Erica Verrillo's Blog, page 36

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

Here are three new agents seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively expanding their lists and will go the extra mile for their clients. Megan Barnard wants adult fiction, thrillers, memoirs, fairy-tale retellings, women's fiction, family sagas, and historical fiction. Ashley Herring Blake is acquiring projects in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult fiction. Reeves Hamilton is seeking Science fiction - particularly hard Sci-Fi, space opera, climate dystopias, and alternative histories, with some other interest in dark fantasy and classic-style sword and sorcery.

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. Ashley Herring Blake of Rees Literary Agency


Ashley Herring Blake is the author of the Middle Grade novels Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World and The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James, as well as the Young Adult novels Suffer Love, How to Make a Wish, and Girl Made of Stars.


What she is seeking: She is actively acquiring projects in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult fiction. In Middle Grade and Young Adult, she’s drawn to heartfelt contemporary and voice-driven stories, as well as magical realism, contemporary fantasy (all the fairies and witches, please), historical fiction, and graphic novels. She’s always ready for a fresh  Young Adult rom-com, especially those featuring LGBTQIA romances. Ashley is also seeking character-driven literary and upmarket Adult fiction and romance. Across all genres and ages, she is highly interested in marginalized and LGBTQIA voices, as well as stories that explore complex family relationships and friendships.

How to submit: When querying Ashley, please include your query letter and the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of an email, with “Query” in the subject line. Ashley is only able to respond to queries she is interested in pursuing. You can contact her at ashley@reesagency.com.

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Mr. Reeves Hamilton of Vertical Ink Agency

Reeves Hamilton, a twenty-plus year veteran of the publishing industry, is a new agent at Vertical Ink.

What he is seeking: Science fiction - particularly hard Sci-Fi, space opera, climate dystopias, and alternative histories, with some other interest in dark fantasy and classic-style sword and sorcery.

How to submit: Send your query to: VIAQuery [at] Gmail [dot] com. Address your query to Reeves Hamilton in the subject line of your email. Send a concise email query and a synopsis or chapter outline for your project. In your email, please include your contact information, any relevant background information on yourself or your project, and a paragraph of description of your project.  All of this material must be included in the body of your email.
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Ms. Megan Barnard of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

Megan joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency as an associate agent in 2020, after interning for nearly three years at several top literary agencies, including P.S. Literary Agency and Folio Literary Management. She has worked as an editor and copywriter and has a BA in English (with a concentration in Creative Writing) from Hollins University. When not working, she runs, drinks coffee, and travels widely. Her favorite places to read across the globe are Île Saint-Louis in Paris, Pacific Grove, CA, and Portmagee, Ireland.

What she is seeking: Adult Fiction:Historical- I particularly want historical fiction in the vein of Kate Morton, Kate Atkinson, and Susanna Kearsley. I prefer time periods after the 19th century (but will consider others). I also love what I think of as “historical fiction with magic”. Women’s Fiction- upmarket or commercial is fine  Literary and upmarket- wonderful prose, but a strong commercial hook is important too. Family Sagas- I come from a big family, so I have a soft spot for stories about big families and/or sister/sibling relationships.  Thrillers- in the vein of The Beloveds, The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl (I love unreliable narrators). I’m looking for psychological suspense over gore. A little blood is fine, a lot, not so much. Fairy tale retellings- I’m quite picky about these, they need to be new and fresh, but I love retellings that turn old fairy tales on their heads (think The Hazel Wood, Snow Glass Apples). I’d particularly love to find retellings outside the well-known western canon. Fairy tales/stories from all cultures are welcomed and encouraged. I’m not looking for any of the following: romance, erotica, epic fantasy, SF, YA, MG, picture books, short stories, screenplays, or poetry collections.

I’m only looking for narrative non-fiction right now. I particularly love memoirs that show beauty that comes out of adversity or pain, like Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene, The Salt Path by Raynor Winn, and Educated by Tara Westover. I’m also interested in nature writing like that of Robert Macfarlane and John Lewis-Stempel. If you have something that combines memoir with nature writing like Amy Liptrot’s The Outrun, I definitely want to see it.

How to submit: Use her submission form HERE. For fiction, submit your query and your first five pages. For nonfiction, submit your query and proposal. Any emailed queries will be deleted unread.

44 Calls for Submissions in March 2020 - Paying markets

There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in March. 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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Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Spring Fever. Payment: $20 for featured author stories; $10 for stories published on &More page $5 for poems. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Canthius. Genres: Poetry, prose. "Canthius is committed to publishing diverse perspectives and experiences and strongly encourages women of colour, including Indigenous and Black women, to submit. We welcome submissions in Indigenous languages." Payment: $15 for poetry, $50 for prose. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Southword Literary Journal. Genre: Fiction. Payment: €250 per short story. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

The Blue Route. Restrictions: Undergraduate students only. Genres: Prose – Submit 1-3 pieces of fiction or creative nonfiction totaling no more than 3000 words. Poetry – Submit up to 3 poems. No genre fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Sanitarium Magazine. Genre: Horror. Payment: Token. Deadline:March 1, 2020.

Thema: Not of this World. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Not of this World.  Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Contra Viento. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. "We encourage submissions that examine the boundaries between space and place, between land and landscape, between past and future, between somewhere and nowhere, between human and animal, between human and human." Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Beatdom #20. Genre: Essays, interviews, reviews, poetry, and art related to the Beat Generation. Payment: $50 for essays. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Hybrid: Acethetic. Genre: Short stories that explore the lives of our asexual friends and family. "The stories should focus on characters anywhere on the specturm of asexuality. Aromantic characters also welcome, of course! We are particularly keen on featuring #OwnVoices authors." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story). Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Hybrid: Genderful. Genre: Short stories. "We are looking for short story submissions that explore the implications of non-cisgender life within the context of furry." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story). Deadline: March 1, 2020.

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

Cincinnati Review. Genre: Prose, poetry, art. Payment: $25/page for prose in journal. $30/page for poetry in journal. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Contrary Magazine. Genres: Fiction and poetry. Payment: $20 per author. Deadline: March 1, 2020.
Upstreet. Genres: Fiction, CNF. Payment: $50-$150 per work. Deadline: March 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: March 3, 2020.

Into the Void. Genre: Fiction, flash fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. Payment: $5 CAD per printed page. Deadline: March 7, 2020. Submit on March 1 to avoid submission fees.
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: March 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on March 1.

Shoreline of Infinity. Restrictions: Open to Black, Asian, and minority ethnic writers. Genre: SFF stories and poems from right across the spectrum, from the surreal to high octane space operas and everything in between so long as it has a speculative element. Payment: £10/1000 words. Deadline: March 8, 2020.

Disturbia. Genre: Horror, Crime, Disturbing Fiction. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: March 8, 2020.

