Updated February 16th, 2016
When I had first started submitting to literary journals, I found that by submitting to a number of journals that had quick response times I was able to remain motivated to continue submitting my work for publication. After all, if you submit to a journal and don’t hear anything for up to a year it is hard to feel motivated about submitting elsewhere.
Yet journals with quick turn around times can accept and publish your work before other journals even respond with an acceptance or rejection.
Here is a convenient list of 10 journals that almost always respond to work within a month. Not all are currently open to submissions, but most are.
1. Thrush
Thrush is a highly respected poetry journal that responds to most submissions within four days. You can learn more by visiting their website here: http://www.thrushpoetryjournal.com/
2. Word Riot
Word Riot responds to submissions within a week. They publish short fiction, novel excerpts, poetry, and flash fiction. You can learn more here: www.wordriot.org
3. The Threepenny Review
The Threepenny Review is a highly revered and paying market that responds within a week – what more can you ask for? They publish poems, short fiction, and non fiction. Learn more here: http://www.threepennyreview.com/
4. Radar Poetry
A wonderful electronic poetry journal that responds within two weeks to submissions. Learn more here: http://www.radarpoetry.com/
5. Bop Dead City
This publisher of short fiction, poetry, and flash fiction responds to most submissions within a month. Learn more here: https://bopdeadcity.com/
6. Turtle Island Quarterly
Turtle Island Quarterly is an electronic journal interested in publishing non-fiction and poetry about the natural world. They respond to submissions within two weeks. Learn more here: http://fourdirectionpoetry.wix.com/turtleisland
7. The Dark Magazine
The Dark Magazine publishes only dark science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories. They try to respond to submissions within two days. To learn more visit their website here: thedarkmagazine.com
8. The Adroit Journal
A publisher of poetry and prose, including reprints. They try to respond within a week. Learn more here: http://theadroitjournal.org/
9. Alfie Dog
Alfie Dog is a British literary journal that responds to submissions of prose and poetry within a week. Learn more here: http://alfiedog.com/
10. One Throne
This Canadian literary journal publishes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. They respond to most submissions within a week. Learn more here: http://www.onethrone.com/
