Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 35

37 Calls for Submissions in May 2020 - Paying markets

Pikrepo While you are self-isolating, why not get published? There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in May. 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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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: May 1, 2020.

Bayou Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, nonfiction, poetry, art. Payment for fiction is $50 for published manuscripts of 3000 words or more and $25 for those less than 3000 words. 7,500 words max. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose Series. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Running Dog: Crowd / the / Revolution. Genre: Long-form essays, video, poetry, digital interfaces, fiction and creative non-fiction. This is an ongoing series investigating four major concerns that are reshaping our world. Payment: All contributors will be paid for their work. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry and art on theme of Love. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 1, 2020. Opens April 10.

Hybrid Ink. 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, 2020.

Bloodbath: Vampires. Genre: Horror fiction, poetry and art on theme of Vampires. "Note: For this issue, we will not be accepting work by straight, white, cisgender men." Payment: £30. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Mud Season Review. Genre: Nonfiction up to 6,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

The Evil Cookie: Brewtality – Alcohol Infused Extreme Horror. Genre: Horror. Length: Up to 3,000 words. Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Boulevard. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. "While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. If you have practiced your craft and your work is the best it can be, send it to Boulevard." Payment: Prose minimum is $100, maximum is $300. Poetry minimum is $25, maximum is $250. Deadline: May 1, 2020. $3 to submit online. No charge for postal submissions.
Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: May 3, 2020. On hiatus.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of Touch. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: May 3, 2020. See accepted genres.

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, 2020. Opens to submissions on May 1.

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: May 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on May 1.

Bennington Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $100 for prose of six pages and under, $200 for prose of over six pages, and $20 per poem, in addition to two copies of the issue the piece is published in. Deadline: May 8, 2020.

Newfound. Genre: Fiction, Flash, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, and Visual Arts. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 14, 2020.

The Georgia Review. Genre: Submit up to five poems, fiction, nonfiction, and reviews. Payment: $4 per line of poetry, and $50 per page for prose. Deadline: May 14, 2020. Fee to submit online, no fee by post.

Selene Quarterly. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art that dwells in the shadows. Payment: $0.06 word for fiction. $50 for poetry, Reprints: Any length of poetry paid $15USD and 100-17,500 words of fiction paid $0.01USD per word. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

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

Grain. Genre: Poems, sequences, or suites of poems up to a maximum of six pages or fiction or nonfiction of no more than 3,500 words. Payment: $50 per page to a maximum of $250. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: Young adult short fiction up to 6,000 words in length. Theme: Banned Books. Audiocast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length. For reprints, $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Rogue Blades Entertainment: We Who Are About to Die. Genre: Sword & ... “Not every hero survives. All heroes pay a cost, some the ultimate sacrifice. We’re examining that theme of ultimate sacrifice as key to heroism. Not only the willingness to sacrifice all, but the act of sacrifice for the greater ’cause,’ whatever that may be." Length: 500 words initially, 2,000-9,000 words for full submissions. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Sick Cruising. Genre: Short stories with a minimum of 2000 words using their provided writing prompts. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 21, 2020.

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, 2020.

Orca. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 30, 2020. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee. 

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, 2020.

What I Thought Of Ain’t Funny: An Anthology of Short Fiction Based On the Jokes of Mitch Hedberg. Genre: “We are looking for short fiction that “yes ands” a Mitch Hedberg joke. The pieces should be “based” on a specific Mitch Hedberg joke. We are not looking for pieces that emulate or mimic the style of Mitch Hedberg with no connection to his actual existing material.” Length: Up to 4,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Age Is Just a Number. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories about the humorous or serious sides of life after 60." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Geek Out! III – Queer Pop Lit, Art & Ideas. Genre: Seeking the following, up to 7,500 words (or 5 pages for art), from LGBTQ+ writers and artists:

Genre fiction (scifi, fantasy, western, romance, thriller, horror, etc.)Nontraditional/experimental poetryCreative nonfiction, opinion essays, topical articles and reviews (non-memoir)Scripts for stage, screen or audioComics and graphic short storiesVisual Art Payment: $5/page. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Antioch Review. Genre: Nonfiction articles and fiction geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

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

AGNI. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $20/page of poetry (up to $150), $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

One Story. Genre: Short stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. Payment: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2020.
The Gettysburg Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays. Payment: $2.00 per line for poetry and $15 per printed page for prose. Published authors also receive a copy of the issue containing their work and a one-year subscription. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Charges small fee for online submissions. No fee for snail mail.

MORE...

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Lazy, Hazy, Crazy. Payment: $20 for featured author stories; $10 for stories published on &More page $5 for poems. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

The Bare Life Review: The Climate Issue. Restrictions: Open to immigrant and refugee authors, including foreign-born authors living in the US, and writers living abroad who currently hold refugee and/or asylum-seeker status. Also, for this issue, anyone who has been displaced by climate change. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $100 - $300. $750 for accepted full-length prose pieces. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Fly on the Wall Press: Food. Genre: Poetry (up to 3 poems), flash fiction, short stories, book reviews, and artwork on the theme of Food theme. “I’m looking for personal connections with food. Cooking can be a delicate art. Sitting down at a family meal can be painful, explosive, a treasured moment; a special kind of chaotic seasonal holiday! What foods do we worship with in places of worship? What foods do we love with; give as gifts, bake with care?  Taste memory can be extremely evocative.  What kind of foods define us? What if a lack of food defines us?” Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

11 Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines Accepting Submissions NOW - Paying markets

Pxfuel Here are eleven well-respected science fiction and fantasy markets currently open to submissions. All of them accept submissions from previously unpublished writers, in fact, they relish discovering new talent. The majority of these are SFWA qualifying markets, which means they pay 8 cents a word or more.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is the national organization for science fiction and fantasy writers. Writers who publish a story or poem in a qualifying market can become members. Membership benefits include help with contractual disputes, an emergency medical fund, promotion for your work, workshops, and networking opportunities. Nonmembers can take advantage of their resources as well. The SFWA site has an ample information center which includes Writer Beware, writing tips, sample contracts and other tools of the trade.

Happy submitting!


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Asimov’s Science Fiction

Asimov's is a big name among speculative fiction magazines. They are looking for “character oriented” stories, those in which the characters, rather than the science, provide the main focus for the reader’s interest. "Serious, thoughtful, yet accessible fiction will constitute the majority of our purchases, but there’s always room for the humorous as well. SF dominates the fiction published in the magazine, but we also publish borderline fantasy, slipstream, and surreal fiction. No sword & Sorcery, please. Neither are we interested in explicit sex or violence. A good overview would be to consider that all fiction is written to examine or illuminate some aspect of human existence, but that in science fiction the backdrop you work against is the size of the Universe."

Payment: Asimov’s pays 8-10 cents per word for short stories up to 7,500 words, and 8 cents for each word over 7,500. They pay $1 a line for poetry, which should not exceed 40 lines. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Fantasy & Science Fiction

Like Asimov's, F&SF prefers character-oriented stories. They receive a lot of fantasy fiction, but never enough science fiction or humor. Their word count limits are generous - up to 25,000 words.

