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Literary Journal

The Sun

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#10 Overall · 64.6 ptsTier 2
Journals & literary magazines1 open opportunity listed

About the magazine

The Sun is an independent, ad-free monthly magazine founded in 1974 by Sy Safransky. From its origins as a small, hand-assembled publication in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, it has grown into a nationally recognized forum for personal essays, short stories, interviews, poetry, and photography. The magazine's founding ethos is rooted in a commitment to honest, unflinching writing that explores the human condition with compassion and vulnerability. Its pages are free of commercial influence, allowing for a contemplative reading experience that prioritizes depth over trend. Over five decades, The Sun has maintained a distinct literary voice, championing work that is both politically engaged and spiritually searching, often blurring the lines between memoir, reportage, and fiction.

Editorial focus

The Sun is an independent, ad-free magazine that for more than fifty years has used words and photographs to evoke the splendor and heartache of being human. Each monthly issue celebrates life, but not in a way that ignores its complexity. The personal essays, short stories, interviews, poetry, and photographs that appear in The Sun ’s pages explore the challenges we face and the moments when we rise to meet them.

PoetryFictionCreative Nonfiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodJan 1 to Dec 31
Reading feeYes
PaymentCash
Response time3 to 6 months
Simultaneous submissionsYes
Unsolicited submissionsYes

The Sun accepts submissions of essays, short stories, poetry, and photographs. It does not accept simultaneous submissions for prose or poetry, so do not send work that is under consideration elsewhere. Reading periods vary; check the website for current guidelines. Prose should be under 7,000 words, and poetry submissions may include up to five poems. Include a brief cover letter with your contact information and a short bio. The magazine values writing that is personal, vivid, and emotionally honest; avoid academic or overly abstract language. Photographers should submit black-and-white images, as the magazine prints only black-and-white photography. Response times can be lengthy (often several months), so patience is essential. Payment is upon publication, and contributors receive a complimentary copy.

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Submission calls

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The Sun — Submissions

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