What kinds of fiction do most Literary Magazines want?

[phillipjpug]

I can't seem to narrow down what most literary magazines want? Most of them just say they are open to fiction of all themes and styles. Does that mean that they accept short stories from all genres? I've been scratching my head about this for the past month or so. Thanks.

[Jamesaritchie]

Literary magazines usually want only literary fiction, not straight genre fiction. It really isn't possible to explain what they want. If you really want to know, you must read the magazines. Many, many literary magazines have sample stories on their websites, and often entire issues of older issues.

But you cant guess, and you can't have it explained. If you want to sell short stories, you have to read magazines, a lot of magazines, for yourself. It's the only way to know what an individual editor wants.

[phillipjpug]

I know they accept literary fiction, but what about the ones that accept mainstream fiction?

[Jamesaritchie]

I know they accept literary fiction, but what about the ones that accept mainstream fiction?

Read them.

[defyalllogic]

Read them.

this.

read the magazine an d submit what they tend to publish

[phillipjpug]

Thanks a lot guys!