Comps and calls for May 2019

Posted on 30th April 201930th April 2019 by cathy in Uncategorised

Hello all!

Many thanks for your interesting and lovely messages – apologies if I haven’t replied yet!

There are two pieces of news this month. The first is that I now have a way for fans of the site to make voluntary donations to help pay for costs. I have a Patreon page for regular donations and a PayPal site for tips and one-off encouragements.

Secondly, I’ve had various suggestions over the years for alternative formats for C’s C&C. I run it from the 2nd of the month to the 1st of the next month because the most popular deadlines are the last of the month, the first of the month and the 15th of the month. This way gives you the maximum time to write, though you get very little time to write to deadlines early in the month. An erudite friend and site user has suggested starting on the 7th instead. Do you have any opinions on the matter? What day of the month would you prefer? Please email me at news(at)cathybryant.co.uk to tell me what you think!

Good luck this month – there are some fabulous themes, calls and prizes this May!

Best wishes,

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

UK only. Weekly. ‘To participate in this competition, entrants must write a feature article on their travel experiences in no more than 500 words.’ PAYING https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-competitions/just-back-terms-and-conditions/

3rd May ‘For this mini-contest, show, tell, or evoke a complete story in at least 30, but no more than 50 words. The first word in your story must start with “A” and the last must start with “Z”. Do *NOT* use proper nouns (names of people or places or things that would always be capitalized) for your “A” word or your “Z” word. Otherwise, it would be too easy to write an entry like, “Ann used to be my best friend, but now it’s Zoe.” You CAN use “a” or “an” as your “a” word, but you’ll lose points on the creativity score.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/

5th May Children aged 4-14: write a 500-word story on how you would change the world today! TRIP TO DISNEYLAND https://www.explorelearning.co.uk/writersawards/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.ukfor this one)

8th May Spectator Competition No. 3098: verse and reverse. You are invited to submit a poem that can be read both forwards and backwards. Email entries of up to 16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 8 May.

10th May POSTAL ENTRY ONLY Short stories by writers who are Irish and/or living in Ireland. PAYING https://www.rte.ie/radio1/francis-macmanus-short-story/ (Cathy’s note: I’ve included this because the prize is good, and we don’t get many Irish calls.)

15th May Flash fiction. ‘This is a call for POC, Black and Indigenous writers. The flash must pass or discuss The Latif Test which sets out 1) Are there two named characters of color?, 2) Do they have dialogue? 3) Are they not romantically involved with one another? 4) Do they have any dialogue that isn’t comforting or supporting a white character? 5) Is one of them definitely not magic?’ PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/#1538347466119-241fd8cf-66ed

31st May Crime novel. PUBLISHING CONTRACT https://www.bigissue.com/competitions/big-issue-writing-competition-terms-conditions/

31st May 50-word story on the given theme. NON-CASH PRIZE http://scottishbooktrust.com/reading/the-50-word-fiction-competition

1st Jun Up to 5000 words of writing on the theme of Fury. PAYING https://thefuriousgazelle.com/submit/spring-writing-contest/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd May Poetry on the theme of Loss. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://magmapoetry.submittable.com/submit/136066/magma-75-loss (Cathy’s note: the deadline has been extended from 30th April to 2nd May)

3rd May Stories and poetry suitable for children, on the theme of I am Me. PAYING http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html

4th May ‘Submissions are open for SFM Storytime Season Two – She is an Elf!. Tell us a story of a female elf as your main character. You can submit stories for any era or time. From Bright to Lord of the Rings. From a tale far flung into the future or set millions of light-years from Earth. We want to see them all. So tell us a story of your lady with pointed ears.’ ROYALTIES http://scifimonkeys.com/storytime/seasons/

5th May Fiction on the theme of Galactic Goddesses. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://fantasiadivinitymagazine.com/anthology-submission-calls

5th May Fiction (no flash) and poetry on the theme of Tech Noir: Cyberpunk and Future Noir. PAYING http://www.switchblademag.com/2016/10/a-new-magazine-of-hardboiled-crime.html

5th May ‘INFINITY & BEYOND:50 years ago (well, on July 16th, 1969 to be precise) man landed on the Moon. But what have we done lately – and what does the future hold? Speculative fiction of all stripes is sought for our galaxy-spanning, stargazing summer event.’ Story 800-2000 words https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

6th May Story 800-3000 words on the theme of Freedom and Restraint. https://www.liarsleaguenyc.com/submissions

