I've written a number of short pieces last year that I would like to put out into the world. I know that in theory, you can just submit stuff to, like, online literary journals/websites (if submissions are open and the texts fit the call for submissions etc.), but is it really just that simple? Or do they tend to refuse anyone who's not already a professional writer and it would be better to just distribute your own stuff yourself? I have no idea what works best, so I'm hoping to hear other people's experiences!
I think it is basically just that unless you want to go the self-publish route.
I have a couple friends that are writers and my understanding is that's basically what they do (submit stuff to mags and books that have open calls)
This might not be very helpful but I knew a girl in class who had her poems published in a book I think? I dont know she told me she didnt really get any money from it, they just showed her poems
It’s true some of the biggest lit magazines tend to publish already famous writers. On the other hand, plenty of them read blind. Self-distribution is awesome because it can potentially reach a bigger audience, you have total control, and there’s no barriers, but you have to do all the work of getting people’s eyes on it.
Getting in a magazine is great, but you have to do research to find a good fit and you might get a lot of rejection letters before you get published. If you start a poetry blog, you don’t have to wait, you can make it exactly how you want it, have your own little ecosystem.
They are both potentially fun and fulfilling so I say go for either!