Submissions Database

Our database of Australian Journals, Anthologies, Magazines, Zines and E-zines who have put out calls for submissions. There are also some links to other databases of places to submit your work. If you would like to advertise in this space, send a short blurb to tim@cutlunchlit.com. This list was mostly compiled by Liz Haris (liz@cutlunchlit.com).

Aurealis

Website: http://www.sf.org.au/aurealis/
Scope: International, however Australian characterisation and background is favoured.
Paid: Payment varies between $20 and $60 per 1000 words, as well as a copy of the issue the story is published in. Payment for art is $75 for cover art, $25 for black and white story illustrations and $10 to $15 for graphics.
Limits: 300 to 8000 word pieces. No poetry. No novel extracts.
Submission fees: None.
Subscription Fee: All different prices.
Genres accepted: science fiction, fantasy or horror short stories (2000-8000 words); Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror, as well as articles of interest to Australian writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror (500-4000 words); reviews of recently released Australian science fiction, fantasy and horror books (300 and 500 words). Colour cover art also accepted.
Extra Info: They also have competitions, newsletters, awards and past issues available.

Island Mag

Website: http://www.islandmag.com/
Scope: International.
Paid: Poems $60, Short stories $100, Articles and reviews $100 per 1000 words.
Limits: They usually have a theme for each issue.
Submission fees: None.
Subscription Fee: $42 Individual, $29 Unwaged, $52 Institution, $55 Individual outside Australia, $70 Institution outside Australia.
Genres accepted: They publish quality short stories, poetry, extracts from forthcoming novels, and articles and essays on topics of social, environmental and cultural significance.
Extra Info: They also have competitions and hold special events and launches.

Meanjin

Website: http://www.meanjin.unimelb.edu.au/
Scope: International.
Paid: $50 poetry, $100 prose.
Limits: None, but they rarely publish works over 5,000 words.
Submission fees: None.
Subscription Fee: Individual: $60, Concession: $50, Overseas: $80, Schools: $60; Other Institutions: $95, Other Institutions Overseas: $115, for 1 year (4 issues). For 2 years: Individual: $108, Concession: $90, Overseas: $150. For 3 years (12 issues): Individual: $144, Concession: $125, Overseas: $180.
Genres accepted: Poetry, fiction, writing for performance, reflective and scholarly essays, memoirs, commentary, review essays on new books, films, exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances, and interviews.
Extra Info: Meanjin is published quarterly and is known as Australia’s leading literary magazine.

Muse-Apprentice-Guild

Website: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
Scope: International.
Paid: No.
Limits: No limits, but they publish writers who dare to resist categorization and who not only have talent but are willing to apply that talent in an independent direction.
Submission fee: None.
Subscription fee: None.
Genres accepted: All genres accepted.
Extra info: The MAG is an Online international literary review, or rather festival, with co-editors and liaisons in over 45 countries as well as hundreds of thousands of readers worldwide.

Overland

Website: http://www.overlandexpress.org/
Scope: Everyone.
Paid: minimum payment for stories and features: $100; poems and ‘shorts’: $90; reviews: $95.
Limits: No limits as such, but those wishing to submit are urged to have a look at recent copies of Overland to get a sense of the sort of material they publish. Australian content is favoured.
Submission fee: None.
Subscription fee: One Year (Individual) AUD$42; One Year (Institution) AUD$45; Life Subscription AUD$600; Pensioner or Student AUD$32; Overseas US$60.
Genres accepted: Overland favours hard-hitting articles with a strong cultural or political analysis. Scholarly articles are refereed; and poetry, fiction and memoir are also accepted. Also accepted: artwork and opinion pieces.
Extra info: Now in its 50th year, Overland is still the most radical of Australia’s long-standing literary/cultural magazines. It is published quarterly and is committed to important literary, cultural and political issues in contemporary Australia.

The Poetry Kit - Poetry Magazines Australia

Website: http://www.poetrykit.org/oz/ozmags.htm
This is not a publishing group, but a similar database to this one. They have a large (although not by any means exhaustive) list of poetry magazines which are accepting submissions. poetrykit.org seems to have skipped web-design 101, but the list is still wonderful.

Sleepers Publishing

Website: http://www.sleeperspublishing.com/
Scope: International.
Paid: No.
Limits: Bad writing not accepted.
Submissions fee: None.
Subscription fee: None.
Genres accepted: Anything, as long as it’s good.
Extra info: They also have a newsletter and programs for school children, while also holding literary nights: lots of photos and information from previous nights and newsletters can also be found on the site.

Spleen Magazine

Contact: lukemckay@mac.com
Spleen magazine is looking for material on rock music, satanism, hotted up cars, drug smuggling, testing large automatic weapons, surviving in prison, underground political organisations, starting riots, graffiti, or mixing cocktails. The magazeen being established by a team of people who have years of experience in the magazine industry. The theme has not yet been finalised but they are looking for serious but off-beat material. Submissions should be sent to the address above. "Nothing fluffy, no porn, no fiction."

Wannabee’s Annual Short Story/Poetry Competition

Website: http://www.wannabee.com.au/
A book of Realism, Social and Humanitarian poetry and articles will be published at the end of 2005. Strong thought provoking work on global, social and humanitarian issues as well as matters pertaining to Australia only will be considered. There is no payment, however a copy of the book and author’s bio on the website will be given.