Mslexia. Genre: Poems and stories on theme of ‘other worlds’ – "the mysterious space/time realms of the scientifically plausible: the ‘dust’ of Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials, the time-travelling TARDIS, the alternate realities of Schrödinger’s cat…" Payment: £25. Deadline: March 9, 2020.

Cricket Media: Faces: Birds. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, activities for children. Send query only. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 9, 2020.

El Chapo. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Word limit is 1,000. Payment: $100 per piece. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Whispering Prairie Press: Kansas City Voices. Genre: Poetry, prose, and art of all media. Length: 2,500 word limit. Payment: $20 - $30. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Eye to the Telescope: House and Home. Genre: Speculative poetry on theme of House and Home. Payment: $0.03/word, up to $25. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Gay Mag. Genre: Essays/cultural criticism up to 3,500 words in length on theme of Power. "What is power? What does it mean to feel powerful or to be powerful? Is it possible to be powerful and ethical? What would that look like? What does it mean to be powerless? Have you ever abused your power? What does it mean to live in a world where power is distributed so unequally and where power and wealth are often inextricably linked? We are looking for thoughtful essays that grapple with power in al its permutations." Payment:  $1/word. Deadline: March 16, 2020. Send pitch only.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Trophy Hunter. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 16, 2020.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for a special online edition. The theme for this issue is Debts. Payment: $25 per poem, $75 per story or essay and a complimentary 2-­year subscription to Ninth Letter. Deadline: March 20, 2020.

The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: March 25, 2020.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $3. Deadline: March 28, 2020.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: March 28, 2020.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Fire. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 30, 2020.

World Weaver Press: CLOCKWORK, CURSES, AND COAL: Steampunk and Gaslamp Fairy Tales. Genre: Steampunk. Payment: $0.01 per word + contributor copy. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Westerly. Genre: Short stories, poetry, memoir and creative non-fiction, essays and literary criticism. Payment: Poems: $120 for one poem or $150 for two or more poems; Stories: $180; Articles: $180; Visual art/Intro essay: $120; Reviews: $100; Online Publication: $100. "We expect our contributors to be subscribers of the Magazine. While we will accept submissions from non-subscribers, should your work be accepted for publication in this instance, you will be asked to accept a subscription to the Magazine as part payment for your work." Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Shenandoah. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Catapult: Genre: Fiction under 1000 words. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 31, 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: March 31, 2020. Note: Submit early in March to avoid submission fees.

Dragon Soul Press: Organic Ink. Genre: Poetry. Minimum of 2,000 words.  Payment:  Royalties.  Deadline: March 31, 2020.

JMS Books: LGBTQ Emergency!. Genre: LGBTQ stories about finding love when all hell breaks loose. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Bracken Magazine. Genre: Lyrical fiction and poetry with a strong emotional core, in which the natural world is present in setting and/or in essence. Payment: 4/cents word with minimum of $50. $15/poem. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Gordon Square Review. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $10 per poem, $15 for prose. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Queer Youth: LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words (for prose) or 5 pages (for poetry or scripts) for our LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology written exclusively by and about young people, ages 17 and under (high school and under).  The only other rule is it must be a true life experience that happened to you. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Abominable Book Club Genre: Horror -  original novels/ novellas (25,000 words or more) / or short story collections by UK -based authors, to be produced under 'The Accursed Library'. First printings of these books will be hand-numbered, contain exclusive content and artwork, and will be only available through our box on a specific release month. Further printings and e-book versions will be available through the usual channels. Payment: You will receive an initial payment when your first printing is made (depending on the volume of copies needed) and subsequent royalties on copies sold via their shop. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Route 7 Press. Genre: Poetry chapbooks. Payment: $200 - $400. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Arkansas International. Genre: Fiction, poetry, essays, comics, and works in translation. Payment: $20 a printed page (capped at $250). Deadline: March 31, 2020. (Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.)

Here are a few on April first, for those who want to get ahead of the game.

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.

52 Writing Contests in March 2020 - No entry fees

This March there are more than four dozen 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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Mistakes Were Made. Genre: True story about a mistake you made, in 20 words. "The year 2020 reminds us of the phrase: Hindsight is 20/20. So we invite you to look back on your life and tell us about something that, in hindsight, you would have done differently." Prize: Free Gotham class of your choosing. Deadline: March 1, 2020. 
United States/Japan Creative Artists Residencies. This is a 3-5 month residency in Japan. Grant: $24,000. Deadline: March 1, 2020. 

The Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award is sponsored by Broadside Lotus Press. Restrictions: This competition is open to African American poets only. If you have already had a book published by Lotus Press, you are ineligible. However, inclusion in a Lotus Press anthology does not disqualify you. Genres: Poetry collections of approximately 60-90 pages. Prize: $500 in cash and publication  by Broadside Lotus Press as well as free copies and discounts. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Fountain Magazine Essay Contest. Genre: Essay. 1,500 - 2,500 words. "We want to hear about your challenges and how you mentally, physically, and/or spiritually prepare for them." Prize: 1st Place - $1,500, 2nd Place - $750, 3rd Place - $300, Two Honorable Mentions - $200 each. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest for High School Students. Restrictions: High school students living within 100 miles of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First prize $200, Second prize $125, Third prize $75. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Balticon Poetry Contest. Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Genre: Speculative poetry. Prize: 1st prize: $100; 2nd prize: $75; 3rd prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Alabama Arts Council Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to any author who has lived in Alabama for at least 2 years. Genre: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction of 10-20 pages. Prize: $5,000.   Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Mississippi Artists Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to permanent residents of Mississippi. Genre: Fiction and poetry. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Dark Regions Press: Survive the Night - Three at Dusk, One at Dawn. Genre: Survival horror story involving three central characters (optional secondary characters) who become trapped at dusk with one or more forces outside that are capable of killing them. Only one of the three central characters survives until dawn. Length: 3,000 to 8,000 words. Prize: $3,000 prize pool (10% of Survive the Night preorder sales at darkregions.com/survivethenight get added to the prize pool until contest ends March 1st 2020) – Prize pool will be evenly divided among the selected authors. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Genre: Adventure writing novel. Separate categories for published and unpublished books. Self-published books accepted. Prize: £15,000. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Lewis Galantiere Award. Restrictions: Open to US citizens or permanent residents. Genre: Translation of book-length literary work from any language, except German, into English. Entries must have been published in the US in the past two years. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

International Young Writers Prize (for High School Aged Writers). Restrictions: Open to high school students. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 1, 2020.

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Prize: $5000 (CAN). Deadline: March 2, 2020.

