Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 27

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. 

Pitching Your Book on Twitter Fests

What are Twitter pitch fests?

Twitter pitch fests are limited periods of time (usually one day) during which you can post a 280-character pitch for your book.

Agents are on the alert at these times, and they have the option of "liking" your pitch, and then asking for a full or partial.

If you have a completed, agent-ready manuscript, tweet your pitch! It can't do you any harm, and it doesn't preclude querying agents.

Believe it or not, pitch fests actually do work. Busy agents are often more likely to read and respond to an interesting twitter pitch than they are to a query. It takes less time and a lot less effort.

However, it will not take less effort on your part. Boiling your novel down to a short sentence is loaded with pitfalls. It's surprisingly easy to turn your exciting novel into a one-sentence summary that would bore an elephant to tears. So, I would suggest that you read What's Your Book About? How to Make a Pitch before attempting one of these contests.

A good Twitter pitches will make you want to go out and BUY the book, which is precisely what the pitch is intended for. Contrary to what you may think, a pitch is not really about the meaning, theme, or inherent quality of your book. It is a sales tool. So, think about what would make you want to read a book, and convey that in your pitch. (A hint: Pitches, like queries, follow the story arc of your main character.)

Here is a list of 2021 pitch fests. Like Twitter itself, pitch fests are constantly changing and evolving. There are probably a few that I've missed. And, some of these may vanish by next year, but that is the nature of publishing. It's a volatile industry.

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#PitDark

May 20, 2021
#PitDark is the first and only Twitter pitch event to highlight literature of a “darker” nature. Importantly, this is not limited to horror works; however, any pitched manuscript must contain an element of horror or darker writing. Examples of such categories include pure horror novels, dark fantasy, murder mysteries, psychological horror stories, non-fiction works about darker subjects, etc. MG, YA, NA, and adult age categories are welcome.
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#MockPit

May 21, August 20, November 19, 2021

#MockPit is a Twitter event where writers can practice their Twitter pitches. Authors are invited to tweet the pitch for their manuscript and encouraged to give constructive feedback to other authors. #MockPit is not associated with any other Twitter pitch contests, but authors are welcome to practice pitches they intend to use for other events.

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#PitMad 

June 3, September 2, December 2, 2021, March 3, 2022


Brenda Drake has done more to popularize twitter pitch contests than anyone else. Her contests are well organized, and attract many industry professionals as well as published authors eager to help aspiring writers. Agents keep an eye on her contests, and have signed on writers through their initial pitches. Make sure to read the contest rules carefully.

Note: You may only tweet your pitch three times during #PitMad. Read all about it HERE.

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#PitchDis

June 22, 2021


#PitchDis was created to showcase pitches from the disabled community, which has been historically underrepresented in the publishing industry. The event is inspired by the Twitter pitch events #DVpit and #PitMad.

The first #PitchDis will take place on June 22, 2021 between 8am and 8pm EDT. During this time, unagented disabled authors may pitch their complete, polished fiction or nonfiction projects on Twitter. Agents and editors who are interested in seeing more will "like" the pitch. The author can then send the requested materials to the agent or editor.

The event is moderated by Despina Karras.
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#PBpit

Hosted by Mandy Yates

June 17, 2021

For picture books only.

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#SFFpit

Hosted by Dan Koboldt

Late Summer/Fall 2021 (Date to be announced)

This contest is for completed, unpublished novels of fantasy or science fiction. Complete means that it’s proofed, polished, and ready for submission. Unpublished means you haven’t self-published it online, on Amazon, or in print. Fantasy or science fiction means speculative fiction: epic fantasy, urban fantasy, post-apocalyptic, space opera.

The contest will happen on Twitter under the hashtag #SFFpit. During a 10-hour window on the chosen day, authors with completed manuscripts who are seeking representation or publication can tweet a pitch for their books (at most, once per hour).

