by Scarlett Choi
So you’ve just finished a piece of writing. Maybe it’s a one-stanza poem you’ve been whittling down for months. Maybe it’s a 5000-word personal essay, detailing one of your most meaningful experiences. Regardless, you’ve done the work and you’re proud of it. You’re ready. Now all that’s left to do is share it with the world.
Only, let’s be transparent: the submission process is grueling. It’s exhausting to hunt down your favorite literary magazines, only to find that they don’t match your word count, medium, or topic. Submission fees sting and rejections ache. With all that in mind, how can you make the submission process just a little easier?
Trust us, we’ve been there, many times over. Everyone at The Writers Circle is a writer, even our back-office staff! That’s why we sat down and compiled a list of five resources to help. These submission aggregator sites allow you to browse through a variety of publications and home in on those that give your work its best shot. Plus, you’ll get to know their submission fees and deadlines so you can keep yourself on budget and on schedule.
Your work deserves to be read, so check it out!
Submittable. Submittable is one of the most popular search engines for writers and literary magazine editors alike. Through the “Discover” tab, you can sort all kinds of opportunities. And once you find a publication that calls to you, the submission process is easy and accessible, with clear, distinct places to add your piece, cover letter, and writer’s bio. Many popular, well-regarded publications use Submittable, including the Kenyon Review and Ninth Letter. What’s more, it allows you to keep tabs on your pieces through their excellent submission tracker. If you’re looking for something straightforward and affordable, head over to Submittable!
Duotrope. Launched in 2005, Duotrope has now existed for over twenty years. Its database, full of publishers and agents, is incredibly expansive. With highly developed statistics, you will find an impressive amount of information about your desired publication. Duotrope also has an excellent newsletter that allows you to customize your reading experience, hone in on specific genres, and even pick which day of the week you’d like to receive it. Unlike some other options, however, Duotrope charges a membership fee: $5/month or $50/year. If you want a robust search engine with highly respected publications, Duotrope is the site for you!
ChillSubs. As a newer search engine, founded in 2022, ChillSubs has a refreshingly easy, user-friendly interface, and a platform that improves day by day. Their newsletters inform subscribers about submission windows, themes, and even job opportunities. They also provide excellent visibility for smaller, independent publications. Searching the database is free, but additional features, such as workshops and their newsletter, The Sub Club, may require upgrading to either their Better membership ($10/month) or Best membership. ($20/month.) If you want a search engine that’s brand new, fun, and easy to use, try ChillSubs!
Poets & Writers Database. Founded in 1970, Poets & Writers is the country’s largest nonprofit for writers of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. In an attempt to build a strong network of New York writers, the organization has spread valuable publication advice through their printed magazines and directories. Now, still a fountain of information, Poets & Writers has an online database featuring a wide variety of publications. Moreover, the database includes a thorough catalogue of competitions and prizes, which you can sort by forms, fees, and deadlines. If you want a heavily vetted, historic site that is deeply loved in the MFA world, check out the Poets & Writers Database!
The Submission Grinder. The Grinder has a huge catalogue of listings, and it’s completely free. The site loves speculative genres and spotlights everything strange, horrifying, whimsical, and new. For that reason, it tends to pay attention to themes and publications that bigger submission search engines might miss. The search engine is a reliable, accessible resource with a great submission tracker. It also builds a sense of community through publicizing data on who’s hearing back from where. If you’re a genre writer looking to hone in on the speculative, The Submission Grinder is the engine for you!
Publication is hard for all writers. It takes perseverance, patience, and a hefty pinch of luck. We hope that these resources will help smooth out the process a little.
And if you need a writing community to help you develop your work and cheer you on, that’s what we’re here for, with workshops and events all throughout the year.
Best of luck on your publication journey. See you at The Writers Circle!
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Scarlett Choi
is a writer, musician, and rising senior at Bennington College. This summer, she’s been a huge help working as The Writers Circle’s social media intern. We wish her a fantastic final year at college!
