Comps and calls for November 2022

Hello Everyone,

I’ve had a good month, so for once I won’t be complaining about things! Well, except for battles with technology, but those can be taken as read. I had a lovely birthday, and I’m slowly finding ways to manage the new pain levels. I won a small competition (one of the Poetry Nook ones), and The Fourth Corona Book of Horror Stories came out, with a story of mine in it. I’m thrilled about both!

Anyway! November is an odd month for submitting. It’s relatively quiet, between the fun of Hallowe’en and the glorious cascade of December celebrations. Perhaps it’s a good time to submit! Or perhaps your culture has November celebrations, so you could write about those! Here in the UK we have Bonfire Night, to commemorate the time that a chap called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up our Parliament hundreds of years ago (he failed).

I might be overthinking things! Have fun with your writing, and enjoy the weird and wild array of themes this month!

It’s been raining solidly where I am, dreary, relentless rain with minor moans of wind, and very cold. Wrap up warm!

Much love and happy writing,

Cathy x


Here are some writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

As usual I’m passing these on in good faith but mistakes may be made, so do check all the submission guidelines carefully. Any info in quotes comes from the website itself and any dates at the start are deadlines. Also, I don’t know the sources personally, so do check them out for yourselves.

There are three headings (click/tap to jump straight to them):

If you aren’t a submitter (why not? Nothing to lose! Rejection is something we all share!) then the themes can make great writing prompts/exercises.

Although I mention only fiction or poetry, many publications accept non-fiction, art or other forms, so do check if interested. Good luck and do let me know of successes! The links are in the comments, and any dates at the start are deadlines.

Where possible, I have marked the relevant entries with ‘paying’, ‘contributor copy’ etc. However, you are best off checking the info for yourselves as I am not infallible and the info isn’t always available or clear. Please be aware that a contributor copy may be in print or digital format. Also, some publications offer several things, eg payment as well as a contributor copy. Where this is the case, I have assumed that payment is enough of an incentive, so I haven’t listed everything. It’s a rough guide and should be treated as such.

COMPETITIONS

2nd Nov ‘Spectator competition No. 3274: beyond the cringe. It’s toe-curlingly bad analogy time (up to eight each). Here’s a winner, courtesy of Chris O’Carroll, from a previous contest: ‘He broke wind with the menacing thunder of ancestral voices not only prophesying war, but actually launching a poison gas attack to get the hostilities started.’ Email entries to lucyATSpectatorDOTcoDOTuk by midday.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/lucy-vickery

9th Nov ‘Spectator competition No. 3275: delusional. ‘He thought he saw an elephant/That practised on a fife:/ He looked again, and foundit was…’ Sobegins Lewis Carroll’s ‘The Mad Gardener’s Song.’ Following thisformat and formula, you are invited to supply three stanzas (18 lines) which could aptly be titled: ‘The Deluded Politician.’ Email entries to lucyATSpectatorDOTcoDOTuk by midday.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/writer/lucy-vickery

14th Nov Speculative flash fiction inspired by the provided image. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

24th Nov (opens 18th Nov) Microfiction on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

25th Nov ‘We are looking for good storytelling (fiction or non-fiction) written specifically for delivery and reading/viewing on a PC or Mac, the web, or a hand-held device such as an iPad or mobile phone. It could be a short story, novel, poem, narrative game, documentary, or transmedia work using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction. Interactivity is a key element of new-media storytelling.’ PAYING https://newmediawritingprize.co.uk/faqs/

30th Nov There are several writing competitions with different deadlines – 30th Nov is the deadline for the Sudden Fiction and Short Story comps. There is normally a fee to enter, but there are bursaries available for those from Yorkshire or on a low-income: ‘The Plaza Prizes will grant FREE ENTRY bursaries to writers on low incomes and under-represented writers from around the world. We also grant FREE ENTRY to writers from Yorkshire.’  PAYING https://theplazaprizes.submittable.com/submit/235973/bursary-scheme

30th Nov ‘Simply compose up to 6 six word stories, memoirs, poems, or jokes.’ PAYING https://www.dougweller.net/contest

30th Nov Fiction or nonfiction up to 5000 words. PAYING https://www.servicescape.com/short-story-award

30th Nov ‘Write a Love Letter to London of up to 500 words around the theme of ‘making connections’.You can write on any aspect of London’s past, present or future. It might be reportage, an historical essay, a ‘think piece’, a spot of futurology, a work of fiction, a poem.’ PAYING https://www.londonsociety.org.uk/page/loveletters

30th Nov ‘Betty Trask left a bequest to the Society of Authors in 1983 to fund prizes for first novels written by authors under the age of 35 in a traditional or romantic style.’ PAYING https://www2.societyofauthors.org/prizes/the-soa-awards/betty-trask-prize-awards/ (Cathy’s note: check eligibility carefully – there are geographical restrictions as well as age restrictions.)

30th Nov Flash, poetry, and other pieces up to 1500 words, inspired by one of the photo prompts. PAYING https://banburywriterscafe.wordpress.com/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Nov Formal poetry on the theme of The Veil Between the Worlds. https://winecellarpress.com/submissions/

5th Nov ‘Science-fiction and fantasy stories (horror and mystery too if fantastical enough) of between 2,000 and 6,000 words… These stories should be inspired by tabletop games – roleplaying games, board games, miniature wargames – but not necessarily be set in those exact worlds or feature particular characters or places.’ PAYING https://www.fanaticalmag.com/p/submissions_16.html

5th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the themes of Thanksgiving and Advent. PAYING https://www.skylarb.com/submit-your-work

5th Nov ‘Are you a poet from the greater (sic) Manchester area? Do poetry you want to publish? (sic)’ Up to three poems. https://www.localgemspoetrypress.com/buzzin-bards-poetry-anthology.html

6th Nov Short story 800-2000 words on the theme of Hopes and Fears. OTHER https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

7th Nov The theme for issue seven is Shelter:  necessity, right, instinct, act. Consider human and non-human refuge: urban and wild; homes created and structures built; havens sought, offered, denied or destroyed.  Think of protection, safekeeping and sanctuary; of dens, dugouts, canopies, caves, earths, nests and sets; of security, weathering and welcome.  Finished Creatures looks for poetry that is informed by environmental awareness and which considers the human experience alongside that of all species.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://finishedcreatures.co.uk/

7th Nov ‘We are looking for your best, bold poems on the theme of FREEDOM.’ https://speckledtroutreview.com/2019/08/04/welcome-to-my-blog/

7th Nov Canada only:  ‘The purpose of this call for submission is to rebuild to soundscape of medical practitioners. Instead of abstract concepts of equity and diversity that are so easy to acknowledge but so difficult to internalize, this chapbook aims to collect poems and pieces that focus on the stories and sounds of various medical professionals.’ PAYING https://poets.ca/adventitious-sounds/

8th Nov ‘For this prompt, we’d like to see a range of interpretations of MOONRISE – whether the moon in your story is our moon, a moon in a different dimension, or on another planet entirely, you decide! We just want to see what imaginative settings, lore, and characters you can come up with.We’ll be leaning more towards science fiction for this issue and would particularly like to see some Lunarpunk stories in our submissions pile.’ Up to 1000 words. PAYING https://hexagonmagazine.ca/myriad/

8th Nov Women over 60 only: ‘Short Takes are usually short pieces, fiction or non-fiction (250-500 words), but can also be topical poetry, sometimes even drawings or photography. We’re especially interested in hearing about your experiences, but you can include your thoughts, dreams, ideas and opinions. Humor and irony are always appreciated!’ https://persimmontree.org/submissions/

8th Nov ‘We’re after co-authored, original, unpublished dark fantasy short stories (4-6k words). No theme, but your submission piece must sit in the fantasy genre and contain dark elements – we aren’t after happy endings.’ PAYING https://www.bagofbonespress.com/submission-calls

10th Nov Haiku and Senryu. https://wapoets.com/creatrix/ (Cathy’s note: other categories are reserved for members. Scroll down for details, and for much interesting content and resources re haiku.)

