Comps and calls for May 2022

Hello Everyone,

How are you all? Here in the UK most of us are having a glorious Spring, filled with sunshine and flowers. However the world situation is so worrying that it can be hard to enjoy things, and to know how best to help. I’m also waiting for a wrist operation (again!), so if next month’s C&C is short, that’ll be why!

Many, many thanks to my Patreon heroes, and a big hug to all of you who use this site. I wish you many acceptances and prizes!

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

2nd May Two page treatment for your romcom idea. If successful, you’ll need to submit an outline of up to 30 pages. PAYING https://www.reeloneent.com/write-a-romcom/ (thanks to https://writershq.co.uk/ for this one)

4th May ‘Spectator No. 3248: where there’s a will. You are invited to submit the last will and testament of a well-known fictional character (please specify). Please email entries of up to 150 words.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-lets-parler-franglais (Cathy’s note: you have to scroll down quite a bit to find this!)

4th May Story 1000-2000 words, inspired by Jane Austen. https://janeaustenlf.org/writing-competition-entry-2022(Cathy’s note: I don’t usually post comps that are decided by a public vote, as they’re often won by the person with the most social media friends rather than the best writing. In this case, however, the stories are posted anonymously and the finalists asked not to urge people to vote for them. The prize is to have your story recorded as an audiobook and published worldwide, which is exciting.)

5th May ‘Fix was founded on the simple premise that promising solutions to the climate crisis exist — they just haven’t gained enough momentum to take off. With Imagine 2200, we’re inviting writers to envision a future in which those solutions soar, and our world is radically better. Our hope is that this fiction contest, and the collection of stories we publish, will be part of an uprising of imagination — something we believe is necessary to get us out of this climate crisis.’ 3000-5000 words. PAYING https://grist.org/fix/climate-fiction-writing-contest-imagine-2200-prizes/

7th May Poems on the theme of Water. https://www.discoverdylanthomas.com/love-the-words-2022 (Cathy’s note: there’s no prize except publication in an ebook. I’ve only included it because many of us have poems on the theme of water hanging around, so this is somewhere to submit them! Also it’s Dylan Thomas related, and sounds like a charming project.)

11th May ‘Spectator competition No. 3249: a fine romance. You are invited to submit an extract from a Mills & Boon-style novel whose central character is a contemporary politician (please specify). Email entries of up to 150 words.’

PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-poets-bemoan-a-problematic-appendage(Cathy’s note: you have to scroll down quite a bit to find this!)

14th May Spec flash on the theme provided. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

16th May ‘We are looking for poems that use the chiming words “time” and “regime” together or separately in imaginative ways. The words must be used as they are, although different forms of the words (pluralized, adjectival, etc.) may appear elsewhere in the poem.’ PAYING https://singaporeunbound.org/opportunities/

21st May Poetry celebrating Identity. PRIZES (UNKNOWN WHAT) https://renardpress.com/spectrum-poetry-anthology-competition/#rules

22nd May UK underrepresented writers: poetry and prose on the theme of How it Started. https://www.creativefuture.org.uk/for-writers/creative-future-writers-award/how-to-enter/ (Cathy’s note: there’s always been a prize for this before, but I can’t find a mention on the site. It’s a good prompt so have a go anyway, perhaps!)

26th May (opens 20th May) Microfiction on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

31st May ‘The Programme is open to emerging writers over 18 years of age and living in the UK with no more than three years’ experience of being published. Applications are invited for projects in the fields of Fiction, Non-Fiction (including journalism) and Poetry. The programme offers bursaries of up to £1,500, mentorship, peer-support and a programme of writing seminars to ten UK-based emerging writers of any background.’ PAYING https://jewishbookweek.com/genesis-jewish-book-week-emerging-writers-programme/

31st May Story up to 3500 words. Theme: ‘Deathbed Confessions. An ill girl says a magical phrase that frightens a doctor/shaman/medicine man, which foreshadows the end of the world. What happens? Successful or not it is up to you.’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://arenafantasymagazine.co.uk/current-competitions/ (Cathy’s note: Scroll down to find the free comp!)

