Small Press

Joyland Publishing

Open now

Independent publishing2 open opportunities listed

About the press

Joyland Publishing is an independent literary organization rooted in the belief that short fiction is a vital, living form. Founded in 2008 as an online magazine, Joyland quickly became a home for writing that is formally adventurous and emotionally precise, publishing stories that might otherwise be overlooked by mainstream venues. Its ethos is one of generous rigor: the editors seek work that takes risks on the sentence level while remaining deeply engaged with the world. Over time, Joyland expanded into book publishing, championing debut collections and novels that share this commitment to craft and curiosity. The organization operates with a small, dedicated staff and a network of contributing editors, maintaining a spirit of literary community rather than commercial scale.

Calls & opportunities

4 listed

ClosedDeadline · 2026-10-01

Joyland Publishing — Joyland Editions Submissions

ClosedDeadline · 2026-10-01

Joyland Publishing — Joyland Editions Submissions

OpenDeadline · 2026-12-01

Joyland Publishing — Joyland Magazine Submissions (Fall 2026)

OpenDeadline · 2026-12-01

Joyland Publishing — Joyland Magazine Submissions (Fall 2026)

Manuscript submissions

Reading periodOpen now

Before submitting, read several stories from recent issues to understand the range and quality Joyland seeks. They favor work that is character-driven, linguistically alert, and unafraid of ambiguity. Simultaneous submissions are generally accepted, but notify promptly if your work is placed elsewhere. Keep cover letters brief and professional; the writing should speak for itself. For book submissions, query first unless the guidelines specify otherwise. Response times vary, so patience is advised—do not follow up before the stated period has passed.