11 Literary Magazines Accepting New Writers - Paying markets

Updated 1/20/26

For emerging writers, establishing a publications resume can be quite a challenge, especially if you have never published any of your work. But there always has to be a first - your initial short story, poem or personal essay published by a literary magazine. 

Take heart, new writers! There are magazines that want your work, and will even pay you for it. 

Also see: Mega-List of Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines - Paying markets - Many speculative fiction magazines are happy to publish emerging writers.

Note: If you have missed a magazine's open submission period, you can always submit during their next submission period.

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Albion Review, based in Albion College, publishes fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  All submissions are elegible for a prize of $200. Undergraduates only..

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. See deadlines.

The Blue Route. Genre: Fiction or creative nonfiction totaling no more than 3000 words. Submit up to 3 poems. Payment: $25. Undergraduates only.

CRAFT was established in 2017 as a literary magazine for fiction. CRAFT expanded in 2020 to publish creative nonfiction as well. We explore how writing works, reading pieces with a focus on the elements of craft, on the art of prose. We feature previously unpublished creative work, as well as critical pieces including craft essays and interviews. All published creative pieces include an author’s note and an editorial introduction that both discuss stylistics in the work. Payment: $100 - $200. 

The Dark is an online horror and dark fantasy magazine published monthly. They publish fiction between 2,000 and 6,000 words. Payment: 5 cents/word. Accepts reprints.

Masters Review New Voices. New Voices is open year round to any new or emerging author who has not published a work of fiction or narrative nonfiction of novel length with a wide distribution. Authors with short story collections are free to submit, as are writers with books published by indie presses. Payment: $200 for short fiction and narrative non-fiction, and $100 for flash-length narratives (up to 1,000 words)

New Writing Scotland is an annual volume publishing poetry and prose from both emerging and established writers. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination. Genre: All forms of writing. Payment: £20 per published page. See submission periods

SmokeLong Quarterly publishes flash narratives--fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid--up to 1000 words. They like stories with surprising language and have emotionally resonant narratives. They are always open for submissions. Payment: $50.

The Stinging Fly publishes new, previously unpublished work by Irish and international writers. "We have a particular interest in promoting new writers, and in promoting the short story form." Each issue of The Stinging Fly includes a mix of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Payment: €50 - €600.

Triangle House Review publishes fiction and nonfiction. "We are ALWAYS looking to consider pieces by writers who have never been published in any capacity before." Payment: $100.

Write City Magazine is published by the Chicago Writers Association. They accept fiction, nonfiction and quality poetry. Payment: $50/CWA members, $25/nonmembers per prose piece and $35/members, $10/nonmembers per poem. See submission periods.