Comps and calls for June 2023

Hello everyone,

I’m recovering fast from my wrist fusion operation, though I’ll still be in plaster for a while. Many thanks to those of you who’ve sent good wishes. I can type properly now, at least! So this is a big, bumper issue to make up for last month’s short one.

For some reason, there are loads of opportunities in the ‘Submissions with no known deadline’ section this month. This is great for those who like to (or have to) take their time writing. One tip: copy the section, and put it in a folder to read in three months, or six months, or a year’s time. That way you won’t be submitting at the same time as everybody else! Though not all of the mags will be open at that time. As so often with submitting, it’s a difficult choice.

Huge love to those who give to my Patreon. There’s no special content – just the knowledge that you’re helping this site. You can also make a one-off contribution via PayPal, if you’d like.

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 Jun ‘For this mini-contest, tell, show, or evoke a complete story between 25 and 50 words long in which the same thing, place, or incident is seen from two very different points of view.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/

5th Jun Three awards for writing for television (Channel 4). VARIOUS NON-CASH PRIZES  https://tinyurl.com/bd8u3v39

7th Jun ‘Spectator Competition No. 3303: sex education. Sex education has been in the news lately. You are invited to submit an explanation of the facts of life by a person from the field of fact or fiction who might be deemed a surprising choice. Please email entries of up to 150 words/16 lines.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-a-liquid-lunch-with-dante/ (Cathy’s note: scroll down past the recent winners – though reading them might give you some idea of the sort of thing the Spectator likes.)

13th Jun ‘Imagine 2200 is an invitation to writers from all over the globe to imagine a future in which solutions to the climate crisis flourish and help bring about radical improvements to our world. We dare you to dream anew.’ 300-4000 words. PAYING https://grist.org/climate-fiction/imagine-2200-contest-submissions/

14th Jun ‘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: House Hunters/Love it or List It/Extreme Home Makeover/Flippers PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

15th Jun The Queen’s English Society Forum POETRY COMPETITION – WIN £100. The competition is open to all and entry is free. Each entrant may submit two poems not previously published or currently submitted for publication elsewhere. Please keep copies as those submitted will not be returned.’ Theme: STONE or STONES. To read further details, please join the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/497220742553565 (Cathy’s note: it’s free and I’m in it!)

30th Jun ‘A “drabble” is defined as a short story containing exactly precisely no more and no fewer than 100 words. It has a title, which can be from 1 to 15 words– but no more than 15. That’s a drabble.’ Theme: Space Station Duty Free. PAYING https://www.hiraethsffh.com/drabble-contest

30th Jun ‘The theme for Issue #13 will be These Things We Carry. 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. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the prize winner will be published in the same or next issue (optional). Poems can be any style, but preferably non-rhyming.’ PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://laststanzapoetry.blogspot.com/ (Cathy’s note: I wasn’t sure whether this is a comp or a call, so I’ve put it in both sections.)

30th Jun ‘Marlborough LitFest is excited to launch this year’s national Love Books competition, to celebrate and share a love of reading amongst all ages. Now in its fourth year, this competition is open to anyone across the country in three age groups: 13-15 years, 16-19 years and 20 years and above… The annual LitFest Love Books competition invites participants to explain their choice of a favourite book, poem or play by a written response of up to 750 words. The emphasis needs to be on what entrants love about their chosen read and why they think others should try it.’ PAYING https://www.marlboroughlitfest.org/2023-love-books-competition-now-open/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk )

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

Submissions OPEN 1st June and stay open until filled, or Oct 1st: unsettling short story 1500-5000 words for one of the Dark Decades series. Check the website for specific parameters. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.com/submissions

2nd Jun ‘We are now accepting submissions of poetry, flash fiction, short stories and creative non-fiction inspired by the theme ‘Into the Forest’.’ PAYING https://spacecatpress.co.uk/submission/

2nd Jun ‘We are now open to poetry and fiction submissions for our Fiendish Father’s Day Issue, slated for publication June 2023. We are open to all of our regular horror themes as well as stories that have a Father’s Day element.’ Fiction and poetry. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://talesmoonlitpath.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: pays for accepted fiction, but not for poetry.)

3rd Jun ‘Water is life-sustaining—a symbol of rebirth, cleansing, healing, and renewal. It reflects its environment, and it offers us a glimpse of our surroundings. When we gaze upon our reflection, we see our rippled selves in a seemingly altered way. In this process, refugees, like these shifting reflections, can find the resilience to reshape their lives anew. This issue of Clepsydra aims to deliver hope and inspiration to those who may need it the most. In this issue, we will come together and share words that bring hope, inspiration, and renewal to these refugees. We will also showcase art that provides refugees with joy and comfort.’ https://www.clepsydralit.com/submit

2nd Jun ‘Our theme for our inaugural issue is genesis; origin and creation. We imagine stories which explore what it means to begin or to begin anew. New Beginnings are always possible– but at what cost? What comes before the beginning? What comes after? Feel free to expand or embellish this prompt however you like– art is exploration. The Litmora team is looking forward to receiving your (undoubtedly awesome) submissions! – Submissions don’t have to be focused on the theme ‘Genesis’, but we welcome all that are!’ https://www.litmoralitmag.com/submissions

5th Jun Women writers: fiction and poetry on the theme of Poison. ‘Our Issue 99 theme is toxic substances, and the deliberate or accidental damage they can cause.’ Poetry and fiction. PAYING https://mslexia.co.uk/submit-your-work/fiction/

5th Jun Theme: Cinema. ‘For our winter 2023 issue, guest-edited by filmmaker, educator, and writer Saeed Taji Farouky, we seek works which explore the relationship between moving image–making and writing and what the two practices can offer one another… Contributors do not need to identify as of Arab/SWANA descent, provided their work is of relevance to or in dialogue with the social realities of the SWANA/Arab region or community.’ PAYING https://mizna.org/literary/call-for-submissions-the-cinema-issue/