9th May ‘Writing submissions to Half Mystic Journal’s seventh issue are now open! Issue VII: Aubade celebrates the dawn-dizzy dance—the first chords of warmth—the sun forgiving everything it touches. An aubade is defined as a lovesong to the dawn. Issue VII submissions close on May 9, 2019. We consider all types of writing (including poetry, fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and hybrid work) as long as it pertains in some way to music.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.halfmystic.com/writers

10th May ‘Submissions should address the intersection of women’s sexuality with the issue’s theme. Please note that at Cliterature, we believe in sisterhood, not cis-terhood, and include trans women in our definition of women.’ Poetry, prose and more. Theme: Hair. https://cliteraturejournal.com/submit

10th May ‘We welcome submissions inspired by gnomes, faerie gardens, flower faeries, faeries at the bottom of the garden etc, as well as other creative faerie themes. Can be as wild or whimsical as you wish! We are happy to accept and review photo-sets (no nudity), short poems and articles.’ https://www.faemagazine.com/submissions/

12th May 100-word stories on the theme of Pictures. http://www.101fiction.com/

15th May Poetry. PAYING http://www.firepoetry.com/guidelines.html

15th May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Borders. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://www.thefieldstonereview.ca/submissions.html

15th May Short science fiction on the theme of Humanity. PAYING https://www.readvisions.com/submission-guidelines

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

15th May Romance 7000-15,000 words. ‘The autumnal equinox marks the shift into darkness which completes on Samhain. Warmth is behind us, cold lies ahead. This is a time of Thanksgiving and kinship. However, in our stories, we also want to consider the theme of The Enchanted Forest. How can you place romance, sorcery, witchcraft, an enchanted wood, cottage, village, or castle into this theme?’ PAYING https://onceuponanthologies.com/2019-submissions/

17th May Poetry and short prose on the theme of Leonard Cohen. http://wreckingballpress.com/call-out-to-writers-and-artists/

19th May Australia only: Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Devotion. https://www.antithesisjournal.com.au/submit

20th May Writing 250-500 words by women over 60 on the theme of Life Changing Moments. https://www.persimmontree.org/v2/submissions/

20th May ‘The Lakota phrase, Mitakuye Oyasin means All My Relations. Animals, plants and minerals are members of the planetary family, in distress. What are the rights of Nature, and how do we cope with the grief, fear and anger about extinctions, ecosystem destruction, and climate change? We invite you to submit an essay up to 1000 words, a poem, or other artwork, in response to any of these prompts or what All My Relationsmeans to you.’ https://www.kosmosjournal.org/contribute-to-kosmos-quarterly/

22nd May Writing on the theme of Pride. https://www.cleaningupglitter.com/submissions

30th May ‘Writing on the theme of Home. Root & Star magazine strives to bring quality art and literature to children in the ephemeral magazine form. It hopes to inspire and be inspired by the whole child – the wise, the wild, the strange, and the sweet. It is a place for creative people to play and to share the complexities of their work and spirit with children.’ https://rootandstar.com/pages/submit

31st May Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.oysterriverpages.com/submit

31st May Speculative poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Retribution. PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/

31st May Australia and New Zealand only: speculative fiction 2500-5000 words on the theme of Journeys. CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES https://aussiespeculativefiction.com/journeys-anthology/

31st May North of England and Midlands only: poetry, fiction and more by writers with invisible disabilities. https://www.cultureword.org.uk/indivisible-call-for-submissions/

31st May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Kith and Kin. https://fictionfix.submittable.com/Submit

31st May Short horror or horror/comedy story featuring an accursed item. PAYING https://www.jollyhorror.com/opencall.html(Cathy’s note: the website currently states that the deadline is 30th June, but that they may have to close early – they will keep it open until 31st May, though. I thought it best to play safe and get the details out early.)

31st May ‘Clean’ fiction on the theme of Christmas in July. https://edifypublications.submittable.com/submit

31st May ‘Chipper Press is looking for short stories that revolve around a camera. Entertain our readers with short stories about what the camera reveals, and what the photographer thought they were photographing. These tales should be mysteries that need to be resolved, think Nancy Drew type stories. Keep in mind the reader age rating on this anthology is 9 to 12.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.chipperpress.com/anthology-submissions/

31st May ‘Transcendis currently accepting FREEsubmissions for our first prototype issue, Transcend.Prototypes. We accept poetry (of any kind), prose of fiction, non-fiction, and creative non-fiction varieties (though we only skim non-fiction), and artwork of all genres.’ https://transcendlit.com/submissions/

