I’m no expert, but I write every day and submit often. These are the sites I find helpful. Some I visit daily. Others, not so much. But they all make the submission process easier.
To the best of my ability, I avoid websites and magazines that charge fees. I understand many magazines use the money to stay afloat, but hey, I’m not rich.
I research widely, trying to match story to magazine. It’s a tedious process, but worth it when an editor and story click.
In no particular order…
The (Submission) Grinder
From the website:
“The Submission Grinder is a submission tracker and market database for writers of fiction and poetry.”
It is free and updated regularly. I would be lost without it.
http://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/
Submittable
From the website:
“Connect with thousands of organizations seeking creative work, grant applicants, and more in our free marketplace.”
New Pages
From the website:
“NewPages.com is news, information, and guides to literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, alternative periodicals, indie bookstores, writing contests, and more.”
Lots of great information on this site. I use it mainly for submission calls, reviews, and the magazine stand.
Every Writer’s Resource
Another website with lots of information for writers, including book publishers, literary magazines, self-publishing, and more. They also list what they consider the fifty top literary magazines.
http://www.everywritersresource.com/
Clifford Garstang’s Magazine Ranking
Every year, Clifford Garstang ranks literary magazines according to which magazines feature work in the Pushcart Prize Anthology (fiction, poetry, and nonfiction), and how many times each magazines appear.
RejectionWiki – Literary Journals and Rejections
If you’ve ever wondered whether your story made it past the slush pile, check out this site. It lists rejection letters for many literary magazines according to standard or higher tiered responses.
http://www.rejectionwiki.com/index.php?title=Literary_Journals_and_Rejections
Carolyn Watson 