As you guys know I’ve done quite a few presentations/blog posts etc recently about starting to submit your work. One of the places most writers start is with literary magazines, especially the poets. These are, of course, in print and online. I’ve mentioned quite a few of the online ones I’ve read (like the issue of decomP I’m reading right now), but I also mention some of the print magazines I read and subscribe to. When a participant (or responder) can’t tell me even one magazine they read then I know they are going to have problems joining the literary conversation.
Over the weekend I finished two literary magazines (back issues) that I was not as familiar with so I thought I’d do some mini-reviews here and discuss what, perhaps, we can do to get ourselves more exposed to other magazines out there. First up I finished an older issue of Passages North. I absolutely loved the prose in the issue I read, but I wasn’t as in love with the poetry although I did enjoy the work by Emma Bolden whom I’ve known virtually for a few years now. So, I realized that I enjoyed the literary magazine but it wouldn’t be one I’d submit to in the end.
On the other hand, the back issue of Mid-American Review was right up my alley. This would be a hard one to get into as they publish some really great names (including one of my MFA mentors in the issue I read – Allan Michael Parker), but I am going to add it to my list of places to send my work to later this year. I also found some poets I’d really like to read more work from like Traci Brimhall and Valerie Bundara.
So, I thought it might be fun for anyone who wants to to participate in a literary magazine exchange. I tend to only keep one issue of a literary magazine before I pass off the other copies so I don’t have a lot in the house right now but I did just receive a new issue of Smartish Pace thus I’m willing to part with an older issue.
Why doesn’t everyone post a print literary magazine that they’d like to trade and then once we have the list we can see what everyone might want? I’ll leave this up for a week for discussion. We can also share names of online journals you hope everyone is reading. So share!
Jessie, wonderful post and idea! I am rather ashamed to say that I am one of those who don’t subscribe to any literary magazines! And only regularly read Referential. I understand it really is something that we need to do . .. depending maybe on how serious we are about our writing. I’m thinking I’m not too serious!
when I was trying to start submitting my work the first few times in the late 90′s I didn’t have much success and I’m sure that was partially because I didn’t read the work around me. it takes time to really study the industry for sure
Southern Poetry Review here. I also have an anthology of the best American poetry from 2009 or 2010. Would be happy to share both (though I’m still working through SPR).
Would also love to know what online journals you recommend. There are so many out there that it’s overwhelming!
I’d definitely be interested in that Southern Poetry Review! I also have some older Best American Poetry that I could probably put up for grabs
Also in my stack I have an extra Laurel Review. I need to keep looking!
As for online journals there are so many and there are so many I love. The ones I read regularly include: H.O.D (Handful of Dust), Wild Goose Poetry Review, The Dead Mule, decomP . . . and now I am drawing a blank, As people respond more here (hopefully) I’ll mention others.
Splinter Generation is a decent online journal, too, as is Word Riot.
I’ve been in “Splinter Generation” once with a guest blog. Nice site. I agree on both of these! Another fine online journal is “Lily”
Obviously I’m biased as I’m the editor, but Carve Magazine (www.carvezine.com) is a good one.
All of our short stories are free to read online. We have a new issue coming this Friday.
I’ve also always enjoyed Word Riot, Smokelong (flash fiction), and McSweeney’s Internet Tendency. Always been more inclined toward short stories so don’t have much to offer in poetry, but I met the folks behind Cortland Review at AWP this year and they’re doing great things with online poetry.
Love the idea of the lit mag exchange. Hope it works out for you.
I wasn’t familiar with your magazine, Matthew, I’ve added it to my “considering submitting to list” which is good because I’m working on submission packets this week
Thanks for the great line up of other zines as well. I’m a fan of many of the same.
I tried to start a lit mag trading club in November but didn’t get many takers. Let me know how I can get involved; I have probably 20+ lit mags that I’d love to trade with folks
I’ll let you know how it goes. It is one of those curious things how so many people want to be published in magazines yet they don’t actually read said magazines!
I don’t subscribe to any magazines but I just received my contributor’s copy of Gargoyle #58 and was blown away by the whole thing…the cover art, the formatting, the fiction and poetry. It’s the best magazine I’ve ever been included in, no contest. Meat Songs out of the UK is a favorite print zine of mine. I like Bone Orchard Poetry and 13 Myna Birds online. I was thrilled to have a poem accepted by Nicolette Wong for her excellent online magazine, A-Minor.
Gargoyle is on my list to submit work to. Thanks for some of the new names that I had not heard of before. I do highly recommend submitting to at least one journal or picking up some back issues
This is a great idea. I always find myself unable to buy all the lit mags issues I want to buy. If you’re trying to figure out which lit mag to submit to, you should go on http://www.thereviewreview.net/. They publish a bunch of lit mags reviews each week but also publishing tips and interviews with lit mags editors. They have a database of over 300 lit mags–with details about submissions and such. I always find it super helpful when trying to figure out which magazines I want to submit my work to.
Cheers,
Elise
I remember when thereviewreview started. My lit mag isn’t listed because they requested I pay for a listing. Or I may be remembering that incorrectly! I’m not sure if they still require that. I can see they have classifieds though. My website doesn’t generate income so I don’t advertise it except on free sites
Hmm I wonder if they have changed their policy as I see some of the small online journals on there now. Thanks for the reminder!
There were good conversations here, but doesn’t appear enough to make much of a swap. Maybe next time!