These magazines publish fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and they all pay writers. Not all of them are open throughout the month. – S. Kalekar
Diabolical Plots
They publish science fiction, fantasy and horror. Feel free to mix in other genres with these (like a fantasy mystery or a science fiction romance). All stories must have a speculative element. See the list of tropes/elements they particularly like, and also of the hard sells. They accept translations, as well. They’ll also open for a food-themed issue in October.
Deadline: 14 August 2021
Length: Up to 3,500 words
Pay: $0.10/word
Details here.
Westerly
This literary magazine “has always sought to provide a Western Australian-based voice, although its contributors and subject matter have never been geographically exclusive. It covers literature and culture throughout the world, but maintains a special emphasis on Australia, particularly Western Australia, and the Asian region.” They publish short stories, poetry, memoir and creative nonfiction, essays and literary criticism. Non-subscribers will be asked to take magazine subscription as part payment for their work. Scholarly articles are accepted year-round.
Deadline: 20 August 2021
Length: Up to 3,500 words for fiction and creative nonfiction; up to five poems; up to 5,000 words for essays; 500-700 words for reviews
Pay: AUD200 for short stories and articles, AUD120-150 for poetry, AUD120 for visual art/intro essay and online pieces, AUD100 for reviews
Details here.
Vautrin
This is a print magazine that publishes gritty, urban fiction, crime/mystery fiction, and stories about ghosts and the supernatural – or a mix of any of these genres. They also publish essays – their guidelines say, “We’re interested in essays that talk about contemporary crime fiction, or essays that walk the path between, say, 19th century fiction and fiction in the here and now.”
Deadline: 1 September 2021
Length: Up to 6,000 words for fiction (no flash fiction); up to 5,000 words for essays
Pay: $130 for fiction over 2,000 words, $65 for fiction under 2,000 words, $50 for literary essays
Details here.
Uncanny Magazine
This award-winning speculative fiction magazine is open for short fiction submissions. Their guidelines say, “We want intricate, experimental stories … with gorgeous prose, verve, and imagination that elicit strong emotions and challenge beliefs. Uncanny believes there’s still plenty of room in the genre for tales that make you feel.” Please note, they are only accepting short stories in this submission window; do not submit poetry.
Deadline: 1 September 2021
Length: 750-6,000 words
Pay: $0.10/word
Details here (guidelines) and here (submission portal).
The Puritan
This Canadian literary magazine publishes fiction, nonfiction – interviews, essays (accepts pitches), and reviews – and poetry from all over the world. They accept a limited number of fee-free submissions every month. They’re also currently looking for Editors in Residence for their blog, The Town Crier – this is a month-long virtual position and offers CAD200.
Deadline: 25 September 2021 for fall issue; reads year-round
Length: Up to 10,000 words for fiction, up to 4 poems; various for non-fiction (see guidelines)
Pay: CAD200 per essay; CAD150 for fiction; CAD100 per interview or review; CAD25 per poem (or page, capped at CAD80)
Details here.
(Another literary magazine open for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry is Mud Season Review. They seek “deeply human work that will teach us something about life, but also about the craft of writing or visual art, and work that is original in its approach and that in some way moves us”. Pay is $50. Though the deadline is 31 August 2021, submissions may close early if volume demands.)
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She is the author of 182 Short Fiction Publishers. She can be reached here.
