Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 27

6 New Literary Agents Seeking Thriller, Science Fiction, Horror, Psychology, Memoir, True Crime, Narrative Nonfiction and more

Here are six new literary agents seeking clients. Tom Drake Lee is looking for commercial literary and genre fiction which tells stories and illuminates the human condition; fiction which has compelling plot, narrative and characters as well as non-fiction which tells us more about the world around us; nature writing, popular science, history and memoir. 
Mia Vitale wants fiction as well as cultural criticism, humor, pop culture, identity (with a particular interest in multi-racial identity), urban environments, reportage, and memoir. Charlotte Gillies gravitates towards works that explore interpersonal relationships and questions of existentialism through a comedic lens. 

Jared Johnson is interested in science fiction, fantasy (high, historical, or contemporary), magical realism, mystery, and thriller.  In nonfiction, he is looking for narrative-driven books, and accessible scholarship that engages with current social issues. 

Shannon is interested in both fiction and nonfiction in all categories of children’s literature, from picture books to young adult, and she especially welcomes underrepresented perspectives.  Katherine Odom-Tomchin is seeking Thriller, Science Fiction, Horror, Psychology, Memoir, True Crime, Narrative Nonfiction, Science, LGBTQIA+, Underrepresented Voices.

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 two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.
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You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Mr. Tom Drake Lee of DHH Literary (UK)

Tom graduated in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of Nottingham, after which he spent some time managing bookshops before moving into publishing as a sales representative for Bloomsbury and then PenguinRandomHouse. He was the sales director at Vintage for twelve years, where he worked with some brilliant prize winning and commercial authors including established writers such as Margaret Atwood, Rose Tremain, Julian Barnes, Anne Enright, Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison, Michael Ondaatje, Ian McEwan and Nigella Lawson. Tom also helped establish the commercial success of Yuval Harari, Ocean Vuong, Edmund De Waal, Helen Macdonald, Ottessa Moshfegh, Richard Flanagan, Neel Mukherjee, Jo Nesbo, Abir Mukherjee, Merlin Sheldrake and Rukmini Iyer. Inspired by his work with agents and authors, in 2021 Tom “crossed over” and joined DHH as an Associate Agent and is starting to build a client list across fiction and non-fiction.
What he is seeking: Tom is looking for commercial literary and genre fiction which tells stories and illuminates the human condition; fiction which has compelling plot, narrative and characters. Tom is looking for non-fiction which tells us more about the world around us; nature writing, popular science, history and memoir.
How to submit: Please email a one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters of your book, to tdl.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com
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Ms. Mia Vitale of Park & Fine Literary and Media 

Originally from Chicago, Mia Vitale is a graduate of Harvard University and the Columbia Publishing Course. She was previously at The Wylie Agency. Mia works alongside John Maas and Sarah Passick to bring big ideas and big voices to the page. She is equally enthusiastic about literary fiction and narrative nonfiction.
What she is seeking: In fiction, she loves character driven stories, stories that play with form, and dialogue-heavy narratives. In narrative nonfiction, she loves propulsive stories that get at the heart of specific issues, communities, histories, or individuals. She is also interested in books about platonic female relationships, cultural criticism, humor, pop culture, identity (with a particular interest in multi-racial identity), urban environments, reportage, and memoir. She’s particularly compelled by both fiction and nonfiction that explores how we communicate (or fail to do so). She is especially passionate about finding new voices from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

How to submit: Send your query letter and accompanying material to queries@parkfine.com. All materials must be in the body of the email. For fiction submissions, please include a query letter and approximately the first 25 pages of your work. For non-fiction submissions, please send a query letter.

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Ms. Charlotte Gillies of Park & Fine Literary and Media 


Charlotte works alongside Theresa Park, supporting authors of principally bestselling commercial fiction as well as a short list of serious nonfiction. Prior to joining Park & Fine Literary and Media, Charlotte worked in television development at WarnerMedia. Charlotte holds a B.A. in Literature and Media Studies from Hunter College and currently resides in Brooklyn.
 
What she is seeking: She has a passion for storytelling in all its forms and gravitates towards works that explore interpersonal relationships and questions of existentialism through a comedic lens. She enjoys bold, character driven narratives, particularly from female perspectives, and always stays on top of the latest in TV, film, and pop culture.

How to submit: Send your query letter and accompanying material to queries@parkfine.com. All materials must be in the body of the email. For fiction submissions, please include a query letter and approximately the first 25 pages of your work. For non-fiction submissions, please send a query letter.

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Mr. Jared Johnson of Olswanger Literary

Jared is a recovering academic. After several years of academic research in the humanities and teaching writing and history, he turned his efforts toward pursuing a career in publishing. In 2021 he joined Olswanger Literary as a Literary Associate.

What he is seeking: "I am interested in science fiction, fantasy (high, historical, or contemporary), magical realism, mystery, and thriller.  In nonfiction, I am looking for narrative-driven books, and I am drawn to accessible scholarship that engages with current social issues. In particular, I am interested in works that challenge long-held cultural narratives." 

How to submit: Please direct queries to jared@olswangerliterary.com. If you are querying for fiction, send your query letter in the body of the email and the first 25 pages of your book as an attached document. If you are querying for nonfiction, please send your query letter in the body and book proposal as an attached document. In your subject line, please include the title of your book and its category and genre.

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Ms. Shannon Gallagher of Wernick & Pratt Agency 

Shannon Gallagher spent more than twelve years in the marketing departments at various adult trade publishers, including Rodale, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. After moving from Brooklyn to upstate New York, she spent several years as a book reviewer and copywriter. When she saw an opening at Wernick & Pratt, she was intrigued at the thought of learning about both literary agencies and children’s literature, two facets of publishing she had not yet had the opportunity to explore. After two years learning as much as she possibly could from the accomplished, dedicated agents here, Shannon was thrilled to become an Associate Agent, where she could utilize her marketing experience -– getting the right information to the right people –- to better identify, encourage, and promote authors and illustrators.  A graduate of Bryn Mawr College (go, Seven Sisters!), Shannon lives with her husband and daughter in the beautiful Hudson Valley.

What she is seeking: Shannon is interested in both fiction and nonfiction in all categories of children’s literature, from picture books to young adult, and she especially welcomes underrepresented perspectives.  

How to submit: Please send all submissions to submissions@wernickpratt.com. Read their guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Katherine Odom-Tomchin of Folio Literary Management 

Kat is Folio’s Audio Rights Director, and she works hard to strategically place the agency’s audio rights with the most effective audio publishers possible. She also acts as a subagent for BenBella, an independent publishing house based in Dallas, TX known for publishing a range of nonfiction titles, and places audio rights for the storied authors of Harold Ober Associates and Emma Sweeney Agency.

What she is seeking: Thriller, Science Fiction, Horror, Psychology, Memoir, True Crime, Narrative Nonfiction, Science, LGBTQIA+, Underrepresented Voices.

How to submit: Please send your query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript (pasted in the body of your email) to ktomchin@foliolitmanagement.com. Include "query" and the title of your project in the subject line. If you don’t hear back within thirty days, consider it a pass.

62 Calls for Submissions in July 2021 - Paying markets

Sand sculpture by Japanese artist Toshihiko Hosaka This July there are more than five dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

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

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

Happy submitting!
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Flash Point Science Fiction. Genre: Speculative fiction stories from 100 to 1,000 words in length. "Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short." Payment: $15. Deadline: Opens July 1.

Antimony and Elder Lace Press: Stonewall Detective Tales. Genre: Thriller/Mystery. Word Count: 1,000-7,500 words. “One or more of your MAIN characters (protagonist, antagonist, major supporting character) must identify as a member of the LGBTQiA communities. They can be open, closeted, somewhere between, flamboyant, a teddy bear, troll, etc. We just need to make sure that a reader can recognize, and identify the character as such. We are not looking for stereotypical caricatures. We are looking for reality.” Payment: $0.01 per word and a percentage of royalties. Payment made upon publication. Deadline: July 1, 2021.


Thema: Watch the Birdie! Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Watch the Birdie!  Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: July 1, 2021.  Accepts reprints.

ArabLit Quarterly. Genre: Fiction,poetry, and nonfiction translated from Arabic on theme of Football. No, not the American kind. Payment: $15/page. Deadline: Pitches due July 1, 2021.

The Zodiac Killers Series. Genre: Thriller. Length: 5000-10,000 words, excluding title. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

Curiouser. Genre: Poetry and short fiction up to 5,000 words. "Stories that excite, that break the boundary between real and unreal. Experimentation and surreal ways of looking at the world we live in will be looked upon fondly. Horror, magic realism, speculative fiction and streams of consciousness are welcome." Payment: $25-40 per poem, and from $50-140 for short prose (all dollar amounts are Australian). International authors get reduced payment. Deadline: July 1, 2021.


Constelación is a quarterly speculative fiction bilingual magazine, publishing stories in both Spanish and English. Writers can submit their stories in either language. Fifty percent of the stories we publish in every issue will be from authors from the Caribbean, Latin America, and their diaspora. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: July 1, 2021. See themes.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: July 2, 2021.

The Periodical, Forlorn: Mythos Reborn. Genre: "Stories that give us a unique take on mythological figures and characters from all the cultures of the world. Retell a classic tale from a minor character's perspective. Reintroduce us to a story lost to the ages. Or invent your own mythology." Payment: $15. Deadline: July 2, 2021.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Seasonal Holiday submissions // Special Events Podcast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length (yes, including flash!). For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: July 3, 2021.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of “Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk.” Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: July 3, 2021.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of CREATOR / EXPLORER. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: July 4, 2021. See accepted genres.

Buckmxn Story Service is a snail-mail subscription of ten short stories, with one story delivered each week via the United States Postal Service. Genre: Fiction and CNF up to 5,000 words. Payment: $120. Deadline: July 4, 2021.

Space and Time. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk, magical realism. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: July 4, 2021.

Vesper: Night Sky. Genre: Poetic prose (up to 1,500 words) or poetry (up to 50 verses) on the theme of Night. Payment: €40/piece and a complimentary copy of the issue. Deadline: July 5, 2021.

Fairy Tale Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art. See themes. Payment: $50. Deadline: July 6, 2021.


Scum. Genre: Feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 2000 words (50 lines for poetry, max. 3 poems) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. Payment: $60 AUD. Deadline: July 7, 2021.  Opens to submissions on July 1.

Fantasy Magazine. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, poetry. Payment: 8 cents per word for original short stories and flash fiction. $40 per poem. Deadline: July 7, 2021. Opens to submissions on July 1.

