Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 14

Transplants: What Is Creativity?

Antonio Mora, "En las Nubes" The act of artistic creation has puzzled artists and philosophers for centuries. The Ancient Greeks even invented an entire branch of deities to explain it: the Muses. Where does creativity come from?  Is creativity a mental process, or does it spring from the unfathomable well of inspiration? Or does it come from something else entirely? To misquote Shakespeare, “Where is creativity bred, or in the heart or in the head? How begot? How nourished?”

Jungians ascribe creativity to the “collective unconscious” – that vast sea of socio-psychological quasi-consciousness shared by all people. According to Jung, this is the place where all thought originates. Anthropologists would call this “culture” −− a largely unquestioned set of shared values, beliefs, and norms formed by variety of social factors. Mystics of various stripes would call the act of creation “divine,” inspired by otherworldly forces −− gods, deities or, perhaps, demons.

The first short story I ever wrote was probably the result of  brain damage.  

Normally, when I am writing fiction, I “see” a scene.  I play it in my head like a movie until it reaches a stopping point. Then it’s merely a matter of describing what I “saw.” When the next scene appears, sometimes in a dream, sometimes while I am driving, or in the shower (water is wonderful for getting the creative juices to flow), I repeat the process. Fiction, which relies on imagining, is bred in my heart. 

Nonfiction requires an entirely different process. It relies on thinking. As I ponder what I want to say, phrases pop into my head. When they begin to form sentences, I start to write them down, and as I am writing, a logical sequence of thought presents itself. Nonfiction, which is a product of structured thought, is bred in my head.

But once – and only once – those two processes merged. Instead of envisioning a scene, I saw the words, literally. I woke up one morning, and in my head I saw words on a page, as if I were reading. And I didn’t just see a few words, there were whole pages. I felt a sudden compulsion to write the words down, so I got up, went to the computer, and started typing. Seventeen pages later I had “transcribed” a complete short story. It was my first work of fiction, and it left me utterly drained. It was as if I had been possessed by a demon.

At the time, I was suffering from a severe case of myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known by the absurdly inappropriate misnomer, “chronic fatigue syndrome”). ME is a neurological disease that in its severe form can be life-threatening. My case was nearly fatal. For six weeks, I had been in a hospital, where the doctors could do nothing to stop the dramatic weight loss that was killing me. Nor could they relieve the constant burning pain that made every moment unbearable. The doctors informed my mother that I was dying. She took me home, an emaciated remnant of my former self, to die in my own bed. (Spoiler alert: I didn’t die. But that’s another story.)

In this state of extremis, it is perfectly plausible that my brain’s language centers, which separately process written and verbal language “shorted out.” (This is a gross over-simplification of how the brain processes language, but "crossed circuitry" will do nicely as a metaphor.) Instead of using my visual circuits to imagine scenes, which could then be translated into language, my brain simply transformed the act of visual imagining directly into words.

I have never repeated that creative experience, for which I am grateful. (Being possessed is not as much fun as it’s cracked up to be.) And once I had recovered from it, I was a little embarrassed by what I had written−−after all, I hadn’t composed it, some brain glitch had. So, I put the story away and didn’t make an effort to get it published. Then, a few weeks ago, a writing contest held by Backchannels caught my attention. It was calling for magical realist stories, which was what I had written. And because I had recently won first place in the Tell Your Story writing contest for my South American memoir excerpt, “They Will Try to Kill You", I was feeling cocky. So, I entered “Transplants,” my first story, now considerably shorter than its original seventeen pages. I didn’t win, but the editors decided to publish ‘”Transplants” anyway in their contest edition.

Why am I telling you this long story about a short story? My point is that regardless of how we create− whether the source is mystical, cultural, or the product of a neurological glitch, the origins of creativity will probably always remain a mystery. Even when we dissect the process of writing, and try to expose the inner mechanisms of creation (or its pathogenesis), we will never truly grasp the driving force that compels us to assign words to our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. No matter how we approach the process of writing, it is the compulsion to write that makes us writers.

We can't resist it.

You can read Transplants HERE.
You can read They Will Try to Kill You HERE.

8 Million Pageviews … and All I Got Was This Lousy Blog

Ten years ago, my children told me to start a blog. “What’s a blog?” I asked innocently. They exchanged one of those looks that makes a parent think, “Just wait until they’re my age and they have smart-aleck kids.” A decade later, I am still asking the existential question, “What is a blog?”

I didn’t know why I needed to start a blog a decade ago. After all, I had a purpose in life, one which did not involve splattering myself across the Internet. (My children also advised me to start a Facebook page and get on Twitter — neither of which they did themselves.) (Hmm…maybe they were smarter than I thought.) At the time, I didn’t really know what a blog would be good for.

I rapidly found out.

A blog is whatever you make of it because, after all, a blog is writing. In some cases, it’s a way to organize your thoughts. (Some people even like to organize other people’s thoughts.) (Oh, avoid “thought leaders.” They think too much of themselves.) There are also those who need a way to keep track of where they are going, or what they are eating, or what their cats are doing. (Inexplicably, everyone on Facebook wants to know where you are going, or what you are eating, or what your cats are doing. If you are a writer, you can make all those things interesting, although on Facebook that will be a worthless endeavor. Just post photos.) 

In my case, my blog has proven to be an excellent method for providing easy access to nicely organized publishing resources. It was completely serendipitous that a lot of other people found those resources useful as well.

One important perk of obsessively keeping track of literary journals is that my work gets published. And I occasionally win one of the contests that I post on my monthly lists and on my Free Contests page. (My personal essay, “They Will Try to Kill You” won first prize in the Tell Your Story Contest, and my short stories and personal essays have gotten several honorable mentions.) The fact is, had I not been so compulsive about listing every single publishing opportunity, I wouldn’t have been nearly as diligent about submitting my work, which I tend to forget about once I get my next “must-write” idea.

The same holds true for my novels. I have, at this point, probably submitted my YA fantasy to every agent for my genre (well over 500). And I have gotten three offers of publication. (One of these days, I will write a blog on “Contracts You Shouldn’t Sign.”) I am nothing if not persistent. And in publishing, persistence pays. No matter how many times you are rejected, it only takes one agent or editor to say “Yes!” (Give yourself a boost right now and look at the list of famous authors who were repeatedly rejected here: Never Give Up! Never Surrender!)

The moral to my blog story is that sometimes what starts as self-interest morphs into a benefit for others. In fact, that may be the best path to altruism. After all, if you know what you need, you also have a handle on what others may need. In this case, I hope every writer reading my blog has benefitted from my (only mildly OCD) need to organize absolutely everything. 
​
Keep writing!


Like this article? For more articles about the publishing world, useful tips on how to get an agent, agents who are looking for clients, how to market and promote your work, building your online platform, how to get reviews, self-publishing, as well as publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers (no agent required) visit Publishing and Other Forms of Insanity .

24 Literary Magazines Open NOW for Poetry, Short Fiction, CNF, Speculative Fiction, Horror, and more

NDLA Here are 24 publications that are open for submissions now (no deadlines). All are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. Quite a few accept reprints.

You can find also upcoming calls for submissions with deadlines on my page: Calls for Submissions. Get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically. (I only post paying markets.)

Don't forget to check out Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.___________________


Radon. Genre: Short stories and poetry containing elements of anarchism, transhumanism, dystopia, and/or science fiction. Payment: 1 cent per word for original work, half a cent per word for reprints.
The Hungur Chronicles. Genre: Horror. Vampires or creatures with vampiric themes. Payment: The pay for original stories is $25.00; for reprints, $12.00. Payment for poems is $5. The pay for illustrations is $8.00. The payment for articles is $10. The pay for cover art is $25.00.

The Were-Traveler: Curst & Twysted Tarot. Genre: Short fiction. Choose an image you would like to write a story about. Payment: $10 for flash, $15 for short stories. (Open until filled.)

Fantasy Magazine. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, poetry. Payment: 8 cents per word; $40 per poem. *Open to BIPOC authors.

Through the Gate: Fantastical poetry "We are looking for fantastical poetry of literary and emotional depth from a diversity of voices and perspectives. Our definition of fantastical is quite fluid, encompassing fantasy, magic realism, myth, folklore, surrealism and slipstream. We desire poetry that is atypically beautiful, unconventionally imaginative, and boundary-crossing. We are not interested in work that is strictly science fiction or mainstream, but poetry that blurs the lines between such genres and the fantastical is welcome." Length: Up to three poems. Payment: $20 per poem. Deadline: Open now.

Three-lobed Burning Eye. "Original speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, and science fiction. We're looking for short stories from across the big classifications and those shadowy places between: magical realism, fantastique, slipstream, interstitial, and the Weird. We will consider suspense or western, though we prefer it contain some speculative element. We like voices that are full of feeling, from literary to pulpy, with styles unique and flowing, but not too experimental. All labels aside, we want tales that expand genre, that value imagination in character, narrative, and plot. We want to see something new and different." Length: Short fiction 1000–7000 words, Flash fiction 500–1000 words, (2000–5000 preferred). Payment: $100 for short fiction, $30 for flash fiction; + 1 print annual. Deadline: Open now.

Beechwood Review publishes minimalist writing and art. "We’re partial to themes of time, nature, humanity, philosophy, chaos, reason, the ridiculous, and the whimsical. We don’t like work that drones on about fancy table fruit. Although good fruit poems have their place." Payment: $5 per poem, 1 cent/word for fiction and nonfiction, $5 for art.


The Dark The Dark publishes dark fantasy and horror. "Don’t be afraid to experiment or to deviate from the ordinary; be different—try us with fiction that may fall out of “regular” categories. However, it is also important to understand that despite the name, The Dark is not a market for graphic, violent horror." Length: 2,000 – 6,000 words. Payment: 6 cents/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for first world rights; and 1 cent/word for reprint fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for nonexclusive reprint rights. Deadline: Open now.

Madness Heart Trigger Warning Anthology. Genre: "The grossest, most violent, most genuinely upsetting stories in your arsenal." Theme: Curses. The minimum word count is 1500. Payment: $10. Opens in February 2023.

Et Sequitur. "We are open to all genres, from literary to speculative and everything in between. Our only requirement is that your submission in some way connect with the latest Et Sequitur story, be that in character (minor, major, protagonist, antagonist), setting (neighborhood, world, workplace, house -- even a certain object could work, if it's featured prominently), or theme. Be creative! Continue the story, tell a side-character's story, take the theme and twist it in a new way. In the submission form, you'll be asked to identify which element of the previous story you've chosen to incorporate in your own." Submissions for the next issue will open once the previous issue is published (expected to be the first day of every-other month). They will temporarily close when a story has been chosen for the next issue. Payment: $25.

Assemble Artifacts is looking for stories of wonder and suspense. "We prefer stories of at least 5,000 words, but are open to longer and shorter works. Please include a one to three sentence pitch of your story, and an author bio with your submission. We are open to writers of all levels of experience." Payment: 8-10 cents per word for short fiction.

Jay Henge: The Back Forty. Genre: Speculative fiction. "In The Back Forty, we are looking for your stories that explore new, lawless frontiers, backwater towns, self-appointed sheriffs, lonesome explorers, bounty hunters, and other Wild West in Outer Space kinds of themes." Payment: $5 USD per 1000 words. Length: Up to 15k words. Open until filled.

