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These magazines also contained serialized fiction, which eventually opened doors for female authors. Generally the publications did not remain in business very long; two years was an outstanding success.

Some of the magazines were created to further the neglected education of Mexican women. El Semanario de las Senoritas Mejicanas, for example, was specifically published as an educational journal, originally divided into sections on the fine arts, physics, literature, and morality. Embroidery patterns soon appeared, however, and the editors eventually added a section on home economics that contained information on household budgeting, hygiene, and articles on the art of cooking. Another successful magazine, La Semana de las Senoritas Mejicanas, covered a variety of subjects but carried only a home economics section on a regular basis. Originally filled with translations of French and English works, La Semana developed into a magazine that published signed stories, poems, and serialized fiction. It also contained a calendar of historical anniversaries and dispensed advice on almost any subject, including how to keep hands white, how to wash leather gloves, and how to clean pearls and ivory. There were etiquette tips and home remedies, as well as recipes, puzzles, parlor games, and embroidery patterns.

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