5th Jun ‘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: Love. https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

6th Jun ‘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: Lunar. PAYING https://writersvictoria.submittable.com/submit

7th Jun Science Flash Fiction. PAYING https://adamant.moksha.io/publication/lightspeed/guidelines

7th Jun We’re looking for all the same dark fiction, crime and noir as our usual submissions, but with a target length between 1,000 and 2,000 words, and aligned with the monthly submissions prompt.’ Theme: Freedom. PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://www.rockandahardplacemag.com/stones-throw-submissions

10th Jun Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. PAYING https://www.samjokomagazine.com/submission-guidelines

10th Jun Theme: Herbs and Spices. ‘Poets may send up to 5 short poems (30 lines max) as text in an email or in a single .doc attachment.’ http://www.highlandparkpoetry.org/

10th Jun ‘We seem to get a LOT of strange science fiction romance and dating shorts and poems… There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, in fact there’s so little wrong with that we gave in and are making an anthology just for it! THEME: Humorous sci-fi romance, romantic comedy, and smut. DEETS: Submit 1-3 short stories (50-3,000 words), or 1-5 poems (2-80 lines, including line breaks)’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://nat1publishing.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: the actual deadline is 30th June, but only the first ten days of the month don’t require a submission fee.)

13th Jun ‘Skear Zines is now open for submissions – we’re looking for zines that build worlds in flash fiction, poetry, entangled memoir, spells, magic realism, literary maps, or some other experimental form (anything from 50 – 2400 words). We’re particularly interested in working with people who haven’t been published or whose work has been overlooked. UNPAID but author gets 15 of the 40 print run.’  https://skearzines.wordpress.com/2023/05/01/call-out-2023/

15th Jun Speculative poetry on the theme of Trauma. ‘Let your imaginations go wild in the speculative, but ground your trauma in the human experience.’ PAYING http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html

15th Jun ‘The theme for this issue will be “Past Regrets.” We are open for fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, flash fiction, and essays. We are looking for submissions from established, emerging, and never-before-published writers.’ http://devastationbaby.com/submissions

15th Jun Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Pagan Renaissance: Getting Started in Paganism. PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

15th Jun ‘In Issue 18, we are exploring the treasure heap of minutiae that enrich our lives. Minutiae may only be small, precise details, but far from mere trifles in their impact on who we are and what we truly value as humans… We accept fiction, nonfiction, visual art, and poetry of all flavors, from free verse to found. We are also interested in submissions that include raven artwork.’ https://www.youngravensliteraryreview.org/submission-guidelines.html

15 Jun ‘For poetry chapbooks, we are accepting manuscripts between 18-30 pages, single-spaced.  For flash fiction and flash creative nonfiction chapbooks, we are accepting manuscripts between 20-90 pages, double-spaced. For collections of prose, we are interested in manuscripts where most individual pieces do not exceed 2,000 words.’ PAYING https://bullcitypress.com/submissions-top/chapbook-open-reading-period/

15th Jun Flash and short fiction on the theme of Light. https://www.outtherelitmag.com/submissions

15th Jun Theme: Summer Solstice: Celebrations. ‘In the first of a new yearly digital collection, we are looking for beautiful works exploring nature in all its glory! We are particularly looking for work exploring the beauty and wonder of nature, celebrating the seasons, or natural things that you have an intimate connection to.’ https://www.greeninkpoetry.co.uk/submissions/summer-seasonal-2023

16-18th Jun Novels or collections of the SFF genres. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/submissions

22nd Jun Theme: Wild West.  ‘This is going to be a softer take on the usual cowboy fare. We want to see things like embroidery. textile arts and other handicrafts. We’re hoping for some dusty poems and dystopian western action. Laura Ingall’s fan fiction, your grandmother’s pie recipe or a top 10 list of your favorite spaghetti westerns.  We like surrealism, magical realism, speculative, confessional essays, feminist diatribes, punk DIYs, paper dolls, poems, comics and more.’ https://creamscenecarnival.com/coming-soon/

24th Jun Theme: Artificial Intelligence II Stories must be 2,000 (10% tolerance +/-)  PAYING https://theotherstories.net/submissions/

25th Jun ‘We are looking for ghazals of any topic for our next issue. Please note that we encourage creativity within this form but we do ask that your poem be recognizable as a ghazal.’ https://www.upthestaircase.org/submit.html

25th Jun Theme: Cosmos. Poetry, fiction, and more. PAYING https://www.antithesisjournal.com.au/submit

30th Jun Fantasy Flash Fiction. Bipoc writers only. PAYING https://adamant.moksha.io/publication/lightspeed/guidelines

30th Jun Poems. http://www.glasslyrepress.com/publications.html

30th June Short stories on the theme of Mad Science. PAYING http://www.atomiccarnivalbooks.com/submissions/

30th June Horror and fantasy stories on the theme of Open All Night. PAYING http://www.atomiccarnivalbooks.com/submissions/

30th Jun ‘redrosethorns began with a simple core belief, that feminism is about empowerment. Through articles, poetry, interviews, art, and stories of all kinds, we intend to empower others to share their voices… For our second annual magazine edition, redrosethorns invites you to submit your unpublished writing and art on the theme of ‘HOME/BELONGING’… redrosethorns magazine publishes original short stories, creative non-fiction, fiction, poems, or art.’ https://www.redrosethorns.com/magazine

30th Jun Dracula Beyond Stoker: Issue 3: Lucy Westenra/Bloofer Lady. ‘What’s your take on Miss Lucy? Innocent and pure? Promiscuous Tease? How about her time as the Bloofer Lady? You can romance us or scare us, just be sure to intrigue us.’ Fiction 500-5000 words. PAYING https://www.dbspress.com/submissions