31st May Fiction, poetry and more incorporating the words Dumbwaiter, Shore and Sigil. http://3elementsreview.com/submission-guidelines

31st May Poetry and art on the theme of Blue. https://www.harbor-review.com/submit

31st May Writing and more relating to maps, and on the theme of Twins. http://themapisnot.com/submissions

31st May ‘We are currently reading short story submissions for our anthology, The Time Traveling Investor Vol. 1. As the title indicates, we are looking for stories about time travel. And we are especially interested in stories where either the protagonist or antagonist travels through time as a means of cheating (or playing) the stock market, especially if things don’t go as intended.’ https://thetimetravelinginvestor.com/submission-guidelines/

31st May ‘The Summer 2019 issue will focus on storytelling, and how this concept relates to people’s lived experience of madness/mental health challenges and/or accessing mental health services.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://openmindsquarterly.submittable.com/submit

31st May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of On the Threshold/Spilling Over. ‘For this issue, we are especially interested in receiving poems using, but not limited to, fox, clouds, lake, and ice as image or metaphor.’ http://iceflow.com/riverbabble/riverguides35.html

31st May Poetry, fiction and more. http://www.matadorreview.com/submissions

1st Jun Erotica 2000-5000 words on the theme of Adventure by authors who are women, gender nonconforming, genderqueer and/or nonbinary. PAYING https://www.bweoftheyear.com/call-for-submissions

1st Jun The ‘Summer Muses’ Gallery is all about cars– driving, riding, road trips, lessons, etc. Deadline is June 1st. Previously published okay with acknowledgement. 30 line limit. Email poetry (.doc attachments or text in body) and photos (.jpg attachments) to jennifer@highlandparkpoetry.org. No form required.’

1st Jun Poetry. ‘TPQ envisions itself as a place for real writing, something that an actual human being might want to read.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://trailerparkquarterly.com/submissions/

1st Jun Poetry, prose and more on the teme of Climate Change. https://breakwaterreview.submittable.com/submit

1st Jun Haiku on the theme of Reconciliation. https://www.vcbf.ca/community-event/haiku-invitational

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Poetry, fiction and more. https://fromthehorsesmouth.org.uk/

Poetry. PAYING http://www.subterraneanbluepoetry.com/SubterraneanBluePoetry.Submissions.html

‘Ethelseeks poetry, art, micro-fiction, micro-plays, micro-essays, personal essays, paragraphs from your thesis, prophesies, lists of facts, letters of protest, diagnoses, letters to the editor, lists of baked goods seen at the local Socialist bake sale, album reviews, book reviews, translations, difficult math equations that you have solved, drawings of miniature dresses and so on.’ https://www.ethelzine.com/submit

Poetry, fiction, art and more on the theme of Beauty by women and non-binary folk. https://www.papeachupress.com/submit

Science fiction stories. PAYING http://unfitmag.com/submit/

‘We are an online literary journal based in New York City looking to publish work that represents the lengths (or lack thereof) people will go to in order to make money and pay the bills (to keep the lights on, for instance). We are looking for inspired work that showcases this, whether it be the odd jobs that keep you up at night or the night that brings you odd jobs. If it’s funky and helped you not get evicted, tells a story about someone who made a living scraping gum off park benches, or discusses the day to day life of a desk job, we want to hear from you.’ – Fiction, poetry and more. https://whateverkeepsthelightson.com/submit-1

Chapbooks of poetry or short fiction by women and non-binary folk. https://www.papeachupress.com/submit

‘Sandpiper is a journal of literature and art devoted to uplifting the voices of those emerging and underrepresented in the American literary scene. All submissions are welcome, but special priority is given to writers and artists of color. Sandpiperaccepts poetry, prose, art, and photography.’ https://www.sandpipermag.com/submit.html

Fantasy and magical realism stories. PAYING http://unrealmag.com/submit/

MSS that fit their ‘Machete’ or ‘Latinographix’ series of books. https://madcreek.submittable.com/submit

‘The Dawntreader specialises in myth, legend; in the landscape, nature; spirituality and love; the mystic, the environment. It fulfils a niche in the market, welcoming poetry, prose, articles and local legends.’ https://www.indigodreams.co.uk/the-dawntreader/4563791666

MSS in the following categories: real ife, memoir, crime, human drama, passion. https://mirrorbooks.co.uk/pages/submissions

‘Invisible Publishing is currently accepting literary manuscript submissions, including works of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. All narrative works with contemporary themes will be considered, however, we are not interested in genre fiction or YA projects. That said, if you send it, we’ll read it. Show us your stuff.’ https://invisiblepublishing.com/submissions/

Poetry. www.thelakepoetry.co.uk

Submit an MP3 of you reading your poem. https://poetrysoundlibrary.weebly.com/

Fiction, poetry and more. https://www.thefestivalreview.com/submit

Comps and calls for April 2019

Posted on 1st April 20191st April 2019 by cathy in Uncategorised

Hello everybody! Comps and Calls is BACK!

