Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 31

2 Noteworthy Writing Conferences in December 2020

While winter is usually a slow time of year for conferences, two of the most popular conferences for aspiring authors are held in December: the CLMP Writers Conference and the New York Pitch Conference.

Each of these conferences focuses on publishing. Most importantly they offer pitch sessions with agents. Making direct contact with an agent is the best way to engage their interest. A pitch session not only gives you the opportunity to present your book, briefly (you only have about five minutes), it also gives you the opportunity to present yourself. Make an impression!

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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CLMP Writers Conference. December 2 - 4, 2020: NY, NY. Learn how to maneuver in the marketplace as an informed, empowered, professional writer. Our three-day online publishing conference features panels, clinics, Agent Pitch Sessions, and more—specifically designed to deliver insider tips on finding a literary agent, working with an editor, publishing in literary magazines, and other valuable information about building your career as a writer. Will be held online.


New York Pitch Conference. Dec 10 - 13, 2020: NY, NY. 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. The registration fee until December 5 is $795.00, and $895.00 after that date. This fee covers all conference pitch sessions and workshops. Will be held online.

10 Literary Magazines Accepting Poetry NOW - Paying markets

Here are ten literary magazines accepting poetry right now, from traditional verse to experimental forms. Most of these journals also accept fiction. All are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. 

For a list of hundreds of paying markets calling for all genres and forms see Paying Markets.

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The Lit Quarterly


“We prefer to publish verse poetry of 12–40 lines, albeit we remain open-minded to submissions of fewer and greater verses. Without demanding observance to any particular brand of formalism, we solicit poems that elicit emotional response and critical reflection.” Genres: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $100 CAD.


Microverses: Octavos

"Octavos is a venue for speculative poetry 8 lines or under. We define a line as containing at least one character. White space doesn’t add to the line count." Genres: Poetry and microfiction. Payment: $1 USD/line. 

Scarlet

"Scarlet is a bimonthly blog dedicated to publishing the work of artists whose pieces give voice to the complexities of our multiple identities. In keeping with JIP’s mission to uplift marginalized voices, Scarlet aims to showcase bold and unique framings of the view from the margins, giving strong preference to writing that questions norms and provokes discourse. We are looking for work that redraws lines and reclaims spaces, as well as writing that is pithy, deliberate, and/or experimental." Genres. Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. You may submit up to three poems at a time. Payment: $80.

Apparition Lit: Justice

"Send us your strange, misshapen stories with enough emotional heft to break a heart, with prose that’s as clear and delicious as broth. We love proactive characters and settings that feel lived in and real enough to touch. Stories with style, stories with emotion, stories with character. We want it all." Genre: Speculative poetry and fiction on theme of Justice. Payment: $30. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Split Lip Magazine

"We’re a literary journal that’s totally bonkers-in-love with voice-driven writing, pop culture, and the kind of honesty that gets you right in the kidneys. We love stories and poetry and art because they’re our insides turned out for everyone to see: the darkness and the confetti in equal measure." Genres: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. Payment: $50 per author for web issues, and $5/page for print. Deadline: November 30, 2020. Black writers may submit with no fee until December 31, 2020.

Somewhere We Are Human: An Anthology on Migration, Survival, and New Beginnings. 

This anthology seeks personal non-fiction essays and poems from migrants, asylum seekers, refugees and displaced people with experience in the United States. "We are especially interested in essays and poems from those in the midwest and Border towns. We are centering and giving priority to essays and poems from Indigenous migrants, Black migrants, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Arab communities.”  Payment: The anthology will be published by HarperCollins in English and Spanish. Contributors will be compensated a minimum of $800. Deadline: December 5,  2020.

Eye to the Telescope 

"I particularly enjoy genre-bending and pushing of form/function. That being said, non-traditional and hybrid forms are very welcome! or audio—.mp3 is best. Would love image or image/word hybrid—.jpg please! Video possible, not highly preferred, but will consider; conceptual here over literal, though open to literal with poetic intent. Column/table-format poems great. Would really love to see more math/science-based works." Genre: Speculative poetry on theme of Travel. Payment: US 3¢/word rounded up to nearest dollar; minimum US $3, maximum $25. Payment is on publication.  Deadline: December 15, 2020.

Arc Poetry Magazine

"At Arc, we find the brave new voices. We feature poetry that is woozy, cunning, shearing and wildlike, and prose that offers new perspectives on the verse you thought you knew." Genre: Poetry. Payment: $50 (CAD) per page. Deadline: December 31, 2020. 
 
Modern Poetry in Translation

"We only publish translations of poetry (and not original English-language poetry) and the translations must be previously unpublished. We welcome work from any age, but we have a preference for contemporary work. You are welcome to send submissions of up to six poems. You must be able to obtain rights for the reproduction of these translations both in MPT and online on our site." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: December 31, 2020. 

Curiouser Magazine

“We specialise in prose and poetry that can be defined roughly by the genre of magic realism. Whilst the official definition for magic realism states it is a form of literature that deals, in an accepting fashion, aspects of life usually represented as outside reality, we prefer to cast our nets a little bit wider.
We love the fantastical, the horrific, the experimental, the incantatory. We don’t like morality plays, overt spiritualism, the banal, the painfully self-aware.” Send up to three poems. Payment: $25 (Australian) per poem and $50-125 for prose. Deadline: December 31, 2020.

4 Agents Seeking Nonfiction

Here are four agents seeking nonfiction. Georgia Frances King is interested in nonfiction books about emerging science and technology, futurism, design, culture, and the arts, and supporting underrepresented voices. Anna Petkovich is interested in wellness, personal development, narrative nonfiction, journalists and podcasters with big ideas, and women writing from a faith-based perspective. Shannon O'Neill seeks nonfiction books that inform, intrigue, and inspire: areas of special interest include current affairs, popular science, history, memoir, and psychology. Doug Young's  range of interests is broad – including (but not limited to) history, science and politics, memoir and the occasional off-the-wall novel.
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. Georgia Frances King of Aevitas Creative Management

Georgia Frances King is the former Ideas Editor of Quartz, where she led the opinion section, developed their influencer network, and published award-winning articles from Nobel Prize winners to NASA astronauts and thought leaders from Melinda Gates to Reid Hoffman. Before giving in to her inner geek, King spent a decade at a number of prestigious design and lifestyle magazines, including being the Editor of Kinfolk Magazine, where she also edited the New York Times bestselling interiors book The Kinfolk Home.

