Elegant Literature
@elegantliterature.bsky.social
A short fiction magazine, award, and school exclusively for upcoming writers to start their career.
elegantliterature.com/links
elegantliterature.com/links
Reposted by Elegant Literature
So excited to have my story "Infinite Wisdom" published in the pages of this month's @elegantliterature.bsky.social, titled "Charmed and Chained." Check it out along with LOTS of great stories this month, here: www.elegantliterature.com/magazine/
Magazine
Amazing stories by upcoming talent. No query letters. Guaranteed acceptance/rejection timeline. Above-professional pay.
www.elegantliterature.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
So excited to have my story "Infinite Wisdom" published in the pages of this month's @elegantliterature.bsky.social, titled "Charmed and Chained." Check it out along with LOTS of great stories this month, here: www.elegantliterature.com/magazine/
Every published author we’ve talked to: “This is such a great initiative. I wish Elegant Literature had existed back when I started writing!”
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
June 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Every published author we’ve talked to: “This is such a great initiative. I wish Elegant Literature had existed back when I started writing!”
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
I'm thrilled to announce I've been shortlisted for the final round of the longlist for a writing fellowship that may lead to an unpaid internship, which I need to get accepted to my MFA.
June 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I'm thrilled to announce I've been shortlisted for the final round of the longlist for a writing fellowship that may lead to an unpaid internship, which I need to get accepted to my MFA.
The sad story about short fiction?
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
June 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The sad story about short fiction?
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
What’s your character’s non-negotiable?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
June 28, 2025 at 10:50 AM
What’s your character’s non-negotiable?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
$3000 award for a writer who submits a story by the end of the month.
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
$3000 award for a writer who submits a story by the end of the month.
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
Here’s what’s broken about publishing: The people who need opportunity the most are the least likely to get it.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
June 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Here’s what’s broken about publishing: The people who need opportunity the most are the least likely to get it.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Most lit mags: “Sorry, we need writers with experience."
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
June 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Most lit mags: “Sorry, we need writers with experience."
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Ghosted my manuscript for 3 months. Refused to work on our issues.
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
June 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Ghosted my manuscript for 3 months. Refused to work on our issues.
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
Reposted by Elegant Literature
Wanna learn about finding the best magazines, anthologies, bathroom stalls (okay mayyyybe not that last one) for submitting YOUR short stories?
Come join me and the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social Saturday June 28 at 1 pm Eastern for:
FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION
Come join me and the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social Saturday June 28 at 1 pm Eastern for:
FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION
June 26, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Wanna learn about finding the best magazines, anthologies, bathroom stalls (okay mayyyybe not that last one) for submitting YOUR short stories?
Come join me and the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social Saturday June 28 at 1 pm Eastern for:
FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION
Come join me and the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social Saturday June 28 at 1 pm Eastern for:
FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION
Reposted by Elegant Literature
Fun fact: I'm the judge for this month's contest with the theme of DREADED DESTINATIONS
New writers, let me see your stories!
New writers, let me see your stories!
June 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Fun fact: I'm the judge for this month's contest with the theme of DREADED DESTINATIONS
New writers, let me see your stories!
New writers, let me see your stories!
Reposted by Elegant Literature
Yours truly is conducting a workshop for the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social on FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION.
This Saturday June 28 at 1 PM Eastern.
You’ve gotta be an Education+ subscriber to join but guess who has 10 free subs to give away on 1st come 1st serve basis
This Saturday June 28 at 1 PM Eastern.
You’ve gotta be an Education+ subscriber to join but guess who has 10 free subs to give away on 1st come 1st serve basis
June 25, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Yours truly is conducting a workshop for the folks at @elegantliterature.bsky.social on FINDING THE RIGHT MARKETS FOR YOUR FICTION.
This Saturday June 28 at 1 PM Eastern.
You’ve gotta be an Education+ subscriber to join but guess who has 10 free subs to give away on 1st come 1st serve basis
This Saturday June 28 at 1 PM Eastern.
