Curious about literary magazines to submit short stories, non-fiction, and poetry in India? Then this post is for you.

Well done! By completing the piece you have been working on, you have completed the first step towards getting published. Now, let’s move toward the second step.

Introduction

Have you written something, but don’t know where to publish it? Maybe you’ve written poems you want to publish? Or a short story? Or maybe it is a work of non-fiction you want to publish on a credible platform? Further, do you wonder if you can get paid for your work? Or if there are literary magazines that focus specifically on India / South Asia?

We encountered these questions repeatedly in our workshops and from the participants of our various programs. So, we put together this list which we update regularly.

Why should you submit to literary magazines?

Irrespective of the genre of creative writing, getting published is very important for a writer. For many short-story writers, finding a good home for their work matters a lot. Even if having a published book to your credit is your ultimate goal, having short stories/poetry/non-fiction published in literary journals is an important milestone. It helps you add to your author profile and create a reader base that comes in handy when your book is released.

Getting published in prominent, well-recognized sites boosts your confidence. Exposure means people read your work, and that means feedback. That in turn helps you hone your writing skills.

Before we share the list of literary journals and magazines where you can submit your short stories, a few quick points:

1. The magazines/journals have been listed in alphabetical order.
2. All the below-mentioned magazines accept submissions only in English. In some cases, they accept translations too but those also need to be in English. We have a separate list of Literary Magazines in Hindi.
3. At the time of publishing this article, all the mentioned literary journals and magazines did not have any submission fees unless specifically mentioned (sometimes in the case of annual print editions). However, that is subject to change at the discretion of the editorial team of the respective journals and magazines.
4. Most of the magazines accept short stories across genres, however, some are specific to certain genres and themes of their issues. These have been highlighted in their respective cases below.
5. We have included the literary journals and magazines which accept submissions from writers based in India.
6. Most of the magazines have submission periods during which they are open to submissions and for the rest of the year, they are not. Do read the submission guidelines before submitting.
7. Last, but not least, the list is dynamic and we will keep updating it from time to time. In case you feel we have missed out on any of your favorites, do let us know in the comments.

This list of literary journals and magazines is not just a great place to publish. These are also great places to read good writing.

{Check out our post about 15 Contests and Awards for Poetry in India}

Disclaimer: Himalayan Writing Retreat has no affiliation with any of these magazines or websites. We have solely collated a list as a reference guide for writers. In case of any queries, please write to the concerned magazines on the email ids provided on their sites directly. Team HWR will be unable to respond to any queries regarding your submissions to them.

List of  Literary Magazines to submit Short-Stories, Book Reviews, and Essays.

1455

Originally conceived as a magazine “by writers for writers” 1455 has greatly expanded its scope and seeks to celebrate storytelling of all types. Each issue of Movable Type revolves around a theme, and 1455 welcomes submissions year-round. Each issue will be accompanied by a live (virtual) reading, featuring the contributors.

• Submission Guidelines: 1455’s Movable Type eMagazine (1455litarts.org)
• Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays, memoir, visual art, photography, etc
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

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Antiserious

Antiserious is a quarterly magazine of essays, fiction, and poetry, and a blog that is a web archive of Indian culture and politics.

• Submission Guidelines: https://antiserious.com/antiserious-submit-4ea3a20c087f
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Good

ARC Poetry

For over 40 years, Arc has been pub­lish­ing the best in con­tem­po­rary poetry. 

• Submission Guidelines: https://arcpoetry.ca/submissions/
• Genres: Poetry
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Literary Quotient: Good

Ashvamegh- International Journal & Literary Magazine

Ashvamegh is a monthly literary journal cum magazine that aims at keeping the flight of literature always at the height that it deserves.

• Submission guidelines: https://ashvamegh.net/submission/
• Genre: All, except the following:
  • something that invokes terrorism
  • something that deliberately insults the sentiments of a religious community
  • something that calls for violence in any of its kind
  • unnecessary use of abusive words
  • erotica
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Asymptote Journal

Asymptote is the premier site for world literature in translation.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.asymptotejournal.com/submit/
• Genres: Unpublished translated poetry, fiction, nonfiction and drama.
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Literary Quotient: Good

Borderless Journal

Borderless is a literary journal based in Singapore accepting submissions from across the world.