Payment: 8-12 cents per word on acceptance. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Clarkesworld

Clarkesworld Magazine is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction. Science fiction does not need to be "hard" SF, but rigor is appreciated. Fantasy can be folkloric, contemporary, surreal, etc. No horror, but dark science fiction and fantasy are accepted. Length: 1000-22000 words.

Payment: 10¢ per word. Payment via PayPal or check. (International authors may request wire transfers.) No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Analog Science Fiction and Fact

Analog is a well-established magazine that exclusively publishes science fiction. Future science must be integral to the story. "The science can be physical, sociological, psychological. The technology can be anything from electronic engineering to biogenetic engineering. But the stories must be strong and realistic, with believable people (who needn't be human) doing believable things–no matter how fantastic the background might be."

Payment: 8-10 cents per word for short fiction (up to approximately 20,000 words), 6 cents per word for serials (40,000-80,000 words), 9 cents per word for fact articles, and $1 per line for poetry. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Strange Horizons

Strange Horizons publishes all kinds of speculative fiction but they are particularly interested in fiction from or about diverse perspectives and traditionally under-represented groups, settings, and cultures, written from a non-exoticizing and well-researched position. Stories must be under 10,000 words. They also publish literary, SF/F, speculative, and slipstream poetry, nonfiction and reviews.

Payment: 10¢/word USD, within 60 days of contract. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Interzone

Interzone was founded in 1982 by David Pringle, John Clute, Alan Dorey, Malcolm Edwards, Colin Greenland, Graham Jones, Roz Kaveney and Simon Ounsley. The magazine is regularly shortlisted for prestigious awards, and is a winner of the Hugo and British Fantasy Awards. Many of its stories have also won awards and/or reprints in various Year’s Best anthologies. Interzone has helped launch the careers of many important science fiction and fantasy authors, and continues to publish some of the world's best known writers.

Payment: £30/1000 words on publication (?) No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Daily Science Fiction

Daily Science Fiction accepts speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, etc.) stories from 100 to 1,500 words in length. They will consider flash series - three or more flash tales built around a common theme. Each story needs to stand on its own. They may purchase dark fantasy, but try not to publish pure horror.

Payment: 8 cents/word. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Beneath Ceaseless Skies

Beneath Ceaseless Skies publishes “literary adventure fantasy”: stories with a secondary-world setting and some fantasy feel, but written with a literary approach. "We want stories set in what Tolkien called a “secondary world”: some other world that is different from our own primary world in some way. It could be different in terms of zoology (non-human creatures), ecology (climate), or physical laws (the presence of magic)." Length: Up to 15,000 words.

Payment: 8 cents/word. No reprints. Simultaneous submissions are okay.

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East of the Web

East of the Web's new imprint is seeking science fiction and fantasy short stories. Stories should be accessible, with strong plots and compelling characters, written with a good knowledge of the science fiction or fantasy canon. Stories should be at least 7,000 words.

Payment: Starts at $0.05 per word or a mix of an advance and a royalty. Reprints accepted.

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Flash Fiction Online

Flash Fiction Online publishes all genres. "We want developed, empathetic characters and discernible, resolved plots.  Please no non-fiction or poetry." Length: 500 to 1000 words.

Payment: 8 cents per word for original fiction. 2 cents per word for reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

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Escape Pod 


Escape Pod publishes science fiction in audio and text. "We are fairly flexible on what counts as science (we’ll delve into superheroes or steampunk on occasion) and are interested in exploring the range of the genre. We want stories that center on science, technology, future projections, and/or alternate history, and how any or all of these things intersect with people." Length: 1500-6000 words. 

Payment: $0.08 per word for original fiction; $100.00 flat rate for reprints of any length.

32 Writing Contests in May 2020 - No entry fees

Wallpaper Flare This May there are more than two 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!
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West Virginia Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open to West Virginia residents or students. Genre: Short fiction, 5,000 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Molly Keane Creative Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to Irish residents. Genre: Unpublished short story, maximum 2,000 words. Prize: 500 pounds. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Restrictions: Open to first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere. Genre: Unpublished Fiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

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, 2020.

Erbacce-prize for Poetry (UK) Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will be given a publishing contract with erbacce press who will publish a perfect-bound collection of the winner's book. "We will pay all costs including the legal registering of the book and supplying copies to the major libraries. The book will be sold through our sales/shop pages and the poet will be paid 20% royalties." Deadline: May 1, 2020.

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, 2020.

Remastered Words Short Story Competition. Genre: Fantasy short story up to 5,000 words on theme of ‘One Last Chance’. Prize: £75, £50, £25. The winning stories will be produced as audio shorts by voiceover artists. Deadline: May 1, 2020. Accepts reprints.

SemiSages of the Pages. Genre: Flash fiction on prompt: You receive an odd package and have no idea who sent it to you. Length: 250-500 words. Prize: $25 Amazon gift certificate and publication. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

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 8, 2020.

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, 2020.

New Roscommon Writing Award. Restrictions: All entrants must have a connection with the county of Roscommon (born in, living in, currently working in, went to school in, etc). Genres: Short stories. Prize: €500.00. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Rachel Wetzsteon Chapbook Award. Genre: Literary fiction. 7,000-12,000 words. Prize: $250, publication, and 25 copies. Deadline: May 15, 2020. Entry is free until March 15.

Unified Caring Association Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to US High School Juniors and Seniors. Genre: Essay on topic: "Choose one category: children, animals, reforestation, or elderly. Write a 500 or more word essay addressing the caring actions you would take to make change for the better in your chosen category." Prize: 10 first prizes of $350 scholarship; 10 honorable mention essays will each receive a $100 scholarship. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

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 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

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 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

On The Premises Mini Contest. "Life isn’t much fun right now, anywhere in the world. The pandemic has touched everybody to some degree. Wrap up how you feel about life today–the good, the bad, the ugly, the inspiring, the awful, the funny, the not funny–and because this is a contest challenge, send it to us in the form of a limerick. The limerick doesn’t have to be funny, but it does have to evoke thoughts and feelings in us like everything else we ask of you." Prize: $40. Deadline: May 23, 2020.
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: May 27, 2020.

A Voice for Animals Teen Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to students between the ages of 14-18. Genre: Essays on an animal rights topic.  In the 16-18 year olds category, essays must be 800-1,000 words long and be accompanied by a photograph; in the 14-15 year olds category, essays should be between 1,400-1,500 words. One climate change prize (both age categories compete) will be awarded for an essay on how climate change affects a particular animal species. Prize: $500.     Deadline: May 31, 2020.

The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans. This creative writing contest for U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel is hosted by The Iowa Review and made possible by a gift from the family of Jeff Sharlet (1942–69), a Vietnam veteran and antiwar writer and activist. The contest is open to veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre and about any subject matter. Prizes: First place: $1,000 plus publication in The Iowa Review. Second place: $750. Three runners-up: $500 each. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Cromwell Article Prize. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history.  Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

Creative Futures. Restrictions: Open to under-represented UK writers. Genre: Fiction, poetry on theme of Tomorrow.  Prize: Up to £75. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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, 2020.

