Comps and calls for September 2023

Posted on by cathy in Uncategorised

In several places this site is listed as a British- or UK-centred site, concentrating on UK opportunities. Well…. it’s UK-based, but that’s not the same as UK-centred. Yes, I’m British, and every month there’ll be about three (or so) opportunities that are UK-specific. However, the vast majority of opportunities will be open to everyone. There are usually just as many Canadian, Australian or American opportunities as UK ones, and others from other countries whenever I can find them. I see this as a site for the people of the world. So please tell your writer friends from different countries that they are welcome here and might find something useful!

Today I received an email from a lovely litmag. I had failed to follow one of their guidelines, and they kindly allowed me to resubmit my story without the formatting mistake. How lovely of them! And what a good reminder that I need to check guidelines more carefully than I do! Make sure that you do too!

Love to my Patreon heroes—every quid helps. xxx

Good luck and love to all,

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

Monthly (Cathy’s note: not really a comp, but I never know where to put grants). ‘The White Pube Creatives Grant is a one-off £500 grant to be given out to a different working class creative practitioner based in the UK once every month.’ PAYING  https://thewhitepube.co.uk/grants/

5th Sep ‘Together with Writing on the Wall, we are running a writing competition this summer to creatively delve into the narratives that have been explored by Liverpool Black History Research Group when researching the historic Canning Dock. So, get your pens at the ready, and choose from four prompts by writer Phil Olsen to help shape your story.’  NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/flashback-canning-dock-flash-fiction-competition

12th Sep ‘The NorthBound Book Award, supported by the University of York and in partnership with Saraband, is open to writers of fiction or narrative non-fiction who have completed a full manuscript. New, emerging or established writers may apply for this award…(Applicants should be) living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months.’ PAYING https://newwritingnorth.com/northbound-book-award-2023-opens-for-entries/

14th Sep ‘Reality Show Madness! We are looking for flash in the vein of these reality shows with a heavy addition of the speculative. We are not looking for fan fiction.’ Theme: Takeshi’s Castle/Hole in the Wall/Wipeout PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

21st Sep (or when full): ‘The theme of this contest will be science fiction featuring one or more of the following elements: time travel, robots, colonization, military or western elements.’ Exactly 100 words.PRIZES (UNKNOWN WHAT) https://starryeyedpress.com/open-submissions/

30th Sep ‘The most important hallmark of Holocaust remembrance and education is the phrase ‘never again.’ Unfortunately, tribal divisions, ethnic cleansing and genocides continue in the 21st Century. We are looking for submissions in any creative media (which can be exhibited online), and which highlight aspects of human unity, and positive cross-pollination between groups, ethnicities, religions and/or nations.’ Poetry, essays, and short stories. PAYING https://www.ihraf.org/art-of-unity-creative-award

30th Sep Up to 3 short stories of up to 100 words each. Entries may be in English, Spanish, Arabic or Hebrew. ‘Taking into account the objective of the Foundation, which is that the word is the tool of coexistence between different cultures, religions and ideologies, the VII Edition of competition is open, under the slogan: ”DREAM, WRITE AND SHARE”.’ PAYING https://www.fundacioncesaregidoserrano.com/en/contest/participation-form/lang/en-GB

30th Sep A Sijo written in English. ‘The sijo is a traditional three-line Korean poetic form organized technically and thematically by line and syllable count. Using the sijo form, write one poem in English on a topic of your choice.’ PAYING https://www.sejongculturalsociety.org/isijo/index.php

30th Sep Theme: I Never Knew. ‘As with every issue, poems submitted do not need to follow the prompt/theme. A single $100 award will be given for an outstanding poem.’ PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://laststanzapoetry.blogspot.com/

1st Oct ‘Over the course of his lifetime, T Paulo submitted his short fiction and poems to over 187 contests, with submission fees totaling in the quadruple digits, US$. Unfortunately, he never won. Not once. In honor of this great and under-compensated monolith of a writer, and in the name of LITERARY EXCELLENCE, the Editors of High Horse are proud to announce the first annual T Paulo Urcanse Prize for Literary Excellence.The T Paulo Urcanse Prize for Literary Excellence is open to poets, writers, and essayists of all colors and stripes.’ PAYING https://highhorse.blog/t-paulo-urcanse-prize-for-literary-excellence/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Sep  ‘We publish stories, art, and poetry that examine the connection between animals and humans, and the ways we and our lives are more similar than people assume… Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, we are able to pay some contributors (cartoonists, featured writer, featured artist, and contest winner).’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://www.honeyguidemag.com/submit

3rd Sep 800-2000 word story on the theme of Doom & Gloom. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

4th Sep ‘Writers Victoria’s in-house magazine, The Victorian Writer, welcomes submissions from both members and non-members writing short fiction and non-fiction, poetry, and articles on the craft and business of writing.’ Theme: Rip. PAYING https://writersvictoria.submittable.com/submit

4th Sep ‘At Fathom we publish articles, personal essays, profiles, interviews, book reviews, Bible exposition, theological and/or historical analysis, poetry, and short stories. The work we prefer often utilizes personal narrative to communicate the deeper aspects of the Christian faith and to draw our readers into the nuance surrounding an idea. Our standard articles fall between 1,000 and 1,600 words. Short stories should be at least 3,000 words. Poems vary in length and style.’ Theme: Joy. https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

5th Sep ‘For the third issue of Beloved, we want to see your interpretations on the theme of Flesh. Send us your ButchFemme horror, present us with the beauty of the grotesque, show us how touch and devotion and consumption embody your ButchFemme identities and desires.’ https://www.belovedzine.com/

8th Sep ‘Changeling Annual has been selected as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s City Sparks community showcase this year! To celebrate I’m opening submissions for our FIRST EVER mini mag!’ Theme: REBUILD  (open to interpretation – a STEM/Science theme is great!). Applicants must be neurodivergent. Applicants can be any age and from anywhere, but all submissions must be suitable for children aged 8+. Poetry, fiction, comics, illustrations and activities. https://changelingannual.com/submissions/

8th Sep Canada residents only: ‘The Ampersand Review accepts submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, and reviews. We seek to publish literary works of the highest quality. To us, this means work that engages thoughtfully with its subject matter and displays formal excellence and innovation.’ PAYING https://theampersandreview.ca/submit

