Here are this month's writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry. 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:
-
•Competitions
-
•Submissions with Deadlines
-
•Submissions With No Known Deadline.
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.
Finally, 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!
COMPETITIONS
5th March 'You are invited to submit a short story entitled Fifty Shades of [whatever you choose] (150 words maximum). Please email entries, wherever possible, to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 5 March.' http://www.spectator.co.uk/life/competition/9141952/lonely-hearts/
10th Mar Up to 400 words (poetry or prose) inspired by a visit to a museum. (deadline has been extended - it was formerly in Feb) http://www.sampad.org.uk/learning/opportunities/competitions/
21st Mar Poems. Cash Prize. Ages 18-30 only. http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/news/747-jane-martin-2014
UPDATE! 31st Mar Poem on the theme of Tide. http://www.poempigeon.com/competition.php?uid=15
31st Mar Flash fiction up to 365 words featuring a native plant or ecosystem. http://seed-balls.com/contest
31st Mar Eric Hoffer Award - prose up to 10,000 words. http://www.bestnewwriting.com/BNWsubmit.html
31st Mar Creative nonfiction by women up to 6500 words. http://velamag.com/contest/
31st Mar Poems up to 40 lines on the theme of Harmony. No limit on number of entries! http://www.tsd.ac.uk/en/media/uniweb/content/documents/events/2013/poetry-award.pdf
31st Mar Speculative fiction 1000-10,000 words on the theme of Postapocalyptic Worlds. Cash prizes. http://stonethreadpublishing.com/contests/
31 Mar Poetry, story or drama by a young person (there are various categories for ages 5 up to 25) up to 750 words. http://www.wickedyoungwriters.com/about_the_award.asp
1st Apr US poets only: up to 3 poems evoking a sense of place. http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2014/02/13/zocalo-public-square-poetry-prize/inquiries/prizes/
1st April Humorous poem. http://winningwriters.com/contests/wergle/we_guidelines.php#.UiOszn_nJdw
SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES
2nd Mar Fiction 800-2000 words on the theme of Slings and Arrows. http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html
10th Mar Cash award for a woman writer. http://minervarising.com/owl-award/
14th Mar Up to 5 haiku. http://www.chuffedbuffbooks.com/kigo-seasonal-words/
14th Mar 'Doctors. They are here to help us all when we have troubles with our bodies and minds, but sometimes things can (and do) go wrong. However, sometimes, medical science can be used for evil. Malicious Malpractices is an anthology that explores the dark side of medicine, med school, psychiatry and everything inbetween. We want your darkest, creepiest and most outrageous stories with a medical theme. Think Doctor Giggles, The Human Centipede, Re-Animator, Flatliners and Jacobs Ladder for an idea of the sort of story we are looking for. Word Count - 2.5K to 7K' http://alterhorror.webs.com/apps/forums/topics/show/12131588-malicious-malpractices-submissions-are-open
14th Mar Poetry and creative nonfiction. http://cshsq.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/
15th March Poetry on the theme of Mend http://www.taprootmag.com/pages/submissions
15th Mar Prose up to 1500 words and poetry. http://minettareview.wordpress.com/submit/
15th Mar Speculative poetry on the theme: The Solar System is All We Have. http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html
15th March A group of up to 5 poems. (Cathy's note: notice that one submission per reading period is free - but if you wish to send another batch of five, there's a $3 fee. So I suggest sending a batch, then submitting somewhere else with the rest of your work.) https://poetrynorthwest.submittable.com/submit
15th Mar Erotic tales of the Wild West. http://www.circlet.com/?p=5240
15th March Vampire stories 500-7000 words. No sparkling! http://skywarriorbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/new-vampire-anthology-call-for-writers.html
15th Mar Seasonal poems of up to 20 lines. http://www.writersrisingup.org/component/eventlist/details/4
15th Mar Poetry and fiction on the theme of Summer of Love. http://www.bohemia-journal.com/guidelines
15th Mar Poems with the theme of the mysterious and the magical in the everyday. http://www.blastfurnacepress.com/p/current-call-for-submissions.html
15th Mar Spring horror themed fiction 3000-5000 words. http://www.visionarypresscoop.ws/2014/01/spring-horror-anthology.html
