Comps and calls for November 2021

Hello everyone,

Good news on the breast cancer front – after examining 18 samples of me, the team gave me the all-clear! Hurrah! I’ll have to be checked frequently to see if anything nasty is hiding behind my lumpy bits, but that’s OK. Many thanks for all your good wishes and kindness. Several of you have been in touch about having cancer, often on top of other problems with health, money or family. I can’t stop thinking about you and I send best wishes and healing vibes.

As another correspondent mentioned, things are all topsy-turvy at the moment. Love to all of you, whatever your challenges are.

So here are this month’s listings, and I hope you like them. There are loads of interesting comps and calls this month – remember my writing mantra: Have a go! But this month I’ll add: remember to write for fun. Remember to write for therapy. Take a theme and enjoy it. If submitting and entering are too much for you right now, that’s OK. Enjoy your writing!

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

Weekly: Just Back: travel writing. PAYING https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/just-back-travel-writing-competition/

3rd Nov Spectator Competition No. 3224: Tourist misinformation. ‘Now that we are allowed to travel more freely, it’s a good time to resurrect an old favourite. You are invited to submit snippets of misleading advice either for tourists visiting Britain or for British tourists travelling abroad. Please email entries to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 3 November.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-odes-on-the-marble-arch-mound

5-7th Nov ‘On the first Friday of every month, a new set of story prompts will be revealed. You will have 55 hours to submit your best 500-word (or fewer) story for the chance to win… (drumroll)… $500!’ PAYING https://www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fiction/

10th Nov Spectator Competition No. 3225: night terrors. ‘You are invited to provide a version of the Lord Chancellor’s ‘Nightmare Song’, for any member of the British cabinet, starting ‘When you’re lying awake…’ and continuing for up to 16 lines. Please email entries to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 10 November.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-dystopian-animal-stories

15th Nov Poem on the theme of This Urge for the Truth. PAYING https://www.newyorkencounter.org/2022-poetry-contest (thanks to www.winningwriters.com)

15th Nov US only: ‘The Treehouse Climate Action Poem Prize is given to honor exceptional poems that help make real for readers the gravity of the vulnerable state of our environment at present.’ PAYING https://poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/treehouse-climate-action-poem-prize

19th Nov ‘We’re excited to announce our newest One Teen Story Contest! From September 9th through November 19th, 2021, we’re asking writers ages 13-19 to enter their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience—literary, fantasy, sci-fi, love stories, horror, etc. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end… Some examples of stories we look out for are ones that deal with issues of identity, friendship, family, and coming-of-age. Gratuitous profanity, sex, and drug use are best avoided.’ PAYING https://www.one-story.com/index.php?page=submit&pubcode=ots

26th Nov ‘We are looking for good storytelling (fiction or non-fiction) written specifically for delivery and reading/viewing on a PC or Mac, the web, or a hand-held device such as an iPad or mobile phone. It could be a short story, novel, poem, narrative game, documentary, or transmedia work using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction. Interactivity is a key element of new-media storytelling.’ PAYING https://newmediawritingprize.co.uk/faqs/

28th Nov ‘The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in the 11th grade in the U.S. or abroad. Contest judges are poets on the Princeton University Creative Writing faculty, which includes Michael Dickman, Paul Muldoon, Rowan Ricardo Phillips and Susan Wheeler, among others. Applicants may submit up to 3 poems.’ PAYING https://arts.princeton.edu/about/opportunities/high-school-contests/poetry-contest/

30th Nov short story up to 1500 words. VOUCHER/OTHER  https://www.secret-attic.co.uk/p/short-story-contest.html (Cathy’s note: As the results are announced on 12th Dec, I’m assuming that the deadline of 31st Dec is a misprint. Or the other way round…if I’m wrong, send it in early December!)

