Getting your poetry or short stories published in a literary magazine takes hard work and preparation, and success can depend on factors like fit, both with the magazine as a whole and with the specific issue editors are assembling. Being prepared gives your work its best chance.
As a book editor and the founder of Cypress Review, I’ve seen what makes a submission stand out. Here are six tips I share with writers who are ready to start submitting.
1. Read the literary magazine before you submit
Before you submit, read several pieces from their published issues. Notice whether the editors prefer a lyrical or narrative style, traditional or more experimental pieces. Often, the deciding factor has to do with fit, so don’t get discouraged if you receive a lot of rejections. Just do your research and keep going.
In your submission, follow the submission guidelines carefully. Elements like word count, formatting, and file types all count, and ignoring them can get your work rejected unread. Also note that many magazines consider anything posted on a blog or public social media to be previously published.
2. Polish every poem or story
Editors read hundreds of submissions, and too many errors give them an easy reason to pass. Revise for clarity and flow, and ask a friend or colleague if it lands.
Sometimes an editor might accept a poem, contingent upon an edit. But if there’s too much to change, they’ll likely decline the piece. Having a varied packet also helps increase your chances:
3. Build a varied submission packet
I’ve often had to decline a packet because I only received one poem. Though I might like the writer’s style, the one poem doesn’t fit the issue we’re building.
Whenever possible, submit as many pieces as they’ll allow, and show your range in terms of topic, style, and tone. That way your pieces won’t blur together.
4. Write a strong cover letter and author bio
Keep your cover letter brief. List your titles, and mention why your pieces are a fit for their magazine. Make sure to address them professionally (with a name, if available). Your third-person bio should note relevant publications, workshops, or anything related to your career as a writer.
But if you don’t have any of those, that’s okay too. Either way, you can mention where you’re from and what you do, or a fun fact; editors love a bio with some personality. For reference, many literary magazines prefer a third person bio, and some are capped at 50 words.
5. Submit strategically and track your submissions
Pair a few reach journals with smaller or newer magazines, which often have higher acceptance rates. Tools like Duotrope, NewPages, Submittable, and Chill Subs help you discover literary magazines, as well as track open calls and where each piece has gone.
Most magazines allow simultaneous submissions now, but remember to withdraw the piece everywhere else when it’s accepted. Keep an eye on reading periods, since many magazines only open for submissions at certain times of year. Some also charge a small submission fee, often to offset platform fees, but plenty are free to submit to.
6. Don’t give up after rejection
Remember that literary magazines can take six months or more to respond, and rejections are a part of the process, even for established writers. A “no” often reflects fit or timing rather than the quality of your work. Keep writing and revising, and you’ll get there.
Cypress Editorial is now providing publication assistance services, which will expand in 2027. If you’d like help getting your work in literary magazines, please reach out. I’m happy to edit your poems or story, cover letter, and bio, as well as to provide guidance on where to submit.
Want to know when Cypress Review opens for submissions? Subscribe for updates on our reading periods.
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