Jay Henge: Sunshine Superhighway. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Solarpunk, cyberpunk, other planets, alternate worlds that might be nearly lost through our own hubris; futuristic fantasy and speculative-fiction stories of all kinds that are hopeful and leave us with the idea that despite the doom and gloom in the universe, things can possibly work out if we strive to make life better, even if in a small way." Payment: $5 USD per 1000 words. Length: Up to 15k words. Open until filled.

Armoured Fox Press: Indecent Exposure. Genre: Fiction. “The story MUST contain erotic content centered around public locations. This can be beaches, public parks, office buildings… wherever you might attract an audience of shocked passersby doing things you shouldn’t be doing in public... and some element must be furry (anthropomorphic animals). Length: 5,00-20,000 words, Payment: 1/2 cent/word. Deadline: Open until filled.

Zooscape. Genre: Short stories. All stories must be furry. "An anthropomorphic animal figure should be significantly featured in your story — it could be anthropomorphic in body or only intelligence. We’ll consider any type of furry fiction from secret life of animals to fox in Starbucks.  We love science-fiction with animal-like aliens and fantasy with talking dragons, unicorns, or witch familiars." Payment: 8 cents/word for original fiction. $20 for reprints. Length: Original stories up to 5,000 words. Reprints up to 10,000 words.

Bards and Sages Quarterly. Genre: All speculative genres (horror, fantasy, science fiction, slipstream, steampunk, magical realism, etc) up to 5,000 words in length. Payment: $30 for original fiction; $15 for reprints.

Goatshed Press. Genre: Short stories, flash fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Payment: £60 for stories and essays (over 1000 words) and £25 for poems and flash fiction. They are also looking to publish longer form work in 2023, including novels, novellas, graphic novels, non fiction books and short story collections. They are happy to consider any genre except children’s fiction. 

Backyard Earth is a "round the world" series of books. The idea is that they will make five books - one for each continent (more or less). Each book will contain one story for every country on that continent.  Submissions will stay open until they have a full complement. Short fiction only. Payment: $25.

Mirror Dance. Genre: Fantasy short stories and poetry. Payment: $5. See themes.

Starry Eyed Press: 224-Verse and Galactic Treks. Genre: Space opera, 2,000 words to novel length. Payment: Royalty split. Read guidelines here.

Psychopomp. Genre: Nonfiction essays on art, short fiction, novels, movies, music, fashion, culture, entertainment, science, and more, that fall under the umbrella of goth, death, funerary, grief, loss, alternative, otherworldly themes. Payment: $50.

The International Human Rights Festival (IHRAF). Genre: Poem, short story, or essay (2500 words or less) Payment: $50.

Android Press is a small press that publishes science fiction, fantasy, and the various -punk subgenres. "We love stories that are full of hope and optimism. We also love stories that hold up a mirror to our society and force us reexamine our past and our values in order to move forward and build a better future." Payment: Royalties.

81 Calls for Submissions in March 2023 - Paying markets

Flickr This March there are more than six dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

I post upcoming calls for submissions shortly before the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.

Happy submitting!

_______________________


The Paris Review. Genres: Prose and poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2023, and closes when they reach capacity. 

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2023.

Inside the Castle. Genre: Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023. 

VA Press is "committed to the idea that books have the power to change lives. We print works by authors often overlooked by traditional outlets, authors whose words we believe will inspire and benefit those who read them. We invite you to read the future." Genre: Poetry (24 pages min), prose (10,000 words min), art. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023. 

Alternative Milk. Genre: Short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays and other text based submissions. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2023. 

Cemetery Gates. Genre: Horror novels and novellas. Payment: Novel: $500-2,000 advance, 60% royalties to author. Novella: $500-1,000 advance, 60% royalties to author. Deadline: March 1, 2023. 

Parabola. Genre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2023. See themes.

The Polyglot. Genre: Multilingual art, poems, essays, stories, artworks, and translations on any theme. Payment: $100 CAD. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Planet Bizarro. Genre: Bizzaro novels, novellas and short story collections. Length: 20,000-80,000 words. Payment: 50% share of book royalties and 5 author copies. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Fission is the British Science Fiction Association's annual anthology of SFF fiction. You don’t need to be a BSFA member to submit. Genre: Science fiction. Length: Up to 5,000 words. Payment: 2 pence per word. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Maza Arts Collective Anthology. Restrictions: Open to South Asian people currently living and residing in so called "Canada." Genre: Poem. Payment: $250 CAD per selected poem. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Linda Leith Publishing. Restrictions: Open to Canadians. Genre: Literary fiction and non-fiction titles in English and in translation. Length: 25,000 - 80,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Iron Horse. Genre: Poems, stories, essays on any topic. Payment: $50 per poem or flash piece and $100 per story or essay. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Fee free for one day only. 

Carousel. Restrictions: Open to Canadians only. Genre: Poetry and fiction. Payment: Poetry: $20 per poem — Fiction: $40–$80 per story — Experimental Reviews: $20–$40 per review. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Note: They only have 200 free submissions per month; if they exceed that number, their free submissions categories will close for the remainder of the month.

Strange Horizons' Wuxia & Xianxia Special. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Traditional and new approaches to wuxia and xianxia fiction ." Payment: up to $150 per contributor. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Contrary. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Kangas Kahn. Genre: Halloween short stories. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Particular Passages. Genre: Poetry, fiction, art on theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023. See themes.
Block Party Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction chapbook manuscripts, 15 - 24 pages. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Cunning Folk. Genre: Non-fiction pitches and short fiction and poetry on theme: The Vampire. Payment: £100 per article, interview or short story and £50 for poetry and rituals. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Teach. Write. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, CNF. "I prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning." Payment: $15. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Thema: Help from a Stranger. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Help from a Stranger. Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Accepts reprints.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: March 2, 2023. Opens March 1.


Middle West Press. Genre: Poetry manuscripts by a single author, comprising 50 to 100 poems. "We are particularly seeking manuscripts that intersect in some way with military experience or service, Our projects are often inspired by the people, places, and history of the American Midwest." Payment: $100 advance and royalties. Deadline: March 4, 2023. 

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction on theme of Oceania. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: March 5, 2023.

Cordite. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Payment is available for Australian contributors only. Deadline: March 5, 2023.

The First Five Minutes of the Apocalypse Anthology. Genre: Short horror, weird, dark fiction between 1500 and 4000 words (firm limit) that deal with a fictional apocalypse. The story must take place within a short period of time (less than a day) at the beginning of a fictional apocalypse. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for writers from marginalized communities March 1, 2023 - March 7, 2023.

Fantasy Magazine. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, poetry. Payment: 8 cents per word; $40 per poem. Deadline: March 7, 2023. Opens March 1.

​Double-Edged Sword . Genre: "We're after co-authored, original, unpublished dark fantasy short stories (4-6k words). No theme, but your submission piece must sit in the fantasy genre and contain dark elements - we aren't after happy endings." Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: March 8, 2023.

Island. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and residents only. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $300. Deadline: March 9, 2023.

Carte Blanche (Canada). Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, translations. comics, photography. Payment: "Modest" Deadline: March 10, 2023.

The Fabulist. Genre: Fantastical and genre fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: March 11, 2023. See theme.

Living With Demons. Genre: Short stories. "We are looking for fictional stories that give people with mental illness hope using metaphors. We want to hear from more than just depression and anxiety, we want to reach other mental illnesses as well." Payment: $25 per piece. Deadline: March 12, 2023.

Hungry Zine. Genre: Foodie erotica/romance writing. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 13, 2023. Pitches only.

Solarpunk Magazine. Genre: Solarpunk. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40/poem, and $75/essay.  Deadline: March 14, 2023.

Beach Shorts. Genre: Short stories, art. "Think seaside retreats, warm sand and cool breezes. Stories that are captivating, easy to read and let your reader take an escape from reality." Payment: $10, $20 for art. Deadline: March 14, 2023.

Penumbric. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art, animation, and music. Payment: $10.  Deadline: March 15, 2023.

No Trouble at All. Genre: Polite horror: horror disguised through polite faces/manners, horror allowed to exist when politeness comes at the cost of self-preservation, and any other interpretation of the theme. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: March 15, 2023. (Deadline will be extended one week for BIPOC writers.)

FU Review: Still. Genre: Prose, poetry, nonfiction, and English-language translations on theme of Still. Payment: €20. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

White Enso. Genre: Original, unpublished short fiction, essays, creative non-fiction and artwork that encapsulates the Japan experience. Payment: Between 1000 and 1500 yen (US$10-$15). Deadline: March 15, 2023. Accepts reprints.

Tasavvur. Genre: South Asian speculative fiction. Payment: 2.5 cents per word, up to a maximum of 5,000 words. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Jay Henge: The Nameless Songs of Zadok Allen. Genre: Speculative fiction. "What lurks in the deep? Who listens from the shadows? What sorts of abominable experiments are taking place at the mysterious ivy-covered university? We want your Lovecraftian tales. " Payment: $5 USD per 1000 words. Length: Up to 15k words. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Eye to the Telescope. Genre: Speculative poetry. Payment: $0.04/word, up to $25. Deadline: March 15, 2023. See theme.

Canthius. Restrictions: Open to women, trans men, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming writers. Genres: Unpublished poetry and prose (both fiction and creative non-fiction – "we welcome experimental works and play excerpts). Please limit prose submissions to 3500 words and poetry submissions to five poems." Payment: $50 for one page, $75 for two pages, $100 for three, $125 for four pages, and $150 for five pages or more, regardless of genre. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Owlkids Books. Restrictions: Open to authors and illustrators with disabilities, visible and invisible, Genre: Books for children up to age 13. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 17, 2023.

Westerly. Genre: Short stories, poetry, memoir and creative non-fiction, essays and literary criticism. Payment: Poems: $120 for one poem or $150 for two or more poems; Stories: $180; Articles: $180; Visual art/Intro essay: $120; Reviews: $100; Online Publication: $100. "We expect our contributors to be subscribers of the Magazine. While we will accept submissions from non-subscribers, should your work be accepted for publication in this instance, you will be asked to accept a subscription to the Magazine as part payment for your work." Deadline: March 19, 2023.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror) and literary flash fiction. Length: 500- to 1000-words. Payment: $80. Deadline: March 21, 2023.

Black Ocean. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties? Deadline: March 24, 2023. 

The Ex-Puritan. Genre: Poetry, fiction, reviews, interviews, essays, and experimental work. "The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing." Payment: $100 - $200 (CAD). Deadline: March 25, 2023. 

Off Topic Publishing: Poetry Box. Genre: Poetry. Payment $40 CAD. Deadline: February 25, 2023.

The Midnight Zone. Genre: Weird, dark, speculative stories. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: March 30, 2023. 

We Fear Not the Sea. Genre: Short stories inspired by sea shanties, 2,000 – 6,000 words in length. Payment: 2 cents per word. Deadline: March 30, 2023.

Aurealis. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words. Deadline: March 31, 2023. Opens March 1.