30th Jun ‘In honor of Pride Month, no-fee submissions are open for all LGBTQIA2+/Queer writers, not limited to those from the US.’ Poetry, fiction, and more. PAYING https://typehousemagazine.com/submissions/

30th Jun ‘We want to build on our micro-journal, Carmen et Error’s ethos of small things done well (and strangely!). We are publishing one fiction chapbook: Unfurl, a collaboration between Finlay Worrallo, Nathaniel Spain and Kym Deyn and we will be opening submissions for poetry pamphlets and micro chapbooks.’ PAYING or ROYALTIES, plus copies https://thebraag.co/?page_id=475

30th Jun ‘The theme for Issue #13 will be These Things We Carry. 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. There is never a reading fee. An interview with the prize winner will be published in the same or next issue (optional). Poems can be any style, but preferably non-rhyming.’ PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://laststanzapoetry.blogspot.com/ (Cathy’s note: I wasn’t sure whether this is a comp or a call, so I’ve put it in both sections.)

30th Jun Theme: Pentacles. ‘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 Jun ‘Poets are invited to submit full-length collections focused on a specific theme between May 1- June 30, 2023. In choosing a theme for submissions, the press will select an area that feels rich with possibility, representative of the Guest Editor’s interests, and open enough to allow for a wide range of interpretation. For the 2023 submission period, the theme is: Dreams and the Subconscious.’  CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) or possibly CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES – I’m not sure which. Cathy x https://www.codhill.com/codhill-press-guest-editor-series/

30th Jun ‘The Deronda Review is primarily a poetry magazine, but we are also open to short fiction, essay, and memoir… For the 2023 issue, we will still be interested in poems written in response to other poems (as in the 2022 issue).  Our main theme this time will be The Soul… In addition, poems about the seasons are always welcome.’ https://www.derondareview.org/submit.htm

30th Jun Aotearoa New Zealand writers only: flash fiction up to 250 words on the theme of  MOANA / OCEAN. https://flashfrontier.com/submissions/

30th Jun Poetry, flash, and much more on the theme of Mycelia. PAYING https://tersejournal.com/theory/contributor-guidelines/

30th Jun Theme: Motel. Fiction. http://www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/

30th Jun ‘Submissions are now open for our next anthology, ‘A Coven of Witches.’ All submissions must include witches, or a witch, as the main theme of the piece. Each author may submit up to three pieces for consideration. We accept short stories of up to 5,000 words and poetry of any length.’ PAYING https://www.westavenuepublishing.co.uk/p/anthology-submissions.html

30th Jun ‘Volume 9 of the popular Better Off Dead series will be themed around Death and Destruction.’ 4000-10,000 words. PAYING https://www.sinistersmilepress.com/submissions-new

30th Jun ‘We accept original submissions of short fiction in any genre (up to 3500 words), both formal and free verse poetry (up to 50 lines) as well as works of creative nonfiction (up to 3500 words). Theme: Childhood.’ https://www.inscribejournal.com/writeforusjournal

30th Jun ‘B Cubed press is proud to announce our latest Open Call:  Alternative Truths. Southern Edition: Bless their Hearts (working title). Edited by K.G.  Anderson and Bob Brown and the next in B Cubed Press’s best-selling Alternative Truths series. This book will examine the South, a place where politicians and their followers compete to peg the outrage meter. Why—and how—are they turning the United States into a cauldron of bigotry and hate?’ Stories, essays and poems. PAYING https://bcubedpress.moksha.io/publication/alternative-truths-southern-edition-bless-their-hearts/guidelines

1st Jul ‘O:JA&L’s Buttonhook Press will consider chapbook collections of 20 (minimum) to 44 (maximum) pages of Experimental Discourse with no individual title in the submission to exceed 2100 words.’ https://ojalartsjournal.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: they have 100 fee-free submissions per month, so get your submission in quickly!)

1st Jul ‘This anthology is ONLY open to authors who themselves are women, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary. Stories MUST be from the point of view of a character who is a woman, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary.’  Erotic fiction from 2000-5000 words. PAYING https://www.bweoftheyear.com/call-for-submissions

1st Jul Writers aged 40 or over: theme: IT SHOULD ALWAYS BE FALL IN THE CEMETERY. ‘In which your work deals with the broad idea of fall: death/endings/Halloween/All Saints, a chill in the air, etc., not horror for this, but a piece that’s more ghostly than horror would work too.’ Poetry, fiction, and more. https://devilspartypress.com/instantnoodles/

1st Jul ‘Coffin Bell is an online journal for dark literature. Publishing quarterly, Coffin Bell reads submissions year-round. If your submission misses the deadline for one (unthemed) issue, it will automatically be considered for the next.’ Flash fiction, short story, creative nonfiction, poetry, essay, short criticism, art. https://coffinbell.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!)

Poetry and prose. PAYING https://eddajournal.org/submit

‘We accept submissions of original fiction (short stories) and creative nonfiction (essays) up to 4000 words. Flash is also welcome. We are exceedingly unlikely to publish genre fiction.’ https://www.artwifemag.com/submit-your-work

‘Immigration Diaries will platform and empower the words of those who are immigrants or have experienced the effects of immigration in their lives. Through this, we hope to connect people through similar and shared experiences.’ https://www.immigrationdiaries.org/about

‘VerbalArt welcomes unsolicited submissions of poems and anything about poets and poetry. We also publish critical/research articles, translation, book reviews, interviews, biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, essays, travelogues and creative writings pertaining to poems, poets and poetry.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://verbalart.in/submission.php

‘Honoring anarchist traditions while also remembering the great Octavia E. Butler, Black Dawn seeks to explore themes that do not reinforce dependency on oppressive forces (the State, police, capitalism, elected officials) and will generally express the values of antiracism, feminism, anticolonialism, and anti-capitalism … With its natural creation of alternate universes and world-building, speculative fiction acts as a perfect tool for imagining various avenues that can be pursued to bring forth a just and free world.’   Agents and authors are encouraged to submit science fiction, fantasy, steampunk, horror, and mystery works of 25,000 to 55,000 words. https://www.akpress.org/black-dawn.html