Christopher Tower Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to UK students between 16-18 years of age. Genre: Poetry, one poem, maximum 48 lines. Theme is "underwater." Prize: £5,000. Deadline: March 2, 2020.
The Premises. For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words in which one or more characters face this problem: there is more than one of something that there should absolutely, positively be only one of. Genre: Short story. Length: Between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Prize: Between US$60 and US$220, and publication. Deadline: March 6, 2020.

Jane Martin Poetry Prize (UK). Restrictions: Open to  UK residents between 18 and 30 years of age. Genre: Poetry. Prize: £700, second prize, £300. Deadline: March 6, 2020.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: March 9, 2020.

BBC National Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over, who have a history of publication in creative writing. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: £15,000 to the winner, £3,000 for the runner-up and £500 for three further shortlisted writers. Deadline: March 9, 2020.

Forward Prizes. Genre: Collections and single poems published in the UK and Ireland between September 2019 and September 2020 are eligible for the Prizes. Must be submitted by publisher.  Prize: £1,000 to £10,000 Deadline: March 9, 2020.

NEA Literature Fellowships are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Prize: $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Deadline: March 11, 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 October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. Deadline: March 11, 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 October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: March 11, 2020.

Greater Yellowstone Creative Writing and Journalism Fellowship. Restrictions: Established and recognized authors are being sought, but emerging and mid-career writers are also encouraged to apply. Genre: Seeking creative writers (poetry, fiction, nonfiction), or those in the field of journalism (writer, photojournalist, videographer, documentary filmmaker, online or print media) who demonstrate serious inquiry and dedication to the Greater Yellowstone region through their work. Fellowship: $3,500. Deadline: March 11, 2020.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards. Restrictions: Wyoming writers. Genres: The Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script written by a woman writer. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award is given annually for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script which is informed by a relationship with the natural world. Prize: $1,000.00. Deadline: March 11, 2020.

The Lakefly Writers Conference. Restrictions: Open to residents of Wisconsin. Genres: Short story fiction:  1500 words or less. Any genre. Theme: Love. Flash fiction: 500 words or fewer. Any genre. No theme. Poetry:  All poems, free verse to formal and everything in between—75 lines max. Teen short story: Open to 18 years old and younger. Maximum 1,500 words. Any genre. Prize: First place winners will receive a cash prize of $100; second place winners will receive $75; and third place winners will receive $50. Winners must be able to attend an awards ceremony. Deadline: March 13, 2020.

White River Environmental Law Writing Competition is sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and Vermont Law School. Restrictions: Open to all students currently pursuing a degree (J.D. or LL.M) at an accredited law school in the United States. Submissions written as a class component, as a journal requirement, or otherwise for academic credit are acceptable. Genre: Original essays addressing any relevant topic in the fields of environmental law, natural resource law, energy law, environmental justice, land use law, animal law, and agricultural law. Prize: $1000 cash prize and an offer of publication with the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Hodson Trust–John Carter Brown Library Fellowship. Genre: Nonfiction (includes creative nonfiction). A book-in-process  relating to the literature, history, culture, or art of the Americas before 1830. Award: $20,000. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Prize: $800. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Sunken Garden Poetry Festival's Fresh Voices Competition. Restrictions: New England high school students. Prize: Reading at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival and publication. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in the UK and Ireland who have yet to secure a publishing deal. Genre: Proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Prize: £3,000 advance against publication with Fitzcarraldo Editions. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to Kentucky poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Genre: Literary arts. Prize: $7,500. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Connecticut Student Poets in Grades 9-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st $75, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written or translated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and the best French-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: March 15, 2020.

2020 POPP Award: Poetry of the Plains and Prairies. Genre: Poetry of any style for their annual Poetry of the Plains and Prairies chapbook publication. "While the author(s) may call any place home, their submissions must deftly capture the feeling of, as well as the reality of, living on the plains and prairies. Authors may submit any number of poems equaling thirty to thirty-five pages in length, with no more than one poem per page. (Single poems may extend more than one page.) The selected poetry collection will be published as a limited edition chapbook, hand-printed with antique letterpress equipment." Prize: Publication. Deadline: March 17, 2020.

Gordon Burn Prize. Restrictions: Open to permanent US or UK residents. Genre: Fiction or nonfiction book first published in the US or UK between July 1 of the preceding year and July 1 of the deadline year. Prize: 5,000 pounds and 3-month writing retreat at Gordon Burn's cottage in Berwickshire. Deadline: March 20, 2020.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition for High School Students. Restrictions: Open to students in Grades 7-12. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 23, 2020.

Willie Morris Award for Southern Poetry. Genre: Poetry that evokes the South. Prize: $2,500 and expenses-paid trip to award ceremony in NYC. Deadline: March 23, 2020.

Limnisa Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story under 3,000 words on theme of Plastic. Prize: One-week, all-inclusive writers' retreat or workshop in Limnisa, Greece and online publication, or five online personal tutoring sessions instead. Deadline: March 29, 2020.

Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative Grant. Restrictions: Open to journalists aged 22-38. Genre: Investigative journalism piece about modern prejudice. Prize: $5,000 grant.   Deadline: March 30, 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 nonfiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Genres: Science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words. Prizes: Three cash prizes in each quarter: a First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500, in US dollars. In addition, at the end of the year the winners will have their entries rejudged, and a Grand Prize winner shall be determined and receive an additional $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Archibald Lamp­man Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Canada's National Capital region (Ottawa). Genre: Book of any genre published by a recognized publisher. Prize: $1500. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for Students. Restrictions: Students in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry.     Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. Genre: Poetry or literary prose. Translation of modern Arabic literature into English. Books must have been published and be available for purchase in the UK via a distributor or online. The source text must have been published in the original Arabic in or after 1967. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students in the Washington, DC region. Genre: Poetry. Prize: A reading with honorarium in the Miller Poetry Series, a summer program occurring in June and July. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Speculative Literature Foundation Older Writers Grant. Restrictions: Open to writers who are fifty years of age or older at the time of grant application. Genre: Speculative fiction. Prize: $500.     Deadline: March 31, 2020.

The Lindisfarne Crime Prize. Restrictions: Residents of the North of England, or whose work celebrates the North of England. Genre: Crime short story of up to 10,000 words. Prize: £2500.  Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Spirit First Meditation Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem on the theme of mindfulness or meditation.   Prize: $200.  Deadline: March 31, 2020.

The Cosmos Prize. Genre: Re-write the final chapter of the 1930s sci-fi serial novel, Cosmos. Prize: $300. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Foley Poetry Contest. Genre: One unpublished poem on any topic. The poem should be 30 lines or fewer and not under consideration elsewhere. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contests. Restrictions: Open to writers between 14 and 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year who reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Genre: Science fiction or fantasy, 2,500 words max. Prizes: $150, $100 and $75. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth. Restrictions: Canadians, grades 7-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $400. Deadline: March 31, 2020.