Legion of Dorks Presents: Resurrected – An Anthology of Second Chances. Genre: Short stories no more than 7000 words. "You must include some sort of resurrection, whether real or virtual, that concludes by the end of the story to meet the theme requirements. You cannot write in anyone else’s world. Otherwise, have fun and let your imagination dominate." Payment: $50. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Chestnut Review. Genre: Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $120. Deadline: March 31st, 2023. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.

parABnormal. Genre: Nonfiction, poetry on the paranormal. "For us, this includes ghosts, spectres, haunts, various whisperers, and so forth. It also includes shapeshifters and creatures from various folklores." Payment: $25.00 for original stories, $7.00 for reprints.$6.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $6.00 for reprints. $7.00 for reviews and interviews. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Snafu—Punk'd. Genre: Military horror/specific within conflict in a past, present, or future filled with the aspects that make your story a ‘punk’ sub-genre tale. Payment: 5 cents AUD per word. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Weird Horror Magazine. Genre: Horror and weird fiction from 500 to 6,000 words. Payment: 1.5 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Long Hauler Publishing. Genre: Short stories, commentary, letters, essays or poetry addressing the lived experience of COVID long-haulers. The goal of the Long COVID anthology is to harness support for American COVID long-haulers while furthering a wider understanding of Long COVID’s ongoing effects. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Campfire Stories Anthology. Genre: Speculative short stories. "We want the stories you’d whisper in the dark. The kind that linger and leave readers with more questions than they answer. We want a little bit of campiness and a whole lot of speculation on the world around us." Payment: $40 per piece. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Eerie River. Genre: Horror inspired by Tarot: 1500 - 7000 firm. Payment: ¢1 per word CAD. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Haven Speculative. Restrictions: Open to authors of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented groups. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 1 cent/word for fiction and $5 - $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Small Harbor Publishing. Restrictions: Open to marginalized writers only. Genre: Chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Mother Knows Best. Genre: Horror about bad mothers. Payment: 6 cents per word. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

Wolfsbane—Best New England Crime Stories. Restrictions: Open to all writers who currently live in one of the six New England states. Genre: Crime stories: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, historical, and horror. Length: 1,000 and 5,000 words. Payment: $25 per story. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

Every Animal Project. Genre: Nonfiction. "True stories must relate to non-human animals (of any species) and can be about your personal experiences/growth because of an animal, an issue threatening animals today, or other aspects of the human/non-human animal relationship. For the upcoming anthology, please weave the theme of courage/bravery into your story. " Payment: One writer will get an award of $300, another will be awarded $200, and other writers whose work is chosen for the print anthology get $50; writers whose work features online get $20. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

The Fiddlehead. Restrictions: Open to Canadians. Genre: Fiction, including excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, art. Payment: $60 CAD per published page. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $50 - $75 per author (via PayPal) for our web issues. Payment for print is $5 per page, minimum of $20, plus 2 contributor copies and a 1-year subscription. Deadline: March 31, 2023. Note: Submit early to avoid submission fees.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Midnight & Indigo. Restrictions: Open to black women. Genre: Fiction, personal essays. Payment: $50 for essays, and $50-$75 for fiction. Deadline: March 31, 2023.
Fanatical. Genre: Sci-fi, fantasy and horror stories between 2,000 and 6,000 words. Payment: £20. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Glass Poetry Press. Genre: Poetry chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Palimpsest Press publishes full-length poetry, literary fiction, and non-fiction titles that deal with poetics, cultural criticism, and literary biography. "We look for poetry that displays technical mastery, precise language, and an authentic voice, and fiction that is rich in imagery, well crafted, and focused on character development. Our non-fiction titles are essays or memoirs written by poets, and books that examine Canadian poetry and the Canadian cultural landscape. In an effort to remove barriers for BIPOC, Deaf, and Disabled authors, Palimpsest Press is officially opening submissions year-round for authors who identify as BIPOC, Deaf, or Disabled. These guidelines take effect immediately. Please include “Year-round Submission” in the email subject line if you submit outside of our designated January1st-March 31st submission period." Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Southword. Genre: Fiction. Payment: €250 per short story. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

How2Conquer. Genre: Nonfiction books. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

FIYAH. Restrictions: Submissions are restricted to people of the African Diaspora. Genre: Speculative fiction, art, and poetry about African Diaspora. Length: Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Theme: Carnival. Payment: $150 per story. $50 per poem. $300 per novelette. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Dragon Soul Press: Honor. Genre: "All stories featuring East Asian warriors are welcome." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

A Coup of Owls. Restrictions: Only submit if you are aged 18 or over and belong to an underrepresented or marginalised community. These include, but are not limited to: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disabled people. Genre: Fiction, all genres. Payment: £5 - 15. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

The Hudson Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, essays, book reviews; criticism of literature, art, theatre, dance, film, and music; and articles on contemporary cultural developments. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 31, 2023. (Nonfiction only) 

Kansas City Voices. Genre: "There is no type of work we are looking for." Payment: "Small" Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Trail to Table. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction chapbooks, or full-length works. "Trail to Table seeks to publish literary works that transform our thinking about how we engage with the earth and each other as thoughtful, generous stewards in our actions and interactions." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2023. Closes when cap is reached, so submit early in the month.

And a few more...


Totally Entwined: All Hallow's Harem/Paranormal. Genre: Novellas, 30,000 - 50,000 words. Theme: Harem with paranormal characters. LGBTQ focus. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Splatter Ink Publishing: No Lives Left. Genre: Video game horror. "What we want to see are stories related to gaming experiences." Length: Up to 7,500 words. Payment: $30. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Reservoir Road Literary Review. Genre: Literary short stories, lyrical creative non-fiction, photography. Payment: $5. Deadline: Opens April 1, 2023. Note: Submission window closes when their cap is reached.

Toronto Journal. Genre: Short stories from anywhere in the world. "We will also consider non-fiction pieces about local history (Toronto, GTA, and surrounding)." No word limit. Payment: $50 CAD per piece. All published writers will also receive two printed copies of the issue in which they appear. Deadline: April 1, 2023. 

Ninth Letter. Genre: Poems, nonfiction, and short fiction. Payment: $25 for poetry, $75 for prose. Deadline: April 1, 2023. See theme.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: April 1, 2023. See themes.

Salamander. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

The Woodward Review. Genre: Poetry, prose, art, and digital media from anyone, anywhere. Payment: $25. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Violent Delights & Midsummer Dreams: An Anthology of Shakespeare Retellings. Genre: Dark/Gothic Shakespeare retellings (5,000 - 8,000 words) "We want stories that bring fresh new perspectives on the classic stories, bonus points for providing a Gothic twist. Give us Romeo & Juliet with Zombies or the real story of the Wayward Sisters. Deconstruct tropes and bring unique voices to life." Payment: US: $40 + author copy/non-US: $45 + ebook author copy). Deadline: April 1, 2023.

West Branch. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Substantially Unlimited. Restrictions: Open to writers who identify as part of the disability community. Genre: Prose, up to 15 pages. See themes. Payment: $15. Deadline: April 1, 2023. Reprints accepted. 

Poetry Wales. Genre: Poetry, reviews, articles. See theme. Payment: Poems £20/page. Reviews £67.50/1500-word review. Articles £200/3000 word, or in that proportion, depending on number of published words. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Gordon Square Review. Genre: Poetry, short stories, personal essays, and hybrid prose works.  Payment: $25 per prose piece and $10 per poem. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

88 Writing Contests in March 2023 - No entry fees

PxHere This March there are more than seven dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $60,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck! 

____________________

The Ungar German Translation Award is bestowed biennially in odd-numbered years. Genre: Book-length literary translation translated from German into English and published in the United States between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Prize: $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and up to $500 toward expenses for attending the ATA Annual Conference in San Francisco, California. Deadline: March 1, 2023. 

Curae Prize. Restrictions: For writers who are also carers. "A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.: Genre: Short story and non-fiction/creative non-fiction. Prize: £500 top prize. Deadline: March 1, 2023.
Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Award. Genre: Poetry - translation into English of a significant work of modern Italian poetry. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize. Genre: Pieces of any genre up to 2500 words on the theme (See website). Prize: £3,000 cash prize. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Alabama Arts Council Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to any author who has lived in Alabama for at least 2 years. Genre: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction of 10-20 pages. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2023. (?)

Mississippi Artists Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to permanent residents of Mississippi. Genre: Fiction and poetry. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Beatrice Medicine Award for Scholarship in American Indian Studies. Genre: Essay or monograph about Native American studies published in previous calendar year. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Electa Quinney Award for Published American Indian Stories. Genre: Story. "This award seeks to highlight the work of story creators who continue the tradition of teaching through narratives often crossing the boundaries of genres, formats and disciplines. To celebrate the dissemination of stories into spaces where they can be shared all published stories qualify including small press and fine arts printing." Prize: $250. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Spectator Competition no 3289: Man down. Genre: You are invited to provide an extract from a politically correct version of a work by an unreconstructed male novelist or poet (please specify). Please email entries of up to 150 words/16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk. Prize: £30. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Fieldstone Review. Genre: Creative nonfiction/literature & book reviews, fiction, poetry, and reviews on theme: Reversals. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023. Prizes of $5,000 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Genre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Prize: $7000 (CAN). Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Balticon Poetry Contest. Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Genre: Speculative poetry. Prize: 1st prize: $100; 2nd prize: $75; 3rd prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest for High School Students. Restrictions: High school students living within 100 miles of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First prize $225, Second prize $125, Third prize $75. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize. Genre: Poem on the theme of “Flourishing.” Prize: £3,000 cash prize and an invitation to their symposium. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

North Carolina State Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to North Carolina residents (including out-of-state and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities)with no published books. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Toronto Star Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Ontario residents 16 years of age or older. Genre: Short story. Prize: 1st prize - $5000; 2nd prize - $2000, 3rd prize - $1000. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Iron Horse 2023 Chapbook Competition. Genre: Prose chapbook, between 40 and 56 pages. Prize:  $1,000 honorarium and 15 copies. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Note: They will accept 25 free submissions on March 1, 2023.

Free Expression Essay Competition. Restrictions: Open to US-based students, including homeschooled students; high school-level submissions are open to students ages 15-17; and college-level submissions are open to students ages 18-23. Genre: Essay. “From school board meetings to statehouses, and foreign newsrooms to digital spaces — there are threats to free expression in societies around the world. PEN America wants to know: what do you think about free expression? Why is it important? How can it change the world?” Length: 1000 words. Prize: $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 for college-level essays; and high school-level essayists will receive $1,500, $1,000, and $500. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Debut book. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: March 1, 2023 for books published between October 1, 2022 and February 28, 2023.

The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award supports the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition. Genres: Nonfiction journalism works in progress with “strong, character-driven narratives with detailed scene writing and lyrical description.” Restrictions: The award will not fund proposals to report on armed conflicts where journalists are already imperiled, nor projects that are mainly investigatory. Prize: $6,000 upon announcement of the winning proposal; $3,000 upon evidence of substantial progress (usually a first draft); and $3,500 upon completion and acceptance by the Award committee.. Deadline: March 2, 2023.

On The Premises. "For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which one or more characters have a problem because something (someone?) important is missing. Whether whatever is missing is ever found is up to you. Choose the answer that makes the story work better." Prize: $250 for first place, $200 for second, $150 for third. Deadline: March 3, 2023.

Felix Dennis Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to anyone aged 5 to 21 years living in the UK. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: £300 top prize. Deadline: March 3, 2023.

Sunken Garden Poetry Festival's Fresh Voices Competition. Restrictions: New England high school students. Prize: Reading at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival and publication. Deadline: March 3, 2023.

The Lakefly Writers Conference. Restrictions: Open to residents of Wisconsin. Genres: Short story fiction: 1500 words or less. Any genre. Flash fiction: 500 words or fewer. Any genre. No theme. Poetry: All poems, free verse to formal and everything in between—75 lines max. Teen short story: Open to 18 years old and younger. Maximum 1,500 words. Any genre. See theme. Prize: First place winners will receive a cash prize of $100; second place winners will receive $75; and third place winners will receive $50. Winners must be able to attend an awards ceremony. Deadline: March 3, 2023.