8th Sep Poetry, CNF, and art, for children. https://paddlerpress.ca/submissions/

10th Sep Poetry, fiction, screenplays and more. PAYING https://www.samjokomagazine.com/submission-guidelines

10th Sep ‘Special Call: Poems in Pairs, Translations, Collaborative or Conversation Poems, Poems in Couplets, Poems about Halves or Binaries, etc. Tab Journal is seeking poetry related to the general idea of “two” for its next print issue, to be published in January 2024.’ PAYING  https://tabjournal.submittable.com/submit

10th Sep ‘Initial 1st time submissions are free except for expedited review and our feedback option…Write up to 3 poems any style about the same or different antiques in your location, those you’ve personally acquired, fave passed down collections e.g. radios, typewriters, vintage baseball card, necklace, a rare book or a family heirloom that you hold in your heart,.’  https://dipitylitmag.submittable.com/submit

15th Sep ‘This year, National Poetry Day is on the theme of refuge, and we are particularly looking for submissions on refuge and the environment. Please note however, that submissions are not limited to the theme. If you have work that you think would be suitable for Modron we encourage you to send it.’ Please send up to six poems in MS Word with a 50-word bio. modronsubmissions@gmail.com

15th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Afterlife. PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

15th Sep ‘Always Crashing is looking for submissions of fiction, poetry, collage text, visual collage, video, labyrinths, manifestos, the generically transgressive, and nonfiction (though we prefer not to be told if it’s nonfiction).’ https://www.alwayscrashing.com/submissions

15th Sep Haiku on the theme of Yellow. https://enchanted-garden-haiku.blogspot.com/p/submissions-calendar.html

15th Sep ‘The Gateway Review publishes surrealist, fabulist, and magic realist fiction and poetry, as well as nonfiction about the art of writing the same.’ SOME CONTRIBUTORS GET CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES, PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://gatewayreview.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: US contributors get a copy. Editor’s Choice contribution gets cash.)

15th Sep ‘We are looking for humorous or amusing poetry about poetry or the culture of poetry. We are looking for the light side of the sometimes dreary work of writing, reading and living in the poetic world.’ https://www.upyourars.com/

15th Sep ‘We are looking for new, unpublished short horror, dark fantasy, and sci-fi fiction between 1,000 and 4,000 words. You may submit pieces up to 6,000 words, however, payment is capped at 4,000 words.’ PAYING https://shortwavepublishing.com/news/shortwave-magazine-open-submissions-fall-2023-guidelines/

15th Sep Up to 3 poems on the theme of Local. https://rivermouthreview.com/poem/submissions

15th Sep ‘Alien Dimensions #25 will be a themed issue. The theme? OFFICIAL FIRST CONTACT. Imagine first contact happening at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027. How would humanity deal with that?’ Fiction 5000-7000 words. PAYING https://aliendimensions.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Sep Haiku on the theme of Headnotes. https://flowersunmedia.wixsite.com/heterodox-haiku/published

15th Sep Haiku with a Kire (cut). https://poetrypea.com/submissions/

15th Sep Speculative poetry on the theme of Food & Feasting. PAYING http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html

15th Sep ‘Little Thoughts Press publishes stories, poetry, and artwork for young readers ages ten and under. All submitted material should be aimed at this audience.’ Theme: Fantastical Fall. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://littlethoughtspress.wixsite.com/ltpmag/submissions

15th Sep Theme: Distant Futurisms. Poetry, flash, fiction, and more. ‘When we speak of futurisms we want to see new worlds, new sights, new technologies, and characters that reflect this world, characters who even in a hundred years or more, will be able to deliver a level of emotional resonance that will go beyond the sands of time.’ PAYING https://varietypack.net/themed-submissions-2/

16th Sep Theme: Fame. Stories must be 2,000 (10% tolerance +/-)  PAYING https://theotherstories.net/submissions/

17th Sep ‘We’re delighted to announce a new call for submissions which is now open! The theme is African Ghost Short Stories – a chance for African writers around the world to explore their culture of ghostly folklore and offer fresh stories.’ PAYING https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/african-ghost-submissions-0

17th Sep Fiction and poetry on the theme of Tales of the Strange. https://www.writersworkout.net/tales

18th Sep ‘Friends Journal welcomes articles, poetry, art, photographs, and letters from our readers. We are also helped by your comments and questions. We are an independent magazine serving the entire Religious Society of Friends.’ Articles, poetry, and more. Theme: Stewardship as a Testimony.  https://www.friendsjournal.org/submissions/

20th Sep Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Grace. https://www.muleskinnerjournal.com/submit

22nd Sep ‘For Reckoning 8, we want thinking, writing and art about … this. All of this, right now. We want to hear about active resistance to the patriarchofascist, corporate-captured extractive state…We are looking for work in opposition to a broad, insidious fascism that treats water, trees, and bodies as exploitable, expendable resources rather than sacred, essential components of our global, infinitely interconnected and interdependent web of life… Reckoning is a journal of creative writing on environmental justice; we’re looking for fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, poetry and art.’  PAYING https://reckoning.press/reckoning-8-submission-call/

24th Sep ‘Writers should send short stories and non-fiction of 2,000-6,000 words and/or up to three poems on the theme The Unknown.’ PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

30th Sep ‘We want the stories you love the most, that you wrote in a fit of fury, passion, grief, or worry. Anywhere between 1000 and 2000. Too big for flash, too small for a short story. Horror only, though we count dark fantasy and gruesome or heart-wrenching literary in there too.’ PAYING https://www.hungryshadowpress.com/submissions-little-bastards

30th Sep Theme: Blades/Swords. ‘Welcome to our four-book series, dedicated to horror inspired by the Tarot. Does the story have to be about Tarot Cards… NO. Think cups, knives, wands, and pentacles. We are looking for the theme to be the element, not necessarily the card itself, although we would love to read that as well… What we are looking for: Unique, clever, and terrifying stories. Well-written relatable characters with flaws and real dialogue. Take us on a journey and scare the sh*t out of us while doing it.’ PAYING https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/open-submission

30th Sep Poetry, essays, stories, and flash fiction. ‘Clean’, positive, and inclusive. https://abpositiveart.com/magazine-submit/

30th Sep ‘Horror-themed poetry, fiction, artwork, visual poetry, etc., in small bites. Horror reviews in larger gulps.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://tinyfrights.com/tiny-frights-submission-guidelines/

30th Sep Novels and novellas. Pulp fiction and extreme horror. https://www.crystallakepub.com/torrid-waters/

30th Sep 12-line split sequence haiku. https://poetrypea.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: this is new to me, but it’s all explained on the site.)

