The following journals and magazines specialize in writing by / for / about women. Some of these publications feature women exclusively; others are simply committed to amplifying marginalized voices, drawing attention to women’s issues, or advancing a feminist agenda. The description of each is taken directly from the associated website.
I have tagged these publications according to country of origin, but please note that many—particularly the ones publishing online only—welcome international contributions and readership.
All links are current as of October 2015. If you find a non-working link or newly defunct publication at anytime in the future, or if you know a journal or magazine that should be added to this list, please do let me know. I appreciate your help in making this list as comprehensive as possible. Thank you!
— Nicole Melanson
13th Moon: A Feminist Literary Magazine is a home for women writers, and people who want to read their work.
While this journal is dedicated to women, it is not exclusive, and it welcomes our counterparts and their thoughts about women today. Submissions to Adanna must reflect women’s issues or topics, celebrate womanhood, and shout out in passion
A literary zine for dangerous women
Bitch Media is a nonprofit, independent, feminist media organization dedicated to providing and encouraging an engaged, thoughtful feminist response to mainstream media and popular culture.
Bone Bouquet (USA)
Bone Bouquet is a biannual online journal seeking to publish the best new writing by female poets, from artists both established and emerging.
CALYX Journal (USA)
A forum for women’s creative work—including work by women of color, lesbian and queer women, young women, old women—CALYX Journal breaks new ground. Each issue is packed with new poetry, short stories, full-color artwork, photography, essays, and reviews.
Canthius accepts submissions of poetry and short fiction from established and emerging women and queer-identified writers.
We are a quarterly online magazine, sharing the work of cis women*, trans women, and nonbinary artists, writers, and creatives. We are particularly interested in work that relates to a sense of spiritual life, ecology, and community, but we welcome submissions of all kinds that reflect one’s unique stories.
At Crone: Women Coming of Age, we believe that the experience of aging is rich with spiritual meaning. That’s why we have created a unique magazine that honors our deep wisdom as eldering women.
damselfly press (USA)
damselfly press seeks to promote exceptional writing by women. We welcome work from female writers of all experiences. We accept fiction, poetry, and nonfiction
We are looking for previously unpublished work by women writers and artists. We want work that is brief and powerful. We want art and photography that make us feel something profound.
FemAsia was conceived as a magazine for women, in which issues and events which impact on girls and women in our contemporary world are discussed and explored. We wish to showcase the talents, experience and perspectives of women across Asia.
THE FEM is a magazine of inclusive, diverse, and feminist poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and spoken word.
For the Sonorous is a literary journal dedicated to empowering and publishing women and non-binary people of color.
GUTS is a digital, volunteer-run feminist magazine and blog. Our biannual magazine publishes literary essays and reviews, long-form journalism, interviews, fiction, poetry, and new media to further feminist discourse, criticism, and community engagement in Canada.
It is an award-winning, nationally acclaimed magazine for thinking young women at U.Va. and beyond.
Jahanamiya (Saudi Arabia)
Jahanamiya is a feminist literary magazine that publishes written work exclusively by Saudi women, as well as accompanying artwork created by regional artists.
Lady is an online literary magazine for women, by women of all ages.
Lavender Review is an international, biannual (June & December) e-zine dedicated to poetry and art by, about, and for lesbians, including whatever LGBTQ might appeal to a lesbian readership.
Independent, Jewish & frankly feminist since 1976, Lilith magazine charts Jewish women’s lives with exuberance, rigor, affection, subversion and style.
Literary Mama (International)
Literary Mama publishes literary writing about the many faces of motherhood.
Lumen is a project for (and by!) women and nonbinary people. We are interested in poetry, fiction, personal essays, and interviews that examine how we move through the world, both as complex individuals and as members of larger communities.
Online zine dedicated to women who are mostly over 35.
A web journal devoted to formal poetry by women.
Minola Review fosters the conversation between women, publishing strong, honest work safe from the gaze of patriarchy.
Mothers Always Write (USA)
A monthly, online literary magazine for mothers and mother writers who consider parenting to be their highest calling. We publish essays and poetry about the mothering experience.
Minerva Rising (USA)
Minerva Rising is an independent literary journal celebrating the creativity and wisdom in every woman. We publish thought-provoking fiction, non-fiction, photography, poetry and essays by women writers and artists.
Mom Egg Review (USA)
Mom Egg Review is an annual literary journal by and about mothers and motherhood.
Ms. continues to be an award-winning magazine recognized nationally and internationally as the media expert on issues relating to women’s status, women’s rights, and women’s points of view.
At Mslexia we are committed to helping women writers progress and succeed, through our quarterly magazine, writer’s diary and annual writing competitions.
Exploring real-life motherhood, from every angle, at every stage.
Na’amat Woman (USA)
Na’amat, Hebrew acronym for “Movement of Working Women and Volunteers,” strives to enhance the quality of life for women, children and families in Israel, the U.S. and around the world.
Not Very Quiet (Australia)
Not Very Quiet is a new twice yearly online journal for women poets of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to publish their work.
Persimmon Tree (USA)
Persimmon Tree, an online magazine, is a showcase for the creativity and talent of women over sixty.
PMS poemmemoirstory (USA)
PMS poemmemoirstory is a 140-page, perfect-bound, all-women’s literary journal published annually by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We proudly feature the best literary writing by emerging and established women writers.
Quaint Magazine (USA)
Quaint Magazine accepts submissions from female-identified and genderqueer/non-binary folk only. We are strongly committed to publishing work from traditionally marginalized writers, and in exploring identity performance, particularly as it pertains to subverting the cultural cliche of femininity.
ROAR is a print literary journal that exists to provide a space to showcase women’s fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We are committed to publishing literature by emerging and developing writers and we aim to support the equality of women in the creative arts.
ROOM Magazine (Canada)
Room Magazine is Canada’s oldest literary journal by and about women.
SageWoman Magazine (USA)
Celebrating the Goddess in Every Woman.
Sinister Wisdom (USA)
Sinister Wisdom is a multicultural lesbian literary & art journal that publishes four issues each year.
So to Speak (USA)
A feminist journal of language and art.
Southern Women’s Review (USA)
By showcasing well-known and emerging southern women writers and artists, SWR amplifies their unique voices while exploring both traditional and innovative literary themes.
Torch Journal (USA)
Torch Journal is published by Torch Literary Arts, a nonprofit organization established to support and promote creative writing by black women.
Understorey Magazine publishes literary writing and visual art by and about Canadian women.
Since 2011, Vela has taken steps to help close the byline gender gap by publishing exceptional nonfiction writing by women, and by drawing attention to outstanding work by women writers at other online publications, print magazines, and publishing houses.
Founded in 2001, wicked alice is an online journal dedicated to women-centered writing and art.
WomenArts Quarterly Journal (WAQ), an initiative of Women in the Arts, aspires to nurture, provide support, and challenge women of all cultures, ethnicities, backgrounds, and abilities in their role in the arts and seeks to heighten the awareness and understanding of the achievements of women creators.
Since 1972, WSQ has been an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of emerging perspectives on women, gender, and sexuality.