NEWS: For an updated and enhanced lit mags list (and so much more!) head over to ShortStops...>>>
Update Aug 2011: 127 lit mags and counting.....!
Why am I doing this, you may ask? Well, I wanted to know, partly for my own selfish reasons. I had heard mutterings about the lack of lit mags in this area compared to the US, but then I started hearing about new lit mags and more new lit mags.... and then I started doing a bit of research. And since I am living in the UK now, I want to know about everything that's going on. I want to know if it's true that the "short fiction scene" is dozing. Well, I think you'll see from what I gathered below that that is far from true.
I should qualify: when I say "lit mags", my definition is a magazine that publishes fiction, or fiction and poetry. There are a wealth of poetry-only magazines, see The Poetry Library for listings of poetry mags. I am not including them here because I wanted to keep this list to those which publish short stories. I also included the few live lit events I know about - since these are also "publication" opportunities for short story writers. Where possible, I have lifted the description from Duotrope, the essential writer's resource, and done my best to say if the magazine pays contributors - although "paying" could mean a monetary reward that is very very small!
20x20 - " a square platform for writings, visuals and cross-bred projects. Writers are invited to submit works up to 1,500 words. Please submit up to 3 written pieces or poems."
Four Thirty Three - " a new audio magazine. We'll be broadcasting and podcasting short stories of around five minutes (up to 1,000 words), written and read by some of the best contemporary writers.We're looking for edgy, engaging stories about modern life - stories which work well when read aloud." AUDIO
Aesthetica - "Aesthetica engages with contemporary art, contextualising it within the larger cultural framework." PRINT
African Writing - "new, unpublished work. Our natural constituency of writers and material are African or Diasporan (please interpret boldly) but we will publish any writer who writes into the African Condition (please interpret boldly). We are adventurous in our definition of Africana, but we will also publish good literature generally." PRINT
Albedo One - " Ireland's longest-running and foremost magazine of the Fantastic. Since 1993, we have published stories of both Irish and international authors which push at the boundaries of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror." PRINT PAYING
AltHist "the new magazine of Historical Fiction and Alternate History. Lovers of historical fiction for too long have been denied outlets for short pieces of fiction, as the number of print and online magazines for historical short fiction is very limited compared to the popularity of fiction set in past times. Alt Hist’s mission is to provide readers with entertaining and well-written short stories with a historical setting, whether portraying actual events or events that could have happened. If you read and enjoy historical fiction, alternate history or historical fantasy then we think you will like Alt Hist.… " EZINE
Ambit - "quarterly, 96 page magazine that prints original poetry, short fiction,art and reviews." PRINT, PAYING
Banipal - "publishing contemporary authors and poets from all over the Arab world in English translation" PRINT
The Battered Suitcase - "We welcome all work that explores the human experience of any genre: literary, experimental, mainstream, speculative, paranormal, poetry, narrative non-fiction, and humor. We don't wish to hang labels on good writing. We hope to provide a safe space for writers who've gone underappreciated because the industry has led them to believe that they don't fit a particular format. We hold no editorial bias in regards to stories for or about individuals of any race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or planet of origin." PRINT EZINE
The Beat - " a showcase for new and exciting writers and artists. The site is now published on a rolling basis, so we will post any new work as and when we see fit (rather than on an issue basis that we began with)" EZINE
Beat the Dust "Submissions to Beat the Dust are by invitation only, with the exception of the July edition, which is open to all writers to submit. For this issue we are keen to hear from writers with ‘kiss my shades!’ attitude who 'live life in the raw, grapple with it bravely and attack it with naked fists' when they put pen to paper (quote by John Fante in Ask the Dust). Beat the Dust is about inventive, hard-hitting, intelligent, honest, emotive, thoughtprovoking writing. Of particular interest is writing that involves some kind of contradiction or breaks a rule or convention in some way… " EZINE
Bewilderbliss - " a quarterly magazine published in Manchester; it’s a high-quality publication showcasing the capabilities of new writers in the area." PRINT
Black Market Review -poetry, flash fiction, short stories EZINE
Bloody Bridge Review - "publishes short literary fiction and poetry, with new material uploaded weekly. We like things that are surreal, difficult, imaginative and darkly comic in terms of content, but relatively traditional in terms of form. We're not really into experimental writing, but we might be surprised, so send it anyway." EZINE
Bottom of the World - "fledgling literary magazine based in the UK. It seeks to show off new prose (and poetry) to an unsuspecting world" PRINT
BRAND - "specialize in the short form; left of field work; international writing. We publish high quality, original short stories, plays, poems, creative non-fiction." PRINT PAYING NO LONGER ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
Brittle Star - "a ‘little’ magazine which, for its size, contains a surprising variety of new work: poems, stories, interviews." PRINT
Burning Houses: “Short stories, poetry, essays, "art and anything else accepted as long as it reflects the modern worlds." PRINT
The Cadaverine - " publishes the best new poetry and prose by emerging authors under the age of 25.From urban gothic to high modernism, cyberpunk to scathing satire, science fiction to fictitious cookery," EZINE PRINT
Cake - "new, exciting literary magazine based at Lancaster University, calling all fresh-baked submissions of poetry, flash fiction and more!" Subs: themixingbowl@hotmail.co.uk PRINT (I think!)