What she is seeking: She is interested in nonfiction books about emerging science and technology, futurism, design, culture, and the arts, and supporting underrepresented voices. With one foot in the creative world and the other in academia, she delights in making intelligent people more intelligible.

How to submit: Use her form, found HERE.

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Ms. Anna Petkovich of Park & Fine Literary and Media

Previously, Anna worked at Sterling Lord Literistic. Prior to beginning her career in book publishing, Anna was a freelance journalist writing about food, restaurants, travel and art for local magazines. Anna graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, CA with a B.A. in English and Gender Studies and an almost minor in French. Originally from Northern California, she now lives in Brooklyn.

What she is seeking: She is interested in wellness, personal development, narrative nonfiction, journalists and podcasters with big ideas, and women writing from a faith-based perspective.

How to submit: Send your query to queries@parkfine.com Please specify the first and last name of the agent to whom you are submitting, as well as the category and genre of your submission in the subject line of the email.

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Ms. Shannon O'Neill of Ross Yoon Literary Agency


Shannon is a cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College and earned a Masters in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. A Washington DC native, in her post-college years she was able to fulfill her tweenage dream becoming a bookseller at landmark indie bookstore Politics & Prose. She has taught writing and publishing courses in a variety of venues and to audiences ranging from first year American University students to retired diplomats. She now lives in the Maryland suburbs with her family where she enjoys logging long miles on the C&O Canal towpath.


What she is seeking: Shannon seeks nonfiction books that inform, intrigue, and inspire: areas of special interest include current affairs, popular science, history, memoir, and psychology. She also seeks literary fiction that reveals the inner workings of complex characters or offers a fresh look at a seemingly familiar time, place, or situation.  

How to submit: please send one of the following: query letter briefly explaining your idea, media platform, and qualifications for writing on this topic or a complete book proposal featuring an overview of your idea, author bio, media and marketing strategy, chapter outline, and 1-3 sample chapters. Please send these as attachments in .doc or .docx format to submissions@rossyoon.com.

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Mr. Doug Young of PEW Literary (UK)

Doug Young has worked in publishing for over 25 years, latterly as a publishing director at Penguin Random House but also previously at Hachette and BBC Books. He joined PEW in 2019 and is interested in hearing from writers with a story to tell, whether in fiction or non-fiction form, and people who write in a distinctive voice or from a fresh perspective.

What he is seeking: His range of interests is broad – including (but not limited to) history, science and politics, memoir and the occasional off-the-wall novel.

How to submit: If submitting a fiction manuscript, please submit the opening three chapters (or fifty pages) along with a synopsis. The synopsis should be a clear explanation of the plot from first to final chapter. Please accompany your submission with a brief cover letter that tells us a little about you as a writer. Send your work to submissions@pewliterary.com For non-fiction send a proposal. Your proposal should be approximately thirty pages long. (See website for specifics.)

7 New Agents Seeking Science Fiction, Fantasy, YA, Picture Books, Kidlit, Nonfiction and more

Melissa Richeson Here are seven new agents actively building their client lists. Jennifer Herrington specializes in Romance, Women’s Fiction, and Mystery in both YA and adult fiction. Michael Signorelli is interested in literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction spanning science, current affairs, sports, and cultural history. Melissa Richeson wants picture books, chapter books, mysteries or magic in middle grade, and character-driven stories in young adult. Kayla Cichello is seeking everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books to dynamic, unpredictable YA. Kim Lindman is interested in representing narrative non-fiction, select short story collections, commercial and literary fiction in adult and young adult age groups, with special interest in contemporary fiction and magical realism. Renae Moore is interested in speculative fiction, mystery, thrillers, and select romance in YA and adult books. Renae is always interested in #OwnVoices. Paloma Hernando is looking for both graphic novels and prose fiction for YA or adult. She loves romance, particularly queer romance, science fiction that feels fresh, high fantasy, and middle grade with a good sense of humor. She is also interested in 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.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Ms. Melissa Richeson of Storm Literary Agency

Melissa has been working as a writer for years, with publishing credits in The Washington Post, Florida Today, Space Coast Parent, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and many more. She had a children’s fiction serial run in WDW Magazine for over a year, and she is a current features writer at the same publication. In addition, previous backgrounds in both marketing and teaching give her a unique edge as an agent.

What she is seeking: Melissa is drawn to witty wording and whimsical design for picture books, humor and quick pacing for chapter books, charming mysteries or magic in middle grade, and fresh, character-driven stories in young adult. She’s not the best fit for horror, high fantasy, paranormal, or graphic violence of any kind.

How to submit: Use her submission form HERE.

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Ms. Jennifer Herrington of Harvey Klinger, Inc.

Jennifer started her career on the editorial side of publishing with Kensington Books Publishing’s Lyrical Press imprint and an internship with Entangled Publishing. She’s also worked as a freelance editor for independent authors. After an internship at a New York agency, she joined the Harvey Klinger Agency in 2020. 

What she is seeking: Jennifer is currently building her own list and is interested in representing YA and adult fiction. She’s specializing in Romance, Women’s Fiction, and Mystery. She’s especially open to BIPOC and LGBTQ voices in the mentioned categories.

How to submit: Use her form here: https://querymanager.com/query/JenniferHerrington

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Mr. Michael Signorelli of Aevitas Creative Management

Michael Signorelli joined Aevitas after years working as an editor. He published the New York Times bestselling novels The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell, House of Earth by Woody Guthrie, and The North Water by Ian McGuire. In nonfiction, he edited Flash by Christopher Bonanos, winner of a National Book Critics Circle Award, and The Most Dangerous Animal of All by Gary Stewart and Susan D. Mustafa, a New York Times bestseller and the basis of a forthcoming mini-series on the FX Network. Signorelli graduated from Hamilton College with a BA in English Literature. He began his career at HarperCollins Publishers, before joining Henry Holt & Company as a senior editor. Most recently, he was the Managing Director of Gotham Ghostwriters.

What he is seeking: Literary and commercial fiction as well as nonfiction spanning science, current affairs, sports, and cultural history.

How to submit: Use his submission form HERE.