30th Sep Manuscripts of scholarly works, children’s manuscripts by First Nations authors and/or illustrators (both accepted all year round), and YA and children’s MSS. https://uwap.uwa.edu.au/pages/submissions

30th Sep or until filled: ‘We are looking for 15-18 previously unpublished short stories in the genres of horror, sci-fi, fantasy, dark mysteries, and thrillers that feature at least one of the Sley siblings predominantly in the story. There is no theme (other than their inclusion). Just make your stories around 6000 – 10,000 words.’ PAYING https://www.sleyhouse.com/submissions

30th Sep Spooky love and romance. https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

30th Sep Micro love and romance. https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

30th Sep Theme: Fearless Conflict. ‘We explore intrepid culture: our stories feature danger elements, struggle, emotion, and OVERCOMING. Our stories are intrepid first and not subordinated to other themes.’ PAYING https://intrepidusink.com/submissions/

30th Sep Theme: Boléro at Breakfast (played on a particular radio station) must feature in your 150-1000 word story. https://pureslush.com/submissions/current-submissions/bolero-at-breakfast-music-folio-3/

30th Sep Flash up tp 250 words on the theme of RĀKAU / TREE. Open to Aotearoa New Zealand writers only. https://flashfrontier.com/submissions/

30th Sep Theme: Personal Ghost Stories. ‘Non-fiction under 4,500 words, fiction under 2,000 and poetry just generally kept to a minimum, Monica hates it’ PAYING https://talkvomit.com/submissions/

30th Sep Articles and recipes on the theme of Mansion. https://www.curiouscorvidpublishing.com/submissions

30th Sep ‘La Bete Noire – literally, the black beast. Metaphorically, a pet hate, a bugbear. For this issue I want absurdist chimera, poetry in slathering motion, savage dogs of war and peace, haikus of bugaboos and beastly images of legend and sheer annoyance.’ http://www.kissthewitch.co.uk/seinundwerden/submissions.html

1st Oct ‘These waters are eclectic, baby, sometimes dyslexic, irreverent, and odd, but mom loves it anyway—Mother Nature, that is. And we love her. That’s why everything we publish at Skipjack Review must have within its radar a reeling concern for the world around us. Skipjack Review is accepting fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and comic submissions between April 1st and October 1st for our inaugural issue.’   https://skipjackreview.wordpress.com/submit/

1st Oct ‘20-30 stories inspired by NIRVANA songs, ranging their entire discography. All horror tropes are welcome. Genre-blending is highly encouraged. Queer retellings and gender swaps, historical horror, sci-fi horror, cults, and cannibalism are a few of our favorites.’ PAYING https://www.bookslayerpress.com/submissions

1st Oct ‘All stories must end with the last line provided. The story should be between 300 and 5,000 words (this is more like a guideline and not a hard-and-fast rule; going over or under the word count won’t get your story tossed from the slush pile).’ The 2023 last line is: ‘Samir was never one to back down from a challenge.’ PAYING

http://www.thelastlinejournal.com/submission.htm

1st Oct First person essays on the theme of Lost. https://www.dorothyparkersashes.com/submit

1st Oct ‘What makes a desert? Definitions of ‘desert’ include arid land, lifeless water, desolate areas, wild lands, or home for most of us in the Southwest. In issue six, we want to explore what perceptions shape our climate. Send us your related flash fiction, flash memoir, poetry, and art. Prose should be no more than 300 words, and poetry no more than 12 lines.’ PAYING https://littlesomethingspress.com/submissions/

1st Oct Various dark-themed anthologies. PAYING https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.com/submissions

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!)

Open until filled: ‘All My Relations Volume 6 is an art and lit, online and printed magazine, exploring the theme of “resistance.” This volume is open to racially and ethnically marginalized, gender variant, and disabled creatives only, in consideration of the theme. Own voices only, please.’ PAYING https://www.talbot-heindl.com/relations

‘Book*hug Press is a Canadian independent literary publisher working at the forefront of contemporary book culture. We specialize in bold and exciting literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and literature in translation… Please note that we do not publish children’s literature, genre fiction, cookbooks, textbooks, or self-help books.’ https://bookhugpress.ca/bookthug-submission-guidelines/

Prose, poetry and art. https://seraphicreview.com/submit/

Open until filled: ‘Angry Gable Press is currently seeking short stories and poetry of science fiction, fantasy, and horror that explore the theme of sensory overload for inclusion in the collection called Extrasensory Overload: an anthology of speculative excess, edited by Naomi Simone Borwein and Chun Hyon Lee.’ PAYING https://angrygablepress.com/submissions/

‘We are looking for strong, fresh voices & POV’s in any genre. Fiction, nonfiction, & poetry. Especially looking for unique voices of female identifying, LGBTQ & POC from all over the world. CLASH Books is about global perspectives, contrasts, & juxtapositions.’ Send full MS, bio and synopsis. https://www.clashbooks.com/submission-guidelines

Haiku and senryu. https://haikunetra.blogspot.com/?m=1

‘We seek to acquire bold, innovative and engaging books. We are most interested in writing that takes risks and challenges and pushes the boundaries of cultural expectations. When acquiring manuscripts, we carefully consider questions such as: who are the storytellers we need most right now? We aim to ensure that our catalogue reflects a diverse and inclusive Canada. We especially welcome work by BIPOC writers, LGBTQIA2S+ writers, Deaf and disabled writers, and women.’ https://bookhugpress.ca/bookthug-submission-guidelines/

‘We showcase the “underground”: Artists, writers, creatives or anyone pursuing interesting independent work in the community. We provide a space for minority creatives (BIPOC and LGBTQI+) who have been traditionally left out from arts platforms, emerging creatives wanting a place to discover their craft, and experienced creatives who want to experiment with something new.’ PAYING https://www.ratworldmag.com/

‘To get an idea of what kinds of books we publish, please check out our website. Our fiction tends to be very literary-we don’t generally publish genre-with a realistic and often gritty feel. Our Bookmarked series focuses on a famous work of literature that left a powerful impression on an author (hence the name, Bookmarked—a book that left its mark). Each book in the series is a no-holds barred personal narrative detailing how a particular novel influenced an author on their journey to becoming a writer, as well as the myriad directions in which that journey has taken them.’  https://www.igpub.com/about-ig/

‘We give money to theatre writers in order to afford them the time and the space to write.