Cambridge Literary Review - " welcomes submissions of previously unpublished poetry, short fiction, literary criticism and political commentary." PRINT NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED WORK
Carillon -"wide-ranging poetry and prose from contributors across the world, plus book reviews and a readers’ competition." PRINT PAYING subscribers only
Chimera - "verse and prose in serious and lighter vein on a range of topics. Philosophical, confessional, satirical, polemics, speculation, pastiche, essays, reviews, fiction" EZINE
Cherrypicked Hands "I prefer short stories to be short. Poems can be as long or as short as you want, as long as I like them. like poems that describe all kinds of things in all kinds of wonderful ways. I don't like experimentation for experimentation's sake - although I do like it, sometimes, for the poem's sake. Talking of prose, I like short stories that are short - say, below 2,000 words, though I might consider slightly longer pieces. I also like them to be funny, and strange. I like short stories that leave a quiet hum in my head, and that contain characters who I would like to know in Real Life" EZINE
Chroma Journal - "is published twice a year. We accept submissions from all people who identify as queer, regardless of sex and sexuality. Each issue is themed." PRINT
Cossmass Infinities "is a Science Fiction and Fantasy audio magazine. Our first episode was published in January 2010. We are looking for short stories, ideally, between 4000 -- 8000 words.Stories should be either Science Fiction or Fantasy, or even a blend of both. Try to avoid mediaeval-fantasy though. Previously published stories are welcome." AUDIO PAYING
Countryside Tales -" illustrated magazine in A5 format and is published quarterly...interested in any material with a countryside/rural theme." PRINT PAYING
Crimewave - "outstanding modern stories of crime, mystery and suspense, as well as borderline material which uses genre elements in a new way" PRINT
Cyphers - Ireland's longest running literary magazine founded in 1975, publishes Irish poetry, in Irish and English, and poetry in translation, as well as some prose fiction and criticism and graphic art." PRINT
Dead Drunk Dublin: - "online literary arts magazine dedicated to attracting poets, writers and artists who are looking through the obvious" EZINE
East of the Web - "is keen to provide exposure for writers by offering them a place where their work will be seen and read in a high quality, respected setting. The site receives about half a million unique page views per month"
The Edge - "publishes short stories of more than 2000 words (not whole novels or sequels to work published elsewhere). Many have urban themes, and/or could be described (by others) as modern and borderline gothic horror/fantasy/sf, slipstream, crime fiction or erotica; please don't send clichéd stories. Experimental work is welcome. There is always room for new names." PRINT PAYING
Edinburgh Review - publishes essays, short fiction, poetry and reviews aimed at an educated reading public with an interest in critical thought. Since its inception in 1802, the magazine has balanced a strong Scottish focus with a keen interest in international intellectual currents" PRINT
First Edition - "Whether you've written a short story, poem, complete novel, or book review we want to hear from you. We run a monthly competition in each of these categories that is completely FREE to enter." PRINT
Flash - a biannual literary magazine, publishing quality short stories and occasional articles and reviews of up to 360 words. PRINT
Fractured West - " seeks stories of honesty, fury, humiliation, and unusual beauty for first print issue. 500 words max...new and emerging writers particularly encouraged." PRINT.