After a very difficult year (multiple bereavements, for a start) I’ve decided to start up again. I was waiting for life to settle down, but it never does, does it? So here we are, back with a selection of free opportunities for writers. It’s a bit shorter than usual this month, but should build up in time.

Many thanks for your kind messages, support and appreciation. It’s meant a lot to me. Now go and get published and win prizes!

Best wishes,

Cathy x

Here are some writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

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.

COMPETITIONS

1 April: Humorous poem. PAYING https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free

3 April: Spectator Competition No. 3093: write of passage. ‘You are invited to submit an extract from a novel that chronicles the adult life of a well-known fictional hero from children’s stories (please specify). Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 3 April.’ PAYING

7 April: Flash fiction 400-800 words, on the theme of Lead. VOUCHER/OTHER https://lucentdreaming.com/flash-fiction-contest-1/

10 April: Up to 2500 words on the theme of Identity. PAYING https://alpinefellowship.submittable.com/submit/133506/af-2019-writing-prize?fbclid=IwAR3lPXZr1m2S6fdE_6ckhVXeA6lhwI6xxi0y9fk3NVpFWot78Z1w-GvhaUk

10 April: Flash up to 300 words on the theme of Migration, featuring queer characters. PAYING https://queerscifi.com/flash-contest-rules/?cn-reloaded=1

15 April: Creative writing by unpublished Canadian writers aged 18-29. PAYING https://pencanada.ca/newvoices/

15 April: Poetry by women over 60 who don’t live in the USA. https://www.persimmontree.org/v2/submissions/

15 April: Spec fiction up to 3500 words on the theme of Noir. PAYING http://parsecink.com/contest/

15 April: ‘This is a call for POC, Black and Indigenous writers. The flash must pass or discuss The DuVernay Test where African-Americans and other minorities have fully realized lives rather than serve as scenery in white stories.’ Flash fiction. PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/#1538347466119-241fd8cf-66ed

30 April: 500-word essay. ‘The competition is open to women commencing or continuing to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution in the United States or Canada in 2019-20.’ PAYING http://www.lucasaykroyd.com/scholarships (thanks to www.erikadreifus.comfor this)

Weekly poetry contest. PAYING https://www.poetrynook.com/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

1 April: Poetry and prose. ‘Canthiusis a Canadian literary magazine publishing poetry and prose by women, transgender men, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, and genderqueer/gender non-conforming writers.’ PAYING http://www.canthius.com/submissions

1 April: ‘Pixie Forest Publishing is seeking short stories in any genre for our upcoming anthology At Death’s Door. All stories need to be centered on the theme of death or dying. Whether a character is dying, a ghost, or is something in between, we want to hear your story. Any genre except erotica.’ 500-5000 words.https://pixieforestpublishing.com/at-deaths-door/

1 April: Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://westbranchsubmissions.bucknell.edu/

5 April: Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://obraartifact.com/submissions/

6 April: Poetry on the theme of Video Games. Scroll down here: https://www.poetshaven.com/submissions

7 April: Poetry, prose and more on the theme of Becoming. https://www.l3m0ncur5.com/callforsubmissions

7 April: Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Passing. https://anastamos.submittable.com/submit

7 April: ‘We are looking for work discussing the family bed, cribs and cradles, sleeping with children, sharing beds, bunking, Grandpa’s favorite sleeping chair, favorite napping places in the household, memories of quilts or pillows, pregnant mothers and sleep, etc.’ Poetry, fiction and more. https://sleepyheadcentral.com/vitaminzzz/

8 April: Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Origins. PAYING https://ninthletteronline.submittable.com/submit

8 April: ‘Show the impact on individuals—and/or the world—when a country turns away immigrants, or changes the rules so that people who immigrated to a country become forced to return to where they came from—even if they were small children at the time.’ 4000-12,000 words. CHARITY/GOOD CAUSE ANTHOLOGY https://blackbirdpublishing.com/calls/the-golden-door/

