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.

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).

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?

$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

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.

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.

Ghosted my manuscript for 3 months. Refused to work on our issues. Somehow still can't get enough of each other...

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

Fun fact: I'm the judge for this month's contest with the theme of DREADED DESTINATIONS New writers, let me see your stories!

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

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.

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?

“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.

Literary magazine business model: ✅ 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.

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.

Deadline Reminder: JUNE 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

JUNE: Dreaded Destinations $3000 grand prize. 10x paid publication. 25x Honorable Mentions. Guest judge Patrick Barb. Submit your short fiction by months end to Elegant Literature.

I hope the myth "real writers are born, not made" doesn't keep too many voices silent. The truth? Writing is a craft that improves with practice. Every author you admire wrote terrible first drafts and spent years honing their skills. Talent exists but persistence matters more.

Non-writers: What's your book about? Writers: *Finally! I've been working on this for years!* … "I, um, actually have no idea."

The math is simple: 0 publications + 1 great story = potential $3,000 award winner at Elegant Literature. We’re the only publication that pays professional rates AND exclusively publishes emerging writers. Because everyone deserves a starting line.

First drafts: messy necessities or terrifying obstacles? The general consensus seems to be “Just get it done, no matter how ugly.” What helps you push through that initial draft? Determination, coffee, rage?

Most publishers want writers with experience. We only want writers WITHOUT it. You heard right. If you’re not a pro author, you’re exactly who we’re looking for. $3000 monthly award for new voices only. From First Draft to First Publication, that's the goal.

Rejection rates at top fiction magazines: 99% Percentage focused on developing new talent: almost zero. Elegant Lit is building what writers actually need: a pathway, not just another gate. 100% focused on paying emerging authors pro rates.

I'm thrilled to announce my resignation from not writing my book. This is my two week notice, after which point I shall begin work. Probably.

Such a pleasure to speak with both of you today!

FREE TO READ _______________ Elegant Literature Issue #040: Crossroads & Consequence. 10 stories by upcoming authors you should be watching.

Writers: Should I submit my short story? Most places: We're only looking for the best of the best… Elegant Literature: Are you a new writer? Great, send it in! We pay pro rates.

Adverbs aren’t evil. They’re just proof your verb isn’t pulling its weight.

There's still time to enter our February $3000 Award For New Writers! Guest judged by @jawmccarthy.bsky.social this is our 41st short story contest since founding in 2021. Can't wait to read your work!

Them: Writing contests always take months to respond. Elegant Literature: We announce a $3k winner every 4 weeks. Writers: *refreshes inbox in shock*

One of these 10 stories is by me 😊

Issue #039: Fearsome Folklore. Free download. 10 new stories by emerging talent. Read it now!

Marketing a book is like online dating. You put yourself out there, try to sound interesting, and hope someone matches with your cover photo.

Forget making your book perfect. Make it finished and findable, then write another.

Them: Writing competitions are just a cash grab. Elegant Literature: We give $3,000 to a new writer every dang month of the year. Writers: Sorry, WHAT?

Selling a book is easy with these 3 steps: 1. Be a celebrity 2. Pay someone to write it for you 3. Sell 10 million copies in the first week

Every month we pay $3500 in awards to new writers. This month it's $4500 thanks to Spoken Press sponsoring an audio category. But hurry, the deadline is midnight tonight!

Them: Writing contests are just scams. Elegant Literature: We’ve paid over $200,000 to new writers. Writers: Wait, hold on—

This Saturday Feb 1 at 1 pm est/ 10 am pst Employing the Five Senses to Engage Readers @elegantliterature.bsky.social Join me in discussion & fun exercises where we’ll stretch the use of senses to enrich our work. Smells! Textures! Tasty things! See you there!

Just 1 day left to submit to the $3000 Elegant Literature Award For New Writers, with an additional $1000 in prizes sponsored by Spoken, this month only!

Book ad idea: "My main character makes terrible choices, just like you if you don't buy my book."

Them: There’s no way to make money from short fiction. Elegant Literature: We pay 10 cents per word. Writers: Wait, hold on—