You’ve gotta be an Education+ subscriber to join but guess who has 10 free subs to give away on 1st come 1st serve basis
Most writers remember that first acceptance letter like athletes remember their first championship.
That’s why Elegant Literature exists. To be that meaningful first for talented writers who haven’t broken in yet.
That’s why Elegant Literature exists. To be that meaningful first for talented writers who haven’t broken in yet.
June 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Most writers remember that first acceptance letter like athletes remember their first championship.
That’s why Elegant Literature exists. To be that meaningful first for talented writers who haven’t broken in yet.
That’s why Elegant Literature exists. To be that meaningful first for talented writers who haven’t broken in yet.
Have you ever tried writing just the dialogue, then adding action, introspection, and description after the fact?
Did it flow better or become flat and mechanical?
Did it flow better or become flat and mechanical?
June 25, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Have you ever tried writing just the dialogue, then adding action, introspection, and description after the fact?
Did it flow better or become flat and mechanical?
Did it flow better or become flat and mechanical?
“But I don’t have any publishing credits!”
That’s not a problem at Elegant Literature. We exclusively publish writers who haven’t broken in yet. Because someone should.
That’s not a problem at Elegant Literature. We exclusively publish writers who haven’t broken in yet. Because someone should.
June 25, 2025 at 10:49 AM
“But I don’t have any publishing credits!”
That’s not a problem at Elegant Literature. We exclusively publish writers who haven’t broken in yet. Because someone should.
That’s not a problem at Elegant Literature. We exclusively publish writers who haven’t broken in yet. Because someone should.
Literary magazine business model:
✅ Pay writers in “exposure”
✅ Charge submission fees
✅ 6-month response time
✅ Form rejections
And they wonder why writers drink.
✅ Pay writers in “exposure”
✅ Charge submission fees
✅ 6-month response time
✅ Form rejections
And they wonder why writers drink.
June 20, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Literary magazine business model:
✅ Pay writers in “exposure”
✅ Charge submission fees
✅ 6-month response time
✅ Form rejections
And they wonder why writers drink.
✅ Pay writers in “exposure”
✅ Charge submission fees
✅ 6-month response time
✅ Form rejections
And they wonder why writers drink.
For writers beginning their journey:
We host live trainings by award-winning authors and other industry pros to teach the craft, the mindset, and how to navigate the industry. Use those skills by submitting to our magazine, which pays pro rates and only publishes new writers.
We host live trainings by award-winning authors and other industry pros to teach the craft, the mindset, and how to navigate the industry. Use those skills by submitting to our magazine, which pays pro rates and only publishes new writers.
June 19, 2025 at 2:34 PM
For writers beginning their journey:
We host live trainings by award-winning authors and other industry pros to teach the craft, the mindset, and how to navigate the industry. Use those skills by submitting to our magazine, which pays pro rates and only publishes new writers.
We host live trainings by award-winning authors and other industry pros to teach the craft, the mindset, and how to navigate the industry. Use those skills by submitting to our magazine, which pays pro rates and only publishes new writers.
Writing a novel: packing for a month-long trip with two checked luggages and a carry-on.
Writing a short story: packing for the same trip but everything has to fit in your left pocket.
Writing a short story: packing for the same trip but everything has to fit in your left pocket.
June 19, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Writing a novel: packing for a month-long trip with two checked luggages and a carry-on.
Writing a short story: packing for the same trip but everything has to fit in your left pocket.
Writing a short story: packing for the same trip but everything has to fit in your left pocket.
Deadline Reminder: JUNE
12 days left to submit your story for the Elegant Literature $3000 Award For New Writers.
12 days left to submit your story for the Elegant Literature $3000 Award For New Writers.
June 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Deadline Reminder: JUNE
12 days left to submit your story for the Elegant Literature $3000 Award For New Writers.
12 days left to submit your story for the Elegant Literature $3000 Award For New Writers.