30th Nov Up to three poems. ‘Theme is human rights. Familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is recommended.’ There’s a youth option too. PAYING https://www.anitamcandrews.com/news-and-events

30th Nov Write a 50-word story about a pair of wellies. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/fifty-words-competitions/write-a-story-featuring-a-pair-of-wellies

30th Nov Metrical sonnet. PAYING https://www.betterthanstarbucks.org/sonnet-contest

1st Dec US only: ‘This award honors Tony Quagliano’s legacy as an experimental poet and editor. It recognizes an accomplished poet with an outstanding body of innovative, cutting-edge work pushing the boundaries of poetic craft, such as experimental approaches to form and/or language. This award also recognizes a poet who contributes meaningfully to a literary community.’ http://www.tonyquaglianopoetry.com/poetry-award-competition-2021.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Nov ‘We will accept short-form fiction any way you want to write it. This can include poetry, flash fiction or short stories.’ ‘We want your best stories about spooky old houses and the creep-crawlies that float forlornly down back passageways, leave strange cold spots in libraries, and come out at night to terrify unsuspecting guests.’ PAYING https://www.periodicalforlorn.com/submission-guidelines

5th Nov Theme: Healing Hands. ‘The world needs some healing. What do the hands of a healer look like? What does it feel? Open for speculative poetry, prose (fiction & non-fiction), comics & art. AKA. a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, magic realism, futuristic. Non-fiction should tie in to the theme of the greater work and include either literary theory, philosophy, or science.’ ROYALTIES https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/macromicrocosm-1lhW7

7th Nov Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Friends & Family. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

7th Nov Theme: Dark Arts. ‘We’re looking for stories, essays, memoir and poetry to do with enchantment and scheming, in any context. Black magic, witchcraft and wizardry are the obvious subjects, but we welcome wider interpretations of the theme.’ PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

8th Nov ‘The London Reader is issuing an open call for creative climate writing about the weather, disaster, and perseverance. Bad Weather is an upcoming collection of stories, poetry, and art about people facing the immediate effects of climate change in harrowing moments and their daily lives.’ http://londonreader.uk/2021/10/open-call-bad-weather/

8th Nov ‘Submissions must contain elements of savagery and slaughter, conducted by a person, an animal, a being other than human, or an unknown/original type of perpetrator. We are very much interested in stories with extremely original plots and not the typical “person slaughters a bunch of other people” type stories. Bonus points if the setting of the story is unique.’ 4000-12,000 words. PAYING https://www.sinistersmilepress.com/copy-of-v6-submission-guidelines

9th Nov Fiction 3000-7000 words on the theme of All Flavours Punk. ‘… basically we’re looking for Steampunk, cyberpunk, gaspunk… any punk.’ PAYING https://www.breakingrulespublishingeuro.com/upcoming-anthologies-roadmap.html

10th Nov ‘We accept submissions in all genres—including genres that many other publications overlook such as horror, science fiction, fantasy, children’s literature, graphic novel art, anything you can think of. If your work resonates with us, we will publish it!We strongly recommend you have a read of our previous issues, to see the type of pieces we are inclined to accept. Think, quirky with a sense of fun and humour. Much like ourselves.’ Theme: Bad Decisions. PAYING https://silver-apples.squarespace.com/submission-guidelines

11th Nov Writing and more on the theme of A Walk through Love Land. https://brownbag.online/submission-guidelines/(Cathy’s note: Love Land is a Korean Sex-themed Park.)

14th Nov Australian contributors paid, others not: poetry on the theme of Kin. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://cordite.org.au/submissions/

14th Nov ‘This is an anthology of short space opera stories, featuring New York Times and USA Today bestselling and Hugo award winning author Kristine Kathryn Rusch and Canadian author and three-time winner of Canada’s Aurora Award, Douglas Smith.’ 2000-7500 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://storiesrulepress.com/space-opera-digest-2022-call-for-submissions/

15th Nov ‘We are a biannual literary zine focused on women’s embodied experiences of perimenopause, menopause, and croning—minus the patriarchy.’ Theme: Expectations. https://www.hagsonfire.com/

15th Nov Young Poets Anthology. ‘The author of the poem must have been age 15 or younger when the poem was written, and 18 or younger when submitted. The poets may use their whole name, first name, or a pseudonym at their parents’ discretion. We will not publish any contact information.’ https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/34387/young-poets-anthology

15th Nov Poetry on the theme of Place. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

15th Nov ‘Space-related dark scifi, where technology and horror meet with frightening results.’ Up to 1500 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.blackinkfiction.com/sci-fi-calls

15th Nov Poetry, fiction, and much, much more. https://www.mockingowlroost.com/submission-guidelines-2/

15th Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of New Beginnings. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.writersworkout.net/waywords

15th Nov ‘Short Édition, seeks short work (8,000 character max, about 1,000 words) exploring the theme of Home. Please limit submissions to one story, one short essay, or up to five poems.’ https://lib.msu.edu/shortedition/submit/