31st May LGBTQ+ -themed 101-word story. https://www.tortivetheatre.com/flash101

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

5th May Theme: Vinaigrette. ‘think olive oil, sumac, honey coating your throat, rose petals, augury, stained glass, tart, pucker, warmth, drooping coneflowers, with a particular soft spot for experimental and lyrical/melodic pieces, though am open to an eclectic group of pieces.’ Poetry, prose and microfiction. https://violetindigoblueetc.com/submissions/

 6th May ‘Submissions are now open for our winter 2022 Black SWANA Issue. In this issue, we are interested in focusing specifically on work by people from Black SWANA communities and their diasporas, to create a gathering space for our voices and ideas.’ PAYING https://mizna.org/journal/

6th May Actively feminist work on the theme of Fear. https://www.witchesmag.com/submit

6th May Poetry, prose and art on the theme This is the End. https://capemagazineteam.wixsite.com/mysite/submission-guidelines

7th May ‘The Hypocrite Reader is a biannual magazine of reportage, criticism, history, sociology, theory, translations, manifestos, analysis, popular science, synthesis, verse, comics, wedding announcements, and Viking-themed erotica. Just because something doesn’t fit into any of those categories doesn’t mean we won’t publish it.’ Theme: Holes. PAYING https://hypocritereader.com/contribute

7th May ‘Nat. Brut’s (pr. nat broot) principal mission is to showcase the work of writers and artists who have been historically devalued or pigeonholed by art and literary institutions. We publish work that has been buried, ignored, and disappeared from public consciousness… We are currently holding free open fiction, nonfiction, comics, and poetrysubmissions.’ https://www.natbrut.com/submit

8th May ‘We aim to stake out a distinctive space for innovative, intelligent, and moving fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. In the spirit of poet Dean Young’s dictum that poets should be “making birds, not birdcages,” we are particularly taken with writing that is simultaneously graceful and reckless.’ PAYING https://www.benningtonreview.org/submit

9th May We are happy to publish work that celebrates the joy of reading and writing across different reading preferences. The marketplace can divide us based on our reading tastes, but riddlebird can strive to make a space for more diversity (of interest, of authorship, of meaning). Poetry, Personal Essays, and Literary Genre Fiction. PAYING https://www.riddlebird.com/submission-guidelines

9th May ‘What were those neon lights in the night sky? What is hidden at Area 51? Have we been visited by aliens? And, more importantly, what do these questions tell us about ourselves? The London Reader is looking for stories featuring UFOs, government conspiracies, and our relationship with the extra-terrestrial. Poetry and art that feature the same are also welcome.’ http://londonreader.uk/

9th May ‘We’re looking for short prose—fiction or creative nonfiction—that explores the need to leave, to escape, to run. We love a speculative slant, whatever that means to you. It can mean the strange or surreal. It can mean horror or fantasy. It can simply mean it’s not what you’re supposed to wish for. We’re flexible. Just keep it between 500-3000 words.’ PAYING https://alansquirepublishing.com/submissions-bulletin/

9th May ‘Submissions are now open for Shooter’s summer 2022 issue, themed Out West. Writers should send short stories and non-fiction of 2,000-6,000 words and/or up to three poems.’ ‘We’re looking for stories, essays, memoir and poetry on anything to do with western places and westward migration – not just the American West but western regions in any country, or immigration from East to West globally.’ PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

9th May ‘We realized there’s no better way to break our hiatus than with a special themed issue of the Starward Shadows eZine that’s centered around Eastern European folklore, culture, and heritage.’ Flash and short prose. PAYING https://starwardshadows.com/submission-guidelines-for-issue-003-eastern-european-heritage-and-folklore/

10th May ‘We publish OwnVoices stories in all genres. All works including common triggers will be prefaced by a trigger warning. How we define OwnVoices: an author from a marginalized, persecuted, or underrepresented group writing about their own experiences/from their own perspective, rather than someone from an outside perspective writing as a character from an underrepresented group.’ Theme: Rebirth. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.limeoncellomagazine.com/submit

13th May Theme: Sympathy. ‘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

15th May Haiku and Senryu on the theme of Using Punctuation. https://poetrypea.com/submissions/

