Fifth Wednesday Journal

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (March 2019). We provide the following information as an archive.

About

Fifth Wednesday Journal is an independent literary print magazine published by Fifth Wednesday Books, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Lisle, Illinois. Committed to the idea that contemporary literary and photographic arts are essential components of a vibrant and enduring culture, we will publish those writers and visual artists who most effectively contribute to this mission. The unique range of writing and visual art in each issue appeals to a wide spectrum of readers, and we will remain committed to publishing writing and art that is both entertaining and intellectually meaningful. We welcome contributions of short fiction, poetry, essays, interviews, book reviews, and black and white photography.

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States

Established in 2007

Publication Medium & Frequency

Print Publication Print Publication: Published 2 x per year

Collapse section Fiction Closed

FWJ publishes short stories and excerpts from novels, as long as the excerpt stands on its own as a literary work.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words.
Novelette: 7,500 - 12,000 words.
Novel Excerpt: 1,000 - 12,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary, Realist.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Nonfiction Closed

FWJ publishes creative nonfiction, book excerpts, and essays, as long as they stand complete as a literary work. In our view, creative nonfiction is work that uses the techniques of fiction, such as characterization, setting, dialogue, and narration, to write about factual subjects. Successful creative nonfiction goes beyond the personal experience or anecdote to engage a larger world.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Essay: 1,000 - 12,000 words.
Narrative Nonfiction: 1,000 - 12,000 words.
Book Excerpt: 1,000 - 12,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary, Personal.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Memoir.
Other: May vary.

Payment:

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Poetry Closed

FWJ publishes poems of any length, in traditional or experimental styles. However, poems longer than four pages are less likely to make it into the journal.

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms, including: Experimental poetry, Formal verse.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Experimental, Literary, Realist.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Text.

Collapse section Visual Art Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Lengths:

Artwork: Up to 10 pieces.

Art Media:

Black & white photography.

Art Styles:

Open to all/most Art Styles.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics including...
Other: May vary.

Payment:

No monetary payment to Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece) Pays occasionally, up to Professional payment (US$50 or more per piece).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than payment specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Electronic submissions.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Media: Image.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

Recent cover image or website screenshot for Fifth Wednesday Journal

Go to publication's website

Report:
Correction/Update

Support this Publisher:
Subscribe

Fifth Wednesday Journal Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months.

Your Submissions

This section is available to subscribers only. Join today!

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026