Friction "the new online space for creative writing and non-fiction published by the Newcastle Centre for Literary Arts and edited by the students on the MA and PhD programmes in creative writing at Newcastle University. will publish work from leading writers, nationally and internationally, both established authors and first time writers. We’ll publish a selection of stories, poetry, flash fiction and other creative work that won’t easily fit into categories." EZINE
Frogmore Papers - mostly poetry but also "prose may be experimental or traditional, but is unlikely to be accepted if it's either very experimental or very traditional." PRINT
Fuselit - "is looking for work that you wrought or forged using the next issue's title (a spur word) as your inspiration point."
Granta - "committed to discovering and publishing the finest new fiction and non-fiction from around the world" PRINT PAYING
Gutter magazine - "a new, high quality, printed journal for fiction and poetry from writers born or living in Scotland. The editors believe there is a need for an energetic, ambitious magazine dedicated exclusively to the best in new Scottish creative writing." PRINT
Horizon Review - short stories and poetry EZINE
Ink, Sweat and Tears - "webzine that explores the borderline between poetry and prose in the digital age" EZINE
Inkspill magazine - " The aim of Inkspill Magazine is to publish great quality work, with a creative internal layout. Not only will it publish short stories and poetry, but articles, debate, art, readers' letters etc." PRINT EZINE
Iota - "quarterly literary magazine founded in Derbyshire in 1987 and enjoys a longstanding reputation for publishing excellent work from new and established writers - poetry and prose."
Kerouac's Dog - launching Sept 2010: " an Independently published quarterly, inspired by American writer, Jack Kerouac and the 1950s Beat generation. It's a bold and exciting platform for new writing, design, illustration, photography, architecture, fashion, and creativity in general. Bound together with overarching themes of freedom; truth; beauty; love; travel; wanderlust; sex; taboo; and fringe." PRINT
LabLit - "dedicated to real laboratory culture and to the portrayal and perceptions of that culture – science, scientists and labs – in fiction," EZINE
LauraHird.com - "Submissions of previously unpublished short stories (4,000 words max), flash fiction, poetry (send 6-8 poems at a time), film / book / music / best tunes (300 words on a favourite song) / gigs / exhibition / lit mag / chapbook reviews (send samples of previous work), interviews and articles" EZINE
Liars League - "monthly, themed short story reading event based in central London, where the stories are written by emerging authors, performed by professional actors, and watched by a literature-loving crowd. Winning stories are read live (and recorded for later download) every second Tuesday of the month, and then published to our website." LIVE EZINE
Linnet's Wings - "We are looking for well-crafted fiction with full plots and strong characters that you own the copyright to, but do remember if the work you submit is of an adult nature, provide a warning to that effect in its title or promotional sentence we won't publish pornographic or racist based work" EZINE
The Literateur - "new online literary magazine featuring interviews with luminaries of the literary world, articles, reviews and exciting new creative works." EZINE
Litro - "free monthly literary magazine. We publish new, original short fiction that excites us.... distributed widely near London Underground stations, in libraries, galleries, bars, cafes and other venues in the Capital and beyond" PRINT
The London magazine -"article and feature ideas, as well as poetry and short fiction submissions." PRINT
The Manchester Review - "existing only online, with new issues appearing each spring and autumn. These will often include broadcasts of new music, public debates and video pieces, as well as visual art, fiction and poetry." EZINE
Matter magazine - features the best new writing by past and present students of the university’s respected MA Writing programme alongside work by established guest writers." PRINT
Midnight Street -horror, science fiction, dark fantasy and slipstream EZINE
Midnight Street -horror, science fiction, dark fantasy and slipstream EZINE
Moving Worlds - "a forum for creative work as well as criticism, literary as well as visual texts, writing in scholarly as well as more personal modes, in English and translations into English. It is open to experimentation, and represents work of different kinds and from different cultural traditions" PRINT
Neon (previously FourVolts)- "UK-based literary magazine, published online every quarter, and featuring the kind of imaginative, stylised poetry and prose not generally found in British magazines. We focus particularly on the new, the experimental and the strange." EZINE PAYING