18th Nov Theme: Acts of Reckoning.  ‘We seek submissions of essays and creative non-fiction, reportage, fiction, poetry, memoir and picture stories that address this year of change.’ PAYING https://www.griffithreview.com/guidelines-for-writers/

20th Nov Poetry, prose and more on the theme of Recovery. CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE https://www.eclipselit.org/submit

20th Nov Theme: Experimental Writing.  ‘For our print magazine, we accept short fiction, flash/micro fiction, nonfiction (memoir, literary journalism, travel narratives, etc), and original artwork (photographs, illustrations, paintings, etc) based on the designated monthly theme.’ https://www.litromagazine.com/litro-magazine-is-one-of-the-best-places-places-to-submit-writing/#print (Cathy’s note: you can also submit to the online or podcast versions of Litro.)

22nd Nov Poetry and prose on the theme Glow. PAYING https://clawandblossom.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: they have a quota for free submissions, so submit ASAP!)

30th Nov ‘As with the first anthology in this series I am looking for adventure-loving dogs, puns, water and fun. I’m looking for sailors, submariners, explorers, Vikings and more. Fun stories filled with excitement, drama, treasure-seeking, sword fights, discovering new worlds and dogs, dogs, dogs! All. The. Dogs.’ PAYING http://tychebooks.com/pirating-pups

30th Nov Stories 1200-7000 words. PAYING http://smokingpenpress.com/submissions-2

30th Nov ‘WORD Stafford are pleased to offer this call for submissions for our forthcoming anthology in support of Katharine House Hospice in Stafford. We are asking for ‘photo – poetry sets’ meaning a photograph sent in with an accompanying poem, or vice versa, a poem to be sent in with an accompanying photo. Photos must be in colour please, and poems to be no longer than 30 lines. We ask also that your submissions have a ‘Staffordshire’ theme – in any way you wish to interpret this but you do not need to be from or living in Staffordshire to enter. Please send (a maximum of 3 per person) photo poetry sets to wordstafford@gmail.com by 30th November 2021.’ CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE

30th Nov Horror story 4000-8000 words on the theme of M is for Medical. PAYING https://redcapepublishing.com/submissions/

30th Nov  ‘From September 1st to November 30th, our editors welcome our past contributors, community members, and the broader literary community to submit creative work that showcases defamiliarization in either content, form, or practice…We would be happy to read your fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, as well as experimental, cross-genre, multimedia, translated, and collaborative work, and we are especially interested in receiving craft essays about defamiliarization (or defamiliarized craft essays).’ PAYING http://thegravityofthething.com/submit/

30th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Light. https://www.inscribejournal.com/writeforusjournal

30th Nov ‘Our Spring 2022 Edition theme is Into the Light. We’re looking for stories, poems, and essays that explore growth and new possibilities after a long, dark winter. Write about moving out of a dark period of your life into the light of a new day. Give us blissful descriptions of basking in the sunlight, letting it warm you and dance on your skin. Give us euphoric poems about sunrises.’ https://capsulestories.com/submissions/

1st Dec Fiction up to 5000 words on the theme of Cosmic Menagerie. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.blackinkfiction.com/sci-fi-calls

1st Dec Poetry, screenplays and short stories. PAYING https://www.abbeyreview.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!)

‘The Riverside Quarterly currently has an open submissions policy. We accept pitches and articles year round for our quarterly publications. Acceptable submissions include: original articles, research digests, interviews, literary journalism, immersion journalism, narrative journalism, memoirs, lyric essays, cultural criticism and book reviews [between 750 & 3500 words in length] that explore the art and practice of creativity in the arts, education, and business arenas. We do accept previously published material that meets this criteria, and is timely, responding to current trends. We do not accept fiction or poetry. These arts forms are creative and important, but this is not a forum for such works.  This journal explores creativity and how it is used and expressed.’ https://riversidequarterly.com/submissions/

‘Yeehoo Press is dedicated to publishing fun, enchanting, and socially responsible children’s books for audiences around the world.’  https://www.yeehoopress.com/submissions/

‘We are looking for a wide range of stories. And, although we mainly deal in Science Fiction, Fantasy, SHTF, Slipstream, Horror, Sword and Sorcery and surreal fiction, we are also open to other stories. As a bonus, we love the humorous tales as well! We are NOT interested in explicit sex. For poetry, we are looking for very similar genres as our story topics. We deal in the surreal.’ PAYING http://syntheticrealitymagazine.com/submissions/

Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://iselemagazine.com/submission-guidelines-2/

The World of Myth Magazine accepts work in the following categories: Action/Suspense, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Science Fiction, Drabble/Flash/Micro, Poetry, Art. http://www.theworldofmyth.com/

Poetry. https://nightingale-poetry-journal-international.weebly.com/

‘Whose Pleasure is it Anyway? is a digital collection of essays, interviews, poems, visual art, film, music, and multimedia/hybrid works that will explore the feminist pleasures that activate or infuriate us. We’re looking for grouchy and disobedient desires, feral and exploratory delights, and playful and improvisational delectations. We’re looking for pieces that firmly place pleasure at the centre of their aesthetics, poetics, or politics. Submissions that laugh, tickle, and shriek in the face of frivolity, shame, and institutionalization highly encouraged.’ PAYING http://www.canthius.com/call-for-submissions-pleasures

‘Take 5ive is a new journal from the Bamboo Hut featuring only 5 line tanka, gogyohka and gogyoshi. As far as this journal is concerned I will accept tanka in 5 lines whether it follows a 5-7-5-7-7, a s-l-s-l-l or a minimalist form. Similarly with gogyohka. The lines between the two are somewhat blurred. As far as gogyoshi is concerned I default to Taro Aizu’s definition. In short, 5 lines only, any theme and give it a title. Simples !’ https://take5ive.weebly.com/

Medicine and Meaning: ‘May include poetry, fiction (e.g. short stories), or creative non-fiction (including essays).’ https://medicineandmeaning.uams.edu/about/submission-guidelines/

‘We’re an evolving community of Jews from assorted backgrounds seeking to understand what it means to be Jewish today through our writing.We come to our writing without pre-conditions, seeking through words a path that will lead us to a deeper understanding of our connection to our heritage. You’re welcome to share stories, poems, memoirs, interviews–even random thoughts–as long as you keep the focus on being Jewish and on what being Jewish means to you.’ https://jewishwritingproject.wordpress.com/about/

Full manuscripts (MSS). https://www.parkroadpublishing.com/submissions/

‘At Not Another Lit Mag, we tend to focus on work that is in conversation with pop culture. We enjoy ekphrastic poems that reflect on digital media, allusions to film tropes that characterize a speaker, meditations on pop icons. These are but a few examples.’ PAYING https://www.notanotherlitmag.com/submit.html

Comps and calls for October 2021

Hello everyone,

It’s late and it’s short, for both of which please accept my apologies. Not content with having Covid earlier this year, I’m just in the middle of a breast cancer scare. After various investigative procedures it’s looking less like cancer and more like a sclerosing thingumajig, but there are more procedures to undergo before I’m in the clear. Anyway, hence the lateness and shortness. Oh, how I long for the health and stamina of my youth! ‘If youth but knew and age could do’…

Thanks as always for your support and kindness.

Much love to you 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

6th Oct ‘Spectator Contest No 3220: chapter and verse. You are invited to supply a newly discovered short story by a well-known 19th- or 20th-century poet (please specify). Please email entries (maximum 150 words) to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 6 October.’ PAYING. https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-why-must-it-always-be-tomato-soup-

13th Oct ‘Spectator Contest No. 3221: one for the ode. You are invited to supply an ode to the Marble Arch Mound. Please email entries (maximum 16 lines) to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 13 October.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competitions-winners-w-s-gilbert-makes-a-ham-sandwich

31st Oct Unpublished writers: travel nonfiction. PAYING http://www.storyhouse.org/contest2021.html

31st Oct Writing up to 30 words on the theme of Unquiet Earth. VOUCHER  https://www.pepuptheday.com/competitions/the-unquiet-earth-2543/

1st Nov Write the opening line to a story based on the prompt provided. https://www.writersdigest.com/wd-competitions/your-story-114 (Cathy’s note: I don’t think that there’s a prize for this other than being published in Writer’s Digest, but I’ve included it because I think it’s fun.)

