The literary journal, also known as "small press journals" and "little magazines," has been in existence as a published periodical for at least two-hundred years, proving its importance to both writers and scholars of critical works.
What is a literary Journal?
Literary journals are written journals of and about fiction, poetry, literary biography and even art. The works within must be literary and provocative. Literature itself is timeless, while trends in fiction genres come and go. Good literature is thought to have permanence and is intrinsic in its very nature, even experimental. It is this, literary journal publishers strive to show with every issue – a collection of works written to provoke readers to think.
Niche Themes for a Literary Journal
With countless literary journals being published every year, even every day, new journal publishers need to carve a niche for their journal in order to stand apart and be recognized.
Consider how topics like art, travel or history can work in literary fiction, essays, reviews or poetry. Perhaps a journal about an interest. Even an obscure theme about mudlarks along the Thames, which may seem very limiting, can actually draw countless submissions. Every poem and every story, essay and work of art submitted will have something to say, each piece unique.
Many literary journals, while not specifically themed have themed issues, going from an issue about the sea to one about food as art for example. The possibilities are endless, and creative publishers of literary journals often think outside the box. Their best writers also think outside the box.
Publishers often have a mission statement. And it's that statement that is the driving force behind the publication, whether it's to advance new writers, promote women in the arts, bring prison poetry to the outside, make social change or teach with fiction from other lands. Each has a reason for being. With a mission statement, writers know how to respond.
Getting Started in Publishing a Literary Journal
New publishers must be prepared to do a lot of research before sending out calls for submission. The list below includes the basics a new publisher will need to research, study and learn before getting started. Online search results will give the publisher these basics.
- Learn about copyright law.
- Learn about running a small business, which includes registering a business, bookkeeping, paying taxes.
- Learn about ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers)
- Learn editing and copy-editing skills. Someone wanting to publish a literary journal should have these basic skills already.
- Learn printing terms and how to find a printer.
- Learn about distribution and the best routes to take.
- Learn about direct sales.
- Learn how to do graphic design or how to find a graphic designer.
- Learn how to target an audience.
- Learn how to find writers, artists, poets and scholars.
- Learn how to "hook" well-known writers, artists, poets and scholars.
- Learn how to obtain government grants.
Publishers of literary journals are often chief cooks and bottle washers. They must and usually do have a good understanding of literature, writing, editing and publishing.
They do it mainly for the love of literature and the love of words. Hopes may be dampened here, but most literary journals don't make the publisher rich. They can break even financially and even allow a profit to cover the time and energy spent in putting each issue together, but publishing literary journals aren't get rich quick schemes.
The Writer and the Literary Journal
The literary journal is important for both published and emerging writers. It gives published writers a venue to write outside their genre, review other works and expand their resumes.
Literary journals give emerging writers more opportunities to be published. Writers don't need an agent to seek publication in literary journals. Writers build their history when published in literary journals, anthologies and other small publications. With works previously published, an agent or publisher is more apt to take a look at the writer's novel – the ultimate goal for most writers.
The Rewards of Publishing Literary Journals
Publishing literary journals is an art. As publishers and editors, they have the potential to change peoples way of thinking, bring interesting viewpoints to their audience, inadvertently launch new writers, meet fascinating people in the literary world, and so much more.
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