Epoch Press. Genre: Poetry, art, CNF. Theme: Transition. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: July 8, 2021.

Dark Dispatch. Genre: Dark fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and crime short stories on theme: Deadly Love. Payment: $10 - $50 depending on length. (2 sentences - 5,000 words.) Deadline: July 9, 2021.

Unsettling Reads. Genre:  Crime, Mystery, Noir, Suspense, and/or Thriller genres (and their associated sub-genres) on theme of Autumn. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 11, 2021.

midnight & indigo. Restrictions: Open to Black women writers. Genre: Horror and speculative fiction. Payment: $50 - $75. Deadline: July 11, 2021.


Elevator Stories. Genre: Fiction, CNF, memoir, or personal essay that is 3000 words or less and follows the theme Pride. Bravery, pride, and the magnificent self. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 11, 2021. 

Shoreline of Infinity. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy. Disabled and/or neurodivergent  writers only. Payment: £10/1000 words. Deadline: July 13, 2021.

Dose of Dread. Genre: General horror flash fiction. Preference for dread-inducing stories. Length: 500 - 1,000 words. Payment: $10. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Liquid Imagination: Silver Pen. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry. Payment: $3 - $8. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Writer Shed Press. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, personal essays, and poetry that is directly or loosely linked to the theme of SECOND THOUGHTS. All prose should be no more than 2000 words. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 15, 2021.


Thuya Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: "Nominal." Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Jaggery, a DesiLit arts and literature journal, "connects South Asian diasporic writers and homeland writers; we also welcome non-South Asians with a deep and thoughtful connection to South Asian countries, who bring their own intersecting perspectives to the conversation. (By South Asia we mean Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka." Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art, reviews. Payment: $100 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction/poetry/art/reviews. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

LUPERCALIA press will showcase art and writing by trans and queer creators that focuses on themes of transgender and queer sex/sexuality/excess/celebration. "We do not have any strict definition of how trans or queer manifests in your personal identity, nor do we want to be gatekeepers. If you say you are trans or queer, we believe and accept that in you." Genre: Fiction, poetry, chapbooks, visual art. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Inclusive Future Magazine. Restrictions: Open to trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer artists and writers. Genre: Speculative prose, poetry, and art in the guise of a pop culture  magazine from the future. While your submission does not have to be about gender, it definitely needs to contain elements that make it gender-inclusive. Payment: Prose: 8¢ (USD) a word with a minimum payment of $25 per contributor for previously unpublished prose and 4¢ a word with a minimum payment of $10 per contributor for reprints. Poetry: $1 (USD) a line for previously unpublished poems and 50¢ per line for a reprint, with a minimum payment of $25. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Mythulu: Horror vs Hemophobia. Genre: Short stories, nonfiction, art, comics. "This issue explores the ethics of gore in literature. Bring your fighting words and debate either side." Payment: 4-8 cents per word. Deadline: July 15, 2021. Pitches only.

The Cellar Door: Woodland Terrors. Genre: Horror/thriller stories that take place in or near the woods. Payment: $25. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Eerie River Publishing. Genre: Novels, novellas and potential novella series in horror. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 16, 2021.


Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror) and literary fiction. Payment: $80. Deadline: July 21, 2021.

Poetry Wales. Genre: Poetry, reviews, articles. "We are open to poems on all themes, but we would be interested to see poems about Imagined Futures. 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: July 21, 2021.

khōréō. Restrictions: Open to writers who identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. "This includes, but is not limited to, first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, persons who identify with one or more diaspora communities, persons who have been displaced or whose heritage has been erased due to colonialism/imperialism, transnational/transracial adoptees, and anyone whose heritage and history includes ‘here and elsewhere’. We especially encourage BIPOC creators who identify as the above to submit their work." Genre: stories, essays, and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. Payment: 0.08/word for fiction, $100 for nonfiction, and  $40-300 for art. Deadline: July 30, 2021.

Wizards in Space. Genre: Poetry, prose, art on theme: bridges & barriers. Payment: $40 per original poem or per page of original art; $20 per reprinted poem or per page of reprinted art; $0.04 per word for original prose, based on final published word count; $0.02 per word for reprinted prose, based on final published word count. Deadline: July 30, 2021. Accepts reprints.
 
Tales from the Moonlit Path. Genre: Dark, eerie, speculative stories. Payment: $10. Deadline: July 27, 2021.


Eerie River Publishing: Of Fire and Stars. Genre: LGBTQ+ Dark Fantasy anthology. Theme: Encounters with the fae world and its creatures. Payment: Up to 3000 words $10.00; Up to 5000 words $15.00; Above 5001 words $20.00. Deadline: July 30, 2021.

Dragon Soul Press: All Dark Places. Genre: Horror. "In a world where so many dark things go bump in the night, terror awaits around every corner as these authors take horror stories to the next level." Word Count – 5,000-15,000. Payment:  Royalties. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

EX/POST. Genre: Poetry, prose, drama, art, essays. Payment: "Modest honorarium." Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

New Myths. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy. Payment: 1.5 cents/word with a minimum payment of $30 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Book reviews - $30. Art - $60. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Short Fiction: The Visual Literary Journal. Restrictions: They accept submissions from the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and every other country except for the United States of America. Genre: Short fiction between 500 and 5,000 words. Payment: 2p (£0.02) per word, to the nearest 100 words, with a minimum of £30 and maximum £100. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Room Magazine: Ancestors Issue. Restrictions: Room publishes fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art by folks of marginalized genders, including but not limited to women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people. Genre: Original short stories, poems, creative non-fiction, or art on theme of Ancestors. Payment: $50 (CAD) Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Mythaxis. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Timeworn. Genre: Historical fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.  Opens July 1.

Hiraeth Books: parABnormal Magazine. Genre: Stories, poetry, nonfiction about the paranormal.  Payment: $25 for fiction, $20 for articles, $7 for reviews, $6 per poem. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Jolly Horror Press: Executive Dread. Genre: Stories of workplace horror. Payment: $.005 per word. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Mythic. Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy fiction. Payment: 4 cents/word. Deadline: July 31, 2021.


Monsters, Monsters, Monsters. Genre: Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Red Cape Anthologies: K is for Kidnap. Genre: Horror. "Being kidnapped must be a pretty terrifying ordeal – we’re looking for stories that convey that feeling of terror but we’re also looking for diversity. Think about who is being taken and by whom, are the kidnappers even human?" Payment:  £10. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

FIYAH. Genre: Speculative fiction, art, and poetry about African Diaspora. Length: Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Payment: $150 per story. $50 per poem. $300 per novelette. Deadline: July 31st, 2021. See themes.

Aurealis. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words. Deadline: July 31st, 2021.

Arc Poetry Magazine. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $50 per page. Deadline: July 31, 2021. 

Ceci n’est pas une histoire d’horreur (This is Not a Horror Story) Genre: Horror stories inspired and influenced by the transgressive fiction. Payment: £15. Deadline: July 31, 2021. (Open until filled)

The Rumpus. Genre: Fiction  poetry. "We strive to be a platform for marginalized voices and writing that might not find a home elsewhere, and to lift up new voices alongside those of more established writers we love. We work to shine a light on stories that build bridges, tear down walls, and speak truth to power." Payment: $300 divided among all contributors. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Nonbinary Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and flash, up to 3000 words on theme of Prohibition. Payment: For prose, 1¢ US per word, and $10 US per poem. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Antifa Splatterpunk Anthology. Genre: Anti-fascist splatterpunk stories. "In addition to pure splatterpunk, I’m also open to extreme horror with weird, bizarro, historical, or science fiction elements. Just keep it anti-fascist." Payment: $100. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

the other side of hope. Genre: Fiction and poetry by refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants only. They accept non-fiction, reviews, and interview submissions by anyone as long as the subject matter sheds light on the refugee and immigrant life. Payment: £100 per published author in the print issue, and £50 per published author in the online issue. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Volney Road Review. Genres: Fiction, poetry, CNF, art. Payment: $10. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

VQR. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, personal essays, literary criticism, reporting. Payment: For poetry, $200 per poem, up to 4 poems; for a suite of 5 or more poems, $1,000. For short fiction, $1,000 and above. For other prose, such as personal essays and literary criticism, $1,000 and above, at approximately 25 cents per word, depending on length. Note: Genre fiction is not accepted. Deadline: July 31, 2021. Opens July 1.


And a few more...

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction on Theme of EVERYMAN / JESTER. Payment: $10 via PayPal for each story published in an Anthology. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

The First Line. Genres: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.)   Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

We'Moon Lunar Calendar. Restrictions: Open to women only. Genre: Art, poetry and prose, 350 words maximum. Payment: Small honorarium. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

Best Indie Speculative Fiction. Genre: Previously published speculative fiction, between January 1 2019 and December 31st 2020. This project only considers previous-published stories that are either self-published or published with a small press. Length: Up to 20,000 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

The Zodiac Killers Series. Genre: Thriller. Length: 5000-10,000 words, excluding title. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

Mudroom. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays, and essays in translation. Payment: $15. Deadline: August 1, 2021.

40 Writing Contests in July 2021 - No entry fees

Pikist This July there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. 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 is past, you can prepare for next year.
Good luck! ___________________
Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. Book must be author's first full-length book of poetry, published between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Self-published books are accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: July 1, 2021.
Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted. Prize: $100,000. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

Victoria Literary Festival Short Story Contest: Ghost Writer. Genre: Short stories of at least 1,400 words. The theme is ‘Ghost Writer’. Prize: CAD350; CAD50 each for runners-up. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

Richard J. Margolis Award. Genre: Journalism. Prize is awarded annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. Prize: $5,000 and one month of residency at Blue Mountain Center. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

James Berry Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to poets of colour, who are UK residents (permanently reside in the UK: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man) who have not yet published a book-length collection, with special consideration given to LGBTQ+/disabled poets and poets from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 3 equal winners each receive £1,000 prize, expert mentoring & debut collection published with Bloodaxe Books. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

1455’s Third Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Writers aged 13-19. Genre: Poetry. The theme for this year’s contest is “Finding Community During Crisis,” and the work should be a reflection on or reaction to the contemporary sociopolitical and cultural environment  (including but not limited to #BLM, #MeToo, COVID, etc.). Prize: $5,000. Deadline: July 1, 2021.Lewis CarrollSociety Ellis S. Hillman Award. Genre: Write a ‘missing’ chapter for either Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or Through the Looking-Glass. You can create new characters or re-use existing characters; create new scenarios or use an existing scenario and follow on. Prize: Three prizes of £100 each for three separate age groups – up to 16 yrs old, 16-20, over 20 yrs. Entries to be between 500 to 2000 words, depending on age. Deadline: July 3, 2021.