1st Nov (extended deadline) Age 16-30 LGBTQAI writers:  ‘The genre of play can be anything – the only requirement is that it explores queer themes with an original flair.’ PAYING https://dukeslancaster.org/news/lancaster-playwriting-prize-encourages-lgbtqai-voices-to-be-heard

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

When full: science fiction, space opera etc 2000-12,000 words on the theme of Space Treks. ROYALTIES https://starryeyedpress.com/open-submissions/

4th Oct Fiction 3000-6000 words on the theme of Intimacy. PAYING https://www.derailleur.press/submit.html#/

15th Oct ‘A story does not have to be overtly sexual or erotic to be considered for the magazine. Sexy Fantastic simply wishes to deal with adult sexuality in an unashamed, mature and playful manner… As the slant of this magazine is toward the erotic and fantastic, such stories will be favored. But the greatest deciding factor will always be the quality of the writing.’ Theme: Interplanetary. 3000-10,000 words. PAYING https://sexyfantasticmagazine.com/fictionsubmissions/

15th Oct ‘Dark of the moon or full. These are times of great mystery. Of great magic. Moonlight is our companion in the night, lighting our way or giving us second thoughts. We use light of the moon in its monthly travels to mark the passage of time and reflect on our gains or losses. What does moonlight make you think of, be it mysterious or mundane? No bios, attachments, or poetry please.’ Send your best stories of approximately 50 words about moonlight in the body of an email to: blinkinkinfo@gmail.comhttp://www.blink-ink.org/submissions/

18th Oct Poetry and articles on the theme of Quaker Heroes. https://www.friendsjournal.org/submissions/

30th Oct ‘We accept and actively solicit chapbook-length submissions of poetry from writers in Canada and around the world. We strongly encourage women, writers of colour, LGBTQ2S+ writers, Indigenous writers, and writers with disabilities to submit.’ https://rahilasghostpress.com/submit-2/

31st Oct Spec flash and spec poetry on the theme of Autumn Trees. https://www.planisphereq.com/p/guidelines.html

31st Oct ‘Timber Ghost Press is proud to present Dead Stars and Stone Arches: A Collection of Utah Horror… For this anthology, all entries must have a Utah connection, either on the part of the author or the story itself (it is called Utah horror for a reason).’ Poetry, flash, short fiction and more. PAYING https://www.timberghostpress.com/dead-stars.html

31st Oct ‘The prompt: Write a story using a hero/heroine from any era or culture and the original major plot points from their legends to craft a retelling in an entirely alternate setting. Examples: The sagas of the sons of Ragnar set in Victorian England; the epic of Odysseus during the time of the Mayans; Mulan in a Gundam-esque space war.’ 3000-9000 words. PAYING https://lostboyspress.com/2021/07/heroes-spring-2022-anthology/

31st Oct ‘We’re looking for queer tales of supernatural love for our next major anthology, slated for a February 2022 release to coincide with Valentines Day. Sweet, sexy, scary or tragic… We’d love to see your own interpretations on what queer love means to you. We only ask that your story has a supernatural / Gothic / dark element of some kind.’ 1000-6000 words. PAYING https://ghostorchidpress.com/submission-calls/

31st Oct It Calls from the Veil: horror fiction 2000-8000 words. PAYING https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/open-submission

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.laughingroninpress.com/post/submissions

1st Nov ‘DEATH IN THE MOUTH is a horror anthology showcasing BIPOC and other ethnically marginalized writers and artists from around the world.’ 1000-6000 words. PAYING https://deathinthemouth.com/

1st Nov Fiction (and occasionally poetry) 300-5000 words starting with the line: ‘Later that evening, they sat alone in their apartment, wondering if they had made the right decision.’ PAYING http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm

1st Nov Fiction, poetry and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://uwm.edu/creamcityreview/general/

1st Nov ‘We want sci-fi stories with a slathering of comedy. Think Galaxy Quest, Barbarella, Red Dwarf, Space Milkshake, The Orville. Must be primarily based in Space and full of comedy.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.blackinkfiction.com/sci-fi-calls

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and essays. PAYING https://cutleafjournal.com/submit/

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

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

‘We are currently open for submissions of science fiction novels, novellas and short reads for all ages. Please add a simple synopsis if your work is over 10,000 words.’ https://starryeyedpress.com/open-submissions/

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. (Cathy’s note: scroll down to The Rail.) https://www.derailleur.press/submit.html#/

‘The editors want you to know they are hopeful to read poems that contain fall colors (reds, yellows, browns, etc.) for this issue. Also, the reading window will be shorter than normal. That information might give you an edge!’ PAYING  https://poetryquarterly.com/submit/

Comps and calls for September 2021

Hello everyone,

Yes, I’m back! Covid was awful, but I’m very lucky, and I’m over it now. Many, many thanks to all those who contacted me, and sent good wishes, prayers, good vibes and healing thoughts. You have been FABULOUS. I was far too ill to reply to some of you, for which I apologise.

