Literary Journals Resource Guide

A comprehensive directory for Black poets seeking publication

This guide compiles literary magazines and journals actively seeking work from Black poets and writers throughout the African diaspora. Organized by focus and region, with submission details and payment information.

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Exclusively/Primarily for Black Writers (U.S.-Based)

Callaloo

FREE PAYS PRESTIGE

Premier journal for African diaspora arts and letters. Scholarly and creative work from African Americans and peoples of African descent.

Accepts: Up to 6 poems (single document)

Also Accepts: Fiction, essays, art, interviews, scholarly articles

Reading Period: Year-round (rolling, 4-6 month response)

Payment: Yes

Who Can Submit: Limited to African Americans and peoples of African descent

Submit Here

FIYAH Literary Magazine

FREE $50/poem SPECULATIVE

Quarterly speculative fiction magazine featuring stories by and about Black people of the African Diaspora. #BlackSpeculativeFiction

Accepts: Up to 4 poems (1 per submission), max 1,000 words

Also Accepts: Speculative fiction (2k-15k words)

Current Period: Oct 1-Nov 1, 2025 (UNTHEMED)

Payment: $50 per poem

Who Can Submit: Authors from African diaspora and African continent only

Focus: Weird, complex, honest work with clear speculative element

Submit Here

Black Fox Literary Magazine

FREE $20/contributor

International biannual print and online publication featuring quality fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Accepts: 3 poems max (one document)

Also Accepts: Fiction (≤5k words), creative nonfiction, art

Summer 2025: Jan 1-May 31, 2025

Winter 2026: Jul 1-Nov 30, 2025

Payment: $20 per contributor (as of Aug 2023)

Note: Poems w/ long lines may not work well (6×9 page format)

Submit Here

Kweli Journal

FREE POC ONLY

Literary journal dedicated to publishing work by writers of color, with focus on African American and diaspora voices.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, essays

Reading Period: Seasonal windows (check website)

Payment: Varies

Who Can Submit: People of color only

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Obsidian: Literature & Arts

FREE PAYS

Long-running journal focusing on Black literature and arts, publishing poetry, fiction, visual art, and interviews.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, visual art, interviews

Reading Period: By invitation & open calls

Payment: Yes

Submission Info

Split Lip Magazine

FREE for Black Writers DEADLINE: Dec 15, 2025

Online literary magazine offering free poetry submissions specifically for Black writers through December 2025.

Accepts: 1 poem per submission

Deadline: December 15, 2025

Payment: Varies

Special Note: NO FEE for Black writers

Submit Here

The Decolonial Passage

FREE DIASPORA

Centers African, African-American, and Black Diaspora writing. Open to all engaged in decolonial project, prioritizes Black writers.

Accepts: Up to 3 poems

Poetry Months: February, June, October

Prose Months: April, May, August, December

Payment: Not currently (cooperative model planned)

Note: Nominates for Best American Essays, Pushcart Prize, Caine Prize

Submit Here

African Continent Magazines

Brittle Paper

FREE HIGH VISIBILITY

Most recognized African literary platform. Chicago-based but African-focused, publishing fiction, essays, poetry, reviews, interviews.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction (≤2,500 words), essays (≤1,500 words), reviews

Reading Period: Year-round

Payment: No (but massive visibility)

Response: Generally quick

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Isele Magazine

FREE PRIZES

Nigerian magazine focused on memory, identity, culture. Founded by Ukamaka Olisakwe. All accepted work considered for Isele Prizes.

Accepts: Fiction, poetry, book reviews, essays

Reading Period: Rolling (6-month response)

Payment: Via Isele Prizes

Focus: Memory, identity, African culture

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Agbowó

FREE PAYS

Nigerian magazine publishing themed issues. Started by University of Ibadan alumni. Vibrant platform for creative expression.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, essays, one-act plays, visual art, photography

Reading Period: Themed issue calls

Payment: ₦20,000-₦50,000 (Nigerians); Editor's Prize for Poetry: $100

Submission: One work per genre per call

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Lolwe

FREE MODEST PAY

Kenyan magazine named after Lake Victoria. Artistic, bold platform for African and Black diaspora voices.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, essays, photography, visual art

Also Accepts: Drama, orature, translation, hybrid-genre

Reading Period: Rolling

Payment: Modest remuneration

Who Can Submit: Black contributors (African, Diaspora, Caribbean)

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Doek! Literary Magazine

FREE NAMIBIA

Namibian magazine putting southern African literature on the map. English language, explores identity, history, place.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, essays

Poetry/Fiction: Namibian citizens only (local or diaspora) or foreign nationals residing in Namibia

Nonfiction: Pan-African

Reading Period: Themed calls

Payment: None

Note: "Not directed at the white gaze"

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Bakwa Magazine

FREE $60/piece FR/EN

Cameroonian bilingual magazine (English/French). Bridges Francophone and Anglophone African writing.

Accepts: Fiction, essays, translations, poetry, reviews, photography, cartoons

Reading Period: Opens ONCE yearly (tight window)

Payment: $60 per accepted piece

Languages: English and French

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Caribbean & Latin America

The Caribbean Writer

FREE PRIZES DEADLINE: Dec 16, 2025

Annual journal (40th anniversary issue). Caribbean should be central or reflect Caribbean heritage/experience/perspective.

