(CHECK OUT THE UPDATED LIST HERE)

Why am I doing this, you may ask? Well, I wanted to know, partly for my own selfish reasons. I had heard mutterings about the lack of lit mags in this area compared to the US, but then I started hearing about new lit mags and more new lit mags.... and then I started doing a bit of research. And since I am living in the UK now, I want to know about everything that's going on. I want to know if it's true that the "short fiction scene" is dozing. Well, I think you'll see from what I gathered below that that is far from true.

I should qualify: when I say "lit mags", my definition is a magazine that publishes fiction, or fiction and poetry.  There are a wealth of poetry-only magazines, see The Poetry Library  for listings of poetry mags. I  am not including them here because I wanted to keep this list to those which publish short stories.  I also included the few live lit events I know about - since these are also "publication" opportunities for short story writers. Where possible, I have lifted the description from Duotrope, the essential writer's resource, and done my best to say if the magazine pays contributors - although "paying" could mean a monetary reward that is very very small!

A (Non-Complete) LIst of UK and Ireland Lit Mags

3am Magazine - "3AM is a loose, eclectic forum for literary upstarts, degenerates and loose cannons -- we can't imagine why anyone would send us anything vaguely 'academic' in style, but please don't. Nor do we wish to receive anything bland or anodyne."  EZINE

20x20 - " a square platform for writings, visuals and cross-bred projects. Writers are invited to submit works up to 1,500 words. Please submit up to 3 written pieces or poems."

Aesthetica - "Aesthetica engages with contemporary art, contextualising it within the larger cultural framework." PRINT

African Writing  - "new, unpublished work. Our natural constituency of writers and material are African or Diasporan (please interpret boldly) but we will publish any writer who writes into the African Condition (please interpret boldly). We are adventurous in our definition of Africana, but we will also publish good literature generally." PRINT

Ambit - "quarterly, 96 page magazine that prints original poetry, short fiction,art and reviews." PRINT, PAYING 

Arete Arts Tri-Quarterly - Fiction, poetry, reportage, reviews PRINT

Ballista speculative fiction. just published last issue PRINT

Banipal -  "publishing contemporary authors and poets from all over the Arab world in English translation" PRINT

Black static - horror fiction PRINT PAYING

Bonfire - fiction, poetry and art. just closed. PRINT

Bottom of the World - "fledgling literary magazine based in the UK. It seeks to show off new prose (and poetry) to an unsuspecting world" PRINT

BRAND - "specialize in the short form; left of field work; international writing. We publish high quality, original short stories, plays, poems, creative non-fiction." PRINT PAYING

Brittle Star - "a ‘little’ magazine which, for its size, contains a surprising variety of new work: poems, stories, interviews." PRINT

Cake -  "new, exciting literary magazine based at Lancaster University, calling all fresh-baked submissions of poetry, flash fiction and more!" Subs: themixingbowl@hotmail.co.uk PRINT (I think!)

Carillon -"wide-ranging poetry and prose from contributors across the world, plus book reviews and a readers’ competition." PRINT PAYING subscribers only

Chimera -  "verse and prose in serious and lighter vein on a range of topics. Philosophical, confessional, satirical, polemics, speculation, pastiche, essays, reviews, fiction"  EZINE

Chapman - "publishes the best in Scottish writing" PRINT PAYING

Countryside Tales -" illustrated magazine in A5 format and is published quarterly...interested in any material with a countryside/rural theme." PRINT PAYING

Crannog - poetry and prose PRINT

Crimewave -  "outstanding modern stories of crime, mystery and suspense, as well as borderline material which uses genre elements in a new way" PRINT

Cyphers -  Ireland's longest running literary magazine founded in 1975, publishes Irish poetry, in Irish and English, and poetry in translation, as well as some prose fiction and criticism and graphic art." PRINT

Dead Drunk Dublin: - "online literary arts magazine dedicated to attracting poets, writers and artists who are looking through the obvious"  EZINE

