Literary publications, such as scholarly journals, magazines, or anthologies, serve as platforms for the creation, preservation, and circulation of literature.
They showcase creative expression, shape literary discourse, influence cultural trends, and provide opportunities for writers to engage with readers and critics alike.
Literary publications encompass a wide range of periodicals devoted to literature in its broadest sense. From peer-reviewed scholarly journals that analyze texts with academic rigor, to literary magazines that publish poetry, fiction, and essays, and anthologies that curate works around themes or movements, these outlets form the backbone of literary culture. They function as both archives of creative thought and as forums for ongoing dialogue between writers, critics, and readers.
Scholarly journals focus on critical analysis, theory, and interpretation of literature. They often publish peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, and essays. These journals advance academic discourse, influence curricula, and provide a space for scholars to debate methodologies and interpretations. Examples include Publications of the Modern Language, Modern Fiction Studies, and Comparative Literature.
Literary magazines are dedicated to publishing original creative works, such as poetry, short stories, essays, and experimental writing. They often serve as launching pads for emerging writers, while also featuring established voices. Many have historically introduced groundbreaking works and movements. Unlike scholarly journals, literary magazines are often aimed at a general readership, bridging the gap between academia and the public. Examples include The Paris Review, Ploughshares, Tin House, and AGNI.
Anthologies are curated collections of literary works, often organized around a theme, genre, or historical period. They preserve and canonize literature, shaping what is taught in classrooms and remembered in cultural history. Anthologies also highlight diversity by bringing together voices across regions, identities, and styles. Examples include The Norton Anthology of English Literature, The Best American Short Stories, and Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses.
Periodicals document the evolution of literary movements and styles over time. They provide space for experimentation, allowing writers to test new forms and ideas. Many literary magazines and journals foster communities of writers and readers, often through workshops, contests, and events. Awards such as the Pushcart Prize are tied directly to works first published in small magazines, underscoring their importance in literary recognition.
Online platforms have expanded access, with many journals and magazines now publishing exclusively online. Small literary magazines often struggle financially, relying on grants, subscriptions, or university sponsorships. Digital publication has also allowed for greater international exchange, enabling writers from diverse backgrounds to reach broader audiences.
By preserving the past, amplifying the present, and shaping the future, periodicals continue to play a central role in literature.
Recommended Resources
Created in 1998, the online resource was acquired by The Chronicle of Higher Education in 2002 and has since been offered as a free service to readers. With little in the way of original content, Arts & Letters Daily is a web portal that links to news stories, features, reviews, and other content from across the humanities fields. Its layout mimics the 18th-century English broadsheets. Articles of Note, Book Reviews, and Essays/Opinions are its main topic headings.
https://www.aldaily.com/
CanLit is the online home of the long-running academic journal "Canadian Literature" or "Littérature Canadienne." The site serves researchers, teachers, students, and general readers interested in Canadian writing and culture. The current issues, an archive of past issues, and special issues are available online, along with peer-reviewed articles and essays, book reviews, editorials, teaching resources, submission information, a call for papers, and advertising opportunities.
https://canlit.ca/
Chapman is a long-running Scottish literary magazine and small press known for publishing poetry, fiction, essays, and visual art with an adventurous, culturally engaged voice. The publication is regularly compared with titles such as "Granta" and "The Poetry Review," and is noted for consistency of quality and willingness to publish surprising, original work. The magazine publishes poetry, short fiction, essays, cultural criticism, and visual art, as well as the "New Writing Series."
http://www.chapman-pub.co.uk/
Comparative Literature and Culture
CLCWeb is an open-access, peer-reviewed online journal that publishes scholarship in comparative literature, cultural studies, and related interdisciplinary fields. Hosted by Purdue University, the site features the journal's current issues, archival content, submission guidelines, editorial information, and contact details. Its mission statement, editorial board, author guidelines, manuscript preparation, and critical reviews and review essays are featured.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/clcweb/
International Journal of English Language, Literature and Translation Studies
IJ-ELTS, also known as IJELR, is a quarterly, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes research in the English language, literature, translation studies, and related subfields. Based in Vijayawada, India, the publication is primarily published by KY Publications and is available in both online and printed editions. The journal accepts theoretical, empirical, and critical work relevant to English language and literary studies as well as translation research.