15th Nov ‘In light of the cost-of-living crisis, we have decided to produce an anthology to raise money for charities in the UK who support people experiencing poverty (food banks, etc). We are looking for poems and personal (non-fiction) stories from workers, non-workers (can’t physically work, retired, or some other reason) and small businesses owners/freelancers who are/will be affected by the rising of essentials like energy, food and clothing. If you can address and correct common misconceptions, then even better.’ CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE https://tinyurl.com/4amm3cmh

15th Nov Indigenous writers only: ‘We are interested in poems that illustrate, redefine, or reimagine relationships—land, nature, culture, history—to expand the possibilities of ecopoetics.’ https://greenlindenpress.submittable.com/submit

15th Nov ‘This issue will explore the theme of silence and sound. The COVID-19 pandemic put communities in flux and changed our definition of what it means to be a collective. Many people felt the silence of being without community while others felt the abundance of constant noise and community. We want to reflect on and memorialize this. We welcome submissions that explore silence and sound.’ https://crescmag.org/CM_submissions.html

15th Nov ‘The Lorelei Signal is a quarterly SF/Fantasy electronic magazine – one that will feature strong / complex female characters. This does not mean your female character has to be the main hero or villain in the story. What it does mean is no shrinking violets, or women who serve only to get into trouble so the male hero can rescue them.’ Poetry, flash and short stories. PAYING https://www.loreleisignal.com/guidelines

15th Nov ‘Plum Tree Tavern invites the submission of works for a special Autumn Moon edition. Haiku or other short work not to exceed five lines are preferred; longer works may be submitted and will be considered. Regardless of length, each submission must expressly contain the words “autumn moon” or a similar reference to the moon within the season, such as “October moon” or “first frost moon.”’ https://theplumtreetavern.blogspot.com/

15th Nov Cosmic horror, 2000-7000 words. PAYING https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/open-submission

15th Nov Poetry, fiction, and much more on the theme of A Life of the Spirit: Fuel for Change. https://thebezine.com/about/submission-guidelines/

15th Nov ‘The anthology will feature traditional Sherlock Holmes stories blended with one or more of Lovecraft’s tales. Belanger Books is calling for submissions from writers, new or established, which are between 5,000 – 10,000 words (it is okay to be over some).’ PAYING https://belangerbooks.com/blogs/news/call-for-submissions-1 (thanks to www.authorspublish.com for this)

15th Nov ‘The Blue Route is an online undergraduate literary journal run by students and faculty at Widener University. We publish short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction written by undergraduate writers from any school other than our own.’ PAYING https://widenerblueroute.org/submission-guidelines/

15th Nov ‘Stories, poems, essays, and art about the secret lives of plants and the people who live with them.’ PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL http://londonreader.uk/

15th Nov Ekphrastic poems. https://www.impostorlit.com/submit

15th Nov ‘We welcome your essays (up to 1200 words), poems, art and other works focused on leadership or one of the Four Freedoms: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Want (for basic human necessities), Freedom from Fear (of aggression by governments, armies or police).’ https://www.kosmosjournal.org/contribute-to-kosmos-quarterly/

15th Nov ‘It’s Five O’Clock Everywhere invites original and previously unpublished poetry and fiction in the theme of Alcohol/Drinking (however you interpret that) to its pages.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://www.kindofahurricanepress.com/p/its-five-oclock-everywhere-anthology.html

15th Nov Alaskan women only: ‘Alaska Women Speak is open for submissions! We are currently gathering prose, poetry and visual art possibilities for Winter 2023/24: Adrift.’ https://alaskawomenspeak.org/submissions/

15th Nov ‘We’re looking for stories where the dragon takes center stage (or at least steals the show). To be considered for the anthology, the story must contain at least one loveable ‘grumpy’ character – it can be the dragon’s human mentor, a disembodied ghost of a former dragon snack, or the dragon themselves. ‘ 3000-4000 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://stormdancebooks.junetakey.com/posts/grumpy-old-dragons-call-for-submissions/

16th Nov Title: Out of Time: ‘Theme: Love across time, Time travel. Dark Romance: any sub-genre or trope. Heat Level 2-4. Word count: exactly 100 words’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.darkrosepress.com/calls/

20th Nov Fiction, poetry and CNF on the theme of Space. https://www.writersworkout.net/waywords

20th Nov Submissions are now open for Shooter’s winter 2023 issue, themed On the Body. Writers should send short stories and non-fiction of 2,000-6,000 words and/or up to three poems, adhering to the guidelines. PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

21st Nov ‘The theme is Blood / Water. Topics you could explore: lakes, the sea, streams, rivers, inner-replenishment, what’s taken for granted/seen as special, puddles, watering cans, kettles not boiling, your favourite hot beverage, inter-connectivity, veins being like branches of a tree, moon cycles, seven generations back/seven generations forwards, water memory, blood memory…’ Poetry. https://www.bethanyrivers.com/as-above-as-below

24th Nov ‘We are looking for beautiful works exploring Bud and Branch; Fresh growth and seasonal change, new developments and returning ideas, and imagery around woods and forests are all interpretations of this theme we’d particularly like to see, and we will be selecting work for inclusion based on how well it relates to these themes. Work centred around other lifecycles, directly relating to plant growth, or around the use of wood (or branches, or sticks) will also be considered.’  POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.greeninkpoetry.co.uk/submissions/bud-and-branch

30th Nov ‘Split Lip Magazine is a voice-driven literary journal with a pop culture twist. We publish online monthly and in print periodically. We accept fiction (flash and short stories), memoir, poetry, art, and photography… In an effort to promote Black voices, free submissions will be open for Black writers and artists in all genres all year (except when we are closed to all submissions in July and the second half of December).’ PAYING https://splitlipthemag.com/submit

30th Nov ‘For this second issue, we invite contributors from Latin American countries who write in English. On this occasion, we have chosen to promote emerging authors who are citizens of, and based in, Latin American countries; therefore, our current submission call does not apply to Latinx authors at large or writers of the Latinx diaspora. Please do not submit if you are not from a Latin American country.’ ‘Welcome to Spooky Gaze, a literary magazine for prose and poetry that exults in the uncanny…’ https://spookygaze.com/submit/

30th Nov Small absurdist poems. https://ubupoems.wixsite.com/home/guidelines

30th Nov Speculative fiction and poetry on the theme of Dread. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

30th Nov We’re currently seeking fiction novels, memoirs, nonfiction/long-form journalism, YA, hybrid works, essay/short story collections, graphic novels, and anthologies of exceptional literary merit that demonstrate a high level of creativity and originality.’ https://www.8thandatlaspublishing.com/submissions

30th Nov ‘Abstract poems, the experimental, avant-garde etc …. poems which push boundaries (although traditional poems will also be read.)’ https://www.crowofminerva.com/submit

