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For an unpublished short story writer, what magazines or online publications offer the best chance of being recognized?

11.06.2025 11:01

For an unpublished short story writer, what magazines or online publications offer the best chance of being recognized?

If you’re not shy about that sort of thing, Literotica is a publication specializing in-you guessed it-erotic fiction.

Writer’s Digest (are they even around anymore?) used to have good contests; in 1998 or so, I came in 61st place(!) in the “Literary Short Story” category. I thought that was pretty good; 61st out of hundreds or maybe thousands who entered in that category. Basically my first effort ever in a national competition.

If mystery is your thing, I think Ellery Queen magazine is still around and I assume still takes submissions for contests, etc.

Trump is going to target known criminals in the country illegally for deportation. The Democrats have vowed to fight him every step of the way. Don't they understand this is one of the issues that cost them the white house, the house and senate?

Go to a bookstore (a large chain bookstore) and go to the magazine section. Find a magazine of the type of story you’re interested in writing, whether mystery, fantasy/sci-fi, horror, etc. Happy writing!