11 Small Medium Publications Worthy of Your Submissions
A guide to niche publications to make you a submissions hipster.
Submissions are the key to your success on Medium, but they can be fickle creatures. Self-publish and it might be seen, might get picked up by a huge publication, but chances are it is going to get lost in the noise.
To get your writing noticed, it is well-worth checking out smaller publications with more active audiences. They have a more dedicated community of readers and editors who will support you and help you to improve. You also have a chance to get on the front page more often and expose yourself to everyone (tastefully).
It also doesn’t hurt to get in on the little ones before they become successful later. And so, here is a list of smaller publications that are going to make it big one day, or at the very least get your work in front of some dedicated fans today. These are places where your writing will not just be noticed, but will also improve at the hands of the editors.
Join the ranks of the submission hipsters!
MuddyUm
Followers: 2.6K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Susan Brearley, Marie T Smith, Gwenna Laithland
MuddyUm provides the answer to a simple request. If it makes people laugh, then submit to them. As they say, “We are here to help you scratch that itch.” Being apart of the MuddyUm community feels like you’re a regular on Cheers. With a healthy sense of humor and a collection of people who enjoy the light and dark sides of comedy, keep it on your list of fun places to submit to.
The Bad Influence
Followers: 1.8K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Reuben Salsa, Kristen Hill, Xavier Van Holde, Meaghan Ward, Dennett
This publication’s striking front page boasts a clear call to action: a collection of writers that believe creativity and expression can incite change. What they do seem to focus on is stories pushing the boundaries of the taboo and allowing writers to express their deepest opinions that may trigger the average reader. If the world has been pissing you off lately, and you’re looking for a change, you will find a home here.
House of Haiku
Followers: 4.7K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Deborah Christensen, Brett Christensen, Giovanni Sonier, Guérin-Kairu, Jen Turrell, Sarah Book, Tracy Aston, Dennett
Are you a fan of the Haiku? Although they won’t be accepting any new writers for a few more months, House of Haiku is a place you’re going to want to get in on before it gets bigger. A delightful place where writers can put out a quick Haiku to get their brains started for the day. The community is also big on clapping and responses, so be prepared for feedback. The editors also offer a warning: You could become addicted.
Writer’s Blokke
Followers: 525 Submission Page: LINK Editors: Benny Lim + Everyone
The only decentralized publication on this list, Writer’s Blokke offers a place for everyone and anyone to publish their pieces. However, the power of the publication comes in the community. A collection of people who are here to help writers develop and evolve their writing, but more importantly, their publication skills. The next time you publish somewhere else on Medium, you will reap the benefits of all the experience you gathered by publishing here first.
Journal of Journeys
Followers: 1.3K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Brian Brewington, Brian Kurian, Tammy Hader
“Do you have an overwhelming urge to tell your story?” asks editor Brian Brewington. Journal of Journeys is all about telling your stories that don’t fit anywhere else. Stories of passion and truth, of successes and failures, and of mistakes or tragedies. They will publish exclusively non-fiction stories that express your opinions and experiences on your journey of life.
Farewell Alarms
Followers: 269 Submission Page: LINK Editors: Benjamin Davis, Julia Beaudett, Ethan Taylor
Creators of the wildly popular Sexography decided they were fed up with all the sexy travel stories people kept sending them and set up a travel publication specifically for them. What most publications on Medium suffer from is a lack of style. Farewell Alarms and Sexography do not. Finally, a place where travel stories have a unified location. Stories are categorized by country, so you will always be able to find other writers who have visited the same places you have. Do you have a ridiculous adventure you need the world to know about? Put it here.
Jane Austen’s Wastebasket
Followers: 2.8K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Kyrie Gray
Editor Kyrie is not afraid to work hard with you to make your writing better. When a publication has a clear idea of what they’re looking for and will work with you to find your potential, then you know it’s a solid place to send your work. Not only will your work improve under the artful guidance of Kyrie, but you will also keep coming back for more laughs. Satirical stories and literature with a twist will always find a home in this charming publication.
The Haven
Followers: 6.5K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Page Barnes, Phillip T Stephens
How can a publication exist that is so widely known and yet so underappreciated. It can be hard to find a place in Medium with well-rounded humor. The editors of this publication seem genuinely interested in taking your hilarious work and giving it a place to be noticed. Their passion for the genre is clear. If you’re funny, submit here. Unfunny people, there’s always Reddit.
Lit Up
Followers: 9.7K Submission Page: LINK Editors: A Maguire, Chris Drew, DiAmaya Dawn, Pat Link
Lit Up takes submission guidelines very seriously, and that’s a good thing because what they want is the highest quality. If your fiction, poetry, or creative non-fiction uses a storytelling format, then they’re looking for what you’ve got to give. They are big on communication and even bigger on helping you develop your writing into the best it could be. It’s a place not only to submit to but also to make your work evolve.
A Few Words
Followers: 3.3K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Agnes Louis, S. Stefan Karabacak, Kristen Wilson
Writing less is arguably harder than writing more, and that’s what A Few Words wants. Stories that are less than 500 words is the only requirement for this publication — a thoughtfully unique idea on Medium that brings short writing and poetry together. If you’re looking for a place to start your writing, then writing shorter and more thoughtful pieces is a great place to start.
Assemblage
Followers: 1.8K Submission Page: LINK Editors: Jonathan Greene
This publication started out as an offsite competitor to Medium, but eventually migrated it’s writers over. Neat! Providing a space for anyone to contribute their creative and diverse writing styles. They also offer an enticing offer, any writer for the publication has a chance to become a guest on their podcast. The entire place wreaks of original ideas and great tips to help your writing improve. All at the hands of a single hard-working editor. What’s the catch? Oh, there isn’t one. It’s just a great place to submit.
Fish Food (Bonus)
Followers: 0 Submission Page: LINK Editors: Benjamin Davis, Julia Beaudett, Ethan Taylor
The best publication ever!
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