Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 14

51 Writing Contests in April 2023 - No entry fees

Wallpaper Flare This April there are more than four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000  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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PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative. Restrictions: Applicants must be professional writers based in the United States, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping address a short-term emergency situation. Prize: Grant, amount not specified. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. This contest seeks today's best humor poems, published and unpublished. Please enter one poem only, 250 lines max. Prize: $3,500 in prizes, including a top prize of $2,000, and publication on Winning Writers. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Tales to Terrify. Genre: Horror based on image provided. Length: 1500 words max. Prize: $50. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

The Kentucky State Poetry Society Student Contest. Restrictions: Open to public, private, and homeschool students in grades 3-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Winners are invited to read their poems at the annual meeting. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers. Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians awards fellowships for writers to spend time in McCullers' childhood home in Columbus, Georgia. The fellowships are intended to afford the writers in residence uninterrupted time to dedicate to their work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities. Award: Stipend of $5000 to cover costs of transportation, food and other incidentals. Fellowship recipients will be required to introduce or advance their work through reading or workshop/forum presentations. The Fellow will work with the McCullers Center Director to plan a presentation near the end of the residency. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

EACWP Flash Fiction Contest. Restrictions: The contest is open to any participant living in Europe (including countries culturally linked to Europe such as Russia, Turkey, and Israel). Eleven different European languages will be leading this year’s competition: English, Spanish, Catalan, Portuguese, French, German, Dutch, Finnish, Swedish, Hebrew and Czech. Genre: Flash fiction. Length: 100 words. The topic is "Incorrect." Prize: €600 top prize. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

Mike Resnick Memorial Award: Best Unpublished Science Fiction Short Story by a New Author. Restrictions: Open to an author who has not had any work published (including short stories, novelettes, novellas, and novels in paper, digital or audio form) that has been paid a per-word rate of 6 cents a word or more or received a payment for any single work of fiction totaling more than $50. Genre: Science fiction short story, up to 7,499 words. Prize: $250.00 and publication. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

The Great American Think-Off. Genre: Essay on the theme: “Which is more important to protect: the environment or the economy?” Entrants should take a strong stand agreeing or disagreeing with this topic, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Essay should be no more than 750 words. Prize: One of four $500 cash prizes. Deadline: April 1, 2023.

International Booker Prize. The International Booker Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. The work must be published by a UK or Ireland publishing house. Authors are not permitted to enter their own works. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: April 3, 2023.

Gwenn A. Nusbaum / WWBA “Poets To Come” Award. Restrictions: Open to poets at the beginning of their careers, ages 25-35 years. Prize: $1500 scholarship. Deadline: April 3, 2023.

Booker International Prize. The Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: For books published between April 1 and Sept 30, 2023 the entry form is due by April 3, 2023.

FSG Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers from an underrepresented community. US resident or citizen. Genre: Debut work  of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Submit work samples as part of the application: 8-12 pages for poetry, and 40-50 pages for prose. Work samples can include previously published work and need not be from a single selection of the work. Prize: Stipend of $15,000 and mentorship. Fellowship begins on September 1, 2023. Note: Farrar, Straus & Giroux is part of Macmillan. Deadline: April 3, 2023. 


Randall Albers Young Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to  all Chicago-area students currently enrolled in grades 9–12. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. Prize: $500 top prize, Deadline: April 3, 2023.

Invisible City Blurred Genre Flash Contest. Genre: Flash fiction, prose poetry or a combination. Length: 750 words max. Prize: $500, $200 and $100. Deadline: April 7, 2023. See theme.

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: April 9, 2023. Opens on April 7.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between March 1, 2023, and April 30, 2023 to be eligible for the 2023 Prize. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: April 14, 2023.

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. Restrictions: Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 31 years of age as of April 30, 2023. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $27,000.  Deadline: April 14, 2023. Please register for the online portal by April 10, 2023 if you intend to apply.

Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award in Poetry (Kansas Book Award). Restrictions: Author must establish a connection to Kansas by birth, education, employment, residence or other significant claim. Genre: Novel or collection of short stories. The nominee's book must have a publication date of 2020, 2021, or 2022. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

Dancing Poetry Festival. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100 top prize. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

The F. Sean Hodge Prize for Poetry in Medicine. Restrictions: Open to current medical students, residents, or fellows or physicians who have completed post-graduate training. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

Superhero Competition. Genre: Graphic novel that incorporates green solutions. Prize: The winner will receive a £500 prize, and a scene from the winner’s story turned into a 1-page comic strip, made by a professional artist. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

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

Brilliant Flash Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction. Word limit: 400 words, excluding title. Prize: $200 first prize, $100 second prize, $50 third prize. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

Wick Poetry Center Undergraduate Poetry Competition. Restrictions: The competition is open to any undergraduate currently enrolled at Kent State University. Genre: Poem, maximum 100 lines long. Prize: One-time $1,500 scholarship to Kent State University. Second and third prize: $1,000 and $500 one-time scholarships. Deadline: April 15, 2023. 

Margaret Gibson Poet Laureate Poetry Award. Genre: Poem on nature in a time of global climate crisis. Prize: 1st – $300; 2nd – $200; 3rd - $100. Deadline: April 15, 2023. 

If There's Anyone Left. Restrictions: Open to those who identify as a person of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, or of a marginalized gender. Genre: Speculative micro-fiction. Length: Up to 500 words. Prize: $250 US. Second prize: $100. 3rd Prize: $50. Deadline: April 15, 2023.

Bacopa Literary Review. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Prizes: First ($200) and Runner-Up ($160) prizes in each genre. All published will receive $20 and a copy of the print journal. After publication, Bacopa will be promoted online. Deadline: April 16, 2023.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translations into English of either a) poetry or b) source texts from Zen Buddhism (which must not consist solely of commentaries). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $6,000. Deadline: April 17, 2023.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 17, 2023. 

The Women’s Prize for Playwriting. Restrictions: Open to female or non-binary residents in the UK, Republic of Ireland or in a British Overseas Territory, or have a British Forces Post Office address. Genre: Play. Prize: £12,000 top prize. Deadline: April 17, 2023. 

Write the World Competitions. Restrictions: Young writers ages 13-19.5. Genre: Poem: Particles of Life. Prize: Best Entry: $100; Runner up: $50. Deadline: April 18, 2023. (Note: This is a monthly contest)

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: April 21, 2023.

Hey Alma's Short Fiction Contest. Genre: Jewish short stories. Length: 3,000 words max. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: April 24, 2023. 

Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Whiting welcomes submissions for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, the sciences, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, and personal essays, among other categories. Writers must be completing a book of creative nonfiction that is currently under contract with a publisher. Prize: $40,000. Deadline: April 25, 2023.

Toronto Book Awards. Genres: All genres accepted. Restrictions: Submission "must evoke the city itself, that is, contain some clear Toronto content (this may be reflected in the themes, settings, subjects, etc.). Authors do not necessarily have to reside in Toronto. Ebooks, textbooks and self-published works are not eligible. Prize: A total of $15,000 CD will be awarded. Each shortlisted author (usually 4-6) receives C$1,000 and the winning author is awarded the remainder. Deadline: April 28, 2023. (For books published between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023) 

Friends of Falun Gong, Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem. Submit one or two poems of no more than 50 lines each. Poems must encompass at least one of the following themes: Advocate for Falun Gong practitioner’s fundamental human rights. Expose the crimes against Falun Gong perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party. Share in the beauty, peacefulness and good nature of Falun Gong. Prizes: $500, $250, $100. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Under the Madness Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to any teen between the ages of 13-19 years old living on Planet Earth. Genre: Poem. Prize: $250. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Space Crone Prize. Restrictions: The prize is open to UK-based entrants who identify as one or more of: women, intersex, non-binary, agender, genderfluid and trans. Genre: Speculative fiction. The Space Crone Prize invites short fiction that speculates about questions about difference and gender. Prize: £1,000 top prize. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Al Blanchard Short Crime Story Award. Genre: Crime short story. 5,000 words maximum, with a New England setting (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island) or by a New England writer. Mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, and horror genres all welcome. Prize: $100. Deadline: April 30, 2023. (?? Website appears to be on the fritz)

The Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest. Genre: Picture book. Prize: $5,000 top prize. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Baen Fantasy Adventure Award. Genre: Adventure fantasy, 8K words max. Prize: Winner will be published as the featured story on the Baen Books main website and paid at industry-standard rates for professional story submittals. The author will also receive a handsome engraved award and a prize package containing $500 of free Baen Books. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Author of Tomorrow. Restrictions: Open to children and youth up to age 21. Genre: Adventure writing. Prize: 11 and Under | 500 words | Prize: £100 plus £150 book tokens for your school; 12-15 years | 1,500 - 5,000 words | Prize: £100 plus £150 book tokens for your school; 16-21 years | 1,500 - 5,000 words. Prize: £1,000. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Claudia Ann Seaman Awards For Young Writers. Restrictions: High school students. Genre: Stories and poems. Prize: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Erbacce-prize for Poetry (UK) Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will be given a publishing contract with erbacce press who will publish a perfect-bound collection of the winner's book. "We will pay all costs including the legal registering of the book and supplying copies to the major libraries. The book will be sold through our sales/shop pages and the poet will be paid 20% royalties." Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth. Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or residents attending junior high or high school. Genre: Poetry. Prize: C$400 in each of two age categories: Junior (grades 7-9) and Senior (grades 10-12). Deadline: April 30, 2023.

Storyhouse. Genre: Nonfiction animal stories. Stories must be true, not semi-fictional accounts. 1000 - 10,000 words in length. Stories must be suitable for children. Prize: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

E-waste Scholarship. Restrictions: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Genre: 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste. Prize: $1000 scholarship. Deadline: April 30, 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: April 30, 2023. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

The Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. Genre: A book-length work of imaginative fiction written by a single author published in the U.S. in English or in translation to English. (In the case of a translated work winning the Prize, the cash prize will be equally divided between author and translator) Publication date between May 1, 2021, and April 30, 2022. Prize: $25,000. Deadline: April 30, 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: April 30, 2023.

Ralph Angel Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: April 30, 2023.

30 Awesome Writing Conferences and Workshops in April 2023

Monterey PICRYL This April there are more than two dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but some will be in-person or hybrid as pandemic restrictions ease. Virtual events still offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

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Rananim online classes Courses run for eight weeks from April through May. "Participants receive personalized feedback on assignments from their instructor, as well as responses from classmates on discussion board forums. All instructors are university professors and/or working professional writers, who have experience teaching at the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference. Classes are limited to 15 students who will engage in conversation with you and your work. Firm deadlines and feedback help keep you writing and improving your work throughout the class." International students accepted. Cost: $400 per class.

Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference. April 1, 2023: NJ. "In addition to our wonderful and diverse keynote speakers, we have a number of editors and agents who will be attending to take pitches as well as some awesome writer and reader workshops!" 

Norwescon. April 6 - 9, 2023: Sea Tac, WA. Norwescon is one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States. 

Authors' Salon at Clockwork Alchemy. April 7 - 9, 2023: San Mateo, California. Clockwork Alchemy is the San Francisco area's own steampunk convention. Originally a part of FanimeCon, Clockwork Alchemy is now its own independent event celebrating music, makers, dancing, writing, crafting, fashion, and fun related to steampunk!

"Writing in Proximity to History" April 7, 14, 21, 28, 3:00-6:00 PM EST. "This workshop will introduce participants to the creative practice of memory work and is designed for those who are just beginning a family or community history project. During our time together, we will journey to sites of our respective pasts, gather fragments and traces we find there, revisit family myths and origin stories, and write into the gaps between memory and history. Each two-hour session will introduce you to the work of other next generation writers and artists, offer creative research exercises and guided writing prompts, and provide a space to write together and workshop your writing with others." NOTE: This is a live online workshop. Registered participants will receive a Zoom link one week in advance of the workshop. Registration closes at noon on March 31, 2023.

Cognitive Dissonance Unlocked: Persona Poems that Give More than Poetry. April 12, 2023, "A common trend when reading poetry is to conflate the poet with the speaker. The easiest way to unlock the cognitive dissonance of hearing a voice that does not match the person it comes from is to view performances of persona poems from established artists who are masters at the task. Some of these literary greats include Airea Dee Matthews and Patricia Smith. In this 90-minute workshop, we will watch performances and discuss not only the feelings evoked by the poems but how the words and images presented conjure ideals for us that do not match the performer of the words." Held via Zoom. Free.

