When I first started on my writing journey, I had no idea there were so many opportunities for teens to get published and share their writing with the world. Before, I assumed the professional writing world was reserved for adults, but that’s definitely not true! Young people have a lot to say and have opinions that deserve to be expressed on their own platforms, so I compiled a short list of eleven literary magazines where teens can choose to submit their work.
Of course, the Teen Magazine is an amazing, open platform for teens interested in journalism or seeking to gain experience in writing professionally. The Teen Magazine is made up of hundreds of college and high school writers from around the world who are passionate about improving their writing skills and eager to join a supportive community! Apply here.
Before diving into the submission process, be sure to read some of each magazine’s previous issues and submission guidelines. This is a great way to read samples of what they publish, and editors love when you acknowledge your knowledge of their magazines. There is no specific order to the list.
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#1 Cathartic Literary Magazine
Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine was the first literary magazine I got published in, and it is a platform not only advocating for teen voices but mental health awareness as well. Cathartic is dedicated to breaking the barrier around mental health by using writing as a tool to “make sense of complicated situations” and heal. They accept mental health articles, poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and flash fiction submissions on a rolling basis. They also provide feedback on all submissions.
#2 Blue Marble Review
The Blue Marble Review is a quarterly online literary journal accepting art, writing, photography, and nonfiction on a rolling basis from anyone between the ages of 13 and 22. They respond in 4-6 weeks and have an FAQ page to answer questions regarding the submission process. They seek to assemble issues with diverse opinions and unique voices. In addition, writers published online in Blue Marble will receive $30 per published piece ($75 for cover art).
#3 The WEIGHT Journal
The WEIGHT Journal is a literary journal for high school students all over the world that welcomes all kinds of creative writing, be it flash fiction or a hybrid piece. They accept writing about any topic and look for ‘honest’ writing that evokes a strong sense of emotion in its readers. Depending on the number of submissions they receive, they publish work twice a month. Here’s a link to works they like.
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#4 Incandescent Review
If you’re looking to join a social movement striving for a better world as well as a platform to publish your writing, the Incandescent Review is a great nonprofit literary magazine run by teens and dedicated to illuminating teen voices. The Incandescent Review also has a Summer Studio Program for emerging writers and artists and a list of resources for students. Along with submitting to their magazine, you can also submit to their writing contests!
#5 Eunoia Review
Eunoia Review is an online literary journal based in Singapore that has one of the fastest turnaround times I am aware of; they aim to respond to all submissions within 24 hours and publish work by writers of all ages! They accept previously unpublished fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction on a rolling basis. If you get rejected, you can resubmit after a month or two. Eunoia Review seeks work with the fruits of ‘beautiful thinking,’ and publishes two new pieces a day on their website.
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#6 Paper Crane
Even though I’m hopeless at origami, the Paper Crane Literary Magazine is an amazing online literary magazine! They believe “there is no one way to be human, and there is no one way to make art,” and are especially interested in youth's perspectives. Paper Crane has an annual anthology and poetry competition, as well as a resource page compiled with articles about how to improve your writing skills.
#7 Polyphony Literary Magazine
The word ‘polyphony’ means ‘many voices,’ and this global literary magazine is amplifying teen voices! Polyphony Lit nominates published work for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards for Young Writers and has opportunities to write for their blog or other various leadership roles. Polyphony also has editor and summer apprenticeship training available to students worldwide so they can join their editorial staff. According to their mission statement, they strive to give in-depth editorial feedback to each submission and “enrich the lives of literary teens worldwide, especially those in under-resourced communities.” They accept submissions during reading periods or contests.
#8 Parallax Lit
Another amazing student-run high school literary magazine is Parallax Online Literary Magazine, which accepts submissions from students worldwide. They are open to submissions from September 5-April 1, and they accept simultaneous submissions. As of now, Parallax accepts poetry, prose, and dramatic writing.
#9 The Adroit Journal
The Adroit Journal is an acclaimed literary and art magazine that has many opportunities for teen authors, both through a summer writing mentorship program where they hone their craft alongside acclaimed authors and getting published in their journal. They have published US State Poet Laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and Pulitzer Prize winners. The journal has its "eyes on the horizon" and looks for writing that "lives just between the land and the sky." The Paris Review said, “The Adroit Journal is where I want to go when I want to know what the kids are reading.” This internationally-recognized literary and arts magazine is the perfect place to submit your best work.
#10 The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is probably one of the most popular national writing contests for teen writers based in the U.S. (and some parts of Canada). Teens across the country submit in the regionals first, where they can submit in a variety of categories ranging from fashion to editorial cartoons and a writing portfolio (for graduating seniors). Students can receive either a Gold or Silver key, or an honorable mention in the regional awards, and all Gold key recipients move on to the nationals! Recipients of a Gold Key are also eligible to apply for a Summer Writing Scholarship.
#11 YoungArts
For over four decades, the YoungArts art and writing competition has supported teen artists 15-18 years old by being one of the only organizations in the U.S. that supports artists across 10 disciplines at all stages of development. Finalists, Honorable Mention, and Merit award recipients gain access to funding opportunities and additional programs including National YoungArts week, a weeklong intensive program where writers and artists perform/read their works and are published in a Finalist Anthology + Catalogue. Their vision is “a world that embraces artists as vital to our humanity.” Applications open in June 2023.
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Making and maintaining a submission schedule is essential to ensure you submit your pieces to literary magazines during their submission windows. Do your research before you start submitting; read some of the amazing work these lit mags publish and consider following them on social media. While rejection is, unfortunately, to be expected, persistence pays off.
Never give up on your stories and your unique voice; these platforms want to hear from teens like you. Even though only fifteen journals are listed in this article, here is a link to seventy-plus additional places where you can submit your writing or art. Good luck in all your writing pursuits!
