With previously published talent and prices that make it easy to click "subscribe", these journals will benefit writers and readers alike.
If you want to have an even better opportunity with getting your work published, you have to read. The quality of what you read reflects in your writing over time. Magic happens as we read stories where we hear our voice in the tone of the writer, or see ourselves in the narrative. Magicians who have enveloped audience members with their art include Toni Morrison, Tennessee Williams, Mary Gaitskill, and Jesmyn Ward. Many of these writers had their first works published in literary magazines before going on to be some of the greatest contributors to contemporary literature and poetry. Nourish your art by feeding it quality meals regularly. In my opinion, the following list comprises some of the best Lit Journals to help writers improve our craft.
Did I mention these journals also make great gifts? Because they do!
Subscription pricing:
Unlimited Digital Access- $29.99 for 12 weeks
Limited Time Only Sale- $6 for 12 weeks
Unlimited Digital Access- $119.99 for One year
Limited Time Only Sale- $49.99 for One year
Annual Print and Digital Access- $169.99 for One year
Limited Time Only Sale- $74.99 for One year + a Free Tote
prices vary in Canada. See website for more details
Noteworthy Contributors
Alice Munro
Jhumpa Lahiri
Joshua Ferris
Miranda July
David Sedaris
Justin Torres
2. The Atlantic
Subscription pricing
Digital Subscription- $79.99 for One year
Print & Digital Subscription- $89.99 for One year
Premium Subscription- $120 for One year
Print, Ad-free Digital, & Access to Exclusive Content
Other plans include Gift and Academic subscriptions
prices vary outside of US. See website for more details
Noteworthy Contributors
Gertrude Stein
Allan Ginsburg
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Chinua Achebe
James Baldwin
Raymond Carver
Subscription pricing:
Print Subscription
1 year, 3 issues- $16
2 years, 6 issues- $29
3 years, 9 issues- $42
Digital Subscriptions are $12 annually, and individual downloads are $6.99
Noteworthy Contributors
Joyce Carol Oats
Jennifer Eagen
David Mamet
Billy Collins
Alice Hoffman
Ann Beattie
Subscription pricing
Print Subscription
1 year, 4 issues- $59
2 years, 8 issues- $95
Digital Subscription
4 issues -$40
Noteworthy Contributors
Zadie Smith
Emma Cline
Angela Flournoy
Jack Kerouac
Italo Calvino
Samuel Beckett
Subscription pricing
Print and Digital Subscription
1 year, 12 issues- $21.97
2 years, 24 issues- $29.97
Noteworthy Contributors
David Foster Wallace
Mary Gaitskill
Jonathan Franzen
Annie Dillard
Henry James
Jack London
*Honorable Mentions
Other ways to grow your skills while contributing to the literary community can be found with a membership to the following organizations or subscription to these magazines.
Become a member! Membership fees range from $35 to an astronomical $5000! If you’re not balling like that (and who is?!) fret not, all members get a One-year subscription to their bi-annual magazine, American Poets, a Full-color National Poetry Month poster, and a Personalized membership card. Also, you are doing your part to support the literary arts. Or, as award-winning poet Carolyn Forché said, you are contributing to “the most important organization in our country helping to keep poetry alive and in our culture.”
The ultimate writer’s resource, Poets & Writers Magazine is a great addition to any emerging writer toolbox. And it fits into your budget with a 1-year, 6 issue subscription costing less than one month of Netflix!
A Public Space is just a fantastic magazine for readers and writers alike! Jam-packed with award-winning work, this subscription would make a great gift for the unsuspecting bookworm in your life. It’s a beautiful way to welcome them into the world of literary journals.