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Ms. Kayla Cichello of Upstart Crow Literary

Kayla Cichello brings to Upstart Crow Literary nearly a decade of experience in children’s publishing. A former Conference Coordinator for the International Summer and Winter Conferences for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, she most recently logged several years as assistant to Senior Agent Jennifer Rofé at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. She is open to a wide range of books, from picture books through young adult novels, and is especially keen to discover unique voices and champion new creators of tomorrow’s classics

What she is seeking: Kayla is seeking everything from heartfelt or humorous picture books (she has a soft spot for animal protagonists) to dynamic, unpredictable YA (she loves a good murder mystery or a clever rom-com). Kayla’s taste lies squarely in that sweet spot between commercial and literary, and she is looking for captivating voices and rich worldbuilding—whether it’s a seaside town in Maine or a fantastical other world. Kayla welcomes dark humor, suspense, magical realism, awkwardly adorable romance, and everything in-between. She is not seeking sci-fi or horror. Kayla is also open to representing illustrators. Some of her favorite illustrators include Mike Boldt, Amber Ren, Vashti Harrison, and Eliza Wheeler.

How to submit: Please send your query and first 20 pages in the body of the email to kayla.submisssions@gmail.com

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Ms. Kim Lindman of Stonesong 

Kim started as an assistant at Stonesong in 2018, and now holds the positions of Associate Agent and Social Media Coordinator. Originally from the West Coast, she graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a B.A. in English Literature and a subfocus in Journalism. Since moving to the NYC area, Kim has worked with the United Nations and currently holds a hospitality position at Van Brunt Stillhouse in Brooklyn. Her distinct professional experience and personal passions make her a good choice for social sciences, travel, and beverage/cocktail books.

What she is seeking: Kim Lindman is interested in representing narrative non-fiction, select short story collections, commercial and literary fiction in adult and young adult age groups, with special interest in contemporary fiction and magical realism.

How to submit: Address your query to Kim Lindman at submissions@stonesong.com.

– Include the word “query” in the subject line of your email to ensure we receive it and it isn’t filtered as spam.

– For Fiction: Include the first chapter or first 10 pages of your work, pasted into the body of your email, so that we may get a sense of your writing. Please do not send attachments.

– For Nonfiction: Include your bio, credentials, social media analytics, previous publications in major media or books, and any other media, so that we may get a sense of your author platform.

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Ms. Renae Moore of The Tobias Literary Agency 

Renae fell in love with reading in elementary school when she discovered all the places she could go just by turning a page. Originally earning a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Renae worked as a contract attorney. Soon, motivated by her love of reading, she returned to school obtaining her Master of Education degree. She then worked as a high school English teacher. Renae’s move into the publishing world began with an editorial internship at Tessera Editorial. She joined The Tobias Literary Agency in 2020.

What she is seeking: In YA and Adult, she is interested in speculative fiction, mystery, thrillers, and select romance. Renae is always interested in #OwnVoices. 

How to submit: Use her query manager HERE.

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Ms. Paloma Hernando of Einstein Literary Management 

Paloma Hernando (she/her/hers) joined Einstein Literary Management as an Associate Agent in 2020. Paloma has been working in independent publishing since 2015, involved in editing, publishing, and selling mini-comics, zines, graphic novels, webcomics, and large-scale anthologies. A 2017 graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art, Paloma currently lives in Brooklyn.

What she is seeking: Paloma’s favorite books often have a bit of magic in them, and she loves being able to dive into any world, real or invented, presented on the page. She is looking for both graphic novels and prose fiction for YA or adult, including more mature stories, particularly ones that deal with difficult emotions and nuanced characters. She loves romance, particularly queer romance, science fiction that feels fresh, high fantasy, and middle grade with a good sense of humor. She is interested in non-fiction for all ages, especially anything that digs into media analysis or an event in history.  She loves a story with a strong voice and solid construction.

How to submit: Please submit a query letter and the first ten double-spaced pages of your manuscript in the body of the email (no attachments) to submissions@einsteinliterary.com. Please put the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line of your email.

43 Calls for Submissions in November 2020 - Paying markets

There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in November. 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 the following month's calls for submissions toward the end 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!


(Photo credit: Flickr)
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 The First Line. Genre: Stories that use a first line provided by the journal. (See journal for first lines.) Also 500-800 word critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work.  Payment:  $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (all U.S. dollars). Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction on Theme of Yellow. Payment: $10 via PayPal for each story published in an Anthology. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Off Limits Press: Far From Home. Genre: Adventure horror. Payment: 1 cent/word.  Deadline:  November 1, 2020.

The Periodical, Forlorn. Genre: Fiction, flash fiction, poetry on Theme: Haunted holidays. Payment: $15. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Foglifter. Genre: LGBTQ fiction, poetry, cross genre work. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Sliced Up Press: Slashertorte – An Anthology of Cake Horror. Genre: Horror. "Delicious as cake might be, we want you to bring out the darker side of baked goods and give us something scary, disturbing or just plain wrong." Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Constelación Magazine. Genre: Bilingual speculative fiction (Spanish/English). Theme: The Bonds That Unite Us / Los lazos que nos unen. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Bouchercon. Genre: Short stories on theme of  second chances, redemption, second try, play it again. Payment: $75. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Sliced Up Press: Slashertorte – An Anthology of Cake Horror. Genre: Horror. "Delicious as cake might be, we want you to bring out the darker side of baked goods and give us something scary, disturbing or just plain wrong.” Payment: $0.01/word. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

JayHenge Publishing. Genre: Speculative fiction. See themes. Payment: $5 per 1000 words. Deadline: November 1, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Thema: The Other Virginia. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: The Other Virginia.  Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: November 1, 2020.  Accepts reprints.

Ellipsis. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, creative non-fiction, drama, and art. Payment: $10 per poem and page of visual art, and $3 per page of prose. Only pays UK writers and artists. Deadline: November 2, 2020.

Pseudopod. Genre: Horror. Audio format. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction, $100 flat rate for short story reprints, and $20 flat rate for flash fiction reprints (stories below 1500 words). Deadline: November 2, 2020. Reprints accepted.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: November 3, 2020.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on theme of Touch. Payment: $25 per poem, $75 per story or essay and a complimentary 2-­year subscription to Ninth Letter. Deadline: November 3, 2020.

Abyss and Apex. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. No horror. Payment: USD $.06/word (six cents a word) up to 1,250 words, and a flat payment of $75.00 for longer stories. Deadline: November 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on November 1.

One Story. Genre: Literary fiction. Payment: $500 and 25 contributors copies. Deadline: November 14, 2020.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Red Cape Anthologies: H is for Hell. Genre: Horror. "For this one we’re thinking about experiences of Hell, whether that be a literal interpretation of fire and brimstone or a hellish situation." Payment:  £10. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Silver Blade. Genre: Science Fiction, Slipstream, Classic and Modern Fantasy. Payment: $15 for novellas, $3 for flash fiction, $8 for short stories, $8 for single poems. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

The Great Void. Genre: Speculative fiction. Length: 4000 - 15,000 words. See themes. Payment: 30% of profits shared equally among contributors. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Luna Station Quarterly. Genre: Speculative fiction by woman. Payment: $5. Deadline: November 15, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: $30. Deadline: November 15, 2020. Opens November 1.

