Hello everyone,
It’s June, and Summer is on the way here in the UK. So are rising prices, inflation, poverty and so on, unfortunately. Writing can be a break from stress. You can take that fear or worry or sorrow and write a story making it a monster, where you defeat it utterly, forever. Or you can write a poem about all the things you think and feel, or what your perfect world would be like. On a computer screen, or paper, you can make anything happen…
There are loads of interesting calls and comps this month. Go on – have a go!
Love to my Patreon people and others who make one-off donations. I appreciate it so much. xxx
Much love,
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
3rd Jun ‘For this mini-contest, tell, show, or evoke a complete story between 25 and 50 words long that is told from the point of view of an unreliable narrator. That is, you shouldn’t expect the reader to understand the story the same way the narrator does. Remember that an unreliable narrator isn’t necessarily a fool! The readers just have to recognize something in the story being told that the narrator doesn’t.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/
6th Jun ‘Serendipity and Writing East Midlands are looking for creative writers from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora to submit short stories for the 2022 edition of BlackInk’s Writing Competition.’ PAYING https://writingeastmidlands.co.uk/for-writers/blackink-new-writing-competition-2022/
7th Jun Haiku on the theme of Water, and unthemed haiga. E-CERTIFICATE https://www.santoka.rs/en/open-calls/ (Cathy’s note: there’s no prize except an e-diploma, and your work may be published without pay. Still, why not have a go?)
8th Jun Spectator Comp No. 3253: me time. ‘You are invited to provide a poem entitled ‘Song of Myself’ in the style of a well-known writer. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucyATspectator.co.uk by midday on 8 June.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-sonnets-on-mammon
14th Jun Spec flash on the theme provided. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/
15th Jun ‘…the award showcases outstanding responses to the AIDS pandemic and the realities of individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in the genres of fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction.’ PAYING https://aumag.org/chrishewittawards/
15th Jun Spactator Comp No. 3254: hard times. You are invited to tweak a well-known book title to reflect the straitened times we live in (e.g. Lidl Women) and provide an extract of up to 150 words. Please email entries to lucyATspectator.co.uk by midday on 15 June. PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-platinum-jubilee-poems-from-kipling-and-a-a-milne
23rd Jun (opens 17th Jun) Microfiction on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/
30th Jun Flash Fiction up to 300 words. PAYING https://shadygroveliterary.wixsite.com/shadygroveliterary/about
30th Jun Poem. PAYING https://www.sps.com/contest-3
SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES
5th Jun Spec flash fiction 300-1000 words on the theme of Laziness/Diligence. POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: if your work is used in an anthology, then you’ll get paid. Otherwise, you won’t.)
6th Jun Women only: ‘Keys: Our Issue 95 theme is about cogs and spindles, locking and unlocking – and what lies inside.’ Fiction, poetry and more. PAYING https://mslexia.co.uk/submit-your-work/
10th Jun Theme: Magic, Lost and Found! ‘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.’ http://www.youngravensliteraryreview.org/submission-guidelines.html
10th Jun Theme: Connection. ‘At Fathom we publish articles, personal essays, profiles, interviews, book reviews, Bible exposition, theological and/or historical analysis, poetry, and short stories.’ https://www.fathommag.com/writing-for-fathom
12th Jun ‘HOWL is a literary platform showcasing the creative wail in Irish writing from around the world. We want the raw and the real. If it excites you, we want you to send it to us. We accept poetry and prose (fiction and non-fiction). We also accept original photography and artwork for use in our print publication and/or website.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.howlwriting.ie/
12th Jun Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Tender. PAYING https://www.antithesisjournal.com.au/submit
15th Jun Theme: Standing Up. ‘Every day, things happen right in front of you that you believe are wrong. You could act on that belief. Most days, for all sorts of reasons, you don’t bother. But on that day, for whatever reason, you did. You rose up: against tyranny, convention, rudeness, unfavourable odds, malevolence, apathy.’ Prose and poetry. CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE https://offtopicpublishing.com/opencalls/#standingupukraine
15th Jun Theme: Names. ‘NAMES is a folio exploring the things we call ourselves and each other. Names can apply to people, to places, to works of art or even to events. The naming of a person or place often ties them to a culture, a political context and a language.’ Poetry, CNF, visual poems, and artwork. https://violetindigoblueetc.com/submissions/
15th Jun SF/F poetry on the theme of Veterans of Alien Wars. PAYING http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html
15th Jun ‘We are looking for 12 unique poems exhibiting different types of form poetry to fill out our 2023 poetry day planner. Each month will highlight a different form. Send us your glosas, your sonnets, your elegies, even your villanelles!’ PAYING https://bellpressbooks.com/submissions/#Planner
15th Jun Theme: Rituals. ‘Send us your best nonfiction, poetry, or work that blends these forms.’ PAYING https://bellpressbooks.com/submissions/#Rituals