Dream Catcher - "a terrific mix of poetry, prose, artwork and reviews" PRINT

East of the Web - "is keen to provide exposure for writers by offering them a place where their work will be seen and read in a high quality, respected setting. The site receives about half a million unique page views per month"

The Edge - "publishes short stories of more than 2000 words (not whole novels or sequels to work published elsewhere). Many have urban themes, and/or could be described (by others) as modern and borderline gothic horror/fantasy/sf, slipstream, crime fiction or erotica; please don't send clichéd stories. Experimental work is welcome. There is always room for new names." PRINT PAYING

Edinburgh Review - publishes essays, short fiction, poetry and reviews aimed at an educated reading public with an interest in critical thought. Since its inception in 1802, the magazine has balanced a strong Scottish focus with a keen interest in international intellectual currents" PRINT

Flash - a biannual literary magazine, publishing quality short stories and occasional articles and reviews of up to 360 words. PRINT

Frogmore Papers - mostly poetry but also "prose may be experimental or traditional, but is unlikely to be accepted if it's either very experimental or very traditional." PRINT

Fuselit - "is looking for work that you wrought or forged using the next issue's title (a spur word) as your inspiration point."

Gold Dust - "exciting and original prose and poetry" PRINT

Granta  - "committed to discovering and publishing the finest new fiction and non-fiction from around the world" PRINT PAYING

Horizon Review - short stories and poetry  EZINE

Ink, Sweat and Tears - "webzine that explores the borderline between poetry and prose in the digital age" EZINE

Inside Out - "Confessional/autobiographical prose, on any subject." PRINT

Interzone - "new science fiction and fantasy short stories" PRINT PAYING

Iota - "quarterly literary magazine founded in Derbyshire in 1987 and enjoys a longstanding reputation for publishing excellent work from new and established writers - poetry and prose."

LabLit -  "dedicated to real laboratory culture and to the portrayal and perceptions of that culture – science, scientists and labs – in fiction," EZINE

LauraHird.com - "Submissions of previously unpublished short stories (4,000 words max), flash fiction, poetry (send 6-8 poems at a time), film / book / music / best tunes (300 words on a favourite song) / gigs / exhibition / lit mag / chapbook reviews (send samples of previous work), interviews and articles" EZINE

Liars League - "monthly, themed short story reading event based in central London, where the stories are written by emerging authors, performed by professional actors, and watched by a literature-loving crowd. Winning stories are read live (and recorded for later download) every second Tuesday of the month, and then published to our website." LIVE EZINE

The Liberal -"invites submissions of new poetry and short fiction"  PRINT

The Literateur - "new online literary magazine featuring interviews with luminaries of the literary world, articles, reviews and exciting new creative works." EZINE

Litro - "free monthly literary magazine. We publish new, original short fiction that excites us.... distributed widely near London Underground stations, in libraries, galleries, bars, cafes and other venues in the Capital and beyond" PRINT

The London magazine -"article and feature ideas, as well as poetry and short fiction submissions." PRINT

The Manchester Review -  "existing only online, with new issues appearing each spring and autumn. These will often include broadcasts of new music, public debates and video pieces, as well as visual art, fiction and poetry."  EZINE

Matter magazine -  features the best new writing by past and present students of the university’s respected MA Writing programme alongside work by established guest writers." PRINT

Mslexia - poetry, flash fiction, short stories.  PRINT PAYING

Moving Worlds - "a forum for creative work as well as criticism, literary as well as visual texts, writing in scholarly as well as more personal modes, in English and translations into English. It is open to experimentation, and represents work of different kinds and from different cultural traditions" PRINT

Neon (previously FourVolts)- "UK-based literary magazine, published online every quarter, and featuring the kind of imaginative, stylised poetry and prose not generally found in British magazines. We focus particularly on the new, the experimental and the strange." EZINE PAYING