Voice.club. Genre: Flash fiction, 100 words max. Also 350 words max. (2 contests) Prize: $25 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 4, 2023. Note: You have to join in order to enter. See themes.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Michigan residents only. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: March 5, 2023.

Furious Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction. "On the first Friday of every month, a new set of story prompts will be revealed. You will have 55 hours to submit your best 500-word (or fewer) story." Prize: $500AUD. Deadline: March 5, 2023.

Forward Prizes. Genre: Collections and single poems published in the UK and Ireland are eligible for the Prizes. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £1,000 to £10,000. Deadline: March 5, 2023.

Aniko Press Summer Flash Fiction Competition. Genre: Flash fiction (100 words max) on theme: Delight. Prize: Publication on their website and social media, a copy of Killernova by Omar Musa, plus a copy of Aniko Magazine Issue 2. Deadline: March 7, 2023.


NEA Literature Fellowships are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $25,000 grants to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Deadline: March 8, 2023.

Honor American History Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem. Prize: $100 top prize. Deadline: March 10, 2023.

What Does War Mean to You? Restrictions: Open to young people ages 9 - 18. Genre: Poetry, art, speech, song. Prize: Unspecified. Deadline: March 10, 2023.

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in the UK and Ireland who have yet to secure a publishing deal. Genre: Proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Prize: £3,000 advance against publication with Fitzcarraldo Editions. Deadline: March 13, 2023.

BBC National Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over, who have a history of publication in creative writing. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: £15,000 to the winner, £3,000 for the runner-up and £500 for three further shortlisted writers. Deadline: March 13, 2023.

Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry Award. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Poetry composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme and received forms. Prize: First prize $1,500, and a runner-up prize $500. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry Award. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Original poems written in Spanish and translations of English poems to Spanish. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 15, 2023.
Myong Cha Son Haiku Award. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Haiku. Prize: First prize $1,500, and a runner-up prize $500. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Sonnet Award. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Sonnet. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Villanelle Award. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Villanelle. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards. Restrictions: Wyoming writers. Genres: The Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script written by a woman writer. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award is given annually for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script which is informed by a relationship with the natural world. Prize: $1,000.00. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship. Restrictions: Established and recognized authors are being sought, but emerging and mid-career writers are also encouraged to apply. Genre: Seeking creative writers (poetry, fiction, nonfiction), or those in the field of journalism (writer, photojournalist, videographer, documentary filmmaker, online or print media) who demonstrate serious inquiry and dedication to the Greater Yellowstone region through their work. Fellowship: $3,500. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Connecticut Student Poets in Grades 9-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Nancy Ludmerer Fellowship for Flash Fiction and Nonfiction. Genre: One or more flash narratives up to 1,000 words. Award: A 5-night residency at Porches. Deadline: March 15, 2023. No entry fee for the first 15 submissions received on March 15.


Hektoen International Medical Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to medical students. Genre: Essays can be on any topic as it relates to medicine. Art, history, and literature topics are preferred. Prize: $3,500 for the winner and $2,500 for the runner-up. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

NFSPS Annual Poetry Contests. Genre: Poetry. The National Federation of State Poetry Societies sponsors 50 contests for adults, 34 of which are free and open to the public. There are also 3 free poetry contests for children. Prize: Monetary awards vary. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students in the Washington, DC region. Genre: Poetry. Prize: A reading with honorarium in the Miller Poetry Series, a summer program occurring in June and July. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Restrictions: Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction on topics of wilderness, wildness, or the ethics and ecology of environmental issues are eligible. Genre: Personal essays between 2000 and 3000 words. "The  Waterman Fund seeks new voices on the role and place of wilderness in today’s world." Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $1500 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $500. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

53-Word Story Contest. Genre: Flash fiction of exactly 53 words about a date. Prize: Publication and a free book. Deadline: March 15, 2023.

Descant. Each year, descant offers four awards:
the $500 Frank O’Connor Award for fiction (for the best short story in a issue)the $250 Gary Wilson Award (for an outstanding story in an issue)the $500 Betsy Colquitt Award for poetry (for the best poem or series of poems by a single author in an issue)the $250 Baskerville Publishers Award (for an outstanding poem or poems by a single author in an issueThere is no application process or reading fee. All published submissions are eligible for prize consideration. Simply submit your work. Deadline: March 16, 2023.


Illumination Prose Prize. Genre: Creative nonfiction or fiction of 5,000 words or less. Prize: $100 and publication in Spire Light: A Journal of Creative Expression. Deadline: March 17, 2023.

Jane Martin Poetry Prize (UK). Restrictions: Open to UK residents between 18 and 30 years of age. Genre: Poetry. Prize: £700, second prize, £300. Deadline: March 17, 2023.

2023 POPP Award: Poetry of the Plains and Prairies. Genre: Poetry of any style for their annual Poetry of the Plains and Prairies chapbook publication. "While the author(s) may call any place home, their submissions must deftly capture the feeling of, as well as the reality of, living on the plains and prairies. Authors may submit any number of poems equaling thirty to thirty-five pages in length, with no more than one poem per page. (Single poems may extend more than one page.) The selected poetry collection will be published as a limited edition chapbook, hand-printed with antique letterpress equipment." Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: March 17, 2023.

Romance on the Road Travel Writing Competition. Genre: Factual, first-person travel story about a time you experienced romance while traveling. Length: 1200 - 2000 words. Prize: $200 top prize. Deadline: March 19, 2023.

Savage Mystery Writing Contest. Genre: Mystery short story. Prize: Winning stories are published in Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 19, 2023. Opens March 17.


BBC Young Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 14 to 18 years old, Genre: Short fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: Publication and free workshop. Deadline: March 20, 2023.

White River Environmental Law Writing Competition is sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and Vermont Law School. Restrictions: Open to all students currently pursuing a degree (J.D. or LL.M) at an accredited law school in the United States. Submissions written as a class component, as a journal requirement, or otherwise for academic credit are acceptable. Genre: Original essays addressing any relevant topic in the fields of environmental law, natural resource law, energy law, environmental justice, land use law, animal law, and agricultural law. Prize: $1000 cash prize and an offer of publication with the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. Deadline: March 20, 2023.

Cymera-Scotland’s Futures Forum-Shoreline of Infinity Prize for Speculative Short Fiction. Restrictions: Anyone living in Scotland or who identifies as Scottish by birth or inclination, aged 14 years or over. Genre: Speculative short stories. Prize: £150. Deadline: March 26, 2023.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition for High School Students. Restrictions: Open to students in Grades 7-12. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 27, 2023.

Daisy Utemorrah Award for Indigenous Authors. Restrictions: Open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer currently residing in Australia. Genre: Junior/YA full-length fiction manuscript intended for readers aged 8-18. Length: 40,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: A$15,000 and possible publication.  Deadline: March 30, 2023.

The Nervous Ghost Press Book Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers anywhere in the United States of America. Genre: Full-length prose manuscript between 50,000 and 100,000 words. Poetry manuscripts also accepted. Prize: $1000 advance. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Muriel's Journey Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to Canadians or people living in Canada. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100 top prize. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Driftwood Press. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscript. 40 - 100 pages. Prize: Each winner will receive: $500 USD, 20 copies of their collection, a standard royalties package, and a spotlight interview. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Wisconsin Writers Association High School Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school juniors and seniors. Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction, & Poetry. Prize: 1st Place in each will be awarded $100.00; 2nd Place in each will be awarded $75.00; 3rd Place in each will be awarded $50.00. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Orwell Prize for Journalism. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Published journalism. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Orwell Prize for for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: A story that has enhanced the public understanding of social problems and public policy in the UK. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contests. Restrictions: Open to writers between 14 and 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year who reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Genre: Science fiction or fantasy, 2,500 words max. Prizes: $150, $100 and $75. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Jack London Fiction Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to U.S. students in grades 6-8. Genre: Unpublished stories. Length: 2,000 words maximum. "Your writing prompt this year is to create a story where your main character(s) are animals with animal qualities (like Buck in Call of the Wild). Tell your story from the animal’s perspective.” Prize: $250, $150, and $100. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Genres: Science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words. Prizes: Three cash prizes in each quarter: a First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500, in US dollars. In addition, at the end of the year the winners will have their entries rejudged, and a Grand Prize winner shall be determined and receive an additional $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. Genre: Poetry or literary prose. Translation of modern Arabic literature into English. Books must have been published and be available for purchase in the UK via a distributor or online. The source text must have been published in the original Arabic in or after 1967. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for Students. Restrictions: Students in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Sleeping Bear Press: Own Voices, Own Stories Award. Restrictions: Contest is open to new authors who identify as having a disability. Applicants must be United States residents and at least 18 years of age Prize: Grand Prize winners will receive a $2,000 cash prize, in addition to a publishing contract with advance and royalties standard for new Sleeping Bear Press authors. Honor Award winners will receive a $500 cash prize as well as one consulting session with a Sleeping Bear Press editor. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

Foley Poetry Contest. Genre: One unpublished poem on any topic. The poem should be 45 lines or fewer and not under consideration elsewhere. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Archibald Lamp­man Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Canada's National Capital region (Ottawa). Genre: Book of any genre published by a recognized publisher. Prize: $1500. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Restrictions: Open to first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere. Genre: Unpublished nonfiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to "revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful." Genre: Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize: $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2023. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute. 

2023 Sijo Competition. Genre: A Sijo poem. Prize: Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third ($500); Pre-college division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300) Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Anne Brown Essay Prize. Restrictions: Entrants must be aged over 16 and resident in Scotland, born in Scotland or have a longstanding association with Scotland. Genre: Literary essay, published or unpublished. Prize: £1,500. Deadline: March 31, 2023. 

The Maya Angelou Book Award was founded in 2020 to honor the legacy of Missouri-born author Maya Angelou by celebrating contemporary authors whose work has demonstrated a commitment to social justice in America and/or the world. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. Citizens and reside within the United States. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Shady Grove Literary. Genre: Any style, genre, tone of flash fiction. Length: 300 words max. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Silvers Grants for Work in Progress. Restrictions: Open to Anglophone writers of any nationality. Genre: Long-form essays in the fields of literary criticism, arts writing, political analysis, and/or social reportage. Prize: Up to $10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime.   Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Natan Notable Books Award. Genre: Nonfic­­tion book on Jew­ish themes pub­lished for the first time between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

A Public Space Emerging Writer Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book. Prize: $1000 and six months of editorial support from A Public Space editors to prepare a piece of prose for publication in the magazine. Deadline: March 31, 2023.
 
City of Literature Paul Engle Prize. Genre: This prize does not recognize one work, nor is it solely limited to reflecting literary achievement. Rather, the award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 31, 2023. (?)

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. See themes. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

Masks. Genre: Prose and poetry. Prize: One poet and one prose writer will be awarded a prize of $100 each and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2023.

25 Marvelous Writing Conferences and Workshops in March 2023

PxHere This March there are more than two dozen writing conferences and workshops covering every aspect of writing, from poetry, to memoir, to how to get published. There is something for everyone.

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. As pandemic restrictions ease, most of these conferences and workshops are being held in person. Stay safe!

Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

(Image PxHere)

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Chesapeake Writing Day Workshop. March 3 - 4, 2023. Online. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."