9 April: Poetry, flash and more on the theme of Pride. https://pureslush.com/submissions/current-submissions/

11 April: ‘We publish adult literary fiction and narrative non-fiction.’ Women only. https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/2-submissions

12 April: Nonfiction poetry on the theme of Politics. http://rabbitpoetry.com/?page_id=35

15 April: Poetry, fiction and essays on the theme of Alternative Apocalypse. PAYING http://www.bcubedpress.com/alt-apocal-open-call/

15 April: Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of ‘Stages in the Life of the Artist’. Get creative with it. The weirder it is the more likely we are to publish it. https://kaitmauro.com/zine

15 April: Alternative bedtime reading for progressive parents: stories, poems, nursery rhymes. PAYING http://www.bcubedpress.com/alternative-bedtime-reading-for-progressive-parents/

15 April: Succinct spec fic. https://antilang.ca/submission-guidelines/

15 April: ‘We are looking for stories and poems that fit the themes of Weird Fiction and Cosmic Horror from ONLY FEMALE AUTHORS. Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy are all welcomed, as long as they fit in the realms of Weird and Cosmic. All stories and poems must also be speculative in some way. What we mean by this is that we don’t want stories or poems based in realism.’ PAYING https://gehennabooks.com/2019/03/05/call-for-submissions-hinnom-magazine-retro-weird-tales-edition-women-only/

15 April: Poetry in Japanese form. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

15 April: Poetry on the theme of inside/out. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.snapdragonjournal.com/submit.html

18 April: Poetry and prose on the theme of Landscape and Maps. https://thewriterscafemagazine.wordpress.com/2019/01/27/the-writers-cafe-magazine-issue-16-landscape-and-mapscallout/

21 April: Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Identity. PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

30 April: Horror stories 1000-8000 words. PAYING http://www.coronabooks.com/horror-book-3-call/4594551792

30 April: Fiction 1000-5000 words on the theme of the Moon. PAYING http://www.eibonvalepress.co.uk/The%20The%20Once%20and%20Future%20Moon%20-%20guidelines.pdf

30 April: Genre fiction, experimental poetry and more by LGBTQ+ writers and artists. PAYING https://qommunicatepublishing.com/submissions/

30 April: Writing on the theme of Think Positive, Live Happy. ‘How did you “think positive” and how did it change your life? Tell us your success story about using the power of positive thinking!’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30 April: A variety of projects, free to submit to during April. During some other months, fees are charged. PAYING http://www.press.alternatingcurrentarts.com/2016/11/submit-to-alternating-current-press.html

30 April: ‘Rock & Sling, a journal of witness, seeks work that engages the mysteries, trials, complications, and joys of Creation. We often favor work that engages spiritual ideas and experiences, but it is not a requirement. While those spiritual ideas are often from a Christian point of view, they need not be explicitly so, and we value work that honestly and authentically engages other faith traditions (or their absence).’https://rockandsling.submittable.com/submit

30 April: Stories under 1000 words. http://www.wigleaf.com/

30 April: Story written from the point of view of a cat. 3000-7000 words. PAYING https://post-to-print.com/submission-guidelines-from-a-cats-view-vol-ii/

30 April: ‘This Never Happenedis an anthology devoted to the humorous side of alternative history fiction. This collection will hold stories that are funny and outrageous, set in worlds where history differs from what happened in our own reality, with ridiculous consequences; tales that could not possibly have happened, or maybe they could have but they’d have just been absolutely hilarious!’ 1500-10,000 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL http://www.martinus.us/subs.html

1/5 ‘In this issue, I invite poems that consider intersections of climate change with gender and location, both physical place and the way location refers to experiences of race, class, ability and sexuality. What might be anti-colonial, queer, feminist, counter-classist, embodied poetries of climate change?’ PAYS ONLY AUSTRALIANS https://plumwoodmountain.com/submissions-6/

1/5 Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Beauty. https://thefruittreemag.wixsite.com/home/copy-of-issues

1/5 Poetry and short fiction on a variety of themes. https://roamlit.com/submit/

1/5 ‘We are looking for work (poems, fiction/flash fiction, nonfiction/ flash non-fiction, b/w art) that gives voice to and is a part of that resistance. Our goal? To build and publish an anthology as a vehicle for positive change in response to the growing climate of hate. We need work that references and identifies specific legacies, personal histories, and stories of conditions that we (and others) face daily.’ https://www.ravenchronicles.org/submissions-wanted-take-a-stand-art-against-hate-a-raven-chronicles-anthology/

