18 Paying Lit Mags, Always Open

Introducing our new weekly Friday creative writing roundup.

Hello and welcome to the first of our Friday creative writing roundups on the Freelance Writing Network.

As you’ll have seen on FWN this week, we’re now a home for all kinds of creative writers, not just those working in the professional space.

That means more lit mags, more awards and prizes, more places to submit your work (including books you’ve written), plus grants, residencies, and much more — everything you could possibly need to help get your writing in print.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This isn’t especially relevant to me,” then just hit this link and untick the section ‘✍️ Creative Submissions, Prizes & Awards’. You’ll still receive everything else on the network, but you won’t see creative writing-themed posts in your inbox.

For those of you who are interested, today we’re kicking things off with 18 excellent literary magazines that pay writers and are always hungry for new work.

Time to find your next literary home!

P.S. Check out our roundup of all 250+ gigs we shared this week — some fab opportunities still live and waiting for you!

---

18 Lit Mags Paying Writers (That Always Want Submissions)

Clarkesworld
A Hugo, World Fantasy, and British Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine with a permanently open rolling submission system. Accepts SF/F short stories of 1,000–22,000 words; also welcomes translations and nonfiction (query first). Known for lightning-fast turnaround, often within 48 hours. Does not accept simultaneous submissions or horror (though dark SF/F is welcome).
Payment: $0.14/word.

The Sun Magazine
An independent, ad-free American literary institution open January 1 to December 31. The online portal applies a rolling monthly cap — when the cap fills, it resets the following month — making it effectively perpetual. Publishes personal essays, fiction, and poetry in any genre; no preference for form or subject as long as the work is honest, searching, and human.
Payment: $200 and up.

Rattle
One of the most widely read poetry journals in the US, accepting unsolicited poetry 365 days a year with zero submission fee and no deadline. Submit up to four poems at a time; simultaneous submissions are not only allowed but actively encouraged. Also features a weekly “Poets Respond” column paying $100 per poem responding to a current news event (submit by midnight the Friday before publication).
Payment: $200 per poem published in print; $100 per poem published online only.

CRAFT Literary
An independent online literary magazine with general submissions always open and always free — no seasonal windows, no fees. Publishes flash fiction (up to 1,000 words), short fiction (up to 6,000 words), flash creative nonfiction, and creative nonfiction essays; also commissions craft essays and interviews. Accepts international writers; simultaneous submissions welcome. Each accepted creative piece includes a published author’s note on craft.
Payment: $200 for short fiction and creative nonfiction; $100 for flash fiction and flash CNF; $50–$100 for craft essays and interviews.