Literary Journal

Weird Lit Magazine

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About the magazine

Weird Lit Magazine is an independent online publication dedicated to the strange, the slipstream, and the unclassifiable. Founded in 2018 by a collective of writers and editors frustrated by the narrow boundaries of genre fiction, the magazine has carved out a niche for work that resists easy categorization. Its mission is to champion narratives that unsettle, provoke, and expand the possibilities of literary expression, with a particular emphasis on the weird as a mode of inquiry into contemporary anxieties. Since its inception, Weird Lit Magazine has published quarterly issues featuring a mix of established and emerging voices. The editorial vision is rooted in a commitment to formal experimentation and intellectual rigor, drawing on traditions of surrealism, cosmic horror, and postmodern fabulism while remaining open to new hybrid forms. Each issue is curated to create a cohesive, immersive reading experience, often accompanied by original artwork that complements the textual weirdness.

Editorial focus

Weird Lit Magazine is a platform for the weird and boundless.

Fiction

Submitting your work

Reading periodOct 15 to Nov 15

Reading feeNo

PaymentCash

Response timeLess than 3 months

Simultaneous submissionsYes

Unsolicited submissionsYes

Weird Lit Magazine accepts submissions of short fiction, flash fiction, and hybrid texts during biannual reading periods, typically in January and July. Before submitting, carefully review the full guidelines on the website, as the magazine has specific formatting requirements and a strict word limit of 5,000 words. The editors value work that is genuinely strange and well-crafted, not merely quirky; they look for narratives that challenge reader expectations and demonstrate a command of language. Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but notify the magazine immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere. Response times average three to six months, so patience is advised. Include a brief cover letter with your submission, but avoid summarizing the plot; instead, mention any relevant publications or influences that align with the magazine's aesthetic.

We seek stories under 3,000 words with a strong voice and encourage nonrealist narratives and settings in the following styles and moods: absurdist, ambiguous, avant-garde, bleak, dark, deadpan, existential, experimental, grotesque, hopeful, horror, humorous, literary, magical realism, noir, psychological, slipstream, speculative, supernatural, and, of course, weird.

Read official guidelines