Elegant Literature
@elegantliterature.bsky.social
A short fiction magazine, award, and school exclusively for upcoming writers to start their career. Posts by editor Creag Munroe.
elegantliterature.com/links
elegantliterature.com/links
I'm the editor of a fiction magazine. Here's what I look for:
Stories where you feel something. Not clever premise. Not perfect prose. Humanity. Emotion. A piece I can't stop reading. That's what I love to publish.
Stories where you feel something. Not clever premise. Not perfect prose. Humanity. Emotion. A piece I can't stop reading. That's what I love to publish.
December 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I'm the editor of a fiction magazine. Here's what I look for:
Stories where you feel something. Not clever premise. Not perfect prose. Humanity. Emotion. A piece I can't stop reading. That's what I love to publish.
Stories where you feel something. Not clever premise. Not perfect prose. Humanity. Emotion. A piece I can't stop reading. That's what I love to publish.
One trend I've seen after starting a fiction magazine: many writers think their first story needs to be perfect. It doesn't. It needs to be submitted.
December 20, 2025 at 11:50 AM
One trend I've seen after starting a fiction magazine: many writers think their first story needs to be perfect. It doesn't. It needs to be submitted.
I've published 350 authors. Many of them were scared to submit. Every single one is glad they did. Your fear is normal. It's also not a reason to stop.
December 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I've published 350 authors. Many of them were scared to submit. Every single one is glad they did. Your fear is normal. It's also not a reason to stop.
Writing is lonely. You're alone with your story, wondering if it's good enough. Maybe it's not. But that's okay. It's good enough to submit. And that's where everything changes.
December 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Writing is lonely. You're alone with your story, wondering if it's good enough. Maybe it's not. But that's okay. It's good enough to submit. And that's where everything changes.
I've paid $250k to emerging writers. But the real reward? The emails. Writers telling me they were ready to quit--until we published them. They decided to keep going. That's why I do this.
December 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I've paid $250k to emerging writers. But the real reward? The emails. Writers telling me they were ready to quit--until we published them. They decided to keep going. That's why I do this.
I turned my magazine into a showcase for the next generation of authors. That was 4 years and 500 stories ago. 500 stories that got paid like pros, because they are. Who's next?
December 15, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I turned my magazine into a showcase for the next generation of authors. That was 4 years and 500 stories ago. 500 stories that got paid like pros, because they are. Who's next?
It may be your private burden to suffer the anxieties of writing, but it is also your privilege to be first in line to enjoy what you create. --Nathan Filer
December 15, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It may be your private burden to suffer the anxieties of writing, but it is also your privilege to be first in line to enjoy what you create. --Nathan Filer
In 2021, I saw writers entering contests where they'd lose their rights just for submitting (I was one of them). They were so hungry for opportunity, they'd do anything. That broke my heart. So I built something different.
December 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
In 2021, I saw writers entering contests where they'd lose their rights just for submitting (I was one of them). They were so hungry for opportunity, they'd do anything. That broke my heart. So I built something different.
Go Jaime!
Long time since I released a big beast into the wild but here is The Future Is Me, told from NHS waiting rooms during the peak of the AIDS epidemic. The siblings are my most Northumbrian characters though a Colombian walked in from nowhere and kidnapped the story.
waccamawjournal.com/fiction/the-...
waccamawjournal.com/fiction/the-...
December 14, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Go Jaime!
I judge a $3k literary award. Here's what catches my eye: stories that put people and emotions on center stage. Humanity beats premise (but premise can highlight humanity).
December 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I judge a $3k literary award. Here's what catches my eye: stories that put people and emotions on center stage. Humanity beats premise (but premise can highlight humanity).
Reading over 6,000 short stories taught me this: many writers are trying to impress editors. The best ones are trying to entertain readers. Huge difference.
December 13, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Reading over 6,000 short stories taught me this: many writers are trying to impress editors. The best ones are trying to entertain readers. Huge difference.
I've paid a quarter million dollars to emerging writers. The ones who succeeded didn't wait for permission. They submitted. They got rejected. They submitted again. That's it.
December 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
I've paid a quarter million dollars to emerging writers. The ones who succeeded didn't wait for permission. They submitted. They got rejected. They submitted again. That's it.
Live Training at 1pm ET this Saturday
James Woolf has had many short stories published that ride a coach and horses through traditional storytelling methods. If you’ve ever thought about breaking free from conventional ways of telling stories, this is the workshop for you.
James Woolf has had many short stories published that ride a coach and horses through traditional storytelling methods. If you’ve ever thought about breaking free from conventional ways of telling stories, this is the workshop for you.
