What Is Literary journal publishing?
One of the best ways to become an established author is not by sending out hundreds of query letters to agents and independent publishers. Instead, it is by publishing your work in literary journals. A literary journal is a magazine that specializes in publishing works of literary merit while literary journal publishing refers to the process of producing and disseminating a periodical or online publication that is devoted to literature and literary-themed content. This can include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and other forms of written expression, as well as interviews, reviews, and other literary-themed features.
One of the key aspects of literary journal publishing is the editorial process, in which the editorial team reviews, selects submissions, provides feedback and guidance to writers, and works with them to refine and polish their work. The editorial team is responsible for curating the content of the journal and ensuring that it meets the standards of quality and excellence that the journal has established.
In addition to the editorial process, literary journal publishing also involves a range of other tasks and responsibilities, including marketing and distribution, budgeting and finance, and design and layout. These tasks are typically carried out by a team of professionals, including editors, designers, and other support staff.
Literary journal publishing can take a variety of forms, including print and online publications. Many literary journals are funded by subscriptions, grants, and other sources of revenue, while others are supported by universities, literary organizations, or other institutions.
Overall, literary journal publishing is a field that involves a wide range of skills and knowledge. From curating and editing content to marketing and distributing the journal, those who work in literary journal publishing play a crucial role in supporting and promoting the work of emerging writers and fostering a vibrant and dynamic literary community.
There are well over 5,000 literary journals in the modern world that are being published at this time…and over 100 of those are based in Africa. You can read most online journals for free, and also many print journals have some sample pieces online, so you can see what kind of work they publish.
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Reasons one gets into Literary journal publishing?
There are a multitude of reasons why an individual might choose to get into literary journal publishing. Some of the most common motivations include:
- Love for literature: Many people who work in literary journal publishing are avid readers and writers who have a deep love and appreciation for literature. They are drawn to the world of publishing as a way to share their passion for literature with others and to support the work of emerging writers.
- Desire to contribute to the literary community: Literary journal publishing offers an opportunity to be a part of a vibrant and dynamic literary community, both as a reader and as a contributor. By participating in the publishing process, one has the opportunity to support and promote the work of other writers and to contribute to the ongoing conversation about literature and culture.
- Interest in the editorial process: For those who enjoy the process of refining and polishing written work, a career in literary journal publishing can be highly rewarding. As an editor, one has the opportunity to work with writers to help them hone their craft and bring their work to the highest level of quality.
- Opportunity to be creative: Literary journal publishing can be a highly creative field, as it involves not only editing and refining written work, but also designing and formatting the journal itself. This can be a great opportunity for those who enjoy being creative and thinking outside the box.
- Sense of accomplishment: There is a great sense of accomplishment that comes with seeing one’s work in print and knowing that it is being read by a wider audience. For those who enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and pride that comes with publishing, literary journal publishing can be a highly rewarding career.
The process of getting Published in a literary journal publishing?
The process of publishing in a literary journal can be complex and multifaceted, requiring a wide range of skills and knowledge. Here is a detailed overview of the process:
- Submission: The first step in the process is submitting one’s work to the journal. This typically involves following the journal’s guidelines for formatting and submitting the work, as well as providing any necessary biographical or contact information.
- Review: Once the submission has been received, the editorial team will review it to determine if it meets the journal’s standards and fits with its overall aesthetic and mission. This review process can be highly subjective and can involve multiple rounds of feedback and revisions.
- Selection: If the submission is deemed suitable for publication, the editorial team will select it for inclusion in the journal. This selection process can be competitive, as many journals receive a large number of submissions and have limited space for publication.
- Editing: Once a submission has been selected for publication, the editorial team will work with the writer to fine-tune and polish the work. This can involve substantive editing, such as restructuring the piece or suggesting changes to the plot or character development, as well as copyediting, which focuses on correcting grammar, spelling, and other technical errors.
- Design: After the editing process is complete, the editorial team will work with a designer to create a visually appealing layout for the journal. This may involve choosing font styles, sizes, and colours, as well as incorporating graphics and other visual elements.
