Publishing 101: A Guide To Literary Journal Submissions & How To Get Published

As a writer or poet looking to share your work with the world, finding open literary journal submissions can feel overwhelming. With so many platforms logging submission opportunities—like ChillSubs, Submission Grinder, and Submittable—it’s easy to get lost in an endless sea of options. If you’re new to submitting, the sheer volume of calls for submissions and their varying requirements can be intimidating. But don’t worry—I’ve been there! Through submitting over 150 pieces (with 60+ acceptances), I’ve developed a system that simplifies the process. Here’s how you can find and organize literary journal submissions like a pro.

Where to Find Open Literary Journal Submissions

1. Use Social Media to Discover Opportunities

My first submission outside of my college was an anthology call I found on Instagram. Inspired by the theme, I wrote and submitted a poem—and soon, I had my first published piece. This experience taught me that social media is a goldmine for finding submission opportunities. Many publications post submission calls on their Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook pages, giving you insight into their aesthetic and themes. Follow publications that resonate with you so you never miss an open call!

2. Follow These Literary Journals and Magazines for Regular Submissions

If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few literary magazines that frequently have open submissions and unique themes:

• The Infinite Blues Review (@theinfinitebluesreview)

• Vellichor Literary Magazine (@vellichor_lit)

• Vial of Bones Magazine (@vialofboneszine)

• On The High Literary Journal (@onthehighliteraryjournal)

• The Morgue Magazine (@themorguemag)

• Cosmic Daffodil (@cosmic_daffodil)

• Querencia Press (@querenciapress)

• Moss Puppy Magazine (@mosspuppymag)

  
  

Of course, In Her Space Journal is another great option! These are just some of my favorites, but keep in mind that these accounts are ones that suit my writing style and aesthetic, so if you don’t see one here that resonates with you, keep searching!

3. Leverage Followers for More Submissions

Once you find a publication that aligns with your style, check out its “followers” list on social media. Often, other literary mags or journals follow and interact with them, leading you to even more submission opportunities tailored to your genre and aesthetic.

How to Choose the Right Submission Call

1. Look for Themed Issues

A broad call for submissions can feel overwhelming. Themed issues, however, provide clear direction. If a specific publication has a theme, you can quickly decide if it aligns with your work—or use it as inspiration for something new. Themed calls are also helpful because they offer insight into the preferred genres and styles.

2. Check Submission Guidelines Carefully

Each online publication has unique submission guidelines, including word count limits, accepted genres, and simultaneous submission policies. Always read the guidelines thoroughly to ensure your work meets their requirements.

How to Organize Your Literary Submissions

Once I started tracking submissions, I realized I had dozens of tabs open and struggled to keep track of deadlines, guidelines, and past submissions. My solution? A literary submissions tracker.

To help you stay organized and streamline your submission process, subscribe to our blog below and get access to In Her Space Journal's FREE Literary Submissions Tracker! This tool is designed to keep you on top of your submissions, track your progress, and ensure you never miss a deadline—all without the stress.

Finding and organizing literary journal or magazine submissions doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By leveraging social media, following the right websites, looking for themes, and using a structured submission tracker, you can streamline the process and focus on what really matters—your writing.

There’s a literary journal or magazine out there for every style and genre, so keep submitting, stay organized, and don’t get discouraged. Happy writing!

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Emily Holman is a writer, artist, and Editor at In Her Space Journal. She is a queer, autistic author with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from California State University, Chico and is currently working on a Master’s degree in Literature and Writing at California State University, San Marcos. She is also an editor at The Infinite Blues Review. She has loved writing ever since she was able to speak. Even when she was too little to write, she was still excited to ask someone else to write her stories down for her. Holman’s short fiction has appeared in Doors of Darkness by Terrorcore Publishing, Into the Night by Ghostwatch Zine, Trembling with Fear by Horror Tree, Rebirth by Styx Papers, Lust at First Bite by Nebula Nexus, The Manzanita by California State University, Chico’s English Graduate Council, and many others. Her Instagram handle is @maximumsparrow.