15th May ‘In these stories and poems, mothers become heroes and villains. The concept of motherhood is examined and stretched to its ultimate limits across time, space, gender, location, and concept. Deliciously dark, each tale forces us to examine the depth and breadth of what motherhood is and what a mother will do for her offspring.’ 1000-3000 words. PAYING (SUBJECT TO FUNDRAISER/FUNDING) https://weirdlittleworlds.com/submissions/

15th May Theme: Transfigurations. ‘I am looking for essentially any piece of “writing” engaging with, responding to, and utilizing a source text. I’m curious to discover all the different ways that we can bend and interpret the forms of erasure and collage as we explore the murky space in which poetry and visual art become inseparable.’ Poetry, collage, visual art, and prose. https://violetindigoblueetc.com/submissions/

15th May Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Mental Health. https://www.opendoorpoetrymagazine.com/author-submissions

15th May Poetry, fiction and much more on the theme of Waging Peace. https://thebezine.com/about/submission-guidelines/

15th May Poems on the theme of Vision. http://www.florencepoets.com/p/silkworm.html

15th May ‘The theme is “The Wizard Must Be Stopped!” – which can be interpreted by the author in any way that provides a story featuring a wizard in some shape or form. The wizard does not have to be the antagonist, nor does she have to be strictly human.’ PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://storiesrulepress.com/urban-fantasy-digest-2022-call-for-submissions/

15th May Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Sugar. PAYS ONE CONTRIBUTOR https://thefieldstonereview.ca/submit

15th May Scifaiku. https://poetrypea.com/submission-topics-2022/

15th May Poetry, short fiction and essays on the theme of Recovery. https://lib.msu.edu/shortedition/submissions/

15th May SF/F Novellas, 17500-40,000 words. PAYING https://www.uncannymagazine.com/submissions/

15th May Poetry on the theme of Finding the Sacred in the Ordinary. https://www.bethanyrivers.com/as-above-as-below

20th May ‘Mithila Review is inviting submissions for a special global Hopepunk issue of science fiction (and fantasy) devoted to positive and powerful character-driven stories that imagine an open and inclusive tech-empowered democratic future for all people, species and countries on Earth.’ Fiction and Poetry. PAYING https://mithilareview.com/hopepunk/

20th May ‘We are now collecting stories for our HOLIDAY 2022 book and we are looking for stories about the entire December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too.’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

20th May Poetry and fiction on the theme of Vacation, and the Tributes section is for those who work in Food Service. https://www.writersworkout.net/waywords

25th May ‘Issue 12: Surrealist Spring! April 15th-May 25th: Send us the depths of your imagination! Your poetry/prose/essays can contain anything absurdist.’ https://www.fahmidan.net/submissions

30th May ‘We want your true funny stories, your heart-warming stories, and your mindboggling stories about all the simply amazing things that your cat does.’ Stories or poems. PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

30th May ‘We all have them! Those eccentric, goofy, wacky, lovable, and oh so fun family members—the ones we tell all the stories about. They could be a parent or grandparent, an in-law, a brother or sister, an aunt, uncle or cousin. Or grown children. Share your true stories and poems about those family members.’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

30th May SF/F short fiction 750-6000 words. PAYING https://www.uncannymagazine.com/submissions/

30th May ‘We want stories that challenge our relationship with space—past, present, and future.’ ‘The call for our inaugural issue will be May 1 – 30, 2022, with the theme, Is There Anybody Out There? We’re seeking stories about unexpected encounters in isolated places.’ 1250 words maximum. PAYING https://spacefantasymag.com/submission-guidelines/

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

31st May Poems. https://atriumpoetry.com/submission-guidelines/ (Cathy’s note: This is run by lovely people. I can’t promise that they’ll accept you, but they’ll be lovely.)