15th Jun Theme: Framework of the Human Body. ‘Send us your best short stories, poems/art songs, creative nonfiction pieces, personal essays, features, and scripts.’ ‘For this call, we are particularly interested in Canadian authors, though some International submissions may be accepted. Priority is given to Canadian work to align with Canadian granting body requirements.’ PAYING https://bellpressbooks.com/submissions/#Rituals
15th Jun Haiku and Senryu: Memory. https://poetrypea.com/submission-topics-2022/
15th Jun Theme: Ghosts and Gossip. ‘We are particularly interested in experimental and hybrid works across all mediums: send the almost, the unexplainable, the confessions, the collaged. Send us your poems, your verse, your translations, your drawn, your ballads, your photographs, your tea, and your double scoops with no napkins.’ Poetry, prose, and more.PAYING https://www.kaleidoscopedmag.com/
15th Jun Poetry and fiction on the theme of Dreamland. https://www.planisphereq.com/p/guidelines.html
15th Jun ‘Stories with Dracula himself as the main focus. His name is on the cover of the book, but he’s not the star of the show. Let’s change that.’ PAYING https://www.dbspress.com/submissions
17th Jun ‘We are pleased to announce a call for contributions to our Summer 2022 Edition of the Creatopia® Collection Magazine, a visual and design centric magazine edition with peppy tomato red and vibrant turquoise for an easygoing Summer with a “Retro” theme. We welcome contributions from authors, artists, and makers of all kinds who have something beautiful to bring to the world.’ https://creatopia.studio/creatopia-call-for-contributions-for-summer-2022-retro/
17th Jun Wildly original fairy tales and myths. ‘Capture an adulthood dilemma so universal it transcends culture and time—then explain it so a child can understand. Any era. Any world. Any hero or antihero. Focus on the hardest-earned lessons of your life. The things you WISH someone had explained to you earlier, and wrap that wisdom in a package “younger you” would have adored.’ PAYING https://mythulu.submittable.com/submit
18th Jun ‘We want to hear how you are adapting to a world in a climate shift. For our 5th volume of SHIFT, send us your poetry, prose, and plays about how climate change is impacting your world.’ https://shift-write.com/submit
30th Jun ‘The Rainbow Issue of Fairy Tale Review will be dedicated to queer fairy tales written by queer writers.’ PAYING https://www.fairytalereview.com/submit/
30th Jun Theme: Monstrous Futures. ‘I’ve been referring to this anthology as “the next season of Black Mirror that never got aired” and that’s exactly what I’m looking for–dark sci-fi with an emphasis on exploring our connection with technology and one another through speculative concepts and backdrops. I want every piece to look at some aspect of our lives through a “what if” lens and only lean on science as much as strictly necessary to show those human experiences.’ 2000-4000 words. PAYING https://darkmattermagazine.shop/pages/dark-matter-presents-monstrous-futures
30th Jun ‘We’re looking for stories, poems, and drabbles about malevolent mermaids, sinister sirens, scary selkies, and other deadly and dangerous women of the deep blue sea.’ PAYING https://brigidsgatepress.com/?page_id=17
30th Jun ‘We are seeking stories for an anthology to be titled The Librarian which will collect stories about one Librarian’s adventures roving through the multiverse.’ 1000-30000 words. PAYING http://aanpress.com/submissions.html
30th Jun ‘Autonomous Press is now accepting submissions of short fiction, short memoir, and poetry for the seventh volume of Spoon Knife, our annual multi-genre neuroqueer lit anthology.’ Theme: transitions. PAYING http://autpress.com/2021/01/call-for-submissions-spoon-knife-7/
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.’ Theme: Connection/Community. https://www.redrosethorns.com/magazine
30th Jun ‘You don’t have to be a parent to know just how horrifying children can be. We want your stories innocent youngsters turned malevolent (think: The Omen, Children of the Corn, The Midwich Cuckoos, etc.)- the more terrifying the better!’ 4k-10k words. PAYING https://www.hellboundbookspublishing.com/subs-anthologies.html
30th Jun Stories, poems and more on the theme of Myths, Fables and Folklore. PAYING https://quarterpress.com/the-quarterly-journal
30th Jun ‘Our Autumn 2022 Edition theme is Falling Leaves. We’re looking for stories, poems, and essays that explore a season of change in life. Write about falling, leaving, and letting go.’ https://capsulestories.com/submissions/
30th Jun Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Dust. https://www.fieryscribereview.com.ng/p/submissions.html
30th Jun Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Time. https://www.inscribejournal.com/writeforusjournal
30th Jun ‘Coffin Bell is a quarterly online journal of dark literature. Submissions now open–seeking poetry, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, essay, and short criticism that explore dark themes.’ Theme: The Zodiac. https://coffinbell.submittable.com/submit
31st Jun (sic) Poetry on the theme of Family. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.thepoetmagazine.org/contribute
1st Jul Folk horror 2000-7000 words. PAYING https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/open-submission
1st Jul Theme: Stigma. ‘This collection welcomes submissions from anyone who considers themselves disabled, or substantially limited, socially, emotionally, cognitively, or mentally.’ PAYING https://www.substantiallyunlimited.com/submissions
1st Jul Poetry and fiction on the theme of The Crumpled Yellow Paper. PAYING http://themaliterarysociety.com/submissions.html (Cathy’s note: readers from outside the USA may submit electronically.)