Songs of Eretz. Genre: Poetry, cover art on theme of Spring. Payment: $5. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Corpus Press:In Darkness, Delight – Fear the Future. Genre: Horror. “We seek truly terrifying stories that deal with futuristic themes, set in the near future or far. Tales can be Earth-based or extraterrestrial, perhaps featuring technological or social upheavals that have frightful implications for individuals or society at large." Payment: $0.03/word up to $150. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Glish: Variety English Project. Genre: "Poetry written in or regarding variety Englishes, to be published in Spring 2021 Issue (41.1). Poems in Singlish, Konglish, Spanglish, AAVE, and other English-associated linguistic forms will be considered for publication. Poets may be asked to contribute supplementary linguistic information to facilitate publication.” Payment: $150. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Corpus Press: In Darkness, Delight – Fear the Future. Genre: Horror. Payment: $0.03/word, capped at $150. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Story Seed Vault. Genre: Microfiction tweets based on science. Payment: Short Fiction (150CH/Deadline: November  24, 2020. Opens on the 10th.
Night Shift Radio. Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, memoir - 7,000-10,000 words. Payment: $50 or $25. Deadline: November 28, 2020. Opens November 21.

Claw & Blossom. Genre: Flash fiction and poetry about the natural world on theme of Other.Payment: $25. Deadline: November 28, 2020.

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: November 30, 2020. Note: Submit early in November to avoid submission fees.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Prose and poetry. Payment: $25 per printed page, with a maximum payment of $150, as well as two complimentary copies of the issue in which the work appears. Deadline: November 30, 2020. Note: Submit early in November to avoid submission fees.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Prose and poetry. Payment: $40. Deadline: November 30, 2020. Note: Submit early in November.

The Rumpus: Enough. Genre: ENOUGH is a Rumpus original series devoted to creating a dedicated space for essays, poetry, fiction, comics, and artwork by women and non-binary people that engage with rape culture, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Payment: $10 - $25. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Spartan. Genre: Literary prose, 1500 words max. Payment: $20. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

The New Southern Fugitives. Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art, and reviews "with a Southern accent." Payment: $50 per book review; $15 per page of essay, or story; $40 per poem; $40 per photograph or piece of visual art. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Dragon Soul Press: Last Love. Genre: Fiction on theme of Last Love. "It is rare for soul mates to be discovered early on in life. These characters have begun creating their own fairytale happily ever afters. Whether it be the boy next door, a loyal princess, or a supernatural being, all of these stories have two things in common: everlasting love and loyalty." Word Count – 5,000-15,000.  Payment:  Royalties.  Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Dragon Soul Press: Wolf Night. Genre: Paranormal Romance stories. "Wolf shifters galore! We are looking for romantic tales of wolf shifters in any setting or genre. The spicier, the better." Word Count – 5,000-15,000. Payment:  Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Dragon Soul Press: Imperial Devices. Genre: Steampunk stories. "We’re looking for steampunk stories. Additional subgenres are accepted (ex. Dieselpunk, Valvepunk)." Word Count – 5,000-15,000.  Payment:  Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

The Fiddlehead. Genre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry. Payment: $60/page CAD. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cats. Genre: True stories and poems. "Tell us about your cat. Tell us how he made you smile. How she "rescued" you after you "rescued" her. How she brought your family closer together, helped you find love, inspired you to change something in your human life. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We can’t wait to read all the heartwarming, inspirational, and hysterical stories you have about your cats!" Payment: $200. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

The Great Void. Genre: Speculative fiction. Length: 4000 - 15,000 words. See themes. Payment: 30% of profits shared equally among contributors. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Crannóg. Genres: Poetry, short stories. Payment: €50 per story, €30 per poem. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Freefall. Restrictions: Open to Canadians only. Genre: Nonfiction, fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $10/page prose up to $100 and $25 per poem plus a copy of the issue the work is published in. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

35 Writing Contests in November 2020 - No entry fees

Pixabay This November there are nearly three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $50,000 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!

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 Undiscovered Voices Fellowship. "The Writer’s Center seeks promising writers in the Washington area earning less than $25,000 annually to apply. This program will provide complimentary writing workshops to the selected applicant for a period of one year, but not to exceed 8 workshops in that year (and not to include independent studies). We expect the recipient will use the year to make progress toward a completed manuscript of publishable work." Deadline: November 1, 2020.
Weird Christmas Flash Contest. Genre: Weird flash fiction. 350 words max. Prize: $50 first prize, $25 second prize. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grants Program for Unpublished Writers.  Restrictions: Writers must not have published a book, short story, or dramatic work in the mystery field, either in print, electronic, or audio form. Genre: Mystery stories of the Agatha Christie type—i.e., “traditional mysteries.” These works usually feature no excessive gore, gratuitous violence, or explicit sex. Prize: Each grant may be used to offset registration, travel, or other expenses related to attendance at a writers' conference or workshop within a year of the date of the award (no later than May 2016). In the case of nonfiction, the grant may be used to offset research expenses. Each grant currently includes a $1,500 award plus a comprehensive registration for the following year's convention and two nights' lodging at the convention hotel, but does not include travel to the convention or meals. Deadline: November 1, 2020. Read details here.

Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Restrictions: Open to citizens of the British  Commonwealth.     Genre: Unpublished short fiction (2,000-5,000 words) in English. Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible. Prize: Regional winners receive £2,500 (US$3,835) and the overall winner will receive £5,000 (US$7,670). Deadline: November 1, 2020. 

Quarterly West. Restrictions: Free for writers of color. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: November 1, 2020. 

Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize. Restrictions: Open to US poets for previously unpublished poems of any length that "help make real for readers the gravity of the vulnerable state of our environment at present." Genre: Poetry. Prize: Up to $1,000. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Gotham Book Prize. Genre: Book. "The Gotham Book Prize is awarded once a year to the best book (works of fiction and nonfiction are eligible) published that calendar year that either is about New York City or takes place in New York City." Prize: $50,000. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Defenstration.net. Genre: Flash fiction Suite: at least three flash fiction works that correlate, and build to something greater. Prize: $75. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Systems Change Alliance. Genre: Flash fiction. "Give us a snapshot into a post-pandemic world in which a shift towards positive systems change has occurred and a new paradigm is established or unfolding." Prize: 1st Prize – 300 EU, 2 Runners Up – 100 EU. Deadline: November 1, 2020.

