Literary Journal

Beloit Fiction Journal

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About the magazine

Founded in 1984 at Beloit College, the Beloit Fiction Journal is a distinguished literary magazine dedicated exclusively to the art of the short story. Established by a group of writers and educators who sought to create a dedicated space for narrative craft, the journal has maintained a commitment to publishing emerging and established voices without regard to trends or commercial pressures. Its mission is to celebrate the short story as a vital form, offering readers and writers a curated selection of work that prioritizes emotional resonance, structural integrity, and linguistic precision.

Editorial focus

The Beloit Fiction Journal publishes the best in contemporary short fiction. Traditional and experimental narratives find a home in its pages. It publishes new writers alongside established writers. As one of the few fiction-only journals in the country, it is able to feature as many as 15 new stories per issue.

Fiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodAug 1 to Nov 16

Reading feeYes

PaymentContributor copies only

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Submit only previously unpublished short stories. The journal favors work that demonstrates a strong command of narrative craft over experimental or genre-driven pieces. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Reading periods are typically announced on the website; follow guidelines precisely and include a brief cover letter with your submission.

We are open to literary fiction on any subject or theme, but we do not print genre fiction, pornography, political tracts, or religious dogma. We accept stories up to 10,000 words in length, though longer pieces will have a more difficult time finding acceptance than shorter ones.

Read official guidelines

Submission calls

2 listed

OpenDeadline · 2026-11-16