30th Nov Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of  ‘Hear the Slay Bells Ring—Stories about Christmas or set during wintertime. ‘ PAYING https://nightterrornovels.wordpress.com/submissions/

30th Nov Union: SF romance stories 3000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES  https://dragonsoulpress.com/shortstorycalls/

30th Nov Beastly Tales: ‘All monster romance stories. All heat levels are accepted; erotica preferred.’ 3000-20,000 words. ROYALTIES  https://dragonsoulpress.com/shortstorycalls/

30th Nov Monthly haiku challenge: write a 5-7-5 haiku incorporating the provided season word. https://tricycle.org/haiku/

30th Nov Fiction and poetry incorporating the words shipwreck, thicket, and disguise. http://3elementsreview.com/submission-guidelines

30th Nov Entries, definitions and more for Le Scat Noir Encyclopaedia of Human Sexuality. https://blackscatbooks.com/submissions/

30th Nov ‘MIDLVLMAG publishes short/flash fiction, poetry, prose, and CNF/essays. Submissions are OPEN for the following themes: Two Weeks Notice and Holiday Bonus.’ https://midlvlmag.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Nov Poetry and art on the theme of TREE. https://feralpoetry.net/submissions/

30th Nov US only, BIPOC only: ‘ It’s mashup time! This anthology will focus exclusively on BIPOC writers who live in or hail from locales in the United States and whose short stories feature BIPOC characters set in a science fiction or fantasy setting where the character is an underdog who uses their skills to overcome a challenge.’ PAYING https://theunderdogpress.com/pages/submission-guidelines

30th Nov ‘From Beyond Press is launching with a bang—or a squirm, or the sound of too many legs skittering in the dark. This World Belongs to Us is an anthology of horror stories about bugs, writ large—we’re not scientists, so spiders and slugs and scorpions (oh my!) are OK too.’ 500-5000 words. PAYING http://frombeyondpress.com/submissions/

30th Nov Poetry, flash and essays on the theme of Home. https://pureslush.com/submissions/current-submissions/home-lifespan-vol-7/

30th Nov Fiction on the theme of Hacking. https://deepoverstock.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Ends. POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://quarterpress.com/the-quarterly-journal

30th Nov ‘We want to showcase writing and artwork that has been created with abandon. That term is free to be interpreted liberally, but ideally it is the kind of work that takes risks, created in a space wherein the artist doesn’t care what anyone else thinks or what everyone else is doing.’ Poetry, flash, short fiction and more. Theme: Abandon Love. PAYING https://abandonjournal.com/submissions/

1st Dec ‘Decolonial Passage encourages emerging and established writers to submit to the magazine.  We accept writing from writers of all backgrounds engaged in the decolonial project regardless of race, origin, gender, disability, or geographical location.  Simultaneously Decolonial Passage centers African, African-American, and Black Diaspora writing from the African continent, the Americas, Europe, and beyond.’ Theme: Food, Power, and Powerlessness. Poetry, fiction, and much more.  https://thedecolonialpassage.net/submit-2/

1st Dec ‘We’re looking for genre authors who cross boundaries. Authors whose stories twist the tropes to showcase in a cross-genre anthology of stories that entertain, but read fresh and new. Send us the story that you can’t classify: a story that can’t be pigeon-holed into a single subgenre, or that pushes against your genre’s boundaries.’ 1000-10,000 words. PAYING https://wanderingwavepress.com/submissions

1st Dec ‘We are seeking the best crime/noir/neo-noir/transgressive short stories in which a diner-like venue plays a major role in the narrative.’ 2000-7000 words. PAYING https://www.outcast-press.com/copy-of-about

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Wind Witch. https://enchantedlivingmag.com/pages/submit

1st Dec horror stories on the theme of Tunnels. https://theotherstories.net/submissions/

1st Dec ‘We invite you to share your supernatural fiction, nonfiction, and poems with us for the 21st issue of Jenny Magazine. We want ghost stories, paranormal activity, creepy crawly things, and everything else supernatural!’ https://jennymag.submittable.com/submit

1st Dec Horror novellas 17,500-40,000 words. ROYALTIES https://www.interstellarflightpress.com/submissions.html

1st Dec ‘What we’re interested in: poetry, lyric essay, visual poetry, collage, videopoetics, audiopoetics, docupoetics, and art.’ Theme: ecopoetics. https://petrichormag.com/submit/

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

(Publishers might not give out their pay rates on their submission pages, so make sure to find them out before signing a contract!)

‘We’re currently considering both non-fiction and fiction with a literary bent, as well as poetry (collections only) and playscripts. Generally speaking we’re not looking for science-fiction, romance or crime – but if you feel your work is literary and only partially defined by one of these categories, please feel free to send it our way.’ https://renardpress.com/submissions/

‘We saw books that deserved to be published for their excellence… but like an idea too new for a Dewey Decimal number, seemed to exist outside the prescribed parameters for a “Jewish book.” So we started Ben Yehuda Press to give these books a home.’ https://www.benyehudapress.com/submit/

‘We are currently OPEN to flash fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, and art submissions. Submissions do not have to be about coffee or music; they must only contain one or both of these elements in some form (how much or how little is up to you). We are not interested in works based on current events. We view Loud Coffee Press as an escape from the 24-hour news cycle, so we tend to pass over submissions related to the news of the day.’ https://www.loudcoffeepress.com/submissions

‘We’re looking for science fiction, fantasy, horror, the uncanny, or any work (fiction, nonfiction, or poetry) that orbit this genre, with a particular focus on characters in some type of transition: political (as in migration stories); personal (such as across culture or identities), biological, linguistic, geographic, or other forms of being in-between.’ ‘We’re accepting submissions on a rolling basis until we hit 300 submissions across all submission categories.’ PAYING https://www.frivolouscomma.com/submit/

Neo-noir stories 3000-5000 words. PAYING https://www.thaliapress.org/darkyonder

‘Interstellar Flight Magazine is seeking essays on pop culture, movies, geekery, and scifi/fantasy related topics.’ PAYING https://www.interstellarflightpress.com/submissions.html

Comps and calls for October 2022

Hello Everyone,

As I write this here in the UK, numerous events have been cancelled out of respect for the late Queen. One such event is Guinea Pig Awareness Week. We live in strange and interesting times. Wherever you live, don’t forget to write about what is happening where you are now, and what is in the news. A poem, or a diary entry, or a story or essay – you and your writing are part of history.

— I wrote that mid-month, and now the news here (UK) is about the collapse of the pound and the cost of living crisis. A week is a long time in politics, and things change all the time – your diary comments might one day, far in the future, be examined at universities as vital historical evidence!

I’ve been struggling with health again, which, among other things, is really boring. So if you’re in good or tolerable health, get writing, get submitting, and get entering, so that I can enjoy your successes instead of mine!

I hope you’re having a lovely Autumn! It’s a good time for writing poetry!

Much love and happy writing,

Cathy x


Here are some writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

As usual I’m passing these on in good faith but mistakes may be made, so do check all the submission guidelines carefully. Any info in quotes comes from the website itself and any dates at the start are deadlines. Also, I don’t know the sources personally, so do check them out for yourselves.

There are three headings (click/tap to jump straight to them):

If you aren’t a submitter (why not? Nothing to lose! Rejection is something we all share!) then the themes can make great writing prompts/exercises.

Although I mention only fiction or poetry, many publications accept non-fiction, art or other forms, so do check if interested. Good luck and do let me know of successes! The links are in the comments, and any dates at the start are deadlines.