Words Without Borders Poems in Translation Contest. Genre: Contemporary international poetry translated from other languages into English. Prize: $150 each for winning poets and translators. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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, 2020.

Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. Restrictions: Debuting authors and writers with fewer than three previously published books who have yet to receive a major literary award are eligible for consideration. Exceptions are sometimes made for authors who have published more titles, but have yet to break out to a larger audience. Submissions must be original publications, penned by one author. Self-published works not allowed. Genres: Published or scheduled to be published fiction and literary nonfiction. Prize: $10,000 in each genre and in-store marketing/merchandising from Barnes & Noble. 2nd Place $5,000 in each genre, 3rd Place $2,500 in each genre. Deadline: May 31, 2020. (No date given. The books are featured monthly.)

25 Writing Conferences in May 2020

Pixabay Like the May flowers that are the product of April showers, spring is usually when writing conferences start popping up.

In spite of the pandemic, you can still attend these conferences. Quite a few will be held virtually, including the famous Nebula conference, and others have been postponed. You may be self-quarantined, but don't give up on your writing career.

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.

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Malice Domestic. May 1 - 3, 2020, 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. Rescheduled for April 29 - May 2, 2021.

Gold Rush Writers Conference. May 1 - 3, 2020, Mokelumne Hill, CA. "Writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures. Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers." Writing workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Travel, Young Adult. Individual sessions available. Rescheduled for October 2 - 4, 2021.

Hedgebrook VORTEXT Salon. May 1 - 3, 2020, Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, about 35 miles northwest of Seattle. Workshops, panel discussions, lectures, open mics, and time to write in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for women writers. Postponed.

Colrain Classic. May 1 - 4, 2020. Arlington, Vermont. "The Arlington Inn is a village estate built in 1847 that was later turned into a summer hotel in Arlington, Vermont. Today, the inn encompasses four buildings throughout four acres. This includes three buildings, 16 guest rooms and a restaurant. Located in the heart of The Shires of Vermont on The Shires By-Way, the Arlington Inn is just a short drive from Manchester and Bennington, Vermont; Massachusetts, and New York. Please note that we will make all reservations and arrangements for conference participants. Other details will be sent to all registrants along with the pre-conference materials." Here you will work with poet-editors Joan Houlihan and Martha Rhodes. Will be conducted online.

Write Now!  May 2, 2020, Raleigh, NC. One day writing conference hosted by Triangle Association of Freelancers.Sessions include screenwriting, financial tips for writers, pillars of freelance success, copyediting, trade pubs, column writing, publishing tips and more. Cost: $89; $75 for students with ID, seniors 65+ and retired/active duty military; $109 at the door. Canceled.

Austin SCBWI 2020 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference. May 2 - 3, 2020: Austin, TX. Conference on children's books with keynotes; general sessions; breakout sessions for writing, professional development and illustration; intensives for novels, picture books and illustration; critiques; pitches and more. Will be held online.

Travel & Words: Northwest Travel Writers Conference. May 3 - 5, 2020. Bend, OR. Workshops, panels, networking and Writer Matchmaking: Writers attending Travel & Words are looking for story ideas and possibly press trips. These “speed dating” sessions connect destination marketers with freelance writers and bloggers on the “Experienced” track. Postponed until Fall 2020.

Annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. May 4 - 9, 2020 at various locations in New York City and Los Angeles. "Join more than 125 writers and artists representing over 50 nationalities in New York City for the 2019 PEN World Voices Festival: Open Secrets. In 60+ events in venues across New York City, the 15th anniversary of New York’s first international literary festival will gather nonfiction and fiction writers, thinkers, and activists to discuss what we reveal and what we withhold, and the opportunities and dangers inherent in the rapid reconfiguring of the public and the private in the literary, cultural, social, and political realms." Canceled.

Columbus State Community College Writers Conference. May 6, 2020, Columbus, Ohio. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Fiction, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting. This one-day conference is free of charge. Rescheduled for July 18, 2020.

10th Annual Nonfiction Writers Conference. May 6 - 8, 2020: Conducted online.

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 8 - 9, 2020, Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Workshops, talks, and a book fair for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Presenters: Beth Amos, Malinda Andrews, Valerie Biel, Rebekah Bryan, R. R. Campbell and more. Rescheduled for May 6-7, 2021.

Atlanta Writers Conference. May 8 - 9, 2020, Atlanta, GA. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on author branding for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and graphic novelists. Participating publishing professionals include editors Lashanda Anakwah (Simon & Schuster), Sean deLone (Atria Books), Sarah Grill (St. Martin’s Press), Carolina Ortiz (HarperCollins), and Melissa Ann Singer (Tor), and agents Lisa Abellera (Kimberley Cameron & Associates), Ashley Lopez (Waxman Literary Agency), Ann Rose (Prospect Agency), Eva Scalzo (Speilburg Literary Agency), and Saba Sulaiman (Talcott Notch Literary Services). The cost of a single session ranges from $50 to $170, depending on the activity; the cost of the full conference is $620. For nonmembers of the Atlanta Writers Club, an additional $50 membership fee is also required. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for a discounted rate of $125 per night until April 16. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is April 7. Space is limited; registration is first come, first served. The general registration deadline is May 7. May be held online (?)

Washington Writers Conference 2020. May 8 - 9, 2020: Bethesda, MD. Pitch sessions, expert sessions, author talks, and a luncheon, plus panels on how to query, how to pitch, and more publishing pros’ insights, are just some of the highlights. Past speakers include Bob Woodward, Bob Schieffer, Kitty Kelley, Judith Viorst, Alice McDermott, Ron Charles, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Susan Coll, E.J. Dionne, and Jeffery Deaver. Canceled.

Big Sur on Cape Cod. May 8 - 10, 2020, North Falmouth MA. Faculty: Andrea Brown and four of her agents, four editors and four authors. Children's writing. FULL. Rescheduled for September 11 - 13, 2020.

The Loft's Wordplay Conference. May 9, 2020, Minneapolis MN. "The Loft’s Wordplay aims to be Minnesota's largest celebration of readers, writers, and great books. Imagine a weekend full of famous authors and celebrated books; a weekend of readings, conversations, workshops, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and one-of-a-kind happenings with outdoor stages, cooking stages, book signings, quiet reading corners, boisterous parties, food trucks, beer tents, and books, books, books." Will be held online.

Longleaf Writers Conference. May 9 - 16, 2020: Seaside, Florida. "Formerly the Seaside Writers Conference, Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry and fiction and screenwriting who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events. This event occurs every year in May, and offers the opportunity for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network with other writers, and to hone their craft. There will also be seminars hosted by professional editors and literary agents who will offer one-on-one consultations. All participants who pay the full conference tuition fee will be able to take part in all daily activities, while those paying a la carte pricing will have the pick of which classes and workshops they would like to attend. The Longleaf Writers Conference is one of the only conferences in the nation to take place on one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and every year will feature notable guest writers, literary agents, and professional editors."

