Literary Journal

Killer Nashville Magazine

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About the magazine

Killer Nashville Magazine is the literary arm of the Killer Nashville Writers' Conference, an annual event founded in 2006 that focuses on the craft and business of mystery, thriller, and suspense writing. The magazine extends the conference's mission by providing a platform for emerging and established voices in crime fiction, publishing interviews, craft essays, and short stories that reflect the genre's evolving traditions. Its founding ethos is rooted in community and education, offering writers a supportive yet rigorous space to hone their skills and connect with peers and professionals.

Editorial focus

Killer Nashville Magazine seeks to publish both fresh and established voices in any genre that incorporates elements of mystery, thriller, suspense, and/or romance (and we believe all good literary works and art contain those elements to varying degrees). Selections from Killer Nashville have been included in The Best Mystery Stories of the Year anthologies and The Best American Mystery Stories anthologies.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31

Reading feeYes

PaymentCash

Response time3 to 6 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Writers should familiarize themselves with the magazine's focus on mystery, thriller, and suspense. Submissions typically include short stories and nonfiction craft pieces. It is advisable to review past issues to understand the tone and length preferences. Simultaneous submissions are often accepted, but notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Include a brief cover letter with your publishing history, if any, and a professional bio. Response times may vary, so patience is encouraged.

We strive to provide resources to writers and creators of any background, featuring works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and art. We encourage submissions by creators of all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and ability status. We welcome literary, mainstream, commercial, and genre fiction, nonfiction, essays, reviews, poetry, and art. If it has references, dissects, or talks about mystery, thriller, suspense, and/or romance, we’re interested.

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Submission calls

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