Reed Magazine

Reed Magazine is California’s oldest literary journal. Tracing its heritage to 1867, the journal started as a mere pamphlet published by students of the California State Normal School, the precursor of San José State University. In more than a century and a half of publication, the journal’s name evolved until the end of World War II. Then in 1948, we adopted The Reed, which was later shortened to just Reed, the title we have proudly held ever since.

The members of the Reed Magazine staff are committed to publishing writers and artists who might be marginalized or excluded in traditional publishing, and value the diversity of voice and perspective that such authors bring to our magazine. 

Reed Magazine is proud to have recently published three Pushcart Prize-winning pieces, including a 2021 prize for the poem “Father’s Belt” by Kurt Luchs, a 2022 prize for the essay “Wishbone” by Joseph Sigurdson, and a 2023 prize for the essay “Growing Up Godless” by Robert Issacs. 

We can't wait to read your amazing work!

Submissions open June 1 for Issue 158

Contests

Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry
June 1 - November 1

Art, Emerging Voices

June 1 - December 1

General

Fiction
June 1 - October 1

Nonfiction
June 1 - October 1

Poetry
June 1 - October 1

Art
June 1 - December 1

FICTION

Writers may submit pieces of up to 5,000 words. 

Please be sure to:

• include your name, address, phone number, and email address within cover letter (exclude from works themselves)
• format stories in double-spaced 12-point font
• include word count
• number pages
• provide a 50-word bio
• make sure your Submittable profile is current

Reed Magazine does not accept work that has been previously published. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your work is selected for publication elsewhere.

Contest guidelines: Awarding one of the richest purses among literary magazines—$1,000 for the winning story—the John Steinbeck Award for Fiction recognizes exceptional works of fiction. Aesthetically, we are open to most styles and approaches, including experimental and literary. All works should be stand-alone short stories, not chapters of longer works. The contest submission fee is $20.

POETRY

Writers may submit up to five (5) poems per submission.

Please be sure to:

• include your name, address, phone number, and email address within cover letter (exclude from works themselves)
• format poems in 12-point font
• submit up to five poems in a single document
• number pages
• provide a 50-word bio
• make sure your Submittable profile is current

Reed Magazine does not accept work that has been previously published. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your work is selected for publication elsewhere.

Contest guidelines: With an award of $1,000 for the winning poem, the Edwin Markham Prize honors outstanding works of poetry. Our taste is eclectic and celebrates the wonderful diversity of forms, styles, and levels of diction available to the contemporary poet. The contest submission fee is $20.

NONFICTION

Writers may submit pieces of up to 5,000 words. 

Please be sure to:

• include your name, address, phone number, and email address within cover letter (exclude from works themselves)
• format pieces in double-spaced 12-point font
• include word count
• number pages
• provide a 50-word bio
• make sure your Submittable profile is current

Reed Magazine does not accept work that has been previously published. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your work is selected for publication elsewhere.

Contest guidelines: The Gabriele Rico Challenge for Nonfiction recognizes outstanding works of nonfiction, awarding $1,333 to the author of the winning entry. We are looking for creative nonfiction, such as personal essays and narratives, not scholarly papers or book reviews. All works should be stand-alone essays, not chapters of longer works. The contest submission fee is $20.

ART

Artists may submit up to five (5) pieces of studio art, including photography, per submission.

Please be sure to:

• include your name, address, phone number, and email address within cover letter (exclude from works themselves)
• include available art credits: title, medium, dimensions, year
• ensure submissions are rendered in an easily accessible format such as .jpg
• ensure submissions are at least 300 dpi
• provide a 50-word bio
• make sure your Submittable profile is current

Reed Magazine does not accept work that has been previously published. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us immediately if your work is selected for publication elsewhere.

Contest guidelines: The Mary Blair Award for Art honors exceptional work across various disciplines. With a prize of $1,000, this award seeks new and fresh artist perspectives to create a dialogue with our readership. Works can be stand-alone pieces or parts of larger series. The contest submission fee is $20.

EMERGING VOICES

PLEASE NOTE: This contest is for high-school students of Santa Clara County, CA, only.

Reed Magazine seeks to publish the young voices of the South Bay. Submit your original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or visual art/photography and see your work featured in California's oldest literary journal! Scholarly works are also accepted. Reed Magazine does not accept work that has been previously published. Please limit prose submissions to 1,000 words. 

Note: Reed Magazine claims first rights to North American publication of any work featured in its print journal and on its website. After Reed has published said work in print or online, the copyright for that work reverts to the submitters for subsequent publication at their discretion.