Pennwriters Conference. May 14 - 17, 2020: Pittsburgh, PA. The 32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference features three days of workshops, panels, networking and learning to help you learn, grow, soar! Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature an open attendance slate of one-hour workshops on all things writing. The schedule is structured with open attendance, so you can take whichever classes appeal to you. Attendees will have 40+ hours of sessions to choose from. Our faculty is comprised of published authors, literary agents and editors, and other writing industry professionals. Pitch appointments are available at no additional fee. Postponed until 2021.

Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp. May 17 - 23, 2020: West Bend WI. 6-day, residential workshop-retreat for writers in all genres working on a novel or creative nonfiction book. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult. Registration is limited to 30 people.

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. May 18 - 22, 2020: Houston, Texas. Daily workshops, readings, craft talks, social events and professionalism panels in an intimate and supportive environment designed specifically with the needs of emerging writers in mind.

Balticon 54. May 22 - 25, 2020: Baltimore, MD. Balticon is sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS). BSFS presents the Compton Crook Award, the Robert A. Heinlein Award, and the winner of the annual Jack L. Chalker Young Writer's Contest annually at this event. Faculty: Guest of Honor: Catherine Asaro. Multiple tracks of Programming over the four day weekend, featuring authors, artists, scientists, musicians, podcasters, publishers, editors, costumers and other creative SF luminaries. Will be held online.

Crafting Successful Author Visits. May 26 - May 30, 2020, Honesdale, PA. School visits are a powerful way to get your book into the hands of readers. But how do you take what you’ve written or illustrated and turn it into an attention-grabbing presentation for kids? This workshop will give you strategies for creating and delivering engaging talks, information on developing materials for teachers and students, and guidelines for developing other promotional tools. May be canceled.

Nebula Conference. May 28th - 31st, 2020, 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.

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 28 - June 1, 2020: Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey, Michigan. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write.

Sundress Academy for the Arts Summer Poetry Writing Retreat. May 29 - 31, 2020: Knoxville, Tennessee. The three-day, two-night camping retreat will be held at SAFTA's own Firefly Farms in Knoxville, Tennessee. All SAFTA retreats focus on generative poetry writing, and this year's poetry retreat will also include break-out sessions on writing political poetry, writing confession, kicking writer's block, publishing, and more.

Tallahassee Writers Conference.  "Whether you are a beginner or an advanced writer of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, you will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with other writers, editors, agents, cover designers, publishers and more!" Dates TBD.

3 Agents Seeking LGBTQ Fiction and Nonfiction

Here are three agents interested in LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Claire Draper is seeking young adult fiction, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels, or a feminist memoir/collection of essays.

​Emmy Nordstrom is looking for literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction, for adults and older young adults, and on the non-fiction side: memoir, deep dive journalistic accounts, investigative true crime, activism, essay collections, and progressive political and social commentary. Kiana Nguyen focuses primarily on YA Contemporary, but would love to work with low/high Fantasy (not-western/European based) and Sci-fi.

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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Emmy Nordstrom Higdon of The Rights Factory

"I am a PhD student at McMaster University, a bookseller at Another Story independent book shop, a blogger at Books Beyond Binaries, and a member of the planning team for the Festival of Literary Diversity. I am a queer, trans, non-binary colonizer originally from Newfoundland, now based in Tkaronto (Toronto, Ontario). I keep busy with research projects, spending time with my family (including adopted dogs and cats), embroidery, vegan cooking, and… obviously, a lot of reading."

What they are seeking: "Authors of literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction, for adults and older young adults. I specialize in LGBTQ2S+ literature. I am not currently accepting middle grade or children's literature queries. While atmospheric stories with lots of plot twists are my favourites, I'm eager to read literary fiction, feminist thrillers, book club, millennial, dark fantasy, paranormal horror, contemporary Gothic, and magical realism."

Non-Fiction: Adult and YA: "On the non-fiction side, my interests include memoir, deep dive journalistic accounts, investigative true crime, activism, essay collections, and progressive political and social commentary."

How to submit: Use their query form HERE.

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Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass

"Newly minted Assistant Literary Agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency. I focus primarily on YA Contemporary, but would love to work with low/high Fantasy (not-western/European based) and Sci-fi. I am HUNGRY for queer and POC voices, especially if the narrative is as much driven by the main character(s) as by a high-concept plot. Think THUG, ONE OF US IS LYING, THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS. Recent Fantasy: FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS, THE FIVE DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON, WINTERSONG.

I am looking for queer gang ensemble casts in any YA genre/sub-genre that kick ass physically, mentally, at the arcade or in a high-stakes heist. Some of my favorite badass teams right now are in The Flash, Wynona Earp, The Craft (obviously), The Diviners by Libba Bray, Feral Youth edited by Shaun David Hutchinson. They all have their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks and each are wholly unique in their own ways. Also, COVENS.

I'm looking for an achingly bittersweet queer love story with thriller or genre spin like FAR FROM YOU and THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END. I want my heart broken with all things dark and twisty.

Give me the girls with skinned knees and boys weak with jealousy and queer kids who couldn't be good if they tried. All the gray morality and friendships they would kill to keep. Nothing cookie-cutter for me! I am also looking for Adult SFF, thrillers (specifically domestic suspense), and romance. Think Nicky Drayden, THE GIRL BEFORE (Rena Olsen), and Rebekah Weatherspoon."

How to submit: Submissions should be emailed to query.knguyen@maassagency.com

Begin your subject line with QUERY: title of the manuscript (e.g. QUERY: The Count of Monte Cristo).  Include:

a query letter (be sure it includes both genre and word count)the first five pages of your manuscripta short synopsis (1-2 pages) _____________________


Claire Draper of Bent Agency

Claire Draper studied Queer Diversity in Children’s Literature at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. While a student, she interned at Rare Bird Lit, InkWell Management, and the Children’s Book Council. Originally from Southern California, she misses the beach and In-n’-Out more than possibly imaginable. She is a recent transplant to Brooklyn and enjoys heading to the park to read literary fiction, young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the latest collection of feminist essays.

What she is seeking: Young adult fiction, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels, or a feminist memoir/collection of essays. "I love a good YA romance, but will absolutely take on any other YA genre. I'm craving more YA queer romances with much more going on than the romance, like lesbian witches avoiding persecution, or your everyday trans crime-fighting teen, though both characters in the relationship need to be lovable for their own reasons, so please make sure your characters are as lovable as we want them to be. Also, I'm very much looking for YA books that handle mental illness well, especially a character who deals with having bipolar disorder."

How to submit: "By submitting a query to me, you are agreeing to address me as Claire or Mx. Draper." Include the title of your project in the subject line of your email. Then paste the first ten pages of your book in the body of your email (not as an attachment, please).

Send to: clairequeries@thebentagency.com

5 New Agents Seeking YA, Kidlit, Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Cookbooks and more

Here are five new agents seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. Lori Steel represents children's and YA literature. Eryn Kalavsky is interested in narrative nonfiction, personal growth, parenting, health & fitness, cookbooks, spirituality and pop culture. Laura Mazer represents adult nonfiction only.