Man Booker International Prize. The Man Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: November 6, 2020 for works published between May 1 and December 31, 2020.

Society of Classical Poets, Ekphrastic Contest. Genre: Write a poem based on a given photo.   Prize: $100. Deadline: November 8, 2020.

Dylan Thomas Prize. Restrictions: Authors must be aged 39 or under. Eligible books must have been commercially published for the first time in the English language between January 1 and December 31 of the year in which the deadline falls. Genre: Published books of poetry, fiction (novel, novella, or short story collection), radio scripts, or screenplays. Prize: 30,000 pounds, plus 1,000 pounds for shortlisted authors. Deadline: November 9, 2020.

Women's Prize for Fiction. Genre: Published book by a woman. Entrants must be writing in English and must be published in the UK. All subject matters and women of any age, from any nationality or country of residence are eligible. Prize: £30,000.00. Deadline: November 9, 2020. (Their website is hard to navigate.)

So to Speak. Restrictions: Fee-Free for Black and Indigenous Writers. Genre: Feminist fiction. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: November 10, 2020.

Arts & Letters Awards. Restrictions: Open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Genres: poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, dramatic script, art, music, and French language. Entries must be unpublished and completed during the previous 12 months. Prizes: C$1,000 and C$250. Deadline: November 13, 2020.

The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. Restrictions: PEN America will only accept submissions from editors of eligible publications. Authors may not submit their own short story for this award. Genre: First published short story. Prize: $2000 and publication in The PEN America Best Debut Short Stories. Deadline: November 15, 2020.

Frontier Open. Genre: Poem. Prize: $5000. Deadline: November 15, 2020.
The Marfield Prize, also known as the National Award for Arts Writing, is given annually by the Arts Club of Washington to nonfiction books about the arts written for a broad audience. Genre: Non-fiction book. Self-published books not accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: November 16, 2020.

One Teen Story. Restrictions: Open to writers age 13 -19. Genre: Short story between 2,000 to 4,500 words. Prize: $500 upon publication and 25 copies of the magazine. Deadline: November 20, 2020. 

Polar Expressions Publications Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to Canadian students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $300, $200, $100. Deadline: November 27, 2020.

Leonard L. Milberg '53 High School Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Student writers in the 11th grade. Prizes: First Prize – $500, Second Prize – $250, Third Prize – $100. Deadline: November 29, 2019.

Paul Torday Memorial Prize. Restrictions: Authors must be over 60. Genre: First published novel. The novel must have been first published in the UK and Republic of Ireland between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020. Prize: £1,000. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Servicescape. Genre: Short story or nonfiction up to 5,000 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: November 30, 2020.
Betty Trask Prize. Restrictions: Author must be a Commonwealth citizen. Genre: First novels, published or unpublished, written by authors under the age of 35 in a "traditional or romantic, but not experimental, style." Prize: Awards totaling 20,000 pounds. Top prize 10,000 pounds. The prize money must be used for foreign travel. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers. Restrictions: Open to writers aged 16-18. Genre: Poem (1). Prize: Full scholarship to The Kenyon Review Young Writers workshop, an intensive two-week summer seminar for writers aged 16-18. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Somerset Maugham Awards. Restrictions: Open to UK writers under the age of 35. Genre: Published work of fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Prize: 2,500 pounds apiece to four winners. Prize money must be used for travel. Deadline: November 30, 2020. 

UNT Rilke Prize. Restrictions: US citizens or residents. Open to authors with at least two prior published books of poetry. Genre: Book of poetry published between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2020. Prize: $10,000.00. Deadline: November 30, 2020. 

AVBOB Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to any citizen of South Africa. Genre: Poetry.   Prize: R10,000. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Brunel International African Poetry Prize. Restrictions: The Prize is open to poets who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African. It is for ten poems exactly in order to encourage serious poets. These poems may, however, have already been published. Only poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published are eligible. Poets who have self-published poetry books or had chapbooks and pamphlets published are allowed to submit for this prize. Genre: Poetry. Prize: £3000. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

J. F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Unified Caring Association Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to US High School Juniors and Seniors. Genre: Essay. Choose one category: Children, Animals, Reforestation or Elderly. Word count: 500 words minimum. Prize: 10 first prizes of $550 scholarship; 10 honorable mention essays will each receive a $250 scholarship. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Back To School Contest. Genre: Story about a school memory. 20 words max. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Better Than Starbucks. Genre: Metrical poetry. Your sonnet can be shakespearean, petrarchan, spenserian, rhymed, or slant-rhymed. Blank verse is fine, as long as the sonnet form is clearly identifiable. They'll consider tetrameter, hexameter, etc. as well as pentameter. Prize: $100.  Deadline: November 30, 2020. Previously published work accepted.

Renee Duke Youth Poetry Award. Restrictions: Open to young poets age 17 and under. Genre: Poem relating to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Prize: $100. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

Anita McAndrews Poetry Award. Genre: Poetry on theme of human rights. Familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is recommended. Prize: First prize $200, Second prize $50. Deadline: November 30, 2020.

12 Writing Conferences in November 2020

Writing conferences tend to slow down during the holidays, but in November there are still a dozen being offered, mostly via online formats. You can attend workshops, presentations, readings, discussions, lectures, and critiques via Zoom.
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Plan ahead! Conferences often offer scholarships, but these have deadlines. If one of these conferences interests you, put the scholarship deadline date on your calendar for next year, or for whenever the conference rolls around again.
For a full list of conferences, organized by month, see Writing Conferences. While nearly all of these are in the United States, you can find links on that page that will take you to world-wide conference lists.
(Photo credit: Onscout)
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Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Writers. November 1, 2020 - November 1, 2021: Keene, NY. "Devote a year to writing your book in community with an intimate group of dedicated writers, nurtured from start to finish by acclaimed author, seasoned editor, and literary mentor Kate Moses. The program opens and closes with week-long fall residency intensives at Craigardan, a secluded artists' retreat set at a circa-1800s farm nestled in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York. From the first residency onward Kate will provide writers the structure, tools, and guidance required to cultivate and nourish their manuscripts, with the goal of bringing projects to fruition (a full first draft, a revised draft, or meeting an individual goal) by program's end. Throughout the year, writers will receive ongoing individual and group mentorship, one-on-one monthly conferences in response to their manuscript submissions, and take part in online craft tutorials, group seminars, interviews with published writers and publishing professionals, and other opportunities for connection with like-minded artists sharing in an often solitary endeavor. Bookgardan culminates twelve months later—once again syncing with the autumn harvest—with a second Craigardan residency focused on the business of writing and publishing, the sustenance of lasting fellowship, and a deserved celebration. Limited to a maximum of 6 participants each year." Will be held online.

