Also see Emily Harstone’s insightful article on Why and Where You Should Start Submitting Your Writing This September.

Chestnut Review
They have fee-free and fee-based submission categories for all writers. There is no submission fee for up to 3 poems, or for flash fiction (up to 1,000 words). And, Black and Indigenous writers can submit longer fiction free. They read submissions through the year, with cut-off dates for issues. 
Deadline: 30 September 2024 for the Winter issue
Length: See above
Pay: $120
Details here.

Toronto Journal
This journal publishes in print and sound. You can read about them here. They accept short stories from anywhere in the world, and non-fiction pieces about local history (Toronto, the GTA, or surrounding areas – see guidelines).
Deadline: 1 October 2024
Length: Up to 7,500 words
Pay: $50
Details here.

Wild Peach Magazine
This is a new magazine, and they have yet to publish their first issue. They have detailed guidelines, including, “Wild Peach Magazine publishes work by unpublished and emerging creators, and features profiles and interviews with all kinds of people that thoughtfully explore the varying approaches to being a human.” They want fiction, nonfiction, poetry, interviews, reviews, and art.
Deadline: Open now
Length: No length guidelines for fiction or nonfiction
Pay: $100-500 for essays, $100-500 for fiction, $25 for poems, $50 for reviews, $50-700 for original art/comics/illustrations/photos, $25-200 for reprints
Details here.

(Also, Brick is scheduled to open for literary nonfiction only starting 1^st October 2024; they pay CAD65–720, and accept fee-free submissions via Submittable until a cap is reached.

Small Wonders
This magazine publishes speculative flash fiction and poetry. “We’re looking for speculative fiction with elements not of this world: fantasy, science fiction, horror. Our very favorite stories are those that don’t rely on a twist or gotcha ending. We love stories with big feelings, and don’t necessarily mind set pieces with very little plot.” They also accept reprint fiction, and artwork.
Deadline: Open now
Length: Up to 1,000 words for original flash fiction, up to 1,100 words for reprints
Pay: $0.10/word for originals, $0.01/word or $10, whichever is more for reprints, $60 for poetry
Details here.

(Also Three-Lobed Burning Eye magazine is nearing the end of their short submission period; they want horror, fantasy, and science fiction. They do not want extreme horror, and also welcome translations. Length guidelines are 500–1,499 words for flash fiction, 1,500–7,499 words for short stories, and pay is $30 for flash fiction, and $100 for short stories. The deadline is 15^th September 2024; details here and here.)

The School Magazine
This is an Australian magazine for children. They publish fiction, articles, poetry, plays, and activities that have literary and academic merit, as well as comics and cartoons. For fiction, they say, “Stories can be realistic, fantastical or humorous genres with contemporary or historical settings. Stories should demonstrate clear, intriguing prose, originality of characters and fresh storylines. No longer than 1500 words (shorter stories are encouraged). Occasionally a longer story may be considered for serialisation.”
Deadline: Open now
Length: See above for fiction; varies for other genres
Pay: AUD0.50/word for fiction, articles and plays; AUD55-230 for poetry
Details here and here.

Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.

The first issue of The Midnight Fawn contains writing and artwork from around 30 contributors. It’s available for free as a downloadable pdf, and you can read the journal to get a sense of what they publish.

The Midnight Fawn holds four submission periods each year: December 1 through January 15, March 1 through April 15, June 1 through July 15, and September 1 through October 15.

Poets may submit up to three poems, totaling six pages or fewer. Authors of fiction and nonfiction may submit up to three micros, 500 words or fewer each, or up to two longer pieces, 1,500 words or fewer each. They accept all forms, styles, and genres of writing, and they nominate authors published in the journal for the Pushcart Prize.

The Midnight Fawn accepts submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submissions but ask that authors withdraw writing published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published writing; however, they do accept writing that has been published in journals that are now defunct. Such submissions should be noted in the cover letter.

The Midnight Fawn only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to The Midnight Fawn, please visit their website here. 

I’ve yet to meet the author who claims getting to market their books is the reason they write. Like most authors I love playing with words and editing them. The publication process is tedious, but predictable and manageable. But, oh my, how I dread the marketing required to sell books. I was raised by a librarian, so I’m partial to libraries. That’s why I turn to libraries to help me market my books. People who frequent libraries are hard core readers. I’ve identified eight benefits of looking to libraries for marketing help.

1. There’s no charge for a table and no need to cart one to the event. Library staffs provide a display table and chairs.
2. The library promotes the event. Of course, I also promote when and where I’ll be speaking.
3. Library events are usually inside, so no worries about weather predictions.
4. Library audiences consist of serious readers who came specifically to learn about the author and their books for up to an hour.
5. Libraries usually let authors sell books at events. Sometimes they’ve ordered them and have them there. Other times the authors bring their own copies to sell.
6. Libraries usually pay an honorarium from $50 to $100 or more, depending on the size of the library.
7. Libraries generally purchase books from Ingram or Baker and Taylor. If an author’s books aren’t sold through either of those, the library may accept a donated copy. Assuming the author is paid to speak, it’s still a good deal.
8. Authors can ask attendees to sign up for their e-mails, thus growing an author’s mailing list.

How to approach libraries

Most libraries do community outreach programs, so any author with an interesting program to present usually gets a warm reception.

1. Create a Compelling Program. Rather than a blunt “buy my book” approach, think about an informative and inspirational angle that relates to the book, but isn’t just a book report. Although, a very short reading of up to three to five minutes is usually welcome. Since my books are about the Mayflower voyage, I focus on life in Europe in the 16^th and 17^th centuries and the first encounters between Europeans and Indigenous peoples. My presentation includes photos taken while doing the research.
2. Prepare a Handout. I distribute a timeline about the English Monarchy of that era. Another historical fiction author wrote about one of the first female doctors. She provides a detailed bibliography of books about pioneer women in other fields.
3. Plan Far Ahead. How might your book tie in with themes such as Black, Women’s or Indigenous People’s history months, Earth Day, or national holidays? Let the librarian know how your presentation would connect with one of those. Larger libraries plan their calendars months in advance, so time your approach accordingly.
4. Be Flexible. Adjust your fees according to the size of the library’s budget. Be willing to speak when most convenient for the library calendar, which might be evenings or daytime on weekdays or weekends. I’ve spoken at several libraries via internet.
5. Be Prepared. Study library websites to become familiar with their programs and staff. If you can’t locate the name of the staff handling programs, call and ask for the right person, along with their contact information.  
6. E-mail and Call. Send a detailed e-mail about your presentation, including information about you, your presentation, and your book(s). Follow with a phone call, as e-mails are easily lost or buried.
7. Say “Thank You.” Librarians work hard to keep their circulation options current and relevant. Thanking them for their significant contributions to the community helps increase the chances of being invited to do another presentation at that library or another one.
   
   

Befriend librarians, prepare an interesting presentation and handout, and set aside time to approach libraries about doing a program for them. Doing so will increase awareness about the book you’ve worked so hard to write and publish.

Bio: Kathryn Haueisen has published numerous books and over a hundred articles while serving congregations and non-profits as a pastor. Since retiring she’s focused on writing historical fiction accounts of the Mayflower voyage and first encounters with Native Americans. She speaks often at libraries and other venues about a variety of topics. Follow her at https://HowWiseThen.com or https://kathrynhaueisen.substack.com.