 You can be a writer who’s only had one play professionally produced, a writer who’s had dozens of successes or a writer who’s somewhere in between – if you’re struggling to pay the bills, then we can help. We only support writers resident in the British Isles.’ PAYING https://www.peggyramsayfoundation.org/grant-applications.html

Pitch your MS. https://www.mcphersonco.com/submissions.html

Send a query re your MS, but bear in mind the following: ‘The only fiction we publish falls into our Interlink World Fiction series. Most of these books, as you can see in our catalog, are translated fiction from around the world. The series aims to bring fiction from other countries to a North American audience. In short, unless you were born outside the United States, your novel will not fit into the series.’ https://www.interlinkbooks.com/submissions/

‘Crowsnest Books is on the lookout for the best of new imaginative literature. We are currently accepting submissions in all literary genres, with special interest in imaginative literature, speculative fiction, and novel-length works…We are looking for authors with a gift for reflection and exploration. Tell us about your work and the ideas behind it and we will be very interested in reading your manuscript.’ https://www.crowsnestbooks.com/submissions/

‘The best stories are truly about somebody doing something. Struggle, challenge, and danger are at the heart of our favourite stories. We equally prize any work that is centred on oddball characters, or which makes us laugh…We also consider poetry that is connected to the natural world.’ PAYING https://www.cornicemag.com/submit

Short fiction. ‘We look for innovative and reflective short fiction from new and emerging writers across all genres that play with form and content, as well as traditionally constructed stories with fresh voices and original ideas that say something new or bring nuance and perspective to an ongoing cultural conversation.’ PAYING https://berkeleyfictionreview.org/submit/short-fiction/

‘We are currently OPEN to submissions of new novels, poetry collections, and short fiction.’ ROYALTIES http://www.notapipepublishing.com/submit

‘We teeter on the threshold of another mass extinction, driven by human-induced climate change. Club Chicxulub is a space to lament, to rage, to witness—and dare we try to spread some hope?—by way of dark and weird fiction and music. This is catharsis, dirge and celebration, submission and defiance. We like sci-fi, slipstream, satire, steampunk, African- and Afrofuturism, Indigenous Futurisms, gothic, ecological, pulp, fabulist, and horror fiction from a diversity of voices and identities.’ https://clubchicxulub.com/submissions/

Poetry, prose and art. https://www.themanchesterreview.co.uk/?page_id=231

‘We’re a queer and BIPOC-led independent literary journal with roots in New York.’ Prose, poetry and art. https://www.speakeasymag.org/submissions

Poetry. PAYING https://www.onlypoems.net/submissions

Comps and calls for August 2023

Posted on by cathy in Uncategorised

Hello Everyone,

I’m recovering well from my second wrist operation, and I’m hoping that this and future editions of C&C will have all the best listings each month – as always, free to submit or enter, and many paying.

Huge love to my Patreon heroes, who donate to keep this site going but never get any special content. This website was created to make getting published as fair and equal a process as possible, so my content is open to all. This makes the donors extra special, as they receive nothing but my thanks.

Should I start a Substack? What are your thoughts? Let me know on news@cathybryant.co.uk

Good luck and love to all,

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 Aug Spectator Competition No. 3211: Chamber music. ‘You are invited to submit a song suitable for inclusion in a parliamentary songbook. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucyATspectator.co.uk by midday on 2 August.’ https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-short-stories-after-walter-de-la-mare/

2nd  Aug ‘The Bennett Nieberg Transpoetic Broadside Prize awards a single poem written by a trans poet who has yet to publish their first full-length book.’ PAYING https://www.gasherpress.com/transpoetic-broadside-prize

9th Aug Spectator Competition No. 3312: Cooking the books. You are invited to supply a contribution to a book of recipes invented by fictional characters. Entries must be for the Carrollean, Dickensian or Shakespearean sections. Please email entries of up to 150 words/16 lines to lucyATspectator.co.uk by midday on 9 August.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-famous-poems-in-reverse/

14th Aug ‘Reality Show Madness! We are looking for flash in the vein of these reality shows with a heavy addition of the speculative. We are not looking for fan fiction.’ Theme: Alone/Survivor/Naked and Afraid/The Nature of Things PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

21st Aug Ireland only: ‘The Waterford Poetry Prize is open to all writers currently living on the island of Ireland.’ Poetry. PAYING https://waterford.submit.com/show/159 (thanks to https://winningwriters.com/the-best-free-literary-contests for this one)

25th Aug ‘If you have an idea for a book of nature writing, you haven’t previously published a book, you’re based in the UK or Ireland, and you consider yourself underrepresented in nature writing (whether through ethnicity, disability, class, sex, gender, sexuality or any other circumstances) then the Nan Shepherd Prize is for you.’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.nanshepherdprize.com/

31st Aug ‘Poets of color with US citizenship who have not previously published a book-length volume of poetry. Simultaneous submissions to other contests should be noted. Immediate notification upon winning another award is required. Winner must be available for a reading to be held in Chicago at The Poetry Foundation on a mutually agreeable date.’ Poetry chapbook MS. PAYING https://nupress.northwestern.edu/about/drinking-gourd-chapbook-poetry-prize-information/

31st Aug ‘Write a 3000+ word story for one of the six provided horrible covers. The best novelette for each cover will be published with royalties and a $25 award.’ PAYING https://nat1publishing.submittable.com/submit

31st Aug Up to 2 haiku in English, Chinese or Spanish.  NON-CASH PRIZE https://kusamakura-haiku.jp/boshu/index_e.html