Where possible, I have marked the relevant entries with ‘paying’, ‘contributor copy’ etc. However, you are best off checking the info for yourselves as I am not infallible and the info isn’t always available or clear. Please be aware that a contributor copy may be in print or digital format. Also, some publications offer several things, eg payment as well as a contributor copy. Where this is the case, I have assumed that payment is enough of an incentive, so I haven’t listed everything. It’s a rough guide and should be treated as such.

COMPETITIONS

8th Oct ‘This contest is for writers who are relatively new to paid or incoming-earning publication of speculative short fiction in English. Submit one complete and finalized story of up to 10,000 words.’ PAYINGhttps://dreamfoundry.org/writing-contest/ (Cathy’s note: there are specific rules for eligibility – do check them because you might be eligible!)

9th Oct Writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color: one unpublished story of no more than 1,000 words. PAYING https://salthilljournal.net/arthur-flowers-ff-prize

12th Oct ‘This fellowship calls for an early-career writer of fiction who has not yet published a book and is not currently nor has ever been enrolled in an advanced degree program (such as an MA or MFA) in Creative Writing, English, or Literature, and has no plans to attend one in the 2023 calendar year. We are seeking writers whose work speaks to issues and experiences related to inhabiting bodies of difference. This means writing that centers, celebrates, or reclaims being marginalized through the lens of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, illness, disability, trauma, migration, displacement, dispossession, or imprisonment. All applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of January 1st, 2023.’ PAYING https://one-story.com/learn/fellowship/ (Cathy’s note: there are loads of guidelines and notes on eligibility and the prize – as always, read these carefully.)

15th Oct Australia and New Zealand residents only: 2000-word short story. PAYING https://www.mindfood.com/competition/calling-all-writers-short-story/

27th Oct (opens 21st Oct) Microfiction on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

31st Oct Speculative drabble on the theme of Out the Airlock. PAYING https://www.hiraethsffh.com/drabble-contest

31st Oct Age 11-19 only: ‘If you are aged between 11 and 19 and interested in history and writing, the YWSP is ready to take you on an adventure!  We are the UK’s only creative writing prize specifically for budding historical fiction writers. You could win a £500 travel grant, tickets to one of the UK’s best book festivals, and the chance to see your own work in print. Stories must be between 800 and 2,000 words, and set in a time before you were born.’ PAYING  https://www.walterscottprize.co.uk/young-walter-scott-prize/ (thanks to http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm for this one)

31st Oct Poem inspired by the provided image. PAYING http://www.rattle.com/ekphrastic/

31st Oct Short story up to 5000 words. ‘Applicants must be ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth, or the Republic of Ireland. Applicants must have had at least one short story accepted for publication.’ PAYING  https://www2.societyofauthors.org/prizes/the-soa-awards/alcs-tom-gallon-trust-award/

31st Oct UK only, age 18-25: ‘Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The competition is exclusively for young writers, aged 18-25, with a first prize of £750, and a second prize of £500. The Franklin quote for interpretation in 2022 is ‘The Eyes of other People are the Eyes that ruin us. If all but myself were blind, I should want neither fine Clothes, fine Houses nor Fine Furniture.’’ PAYING https://benjaminfranklinhouse.org/education/literary-prize/ (thanks to www.winningwriters.com for this one)

31st Oct Aged under 30, and GB, NI and Commonwealth only: collection of up to 30 poems. PAYING https://www2.societyofauthors.org/prizes/the-soa-awards/eric-gregory-awards/

31st Oct Story on the provided theme. PAYING http://oldewolf.co/

31st Oct Travel nonfiction 1000-10,000 words, by an unpublished writer:  ‘For purposes of these contests, unpublished writers are defined as those who have never earned over $500.00 by their writing skills in any single year, whether from a salary, freelance work, editing, royalties, sale of stories or books. or any combination of these.’ http://www.storyhouse.org/contest%202022.html (thanks to www.winningwriters.com for this one)

1st Nov Open internationally. Students in the 9th-12th grades: poetry, fiction or nonfiction. PAYING https://www.bennington.edu/events/young-writers-awards

1st Nov ‘The prize is free to enter and open to any citizen of a Commonwealth country who is aged 18 and over.  It is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words).’ PAYING https://www.commonwealthwriters.org/shortstoryprize/info/

1st Nov ‘The Prize is open to African writers. An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, or whose parents are African. The prize is open to African poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published at the time of submission. Manuscripts of 10 poems, no more and no less.’ PAYING https://africanpoetrybf.unl.edu/contest-prizes/evaristo-prize-for-african-poetry/?csrt=16482343113046872603

1st Nov ‘The contest is for first-time authors who have not had any work of fiction published before. It doesn’t need to be complete — just send 3,000 words, plus a 600-word synopsis (including spoilers) to show where you plan to take your plot and characters.’ PAYING https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11041061/Your-chance-author-Today-Mail-gives-chance-novel-published.html

1st Nov ‘The Grants Committee is looking for works in progress that are consistent with the Malice Domestic genre of Traditional Mystery, typified by the works of Agatha Christie. These works contain no explicit gore, violence, or sex.’ PAYING https://www.malicedomestic.org/grants.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Oct Spec flash fiction 300-1000 words on the theme of Selfishness/Sacrifice. POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: if your work is used in an anthology, then you’ll get paid. Otherwise, you won’t.)

3rd Oct ‘ Dilettante Army seeks scholarly writing for the Winter 2022 issue, Weak Aesthetics. Topics might include, but are not limited to: a theory of the Aesthetics Wiki, dandyism, nostalgia, common suffixes or families (-core, -punk, -wave), teens, neologisms, aesthetic failure, failed aesthetic categories, Normcore, Weirdcore, relationships between digital and analog aesthetics, the ugly, the disgusting, the charming, gendered and raced aesthetics, Frederic Jameson, Sianne Ngai, minor feelings, base and superstructure now, Horse Girls, Pierre Bourdieu, so five minutes ago, and Kant.’ PAYING https://dilettantearmy.com/articles/call-for-submissions-weak-aesthetics

4th Oct ‘The Commonwealth Foundation is delighted to launch the 2022-2023 adda call for submissions. Writers are invited to submit creative non-fiction, short fiction, short graphic fiction and poetry on the theme of healthy communities.’ PAYING https://tinyurl.com/2y7hmu4a

4th Oct ‘The Science Fiction Tarot will contain 22 stories, one tale standing in for each of the cards of the major arcana and placing the anthologies word count at approximately 90-110K words. Stories of up to 7,500 words will be considered, but please be advised that submissions of 5,000 words and under will have the best chance to be selected. Each author will be expected to submit a 1-3 word science fiction concept for a card, along with a story that exhibits that idea through character, plot or theme.’ PAYING http://tdotspec.com/submissions/

5th Oct  ‘Embracing Our Differences is seeking writing submissions for an outdoor juried art exhibit featuring 50 billboard size images paired with quotations created by local, national and international artists and writers. The display reflects the artists’ and writers’ interpretations of the theme “enriching lives through diversity.” Entries can be no longer than 20 words.’   PAYING https://www.embracingourdifferences.org/submit-a-quotation-2022-exhibit/

15th Oct ‘Send us your best stories of approximately 50 words about Country Roads…We are requesting artwork submissions as well.’ http://www.blink-ink.org/current-submissions/

