Read for Literary Magazines
Drumroll please! This is a teaser for my upcoming workshop at RMFW’s Colorado Gold Conference: Going Pro With Your Mad Reading Skillz! In this post, I’ll cover one of the two prongs of that workshop. In this case, it’s using your intuition as a reader and writer to help screen manuscripts.
This means being on the leading edge of what writers are creating right now. Being a reader can also help you build relationships with editors, get special publication opportunities (hello byline!) snag free books, and get bragging rights. Nothing warms the cockles of my chilly screener’s heart than seeing a piece I chose shortlisted or even winning a prize.
Activities and Time Commitment
Usually, screeners are expected to read for about four hours per week. Like any relationship, communication is key. If you’re sick, going on vacation, etc. just let the editor know and they will usually be fine with it.
Some journals, like Electric Literature, ask readers to write a blurb about why they loved a certain piece. Other journals might just track comments privately in an application like Submittable. Some might just want a thumbs up or thumbs down. Depending on the journal, you might review creative nonfiction all the time, short stories all the time, or short chapter books for certain contests.
The journal I read for has a lot of contests, so things change up often, but that’s not the case with every publication.
Applications
This will vary by journal. If you like certain journals, it’s a good idea to follow them on Instagram. I know it’s counterintuitive for such text-heavy publications, but literary magazines love Insta. Recently, Story posted that they are looking for readers. If you want to apply there, they ask you to send an email expressing interest with your CV/resume.
Another way to search for opportunities is to Google or go on Submittable and search for “reader,” “screener,” or “volunteer.”
Have a writing sample handy—usually creative nonfiction or fiction. Not all of them require it, but many do. Some journals have a “reader test” where they ask you to rate sample manuscripts and provide a rationale.
Benefits
Literary magazines need people to read submissions. As a screener, you help reduce someone’s wait time for a response.
Also, screening manuscripts is a crash course in what makes writing stand out in a good way—or not such a good way. I’ve found it much more helpful than any writing class or workshop I’ve ever been in.
Thoughts?
Are you inspired to try reading for a literary magazine? Are you thinking it’s something you would never do? Have you done it before? Let me know in the comments. Hopefully, I’ll see you at RMFW!
Helpful Links
RMFW Colorado Gold Conference 2024 (Pssst! Use the code COGold50 for early bird pricing.)