California Creative Writers Conference. March 3 - 5, 2023: Los Angeles, CA.  Educational and inspirational guidance from more than 40 literary agents, veteran educators, industry professionals, professional editors, and publishers in the craft and business of writing fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting taught by Hollywood veterans. Over three days, you can learn how to take your writing to the next level and what it takes get published. 

Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. March 4, 2023: Wye Mills, Maryland. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association. "Featuring eight tracks and over 30 sessions sure to fit all your writing needs, this year’s Bay to Ocean Writers Conference celebrates a quarter of a century of helping writers develop their craft, edit, publish, and market their writing.  This year’s sessions, all 90-minutes in length, are carefully designed to help you generate solid writing, hone your craft, and ask pointed questions from published and award-winning presenters about the process."

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. March 8 - 11, 2023: Seattle, WA. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. The 2016 conference featured over 2,000 presenters and 550 readings, panels, and craft lectures. The bookfair hosted over 800 presses, journals, and literary organizations from around the world. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America." 

Alabama Writing Workshop. March 10, 2023: Birmingham, Alabama. "A one-day writing workshop full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We will also have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well."

Ossabaw Weekend Writer’s Retreat. March 10 - 15,  2023: Ossabaw Island, GA. Workshops and seminars led by nationally recognized faculty, and evening readings (special emphasis on ghost stories) by faculty and participants. Application deadline: February 15.

Atlanta Writing Workshop, March 11, 2023, Atlanta, GA. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome." Will be held virtually.

The 2023 Writers Conference of St. Louis. March 11, 2023: St. Louis. MO. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Doubletree by Hilton Westport. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."


The 2023 Cincinnati Writing Workshop. March 11, 2023: Cincinnati, OH. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Doubletree by Hilton Westport. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."


Get Away to Write. March 14 - 19, 2023: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Spend an inspiring week working on your memoir or poetry. Enjoy plentiful writing time, insightful feedback, homemade meals and time to relax. ach workshop will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending the entire week in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible.

Algonkian Writers New York Pitch Conference. March 16 - 19, 2023: NY, NY. "The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals. More importantly though, it is also a diagnostic method for workshopping the plot, premise, and other elements of the story to determine quality and marketability. Simply put, you cannot successfully pitch a viable commercial novel if you don't have a viable commercial novel. Our goal, therefore, is to set you on a realistic path to publication." 

Power of Narrative. March 17- 18, 2023: Boston, MA. Over 30 journalists, directors, producers and editors lead three days of lively discussions geared to advance the knowledge of narrative storytellers. Approximately 500 persons attend. Early registration is encouraged. Will be held in person.

Moravian Writers’ Conference: Voices of War. March 17 - 18, 2023: Bethlehem, PA. This conference (featuring in-person and online events) will explore writing about war and the veteran experience in today’s world. Join a group of committed writers, community members, veterans, veterans’ spouses, and more as we consider topics such as:War and Peace: the power and importance of sharing storiesTrauma, displacement, and moral injuryDisparities in culture regarding the veteran experienceWar and political divisivenessSupport for veterans and veteran families
...and the many ways in which writing can—and should—be used to learn about and address these challenging topics. FREE

Writing By Writers Boulder Generative Workshop. March 17 - 19, 2023: Boulder, Colorado. Lectures, craft talks, writing exercises and class discussions. Each participant will have the opportunity to work in a small group setting with all three faculty members.

Algonkian Novel Retreat, Sterling. Virginia, March 22 - 26, 2023. "In keeping with the spirit of this place and the goals of this retreat, you can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?" Registration is first come, first served.

University of North Dakota Writers Conference. March 23 - 25, 2023: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1970 and held every year since, the UND Writers Conference is a three day event featuring six to eight authors annually. Authors ranging from Gwendolyn Brooks and August Wilson to Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead, the UND Writers Conference is committed to community outreach, engagement, and finding ways to increase audience access to literature. The conference is free, but workshop space is limited to twenty participants; registration is first come, first served. Will be held online and in person.

Write Stuff Writers Conference. March 23 - 25, 2023: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 20 workshops, Agent./Editor pitch sessions, marketing consults plus lunch and Keynote address, Book Fair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, Door Prizes. Featuring Maria V. Snyder.

Virginia Festival of the Book, March 23 - 26, 2023: Charlottesville, VA. "The Festival is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. We have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors." Book exhibits, talks by authors, readings, workshops on book promotion, finding an agent, poetry, publishing, agents roundtable - you name it, this conference has it. 

WonderCon. March 24 - 26, 2023: Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention. 

Southern Breeze Spring Mingle 2023. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. March 25 2023. Spring Mingle 2023, a region-wide, in-person conference will be held in Atlanta, GA.

The 2023 Minnesota Writing Workshop. March 25, 2023: St. Paul, MN. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Beall Poetry Festival. March 29 -  31, 2023, Waco, TX. The festival features readings, panel discussions, and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry. Participating poets include Sumita Chakraborty, A. Van Jordan, Ada Limón, Shane McCrae, and a Poetry Panel. All events are free and open to the public.

Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference. March 30 - April 1, 2023: Weber State University, Ogden, UT. "Each year, nearly 200 undergraduate writers and poets throughout North America, and sometimes beyond, come to Weber State University to present their work and learn from some of the most important writers in contemporary literature." 

Tennessee Mountain Writers Annual Conference. March 30 – April 1, 2023: Oak Ridge, TN. Speakers and session leaders include Linda Parons, Pamela Duncan, Georgann Eubanks, and more! 

The 2023 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium. March 31 - April 1, 2023: Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn, NY. "Diasporic Visions: A Celebration of Black Speculative Fiction: Black speculative fiction encompasses and blurs the genres of magical realism, futurism, horror, fantasy, paranormal, and mythology. These imaginative stories enable writers to create alternative and futuristic worlds, narratives rooted in traditional beliefs and spirituality, and compelling stories that center the Black experience. The stories also raise questions about colonialism, racism, identity, and gender." 

7 New Agents Seeking Romance, Kidlit, Memoir, Speculative Fiction, Nonfiction, YA, LGBTQ and more

Chad Beckerman Here are seven new literary agents actively seeking writers. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients.

Ashley Reisinger is interested in a variety of fiction across adult, young adult, and middle grade. Chad W. Beckerman represents illustrators and author/illustrators from all over the globe, who create artwork for all ages and genres. 
Ashley Hong is looking for transporting storytelling; compulsively readable memoirs; subversive prayers. But she's also into the fun stuff: rom com lit that rivals TV; self-deprecating self-help; essay collections that feel like a friend.

Noelle Falcis Math is looking for literary, upmarket, and (especially) speculative fiction, including magical realism, fantasy, science fiction, and any genre bending and blending forms and risk-taking experimentation. For nonfiction, she’s looking for projects that explore the intersections of the personal, the political, and the cultural. She would love to see strong essay collections, graphic memoirs, and narrative or prescriptive nonfiction exploring (or connecting) culture, decolonization, climate change, and revitalization efforts.

Anne Glusker's interests lie in nonfiction with a strong narrative that treats of-the-moment social & political issues and in can’t-put-it-down memoir and fiction that features strong storytelling. She is particularly interested in stories and situations featuring women, disability issues, people of color, and LGBTQ issues.

Lori Colvin is looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including WF, Thriller, Book Club Fiction, Mystery (but no Cozy), and more. Madeline Wallace is seeking literary and upmarket fiction, as well as select narrative nonfiction and memoir. 

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. 
​
NOTE: Don't submit to several agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another. (Some small agencies share. Be alert to a notice that "a no from one is a no from all.")
You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients. 


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Ms. Ashley Reisinger of Triada US Literary Agency

Ashley Reisinger is a Canadian author who writes about first love. She joined Triada US as assistant literary agent in February 2023.


What she is seeking: Assistant Literary Agent Ashley Reisinger is interested in a variety of fiction across adult, young adult, and middle grade. 

In adult, she is primarily looking for swoony romances, the more chaotic the protagonist, the better (think Boyfriend Material, The Love Hypothesis, You Had Me at Hola, Book Lovers, Weather Girl). 

In young adult, she is interested in heartfelt, character-driven stories, particularly romcoms (think To All The Boys I've Loved Before, A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, What I Like About You). She can also be enticed by the odd horror, thriller, or spec fic (think Wilder Girls, Cemetery Boys, The Darkness Outside Us, The Whispering Dark). 

In middle grade, she is looking for a fun, quirky voice that will make her laugh. Primarily, she's interested in contemporary (think Front Desk, From the Desk of Zoe Washington), and fantasy/contemporary fantasy (think Amari and the Night Brothers, Ghost Squad).  

How to submit: When querying Ashley, please include the first ten pages in the body of the email, with "query" included in the subject line. EMAIL: ashley@triadaus.com

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Chad W. Beckerman of The CAT Agency, Inc. 

Agent Chad W. Beckerman brings over 20 years of illustration and design experience to the Agency. After studying illustration as an undergrad at RISD, Chad went on to be a Designer at Scholastic, a Senior Designer at Greenwillow Books, and then became the Creative Director at ABRAMS Kids and Comic Arts, where he spent 13 years overseeing the design of 250 books a year - from picture books, to novels, to graphic novels, and art and entertainment books. Chad is behind the aesthetic for over forty New York Times bestselling and award-winning books including the blockbuster Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, the Caldecott honor and Corretta Scott King Award winning Trombone Story, illustrated by Brian Collier, and the Newbery Medal honor books 
El Deafo, and Heart of the Samurai. 

What he is seeking: Chad’s greatest joy is working with illustrators, and as an agent he is busy curating and cultivating a unique group of artists who are inspiring and innovating in children’s literature. Chad represents illustrators and author/illustrators from all over the globe, who create artwork for all ages and genres.

How to submit: Send materials to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line!

Illustrators: send 4-6 jpegs of samples, a live link to your website and a short letter of introduction 

Please send work that shows character development, style, color and narrative story-telling. 

Author/Illustrators: email a brief synopsis of your manuscript, along with several accompanying illustrations or samples of your artwork. If we are interested in reviewing your dummy, we will request that you send it. 

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Ms. Ashley Hong of Gardner Literary Agency 

Ashley dove into the publishing world in 2017 after several years in news/digital media. She served the Convergent imprint of Penguin Random House for over four years, where she edited a number of NYT bestsellers.

What she is seeking: She's a sucker for the kind of writing that haunts you in a good way: transporting storytelling; compulsively readable memoirs; subversive prayers. But she's also into the fun stuff: rom com lit that rivals TV; self-deprecating self-help; essay collections that feel like a friend.

How to submit: Use the agency's query manager HERE.
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Ms. Noelle Falcis Math of Transatlantic Literary Agency 

Noelle Falcis Math has garnered a breadth of experience as a writer and editor before transitioning into agenting. She holds a BA and MFA in English and Creative Writing, and has received fellowships or residencies from VONA (Voices of Our Nations), Tinhouse, The Seventh Wave, and Lemontree House. At VONA, she realized the lack of knowledge accessible to marginalized writers, which fueled her interest in publishing. In 2021, she completed the Los Angeles Review of Books’ Publishing Workshop and Transatlantic Agency’s BIPOC mentorship program. In 2022, Noelle began assisting Amanda Orozco and Chelene Knight, and became the Marketing Assistant for the Transatlantic Agency. In 2023, Noelle transitioned into an Associate Literary Agent where she is now building her list.