Wright Women Writers Conference. November 5- 7, 2020: University of Central Arkansas. "The C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference focuses on women-identifying writers from all genres and all experience levels, from journalism to mass market books to literary endeavors, and beyond. Our goal is to provide a space for camaraderie, connection-making, and inspiration, and while women-identifying writers are the only presenters at the conference, we welcome all of our male and male-identifying colleagues to attend. We believe that much of what we have to offer, including the specific, female perspective, is valuable for all audiences, and that male allies are necessary to changing the current gender imbalance in publishing." Will be held virtually.

Sanibel Island Writers Conference. November 5 - 8, 2020: Sanibel Island, Florida. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as manuscript consultations, readings, panels, concerts, and book signings. Faculty and visiting writers have included poets Major Jackson, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, and January Gill O’Neil; fiction writers Julianna Baggott, Lynne Barrett, Brock Clarke, John Dufresne, Tod Goldberg, Steve Kistulentz, Tom McAllister, and Darin Strauss; creative nonfiction writers Steve Almond, Andrea Askowitz, Emily Black, Stephanie Elizondo Griest, Joyce Maynard, Jane Roper, and Michael Ruhlman; screenwriter Mark Evan Schwartz; and agent Christopher Schelling (Selectric Artists).

The Craft of Writing Series: Poetry. November 5 - 19, 2020. The Craft of Writing Series is a three-week program that takes place virtually the first through third Thursdays of each month. Each month focuses on a different genre or form of writing.  Will be held online.

Atlanta Writers Conference. November 6 - 8, 2020: Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Writers Conference will be held from November 6 to November 8 online and at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel in Atlanta. The conference features online craft and marketing workshops, editing consultations via e-mail, and in-person pitch sessions and manuscript and query letter critiques for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and graphic novelists. Participating publishing professionals include editors Nettie Finn (St. Martin’s Press), Nate Lanman (William Morrow/HarperCollins), Erin McClary (Sourcebooks), Chayenne Skeete (Penguin Random House), Haley Swanson (HarperCollins), and Alicia Tan (HarperCollins), and agents Lisa Abellera (Kimberley Cameron & Associates), Lauren Bieker (FinePrint Literary Management), Savannah Brooks (Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency), Penelope Burns (Gelfman Schneider/ICM), Brenna English-Loeb (Transatlantic Agency), Ronald Gerber (Lowenstein Associates), Jennifer Grimaldi (Chalberg & Sussman), Kaitlyn Johnson (Belcastro Literary Agency), Maria Napolitano (Bookcase Literary Agency), and Samantha Wekstein (Thompson Literary Agency). The cost of a single session ranges from $75 to $190; the cost of the All-Activities Package, which includes two manuscript critiques, one query letter critique, two pitch sessions, two workshops, and an optional preconference manuscript edit, is $650. Writers who are not members of the Atlanta Writers Club must purchase a yearlong membership for an additional $50 in order to register. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is October 7. Space is limited; registration is first come, first served. The general registration deadline is November 5. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for a discounted rate of $129 per night until October 15. Will be held online and in person.

Breakthrough Novel Weekend. November 6 - 8, 2020: Portland, Oregon. "Is your work-in-progress your breakthrough? How can you tell? What factors matter and which should you focus on? Are you presenting your work in the best light, with a persuasive query letter and synopsis? Master instructor Donald Maass knows the answers and offers in the Breakthrough Novel Workshop practical ways to create what feels magical on the page."

Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp. November 6 - 9, 2020. Tahoe City, CA. The Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp is for the writer who has a full book-length manuscript (novel, memoir or short story collection) and would like to engage with a small group for a serious and productive response. The long weekend will include an intimate full manuscript workshop, craft talks, readings, an agent panel and individual agent meetings – the perfect pre-publication boot camp for any manuscript. Classes are limited to 5 participants.Tuition includes one three-day workshop, admittance to all craft talks, panels and readings, a one-on-one with an agent, all meals (dinner on Friday; three meals Saturday and Sunday; breakfast, and lunch on Sunday) and lodging in a single room for three nights. Vegetarian meals are available upon request.

Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. November 9 - 15, 2020: Hood River, OR. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass. Will be held online.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Writingest State Online Conference. November 10 -14, 2020. The WSOC will feature classes and conversations on the craft and business of writing, as well as a keynote address by North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, a Pre-Conference Tailgate and a Prompt Party to get creative juices flowing, online Open Mic readings and Happy Hour virtual gatherings, and an Agents & Editors panel discussion. Will be held online.

The Monterey Writer Retreat in California. November 11 - 15, 2020: Monterey, CA. Participants in the Monterey Writer Retreat will work one-on-one with two of the best literary "closers" in the business: Gina Panettieri and Michael Neff combine 38 years of working with aspiring authors and ushering them to publication. They will be available for multiple private consultations from 9 AM to noon and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM each day of the retreat. Choice of sessions and focus will be up to each individual writer. Additionally, as circumstances permit, Gina and Michael will also join retreaters in their quest for superb dining and festivity opportunities in the Monterey and Carmel area.

Fall Nonfiction Writers Conference. November 12 - 13, 2020. ONLINE EVENT. Online conference devoted to writing, publishing and promoting non-fiction books. Participation is live via phone or Skype, and recordings can be downloaded. Features 15 speakers over three days. Private Facebook group for attendees!

Red Clay Writers Conference. November 14 - 15, 2020: Kennesaw GA. The Red Clay Writers Conference is the annual conference of the Georgia Writers Association. Red Clay encourages and inspires writers across Georgia through a full day of literary events that focus on the art and craft of writing.

3 UK Agents Seeking Nonfiction, Thrillers, Romance, Poetry, SF/F, Fiction and more

Sile Edwards Here are three UK literary agents actively looking for writers. Sile Edwards is looking for nonfiction and all genres of fiction, but she is especially interested in crime thrillers, romantic comedies, poetry and upmarket fiction. Julie Fergusson is interested in fiction across a range of genres, particularly psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, sci-fi, near-future speculative, romcoms, reading group and literary fiction. She is interested in non-fiction that explores big ideas in the areas of popular science and social justice. Eleanor Birne is looking for writers from all backgrounds and regions who have a unique story to tell — whether in fiction or 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.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Ms. Sile Edwards of Mushens Entertainment

Silé began her career in publishing with several internships across the industry whilst studying for a degree in English with Creative Writing at Goldsmiths University. After graduating she worked at the Publishers Association supporting their campaigns and other communications functions. She then moved to Curtis Brown as an assistant in the Book Department, where she supported deals for a large and eclectic list of clients including Adam Kay, Deliciously Ella, Alys Fowler, Viv Groskop, Katy Brand and Lucy Foley. She is a trustee for award-winning mentoring charity and network Arts Emergency.