‘Phenomenal Literature welcomes unsolicited submissions of novels, poetry, short stories, drama, plays, Critical/Research/Academic Articles, translations, book reviews, interviews, biographies, autobiographies, memoirs, essays, travelogues and creative writing.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://phenomenalliterature.com/submission.php

Accepting queries for full length books. https://www.publishinggenius.com/submissions/

‘If you have nostalgia for th carny, gritty world of professional wrestling, we wanna read, and we may wanna put it up on our new Jobbers sections, dedicated to our childhood love and adult nostalgia for the kayfabe and real stories behind the wrestling we loved growing up.  Think Tom Graves’ epic arm wrestling novel, Pullers, but with pro wrestling instead of arm wrestling.’ http://www.cowboyjamboreemagazine.com/style–submit.html

‘We are seeking works up to 32 pages.’ Poetry, fiction and more. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://www.salopress.com/the-flirtations/

‘Send us your poetry, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, and whatever else you’ve been dreaming up—we’re looking for the weird and the wonderful.’ https://www.cherubmagazine.com/

‘We try to group articles and submissions by theme when it makes sense to do so. Articles are always about feminism, innovation, enterprise and critiques of policies and systems that drive inequality.  We are trans inclusive and intersectional feminists-full stop… LiisBeth/rabble.ca welcomes queries from professional and emerging feminist writers and artists anywhere along the gender continuum. We prioritize submissions from womxn, trans, queer-identified writers, community voices and journalists.’ PAYING https://liisbeth.com/contributors/guidelines/

‘The Bosphorus Review of Books is an English-language literary journal based in Istanbul. We aim to provide a platform for cross-cultural exchange, making space for literary works and non-fictional commentary for readers in Turkey and across the world.’ Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and more. https://bosphorusreview.com/submission

Poetry. ‘Some type of meter, such as iambic pentameter, is required (except for haiku, which are purely based on syllable counting). Some metrical variation is natural and fine.’ https://classicalpoets.org/submissionguidelines/

Novella and novel MSS of horror, crime, mystery, and dark general fiction. Between 20,000 and 110,000 words. ROYALTIES https://www.unnervingbooks.com/submissions

‘We are looking for good quality, pieces of writing, be that story, critique, poem, prose, spoken word, music, or other written work. The writer’s section is changing a little this year, and we are not restricting you to a theme and the open call is a rolling one. If you want to send work that is to the theme then do take a look on our website or social media pages to see what we are after for that month, Otherwise, the theme is Open – it must be creative, inspiring, or. critical in some way.’  https://www.haus-a-rest.com/opportunities

‘Wildhouse Publishing curates books for unconventional people with adventurous spirituality. We publish a variety of genres, in several imprints, but WHP focuses on trade publication (so not academic tomes or textbooks for classrooms) and always keeps our target audience in mind. We want to support gifted authors who also intend to address the WHP audience, even when it is financially risky to do so.’ ROYALTIES https://wildhousepublishing.com/submissions/

‘The way we connect with God in this life can be (and should be) shared with those who are struggling and surviving through the darkness. We are called to be the light. What have you gone through that can help others? What have you survived that points your very life to Christ? I’d love for you to share your story in written form with my subscribers.’ Poetry, fiction, and essays. https://erickaclay.com/submissions/

‘Our focus is on visual and literary art that is “ekphrastic” in nature. The scope that this covers is broad: literature inspired by painting, photography, film, performance; visual art provoked by poems, prose, essays, journalism, etc.  We request any work that finds its home in interdisciplinary expression. This includes visually-adventurous poetry, non-conventional prose, scripts, screenplays, reviews, original translation, and more.’ https://ekphrasismagazine.weebly.com/submit.html

‘According to the Coroner is excited to hear what you have sworn to take to the grave. We take submissions always and publish issues when the ghosts start to get loud. We are excited to look at submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art.’ https://accordingtothecoro.wixsite.com/home/submission-guidelines

‘Thank you for your interest in submitting to Guernica. We publish poetry, essays, reportage/journalism, criticism, and fiction.’ PAYING https://guernicamagazine.submittable.com/submit

Up to three haiku or senryu. https://shadowpondjournal.blogspot.com/2023/05/information.html

‘The Battering Ram will only review submissions from students in high school or younger. Submit your work to be reviewed by our Editorial Board, and possibly be published in our award-winning journal! We welcome submissions of poetry, prose, artwork, photography, and anything else magnificent you’ve created.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.battering-ram-wds.org/submit

‘InterNova is a pure science fiction magazine, no fantasy, horror and so on (no offence intended!). We are looking for intelligent, stylish and entertaining modern sf stories, original in idea and conception, from all over the world. For our nonfiction-section we are also looking for articles and essays on international science fiction, especially surveys of the local sf production of countries and areas outside of the English-speaking world.’ https://internova.worldculturehub.net/submission-guidelines/

‘Have something you think would fit at The Gorko? Email fake news reviews cartoons art poems and queries.’ https://thegorkogazette.com/submit/

Erotic fiction for a podcast. PAYING https://nobilis.libsyn.com/

‘We like stories with singular visions and points-of-view. We want to be the home of fiction that challenges the reader even just a little bit, at least to the point of thinking about something in a new or different way. We’d like to sit somewhere between speculative fiction and literary fiction, taking aspects of both and creating something new and original. We like wild, out-there, high-concept ideas that are still very grounded in character.’ PAYING https://www.cosmoramaofficial.com/submit

Poetry and short prose. https://inksweatandtears.co.uk/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: although there’s no pay, I, S and T is highly respected here in the UK, and elsewhere.)