7 New Agents Seeking Commercial Fiction, Nonfiction, Kidlit, YA, Women's Fiction and more

Emily Glenister Here are seven new literary agents actively seeking clients. Dan Milaschewski wants Action/Adventure, Commercial, Crime, Family Saga, Fantasy, General, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Literary, Military, Mystery, New Adult, Religious, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult; and in nonfiction History, Humor, LGBTQ, Pop Culture, True Crime. Emelie Burl represents Children's, YA, and Pop Culture. Bailey Tamayo is looking for middle grade, YA, and adult speculative fiction, fantasy, sci fi, horror, and anything in between. Kristin Ostby represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as picture book author/illustrators and select adult fiction.
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Emily Glenister is seeking female-led reading group and commercial novels, as well as diverse/own voices, with an emphasis on crime/thriller (not political or environmental), upmarket commercial women's fiction with a unique hook, epic love stories, post-eighteenth century history, and gothic novels/ghost stories. Darlene Chan is interested in stories by and about BIPOC, women’s fiction, chick lit, crime fiction, YA, pop culture and books on film and the entertainment industry. Sera Rivers is currently accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels, as well as the occasional picture book.

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

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Ms. Emily Glenister of DHH Literary (UK)

Emily Glenister trained to be an actress at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 2010 before working as an agent and agent's assistant in offices that represented the likes of Charlotte Rampling, Sir Roger Moore, Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow. In 2020, after assisting David Headley for four years in all aspects of the agency, Emily was made an Associate Agent and is starting to build her client list. 
What she is seeing: Female-led reading group and commercial novels, as well as diverse / own voices, with an emphasis on crime / thriller (not political or environmental), upmarket commercial women's fiction with a unique hook, epic love stories, post-eighteenth century history, and gothic novels / ghost stories. Authors similar to what Emily is looking for would be: Abi Daré, Kiley Reid, Daisy Buchanan, Amy Engel, Greer Hendricks / Sarah Pekkanen and Celeste Ng. Emily is not looking for screenplays, short story / novellas, non-fiction, children's books / YA or Sci-Fi.
How to submit: Please email a one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters of your book, to eg.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com
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Dan Milaschewski of United Talent Agency

Dan majored in English at Harvard University. After graduation, Dan found a home in the publishing department at UTA and is now actively building his own list.
What he is seeking: Commercial Fiction: Action/Adventure, Commercial, Crime, Family Saga, Fantasy, General, Historical, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Literary, Military, Mystery, New Adult, Religious, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult. Non-Fiction: History, Humor, LGBTQ, Pop Culture, True Crime
How to submit: Submissions should be emailed to daniel.milaschewski@unitedtalent.com with the word "Query" in the subject line; A brief synopsis; Your bio; The first fifty (50) pages from your novel or book proposal.


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Ms. Emelie Burl of Susan Schulman Literary Agency

I've spent the last 15 years as a children's bookseller in indie bookshops,
What she is seeking: Children's, YA, and Pop Culture.
How to submit: Please send your query to: emelie@schulmanagency.com. Fiction: Query Letter with outline and three sample chapters, resume and SASE. Non-Fiction: Query Letter with complete description of subject, at least one chapter, resume and SASE. Please do not send attachments with email queries.


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Ms. Bailey Tamayo of Sanford J. Greenburger Associates

Bailey joined Greenburger Associates after internships with Writers House and the Carol Mann Agency. She is now an associate agent and the assistant to Matt Bialer, aiding him with his talented list of fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, literary, and nonfiction authors. She graduated from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature & Publishing and Communication Sciences & Disorders. You can find Bailey on Twitter @baileymeitamayo
What she is seeking: Bailey is seeking middle grade, YA, and adult speculative fiction, fantasy, sci fi, horror, and anything in between—especially when the genre is a unique setting for the deeply human stories underneath. She is drawn to poignant coming of age narratives like The Graveyard Book, I Am Not Okay With This, and any given Ghibli film. Her favorite stories are those that are gently heartbreaking, hopeful, or (ideally) both. She enjoys sharp humor, lyrical prose, lovable and complex characters, and rich worldbuilding. She is eager to advocate for underrepresented authors, and especially to explore these viewpoints through horror, such as Welcome to Night Vale, The Magnus Archives, and Mexican Gothic. Some of her favorite authors/creators are Neil Gaiman, Emily St. John Mandel, Taika Waititi, Noelle Stevenson, Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples, and ONE.
How to submit: Query Bailey at btamayo@sjga.com under the subject line “Query: [PROJECT TITLE].” Please include a brief pitch and bio in your cover letter and your full manuscript as an attachment. If Bailey believes your work might be a good fit for her list, she will be in touch within 4-6 weeks. Due to the volume of queries she receives, she is unable to respond personally to each submission.
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Ms. Darlene Chan of Linda Chester Literary Agency

