Literary Journal

Barnstorm Journal

Open now

Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listed

About the magazine

Barnstorm Journal is a literary magazine founded on the conviction that poetry and short fiction can be both formally adventurous and emotionally immediate. Established in the early 2010s by a collective of writers and editors, it emerged as a response to what its founders saw as a false divide between accessible narrative and experimental craft. The journal publishes two issues annually, each pairing emerging voices with established poets and fiction writers, and has maintained a commitment to work that values clarity, risk, and the music of the sentence over trend-driven aesthetics. Its editorial ethos is rooted in the belief that literature should be a site of encounter—unpredictable, generous, and resistant to easy categorization.

Editorial focus

Barnstorm is an online literary magazine sponsored by the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of New Hampshire.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 15 to May 15

Reading feeYes

PaymentNo payment

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Barnstorm Journal accepts submissions of poetry, short fiction, and occasional hybrid work through its website during designated reading periods, typically in the fall and spring. Writers should read at least one recent issue before submitting to understand the journal's range and editorial sensibility. There are no strict length limits, but the editors favor work that demonstrates a strong command of language and a willingness to take formal risks without sacrificing emotional clarity. Simultaneous submissions are accepted with prompt notification of acceptance elsewhere; previously published work is not considered. Response times vary, but the journal aims to reply within three to four months. A brief, professional cover letter is welcome but not required.

We only accept submissions via Submittable. Visit our website for more information.

Read official guidelines