Michael L Joy accepts queries in the following genres: In Adult Fiction: Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Thrillers, and Graphic Novels (in script form). In Non-Fiction: Art, Music, Pop Culture, True Crime, Business Self-Help, Graphic Novels. Erin Files is most interested in upmarket young adult, middle grade and adult fiction. She also enjoys literary-leaning nonfiction in the areas of psychology, history, and popular science.

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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Laura Mazer of Wendy Sherman, Associates

Before joining the book-publishing industry, Laura oversaw editorial operations for Creators Syndicate, a global news agency representing some of the most influential opinion writers and editorial cartoonists of the day, including Hillary Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Molly Ivins, Ann Landers, and Mike Luckovich. Laura was also a senior editor at Brill’s Content magazine and the special sections editor at the Los Angeles Times.

What she is seeking: Laura represents adult nonfiction only, with a focus on progressive cultural commentary, feminism and racial justice, intelligent pop culture, keep-it-real prescriptive advice, irreverent self-help, and packaged gift or “concept” books. She adores history, biography, and celebrations of literary legacies, especially when they offer fresh stories about women. An established national platform is essential.

How to submit: Please send all e-mail submissions to submissions@wsherman.com.  Include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line. They will not open attachments unless they have been requested.  For non-fiction, please include your query letter and author bio.

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Ms. Lori Steel of Raven Quill Literary Agency

Lori joined the RQLA team as Agent and Agency Assistant after working with young readers’ literature for more than a decade. Her experience runs the gamut from school librarian to freelance editor to intern/assistant with two kidlit agencies. She holds degrees in history, education, as well as an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she currently serves as Coordinator for their Oxford/Bath summer residency program. When not holding a quill, Lori is often planning her next travel adventure or perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe.

What she is seeking: Children's and YA literature.

How to submit: Use her form HERE.


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Ms. Eryn Kalavsky of Salky Literary Management

Eryn Kalavsky is a veteran of the book publishing industry, having built the foundation of her career in publicity, marketing and international sales at HarperCollins Publishers. Prior to joining SLM, she worked with a list of authors and entrepreneurs as a publishing consultant strategically helping develop their book ideas while simultaneously growing their brands and platforms. She is based in Los Angeles and her approach to representation is with a long-term view of building a client’s career within the publishing world and beyond.

What she is seeking: Her interests include narrative nonfiction, personal growth, parenting, health & fitness, cookbooks, spirituality and pop culture. However, she appreciates any idea with an ability to foster connection and satisfy an audience.

How to submit: Use the query form HERE.

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Michael L. Joy of Seymour Agency

Michael L Joy is a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Creative Writing program and a board member of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, where he is the co-chair of their annual mystery writing conference, SleuthFest. (SleuthFest.com). He is a professor of English, musician and recovering programmer living in Southwest Florida.

What he is seeking: Fiction: "I’m looking for character-driven commercial fiction in mystery/crime/suspense/thriller – including graphic novel script format. I’m excited to read new perspectives – #OwnVoices, race, gender, LGBTQ, or sub-culture - different POVs, obstacles and outcomes. Situational humor is good, but not required. Cozies will be a tough sell unless the “community” is something extremely different. No talking or communicative animals. No Romance."

Non-Fiction: "I’m looking for art, music, pop-culture or sub-culture topics, including positive mental and physical health for artist. True crime. Business Self-Help: How to survive and keep positive while starting a business, running a business or working a high-pressure job. I’d be excited to look at graphic novel formats for non-fiction also. No politics or religion."

How to submit: Send your query to michaeljoy@theseymouragency.com. When sending your query please include a book blurb, what topic the book targets, clear marketing/platform information (eg. Social media followers, subscribers, professional connections, etc.), your proposal, a comparison in the market, sample index page and three sample chapters. No attachments.


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Erin Files of Aevitas

Erin Files graduated from New York University with a BA in English Literature. Prior to Aevitas, she worked at several publishing houses and agencies, mostly notably Writers House and W.W. Norton in New York and Little Tiger Press in London.

What she is seeking: Erin is most interested in upmarket young adult, middle grade and adult fiction—particularly issue-driven stories that mirror the depth and diversity of the world around us. She also enjoys literary-leaning nonfiction in the areas of psychology, history, and popular science.

How to submit: Use the form HERE.

28 Calls for Submissions in April 2020 - Paying markets

There are more than two dozen calls for submissions in April. 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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West Branch. Genres: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $50 per poem, 5 cents per word for prose. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Hybrid: Future//Tense: Gender. Genre: Transfuturistic science-fiction. "Rhe stories will explore the way gender, transition, and trans issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars. transfuturistic science-fiction. The stories within will explore the way gender, transition, and trans 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: April 1, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams. Genre: True stories. "We want to know about your dreams. What have you learned from your dreams? Did you listen? Did any of your dreams come true? Did a dream strengthen your faith or help you change the direction your life was headed in? Did some miraculous insight serve as a warning about something that was going to happen?" Payment: $200. Deadline: April 3, 2020.

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

Excession Press. Genre: Horror, science fiction, weird western, or dark fantasy manuscripts, 30,000 - 60,000 words. Payment: $300 advance and royalties. Deadline: April 5, 2020

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: April 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on April 1.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Big Brother. Payment: $5. Deadline: April 13, 2020.

Cricket Media: Faces: New Zealand. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, activities for children. Send query only. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 13, 2020.

Epoch Magazine is edited by faculty at Cornell University. Genres: Poetry in all forms, including the long poem; send up to five poems, fiction, essays, cartoons, screenplays, graphic art, and graphic fiction. Payment: $50 per poem, and $150 per short story, more for longer stories. Deadline: April 15, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

The Rush. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. "We're looking for high-energy pieces that reflect the rush of life." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Translunar Travelers Lounge. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $0.03 USD per word with a minimum payment of $20. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Rattle: Service Workers. Genre: Poetry. Their Fall 2020 issue will feature a tribute to service workers. "This is a field broadly interpreted, but for our purposes we're defining service workers as those who are employed in direct service to customers, typically for the purposes of convenience or leisure. This may include those in the hotel, lodging, food service, tourism, or customer service industries, as well as many others. Poems may be written on any subject, in any length, but the poet must currently be, or have been, employed as a service worker for a significant period of time (years, not months)." Payment: $50. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: Queer Life. "Pieces in this series feature queer writers examining the experience of what it means to be a queer person in the world today. Often, the essays we publish are a mix of memoir, cultural criticism, and/or reporting, though we welcome new formats as well." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: On Writing. "Pieces in this series feature writers on their favorite topic—writing." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Nonfiction: 15 Minutes. "Pieces in this series are hybrid profile-essays that feature people of interest to the writers and often explore the subjects' relationships to their communities, cultures—even the writers themselves." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: April 17, 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: April 21, 2020.