29 Great Writing Conferences in March 2020

Conferences are not only the best way to meet agents, get tips from other writers, and learn about the publishing industry, they make you feel like a writer. We all need community, and this is how we, as writers, get the necessary incentive to keep writing.

All of these conferences and workshops charge tuition, but some offer financial assistance. There are deadlines for applying for aid, so make sure you plan ahead.

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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Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. March 4 - 7, 2020: San Antonio, TX. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. The 2016 conference featured over 2,000 presenters and 550 readings, panels, and craft lectures. The bookfair hosted over 800 presses, journals, and literary organizations from around the world. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America."

Alabama Writing Workshop. March 6, 2020: Birmingham, Alabama. "A one-day writing workshop full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We will also have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well."

Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. Wye Mills, Maryland, March 7, 2020. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association. "The BTO conference features workshops, presentations, and panel discussions on a wide variety of topics pertaining to the craft of writing, publishing, marketing, the Internet, and the intricacies of particular genres. It is an opportunity to meet with many writing peers in the region. Speakers include accomplished authors, poets, film writers, writing instructors, editors, and publishers. BTO also offers one-on-one manuscript reviews with experienced writing instructors and editors for registered attendees for a fee."

Minnesota Writers Workshop.  March 7, 2020: St. Paul, MN. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront. 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.

Atlanta Writing Workshop, March 7, 2020, Atlanta, GA. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Redrock Creative Writing Seminar. March 7, 2020: St. George, Utah. Classes and readings in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The faculty includes Bryan Hyde, Krysten Decke, and Rob Carney.

Orion in the Wilderness. March 7 -14, 2020: Portal, AZ. The Orion in the Wilderness retreat, cosponsored by the Omega Institute, will be held at the American Museum of Natural History’s Southwestern Research Station in Cave Creek Canyon in Portal, Arizona, surrounded by the Chiricahua Mountains, known for its abundant bird life and hiking trails. The retreat includes workshops, readings, lectures, manuscript consultations with faculty, presentations on local ecology and lore, and optional birding and hikes for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. The faculty includes poet Sherwin Bitsui and fiction and nonfiction writers Joe Wilkins and Joy Williams. The cost of the conference, which includes tuition, lodging, and meals, ranges from $1,100 to $1,900, depending on lodging. Using only the online application system, submit up to six poems or up to 1,500 words of prose by February 1.

Algonkian Novel Retreat, Sterling. Virginia, March 11 - 15, 2020. "In keeping with the spirit of this place and the goals of this retreat, you can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?" Registration is first come, first served.

Write Stuff Writers Conference. March 12 - 14, 2020: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 20 workshops, Agent./Editor pitch sessions, marketing consults plus lunch and Keynote address, Book Fair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, Door Prizes. Featuring Jonathan Dylan Barker.

Springmingle ’20 and Illustrators’ Day. Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators. Homewood, AL, March 13 -14, 2020. Conference for children's book writers and illustrators. Faculty includes writers, illustrators, agents, editors, and publishers.

Writing By Writers Boulder Generative Workshop. March 13 - March 15, 2020, Boulder, Colorado. Lectures, craft talks, writing exercises and class discussions. Each participant will have the opportunity to work in a small group setting with all three faculty members.

Get Away to Write. March 15 - 20, 2020: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Spend an inspiring week working on your memoir or poetry. Enjoy plentiful writing time, insightful feedback, homemade meals and time to relax. Workshops and faculty:  TBA

Virginia Festival of the Book, March 18 - 21, 2020. "The Festival is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. We have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors." Book exhibits, talks by authors, readings, workshops on book promotion, finding an agent, poetry, publishing, agents roundtable - you name it, this conference has it.

The Furious Flower Poetry Center Collegiate Summit. March 19 -21, 2020. Harrisonburg, VA. Open to undergraduate and graduate students from any college or university program, this three-day summit invites participants to explore how poetry reaches across geographical borders and beyond conventional literary and ideological boundaries. This year's summit attendees will explore the theme of “Power, Presence, and Performance” through workshops, panels, and discussions that examine ways of engaging audiences and maximizing the reach and impact of their words. The registration fee is $50 per person. Registration is open until full.

Algonkian Writers New York Pitch Conference, March 19 - 22, 2020: NY, NY. "The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals. More importantly though, it is also a diagnostic method for workshopping the plot, premise, and other elements of the story to determine quality and marketability. Simply put, you cannot successfully pitch a viable commercial novel if you don't have a viable commercial novel. Our goal, therefore, is to set you on a realistic path to publication."

Power of Narrative. March 20 - 21, 2020: Boston, MA. Over 30 journalists, directors, producers and editors lead three days of lively discussions geared to advance the knowledge of narrative storytellers. Approximately 500 persons attend. Early registration is encouraged.

Authors' Salon at Clockwork Alchemy. March 20 - 22, 2020: Burlingame, California. Clockwork Alchemy is the San Francisco area's own steampunk convention. Originally a part of FanimeCon, Clockwork Alchemy is now its own independent event celebrating music, makers, dancing, writing, crafting, fashion, and fun related to steampunk!

Colrain One-Day Retreat: What is a Poetry Manuscript? March 21, 2020, Barred Owl Retreat, Leicester, Massachusetts.The Colrain One-Day Informational Retreat is designed for poets who wish to learn the basics of a poetry manuscript before submitting to presses and/or applying to the Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference.  In a small group (8-10 poets) team-led by two seasoned Colrain Poetry Manuscript facilitators.

University of North Dakota Writers Conference. March 25 - 27, 2020: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1970 and held every year since, the UND Writers Conference is a three day event featuring six to eight authors annually. Authors ranging from Gwendolyn Brooks and August Wilson to Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead, the UND Writers Conference is committed to community outreach, engagement, and finding ways to increase audience access to literature. The conference is free, but workshop space is limited to twenty participants; registration is first come, first served.

Beall Poetry Festival. March 25 - 27, 2020, Waco, TX. The festival features readings, panel discussions, and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry. Participating poets include Forrest Gander, Layli Long Soldier, Evie Shockley, Meghan O’Rourke, and a Poetry Panel. All events are free and open to the public.

35th Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference. March 25 - March 28, 2020: Weber State University, Ogden, UT. "Each year, nearly 200 undergraduate writers and poets throughout North America, and sometimes beyond, come to Weber State University to present their work and learn from some of the most important writers in contemporary literature."