15th Mar Fiction 500-3000 words or poetry on the theme of Alienation. https://writerstribereview.submittable.com/submit
15th Mar Poetry on the theme of Unfortunately, I Can't Love You. http://melancholyhyperbole.com/guidelines/
15th Mar Poetry and flash fiction on the theme of Origins and Destinations. http://subprimal.com/submission-guidelines
15th Mar or when filled: Flash fiction about zombies in Japan. http://dreamscapepress.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/now-open-zombies-in-japan/
15th Mar Positive poetry, fiction and art on the theme of Awaken. http://www.sproutonlinemagazine.com/p/guidelines.html
15th Mar Poems about the ongoing disaster at Fukushima Daiichi. https://fukushimapoetry.wordpress.com/
15th Mar Poetry and fiction on the theme of Fire. http://www.whitefishreview.org/submit.htm
15th Mar (or when filled) Lovecraftian horror fiction 500-2500 words. http://dreamscapepress.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/fear-of-the-unknown-a-tribute-to-h-p-lovecraft/
16th Mar Writing of any kind up to 500 words on the theme of Science & the Erotic. http://potroast.co.nz/submission-guidelines/
20th Mar Genre flash fiction on the theme of The Writer's Life. http://www.kazkapress.net/713flashfiction
22nd Mar 'Like A Circlet Editor is an anthology that plays off of how our readers imagine what working for Circlet must be like. The focus is not on the mundane work of editing manuscripts or running a business but on the fantasy on what it must be like to put together the hot and memorable Circlet books. The stories can be serious or satirical. We’re looking for stories 5,000-10,000 words in length that play on the fantasy of what it’s like to be part of Circlet Press. What sort of research does a Circlet editor have to do to ensure the hottest fantasies for a book? What might vampires or aliens or robots coming across a Circlet book make of how we’ve eroticized them? What really goes on at those editorial board meetings? Make it funny, make it sexy, make it fantastic, make it Circlet.' 3500-7500 words. http://www.circlet.com/?p=5182
25th Mar Poetry, fiction and other stuiff on the theme of The Wonder of Boys. http://moonmagazine.org/submission-guideline/
28th Mar Flash and short fiction on the theme of Decisions with Terrible Consequences. Unhappy endings preferred. http://infectiveink.com/guidelines.html
28th Mar 'Southern Fried Freak Show. Drabbles (exactly 100 words), Micro (100-500 words), Flash (500-1K) and Short Stories (1k up to 2500 words) and Poetry (up to 50 lines). Bizarro and Horror (genre-blenders also considered, if you want to mix your tale deliciously with fantasy or sci-fi) taking place in the Southern U.S. or in carnival-type venues…i.e., freaky carnivals, festivals, circuses , and (hell yes!) freak shows, where shit is more than just a little bit wrong. I want to see old-timey medicine men, carny freaks (including clowns, unusual clowns get you extra scrumptious brownie points!), the most bizarre traveling shows you can give me. They have to be set in the southern U.S.' http://theweretraveler.wordpress.com/call-for-submissions/
30th Mar 'The editor is interested in poetry, hymns, music, artwork, essays, meditations, rituals, short fiction, and recipes. It is her hope that this anthology will honor all of the Goddesses called Muse, Grace or Season, both well-known and little-known.' http://neosalexandria.org/bibliotheca-alexandrina/calls-for-submissions/seasons-of-grace-a-devotional-in-honor-of-the-muses-the-charites-and-the-horae/
30th Mar Gunslingers - tales of lesbians in the Old West, 8000-12,000 words. HFN or HEA ending required. http://www.stormmoonpress.com/anthologies.aspx
30th Mar or when filled - steampunk haiku. http://dreamscapepress.wordpress.com/2013/12/08/now-open-clockwork-kiru-steampunk-haiku/
30th Mar or when filled - Young Adult SF poetry. http://dreamscapepress.wordpress.com/2013/12/14/now-open-red-sky-anthology-of-ya-sci-fi-poetry/
30th Mar 'The shifter genre meets fantasy! Everyone knows about werewolves. Werepanthers, werelions, and other common beasts have also made a place for themselves in literature. But what about dragons, unicorns, selkies, kitsune, and other mythical creatures?
Shapeshifting is actually a common theme in folklore, but not all creatures have made the jump to modern fiction. Now's your chance to help them find their place once more.
Magical enchantments, curses, or creatures that are born that way; there's more than one way to be a shapeshifter. Some transformations are voluntary and some are not. How much, if at all, is the mind changed by the change in form?