31st Aug ‘Content Requirements: It needs to conform to the concepts and characteristics of Dyson Sphere scientific theory, including the uses, size, structure of a Dyson sphere and other related basic settings, and reflect and expand them in the story. On this basis, we welcome the canons and content of various streams of technology that can be considered as topics which could be related to “Dyson Sphere.”’ 30,000-100,000 words. PAYING https://contest.scifidea.org/

31st Aug ‘Creative nonfiction authors are invited to submit an essay of up to 3,500 words on the subject of their choice to be considered for the Diana Woods Memorial Award in creative nonfiction.’ PAYING https://lunchticket.org/contests/dwm/

31st Aug ‘Translators and authors of multilingual texts are encouraged to submit their work for The Gabo Prize.’ PAYING https://lunchticket.org/contests/gabo/

31st Aug Story 6-10,000 words. PAYING https://shortstory.substack.com/p/coming-soon

1st Sep ‘For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long based on the photograph provided.’ UNKNOWN PAYMENT https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

1st -31st Aug ‘We’re not limited to any particular genre, and publish poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, and visual art.’ PAYING https://afterhappyhourreview.com/Submissions2.html (Cathy’s note: free subs are capped at 300, so get your submission in early!)

3rd Aug ‘HAL publishes visual art, poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, long form essays, reviews, video, film, and sound.’ Theme: Mundane is Radical. PAYING https://halmagazine.wordpress.com/submit/submit-to-hal-magazine/

4th Aug ‘Even as the conditions for human life on earth destabilize, even as ecosystems collapse, and bodies both human and nonhuman are uprooted from their homelands, even as technologies enable and encourage unprecedented forms of disconnection, human bodies are rediscovering old ways—and finding new and remarkable ways—to come into relation with place.’ Submissions in English, French and German. https://darkmatterwomenwitnessing.com/submissions/

5th Aug ‘Alien Magazine is looking for all types of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and visual art submissions. Don’t be afraid to send us anything. Disclaimer: We are not a science fiction magazine, though we are open to SF work. By “Alien” we mean “outsider” or anything that exists outside the societal norm.’ PAYING https://www.alienliterarymagazine.com/submissions

5th Aug ‘We seek to publish the unheard, the weird, the comforting, the loved, and the disquieted.’ https://www.agapanthuscollective.com/submit/

5th Aug Poetry, fiction and much more on the theme of A Heatwave. https://sites.google.com/creationmag.org/creationmag/submit

5th Aug Poetry on the theme of Animal Magic. https://www.griffithreview.com/for-writers/

6th Aug Folk horror stories 2000-4000 words. PAYING https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/folk-horror-submissions-0

6th Aug Letter on the theme of letter to my lover. Must follow one of the provided prompts. https://missivemag.wixsite.com/missive-mag/submissions

7th Aug ‘Vengeful spirits. Sinister groves. Ancient curses. Here the trees have eyes and whispers aren’t from the wind. Join us in the woodlands and get lost amongst the leaves in Issue Five: Wicked Woodlands. For this issue, we’re accepting short stories, flash fiction, poetry, and visual art for middle grade and young adult readers.’ https://www.hauntedwordspress.com/submit

9th Aug Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Subscribe. PAYING https://thesuburbanreview.com/submit/

9th Aug Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Funeral Foods. PAYING https://www.hungryzine.com/submission-faqs/

11th Aug ‘UNDERLAND PRESS is publishing SHUB-NIGGURATH’S SWEATER, a cozy cosmic horror anthology… We want to see stories about those who continue on. Stories about those who know their spouses are planning on sacrificing them during the next full moon, but in the meantime, these spouses make a solid mac and cheese and they listen when you bitch about the absurd emptiness that is the day job…Yes, the Old Ones are out there, but there’s no reason not to be cozy… Stories should be between 1,000 and 5,000 words. We’ll consider longer stories, but we’re not interested in novellas for this project. We’re totally down with poetry, and would love to see it.’ PAYING https://www.underlandpress.com/cozycosmic.php

12th Aug ‘Blood & Bourbon is here to showcase all things hard, gritty, and raw.’ Theme: Choices. https://blood-and-bourbon.com/submissions/

13th Aug ‘Unless otherwise stated, Island welcomes submissions from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and Australians living abroad.’ Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://island.submittable.com/submit

14th Aug Canadians only: Poetry and fiction on the theme of Solastalgia. PAYING https://www.yolkliterary.ca/submissions

15th Aug ‘Alaska Women Speak welcomes submissions in the following genres: non-fiction, poetry, fiction, memoir, creative non-fiction, and essay. We also publish work from visual artists and welcome Cover Art/Photo submissions.’ Theme: Apologies. https://alaskawomenspeak.org/submissions/

15th Aug Poetry and art on the theme of form poems. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

15th Aug ‘RED HEADED WRITING seeks pieces inspired by the music of Willie Nelson, especially the spare and haunting album Red Headed Stranger.  We want stories and cnf and verse that hits themes like love, the jilted, revenge, roaming, and redemption.  We want a toke of anything you’ve got inspired by Shotgun Willie.’  http://www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/style–submit.html

15th Aug Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Familiars. PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

15th Aug Theme: Trespass. ‘We are looking for beautiful works exploring trespass within nature; access to natural spaces, the right to roam, rural trespass and land ownership (whether private or by the commons) are all specific interpretations of this theme we’d particularly like to see.’ https://www.greeninkpoetry.co.uk/submissions/trespass-submissions

15th Aug Poems. https://carbonchained.wixsite.com/carbonchained/submit

15th Aug ‘Founded in September 2009, Lowestoft Chronicle is an online literary magazine, published quarterly, accepting flash fiction, short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Preference is given to humorous submissions with an emphasis on travel. An anthology of the best work is published annually. Our mission is to form a global “think tank” of inquisitive, worldly scribblers, collectively striving towards excellence and, if possible, world domination.’ https://lowestoftchronicle.com/submissions/

15th Aug Flash fiction (up to 1000 words). ‘We want a feel-good fantasy story, if not feel-good, make someone in the story happy. Soft revenge and kismet are under the umbrella of feel good or satisfying, (No outright horror, gore, or overall nastiness.)’ PAYING https://www.jerseypinesink.com/

15th Aug ‘We are currently accepting submissions for: Poetry, Art, Short Stories, Songs, New Books, Photography, etc.’ Theme: Folklore and Fairytales. https://www.opendoorpoetrymagazine.com/author-submissions

15th Aug ‘Send us your birdsong-inspired poetry, the symbolic, the prophetic, the transcendental. Channel Walt Whitman. Interpret the theme in a unique or unexpected way…Submit up to six (6) tiny poems.’ https://www.tinywrenlit.com/submit

15th Aug ‘Tales from the Moonlit Path publishes dark, eerie, speculative stories. Horror is not a necessary element, although fiction should contain some aspect of the weak, frail, changeable human condition.’ Fiction and poetry. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://talesmoonlitpath.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: They pay for fiction, but not for poetry or art.)

