The submissions database Chill Subs lists over 3000 magazines and 1200 writing contests, many of the contests affiliated with litmags. Most of these are run by passionate writers and editors who work hard to champion great work, often for little monetary reward.

But given the size of the market there will inevitably be some dodgy ones with the potential to exploit aspiring writers, either through incompetence or more deliberate grift. Here are some red flags to avoid…

Hidden fees

Some litmags have ‘tip jars’, with writers invited to donate a small fee to support the publication’s costs. But tips are optional, which means there’ll also be the option of not paying anything. Other mags transparently charge a ‘reading fee’.

However, some titles ask for ‘tips’ which turn out not to be so optional. This allows them to get into the ‘No fee’ listings of key submission sites like Submittable under false pretences. In contests, the equivalent is an ‘early bird’ fee that turns out to only go higher as the deadline nears.

Always check the final submission page for costs. If the fee isn’t clear until you’re halfway through the process, that’s a red flag.

Vague information

Watch out for litmags where you must click through multiple pages or download PDFs just to find basic info about submissions, fees, or rights. Look out for vague or missing rules that can hide troubling clauses, like taking all rights to your work. If you can’t find all the info you need easily, move on. Don’t think it’s just you or inexperience. That gut feeling is often correct.

Misinformation about deadlines 

Some litmags keep themselves on top of Submittable’s ‘closing soon’ list for months by falsely claiming their window is about to shut. Scammy litmag contests do the same, extending deadlines repeatedly to milk more entries (and fees). FundsforWriters, for your information, won’t post a contest extension. There are even cases of mags that continue to advertise competitions and ask for entry fees long after the closing date.

Vague mastheads and missions

The best litmags are specific about what they’re looking for and who is on the masthead – check out this one or this one or this one. So when there’s minimal about the title’s mission or personnel (apart perhaps from a vague reference to ‘industry experts’ or ‘best-selling editors’), that’s a worry. Especially if these faceless people expect you to pay them a reading fee!

Likewise, avoid contests with vague info about competition organisers and judges. Beware bounced emails and unverifiable contact info, too. As the anti-scam site Writer Beware warns, anonymity equals no accountability. And FundsforWriters has turned down many a contest and litmag submission because the personnel were obscure or the background vague.

No evidence of activity

If a litmag hasn’t released an issue in over a year but is still accepting (and charging fees for) submissions, that’s a problem. Similarly, beware contests that don’t list past winners or have no record of publishing them. Check the last publication date on sites like Duotrope or contest history before submitting. Sites like Duotrope and Chill Subs also record typical response times.

Flattering invites

Some mags and comps send out personal invites, claiming to know your work and trying to flatter you into submitting. I’ve had a few of these – but on closer inspection, it looks like an attempt to just drum up more submissions, and therefore, more fees.

Poor value returns

An entry or reading fee should be proportionate to the reward: a $19 entry fee for a $50 prize is not good value, for example. Some contests exist mainly to sell or reward you with something you may not want – an overpriced vanity anthology or non-expert ‘feedback service’, for example.

Avoid any contest or lit mag where the main ‘prize’ is buying your way into publication. Look for contests with free or modest fees and substantial prizes, like those on Winning Writers’ Best Free Literary Contests list. FundsforWriters, for instance, accepts contest listings with entry fee not to exceed ten percent of the first-place prize money, preferably five percent.

Check around

If you have your doubts about a litmag or comp, trying searching on Reddit, X, Bluesky or Google to see if others have raised concerns. Check out reddit threads like r/PubTips and r/writing. And check out the four-part series on detecting scammy litmags on Lit Mag News. (Note: requires paid subscription)
 

Dan Brotzel – Funny-sad author | www.danbrotzel.com
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