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Written by Sukhbir Cheema
So you’ve written a short story or a poem and have been scouring the internet to find a home for short stories, poems, reviews, and other literary works.
Here’s a handy list, in no particular order, of Asian literary journals and online platforms that are currently accepting submissions from writers.
By the way, this list was inspired by a post by Amir Muhammad in the Malaysian Writers Community Facebook group.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Since August 2010, Kris Williamson and his team have been diligently providing space for not only Southeast Asian writers, but poets, comic artists, and more to share their creative works. Published quarterly, the magazine is always on the lookout for stories from expats, tourists, and travellers.
Though the direct translation for Anak Sastra is “literature kid” in the Malay and Indonesian languages, the journal doesn’t accept children’s literature. Submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Founded by Cambodian journalist Minh Bui Jones in 2015, Mekong Review has become a go to for readers hungry for fresh perspectives on Asian culture, history, and people. The quality of writing also rivals that of international heavyweights such as The New Yorker and The Guardian.
The quarterly journal covers a diverse range of topics pertaining to the arts, literature, culture, politics, the environment, and society in Asia. If you’re an Asian or live in Asia, you should consider submitting to Mekong Review. Contact the editor here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Published a book or wish to tease readers for a work in progress? Malaysian Indie Fiction is a great place to do just that. Managed by Malaysian writer and editor Leon Wing, the tumblr blog also accepts short stories and poems specifically from writers who reside or have stayed in Malaysia.
Malaysian Indie Fiction also offers reviews and news on book launches. Check out the platform’s submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete if we don’t unashamedly (but necessarily) blow our own trumpet. Starting out in 2016, Eksentrika has featured literary works from emerging writers and poets primarily based in Malaysia. Because we’ve also received submissions from other Asian countries, we’ve since widened our doors to accept literary works from this part of the world.
While we’re not yet able to pay for contributions due to budget constraints, we make sure to document our contributors in our ever expanding Artist Registry of creatives based in Asia. If you’re interested to submit your short stories and poems in both English and Malay, you can do so here. But first, be sure to read Eksentrika’s submission guidelines.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
If you’ve written creative works about local communities, groups and people of South Asia, then your writings will find a home here. Being the sister publication of Eastlit, the online literary journal publishes poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and artwork focused on South Asia. Unfortunately, Eastlit is no longer accepting submissions at the time of writing.
Southlit prefers submissions from unpublished and non-native writers as well as those who’re more established. Do go through their submission guidelines here for a better understanding of what the journal publishes.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Ricepaper Magazine was founded in 1994 to showcase Asian Canadian literature, culture, and the arts since 1994. While creative works by Asian Canadians are their top preference, the literary magazine is also open to accepting submissions from Asian writers anywhere so long as there’s a link between the content and an aspect of the Asian Canadian experience.
The magazine publishes new poetry, fiction, drama, graphic novels, translation, and other forms of creative writings. Read the magazine’s submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Produced by the Department of English at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of Universiti Malaya, SARE: Southeast Asian Review of English touts itself as an “open access peer-reviewed journal”. Since its founding in 1980, the journal accepts interviews, reviews, and creative works from established writers as well as emerging ones.
Since the magazine ceased its physical publication and has gone fully digital, it now accepts submissions from writers residing in the Southeast Asian region. Do go through the journal’s about us page and submission guidelines here first before submitting.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
If you’re written short stories or poems regarding the LGBTIQ+ community or focuses on issues that relates with them, Queer Southeast Asia is an excellent choice to submit your literary works.
The online literary journal was launched to to provide a platform for creative expressions to oppose oppressive norms against the LGBTIQ+ community in the region. Be sure to read their submission guidelines here before submitting.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
This Nepal-based online platform pays US$100 to US$150 for long-form reportage, political analysis, essays, opinion, interviews, photo essays, reviews and fictional works that relate to Southasia and are open to submissions from other regions and countries.
