There’s something sacred about pressing “send” on your work. That mix of fear and hope when you submit a poem, an essay, or a short story to a literary journal—especially one that aligns with your spirit. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is it even worth it?” this is for you.

At In Her Space Journal, we’re about storytelling that heals, disrupts, and transforms. We know the emotional labor behind writing, especially when your work comes from lived experience. So here’s why submitting to literary journals—ours and others—can actually nourish your writing life and open real doors.

1. Literary Journals Give Your Work a Home (and a Platform)

Getting published means more than just having your name in a byline. It means your words landed. Someone read your piece and said, Yes. This deserves to be seen. That moment is powerful. It’s proof that your voice carries weight—and that readers are listening.

That kind of recognition matters. Especially when so much of writing and creating happens in private, in silence, in the in-between spaces of our lives. Publishing transforms your work from something personal into something shared. It becomes part of a bigger conversation.

And beyond the emotional impact, lit journals are platforms. They introduce your work to new readers who might’ve never found you otherwise. Your piece gets archived, shared, posted, celebrated. It gets legs. And that visibility? That can lead to your next opportunity.

2. It Builds Your Writing Credibility

You don’t need permission to call yourself a writer—but publication helps other people take your work seriously. When your bio includes a few lit mags, it shows editors, agents, or grant reviewers that your work resonates outside your notebook.

This isn’t about seeking external validation—it’s about building a body of work that lives out loud. Each publication is like a stepping stone. One builds on the next. And while you don’t need a long list of credits to be legitimate, those lit journal bylines can open doors and collaborators who want to work with writers who’ve been in the arena.

Thinking of submitting your work?

Get the inside scoop from the other side of the inbox—read What Editors Look For: Insider Tips from Lit Journal Editors and walk into your next submission with power and perspective.

3. You Join a Creative Community

Writing is often solitary, but you’re not alone. When you publish in journals, you enter a collective of creatives—other contributors, editors, and readers who share your love for language.

Lit journals aren’t just platforms; they’re communities. Many celebrate their contributors through readings, interviews, panels, and issue launches—often virtual and in-person. That means you could find yourself on a Zoom stage with poets you admire, or being featured on an Instagram takeover with artists whose work inspires you.

And once you’re in the journal’s orbit, you tend to stay there. Editors remember you. Fellow contributors follow your work. New connections form, often in the DMs or in comment sections, where a simple “I loved your piece” can spark something lasting. Sometimes, that one published poem or essay leads to collaborations, co-writing, mentorships, or lifelong friendships.

4. You Learn From the Process (Even the Rejections)

Let’s be real: not every submission ends in a yes. In fact, most don’t. But that doesn’t mean the process isn’t worth it—in fact, the process itself is part of the growth.

Rejection can sting, especially when you’ve poured yourself into a piece. But it’s also a reminder that you’re in motion. That you’re showing up. That you’re doing the brave work of sharing something deeply personal with the world.

Sometimes the “no” comes with feedback—an encouraging note, a suggestion, a kind edit. And sometimes, it’s just silence. But every time you hit send, you’re practicing something essential: resilience. You’re learning to separate your worth from the outcome. You’re building trust in your voice.

Even more than that, submitting your work regularly gives you clarity. You start to notice patterns—what journals are a good fit, what kind of writing feels most alive, where your work still needs shaping. You develop a rhythm, a relationship with your own revision process. You learn how to advocate for your art.

5. It Creates Future Opportunities

Submitting to literary journals is more than just about the now—it’s about building momentum for your future.

Grants, fellowships, residencies, MFA programs, book deals, and any job opportunity that involves writing often ask for writing samples. When your portfolio includes published work, especially from respected journals, it can immediately set you apart. It tells decision-makers that your work has already been vetted, selected, and appreciated by other professionals in the field.

But there’s more: editors, agents, and curators read literary journals. They're always on the lookout for fresh voices, bold perspectives, and emerging talent. Your name on a published piece could lead to a DM, an invitation to submit a manuscript, or even an offer you weren’t expecting.

You never know who’s reading. And when your work is out in the world, it’s working for you—even while you’re off writing the next thing.

Also, many journals build lasting relationships with their contributors. You might be invited back for future issues, featured in special editions, or even asked to join their team as a reader or guest editor. One brave submission can lead to a ripple of opportunities—creative, professional, and personal.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to submit your work—this is it. That half-finished poem? That essay you haven’t touched in a month? Revisit it. Polish it. Trust it. Then send it out.

You don’t have to be “ready.” You just have to be brave.

Your story belongs in the world. And we’re here to read it.