How to Create a Literary Magazine

Define your goals for the magazine and choose a framework for the content. What will your journal publish -- short stories, poems, memoirs or a combination of different creative content? Decide whether you will publish the literary magazine online or in print. Finances will certainly be one consideration when deciding between print and web, as print will be much more expensive. Determine the demographic of your readers and writers. Are you publishing a journal for your college, group of friends or your town or city?

Write a financial plan. Within the plan, highlight whether your literary magazine will be a non-profit organization, what you'll need for start-up and how you will bring in money to pay for the operating costs. A timeline is helpful for investors or grantees to know when their money will run out and yours will take over, if ever. The public library will have extensive materials on starting your own non-profit or for-profit organization.

Secure financing. Look to alumni of your alma mater and supporters of the arts to support your magazine. If you are a non-profit, apply for government grants and publicly allocated money. This step can take the longest and be frustrating for everyone involved. Have patience and keep looking for financing until you receive the amount needed to start your magazine.

Gather a team of employees or volunteers. Hire carefully, as you will come to depend on this team to keep the magazine running smoothly whether or not you are in the room.

Design the magazine. The visual aspect of your literary magazine is very important. Layout, image placement and the cover design will take time to perfect. Make sure to have an art director to oversee all graphic design.

Solicit submissions. For the first round of submissions, ask anyone and everyone you have admired or thought about in regards to literary work. Take out ads in the local paper or school papers or online classified, budget allowing. Come to a consensus as a group as to what you are looking for and a rating scale. Sort and read through and edit submissions in a timely manner. Edit meticulously. You do not want the reputation of your literary magazine to plummet due to typos.

Publicize the magazine. Access current and potential readers through word of mouth, advertising and networking. Contact your local media and invite them to write a story about your venture. Consider throwing a party to celebrate your first issue and invite city leaders in the arts and the media.

Publish and distribute the magazine. Send the magazine to the printer and arrange the area of distribution. The distribution of your magazine may be very small to start. Plan to increase steadily as your readership increases. If your literary magazine is online only, publish the magazine on your website.