Diverse Communities and the Writer’s Voice sponsored by the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium’s Writers’ Community and the Moravian College Writers’ Conference. March 26 - 27, 2020: Bethlehem, PA. Keynote speaker: Daisy Hernandez. Plus additional workshops and a writers’ roundtable featuring area writers on Friday, March 27. FREE

2020 National Black Writers Conference. March 26 - 29, 2020, Brooklyn, NY. “Activism, Identity, and Race: Playwrights and Screenwriters at the Crossroads” is a public gathering of writers, scholars, literary professionals, performers, students and the general public. "Over the last decade, we have seen an increase in the writing and works by Black playwrights, screenwriters, and scriptwriters. These writers, at a crossroad, are focused on breaking new ground; creating bold new work in theater, film, and television; and expanding the narrative of the Black experience in America and throughout the African Diaspora. During this year’s four-day conference, panelists and special guests will examine the ways race, identity, politics, and popular culture shape the production of plays, films, and television shows. The conference features roundtable conversations, panel discussions, a town hall, film screenings, author readings, writing workshops, and more."

Sleuthfest. March 26 - 29, 2020: Boca Raton, FL. Sponsored by the Florida Chapter of Mystery Writers of America a conference for writers and fans. Features writing workshops, social events, and pitch sessions, including:
* Agent Appointments to pitch your finished work
* Critiques of your 10 page manuscript submission
* Forensic track with current forensic techniques & hands-on workshops
* Social events to mingle with agents, editors and your favorite authors
* Auction to purchase critiques of your work by bestselling authors
* Sessions on the craft of writing
* Sessions on marketing and promoting your work
* Practice your Pitch sessions with experienced authors

The Work Retreat. March 27 - 29, 2020: Dedham, MA. "The Work Retreat is designed for authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, whose works-in-progress are intended for traditional publication. Participants will workshop up to 50 pages of a WIP in a series of supportive, constructive, small-group sessions led by an editor or agent, and you’ll meet one-on-one with your workshop leader, too. All-faculty panel discussions on topics of craft, revision and industry give participants a chance to hear from and engage with all our experts. You’ll have plenty of time to write throughout the weekend, and the sprawling mansion and estate provide ample space to find your perfect writing nook."

Kansas Writing Workshop. March 28, 2020: Kansas City, MO. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Hampton Inn & Suites Kansas City Country Club Plaza. 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."

Western Reserve Writers' Conference. March 28, 2020, South Euclid, Ohio. This free one-day writing conference takes place at Cuyahoga County Public Library's William N. Skirball Writers' Center, located in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch library. It features a choice of breakout sessions, a keynote address, and private sessions with editors.

Meet the Publishers! March 28, 2020:Tulsa, OK. Meet different publishers, traditional to self-published, magazines, newspapers, etc. Learn what they are looking for and how the industry is changing. FREE.

Maryland Writers Association: Brain to Bookshelf. March 28 - March 29, 2020: College Park, MD.
"The Brain to Bookshelf conference offers over 20 workshops, several intensive sessions, for more detailed learning along with agents presenting panels, hearing pitches and providing critiques. Agent slots are limited, so register early."

3 UK Agents Actively Seeking Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, Commercial Fiction, Thrillers, Memoirs and more

Here are three UK agents actively seeking new clients. Jordan Lees represents crime and thrillers of all stripes (whether commercial or more literary), including speculative thrillers; literary fiction; true crime and smart non-fiction. Trevor Dolby is looking for popular science with a clear relevance to everyday life, narrative history, military history, humour, biography, popular culture, natural history and great memoirs by passionate people whose lives have been well lived. Lizzy Kremer represents commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction.

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. Lizzy Kremer of David Higham Associates Ltd

Lizzy was named the British Book Industry Awards 2016 Agent of the Year in May 2016. She is President of the Association of Authors’ Agents.

Lizzy is a director of the company and Head of the Books Department. Her career in publishing began as a book publicist, after which she worked with agent Ed Victor for seven years before joining DHA in 2004. Lizzy is co-author with George Green of A Dummies Guide to Writing a Novel and Getting Published (2007, updated edition 2014). Lizzy writes a blog at https://publishingforhumans.com/.

What she is seeking: Lizzy Kremer represents commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction and is agent of mega-selling thriller The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. She represents the UK’s highest selling self-published author, Rachel Abbott.

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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Mr. Jordan Lees of The Blair Partnership

Jordan is particularly drawn to writing with a real sense of atmosphere and has a soft spot for anything dark and strange. Some of his favorite writers are Patricia Highsmith, John Fowles, Cormac McCarthy and Gillian Flynn

What he is seeking: He represents crime and thrillers of all stripes (whether commercial or more literary), including speculative thrillers; literary fiction; true crime and smart non-fiction.

How to submit: Send the first thirty pages of your manuscript and a one page synopsis as a PDF or word file. Submit to Jordan at jordansubmissions@theblairpartnership.com.

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Trevor Dolby of Aevitas Creative Management

Trevor Dolby has published scores of bestselling books during his thirty-five year career in UK non-fiction publishing. He was the UK publisher of multi-million selling Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It trilogy, world-renowned historian James Holland, and the first UK internet bestselling phenomenon The Darwin Awards. He created the international bestselling, Pythons on the Pythons and U2 on U2.  He was one of the first publishers to establish the celebrity memoir, editing David Essex, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Terri Hatcher, Colin Montgomery, Martin Kemp, Peter Kay, Phil Collins and many more.  As Publisher and Managing Director of HarperCollins Entertainment division, he managed the worldwide publishing rights to J.R.R. Tolkien, and the UK and commonwealth rights to The Simpsons, Agatha Christie and C.S. Lewis. In 2007 Trevor launched ‘Preface’ as an imprint of Random House, where he published many bestselling authors 

What he is seeking: Trevor is looking for popular science with a clear relevance to everyday life, narrative history, military history, humour, biography, popular culture, natural history and great memoirs by passionate people whose lives have been well lived.

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

2 New Agents Actively Seeking Speculative Fiction, Thrillers, Short Story Collections, Memoirs, Nonfiction and more

Here are two new agents actively seeking clients. Kayla Lightner is looking for speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and horror), thrillers, short story collections, satire, family sagas, memoirs, essay collections, and narrative nonfiction. Maria Rogers is currently looking for non-fiction that explores big events from new angles, whip-smart cultural criticism, as well as original and urgent journalism and science writing. She’s also on the lookout for books to engage kids in non-fiction topics, from ancient history to contemporary issues.

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. Maria Rogers of The Tobias Literary Agency

Originally hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Maria graduated from Kenyon College before cutting her teeth in publishing as an intern at Writers House. She went on to work as an editorial assistant at W.W. Norton & Co. and later as an editor at Scholastic. Over the course of her publishing tenure she has worked on behalf of Pulitzer Prize winners, National Book Award winners, Guggenheim fellows, PEN/Hemingway Award winners, and New York Times best sellers.