• Submission Guidelines: https://borderlessjournal.com/submission-guidelines/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Cafe Dissensus

Cafe Dissensus is an alternative magazine dealing in art, culture, literature, and politics. It’s based in New York City, USA. We DISSENT. The magazine also runs a blog, Cafe Dissensus Everyday.

• Submission Guidelines: https://cafedissensus.com/forthcoming-issuecall-for-contributions/
• Genre : All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

CHA: An Asian Literary Journal

Cha is dedicated to publishing quality creative works from and about Asia. At this time, we can only accept work in English or translated into English.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.asiancha.com/wp/submission-guidelines/
• Genre: All (Though there are contests organised regularly which are theme-specific- the contest entries are also a part of the journal, if selected)
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

{Check out our post about 15 Contests and Awards for Short-Stories in India}

Chaicopy – MCPH Literary Journal

A bi-annual literary journal dedicated to upcoming voices started in January 2023.

• Submission Guidelines: https://chaicopy.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/
• Genre: Poetry, fiction, visual art and creative non-fiction
• Submission Fees: NIL
• Compensation: NIL

Contemporary Literary Review India

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.literaryjournal.in/index.php/clri/sg
• Submission Fees: NIL
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

eFiction India

eFiction India is a professionally produced independent magazine devoted to showcasing the work of writers with a connection to the Indian subcontinent.

• Submission Guidelines: http://www.efictionindia.in/submit/
• Genre: All but should be relevant to the theme of the issue. Writing should adhere to a mild R rating. Sexuality, violence, and unsavory language are acceptable but contributors should avoid the explicit and the gratuitous. Also, no erotica.
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Gemini Magazine

Gemini Magazine is best for Flash Fiction, Short Fiction & Poetry

• Submission Guidelines: https://gemini-magazine.com/submit-contact/
• Genre: Fiction, Poetry, Art
• Compensation: $20
• Literary Quotient: Good

Grain Magazine

Grain is an award-winning literary quarterly magazine that publishes engaging, challenging, and ground-breaking writing and art. 

• Submission Guidelines: https://grainmagazine.ca/submit
• Genre: Fiction, Literary Non-Fiction, Poetry, Visual Art
• Compensation: Between $50 per page to a maximum of $250
• Literary Quotient: Very Good

Granta India

Granta India is a branch of the renowned Granta magazine. They are dedicated to curating contemporary Indian writing in all its forms.

• Submission Guidelines: https://granta.com/submissions
• Genre: Fiction & Non-Fiction
• Submission Fee: £3.50 
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Half And One

Half And One is a space for cartoons and comics, journalism and narrative non-fiction, poetry and fiction. They produce original, quality and off-beat written, audio, and visual content. They produce videos, documentaries, podcasts, and films. Their content is fun, interesting, wide-ranging, diverse, and thought-provoking.

• Submission Guidelines: https://halfandone.com/submissions/
• Genre: Fiction, Narrative Non-Fiction, Poetry
• Compensation: Not mentioned.
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Hammock Magazine

Hammock is a platform for contemporary writing from the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Whether it’s fiction, narrative non-fiction, interviews, recommendations, personal essays, culture or something that doesn’t quite fit any of those, their goal is to bring you what’s fresh and pushes the envelope while employing an author-first approach.

• Submission Guidelines: About | Hammock
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Not mentioned.
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Helter Skelter

Helter Skelter is an online magazine with a focus on independent and alternative cultures in India. The scope of content includes films, books, theatre, food, music, art, and travel — personal essays, social commentary, human interest pieces, interviews, features, reviews, photography, and lots more.

