Elegant Literature is a short fiction magazine and contest exclusive to new writers. We pay professional rates and help unpublished writers get their work into the world. We believe in helping aspiring writers break into the competitive fiction industry.
We’re the community to join if you are looking to start your writing journey and become a published author.
Reviewing the finalists for the @ElegantLit fiction contest now! Wild to think that one of these writers will get $20,000 for their short story. Great springboard for a career.
— Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author Max Gladstone, October 2021 judge
Improve your skills and launch your career with our community of new writers
Earn professional rates when we publish your work
The current minimum payment rate for professional fiction markets is 8 cents per word. We want to reward new writers, so we pay our contributors 10c/word.
This means publication with us can earn you credit towards joining the SFWA, a professional writers organization.
Write stories in your favourite genre
All we care about is getting new authors published, so we accept stories in all genres. We publish fantasy right alongside contemporary lit, romance next to horror.
That’s not typical for a fiction magazine, but we don’t want to be typical. We have hundreds of readers who agree with us… storycraft is more important than genre.
Have your work-in-progress reviewed by other writers
Our members get access to a private Writers Workshop. Have others proofread and critique your work before submitting the story to the magazine or contest.
Our private critique community is just that, private. Any work you post for review is not considered published online, so you can submit it to any publication you want.
Enter the contests to win big prizes
Every month we host contests with large payouts. University students with no publication history have won $20,000. Each month has a new, fun theme to challenge you to write something unique.
The best part is, professionals aren’t allowed to enter. If you are a new writer, your chances to win a huge literary award have never been better.
and there's more
Members receive massive discounts on popular tools for improving their writing life. Get exclusive savings like…
- $100 off ProWritingAid
- 20% off Scrivener
- 20% off Scapple
- 3 Months of Todoist Pro
- $150 off Novel Factory
…with more discounts added every month. The current total savings is over $250!
And today only, get our special
The No Stress Guarantee is only available if you sign up today, right now. You won’t find this anywhere else on our site.
Interested?
and begin your writing journey!
I am so very much beyond words. "Thank you" is as good a start as any, I think, though it doesn't at all seem big enough for this. This is gonna take a while to feel real, isn't it?
Read A $20k Winning Story
And work by other new authors.
Get it in your inbox (it’s free).
My story was published and I have already received payment. The terms are all very reasonable. Elegant Literature is doing a great thing here and I urge all newcomer authors to give it a go.
People are excited and saying nice things about us.
Thanks again for your help and all the great work you're doing. I hope Elegant takes off and becomes a huge thing... it's such a good initiative.
for writers, by writers.
Professional Pay
Professional pay for short fiction is 8 cents per word. We pay 10.
Private Submissions
Unlike some contests that publish all entries on their website, we keep them private. If we don't purchase your work, you are free to sell it elsewhere.
Write In Any Genre
We care about storycraft above all. The monthly prompt may affect what you write about, but feel free to genre bend. In fact, the best work often blurs the line.
Amazing Response Time
Unlike other magazines who take unreasonable amounts of time, you will always know if your submission was accepted by the end of the month.
Community Workshop
Members can get feedback from other writers and improve their work before submitting to the contest.
Streamlined Submissions
Gone are the days of query letters and risky contracts. We have simplified everything, making sure all terms are favorable for the author.