Comps and calls for May 2023

Hello Everyone,

I had my wrist fusion operation this month! So, the listings are tiny!

I should be better next month I hope when I shall be able to type with any luck. Keep writing!

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

11th May ‘Limp Wrist’s Glitter Bomb Award  (GBA) is an annual poetry contest.  The award is for one outstanding poem by a poet of any stage of her/his/their career.  The GBA is a contest with no entry fee that is open to LGBTQIA+/non-binary poets and their allies.’ PAYING https://www.limpwristmagazine.com/glitterbombaward (thanks to www.winningwriters.com for this one)

14th May Underrepresented UK writers over 18 only: poetry, fiction or CNF on the theme of X. PAYING https://www.creativefuture.org.uk/for-writers/creative-future-writers-award/how-to-enter/ (Cathy’s note: the eligibility criteria are quite broad, so don’t self-reject!)

14th May ‘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: Great British Bake Off/Baking It/Cooking Shows PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

15th May ‘Submissions should be haiku inspired by insects (or spiders or millipedes or other related arthropods).’ PRIZES (UNKNOWN WHAT) https://express.adobe.com/page/NyhMS45l2Be0H/

1st Jun ‘The OFIC Press Prize will be awarded to up to 2 novels and up to 3-4 novellas, which will be published in 2024. The prize for a novel is $1000 and a novella $250. Novels will be published as standalone books and novellas will be compiled into an anthology. Your work must stand on its own as an original piece, although we of course welcome common fanfiction tropes (or the subversion thereof), and works that feel fanfiction-y but contain original characters and worlds. If you don’t know what “in fandom” means, this is not the press for you.’ PAYING https://www.oficmag.com/submit

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

3rd May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Spice. PAYING https://thesuburbanreview.com/submit/

3rd May Poets living outside the United States: ‘… you must be a woman over 60. You may submit up to three poems, all of which should be previously unpublished.’ https://persimmontree.org/submissions/#poetry (Cathy’s note: they refer to this as a competition, but as there’s no prize except publication, it doesn’t fit the specifications for a competition on Comps and Calls.)

3rd May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Spice. PAYING https://thesuburbanreview.com/submit/

7th May 800-2000 word story on the theme of Heroes & Villains. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

8th May ‘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: Self-control. https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

15th May Poetry and art on the theme of Second POV. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

15th May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Pride Month. ‘What might a sacred story immortalizing an LGBTQIA+ icon look like today? Do you factor Stonewall, Pride, or marriage equality into your sacred cosmology? Do you view some deities as being particularly linked with LGBTQIA identities or breaking gender norms?’ PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

15th May ‘Farmer-ish publishes both online issues and print collections. We’re looking for creative and engaging content on farming, homesteading, raising animals, cooking, making, and raising a family. We want creative nonfiction, personal essays, memoir, how-to pieces, informational and instructional essays, poetry, and more.’ PAYING https://farmerish.net/submissions/

19th May Women over 60: writing on the theme of Verbal Lightning. https://persimmontree.org/submissions/

20th May Women over 60: ‘Topic for the fall issue: Shameless Self-Promotion. What we are looking for: Women of the “boomer” generation and before were, by and large, raised to be self-effacing, not to trumpet our accomplishments. In fact, many of us came of age believing it would be unseemly for us even to have accomplishments. It’s time to step outside that (dis)comfort zone: Short Takes is open for bragging. Of all the fabulous things you have done in your life, until now cloaked in demure silence, which makes you proudest? Share it, or them, with pride, and without embarrassment.’ https://persimmontree.org/submissions/#poetry

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

30th May ‘Pupusas nourish body and soul. They are an umbilical cord to the cultural, spiritual, and historical roots of Salvadorans and Central Americans in the US. Tell us your stories of immigration, arrival, resilience, identity, and community through the lens of the humble and mighty pupusa. We welcome poems written in English or Spanish.’ https://www.flowersongpress.com/call-for-submissions

31st May ‘Our third issue invites poetry, short stories, essays, interviews, visual art, film, and creative nonfiction that responds to conflict in the post-Soviet space. Conflicts may be interpreted broadly, including the linguistic, economic, social, ethnic, national, religious, or political. We seek to avoid Russocentrism, highlighting the underrepresented. However, we also acknowledge the responsibility Russians have to interrogate the cultural forces that undergird, promote, or permit Russian authoritarianism and imperialism. For this reason, we also invite Russian dissident voices.’ https://www.pocketsamovar.com/submissions

31st May ‘Reckon Review accepts prose (fiction and non-fiction) of any length. No poetry please… This is where we tell you what our aesthetic is, but we don’t like rules, and believe guidelines cramp creativity. Send us honest and vulnerable, something you’re proud of, something that will keep us up at night. Meagan’s taste skews gritty and rural, but she loves surprises.’ https://reckonreview.com/submissions/

31st May ‘This summer, we are celebrating Farmer-ish kids with a special issue written for kids and by kids. Because future generations are our hope, we are excited to present an opportunity for young writers, ages 12-18, to share their stories or passions for farming, gardening, nature, and more.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://farmerish.net/farmer-ish-kids-summer-solstice-call-for-submissions/

31st May ‘We want real life content that makes us choke into our coffee. Whether it is something overheard in Wellington, Auckland, Tulum, LA or Brooklyn NY. Send us your hilarious snippets, your short essays on life, and see how far you can push it.’ https://www.follyjournal.com/submissions CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL)

1st Jun ‘We seek to publish the best in Black and Brown poetry, fiction, and non-fiction from established, emerging, and never-before-published writers around the world.’ Theme: Climate. PAYING https://drylandla.wordpress.com/submit/

1st Jun ‘O:JA&L’s Buttonhook Press will consider pamphlet collections of 8 (minimum) to 16 (maximum) pages of poetry, prose poetry, or flash discourse, ifiction or nonfiction, including memoir.’ https://ojalartsjournal.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: they have 100 fee-free submissions per month, so get your submission in quickly!)