She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP). Restrictions: Open to woman of color (people whose heritage is African, Indigenous to the Americas, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Arab, or people of mixed racial heritage with one or two parents who fit into the above groups). Trans/non-binary or genderqueer women welcome! Genre: Full-length fiction and nonfiction.  Prize: The STEP winners will receive a publishing deal to publish on either She Writes Press or SparkPress, which will be determined by the publisher based on genre and writing style. Both include the full services of the She Writes Press and SparkPress Publishing Package (each valued at $7500). Deadline: July 5, 2021. 

Stone Canoe. Restrictions: Open to people who live or have lived in Upstate New York (not New York City). Genres: Drama, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: July 8, 2021 for poetry - July 22, 2021 for fiction, nonfiction and drama. 

John Glassco Translation Prize. Sponsored by Literary Translators' Association of Canada.  Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents only. Genre: The work submitted must be the translator's first published book-length translation into English or French. The book must have been published between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018. Prize: $1000. Deadline: July 9, 2021.

The Margaret and Reg Turnill Competition. Restrictions: Writers must be 21 or under on July 5. (Those over 21 can enter for a fee.) Genre: Short story on theme of "Mask." Length: 1,500 to 5,000 words. Prize: £1,000 and publication in the annual HG Wells Short Story Competition Anthology.  Deadline: July 12, 2021.

Cemetery Gates Society Contest. Genre: Horror flash fiction. Length: 500 - 1500 words. Prize: $50. Deadline: July 12, 2021.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. Restrictions: Books must be English-language, first-edition trade books published by a Canadian press, written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Titles must be published between May 19, 2021 and September 30, 2021. Genre: Literary nonfiction including, among other forms, works of personal or journalistic essays, memoirs, commentary, criticism both social and political, history, and biography. Prize: Winner: $60,000; Finalists: $5,000. Deadline: July 14, 2021.

Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awards. Restrictions: Scottish writers over 18 years of age. Genres: The awards are divided into three different categories.: Fiction and Narrative Non-fiction in English and Scots, Poetry in English and Scots, Children’s and Young Adult Fiction in English and Scots. Prize: £2,000 and personal development opportunities, which can include mentoring from writers and industry professionals. Training in PR, performance and presentation training, and the opportunity to showcase work to publishers and agents. Deadline: July 14, 2021 (midday).

Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $25,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between May 19, 2021 and September 30, 2021. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: July 14, 2021.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Genre: Novel or short story collection. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to the novel or short story collection published between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Deadline: July 14, 2021.

Langdon Review Writer-in-Residence Program. This is a two-week residency at Texas-based Tarleton State University, providing an opportunity to present at the Langdon Review Weekend festival, and publication in the school's Langdon Review journal. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Helen Schaible Shakespearean/Petrarchan Sonnet Contest. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $50, 2nd Prize $35, 3rd Prize $15, three Honorable Mentions, three Special Recognitions. Deadline: July 15, 2021.

Boardman Tasker Prize. Restrictions: The prize will be awarded for a work first published or distributed in the United Kingdom between July 15th 2020 and 17th July 2021. Genre: Books with a mountain, not necessarily mountaineering, theme whether fiction, non-fiction, drama or poetry, written in the English language. Prize: £3,000.00. Deadline: July 17, 2021.

Donn Goodwin and Joseph Gahagen Poetry Prizes: Milwaukee Irish Fest. Genre: Poetry. Entries should have a culture/literary relation to either Ireland, Irish-America, or to Irish poetry. Prize: $100.  Deadline: July 17, 2021.

Undiscovered Voices. Restrictions: Current members of SCBWI who live in the UK or one of the current countries of the EU or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. Genre: Opening of an already completed novel for children, aimed at any age from 5 years through to Young Adult. You may submit up to 4,000 words – choosing a suitable place to stop your extract. Prize: Publication.  Deadline: July 18, 2021.

Eerie River Publishing. Genre: Horror on theme of Dark Witch. Prize: ¢.5 per word CAD (half a cent), with a max of $15 plus a one-time royalty bonus payment based on six months of sales. Deadline: July 25, 2021.

No Contact Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: July 26, 2021.

Ann Petry Award. Restrictions: Open to Black authors. Genre: Previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: July 30, 2021.

Academy Press: Poetry Chapbook Contest. Genre: Poetry chapbook. Prize: Royalties. Deadline: July 30, 2021.
The Governor General’s Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written, translated or illustrated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Genre: Best English-language and the best French-language book will be chosen in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustrated books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $1,000 - $25,000. Deadline: Nominations by publishers for books in English must reach the Canada Council no later than July 31, 2021.

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction or essay on theme of Staycation. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Arablit Story Prize. Genre: Short story translated from Arabic. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Polar Expressions Publications Short Story and Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to Canadians only. Genre: Short story, poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Landfall Essay Competition. Restrictions: Open to New Zealand writers. Genre: Essay about New Zealand. Prize: The winner will receive $3000 and a year’s subscription to Landfall. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. Restrictions: Open to young poets age 11 - 17. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Publication. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

SLF Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds Grants. Restrictions: Open to writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. -- those whose marginalized identities may present additional obstacles in the writing / publishing process. Genres: Book-length works (novels, collections of short stories) of speculative fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Lee & Low Books New Voices Award is sponsored by Lee &Low Publishers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published. Genre: Children's books - fiction, nonfiction or poetry. Prize: $1,000 and publication. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Platt Family Scholarship Prize Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to students who are FULL TIME, undergraduate students in an AMERICAN COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY during the Spring 2021 semester. Genre: Essay on topic: What Would Lincoln Do? "2021 marks the 150th anniversary of the Ku Klux Klan Act, a major milestone in the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Examining Lincoln's 1863 Louisiana plan along with other evidence, would Reconstruction have been any different if Lincoln had not been assassinated? If so, how?" Prize: 1st Prize $1500 | 2nd Prize $750 | 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Storytwigs micro-writing competition. Restrictions: Open to citizens/residents of United States or Canada. You must be 18 years or older to enter. Genre: Short prose 100 words or fewer on prompt. Prize: From $10 to $100. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

The John Byrne Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Scotland. Genre: A piece of creative work on a chosen theme or value (written work must be no more than 15,000 words in length). Prize:  £7500. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Biopage. Genre: Personal essays about the pandemic. Prizes: Up to $1000. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

2021 RCWMS Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to women and trans women18 years of age and older. Genre: Nonfiction essays of 1,200 words or less.” Essays should focus on the theme of identity and belonging. Oppressive systems and structures seek to prevent us from living into the complexities of our identities and lived experiences. How do you know when you are showing up as your full self and experiencing true belonging?” Prize: $300 for first place, $200 second, and $100 third. The winning essay will be published in the RCWMS newsletter, South of the Garden. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Lune Spark Young Writers' Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to writers 10-13 years old, and 13-16 years old. (Two categories.) Genre: Short story. Prize: $500 for first place; $250, 2nd place; $100, 3rd place. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

Jan Garton Prairie Heritage Book Award. Genre: Book published in 2017 - 2020 that illuminates the heritage of North America's mid-continental prairies, whether of the tall-grass, mid-grass, or short-grass regions. Authors' first books receive extra consideration. Books may be in any genre, and topics may include but are not limited to social or natural history; prairie culture of the past or in-the-making; and interactions between society and ecology. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: July 31, 2021.

10 Speculative Fiction Magazines Accepting Submissions NOW - Paying Markets

Pixabay Here are ten literary magazines currently open to submissions of speculative fiction and poetry. They are seeking a wide variety of subgenres: Cyberpunk, Steampunk, Dark Fantasy, Horror, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Myth, Folklore, Surrealism, Slipstream, and Weird Fiction.

All of these are paying markets. Some accept reprints. None charge a submission fee.

For an extensive list of paying markets organized by genre see: Paying Markets.

(Image credit: Pixabay)
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The Society of Misfit Stories. Genre: All speculative genres (horror, fantasy, science fiction, slipstream, steampunk, magical realism, etc.), as well as mysteries, thrillers, and action-adventure stories. Stories should be between 5,000-20,000 words in length. Payment: Previously published short stories: $25. Original, unpublished short stories: $50. Reprints accepted.
Grandpa's Deep-Space Diner. Genre: Speculative food stories. "Whether you're growing your produce in a magical garden, storing your rations in your lunar bunker, or enjoying a delightful picnic in the outer rings of Saturn, we want your speculative fiction food stories!" Payment: $5 per thousand words. Deadline: Open until filled. Reprints accepted.

​Phantasmical Contraptions. Genre: Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Decopunk, Biopunk, Steelpunk, Islandpunk, all kinds of punk. Story lengths should be anywhere from flash-length to about 15k words. Payment: $5 per thousand words. Deadline: Open until filled. Reprints accepted.


The Were-Traveler: Curst & Twysted Tarot. Genre: Short fiction based on a Tarot card image. Length: 750 - 2,500 words. Payment: $10 for flash, $15 for short stories. Deadline: Open until filled.

A Coup of Owls. Genre: Fiction: All genres, styles and themes. "We especially love stories that are outside the box in their telling. Ambiguous endings? Non-linear storytelling? Antagonist’s point-of-view? A story told in just one scene? We love it all. Payment: Flash - £5; Short Stories 1001 to 4000 words - £10; Short Stories 4001 to 8000 words - £15. Deadline: Open until filled.

Creepy Podcast. Genre: Horror. (Audio format) "We want to be scared. We want to see what kind of darkness you have at your fingertips." Length: Under 3,000 words. Payment: Not specified. 

Penumbric. Genre: Fiction, poetry, illustration, graphic narrative, animation, music, or combinations of these. "Penumbric is an online magazine dedicated to riding that ever-changing edge of new and original fiction and art and sound and everything into tomorrow. To us, this edge is best exemplified by two things: speculative works that look at our world (or other worlds) in new ways, whether that be peering into the future, a look sideways at an alternative or fantastic past or present, or a hard stare into the face of horror or madness (does that sound like old eps of The Twilight Zone? Well, if that's the comparison, I'm fine with that) a diversity of viewpoints, representing not only multiple cultures but subcultures, exploring issues of race, ethnicity, gender, and orientation." Payment: $10.

