What are the best literary mags publishing short fiction?

One of the top ones is Electric Literature. They are very active in promoting short fiction in the digital age. They have an online presence that reaches a wide audience and they often feature up - and - coming writers. They also do a great job of curating collections of short stories.

Some of the top ones are Penguin Random House. It has a vast catalogue of literary works and a great reputation for promoting and distributing high - quality literary fiction. Another is Farrar, Straus and Giroux, known for its commitment to serious literature and has published many award - winning novels. HarperCollins is also great, with a long history of publishing excellent literary works.

The 'Strand Magazine' is a very good online mag for crime fiction. It has a long history of publishing mystery and crime stories. 'Down & Out Books' also has an online presence and offers a lot of crime fiction works and related content. Then there's 'Criminal Element'. It has various features like short stories, essays, and discussions about different aspects of crime fiction.

One challenge is competition. There are so many self - published books out there. Standing out can be tough. Another is marketing. It's hard to get your book noticed without a big publisher's marketing machine. Also, quality control. You have to ensure your book is as good as professionally published ones in terms of editing and cover design.

Well, one of the main things in publishing literary fiction is having a unique voice in your writing. Once that's done, you should consider finding an agent. Agents have connections in the publishing world and can help get your work in front of the right publishers. After that, it's about going through the publishing process which includes contract negotiations, production, and finally distribution. Marketing also plays a big role. You need to promote your book through social media, book signings, and getting reviews from literary critics.

Some of the best literary magazines for short fiction include 'Zoetrope: All - Story'. It has a reputation for featuring engaging and well - crafted short stories. 'A Public Space' is also worth mentioning. It focuses on bringing new and exciting short fiction to readers. Additionally, 'Conjunctions' is known for its experimental and boundary - pushing short fiction, which can be really inspiring for both writers and readers of short stories.

'McSweeney's' is also a great choice. It's known for its innovative approach to literature. They often feature unique and experimental short stories that push the boundaries of the genre. It provides a platform for many new voices in short fiction writing, and the design and layout of the magazine also add to its charm.

One key quality is perseverance. Self - publishing short fiction can be a challenging process, with many tasks to handle. The best people don't give up easily. For example, they keep working on their stories, revising and polishing them until they are the best they can be. Another quality is independence. They are able to make decisions on their own, like choosing the right cover design or the best price point for their work.

Exposure. Literary magazines have a readership, so your short story gets in front of more eyes. It can also give you credibility as a writer. If your story is published in a respected magazine, it looks good on your resume.

Authors who are self - motivated and have a good understanding of the self - publishing process can be considered the best. They should be able to handle tasks like editing their work thoroughly, designing appealing covers, and marketing their short stories effectively. Those who are active in the writing community, either online or in local groups, also have an edge. They can get feedback, learn from others, and build a network that can help in promoting their self - published short fiction.