15th Oct ‘We’re looking for those funny stories you tell again and again. The ones that make everyone laugh. The ones that make you laugh just thinking about them!’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

15th Oct ‘Our Spring 2023 issue will feature a Tribute to Irish Poets. Poems may be written on any subject, in any style or length, but the poet must identify as Irish and have lived in Ireland for a significant portion of their life.’ PAYING https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/28744/tribute-to-irish-poets

15th Oct ‘All submissions are welcome during the spring (January 15 – April 15) and fall (July 15 – October 15) reading periods, and will be considered for either our print publication (Consequence journal) or our website (Consequenceonline). All submissions need to address in some manner the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.’ PAYING https://www.consequenceforum.org/submissions

15th Oct ‘This anthology will feature stories where the two great detectives, the cold and calculating Holmes and the kind and meek Brown, team up to solve mysteries… ubmissions should be between 5,000-10,000 words in length (okay to go over the word limit) and should feature the traditional Holmes of the canon and G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown. No stories based on TV/ film versions of the detectives.’ PAYING https://belangerbooks.com/blogs/news/call-for-submissions-1 (thanks to www.authorspublish.com for this)

15th Oct ‘We are looking for new, unpublished, first-person, non-fiction material that is for or about women. Essays, humor, satire, personal experience, and features on topics relating to women are our primary editorial focus.’ Theme: In the Spirit! https://sasee.com/submissions/

15th Oct Flash and short fiction. PAYING https://orcalit.com/guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: free submissions are capped at 100 per month, so get in early!)

25th Oct ‘The Sweet Holiday Treats issue! We want love that is sweet, saccharine, sentimental, over-the-top adorable. It doesn’t haven’t to be holiday-themed but we won’t be mad if it is… Think holidays-other-than-Christmas, familial love, furbaby love, love for the season. Think gratefulness & togetherness. Think ooey-gooey & uplifting. Think LOVE.’ https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

28th Oct Theme: Rhythms. ‘At Fathom we publish articles, personal essays, profiles, interviews, book reviews, Bible exposition, theological and/or historical analysis, poetry, and short stories.’ https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

29th Oct ‘Write a letter to Santa in poetry form.’ – writing for an audience of children. https://www.buzgaga.com/submission

30th Oct ‘Good old-fashioned sonnets.’ https://theminisonproject.com/submissions/sonnetsubmissions/

30th Oct ‘Beechwood Review publishes minimalist writing and art. We’re partial to themes of time, nature, humanity, philosophy, chaos, reason, the ridiculous, and the whimsical. We don’t like work that drones on about fancy table fruit. Although good fruit poems have their place.’ PAYING https://beechwoodreview.com/

31st Oct ‘We invite you to submit if you identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms.’ ‘ khōréō is a quarterly publication of stories, essays, and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element.’ PAYING https://www.khoreomag.com/submissions/

31st Oct Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of  ‘ThanksKilling Feasts—Stories about cannibalism, food, or gluttony.’ PAYING https://nightterrornovels.wordpress.com/submissions/

31st Oct ‘We want your original, unpublished, short horror stories set in daylight.’  500-5000 words. PAYING https://www.bagofbonespress.com/submission-calls

31st Oct Stories 2000-3500 words on the theme of Manor of Frights. PAYING https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/current-submission-calls/

31st Oct or when submission cap is reached:  ‘The theme for our Fourth Annual Short Story Anthology is The Natural World. Stories should take place predominantly outdoors or in some natural context, with nature a defining aspect of the work.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL), PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://propertiuspress.submittable.com/submit

1st Nov ‘We are a biannual literary zine focused on women’s embodied experiences of perimenopause, menopause, and croning—minus the patriarchy.’  https://www.hagsonfire.com/ (Cathy’s note: sadly this will be the final issue of Hags on Fire.)

1st Nov or when submission cap is reached: ‘We are actively seeking submissions from Black, Minority, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color in the Historical Fiction category.’ https://propertiuspress.submittable.com/submit

1st Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of So THAT’S why. PAYING http://themaliterarysociety.com/submissions.html(Cathy’s note: readers from outside the USA may submit electronically.)

1st Nov ‘Kelp Books is an independent press located in Pebble Beach, California. The press seeks to discover new talents and publish brave, off-beat, and adventurous fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.’ https://www.kelpjournal.com/books

1st Nov Biography or Memoir. https://propertiuspress.submittable.com/submit

1st Nov Fiction, poetry and more beginning with the first line: When he died, their father had two requests. PAYING http://thefirstline.com/submission.htm

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

(Publishers might not give out their pay rates on their submission pages, so make sure to find them out before signing a contract!)

‘Blind Eye Books publishes science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and romance novels featuring LGBTQ protagonists. We do not publish short story collections, poetry, erotica, horror or non-fiction. We would hesitate to publish any manuscript that is less than 70,000 or over 150,000 words.’ https://www.blindeyebooks.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: I highly recommend scrolling down and reading ‘What the Editor Prefers’ before you submit.)

‘We are actively acquiring strong nonfiction manuscripts. We are not looking for fiction at this time.’ ADVANCE + ROYALTIES (I think) https://benbellabooks.com/pitching-benbella/

A longform piece: ‘ Researched essay, cultural critique, creative nonfiction, historical inquiry, narrative reporting — we’re open to all your ideas, as long as they tell a good story and interrogate their topic thoroughly.’ – or conversation pieces about someone else’s longform work. PAYING https://pipewrenchmag.com/submissions/

Weekly: ‘Because of the nature of the traditional publication apparatus, poetry doesn’t often respond in a timely way to current events—but we think it could. To test this hypothesis, we’d like to try publishing a poem online each Sunday (if we receive any that we like) that responds to a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.’ PAYING https://rattle.submittable.com/submit

Comps and calls for September 2022

Hello everyone,

Is it me, or is this year flying by? I’m seeing callouts for Hallowe’en stories and poems, and even Christmas pieces! Didn’t summer start only a couple of weeks ago?!

I’m not meeting my own submission targets, but I’m doing OK. At the time of writing I’ve made the longlist for a competition, and I’ve been wrangling the proofs of a story, soon to be published. I’ve also written some poems, and I’ve started putting my fourth poetry collection together.

I hope that you’re finding the time to write, enter and submit. Remember that you’re allowed to take time for yourself and for your creative side. You want your children to be able to do that, even when they’re older, so set them the example now. Mind you, I worked for years in childcare, starting with a relative’s newborn twins, so I do understand that some things have to be put on hold for that first year or two! Anyway – if you can – write, and enjoy every precious minute of it.

Much love and happy writing,

 Cathy x


Here are some writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

As usual I’m passing these on in good faith but mistakes may be made, so do check all the submission guidelines carefully. Any info in quotes comes from the website itself and any dates at the start are deadlines. Also, I don’t know the sources personally, so do check them out for yourselves.

There are three headings (click/tap to jump straight to them):

If you aren’t a submitter (why not? Nothing to lose! Rejection is something we all share!) then the themes can make great writing prompts/exercises.

Although I mention only fiction or poetry, many publications accept non-fiction, art or other forms, so do check if interested. Good luck and do let me know of successes! The links are in the comments, and any dates at the start are deadlines.

Where possible, I have marked the relevant entries with ‘paying’, ‘contributor copy’ etc. However, you are best off checking the info for yourselves as I am not infallible and the info isn’t always available or clear. Please be aware that a contributor copy may be in print or digital format. Also, some publications offer several things, eg payment as well as a contributor copy. Where this is the case, I have assumed that payment is enough of an incentive, so I haven’t listed everything. It’s a rough guide and should be treated as such.