Las Vegas Writer’s Conference April 13 – 15, 2023: Las Vegas, Nevada. Join writing professionals, agents publishers and marketing experts for a weekend of workshops and enlightening discussions about the publishing industry. A chance to pitch your manuscript and ideas to agents. 

The Monterey Writer Retreat in California. April 13 - 17, 2023: Monterey, CA. Participants in the Monterey Writer Retreat will work one-on-one with two of the best literary "closers" in the business: Paula Munier, Michael Neff, and Jennifer Sander combine 60 years of working with aspiring authors and ushering them to publication. They will be available for multiple private consultations from 9 AM to noon and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day of the retreat. Choice of sessions and focus will be up to each individual writer. 

The 2023 Writing Workshop of San Francisco. April 14 - 15, 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." Online format.

Rally of Writers Conference. April 15, 2023. Lansing, Michigan. Michigan authors and educators in 15 breakout sessions and workshops on all aspects of writing, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, the Nuts & Bolts of manuscript submissions, and more. 

Spring in Bloom. April 15, 2023: Chicago, Ill. "The story structure of a romance doesn't get talked about a lot, but structure is just as important in a romance as it is in a mystery or a work of speculative fiction. In this hands-on, example-driven workshop, we'll break down a romance into its essential skeletal blocks and then reconnect the bones to the sinews of the story (plot, character, motivation, etc) to show how all the components work together." In person and via Zoom.
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Emerge with Katey Schultz: A Free Writing Program. April 19 through May 4, 2023, weekdays from 12:00-1:15 pm ET: Online. "Join late, leave early, come to all sessions, come to a few sessions–there’s no wrong way to participate in the two-week EMERGE livewriting sessions. It is free, and everyone is welcome to join."


Nebraska Writers Guild Annual Conference and Writing Retreat. April 20 - 22, 2023: Omaha, NE. Workshops, pitch sessions with an agent and writing sessions followed by evening keynote speakers.

Colrain Classic. April 21 - 24, 2023: Arlington, Vermont. "The Colrain Manuscript Classic is a highly focused, 3.5 day conference designed for poets with manuscripts in progress. The Classic features in-depth pre-conference work and candid, realistic evaluation and feedback from nationally-known poets, editors and publishers. In preparation, participants work at home on pre-conference assignments and then, in the workshop, review, arrange, and winnow their work based on the pre-conference work. In addition to the manuscript preparation workshop and editor sessions, there will be an editorial Q&A, and an after-conference strategy session."

The Creativity Workshop in New York. April 21-24, 2023: New York, New York. "The Creativity Workshops take away the fear of writing and open the way to new ideas. They are especially helpful for writers in fiction, poetry, memoir, theatre and film to get over writing blocks. In our Creativity Workshop Retreats you will generate both new work and ideas for the work you are in the midst of creating. We use many different techniques to help you find your way through the novel, essay, poem, memoir, or script you are writing or hope to write. In The Creativity Workshop you will be doing free writing, writing from guided visualizations, collaborative writing, journaling and memoir work and even some rudimentary drawing, collage and photography." Apply by April 18.

Philadelphia Writing Workshop. April 22, 2023: Philadelphia, PA.  This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Philadelphia Convention Center. 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.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Spring Conference. April 22, 2023: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina. Features intensive workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as publisher exhibits, on-site "lunch with an author" readings, and an open mic. 

Writing in the Pines. April 22, 2023 (in person), Stockton University, Galloway, NJ. Choose from workshops in memoir, poetry and revision. Each workshop will meet for 6 hours and will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, sharing and inspiration. 

Creating Picture Books with Humor and Heart: A Working Retreat. April 23 - 126, 2023: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. With Sunita Apte, Elise Broach and Emily Jenkins.

Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. April 24 - 30, 2023: Hood River, OR. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass. 

Chanticleer Authors Conference. April 27 - 30, 2023: Bellingham, Wash. Sessions with a special focus on the business of being a working writer on topics such as marketing, publicity, platform, sales tools & strategies, publishing, production, distribution, organization, storycraft, editing, and more. 

