Issues

Notes from the Editor’s Desk: August 2026

This monthly column is published on the fourth Thursday of every month, and is a space to share information that doesn’t fit anywhere else in our publication. This includes a wide range of opportunities for writers, news and information, and subscribers’ recent success stories. Opportunities: The Conroy Center Writer’s Residency  is open for applications till…

15 Magazines And Anthologies Publishing Romance Fiction

These magazines and anthology publishers accept romance fiction. Most also accept other fiction genres, and some accept blended genres like romantasy, paranormal romance, or historical romance. Some of the calls are themed. They vary widely in tone and style; when possible, please read their stories to see if yours is a good fit. Some of…

The Benefits of Surveying Before Publication

By Rajvi Mittal Books are unusual products. And even if the monetary cost isn’t large, the reader is paying big time in trust and time commitment. When you think about it this way, it is easy to understand why readers would want some signal that the investment will be worthwhile. A survey is one of…

Indigo: Now Seeking Submissions

Indigo is a new online journal of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and “other text-focused experiences”. Although they accept all types of writing, they especially love experimental, cross-genre, hybrid and “medium-bending” work. They aim to showcase writing that lives in liminal spaces: “Show us the jagged pink edge of twilight just before moon rise, when the sky…

76 Publishing Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers (August 2026)

This list of publishers meet our guiding principles, but are only open to free submissions from historically underrepresented writers or focus on publishing content produced by historically underrepresented writers. Some of these publications are open to a wide range of writers including writers of color, gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ writers, and those living with disabilities….

Don’t Just Write! Why Writers Should Have a Hobby (Other Than Writing)

Most of us start writing because it’s something we love to do. With practice and patience, what starts out as a hobby turns into a passion and then into a career, part-time or otherwise. And while that comes with its own rewards, there are also downsides to having our hobby become our work. The answer…

5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in August 2026

These magazines pay for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. They’re a mix of literary and genre magazines.  Haven SpeculativeThey publish speculative fiction and poetry. They also publish climate crisis focused Dry and Wet issues each year; scroll down on the guidelines page for details. “We like stories that are subtle in their telling and stick with…

Wild Willow Magazine: Now Seeking Submissions

Wild Willow Magazine is an online publication of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, “where word takes roots”. You can read the journal online to get a sense of what they publish. Formerly The Minison Project, Wild Willow was launched in 2025. Since then they’ve published six issues with themes such as “Mums”, “Wintergreen”, and “Pomegranate”….

Writing Characters Who Are Bad at Explaining Themselves

Some characters speak like they’re trying to carry soup across an icy parking lot. Careful. Sloshing. Half the meaning ends up on the ground anyway. Those are usually the characters I trust. Fiction has this weird historical addiction to emotional fluency. People in novels somehow produce perfectly shaped confessions while under immense psychological stress. Their…

Should Writers Write to Make a Difference?

Can writing change the world? I don’t have a definite answer to that. But I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been changed by other people’s writing and who’s also dreamed of writing something that would change someone else—if not writing something that would change the world (or at least, a significant part…

Nine Publishers Open to Direct Submissions in August 2026

This list focuses on nine publishers that are open to submissions this month. Some are only open for a short period of time, others will be open the whole month and beyond. At least four of these are presses we have not covered previously. Please note that if a publisher doesn’t have a specific submission…

Cabbage Patch Literary Magazine: Now Seeking Submissions

Cabbage Patch is a new online journal of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, fragments, photos, images, and “strange hybrid things.” “Think of this as a literary attic full of strange stuff.” They’re looking for emotionally resonant writing, and they “believe in warmth over prestige.” They love publishing new authors, and they welcome reprints. Cabbage Patch launched…

6 Mistakes and Lessons from a Decade of Submitting

Ratika Deshpande Ten years ago, at age 15, I made my first submission to a literary magazine, submitting what I realize now was a personal essay, or perhaps even autofiction, in the Short Fiction category. It was rejected; reading it for the first time in a decade, I know why; the form was the least…

The Orange Rose: Now Seeking Submissions

The Orange Rose is an online journal of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, “as varied as the flowers in a garden.” They’re looking for memorable writing with “vibrant imagery and striking characters that make you want to linger in the words just a little bit longer.” You can read the journal online to get a sense…

12 Magazines Accepting Books for Review

These magazines accept books for review: fiction (literary and genre), nonfiction, and poetry. Most also accept creative or critical writing: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, reviews. And our list of magazines accepting book reviews is here. Sagging Meniscus Press: Exacting ClamThey publish online and in print. They accept book reviews and also books for review: “If you’re a…

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