1st Jun ‘Saucy Pineapple Publishing is currently taking submissions for polyamorous tentacle lover stories for Treasured Tentacles. This anthology is just for fun because… well, we’re curious. Aren’t you?’ 5000-10,000 words. PAYING https://www.saucypineapple.com/call-for-submissions-treasured-tentacles/

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!)

None this month! Normal service should be resumed soon…

Comps and calls for April 2023

Hello everyone,

Many thanks to those of you you have wished me well with my wrist operation. Sadly, it was postponed due to the junior doctor strikes. I’m not blaming them at all, by the way – rather I blame those who make the strikes necessary. Anyway! Onwards and upwards…

Here’s an issue that affects me directly and I’m sure some of you too. Recently I’ve had work accepted for two projects, both of which involved events for their authors. Unfortunately, neither of those events was disabled-accessible. I’ve heard organisers say that it can be really hard to find accessible venues – I know, but when I’ve organised events, I’ve always managed it by making it a priority and thinking creatively. So I feel excluded, and I’m saying to any of you who organise events: don’t exclude us. Just don’t. It’s a really bad thing to do. If your event requires a non-accessible space: could you change your event?

On a happier note, NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) is here! Could you write a poem every day in April? Why not have a go?

Huge love as always to my Patreon heroes, who help to keep this site going.

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

5th Apr Spectator Competition No. 3294 ‘You are invited to provide the first 16 lines of an ode to a turnip or another similarly unglamorous vegetable. Email entries to lucyATspectatorDOTcoDOTuk by midday on 5 April.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-shall-i-compare-thee-to-a-stilton/ (Cathy’s note: you have to scroll down the page to see the competition.)

7th Apr Up to 750 words of flash, nonfiction or prose poem on the theme of Levity. PAYING https://www.invisiblecitylit.com/contests/

12th Apr Spectator Competition No. 3295 ‘You are invited to submit a comically appalling final paragraph to the worst of all possible novels. Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucyATspectatorDOTcoDOTuk by midday on 12 April.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-poems-for-betty-boothroyd/

14th Apr ‘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: Amazing Race/Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

15th Apr ‘As part of the Green Stories Competition, this contest challenges you to create an uplifting short story of superheroes that respond to climate change. Imagine your target audience to be teens and young adults that enjoy watching superhero films. It is NOT enough to just raise awareness of environmental issues, you need to show how we might solve them.’ Up to 2000 words. PAYING https://www.greenstories.org.uk/upcoming-competitions/superhero-competition/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk for this one)

15th Apr Up to 3 flash fictions, each up to 500 words. Must be science/speculative fiction. PAYING https://www.iftheresanyoneleft.com/submission-guidelines

16th Apr Fiction, CNF, Humor, and three kinds of poetry. Please submit to one category only. PAYING https://writersalliance.org/bacopa-literary-review/

24th Apr Your Story #123 ‘Write a drabble—a short story of exactly 100 words—based on the photo prompt.’ https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions/your-story-123 (Cathy’s note: there’s no prize except for publication, but I occasionally include these because they are fun or have an interesting prompt.)

30th Apr ‘We call on you—poets, writers, fellow human beings—help us expose the especially heinous crimes committed against a peaceful and law-abiding group of Chinese citizens: Falun Gong practitioners.’ PAYING  https://fofg.org/competitions/2023-poetry-competition/

30th Apr Write and submit a short story of no more than 8,000 words. It must be a work of fantasy, though all fantasy genres are open, e.g. epic fantasy, heroic fantasy, sword and sorcery, contemporary fantasy, etc.’ PAYING https://www.baen.com/contest-faa

1st May ‘Every year, QSF holds a flash fiction contest to create an amazing new anthology of queer speculative fiction stories. We ask authors to do the nearly-impossible – to submit a sci fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror LGBTIQA story that has no more than 300 words.’ Theme: Rise. PAYING https://www.queerscifi.com/flash-contest-rules/?cn-reloaded=1

1st May Speculative fiction up to 3500 words on the theme of Preserve or Purge. PAYING https://parsec-sff.org/short-story-contest/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Apr ‘The Sprawl Mag will accept submissions of speculative poetry, short fiction, and visual art from Volume 1.2. Whether it is utopic, dystopic, magical, or sci-fi, we look forward to seeing your work… Please, for the love of Mars, only send us work that is speculative (sci-fi & fantasy).’ PAYING https://www.thesprawlmag.ca/guidelines

2nd Apr The Micro issue. Up to five poems of up to ten lines each, polished fiction of up to 500 words, and more.PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://arkanamag.org/submit/ (Cathy’s note: re payment – there’s an Editor’s Choice Award in each genre, with a cash payment.)

3rd Apr ‘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: Kindness. https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom

5th Apr Poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, and fake nonfiction: ‘Nonfiction includes what we call “fake” nonfiction. Think of it as fiction that reads like nonfiction. This can include anything from reviews of non-existent books, interviews with imaginary people, bogus letters to the editor, etc. Use your imagination. If you’re unsure whether your piece falls into this category, send it to us anyway. We’ll sort it out.’  http://www.defenestrationmag.net/submissions/

7th Apr Short science fiction. PAYING https://adamant.moksha.io/publication/lightspeed/guidelines

10th Apr ‘Wordpeace is featuring poems, fiction, essays and artwork for a special section of the spring/summer 2023 issue. We’d like to give space to the losses due to Roe being overturned the backing away of civil society from the extension of autonomy to trans people, medical rights for marginalized populations or other related issues… We want work which asks for positive change, critiques the status quo, is forward thinking, and takes a stand.’ https://wordpeace.co/about/

10th Apr Flash, short fiction and more on the subject of Disintegration. https://thewoolfx.com/submit/