What she is seeking: Maria is currently looking for non-fiction that explores big events from new angles, whip-smart cultural criticism, as well as original and urgent journalism and science writing. She’s also on the lookout for books to engage kids in non-fiction topics, from ancient history to contemporary issues. She is not currently considering poetry, picture books, romance, science fiction, or fantasy at this time.

How to submit: For fiction and nonfiction. please submit a query letter and a sample of up to 30 pages to Maria(at)TheTobiasAgency(dot)com. Maria generally responds to queries within 6 weeks of receipt.

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Kayla Lightner of Liza Dawson Associates

Kayla Lightner joined Liza Dawson Associates as an agent assistant in 2018. A Georgia native, Kayla holds a B.A. in English from Vassar College. Before joining the LDA team full-time, Kayla interned at the agency in the summer of 2017.  She has also held various positions including fashion market intern at Harper’s Bazaar, editorial assistant at Creative Loafing Atlanta, and freelance writer at Creative Loafing Atlanta.

What she is seeking: Kayla is looking for speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, and horror), thrillers, short story collections, satire, family sagas, memoirs, essay collections, and narrative nonfiction.

How to submit: Send a query letter to querykayla@lizadawson.com
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26 Calls for Submissions in February 2020 - Paying markets

Pixabay There are more than two dozen calls for submissions in February. 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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Once Upon a Hallowed Eve: An Anthology of Romantic Ghost Stories. Genre: Romantic ghost stories. "Originally, Samhain marked the beginning of Winter in Gaelic Ireland. It was believed that the Lord of the Underworld walked the earth during Samhain, along with all his cohorts: ghosts, spirits, fairies, and many other creatures. How can you use this pagan holiday in your character’s lives? How can you bring a phantom, ghost, spirit, or some other spiritual entity into your story? Will your tale be about a lover come back from the dead?" Length: 7,000-15,000 words. Payment: $75. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Small Loves: A Queer Microfiction Anthology. Genre: LGBTQ flash and micro fiction. Payment: 2½¢ per word. Deadline: February 1, 2020. Reprints accepted.

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: February 1, 2020.

Belmont Story Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: $50 for prose, $25 for poetry. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Tales from the Moonlit Path. Genre: Dark, eerie, speculative stories and poetry. "Horror is not a necessary element, although fiction should contain some aspect of the weak, frail, changeable human condition." Payment: $10. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

RAYGUN RETRO: A Science Fiction Anthology. Genre: "We're seeking science fiction stories 2000-6000 words in the style of 50s and 60s classic science fiction." Payment: $10. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

World Weaver Press: Multispecies Cities. Genre: Science fiction/solar punk short stories. "We’re looking for stories that acknowledge humans as part of a larger ecosystem, for characters who strive for balance with (rather than dominance over) the creatures surrounding them, for settings that depict an optimistic balance of nature and technology." Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Havok. Genre: Mystery, scifi, comedy, thriller, and fantasy on theme of The End of the World As We Know It. Length: 300 to 1,000 words. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 2, 2020.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Parasites. Payment: $5. Deadline: February 3, 2020.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: February 3, 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: February 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on February 1.

Raconteur. Genre: Short stories, poetry, art, and CNF. "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: Fiction & Non-fiction: $10; Poetry: $5. Deadline: February 9th, 2020.

Cricket Media: Faces: Elections Around the World. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, activities for children. Send query only. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: February 10, 2020.

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

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on theme of Remote Places. Payment: $5. Deadline: February 17, 2020.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $3. Deadline: February 26, 2020.

The Rumpus. Genre: Essays. Payment: $300 divided among all contributors (?). Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Poetry and essays. 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: February 28, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Listen to Your Dreams. Genre: True stories about dreams. "When we are asleep, we dream. Are dreams a connection to the unconscious mind? Are they omens of things to come—both good and bad? Dreams are often the way we tap into our own inner wisdom. Sixth sense, gut feeling, premonitions, instinct. Whatever you call it, sometimes we have no logical reason for knowing something—but still we know it. 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, publication, and 10 author copies. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Hinnom. Genre: Weird fiction. Payment: 2 cents/word for fiction. $50 for poems. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Quommunicate Publishing: Queer Youth: LGBTQ+ True Stories AnthologyQueer Theater series: LGBTQ+ Ten-Minute & One-Act Plays for Students & Adults/General Audiences. Genre: Short scripts on LGBTQ+ themes. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Blue Mesa Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Strange Constellations. Genre: Speculative fiction between 3000-7500 words. Payment: $30.  Deadline: February 28, 2020.

The New Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction.  Payment: $250 for a short story or nonfiction entry, and $40 per poem or postscript story. Deadline: February 28, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

Triangulation Anthology. Genre: Speculative Fiction on theme of Extinction. "Every day, another species creeps closer to extinction, often brought on by things out of their control. The world changes every time an insect, a rhino, a macaw ceases to exist. These changes are tangible. Tell us about them. Bring us stories of imposing threats, extraordinary creatures brought low, stories of those warriors who fight tooth and nail for their survival. What does extinction mean to you? We like our stories to be profound, relatable, poignant yet familiar. Tell a tale for the ages." Payment: 3¢ per word. Deadline: February 29, 2020.

JMS Books: LGBTQ Chance Meetings. Genre: LGBTQ stories of serendipitous meetings that lead to happy ever after. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 29, 2020.

51 Writing Contests in February 2020 - No entry fees

February is a short month, but it packs a punch. This month there are more than four 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.

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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Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. Genre: Poetry, up to five poems per person. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2020.  

Tales from the Moonlit Path: Bloody Valentine’s Challenge. Genre: Dark fiction with an element of love. Prize: $50. Deadline: February 1, 2020.  

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. Genre: Most outstanding book for young people published in 2016. There is a $500 award in each category: Pre-K - Grade 3;  Grades 4 - 6;  Grades 7 - 12. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Paterson Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry book published in 2018. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. Genre: Short story of no more than 8,000 words that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. Prize: Publication as the featured story on the Baen Books main website paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submissions. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Gannon University Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Entrants must be a US high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through twelve.Genre: Poetry. Each student may enter 1 or 2 poems; each poem may be no longer than 50 lines. Prize: First Place: $100.00 Second Place: $75.00 Third Place: $50.00. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest is sponsored by the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation. Restrictions: Students enrolled in grades 6-12. Genre: Short fiction of exactly 1000 words. Prize: Two $1,000 scholarship prizes will be awarded, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Seven $100 cash prizes will also be awarded for winning entries, one per grade level.  Deadline: February 1, 2020.  

The Levis Reading Prize is sponsored by the Department of English and its MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Restrictions: The prize is given annually for the best first or second book of poetry published in the previous calendar year. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $5000.  Deadline: February 1, 2020.