31st May F/SF on the theme of Seasons. 2000-8000 words. PAYING https://www.worldsmyths.com/welcome/submissions/

31st May ‘Alluvian is an online environmental journal of creative responses to the environmental crisis. We accept creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry), art, cartoons, short videoclips, and audio files.’ Theme: Weird Weather. https://alluvian.submittable.com/submit

31st May ‘3Elements Literary Review is a themed literary journal, and all THREE elements (the specific words, Moon, Western, Placebo—art & photography excluded) given for the submission period must be included in your story or poem for your work to be considered for publication.’ http://3elementsreview.com/submission-guidelines

31st May Poetry and art on the theme of Hunger. https://feralpoetry.net/submissions/

1st Jun ‘The “urbanX Project” seeks to draw together a diverse collection of non-fiction stories and artistic expressions that speak to global urbanism for our Fall 2022 anthology. We explicitly seek submissions that explore the concerns and triumphs of everyday life from cities around the globe.’ Essays and street art on one of the provided themes. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://mightyroguepress.com/urbanx-call-for-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!)

‘BOOKS — If you have a manuscript that seems to resonate with our list, send us a query and tell us about it. If your vision intrigues us, we will ask to see your manuscript, which we will read with care and respond to personally. Lyricism, far-flung locations, daring, desperation, and experimentation are all of interest.’ https://www.wetcementpress.com/about-wcp

Until filled: Stories, poetry and more featuring the creepier side of winter, and including a tree. PAYING https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.com/submissions-stillofwinter (Cathy’s note: although there is a deadline in July, these anthologies fill up quickly, so get your submission in ASAP!)

Poetry, prose and more. PAYING https://rivannareview.com/

‘WCP Magazine — Published more-or-less quarterly. From lyrical to experimental: we’re interested in writing, art and hybrid work that is subtle, conscious and aware of the worlds in which we all coexist.’ ‘Digital Chapbooks — eBook only chapbooks available on Apple Books, Amazon and elsewhere. Submissions should be between 10 and 50 pages. Poetry, fiction, prose, visual, hybrid.’ https://www.wetcementpress.com/about-wcp

Canadians only: fiction, nonfiction and poetry. https://nightwoodeditions.com/pages/contact

Open until filled: ‘We want you to mix humor with your favorite Mythos elements.’ Up to 4500 words. PAYING https://thedragonsroost.biz/dragons-roost-press-submissions/

‘We seek previously unpublished fiction and hybrid work under 10k words [including excerpts and work in translation] that push out the boundary of what literary horror is and what it might become.’ PAYING https://www.ergot.press/about

20-30 poems, fiction and nonfiction. https://www.woodhallpress.com/submissions

‘Unnerving Online accepts FLASH FICTION story submissions of horror and suspense. Generally leaning toward horror.’ PAYING https://www.unnervingbooks.com/submissions

‘At Class Collective Magazine, we’re proud to publish writing that has a class-based perspective on politics and culture. However, we encourage writers to interpret this prompt as creatively as they’d like—the sky’s the limit! We have multiple categories, including poetry, short fiction, essays, and commentary.’ PAYING https://www.classcollectivemag.com/submissions

Book MSS. ‘Purple Unicorn Media accepts queries across all genres, but has a special focus on poetry, travel, journals and essays.’ ROYALTIES http://www.purpleunicornmedia.com/purple-unicorn-publishing.html

‘Infinity Wanderers is a new magazine dedicated to promoting alternate history and the associated genres of Science Fiction, Steampunk, Historical Fiction and Fantasy. In addition we aim for between 1/3 and 1/2 real history and writers of Historical features are welcome to submit.’ Fiction, articles, essays, poems and art work. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL)

http://www.scimitaredge.com/if-magazine-terms.html

‘For our online journal, we consider unsolicited submissions of original poetry, short stories, essays, and devotional meditations.’ ‘Our preference is for writing that explores what it means to be a Christian in terms of Monday through Saturday, not just Sunday; and that illustrates the way God touches our everyday lives.’ Also book MS subs. https://evensongbooks.com/submissions/

‘We are looking only for science fiction and fantasy. Writers familiar with what we have published in the past will know what sort of material we are most likely to publish in the future: powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are the sine qua non for consideration for science fiction submissions. As for fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality.’ MSS of 100,000-130,000 words. ROYALTIES https://www.baen.com/contact

‘NINETENTHS Press is part traditional curatorial project and part meditation on the inevitability of failure and loss. Often times it feels like 90% (or more) of the things we attempt end up not working out, are rejected, just fall short, less than satisfy.’ Poetry, CNF, and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://ninetenthspress.com/submissions/

Poetry and fiction, plus poetry and fiction MSS. https://hiddenpeakpress.com/submit/

Erotic novellas and novels. http://www.deepdesirespress.com/submissions/

Comps and calls for April 2022

Hello Everyone,

Apologies for lateness. Sometimes the human body and the technological world just don’t work together! There are loads of good opportunities here by way of apology, so I hope you’ll forgive me.