15th Aug 50-500 words in response to this month’s provided image. https://visualverse.org/submission-guidelines/

15th Aug Speculative flash and short fiction by immigrant and diaspora authors. PAYING https://www.khoreomag.com/submissions-fiction/

15th Aug ‘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, short fiction. PAYING https://www.loreleisignal.com/guidelines

15th Aug ‘Up to five poems, all five lines or fewer. Harvest. Halloween. The cool rust in the air. You know. Visual work is also welcome for this call (haiga, etc.).’ https://petrichormag.com/submit/

17th Aug ‘We want your music-related Holiday stories and poems. Submissions must relate to both music and a late autumn or early winter holiday such as Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Winter Solstice, Dongzhi Festival, Dongji, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or New Years. For our Holiday Supplement, we can also accept submissions that relate to dance.’ https://syncopationliteraryjournal.wordpress.com/call-for-submissions/

19th Aug Theme: Masks II. Stories must be 2,000 (10% tolerance +/-)  PAYING https://theotherstories.net/submissions/

27th Aug ‘Following our hugely successful Black Sci-Fi Short Stories, First Peoples Shared Stories, Immigrant Sci-Fi Short Stories and Asian Ghost Short Stories, we’re now seeking tales from African and African-diaspora writers to be included in our powerful collection of African Ghost Short Stories. The volume will explore the deep-seated supernatural element in African storytelling – whether reaching back to the spirits, ancestors and ogres of folklore or the vibrantly modern ghosts of today’s African horror.’ PAYING https://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/african-ghost-submissions-0

28th Aug (July 31, 2023-August 6, 2023 for marginalized voices; August 7, 2023-August 28, 2023 for all submitters) ‘The Off-Season is an anthology of disquieting and disturbing New Weird horror set in landscapes and communities on the edge of the sea. These coastal stories defamiliarize the ordinary, evoke dread even in the daylight, and haunt like half-remembered nightmares.’  https://darkmattermagazine.shop/pages/the-off-season-submission-guidelines

28th Aug ‘We are open writer/artist who self-identify as queer/LGBTQIA/pan/non-binary. Our cishet/ cisallohet allies, are welcome to submit, but we ask that the story center around a character who self-identifies as queer/LGBTQIA/pan/non-binary.’ Short fiction, CNF and more. PAYING https://www.tree-and-stone.com/queer-as-f-submissions

30th Aug True stories and narrative poems on the theme of The Power of Positive Thinking. PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

30th Aug ‘STRIPES LITERARY MAGAZINE is open for submission. We are accepting original poetry, prose (fiction and creative non-fiction), art and photography for our Issue 3:Volume 2. This issue is themed HAPPY MEMORIES.’ https://medium.com/thestripesmag/submissions-guidelines-6958a7547c92

31st Aug ‘Megaphone Writers CIC provides development for people of colour in England who want to write for children and teenagers. Our ultimate aim is to change bookshelves so every child can see themselves in stories.’ https://megaphonewrite.com/ (Cathy’s note: there are a couple of completely funded places on this available.)

31st Aug ‘Send us your most seductive flash fiction and prose poetry! We’re seeking super short erotica in any subgenre, featuring characters of any and every orientation and gender, so long as they’re 18+ and express their consent to all erotic activities. Whether they find pleasure through BDSM, fetish, or vanilla encounters; in long-term romances or one-night stands; with one person, a roomful of people, or just themselves, it’s all good.’ Up to 1500 words. PAYING https://newsmutproject.tumblr.com/post/712496400941907968/call-for-submissions-erato-ii?mc_cid=a93420f9b7&mc_eid=6957f44719

31st Aug ‘Just because the cosmic flirts with disaster doesn’t mean it can’t flirt with other things! In this anthology, we’re looking for cosmic tales with a light romantic twist. Think couples visiting Leng on blind dates and Carcosa on their honeymoons, Valentine’s Day roses tinted with the Color Out of Space, and brains in jars finding everlasting love with Mi-go… Open to poetry, and stories 1,000 to 6,000 words, in English.’ PAYING http://www.obsidianbutterfly.com/nrcsub.html

31st Aug ‘Would I Lie to You will be a collection of crime fiction/noir short stories inspired by the music of the legendary pop group, Eurythmics.’ 2000-4000 words. CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE, CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://windingroadstories.com/wrds-anthology/

31st Aug ‘What we have presented here are six horribly made covers that you would expect from an over-enthusiastic self-publishing author who insists that their skills with photoshop is all they need in the world. Well, that and a little bit of written content. Minor. How does this involve you? We need the questionable content to go with them! Over the next four months we will be taking submissions for novelettes that use the covers as the prompts.’ PAYING  https://www.nat1publishing.com/nat-1-htpost-shorts/

31st Aug Speculative fiction and poetry on the theme of  Reclamation. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

31st Aug ‘All stories must have science fiction or fantasy elements… Please no stories dealing with space exploration or colonization in this anthology.  We want stories about underdogs that take fantastical worlds or places but want characters to be the focus.’ About 3000-12,000 words. PAYING  https://theunderdogpress.com/pages/submission-guidelines

31st Aug ‘It’s the question asked of any story about a haunting: why didn’t you just leave? If accounts of people who have stayed in haunted houses are any indication, it’s never that simple. There are a lot of reasons why people don’t just leave scary situations, and we’d like to see smart, spooky stories that reflect the complexity behind that question.’ 500-5000 words. PAYING https://cursedmorsels.com/submission-calls/

31st Aug Horror fiction 3000-6000 words. PAYING https://nightlightpod.com/submissions/