What she is seeking: Silé is looking for books that inform our understanding of the world, society and the ways we live. She is interested in a range of Non-Fiction from emotive life writing to topical essay-like writing to projects on cookery and food. She is particularly keen on finding experts in their field who want to write about what they know in a way that everyone can understand, appreciate and enjoy.

Silé also accepts fiction submissions. She is open to all genres, but especially interested in crime thrillers, romantic comedies, poetry and upmarket fiction.

How to submit: Please email jmsubmissions@mushens-entertainment.comwith your query and writing sample. (See website for specific instructions.)
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Ms. Julie Fergusson of The North Literary Agency

Julie obtained degrees in math then creative writing from Edinburgh University, before working for several years as both a publisher and a freelance editor.

What she is seeking: She is looking for fiction across a range of genres, particularly psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, sci-fi, near-future speculative, romcoms, reading group and literary fiction. She is interested in non-fiction that explores big ideas in the areas of popular science and social justice.

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

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Ms. Eleanor Birne of PEW Literary

Eleanor Birne has worked in the publishing industry for twenty years. She began life as an agent at David Godwin Associates and before that was Publishing Director at John Murray where she published across literary fiction and non-fiction. Prior to that, she was Editorial Director at Duckworth Publishers. She started her publishing career in the academic division at Macmillan Press and while at university she worked as a bookseller..

What she is seeking: She is looking for writers from all backgrounds and regions who have a unique story to tell — whether in fiction or non-fiction. 

How to submit: If submitting a fiction manuscript, please submit the opening three chapters (or fifty pages) along with a synopsis. The synopsis should be a clear explanation of the plot from first to final chapter. Please accompany your submission with a brief cover letter that tells us a little about you as a writer. Send your work to submissions@pewliterary.com For non-fiction send a proposal. Your proposal should be approximately thirty pages long. (See website for specifics.)

5 Agents Seeking Children's and Young Adult Books

Lucy Irvine Here are five agents seeking books for children in all genres, from picture books, to middle grade, up to books for young adults. Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.
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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. Lucy Irvine of Peters Fraser & Dunlop (UK)

Lucy Irvine is an Associate Agent, working with Silvia Molteni on PFD’s children’s list. After graduating from University College London with an MA in Issues in Modern Culture in 2017, she interned at Agora Books, PFD’s publishing arm, before becoming assistant to CEO Caroline Michel. She began her new role in June 2019.

What she is seeking: She is actively building her own list, and is looking particularly for commercial Middle Grade and YA – both fiction and non-fiction – along with picture books, illustrated fiction for younger readers, and graphic novels.

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters of your novel or non-fiction project, as well as a full synopsis along with your query to: lirvine@pfd.co.uk

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Ms. Tori Sharp of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency 

Tori Sharp joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an Associate Literary Agent in 2020 after interning for two years. Tori has a BFA in Sequential Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and her graphic memoir, JUST PRETEND, is forthcoming from Little, Brown in spring 2021. When she’s not reading, writing, or making comics, she can be found swing and blues dancing, playing tabletop games, or exploring coffee shops in beautiful Seattle, WA.

What she is seeking: Children's literature: graphic novels, MG, YA (especially SFF).

How to submit: Please email a one-page query letter to querytori.jdlit@gmail.com. Please include “Query” and the title of your project in the subject line and paste the first twenty pages of your manuscript below your query letter. Graphic novelists should paste a one- to two-page synopsis and five to ten finished sample pages in the body of the email. Please include a full link to your online portfolio in your query. Please do not use link shorteners like bit.ly. Graphic novelists do not need a full script or thumbnail draft in order to query, but have a thorough synopsis available upon request.

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Ms. Kelly Dyksterhouse of Raven Quill Literary Agency

"I graduated from Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2014 with an MFA in Writing and have not looked back. My stories and articles have been published in magazines and my YA story, Match Point, was a finalist for the Katherine Patterson Award. I have interned for several literary agencies and have acted as editorial reader for Hunger Mountain Literary Magazine’s Katherine Paterson Prize. I enjoy speaking and teaching on writing craft and leading writing workshops. Over the years, I’ve seen over 20 projects, from picture books to novels, evolve from rough manuscripts to polished books on store shelves."

What she is seeking: Books for children and young adults.

How to submit: Use her submission form HERE.

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Ms. Joyce Sweeney of The Seymour Agency

Joyce Sweeney has worn a lot of hats. She is the author of fourteen novels for young adults, and two chapbooks of poetry. She created and managed a local theater company in South Florida for ten years, mentoring local playwrights, producing and directing their plays. For the past twenty-five years, she has taught creative writing, both in person and online, and has mentored over sixty of her students to traditional publishing contracts. She has edited countless manuscripts and will be the quintessential ‘editorial agent’.

What she is seeking: In Picture Books: Fiction or non-fiction. I am drawn to lyrical voices, fun syntax and offbeat concepts. I like unusual characters, and plots that make me cry or laugh out loud. Illustrator/authors welcome and rhyme (if you REALLY know how to do it) is fine. Diversity, please. Most of all, be unique. In Middle Grade: I am especially drawn to humor, fantasy and sci-fi, but a realistic novel that makes me cry will work too. Actively looking for graphic novels. Advocate of books for boys. Would love to see more LGBTQ as well.

How to submit: For queries, send an email to joyce@theseymouragency.com.

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Ms. Jas Perry of KT Literary


Jas Perry is a freelance editor and Manhattan-based associate agent with kt literary. She attended New York University in Florence and London before graduating with a degree in English from CUNY Hunter College. She was awarded the We Need Diverse Books Internship Grant and held several editorial intern positions with Levine Querido and Scholastic’s Arthur A. Levine Books, where she assisted on titles by Kelly Yang, Varian Johnson, Daniel José Older, Eric Gansworth, A.S. King, Francisco X Stork, and Cherie Priest, among others. Jas is Black American/Japanese and interested in representing a diverse range of strong voices — especially by disabled and/or QTPOC creators. She particularly enjoys dark contemporary fiction, offbeat humor, (Alondra Nelson-defined) Afrofuturism, and bold SFF that makes her think.