New Walk magazine - "We welcome letters,essays, reviews and other poetry-related features. Please contact us if you have any ideas or wish to submit. We are also looking for a small amount of short fiction and artwork." PRINT
The New Writer - "Short stories from subscribers and prizewinners only. The magazine does not consider unsolicited manuscripts but each issue contains up to four short stories from subscribers and guest writers, limited to a maximum 4,000 words on any theme and in any genre." PRINT PAYING
The Night Light: "The Night Light is an online magazine based in Manchester, England. We’re a disorganised cooperative publishing stories, plays, poems, essays and artwork." EZINE
Notes from the Underground - Comic stories, sketches, cartoons and comic poetry, Longer short stories up to a maximum of 1800 words, Very short stories of only one or two sentences, Travel Writing and reportage, Poetry PRINT EZINE
Notes from the Underground - Comic stories, sketches, cartoons and comic poetry, Longer short stories up to a maximum of 1800 words, Very short stories of only one or two sentences, Travel Writing and reportage, Poetry PRINT EZINE
Paraxis: “an online publisher of short stories. Partial to the unnerving, uncanny and fantastic. Tired of arguments about literary versus genre and genre versus literary - we just love well written imaginative fiction. Slightly sporadic in its publishing schedule.” EZINE
Patricide - "All interested writers and artists are invited to submit work for publication in a new journal with a first edition to be published in the first half of 2010 as a limited edition of 100 A5 perfect bound books.Work should engage with the interface between documentary practice and surrealism. Written work should be within the range of 1 to 1000 words, images may take any form suitable for reproduction in monochrome." PRINT
The Penniless Press - " The eclectic North-West based magazine of poetry, prose, reviews and comment." PRINT
Penumbra - "If you've got something original to say and a fresh way of saying it, we want to hear from you. What we're after: 1. short stories (up to 2,500 words) 2. poetry 3. reviews (books, theatre, music; between 500—1,500 words)." PRINT
Planet magazine - " bi-monthly magazine covering the arts, culture and politics in Wales and beyond. In addition to features on and interviews with contemporary Welsh artists and writers, it includes political analysis, both of Welsh affairs and international issues. Several poems and one short story are published in each issue" PRINT PAYING
Polarity magazine - "sets out to fill a hole in the soul of today’s culture-kestrels. Sitting somewhere between McSweeney’s magazines (The Believer, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern) and that dark blend of European surrealism forefronted by Georges Bataille (Documents, Story of the Eye), Polarity aims to tickle its readers’ hearts, minds and rude bits, with a selection of visual art, poetry, prose and articles. (But no reviews. Well, we might decide to break our own rules.) Appearing three times a year, or as often as we can manage, each issue will be organised around two falsely polarised concepts, forming an artefactual expansion of the metaphorical substance of each." PRINT
Prole - "Prole promotes accessible literature of high quality. Anything that we publish will be intelligent, engaging and impact the reader in a variety of ways. We want to appeal to a wide audience and reconnect a broad readership with excellent examples of poetry and short prose. Anything that sniffs of literary elitism is highly unlikely to make it through the editorial process. If it does, it�s only because we won�t have noticed and the piece has other areas of merit. Obscure references and highly stylised structures and forms that exist only to aggrandise the writer and appeal to the coffee lounges of our older universities are not welcome." PRINT
Pulp.net - short stories - on a break right now. EZINE
Prole - "Prole promotes accessible literature of high quality. Anything that we publish will be intelligent, engaging and impact the reader in a variety of ways. We want to appeal to a wide audience and reconnect a broad readership with excellent examples of poetry and short prose. Anything that sniffs of literary elitism is highly unlikely to make it through the editorial process. If it does, it�s only because we won�t have noticed and the piece has other areas of merit. Obscure references and highly stylised structures and forms that exist only to aggrandise the writer and appeal to the coffee lounges of our older universities are not welcome." PRINT
Pulp.net - short stories - on a break right now. EZINE
The Pygmy Giant - "an online home for UK flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and pretty much anything else under 800 words. We aim to publish something new on the site approx. every other day." EZINE
