Where to Submit Creative Writing for Publication

If you're looking to publish your creative writing and gain recognition, knowing where to submit your work is crucial. This guide provides insight into where to find suitable venues for your poetry, short stories, memoirs, and novels. Submitting your work to the right places can give you credibility and impress your peers, paving the way for a stronger writing career.

Understanding Your Genre and Style

Before you start submitting your creative writing, it's important to understand the different types of writing and where they typically find their audience. Common types of creative writing include:

Poetry: Written in lines and stanzas, often exploring emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Short Stories: Typically concise narrative pieces, often focusing on a specific theme or plot point. Memoirs: Personal accounts of an author's life experiences, often reflecting on lessons learned. Novels: Extended narrative works that explore complex characters, settings, and plots.

Each type of writing has its own set of publishers, journals, and online platforms that are well-suited to it. Understanding the genre and style of your work will help you target the best submission opportunities.

Digital Magazines and Journals

Many digital magazines and journals are looking for well-written, impactful stories across various genres. Here are some places where you can submit your creative writing:

Poetry Submissions

For poetry submissions, consider the following digital magazines and journals:

- The Poetry Foundation’s official website for poetry and poets. Poetry Review - A monthly online literary journal that focuses on poetry and poetry reviews. Mussels Review - A community-driven, international online literary magazine that accepts poetry.

When submitting your work, carefully review the submission guidelines provided by each publication. Many digital magazines have specific requirements for submission, such as thematic focus, length limits, and formatting rules. Adhering to these guidelines will increase your chances of acceptance.

Short Story Submissions

For short story submissions, consider these digital magazines and journals:

Asymptote Journal - A digital literary platform that features translations and original English-language writing. The Writing Exchange - A platform for writers to share and publish short stories, essays, and poems. An Eume - A global literary journal that focuses on the short story genre and offers competitions and publishing opportunities.

Short story publishers often value originality, strong character development, and well-crafted narratives. Tailoring your submission to the publication's focus can make a significant difference in its acceptance.

Memoir Submissions

Memoirs seek to capture personal experiences and life lessons. Consider these digital venues:

LitHub - A daily online literary publication offering news, reviews, and features for writers and readers alike. The Nation - A renowned progressive publication that periodically hosts memoirs and personal essays. The Atlantic - A leading online and print magazine that publishes memoirs alongside other forms of literature.

Memoir writers should prepare a compelling and personal narrative that resonates with a wider audience. Ensuring your writing is both emotionally engaging and thought-provoking will be key to its success.

Novel Submissions

Novels require longer narrative and character development. For novel submissions, consider:

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - A platform to support and connect writers during the month-long challenge. Imaginative Workspaces - A platform for writers to get feedback, connect with readers, and publish their work. Goodreads Challenges - A community-driven platform that offers challenges and writing prompts for novelists.

Novelists may also want to consider traditional publishing routes through literary agents and larger publishing houses. However, digital platforms can provide a valuable starting point or a way to find an agent.

Tips for Successful Submissions

To maximize your chances of success when submitting your creative writing, follow these tips:

Read the submission guidelines carefully: Always read the specific guidelines of the publication you are submitting to, as even small differences in requirements can impact acceptance. Follow proper formatting: Many publications have specific formatting rules. Adhering to these rules can ensure your submission is professional and easy to read. Be persistent: Not all submissions will be accepted, and rejection is a natural part of the process. Continuously seek feedback and refine your work. Network: Connect with other writers and editors. Networking can provide you with leads, feedback, and even direct submission opportunities. Consider multiple venues: Don't limit yourself to just one publication. Submitting to multiple venues increases the likelihood of your work being accepted.

Closing Thoughts

Submissions play a critical role in your writing career. By understanding your genre, identifying the right publications, and following submission guidelines, you can significantly increase your chances of being published. Remember, the key is persistence and dedication. Good luck with your writing!