Show us your best sexy stories of beasts from bygone times! Stories should be between 10,000 and 20,000 words. High fantasy is certainly the most likely genre for stories of this sort, but urban fantasy or science-fiction would also be welcome!' Gay pairing, and HEA or HFN ending required. http://www.stormmoonpress.com/anthologies.aspx
31st Mar Poetry and flash on the theme of Time. http://www.kindofahurricanepress.com/p/anthology-tic-toc.html
31st Mar Poetry, flash and short horror fiction on the theme of Bugs. http://form.jotform.us/form/30465148459157
31st Mar 'RESURRECTION HOUSE is seeking science fiction, fantasy, horror, and creative non-fiction for a loosely themed anthology to be released in the winter of 2015. Stories should be between 1,000 and 7,000 words. “Thirteen” is the first month of a new yearly cycle, wherein the old skins have been shed and the newborns are still learning to walk. “One” and “Three” make “Four,” which is the number of completion, of coming home, and of realizing the form that has been in process for some time. Nothing is true; everything is possible. And the more things change, the more they stay the same. The thirteenth Tarot card is Death, and he is the symbol of transformation and rebirth. This is the genesis and root of XIII.' http://www.resurrectionhouse.com/2013/12/call-for-stories/
31st Mar Poetry on the theme of Work (or the lack of it). http://floatingbridgepress.fatcow.com/fb-review/
31st Mar Poems, short stories and essays about being rejected for publication. http://cairnpress.com/rejection
31st Mar SF&F flash fiction. http://crossedgenres.com/submissions/magazine/
31st Mar Two anthologies: Superhero Monster Hunter, and Deep Dea Monster Hunter. http://embypress.com/submissions/
31st Mar 'Everyone who comes to the Stop is either someone who is ready to pass from this life, and finds the Stop a place where they can unburden themselves and make their final peace with the world, or a regular who comes because someone close to them has died, and the Stop offers peace, camaraderie, and sympathy from those who have experienced the same. All who come unknowingly have something to offer Ceph in his own journey to move on from his dark past and live again. We would like to invite you — yes, you — the crow sees you, you can’t hide — to tell the story of one of these visitors: either a regular or one who comes to die. It can be a short story or a piece of microfiction.' http://azraelsstop.com/submissions/
31st Mar Poetry and fiction to commemorate the D-Day landings. http://mgv2publishing.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/2014-special-year-for-commemorating.html
31st Mar Fabulist poetry and fiction. http://www.phantomdrift.org/#!untitled/sitepage_4
31st Mar 'We are looking for stories from people who believe that they have encountered or been helped by angels. How did your angel manifest himself or herself? How did your angel help you or someone you know? Please do not send stories about people who are "angels" because they do nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies where you say that your loved one is now an angel. The deadline for story and poem submissions is March 31, 2014.' http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books
31st Mar 'Our writers surprise us with their ability to Overcome Challenges and Find Their Inner Strength. It is amazing how people demonstrate resilience, find hope, and use positive thinking in situations they never dreamed would happen to them. We would like to know what challenges you have faced in your life and what you did to overcome them. Are you recovering from health problems, financial difficulties or the loss of a loved one? What changes did you make to help you cope with these issues and turn negative into positive? Your stories will give our readers inspiration and insight into how others are coping and let them know that there is hope and recovery even in adversity.The deadline for story and poem submissions for this title was October 31, 2013. We have extended it to MARCH 31, 2014. If you have already submitted a story or poem for this title please do not submit it again. We have it in our database and it will be considered for this book.' http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=possible_books
March 31st Fantasy poetry and fiction for children on the theme of Sea Monsters. http://eggplantproductions.com/general-guidelines/guidelines-for-spellbound-e-zine/