COMPETITIONS

2nd Sep ‘For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which the story’s main character(s) spend most (even better, all) of the story’s time in constant motion. For instance, they could spend the whole story in a moving vehicle. There are plenty of other ways to do it, too. (Just being on the Earth, which is spinning and moving around the sun, doesn’t count.)’ PAYING https://onthepremises.submittable.com/Submit

5th Sep ‘We are accepting submissions for our first ever short fiction contest through September 5, 2022. Theme is “Pets, Pets, PETS!!!” Stories should engage with the literal or conceptual idea of “Pets,” whatever that means to you.’ Up to 2000 words. PAYING https://lossuelos.com/submissions/

5th Sep Australians only: Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund grant. PAYING https://writersvictoria.submittable.com/submit

7th Sep Spectator Competition No. 3266: larkin about. ‘To mark the centenary this month of Philip Larkin’s birth, you are invited to re–imagine one of his poems (please specify) in the style of a poet of your choice.’ PAYINGhttps://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-cosy-crime-with-a-topical-twist

22nd Sep (opens 16th Sep) Microfiction on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

30th Sep ‘Submit a flash or poem (max 500 words) on the theme of Hiatus – Solstice literally refers to the pause when the sun seems to hang unmoving in the sky on the 21st December, so it’s quite an appropriate time theme.’ ROYALTIES https://arachnepress.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: submissions will close after only 50 entries have been received, so get your skates on! while visiting, why not buy my book ‘Erratics’?)

30th Sep Flash Fiction up to 300 words. PAYING https://shadygroveliterary.wixsite.com/shadygroveliterary/about

30th Sep Short Story Competition. Theme: Summer. ‘This latest Competition from The Horse’s Mouth sees a grand prize of £150: £100 for the Adult Winner and £50 for the Younger Entrant’s Winner.’ Adult section: 2000 word limit. https://fromthehorsesmouth.org.uk/new-fthm-short-story-competition/

30th Sep ‘ The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment of at least eight cents per word, and at least 5,000 copies, or 5,000 hits.’ SF/F prose up to 17,000 words. PAYING https://www.writersofthefuture.com/contest-rules-writers/

30th Sep ‘We accept literary (poetry; essays and short stories under 2500 words); video; music; dance; performance or visual work around the theme: “Never again: Remembering to heal and overcome.”’ PAYING https://www.ihraf.org/art-of-unity-creative-award

1st Oct ‘Send us your Halloween-themed poetry, fiction, short plays, and creative non-fiction.’ PAYING https://thefuriousgazelle.com/submit/halloween-writing-contest/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Sep Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Roots. https://www.popshotpopshot.com/submit/

3rd Sep Poetry, CNF, nonfiction, art and more on the theme of Ocean Culture. PAYING https://theremnantarchive.com/submissions/

3rd Sep ‘We are looking for visual art and creative writing for our inaugural print issue. We accept work from queer, nonbinary, trans, and other LGBTQIA+ artists and writers.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.ouchcollective.com/

4th Sep Spec flash fiction 300-1000 words on the theme of Gluttony/Temperance. POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: if your work is used in an anthology, then you’ll get paid. Otherwise, you won’t.)

4th Sep ‘From September 3rd at 12:01 a.m. PT to September 4th at 11:59 p.m. PT, our Submittable link will be live for debut nonfiction nature writing submissions (including memoirs, essay collections, and graphic nonfiction).’ ‘We ask that you do not send us a project unless you have a completed draft of the full manuscript available upon request.’ https://tinhouse.com/book-submissions/

4th Sep Short story 800-2000 words on the theme of Skull and Crossbones. OTHER https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

5th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Unravel. PAYING https://writersvictoria.submittable.com/submit

6th Sep ‘Be it unhinged mayhem or sublime beauty, we want stories of what happens when characters step INTO CHAOS.’ Up to 5000 words. PAYING https://www.sanspress.com/submissions

6th Sep ‘For “Unspeakable”, we are inviting stories centred on/around a character who has done a crime that society regards as “unspeakable“. Stories of ALL GENRES are invited. Be it a social drama wherein a poacher of endangered animals is blaming their poverty and the corruption of the system for his crimes; or a taut suspense thriller where an obsessed police detective chases a brutal serial killer.’ Flash, short fiction and novelettes. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://culturecult.co.in/anthology-submissions/

7th Sep Theme: Lost or Found. Stories, essays and poems. ‘As our publication is digest-sized, we are more apt to accept shorter works.’ https://www.krazines.com/

9th Sep ‘…the Spooky Special! We’re looking for romantic work with a fantastic twist! Fantasy of all flavors, sci-fi, cli-fi, horror, slipstream, anything that comes under the speculative umbrella.’ ‘…we publish poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and flash prose.’ https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

9th Sep Poetry, CNF and art on the theme of Changes. https://paddlerpress.ca/submissions/

10th Sep Theme: ‘It must be inspired by our Halloween theme. We are reviewing works inspired by digital wastelands.‘ ‘While we are devoted to giving a voice to LGBTQAI+ creatives, we also want to give a voice to women creatives, disabled creatives, and neurodivergent creatives. We also wish to give a voice to creatives with mental illness(es), invisible illness(es), and/or trauma.’ https://www.thewinnowmagazine.com/submitguidelines.html

11th Sep Theme: Science, Disability, and the Body. ‘We welcome new or previously published poems, short stories, book reviews, or literary or personal essays.’ PAYING https://www.sciencewritenow.com/submissions

15th Sep ‘Please submit first-person essays anytime before the deadline prior to publication date. We also consider art and photography from women and gender non-conforming writers. Although the essay holds the central role at DPA, we are open to other genres, including experimental, poetry and flash non-fiction, as long as there is a first-person point of view.’ Theme: Mother https://www.dorothyparkersashes.com/submit

15th Sep ‘We rarely have seen examples in which Holmes solves the case entirely from the arm-chair of his sitting-room. This anthology is intended to fill in that gap in Sherlock Holmes’s published career… A pastiche from 5,000–10,000 words (with some variance acceptable) that is canonically accurate (i.e., Holmes and Watson should be the Holmes and Watson we encounter in Doyle’s writings), in which Sherlock Holmes serves as “the last and highest court of appeal in detection” for his fellow detectives.’ PAYING https://belangerbooks.com/blogs/news/call-for-submissions-2nd-half-of-2022 (thanks to www.authorspublish.com for this)

15th Sep Poetry and prose on the theme of Tales from the Deep. https://www.writersworkout.net/tales

15th Sep Writers over 50 only: poetry, memoir and short fiction on the theme of Ancestral or Generational Trauma. https://www.passagerbooks.com/submit/

15th Sep Theme: Quest. ‘The hero’s journey is one of the oldest forms of storytelling. It has many components that can go in a thousand directions with a thousand faces. Your quest, should you care to accept, is to use one part of the hero’s journey as the focus of your quest poem. It could be a call to adventure or the refusal of that call. Meeting of a new mentor and its consequences, or facing an ordeal that creates inner change.’ PAYING http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html

15th Sep ‘A bilingual Spanish/English anthology showcasing the creative contributions of artists, writers, poets, essayists, and photographers from, or previously lived in, one of the U.S. – Mexico border states on both sides.’ https://www.theravingpress.com/submissions.html

15th Sep ‘We are looking for new, unpublished, first-person, non-fiction material that is for or about women. Essays, humor, satire, personal experience, and features on topics relating to women are our primary editorial focus.’ Theme: Gather & Gobble. https://sasee.com/submissions/

15th Sep Short stories 500-1500 words. PAYING https://www.bureaudispatch.com/submissions (Although the Submission page gives the 16th Sept as the deadline, the Submittable date given is the 15th.)

