Your Story Starts Here

The first magazine to pay pro rates and only publish new writers

New Writers Only

No pros means less competition.

$200,000+ In Payments

To upcoming authors.

AuthorHQ

Learn from industry experts.

$3000 Awarded Monthly

One of the largest awards open to unpublished writers and closed to professionals. Each month we hold a contest based on a short fiction prompt. One new author receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine.

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AuthorHQ

Learn from pro authors, agents, and publishers with live lessons and a growing library of video trainings. Includes:

  • Scene Critique Mastersclass w/ C.S. Lakin
  • Actionable Agent Advice w/ Kaitlyn Katsoupis
  • Self Pub Prep w/ Ryan Cipriani
  • Author Mindset Mastery w/ Creag Munroe
  • and many more


Plus tons of instructional content on writing, storytelling, and the business of being an author. Practice your skills, get community support, and take the next step towards becoming a pro author.

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Free To Read

We are the first magazine to pay professional rates and only publish new writers. Read stories by over 160 authors, completely free (and not filled with ads).

These are high quality stories by emerging talent. Each issue is themed, but we publish all genres. Guaranteed entertainment, without a subscription fee.

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A Community of Writers

Collaborate with the entire community or join a small group of 5 to get support and feedback on your work. Or both!

We’re all in this to tell great stories.

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I’m trying to put the word out among writing groups and friends - I was so impressed with the quality of your publication and the effort going in to encourage new writers to value themselves and produce elegant work. I definitely felt inspired by this month’s challenge and loved writing for it.
— Angel Whelan
I can't tell you enough how grateful I am for you and Elegant Literature. I've been a writer for about as long as I can remember, but my publications in Elegant Literature have driven me to really focus my energy. I've grown so much as a writer through submitting to Elegant Literature. I can't wait to see where my writing career brings me.
— Terra Patrick
Just signed up with Elegant+ this morning and glad to be here. Much respect for what you are doing to promote new writers. The prize money is staggering, the pay rate is excellent, the ethos is exceptional.
— Stephen Frame
I just wanted to tell you that I appreciated the personal touch to your email late last week. I'm new to writing fiction, as I suppose most people at Elegant are, and your thoughts really resonated with me, particularly when it comes to imposter syndrome. I wanted to thank you for sharing your experiences and for what you're doing to give new writers opportunities!
— Kate M.
I'm loving the emails and the magazine. I was just gonna subscribe for one month so I could enter one of your contests, but your emails alone are worth $10 a month. Thanks for the awesome writing tips and I look forward to reading more from you.
— Haleigh M.

The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.

The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.

You won’t be published alongside famous authors, but your work has a better chance to be selected and we pay you properly.

Type: Fiction | Genre: Any | Word Count: 500-2000 | Pay: 10 cents/word | Response Time: One Month | No Pros Allowed

Choose your path...

Short Story
Contest

Over $3000 in prizes. Dozens of winners every month. Open to new/casual writers only. 

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Submit To The Magazine

Earn 10 cents/word for your short fiction. We accept work in any genre and only publish new writers. No pros allowed.

View Prompt