competitive, but publication in one can significantly raise a writer’s profile. They typically publish fewer issues per year and receive far more submissions than online journals.

What to Look for in a Journal’s Back Issues

Before submitting anywhere, read the work they’ve already published. Ask yourself:

• Do my poems feel stylistically compatible with what they publish?
• Are they open to the kind of experimentation (or traditionalism) I practice?
• Would I be proud to appear alongside the work they’ve published?

Submitting without reading the journal is like applying for a job without researching the company. It wastes your time and theirs.

Simultaneous Submissions and What That Means

Most journals now allow simultaneous submissions — submitting the same poem to multiple publications at once. This is important for new writers because it means you don’t have to wait months for a response from one journal before sending your work elsewhere.

If your poem is accepted, you must immediately withdraw it from all other journals. Most submission platforms like Submittable make this straightforward.

Tools for Finding Journals

Several excellent resources help writers identify appropriate journals for their work:

• Duotrope: paid subscription service with extensive database of markets and response statistics
• The Submission Grinder: free alternative to Duotrope with similar functionality
• Poets & Writers: maintains a searchable database of literary magazines and grants
• com: comprehensive listings of independent literary magazines

These tools let you filter by genre, reading period, payment, and more — making it much easier to build a targeted submission list.

Building a Submission Strategy

Experienced writers typically maintain what’s sometimes called a ‘tiered’ submission strategy: sending work to a mix of aspirational (highly competitive), target (realistic but competitive), and safety (welcoming to new voices) journals simultaneously.

For new writers, starting with journals that welcome emerging voices makes sense. As your publication record grows, you can expand your submission range upward.

→ Learn the full process: How to Submit Poetry to Literary Magazines

Not sure what a literary magazine actually is? Start here:

→ The basics: What Is a Literary Magazine? Complete Guide

Beyond Poetry: Other Ways to Publish Online

Literary magazines aren’t the only path to publication. Many writers also build an audience through online platforms that don’t require acceptance by an editor.

→ Explore options: How to Get Your Writing Published Online

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need previous publications to submit to literary magazines?

No. Most literary magazines, especially those welcoming emerging writers, don’t require any prior publication credits. Your work is evaluated on its own merits.

How many journals should I submit to at once?

Many experienced writers maintain active submissions to 10–20 journals simultaneously. As a beginner, starting with 5–10 is manageable and still gives you a reasonable chance of acceptance.

What’s a good acceptance rate to aim for?

Even accomplished poets typically see acceptance rates of 10–20%. Rejection is the norm, not the exception. Don’t use acceptance rate as a measure of your worth as a writer.

How do I know if a journal is legitimate?

Look for journals listed on established databases like Duotrope or Poets & Writers. Beware of journals that charge high submission fees or promise publication in exchange for payment (pay-to-publish is not the same as a legitimate submission fee).