New Welsh Review -  "best new writing from Wales" PRINT PAYING

The New Writer - "Short stories from subscribers and prizewinners only. The magazine does not consider unsolicited manuscripts but each issue contains up to four short stories from subscribers and guest writers, limited to a maximum 4,000 words on any theme and in any genre." PRINT PAYING

Notes from the Underground - Comic stories, sketches, cartoons and comic poetry, Longer short stories up to a maximum of 1800 words, Very short stories of only one or two sentences, Travel Writing and reportage, Poetry  PRINT EZINE

Patricide  - "All interested writers and artists are invited to submit work for publication in a new journal with a first edition to be published in the first half of 2010 as a limited edition of 100 A5 perfect bound books.Work should engage with the interface between documentary practice and surrealism. Written work should be within the range of 1 to 1000 words, images may take any form suitable for reproduction in monochrome." PRINT

Pen Pusher - "We are a literary magazine for those of you who are interested in words, writing, writers' lives, literary history, philosophy and the odd bit of silliness." PRINT

Penumbra - "If you've got something original to say and a fresh way of saying it, we want to hear from you. What we're after: 1. short stories (up to 2,500 words) 2. poetry 3. reviews (books, theatre, music; between 500—1,500 words)." PRINT

Planet magazine - " bi-monthly magazine covering the arts, culture and politics in Wales and beyond. In addition to features on and interviews with contemporary Welsh artists and writers, it includes political analysis, both of Welsh affairs and international issues. Several poems and one short story are published in each issue" PRINT PAYING

The Pygmy Giant - "an online home for UK flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and pretty much anything else under 800 words. We aim to publish something new on the site approx. every other day." EZINE

Random Acts of Writing - "a Highlands-based writing magazine, and we are keen to publish writers who are either based in the north of Scotland, or whose work is relevant to the area. We have a commitment to new writing and unpublished writers" PRINT

Ranfurly Review - We accept fiction and poetry on almost any subject and in any genre. We will from time to time publish special genre editions, so if your work is accepted it may be held over until publication. We are looking for fiction that is engaging and thought provoking, maybe a touch humourous or a tear-jerker. Whatever it is, it must be well-written and engaging." EZINE

The Reader - "Poetry and short fiction accounts for 20-25% of each issue of The Reader and we encourage published and non-published writers to send in their work."  PRINT

Riptide - "bi-annual anthology of new short fiction by both established and emerging writers. We are committed to providing a forum for high quality, innovative fiction, expanding the readership of the short story genre and enhancing its standing" PRINT PAYING

Sein Und Werden - "both an on-line and in-print publication, with different content in each. Every issue is themed and though non-themed work will be accepted, I will only consider these after a decision has been made on any themed material. Bear in mind that longer stories will automatically go in the print publication, and unless otherwise specified, colour artwork will go online." PRINT EZINE

Shadowtrain - "a bi-monthly gathering of poems, translations, articles and other writings, from the lyrical to the innovative, whatever stings and stuns the editor." EZINE

SHORT Fiction - "If you want to know what kind of fiction to submit, we direct you to see our first issue... which is another way of saying, we like exceptionally well-crafted stories and form-breaking fiction which has narrative drive and dynamic tension." PRINT PAYING

Short Fuse - "one of Sussex’s best short fiction nights. Writers of short stories can showcase their work at our live lit nights which take place monthly at Komedia’s Studio Bar in Brighton and at The Rooms Cafe Bar in St Leonards/Hastings"  LIVE

Solander  - "published twice yearly, in May and November, interviews, articles, short fiction and comment - the only such magazine in the world for enthusiasts of historical fiction." PRINT PAYING 

Southpaw Journal - " a quarterly independent journal dedicated to showcasing short fiction contributions from unpublished writers. Looking for short, gritty, punchy entries. Based in reality. Originality, verve and substance are the key words." EZINE

Southword Journal - "a literary journal featuring poems, fiction and reviews and published biannually by the Munster Literature Centre" EZINE