Darlene Chan is the newest member of the agency. A veteran of the film industry, she served as an executive for Paramount Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures (both times under Jeffrey Katzenberg), Davis Entertainment and as an independent producer. Among the titles she has been associated with are Grumpy Old Men, Beverly Hills Cop, Thing Called Love and Shattered. In 2009, Darlene established Darlene Chan PR, which specializes in web PR and social media for authors. Among her clients are Live Talks Los Angeles, Daniel H. Wilson, Joe Ide, Elizabeth Brundage, Tara Ison and Denise Hamilton. 
What she is seeing: Darlene is interested in stories by and about BIPOC, women’s fiction, chick lit, crime fiction, YA, pop culture and books on film and the entertainment industry.
How to submit: Please send queries to her at darlene@lindachester.com, including the first two chapters in the body of the email
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Ms. Sera Rivers of Martin Literary Management

Sera worked in educational publishing for seven years and launched Avenue A Books, a children’s graphic novel imprint at Center for Responsive Schools. As Avenue A’s acquiring and managing editor, she worked with new and established children’s book writers and illustrators to create picture books and middle grade graphic novels. She loved helping writers and illustrators hone their craft to produce their best work. Now, as an agent, Sera provides editorial feedback to help clients get their manuscripts submission ready.
What she is seeking: Sera is currently accepting queries for middle grade and young adult fiction and graphic novels, as well as the occasional picture book.
How to submit: Please send your queries  via email at Sera@MartinLit.com with the following format of the subject line: “Query: [GENRE, e.g., YA Graphic Novel], [FIRST LAST NAME],” or use this link via Query Manager. She’ll do her very best to reply to queries within thirty days. For novel submissions, please include your query letter and the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. For graphic novel submissions, please include your query letter and the first ten pages of your script in the body of your email. Please attach any sample pages of art or character designs that you have, or send a link of sample pages; please also send a link to your portfolio.
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Ms. Kristin Ostby of Greenhouse Literary Agency

Kristin moved from Michigan to New York to begin her life in publishing at Penguin Random House, and after sixteen years as a children’s book editor (and freelance writer on the side), she rose to become a senior editor at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Kristin has had the joy and pleasure of editing children’s book legend Tomie dePaola; New York Times bestselling authors like Stuart Gibbs (Spy School) and US soccer star Alex Morgan (The Kicks); and award-winning creators including Daniel Miyares (Float), Jessica Lawson (Nooks & Crannies), and Heather Vogel Frederick (The Mother-Daughter Book Club). She also edited the mainstay bestseller I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark by Debbie Levy and Elizabeth Baddeley. Kristin loves guiding authors and illustrators toward their best work and advocating for them in service of building successful, sustainable artistic careers.
What she is seeking: Kristin Ostby represents authors of middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as picture book author/illustrators and select adult fiction. She is primarily seeking tightly written, tightly plotted, fast-paced commercial middle-grade and young adult fiction—adventure, mystery, and contemporary humor—as well as young adult romance.
How to submit: Use her form HERE.

80 Calls for Submissions in May 2021 - Paying markets

Pixabay This May there are nearly seven 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.
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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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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: May 1, 2021.
Witness. Restrictions: Black writers only. Genre: Poetry, nonfiction. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Hybrid Ink: Future//Tense: Love. Genre: Transfuturistic science-fiction. "The stories within will explore the way love, relationship, and identity issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story.) Deadline: May 1, 2021.


Urhi Publishing: The Needle Drops. Genre: Horror: Fiction and poetry. Payment: £15 per poem. £50 - £100 for fiction. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Sundog Lit. Genre: Poetry, nonfiction, and fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

The Hungry Ghost Project. Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction up to 1000 words on the topics of food, hauntings, memory and consumption, both independently and combined. Payment: £5. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Mythulu Magazine. Genre: Short stories that feature wildly original biomes or bizarre weather.  Payment: $0.06/word or $15/page. Non-fiction pays 0.08/word. Creative works earn 0.04/word, with short stories capped at $75. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Mud Season Review. Genre: Nonfiction up to 6,000 words, art, fiction. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2021.