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://purplefirepublications.ca/submissions

Poetry and flash. https://okaydonkeymag.com/submit/

MSS of various kinds, including childrens, middle grade and YA. https://brothersuber.com/p/submissions

MSS by Canadian writers only. https://www.cormorantbooks.com/submission-guidelines

Nonfiction and humour book MSS. http://www.coronabooks.com/submissions/4588708934

Poetry. https://www.bestpoetry.website/submit-a-poem

Children’s picture books. http://www.ripplegrovepress.com/submissions/

Mystery and thriller fiction. http://www.seventhstreetbooks.com/submissions.html

Children’s, YA, and Adult fiction. https://bluetridentbooks.yolasite.com/Submissions.php

MSS. http://scanticbooks.blogspot.com/2018/

Poetry and nonfiction by women, trans and non-binary writers. ‘We cap our submissions at 100 per month. If, upon visiting our submissions page, you come across a note that says “there are presently no open calls for submissions,” know that we have simply reached our monthly cap. We invite you to come back and submit your work the following month.’ https://www.utterancejournal.com/submit

Clean F and SF. PAYING http://deepmagic.co/submissions/#

‘We publish highly romantic romance stories, novellas, and novels.

Think of smooth satin bedding, soft candlelit rooms, hearts, teddy bears, chocolates, flowers, soft, romantic music, diamonds and lace, sweet acts of love, and the list goes on and on! We are not an erotic/erotica publishing house.’ http://www.satinromance.com/blog/sample-page/

‘We’re drawn to well-crafted poems that are attentive to language and music, whether formal, free verse, prose poem, or experimental.’ https://clementineunbound.wordpress.com/submissions/

Speculative fiction. PAYING http://legendarytalesmagazine.com/how-to-submit/

Poetry, flash, short fiction and more. https://bluetigerreview.com/contact/

Comps and Calls for January 2018

Posted on 1st January 20181st January 2018 by cathy in Uncategorised

Dear all,

I’m a bit tearful as I write this, because you’ve all been so lovely and I feel very close to some of you – but Comps and Calls is going to be on hiatus for a while (one hopes a few months only). If you sign up to the mailing list, Facebook group or Twitter then you’ll get an announcement when we’re back.

Life has taken over, in that ghastly way it does.

Thanks to all of you who’ve visited, used the listings, contacted me to tell me of your successes, or for any other reason.

Below are listings for the whole year! There aren’t that many.

Much love, and be lovely to other writers. Take care,

Cathy x

Here are some writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

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.

COMPETITIONS

3rd Jan ‘Are you tired of only reading about the “good guys”? Well, here is your chance to turn the spotlight on the villains of fairy tales and folk tales. Fairytalez wants to hear the other side of the story, the villains behind a so-called “happily ever after”! After all, as they say, even the villain is the hero in their own story. Let’s hear it for the “bad” guys! You may either write a new fairy tale or folk tale with a new original villain character or take one of the classics and write the untold story from the villain’s point of view.’ VOUCHER/OTHER https://fairytalez.com/competitions/best-villain-fairy-tale-competition-nov-2017/

12th Jan Crime novel by someone who hasn’t had a full-length book published. PAYING https://mysterywriters.org/about-mwa/st-martins/

12th Jan Flash fiction on the theme of Grave Visitation. PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/#1506552206297-99a74293-e807

15th Jan Poem on one of the provided themes. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.hedgehogpress.co.uk/challenges-currently-open/

29th Jan A Golden Shovel poem, or a poem on the theme of either Electricity or Monsters (Cathy’s note: it’s free to submit one poem, but you have to pay to submit more). NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.highlandparkpoetry.org/images/2018_Poetry_Challenge.pdf

29th Jan SF story up to 1500 words. There’s also a special prize for a feminist entry. PAYING https://tinyurl.com/y7wvdnpc

31st Jan ‘The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theatre, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Our newsletter subscribers include publishers, artists, musicians, and fellow writers. While your writing should appeal to a reader with these interests and in these creative professions, all story themes are considered.’ PAYING http://jerryjazzmusician.com/2013/02/short-fiction-contest-details/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

1st Feb Golf story up to 700 words, plus photos (optional). VOUCHER/OTHER https://www.teamgolfwell.com/golfwell-s-golf-story-contest.html?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

14th Feb Story up to 690 words on the theme of Cursed Love. VOUCHER/OTHER https://shondabrock.wordpress.com/contest/