The Arcanist. Genre: Fantasy, sci-fi, and horror flash fiction. Length: Up to 1,000 words. "We are open to simultaneous submissions. Please do not send more than one story to us at a time. As soon as a story is accepted or rejected, feel free to send us another. Stories should be actual stories. They need to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. We do not publish poetry, non-fiction essays, or anything that isn’t a proper flash fiction story." Payment: 10 cents/word.

StarShipSofa. Genre: Science-fiction. "From the soft, social science fiction to the weird pulpy stuff to the vigorous hard SF and YA adventure. We welcome all sub-genres and all variety of punks in all their colours. From high-octane action to quiet philosophical stories, we’re after it all. Science fiction is a rich and diverse genre, push it’s boundaries as far as you can go." Audio format. Payment: $50. Reprints accepted.

The Vanishing Point. Genre: Speculative Fiction. "Welcome to the Vanishing Point, that place on the horizon where the lines of reality and imagination intersect. In that place is a promise of excitement, dread, intrigue and suspense. The Vanishing Point is a literary magazine for works that bend reality. Horror, Sci-fi, Dark Fantasy, and all things speculative are welcome here." Length: 1500 to 6000 words. Payment: $25.

27 Fabulous Writing Conferences in July 2021

Pixabay Summer is in full swing, and so are writing conferences. This July features more than two dozen conferences and workshops for writers, mostly held online. 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. During the pandemic most of these are being held virtually at reduced rates. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

(Image credit: Pixabay)

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Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 7 - August 27, 2021: Provincetown, Massachusetts. Last year's faculty included David Baker, Samiya Bashir, Jill Bialosky, Sophie Cabot Black, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Martha Collins, Kate Daniels, Nick Flynn, Vievee Francis, Gabriel Fried, Jorie Graham, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Fred Marchant, Gail Mazur, Jane Mead, John Murillo, Eileen Myles, Matthew Olzmann, Gregory Pardlo, Carl Phillips, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Victoria Redel, Martha Rhodes, Brenda Shaughnessy, Nicole Sealey, Alan Shapiro, Carmen Giménez Smith, Craig Morgan Teicher and many more. See individual workshops for dates.

ASLE Biennial Conference. July 6 - 9, 2021: Portland, OR. "ASLE seeks to inspire and promote intellectual work in the environmental humanities and arts. Our vision is an inclusive community whose members are committed to environmental research, education, literature, art and service, environmental justice, and ecological sustainability."

Midsummer Online Getaway. July 7 - 11, 2021. "Each four-day workshop will meet for 12 hours and will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending four days in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible. Each four-day workshop in poetry, fiction, and CNF is limited to 10 participants." 

In Your Write Mind Workshop. July 8 - 11, 2021: Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Special Guests: Raw Dog Screaming Press, Omnium Gatherum, Entangled, Titan and more. Agents: Kristopher O’Higgins (Scribe Agency) and Andy Ross (Andy Ross Agency) Guest authors: Tim Waggoner Business and Craft Tracks. Pitch Sessions. Virtual Book Signing. Networking. Author Readings. Writing Sprints. Critique Groups. And more! $60 for the whole event, $25 for single days. Will be held online.

The Colorado Writing Workshop. July 9 - 10, 2020: Denver Colorado. An online “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." Will be held online.

The Summer Writers Institute. July 9 - 30, 2021: St. Louis, Missouri. The Washington University Summer Writers Institute is an intensive, two-week program featuring workshops in fiction, micro fiction, modern humor, personal narrative, playwriting, and poetry, as well as reading and individual conferences with instructors. Adult writers of all levels of experience work together with published authors and exceptional teachers in a supportive, non-competitive format that allows for personalized attention and constructive feedback. Will be held online.

Tin House Summer Workshop. July 11 - 17, 2021: Portland, Oregon.  Closed.  Workshops with afternoon craft seminars and career panels. Evenings are reserved for author readings and revelry. Tin House editors and guest agents are available to meet individually with students throughout the week.  Participating writers include poets Hanif Abdurraqib, Jericho Brown, and Aimee Nezhukumatathil; fiction writers Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, Lesley Nneka Arimah, Kristen Arnett, Matt Bell, Jennine Capó Crucet, Renee Gladman, Manuel Gonzales, Catherine Lacey, Carmen Maria Machado, Tommy Orange, Matthew Salesses, Rion Amilcar Scott, and Leni Zumas; creative nonfiction writers Melissa Febos, Saeed Jones, Kiese Laymon, Jeannie Vanasco, and Elissa Washuta; and graphic narrative writer Mira Jacob. Tuition is $1,600. Scholarships and payment plans are available.  Closed.

Community of Writers Workshop in Fiction. July 11 - 17, 2021. These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, and brief individual conferences. The morning workshops are led by staff writer-teachers, editors, or agents. In addition to their workshop manuscripts, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in individual conferences. Featured Writers Include: Reagan Arthur, Michael Carlisle, Alex Espinoza, Janet Fitch, Karen Joy Fowler, Sands Hall, Vanessa Hua, Michael Jaime-Becerra, Dana Johnson, Louis B. Jones, Stephen Graham Jones, Peter Orner, Kirstin Valdez Quade, BJ Robbins, Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, Tracy Sherrod, Martin J. Smith, Hector Tobar, Andrew Tonkovich, Gail Tsukiyama, Oscar Villalon, Josh Weil. Tuition: $850. Will be held online.

Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 20 - 26 and July 11 - 17, 2021: Gambier, Ohio. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction led by an accomplished faculty. Genre workshops (Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, and Poetry) are held for three hours each morning. (See individual workshops for dates.)
Young Writers Workshop. July 11 - 23, 2021: Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Restrictions: For students completing grades 9, 10, 11. Three 90-minute workshop sessions daily, including imaginative writing activities and discussion of readings. Weekly individual meetings with workshop instructor. Focus is on using various forms of creative writing to develop language and thinking skills. Will be held online.

Victorian Chautauqua Writers Workshop. July 12 - 16: Mountain Lake Park, Maryland. The 2021 summer program includes adult personal essays, teen and adult playwriting, teen creative writing, and youth creative writing. Faculty: Diana Hume George, A.J. DeLauder, Mary McEwen, Kimberly Weimer.

Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers. July 12 - 18, 2021: Wallowa Lake, Oregon. "The program features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panel discussions, craft talks, and readings. The theme for the 2021 conference is “Resilience” and features a keynote from nonfiction writer Craig Childs. The faculty includes poets Anis Mojgani and Frank X Walker; fiction writers Beth Piatote, Sharma Shields, and Leni Zumas; nonfiction writer Amy Irvine; and fiction and nonfiction writer Joe Wilkins." Registration is rolling through July 12.  Will be held online.


Juniper Institute for Young Writers. July 12 - 23, 2021: Amherst, MA. For high school students. Daily workshops in poetry, fiction, & nonfiction; interactive craft sessions that include discussions & writing exercises; evening readings by faculty & writers-in-residence. Workshops and craft sessions are led by MFA candidates from the renowned University of Massachusetts MFA Program for Poets and Writers who design curricula especially for the Institute setting. Will be held online.

Malice Domestic. July 14 - 17, 2021, 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. 

Southampton Writers Conference. July 14 - 18, 2021: Long Island, NY. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and publishing, as well as readings, lectures, and a master class series. Creative writing workshops are the heart and soul of the summer experience, meeting four afternoons or mornings throughout the session. Enrollment is limited to 13 lucky writers who have applied with writing samples. Those accepted have the privilege of sharing their work in an intimate, rigorous and friendly setting. Will be held online.

Green River Writers Workshops:Turning Memory into Story: Memoir Writing Workshop. July 15 - 18, 2021: Las Vegas, New Mexico. Using memory as a starting point, Green River Writers Workshops focus on the craft of storytelling through memoir, fiction, historical writing, and poetry. Both experienced and beginning writers are welcome.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words. July 15 - 18, 2021: Moose Jaw, Canada. Workshops for all ages, reading sessions, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre, a slam poetry competition as well as workshops and author readings.

Cascade Three-day Writing Workshop. July 16 – 18, 2021: Bremerton, WA. "Our Three-Day Critique Workshop is an opportunity for you to submit the first 4000 words of your novel, short story, or whatever project you are working on, for critique in a group of up to 8 peers led by an industry professional. This is a great way to polish up those first pages and first chapter. Submissions are due six weeks before the event via our ProBoards. Registrants will receive login information a few weeks before submissions are due. There will also be one-hour workshops and panel presentations on craft, querying, the publishing industry, and more. Optional casual gatherings provide opportunities to get to know other writers as well as authors, editors, and agents." Will be held on Zoom

Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. July 18 - 25, 2021, Port Townsend, Washington. workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft lectures, readings, open mics, and time to write. "The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been since 1974 at the wild heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. With a focus on community and rigorous attention to craft, the Conference offers morning workshops, afternoon workshops, residencies, guided freewrites, and a vibrant readings and lectures series presented by vital, contemporary writers."

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 20 - August 1, 2021: Sewanee, TN. Faculty will give readings and provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures, as well as meet individually with participants to discuss their manuscripts. The Conference will offer five fiction workshops, four poetry workshops, and a playwriting workshop supported by two professional actors. In addition, a substantial number of literary agents will attend.

North Carolina Writers' Network Squire Summer Writing Residency. July 22 - 25, 2021: Greenville, North Carolina. This workshop will explore how to write about places and spaces, while remaining mindful of the interconnections between the natural and cultural, the built and non-built, the human and animal. We will investigate how notions of home and belonging are created and maintained as well as how they can be disrupted by alterations to the cultural traditions and physical environments that surround us and inform our sense of place. During the workshop, we will read and write about the places that have made us who we are today. We will also consider our responsibilities to those places and how to preserve them both in reality and on the page.

Writeaway in New Mexico. July 23 - 30, 2021: Rancho los Milagros, Abiquiú, New Mexico. $2,100 for private room; $1,650 each for friends or couple sharing a room Includes writing consultations and daily writing workshops, all meals, wine and cocktails, plus a cooking class and excursion. Full.

Confluence-SFF. July 23 - 25, 2021: Pittsburgh, PA. Located at the birthplace of the Ohio River, Confluence is Pittsburgh’s longest-running literary conference with a strong focus on science fiction, fantasy and horror. Award-winning authors, editors, artists and song-writers gather for three full days.

Catamaran Writing Conference: Poetry. July 25 - 29, 2021: Pebble Beach, CA. The workshop meets four mornings and each participant will receive focused feedback from the group on their poems. You'll be invited to submit a writing sample for group feedback. Optional participant readings will be held. During registration you will be invited to indicate your poetry workshop instructor preference. Will be held online.