Hidden Timber Books. Genre: Literary fiction or narrative nonfiction in the form of a novel, a memoir, or a collection (short stories, essays, or hybrid). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

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

Boulevard. Genre: Poems up to 200 lines. Send up to five poems. Also fiction and nonfiction.  Payment: $25-250 for poetry, and $100-300 for prose. Deadline: May 1, 2021. No submission fee for mailed submissions.
Cryptids Emerging: Tales of Dark Cheer. Genre: "Contemporary supernatural or historical fantasy about cryptids living with humans, or just at the edge of our vision, stories of what the world would look like if cryptids were real." Payment: 0.05¢ American per word for stories up to 5,000 words. Deadline: May 1, 2021.


Foglifter. Genres: Poetry, prose, cross-genre work. "Foglifter welcomes daring and thoughtful work by queer and trans writers in all forms, and we are especially interested in cross-genre, intersectional, marginal, and transgressive work." Payment: $25. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

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

Bear Creek Gazette. Genre: Anyhing you might find in a regular newspaper, keeping in mind the fact that Bear Creek does not exist. "The B.C.G is here to document the weird, scary and beautiful things that take place in the town." Payment: $30. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

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

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of RULER / REBEL. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: May 2, 2021. See accepted genres.
Midnight and Indigo. Genre: Short Stories, Speculative Fiction, and Personal Essays written by Black women writers. Payment: $50 - $100. Deadline: May 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: May 3, 2021.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Space. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: May 3, 2021.

Black Cat Magazine. Genre: Speculative fiction, art, and poetry. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 3, 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: May 7, 2021.  Opens to submissions on May 1.

Sciencefictionery. Genre: Science fiction short stories and poems. Payment: 3 pence per word for fiction and £30 per poem. (Approx 4 cents per word / $40 US) Deadline: May 7, 2021. 
Bennington Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $100 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $200 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $20 per poem, in addition to two copies of the issue in which the piece is published and a copy of the subsequent issue. Deadline: May 8, 2021.

Kingdoms in the Wild. Restrictions: Open to Black writers. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $125. Deadline: May 10, 2021.

Shoreline of Infinity. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy. LGBTQ writers only. Payment: £10/1000 words. Deadline: May 13, 2021.

Georgia Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, non-fiction. Payment: $50 per printed page for prose and $4 per line for poetry. Essay-reviews and standard reviews earn honoraria of $50/printed page. Deadline: May 14, 2021. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Newfound. Genre: Fiction, Flash, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, and Visual Arts. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 15, 2021. Submit early in the month.

Orca. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 15, 2021. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.


Grain Literary Magazine is a Canadian publication. Genres: Individual poems, sequences, or suites up to a maximum of 6 pages, fiction, literary nonfiction. Payment: CAD $50 per page up to CAD $250. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Witness. Restrictions: Black writers only. Genre: Fiction. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Honeyguide Magazine is a bi-annual magazine that features fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art, and blog posts about animals and their human neighbors. Payment: $50. Only pays for features. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

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

Outlook Springs. Genre: "Send us your weird, wobbly wordwork: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry." Payment: $10 per poem, $10 per flash piece (under 1,000 words), $25 for short fiction and essays (over 1,000 words). Payment via PayPal or Venmo. Deadline: May 15, 2021.


Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Stories. Genre: True stories and poems. "The rituals of the holiday season give a rhythm to the years and create a foundation for our lives. Were your traditions and celebrations different this year? Were you able to gather with family, go to church, attend holiday parties and share the special spirit of the season, brightening those long winter days. Please share your special stories about the holiday season with us." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Please See Me. Genre: Poetry, creative nonfiction/essays, fiction/short stories/flash fiction, scripts and digital media (photography, drawings, podcasts, and short films). "Patients, students, family members, caregivers, nurses, physicians, healthcare consumers, artists, mental health providers, physical therapists, writers, clergy—all of us will be patients one day and all are welcome to submit work. We are especially looking for content from vulnerable populations and those who care for them; content that connects us with every community, makes us feel something, helps us see illness, wellness, health, or the healthcare environment differently, and inspires equality in healthcare and the world." Theme: Rest & Recovery. Payment: Unspecified. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Luna Station Quarterly. Genre: Speculative fiction by woman. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2021. Accepts reprints.