28th Feb ‘ We are looking for stories that illustrate, explore, or illuminate the impact of climate change on humanity and/or the Earth. We enthusiastically invite submissions in all genres of short fiction, including speculative, realistic, literary, experimental, hybrid forms, and more.’ Up to 5000 words. https://climateimagination.asu.edu/clificontest/

28th Feb Age 13-18: short story. PAYING https://www.booksie.com/contest/Booksie+2017-2018+Young+Writer+Short+Story+Contest-12?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

28th Feb First chapter up to 7500 words of your book. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.cnwritersandpublishers.info/current-competitions

28th Feb ‘Poetry submissions may be of any length and any style but must have a theme of Meditation or Mindfulness. Poems may reflect any discipline, any faith, or none.’ PAYING http://www.spiritfirst.org/poetry_contest2018Entry.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

Horror stories. https://www.jakobshorrorbox.com/submissions/

7th Jan ‘Stories for this anthology may be set in any Asian country (real or imagined), and main characters should be natives also. The ‘birds and beasts’ concept is open to include any type of animal (real or mythical), and that animal must be important to the story.’ PAYING https://insigniastories.com/subs/

7th Jan Poetry and more on the theme of Innovation. https://iltreview.com/submit/

10th Jan Poetry and fiction on the theme of Space and Time. https://thewriterscafemagazine.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/the-writers-cafe-magazine-issue-4-time-and-spacecallout/

15th Jan Asian writers only: speculative fiction. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES, PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://kitaab.org/2017/10/15/submissions-open-for-the-best-asian-speculative-fiction-anthology/

15th Jan Lesbians only: ‘For this issue of Sinister Wisdom we invite positive representation of lesbians of all abilities teaching, learning, and developing new skills. What do lesbians learn in church settings? What do lesbians learn from each other? What do lesbians teach others? As a theme, Lesbians Learning, can be interpreted literally or can simply be a starting point to develop your own concept of learning, and what that looks like. Thank you in advance for allowing us to learn with you!’ https://sinisterwisdom.submittable.com/submit

15th Jan ‘I am looking for original short speculative fiction, up to 5000 words, that in some way address the intricacies of the mind.’ PAYING http://hig4s09.wixsite.com/myriadparadigm/home

15th Jan Poetry and photography on the theme of Muse. http://www.light-journal.com/submit

15th Jan Poetry by athletes. PAYING http://www.rattle.com/submissions/calls/

31st Jan Lesbians only: ‘We are looking for serious, satirical, and humorous writing in various forms, e.g., essay, excerpts from correspondence, journal entries, poetry, short fiction, novel excerpts, and critical articles that reflect lesbian ideas and notions of what it will take to unseat the Trump regime.’ http://www.sinisterwisdom.org/callfordumptrump

31st Jan Poetry on the theme of Film. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://magmapoetry.com/call-for-submission-magma-71-the-film-issue/

31st Jan ‘Strange Economics is an anthology of original, high-quality stories that explore economic ideas through speculative fiction: money in worlds of magic, trade in worlds of advanced technology.’ PAYING https://davidfshultz.com/strangeeconomicsantho/

31st Jan ‘Room magazine invites women and genderqueer folks who identify as part of the LGBTTQIA+ spectrum to submit their best poetry, fiction, CNF, and art to our first queer-themed issue. We especially encourage submissions from writers affected by multiple intersections of oppression, such as racism, classism, ableism, fatphobia, ageism, and transphobia.’ PAYING http://roommagazine.com/submit

31st Jan ‘We are currently seeking submissions from the BAME community about their mental health experiences. The anthology serves to address the disparity between the mental health services provided to the BAME community and those offered to less marginalized groups. We hope to ignite dialogue and spotlight powerful voices that deserve to be heard.’ Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.stirlingpublishing.co.uk/the-colour-of-madness

1st Feb Weird Western fiction of various lengths. PAYING http://radiantcrownpublishing.com/category/anthologies/subterranean-series/

1st Feb ‘Bibliotheca Alexandrina is seeking submissions for Lord of the Horizon: A Devotional Anthology in Honor of Horus. Suggestions for possible contributions include, but are not limited to: prayers, heka, poetry, hymns, rituals, essays, short fiction, recipes, music, and artwork.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://neosalexandria.org/bibliotheca-alexandrina/calls-for-submissions/lord-of-the-horizon-a-devotional-anthology-in-honor-of-horus/

