Where to Submit Short Stories: Finding Calls for Submissions

Not only can writing short stories improve your writing skills and help you develop your voice and style as a writer, but it can also be a great way to explore new writing styles and genres. Plus, publishing short stories helps you build your writing credits. But in order to get published, you have to know where to submit short stories.

The good news is there are plenty of opportunities out there. As of 2023, Duotrope lists more than 7,500 fiction, poetry, and nonfiction markets. And that does not include the plethora of writing contests and anthologies. There are so many opportunities to get published. Not knowing where to submit should never hold you back.

With that said, here is a list of newsletters, lists, and databases to help you find homes for your work. These databases are all updated regularly, to the best of my knowledge. Explore, bookmark, and find the ones that work best for you. And leave a comment if you know of a great resource not listed here.

​Newsletters

• The Practicing Writer: This is a monthly newsletter from the wonderful Erika Dreifus, and it is full of resources. Of all the newsletters listed, this is definitely the most opportunity-dense. I’m always excited to see this one in my inbox.
• Freedom with Writing: This one focuses on paid publishing opportunities. You’ll find it in your inbox about twice a week. The presentation is simple, and it only takes a moment to scan the opportunities and see if any are for you.
• Diabolical Plots Newsletter: This is a weekly newsletter with new market listings, upcoming deadlines, etc. from Diabolical Plots (the makers of the Submission Grinder). (More about that below.)

​Databases and Lists

• Duotrope: One of the most well known databases for writers, Duotrope includes more than 7,500 markets. It costs $5 per month and is the only paid resource on this list.
• Submittable Discover: Most of us are familiar with Submittable, one of the most popular platforms for accepting writing submissions. Submittable’s Discover feature allows you to sort markets by fee and deadline. 
• ​The Submission Grinder: This site is similar to Duotrope. It was created by Diabolical Plots after Duotrope began charging. As of 2023, it lists more than 13,000 markets and is free. It has a search function and lists specifics such as genres and pay scales. It also, like Duotrope, allows members to track their submissions on the site and uses the data to list response statistics for each market.
• Almond Press: List of Writing Competitions
• New Pages: Calls for Submissions & Writing Contests
• Poets & Writers: Literary Magazines Database
• Every Writer: List of Literary Magazines
• Freelance Writing: List of Writing Contests
• Literary Mama: Calls for Submissions
• Cathy’s Comps and Calls

Twitter Feeds

• @submittable: I think Submittable was the first account I followed on Twitter. They are always tweeting current calls for submissions.
• @duotrope: Duotrope posts information about select markets on its Twitter feed.
• @callforsubs: This feed lists paying markets and free-to-enter writing competitions.

5 Reasons to Submit Now

It’s easy to find excuses not to submit your work. You have other priorities. You’re focusing on writing. It’s not “the right time.”

The truth is that there is no right time. And although there are certainly situations that would make spending time and emotional energy putting your work out there difficult, most of the time these excuses are just a way to protect ourselves from rejection.

We each individually experience upheavals in our lives that make us feel like we should put writing or submitting on hold. Whether it’s an apocalypse or a breakup, there will always be a reason that now is not the opportune time.

​Today, I want to put those thoughts to bed. Here are five reasons to submit your work right now.

1. The worst that can happen is a rejection.

​So often, we let fear hold us back. But think about it: What is the worst that can happen if you submit your story or manuscript? They say no.

​Maybe it stings, but you dust yourself off and submit to another market or agent. If you don’t submit, they can’t reject your work—but they can’t accept it either.

​2. Get out of your echo chamber.

Writing is a largely independent task. We spend a lot of time isolated, reviewing our own work. Getting out of your own head and getting another perspective can be huge for your work’s development. That’s part of why hiring a professional editor is so beneficial.

​​Submitting your work can have similar benefits. Even though you’re not guaranteed feedback, you may receive personalized rejections with notes about your work. This feedback can be extremely useful as you assess and revise your manuscript.

3. Start building tough skin.

Writers face rejection. And submitting is a numbers game. The sooner you develop tough skin and learn how to respond positively to rejection, the better off you’ll be.

Writing is a subjective craft. You have to learn to separate yourself—and your intrinsic value as a human being—from others’ opinions of your work. The best way to do that: practice.

4. Tomorrow may not be a better time.

​Life happens. Things go wrong. Today may not be the perfect time to submit your work and face rejection, but who says tomorrow will be any better? The time you spend waiting for an obstacle-free moment to submit your work is time you could have spent building your writing career.

5. Your writing career is a priority.

​Whatever your goal is for your writing, it’s important to you. Writing requires passion, and submitting your work involves dedication. If you’re even considering submitting your work, you clearly care about getting your story into the hands of readers.

​If your writing career is a priority, treat it like one. Make time. Make a point of submitting before you’re drained of energy from the day. Think about how you can make room in your life to write and submit.

The Caveat

​All that said, before you submit, do your homework and prepare your manuscript and your submission materials to give yourself the best possible chance. Don’t submit a piece that doesn’t fully represent your skills as a writer, and never submit a first draft.

Spend time editing and making sure your writing is up to snuff. Ask yourself whether you would be proud to see this piece published, with your name attached to it.

FAQs About Where to Submit Short Stories

Q: How do I find a place to submit a short story?

A: There are several resources available to find places to submit short stories. You can search online for literary magazines or journals that publish short stories, or use a submission database like Duotrope or the Submission Grinder to find publications.

Q: Where can I get paid for short stories?

A: Many literary magazines and websites that pay for short stories. Some examples include The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and One Story. You can also look for anthologies or competitions that offer cash prizes for short stories. In the databases listed above, filter results by payment to find places to submit a short story for money.

Q: Where can I submit 100-word stories?

A: There are several literary magazines and websites that publish 100-word stories, also known as “drabbles.” Some examples include 101 Words and Paragraph Planet. You can also search for anthologies or contests that specifically call for very short stories or microfiction.

Q: How hard is it to publish a short story?

A: It can be difficult to publish a short story, as competition is often high and many literary magazines receive far more submissions than they can publish. The more prestigious and selective markets will be the most challenging. You can use the statistics on Duotrope and the Submission Grinder to see each market’s acceptance rate. To give your work the best possible chance, you can work with a professional editor before submitting.

Where to Submit Short Stories for Publication

It’s important to get your work out there and submit to different publications. There are plenty of resources available, from newsletters to databases and feeds, that can help you find the right opportunities for your work.

While it’s important to make sure you edit your work thoroughly to give yourself the best chance of an acceptance, there is no “right” time to submit your work. In fact, there are many reasons to do it now, such as building tough skin, getting out of your echo chamber, and making your writing career a priority.
So don’t let fear hold you back. Take advantage of the resources available to help you find the right home for your work. And if you want a professional eye on your writing before you submit, get in touch with our team at Blue Pen to find out whether one of our editors would be a good fit for your work.