31st Aug ‘The cause of Roman poet Ovid’s exile was “carmen et error”, a poem and a mistake. We want your poems and your mistakes. Fiction that falls between genres. Weird, wild poems. Anything speculative, daring, or just plain odd…we accept poems up to 40 lines long, and microfiction/oddities up to 350 words. We reserve a couple of spaces for writers who are from or have a significant connection to the North of England.’ https://carmenerror.com/?page_id=19

31st Aug Horror stories up to 10,000 words. PAYING https://solarpressbooks.com/pages/anthology-submissions

1st Sep ‘We are currently accepting  submissions of poetry, flash fiction, and micro memoirs for our inaugural issue.’ https://www.bearpawartsjournal.com/submissions

1st Sep Themes for different editions: Teachers; College Life; Parenting; Kids (written by kids for kids); and Teenage Years. ‘The Bad Day Book is a humorous de-motivational motivational book. A compilation of stories detailing different people’s funny bad days. The perfect gift to those you know who are having a bad day, or a pick-me up for your own rough times.’ Tue, first pewrson stories up to 1500 words, and poems that tell a story. PAYING https://thebaddaybook.com/faq/

1st Sep Theme: Nebula. ‘Send words and art that blur dreams back into existence.’ https://sophonlit.wixsite.com/sophon/guidelines

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!)

Until filled: ‘We are open to stories, poems, essays, and visual art. The anthology is open to individuals who a) identify as queer and b) have experienced either incarceration or the threat of incarceration. (note: for the purposes of this anthology, we are including state-mandated stays in mental hospitals as incarceration). Loved ones of those individuals may also submit, with acceptance depending on the volume of submissions, as preference will be given first to those directly affected.’ PAYING https://www.dionysianpubliclibrary.com/submissions

Until filled: ‘The Spring issues of Coreopsis Journal and Roses and Wildflowers will explore the nature of the wild and what it means to enter wild places through essays, reviews, editorials and, in the mythopoetic imprint Roses and Wildflowers, with poetry, fiction, and art.’ PAYING https://roseswildflowersfantacists.com/roses-and-wildflowers/

Canadians: ‘Second Story Press is proud to be a Canadian feminist press, and to publish books that our entire team believes in…We focus on publishing Canadian authors (citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are currently living in Canada). We rarely make exceptions to this rule.’ https://secondstorypress.ca/submissions

‘Open to anyone who identifies as trans (or to those who are seeking a platform to explore their relationship to gender but aren’t quite sure how they identify), x/y is now open to submissions for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, recipes, collage, comics, drawings, paintings, crossword puzzles, or anything else that you want to throw at us.’ https://www.dionysianpubliclibrary.com/submissions

Flash, short fiction, poetry, and more.  https://www.handwrittenandco.com/submit

Book MSS by Canadians. https://www.touchwoodeditions.com/submit-a-manuscript/

‘We accept… fiction, poetry, nonfiction, one-act plays, hybrid works (submissions blending more than one of these forms), or visual art/photography. We are now open to submissions from US and International writers and artists.’ https://www.tuskegeereview.com/submissions

‘Currently the only submissions we’re taking are for our project  ‘Off-Cuts and Loose-Ends’ . We’re planning on producing a variety of publications from tiny chapbooks to postcards to bookmarks to broadsides or pamphlets. Due to the size of some of these off-cuts, they won’t fit through our printers, meaning we’ll be hand-stamping and typewriting many of these publications. For this reason we’re going to mainly focus on minimalist poetry.’ http://www.puddlesofskypress.com/submissions.html

Poetry and fiction. https://www.laughingroninpress.com/about-copy-1

Micro poetry. https://inkandmarrow.com/submissions

‘The Vineyard is our biannual unthemed zine, open to all and published in January and June. Poetry, prose, visual art, or anything weirder you have up your sleeves—send it our way.’ https://www.dionysianpubliclibrary.com/submissions

Poetry. https://lostpilotslit.com/?page_id=96

‘Founded in July 2019 by Jean Lowd, Creative James Media seeks to discover and publish new authors and bring exciting, genre bending stories to life.’   https://creativejamesmedia.com/submissions/

‘We are looking for searing, electric work that plays with language in beautiful ways. Send us your love for words, in whatever form that manifests—bonus points if your work is connected to nature or the environment in some way. We’re a fan of confessional writing, but also of simple, pretty things. Nothing is too raw here. We want your authentic voices and your deepest truth.’ Poetry and prose. https://www.eucalyptuslit.com/

‘NeWest publishes outstanding literary works by established and emerging Canadian authors. On average, we publish from 10 to 12 books a year. Our list includes fiction (including mysteries), poetry, drama, and non-fiction works with literary merit; we are especially interested in publishing books by Western Canadian authors or which explore Western Canadian themes.’ https://newestpress.com/submissions

‘We will consider all types of work: games, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art, audio, anything else you can think of – as long as it’s interactive.’ https://voidspacezine.com/submissions/

‘We publish Canadian authors and landed immigrants and strive to publish a significant number of new writers, to publish in a variety of genres, and to have a portion of each year’s list authored by Manitoba writers and/or books featuring prairie content. We are always looking for titles that reflect the diversity of both Manitoba and Canada and encourage Indigenous writers, writers of colour, writers from the LGBTQ2S community and writers with disabilities to send us their work.’ Poetry, fiction and nonfiction MSS. https://www.turnstonepress.com/contact/submissions.html

‘The editorial and publication team are drawn towards titles that are engaging, that they find are inspiring and enlightening, and bring the words to life for contemporary audiences. We are currently accepting submissions of manuscripts and proposals of both fiction and non-fiction.’ https://goldenstorylinebooks.com/submissions/

‘At Bay Press is a literary publisher. We are only interested in literary fiction and literary non-fiction—including poetry. We do publish literary mysteries, thrillers, and noir and are interested in quality submissions in the science fiction, fantasy and graphic novel genres as well.’ https://atbaypress.com/submissions

‘We are currently open for submissions for our “From the Heart” series. The focus of this series is to bring short works to the trade in a small, well designed, inexpensive book format. We are accepting short poetry collections (minimum 5 poems, maximum 10 poems per manuscript), literary short fiction stories, genre fiction short stories, non-fiction short works, short essays, graphic novellas etc.’ https://atbaypress.com/submissions

Comps and calls for July 2023

Posted on by cathy in Uncategorised

hello all,

complications from 1st wrist op

just had 2nd wrist and hand op

keep writing!