1st Feb Poetry and prose on the theme of Surprised by Joy. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.universaltable.org/wisingup.html

1st Feb ‘Use one of these six windows as inspiration: I Magician, II High Priestess, III Empress, X Wheel of Fortune, XVI Tower, and XIX Sun. Create your own image for these cards. Tell a story about the characters you see. Provide an in-depth interpretation from one of your favorite decks. These are basic suggestions to get you going, but take this theme and create what you will.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://themageslantern.submittable.com/submit

14th Feb Women: your experiences of sexual violations. https://www.wilderwriters.com/side-project-the-daily-abuse

14th Feb ‘The tentative title of this new anthology is A Kiss and a Promise, and the theme is Romance. The stories can be contemporary, regency, futuristic, paranormal, historical, fantasy, humour… Just about any type of romance will do (but please, no erotica).’ 7000-12,000 words. PAYING http://smokingpenpress.com/submissions-2

28th Feb ‘We are looking for stories that contain a great piece of advice that you were given or advice that you gave to someone else. Whether the advice is about a little thing that improve your everyday life, or major epiphanies that can change a life completely, we want to hear about them and how they made a difference.’ PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

28th Feb ‘Anima is a magazine for contemporary poems which dare to question the dominant materialist paradigm of western culture. We aim to offer the reader thoughtful and intelligent writing from perspectives beyond the everyday world of senses and reason. Poems of metaphysics, mythology and symbolism, of depth psychology or transcendence.’ http://www.animapoetry.uk/submissions/

28th Feb ‘Shhhh… Murder! Scheduled for release in late spring of next year and timed for summer reading, this anthology will feature cozy to cozy-noir stories featuring libraries and librarians. Extra points will be shamelessly awarded to writers with personal ties to libraries.’ 2500-5000 words. ROYALTIES http://darkhousebooks.com/submissions/

28th Feb ‘Darkhouse Books seeks poetry, flash, short fiction, and creative nonfiction reflecting the theme of sanctuary, refuge, shelter, or asylum, from the perspective of those offering, seeking, denying, or destroying it. From Bangladesh to the city animal shelter, all are welcome, as are all genres.’ ROYALTIES http://darkhousebooks.com/submissions/

1st Mar Stories 7500-20,000 words on the theme of Baba Yaga. PAYING https://www.worldweaverpress.com/submit-anthologies.html

1st Mar ‘ “The Graveyard Girls” is seeking horror fiction from women writers. Original, previously unpublished fiction is preferred. From monsters to maniacs, send us a nightmare from the darkest realms of your imagination! 4000-10,000 words.’ http://hellboundbookspublishing.com/subs_anthologies.html

4th Mar ‘Issues #6, #7 and #8 will be a triptych. We welcome and encourage individual submissions to each, but if you feel like making art that tells a continuous story or writing a story that massively exceeds our usual wordcount, now is the time. Issue #8: “Ever After” – The finale. We want to see how things fall apart or come back together.’ https://talesfromtheforest.net/submissions/

15th Mar Fiction, poetry and more. PAYING https://bluemesareview.submittable.com/submit (thanks to www.erikadreifus.com for this)

30th Mar ‘Not previously published short stories of 4,500-8,500 words that have a central theme associated with Halloween and can be characterized within the broad realm of “horror” fiction.’ PAYING https://www.evans-light.com/call-for-submissions/

31st Mar ‘Call out for stories and poems for an anthology celebrating the centenary of the end of WWI. Publication planned for Nov 2018. How you respond to this theme is up to you, and it doesn’t need to be specific to WWI, but we find nothing to celebrate in war, and want a good balance for the book between appropriate commemoration of the dead, relief that it’s over and hope for the future.’ https://arachnepress.submittable.com/submit

30th Apr Lesbians only: ‘CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for anthology, Her Believing Heart: Poems by Survivors of Abuse in Lesbian Relationships. Submit 1-3 poems related in some way to domestic violence in lesbian relationships.’ http://sinisterwisdom.org/node/419

30th Apr ‘Mithila Review is seeking submissions for India 2049: Utopias and Dystopias, an anthology of short stories and comics devoted to the exploration of Indian futures, utopias and dystopias, set in India, South Asia or beyond.’ PAYING http://mithilareview.com/india2049/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

31st Dec Your ‘magnum opus’ (‘great work’) poem. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://vivekanandjha.com/magnumopus.php?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

COMPETITIONS

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

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COMPETITIONS

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

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COMPETITIONS

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

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