What she is seeking: For fiction, she’s looking for literary, upmarket, and (especially) speculative fiction, including magical realism, fantasy, science fiction, and any genre bending and blending forms and risk-taking experimentation. She is particularly drawn to coming-of-age stories, multi-generational family sagas, migrant narratives, and unique ways of addressing systemic inequalities and the effects of colonization. She’s keen on reimagining folklore and mythology, sibling relationships, immigrant mothers and daughters, and, of course, some heart throbbing romance. She would love to see a novel-in-flash, some ancestral ghosts, and grounded historical fiction from the perspective of the margins.

For nonfiction, she’s looking for projects that explore the intersections of the personal, the political, and the cultural. She is specifically looking for narratives from the margins or from emerging artists and academics that know their niche deeply, with a heightened desire for Southeast Asian, Oceanic and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous voices. She would love to see strong essay collections, graphic memoirs, and narrative or prescriptive nonfiction exploring (or connecting) culture, decolonization, climate change, and revitalization efforts.

How to submit: Send query to noelle@transatlanticagency.com

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Ms. Anne Glusker of The Spieler Agency

Anne Glusker is a long-time editor, at publications ranging from the Washington Post to Forbes to the American Lawyer; she has overseen stories and projects on everything from food to business, fashion to politics, health care to education. 

What she is seeking: As an agent, her interests lie in nonfiction with a strong narrative that treats of-the-moment social & political issues and in can’t-put-it-down memoir and fiction that features strong storytelling. She is particularly interested in stories and situations featuring women, disability issues, people of color, and LGBTQ issues. She loves a contrarian point of view and a look into rarely seen worlds.

How to submit: Send query to anne@TheSpielerAgency.com

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Ms. Lori Colvin of Birch Literary 

Lori has a special empathy for authors, having penned over 150 books herself, under a successful pen name. A fierce advocate for her fellow writers, Lori understands the publishing industry from many different viewpoints, and she does her absolute best to tailor her approach to meet each author’s needs.

What she is seeking: Lori's looking for fresh viewpoints in multiple genres, including WF, Thriller, Book Club Fiction, Mystery (but no Cozy), and more.

How to submit: In the subject line, type ATTN Lori, and include your project's title. Please send all of the following in the BODY of your email. Attachments will not be opened and your query may be declined if this guidance isn’t followed.GenreWord CountA 1-2 sentence hook A SHORT query. Please do not send a summary disguised as a query letter. If you don't know how to write a query, there are multiple online tools to assist you with this.A 1-2 page summary that hits the high points only. The first ten pages of your manuscript.________________________


Ms. Madeline Wallace of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates

Madeline joined the Greenburger team after internships with Writers House and the Feminist Press. A Midwesterner at heart, she grew up in Indiana and graduated from Earlham College. She serves as the second assistant to Heide Lange and feels fortunate every day to work with Heide’s esteemed clients.

What she is seeking: Madeline is seeking literary and upmarket fiction, as well as select narrative nonfiction and memoir. She is committed to advocating for voices that have been underrepresented in publishing. 

In fiction, Madeline loves to lose herself in unputdownable stories with characters that transcend the page. More specifically, she would love to receive coming-of-age novels from adult perspectives, especially ones that turn tropes on their heads and offer engrossing, offbeat perspectives. She appreciates novels with distinct sociopolitical contexts, welcomes satire and surrealism as long as the overall work is grounded, and falls for anything with a biting sense of humor. She would love to see intergenerational or domestic sagas with crackling characters and vibrant prose. She also appreciates suspenseful, literary-leaning novels with smart twists. Ultimately, fiction needs to be multidimensional, progressive, and unique in the way it delivers its message.

In the nonfiction space, she is hoping for books that explore pop culture, examining celebrity and fandom through a critical lens. She would also love to receive intimate narratives that interrogate institutions and systems, books that grapple with relationships between food and body image, and memoirs with family-centered narratives, particularly ones that excavate surprising histories. 

How to submit: Query Madeline at mwallace@sjga.com. Please put “Query: [PROJECT TITLE]” in the subject line, followed by your name. Please include a query letter in the body of your email and, as a .docx or .pages attachment, the first 15–20 pages of the work, or your full nonfiction proposal. If your manuscript meets the requirements of her list, Madeline will respond within 4–6 weeks with a decline or interest in the full manuscript.

63 Calls for Submissions in February 2023 - Paying markets

Wikimedia This February there are more than five dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

​I post upcoming calls for submissions shortly before the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.


Happy submitting!

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Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry and art. Payment: $7 per poem, $12 for cover art and $7 for inside art. Deadline: Opens February 1, 2023. See themes.

The Common. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid works by current and former farmworkers of all ages, as well as those raised in farmworker families who experienced the stories and effects of this work through their parents or other relations. Work may be submitted in English or Spanish. Payment: $200 for prose pieces and $40 per poem. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

JOURN-E The Journal of Imaginative Literature. Genre: Adventure, Detection & Mystery, Fantasy, Horror & the Supernatural, and Science Fiction. Payment: One (1) cent per word for prose fiction and non-fiction, BUT with the following maximums: Up to $50.00 maximum for short stories; up to $35 maximum for scholarly articles; up to $15 maximum for reviews. Poetry from 3-13 lines--$7.50. Poetry from 14-50 lines--$15.00. Poetry over 50 lines--$15.00 plus 25 cents per line over 50 lines up to a maximum of $35.00. Interior Illustrations--$25-$50.00 (half-page to full-page). Cover Art in Full RGB Color--$100 [will be commissioned, or the illustrator should contact the editor with a concept before finished work and submission]. Deadline: February 1, 2023. Note: closes once 100 submissions have been received.

Magical Realist Eco-Fiction Anthology. Genre: Magical Realist Eco-Fiction centered on finding and examining “the sublime” and “the unknown” within our daily lives, and/or addressing the ways in which we interact with them. Payment: $50. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Galaxy's Edge. Genre: Speculative fiction. Flash fiction, short stories and novelettes up to 10,000 words. Payment: 7 cents per word for new fiction. Deadline: Opens February 1, 2023. (Note: Opens every Tuesday for submissions)

Under the Stairs. Genre: Horror. "Home is where you’re supposed to feel safe. But what happens when that safety is violated? When something malignant – living, dead, or something that never lived at all – enters our most sacred of places and begins twisting it to use that safety against you?" Length: 3,000 words max. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Last Girls Club. Genre: Feminist horror: short stories and poems - see themes. Payment: Short Story-2,500 words or less. $0.01 USD per word/$25 USD and copy of magazine; Flash Fiction-less than a 1,000 words $0.01 USD per word/$10 USD; Poems-less than 200 words $10 upon acceptance and a PDF of the magazine. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Archive of the Odd. Genre: Speculative fiction, horror preferred. “Archive of the Odd is a zine of uncanny occurrences, told in even stranger ways.” They’d like a variety of time periods. Stories can be in any format, except traditional prose. Some of the suggested formats are: academic papers; technical writing; medication warning sheets; sales papers; newspaper articles; recipes; knitting/crochet/weaving/what-have-you guides; care guides (plant, animal, rock garden, etc); or any other unusual format. Submissions do not have to be entirely in text. Payment: $15-25 for fiction of 500-5,000+ words. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Giramondo Publishing (Australia). Genre: Fiction and non-fiction manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

The First Line. Genres: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

fron//tera. Genre: Nonfiction (up to 5,000 words), fiction, poetry, art. Submissions can be in Spanish or English. They also publish short dual-language English and Spanish pieces side by side. See theme. Payment: $25 - $50. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Sci Phi Journal. Genre: Hard science fiction, fictional nonfiction, and speculative philosophy. Translations accepted. Payment: €0.03/word; €0.01/word for translations. Deadline: February 2, 2023. 

Plumwood Mountain Journal. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Payment: $80. Deadline: February 3, 2023. Note: Only pays Australians.

Unleashed. Genre: Horror up to 10,000 words. Payment: $25 per piece. Deadline: February 3, 2023.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction on theme of Asia. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: February 5, 2023.

Barrelhouse. Genre: Nonfiction books. "We're interested in full-length memoirs and essay collections that combine personal narrative with... something else. That could be reportage, criticism, history, etc. We're especially interested in projects where the external element has something to do with pop culture, and projects that do something unexpected and original with form and structure. A straightforward narrative memoir, no matter how engaging, is not going to be a fit for us. Send us your hybrid project that you worry might be too weird to publish, the project you thought was going to be a memoir but ended up as some new part-memoir form that you're not quite sure how to label. The project that was driven by your genuine obsession and fascination with a niche topic so close to your heart that you couldn't write about it without also including personal narrative. We want the exciting in-between stuff that pushes the boundaries of what makes a "memoir" or an "essay collection." Payment: Royalties? Deadline: February 5, 2023.

Tales from the Moonlit Path. Genre: Dark, eerie speculative fiction an poetry. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 5, 2023.

Dark Matter: Monster Lairs. Genre: Dark speculative fiction, horror, Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: February 5, 2023. Note: The submission window will remain open an additional week (from Monday, January 30, until Sunday, February 5 at 11:59 p.m. CST) for previously unpublished writers, ESL writers, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ writers, and other marginalized voices.

berlin lit. Genre: Poetry. Payment: 20 euros per poem. Deadline: February 8, 2023.

Suburban Review. Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, and art on theme of Juice. Payment: $75- $150. Deadline: February 8, 2023.


Forest Avenue Press. Genre: Novels. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

swim meet lit mag. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction (think memoir and personal essay), visual art and photography. "Send us hybrids, work that pushes the boundaries of creativity, that you’d be proud to see published!" Payment: $30 AUD per poem and visual art piece, $50 AUD for prose and cover art. Only pays Australian writers. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

Qwerty. Genre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry. Payment: $15 CAD. Deadline: February 11, 2023.

The Fabulist. Genre: Fantastical and genre fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 11, 2023. See theme.

Faces. Genre: Nonfiction, activities for children 9 - 14. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: February 11, 2023. Queries only. See themes.

Electric Literature: Recommended Reading. Genre: Short fiction between 2,000 and 10,000 words. Payment: $300. Deadline: February 12, 2023.

Augur Magazine. Restrictions: Augur Magazine is only accepting submissions from creators who are Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, Disabled, and/or Trans, who are also Canadian citizens/permanent residents and/or who are living within the settler-defined borders of the land colonially known as Canada. Genre: Dream-touched realism, slipstream, fabulism, magical realism (note: educate yourself before you claim this term) and, for lack of a better descriptor, “literary” speculative fiction. Payment: $0.11 cents (CAD) per word for short fiction (1000+ words), and a flat fee of $110.00 per flash fiction piece (1000 words and under). Deadline: February 12, 2023.

Cossmass Infinities. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy short stories. Payment: $0.08/word for original fiction. Deadline: February 14, 2023. Note: Open during the first week of February and October for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other under-represented authors then opening to general submission for the second week.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. Theme: Seasonal Holidays. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length (yes, including flash!). For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: February 14, 2023.