North Carolina Student Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to student poets from 3rd grade to university undergraduates attending schools in North Carolina. Genres: Unpublished poems (submit one poem). Prizes: 1st Place winners will receive a $60 check, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. 2nd Place winners receive $40, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. 3rd Place winners receive $25, an NCPS award certificate, and a free copy of Pinesong. Deadline: February 1, 2020. Snail mail entries only.

Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Poetry book in English published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students in Michigan. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st place - $250 and publication in The Albion Review, 2nd place - $150 and publication in The Albion Review; 3rd place - $100 and publication in The Albion Review. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Wednesday Club Junior Poetry Prize. Restrictions: High School Students in Grades 9 through 12 in the St. Louis Area. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $200,  $150,  $100, $80, $50, and up to five $25 honorable mentions TEACHER AWARDS: $200, $150, $100. (Applies to teachers of first three student winners.) Deadline: February 1, 2020.

The John Gardner Fiction Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Novel or collection of fiction published in 2018. Prize: $1,000.   Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Wednesday Club Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Adults over 18; living within a 50-mile radius of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $500, $300, $150. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Award. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 1, 2020.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Genre: Personal essays between 2000 and 3000 words. The topic is, simply, changes in the wild. Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $1500 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $500. Deadline: February 2, 2020.

Life Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to UK residents. Genre: Life writing. The Prize defines life writing as ‘intended to be true’, reflects someone’s own life journey or experiences and is not fiction. Prize: Winner will receive £1,500, publication on Spread the Word’s website, an Arvon course, two years’ membership to the Royal Society of Literature and a development meeting with an editor and an agent. Deadline: February 3, 2020.

Zocalo Public Square Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to US poets only. Genre: Poetry that evokes a connection to place. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 3, 2020. Note: Winning author gives up all rights.

The University of Chester Flash (Youth). Restrictions: Open to Scottish students aged 16-19 who are studying in the UK. Genre: flash fiction of up to 360 words. Prize: Up to £100. Deadline: February 7, 2020.

Bethesda Poetry Contest. Genres: Poetry. Adult and high school student categories. Restrictions: Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are eligible. Prizes: First place: $350, published on The Writer's Center's blog and magazine, and a free class and membership to The Writer's Center. Second Place: $250. Third Place: $150. Honorable Mention: $75. All winners will be published on the Bethesda Urban Partnership website and honored at a special event during the Local Writer's Showcase, April 16-17, 2020. Deadline: February 7, 2020.

Luminarts Creative Writing Fellowship. The Creative Writing Fellowship awards two $7,500 grant Fellowships for excellence in creative writing in the categories of prose and poetry, in fiction and nonfiction. Applicants submit a two-page written piece (either a stand-alone piece or an excerpt of a larger piece such as a novel or short story). Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction.  Prize: $7,500. Deadline: February 7, 2020.

White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. Restrictions: Open to all poets who currently reside in and have had residency in one of the following states for a minimum of 12 consecutive months: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. (Residency will be verified before prize winner is announced.). Writers who have published 2 or more full-length collections of poetry or who do not meet the residency requirements are NOT eligible. Genre: Poem on topic of "Shared Spirit." Prize: $1,500. Deadline: February 7, 2020. Note: Winning author gives up all rights.

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 10, 2020.

Western Australian Premier's Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to authors who either are citizens or permanent residents of Western Australia. Genre: Book published during the preceding calendar year in a variety of genres. Prize: A$15,000. Deadline: February 10, 2020.

Writers’ Trust / McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize. Restrictions: Only works from writers who are Canadian citizens, whether living in Canada or abroad, or permanent residents of Canada are eligible. Genre: Short story or excerpt from a fiction work-in-progress first published by a Canadian magazine or annual anthology during the previous calendar year. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 12, 2020.

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or fewer. Prize: £500 and publication. Deadline: February 13, 2020.

Lex Allen Literary Festival Prizes. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate college students. Genres: Poetry and fiction. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 14, 2020.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between October 1, 2019 and February 29, 2020 to be eligible for the 2020 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: February 14, 2020.

Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry is an annual regional prize. Restrictions: Open to residents of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Michigan. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $10,000 as well as a contract for publication to the author of the winning manuscript. Deadline: February 14, 2020.

Bala Kids/Khyentse Foundation Children's Book Prize. Genre: Children's book on Buddhist themes and values. Prize: $5,000 and publication by Bala Kids, an imprint of the Buddhist magazine and publishing house Shambhala. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

Harold Morton Landon Translation Award. Genre: Poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

Ambroggio Prize. Restrictions: Poet must be a U.S. Citizen; Resident of the United States for the ten-year period prior to the submission deadline, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Legal Permanent Status (LPS), or any subsequent categories designated by the U.S. authorities as conferring similar enhanced status upon non-citizens living in the United States. Genre: Book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards for Excellence in Published Haiku, Translation, and Criticism. Genre: Published book. Books must have been published in 2019 and must clearly contain a printed 2019 copyright. A member, author, or publisher may submit or nominate more than one title. At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, or haibun, or prose about these subjects (books mostly of tanka, for example, are not eligible). Prize: $500. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Award. Genre: Poetry - translation into English of a significant work of modern Italian poetry. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

New England Youth Outdoor Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6-12 in the New England states. Genre: Nonfiction essay about the outdoors. Prize: Up to $150. Deadline: February 15, 2020.

Nelson Algren Literary Award is a short story contest sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. This contest is open to residents of the United States. All entries must be: fiction, less than 8,000 words, double spaced, written in English. Prize: One grand prize winner will receive $3,500. Four finalists will each receive $1,000. Five runners-up will each receive $500. Total value of all prizes: $10,000. Deadline: February 17, 2020.

Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers. Restrictions: The nominee must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The nominee must have written and published at least one but no more than two books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 17, 2020.

The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award supports the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition. Genres: Nonfiction journalism works in progress with “strong, character-driven narratives with detailed scene writing and lyrical description.” Restrictions: The award will not fund proposals to report on armed conflicts where journalists are already imperiled, nor projects that are mainly investigatory. Prize: $12,500 grant and use of the NYU library. Deadline: February 19, 2020.

Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) from across the Washington Metropolitan Area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC). Genre: Poetry. Prize: First, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates.  Deadline: February 20, 2020.

RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Candidates must be: A Canadian citizen or permanent resident; Under the age of 35; Unpublished in book form and without a book contract. Genre: Poetry. Prizes: Winner: $5,000; Finalists: $1,000. Deadline: February 25, 2020.

500 Words BBC Radio 2 Contest. Restrictions: Open to any child who is aged between 5 and 13 years old on 12th June 2020 who is a full time resident of the UK. Genre: Short story of  no more than 500 words. Prize: Child's height in books! Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Published E-Book Literary Award.  Restrictions: Open to African-Americans. Genre: Self-Published E-Book in fiction and poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multi-Lingual Texts. Genre: Literary translations and multi-lingual texts. Prize: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War History. Genre: First book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Creative Capital Award. Restrictions: Entrants must be US citizens or permanent residents, aged 25+, with 5+ years' professional writing experience, and not be full-time students. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Grant: Up to $50,000. Deadline: February 28, 2020.

The Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction. Genre: Novel published in 2019 (50,000 words minimum). Book has to be set in one of the original eleven states in the Confederacy. (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.) Prize: $2,500.00, and an expense paid trip to New York City. (The winner must come to NY to receive the award, attend a luncheon with the contest judges and a reception in his/her honor.) Deadline: February 28, 2020.

Frank O’Connor International Short Story Fellowship. Restrictions: Writers working in English from outside Ireland. Must have at least two full-length works of fiction published of which at least one must be a short story collection. Genre: Short fiction. Fellowship: €2,500, totaling €7,500 and self-catering accommodation. The costs of travel to and from Cork would also be covered. Writer must reside in Cork for 12 weeks.  Deadline: February 29, 2020.

The Kelpies Prize (Scotland). Restrictions: Open to Scottish authors. Genre: Children’s fiction and illustration. Prize: £1,000, a publishing contract, a writing retreat, and a year of mentoring by an editorial team. Deadline: February 29, 2020.

SLF Working Class Writers Grant is sponsored by the Speculative Literature Foundation. Genres: Speculative fiction, magical realism. Restrictions: Applicants must be working class (see guidelines page for definition) and demonstrate financial hardship. Available to international writers. Prize: $750. Deadline: February 29, 2020.

Quantum Shorts Competition. Genre: Fiction stories, under 1,000 words, that are "clearly inspired by some aspect of quantum physics." For 2020, entries also must contain the phrase "Things used to be so simple." Prize: $1,500 and online publication. Deadline: February 29, 2020.

8 Great Writing Conferences in February 2020

Conferences are not only the best way to meet agents, get tips from other writers, and learn about the publishing industry, they make you feel like a writer. We all need community, and this is how we, as writers, get the necessary incentive to keep writing.

All of these conferences and workshops charge tuition, but some offer financial assistance. There are deadlines for applying for aid, so make sure you plan ahead.

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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San Francisco Writers Conference, February 13 -16, 2020, San Francisco, CA. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writer’s conferences anywhere. "Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft and business of writing. The SFWC is also one of the friendliest conferences. Presenters this year will include bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses.  There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. The San Francisco Writers Conference has one of the largest faculties of any writer’s conference to ensure the best networking with the people who can help you get published."

Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat). February 14 - 16, 2020: San Diego, CA. Faculty: 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. "Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration." Cost: $350-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional. Limited to 175 conferees.

Futurescapes. February 16 - 18, 2020:: Salt Lake City, Utah. Futurescapes Workshop of Utah Valley University, is an intensive, exclusive workshop, offering writers an unparalleled chance to work with top authors and agents in speculative fiction (science fiction, horror, fantasy, paranormal). Each participant will work with three workshop faculty mentors on the first 3,000 words of their manuscript, while receiving substantive feedback on the overall structure of their work in progress and query letters.

Florida Heritage Book Festival & Writers Conference. February 20 - 22, 2020: St. Augustine, Florida. Since 2008, The Florida Heritage Book Festival and Writers Conference has brought more than 200 nationally known authors and writers to teach, network, and enjoy time in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida. Thousands of Festival attendees have participated in author presentations, panel discussions, book signings, and a Writers Conference focusing on both the craft and the business of writing.

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference. February 21 - 22, 2020: Tempe, AZ. "The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference creates a unique and intimate creative writing experience where writers of all backgrounds, genres, and skill levels gather together and connect through the celebration and study of literary craft, culture, and community. Featuring over 25 faculty members teaching more than 50 sessions, we seek to create a warm and welcoming environment that meets people wherever they are, where writers can learn from and support each other as they work toward their goals. Beyond regular programming, we also feature advanced pre-conference workshops, an exhibitor fair, scholarships, and fellowships. We also offer opportunities to advertise with or sponsor the conference as well."

The Writers Studio, sponsored by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, February 27 - March 1, 2020, Los Angeles, CA. The conference offers workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as writing for television and film. Offered by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the Writers Studio brings together a community of writing students to workshop with some of Southern California’s most accomplished writers and teachers. From among the 10 offered, participants choose one workshop in which they work closely with a professional writer in classes limited to no more than 15 people.

St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop, Feb 27 - March 1, 2020, St. Augustine, Florida. "The St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop creates an intimate and professional environment that combines private meetings with small-group workshops, thus enabling aspiring authors to wisely approach the writing and publication of their novel. At the St. Augustine event, aspiring authors will:
1) Work one-on-one with top authors and savvy market professionals.
2) Apply advanced story and narrative technique to their novel-in-progress.
3) Hone and improve their writer voice and style.
4) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business.
5) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards publication of their novel.
Group workshop sessions will be interspersed with agent and author consultations, workshop assignments, as well as consults with workshop leaders."

California Creative Writers Conference. February 28 - March 1, 2020: Los Angeles, CA.  Educational and inspirational guidance from more than 40 literary agents, veteran educators, industry professionals, professional editors, and publishers in the craft and business of writing fiction, nonfiction, and screenwriting taught by Hollywood veterans. Over three days, you can learn how to take your writing to the next level and what it takes get published.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux Open to Submissions - No agent required

Farrar, Straus and Giroux is an imprint of Macmillan, one of the Big Five publishers. The company is noted for its literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s books.

Farrar, Straus and Giroux authors have won numerous National Book Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, as well as twenty-two Nobel Prizes in literature. Nobel Prize-winners include Knut Hamsun, Hermann Hesse, T. S. Eliot, Pär Lagerkvist, François Mauriac, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Salvatore Quasimodo, Nelly Sachs, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Pablo Neruda, Eugenio Montale, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Czeslaw Milosz, Elias Canetti, William Golding, Wole Soyinka, Joseph Brodsky, Camilo José Cela, Nadine Gordimer, Derek Walcott, Seamus Heaney, and Mario Vargas Llosa.

That impressive list is equaled by the poets Farrar, Straus and Giroux has published, including Elizabeth Bishop, Ted Hughes, Philip Larkin, John Ashbery, Thom Gunn, and Les Murray.

Astonishingly for a major publisher, they accept unsolicited submissions. All submissions must be submitted through the mail—they do not accept electronic submissions, or submissions delivered in person. Please include a cover letter describing your submission, along with the first 50 pages of the manuscript.

Note: Farrar, Straus and Giroux does not publish commercial or genre fiction. Their children's book division only accepts submissions that are represented by an agent.

Read guidelines HERE.