It’s April, and I only have one piece of news, really — I’m a finalist in The César Egido Serrano Foundation short story contest, in the English language category! This is a free annual comnpetition with no fee, and with cash prizes. Didn’t enter last year? Enter this year instead! I know that the chance of winning is small, but to have my story picked out of 46,000 is very validating.

Yes, I’ve had plenty of success, but my Imposter Syndrome still says: Cathy, you aren’t really any good, you have no talent, you should stop trying, people are just being kind if they say they like your writing… Do you have an inner narrative that suggests those things to you too? I know writers who’ve landed six-figure book deals who still feel that way! Change your narrative to something more helpful!|

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

2nd Apr ‘In no more than 350 words enter our FABLE COMPETITION to write a 21st Century Fable in the style of the great master, Robert Louis Stevenson.’ PAYING https://www.mrrls.com/fable

3rd Apr Scotland only: speculative story on the theme of Roots. PAYING https://www.shorelineofinfinity.com/cymera-shoreline-of-infinity-prize-for-speculative-short-fiction-2022/

4th Apr US age 25-35 only: ‘Applications are sought from those poets at the beginning of their careers, ages 25-35 years. This scholarship, to be awarded every year, aims to encourage and assist an emerging poet in their creative poetry writing endeavours.’ PAYING https://www.waltwhitman.org/poets-poetry/poetstocome/

6th Apr Spectator Competition No. 3244: worse verse. ‘Bono’s Ukraine-themed poem for St Patrick’s Day has been dubbed ‘the worst poem ever written’. You are invited to submit a poem to mark St George’s Day (not necessarily with a topical theme) that rivals it in awfulness. Email entries (16 lines max.) to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 6 April.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-spring-triolets

13th Apr ‘Spectator Competition No. 3245: French connection. You are invited to take a passage from a classic of French literature (please specify)and recast it in Franglais. Please email entries of up to 16 lines/150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 13 April.’ PAYING  https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competition-winners-the-polar-bear-who-came-to-tea

14th Apr Spec flash on the theme provided. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

15th Apr ‘New science fiction short story by a new author.’ Up to 7499 words. PAYING https://www.arcmanorbooks.com/resnick

15th Apr There are four awards for fiction or poetry, and there’s no entry form -just submit your work to Descant, and if it’s published, it might be picked for an award. PAYING https://descant.tcu.edu/awards/

15th Apr 53-word story inspired by this month’s prompt. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.press53.com/53word-story-contest

15th Apr Flash fiction up to 500 words. PAYING https://brilliantflashfiction.com/writing-contests/

17th Apr ‘We are looking for emerging writers who have yet to publish a collection of poetry (not including self-published chapbooks). Submit a manuscript featuring 15 to 30 poems in standard .doc / docx or pdf document.’ PAYING https://kingdomsinthewild.com/poetryprize

17th Apr Under 18s: Short Story. PAYING https://broadwayartsfestival.com/short-story-prize/ (Cathy’s note: Over 18s may also enter, but there’s a fee that I consider quite hefty to do so.)