Random Acts of Writing - "a Highlands-based writing magazine, and we are keen to publish writers who are either based in the north of Scotland, or whose work is relevant to the area. We have a commitment to new writing and unpublished writers" PRINT
Ranfurly Review - We accept fiction and poetry on almost any subject and in any genre. We will from time to time publish special genre editions, so if your work is accepted it may be held over until publication. We are looking for fiction that is engaging and thought provoking, maybe a touch humourous or a tear-jerker. Whatever it is, it must be well-written and engaging." EZINE
The Reader - "Poetry and short fiction accounts for 20-25% of each issue of The Reader." PRINT and we encourage published and non-published writers to send in their work
Ronin Press Phase 47 periodical: "We choose to focus on the alternative & subversive, but we will consider all forms of writing and subject matter....up to 10,000 words a piece, any style." EZINE PRINT
Riptide - "bi-annual anthology of new short fiction by both established and emerging writers. We are committed to providing a forum for high quality, innovative fiction, expanding the readership of the short story genre and enhancing its standing" PRINT PAYING
Salt magazine - "publishes poetry, short stories, essays, articles and reviews on contemporary literature and culture. The magazine appears twice yearly in April and October" EZINE
Sein Und Werden - "both an on-line and in-print publication, with different content in each. Every issue is themed and though non-themed work will be accepted, I will only consider these after a decision has been made on any themed material. Bear in mind that longer stories will automatically go in the print publication, and unless otherwise specified, colour artwork will go online." PRINT EZINE
Shadowtrain - "a bi-monthly gathering of poems, translations, articles and other writings, from the lyrical to the innovative, whatever stings and stuns the editor." EZINE
Shortfire Press - "We are a digital-only publisher specialising in short stories from emerging and established writers.Everyone is busy nowadays. But there's always time for a short story. Here you'll find stories, short and sweet, which you can buy one by one. That means you can discover new writers and new stories and read them in the time it takes you to get to work, wait for a friend in a bar, or in any spare moment you have to yourself.We're looking for great literary/upmarket fiction which is plot-driven, has an original voice and is fresh and vibrant. Word counts should be from 2,500 words to 15,000 but every one of those words must count - no flab, please." EZINE PAYING
SHORT Fiction - "If you want to know what kind of fiction to submit, we direct you to see our first issue... which is another way of saying, we like exceptionally well-crafted stories and form-breaking fiction which has narrative drive and dynamic tension." PRINT PAYING
Short Fuse - "one of Sussex’s best short fiction nights. Writers of short stories can showcase their work at our live lit nights which take place monthly at Komedia’s Studio Bar in Brighton and at The Rooms Cafe Bar in St Leonards/Hastings" LIVE
Smoke: A London Peculiar - " a 52-page magazine of words and images inspired by the city" ON SABBATICAL PRINT
Solander - "published twice yearly, in May and November, interviews, articles, short fiction and comment - the only such magazine in the world for enthusiasts of historical fiction." PRINT PAYING
Southpaw Journal - " a quarterly independent journal dedicated to showcasing short fiction contributions from unpublished writers. Looking for short, gritty, punchy entries. Based in reality. Originality, verve and substance are the key words." EZINE
Southword Journal - "a literary journal featuring poems, fiction and reviews and published biannually by the Munster Literature Centre" EZINE PAYING
Sparks - "A flash-fiction evening in Brighton. Stories are accompanied by a commissioned photo, projected behind the author as they read." LIVE
Spilt Milk Mag - "Nothing delights us more than discovering an orgy of words woven together in such a way that we're left aching to lay them out on a dirty floor and roll around like frenzied gerbils." PRINT EZINE
Spokes - "welcomes poetry, short fictional prose and images of all kinds - with a particular interest in the culturally engaged and the fantastic. Spokes is 'published' twice yearly." EZINE
Stand magazine - "quarterly literary magazine established in 1952. Jon Silkin founded Stand as "an attempt to remedy the intellectual situation of reader and poet" in response to our need for "something more human . . . for art and a public which is prepared to be receptive" where the art in Stand is "what is simple in expression and human in its context; for the chances that the compound will be profound and worth reading are reasonable." PRINT PAYING
