Literature should be exacting without being exclusionary

Literally Literary is a home for writers finding their voice and readers looking for something real. We publish fiction, poetry, and essays that don't need a name behind them to matter — just honest, well-made work, shared quarterly in print and monthly online.

Launched in 2013 by Jess Aayla Kaisk, Literally Literary began as a pushback against the elitist attitude that has historically — and still today — haunted literature. From poetry slams to writing parties, Jess knew there had to be a space that was less pretentious and more real, for writers and readers alike.

With over 28,000 readers and one printed anthology under its belt, Literally Literary has been given new life, new direction, and new focus — to bring readers what they've always come here for: stories written by humans, for humans.

Our goal for 2027 is to offer readers a newly tailored vision: monthly digital newsletters, a quarterly digital and print magazine mailed to our All Access subscribers, and our yearly printed anthology — available separately — continuing a tradition readers have followed since our first collection. Featuring both writers and visual artists, we may be aiming high, but we know it's possible. With the rise of AI, authentic human stories matter now more than ever.