Online literary magazines and journals have opened up a wealth of opportunities for writers to get their work published. More and more people are using the Internet to read the news, access blogs, and find informative articles; and studies are showing that readers are also leaning more toward online journals than print journals. Online literary journals and e-zines publish poetry, short fiction, and essays, and much of the work is by new writers. So, beginning writers, take note: The Internet offers greater opportunities than ever before to get your work published!

Online literary magazines and journals.

Newspapers and print magazines aren’t in danger of disappearing anytime soon, but the Internet offers an alternate source of reading material—material that is usually up-to-date, easily accessible, often free, and conveniently waiting for us when we have the time for it. And many online publications have earned critical prestige and increased readership.

The proliferation of literary journals and magazines popping up on the Internet is changing the way literature reaches readers. Suddenly, literature is more accessible to the entire world, and e-zines are offering more selections to their readers.

If you’ve placed a short story in a respectable print journal, it will be in active circulation for a certain number of weeks and then it will be moved to the archives. However, if your story appears in an online literary journal, it may be viewed by thousands of readers, and when it is archived, a mere click of the mouse will bring it back to life. No trips to the back rooms of libraries.

Plus, your story will be viewed by people all over the world who may not have access to work you’ve published in print. This long-term exposure is a definite advantage for the author and may explain why many mid-list literary magazines are switching to both online AND print editions.

Which online magazines and journals should a writer target?

New writers who are looking to be published in a print magazine would do well to target the mid-list (or second-tier) literary magazines, but online publications are a great way for new writers to get those first credits.

Learn more about how to determine the quality and reputation on an online literary journal.

Creative writing blogs.

Blogs have been on the Internet since the early ’90s. Originally, blogs started as personal diaries online, but that has since evolved and expanded. Not only are blogs for personal use, but they are often vehicles for sharing and discussing specific subjects, such as travel, politics, entertainment, and, of course, creative writing. Blogs can also be a valuable part of an author’s platform.

Blogs can serve as an online journal, where writers can post a new poem or short story on a regular basis. Other writer-friendly blogs, such as the Submit Right Now!, offer information and advice for improving one’s writing skills and getting work published.

Start sharing your blog link in your emails and other communications. The more people you have visiting your blog, the more likely people will spread the word, and your rankings in Internet searches will increase.

Note: Magazine editors and literary agents will consider your work published if it’s posted publicly on your blog. Avoid sharing your work until it’s already been published elsewhere, giving credit to where it was first printed. Learn more about what is considered previously published.

Whether you want to create a blog to showcase your writing or promote your work, or you want to submit to one of the new online literary magazines, take advantage of the e-publishing opportunities the Internet provides. At Writer’s  Relief, we’ve been researching literary markets (both print and online) since 1994. Give us a call if you need direction!