For long-form reporting, the platform encourages 300 to 600 word long pitches. Here’s more regarding Himal South Asian’s submission guidelines.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Yet another literary platform that pays its contributors. What’s awesome about this literary magazine is that it not only publishes poetry, short stories, essays but also screenplays, scripts, graphic narratives, and more!
The magazine is constantly on the lookout for works that explore diversity, migration, and internationally relevant questions from around the world and yes, even Asia. Read the magazine’s submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Despite publishing works that primarily deal with Muslim or Islamic issues, Blue Minaret is extremely progressive with its submissions. Based in the U.S., the online literary journal welcomes submissions from all writers across the globe so long as at least one character in the fiction piece is a Muslim. The journal declines literary works that are preachy and offensive to other religions or communities.
If you’re submitting poems, the topic of your poetry should be about Muslims. The journal also accepts artworks too. Read more on Blue Minaret Literary Journal’s submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Touting itself as a DesiLit arts and literature journal, Jaggery is open to stories that explores the South Asia diaspora. Writers of South Asian heritage and ancestry can consider submitting their literary works here. But before you do, read their submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Boasting a readership from over 120 countries, The Bombay Review is a bi-monthly online literary magazine that accepts poems and short stories.
Despite based in Mumbai, India and New York, U.S., The Bombay Review accepts literary works from writers everywhere. Best part? It also publishes annual print anthologies. Read its submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Created by a community of Chinese and international writers, translators, and readers who gather monthly for literary talks, readings, workshops, and outings, Literary Shanghai has its own journal titled Alluvium.
Don’t be fooled by the literary platform’s namesake because it not only accepts stories related to Shanghai but other parts of Asia too, making it an interesting platform to contribute your poems, fiction, and non fiction works. Read the submission guidelines here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Founded by Malaysian artist, illustrator and designer Shanita Lyn Kumar, Brazen Magazine is fairly new yet it’s already causing ripples in the Malaysian literary scene, especially among emerging writers.
The online magazine accepts works of fiction and non fiction as well as interviews and reviews. You can contribute your literary works here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Established in 1987, Kyoto Journal aka KJ, is managed by a group of passionate volunteers. While writers who contribute are unpaid, they receive a free physical copy of the journal.
So long as your literary works are Asia related, they’ll accept it. But of course, read the submission guidelines here first.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Touting itself as the UK’s only publication dedicated to South Asian literature, The Asian Writer is a good platform for emerging writers of British and South Asian origin to get their literary prowess noticed.
Established in 2007, The Asian Writer accepts not only poems and short stories but essays, features, book reviews, and even podcasts and videos. Find out more here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
Zafar Anjum, a Singaporean journalist and writer founded this online literary platform in 2005 to celebrate and critique Asian writing.
While it’s not accepting poems at the time of writing, Kitaab, which means ‘book’ in various Asian languages, accepts short stories related to Asia. Discover more here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
If you have new creative writings or scholarly and literary essays that concern men, masculinity, sexuality, politics, and culture that challenges men’s role in the traditional patriarchal society, Men Matters Online Journal is your go-to.
The peer-reviewed international online journal, founded by Malaysian writer, poet, academician Malachi Edwin Vethamani, is published twice a year in June and December. More info on submissions here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
There are other journals and platforms too. Unfortunately many are now defunct or no longer accept submissions any longer.
We’re still going to list them regardless since some of them might potentially be active again (fingers crossed). Others still do carry past submissions which inquisitive readers and writers can pore over.
Be warned! Some links might no longer be active anymore by the time you’re reading this. Please let us know in the comments so that we can update this post. Click on their names to be taken to their websites.
Cha: An Asian Literary Journal
We hope this extensive list helps in your journey as a writer. If you think we’ve missed out a journal or literary magazine please let us know in the comments. Or you can also contact us here.
This post was copied and pasted from Eksentrika.
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We accept short stories, poems, opinion pieces, and essays on a complimentary basis.
Asian American Writers’ Workshop. They also pay.
Awesome list! Next we hope you do a list of authenticated prose/poetry contest sites which Malaysians can submit entries to.