The Fiddlehead. Genre: Fiction, excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: $60 CAD per published page, plus two complimentary copies of the issue with your work. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Is in the Air. Genre: True stories. "We are now collecting stories for our HOLIDAY 2020 book and we are looking for stories about the entire December holiday season, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too." Payment: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

The Massachusetts Review. Genre: Poetry up to 100 lines. Submit up to six poems. Also fiction and essays. Payment: $50 for work published in a single issue. Deadline: April 30, 2020. Translations, including poetry, are accepted year-round. No fee for mailed submissions.

FIYAH. Genre: Speculative fiction, art, and poetry about African Diaspora. Length: Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Payment: $150 per story. $50 per poem. $300 per novelette. Deadline: April 30, 2020. (Check this)

JMS Books: LGBTQ Second Chances. Genre: LGBTQ stories about finding love the second time around. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Pole to Pole Publishing: Twenty Thousand Leagues Remembered. Genre: Short stories. "The anthology will contain short stories that pay tribute in some way to Jules Verne’s ‘Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea’. " Payment: $0.02/word. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Antioch Review. Genre: Poetry geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: April 30, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

Colorado Review. Genre: Poetry of any style, fiction and nonfiction. Submit no more than five poems with a maximum of 15 pages. Payment: $10 per page ($30 minimum) for poetry and $200 for short stories and essays. Deadline: April 30, 2020. No submission fee for mailed submissions.

Queer Around & Around the World: LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words on the themes of travel, immigration and multiculturalism from a LGBTQ+ perspective. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Room Magazine. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art by women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people. They also accept pitches for book reviews. Payment: CAD50-150. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Quommunicate Publishing: Queer Around & Around the World Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words on the theme of travel from an LGBTQ+ perspective. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Subterrain. Genre: Creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry on theme of Disobedience. Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem; Prose: $.10 per word (to a maximum of $500). Deadline: April 30, 2020. No fee if submitted by mail. Journal is located in Canada.

And on May 1, 2020...

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: May 1, 2020.

30 Writing Contests in April 2020 - No entry fees

This April there are more than two dozen contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. 

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

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

Good luck!

___________________


Alpine Fellowship. Genre: Pieces of any genre up to 2500 words on the theme of “Forgiveness and Retribution.”  Prize: The first place winner receives £3000 and an invitation to enter the symposium in Venice (two runners-up also receive the invitation). Deadline: April 1, 2020.

The Great American Think-Off. Genre: Essay on the theme: “Which is more important: to win or to play by the rules?” Entrants should take a strong stand agreeing or disagreeing with this topic, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Essay should be no more than 750 words. Prize: One of four $500 cash prizes. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers. Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians awards fellowships for writers to spend time in McCullers' childhood home in Columbus, Georgia. The fellowships are intended to afford the writers in residence uninterrupted time to dedicate to their work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities. Award: Stipend of $5000 to cover costs of transportation, food and other incidentals. Fellowship recipients will be required to introduce or advance their work through reading or workshop/forum presentations. The Fellow will work with the McCullers Center Director to plan a presentation near the end of the residency. Deadline: April 1, 2020.  

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Now in its 18th year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems, published and unpublished. Please enter one poem only, 250 lines max. Prize: $2,250 in prizes, including a top prize of $1,000, and publication on Winning Writers. Deadline: April 1, 2020. 

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be Canadian, and an entry must be the writer's first or second published book of any type or genre and must have a Canadian locale and/or significance. Genre: Print books and ebooks of creative non-fiction published in the previous calendar year. Prize: C$10,000.00. Deadline: April 1, 2020. (Check this deadline)

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $1,500.  Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Wick Poetry Center High School Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to Ohio high school seniors. Genre: Poetry: 3 poems, maximum 100 lines per poem, and one-page essay describing your interest in poetry. Prize: One-time $1,500 scholarship to Kent State University. Second and third prize: $1,000 and $500 one-time scholarships. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

William Saroyan Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in 1st grade through college.  Genre: Short story, 2 pages. Prize: $50 - $100. Deadline: April 1, 2020.

Eliza So Finish-Your-Book Fellowship. Restrictions: This fellowship is for Native Americans.   Genre: A novel, collection of stories, or memoir in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum). Prize: The 2020 Eliza So Fellowship will include lodging in Missoula, along with a $1,000 stipend for food and travel. Fellows will stay in a private house on the Clark Fork river trail, just blocks from downtown, grocery shopping, farmers markets, parks, restaurants, coffee shops, and more. Deadline: April 5, 2020.

“You Will Be Found” Essay Challenge. Genre: Essay. "Write a college-application style essay (no longer than 650-words) that describes how “You Will Be Found” resonates with and inspires you. Did it prompt you to challenge your thinking or actions in some way? Was it a catalyst for personal growth? Explain the song’s significance to you and the impact on your life. Essays should be specific, have a clear narrative arc, and adhere to the theme of the challenge." Prize: $1,500 college scholarship a and free Gotham writing class. Deadline: April 6, 2020.

Parsec Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to non-professional writers. Genre: Speculative fiction. The theme for the 2018 contest is: Forging. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue…the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Gary Fincke Creative Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to undergraduates. Genre: Poetry and prose. Prize: $100. Deadline: April 15, 2020.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between March 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 to be eligible for the 2019 Prize. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: April 17, 2020 (postmarked).

Sunlight Press Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Flash fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: $125 and publication. Deadline: April 17, 2020.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translation of Asian poetry into English. Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020.

Whiting Foundation Creative Nonfiction Grant. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Whiting welcomes submissions for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, the sciences, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, and personal essays, among other categories. Writers must be completing a book of creative nonfiction that is currently under contract with a publisher. Prize: $40,000. Deadline: April 20, 2020. 

Is Royalty Relevant? Poetry Competition. Genre: Poetry. "We invite you to write a poem about a member or members of royal families from countries around the world. You can write about any aspect of royalty: their role, actions, dress sense, sense of duty, scandals, economic relevance, artistic or sporting interests, their dogs and other pets or even their handbag (what's in it?). You can be a royalist or staunch republican, that's all fine, as long as, we are moved, excited, amused, annoyed or inspired by your poem." Prize: 200 pounds and online publication. Deadline: April 27, 2020.

The John Byrne Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Scotland. Genre: A piece of creative work on a chosen theme or value (written work must be no more than 15,000 words in length). Prize:  £7500. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

E-waste Scholarship. Restrictions: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Genre: 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste. Prize: $1000 scholarship. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

SA Writer’s College Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to unpublished writers in South Africa. Genre: Short stories. Prizes: 1st – R 10 000; 2nd – R 5 000; 3rd – R 2 000. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Toronto Book Awards. Genres: All genres accepted. Restrictions: Submission "must evoke the city itself, that is, contain some clear Toronto content (this may be reflected in the themes, settings, subjects, etc.). Authors do not necessarily have to reside in Toronto. Ebooks, textbooks and self-published works are not eligible. Prize: A total of $15,000 CD will be awarded. Each shortlisted author (usually 4-6) receives C$1,000 and the winning author is awarded the remainder. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. Restrictions: Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 31 years of age as of April 30, 2020. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $25,800.  Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Irene Adler Prize for Women Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Prize: $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Friends of Falun Gong, Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem Submit one or two poems of no more than 50 lines each. Poems must encompass at least one of the following themes: Advocate for Falun Gong practitioner’s fundamental human rights. Expose the crimes against Falun Gong perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party. Share in the beauty, peacefulness and good nature of Falun Gong. Prizes: $500, $250, $100. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Al Blanchard Crime Award. Restrictions: New England residents only. Genre: Crime short story. Prize: $100. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Daisy Utemorrah Award for Indigenous Authors. Restrictions: Open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writer currently residing in Australia. Genre:  Junior/YA full-length fiction manuscript intended for readers aged 8-18. Length: 40,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: AU$15,000 and possible publication. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

Claudia Ann Seaman Awards For Young Writers. Restrictions: High school students. Genre: Stories and poems. Prize: $200. Deadline: April 30, 2020.

