The following three magazines publish diverse work. Some are print magazines, others electronic. But all of them are reading for a themed issue and all of them close to new submissions before the end of July.
Below is a brief review of each of the journals as well as information about the theme they are currently reading.
Story
Story is a biannual print magazine that publishes creative non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. Each issue focuses on a different theme. They accept about 1 in 15 of the pieces submitted to them. So publication with them is not easy, but it is possible. They are open to reprints as long as they fit particularly well with the theme. It takes them up to a year to respond to submissions, so keep that in mind.
The theme of the upcoming issue of Story is un/natural world. They elaborate on that theme by saying:
“Climate change is one of the most significant issues of our time. How do we tell stories of it? How do its stories inform us? For Issue #4, send your best work in any form that explores the natural and built worlds here on Earth. Glaciers and cityscapes. Flora and fauna and concrete. From the pastoral all the way to Mega City One. “
The deadline is July 15
They are also open to submissions to their online publication, which is unthemed. To learn more about both opportunities visit their website here.
The Raven Chronicles
The Raven Chronicles is a biannual print literary journal. They accept submissions from authors all over the world, but if you are submitting from the USA you must submit via the mail. If you are living outside of the USA you can submit via email.
They publish poetry, non-fiction, and fiction. The theme they are reading for is “Laugh, laugh, Laugh”. You can learn more about the details of the theme on their website as they go into some length explaining it. They close to submissions on the 1st of July. The issue will be published in the fall so expect a relatively efficient turnaround time.
Riding Light
Riding Light is a quarterly print and electronic journal that publishes fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. They like to publish genre work, usually focusing on a different genre each issue. All submissions must be made electronically.
They are currently reading for several themed issues but the one with the first deadline is their Halloween special. This is the second year that they have published a Halloween themed issue. The deadline is July 1st.
They are also reading for their summer 2015 issue, which is themed Mysteries in the City. This is what they have to say about the theme “We want mystery and suspense. We want crime/detective fiction, hard boiled or cozy. If there is a weird element, even better. Think Alfred Hitchcock or Dashiell Hammett with a dash of Rod Serling.” The deadline for that issue is July 31st
You can read all their calls for submissions here. Their submission guidelines are available here.
