5 Literary Journals Looking for Readers

I thought I might do something a little bit different for this literary journal post. I currently volunteer for a couple of literary journals, where I do what’s called “first reading.” If you are a speculative author or even someone just interested in science fiction, fantasy, or horror, volunteering for a literary journal is a vital experience to have under your belt. Below, find five literary journals currently looking for volunteers!

Utopia Science Fiction

Currently, I read for this journal, and I really enjoy doing it. Right now, they need manuscript readers and an outreach manager! When you go to their page, the magazine includes a list of responsibilities for both jobs. For first reader positions, they look for someone who can read up to five stories per week. Additionally, previous experience is a plus, and you also need an internet connection. When you apply, the magazine keeps your application at the ready for whenever they need extra hands.

Find their full page for information about the positions and how to submit through this link.

Locus

Besides looking for volunteers, this magazine also hosts internships! According to their site, “We offer part-time unpaid internships to enthusiastic SFFH readers, in a geek-friendly and open, goal-oriented atmosphere. The internship positions are well-suited to recent graduate or current college students interested in journalism, literature, and/or publishing, but we’re open to all applicants.” You can also find their volunteer form through their page.

To access the volunteer application, follow this link, or follow this second link to get to their internship page.

Clarkesworld

Clarkesworld, one of the biggest speculative fiction literary journals out there, occasionally looks for slush readers. By slush, I mean all the submissions that the journal receives every day that a team of volunteers sift through. They keep their application form open year-round, and every now and then, they accept new readers to begin reading.

You can find their volunteer form through this link.

Uncharted

I actually used to read for Uncharted! They do all their work through Submittable, which is where you can find their application for volunteer reading. On their Submittable page, they state, “Uncharted is looking to add some talented new readers to our team! If you love the following genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller/Mystery, and Historical Fiction, or experience across a wide spectrum of these genres, and three to four hours of reading submissions a week sounds like fun, we encourage you to apply. Our readers work remotely and can set their own schedules. BIPOC, marginalized, or underrepresented writers are strongly encouraged to apply!”

Find their Submittable application page through this link.

Orion’s Belt

This magazine is currently looking for audio editors and first readers. For first readers, they write on their site, “You are the first round of readers here at Orion’s Belt, responsible for reading and evaluating ten to fifteen stories or poems per week.” If this sounds like something you want to volunteer your time for, I included the link below. Additionally, for audio editors, Orion’s Belt looks for “someone comfortable with both narrating and interviewing, to (1) narrate fiction (and/or poetry), and (2) record short interviews with authors.”

Find their full page and information on what and how to submit through this link.

Before you go, I hope this helped you on your literary journal journey! Happy reading!

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