LMCC Report: State of Lit Mags 2024
In 2024, LMCC undertook a survey to assess the health of the literary magazine sector in Canada.
Editors from forty literary magazines, representing approximately half of the literary magazines publishing in Canada, responded to the survey. In addition, ten editors participated in follow-up interviews.
Key findings:
- Literary magazines contribute significantly to the literary and publishing ecosystem in Canada. We estimate that litmags collectively publish 3,000 to 4,000 authors per year and pay $250,000 to $500,000 in contributor fees to those authors.
- Editors view the primary role and value of literary magazines as creating a community of writers/readers and helping emerging writers become professional writers.
- Literary magazines are doing this work on very small budgets and/or on budgets that are not increasing with expenses or number of submissions. Over half of magazines that responded to our survey have annual revenue of zero to $15,000.
- Eighty percent of responding magazines do not have full-time, paid staff.
- Only 28 percent of responding magazines said revenue had increased during the past five years; 65 percent said expenses had increased. In addition, 73 percent said submissions had increased (or significantly increased) during the same period.
- Editors felt that the lack of living wages for both staff and contributors is a significant risk to the sustainability of the magazine.
- We found a relative lack of mid-range magazines, indicating a critical gap in the sector. Literary magazines in Canada appear to be either new/emerging (under ten years old; small budgets) or very well established (over thirty years old; higher budgets). This suggests renewal within the sector is a challenge.
- Overall, editors felt that while their magazines appear “stable” or “holding on,” they are not sustainable. That is, literary magazines do not have the resilience to address issues required to maintain the magazine over the long term. This includes attracting and retaining staff; addressing diversity, accessibility and decolonization; and taking on marketing or innovation projects.
Our full report includes detailed results, analysis, and recommendations. Please contact us for further information.
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