Thank you
, , , , , , , and many others for tuning into my live conversation about literary magazines with managing director !Shannan and I covered everything from the fundamental "why" submit to literary magazines through practical strategies for selection and submission, and dealing with rejection.
This conversation is part of MFA Lore’s Well Published! live series with hot new authors and industry professionals about the truths and tricks of getting… well published!
SAVE THESE DATES for our next Well Published! live conversations:
PUBLISHING GLOBALLY- Live with debut novelist Min, who lives in Shanghai and has a US publisher, Thursday, August 28, 6pm PT.
BOOK PUBLICITY- Live with book publicist extraordinaire , Thursday, September 18, 12 noon PT.
Introducing Shannan
Shannan Mann is an award-winning poet and essayist who holds a head-spinning array of “day jobs” in and around literary publishing. She is managing director of the Sub Club Substack, the newsletter of Chill Subs– which we’ll discuss in depth. She’s also the founder and creative director of ONLY POEMS, a terrific poetry journal which also has a Substack. On top of all of that, she’s a mom and an MFA student at Virginia Tech.
Some of the most valuable insights from our chat include Shannan's emphasis on making your relationship with literary journals fun rather than grueling, her detailed breakdown of how to research magazines using tools like
, and her refreshingly realistic perspective on payment and recognition in the literary world.Our discussion also touched on important contemporary issues like AI submissions and the changing funding landscape for literary magazines, suggesting a future trend toward more localized, community-based publishing efforts.
Your take-aways
Why Submit to Literary Magazines?
Bottom Line: Literary magazines serve as a crucial first step in building a literary writing career, whether pursuing traditional publishing, indie presses, or academic writing. Beyond validation, they offer community building and professional networking and can be genuinely enjoyable when approached with the right mindset.
Strategic Approach to Magazine Submissions
Research Methods:
Use
database [https://www.chillsubs.com/ ]to filter by genre, vibe, payment status, and social media followingCheck magazines' social media presence—newer, smaller magazines often have more engaged, loving communities than prestigious publications
Be aware of magazines that only accept agent submissions (Paris Review, New Yorker)
Vibe Categories on Chill Subs:
"Very fancy, very impressive, very not fast" (top-tier but intimidating)
"Top tier stuff, not Paris Review but okay"
"Send us your best but less intimidating"
"New lit mag who dis" (newer publications)
"We're just chilling here" (relaxed, higher acceptance rates)
"Weird outsider what the fuck even is this"
"Send us your worst" (tongue-in-cheek, edgy content)
Practical Submission Guidelines
Your Reading Requirements:
Not realistic to subscribe to every magazine you submit to
Focus on finding magazines you genuinely enjoy and feel aligned with
Free-to-read magazines are preferable—paywalls for literary content are problematic
Transition from strategic optimization to authentic attraction as you gain experience
Editorial Landscape:
University magazines often have rotating student editors (every 1-3 years)
Independent magazines offer more consistent editorial vision and personality
Most magazines (99%) welcome international authors
Age of editors doesn't significantly impact acceptance odds due to sheer number of available magazines
Contest Strategy
When to Enter:
Research thoroughly: check prize history, named judges, clear timelines
Ensure contests actually select winners (avoid magazines that reserve right not to award prizes)
Look for contests that include magazine subscriptions for entry fees
Consider it similar to gambling—fun occasionally, but shouldn't be your primary submission strategy
Financial Considerations:
Set a budget for both submission fees and contest entries
Many magazines offer fee waivers when requested genuinely
Don't hesitate to ask for waivers during financial hardship—editors are generally accommodating
Payment and Recognition
Payment Reality:
Few magazines pay meaningful amounts ($10-$100 typical range)
Era of living on magazine earnings is long gone
Payment indicates magazine's commitment but shouldn't be sole criterion
University magazines often require excessive paperwork for small payments
Bio and Contest Recognition:
Include runner-up positions, shortlists, and honorable mentions in your bio
Update your bio with progressively better achievements, replacing lesser ones
Celebrate all levels of recognition—they all count
Revision and Rejection Philosophy
Handling Rejection:
Submit to 5-6 journals simultaneously
View rejection as an opportunity for revision, but understand that no one editor’s opinion should determine the work's value
Tracking Systems:
Use simple spreadsheets or Chill Subs tracker feature
Avoid relying on Submittable for tracking—it's designed for editors, not writers
Keep organized but don't let tracking your submissions become obsessive
Future of Literary Publishing
The Arts’ Funding Challenges:
Government arts grants being slashed
Magazines must become more independent and resourceful
Expect shift toward smaller scale, community-based operations
More grassroots zines and local community efforts likely
Technology Impact:
AI submissions causing some magazines to temporarily close (like Clarkson's World)
AI writing generally identifiable by poor quality
Expect movement toward more personal, physical spaces as reaction to AI proliferation
Return to "walled garden" communities based on trust
Philosophical Approach
Making It Fun:
Approach submissions as enjoyable exploration rather than grueling necessity
"Fumble around in the darkness" and embrace the process
Don't make it life-consuming—can be a fun side project
Balance authentic attraction to magazines with strategic considerations
Community Over Competition:
Literary magazines create communities, not just publication opportunities
Support magazines by reading and engaging, even if not subscribing to all
Value magazines that promote their writers and show genuine care
Remember that the publishing landscape is collaborative, not just transactional
EVEN MORE SUBMISSION TIPS!
Women, Submit Your Work!
When I was teaching in Goddard’s MFA program, Visiting Professionals would come to each residency to speak with our students. One year we invited my friend Tom Lutz , Founding Editor of LARB— LA Review of Books—and he shared an insight that I still find as disturbingly true as it is galvanizing.
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