So — back to competitions and calls for submission! I hope you’ve been writing loads and enjoying it, and now you’re thinking of sending some work off. You deserve success and I hope with all my heart that you get it.

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

14th Sep (BUT fee-free submissions are capped at 300, so get your entry in ASAP!!!!! – Cathy’s note). Flash fiction up to 1000 words. https://forgelitmag.com/competition/

3rd Sep Fiction 1000-5000 words on the theme of Monsters. PAYING https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/

8th Sep Spectator Competition No. 3216: rock god. ‘You are invited to retell a well-known biblical story in a secular style that might enhance its appeal to a contemporary audience. Email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 8 September.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-villanelles-after-elizabeth-bishop (Cathy’s note: scroll down for the comp.)

10th Sep Mystery story in exactly 50 words. VOUCHER/OTHER https://www.lincolnbookfestival.org/2021/06/whodunnit-mystery-revealed-as-theme-for-latest-lincoln-book-festival-flash-fiction-competition/

15th Sep ‘Articles must be unpublished, original work that relates medicine to the humanities. We welcome submissions from health professionals, students, and scholars of the humanities and social sciences. We also encourage patients to contribute pieces that reflect their experiences or perspectives on healing and health.’ PAYING https://hekint.org/2021/04/20/2021-grand-prix/

15th Sep Speculative flash fiction on the theme of Artemesia I of Caria. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

19th Sep ‘We’re so excited to announce the launch of Love to Write in partnership with Love Island winner, Amber Rose Gill, to find new voices from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds for Mills & Boon! Our aim is to increase racial diversity and representation within the romance genre, so we’re particularly interested in submissions from writers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, including, but not limited to, Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Mixed-Race.’ PAYING https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/pages/mills-boon-love-to-write-competition (With thanks to http://www.prizemagic.co.uk/html/writing_comps.htm )

25th Sep Horror fiction 1500-4000 words on the theme of Mummies. PAYING https://www.eerieriverpublishing.com/open-submission

25th Sep ‘Everyone’s perspectives have all been altered this year. Priorities have been re-orientated, the importance of connection and community has been highlighted like never before and many people’s world views have shifted, choosing to slow down, and re-evaluate what’s important in life.’ Fiction, Nonfiction or Poetry on the theme of perspective. PAYING  https://uk.beechmorebooks.com/pages/free-writing-competition-2021

30th Sep Art of Unity Creative Award:  ‘The call for submissions for 2021 is now open. We accept literary (poetry; essays and short stories under 2500 words); video; music; dance; performance or visual work around the theme: “Never again: Remembering to heal and overcome.” All pieces must be previously unpublished.’ https://www.ihraf.org/art-of-unity-creative-award

30th Sep ‘The International Human Rights Art Festival announces the creation of this new literary award, celebrating poetry, short stories (up to 2500 words) and essays which use the written word to celebrate justice.  Applicants may offer one submission in each category.’ PAYING https://www.ihraf.org/creators-of-justice-literary-awards

30th Sep Drabble on the theme of Time Travel Gone Wrong. PAYING https://www.hiraethsffh.com/drabble-contest

1st Oct  ‘The Perito Prize will be awarded to outstanding new short fiction of between 1000 and up to 2000 words… You just have to make sure the story is centred around the theme of accessibility, inclusion, diversity & inclusive environments. Also make sure it is able to be printed on the website so please don’t swear or write anything with potentially offensive content. This means no Fifty Shades of Access Auditing.’ PAYING https://weareperito.com/perito-prize

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Sep ‘We will accept short-form fiction any way you want to write it. This can include poetry, flash fiction or short stories.’ ‘For this issue, we’re looking for stories about agents of evil and their minions whose employment situation is something other than we might expect.’ PAYING https://www.periodicalforlorn.com/submission-guidelines

5th Sep Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Magic & Mayhem. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

5th Sep ‘We’d love to see your prose, flash and micro fiction, poetry, essay, creative non-fiction, photography, ekphrastics, and more!’ Theme: Masks & Manes. https://www.parliamentlit.com/contests-submissions