1st Jul or until filled: creepy/unsettling poetry and short fiction about winter and a tree. PAYING https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.com/submissions-stillofwinter
1st Jul Odes. https://www.upthestaircase.org/submit.html
1st Jul (probably – it just says ‘July’.) ‘After the success of the first Trailer Park anthology, we’ve decided to bring it back next year for another go. Stories should be original creature feature, horror-comedy with the same feel as The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Shaun of the Dead, or Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. And of course, our heroes winning the day in all of their redneck glory.’ 7k-10k words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://threeravenspublishing.com/it-came-from-the-trailer-park-vol-2/
1st Jul ‘Still Point Arts Quarterly is a truly beautiful and engaging art and literary journal. Produced four times a year, each issue focuses on a theme and features historical and contemporary art, fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The Quarterlyhas been praised for its rich content as well as its splendid layout and design. Intended for artists, nature lovers, seekers, and enthusiasts of all types.’ Theme: Immersed in books. https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/still-point-arts-quarterly-nRb7B
1st Jul Poetry and fiction on the theme of Baseball. PAYING https://thetwinbill.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!)
‘We publish monthly. No reading fees, contest or submission fees. Not for anyone, ever. We pay ($70 per original piece of writing). Marginalized identities only. For us this means folks of color. Black creatives to the front!’ PAYING https://www.hennepinreview.com/contact (thanks to www.erikadreifus.com for this one)
Fiction, poetry and much more. PAYING https://proteanmag.com/submissions/
‘We are currently accepting literary fiction and literary nonfiction such as memoir.’ https://www.dundurn.com/resources/submissions
Poetry. flash, short fiction and much more. Long forms accepted too. https://www.roifaineantpress.com/submissions-1
Poetry and prose. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL)https://www.nervousghostpress.org/thewaitingroomguidelines
‘We accept quality short fiction, poetry, haiku, and some art. We want to read good writing that we can enjoy while sipping our favorite dram of whisky. If you can work a little whisky and/or one or more of our favorite authors into your writing, even better…’ https://www.whiskyblot.com/submit.html
‘Slouching Beast Journal is looking for unpublished poems / prose / flash fiction / any kind of short experimental / hybrid work.’ https://slouchingbeastjournal.com/submit/
Poetry and fiction. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.thrillingtales.com/litbop/
Flash and short fiction. ‘We’re warming towards strangely uplifting pieces full of dark humour and thoughtful insights. We love dirty-real writing that is more Bukowski meets Withnail and I with an edge than Lock Stock or Requiem for a Dream.’ https://www.bristolnoir.co.uk/submission-guidelines/
Until filled: Fiction up to 3000 words on the theme of Space Horror. PAYING https://www.ladiesofthefright.com/blog
‘We want works that focus on expressing, not impressing. Above all else, we want stories that connect. Our only restrictions? It has to be either flash fiction or creative nonfiction, 1,000 words or less. Other than that, surprise us.’ PAYING https://macromic.org/submit/
‘Seeking, especially, the strange: magical realism. Surrealism. Dreams. Night Terrors. Ritual. Myth. Love.’ Poetry, prose and drama. https://www.theshoutflower.com/submit