Staple - a magazine of poetry, short fiction, articles, reviews and images published three times each year. PRINT
Stinging fly - "welcomes submissions from Irish and international writers. We are looking for writers who have something to say, and who have taken the time to say it well. We publish poetry and short stories." PRINT PAYING
Stride magazine - "gathering of new poetry, prose poems, articles and reviews (or whatever takes our fancy), Stride is regularly updated with new contributions. Enjoy your visit." EZINE
Streetcake magazine - " the magazine for innovative, visual and experimental writing " EZINE
Structo - "a fiction and poetry magazine, containing original work as well as features on, interviews with, and essays by some of the most interesting writers from all sorts of fields." EZINE
The Subterranean Literary Journal - "The journal aims to be a timeless tribute to the written word, avoiding the fleeting moments of trends and fashion, remaining date-less with each issue numbered as it is created. It explores humanity and the lives of people the world over, through fiction and non-fictional stories. Each issue is handmade and put together by the subterranean literary journal." PRINT EZINE
Tales of the DeCongested & DeCongested Tales - "monthly evening of live fiction, run monthly at The Wheatsheaf on Rathbone Place & monthly magazine. Sixty pages of new writing - featuring stories from our live events as well as other contributed writing." LIVE PRINT
Tears in the Fence - "an independent literary journal, open to a wide variety of critically aware voices and perspectives. We are an international magazine and have editorial bases in England, France, Australia and USA. We publish poetry, fiction, translations, reviews and essays by known and developing writers from around the world." PRINT
Transcript - "news, reviews and articles, profiles of writers, translators and publishers, and samples of the best contemporary writing from all corners of Europe."
Trespass magazine - "classy, beautifully designed magazine packed with the most dangerous and exciting poetry, art, short fiction and music." PRINT
Under the Radar: "Because of the increasing high-standard of work submitted to us, and because we've aimed for some time now to be able to include more short stories, reviews and articles in each issue, we are taking Under the Radar up to the next level." PRINT
Under the Radar: "Because of the increasing high-standard of work submitted to us, and because we've aimed for some time now to be able to include more short stories, reviews and articles in each issue, we are taking Under the Radar up to the next level." PRINT
The View from Here - "a print and on-line literary magazine with author interviews, book reviews, original fiction & poetry and articles. We exist to provide an environment for authors and poets to feel connected and inspired and to showcase new talent. We showcase the weird, unusual, thought provoking and occasionally bizarre. We classify ourselves as "Bohemian Eclectic" PRINT EZINE
Wasifiri- "a literary magazine primarily concerned with new and postcolonial writers, it continues to stress the diversity and range of black and diasporic writers world-wide." PRINT
White Chimney - "A4, 32 page and full colour journal, was established to promote the work of both published and unpublished poets, short story writers, playwrights and artists, internationally" PRINT
The White Review "quarterly arts, culture and politics magazine, published in print and online, and established on a non-profit economic model. The website is updated with new, usually web-only content several times each week....Edited, designed and defined by an emergent generation of London-based writers and artists, the magazine is creating a space for a new generation to express itself unconstrained by form, subject or genre.Writers wishing to submit fiction and poetry should make it clear whether they wish to be considered for print or web, or both. "PRINT EZINE
Writers Hub - "The Birkbeck Writers’ Hub accepts submissions of poetry, fiction and non fiction four times a year. For fiction and non-fiction we accept submissions up to 5,000 words and poetry up to five poems. We publish work under the creative commons licence and would prefer to receive work that is not published or under consideration elsewhere" EZINE
Wyvern magazine - "specifically designed for the readers and writers of teen and young adult fiction. The magazine is packed full with author interviews, how to articles, teen fiction, short stories, features of artists, and news from our readers and authors at Wyvern" EZINE
The Yellow Room - "aims to be the best literary short-story magazine around for women by women" PRINT PAYING