Cathy xxx

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

14th Jul ‘Reality Show Madness! We are looking for flash in the vein of these reality shows with a heavy addition of the speculative. We are not looking for fan fiction.’ Theme: Eurovision/Singing and Talent Competitions PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

15th Jul ‘The Kaidankai podcast is accepting original, unpublished stories with a haunted house theme to be read during August. The preferred word count is 1000 to 3000 words, but I’l consider stories outside that word count.’ PAYING https://www.kaidankaistories.com/submit.html

31st Jul Short story. PAYING https://www.crossingthetees.org/short-story-competition/

31st Jul ‘Send us your poems on any theme, of any length and of any style. Winners receive a range of fantastic prizes, including further mentoring and development opportunities from The Poetry Society, and former winners are among the most successful poets writing today. Entry is free to 11 – 17 year olds everywhere.’  PRIZES (UNKNOWN WHAT) https://foyleyoungpoets.org/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

Free submissions open on 1st of each month. ‘The Forge Literary Magazine publishes one prose piece per week selected by a rotating cast of editors… If there is no free link, we’ve hit our quota.’ PAYING https://forgelitmag.com/submit/

2nd Jul 800-2000 word story on the theme of Women & Girls. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

3rd Jul ‘At Fathom we publish articles, personal essays, profiles, interviews, book reviews, Bible exposition, theological and/or historical analysis, poetry, and short stories. The work we prefer often utilizes personal narrative to communicate the deeper aspects of the Christian faith and to draw our readers into the nuance surrounding an idea. Our standard articles fall between 1,000 and 1,600 words. Short stories should be at least 3,000 words. Poems vary in length and style.’ Theme: Goodness. https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

7th Jul Cosy fantasy stories 3000-8000 words. PAYING https://wyngraf.com/submissions/

7th Jul Fantasy Flash Fiction. PAYING https://adamant.moksha.io/publication/lightspeed/guidelines

7th Jul ‘ We accept proposals from Australian writers only, for general, literary and commercial non-fiction – including history, current affairs, memoir and biography.’ https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/submissions

14th Jul ‘We publish primarily speculative fiction, from horror to hard science fiction to high fantasy to mysteries to magical realism to mainstream, but we have room for other types of fiction as well.’ Poetry, flash, and short fiction. PAYING https://www.daikaijuzine.org/guidelines

15th Jul ‘State secrets, family secrets, trade secrets, secret sins and secret loves, entrusted secrets, cosmic secrets, childhood secrets,  dark secrets taken to the grave––any sort of secret at all. Can’t keep a secret? Closely guarded treasure, or a bargaining chip.We are more interested in tales of mystery than everyday gossip. Send us your best unpublished stories of approximately 50 words about a Secret, or Secrets.’ http://www.blink-ink.org/submissions/

15th Jul Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Moon. PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

21st Jul Romantic flash fiction 700-1000 words on the theme of Love on Any Level. https://sparkflashfiction.com/submission-guidelines/

22nd Jul Theme: Rituals. Stories must be 2,000 (10% tolerance +/-)  PAYING https://theotherstories.net/submissions/

25th Jul Prose and poetry. PAYING https://www.mudroommag.com/submissions

28th Jul ‘Are you drawn to satirical takes on the social scene? Enjoy writing dark humour and starkly honest account of ordinary life? We are looking for content that takes risks, screams with honesty and celebrates life’s extraordinary moments.’ Poetry and fiction. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.follyjournal.com/submissions (Cathy’s note: There’s a day between the submission deadlines for poetry and fiction, but I decided to put them in one listing. If you fear that you’ve missed the deadline, check their Submittable page.)

31st Jul ‘We are currently accepting submissions for our first issue! We’re seeking punchy, genre-oriented short stories that can captivate, intrigue, and entertain a diverse audience. We prefer stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words. However, we will consider outstanding stories outside this range with an aim toward serialization.’ PAYING https://epicechoesmag.wixsite.com/epic-echoes-magazine

31st Jul ‘We like to balance each quarterly issue between science fiction and fantasy, dark and light, serious and humorous, hard and soft science fiction, and longer and shorter works.’ Fiction, flash fiction, book reviews, art, nonfiction, and poetry. PAYING https://sites.google.com/newmyths.com/newmyths-com-home/submissions

1st Aug ‘Writing allows us to imagine a world where oppression and trauma don’t exist. And there is a reality where we are not defined by our trauma(s), but through our power—And you’re invited to be a part of that. Awake is a digital zine and collection of work by Black authors that explores the power we each hold. For the very first time, Awake will be in print! Prompt: The West is under attack! Protect your frontier and deliver your ‘isms [alive] to collect your bounty!’ PAYING  https://luckyjefferson.com/awake-collection/

1st Aug Fiction, CNF and more on the theme of SUNDOWN: an elegy to the late, great musician Gordon Lightfoot. http://www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/

1st Aug ‘B Cubed Press is pleased announce an Open Call for Alternative Leadership. An anthology about leadership. Leadership by the under-represented, by those too often forced to watch as those less qualified, less capable rise in a system that cannot see the value of diversity and change.’ Stories, essays and poems. PAYING https://bcubedpress.moksha.io/publication/alternative-leadership

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!)

Horror stories by black writers. PAYING https://nightlightpod.com/submissions/

‘At Pratham Books, we publish books that enrich the reading experience for a child. We select manuscripts based on several parameters. Selected stories may not have all of the following attributes, but we do look for scripts that match most of them: Original and engaging, Indian setting, Interesting plot and characters, Diverse. Fiction, creative non-fiction, non-fiction.’ https://prathambooks.org/submissions/

Poetry, fiction, and more. https://www.therumen.com/submissions

Weird Horror Novels and novellas of 20,000 words or more. ADVANCE + ROYALTIES  http://tenebrouspress.com/submissions

‘We seek poetry, literary fiction, essays, and any kind of writings that do not fall into these categories, written or translated into English by authors who identify as Asian. We also publish reviews of books by Asian authors and interviews with Asian writers and artists.’ PAYING https://singaporeunbound.org/submissions