literary journals

Short story outlets

Literary journals are periodicals that publish creative writing—poetry, short fiction, essays, and criticism.

Most are small-circulation publications affiliated with universities or independent presses, serving as venues for emerging writers and experimental work: She submitted her story to a dozen literary journals before it was accepted.

Also called literary magazines or lit mags.

Opposites
publication type and content

literary journalstabloids

Sensational gossip newspapers

pulp magazines · gossip magazines · trade publications · lifestyle magazines · sponsored content

cultural register

literary journalspulp fiction

Sensational cheap literature

dime novels · reality TV · comic books · penny dreadfuls · yellow journalism

medium and format

literary journalstelevision

Broadcast viewing device

social media · TikTok · YouTube · podcasts · streaming content

Family

journal, letters, literature, literary, periodical

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G