MANDIRA PATTNAIK

open unsolicited submissions

Some time ago, I came across NEW ENGLAND REVIEW and their “Staging Style” craft essays edited by Leslie Sainz. Written in a refreshing way, I found these essays really engaging. “A Plug into the Wall: The Role of Memory & Forgetting in the Personal Essay” by Amy Lee Scott, is a notable example. Open year round, NER is seeking brief essays, 900 to 2,000 words, that trouble the conventional prescriptiveness of “craft” and instead illuminate the infinite possibilities beneath questions of style, time, sound, form, voice, character, image, setting, risk, genre, etc. If work is accepted for publication, you will receive a one-year subscription to NER (or a subscription renewal for current subscribers) plus a payment of $100.

Craft and critical essays ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 words concerning the craft of fiction or creative nonfiction are welcome at CRAFT. Pays between $50 and $100 for original craft content. CRAFT was established in 2017 as a literary magazine for fiction. It expanded in 2020 to publish creative nonfiction as well. Cole Meyer is the Editor-in-Chief.

The Artisanal Writer is an online magazine that explores the craft and practice of writing. Accepts original, previously unpublished, literary Essays (on craft, practice, poetics, theory and criticism) year-round from Canadian, American and international writers, writing in English. All accepted Literary Essays receive an honorarium of $25 (CAD). Submission via Duotrope. Check out “Object Lessons” on their website. They published continuously between 2021 and 2025 but are yet to publish an issue in 2026.

Authors Publish invites articles and eBooks about various aspects of writing and publishing with word counts around 300 to 1200. “This includes craft tips, practical ways to find more time to write, strategies to promote your work and build your author platform, etc.” Pay is USD $50 for most articles. USD up to $150 for longer special issue articles. Submissions reopen September 28, 2026. They published my article “How to Ace the Rejection Game” in May, 2026. This venue began with just three subscribers when it launched and has grown significantly over the years into a large community supported by a large social following (such as 45,000+ followers on Instagram).

LIT MAG NEWS has 17,000+ plus subscribers on Substack. Helmed by Becky Tuch, the venue is always open for pitches/articles, check out this tweet. Published many interesting articles such as “Social Media Truths Every Writer Needs to Understand”. Operates on a paying subscriber model. My third article with this publication “What the Commonwealth Short Story Prize Controversy Means to Commonwealth Writers” was published on August 06, 2026.

Please always read a piece or two from the publication before submitting in order to familiarize yourself. Also, always check their submisison and publication calendar. Information contained herein is researched carefully but readers should always verify information. Editor disclaims any liability for the use of information contained within. Thank you for following/reading.

[A shorter version of this post appeared on Medium on August 09, 2026]