Songs of Eretz. Genre: Poetry, cover art on theme of Love. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Time Capsules. Genre: Stories about opening time capsules. Payment: $15.00 plus equal share of 50% of the anthology’s royalties for stories. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Lamplight. Genre: Dark fiction, both short stories and flash fiction. Payment: Unpublished Fiction: 3¢ per word, $150.00 max. Reprints: 1¢ per word up to 7,000 words. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Queer monsters anthology. Genre: Poems and short stories that "subvert the horror gaze, allowing writers and readers to celebrate monsters that have once been feared, and even question who the real monsters are and what makes something horrific or monstrous." Contributors must be LGBTQIA2S+.  Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Post-Apocalypse. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: May 17, 2021.

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

Claw & Blossom. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 23, 2021. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fees.

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

Night Shift Radio. Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, memoir - 7,000-10,000 words. Payment: $50 or $25. Deadline: May 28, 2021. Opens May 21.

“WHAT ONE WOULDN’T DO” Genre: Short stories. "I’m looking for sacrifices, risky wagers, high stakes, and especially—if you’re familiar with my own writing—the unintended consequences and fallout of said things. I’m interested in the lengths characters would go to “fill-in-the-blank-here.” I’m open to anything in the dark speculative fiction realm. I think blending genres/sub-genres around this theme could make for something special." Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: May 29, 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: May 30, 2021.

Sanitarium Magazine. Genre: Dark verse, flash fiction and short horror stories. Payment: $5 - $10. Deadline: May 30, 2021.

Classic Monsters Unleashed. Genre: Dark, scary stories featuring a classic monster or monsters (think famous creatures from pre-1960 horror movies). Length: 1500 to 5000 words. Payment: 6 cents/word. Deadline: May 30, 2021.

Madness Heart: Trigger Warning. Genre: Horror. "Give us your stories of grave robbing, necrophilia, necrocannibalism, necromancy, necrophobia, desecration, deification. Bring out your dead and paint the streets in the blood of the living and the rot of the disrespected dead... We want stomach-churning, the ultra-violent, the painful to read." Payment: $10. Deadline: May 30, 2021.

Kweli Journal. "Kweli is the first online journal of its kind to celebrate community and cultural kinships. In this shared space, you will hear the lived experience of people of color. Our many stories. Our shared histories. Our creative play with language. Here our memories are wrapped inside the music of the Muscogee, the blues songs of the South, the clipped patois of the Caribbean." Genre: Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry. Length: No more than 7,000 words. Payment: "upon publication." Deadline: May 30, 2021.

Spartan. Genre: Literary prose, 1500 words max. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 30, 2021.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry on theme of Contamination. Payment: $30.  Deadline: May 31, 2021. Opens May 15.

Crunchy With Ketchup. Genre: Speculative stories that feature really badass dragons. Payment: $15.00 plus equal share of 50% of the anthology’s royalties for stories. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Blood & Bone: An Anthology of Body Horror by Women. Genre: Horror. "We’re looking for body horror stories by women writers that explore, celebrate and dissect (perhaps literally!) femininity and the female experience." Length: Anything between 1,000 – 6,000 words. Payment: 0.01 USD per word, plus an electronic contributor’s copy. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Antioch Review. Genre: Nonfiction articles and fiction geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Snail mail submissions only.
Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 31, 2021.


Nectar. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Nashville Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art, and nonfiction. Payment: $25 per poem & song selection; $100 per selection for all other categories, including featured artwork. Translators receive $25 per poem & $100 for prose selections. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Note: Submit early in the month.


University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose Series. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2021.


Pole to Pole Publishing: Re-Enlist. Genre: Dark science fiction stories related to the military and war. "Send us military science fiction stories, ones you’ve had published before, for which full rights have already reverted back to you. We have open minds about what constitutes “military” and “science fiction” but we’re insisting on good stories told well." Payment: $10. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Die Laughing: An Anthology of Humorous Mysteries. Genre: Mystery/crime stories with off-beat characters, bungling detectives, or funny premises. Length: 1k-8k words. Payment: 2 cents USD per word, B&W comics $25 USD. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

University Press of Kentucky. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and short stories. Payment: Royalties (?) Deadline: May 31, 2021. Opens May 1. 
 
