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How new writers can find a publication for their story using Medium’s Huge List of Publications
Two ways to find the perfect home for your story using this list
Welcome to Medium’s huge list of publications accepting submissions! By the end of this story, you’ll understand how to use this list to find the perfect home for your story.
This list contains the submission guidelines from over 400 publications that have told us they’re open for submissions from new writers.
Even if you’re brand new on Medium and you’ve never published anything, if you have a story that could be a good fit for a publication, you have a high chance of being accepted.
Why follow this process instead of just submitting to any publication? Medium publications are collections of themed stories, about one or just a few topics. Examples include humor, pets, data science, AI, and writing. The better fit you find for your story, the better your story will do.
Prefer watching? Here’s the video:
How this list works
I’m going to walk through two ways of using this list. Choose your own adventure:
- Method 1: You don’t have an idea or story draft yet, and you want to be inspired. (Jump to that section.)
- Method 2: You have a draft or idea, and you’re looking for a good home for your story. (Jump to that section.)
Let’s dive in.
What are all these submission guidelines?
On this list, you’ll see submission guidelines for over 400 publications.
On each submission guideline, you’ll see a few things. At the top, you can learn what the publication focuses on. You’ll see what the publication’s name is, and who wrote the submission guidelines — typically the editor of the publication.
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You can also see whether it’s a member-only story by the golden star icon. Some editors paywall their submission guidelines so only Medium members are able to read them. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to read those guidelines if you’re not a Medium member.
Now you understand what the guidelines are, here’s how to use the list.
Method 1: Browse until you’re inspired.
No ideas? No problem. Publications can act as writing prompts themselves! Just scroll through this list at your leisure, opening up submission guidelines as they catch your fancy, or if they’re in a topic you might have an idea for.
- Scroll until you see a publication that inspires you to write a story,.
- Read the submission guidelines of that publication.
- Read a few stories in that publication.
- Write your story, making sure to stick to the submission guidelines.
- Follow the editor’s instructions on how to submit your story. Sometimes all you have to do is follow the publication; other editors ask that you go through a more rigorous submission process.
- Submit it!
- You may get feedback, or even rejected — it’s a normal part of the process! Embrace it as best as you can, and keep trying.
- Repeat as often as you like.
For example, say you know you want to write something — but inspiration hasn’t struck yet.
However, you’ve used a product lately and have opinions to share. If so, Casual Product Reviews might stand out to you as both a writing prompt and a place to home that prompt when you’re finished writing it.
Method 2: Come with a story or an idea for a story.
Publications are normally about one theme in particular. Before you start scrolling, decide what topic you’re focusing on right now, either a story idea or a story draft you already have ready.
Tip: If you’re not sure what topic is the best fit, check out the Explore Topics page. Click on a topic that you think could be a good fit and see what stories in that topic are about, and whether they match your idea. For example, the Books topic page tends to have stories about books, book reviews, and book writing.
- Scroll until you see a publication that covers the thing you have an idea or draft about. You can also use Ctrl+F to search for a specific topic.
- Carefully read the submission guidelines.
- Read a few stories in that publication.
- If it’s a good fit, feel free to submit your story to that publication based on their guidelines.
- You should also make sure your story meets the criteria the editors are looking for—many ask for specific formatting, or no AI usage.
- Repeat as many times as you have drafts or story ideas.
For example, maybe you’re a nurse and you have an idea for a nursing story that you want to write. You might spot Nursing Notes, a publication run by Barb Dalton, and think it could be a good home for your story.
Tips for onward success using this list
Now you know two ways to use this list! Here are a few more tips to help you understand how to continue using this list to find the right home for your story moving forward.
- Publications help increase the reach of your story. Even if you have no followers, publications already have a built-in audience of their own followers who might see your story.
- Most editors prefer unpublished drafts, that is, stories that have not yet been published to your profile.
- Expect feedback, rejections, or to be asked to work on your story before having it accepted.
- Read the submission guidelines thoroughly! Editors want your quality stories. Help them by making sure you’ve made your story a great fit according to the guidelines they provide.
- Try as many or as few publications as you like. Over time, you’ll probably find that you work well with certain editors, or readers of a publication respond well to your writing. This ca change over time! Don’t feel tied down to a niche.
Happy submitting!