Accepts: Poetry (3 max), fiction (2 max, ≤3,500 words), essays (2 max)

Also Accepts: One-act plays, visual art (vertical format)

Deadline: December 16, 2025

Prizes: Daily News Prize ($600, USVI/BVI residents); Marvin Williams Prize ($500, emerging); Vincent Cooper Prize ($300, Caribbean Nation Language); Anacaona Prize ($500, theme)

Note: Double-blind peer review

Submit Here

Caribbean Poetry Magazine

FREE OPEN TO ALL

Seeks submissions from Caribbean, South America, Central America. All backgrounds welcome, all topics, all styles.

Accepts: All poetry forms (literary, spoken word, free verse, rhyming, haiku, sonnets, prose poetry)

Reading Period: Rolling

Payment: Check website

Focus: Everywhere in Caribbean/South/Central America

Submit Here

Ekphrastic & Visual Poetry Specialists

The Ekphrastic Review

FREE EKPHRASTIC ONLY

Online journal devoted ENTIRELY to writing inspired by visual art. Perfect match for "Starborn Reflection."

Accepts: Ekphrastic poetry and prose

Reading Period: Year-round

Payment: Check site

Note: MUST be inspired by specific visual artwork

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The Light Ekphrastic

QUARTERLY

Quarterly magazine dedicated to collaboration between visual and written artists.

Accepts: Written and visual art collaborations

Reading Period: Quarterly

Payment: Check site

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Rattle: Ekphrastic Challenge

FREE $100-$200 MONTHLY

Monthly ekphrastic-focused feature from one of poetry's most respected journals.

Accepts: Ekphrastic poems responding to monthly prompts

Also: "Tribute to Rebels" themed issue (perfect for social justice work)

Payment: $100 online, $200 print

General Submissions: Up to 4 poems, year-round

Submit Here

Strong POC/Diverse Voices Focus (U.S.)

Palette Poetry

FREE $50/poem YEAR-ROUND

Year-round submissions for Featured Poetry. Diverse voices, contemporary poetry at any career stage.

Accepts: Poetry submissions year-round

Payment: $50 per poem

Publication: Online only for featured poems

Focus: Diverse voices welcome

Submit Here

The Sun Magazine

FREE COMPETITIVE PAY SEEKS POC

Established magazine ACTIVELY seeking work by writers of color, queer/trans writers, disabled writers, incarcerated writers.

Accepts: Poetry, essays, fiction

Reading Period: Rolling

Payment: Yes (competitive rates)

Note: Explicitly prioritizing underrepresented voices

Submit Here

Prestigious Markets (Free Submissions)

Poetry Magazine

FREE $10/line TOP TIER

Oldest and most prestigious U.S. poetry journal (Poetry Foundation). Closed June 15-Sept 15 annually.

Accepts: Poetry submissions

Payment: $10 per line

Reading Period: Year-round except June 15-Sept 15

Submit Here

The New Yorker

FREE ICONIC

Iconic publication. Slow response but free to submit. Up to 6 poems per submission, twice in 12 months max.

Accepts: Up to 6 poems per submission

Limit: Submit twice in 12 months

Reading Period: Rolling (via Submittable only)

Submit Here

Kenyon Review

FREE TOP TIER

One of America's premier literary journals. Established reputation, highly selective.

Accepts: Poetry, fiction, essays

Reading Period: Check website for current periods

Payment: Yes

Visit Site

Submission Strategy for Your Work

For "Starborn Reflection" (Ekphrastic + Social Justice)

  • Priority 1: The Ekphrastic Review (perfect match)
  • Priority 2: Rattle Ekphrastic Challenge
  • Priority 3: Rattle "Tribute to Rebels" theme
  • Consider: FIYAH (if framed as spec fiction), Callaloo

For "Love is Memory" Collection

  • Strong Matches: Black Fox Literary Magazine, Callaloo, Palette Poetry
  • Formal Poetry Focus: Poetry Magazine, The Sun Magazine
  • Diaspora Themes: The Caribbean Writer, The Decolonial Passage, Lolwe

For "The Constant Question" (Visual/Hybrid)

  • Hybrid Forms: The Ekphrastic Review, The Light Ekphrastic
  • Experimental: Check Diagram, Clade Song, elsewhere
  • Visual Emphasis: Obsidian, Lolwe

Urgent Deadlines (Submit Tonight!)

  • Dec 15, 2025: Split Lip (FREE for Black writers)
  • Dec 16, 2025: The Caribbean Writer (prizes!)
  • Nov 1, 2025: FIYAH unthemed issue

Submission Tips

  • Prioritize tier system: Top 5 journals, then next 5, etc.
  • Lead with your strongest: "Starborn Reflection" for ekphrastic venues
  • Match work to mission: Read recent issues before submitting
  • Free submissions first: 129 journals don't charge fees
  • Track submissions: Use Submittable, Duotrope, or spreadsheet
  • Cover letter basics: Name, credentials (MFA, professor), relevant publication credits (if any), brief note about why this journal