Your job doesn’t define your writing identity.
Octavia Butler wrote daily while working as a dishwasher, potato chip inspector, and telemarketer. She'd wake up at 2 AM to write before her shift. After 5 years of grinding she sold her book. Sometimes that's what it takes.
Octavia Butler wrote daily while working as a dishwasher, potato chip inspector, and telemarketer. She'd wake up at 2 AM to write before her shift. After 5 years of grinding she sold her book. Sometimes that's what it takes.
June 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Your job doesn’t define your writing identity.
Octavia Butler wrote daily while working as a dishwasher, potato chip inspector, and telemarketer. She'd wake up at 2 AM to write before her shift. After 5 years of grinding she sold her book. Sometimes that's what it takes.
Octavia Butler wrote daily while working as a dishwasher, potato chip inspector, and telemarketer. She'd wake up at 2 AM to write before her shift. After 5 years of grinding she sold her book. Sometimes that's what it takes.
Elegant Literature: The only magazine that exclusively publishes NEW writers for pro rates.
Your story deserves readers, not a permanent home in your drafts folder.
Your story deserves readers, not a permanent home in your drafts folder.
June 18, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Elegant Literature: The only magazine that exclusively publishes NEW writers for pro rates.
Your story deserves readers, not a permanent home in your drafts folder.
Your story deserves readers, not a permanent home in your drafts folder.
Thank you for the kind words, Celina! It always makes my day to hear positive feedback from our authors :)
Read Celina's stories for free in Elegant Literature magazine.
Vending Machine Angel, in the Mundane Magic issue, and Mercy, in the Sinister Sanctuaries issue.
Read Celina's stories for free in Elegant Literature magazine.
Vending Machine Angel, in the Mundane Magic issue, and Mercy, in the Sinister Sanctuaries issue.
June 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Thank you for the kind words, Celina! It always makes my day to hear positive feedback from our authors :)
Read Celina's stories for free in Elegant Literature magazine.
Vending Machine Angel, in the Mundane Magic issue, and Mercy, in the Sinister Sanctuaries issue.
Read Celina's stories for free in Elegant Literature magazine.
Vending Machine Angel, in the Mundane Magic issue, and Mercy, in the Sinister Sanctuaries issue.
Who else has days where opening a blank document feels like staring into an existential void that somehow knows all your insecurities?
Like, chill out Universe, I just want to have fun with my hobby.
Like, chill out Universe, I just want to have fun with my hobby.
June 17, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Who else has days where opening a blank document feels like staring into an existential void that somehow knows all your insecurities?
Like, chill out Universe, I just want to have fun with my hobby.
Like, chill out Universe, I just want to have fun with my hobby.
Short fiction is often where writers “pay their dues.”
But it should also be where they first get paid.
So we decided to pay 10c/word. Professional rates for new writers only. Because your words have value from day one.
But it should also be where they first get paid.
So we decided to pay 10c/word. Professional rates for new writers only. Because your words have value from day one.
June 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Short fiction is often where writers “pay their dues.”
But it should also be where they first get paid.
So we decided to pay 10c/word. Professional rates for new writers only. Because your words have value from day one.
But it should also be where they first get paid.
So we decided to pay 10c/word. Professional rates for new writers only. Because your words have value from day one.
What if there was a clear path for new writers to break in?
At Elegant Literature, we’ve built something different: a publication specifically to help unpublished writers take their first step.
Professional pay and a focus on authors beginning their journey.
At Elegant Literature, we’ve built something different: a publication specifically to help unpublished writers take their first step.
Professional pay and a focus on authors beginning their journey.
June 16, 2025 at 9:53 PM
What if there was a clear path for new writers to break in?
At Elegant Literature, we’ve built something different: a publication specifically to help unpublished writers take their first step.
Professional pay and a focus on authors beginning their journey.
At Elegant Literature, we’ve built something different: a publication specifically to help unpublished writers take their first step.
Professional pay and a focus on authors beginning their journey.