December 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Live Training at 1pm ET this Saturday
James Woolf has had many short stories published that ride a coach and horses through traditional storytelling methods. If you’ve ever thought about breaking free from conventional ways of telling stories, this is the workshop for you.
James Woolf has had many short stories published that ride a coach and horses through traditional storytelling methods. If you’ve ever thought about breaking free from conventional ways of telling stories, this is the workshop for you.
Don't forget to read our new issue with 10 stories by the next generation of authors!
December 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Don't forget to read our new issue with 10 stories by the next generation of authors!
Reposted by Elegant Literature
Who's judging December's @elegantliterature.bsky.social comp? That would be me 🎉 To celebrate, I have enhanced the competition image with my head. You're welcome Creag 😇
The theme is “Melodies & Memories”. Closes 31st Dec. 2,000 words. $10 entry. Top prize $3,000. www.elegantliterature.com/contest/
The theme is “Melodies & Memories”. Closes 31st Dec. 2,000 words. $10 entry. Top prize $3,000. www.elegantliterature.com/contest/
December 5, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Who's judging December's @elegantliterature.bsky.social comp? That would be me 🎉 To celebrate, I have enhanced the competition image with my head. You're welcome Creag 😇
The theme is “Melodies & Memories”. Closes 31st Dec. 2,000 words. $10 entry. Top prize $3,000. www.elegantliterature.com/contest/
The theme is “Melodies & Memories”. Closes 31st Dec. 2,000 words. $10 entry. Top prize $3,000. www.elegantliterature.com/contest/
Reposted by Elegant Literature
Did my author interview with @elegantliterature.bsky.social and I can say that Creag is definitely one of the best humans I have ever met.
December 9, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Did my author interview with @elegantliterature.bsky.social and I can say that Creag is definitely one of the best humans I have ever met.
Reposted by Elegant Literature
So excited to have my story "Infinite Wisdom" published in the pages of this month's @elegantliterature.bsky.social, titled "Charmed and Chained." Check it out along with LOTS of great stories this month, here: www.elegantliterature.com/magazine/
Magazine
Amazing stories by upcoming talent. No query letters. Guaranteed acceptance/rejection timeline. Above-professional pay.
www.elegantliterature.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:03 AM
So excited to have my story "Infinite Wisdom" published in the pages of this month's @elegantliterature.bsky.social, titled "Charmed and Chained." Check it out along with LOTS of great stories this month, here: www.elegantliterature.com/magazine/
Every published author we’ve talked to: “This is such a great initiative. I wish Elegant Literature had existed back when I started writing!”
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
June 29, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Every published author we’ve talked to: “This is such a great initiative. I wish Elegant Literature had existed back when I started writing!”
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
That’s why we built it. Education, community, and publication, all under one roof.
I'm thrilled to announce I've been shortlisted for the final round of the longlist for a writing fellowship that may lead to an unpaid internship, which I need to get accepted to my MFA.
June 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
I'm thrilled to announce I've been shortlisted for the final round of the longlist for a writing fellowship that may lead to an unpaid internship, which I need to get accepted to my MFA.
The sad story about short fiction?
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
June 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The sad story about short fiction?
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
Many magazines claim to welcome new writers while mostly publishing established names. We fixed that by only accepting writers who aren't pros AND still paying a professional rate for your work (also we give one of you a $3000 award every month of the year).
What’s your character’s non-negotiable?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
June 28, 2025 at 10:50 AM
What’s your character’s non-negotiable?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
What if character development isn’t about extensive backstories, but about one critical question: what would this person never compromise on, even if everything else was at stake?
$3000 award for a writer who submits a story by the end of the month.
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 10:49 AM
$3000 award for a writer who submits a story by the end of the month.
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
10 stories get published and paid 10c/word.
25 more get an Honorable Mention and $20.
43 magazine issues published since 2021. $200k+ paid to emerging talent.
Award judged by @patrickbarb.bsky.social
Here’s what’s broken about publishing: The people who need opportunity the most are the least likely to get it.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
June 26, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Here’s what’s broken about publishing: The people who need opportunity the most are the least likely to get it.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Here’s how we’re fixing it: $3,000 monthly award to a writer who is NOT a professional author.
Your story starts here.
Most lit mags: “Sorry, we need writers with experience."
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
June 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Most lit mags: “Sorry, we need writers with experience."
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Us: “Emerging writers ONLY. Pro payment. $42k in awards every year."
Sometimes change is just common sense.
Ghosted my manuscript for 3 months. Refused to work on our issues.
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
June 26, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Ghosted my manuscript for 3 months. Refused to work on our issues.
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...
Somehow still can't get enough of each other...