21st Apr Comp opens on the 15th April and closes on 21st. Microfiction of 250 words or fewer, based on the provided theme. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

22nd Apr ‘Part of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, the Author of Tomorrow is an annual competition designed to find the adventure writers of the future. It is open to young people, aged 21 and under, who have completed a short piece of adventure writing in English.’ There are various age categories. PAYING https://www.wilbur-niso-smithfoundation.org/index.php/awards/author-of-tomorrow-2019/submissions

24th Apr Short story or poem with a science theme for children by an adult. PAYING https://sruk.org.uk/2022-edition/ (Cathy’s note: most of the bumph says ‘story’ but there in the rules it mentions ‘poems’ too. Thanks to https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/ for this one)

24th Apr Age 16-18 only: There are two comps, one for poetry and one for essays, both with provided themes. PAYING https://keats-shelley.org/prizes/young_romantics_prize_2022

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Apr Essays and prose poetry on the theme of Love. http://www.portyonderpress.com/issue-15—love.html

2nd Apr Under-represented writers only: speculative fiction novella. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/submissions

3rd Apr Poetry. https://poetrybusiness.co.uk/about/submissions/

3rd Apr Fiction, CNF and poetry about the sea. PAYING https://seabornemagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

3rd Apr ‘Hecate Magazine strictly prioritises work from women writers and accepts submissions from the following marginalised gender identities and expressions: bigender/polygender person, cisgender woman, intergender person/intersex person, non-binary person/gender non-conforming person, transgender woman/transfeminine person, two-spirit. Please do not submit to us if none of the above apply to you (eg. you are a cisgender male).’ Theme: Devotion. ‘We want your ugly prayers, divine conquests and holy matrimonies. We are accepting poetry, prose, creative non-fiction and artwork for this issue.’ https://hecate-magazine.com/submissions

8th Apr Real Cool World: ‘From glaciology and marine biology to geopolitics, international law, fiction, big ships and more, this collection will showcase subjects and stories from the planet’s deepest south. We’re looking for new work that responds to the theme in the form of essays, reportage, creative non-fiction, fiction, memoir and visual essays.’ PAYING https://www.griffithreview.com/submit-to-griffith-review/

8th Apr Theme: Enchantment. ‘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

9th Apr Speculative fiction novella. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/submissions

9th Apr For this issue of Riddled with Arrows we seek writing-related fiction, creative non-fiction, ars poetica, non-classifiable written objects and visual art exploring the theme of “writing endings” . PAYING https://www.riddledwitharrows.com/guidelines/

10th Apr ‘While we are devoted to giving a voice to LGBTQAI+ creatives, we also want to give a voice to women creatives, disabled creatives, and neurodivergent creatives. We also wish to give a voice to creatives with mental illness(es), invisible illness(es), and/or trauma.’ ‘It must be inspired by our Popular Culture theme. We are reviewing works inspired by She-Ra and The Princesses of Power, Stardew Valley, and Sailor Moon’  . Poetry, prose and art. https://www.thewinnowmagazine.com/submitguidelines.html

14th Apr Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Post-Apocalyptic Pride. PAYING https://wearethequietones.com/submission-calls/

14th Apr Poems. https://www.whiptailjournal.com/submissions.html

14th Apr Science Fiction Fairytales. PAYING https://www.shorelineofinfinity.com/submissions/

15th Apr Rumors, scandal, gossip, innuendo, hints and allegations, whispers and suspicions, slander, spillin’ the tea—Tell us your best stories of approximately 50 words, about Rumors……” Please send us your best stories of approximately 50 words regarding Rumors in the body of  an email to blinkinkinfo@gmail.com No poetry, bios, or attachments please.

15th Apr Poetry and fiction. https://descant.tcu.edu/submit/

15th Apr Nonfiction, art and photography. PAYING https://www.maskslitmag.com/submit.html

15th Apr Haiku and senryu on the theme of Write Like Kerouac. https://poetrypea.com/submissions/

15th Apr ‘ “Summer of Speculation” will be a themed anthology containing stories from Fantasy and Science Fiction. All Sub genres are welcome (with a few exceptions noted in the submissions guidelines). We are seeking fresh faces as well as seasoned scifi/fantasy pros for this yearly anthology to be released in the summer every year. 4000-10,000 words. Our 2022 theme will be “VILLAINS”. PAYING https://www.cloakedpress.com/summerspec/

15th Apr Theme: The Power of the Pause. ‘We invite short stories, poetry, memoir, and creative non-fiction to help us explore this theme.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://universaltable.org/wisingup.html

