Over the years, I’ve worked with so many talented writers. Often, their expertise in the craft far exceeds their publishing history. This is not due to a lack of quality in their work, but in their unwillingness to navigate the world of literary magazines.
The number of magazines available today has exploded. This proliferation of outlets (and the popularity of the MFA) has created a vast and competitive landscape for writers. However, this also means there are more opportunities than ever to showcase their work.
So, why not you? As my mother would have said, “You gotta be in it to win it!”
LitMag Submission Guide
Submitting your work to literary magazines can be both exciting and daunting. This guide will walk you through the process, from setting up your account to crafting the perfect bio and cover letter.
Getting Started
- Set up a Submittable account. Many literary magazines use Submittable to collect and review digital content. It’s user-friendly and helps you track your submissions and responses. Visit https://discover.submittable.com/ to get started.
- Explore NewPages Submissions. NewPages is a free website listing literary magazines with open submission calls. It’s a great resource for finding potential homes for your work. Browse through https://www.newpages.com/ to discover new opportunities.
- Follow the guidelines. Each publication has its own set of guidelines. Adhere to them strictly, as editors may discard submissions that don’t comply.
Writing Your Bio
Don’t stress over your bio, especially if you’re just starting out. Everyone begins somewhere. Here’s how to craft an effective bio:
- Start simple: If you’re a first-time submitter, be honest and straightforward.
- Include key information: Your name, education/profession, location, and previous publications (if any).
- Update regularly: As you gain more experience and publications, revise your bio accordingly.
- Keep both versions: Maintain first-person and third-person versions for different situations.
Examples: My Bio Evolution
Initial bio (2016):
Eileen Toomey went to Columbia College, Chicago, and studied the Story Workshop Method of Writing. She received her BA in English Literature from the University of Baltimore. This is her first publication.
Updated bio (2018):
Eileen Toomey has lived on the East Coast for over twenty years, but a big piece of her heart still resides in Chicago. Her essays have appeared in The Eastern Iowa Review and Fish Food Magazine.
Recent bio (2024):
Eileen Toomey has been published in The Rumpus, Cleaver Magazine, Oyster River Pages, and various other literary magazines. Her piece, “Canaryville Girls” placed second in Cleaver Magazine’s 2024 Short Creative Nonfiction Contest judged by Clifford Thompson. Her poem “Immunotherapy” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2023, and a Best of the Net in 2024. Eileen is a book inc writer and an instructor at Project Write Now, a non-profit writing organization, in Red Bank, NJ. She is currently working on a memoir about her childhood in the working-class neighborhood, Canaryville, on Chicago’s south side.
Writing Your Cover Letter
- Keep it professional: Address the editor(s) by name if possible.
- Include your bio: Incorporate your bio, typically using the first-person version.
- Show familiarity: Demonstrate that you’ve read and appreciate the magazine.
- Introduce your submission: Provide brief context for your piece, if relevant.
- Express gratitude: Thank the editors for their time and consideration.
Example Cover Letters
Early career cover letter (2017):
Dear Editors,
I went to Columbia College, Chicago and studied the Story Workshop Method of Writing. I received my BA in English Literature from the University of Baltimore. I was published in October for the first time in The Museum of Americana, an online publication. In the early spring, I will be one of the writers featured in The Eastern Iowa Review’s Debut Writer’s Issue. I am currently working on a memoir about my relationship with my very special mother. The piece I am submitting is about my place in the family so I think it can be considered as a kind of family portrait.
Thank you for any and all consideration, Eileen Toomey
More experienced cover letter (2024):
Dear Editors [I should have looked up the editors’ names],
I have received a note from the Sequestrum staff offering “encouragement” on a previous submission, so I hope this story [could/should put in title and word count] will possibly find a home with you! I really enjoyed writing into your theme of place. I have been published in Cleaver Magazine, Oyster River Pages, The Rumpus and various literary magazines. My piece, “Canaryville Girls” placed second in Cleaver Magazine’s 2024 Short Creative Nonfiction Contest judged by Clifford Thompson. My poem “Immunotherapy” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and nominated for Best of the Net. A book inc writer and an instructor at Project Write Now, a non-profit writing organization, located in Red Bank, NJ, I am currently working on a memoir about my childhood in the working-class neighborhood, Canaryville, on Chicago’s south side.
Thank you for putting forth such a wonderful magazine,
Eileen Toomey
(Notice that my cover letters are not perfect! The writing really is what matters.)
Recommended Magazines
- The Rumpus: edgy and modern, though challenging to get into.
- Cleaver Magazine: publishes emerging artists in the early stages of their career as well as established authors.
- Oyster River Pages: quality website with individual poet interviews.
- The Eastern Iowa Review: published my first personal essay. The editor was kind and easy to work with. She asked me to get rid of a cuss word because it was a family magazine and I was happy to comply.
- Museum of Americana: my first online publication, Published my first poem “Cattle Trucks” based on a submission request for poems about modes of transportation found in NewPages.
Here are some magazines that keep rejecting me but that I love anyway:
Higher Tiered (harder to get into):
- AGNI
- Another Chicago Magazine
- The Baltimore Review
- Bellevue Literary Review
- Boulevard Magazine
- Chicago Review
- Electric Literature
- Rattle (I’m working on a Rattle submission right now; they have a themed call for a type of poem, Haibuns, which I’ve been working on.)
Not quite as competitive (still rejecting me):
These journals have all rejected me so nicely and they are beautifully displayed – I really feel like they’d love to publish me but…
- Sequestrum Magazine – has some really good themed submissions – the last couple were family and place.
- Sky Island Journal – a journal on the West Coast – they get back quickly and I love some of the writing I’ve read there.
- Street Lit—It’s kind of gritty if that’s your thing—and it’s new. They get back to you right away and ask you to send more work, and then they reject you again!! But at least you feel like someone is looking!
Understanding Acceptance Rates
According to Duotrope, a subscription-based database of submission opportunities, the average acceptance rate for literary magazines is 1-2%. This means that for every 100 submissions received, only one or two are typically accepted for publication. However, rates can vary; for example, Cleaver Magazine has an acceptance rate of about 15%.
Final Tips
- Be concise: Editors appreciate brevity.
- Be honest: Don’t exaggerate your accomplishments.
- Proofread carefully: Avoid typos and errors.
- Tailor your submission: Customize for each magazine.
- Stay organized: Keep updated versions of your bio and cover letter accessible.
Remember, your writing is the star of the show. Your bio and cover letter are supporting players that help introduce you and your work to the editors. Keep submitting, and don’t be discouraged by rejections – they’re a normal part of the process!
Project Write Now offers a six-month Lit Mag Sub Club for writers seeking support, resources, and inspiration while submitting to literary magazines. Our next club begins in September 2025. Learn more here.