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference. April 27 -  April 30, 2023: Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The three-day conference is full of topical, in-depth workshops, dynamic keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, plus time to socialize with fellow writers. Will be held in person.

Ozarks Writers League Conference. April 28 - 29, 2023: Branson, MO. The Ozarks Writers League is a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to promoting writing, literacy, photography, and art. Since 1983, OWL has welcomed individuals at all stages of their development. 

Malice Domestic. April 28 - 30, 2023, Bethesda, MD. Malice Domestic™ is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely identified as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore, or violence. 

Poetry at Round Top Festival. April 28 - 30 2023: Round Top, Texas. Featuring: Camille Dungy, Victoria Chang, Pamela Uschuk, Lauren Camp, Cyrus Cassells, Ire’ne Lara Silva, David Meischen. 

Michigan Writers Workshop. April 29, 2023: Detroit, MI. 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. .

Seattle Writers Workshop. April 29, 2023: Seattle, WA. 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. 

San Diego Writing Workshop. April 29, 2023: San Diego, CA. 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. 

Northeast Texas Writers Organization. April 29, 2023, Jefferson, TX. (?) One-day bootcamp. 

Austin SCBWI 2023 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference. April 29 -  30, 2023: Austin, TX. Conference on children's books with keynotes; general sessions; breakout sessions for writing, professional development and illustration; intensives for novels, picture books and illustration; critiques; pitches and more. Will be held in person.

Random House Opens to LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC Writers - No agent required

From the website:

Random House Canada is excited to open our submission policy exclusively to LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC writers, as well as those from other traditionally underrepresented communities. Effective immediately, unsolicited and unagented work can be sent directly to our editors within the RHC division at randomhousecanadasubmissions@penguinrandomhouse.com. 

Our hope is that this will go a small way toward removing some of the barriers that have existed for writers developing their craft outside of traditional avenues of literary exposure.

The submissions inbox is open to writers from anywhere.

What We’re Looking For

In particular, our editors are looking for high quality commercial fiction in the following genres: literary, romance, speculative fiction, historical fiction, and mystery. Please note that we do not currently accept screenplays, stage plays, young adult fiction, children’s fiction, or picture book queries. All non-fiction submissions must be submitted via a literary agent.

For a full manuscript, there are no strict restrictions on length. As a guideline, fiction manuscripts often fall between 70,000 and 100,000 words (or up to 120,000 words for speculative fiction).

The submissions inbox is open year-round. Work can be submitted to randomhousescanadasubmissions@penguinrandomhouse.com at any time.

For full submission requirements, click HERE. 

9 New Agents Seeking Cookbooks, Kidlit, Nonfiction, YA, Literary and Genre Fiction, Memoir and more

Danielle Matta Here are nine 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.

All of these agents work for established agencies with good track records. They are looking for everything from cookbooks to thrillers. 

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. Danielle Matta of Robin Straus Agency, Inc 

Danielle Matta is a Junior Agent at the Robin Straus Agency. She graduated from NYU with a BA in English, specializing in Creative Writing and Post-Colonial Literature, and joined RSA in May of 2020 after her internships at McIntosh & Otis and Writers House. Although Danielle has lived in NYC since 2015, she grew up in Virginia, and therefore has a life-long love for farmers markets, cornbread, and green spaces.

What she is seeking: She gravitates towards inclusive fiction and non-fiction with distinct, lyrical storytelling and—being first-generation herself—underrepresented voices of diasporic and immigrant communities. She also loves an unorthodox ghost story or psychological thriller. 

How to submit: Please follow the agency guidelines here. 

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Ms. Erika Stevens of Salky Literary Management 

Erika Stevens (she/hers) has acquired, edited, and developed the work of a wide range of authors over the course of two decades in publishing. She recently wrapped up twelve years with indie Coffee House Press, finishing her time there as editorial director. She began her career at academic presses, including Duke, UNC, and UGA Presses. Authors whose work she has shepherded include Eloisa Amezcua, Allison Adelle Hedge Coke, Kyle Dargan, Latasha N. Nevada Diggs, Saeed Jones, Eugene Lim, Dawn Lundy Martin, Bao Phi, Justin Phillip Reed, Natasha Trethewey, Anne Waldman, Karen Tei Yamashita, and many others. Her authors have been awarded or named finalists for the National Book Award, the Hurston Wright Award, the Kingsley and Kate Tufts Award, the PEN/Osterweil Award, the Whiting Award, the Pulitzer Prize, the Kate Tufts Award, the NBCC Award, the Lambda Awards, and others.

