Elegant Literature Partner Kit
Elegant Literature is the first short fiction magazine to pay professional rates but not accept submissions from pros. Our mission is to help new writers earn their first publishing credits—and their first dollar—from writing stories.
To date, we have published 165 new authors across 21 issues, and put over $100,000 into the hands of writers around the globe. It’s free to submit to the magazine, and we publish monthly.
Elegant Literature is also much more than a magazine. We are a supportive community of new writers, and our education hub, AuthorHQ, provides a place where even those brand new to storytelling can learn and practice their craft. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof. Plus, we award one new author $3000 every month.
Below, you will find all the information you need. If you require anything else, email me anytime at:
creag@elegantliterature.com
Submission Guidelines – Elegant Literature
Word Limit: 500 – 2000 words, excluding the title.
Pay Rate: Ten cents ($0.10) per word, including the title.
Genres: We accept all genres.
Rights: We claim first world electronic rights, and non-exclusive anthology and audio rights. We have one of the most favorable contracts for authors we know of, and also a uniquely streamlined publication process. Please take a minute and have a look at our easy-to-read overview here.
Copyright: You retain all copyrights to your work.
Simultaneous Submissions: Allowed.
Multiple Submissions: Allowed, providing they are different stories. We do not allow multiple submissions with different endings, or any similar minor alterations.
Acceptance/Rejection Timeline: One month from submission close. This ties into our streamlined publication process mentioned above.
We’re always looking to partner or collaborate with others in the writing industry. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to put something together!
Current Partners:
ProWritingAid
Now Novel
Scrivener
Subtxt
The Novel Factory
and more
Issues published: 21
Total stories: 212
Total authors: 165
Current avg acceptance rate: 5.81%
Receive in-depth instructional lessons straight from the editor and industry pros. Authors, editors, agents, and publishers share practical techniques to improve your writing and succeed in a competitive landscape.
The HQ is broken into 4 categories:
- Writing & Storytelling
- Lifestyle & Mindset
- Business & Publishing
- Expert Trainings
It’s a growing library of articles and videos. Attend live lessons to meet the pros and ask your questions.
Trainings include:
Scene Critique Masterclass w/ C.S. Lakin
Fantasy Worldbuilding w/ Ben Galley
Actionable Agent Advice w/ Kaitlyn Katsoupis
On Chaos and Short Stories w/ Ai Jiang
Narrative Structure w/ Jim Hull
Self Pub Prep Course w/ Ryan Cipriani
Author Mindset Mastery Course w/ Creag Munroe
Digital Marketing for Authors w/ Richie Billing
Contract Negotiation w/ Peter McLean
and much more.
The Elegant Literature Magazine and Award for New Writers
Elegant Literature is one of the largest awards open to unpublished writers, and the only one closed to professionals. We are the first magazine to pay pro rates and only accept submissions from new writers, paying new authors around the globe over $100,000 so far. One new writer receives the $3k award every month. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine.
Max Gladstone, Hugo, Nebula, Locus award-winning author
Oghenchovwe Donald Ekpeki, Nebula, Nommo, Otherwise WFA, Locus, & BFA award-winning author
Ai Jiang, Author, Nebula-Finalist
Ben Galley, Booknest, SPFBO, and Library Journal award-winning author
Richie Billing, Author & Podcast Host, The Fantasy Writer’s Toolshed
Hayley Milliman, Head of Education, ProWritingAid
Jim Hull, Disney Story Consultant, Founder Subtxt
Django Wexler, Author, Shadow Campaigns
Nathan Baugh, World Builders Newsletter
Jordan Kantey, Editor, Now Novel
Nicky Shearsby, Author, The Flanigan Files
Creag Munroe
Creag is the founder and editor-in-chief of Elegant Literature. He is dedicated to helping new writers achieve success.
Creag is a writing coach and an avid reader who inhales novels at an alarming rate, preferring SF/F as the main staple of his diet. He resides in Toronto, Canada, but swims with sharks and motorcycles in monsoons whenever duty allows.
Creag started Elegant Literature to address the problems he saw for new writers in the short fiction market. He is extremely proud of what the business has accomplished so far, and the positive sentiments shared by the community mean the world to him.
Elegant Literature is a passion project and he currently takes no salary. He is the only staff member and enjoys wearing the many hats demanded of him.
Hey, I’m Creag Munroe. I am a fiction contest judge and storytelling coach for new writers.
I help them develop the mindset of a professional author and write books faster without sacrificing quality.
Through Elegant Literature, I have published 150+ new authors and paid over $100,000 to emerging talent.
“Inside each of us is a natural-born storyteller, waiting to be released.”— Robin Moore
Is there anything truer? I’ve worked with engineers, doctors, and high school students, and the one thing they have in common is a desire to tell stories.
So, here’s a bit about me:
I’m a normal person. I’m not special in any way. The only thing that sets me apart is my consistent dedication to studying fiction and creativity, and making it my mission to help new writers see their work published.
Stories were my passion growing up.
I devoured novels at an alarming rate after I received Harry Potter as a gift on my 8th birthday. It didn’t take long before writing became my hobby.
But life always got in the way.
I’d stop for years at a time. Whenever I’d pick up the (metaphorical) pen, I was frustrated with my slow pace, overwhelmed by the knowledge it would take months or years to write a book, and depressed at the poor odds for becoming a successful author.
I’d stop, and focus on more “profitable” careers.
- I attended university, but dropped out
- I tended bar, but was unfulfilled
- I got a degree in creative advertising (a kind of storytelling), but never used it
- I started a few businesses but my heart wasn’t in them
- I even sold credit cards on commission (I know, I’m the devil and I regret that one most of all).
This list hurts me. Yet at the same time it taught me A LOT about what is actually necessary to succeed.
From my failures, I am now working in the industry I love, immersed in stories and the people who create them.
It’s given me the opportunity to study prolific authors and how great stories work from different perspectives.
It’s given me the understanding of what it takes to be successful, and how to accelerate the process so you don’t need to spend years writing a story that gets rejection after rejection.
It’s afforded me the chance to work with dozens of new writers.
Starting Elegant Literature was the culmination of a years long dream to run a short fiction publication, but it quickly grew into so much more. It’s become a community, a place for new writers to learn and grow together. It’s taken more work than expected, but the pride I take in having built something positive for the writing industry wildly outweighs the effort.
I’m humbled and honored at the gratitude expressed by the community, and I’m thrilled at the impact we’ve had so far. I only hope to increase how many authors we publish as time rolls on!