THE TOP LIT MAGS 2026 - OVERALL

This database uses major awards and anthologies to rank more than 750 magazines publishing literary fiction, non-fiction and poetry

It also contains information on: reading periods, cost of submission, any restrictions, word limits, pay, location and website of journal

Please send comments, suggestions, questions and/or corrections to:

brecht_dp@protonmail.com

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Fiction: (weight in overall ranking: 100%)

·       Best American Short Stories 2016-2025: 4 points for every featured story, 1 point for every notable story. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in fiction ranking = 100%)

·       Pushcart Fiction 2016-2025: 4 points for every fiction winner, 1 point for every fiction special mention. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in fiction ranking = 100%)

·       Best of the Net Fiction 2015-2025: 2 points for every winning story, 1 point for every finalist. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2015 weight = 0.1 (weight in fiction ranking = 100%)

·       O. Henry Award for Short Fiction 2016-2025: 1 point for every featured story. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in fiction ranking = 100%)

·       PEN DAU Short Story Prize 2017-2025: 1 point for every featured story. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2017 weight = 0.2 (weight in fiction ranking = 100%)

Non-Fiction: (weight in overall ranking: 100%)

·       Best American Essays 2016-2025: 4 points for every featured essay, 1 point for every notable essay. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in non-fiction ranking = 100%)

·       Pushcart Non-Fiction 2016-2025: 4 points for every non-fiction winner, 1 point for every non-fiction fiction special mention. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in non-fiction ranking = 100%)

·       Best of the Net Non-Fiction 2015-2025: 2 points for every winning essay, 1 point for every finalist. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2015 weight = 0.1 (weight in non-fiction ranking = 100%)

Flash Fiction: (weight in overall ranking: 20%)

·       Wigleaf Top 50 2016-2025: 1 point for every featured story. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in flash fiction ranking = 100%)

Note: Because Wigleaf does not appear in the Wigleaf Top 50, it is given a special score to make sure its flash fiction ranking is not unduly affected.

·       Best Small Fictions 2019-2025: 4 points for every spotlighted story, 1 point for every story in full selection. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2019 weight = 0.4 (weight in flash fiction ranking = 100%)

·       Best Microfiction 2019-2024: 1 point for each story featured. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2019 weight = 0.4 (weight in flash fiction ranking = 100%)

Poetry: (weight in overall ranking: 100%)

·       Best American Poetry 2016-2025: 2 point for every featured poem. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in poetry ranking = 100%)

·       Best New Poets 2016-2025: 1 point for every featured poem. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in poetry ranking = 100%)

·       Best of the Net Poetry 2015-2025: 2 point for every winner, 1 point for every finalist. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2015 weight = 0.1 (weight in poetry ranking = 100%)

·       Pushcart Poetry 2016-2025: 2 point for every winner, 1 point for every special mention. 2025 weight = 1, decreasing to 2016 weight = 0.1 (weight in poetry ranking = 100%)

Please note the following limitations:

·       Not all aspects of journal quality can be measured and this is just one ranking amongst many

·       Use this as a tool, in combination with other information, when deciding where to submit

·       The ranking is very US-centered, so journals from other countries are at a disadvantage

This version: 9 January 2026

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