Publishing | Bootcamp

Demystifying the Lit Mag Submission Process

Literary magazines are a vital part of the world of publishing, but—let’s face it—the submission process can be confusing and at times demoralizing. This boot camp aims to arm you with the tools that will get your work noticed by the right editors at the right journals. We will discuss ways to build a community of supportive readers for your work, peer and self-editing techniques, resources for discovering new magazines, and, yes, writing strong cover letters.

Following the class, participants will have a chance to meet and mingle with some of the industry’s top literary magazine editors. Wine and snacks will be served.

Visiting editors:

Kyle Lucia Wu is a writer based in Brooklyn. She is the co-publisher of Joyland, a PEN prison writing mentor, and has an MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her work has appeared in Guernica, The Rumpus, Interview Magazine, and elsewhere.

Cory Johnston is the Books Editor of The Literary Review, where his critical work has focused on subjects like light, monsters, vaccination, and Biblical syntax. Elsewhere, his work has appeared in Killing the Angel, KYSO Flash, and the interdisciplinary journal, Prism. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, he currently works in the field of developmental writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He has been at The Literary Review since 2012.

Lena Valencia

Lena Valencia is the director of educational programming and managing editor of One Story. She has held positions at A Public Space and BOMB Magazine, and taught classes at The New School and Sackett Street Writers. Her writing has appeared in Joyland, Epiphany, BOMB, the Tiny Nightmares anthology, and elsewhere. She has an MFA in fiction from The New School and is the recipient of an Elizabeth George Foundation grant. For more information, visit lenavalencia.com.

Testimonials

"Great discussions were led during class. Lena is great!"

former student

"I felt supported as a writer by her feedback. The class was very validating."

former student