• Submission Guidelines:About | Helter Skelter Magazine
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Payment has not been mentioned on their site.
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Himal South Asian Mag

Himal Southasian is Southasia’s first and only regional magazine of politics and culture.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.himalmag.com/submissions/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: They pay for everything they publish. On average Himal pays USD 100-150 for an article, subsequent to publication.
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

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Indian Literature (Sahitya Akademi)

Indian Literature is Sahitya Akademi’s bi-monthly journal. Considered to be India’s oldest and the only journal of its kind, it features translations in English of poetry, fiction, drama, and criticism from 23 Indian languages besides original writing in English.

• Submission Guidelines: http://sahitya-akademi.gov.in/journals/indianliterature.jsp
• Genre: All 
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Indian Review

Indian Review, as the name suggests is a literary journal based in India.

• Submission Guidelines: https://indianreview.in/submit-your-work/
• Genre: All except genre fiction ( e.g. horror, science fiction, mysteries) and any work containing explicit or erotic language
• Compensation: If they are able to get sponsors, they aim to pay.
• Literary Quotient: Medium

{Check out our interview with Kritika Pandey, the 2020 Commonwealth Short Story Prize Winner}

Indian Ruminations

Indian Ruminations is a monthly online literary journal especially dedicated to Indian English literature.

• Submission Guidelines: http://www.indianruminations.com/submission/submit-form/
• Genre: All (prefer works that reflect different aspects of social issues with literary appeal)
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

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Joao-Roque Literary Journal

Established in 2017, Joao-Roque Literary Journal celebrates Goa through its writings. They invite submissions from residents of Goa, Goans in diaspora, and non-Goans exploring Goa-related issues.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.joaoroqueliteraryjournal.com/submit
• Genre: All ( Writing has to be related to Goa)
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

{Check out the list of 50 Literary Awards in India}

Kitaab

Headquartered in Singapore, Kitaab provides a writing and publishing platform to emerging and seasoned writers from South Asia to express themselves creatively.

• Submission Guidelines: https://kitaab.org/submissions/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL (Some of the stories will go into the upcoming anthologies/journals by Kitaab and authors will be paid royalties for their contributions.)
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Lekh

The Lekh magazine is an exploration of the narratives that shape our world. We delve into the realms of literature, history, culture, philosophy, and geography, offering insightful articles, engaging podcasts, and thought-provoking content. Our mission is to ignite curiosity, foster understanding, and inspire meaningful conversations about the stories and ideas that connect us.

• Submission Guidelines: https://lekh.co/write-for-us/
• Genre: Literature, history, culture, philosophy, and geography
• Compensation: Not mentioned
• Literary Quotient: Medium

MAYDAY

MAYDAY aims to be a home for marginalized and underrepresented voices, a beacon of plurality, craftsmanship, and literary excellence.

• Submission Guidelines: https://maydaymagazine.com/submit/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Between $10 to $20
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Mean Pepper Vine

MeanPepperVine publishes The Mean Journal, a quarterly online literary magazine that aims to provide a platform for established and emerging writers alike. Started in 2022 by two HWR alums Salini Vineeth & Ruati Chhangte, the magazine accepts a wide range of creative works including short stories, flash fiction, travelogues, non-fiction, photo essays, and illustrated works.

• Submission Guidelines: https://meanpeppervine.com/submissions/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Nil
• Literary Quotient: Good

Muse India

Muse India is a literary e-journal with the primary objective of showcasing Indian writings in English and in English translation to a broad-based global readership.

• Submission Guideline: http://www.museindia.com/MuseIndia/submission
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL (However, all the writers submitting their work should be registered Members of the journal. If they are not already so, they should enroll as Members. Membership is free.)
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Mithila Review

Mithila Review is an international science fiction and fantasy magazine founded in late 2015 with focus on speculative fiction and poetry.

• Submission Guidelines: https://mithilareview.com/submission-guidelines/
• Genre: Speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, science fantasy, horror, alternative history, magic realism, uncanny and weird)
• Compensation: If/when their Patron funds permit, $10 for original poetry, essays, flash stories (under 2.5K words), and reprints; $50 for original stories between 4-8K words or longer.
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Narrative Magazine

Narrative regularly publishes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, including stories, novels, novel excerpts, novellas, personal essays, humor, sketches, memoirs, literary biographies, commentary, reportage, interviews, and features of interest.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.narrativemagazine.com/submit-your-work
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Literary Quotient: Good

Out of Print

Out of Print magazine is an online platform for short fiction with a connection to the Indian subcontinent.