http://www.ijelr.in/
Published by Jewcy Media, the online magazine and cultural platform is aimed at young Jews and covers news, arts, culture, sex, love, religion, beliefs, Jewish food, Israel, and Zionism. The site publishes articles, interviews, essays, and list-style pieces on contemporary Jewish life, with recent examples across categories such as Arts & Culture, Sex & Love, Religion & Beliefs, and Jewish Food. Links to the publication's social media accounts, as well as a newsletter signup, are also included.
https://www.jewcy.com/
Journal of Electronic Publishing, The
Hosted by the University of Michigan's scholarly publishing platform, with the journal site at Michigan Publishing, The Journal of Electronic Publishing has been active since the 1990s. It is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes research and commentary on contemporary scholarly publishing, digital publishing practices, and information policy for publishers, librarians, technologists, scholars, and others interested in the methods and means of publishing.
https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/jep/
Journal of Literacy and Technology, The
Hosted by Florida Atlantic University, School of Communication and Multimedia Studies, the Journal of Literacy and Technology is a peer-reviewed, open-access online academic journal that examines the relationship between literacy and technology across educational, workplace, public, and individual contexts. It publishes original scholarship, feature articles, and book reviews on topics such as new media, digital humanities, rhetoric, technology, and other related fields.
https://literacyandtechnology.org/
Published by MIT Press, Leonardo is a peer-reviewed academic journal that covers the application of contemporary science and technology to the arts and music. Published since 1968, the journal publishes writings by artists who work with science- and technology-based art media. Other activities of the organization include an awards program and participation in annual conferences and symposiums such as the Space and the Arts Workshop. Its programs, partnerships, and author direction are provided.
https://leonardo.info/
Established in 1953 and published quarterly, The Paris Review is currently based in New York City, having moved from Paris to New York in 1973. The magazine publishes fiction, poetry, interviews, art, and criticism, and it highlights a rotating "Current Issue" with new fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and art contributions. Links to full back issues and named series are provided. Subscriptions, contacts, events, video, a media kit, and opportunities are provided.
https://www.theparisreview.org/
Offering free downloadable classic literature that can be viewed on Windows and Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Kindle E-readers, Paperwhites, and Oasis, Planet eBook's titles are available in ePUB, PDF, and MOBI formats. Available books are sorted alphabetically by title or by author, and may also be found through a keyword search. Excerpts for each of the books are provided, along with copyright notices, and usage instructions for various devices.
https://www.planetebook.com/
PW is an American weekly trade magazine for publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, its current emphasis is on book reviews. Features include but are not limited to, publisher news, manufacturing and marketing, book reviews, author profiles, interviews, awards and prizes, conferences, trade shows, and opinion columns. Contacts, submission guidelines, an editorial calendar, and subscriber services are featured.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/
Research Journal of English Language and Literature
RJELAL is an open-access, peer-reviewed quarterly journal publishing research in the English language, literature, and linguistics. Published since 2013, the journal accepts articles on English language teaching, literature, linguistics, discourse analytics, and related interdisciplinary topics, and emphasizes rapid publication and work that maps emerging and developing areas in research and teaching. Submissions should be original manuscripts that are not under consideration elsewhere.
http://rjelal.com/
Showcasing young writers and artists since 1973, Stone Soup is a literary project and magazine entirely written and illustrated by kids 6-13. Its content includes stories, poems, and art, a highlighted "story of the day" piece, special projects, such as "The Refugee Project," a platform for writing and art by refugee youth, along with writing activities, blog posts, and writing classes for kids, and class schedules, membership information, and volunteer opportunities for parents.
https://stonesoup.com/
Supported by Algonkian Writer Conferences, Web del Sol is a literary community and portal that hosts journals, reviews, poetry, and critique columns. Key sections include the Del Sol Review, the WDS Review of Books, Poetry, Portal del Sol, and the Writer's Edge Blog and Writers on the Job. Its editors and contributors, support, design, and contact information are provided, and published content is sorted into topic categories. It is based in Washington, DC.
http://www.webdelsol.com/
Published at the University of Oklahoma, WLT is an American magazine of international literature and culture. Its stated goal is to publish international essays, poetry, fiction, interviews, and book reviews for a non-academic audience. Founded in 1927 under the name "Books Abroad," the journal assumed its current name in 1977. Subscription options, subscriber services, and its programs are set forth, along with the current issue, previous issues, and submission guidelines.
https://worldliteraturetoday.org/