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: April 30, 2020.

30 Writing Conferences in April 2020

Wikimedia April is typically a great month for conferences and, true to form, many have been scheduled. I don't know if all of these have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it is my sincere hope that you will not attend any of them this month. This list is for informational purposes only. Keep these events on your radar for next year.

All of these conferences and workshops charge tuition, but some offer financial assistance. There are deadlines for applying for aid, so if any of these looking appealing, plan ahead for next time.

For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)

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

IBPA Publishing University. April 3 - 4, 2020, Redondo Beach, CA. The Independent Book Publishers Association offers 30+ educational sessions including experiential learning labs, insightful keynotes, a gala book award ceremony, networking events, and so more! Cost: $195-$475. Canceled.

Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference. April 4, 2020: Clark, NJ. "We are so excited about what promises to be a very special, educational, and entertaining 11th Anniversary Conference. In addition to our wonderful and diverse keynote speakers, we have a number of editors and agents who will be attending to take pitches as well as some awesome writer and reader workshops!" Canceled. New date October 10.

Tennessee Mountain Writers Annual Conference, Apr 2 - 4, 2020: Oak Ridge, TN. Speakers and session leaders include Joseph Bathanti, Karen Salyer McElmurray, Tracy Barrett, and more! Canceled. New date April 8 - 10 2021.

Las Vegas Writer’s Conference is sponsored by the Henderson Writers’ Group, Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada. April 2 – 4, 2020. Join writing professionals, agents publishers and marketing experts for a weekend of workshops and enlightening discussions about the publishing industry. A chance to pitch your manuscript and ideas to agents. This Year’s Conference is ONLINE Thursday thru Saturday April 2-4, 2020.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat. April 2 - 5, 2020, Colorado Springs, CO. An intensive 3-day writing retreat. Canceled.

Grub Street Muse and the Marketplace Conference. April 3 - 5, 2020, Boston, Massachusetts. The Muse and the Marketplace is a three-day literary conference designed to give aspiring writers a better understanding about the craft of writing fiction and non-fiction, to prepare them for the changing world of publishing and promotion, and to create opportunities for meaningful networking. On all three days, prominent and nationally-recognized established and emerging authors lead sessions on the craft of writing—the "muse" side of things—while editors, literary agents, publicists and other industry professionals lead sessions on the business side—the "marketplace." Canceled.

New York Writers Workshop Fiction Pitch Conference. April 3 – 5, 2020: Ripley-Grier Studios (NY Spaces) 520 Eighth Ave (36th/37th), 16th Fl. Participants polish their pitches with the help of conference leaders who are members of the New York Writers Workshop faculty, then they present them to three different editors from major New York publishing houses. Editors provide feedback and may request proposals and manuscripts after the conference.

San Antonio Book Festival. April 4, 2020, San Antonio, TX. The San Antonio Book Festival is a FREE, annual, daylong event that unites readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. Featuring more than 80 nationally and regionally acclaimed authors, the Festival offers programming for all ages. Next fair will be held on April 10, 2021.

Great Plains Writers Conference. April 4, 2020: South Dakota State University. "Intimate conversations about the writing craft."

Rally of Writers Conference. April 4, 2020, Lansing, Michigan. Michigan authors and educators in 15 breakout sessions and workshops on all aspects of writing, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, the Nuts & Bolts of manuscript submissions, and more. Canceled. New date April 17, 2021.

Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. April 6 - 12, 2020: Hood River, Oregon. "Writers of commercial fiction who wish to soar out of category, as well as literary novelists who want to learn how to make powerful story principles work for them, will find the Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0 an idea-packed and career enriching experience. This workshop is as ideal for those just beginning a new project as it is for those embarking on a revision of a completed work. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more."

Norwescon. April 9 - 12, 2020: Sea Tac, WA. Norwescon is one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States. Canceled.

WonderCon. April 10 - 12, 2020, Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention. Canceled.

Chanticleer Authors Conference. April 17 - April 19, 2020: Bellingham, Washington. Sessions with a special focus on the business of being a working writer on topics such as marketing, publicity, platform, sales tools & strategies, publishing, production, distribution, organization, storycraft, editing, and more. Canceled. Rescheduled for September 4 – September 6, 2020.

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference. April 17 - 19, 2020. Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The three-day conference is full of topical, in-depth workshops, dynamic keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, plus time to socialize with fellow writers. Canceled.

William Paterson University Spring Writer’s Conference.  April 18, 2020: Wayne, New Jersey.  Readings and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Featuring the poet Brenda Shaughnessy. Canceled.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Spring Conference. April 18, 2020, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina. Features intensive workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as publisher exhibits, on-site "lunch with an author" readings, and an open mic.

ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference, April 19  - 20, 2020 NYC, NY. Focus on Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Nature, Non-fiction, Publishing, Religion, Screenwriting, Travel. Attending: more than 100 editors, authors, literary agents, and publicists. Canceled.

Six Bridges Book Festival. April 23 - 26, 2020: Little Rock, Arkansas. "Prestigious award-winners, screenwriters, comedians, an expert witness, artists, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet are among the diverse roster of presenters who will be providing sessions." Free. Canceled.

Ozarks Writers League Conference. April 24 - 25, 2020: Branson, MO. The Ozarks Writers League is a group of like-minded individuals dedicated to promoting writing, literacy, photography, and art. Since 1983, OWL has welcomed individuals at all stages of their development.

Idaho Writers Guild Conference. April 24 - 25, 2020, Boise, Idaho. Meet with agents, editors, and authors. Panel discussions, workshops, and a keynote speaker. Your registration - $195 for IWG members, $225 for non-members. Canceled. Rescheduled for May 21 - 22, 2020.

Poetry at Round Top Festival. April 24 - 26, 2020. Round Top, Texas. he faculty includes Mark Doty, Allison Joseph, Alicia Ostriker, ire’ne lara silva, Mary Szybist, Edward Vidaurre, and Jenny Xie. The cost of the conference is $150 ($50 for students) or $75 for Saturday only. Workshops are an additional $40. Private manuscript consultations are available for an additional $70. Canceled. Rescheduled for April 16 - 18, 2021.

