Alternative Publishing — Three Times in Chicken Soup for the Soul!
I’m tickled to announce that I’ve been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul for the third time! This is something I’ve done for fun over the years, but for new writers it can be an invaluable opportunity to get a foot in the door as a published author.
Read more about it here and here.
Yes, thousands of hopefuls submit and the chances of being chosen are slim. However, if your story achieves precisely what the editors request — something heartfelt and perhaps surprising — then you might be selected.
Learn more on how to become Chicken Soup or the Soul writer here.
Chicken Soup for the Soul is just one of many alternative means to get your story published. If you’re interested in other alternative publishing sources, hop on your computer and do some browsing. Many publications welcome unpublished authors and accept short stories after a simple query process. The links at the end of this post might help.
It Takes Effort to Land Alternative Publishing Gigs
It’s important that writers learn how to land writing gigs. Be proactive — research, read, learn, repeat. I won’t sugarcoat it. It can be an arduous process.
Still, it’s much easier today than when I first got started before the age of the internet!
Be professional and carefully read and follow submission guidelines. They vary by publication.
Note that some are paid gigs, some are not, and some require you to pay to be featured. Most have precise instructions — follow them! Some call outs are for specific topics or genres, so make sure your writing is a match.
Alternative Publishing Sources Accepting Submissions
At the time of this writing, the sources below are open to submissions. However, double check because each might change the window in which you can submit. They might close submissions or even retire their publication. I’ve double checked the links, but again, things can change quickly in cyberspace.
Note, too, that these publications are a mix of national and international. Interestingly, many international magazines and journals accept work from U.S. authors, so give it a try.
- AGNI
- Asimov’s Science Fiction
- Barrelhouse
- Black Warrior Review
- Boulevard Magazine
- Brittle Star
- Carve Magazine
- Cincinnati Review
- Chicken Soup for the Soul
- Cricket Media
- Daily Science Fiction
- Firewords Quarterly
- Flash Fiction Online
- JMWW
- Literary Orphans
- One Story
- Phoebe
- Ploughshares
- Ricochet Magazine
- Ruminate Magazine
- Slice Magazine
- Smokelong Quarterly
- Story
- The Antioch Review
- The Atlantic
- The Common
- The Dark Sire
- The First Line
- The Georgia Review
- The Louisville Review
- The Master’s Review
- The New Yorker
- The Sun Magazine
- The Threepenny Review
- Vestal Review
- Virginia Quarterly (VQR)
Contact Me With Your Editorial Needs
As a magazine writer, journalist, book editor and ghostwriter, I thrive on difficult assignments and turn-on-a-dime deadlines. Over the years I’ve offered coaching services too, so don’t hesitate to reach out.
Send me an email to get the process started — melaniesaxton@icloud.com