What she is seeking: Jas is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction.

How to submit: Please email your query letter and the first three pages of your manuscript in the body of the email to Jas at jasquery@ktliterary.com.

32 Calls for Submissions in October 2020 - Paying markets

There are more than two dozen calls for submissions in October. 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 the following month's calls for submissions toward the end 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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Kenyon Review. Genre: Prose, drama, poetry, translations, excerpts. Payment: Not specified.   Deadline: October 1, 2020.

Shadows Over Avalon. Genre: Cthulhu Mythos stories set in the Arthurian world. Payment: Revenue sharing.  Deadline: October 1, 2020.

Raconteur Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Raconteur is a literary magazine publishing engaging, interesting, eclectic and witty writing and artwork by international writers and artists, online and in print, 3 times per year. Payment: Prose $10, poetry $5. Deadline: October 1, 2020.

The Temz Review. Genre: Fiction and creative non-fiction up to 10,000 words long. Payment: $20 for prose, $20 per batch of poems. Deadline: October 1, 2020.

Gordon Square Review. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $25 per prose piece and $10 per poem. Deadline: October 1, 2020.

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 that connects us, make us feel something, or helps us see illness, wellness, health, or the healthcare environment differently." Payment: Unspecified.   Deadline: October 1, 2020.

The Evil Cookie Publishing: Bludgeon Tools – Tool Infused Splatterpunk Anthology. Genre: Spatterpunk/horror. Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: October 1, 2020.

The Last Line. Genre: Fiction that ends with the last line provided. Payment: $20-$40. Deadline: October 1, 2020.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: October 3, 2020.

Bright Wall/Dark Room. Genre: Essay. "The theme for our November issue is ‘Farce,’ and we’re looking for thoughtful analysis of movies and TV that deal with the madcap, the zany, and the world’s all-too-real absurdity.” Payment: $100. Deadline: October 3, 2020.

Zombie Pirate Publishing: Pirates of the Empyrean. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, or steampunk stories featuring pirates. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 5, 2020.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of Sight. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: October 5, 2020. See accepted genres.

Third Point Press. Genre: Fiction, flash fiction poetry. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 9, 2020.

Understorey Magazine. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women writers only. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, spoken word, and visual art about food work. Payment: $50 - $100.  Deadline: October 9, 2020.

Underblong. Genre: Poetry, art. "Underblong is a journal of the not-quite-so, of unfinished thoughts, of unresolved anger, of unforgotten macaroni art. Underblong is the coatroom of your secret’s secrets, a boiling pot of kit-kats becoming your favorite soup. Send us a poem that cuts through the crap. Send us your dinner chicken." Payment: $20. Deadline: October 15, 2020.

WordWorks. Restrictions: Open to writers in British Columbia or Yukon, Canada. Genre: Nonfiction. Journalism, blogging, history, memoir, podcasts, local and family history, and more. Payment: Twenty-five cents a word for articles ($50 for reprints). Deadline: October 15, 2020.
Muse Magazine. Genre: Nonfiction articles for children on theme of The Ears Have It.  Payment: Not specified. Deadline: October 15, 2020.

Wizards in Space. Genre: Short stories, poetry and art. "For Wizards in Space’s sixth issue, we’re seeking words & art that explore what it means to forage, to gather, to fight tooth and nail for survival." Payment: $40. Deadline: October 15, 2020.

Rattle. Genre: Poetry. Theme: Tribute to Neurodiversity. Payment: $200. Deadline: October 16, 2020.
Human/Kind. Genre: Poetry, prose and art on themes. (See site for themes.) Payment: $5 for each poem, prose, art, video, experimental or hybrid piece and $3 for each micropoem. Deadline: October 21, 2020.

Story Seed Vault. Genre: Microfiction tweets based on science. Payment: Short Fiction (150CH/Deadline: October 24, 2020. Opens on the 10th.

Corners of the World. Genre: Stories. Theme: Mezo-American/Latinx [sic] Authors and Stories. "This year we are looking for Latinx and Mezo-American [sic] authors to submit stories that pertain to the legends, folklore, culture, and fears that exist within and surround the cultures of Central and South America, as well as those that have emigrated to North America bringing their stories with them." Payment: $5. Deadline: October 30, 2020.
Quommunicate Publishing: Queer Faith: LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology. Genre: LGBTQ+ humor -  fiction, nonfiction, poems, jokes, B&W comics. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Horroraddicts.net: Haunts and Hellions. Genre: Horror fiction on Gothic Romance. "Gothic Romances of old featured a female protagonist dealing with a terrifying ordeal while struggling to be with her true love. Set against dark backgrounds of medieval ruins or haunted castles, the love interest was either a brooding handsome gentleman or a supernatural monster disguised as a gentleman." Payment: $10. Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Room Magazine. Genre: Feminist fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, interviews, and book reviews. Payment: $50 CAD for one page, $60 for two pages, $90 for three pages, $120 for four pages, $150 for five or more pages. Deadline: October 31, 2020.


Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times. Genre: True stories and poems. "Tough times won’t last but tough people will. We are looking for stories about how you have been affected and how you and your loved ones are handling the changes in your life. We’re looking for the ups and downs, so share the tough times but also the silver linings, the unexpected blessings, and resilience and gratitude that you have discovered in yourself and the people close to you." Payment: $200. Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Consequence Magazine: The Culture of War. Genre: Short fiction, poetry, nonfiction, interviews, reviews, and visual art mainly focused on the culture of war. Payment: $10/page for prose (up to $250), $25/page for poetry, $15/page for translations (up to $250). Deadline: October 31, 2020.

The Rumpus. Genre: Essays. "We strive to be a platform for marginalized voices and writing that might not find a home elsewhere, and to lift up new voices alongside those of more established writers we love. We work to shine a light on stories that build bridges, tear down walls, and speak truth to power." Payment: $300 divided among all contributors. Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Brick. Genre: Literary nonfiction. Payment: $55–660, depending on the length of accepted work, plus two copies of the issue the work appears in and a one-year subscription to the magazine.  Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Arsenika. Genre: Speculative flash fiction and poetry. Payment: $30 for poems and $60 for fiction. They also publish in audio format. Deadline: October 31, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Horroraddicts.net: Haunts and Hellions, a Gothic Romance Anthology. Genre: Gothic horror and romance. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 31, 2020.

Rattle. Genre: Poetry. Ekphrastic Challenge. Payment: $100. Deadline: October 31, 2020.