The Bombay Literary Magazine We list other projects with similar titles. Please check that you report any submissions under the correct listing. About The Bombay Literary Magazine‘s mission is to promote writers through their fine work. We are also interested in nonfiction that looks at literature from a “writerly” perspective. We publish stories, poems, essays, reviews, visual narratives and graphic fiction.Our people are mostly located in India, and hence our content has a certain South-Asian orientation. However, this is only an accident of geography. As our archives spanning 10 years and 57 issues and 300,000+ words will prove, we welcome writers from all over the world.We love literature, but this love is not— at least we try to ensure it is not— a blind love. We like to mull over how something is written, and not get unbuttoned simply by what it is about, or why it was written, or who wrote it, or to which genre it belongs. Of course, we all know that style cannot be so neatly unzipped from content, yes, this we all know, of course, of course. Unpacking this “of course” is of great interest to us.What does “Bombay” have to do with literature? Glad you asked this question. We could yammer endlessly about the spirit of Bombay, its Gully Boy ambitions, colonial hangovers, and how in a country obsessed with origins, it welcomes all, regardless of origin, and how the city is sone chandi ki dagariya tu dekh babua et cetera, et cetera. But basically, like all great literature, any great city is both universal and particular at the same time. Makes no sense? Good. We have something in common then.It is an old truism in writing that a sufficiently long ramble eventually contradicts itself. We will reserve that delightful mode of self-discovery for a later conversation. Welcome to The Bombay Literary Magazine. Submission Caps: They may close to submissions early if they reach their quota. Country of Publication India Publication Medium & Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationPublished 3 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed The Bombay Literary Magazine's overall average response time is within a normal range for magazines. More ChallengingThe Bombay Literary Magazine's overall acceptance rate is lower than most magazines. Less ResponsiveThe Bombay Literary Magazine's overall rate of non-response is higher than most magazines. Collapse section Fiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Indians (country of India).Genres: Open to all/most Genres, including: General Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Short Story: 2,000 - 5,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pay ranges from Token payment to Semi-pro payment. Details: INR ₹5,000.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Indians (country of India).Lengths: Essay: 2,000 - 5,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:Token payment (under 1 US cent per word) to Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) Pay ranges from Token payment to Semi-pro payment. Details: INR ₹ 5,000.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Open Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Indians (country of India).Genres: Open to all/most Genres, including: General Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Poem: No line limits known; 3 - 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Place/Regions: Specific region.Payment:Semi-pro payment (US$5-49 per poem) to Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: INR ₹5,000.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to publication's website Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @thebombaylitmagX (Twitter) @bombaylitmag For the Editor(s): Request Interview Link to Duotrope The Bombay Literary Magazine 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. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Accuracy We have received 29 reports from 24 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 3 min | 71.7 mean avg | 73.0 median | 435 max days (123.7 std dev) Responses 75.86 % Acceptances: 0.00 % No publication has a 0% acceptance rate. This data is based on submission reports sent to Duotrope, and we have not received reports of any acceptances yet. Rejections: 75.86 % (73.7 avg. days per rejection) | 36.4 % personal, 36.4 % form, 27.3 % unspecified Non-Responses 3.45 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 3.45 % (126.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 20.69 % (41.8 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 16 responses are pending (1 min | 33.5 mean avg | 12.0 median | 137 max days waiting | 373.7 std dev) from 16 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 21 Jul 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 14 May 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:30 UTC (17 minutes ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Before SubmittingWe 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. DatesLast Updated: 06 Sep 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only