Lit Mags Accepting Submissions in March 2026

The latest guide to paying markets, submission dates, and publishing opportunities.

March brings fresh opportunities for writers looking to share their work with the world. Next month is packed with literary magazines opening their submission windows, offering diverse platforms for fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and more.

This roundup highlights literary magazines actively seeking submissions throughout March, with details on genres accepted, submission guidelines, and deadlines.

Every single one of these literary magazines is paying writers for accepted submissions.

Remember to carefully review each magazine’s submission guidelines before sending your work. Take time to read recent issues to ensure your writing aligns with their aesthetic and mission. With thoughtful submissions and a bit of persistence, March could be the month your work finds its next (or first) literary home!

The full collection with links, deadlines, and submission details is available below in full for paid subscribers.

Not looking for creative writing opportunities? You can update your FWN preferences using this link so that you only receive the opportunities you really want.

Lit Mags Accepting Submissions in March 2026

New Feathers Anthology
An online literature and art magazine published three times annually, with a year-end print anthology. New Feathers accepts literary fiction of all forms (including experimental or genre elements), poetry, creative nonfiction (memoir, personal essay, lyric and experimental work, hybrid forms), and visual art.
Payment: Contributor copies only.
Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Short Fiction (UK)
A UK-based journal seeking short fiction. Open to all writers outside the USA.​ They have wide-ranging tastes and have happily published traditional character-driven stories next to non-conformist work of extraordinary innovation. We admire and love poets and memoirists, but can’t accept poetry or life writing.
Payment: £0.02 per word.​ Minimum of £30, maximum of £100.
Deadline: March 1, 2026 (or until cap is reached).​

Gulf Coast
A prestigious nationally distributed literary journal housed at the University of Houston’s English Department. Gulf Coast publishes fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and translations. Submit up to 5 poems, fiction or essays up to 7,000 words. Simultaneous submissions accepted. No previously published work.
Payment: $50 per page for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction (print); $50 for poetry, $100 for prose (online exclusives).​
Deadline: March 1, 2026.​

Black Warrior Review
A prestigious literary journal at the University of Alabama seeking unpublished poetry, short fiction, essays, comics, artwork, and hybrid texts. They are particularly interested in stories by and about underrepresented people, artwork that witnesses the current moment, and poetry that explores personal and/or political history. $5 submission fee per entry; fee waivers available for financial hardship.
Payment: Pays but amount varies per issue and contributor count).
Deadline: March 1, 2026.​

The Forge Literary Magazine
Seeking prose — they prefer stories under 3,000 words but will consider up to 5,000. Free submissions open on the 1st of each month and close when the cap is reached, so submit early.​
Payment: $100 regardless of length.
Deadline: Opens March 1, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.​

Teach. Write.
Accepting fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, and CNF. They prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students, or about teaching and learning.​
Payment: $15 for short stories, creative non-fiction, and essays; $10 for all other categories​
Deadline: March 1, 2026.​

Toronto Journal
Seeking short stories from anywhere in the world, with no word limit. They will also consider nonfiction pieces set locally or exploring Toronto/GTA history. All published writers receive two printed copies.​
Payment: $50 CAD per piece.​
Deadline: March 1, 2026.​