Midwest Writers Workshop: Virtual Conference: Craft + Community. July 28 - 31, 2021: Muncie, Indiana. Craft and business sessions, agent pitches, manuscript evaluations. MWW includes quality instruction by a faculty of authors, agents, editors, and specialists. Will be held online.

Florida Authors and Publishers Association Annual Conference. July 30 - 31, 2021: Orlando, Florida. "On Friday, July 30, six (6) optional small-group workshops are being scheduled, offering attendees options a more intimate setting to learn about specific topics related to the publishing industry.  These focused workshops will be offered a la carte and are scheduled so that you may register for up to three (3)."

Willamette Writers Conference. July 29 - August 1, 2021: Portland, Oregon. This year the conference theme is Share Your Story with three full days of classes, workshops, keynotes, critiques, and events. There are also Master Classes with industry professionals in which you can learn from top instructors in a small group setting and many options for one on one critique, including On the Spot Critiques and Advance Manuscript Critique. As always, they will have a roster of agents, editors and film executives ready to hear about your project. Will be held online.

5 UK Agents Seeking Memoir, Thrillers, Commercial Fiction, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Kidlit and more

Charlotte Merritt Here are five UK literary agents seeking clients. Charlotte Merritt's list covers a wide range of non-fiction, including history, memoir, politics, psychology and current affairs. Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both non-fiction and fiction. Emily Talbot is on the lookout for middle grade of any kind as well as picture books. Julie Crisp wants historical fiction, crime/thrillers, bookclub fiction and science fiction and fantasy. Kate Walsh is looking for commercial non-fiction, particularly with a political or current affairs slant. Michael Dean is primarily looking for a broad range of non-fiction.

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 two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Charlotte Merritt of Andrew Nurnberg Associates 

Charlotte joined Andrew Nurnberg Associates in 2018, having returned to London after living and working in India and Hong Kong. Prior to that she worked in publishing in London for over a decade, first at Bloomsbury and then at Hodder & Stoughton.
What she is seeking: Her list covers a wide range of non-fiction, including history, politics, psychology and current affairs. She is particularly interested in books that change the way we think, shine a fresh light on the past or offer a window into the future. Charlotte is also searching for unforgettable memoirs, as well as new perspectives on the natural world. Her aim for 2021 is to find books that make us laugh or offer advice on how to live a good life.
How to submit: For non-fiction proposals, please send an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk. Address your submission for the attention of Charlotte Merritt.
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Michael Dean of Andrew Nurnberg Associates 

Michael graduated with a First in English Language & Literature from the University of Leeds, including a year at the Universidad de Oviedo. He joined Andrew Nurnberg Associates in 2016 as an intern, before working as Andrew’s assistant and then assistant agent. In addition to handling Film & TV rights for the agency’s authors, Michael continues to support Andrew in the representation of authors, clients and estates, and is always keen to hear from potential new authors for his own list.
What he is seeking: He is primarily looking for non-fiction across a broad range including social, cultural or military history, sport, music, technology and the natural world. In fiction, he would like to see upmarket crime and thrillers, and speculative or literary fiction that brings something new to the genre, be it through voice, character or setting. In all of the above he is particularly keen to hear from underrepresented voices.
How to submit: For non-fiction proposals, please send an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk. For fiction attach the first 50 pages. 

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Ms. Kate Walsh of United Agents, LLP 

Kate Walsh joined United Agents in 2015 and, alongside assisting Robert Kirby with his list, is actively building her own. 
What she is seeking: She's on the lookout mainly for commercial non-fiction, particularly with a political or current affairs slant, and anything that feels like a fresh and original way of looking at the world. She is especially drawn to 20th and 21st century affairs, and anyone willing to speculate on what comes next. Whilst Kate is working mainly with non-fiction, she is always excited to read anything, fiction or non-, with a strong and transporting sense of place and time. 
How to submit: For submissions, please send a brief cover letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters of your work to kwalsh@unitedagents.co.uk
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Ms. Emily Talbot of United Agents, LLP 

Emily Talbot started working at United Agents in 2013 in the foreign rights department, representing the overseas rights for UA's children's authors and illustrators, before moving over to primary agenting in 2015. 
What she is seeking: "I love books that touch on the gritty realisms of life such as the writing of Louise O'Neill and Holly Bourne. I'm also on the lookout for middle grade of any kind; everything from authentic and emotive to humorous adventure. Above all I have a passion for great characterisation and am on the hunt for a distinctive, new and underrepresented voice in children’s literature, whatever age group that may find itself in. I am also looking for picture book authors and illustrators. My favourite picture books are those with an off the wall, irreverent humour. Not Now Bernard frames many a childhood memory for me for example. On the illustration side, If you’re looking for representation the most important thing you can do is find your own voice and adapt a style that is unique to you."
How to submit: Please send a covering email, a synopsis and the first three chapters as attachments to etalbot@unitedagents.co.uk. For picture books I'll need three stories and a covering email and for illustrators it’s a covering email and a selection of jpegs. If you are an author/illustrator then it’s fine to send a selection of both stories and jpegs. 
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Ms. Julie Crisp of Julie Crisp Literary Agency 

I am an editor with over fifteen years’ experience working for three major houses across a broad spectrum of commercial titles within fiction, non-fiction and children’s. This also included three years spent working in the Australian publishing industry. For nine years, I headed up the UK arm of one of the largest global brands of science fiction and fantasy, Tor. I’ve worked on bestselling and award-winning authors such as Ann Cleeves, Peter F. Hamilton, China Miéville, Neal Asher, Amanda Hocking, Naomi Novik and TV/Game partnerships including Halo, The Returned, The Walking Dead and Twin Peaks. 
What she is seeking: Historical fiction, crime/thrillers, bookclub fiction and science fiction and fantasy. 
How to submit: Use her form HERE.

3 New Agents Seeking Speculative Fiction, YA, Memoirs, Literary Fiction, Nonfiction and more

Katie Fulford Here are three new literary agents seeking clients. Kima Jones is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, YA, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both non-fiction and fiction. In non-fiction she is looking for a strong narrative voice and ideas based books that offer different ways of thinking about life. Also smart true crime, memoirs, nature, lifestyle and books about female and family issues. Her personal interests are in history, fashion, style and sport so anything in these areas is likely to pique her interest.

Margaret Danko is actively looking for literary fiction, historical fiction with a dash of magical realism, fresh literary and commercial suspense, spooky contemporary and fantasy YA, narratives with a deep sense of place and history, quirky and heartwarming family stories, and rom-coms full of charm and whimsy. She is also interested in nonfiction in the areas of humor, lifestyle, popular science, health/wellness, true crime, politics, and current affairs.

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 two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.
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You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Ms. Katie Fulford of Bell Lomax Moreton Agency (UK)

Katie has spent nearly 30 years in the publishing industry and the last 25 years at HarperCollins in a variety of roles including Group Rights Director, Managing Director of Collins non-fiction and senior positions in William Collins and 4th Estate, Fiction and Children’s. Most recently She has worked as an Executive Producer at HarperCollins developing and producing TV programmes from HarperCollins titles. She was Executive Producer on Channel 4’s 2019 critically acclaimed TV adaptation of the much loved classic The Tiger Who Came To Tea by Judith Kerr which has recently been awarded an international Emmy. Her extensive and varied experience across a range of publishing and rights management (including US, translation, serial, TV and merchandising), puts her in a unique position to be able to work with an author to offer representation and guidance across all media and in all markets.

What she is seeking: As a new agent, she is looking for authors in both non-fiction and fiction. In non-fiction she is always looking for a strong narrative voice and ideas based books that offer different ways of thinking about life. Also smart true crime, memoirs, nature, lifestyle and books around female and family issues. Her personal interests are in history, fashion, style and sport so anything in these areas is likely to pique her interest.

In terms of fiction, her interests are broad and varied. She likes contemporary and historical, commercial and literary fiction. It could be anything from a dark and twisty thriller to a sweeping love story to a clever and sharply written romantic comedy. All will have believable characters that you can root for, immersive settings and compelling storylines. She is particularly on the look out for crime and thrillers but ultimately it could be anything that draws her in, with the exception of science fiction, fantasy and childrens books.

How to submit: Read submission guidelines here.
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Ms. Kima Jones of Triangle House

Kima Jones is the founder of Jack Jones Literary Arts, a Los Angeles-based book publicity agency for black and brown writers, where, for five years, she worked as lead strategist on all publicity campaigns. In 2017, Kima founded the Jack Jones Literary Arts retreat—a two-week respite and book incubator for black and brown nonbinary and women writers. The Los Angeles Times called Kima "2018's literary breakthrough" and "an important new voice on the national stage." In 2019, Kima founded Culture, Too—a mentorship conference for black and brown cultural critics. In the spring of 2021, Kima Jones joined Triangle House Literary as an agent.

What she is seeking: Kima is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, YA, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. She brings more than a decade of marketing and publicity experience into her agenting negotiations. 

How to submit: To query Kima at Triangle House Literary, please follow the submissions directions via QueryManager, which include the first ten pages of your manuscript. She will respond if she’s interested in seeing more.
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Ms. Margaret Danko of Irene Goodman Literary Agency

Originally from the heart of the south, Margaret Danko received her BA from Oberlin College before pursuing an MFA from Temple University. While there, she climbed the ranks to become an editor of TINGE Magazine, publishing fiction, essays, and poetry. She has worked as a freelance editor and media consultant. A lover of the dark, the quirky, and the fantastical, Margaret has a keen eye for projects that take unexpected turns or are told from unusual perspectives.

What she is seeking: Margaret is actively looking for attention-grabbing voices especially literary fiction with teeth, historical fiction with a dash of magical realism, fresh literary and commercial suspense, spooky contemporary and fantasy YA, narratives with a deep sense of place and history, quirky and heartwarming family stories, and rom-coms full of charm and whimsy. She is also interested in nonfiction in the areas of humor, lifestyle, popular science,health/wellness, true crime, politics, and current affairs. She does not represent Middle Grade or picture books.
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How to submit: For fiction, please include a query letter and the first ten sample pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. For nonfiction, simply send a polished query letter to submissions@paperoverboard.com

57 Calls for Submissions in June 2021 - Paying markets

Pixabay
This June there are more than four 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 calls for submissions on the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

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

Happy submitting!

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(Image credit: Pixabay)
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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. Deadline: June ... 2021? (Open until filled.)