• Submission Guidelines:  http://www.outofprintmagazine.co.in/submission-guidelines.html
• Genre: All except offensive, excessively violent or sexually explicit writing.
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Good

Poetry without Fear

This is a bilingual online quarterly magazine of poetry in English and Assamese.

• Submission Guidelines: https://poetrywithoutfear.com/guidelines-for-submission/
• Genre: Poetry, Prose
• Submission Fees: A minimum fee for submissions for English translations, none for Assamese poem
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Pratilipi

Pratilipi is an online platform for Indian literature that publishes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and translations. 

• Submission Guidelines: Pratilipi
• Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translations
• Compensation: Varies
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Reactor Magazine

Previously know as Tor.com, Reactor Magazine continues to encourage original fiction and reviews and opinion pieces.

• Submission Guidelines: https://reactormag.com/submissions-guidelines/
• Genre: Fiction (especially Science Fiction & Fantasy), Reviews, Opinions
• Compensation: Paid
• Literary Quotient: Good

Setu Magazine

Edited by an international board of talented Hindi and English authors, poets, journalists and critics from across the globe, Setu is a peer-reviewed monthly journal of literature and art. Setu also focuses on diasporic writings and features most happening, cutting-edge works in Hindi and English.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.setumag.com/p/write-for-setu.html
• Genre: Fiction, Non-fiction (Creative), Poetry, Translation
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Literary Quotient: Good

Shooter Magazine

Shooter is a biannual literary magazine featuring entertaining, well crafted stories and poetry from the best new writers, showcasing original artwork on the cover of each issue.

• Submission Guidelines: https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/
• Genre: Short Fiction, Poetry, Flash Fiction
• Compensation: £25 per story and £5 per poem
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Storizen

Storizen is a literary ezine based in India which also has a physical magazine released annually.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.storizen.com/submission-guidelines/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Good

The Caravan

The Caravan is India’s first long-form narrative journalism magazine which also publishes short stories.

• Submission Guidelines: https://caravanmagazine.in/pages/submit-to-us
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Unspecified
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

{Check out the list of 16 Publishing Houses for Poetry in India}

The Bombay Review

The Bombay Review is a bi-monthly online literary magazine publishing short fiction and poetry, with annual print anthologies.

• Submission Guidelines: https://thebombayreview.com/submit/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Good

The Bangalore Review

TBR publishes exemplary writing from all over.

• Submission Guidelines: http://bangalorereview.com/submissions/
• Submission fee: $ 3
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

The Letters Page

The Letters Page is a foundation for a literary journal crafted of letters.

• Submission Guidelines: https://theletters.page/submit/
• Genre: Essays, stories, poetry, memoirs, travelogue, and criticism; but all in the form of letters. 
• Compensation: Subscriptions
• Literary Quotient: Good

The Little Journal of Northeast India

This is a journal featuring art and literary content from Northeast India.

• Submission Guidelines: https://the-little-journal.com/guidelines
• Genre: Fiction, poetry, essays, photo essays, and art.
• Submission Fees: NIL
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

The Lookout Journal

The Lookout Journal is a quarterly magazine that invites submissions on a specific theme for the issue.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.thelookoutjournal.com/contact
• Genre: Theme specific for every issue
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

{Here’s a list of 50 Traditional Publishing Houses in India}

The Missing Slate

The core value of The Missing Slate (TMS) is to amplify and promote representation of voices from marginalized communities through literary and artistic works and all editorial decisions.

• Submission Guidelines: https://themissingslate.com/submit/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Good

The Shanghai Literary Review

The Shanghai Literary Review is a biannual English-language print magazine that features quality creative work from or about Asia and introduces new voices to the critical conversation on world literature and publishes it both in print and online.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.shanghailiterary.com/submissions/
• Genre: All
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

The Punch Magazine

The Punch Magazine is an initiative by Punch Art and Culture Foundation and is a monthly digital magazine of arts, literature, and culture featuring fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, and interviews.

