Writers' Guidelines for Great Literary Magazines

Ploughshares, Southern Poetry Review and The Kenyon Review

Nov 9, 2009

Annual writing contests offer publication to writers who are willing to pay small entry fees in order to compete. Publications seek writers with the "IT" factor.

Writers should compete in writing contests whether they are young writers or more experienced authors. Entering a writing contest can sometimes feel like a futile project but contests can help a writer know where he stands in a sea of writers.

While there are possibly hundreds of writing competitions held each year, it can be difficult to find the right match; an editor who wants to promote your writing in his magazine's contest or annual publication.

Publish Your Writing

Finding the right place for a collection of stories or poems can be a frustrating task but realizing that editors are looking for new writers all the time should help a writer take that next step to publication.

Matching a writer's style to the style of a magazine or small press can take hours of study. Included here are three prestigious literary magazines that offer publication and contests for the seriously dedicated writer.

Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry and a limited amount of nonfiction. Published three times a year, Ploughshares highly recommends that each entrant submits one prose piece or 1-3 poems. If the entrant has been previously published or has won any literary awards, this is the place to include previous publication credits.

Considered one of the "top literary journals in the country", Ploughshares is selected continuously for the top annual prize anthologies such as The Best American Poetry, The Best American Short Stories, The O. Henry Awards, and The Pushcart Prize; Best of the Small Presses.

The reading period for Ploughshares is Aug. 1 through Mar. 31. Since Ploughshares receives over one thousand manuscripts per month, they are asking for patience while they "plough" through each and every submission. They pay $25 per printed page, with a $50 minimum pay out per title.

"The second oldest poetry journal in the region, with its origins in Florida and subsequent moves to N.C. and now Georgia, SPR publishes poems from all over the country as well as from abroad and maintains a worldwide readership."

Southern Poetry Review accepts submissions year-round, publishing a semi-annual literary magazine and sponsors an annual contest with prizes. SPR hopes to find the best writers of today who they believe can become the next generation of leading poets.

This prestigious international journal of literature, culture and the Arts presents "the best writing of today while shaping literature's tomorrow," as noted by publishers on the website. The Kenyon Review hopes to introduce "new voices alongside the most respected writers of our generation showcasing writing that breaks new ground, illuminates and expands point of view."

The Kenyon Review has been one of the most honored literary reviews for almost seventy years with its "vibrant poetry, brilliant short stories and thoughtful essays." The reading period is from September 15 through January 15 each year with a four month response time.

Improve Writing Skills

For writers who feel as though they need a little guidance or help to get to the next level in writing, whether it means becoming a stronger writer or just connecting with other writers, these tips can help:

The most valuable step a writer can take is to believe in himself. Noah St. John, President of The Success Clinic tells us, "Studies show that between ten and fifteen million men and women in the U.S. alone stop themselves from being a success." You alone hold the key to your success in writing.

The copyright of the article Writers' Guidelines for Great Literary Magazines in Writer's Markets is owned by Vicki F. Chavis. Permission to republish Writers' Guidelines for Great Literary Magazines in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.