Happy Friday, writers!
Today is a great one for all you budding and established short story writers.
In today’s creative FWN roundup, we’re sharing a new edition of literary magazines and journals that actually pay writers for short stories.
You’ll find full details on what each outlet publishes, how much they pay for poetry, and when they’re open to submissions.
The focus here is on outlets that are either open all the time or that commission on a reliable, recurring schedule. That includes weekly features, rolling windows, or multi‑month reading periods.
Use this list as a working submission list: pick the lit mags that match your style and payment goals, prepare your submissions carefully, and start sending them out on a regular cadence. Plenty of these are even free to submit to!
P.S. Check out all 220+ daily gigs we shared this week — some fab opportunities still live and waiting for you!
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30 Lit Mags Paying for Short Stories
PRISM international
Accepts fiction from writers in Canada and worldwide: one piece at a time, preferably 4,000 words or fewer, or up to three flash pieces under 1,000 words in one document. The reading fee is CAD $3 per submission, with Submittable’s Inclusive Access option for writers who cannot afford it. Simultaneous submissions are accepted; current UBC School of Creative Writing students and faculty are ineligible.
Payment: CAD $40 per printed page, plus two copies.
Open in issue-specific windows announced on the submission page; the 65.2 window runs through November 15.
The Malahat Review
Welcomes previously unpublished English-language short fiction, including translations, from Canadian and international writers. Canadian writers pay no fee, while international writers, including US writers, pay CAD $7 per submission. It does not accept previously published work (in print or online) or AI-generated work, and asks for one submission per genre per calendar year.
Payment: CAD $70 per published page, plus two copies and a one-year print subscription.
Open January 1–June 30 each year for Canadian writers and February 14–28 for international writers, or until the monthly cap is reached.
The Georgia Review
Publishes literary fiction; submit one double-spaced story with no firm length limit, though it rarely publishes pieces of 9,000 words or more. Online submissions carry a $3 processing fee; current subscribers may submit online free by emailing for a link, and general paper submissions are free aside from postage. Previously published work is not considered, and work by current University of Georgia students is not accepted.
Payment: $50 per printed page, up to $800, plus two copies.
Open August 15–May 15.
The Cincinnati Review
Accepts unsolicited fiction through its online submission manager, with no reading fee for general submissions. Each submission period opens on the first day of the month and closes when its cap is reached, so early submission is advised.
Payment: Pays $25 per page for prose.
Open during September, December, and May, closing early if the cap is reached.
Join today for 50% off your first three months and get immediate access to the opportunities, support, and practical tools that can help you spend less time searching for work and more time landing it.