What she is seeking: She is looking for projects that excite, invigorate, and surprise in the genres of poetry, literary nonfiction/essay, literary and experimental fiction, hybrid work, translation, criticism, music writing (à la Ellen Willis), and food writing/cookbooks (à la Vertamae Smart-Grosvenor and MFK Fisher). In the realm of children’s literature, she’s looking for picture books and books for early readers that speak to children with gender-expansive identities and families.

How to submit: Use her query manager HERE.  

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Ms. Elise Howard of DeFiore and Company 

Prior to joining DeFiore & Company, Elise Howard was the founding publisher of Algonquin Young Readers, an imprint of Workman Publishing, which she led from 2011 to 2022. Elise was previously SVP and associate publisher at HarperCollins Children's Books, where she oversaw the publication of many award-winning and bestselling books. Some of the authors she has worked with include Masuma Ahuja, Avi, Tracey Baptiste, Kelly Barnhill, Sara Farizan, Neil Gaiman, Kelly Jensen, and Nova Ren Suma. Books she has edited have won the Newbery Medal twice, the Edgar Allen Poe Award for best juvenile novel twice, and many other awards and honors. She began her career as a book packager, conceiving, selling to publishers, and developing juvenile and adult fiction and non-fiction projects.

What she is seeking: Elise is generally not looking for genre fiction, but she may take on a book with a great love story at its heart or one with elements of fantasy. She is looking for a twisty, well-done mystery, especially if it features a great new sleuth with many stories to tell. She’s also eager to represent eye-opening narrative non-fiction, particularly stories of the natural world, visible or invisible, including the human mind and body, or of people and events previously unknown or overlooked.

How to submit: Please email queryelise@defliterary.com with the title of your work and its category (e.g., adult n.f., middle-grade fiction) in the subject line. Please include in the body of your email:
• A brief, compelling description introducing your book.
• A paragraph (not more!) about you, relevant to your submission.
• For non-fiction, a concise synopsis that compels me to read on and the opening chapter.
• For fiction, the opening chapter.
• For graphic novels, the first chapter or the first twenty-five pages.
• For picture books, the full manuscript.
No attachments, please. Submissions that include them won’t be opened.
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Ms. Christie Megill of The CAT Agency  

Christie Megill joined The CAT Agency in 2022 after interning with Writers House, Triada US, and Cardinal Rule Press. She’s overjoyed to be working with artists and children’s book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. Christie comes from a background in elementary education and before pursuing education, she previously worked as an editorial assistant at an academic press in New York City, as a volunteer at the Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo, and as a bookseller at the bygone Borders Books and Music in Columbus Circle. She holds a BA in English Literature from Fordham University. Born and raised in Connecticut, she now considers New York City her forever home. 

What she is seeking: Christie Megill: is eager to work with illustrators, author/illustrators, and picture book authors, offering long-term support in their careers and creative journeys. Please send her: children’s illustration portfolios, picture book dummies, picture book manuscripts, children’s graphic novel pitches, and the select chapter book project. While her taste is broad, she’s especially excited to find fresh stories and artwork from voices that have previously been underrepresented.

How to submit: 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. 

Please submit to SUBMISSIONS@CATAGENCYINC.COM & let us know who you are submitting to in the subject line!
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Ms. Lola Bellier of Creative Artists Agency

A graduate of New York University, Lola is building her list, focusing on upmarket and commercial fiction, speculative fiction, and young adult and middle grade across all genres. She will occasionally consider nonfiction, especially in the pop science and pop culture arenas, as well as select memoirs.

Lola is drawn to narratives that explore larger truths within unique settings. She loves an element of surprise and is fond of stories with a touch of speculative, magical realism, or something that’s just a little off. General themes she gravitates towards are family dynamics, complex friendships, and reflections on one’s place in the world.