Redwood Press: Lost Librarian's Grave. Genre: Horror short stories. Gothic, supernatural, dark mysteries, evil science, bad romance, disturbing reality and so on. "We are particularly looking for dark stories involving magic, gargoyles and the theme of premature burial or involuntary confinement." Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: June ... 2021? (Open until filled.)

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Short stories and poetry. See themes. Payment: 20.00 USD for featured authors, or $10.00 USD for stories published on their &More page and $5.00 USD for poems. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Contrary. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 1, 2021.


The Zodiac Killers Series. Genre: Thriller. Length: 5000-10,000 words, excluding title. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Strange Orbits Sci-fi Series. Genre: Space Opera. Length: 5000-10,000 words, excluding title.  Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, essays about The Written Word. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2021.


Chicken Soup for the Soul: Angels. Genre: True stories and poems. "We are looking for true personal stories about how an angel has touched your life – stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels. We’re looking for amazing stories that will make people say “wow” or give our readers chills. Have you experienced something otherworldly or celestial? Or had a personal experience with an angel or divine being? How did your angel manifest himself or herself to you? Were you the only person who saw your angel? How did your angel protect or guide you?" Payment: $200. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Bodies Full of Burning: An Anthology of Menopause-Themed Horror. Genre: Menopause-Themed Horror. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: June 1, 2021. (Or until filled) 

Road Kill: Texas Horror by Texas Writers, Vol. 6. Genre: Horror by Texas writers. Payment: 10,000 words - $200; 7,500 words - $150; 5,000 words - $100; 2,500 words - $50; 1,500 words - $30.00. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Parabola: Fire. Genre: Retellings of traditional stories: 500-1500 words, original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Cemetery Gates: Generation Dread. Restrictions: Open to writers 15-19 years of age. Genre: Horror. Payment: $100 scholarship. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Partners in Crime. Genre: Nonfiction, true crime accounts featuring lawbreaking couples who have joined forces to commit crime. Payment: $130. Deadline: June 1, 2021

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: June 2, 2021.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of “Healers, Midwives and Cunning Folk.” Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: June 3, 2021.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of HERO / MAGICIAN. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: June 6, 2021. See accepted genres.

Mslexia. Genre: Fiction, poetry. "ROOTS: Our Issue 91 theme is about hidden depths and ancestry, about what nourishes and anchors plants and humans alike." Payment: £25. Deadline: June 7, 2021.

Scum. Genre: Feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 2000 words (50 lines for poetry, max. 3 poems) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. Payment: $60 AUD. Deadline: June 7, 2021.  Opens to submissions on June 1.

Bright Wall/Dark Room. Genre: Essays on erotic thrillers in film. Payment: $100 per essay. Deadline: June 8, 2021.


If I Die Before I Wake volume 6. Genre: Horror. Payment: $40 per piece. Deadline: June 9, 2021.

Mermaids Monthly. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, comics. Everything should in some way relate to merfolk. Payment: 10 cents/word for fiction and nonfiction, $50 – $100 for poems. $0.01 per word for reprints with a minimum of $20 if the piece is shorter than 2,000 words. Original comics get at least $50. Reprints start at $25). Deadline: June 12, 2021.

Shoreline of Infinity. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy. Payment: £10/1000 words. Deadline: June 13, 2021.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Doppelgängers. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: June 14, 2021.

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, mixed media, visual arts, "and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Channel. Genre: Fiction, art, creative non-fiction, and poetry that engages with the natural world, and have a particular interest in work which encourages reflection on human interaction with plant and animal life, landscape and the self. Payment: €40/poem, and €40/page of prose up to €120. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Baffling. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. Length: Under 1200 words. Payment: 8 cents/word.  Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Dose of Dread. Genre: General horror flash fiction. Preference for dread-inducing stories. Length: 500 - 1,000 words. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Eye to the Telescope. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous writers worldwide. Genre: Speculative poetry. Theme: Indigenous Futurisms. Payment: US 3¢/word rounded up to nearest dollar; minimum US $3, maximum $25. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

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: June 18, 2021.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror) and literary fiction. Payment: $80. Deadline: June 21, 2021.

Understorey Magazine. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women writers only. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, spoken word, and visual art about Rural and Remote Living. Payment: $50 - $100. Deadline: June 21, 2021.

Nightfire. Genre: Horror novels and novellas. Payment: Advance and royalties. Deadline: June 21, 2021.

Story Seed Vault. Genre: Fiction based on science. Up to 200 characters. Payment: Up to $3AUD per story. Deadline: June 24, 2021.

The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: June 25, 2021.

Luna Press. Genre: Speculative fiction novels. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 27, 2021.

Shadow Atlas: Dark Landscapes of the Americas. Genre: Dark tales intrinsically rooted in South America. "We seek haunting and folkloric tales where setting is character and landscape is an essential part of the story. We want stories that draw from the wellspring of cultural destinations and local folklore in their shaping - most especially, stories that are tied to a specific and concrete location. This can include places that never existed, or those with connections created by the author, but they must take place in South America." Payment: $250 for short fiction; $25 for poetry. Deadline: June 27, 2021.

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Dragon Soul Press: Extinct Worlds. Genre: Fiction on theme of Extinct Worlds. "After killing Earth, humans have been launched into space exploration. Discovering aliens and new technologies, future generations are unrecognizable from the Earthlings that once were. There are a select few who want to go back to their roots, some who will prevent this at all costs, and others who don’t care. Where do your characters fit within the vast universe full of the unknown?" Word Count – 5,000-15,000.  Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Fat Coyote. Restrictions: Writers must be neurodivergent. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF, Art, Photography, Comics. Payment: 3 cents/word for prose. $1 line for poetry. $30 - $40 for art. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Dancing Star Press. Genre: Speculative fiction novellas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Downstate Story. Genre: Short stories. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 30, 2021. Snail mail only.


Dates from Hell. Genre: Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Broken Sleep Books: Aphex Twin Anthology. Genre: Poems about Aphex Twin. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Eraserhead Press. Genre: Bizarro fiction novels and novellas. "We want surprising, unique, well-crafted weird stories with compelling plots, eccentric characters, and never-before-seen concepts." Length: 20,000 - 100,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2021. (Will re-open after pandemic. If you write Bizarro fiction, keep them on your radar.)


Cloud Lake Literary. Restrictions: Canadian writers. Genre: Fiction, art. creative nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature (up to and including YA). Payment: $50 CAD/per page to a maximum of $150 CAD. Visual Art Submission: $50 CAD/per submission. Deadline: June 30, 2021.


Allegory. Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Payment: $15. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Nightlight. Restrictions: Open to Black writers. Genre: Horror. 10,000 words max. Audio format. Payment: $75 - $200 depending on length. $50 for reprints. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Field Notes from a Nightmare. Genre: Ecological horror. Length: 1,000 – 4,000 words. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Gravelight Press is a small press that primarily publishes horror anthologies. Genre: They are currently seeking full-length horror. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Hawkshaw Press. Genre: Full-length mysteries, thrillers. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Black Telephone. Genre: Fiction, essays. Payment: $25. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

Us/Them. Genre: Stories that revolve around the process of creating an US / THEM situation and what happens to both sides because of it. Payment: $15.00 plus equal share of 50% of the anthology’s royalties for stories. Deadline: June 30th, 2021.

The Rumpus: Enough. Genre: Essays, poetry, fiction, comics, and artwork by women and non-binary people that engage with rape culture, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Payment: $300 divided among all contributors. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Tamarind. Genre: Fiction and nonfiction about science and scientists. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Kikwetu. Genre: East African literature. "We welcome fiction pieces in English and Swahili up to 3,000 words from African writers on the continent and in the diaspora." Payment: $30. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Willowherb. Restrictions: Open to writers of color. Genre: Previously unpublished non-fiction, fiction and poetry on nature, place, and environment. Payment: £250 for prose, £100 for poetry. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Dragon Soul Press: Glitch. Genre: LitRPG genre. "Playing Virtual Reality games is a favorite pastime, but getting trapped in them due to a glitch is another story. It’s a true fight for survival now and the only way out is to finish the game." Word Count – 5,000-15,000. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Chestnut Review. Genre: Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $100. Deadline: June 30th, 2021. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee. 

And a few more...

Thema: Watch the Birdie! Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Watch the Birdie!  Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: July 1, 2021.  Accepts reprints.

ArabLit Quarterly. Genre: Fiction,poetry, and nonfiction translated from Arabic on theme of Football. No, not the American kind. Payment: $15/page. Deadline: Pitches due July 1, 2021.

The Zodiac Killers Series. Genre: Thriller. Length: 5000-10,000 words, excluding title. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 1, 2021.

Curiouser. Genre: Poetry and short fiction up to 5,000 words. "Stories that excite, that break the boundary between real and unreal. Experimentation and surreal ways of looking at the world we live in will be looked upon fondly. Horror, magic realism, speculative fiction and streams of consciousness are welcome." Payment: $25-40 per poem, and from $50-140 for short prose (all dollar amounts are Australian). International authors get reduced payment. Deadline: July 1, 2021.


Constelación is a quarterly speculative fiction bilingual magazine, publishing stories in both Spanish and English. Writers can submit their stories in either language. Fifty percent of the stories we publish in every issue will be from authors from the Caribbean, Latin America, and their diaspora. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: July 1, 2021. See themes.

49 Writing Contests in June 2021 - No entry fees

Pixabay This June there are more than four dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. 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 is past, you can prepare for next year.
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Good luck! Image credit: Pixabay
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Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and permanent residents. Genre: Short fiction illuminating the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. Length: 500 words, max. Prize: $3000. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists. Restrictions: Candidates must have published one or more novels for children or young adults that have been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated sufficient income to support the author. Genre: Book-length children's or young-adult fiction. Prize: $5000. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Cromwell Article Prize. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Canadian high school, college, and graduate students. Genre: Short essay on "The Ideas of Milton Friedman: Exploring the Connections between Economic Freedom and other Freedoms or Aspects of the Human Condition." Prize: CAD$1,500 in each age category. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Hiett Prize in the Humanities. The Hiett Prize in the Humanities is an annual award aimed at identifying candidates who are in the early stages of careers devoted to the humanities and whose work shows extraordinary promise and has a significant public component related to contemporary culture.  Restrictions: All applicants must reside in the United States. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

The PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Genre: Book-length works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama in translation. Beginning in 2017, under the administering of the PEN/Heim Translation Fund, PEN will also offer the PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. From the pool of annual submissions, judges for the PEN/Heim Translation Fund will select one project of narrative prose that has been translated into English from the Italian to receive this award, which will come with a $5,000 prize. Prize: $2000 - $4000. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. Restrictions: Open to poets aged 18-23. Genre: Poetry. Prize:  $100 and publication in the Atlanta Review. Deadline: June 1, 2021.  

Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2020- 21 are eligible. "This Prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian background, but we urge all students to enter." Genre: Fiction of no more than 7,500 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 1, 2021.  

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $150. Deadline: June 1, 2021.

Icelandic Festival of Manitoba Poetry & Short Stories Contest. Genre: Poetry and short stories. Length; 1200 words max. Prize: $50 - $125. "You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference." Deadline: June 4, 2021.

Creative Future Writers’ Award. Restrictions: Open to underrepresented writers in the UK only, who are over 18 years old. Genre: Poetry and prose on theme of Essential. Prize: Up to £100 plus noncash prizes. Deadline: June 6, 2021.

Defenestration. Genre: Short story including an incident of defenestration – the art or –ism of throwing people out of windows. It need not be literal. "This can be a sudden, immediate, even violent shift, change, or seismical event between the beginning and the end.” Prize: $75, two runner-up prizes of $30 each. Deadline: June 7, 2021.


#PassOrPages Query Contest. Participating agents give brief feedback on a handful of entries, explaining why they're passing ... or requesting pages! The queries and accompanying feedback are posted on our blog anonymously, which helps querying authors get a peek into agents' minds as they go through their slush piles. Genre: TBA. Deadline: June 7 - 11, 2021.

The Canadian Women Artists’ Award. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women living in New York who are between the ages of 21 and 35 before the application deadline. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Grant: $5,000. Deadline: June 9, 2021.

The Pandeism Collegiate Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate and graduate collegiate students of philosophy, theology, religious studies, social sciences, arts, literature, applied sciences, or comparable disciplines. Genre: Article presenting original thought in exploring implications of the modern theological theory of Pandeism (pantheistic Deism, belief in a Creator wholly becoming our Universe, proposed to be discernible by application of logic and reason). Papers written for course credit are acceptable. Submissions do not need to take a position in favor of or opposed to Pandeism as a theory, but must present original thought about its relative possibility, relation to other areas of theology, or implications for areas such as epistemology, ethics and morality, or science. Submissions must be a minimum of 3,000 words and a maximum of 6,000 words. Only one (1) article may be submitted by each student. Prize: $250 Amazon gift card and publication. Deadline: June 10, 2021.

Wyoming Creative Writing Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to Wyoming writers who are U.S. citizens or have legal resident status. Genre: Fiction, Poetry, CNF. Prize: $3,000 and an honorarium/travel stipend, if applicable, to present your work at a fellowship reading at your choice of literary conference: the Casper College Literary Conference (September 2021), WyoWriters Conference (June 2022) or the Jackson Hole Writer's Conference (June 2022). Deadline: June 10, 2021.

Ocean Awareness Youth Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6 - 12. Genre: Art, poetry, prose, film. Theme: "Water Rising" Prizes: $100 - $1,500. Deadline: June 14, 2021.

Baltimore Science Fiction Society Amateur Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to Maryland residents or students at a MD 2- or 4-year college, and not a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America or published in a professional science fiction/fantasy magazine Genre: Science fiction short stories. Prize: 1st place is $250; 2nd place is $100; 3rd place is $50. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Christopher Hewitt Award. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF, drama. "The award showcases outstanding responses to the AIDS pandemic and the realities of individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Prize: $75 in each category. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

The Fieldstone Review: Escapisms. Genre: Creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry. "The theme of this year’s edition is Escapisms. Topics might include, but are not limited to, imagination, reverie, daydreaming, virtual reality, fantasy, the fantastic, video games, role-play, mental wellbeing, and even simulacra." Prize: $100. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered."  Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: $1,500. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction/Warren Hollister Prize for Oz Nonfiction. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Creative Nonfiction. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People. Restrictions: Open to people 25 years of age or less. Genre: Essay (max 700 words). Theme: “What is Life?” Prize: 1st US$840, 2nd US$420. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two $50 prizes, 2 $25 prizes. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award. Genre: High-quality picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experience. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or any other nondominant populations. Prize: American Express® gift cards totaling $1,500, round trip travel to New York City, and the honor of a one-day mentorship with a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ professional children’s book design and editorial team. Submission will be reviewed for publication. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Vermont Studio Center – Full Fellowship Awards. The Vermont Studio Center offers 54 fellowships; open to anyone in the world. Deadline: June 15, 2021.

Towson University Prize for Literature. Restrictions: Open to Maryland writers. Genre: Book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction. The work must have been published within the three years prior to the year of nomination or must be scheduled for publication within the year in which nominated. Self-published works will not be considered. Prize: $1,000.  Deadline: June 15, 2021 (?) See nomination form HERE.

Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have lived in the state of Maine for at least one year. Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction. Prize: $5,000.  Deadline: June 17, 2021.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. 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: Books published between May 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021 must be received on or before June 18, 2021.

The Greek Bicentennial Poetry Pamphlet Prizes. Genre: Poetry with a maximum combined length of 150 lines of poetry. "We are inviting poets and illustrators to reflect on the culture and history of the Greeks, from ancient to contemporary times, on the occasion of the Bicentennial celebration of the creation of Modern Greece." Prize: £10,000 and publication of your portfolio as a pamphlet, with illustrations and Greek translations, distributed internationally. Deadline: June 18, 2021.

A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest. Genre: Non-genre fiction and creative nonfiction.  Theme: Coming of Age. Length: 1,000 words minimum; 5,000 words maximum. Prize: $35 - $50 Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 21, 2021.
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Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing. Genre: Editorial writing. The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship was established to enable a mid-career editorial writer or columnist to have time away from daily responsibilities for study and research. Freelancers may also apply. Fellowship: $75,000.  Deadline: June 22, 2021.

Solid Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Essay (See site for topics.) Minimum number of words is 600 and maximum is 800. Prize: Scholarship of $1000. Deadline: June 23, 2021.

Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to Americans and Canadians.    Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. In each category, the submitted work must be an author’s first published volume. Prize: $500. Deadline: June 25, 2021.

Molly Keane Creative Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to Irish residents. Genre: Unpublished short story, maximum 2,000 words. Prize: 500 pounds. Deadline: June 25, 2021.

Bard Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to a writer who is an American citizen aged 39 years or younger at the time of application. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction or essay on theme of Split Second. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Storytwigs micro-writing competition. Restrictions: Open to citizens/residents of United States or Canada. You must be 18 years or older to enter. Genre: Short prose 100 words or fewer on prompt of String. Prize: From $10 to $100. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Kingdoms in the Wild Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers who have yet to publish a collection of poetry (not including self-published chapbooks). Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: $250 & Publication. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize is awarded to the author of the best first novel published in the previous calendar year. Restrictions: Only American authors publishing in English are eligible. Non-eligible books include short story collections, flash fiction, memoirs, biographies and books published solely in electronic format. Prize: $1000. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is 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. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror. 17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, Griffin Poetry Prize. Restrictions: One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada. Genre: Poetry. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award. Prize: C$200,000, is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals of national distribution. Online and self-publication does not count toward this requirement. Genre: A manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Prize: $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Utah Division of Arts and Museums Original Writing Competition. Restrictions: Utah writers. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $1,000 top prizes for book-length manuscripts of novels, creative nonfiction & history, collection of poetry or short stories, and juvenile book; $300 top prizes for individual poems, short stories, and personal essays. 2nd Prize $500 for the book-length categories, $150 for poetry. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Blue Mountain Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poetry. "Poems can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find that non-rhyming poetry reads better. We suggest that you write about real emotions and feelings and that you have some special person or occasion in mind as you write." Prize: First prize $300. Second prize $150. Third prize $30. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Contest. Restrictions: The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under. Genre: Essay. The theme of the contest is "Community in the Commonwealth." Prize: Past prizes have included certificates, resources for winner's school, visits to Cambridge University, a trip to London and a week of activities, work experience at international organisations, and having your entry featured in worldwide media. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $750 in any single year. Genre: General Nonfiction. Stories must be between 1000--10,000 words in length. Prize: First prize in each category will be $200. Runners-up will receive $100. Finalists will receive $50. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

Emmy Awards - Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award. Restrictions: Non-US citizens under the age of 30 only. Prize: $2,500, a trip to New York City, and an invitation to the International Emmy® Awards Gala in November. Deadline: June 30, 2021.

40 Fabulous Writing Conferences in June 2021

Pixabay Writing workshops and conferences always pick up in the summer. This June features more than three dozen conferences and workshops for writers, mostly held online. 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. During the pandemic most of these are being held virtually at reduced rates. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

Photo credit: Pixabay
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Clarksville Writers Conference. June 3 - 4, 2021: Clarksville, TN. Two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, and manuscript consultations.


Indiana University Writers’ Conference. June 3 - 6, 2021, Indiana University in Bloomington. The conference features workshops in poetry and fiction, as well as craft classes, readings, and panels for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The cost of the conference is $385, or $635 with a workshop. Lodging and meals are not included; lodging is available in campus dormitories and in the campus hotel. The registration fee is $30; general registration is first come, first served. To attend a workshop, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry or 15 to 25 pages of prose; admissions are made on a rolling basis. Will be held online.

Nebula Conference. June 4 - 6, 2021, Los Angeles, CA. SFWA members and other individuals who are interested in the field of science fiction and fantasy are welcome to attend SFWA’s Nebula Conference. Attendees may participate in workshops, programming and special events throughout the weekend. You do not need to be a member of SFWA to attend. Will be held online.

Colrain Classic. June 4 - 7, 2021. 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." Will be conducted online.

Unshore Thing Writing Getaway: A One Day Retreat for Poets and Writers. June 5, 2021: Atlantic City, NJ. "Join us for this boardwalk-inspired getaway, designed for writers of fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry. Trigger your imagination and compose new work that will surprise and please you. Spend the day immersed in the literary life: discussing writing, doing your own writing and sharing some of your new drafts." Faculty: Peter E. Murphy. Will be conducted online.

Wyoming Writers Conference. June 5 - 6, 2021: Laramie, WY. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and self-publishing, as well as agent and editor pitch sessions, roundtable critiques, and open mics. Participating writers have included poet Jovan Mays, fiction writers Tasha Alexander and Andrew Grant, and nonfiction writer Page Lambert. Participating publishing professionals include editor Eric Campbell (Down & Out Books) and agents Stephanie Hansen (Metamorphosis Literary Agency) and Angie Hodapp (Nelson Literary Agency). Fiction writer Brad Watson will deliver the keynote. The cost of the conference is $235 until May 1 and $275 thereafter, and includes a one-year membership to Wyoming Writers, Inc. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for a discounted rate of $104 per night. Will be conducted online and in person.

Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Summer Seminar. June 6 - 12 and 13 - 19, 2021, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Workshops in poetry and fiction, one-on-one manuscript consultations, panel discussions, and readings. Offers fellowships.

Bread Loaf Translators' Conference. June 6 - 12, 2021: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference includes workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and readings by faculty and guests. Application deadline: March 19, 2021. 

Bread Loaf Environmental Writers' Conference. June 6 - 12, 2021: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers' Conference is a week-long writers’ conference designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about the environment and the natural world. The conference is co-sponsored by the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Orion magazine, and Middlebury College’s Environmental Studies Program. 

Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. June 6 - 13, 2021. "The 2021 MVICW Virtual Summer Writers’ Conference offers over 30 live seminars in poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, panel discussions, late-night open mics, and courses on publishing & editing. Our program encourages cross-genre exploration and attendees have the option of taking seminars in all genres. All seminars are recorded and accessible to attendees for 6 months after the conference." 

Odyssey Writing Workshop. June 7 - July 16, 2021. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Will be held online.

Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 7 - August 27, 2021: Provincetown, Massachusetts. Last year's faculty included David Baker, Samiya Bashir, Jill Bialosky, Sophie Cabot Black, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Martha Collins, Kate Daniels, Nick Flynn, Vievee Francis, Gabriel Fried, Jorie Graham, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Fred Marchant, Gail Mazur, Jane Mead, John Murillo, Eileen Myles, Matthew Olzmann, Gregory Pardlo, Carl Phillips, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Victoria Redel, Martha Rhodes, Brenda Shaughnessy, Nicole Sealey, Alan Shapiro, Carmen Giménez Smith, Craig Morgan Teicher and many more. See individual workshops for dates.

The Writer's Hotel Virtual Poetry Conference. June 10-14, 2021. Application deadline: May 16. TWH 2021 Poetry Faculty: Jorie Graham, Ellen Bass, Peter Balakian, Diane Ackerman, Marge Piercy, Kim Addonizio, Tim Seibles, Ada Limón, Jenny Xie, Camille T. Dungy, Sherwin Bitsui, Major Jackson, Alberto Ríos, Thomas Lynch, Samiya Bashir,  Alexandra Oliver, Kevin Larimer and TWH Directors Shanna McNair and Scott Wolven. 

West Virginia Writers Conference. June 11 - 13, 2021: Ripley, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others. 

Florida Writing Workshop. June 12, 2021. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on June 12, 2021. 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. And even though this is the “Florida” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually."

California Crime Writers Conference. June 12 - 13, 2021: Culver City, California. Faculty: William Kent Krueger: Keynote Speaker. Hallie Ephron: Keynote Speaker. "Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles and SoCal Mystery Writers of America invite emerging and established mystery writers for a weekend of invaluable guidance, insight, and community at the 2017 California Crime Writers Conference. Whether your novel is brewing in your imagination, ready to publish, or you already have several published books under your belt, our workshops, presented by agents, editors, award-winning authors, and crime investigation professionals, are geared to elevate your mystery writing skills and foster relationships on your path to publication and beyond."

DFW Writers Conference. June 12 - 13, 2021: Fort Worth TX. Featuring pitch sessions with literary agents, advanced classes, engaging panels, interactive workshops.

Annual Philadelphia Writers' Conference. June 12 - 13, 2021: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Features workshops, contests and awards, critique and feedback sessions, and agent and editor speed dates. Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Screenwriting, Young Adult. 

Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop. June 13 - 17, 2021: Roanoke, Virginia. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft seminars, individual conferences with faculty members, and readings. Will be held online.

Yale Writers' Conference. June 13 - 26, 2021: New Haven, CT. Visiting Faculty: Amy Bloom, Michael Cunningham, Lev Grossman, Claudia Rankine, Edmund White, MG Lord, Sarah Darer Littman Resident Faculty: Kirsten Bakis, Je Banach, Sybil Baker, Marc Fitten, Trey Ellis, and more. Director: Terence Hawkins. CLOSED

Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 14 - 18, 2021: Sandy, Utah. Offers one-, two-, three- and five-day workshops. Morning workshops devoted to individual work; afternoon talks on market, craft, publication; chats w/ editors and agents; keynote; book signing. For those interested, specialized workshops--Boot Camp and Full-Novel classes. Single day programs as well. Will be held online and in person.

Algonkian Writer Conference–New York City Pitch. June 17 - 20, 2021: Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City. The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop is held four times a year and features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. 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. Will be held online.

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. June 17 - 27, 2021: Forest Grove, Oregon. Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing. Will be virtual.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 19 - June 26, 2021: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: April 1, 2021. Will be held online.

Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 20 - 26 and July 11 - 17, 2021: Gambier, Ohio. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction led by an accomplished faculty. Genre workshops (Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, and Poetry) are held for three hours each morning. (See individual workshops for dates.)

Colgate Writers’ Conference. June 20 - 26, 2021: Hamilton, New York. Morning craft talks & workshops. Individual consultation with workshop instructor in the afternoon. Late afternoon participant readings and talks on publishing, storytelling. Evening readings by instructors & guests. Late night social events. "Bring a story, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, and methods of research. Members of the publishing profession will also be here to discuss marketplace tactics."

Chesapeake Writers' Conference at St. Mary's College of Maryland. June 20 - 26, 2021: St. Mary's City, Maryland. "Join us on Maryland’s Western Shore-for the 8th Annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference for a week of craft talks, lectures, panel discussions, and readings, as well as daily workshops in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, translation, songwriting, or creative nonfiction.

Clarion West Speculative Fiction Writers Workshop. June 20 - July 31, 2021: Seattle, Washington. "Every summer, Clarion West holds an intensive six-week workshop in Seattle’s University District, geared to help you prepare for a professional career as a writer of speculative fiction. Each workshop is limited to 18 students, and each week features a different instructor, a highly regarded author or editor offering their unique perspective on the field. Short fiction is the workshop’s focus, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Come prepared to write several new stories, to experiment and take artistic risks, and to give and receive constructive criticism. Will be held online.

Manhattanville College Summer Writers' Week. June 21 - 25, 2021: Purchase, New York. Each day begins with a workshop, then afternoons feature craft panels and events. Evenings feature faculty readings and a keynote reader, and these evening readings are free and open to the public. For an immersive experience, housing is available on campus for workshop participants. Will be held online.

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 21 - 26, 2021: Bemidji, Minnesota. Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Faculty: The faculty includes Jennifer Elise Foerster (Poetry), John Murillo (Poetry), Faith Adiele (Creative Nonfiction), J. Drew Lanham (Creative Nonfiction), Danielle Evans (Fiction). and the Distinguished Visiting Writer is the National Book Award-winning poet Nikky Finney. Will be held online.

Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 21 - 27, 2021: Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing.

Chautauqua Writers’ Festival. June 23 - 26, 2021: Chautauqua, New York. In addition to the Festival’s tradition of intensive workshops and one-on-one conferences with award-winning contemporary authors, attendees can also attend panel conversations, breakout sessions, and a keynote address. The 2021 theme is "Personal Geographies," and these various conversations will draw fruitful and urgent connections between the personal, the political, and the craft of writing. All of these features are included in the cost of Standard Registration and available as an option to any workshop participant.

Wesleyan Writers Conference. June 23 - 27, 2021: Middletown, CT. The conference offers workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as master classes, craft sessions, panel discussions, readings, lectures, and manuscript consultations with agents and editors. The program includes a choice of daily seminars focused on the novel, short story, poetry, and nonfiction (memoir, short- and long-form nonfiction, and journalism).

Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 23 - 27, 2021: Jackson Hole, WY. You will have ample opportunity to share your work with a distinguished faculty as well as writers from Massachusetts to Florida, from Texas to Washington. Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole each June looking for a fresh, but critical eye on their work. This event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch. Will host online programs.

Historical Novel Society North American Conference. June 24 - 26, 2021: San Antonio, TX. Registration $475 (members), $550 (nonmembers) includes welcome reception, two breakfasts and lunches, and Saturday evening banquet.

DRC Conference Faculty & Workshops. June 24 - 26, 2021: Davenport, Iowa. Daily workshops, critiques, pitches, evening events, keynote. Will be held online.

Writers' Weekend. June 24 - 26, 2021. "The Virtual Writers’ Weekend is for writers working at all levels and in every genre who want to improve their writing, get their manuscript published, and network with agents, published authors, and other writers.  Due to the success of the 2020 virtual event, we’ve decided to hold the 2021 Writers’ Weekend as a virtual event again. We are based in the lovely and historic city of Winchester, England, but due to the virtual nature of our event, you can attend from anywhere in the world!" Keynote speakers: Diana Gabaldon and Chris Riddell, plus novelists Robert Fabbri, Kate Mosse, Lissa Evans, Tracey Corderoy, MG Leonard, Derek Miller, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Helen Fields and Ness Wood, as well as literary agents who will give talks on the craft of writing and how to get published. 

The David R. Collins Virtual Writers’ Conference. June 24 - 26, 2021. "Each workshop meets for 90 minutes each day, 4.5 hours over three days. We will be offering five workshops in 2020, including: poetry (led by Gale Marie Thompson); personal essay/memoir (led by Lyz Lenz); short fiction (led by Joe Meno); and the novel (led by TBA). We also have a faculty reading and an open mic for participants; pitch sessions for writers to present manuscripts to our own MWC Press; one-on-one manuscript critiques with Conference faculty; luncheons; and a keynote event on June 24, featuring Allison Joseph, who will also lead a master class on Friday, June 25."

So You Want to be an Author/Illustrator? Online Course 2021. June 24, 2021 - August 12, 2021. Explore the possibilities of moving from Illustrator to Author/Illustrator, or becoming an Author/Illustrator. Learn how to find ideas and move from sketch to story ideas. Explore narrative drawing, pagination, thumbnail sketches and dummy (mock-up) creation. Will be held online. 

Mountain Heritage Literary Festival. June 24 - 25, 2021: Cumberland Gap, TN. "Every year writers gather at the ancient and beloved Cumberland Gap to celebrate writing, music, and Appalachian heritage. Events include workshops, panels, readings, concerts, lectures, open mic, and more." Will be held online.