Monadnock Pastoral Poetry Retreat. Apr 24 - 26, 2020. Greenfield, NH.  Includes workshops, individual conferences, participant & mentor readings; hiking & kayaking (weather permitting). Each workshop uses dual mentors.

The Spring Writers' Conference. April 25, 2020: Rochester, MI. Lectures, Workshops, and Panel Discussions with a focus on nonfiction. Open to new writers, working journalists, and published authors. Professional development to move writers to the next level.

Northeast Texas Writers Organization. April 25, 2020, Jefferson, TX. One-day bootcamp.

Michigan Writers Conference, April 25, 2020, Detroit, MI. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Livonia Novi. 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.

Writing in the Pines. April 25, 2020, Stockton University, Galloway, NJ. Choose from workshops in memoir, poetry and revision. Each workshop will meet for 6 hours and will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, sharing and inspiration.

Chicago-North RWA's Spring Fling. April 30 - May 2, 2020, Oak Brook, IL. Three day Biennial writer's conference geared towards both aspiring and established writers of any genre but focused on romantic fiction. Bookseller/Blogger/Librarian event, Masterclass in Craft and Marketing, Closing Gala. Canceled.

Northern Colorado Writers Conference. April 30 -  May 2, 2020, Fort Collins, CO. Workshops, seminars, speakers, entertainment, agent roundtables, pitch sessions, networking with authors and industry professionals.

6 UK Agents seeking Nonfiction, Thrillers, Memoir, Literary Fiction and more

Here are six UK literary agents seeking writers. All are from established agencies with good track records. Elena Langtry is interested in self-help, nature, nutrition and lived experiences. For her fiction list, Elena is looking for original psychological thrillers, commercial women's fiction and ‘contemporary lives’ stories. Lina Langlee is looking for books across all genres and age groups. Alice Saunders is actively looking for new talent in crime, thrillers, epic family sagas; book club literary fiction, and memoir.

Toby Mundy is looking for gripping narrative non-fiction, and well written, mind-expanding works in the areas of history, biography, memoir, current affairs, sport, popular culture and popular science. He also represents a small number of thriller writers and literary novelists. Carrie Plitt is actively building a list of authors writing non-fiction and fiction, with a focus on debuts.

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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Lina Langlee of Kate Nash Literary Agency

Lina is originally from Sweden but moved to Scotland in 2008 to study. After graduating with a First from University of Glasgow and an MLitt (Distinction) in Publishing Studies from Stirling University, she went on to work in publishing, notably in the rights department at Canongate, and publicity at Black & White. She joined the Kate Nash Literary Agency in 2018, and is actively building her list of clients. In 2019, she was shortlisted for the RNA ‘Agent of the Year’ award.

What she is seeking: Lina is looking for books across genres: commercial fiction with a great hook, literary fiction, twisty thrillers and crime fiction with a difference, speculative or high concept books that remain very readable, fun and moving Middle Grade and any genre of Young Adult. In terms of non-fiction, Lina is interested either in ‘the small made big’ or ‘the big made small’: specialists that can make really niche subjects accessible and interesting to a wider market, or deeply personal accounts of the big issues we might all one day tackle.  She has a special interest in Scottish writing and anything with a Scandinavian angle.

How to submit: Fiction: Send a query letter, the first chapter of your work, as well as a brief synopsis in the body of the email. Non-fiction: Send maximum of three chapters which can either be pasted into the body of an email or be submitted as a Word document. More detailed synopses are also welcome. Send all materials to: submissions@katenashlit.co.uk. Note: This agency prefers writers in the UK.

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Ms. Elena Langtry of Coombs Moylett MacLean Literary Agency

Elena studied Human Biology and went on to work in marketing and advertising agencies for pharmaceutical clients. She then began her freelance career as a wellness copywriter. Researching, creating and editing content for health food brands and mental health campaigns. She continues to drive forward the ambitions of her clients with authentic and engaging content.

What she is seeking: Self-help, nature, nutrition and lived experiences. For her fiction list, Elena is looking for original psychological thrillers, commercial women's fiction and ‘contemporary lives’ stories.

How to submit: Use their submission form HERE.

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Ms. Alice Saunders of The Soho Agency

Alice loves storytelling, in all its forms. Whether it’s fiction or narrative non-fiction. Alice is active in all types of representation - literary, audio, live audiences, film and television.

What she is seeking: She is actively looking for new talent in crime, thrillers, epic family sagas; book club literary fiction, memoir – in fact everything apart from science fiction and fantasy. Asides from tight narratives and compulsive characters, she’d love to see writing with bundles of humor, heart and unusual takes on the everyday.

How to submit: Send your query to: sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com and attach the first three chapters or first thirty pages of your manuscript, in word format, along with a synopsis. (Address your query to Ms. Saunders.)

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Mr. Toby Mundy of Aevitas Creative Management

Before becoming a literary agent, Toby founded Atlantic Books Limited, where he served as chief executive and publisher from 2000 to 2014, publishing a significant number of number of bestsellers and prize-winning titles. He won ‘Editor of the Year’ and Atlantic Books also won ‘Imprint of the Year’ (2005, 2008) and ‘Independent Publisher of the Year’ (2008) at the British Book Awards.

What he is seeking: He is looking for gripping narrative non-fiction, and well written, mind-expanding works in the areas of history, biography, memoir, current affairs, sport, popular culture and popular science. He also represents a small number of thriller writers and literary novelists.

How to submit: Follow instructions on the agency website HERE.

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Ms. Stephanie Glencross of David Higham Associates Ltd

Stephanie Glencross joined David Higham Associates in January 2018, having previously been the Editor at Gregory & Company.  Before joining Gregory & Company Stephanie was at the BBC for a number of years, first in the Radio Drama department then in the Story Department of EastEnders. During that time Stephanie learned an enormous amount about the power of characterization and cliffhangers. Stephanie has been a judge on the CWA Debut Dagger Award for three years and continues to have a love affair with crime fiction that started with Nancy Drew and was nurtured by Sara Paretsky.

What she is seeking: Stephanie is looking for commercial and upmarket fiction, including accessible literary fiction/ contemporary fiction, crime & thrillers, psychological suspense and legal thrillers/court-room dramas.

How to submit: Please send a one-page synopsis that gives a full explanation of the plot, and the first three chapters or up to fifty pages (double spaced). Read submission details HERE.

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Ms. Carrie Plitt of Felicity Bryan Literary Agency

What she is seeking: "I am actively building a list of authors writing non-fiction and fiction, with a focus on debuts. I love well-written non-fiction by authors (often experts) who are passionate about their chosen topic, and I have a particular interest in books about the issues facing our society today, narrative non-fiction, popular science, big ideas, nature writing, history, travel, feminism and art. In fiction, the books I represent range from the very literary to those you might read in a book club. Besides excellent writing, I am often drawn to novels that have unique voices, are portraits of complex characters, examine relationships, are coming of age stories, or capture the zeitgeist. I am always on the look-out for writers from underrepresented backgrounds."

How to submit: Read guidelines HERE. Note: This agency prefers writers in ​