Samjoko Magazine is devoted to publishing "exemplary work from content creators around the world. Focusing mainly upon the written word, we hope to create an immersive digital and print platform that stands out for its honesty and desire to take risks for the sake of artistic expression. We have no set aesthetic, though different themes will be focused upon periodically. We aim to publish seasonally, with our inaugural issue expected to be released early 2022. Response times vary  between 1 day to 4 months. Apologies in advance for form rejections. Our goal is to publish 15 pieces per issue." Payment: $20. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Lumiere. Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers. Genre: Poetry, prose, art. See theme. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Fallen Tree Press. Genre: Poetry chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Ghoulish Tales. Genre: Horror. Word count: 5,000 max (short stories); 3,000 max (non-fiction). Payment: 7 cent/sword. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: February 15, 2023. Some reprints accepted.

Muse Magazine. Genre: Nonfiction articles for children. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: February 16, 2023. See themes.

Funemployment Quarterly. Genre: Science-fiction/fantasy on theme: Autonomy. Payment: $20 CAD. Deadline: February 16, 2023. 

Electric Literature: The Commuter. Genre: Poetry, flash, graphic, and experimental narratives. Payment: $100. Deadline: February 19, 2023.

The Aurora Journal. Genre: Prose, poetry. "We look for writing that is surreal, ethereal, mystical, and explores the dangerous limits of surrealism." Payment: $12. Deadline: February 20, 2023.

Markaz Review. Genre: Essays, feature articles and reviews of books, film, music, theatre and art, as well as profiles/interviews of artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers (1,000–3,000 words). "We’re interested in covering a worldwide array of visual, literary and performing arts events, as well as current affairs. We also publish opinion columns (750–1,500 words)." Payment: Small honorarium. Deadline: February 20, 2023. Queries only.

Planet Scumm Genre: Hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, speculative fiction, weird fiction, and slipstream.  Payment: $0.05/word. Deadline: February 21, 2023.

Cricket Media: ASK Magazine. Genre: Science articles for children 7–10 years old. Theme: Fairy Tale Science. Payment: Unspecified. Deadline: February 28, 2023. Queries only.

Voices from the Revolution—Iranian Women Speak. Genre: Poetry; fiction and essays up to 2500 words each or images of visual art. "The International Human Rights Art Festival's (IHRAF) publishing initiative, IHRAF Books, is accepting submissions for Voices from the Revolution: Iranian Women Speak, a print anthology of Iranian culture and experience in light of the recent protests in that country, highlighting women authors and artists." Payment: $25 per piece. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Triangulation—Seven-Day Weekend. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry. See theme. Payment: 3 cents per word for short stories, 25 cents per line for poetry. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Pyre. Genre: Horror, sci-fi, the weird, the macabre, fantasy, and magical realism: Flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, videos. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Southword. Genre: Poetry. Payment: €40 per poem. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Black Beacon Book of Horror. Genre: Horror. Payment: $20 per piece. $5 for reprints. Deadline: February 28, 2023. 

21 Futures: Tales from the Timechain. Genre: Fiction. "We want to present a broad spectrum of possible worlds all told through the lens of bitcoin." Payment: $100. Deadline: February 28, 2023.


JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Blue Mesa Review. Genre: Fiction (up to 6,000 words), Nonfiction (up to 6,000 words), Poetry (up to 3 poems), and Visual Art. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 28, 2023. Submit early in the month.

Transform the World. Genre: Near future hopepunk. Story Length: 2.5-15K. Payment: One-time flat fee. New stories: $50 for 2.5-5k words, $75 for 5-10K words; $100 for 10-15K; Reprints accepted at half the new story rate. Deadline: February 28, 2023. Reprints accepted.

Propertius Press. Genre: Poetry on theme: Home in the World. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The First Five Minutes of the Apocalypse Anthology. Genre: Short horror, weird, dark fiction between 1500 and 4000 words (firm limit) that deal with a fictional apocalypse. The story must take place within a short period of time (less than a day) at the beginning of a fictional apocalypse. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Haven Speculative. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 1 cent/word for fiction and $5 - $10 for poetry. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Mud Season Review. Genre: Poetry, Fiction, CNF, Art. Payment: $50. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry on theme of Symmetry. Payment: $30. Deadline: February 28, 2023. Opens February 15. Submission periods are extended by a week for BIPOC creators only.

Dragon Soul Press: Trickster. Genre: "All Fae stories are welcome. All genres are accepted." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels. Genre: True stories and poems. "We are looking for true personal stories about how an angel has touched your life – stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels." Payment: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles. Genre: True stories and poems. "All of us have experienced events in our lives that are completely unexplainable: the strange premonition that made you take a different route home causing you to miss an accident; the eerie feeling that you should call home… now, saving someone’s life; the mysterious communication from a loved one who has passed on." Payment: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The power of positive thinking. Genre: True stories and poems. "How did you “think positive” and how did it change your life? Tell us your success story about using the power of positive thinking!" Payment: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Rumpus. Genre: Fiction and essays. "We strive to be a platform for marginalized voices and writing that might not find a home elsewhere, and to lift up new voices alongside those of more established writers we love. We work to shine a light on stories that build bridges, tear down walls, and speak truth to power." Payment: $300 divided among all contributors. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Tamarind. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. "We welcome stories that look creatively at science and the philosophy of science." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Come Sail Away. Genre: Poetry, prose poetry, and other experimental writing by queer, trans, and gender-nonconforming writers. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

New Myths. Genre: Speculative fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: 3 cents/word with a minimum payment of $30 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry; $50 for book reviews; $80 for art. Deadline: February 28, 2023.


And a few more...

Parabola. Genre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2023. See themes.

Carousel. Restrictions: Open to Canadians only. Genre: Poetry and fiction. Payment: Poetry: $20 per poem — Fiction: $40–$80 per story — Experimental Reviews: $20–$40 per review. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Note: They only have 200 free submissions per month; if they exceed that number, their free submissions categories will close for the remainder of the month.

Strange Horizons' Wuxia & Xianxia Special. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Traditional and new approaches to wuxia and xianxia fiction ." Payment: up to $150 per contributor. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Contrary. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Kangas Kahn. Genre: Halloween short stories. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Particular Passages. Genre: Poetry, fiction, art on theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023. See themes.
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Block Party Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction chapbook manuscripts, 15 - 24 pages. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Cunning Folk. Genre: Non-fiction pitches and short fiction and poetry on theme: The Vampire. Payment: £100 per article, interview or short story and £50 for poetry and rituals. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Teach. Write. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, CNF. "I prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning." Payment: $15. Deadline: March 1, 2023.

Thema: Help from a Stranger. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Help from a Stranger. Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2023. Accepts reprints.

5 New Agents Seeking Commercial Fiction, Women's Fiction, Literary Fiction, SFF, LGBTQ+, Nonfiction, Memoir and more

Ariele Fredman Here are five new literary agents actively seeking writers. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients.

Ariele Fredman is seeking novels or short story collections and the occasional pop culture project in NonFic. Dotti Irving is primarily interested in narrative non-fiction, in books that tell a story that rings true and speaks to a wider world. Molly Jamieson has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books.

Wayne Arthurson actively seeking works by Indigenous writers. Claire Cavanagh is actively acquiring Commercial Women's Fiction; Literary Fiction; LGBTQ+ Commercial and Literary Fiction and Nonfiction; Hybrid Memoir; Pop Culture; Music; Film/TV; Fashion; Society; Culture; Subcultures; Alternative Communities. 

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. 

NOTE: Don't submit to several agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another. (Some small agencies share. Be alert to a notice that "a no from one is a no from all.")
​
You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients. 

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Ms. Ariele Fredman of United Talent Agency

Ariele Fredman spent 12 years at Atria Books, where she worked across genres to launch bestselling campaigns for authors such as Colleen Hoover, Fredrik Backman, Lisa Jewell, Jennifer Weiner, Rebecca Serle, Zakiya Dalila Harris and Janet Evanovich. Fredman has launched more than 50 New York Times best sellers, including eight No. 1 titles, and has placed numerous titles as book club picks at prominent outlets like “Good Morning America,” “Today,” Marie Claire, New York Public Library & WNYC and Book of the Month, among others. A graduate of Emory University, Fredman began her career at Harper Collins and lives in New York with her daughter and husband.

What she is seeking: I am only accepting novels or short story collections and the occasional pop culture project in NonFic. I'm looking for character-driven commercial and upmarket fiction that will make me cry (family drama/coming of age all accepted here!), mystery/thriller/suspense with a last-page jawdropper, romance with a relatable main character and witty dialogue, and novels about women's inner lives that straddle the line between commercial and literary from a diverse range of voices and backgrounds.

How to submit: Send query letter (including your elevator pitch, synopsis, comp titles, bio, and inspiration) along with the first 50 pages of your manuscript to her querymanager HERE.

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Dotti Irving of Greyhound Literary (UK)

Dotti Irving has been lucky enough to spend her working life in the world of books. After an exhilarating decade at Penguin, she set up Colman Getty, a PR agency which specialised in publishing and campaigning, and where she worked with such inspirational writers as William Boyd, Germaine Greer, Charlie Higson, Nigella Lawson and J.K. Rowling. She handled big-ticket prizes such as the Booker Prize for Fiction and the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-fiction (now the Baillie Gifford Prize). In 2012 Dotti sold her company to Four, a larger comms agency, and in July 2022 she stepped down to pursue her independent career again.

What she is seeking:  Dotti is primarily interested in narrative non-fiction, in books that tell a story that rings true and speaks to a wider world.

How to submit: Send an outline which tells us about your book and why you are best-placed to write it, along with some sample writing from it to dotti@greyhoundliterary.co.uk.

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Mr. Wayne Arthurson of The Rights Factory (Canada)

Wayne Arthurson is an award-winning writer of Cree and French Canadian descent. He is the author of eight novels, five books of non-fiction and over 200 articles in magazines and newspapers. For the past 30 years, Wayne has worked in journalism, communications, advertising and as a musician and independent literary agent. He spent three and half years as a member of the Edmonton Arts Council and was a founding board member of Edmonton Litfest. 

What he is seeking: Wayne is now building his list of talent, looking specifically for YA or adult literary, crime and SFF and narrative nonfiction and memoir. He's actively seeking works by Indigenous writers.

How to submit: Use his query manager HERE. 

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Ms. Claire Cavanagh of The Rights Factory (Canada)

Claire was previously in academia and holds an MSc. and PhD. in Applied Linguistics along with a Masters in Publishing from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Originally from Ireland, she has lived in Europe, Asia, and Canada. These life experiences influence her list as she is always eager to work with academics to shape academic work into trade books and is equally enthusiastic to work with authors from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

What she is seeking: Commercial Women's Fiction; Literary Fiction; LGBTQ+ Commercial and Literary Fiction; Nonfiction; Hybrid Memoir; Pop Culture; Music; Film/TV; Fashion; Society; Culture; Subcultures; Alternative Communities

Claire Cavanagh is actively acquiring adult non-fiction and selected adult fiction. In non-fiction she is seeking manuscripts on pop culture/celebrity, memoir, biography and history, society and culture. She has a keen interest in niche topics and sub-cultures, including deep dives on pop culture obsessions and analyses or insights into real or imagined communities.

In fiction she is interested in commercial and literary fiction particularly manuscripts which examine womens’ inner lives, relationships, and lived experiences along with stories focused on identity and belonging. She is also actively seeking LGBTQ+ commercial and literary fiction.

How to submit: Use her query manager HERE. 

____________________


Molly Jamieson of United Agents (UK)

Molly joined United Agents in 2017 as an assistant. She is now an Associate Agent and continues to work closely with Jodie Hodges and Emily Talbot on their lists of children’s authors and illustrators as well as building her own list.