15th Sep Poetry, prose and art. PAYING https://www.qwertyunb.com/submit

15th Sep ‘Aniko Magazine publishes poetry, flash fiction, short stories and creative nonfiction by writers from Australia and around the world. We also accept more experimental work.’ Theme: Double. PAYING https://www.anikopress.com/submit

15th Sep Poetry and fiction on the theme of Rain. http://www.kindofahurricanepress.com/p/when-it-rains-it-pours-anthology.html

17th Sep Poetry and flash on the theme of Undead. https://www.planisphereq.com/p/guidelines.html

18th Sep Writing on the theme of Ecstasy and Despair. https://www.parliamentlit.com/contests-submissions

18th Sep ‘We are most interested in dark genre-bending works in the realms of horror, sci-fi, the weird, the macabre, fantasy, and magical realism. We want stories that grab us by the throat and ask questions about what it means to be human. Make us feel something long after we are done reading.’ Flash, poetry, and short fiction. PAYING https://www.pyremagazine.com/submissions

20th Sep ‘Our Winter 2022 Edition theme is Hibernation. We’re looking for stories, poems, and essays about hunkering down for the winter and quietly resting. Write about animals hibernating, or write about you hibernating. Send us pieces full of longing and patience as you hide out, slow down, and wait for the end of winter.’ https://capsulestories.com/submissions/

21st Sep ‘Gramarye issue 22 will be a special issue in collaboration with the Open Graves, Open Minds project based on their conference ‘Ill met by moonlight’: Gothic encounters with enchantment and the Faerie realm in literature and culture’. However, we are still open for submissions that if accepted may be published in a future issue, so our next deadline for submissions is on 21 September 2022.’ http://www.sussexfolktalecentre.org/2022/04/29/call-for-submissions-articles-creative-writing-and-reviews-relating-to-fairy-tales-fantasy-and-speculative-fiction/

22nd Sep Theme: oceans. ‘The short version: creative writing and art about environmental justice. The fiction we publish is mostly, but not exclusively, speculative; the nonfiction is more creative than journalistic, the poetry tends towards the narrative, preferably with some thematic heft, the visual art leans away from the pulpy towards the surreal, subversive, political. PAYING https://reckoning.press/submit/

23rd Sep ‘Full-length poetry manuscripts, by BIPOC writers only.’ https://www.blackocean.org/submit

25th Sep ‘… regularly scheduled love & romance issue but! on a micro scale. We’re looking for micro-poetry (no more than 10 lines) and micro-prose (no more than 800 words), both fiction and nonfiction.’ https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

30th Sep ‘In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, FlowerSong Press welcomes response poems to SCOTUS’s attack on a person’s right to their own bodies. Please submit 3-5 pieces of poetry or prose.’ https://www.flowersongpress.com/call-for-submissions

30th Sep Humour by women on the theme of The Party is Always Right. ONE CONTRIBUTOR GETS VOUCHER https://funnypearls.com/submit-a-smile/

30th Sep Fiction on the theme of Home, by people who have experienced – or are experiencing – homelessness. 500-3500 words. https://pressesrenaissancepress.ca/2022/06/29/call-for-submissions/

30th Sep Stories up to 7500 words on the theme of Women and the Sea. PAYING https://www.rhondaparrish.com/home/open-calls-for-submission/

30th Sep Canadians only: poetry and prose. PAYING https://freefallmagazine.ca/submissions/

30th Sep Theme: Reverence. ‘At Fathom we publish articles, personal essays, profiles, interviews, book reviews, Bible exposition, theological and/or historical analysis, poetry, and short stories.’ https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

30th Sep ‘What we are looking for: Science fiction and fantasy stories where the androids, robots, and/or cyborgs have been naughty, going off programming, cracking their internal code, etc… Stories for this anthology must be original (no reprints or previously published material), no more than 7,500 words in length, we accept microfiction and flash, and must satisfy the theme of the anthology, meaning the protagonist must be a robot, cyborg, android, or robotic in some manner.’ PAYING https://mochamemoirspress.com/write-for-us/

30th Sep ‘A poetry and art journal supporting all writers and artists particularly students and the emerging.’ https://www.crowofminerva.com/submit

30th Sep ‘We are looking for stories that contain a great piece of advice that you were given or advice that you gave to someone else.’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

30th Sep ‘If a Chicken Soup for the Soul story has made a big difference to your life, we want your story! Please be specific!’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

30th Sep Poetry and prose on the theme of Post-mortem. http://www.kissthewitch.co.uk/seinundwerden/submissions.html

30th Sep ‘We’re looking for gothic romances that are equal parts horror and romance. The short stories should be mysterious, atmospheric, and include a HEA (or happy for now). This is an open call with no slots reserved for invitation pieces. Women and non-binary authors only (our definition of women includes transgender women and femme-identifying individuals – and always will. If you identify as woman by any definition, or identify as non-binary, this call is open to you).’ 2000-6000 words. PAYING https://brigidsgatepress.com/submissions

30th Sep Reign of Fire: dragon stories. 3000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/shortstorycalls/

30th Sep ‘We aim to publish a small selection of quality books each year, each with a print run of 100. There are no submission guidelines for length, presentation, form, or genre. We celebrate work that has previously faced difficulty in finding a home.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL), POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://osmosispress.com/submissions/

30th Sep Poetry, flash, short fiction, comics and more. PAYING https://as.vanderbilt.edu/nashvillereview/contact/submit (Cathy’s note: there’s a submission cap, so submit as early in the month as possible.)

30th Sep ‘Our Call for Papers include essays from academics, independent researchers, fans and creative writers, appealing to both the casual reader and a more research-oriented one… The theme of the annual Call for Papers 2022 is Religion in Fantasy and Science Fiction… Before you start, send us an email with your abstract or simply to let us know what topic you intend to explore.’ PAYING https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/academialunare

30th Sep Australia and New Zealand only: ‘Aurealis is looking for science fiction, fantasy or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words.’ PAYING https://aurealis.com.au/submissions/ (thanks to https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com for this one)

30th Sep ‘Split Lip Magazine is a voice-driven literary journal with a pop culture twist. We publish online monthly and in print periodically. We accept fiction (flash and short stories), memoir, poetry, art, and photography… In an effort to promote Black voices, free submissions will be open for Black writers and artists in all genres all year (except when we are closed to all submissions in July and the second half of December).’ PAYING https://splitlipthemag.com/submit

30th Sep Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of ‘Something Wicked—Stories about autumn, Halloween, or witchcraft.’ PAYING https://nightterrornovels.wordpress.com/submissions/

30th Sep ‘Stories, essays and poems where hearing just a snatch of an operatic aria changes things.’ https://pureslush.com/submissions/current-submissions/

30th Sep ‘I am reminded of Salman Rushdie who, in one of his novels, cheekily complains that one might just draw a circle around themselves and call it “selfistan”. Borders that were supposed to have been effaced have reared their ugly head all over again. It is this idea of “selfistan” that Parcham would like to explore in our forthcoming issue.’ Poetry, fiction, and much more. https://parchamonline.in/2022/08/10/call-for-submissions-october-issue/