10th Apr Poetry and prose on the theme of Cities and Borders. https://www.tabipopoetry.com/submit

10th Apr or until filled (this is the deadline for FREE submissions – for the rest of the month, a fee will be charged). Humorous steampunk stories and related poetry. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://nat1publishing.com/get-involved/submit/

14th Apr ‘The world of STEM doesn’t just open up a lot of possibilities in life; it can also open up possibilities in love. So for this issue, we want stories of scientists whose relationship goes from professional to personal, two crime-scene techs who connect on the job, or a math teacher who falls for someone who hates arithmetic. As long as the stories show off great chemistry, we’re bound to fall in love.’ Flash fiction 700-1000 words. https://sparkflashfiction.com/submission-guidelines/

14th Apr ‘On this occasion, submissions are open to women writers only, inclusive of those who identify as non-binary and trans women…We are looking for short stories (fiction) to join our upcoming title, “All Women are Werewolves: An Anthology of Womanhood.” This anthology is a collection of stories about the transformative experiences that shape womanhood; dark, uncanny, curious and captured by vivid, varied feminine voices… We are looking for exceptional writing; think Literary fiction and magical realism. ‘ 1500-6000 words. PAYING https://www.erropress.com/submissions

15th Apr  ‘Send us your best unpublished stories of approximately 50 words about  “Waiting for a Friend.” Tapping your toe, or daydream drifting. Is this an old friendwho is always late, or a new one you don’t know a thing about. Waiting. Does it come easy, or does it infuriate. What’s your take? So many stray thoughts, and all we can do is wait and wonder. No attachments, poetry, bios, or AI generated content please.’ http://www.blink-ink.org/current-submissions/

15th Apr  ‘FlowerSong Press is currently seeking outstanding and unique manuscripts from Latinx authors in the area of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. We are seeking already finished, full-length novels from Latinx authors ranging from 75,000 to 150,000 words. We are not currently accepting short stories, novellas, or short story collections.’ https://www.flowersongpress.com/call-for-submissions

15th Apr Poetry, fiction and much more on the theme of Sex Magic. PAYING https://ev0kepublication.com/contributors/

15th Apr ‘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: Endings. https://www.dorothyparkersashes.com/submit

15th Apr ‘Our Fall 2023 issue will be dedicated to poems written in response to prompts. The poems may be any subject, style, or length, but must have been generated by a writing prompt. Include a note beneath each poem briefly explaining what the prompt was and where it came from.’ PAYING https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/245590/tribute-to-prompt-poems

15th Apr Poetry and prose on the theme of Wholeness. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://universaltable.org/wisingup.html

15th Apr Poetry, prose and more on the theme of Rivers. https://aboutplacejournal.org/submissions/

15th Apr Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Perseverance. https://arborealmag.com/submissions/

16th Apr ‘Our theme for this issue is “in conversation.” We are looking for submissions directly inspired by other creative works or other artists. Some thoughts on how to approach this theme: considering the same subject matter as your favorite writer through your own eyes; using a color palette similar to that of a film that you like; representing a great song through sculpture; musing on a poet’s influence on your life; a comic inspired by your favorite painting.’ https://orangepeelmag.wordpress.com/submit/

17th Apr ‘We’re thrilled to announce the call for submissions for the Summer 2023 Edition of the Creatopia® Collection Magazine. This issue is all about embracing the theme of “Ready,” and we’re looking for your modern, vibrant, edgy, bold, and energetic contributions that evoke the spirit of adventure, vigor, strength, and expansion.’ https://creatopia.studio/creatopia-call-for-contributions-summer-2023-ready-theme/

23rd Apr ‘HOAX offers artists and writers a unique framework within which to show creative work that incorporates text. We present work online, in print, and through events and exhibitions. This also forms a wider, ongoing collection or survey of work existing at the intersection of art and creative writing.’ PAYING https://hoaxpublication.org/submissions (Cathy’s note: despite the name, I can’t find any evidence that this is actually a hoax! But I could always be wrong!)

24th Apr Poetry, flash and more on the theme of Buds & Blooms. https://cosmic-daffodil.squarespace.com/submissionguidelines

25th Apr Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, book reviews, literature analysis, art, interviews and hybrid works on the theme of A Focus on Feminism. https://sites.google.com/creationmag.org/creationmag/submit

28th Apr Nonfiction poetry on the theme of Archive. ‘How can we, as poets, return to the archive and reanimate voices and lives silenced through time and the resolve of official record-makers? How else might we think of, approach and (re)imagine archives, as cosmologies, as expansive structures for comprehending larger, wider dimensions, like the past, time, universes? For this issue, we are interested in poems that explore, engage with, test and challenge ‘the archive’ as place, space, repository and/or concept.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://rabbitpoetry.com/contribute-to-rabbit (Cathy’s note: Australian contributors are paid, whereas international contributors receive copies of the journal.)

30th Apr ‘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. Flash fiction only for this particular call.’ https://www.khoreomag.com/submissions-fiction/

30th Apr Stories 1200-7000 words on the theme of Ill Winds and Wild Weather. PAYING http://smokingpenpress.com/submissions-2

30th Apr Pirate Gold: ‘ stories featuring pirates are welcome. From Pirates of the Caribbean to Treasure Planet and everything in between.’ 3000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES  https://dragonsoulpress.com/shortstorycalls/

30th Apr Soul Ink: ‘All poetry pieces are welcome. There is no theme.’ ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/poetrycalls/

30th Apr Short stories by young authors. https://www.castofwonders.org/submissions/schedule/

30th Apr ‘Inter et Inter from the Latin means Between and Between. Inter et Inter Magazine aspires to showcase speculative writing. We plan on publishing online issues biannually (May and December) and to compose a print version featuring work from both issues annually. We invite writing that—on the spectrum of genre—falls somewhere in-between.’ https://movingwordsart.wordpress.com/