- Printing: Once the design is complete, the journal will be printed and distributed to subscribers and other interested readers. Depending on the journal’s distribution model, this may involve printing physical copies or making the journal available online.
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What are the rhetoric rules every writer should know concerning literary journal publishing? Here are some tips
- You must set a submission goal for yourself
Set it at a number that seems reasonable to you – perhaps five submissions to different magazines per month.
As you progress you will realise that the more experience you have submitting, the more it becomes easier to submit your work.
- Keep track of what you submit and where
You must keep a record that tracks which journals you have submitted to and when the submissions were made/are due to avoid confusion.
- Create a couple of biographical statements.
While submission guidelines may vary from platform to platform, it is nearly universal that literary journals require a brief biographical statement from prospective submitters. To streamline the submission process, writers should have a biographical statement ready at all times. This should be of moderate length, typically ranging from fifty to one hundred and fifty words. It is also advisable to write these statements in the third person, as this is a common convention in the publishing industry. By having a biographical statement on hand and adhering to these guidelines, writers can minimize the time and effort required to submit their work to literary journals.
- Create a standard cover letter for all the journals you are submitting to
A cover letter should be as simple as possible; an editor does not have a lot of time and does not want to be bogged down by the details. If you are submitting to a journal you particularly like, you could include a note about why you like the journal. Sometimes, journals will request that you include additional information such as titles and word count in your cover letter. You can cut and paste that information in.
- Always read the submission guidelines
While it may seem self-evident, it is imperative that writers carefully peruse the submission guidelines of literary journals, as failing to do so can result in a significant percentage of their work being rejected due to a misalignment with the journal’s focus and interests, rather than stylistic preferences. It is not uncommon for upwards of 15% of submissions to be rejected due to a lack of congruence with the journal’s publishing ethos, making it all the more crucial that writers familiarize themselves with the specific requirements and preferences of each journal to which they submit their work.
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In conclusion, here are some additional information writers should know about literary journals
- The difference between what journals say and what they mean
It is incumbent upon writers to carefully peruse the submission guidelines provided by literary journals in order to ascertain the specific criteria by which their work will be judged. While some of these guidelines may be unambiguous and straightforward, such as requirements for word count or genre, others may be less germane or even misleading, and thus should be given less weight in the submission process. Writers need to focus on the concrete criteria specified by journals, such as length, themes, and genre, in order to maximize their chances of acceptance and avoid wasting time on extraneous or inconsequential considerations.
- Buying before submitting
As a means of sustaining their operations, many literary journals rely on the sale of copies to maintain their viability. In an effort to bolster their revenue streams, a significant proportion of print and electronic journals encourage prospective submitters to purchase a copy of their publication prior to submitting their work. This can be a tedious and costly endeavour for writers, particularly if they are submitting to numerous journals simultaneously.
However, for those who are particularly enamoured with a given journal and find it in line with their interests, subscribing can be a worthwhile investment. By subscribing, writers demonstrate their support for the journal and their enthusiasm for the work that it publishes. Additionally, reading one or two of the poems or short stories that a journal has published online can provide writers with a better sense of the journal’s aesthetic and the type of work that it favours.
- ON TAKING REJECTIONS SERIOUSLY
Rather than dwelling on past rejections, writers should focus on submitting their work to as many literary journals as possible to maximize their chances of acceptance. There is a profusion of excellent journals available, and by submitting to a wide array of publications, writers can take advantage of the increased opportunity that this affords. It is important for writers to keep in mind that rejection is an inevitable part of the publishing process and that a journal’s rejection of a piece of work does not necessarily foreclose the possibility of future acceptance of subsequent submissions. Indeed, it is not uncommon for pieces to be accepted by journals that have previously rejected earlier work by the same writer.
Frank Njugi (He/Him) is a poet and writer living in Nairobi, Kenya. He currently serves as a poetry editor for Writers space Africa, and as a reader for Salamander Ink Magazine. His work has been featured in Kikwetu Journal, 20.35 Africa, Kalahari Review, Olney Magazine, Ibua Journal, and others. He goes as @franknjugi on all platforms.