5th Sep ‘2k-5k word short stories written by women and femme-identifying individuals that explore the ways in which women are shaped by the men around them. There is no restriction on sub-genre or subject matter, but the story must incorporate how a feminine figure is shaped by male hands through a horror lens.’ PAYING https://cemeterygatesmedia.com/submissions/

7th Sep BIPOC-only submissions of speculative poetry and fiction. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

7th Sep Poetry and Art on the theme of Art. https://feraljournal.wordpress.com/submissions/

8th Sep Fiction 5000-10,000 words on the theme of Screaming in the Night. PAYING https://www.sinistersmilepress.com/sitn-submission-guidelines

11th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of War and Peace. https://masonstreetreview.org/submissions/

14th Sep Poetry, fiction and more. http://palaverjournal.com/submit-to-palaver/

14th Sep Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Road Trip. http://montanamouthful.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Sep Fiction on the theme of Border Crossing Narratives. PAYING https://shenandoahliterary.org/submissions/

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

15th Sep Fiction 2500-5000 words on the theme of Silence in the City. PAYING https://www.foundershousepublishing.com/2021/07/silence-in-city-open-call-for.html

15th Sep Poetry, prose and more on the theme of Nostalgia. PAYING https://www.superfroot.com/submit

19th Sep From the Yonder: ‘A horror, short-story collection of regional legends and tall-tales from around the World.’ 1000-7000 words.  PAYING https://warmonkeypublications.com/submissions

19th Sep ‘We at Zombie Works Publications are currently accepting thirteen short story submissions. They will go into our “Natural Instincts Tales of Witches and Warlocks.” We are looking for short-stories that involve as the title says, Witches and Warlocks.’ 2000-3000 words. PAYING http://zombieworks.us/

20th Sep Poetry and articles on the theme of Language of Faith for this Quaker-themed journal. https://www.friendsjournal.org/submissions/

24th Sep Full length poetry MSS for debut (first book) collections. https://www.blackocean.org/submit

30th Sep Poetry and prose. https://milkbeans.wordpress.com/contact/

30th Sep Food poetry. PAYING https://www.friendlycitybooks.com/savor

30th Sep Writing on the theme of Decay by those who don’t identify as cisgender males. https://hecate-magazine.com/submissions

30th Sep ‘Historical Fiction. Any person, location, or time period accepted as long as dragons are included.’ 5000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/anthologies/

30th Sep ‘Any stories involving a female Main Character and dragons.’ 7000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/anthologies/

30th Sep Indigenous writers only: ‘Guest editor Shauna Osborn (DJ Tenacious Oz) requests you dig up your best mixed tapes, 8 track singles, Blue Note vinyls, bootleg drum circle recordings, Bey cover band concepts, Solid Gold video tapes, old iPod playlists, and write. Oh, and before you ask, she will even listen to your collection of dubstep remixes.’ http://www.yellowmedicinereview.com/id12.html

30th Sep ‘We are interested in reading poems and short stories on the Pandemic theme that speak of the tragedies our planet and humankind have suffered and lessons derived from the Coronavirus outbreak but not limited to Covid-19. A story or poem can be about any epidemic known to the world in the 21st century. We are open to reading all kinds of work submitted to us; however, we are more inclined to publishing literature which uplifts, assures, and establishes faith in humanity.’ http://riverpawpress.com/index.php/submissions/

30th Sep ‘We are looking for “playfully dark”, intelligent, humorous, descriptive literature written for children ages 8 – 13. We invite poetry and fiction submissions by email.’ Theme: Lost. PAYING https://www.crowtoesquarterly.org/submit

30th Sep ‘Pure in Heart Stories is a new online and print children’s magazine of Christian-themed stories, poetry, and artwork created by adults (and now kids, too!), for kids between the ages of 6 and 12 years old.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL)  https://pureinheartstories.com/submissions/

30th Sep Romantic fiction 2000-10,000 on the theme of Billionaires of New York. CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES https://www.paramourink.com/submissions

30th Sep Poetry, prose, and art. PAYING https://qwertymagazine.submittable.com/submit

30th Sep Poetry on the theme of Adversity. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.thepoetmagazine.org/contribute

30th Sep Poetry, flash, fiction and more on the theme of Open Space. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://www.fromsac.com/submissions.html

