Some journals accept a lot more submissions than others. Acceptance rates change all the time, so realize that over time these journals may become harder to get into.
These are not the only publishers that are easy to get into, but they are a good place to start if your sole goal is to get published in a literary journal.
Make sure you read the guidelines before submitting to know if your work fits. Just because they are approachable, doesn’t mean that they will accept angry poetry when they only publish nature poetry!
All of the information used to ascertain if the market is approachable or not was found through research done at the websites Duotrope, The (Submission) Grinder, and Chill Subs and from feedback from students, subscribers, and editors.
This is the first year where Chill Subs had more data on acceptance rates then Duotrope, although Duotrope and The (Submission) Grinder, both had data that Chill Subs didn’t, I’d say overall this year, Chill Subs had the most reliable acceptance rates. They also include data based on user feedback, and if they have it, data based on editor feedback. There is sometimes a large disconnect in this data, but in that case I generally went with the user generated data.
If you are just starting to submit your work to literary journals, or perhaps you just want to avoid rejection, this list is for you. I know a number of really wonderful, established and respected poets who have been published in the most prestigious journals, that started by submitting to approachable journals.
If you are an editor of a journal with a high acceptance rate, please feel encouraged to send me an email at support@authorspublish.com.
If you’re new to submitting your work to literary journals, I encourage you to read this free book.
At the time of this update all the publishers on this list had a 25% acceptance rate or higher.
Star*Line
Star*Line is the official print journal of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. They publish a wide variety of poems within these two genres. They have an acceptance rate around 50%.
Writers Resist
This intersectional feminist literary describes themselves by saying “We are dedicated to challenging all things that diminish our quest for equity, freedom, justice, and a healthy planet for all, and to celebrating progress toward social justice—while having a bit of fun.” They have about a 30% acceptance rate.
Rogue Agent Journal
This journal operates under the Sundress Publishing umbrella and they publish poetry about the body. You can only submit to them twice a year. They accept about 30% of submissions.
CommuterLit
They have an over 25% acceptance rate and publish novel excerpts, short stories, and poetry. They are based in Canada. They work they publish is formatted to be read on portable electronic devices like phones, so people can read it on the go.
50-Word Stories
As their name suggests, they publish only 50-word stories. They read submissions every month between the 1st and the 15th. They publish around 30% of what is submitted to them.
Academy of the Heart and Mind
Their mission is to help emerging writers. They accept over 60% of what is submitted. They publish poetry, art, fiction, and creative nonfiction online.
Down in the Dirt
Down in the Dirt publishes fiction and poetry. They have an acceptance rate of 80%.
Last Leaves Magazine
A journal that publishes poetry and art. They accept over 30% of submissions.
Rat’s Ass Review
As the editor of this journal states, “Rat’s Ass Review is an online poetry journal whose editorial fancies are no more arbitrary than any other; they are simply more overtly so. I publish what I like”. They have two reading periods a year. They are not open to poetry submissions at this time, but will reopen in July.
The New Verse News
A journal that publishes politically progressive poetry on current events and topical issues on a daily basis. Their acceptance rate is around 30%.
Last Girls’ Club: The Witches Cosmo
They only accept submissions from writers 18+. They publish nonfiction, poetry and fiction. They have rotating submission windows and often have themed calls. They largely publish horror from a feminist perspective and are a paying market. Please follow their guidelines carefully before submitting. If they hit submission quotas they will close to submissions early. Their upcoming theme is Hive Collapse / Cascade Event and they will open submissions for this theme on 1st July.
101 Words
They publish flash fiction stories that are exactly 101 words in length. They publish about 40% of what they receive.
Instant Noodles
The one journal on this list that has a limited demographic, they are only open to submissions from adults that are 40 or older. Each issue has a theme. They have around a 50% acceptance rate.
Bewildering Stories
An e-zine devoted to experimental and speculative writing, based in Canada. They accept about 40% of their submissions.
Bullet Points
They publish speculative military fiction that is sensitive to the complexity and tragedy of warfare. They accept around 25% of submissions
FlashFlood Fiction
They are only open for submissions for one week a year and they accept about 30% of what they receive. They are sponsored by National Flash Fiction Day (in the UK). They are currently closed to submissions.
Trashlight Press
They describe themselves by saying “Trashlight Press is a lit mag for the feral, the rejected, the too-much-to-handle. We’re a home for weirdos and wordsmiths, the ones who never want to stay within the lines. The pieces we publish don’t play it safe – the scream, crawl, glow, and bleed.”.They have fast response times and an over 50% acceptance rate. They have some themed reading periods and have rolling submission periods that do not have a theme attached.
Enoia Review
Enoia Review is a Singapore-based online literary journal. They publish four new pieces a day and they have around a 25% acceptance rate.
The Piker Press
They describe themselves by saying “The Piker Press is a journal for arts, sciences, fiction and non-fiction, featuring a wide array of literature, from humor to drama. We like to think of it as the illegitimate, online child of Analog and National Geographic, but funnier.” They have an over 50% acceptance rate.
Flash Phantoms
Flash Phantoms publishes horror stories that are 1,000 words or less, as well as Micro horror that is under 1000 words. They have around a 40% acceptance rate.
Blood + Honey
They are looking for “innovative, compelling, and well-written poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction that will blow our readers us away, as well as challenge us see the world we live in a different way.” They accept about 30% of submissions.
The Quasar Review
They were founded in 2025, and publish a range of poetry and prose. They have particularly fast response times for poetry.
The No Sleep Podcast
They publish mature content, so please don’t visit their website unless you are over 18. It is a horror fiction podcast and a paying market. Please follow their guidelines carefully if submitting.
the engine(idling
They are open to submissions of poetry and art and sometimes have additional themes and perimeters. They are closed to submission at the time of this update.
Micromance Magazine
They are a Substack-based publication that is dedicated to romance, love stories as well as publishing some chick lit. They publish prose of 1,200 words or less, and poems of any length. They also have a sister publication called KissMet Quarterly, that also has a high acceptance rate, and is in print.
For Page & Screen Magazine
They are a bi-annual online publication that features short stories, scripts, and films from storytellers around the world. Their next reading period opens on July 1st.
Sage Cigarettes Magazine
They are a hybrid literary and arts magazine that produces quarterly literary issues as well as columns, stand-alone articles, and pop culture reviews. Their acceptance rate is about 50%.
Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2025 Guide to Manuscript Publishers. She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.
