best creative writing magazines

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Best Literary Magazines for Writers

Updated 03-01-2024

Sometimes, the most challenging thing about being a writer is finding the motivation and inspiration to write. How do you get past those creative slowdowns and annoying writer's blocks? As Stephen King writes in On Writing , "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

What is better than literary magazines that offer opportunities for both? From publishing reader submissions to reviewing new writers to providing the latest American short fiction, magazines are excellent resources for staying in touch with the larger writing community, taking advantage of new opportunities, and never missing a thing!

Whether you're a novice scribbler or a seasoned wordsmith, you are sure to find the perfect writing aid below. Explore our entire collection of writing magazines!

Poets & Writers

Poets & Writers Magazine offers creative writers information, guidance, and support. Discover helpful information on perfecting your craft, from writing advice to publishing guidance to career options! Each issue offers insider information from the pros on grant programs, writing fellowships, poetry prizes, and more. Allow yourself to be inspired by one of the best creative writing literary journals: a Poets & Writers subscription! Take your writing on the go with a Mechanical Pencils Set with Leather Case and a Thick Lined Journal , perfect for carrying with each magazine issue!

Writer's Digest

Embark on a literary journey with Writer's Digest ! Discover many helpful tools for writers of all skill levels, from advice on fighting writer's block, writing queries, and selling your work. Each issue features writing exercises, stimulating prompts, instructional workshops, and competition news. Whether your talent lies in flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, or other freelance work, a platform awaits you. Enhance your writing prowess with a Writer's Digest subscription! Looking for more inspiration? Combat writer's block with help from this Writing Dice: Creative Writing Game and Writer Emergency Pack , packed with idea and detail cards!

Take sanctuary in an ad-free, nonprofit magazine with The Sun Magazine ! Each issue publishes poetry, the best American Short Stories, and personal essays from established and emerging writers. The Sun prides itself as a genuine oddity, combining the personal and political and honoring courageous, honest writing. Stay current on the latest challenges against society and celebrate the junctures when we thrive against them. Explore the complexity of humankind by celebrating life with a new subscription to The Sun ! Pair a magazine subscription with a gift like this Ergonomic Wrist Rest and Under Desk Ergonomic Foot Rest , which are excellent for those long nights at the computer.

The New Yorker

Stay enriched in the literary world with The New Yorker Magazine ! Ideal for those interested in the arts and culture, this influential magazine is highly regarded in publishing. Discover captivating poetry, imaginative fiction, insightful analyses, and amusing wit in each issue. Committed to truth and accuracy, The New Yorker reports on the latest news, politics, sports, and more - in New York and beyond! Celebrate the best in prose with surprising opinions, sharp wit, and fresh content from The New Yorker print magazine . If you're a writer that loves to write by hand, but wants the easy access of technology, a Reusable Smart Notebook is a great choice to go with your print magazine.

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine sets the bar for modern crime and mystery novellas. Perfect for mystery, crime, and suspense fans, this magazine features the latest award-winning short stories from the world's greatest writers, including celebrated authors like Jeffery Deaver, Ian Rankin, Lawrence Block, and more! There is a story for every mystery lover: psychological suspense, private eye cases, deductive puzzles, and impossible crimes! Discover unique collections of puzzles, reviews, rankings, and stories in every issue. Subscribe now to "the best mystery magazine in the world, bar none," as rated by Stephen King himself!

The Writer's Chronicle

Stay informed and entertained with The Writer's Chronicle ! Made for writers, editors, students, and writing teachers, The Writer's Chronicle is an invaluable literary source created by the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP). Each issue features in-depth essays, thorough interviews, and enlightening articles on writing. Stay updated with the latest news of the national literary scene, with updates on AWP's Annual Conference and contests, announcements on publishing trends, and the scoop on literary controversies. Discover listings of available grants, publication opportunities, and awards with The Writer's Chronicle !

Asimov's Science Fiction

Catapult into the fantastic worlds of tomorrow with Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine ! This magazine is unmatched in its field, featuring the most notable sci-fi writers and up-and-coming wordsmiths. Read up on the latest innovative, incredible short stories, novellas, and poems. Discover your next favorite sci-fi book, TV show, and film with insightful, honest reviews; challenge your mindset with thought-provoking articles; and submit your work to enlist with the spearhead of science fiction. Purchase an Asimov's Science Fiction subscription today!

Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery

Get your spine tingling with Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine ! As one of the nation's leading publishers of mystery, suspense, and short crime stories, this publication contains every subgenre. Read everything from classic whodunits, private eye mysteries, courtroom dramas, tales of espionage, and more! Submit your work for a chance to become one of the seven new short stories featured in each issue. Exclusive author interviews, amusing news bites, mystery photo contests, book reviews, and puzzles accompany quality stories. Celebrate the world of mystery with a subscription!

Magazines that accept submissions:

• Poets & Writers Magazine : accepts articles and story proposals that must be fully developed and heed their guidelines .
• Writer's Digest : accepts completed manuscripts and original pitches with thorough outlines per their guidelines .
• Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine : accepts every type of mystery short story from new and established writers. View their guidelines before submitting your work.
• The Sun Magazine : accepts narrative writing from new and established writers alike.
• The New Yorker : publishes poetry, fiction, and cartoon submissions.
• Creative Nonfiction Magazine : accepts all types of creative nonfiction with style, substance, and impact.
• The Writer's Chronicle : accepts creative nonfiction, novels, poetry, and more. View their guidelines for more details .
• Asimov's Science Fiction : accepts science fiction stories that are "character oriented. "
• Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine : accepts most kinds of mystery stories, as long as they are about a crime.
• The Paris Review-Digital : accepts unsolicited prose and poetry submissions at different times of the year. All submissions must be in English and unpublished, at most six poems at a time.
• The Threepenny Review-Digital : this online literary magazine accepts submissions only during their reading period (January 1st-April 30th).

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