31st Mar 'From green revolutions to anarchist uprisings. From social compacts to social justice movements. Stories that push boundaries and identities. That invoke a rebellious voice. That cry out for tolerance, community, and change. QUILTBAG stories are about diversity in identity. Sometimes that means focusing on finding oneself. But the movement is so much wider. Identity is communal. Identity is global. And this anthology looks to tell those larger stories. Stories about revolution, rebellion, and reshaping the world, all told from QUILTBAG perspectives.' Fiction 2000-10,000 words. http://michaelmatheson.wordpress.com/start-a-revolution/
31st Mar Dark genre poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Emergence. http://phobosmagazine.com/submissions/
31st Mar Fantasy fiction 3000-10,000 words on the the theme of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. http://www.longcountpress.com/
31st Mar Previously published short stories and poems. http://cahoodaloodaling.com/current-prompt/
31st Mar Two anthologies of romance fiction: Time Travel Romance and Love in a High-Tech World. http://www.passionbeyondwords.com/
31st Mar Speculative poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Hungry Things. http://www.whatwonderfulthings.net/main/submissions/
31st Mar Poems (also audio, video and multimedia) on the theme of Melbourne. (Cathy's note: anyone may submit, but only Australian contributors will get paid!) http://cordite.org.au/submissions/
UPDATE! 1st Apr QUILTBAG poetry and prose on the theme of Walls. They are particularly keen to receive more prose, and more from disabled people. https://transgenrepress.submittable.com/submit/24702
1st April Fiction (and loads of other stuff) by girls and women on the theme of Who's She? http://www.newmoon.com/content/?id=1006&type=1
1st April 500-2000 words about Grandmothers. http://www.writerswhorock.com/#/submissionsgrandmas/4571570498
1st Apr Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of The Last Time I Ran Away. http://www.riverpoetsjournal.com/SubmissionGuidelines.html
1st Apr Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of either Mother May I? or Father Knows Best. http://bwgwritersroundtable.com/
1st Apr Poetry and fiction on the theme of Mothers, by women, trans, or those outside the gender binary. http://broadzine.com/submissions/
1st Apr Poetry and fiction for children on the theme of Special Needs Kids. http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.htm
1st April 'Stonecoast Review is now accepting submissions for our second issue. We are looking for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and genre fiction submissions that embody the values of social and environmental justice, cultural awareness, and international perspectives.' http://stonecoastreview.com/?page_id=20
1st Apr Poetry and fiction by Creative Writing students. https://ninthletteronline.submittable.com/submit
1st Apr 'Sugared Water is seeking short works for a special edition of letters. We’re looking for works of creative nonfiction, micro or flash fiction, or poetry addressed to someone, be it a lover, friend, public figure, past self, the universe, or the world at large.' https://sugaredwatermagazine.wordpress.com/
1st April (or when filled) Fiction 1500-5000 words on the theme of Freedom and Liberty http://www.freedomforgepress.com/submission-guidelines/forging-freedom-anthology-ii/
1st Apr Poetry and short prose on the theme of Home. http://thelostriverreview.com/index.html#
1st Apr Poetry and fiction. http://www.coniumreview.com/general-submissions.html
1st April 'We've all seen how the dystopian or barren apocalyptic futures have boded for the major cities of America, but we want to know what happens in the smaller towns. Show us your inner Nostradamus and predict the future! We want to know what's in store for this nation 50-200 years from now. Emphasis on the near future and the small town.' Fiction 2000-9000 words. http://main.chupacabrahouse.com/search/label/submissions
1st April Poetry, flash and short fiction. https://ambit.submittable.com/submit
1st April Science fiction up to 15,000 words. http://blankfictionmag.com/submissions/
1st April Poetry about learning, teaching and transformation. http://hepoetry.weebly.com/submission-guidelines.html
1st Apr Short pulp fiction on the theme of Thieves and Liars. http://www.pulp-modern.blogspot.co.uk/
1st Apr Speculative poetry and short fiction on the theme of Isolation. http://penumbraezine.blogspot.co.uk/p/submissions.html
1st April Fiction and Poetry on the theme of White. https://wholebeastrag.submittable.com/submit
SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINE
Poetry. http://one.jacarpress.com/submissions/
Poetry collections, and fiction/non-fiction manuscripts. http://popcornpress.com/index.php?act=viewDoc&docId=5
Speculative flash, poetry and short fiction. https://cydoniagrouppress.submittable.com/submit
'Wicked Words Quarterly is looking for previously unpublished works of science fiction, fantasy or horror with a twist.