For Young Adult and Middle Grade, Lola is drawn to opinionated characters whose journeys force them, and the reader, to rethink what they thought they knew.

How to submit: Use the agency's submission form here.

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Mr. Gideon Pine of InkWell Management


Gideon Pine has a B.A in Political Science from Indiana University. Prior to working in publishing, he worked in commercial production and advertising.

What he is seeking: Gideon is primarily interested representing nonfiction, with a focus on big idea books, unknown histories, and anything sports related. On the fiction side, thrillers and romance novels are always welcome.

How to submit: Queries should be emailed to: submissions [at] inkwellmanagement [dot] com

You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line of your query or address your query to the agency at large. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters).

________________________

Ms. Aliza Hoover of The CAT Agency 

Aliza began her Publishing career at Candlewick Press, where she spearheaded & coordinated illustrator searches and negotiated illustrator contracts. With a degree in Classics and a background in visual art, she is passionate about storytelling and the magical place where words and images collide. She is incredibly grateful to have joined the CAT Agency family, and excited to support artists & creators in bringing stories into the world.

What she is seeking: Aliza represents illustrators and author-illustrators. She is looking for visual storytellers with distinctive, unique portfolios that will stand out in a crowded market. She is drawn to work that showcases expressive characters, timeless palettes, and atmospheric scenes. She will happily review your comics, book cover designs, and picture book dummies.
​
Aliza believes in a world where all young people can see themselves reflected in children’s books. She is particularly interested in illustrators from diverse backgrounds and portfolios that depict diverse characters and experiences.

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


Ms. Maria Brannan of Greyhound Literary (UK)Maria handles translation rights on behalf of Greyhound Literary's clients and is building her own list of authors. She previously spent over five years working as a literary scout at Maria B. Campbell Associates in London, where she advised international publishers in over 12 countries on the adult and children's publishing market, and scouted multiple books for their film/tv client, Netflix.

What she is seeking: Maria has very wide ranging tastes in fiction and is interested in writing for adult, new adult/crossover and YA readers.

She loves character-driven novels with a commercial bent that spark imagination or discussion. In particular she has a passion for genre fiction - especially fantasy with memorable characters and great world-building (Six of Crows, The First Law trilogy, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries); horror with a unique concept or perspective (Into the Drowning Deep, The Only Good Indians); and softer, genre-crossing science fiction (The After Wife, Station Eleven). She is also keen on voice-led and emotive reading group fiction (Boy Swallows Universe, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot); love stories and rom-coms that make you fall for both of leads (Frederica, The Love Hypothesis); unnerving, twisty crime writing (The Whisper Man, She Lies in Wait); thrillers with a great hook (The Last House on Needless Street, The Silent Patient) and anything with a high concept or speculative edge (The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Tell Me an Ending).

Some of her old and new favourite authors include: Olivie Blake, Chloe Gong, Sabaa Tahir, Patrick Ness, Garth Nix, Erin Morganstern, Tamora Pierce, Joe Abercrombie, Scott Lynch, Alex North, S J Bolton, Alex Pavesi, Stuart Turton, Trent Dalton, Jo Harkin, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sara Jafari, Kiley Reid, Bonnie Garmus, Jodi Picoult, Jenny Han, Ali Hazelwood, Beth O'Leary, Georgette Heyer, Thomas Olde Heuvelt, Stephen Graham Jones, and Mira Grant.

​How to submit: Read submissions guidelines here. Note: "If you are based in an English-speaking country outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland in which there are well-established literary agencies, we would expect you to have a convincing reason for wanting to be represented by an agency in the UK."
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Ms. Daniele Hunter of McIntosh & Otis, Inc. 

I’m a queer, chronically ill, disabled junior agent at McIntosh & Otis Literary Agency, and my pronouns are she/her. I have a B.A. in English from Drew University, with concentrations in literary criticism, creative writing, and poetry. I’m a member of the AALA and serve on their DEI committee through Literary Agents of Change, too!

What she is seeking: I’m looking for (in order of priority) young adult, middle grade, and picture books.


How to submit: Use her query manager here.

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.

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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."