Lit Mags Accepting Submissions in May 2026

Your May guide to paying markets, submission dates, and publishing opportunities.

May brings lots of new opportunities for writers looking to share their work with the world. This roundup 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 May, 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, May could be the month your work finds its next (or first) literary home!

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.

---

Want to hone your creativity skills?

Tawny Lara sees Tarot cards as tiny little pieces of witchy art with a rich, complex history. Tarot cards are one of her many tools for writing prompts and introspection.

In this 2-hour generative writing class, we’ll use Tarot imagery across the ages as writing prompts. Think art history meets journaling, with zero pressure and zero fortune-telling. Just a relaxed, inspiring space to write, think, and explore. Come hang!

---

Lit Mags Accepting Submissions in May 2026

Sundog Lit
An independent literary journal publishing two issues per year, accepting poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Favours muscular prose, experimental nonfiction, and work that plays boldly with form. Submit short stories up to 3,000 words, flash (up to 3 pieces under 750 words each), nonfiction up to 4,000 words, or poetry. The first 300 submissions per reading period are free.
Payment: $50 upon publication.
Deadline: May 1, 2026.

IHRAM Press – Stories of Land, Climate & Resistance
The International Human Rights Art Movement’s literary magazine, publishing poetry, fiction, essays, and art from creative activists worldwide. This Q2 2026 edition focuses on environmental disaster, climate change, and communities left vulnerable by governments. Poems up to 5 per submission; prose up to 2,500 words.
Payment: $50 per accepted written piece.
Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Iron Fang Press – Wish You Were Here
A horror anthology focused entirely on the theme of vacations gone wrong — road trips, beach resorts, European tours, lakeside retreats, and everything in between. Seeks horrifying, spooky, or unsettling short stories. Maximum 7,000 words. No reprints; no AI-generated content. Up to two stories per author (submitted separately). Accepted authors also receive a paperback copy.
Payment: CAD $30 per story.
Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Flame Tree Publishing – Climbing High
A call for speculative short stories exploring female ambition for Flame Tree’s Beyond & Within anthology series. Seeking stories where female ambition is treated differently, aspiration in the face of adversity, and ambitions that extend beyond our contemporary world. Original stories only; no reprints.
Payment: $0.08/£0.06/word for original stories.
Deadline: May 3, 2026.