Each quarterly magazine will include several pieces of flash fiction of any length up to 750 words. It will also include several short stories of between 1,000 and 7,500 words, and in the Winter edition it will include a Novella of between 7,500 and 15,000 words.' http://www.wickedwords.co.uk/submissions/
Poetry. http://www.kentuckyreview.org/submit.aspx
'Martian Anthropologist is a journal focused broadly on the intersection of the arts and sciences, and more specifically on merging the literary and anthropological. Embracing inclusivity, M.A.’s mission is to create an accessible, high-quality common ground for artists and scientists, creative writers and anthropologists, to share ideas and consider our place in the world as human beings. For those who tackle the question of what it means to be human.' Poetry and fiction. http://martiananthro.org/submit/
Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of marijuana. http://www.the7gramquarterly.com/submissions.html
'Every submission must contain no less than seven stories not to exceed 750 words a story. We aim to read mini-collections with no more than 50% of the work having been previously published.' http://eljpublications.com/submit/turn-turn-turn-a-season-of-short-short-stories-series/
Bad poetry and your versions of bad rejection slips/emails. http://caboosejournal.wordpress.com/submissions/
'ELJ is looking to publish a collection with a mental illness theme titled Wood Becomes Bone. We are looking for 5 poets with 8 poems each, no more no less. Submissions will be open until all slots are filled. Accepted contributors will be paid $20 each and receive 5 copies of the collection. We are looking to remove the stigma of mental illness with powerful words of experience. Each submitter must have experienced mental illness first hand or is very close to a loved on experiencing mental illness. Please tell us your story.' Scroll down to 'Wood Becomes Bone Collection' here: https://eljpublications.submittable.com/submit
'Zoetic Press is issuing new editions of Alice in Wonderland, Frankenstein, and Pride and Prejudice. Each work will become an e-book anthology, incorporating alternate narratives, critical commentary, additional stories, etc. Because it will appear in-line with the text, submitted stories do not need to stand alone to be considered.' http://zoeticpress.com/submissions/
Poetry and fiction. http://www.route7review.com/#!submit/c1d94
Historical fiction and historical romance novels. No time travel
http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/submission.php
Poetry suitable for American grades 3-12. https://cete.submittable.com/submit
Long short stories, 5000-8500 words. http://eljpublications.com/submit/afternoon-shorts/
'FLAPPERHOUSE wants to publish lit that’s surreal, shadowy, sensual, and/or satirical.'
Poetry, flash and short fiction. http://flapperhouse.com/submit/
SF/F fiction 2000-20,000 words. http://rampantloonmedia.com/straeon.html
Poetry, flash and short fiction by Canadians only. http://waxpoetryart.com/submissions.html
Prose poetry, flash and short fiction. http://www.mulberryforkreview.com/mulberry-fork-review/submissions/
Poetry, fiction and articles by women. http://www.totally4women.com/submission-guidelines/
Microfiction up to 300 words. http://nanofiction.org/submit
Poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction. http://writeforreadersmagazine.wordpress.com/submissions/
Stories of around 10,000 words by women. http://www.shebooks.net/submission-guidelines
Books for children about the Jewish experience. http://hachai.com/newsite2012/guidlines/
Poetry, flash and short fiction by writers from the American Midwest. http://www.flyovercountryreview.com/submissions-2/
General, SF and F flash and short fiction. http://www.bdlit.com/submissions.html
Poetry. http://hartskillreview.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/
Publisher: Fitzrovia Press. 'Our Mission:
• To publish creative writing with an underlying spiritual ethos
• To publish educational books relating ancient wisdom to modern issues
• To work in a way that is truthful and sustainable
• To provide an opportunity for creative people to develop their skills and express themselves' http://www.fitzroviapress.com/about.htm
Poetry and short prose. http://www.redochrelit.com/submit.html
Poetry and short prose. https://waxwing.submittable.com/submit
Full-length manuscripts of poetry or prose. 'Books need to fall under one of the subject areas the press focuses on: Creative Acculturation; Pluralism in Families; Social and Psychological Resilience; Illness and Meaning; Creative Aging; Listening Across Faith Traditions; Social Justice and Inclusion.' (Cathy's note: It looks as if you have a choice between submitting via snail mail or email, but it isn't clear. I suggest emailing them for more details.) http://www.universaltable.org/writerscollective/submissions.html
Publishes books related to music for young readers, middle readers and young adults. Includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry, colouring books, and songbooks. Send query by email only. pianopress@pianopress.com
Poetry and fiction. http://theeconomymagazine.com/SUBMISSIONS
Contemporary novels. http://www.legendtimesgroup.co.uk/legend-press/submissions
Poetry and fiction. http://madcapreview.com/submit/
'We are especially interested in original reporting and longform journalism (particularly, though not exclusively, about women and women-adjacent issues), short fiction and poetry (preferably strange), personal narratives (ditto), videos, illustrations and essays. If you are incorrigibly bossy, or intractably odd, or happily obsessive, so much the better.' http://the-toast.net/submit/
Fiction and non-fiction manuscripts - no poetry, Christian or vampires, according to their submission form. http://www.sunburypress.com/CallforAuthors.html
Fiction and essays up to 5000 words. http://ivyhallreview.org/?page_id=390