Crimeucopia. Genre: Crime Fiction. Payment: Reprints - To a Maximum of - £7.00 at present - but negotiable. New Material - 1,000 - 5,000 - up to £10 .00 at present. New Material - 6.000 - 10,000 - up to £20.00 at present. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Darkness Blooms. Genre: Dark fiction on themes of Identity, Security, and Community. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $50 per author (via PayPal) for our web issues. Payment for print is $5 per page, minimum of $20, plus 2 contributor copies and a 1-year subscription. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Note: Submit early in the month.

Alien Dimensions. Genre: Science Fiction. Payment: $10. Minimum 3500 words, maximum 4,500 words. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Madness Heart Press. Genre: Horror. "Give us your stories of grave robbing, necrophilia, necrocannibalism, necromancy, necrophobia, desecration, deification. Bring out your dead and paint the streets in the blood of the living and the rot of the disrespected dead." Payment: $10. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Kaleidotrope. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry—science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also compelling work that blurs the lines between these and falls outside of neat genre categories.   Payment: For fiction, $0.01/word (1 cent a word) USD. For poetry, a flat rate of $5 USD per accepted piece. For artwork, a flat rat of $60 for cover art. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Re-Enlist Anthology. Genre: Dark science fiction stories related to the military and war. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Reprints accepted.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Red Cape Anthologies: J is for Jack-o’-Lantern. Genre: Horror. "Halloween is the theme for these stories but the Jack-o’-Lantern must play a key role." Payment: £10. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Mythology. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Coastal Shelf. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $20 - $30. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Opens May 15.

Agni. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays. Payment: $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $20 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

One Story. Genre: Short story. Payment: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

The Gettysburg Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays. Payment: $2.50 per line for poetry, with a maximum of $300.00 for an individual poem, and $25.00 per printed page for prose. Deadline: May 31, 2021. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction on Seasonal Holidays. 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: May 31, 2021.

AND MORE...


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.

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.

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35 Writing Contests in May 2021 - No entry fees

This May there are nearly three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $60,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

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

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

(Photo credit: Anguskirk: Flickr)

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Spider’s Web Flash Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to female-identified writers. Genre: Microfiction on the theme of Metamorphosis. Word Count: 20 to 100 words. Prize: $150. Deadline: May 1, 2021.


The CookOut. Restrictions: Open to black writers. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Message to the World Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to persons up to the age of 25. Genre: Poem about Freedom. Prize: £350. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

West Virginia Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open to West Virginia residents or students. Genre: Short fiction, 5,000 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $1,500.   Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Questions Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to authors aged 18-30. Genre: Short stories of any genre or nonfiction between 1500 and 2000 words. Prize: First place winners (or prize pool for a tie) is $2000. The work will also be published in a book. Deadline: May 1, 2021. 

CINTAS Creative Writing Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to any Cuban author (including those of direct Cuban lineage; need not reside in Cuba). Genre: Novel excerpts, short stories, plays, or poems of up to 25 pages. Prize: $20,000 fellowship. Deadline: May 1, 2021.

Remastered Words Short Story Competition. Genre: Fantasy short story up to 5,000 words. Prize: £75, £50, £25. The winning stories will be produced as audio shorts by voiceover artists. Deadline: May 1, 2021. Accepts reprints.

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: May 2, 2021 (postmarked).

Mavis Batey Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to any student, worldwide, registered in a bona-fide university or institute of higher education, or who has recently graduated from such an institution. Genre: Nonfiction. Scholarly essay on gardening history. Prize:  £250, free membership of the Gardens Trust for a year and consideration for publication. Deadline: May 2, 2021.

The Maya Angelou Book Award was founded in 2020 to honor the legacy of Missouri-born author Maya Angelou by celebrating contemporary authors whose work has demonstrated a commitment to social justice in America and/or the world. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. Citizens and reside within the United States. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: May 3, 2021.

Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing. Genre: Book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on contemporary Canadian political life. Book must be published in Canada. Prize: CAN $25,000.  Deadline: May 4, 2021.

Harper-Wood Creative Writing & Travel Award for English Poetry and Literature. Restrictions:   Open to any student who has graduated from any university in the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth or the USA. Genre: The Award Holder is expected to engage in a course of study or research, and produce a piece of original fiction, drama or poetry. Prize: £15,000 is provided to cover accommodation and living expenses during the course of the year. Deadline: May 5, 2020.

On The Premises Mini Contest. "QUESTION EVERYTHING. For this mini-contest, show, tell, or evoke a complete story between 25 and 50 words long in which every sentence is a question (and ends with a question mark). It’s okay if technically, the sentence ends in quotation marks, because dialogue that asks a question is fine. For the purposes of this contest, “Hello?” ends in a question mark." Prize: $40. Deadline: May 7, 2021.

RTÉ Radio Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to Irish writers and residents of Ireland.  Genre: Short story. Prize: Up to 3,000 euros. Deadline: May 7, 2021.


All Our Various Voices. Montpelier Arts Center is seeking original and unpublished submissions for All Our Various Voices, an anthology celebrating the rich diversity of personal or family stories of immigration from writers who are 18 years of age and older and reside in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Prize: First Place ($200), Second Place ($150), Third Place ($100) and two Honorable Mentions ($50 each). First Place ($200), Second Place ($150), Third Place ($100) and two Honorable Mentions ($50 each). Deadline: May 7, 2021.

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and French-Language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Leeway Foundation: Transformation Award. Restrictions: Women and transgender poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who have been creating art for social change for five or more years. Writers who have lived for at least two years in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties, who are at least 18 years of age, and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Award: $15,000. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $1,500. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

Sunlight Press. Genre: Flash fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 15, 2021.

The Roadrunner Review: High School Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Poetry, prose. Prize: $100. Deadline: May 16, 2021.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Genre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between March 10, 2021 and May 18, 2021. Deadline: May 19, 2021.

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 March 11, 2021 and May 18, 2021. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 19, 2021.

Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Literary fiction, novel or short story collection. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $50,000 will be awarded to a literary fiction book or short story collection published between March 10, 2021 and May 18, 2021. Deadline: May 19, 2021.


Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. Genre: Unpublished fiction approximately 1,000 - 5,000 words. Story should pertain to music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Prize: $100 and publication in Jerry Jazz Musician. Deadline: May 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 of String. Prize: From $10 to $100. Deadline:May 31, 2021.

Speculative Literature Foundation Older Writers Grant. Restrictions: Open to writers who are fifty years of age or older at the time of grant application. Genre: Speculative fiction. Prize: $500.  Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Poetry and short fiction between 1k – 5k words based on the theme CONTAMINATION. Prize: $30. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

The Wolfe Pack Black Orchid Award. Genre: Mystery novellas in the style of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novellas. Manuscript length: 15K-20K words. Prize: $1,000, plus recognition and publication in a forthcoming issue of AAMM. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

bpNichol Poetry Chapbook Award. Genre: Published poetry chapbook. Restrictions: Canadian publishers only. Prize: The author receives $4,000 and the publisher receives $500. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Awards. Restrictions: Open to aboriginal youth, 18 years or younger, residing in Ontario, Canada. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

CNO Naval History Essay Contest. Genre: Essay: Naval history.  Prize: First Prize: $5,000. Second Prize:$2,500. Third Prize: $1,500. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Sapiens Plurum. Genre: Short stories that personalize the consequences of climate change. "This year’s short-fiction contest challenges authors to ask: How can technology increase empathy and connection? The news today is full of examples of technology creating dissension and amplifying differences. We ask authors to imagine ways that technology can improve how we relate to each other and bring us closer, even across species. We welcome stories that view life from another species’ point of view and/or explore empathy between different forms of life."  Prize: 1ST PRIZE: $1000; 2ND PRIZE: $500; 3RD PRIZE: $300. Deadline: May 31, 2021.

Bacopa Literary Review. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Prizes: First ($200) and Runner-Up ($160) prizes in each genre. All published will receive $20 and a copy of the print journal. After publication, Bacopa will be promoted online. Deadline: May 31, 2021.