Sparks - "A flash-fiction evening in Brighton. Stories are accompanied by a commissioned photo, projected behind the author as they read." LIVE

Spokes - "welcomes poetry, short fictional prose and images of all kinds - with a particular interest in the culturally engaged and the fantastic. Spokes is 'published' twice yearly." EZINE

Stand magazine -  "quarterly literary magazine established in 1952. Jon Silkin founded Stand as "an attempt to remedy the intellectual situation of reader and poet" in response to our need for "something more human . . . for art and a public which is prepared to be receptive" where the art in Stand is "what is simple in expression and human in its context; for the chances that the compound will be profound and worth reading are reasonable." PRINT PAYING

Staple - a magazine of poetry, short fiction, articles, reviews and images published three times each year. PRINT

Stinging fly - "welcomes submissions from Irish and international writers. We are looking for writers who have something to say, and who have taken the time to say it well. We publish poetry and short stories." PRINT PAYING

Stride magazine - "gathering of new poetry, prose poems, articles and reviews (or whatever takes our fancy), Stride is regularly updated with new contributions. Enjoy your visit." EZINE

Structo - "a fiction and poetry magazine, containing original work as well as features on, interviews with, and essays by some of the most interesting writers from all sorts of fields." EZINE

Succor - "the UK’s most exciting journal of new fiction, poetry and art. We have editors in London, Manchester, Brighton, Exeter and Dublin who are committed to seeking out and publishing the very best new writing. We habitually set a title for upcoming issues, which we then ask contributors to respond to in their work." PRINT

Tales of the DeCongested & DeCongested Tales - "monthly evening of live fiction, run monthly at The Wheatsheaf on Rathbone Place & monthly magazine. Sixty pages of new writing - featuring stories from our live events as well as other contributed writing." LIVE PRINT

Tears in the Fence  - "an independent literary journal, open to a wide variety of critically aware voices and perspectives. We are an international magazine and have editorial bases in England, France, Australia and USA. We publish poetry, fiction, translations, reviews and essays by known and developing writers from around the world." PRINT

Transcript - "news, reviews and articles, profiles of writers, translators and publishers, and samples of the best contemporary writing from all corners of Europe."

Trespass magazine - "classy, beautifully designed magazine packed with the most dangerous and exciting poetry, art, short fiction and music." PRINT

The View from Here - "a print and on-line literary magazine with author interviews, book reviews, original fiction & poetry and articles. We exist to provide an environment for authors and poets to feel connected and inspired and to showcase new talent. We showcase the weird, unusual, thought provoking and occasionally bizarre. We classify ourselves as "Bohemian Eclectic" PRINT EZINE

The Warwick Review - fiction & poetry PRINT PAYING

Wasifiri- "a literary magazine primarily concerned with new and postcolonial writers, it continues to stress the diversity and range of black and diasporic writers world-wide." PRINT

White Chimney - "A4, 32 page and full colour journal, was established to promote the work of both published and unpublished poets, short story writers, playwrights and artists, internationally" PRINT

The Yellow Room - "aims to be the best literary short-story magazine around for women by women" PRINT PAYING

My conclusions: there are MANY more magazines than I imagined, and many more print mags than I suspected. How interesting that there seems to be only one paying eZine. Hmm.

So, my question is: where's the Best of UK & Irish fiction published in these lit mags then? Why no equivalent of what goes on elsewhere - US, Australia, NZ...? There used to be: the last one I can find is The Best Short Stories 1995, edited by Giles Gordon and published by Heinemann, which published the "Best of..." by British and Commonwealth writers. Giles Gordon, a Scottish literary agent and writer, died in 2003 and it seems that this series died with him.  There was the British Council's New Writing anthology, but the last one, New Writing 15, was published in 2007 and the website says "submissions for New Writing 16 are not being accepted yet". Not a good sign.

Surely with this wealth of lit mags (not that quantity necessarily translates into quality, as well all know well), it's time to do something like this again? What do you think?