13 Unique Indie Mags That Are Open For Submissions
Written by Daphne Bryant
Getting published in zines, mags and literary journals is so possible, especially because there are so many unique, independent publications out there! Here’s a list of thirteen indie mags with submissions open <3
Meridian Literary is a queer youth-led digital multimedia magazine dedicated to celebrating literature, art and culture. For their second issue, Meridian welcomes mythology, folklore and fairy tale themed pieces!
Theme: THE PANTHEON CODEX
Deadline: October 25th
Scissors is a quarterly newspaper zine made by and for Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, & POC Dykes. For their fifth issue Scissors is particularly interested in works that depict the various experiences of being visibly queer, or the choice to not be – works that investigate themes such as palatability, silence, acceptance, safety, and vulnerability. Submissions can be in the form of poetry, essays, photography, and visual media.
Theme: GAYDAR
Deadline: October 26th
Y2K Quarterly is an independent literary magazine devoted to the glory days/nightmares that were the late 90's and early 2000's. For their eighth issue, this magazine is looking for all types of nostalgic fiction, poetry, non-fiction, essay, etc., as long as it is 1999 words or less.
Theme: N/A
Deadline: October 31st
SICK is an independent, thoughtful magazine exploring illness and disability. Their aim is to increase representation of sick & disabled people in publishing and the arts and to challenge the harmful stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding disability. For their sixth issue, SICK is looking for personal essays, creative and experimental nonfiction, lyric essays, poetry, reported features, book, film, & art reviews, interviews with writers, artists, creatives, activists and visual art.
Theme: N/A
Deadline: October 31st
Front Porch Magazine is a Southern, student-run publication dedicated to elevating and shining a spotlight on marginalized voices of the American South. For their second issue, Front Porch is looking for writing, art and photography that has to do with people and places stuck in time – twisted nostalgia, derelict homes, purgatory in-betweens and dead things gone by.
Theme: Southern Gothic
Deadline: November 1st
Bloodletter Magazine is a feminist horror magazine showcasing personal and analytical perspectives on the horrific by women, trans, and non-binary writers. For their sixth issue, Bloodletter is seeking writing and artwork that explores the theoretical underpinnings of horror through an experimental perspective grounded in feminism.
Theme: PLAY
Deadline: November 1st
BABYTEETH is an independent arts collective zine based in Boston. The project aims to showcase raw, bold, and overall experimental work. For their first issue, BABYTEETH is looking for all kinds of creative submissions (graphic design, photography, illustration, video art, etc.,) that connect to the theme.
Theme: MOVEMENT
Deadline (Extended): November 7th
ALTxATL is an Atlanta-based magazine and creative collective highlighting alternative fashion, music, art, and culture through storytelling, visuals, and community events. For their XPOSED issue, ALTxATL is looking for real and raw work that answers the question “what does alternative mean to you?” Pretty much any medium goes, from comics to makeup looks!
Theme: XPOSED
Deadline: November 15th
Death of a Rabbit is a multi-medium BIPOC and queer-friendly art journal focusing predominantly on music and written work. For their first issue, this publication is looking for essays, poetry, illustrations, lyrics, etc., about the scar of anger and past memories.
Theme: CIGARETTE BURN
Deadline: November 15th
Salt + Silk Journal is a youth-led literary journal adrift on international tides. Their mission is to bring together arts from every shore, weaving pieces that sting and smooth, free for all to uncover and treasure. For their first issue, Salt + Sick is looking for poetry, prose, creative non-fiction, photography, film and artwork that touches on liminality — pieces that feel like they’ve been carried a long way across uncertainty of waters, luminous and salt-stung.
Theme: To The Rocks
Deadline: November 28th
Flag Magazine is a queer publication dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ creatives and fostering community through art, collaboration, and collective care. For their second issue, Flag is looking for work that captures the warmth of the sun in winter, and any and all associated feelings. Submissions can be in the form of collages, paintings, digital art, comics, poetry, photography, personal essays/creative writing and horoscopes.
Theme: Apricity
Deadline: November 30th
Dreamworldgirl Zine is a Boston and LA-based multimedia zine for all things girlhood. Centered in nostalgia and publishing work from all over the world, DWG seeks to create a whimsical, creative space for women and other marginalized gender identities. For their fourth issue, DWG is looking for work that is unapologetically passionate and taps into everything from fandom culture to all-consuming addictions and unique rabbit holes.
Theme: Obsession
Deadline: December 11th
RUNT Magazine is an indie publication celebrating visual art, literature, and the distinctions that make us human. Our aim as a magazine is to cultivate a vibrant community that promotes exploration and creativity instead of stifling it.For their fourth issue, RUNT is looking for work that explores how obscenity interacts with LGBTQIA+ identity and sexuality, censorship and control, power and resistance, the body (sacred, sexual, grotesque), protest and deviance, surveillance, shame and pleasure, fear and freedom.
Theme: OBSCENITY
Deadline: December 31st