• Submission Guidelines: http://thepunchmagazine.com/contribute#submission
• Genre: All
• Submission Fees: Undisclosed (http://thepunchmagazine.com/submission-fee)
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Purple Pencil Project

The Purple Pencil Project aims to talk about literature in various Indian languages through different mediums events, awards, videos, books, merchandise.

• Submission Guidelines: http://www.purplepencilproject.com/general-submission-guidelines/
• Genre: No poetry. Short Stories, Personal Essays, Memoirs, Book Reviews, Reportage are welcome
• Submission Fees: NIL
• Compensation: Undisclosed
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Uncharted

Uncharted Magazine has been a premier publisher of short fiction and the newest platform from the team behind The Masters Review, CRAFT, Fractured Lit, and The Voyage Journal. They seek stories that provide a thrilling escape, a surprising new world, or a brain-twisting mystery.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.unchartedmag.com/submit/
• Genre: Genre Fiction
• Compensation: $200 for original fiction
• Literary Quotient: Good

Wasafiri

For 40 years, Wasafiri has published the very best works of and on international contemporary writing and culture, placing critics alongside leading novelists, poets, and playwrights, to generate exciting cross-genre and inter-regional conversations.

• Submission Guidelines: https://www.wasafiri.org/about/submit/
• Genre:  innovative creative and critical writing that, in form, focus, or theme, seeks to expand the boundaries of global literary culture.  
• Compensation: Between 50 to 200 GBP
• Literary Quotient: Excellent

Women Empowered India

WE are a literary and creative arts community with a keen focus on acknowledging the literary contributions of women and women identified poets and writers. They have instituted the Kamala Das Poetry Award in 2018. They introduced various other awards, contests, and certificates.

• Submission Guidelines: Women Empowered India
• Genre: All
• Compensation: Not mentioned.
• Literary Quotient: Medium

FLARE Magazine

Flare Magazine accepts submissions related to chronic illness, disabilities, and mental health in some way. Submissions are and will always be FREE. If accepted, your piece will be published in an online issue on the site only.

• Submission Guidelines: Flare Magazine
• Genre: Poetry, Flash Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Hybrid/Experimental, Art/Photography
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Superlative

Superlative accepts open submissions and runs monthly feature competitions along with annual competitions. They publish contributors’ work in the international online journal or print journal. They also share bio and social media handles and pay contributor prizes.

• Submission Guidelines: Superlative
• Genre: Fiction or poetry of any genre.
• Compensation: £50 – £100
• Literary Quotient: Medium

Thin Skin

Thin Skin is a literary magazine that champions the voice of writers over 50. They address the literary world’s bias towards younger voices while providing a platform for creativity and innovation of later life authors.

• Submission Guidelines: https://thin-skin.com/submit/
• Genre: Short Stories & Flash Fiction
• Submission Fees: They do not charge any.
• Compensation: NIL
• Literary Quotient: Medium

The Hemlock Journal

The Hemlock Journal is a space built for writers to learn, explore, grow together, and be a unique source in reaching the distant perspectives of the poets and storytellers to the tribe.

• Submission Guidelines: https://thehemlockjournal.com/submissions/
• Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, and Visual Art
• Submission Fees: US$3 / ₹250 per submission per category.
• Compensation:
  Print Issue:US$15 (₹1,200) honorarium for each selected writer or poet. Front cover artwork also receives US$15 (₹1,200).
  Digital Issue: Publication plus a full refund of the submission fee.
  Contributors to the print issue also receive a complimentary digital copy of the issue.
• Literary Quotient: Medium

We hope this list takes you one step closer to getting published. Do share this with all your friends who are writers or who aspire to get published and also with those who enjoy reading great literature. You may also want to check out our list of Top Literary Agents.

Here’s wishing more power to your pen!

Featuring images sourced from:

• Pixabay
• Unsplash (Ewan Robertson@ewan121)

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