What she is seeking: She has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books. For a sense of her taste, she has recently read and enjoyed Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. She loves anything with high stakes, characters you would follow anywhere, big stories, expansive worldbuilding, breathless romance, and threads of adventure running throughout.

How to submit: Please send a query containing a one-line elevator pitch and two or three comparable books, together with a blurb that you could imagine on the back of your book jacket. For fiction submissions please also attach:A one page synopsis which tells us the outline of your story from start to finish.The first three chapters of your manuscript. 
Send materials to: MJamieson@unitedagents.co.uk

58 Writing Contests in February 2023 - No entry fees

Rawpixel This February there are more than four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $25,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.


Good luck! 

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The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. Genre: Short story of no more than 8,000 words that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. Prize: Publication as the featured story on the Baen Books main website paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submissions. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Gannon University Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Entrants must be a US high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through twelve. Genre: Poetry. Each student may enter 1 or 2 poems; each poem may be no longer than 50 lines. Prize: First Place: $100.00 Second Place: $75.00 Third Place: $50.00. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Deep Wild Graduate Student Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to students currently enrolled in graduate programs. Genre: Poetry. "We seek work that conjures the experiences, observations, and insights of backcountry journeys." Prize:1st Place prize is $300, 2nd Place $200, and 3rd Place $100. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition. Restrictions: Writers must be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university, and be born in 1993 or later. Genre: Essay on on the best or worst legacy from previous generations. Length: 2,100 words. Prize: CHF20,000, split between three winners; they’ll also cover travel, accommodation, and admission to the symposium in Switzerland. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. Genre: Most outstanding book for young people published in 2021. There is a $500 award in each category: Pre-K - Grade 3;  Grades 4 - 6;  Grades 7 - 12. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Paterson Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry book published in 2021. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Narrative Magazine High School Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students aged 15-18. Genre: Poetry on theme: True or False. Prize: Up to $500. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Hodson Trust–John Carter Brown Library Fellowship. Genre: Nonfiction (includes creative nonfiction). A book-in-process relating to the literature, history, culture, or art of the Americas before 1830. Award: $20,000. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Wednesday Club Junior Poetry Prize. Restrictions: High School Students in Grades 9 through 12 in the St. Louis Area. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $200,  $150,  $100, $80, $50, and up to five $25 honorable mentions TEACHER AWARDS: $200, $150, $100. (Applies to teachers of first three student winners.) Deadline: February 1, 2023.

Wednesday Club Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Adults over 18; living within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $500, $300, $150. Deadline: February 1, 2023.

David Oluwale Competition. Genre: Previously unpublished poetry or prose which creatively responds to David Oluwale’s story and its relevance today. (See site for story.) Prize: First Prize: £500 · Second Prize: £350 · Runner up: £150. Deadline: February 1, 2023.


North Carolina Student Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to student poets from 3rd grade to university undergraduates attending schools in North Carolina. Genres: Unpublished poems (submit one poem). Prizes: 1st Place winners will receive a $60 check, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. 2nd Place winners receive $40, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. 3rd Place winners receive $25, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. Deadline: February 3, 2023. 

The University of Chester Flash (Youth). Restrictions: Open to Scottish students aged 16-19 who are studying in the UK. Genre: flash fiction of up to 360 words. Prize: Up to £100. Deadline: February 3, 2023.

Papatango New Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to anyone resident in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Genre: Script of roughly 25 – 50 pages. Prize: £7000. Their scripts will be produced as audio plays and tour the UK in free listening stations. The scripts will also be published digitally by Nick Hern Books. Deadline: February 5, 2023.

The Golden Triangle Golden Haiku poetry contest. Genre: Haiku on theme “Notes to Nature.” Prize: Up to $500. Deadline: February 5, 2023.

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

Walter Rumsey Marvin Grant. Restrictions: Open to authors under 30 years of age who have not had a book published. Applicant must have been born in Ohio or have lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years. Genre: Short fiction and creative non-fiction. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

The Bechtel Prize. Genre: Essays essays describing a creative writing teaching experience, project, or activity that demonstrates innovation in creative writing instruction. "We are looking for essays that describe a project or activity that got students excited about writing and fostered a vibrant and dynamic culture of literacy in the classroom." Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

Highlights Foundation Scholarships. Prize: 25 full tuition scholarships and 20 partial tuition scholarships for workshops that take place at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. 30 full tuition scholarships for online courses through the Highlights Foundation. 15 scholarships for personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement. Since Poets & Writers began the Writers Exchange in 1984, 85 writers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to participate. Restrictions: Open to Iowa residents.  Genre: Poetry and Fiction. Prize: A $500 honorarium; A trip to New York City to meet with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers. All related travel/lodgings expenses and a per diem stipend are covered by Poets & Writers. Deadline: February 10, 2023.

The International Radio Playwriting Competition 2023 is sponsored by the BBC World Service and British Council in partnership with Commonwealth Writers. Restrictions: Open to non-UK residents. Genre: A script for a 53 minute radio play with up to six central characters. Prize: £2500 sterling and a trip to London. Deadline: February 12, 2023.

Writers' & Artists' Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or fewer. Prize: A place on one of Arvon's residential writing courses and publication. Deadline: February 14, 2023.

Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students in Michigan.  Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st place - $250 and publication in The Albion Review, 2nd place - $150 and publication in The Albion Review; 3rd place - $100 and publication in The Albion Review. Deadline: February 14, 2023.

Syracuse University's Veterans Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to U.S. veterans and active duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military and their immediate family members. This includes spouses, domestic partners, and children. Women veteran writers and veterans of color are encouraged to submit. Genre: Unpublished, full-length novels or short story collections. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Moving Words Poetry Competition for Adults. Genre: Poems of 10 lines or less that will be displayed inside Arlington Transit buses. Prize: $250. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Ambroggio Prize. Restrictions: Poet must be a U.S. Citizen; Resident of the United States for the ten-year period prior to the submission deadline, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Legal Permanent Status (LPS), or any subsequent categories designated by the U.S. authorities as conferring similar enhanced status upon non-citizens living in the United States. Genre: Book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Paul-Victor Winters Memorial Creative Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to NJ high school students in private or public schools, grades 9-12. Genre: Flash Fiction and Poetry. Prize: $500 top prize. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Harold Morton Landon Translation Award. Genre: Poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards for Excellence in Published Haiku, Translation, and Criticism. Genre: Published book. Books must have been published in 2022 and must clearly contain a printed 2022 copyright. A member, author, or publisher may submit or nominate more than one title. At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, or haibun, or prose about these subjects (books mostly of tanka, for example, are not eligible). Prize: $500. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

CAAPP Book Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers of African descent. Genre: First or second book by a writer of African descent and is open to the full range of writers embodying African and African diasporic experience. The book can be of any genre that is, or intersects with, poetry, including poetry, hybrid work, speculative prose, and/or translation. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written or translated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and the best French-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: February 15, 2023.

Stop the Hate: Youth Speak Out Essay Contest Grades 6 - 12. Stop the Hate® is designed to create an appreciation and understanding among people of differing religions, races, cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Genre: Essay, 500 words. Restrictions: Northeast Ohio 6-12th Graders. Prize: $20,000 scholarship. Deadline: Grade 6-10: February 16, 2023. Grade 11-12: February 23, 2023.

Luminarts Creative Writing Fellowship. The Creative Writing Fellowship awards two $7,500 grant Fellowships for excellence in creative writing in the categories of prose and poetry, in fiction and nonfiction. Applicants submit a two-page written piece (either a stand-alone piece or an excerpt of a larger piece such as a novel or short story). Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction.  Prize: $7,500. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Jeanne Córdova Prize for Lesbian/Queer Nonfiction. Restrictions: Open to a writer committed to nonfiction work that captures the depth and complexity of lesbian/queer life, culture, and/or history. The winner of the prize will have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking and challenging work. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Genre: Adventure writing novel. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers. Restrictions: The nominee must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The nominee must have written and published at least one but no more than two books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Dr. Jim Duggins Outstanding LGBTQ Mid-Career Novelist Prize. Restrictions: Open to LGBTQ mid-career novelists who have published at least three novels. or two novels and substantial additional literary work (including poems, stories, or essays). Genre: Published book. Prize: $5000. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Randall Kenan Prize for Black LGBTQ Fiction. Restrictions: Open to a Black LGBTQ writer whose fiction explores themes of Black LGBTQ life, culture, and/or history. To be eligible, the winner of the prize must have published at least one book and show promise in continuing to produce groundbreaking work. Prize: $3,000. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

J. Michael Samuel Prize for Emerging Writers Over 50. Restrictions: Open to unpublished LGBTQ writers over 50 working in any genre. Genre: All genres. Prize: $5000. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

Young Authors Sacred Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to US students aged 13-18. Genre: Essay on "One human family." Prize: $100 and publication. Deadline: February 17, 2023.

The Reporting Award. Genre: Journalism, in any medium, on an under-reported subject in the public interest. Prize: Up to $12,500. Deadline: February 21, 2023.

Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) from across the Washington Metropolitan Area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC). Genre: Poetry. Prize: First, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates.  Deadline: February 23, 2023.

Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War History. Genre: First book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: February 24, 2023.

Lex Allen Literary Festival Prizes. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate college students. Genres: Poetry and fiction. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 24, 2023.

Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to UK students between 16-18 years of age. Genre: Poetry, one poem, maximum 48 lines. Theme is 'The Planets.' Prize: £5,000. Deadline: February 24, 2023.

Harper’s Bazaar short-story competition. Restrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over. Genre: Original, unpublished short story, written in English on the subject of ‘Notes’ up to 2,200 words. Prize: Two-night stay for two at Callow Hall (UK). Deadline: February 26, 2023.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Published E-Book Literary Award. Restrictions: Open to African-Americans. Genre: Self-Published E-Book in fiction and poetry written by African-Americans that depict the "cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora." Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Canterbury Tales Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to all students of school age including not only those in schools and college communities, but also students who are home educated and in any other young people’s community organisations. Genre: Poetry and fiction: See prompts. Prize: £300 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Welkin Writing Prize. Genre: Narrative prose (fiction and nonfiction) up to 400 words. Prize: £150+ top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Prism Prize for Climate Literature. Restrictions: Open to USA and UK writers. Genre: Full-length book: fiction, poetry, and literary non-fiction writing in the emerging genre of climate literature. Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Victor Howes Prize in Poetry. Restrictions: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college (2-year or 4-year). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 28, 2023.
Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2023.


The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multi-Lingual Texts. Genre: Literary translations and multi-lingual texts. Prize: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Texas Review Press Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series: South Carolina. Restrictions: Open to any poet born in South Carolina, or currently residing in South Carolina, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will receive a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Kelpies Prize (Scotland). Restrictions: Open to Scottish authors. Genre: Children’s fiction and illustration. Prize: £1,000, a publishing contract, a writing retreat, and a year of mentoring by an editorial team. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

Great Gift Contest. Genre: Write about a gift. Either a great gift you’ve gotten or that you’ve given. 25 words max. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: February 28, 2023.

The Buffalo Books Fiction Prize. Genre: Novels — from 40,000 to 80,000 words — that are set in or explore the Midwest, the Great Plains, and/or the alleged flyover portions of the West. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: February 28, 2023 or until they reach 100 submissions. Opens February 1.

Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to US writers only. Genre: Full-length manuscript of creative nonfiction by a writer not yet established in the genre. Prize: $12,000 and publication. Deadline: February 28, 2023. Opens February 1.