Queer literary magazines

June is Pride month, so we thought we’d focus this month’s list on queer literary magazines and journals. Although all the publications we recommend on our site welcome LGBTQ+ writers, in this list we wanted to highlight the select few specifically dedicated to LGBTQ+ writers and readers. If that’s not you, feel free to check out our other lists.

Most of the publications on this month’s list are open only to writers who identify as LGBTQ+, including nonbinary/genderqueer. A few also accept writing from allies that feature LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Unless otherwise noted they do not charge submissions fees and do accept simultaneous submissions.

For more resources, check out Lambda Literary. They regularly post calls for submissions, residencies, and other opportunities for LGBTQ+ writers.

 

Note: We are a creative writing school and compile these lists for the benefit of our students. We’re happy to answer questions about our courses but please don’t send us your publishing queries or submissions :). Instead, click on the green links to go to the publication’s website and look for their submissions page. For more great places to submit as well as our best tips on getting published, check out our other lists and resources.

 

Foglifter is a biannual, San Francisco-based print journal that only features LGBTQ+ writers. They’re looking for “transgressive, risky, challenging subject matter, innovative formal choices, and work that pushes the boundaries of what writing can do”. They accept writing in any form (fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction) and are particularly interested in cross-genre work. You can send in 3 to 5 poems (up to 5 pages total), 7500 words of fiction or non-fiction (maximum 3 flash fiction pieces), and up to 20 pages of cross-genre work (text-image mixes or drama). If accepted, writers receive 50 USD and two copies of the edition they are featured in and may be nominated for several literary awards. Their submission window is 1 March to 1 May for the autumn edition and 1 September to 1 November for the spring edition.

 

Limp Wrist is an e-zine for poetry that is published twice a year as “a journal with queer sensibility promoting LGBTQIA+ poets, non-binary poets, and their allies”. They accept up to 6 poems per submission, and aim to get back within 3 months from the reading closure date. Their submission periods are 1 November – 31 January for the Spring Issue, and 1 June – 15 August for the Fall Issue, so submissions are currently open for interested poets.

 

The Gillian is a quarterly journal that publishes in both print and e-book format. They only accept submissions from LGBT+ and non-binary writers and are looking for both poetry and fiction. The limit is 1-2 poems for poetry submissions and up to 3000 words for fiction, and up to 500 words for flash fiction. Submissions are currently open for their Winter/Christmas Issue.

 

Plenitude Magazine is an online Canadian magazine that only accepts submissions from LGBTQ2S+ writers (and some submission periods are limited to Canadian writers only). They accept submissions of up to 5 pages for poetry and up to 5000 words for fiction and creative non-fiction. Their response time ranges from one to six months. If accepted, writers receive 50 CAD per poem and 100 CAD per prose piece. Fiction and creative non-fiction submissions are now open for Canadian writers until 30 June 2023. Poets and non-Canadian writers, check back on 1 October 2023.

 

beestung is a “quarterly online micro-magazine of non-binary writers that’s sweet and stings.” They only accept submissions from writers that identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or two-spirit. They accept poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and hybrid submissions, and are particularly interested in “exploration and the expansiveness and possibilities of writing”- and multilingual work and work in translation are also welcome. Their response time is at least 3 months; if accepted, writers receive 20 USD. They are temporarily closed for submissions until 1 December 2023.

 

Stone of Madness Press is an online quarterly magazine that is dedicated to “creating a literary magazine that celebrates unconventionality”. They only accept submissions from writers who identify as queer, trans, or neuro-diverse. They accept poetry submissions of up to 2 poems (no more than 4 pages in total), and prose up to two flash pieces or one longer prose piece less than 1500 words. They also accept previously published work, and will usually respond within a week. Submissions are open for the entire months of December, March, June, and September.

 

Fourteen Poems is a “London-based print poetry journal, publishing the most exciting LGBT+ poets three times a year.” They only publish 14 poems per issue, and are interested in experiences with “sex, love, race, gender, and life in the global LGBTQ+ community”.  They accept up to 5 poems per submission, and writers will receive 25 GBP for each poem that’s published. They have a rolling submission format, and the next deadline is 1 September 2023.

 

Travesties?! is an online queer magazine that accepts submissions from writers who identify as LGBTQ+. They are open to all kinds of writing, from poetry to fiction and creative nonfiction, and are looking for “pieces that are queer in all senses of the word.” They don’t have strict limits for submission but advise against exceeding 5 pages. They also accept previously published work. Submissions are open year-round.

 

Canthius is a feminist magazine that is published bi-annually in print format. They only accept submissions from marginalized gender identities, including genderqueer, cis-women, transgender, non-binary, two-spirit, agender, and GNC writers. They accept submissions of poetry (up to 5 poems) and prose (up to 3500 words). Their response time is about 3 months. If accepted, writers receive 50 USD for one page and 25 USD for every additional page. They have submission caps for each month and are consequently closed for submissions at the moment, but they will once again be open on 1 July 2023 when the cap resets.

 

Autostraddle is “the most popular, and oldest independently-owned, website for lesbian culture that’s inclusive of trans and nonbinary people and all queer women”. They aim to highlight feminist queer, lesbian, and trans voices and publish a wide variety of non-fiction on their website, including personal essays. You can send in pitches or work in progress, as well as complete submissions. Their current rates for accepted work range between 80-200 USD. Submissions are open year-round.

 

Prismatica is an online quarterly magazine that focuses on fantasy and science fiction that includes short stories and poetry. They only accept submissions from writers who identify as LGBTQ+ and will “happily include magical realism, contemporary science fiction, urban fantasy, and more.” The limit is 10 000 words for fiction submissions and 1000 words for poetry, and both must include characters that identify somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. They usually respond within 3-4 weeks. Submissions for their 18th issue are currently open.

 

Baffling Magazine is an online quarterly featuring fantasy, science fiction & horror stories with a queer bent. They’re looking for flash fiction up to 1200 words and would love to see more sub-500 word stories. The editors will try to make a decision within 120 days.