For those who have tried, getting original work published is a trying task. The difficulty lies in a literary magazine's discomfort in publishing unknown authors. To be considered by most literary magazines, you must be established and able to provide a substantial resume of past publications. In essence, you need to give a literary magazine more reason to publish you than just the strength of the work you send to its editors.
And now for a breath of fresh air: Instigatorzine. A young publication, Instigatorzine has just announced the authors being published in their June issue, their fourth issue. Based in New Jersey, Instigatorzine was created by Keith Chiappone and Narciso Espiritu Jr. in February of 2010. While it hasn't been around very long, Instigatorzine already separates itself from other literary magazines in what it concerns itself with. The magazine and its editors want "to promote the continuation and recognition of local artists." Are you from the New York/New Jersey area and looking to publish? Because this magazine is interested in you.
Instigatorzine, concerning itself with the "recognition" of local artists, is willing to publish poets, fiction writers, illustrators, etc on the strength of their work alone. For a literary magazine, that's a bold step. First, people's attention usually isn't drawn to literary magazines. Second, if their attention is drawn, it's only drawn by well-known names. Instigatorzine throws this thinking aside and allows for unknowns to shine, in print.
And the layout of the magazine is marvelous as well. An incredible amount of care has been shown to their issues. Yes, I have to admit, two of my own poems were published in Instigatorzine and no, I wasn't expecting much as far as look was concerned. Seeing the magazine for the first time, I was stunned and flattered. Beside my two poems were illustrations to match the content of each poem. That Instigatorzine honored my poetry (and everyone's work in that issue) in that way is a true testament to their mission.
For two dollars, you can purchase the magazine in print, and for one dollar, you can buy a PDF of the magazine on their website. Take a look and see what local artists and authors have to offer. And if you plan to submit, make sure to check your spelling.
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