30th Apr ‘We are looking to solve murders, investigate disappearances, and find clues, but with a twist. Send us your stories of cyborg sleuths, goblin gumshoes, and enchanted investigators. We want tales of fantasy, sci fi and horror with a strong mystery or investigation theme. Stories should be around 5,000 words, but that’s not a hard limit.’ PAYING http://www.inklingspress.com/submissions.html

30th Apr Fiction and nonfiction. ‘You must include some information about your relationship to fandom in your cover letter. This is a magazine for publishing the original work of fans. If you don’t identify as a fan, we can’t accept your work.’ PAYING https://www.oficmag.com/submit

30th Apr To Live Here – a haiku anthology. ‘The theme of the anthology is ´home´. We encourage writers to think about earth as our shared home, our connection with nature and the urban environment, and how climate change is affecting us and our habitat (think outside the box!).’ CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE https://www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/to-live-here-a-haiku-anthology

30th Apr Nonfiction, fiction and poetry ‘… related to the concept of the city, whatever that means to you. we’re looking for your stories about city life, your odes to your favorite subway lines, your portraits of a skyscraper on fire. we’re also looking for works set in cities, real or fictional, that engage with the general concept of city life and all it entails.’ https://www.underscoremag.com/submit

30th Apr ‘We are looking for your darkest, strangest microfiction in the form of user manuals, FAQs, and how-to guides for the use of (or by) robots!’ Up to 250 words. PAYING https://apex-magazine.com/blog/strange-machines-an-anthology-of-dark-user-manualsstrange-machines/

30th Apr Poetry, flash, and CNF on the theme of Transformation. https://www.3centsmagazine.com/submit

30th Apr ‘The Writers’ Co-op invites submissions of short stories (and poems) for the sixth edition of our yearly anthology, The Rabbit Hole, scheduled for release in October 2023. Following this year’s fifth edition, we continue to explore how ‘weird’ fits into numerous genres or themes with a new theme, “Destination: Journey.”’ Up to 5000 words. ROYALTIES  https://writercoop.wordpress.com/the-co-op-anthology-submission-guidelines/

30th Apr ‘MIDLVLMAG publishes short/flash fiction, poetry, prose, and CNF/essays.’ Theme: Supply Chain. https://midlvlmag.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Apr Stories on the theme of Stella’s Secret Sonata. https://pureslush.com/submissions/current-submissions/stellas-secret-sonata-music-folio-2/

30th Apr ‘The PRIDE issue (submission window 4/10-4/30, pub date 6/7) – an issue dedicated entirely to queer love, just in time for PRIDE! (please please send us more work exploring aro/ace love … please??)’ https://miniskirtmagazine.com/main-pages/submissions/

30th Apr Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of On the Move. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.amsterdamquarterly.org/submissions/

30th Apr ‘We accept pieces from the perspective of animals who are as present and authoritative as human characters, the reciprocal bond between human and animal that bewildered, challenged, and changed the human, and discoveries that reveal how close in space and mind the animal and human kingdoms are.’ Theme: Ocean Animals. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL); PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://www.honeyguidemag.com/submit (Cathy’s note: if you are chosen as a featured writer, then you will be paid.)

31st Apr (sic). Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Light. https://www.outtherelitmag.com/submissions

1st May Poetry, fiction and CNF. SOME CONTRIBUTORS GET CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES  https://www.theheartlandreview.com/the-heartland-review (Cathy’s note: this is presented as a contest, but as there’s no prize except publication, and only US contributors get a contributor copy, this doesn’t qualify as a comp for Comps and Calls.)

1st May Fiction, nonfiction and poetry all starting with the same first line: ‘All the lawns on Mentone Avenue are mowed on Wednesdays.’ PAYING  http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm

1st May Poetry on the theme of Titration. ‘Interpret that theme any way you’d like. Teach us how to add just enoughwater to dry flour before baking the bread. Tell us about your high school chemistry class. That livestream of the waterfall slowly but surely collapsing stone. All the liminal spaces & everything else. The state lines & the 12:01am’s, one pipette droplet at a time.’ https://vilasavenue.com/submissions-2/

1st May ‘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: Rock ‘n’ Roll. https://www.dorothyparkersashes.com/submit

1st May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Resistance. https://halfwaydownthestairs.net/submissions/

1st May Tales of the Apocalypse. 5000-10,000 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://threeravenspublishing.com/tales-of-the-apocalypse/

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!)

‘Haunted Doll House is an imprint of Agape Editions that publishes full-length books in print.  As our name suggests, we aren’t afraid of the dark: we live there. We want your horror stories, your mystery novels, your dark sf/f, your genre-resistant writing about the ecstasies, traumas, and terrors that took you to the very edges of yourself.’ https://agape-editions.com/submission-guidelines/

Poetry, fiction, and more. PAYING https://gavialidae.com/submissions/

Speculative poetry, flash, short fiction, and CNF on the theme of Into the Forest. PAYING https://spacecatpress.co.uk/submission/

Poetry and prose. https://www.parislitup.com/submissions

‘We accept all types of writing in (Cathy wonders: ‘and’ instead of ‘in’?) art in the categories poetry, fiction, nonfiction, dramatic script, general art, and cover art.’ https://mollusklit.com/submissions

Horror stories and poems on the theme of Monsters. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://horrorstorymagazine.com/2023/03/06/taking-submissions-for-edition-1/

‘Harbor Review is an online space for poetry, audio, and art. We are a feminist journal: we believe women’s rights are human rights, abortion is essential healthcare and an essential human right, and all people deserve equal protection under the law. Our goal is to address gender parity and marginalization in publishing. We are committed to giving diverse voices a home and amplifying the reach of our contributors by providing a forum for conversations between the work of both new and experienced artists and poets.’ https://www.harbor-review.com/about