30th Sep ‘Submissions for Issue 49 are open! The theme is “Ropes and Roses: Love, Sex, and Sexuality.” We are interested in kink, erotica, and love. Interpret as openly or closely as you’d like. We are particularly interested in work from Black writers and creators.’ https://salthilljournal.net/submit

30th Sep ‘GARDEN PARTY SPECIAL EDITION Please submit 3 poems OR 1 piece of art criticism OR 1 personal essay OR 1 interview draft/pitch at one time.’ https://violetindigoblueetc.com/submissions/

1st Oct (deadline is for the print edition – submissions for digital publication are ongoing) ‘Welcome! We’re Spoonie Press, and we publish art and writing for and by disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent people. Our mission is to share authentic experiences of disability— as happy, sad, inspirational, or frustrating as they may be. We love things that are candid, showcase underrepresented viewpoints, and that speak to the larger disability community.’ Poetry, prose, and more. https://www.spooniepress.com/submissions

1st Oct or when submission cap is filled: ‘We are actively seeking submissions from Black, Minority, Indigenous, and other Persons of Color in all categories… Please tell us in query form the length of the piece, the theme, working title, and attach a 750- to 1500-word synopsis of your literary fiction work, novella, contemporary, urban, historical, fantasy, or other type of fiction.’ https://propertiuspress.submittable.com/submit

1st Oct Poetry. http://www.tarotpoetry.nz/

1st Oct ‘Poetry, anti-poetry, or sub-poetry. Very short stories; memories; surrealism. liminal; K-mart realism; post-apocalypse; anti-authoritarian.’ PAYING https://nihilistpoetmilitia.wixsite.com/home/submit

1st Oct ‘DEAD & BLOATED – Extreme Horror Anthology.’ Up to 3000 words. PAYING https://theevilcookie.com/pages/submissions

1st Oct Poetry, fiction, nonfiction and more. PAYING http://www.gordonsquarereview.org/submit.html

1st Oct or when submission cap is reached: Cozy Mystery. https://propertiuspress.submittable.com/submit

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

(Publishers might not give out their pay rates on their submission pages, so make sure to find them out before signing a contract!)

‘Each FOLIO is led by a prompt, concept, or issue; for instance, TECH SUPPORT addresses the impact of the Internet and social media’s advent. To submit, simply create something that encapsulates how you feel about the issue. Because we want your voice to be a part of this global collaboration, we accept each and every submission we receive.’ https://www.brackmag.com/submit-to-folios

‘We are fond of work that dwells in the space where STEM and the arts intersect.’ Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.brackmag.com/submit-to-issue-1

‘We accept writing of any and all kinds. From poetry to creative non-fiction, flash fiction and short stories.’ https://www.filtercoffeezine.com/submissions

‘Flash Point Science Fiction wants speculative fiction stories from 100 to 1,000 words in length.’ PAYING https://flashpointsf.com/submissions/

Poetry. ‘If you write in the established forms, thank God for you. If you write in blank verse, Thank God, and Please Send Me Your Poems. If your poetry rhymes, and does not cloy—if you rework old themes—if you make use of religion, or are religious—if you are interested in what is beautiful—please send me your work. There are no reading fees.’ PAYINGhttps://detroitlitmag.wordpress.com/submissions/

Writing and more on the theme of Feral. https://www.letsstabcaesar.com/submit

‘Gender Queer Literature is a free online and living resource for contemporary genderqueer perspectives. With these goals, GQL looks for and publishes articles on the representation of non-conforming gendered contemporary literature. We publish creative works with gender non-conforming protagonists or by authors who self-identify as such. We also share the craft and workshop outlines on how to write such perspectives, as presented at colleges and communities across UK, USA and (hopefully) beyond.’ https://genderqueerliterature.org/

‘We are not accepting fiction submissions at the moment, but we do welcome submissions from non-fiction and children’s book writers who are residents of Australia or New Zealand.’ https://www.hachette.com.au/submissions/

‘Monkfish publishes fiction and nonfiction books related to the subjects of spirituality and religion. If you would like your manuscript to be considered for publication, please send a query first.’ https://www.monkfishpublishing.com/submissions/ (thanks to https://authorspublish.com/ for this one)

‘We are seeking submissions of original short stories, nonfiction essays, and artwork that fit the Tartan Noir or speculative fiction genres. Tangled Web Magazine is a Scottish magazine, but we are not an exclusive space for Scottish writers.’ https://www.tangledwebmagazine.com/guidelines

‘Three Hills, a trade imprint of Cornell University Press, publishes smart, informative, entertaining, and provocative fiction and non-fiction books about New York State and the Northeast.’ https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/imprints/three-hills/

‘LSU Press is one of the oldest and most prestigious academic publishers in the South. In addition to scholarly monographs, we also publish general interest books about Louisiana and the South.’ https://lsupress.org/submissions(Cathy’s note: in this instance, ‘the South’ refers to the south of the USA.)

Interzone is open to submissions of fantastika (including horror) of between 2,000 and 17,500 words.’ PAYING https://interzone.press/submissions/

‘AFAR aims to make a positive impact on the world through high-quality storytelling that inspires, enriches, and empowers travelers. We are currently redesigning the magazine, around editorial values that include inclusivity, optimism, radical empathy, curiosity, and joy…AFAR Magazine publishes a range of reported features, personal essays, opinion pieces, photo essays, illustrated features, short fiction, poetry, and shorter middle-of-book pieces. Instead of more traditional aspirational lifestyle travel stories, we tell the stories of a place and the people who live there.’ PAYING https://www.afar.com/about/pitch-guidelines

‘Send us up to 3 pieces of anything – prose, poetry, art, essays, fiction etc etc. We wanna see your weird & eccentric!’ https://thediphthonglit.wixsite.com/home/sub-guidelines

Short fiction. PAYING https://berkeleyfictionreview.org/submit/short-fiction/

‘Pnyx is a digital magazine that seeks to publish original work from people with academic and non-academic backgrounds pertaining to the ancient world. We welcome submissions on archaeogaming, fiction writing, opinions and responses to papers and books, original artwork, music, videos, poems, and more. This publication is the place for people to share their thoughts in a field they may not be a part of.’ https://www.theozymandiasproject.com/pnyx

‘Run Amok is now ACCEPTING full length novel manuscripts for its crime imprint Run Amok Crime… In fiction, we are looking for works with marginalized voices, out of the ordinary stories, and anything that might be considered off-the beaten-path (yes, the fringe). However, keep in mind that we are generally not fans of vampires, zombies, or anything that involves magic wands and the likes.’ https://runamokbooks.website/pages/submissions.html

Poetry and art. https://www.transientjournal.com/submit.html

‘INKSOUNDS is an experimental interdisciplinary art collective merging poetry and music founded by Daniel Liu in 2021. With an online gallery featuring original compositions by our in-house musicians in collaboration with selected poets from across the world, and a poetry journal pushing the boundaries of language, INKSOUNDS provides fresh takes on the human condition.’ Poetry. https://inksoundscollective.com/pages/submit

Poetry, nonfiction, plays, microfiction, flash fiction, short stories and novellas. https://confettimag.org/submissions/

‘The Pine Cone Review considers: Non-rhyming poetry, flash fiction, flash creative nonfiction, translations, visual art and any genre-bending or genre-mixing creations for general publication.’ https://thepineconereview.com/submission-guidelines/