What Magazines Buy Short Stories? A Writer's Guide
If you're wondering "what magazines buy short stories?" you're asking the right question. Getting paid for your fiction is possible—you just need to know where to look. The market for short stories is more robust than many writers realize, spanning literary journals, consumer magazines, and niche publications hungry for fresh content.
Traditional Consumer Magazines
Major publications still buy short stories, though slots are competitive. The New Yorker remains the gold standard, paying top rates for literary fiction. Esquire, Harper's Magazine, and The Atlantic also publish short fiction regularly and compensate writers fairly.
Genre-focused magazines like Asimov's Science Fiction, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction actively seek submissions in their respective niches. If you write speculative or mystery fiction, these are prime targets.
Women's magazines like Ladies' Home Journal occasionally feature short stories, though opportunities here have dwindled over the years.
Literary Journals & Quarterlies
Literary journals are goldmines for short story writers, though payment varies widely. The Paris Review, Ploughshares, The Sun Magazine, and The Georgia Review publish quality short fiction and typically pay contributors.
Many university-affiliated journals offer modest but legitimate payment. Journals like Missouri Review, Southern Review, and Kenyon Review are respected markets that compensate writers. Check Submittable to find submission portals for hundreds of literary journals accepting stories.
Genre-Specific Markets
Thriller/Mystery: *Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine*, *Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine* Science Fiction/Fantasy: *Clarkesworld*, *Tor.com*, *Lightspeed* Horror: *Cemetery Gates Media*, *Dark Discoveries* Romance: *Woman's World* (very fast-paced market)
These specialized publications understand their audiences and pay writers who deliver authentic genre content.
Online Publications & Digital Markets
Don't overlook digital-first magazines. Tor.com, Clarkesworld Magazine, and Wattpad Paid Stories offer legitimate payment for online publication. Some websites like Medium's Partner Program allow writers to earn based on reader engagement, though this is less reliable than upfront payment.
Paying Markets Resources
Duotrope and Submittable are subscription databases listing thousands of paying markets with submission requirements, payment rates, and response times. The Submission Grinder is a free alternative.
Writer's Market (annual print guide) remains invaluable for traditional research.
Payment Expectations
Rates vary dramatically. The New Yorker and top-tier magazines pay $1–$5+ per word. Literary journals typically offer $25–$500 per story. Small online publications might pay $10–$100. Some prestigious journals offer contributor copies instead of payment—decide whether that aligns with your goals.
Submission Tips
- Follow submission guidelines precisely
- Research each market's aesthetic before submitting
- Personalize cover letters when possible
- Track submissions in a spreadsheet
- Expect 4–12 week response times
- Don't submit simultaneously to exclusive markets
Conclusion
What magazines buy short stories? Hundreds do—from prestigious literary journals to specialized genre publications. The key is matching your story to the right market, following guidelines meticulously, and persisting through rejections. Start with markets that align with your genre and reading level, use Duotrope or Submittable to streamline your search, and remember that every published writer started with their first acceptance. Your stories have value. Find the magazines ready to pay for them.