Electronic submission (UK)

Though most literary print magazines have web pages now, many of them (the UK ones at least) still only accept submissions through the post. Other Poetry is an exception. In their most recent issue they point out that

Some magazines nowadays prefer electronic submissions.
You should read the guidelines carefully regarding attachments, formats, etc.
Much of the advice for paper submissions also applies to e-mail. Though you can't send perfumed pink-papered poems by e-mail you can still write silly cover letters, or send the wrong type of work. And you should still read the magazine first!

Here's a list of UK paper magazines that currently accept e-mail submissions

Brittle Star (prose/poetry; e-mail tolerated, not preferred)
Envoi (poetry)
Fuselit (prose/poetry)
Iota (poetry. e-mail tolerated, not preferred)
The Journal (poetry)
London Magazine
Magma (poetry)
Mimesis (poetry)
New Walk (poetry/prose)
Other Poetry (poetry)
Pen Pusher (poetry/prose)
Shearsman (poetry)
Smoke (poetry/prose)
Succour (prose/poetry)
The Wolf (poetry)

In the States it's much more common to accept e-mail (and simultaneous) submissions. You can use Duotrope to find out where to send your work. It's a database that lets you search for suitable markets using various criteria. For example you can search for "semi-pro" printed magazines where you can e-mail historical short stories (currently 2 magazines fit those criteria exactly). Note however that although electronic submission is cheaper it might not be free - The Massachusetts Review makes you pay $3/year for the facility. ,/p>

[Quotes] [LitRefs] Updated June 2011

Tim Love