General Literary Journals:
* The New Yorker: Known for its high literary standards, diverse content, and cultural commentary.
* The Paris Review: Celebrated for its in-depth interviews with renowned writers and its polished prose.
* Harper's Magazine: Offers a mix of long-form essays, fiction, poetry, and political commentary.
* The Atlantic: Renowned for its thought-provoking articles and insightful analysis of current events.
* Granta: A British literary journal that publishes established and emerging writers, with a focus on global literature.
* The London Review of Books: A highly respected journal for its literary criticism and reviews of new books.
* The Kenyon Review: A prestigious journal known for its literary excellence and support of emerging writers.
* Ploughshares: A journal that showcases both established and emerging writers with a focus on contemporary literary trends.
* Tin House: A journal that publishes experimental and innovative fiction, essays, and poetry.
* The Missouri Review: A journal known for its high-quality writing and commitment to publishing diverse voices.
Specialized Literary Journals:
* Poetry: A renowned journal dedicated solely to poetry.
* The American Poetry Review: Another highly respected journal dedicated to poetry.
* The Pushcart Prize Anthology: An annual anthology that showcases the best short stories, essays, and poetry from small literary magazines.
* Best American Essays: An annual anthology that collects some of the best essays from the previous year.
* Best American Short Stories: An annual anthology that collects some of the best short stories from the previous year.
Other Notable Journals:
* McSweeney's: Known for its humor and experimental fiction.
* The Believer: A literary and cultural journal with a focus on alternative perspectives.
* n+1: A journal that explores contemporary politics, culture, and literature.
* The Rumpus: A website and journal that publishes creative writing, essays, and interviews.
The "most respected" is subjective and can depend on individual preferences and interests. However, the journals listed above consistently receive high praise from both critics and readers for their quality of writing, editorial standards, and impact on the literary world.