30th Sep ‘The theme of this fantasy anthology is light in the darkness. Your story should contain the element of hope shining through the dark, whether this is subtle or a leading theme throughout the story’s fabric. The editors are seeking bold stories with a lot of heart and stories that do not shy away from gritty themes or dark topics. If you enjoy weaving stories with hope throughout insanity, you’ve found the right submission opportunity.’ 2000-8000 words.  ROYALTIES https://angelarwatts.com/submissions/

30th Sep Horror story 4000-8000 words on the theme of L is for Lycanthropes. PAYING https://redcapepublishing.com/submissions/

30th Sep LGBTQ Romance stories 12,000 words and up on the theme of Jolly Holidays. ‘Stories set during winter holidays. Christmas, of course, but we’re also open to Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, New Year’s. You could also do Chinese New Year, Diwali, Valentine’s Day … any holiday set during the winter months.’ ROYALTIES https://www.jms-books.com/2021-submissions-calls-lgbtq-romance-stories-ezp-36.html

30th Sep Poetry on the theme of Roots. https://www.greeninkpoetry.co.uk/submissions/collection-8-roots

30th Sep LGBTQ Romance stories 12,000 words and up on the theme of Opposites Attract. ROYALTIEShttps://www.jms-books.com/2021-submissions-calls-lgbtq-romance-stories-ezp-36.html

1st Oct Fiction of exactly 100 words on the theme of Winter Shocks. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.blackinkfiction.com/holiday-horrors

1st Oct ‘Everyone loves the zoo, some maybe love it *too* much. Escaped animals, encounters gone horribly wrong, deranged zookeepers, and more. Give us fresh takes on zoo trips to make us squirm!’ 100 words exactly. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.blackinkfiction.com/under-the-big-top-series

1st Oct ‘Highland Park Poetry is accepting submissions of poetry and art/photography for our Fall/Winter Muses’ Gallery. It’s Poet’s & Artist’s Choice. No theme or form required.’ http://www.highlandparkpoetry.org/eventsdailypoems.html

1st Oct ‘ Slash-Her is a Women of Horror slasher anthology which is a mixture of invite and submissions… We would like to see varied interpretations of this genre. Of course, we (Janine!) are hoping to see some splatterpunk submissions but this anthology will be filled to the brim with nuance. Wow us with your quiet horror, surprise us with your humour. You want an axe wielding soccer mom who has had enough of the other yummy mummies with their lattes, do your worst! Show us what you believe women can bring to the slasher sub-genre.’ 3000-5000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES https://kandishapress.com/submissions/

1st Oct or when filled: ‘I will be accepting up to 200 poems that fit the theme of places: landscapes that are either rural and remote or set in a city.’ https://www.sweetycatpress.com/blog

1st Oct Poetry, flash and more on the theme of Liminal. https://erferrara.wixsite.com/quarantinemuseum/submissions

1st Oct Fiction 300-5000 words, ending with the line: “Welcome to the family.” PAYING http://www.thelastlinejournal.com/index.htm

1st Oct Poetry and fiction on the theme of Flight. http://www.camasmagazine.org/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, fiction and more. https://www.endogamymagazine.com/

‘We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, as well as a select catalogue of visual art. We also accept work in foreign languages. We are looking for writing that is personal, philosophical, experimental, ripe, queer, feminist—we are a journal of eclectic tastes.’ https://www.thespotlongreview.org/submissions

‘Valiant Scribe calls for submissions that focus on faith and social issues, including sanitation and hygiene, sexual violence, poverty, criminal justice, human trafficking, mental health, unknown inventors, people of color, climate change, etcetera.’ https://www.valiantscribe.com/submit

Poetry, fiction and art. PAYING https://thirdwednesdaymagazine.org/submissions/

‘As its name implies, The Washington Boast tends to focus on current events in the political realm that could benefit from a unique satirical perspective. But since daily life involves a mishmash of other things, submissions on those subjects are also welcome, however unimportant they may seem in comparison. Make the mundane interesting.’ https://medium.com/the-washington-boast/submit-to-the-washington-boast-ee6a05ae54d9

Transgressive/dirty realist poetry, stories and novels. https://www.outcast-press.com/copy-of-about

‘We are a Toronto-based publisher of military-focused fiction and non-fiction works. We’re interested in material that sheds new light on familiar topics, or that changes what we think we know about a topic. Although we are primarily interested in Canadian or Canada-based authors, we will consider works by writers who are farther afield.’ https://doubledagger.ca/submissions/