15th Apr ‘Drawing on the spirit of Appalachia, how will you reveal the masked or unmasked facets of a past, present, or future time? For Volume 25, we are asking for your poems, short stories, essays, flash pieces and black and white 2D art in response to the theme, Appalachia (Un)Masked. We mostly accept unpublished work, but we aren’t sticklers.’ http://www.sawconline.net/pmsg-submission-guidelines.html

20th Apr ‘We’re looking for weed-centered horror stories of any sub-genre.  How you interpret that, is honestly up to you. Any idea is welcomed as long as it is not demonizing the substance or its users.’ 1500-4200 words.  PAYING https://donniegoodman.com/strange-weeds-anthology/

21st Apr Poems on the theme of The Value of Wilderness. https://thenewamericanaesthetic.weebly.com/submit.html

28th Apr ‘Current call for submissions: Our seventh issue is based on the theme ‘Science, Humour and the Absurd’. This edition of Science Write Now will explore how humour and the absurd shape cultural ideas of science and, in turn, how the world of science influences comic performance in popular culture, art and literature.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://www.sciencewritenow.com/submissions (Cathy’s note: only Australian contributors are paid.)

30th Apr Writers from the African diaspora and the African continent only: poetry, prose and more on the theme of Food. PAYING https://www.fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/

30th Apr Poetry, flash fiction and more on the theme of Déjà Vu in Times of War. https://erferrara.wixsite.com/quarantinemuseum

30th Apr ‘This call is for young activists, creatives and advocates for human rights to exhibit the human rights issues that are most important to them in form of art, essays, short stories, poems etc., specifically in reference to the right to defend human rights and not incite hate or bigotry.’ https://www.ihraf.org/ihraf-youth-anthology

30th Apr ‘For our next major anthology, slated for release in September 2022, we’re looking for horror stories inspired by neurodiverse experiences. Stories about perception, communication, the feeling of being ‘differently wired’. Challenge us. Scare us.’ 1000-6000 words. PAYING https://ghostorchidpress.com/submission-calls/

30th April ‘We are open to submissions which relate to PERSON FIRST IN AN IDENTITY FIRST WORLD.’   ‘We’re looking for poetry and stories of and by those who have been relegated to “them” status by virtue of a label that (validly) places them in a particular group. But we don’t want work related to how or why that group is special, invalid, irrelevant, etc. What we want is stories that explore the intersectionality of people in those groups. Nonbinary skydivers. Black equestrians. Wheelchair-using geocachers. Trans chefs. We want stories of and by people in othered communities, but we don’t want their label to be the story.’ https://nonbinaryreview.submittable.com/submit/f2138bb1-57ab-4720-bdbc-8e9590deaa26/nbr-28-person-first-in-an-identity-first-world

30th Apr ‘Midnight in the Dying Garden: Fairy Tales for the End of the World is a collection of horror stories with a fantastical twist. We’re looking for tales that are both horrific and enchanting.’ 1000-7000 words. PAYING https://kopfkinomedia.com/

30th Apr ‘For the 9th issue of illiterature. we’re seeking poems that have been decomposed. After reading a series of interviews about how poets compose their work we’re curious about how poems can be decomposed.’  CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) http://www.puddlesofskypress.com/submissions.html

30th Apr Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Catalyst. https://www.pareidolialiterary.com/submissions

30th Apr 101-word story written to the prompt: “Did you see that?” https://www.tortivetheatre.com/flash101

30th Apr ‘Volume 8 of MacroMicroCosm explodes into another Galaxy with the frontier for science fiction & a healthy helping of imagination. What’s out there? Who are we now, and who will we be, when we find out? If space exploration is the goal, how do we fix things on earth to help it happen? We’re taking a deep dive into space this year.’ ROYALTIES https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/macromicrocosm-1lhW7

1st May Short story 800-2000 words on the theme of There and Back. OTHER https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

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!)

Book submissions, including novelettes and collections. ‘Suspenseful horror, crime (no cop dramas, cops can be in the stories but not the main subject and preferably not heroic), and dark dark dark general fiction. Sex, gore and violence are welcome in moderation. Action over emotion, every time.’  50/50 net sales split. https://www.unnervingbooks.com/submissions

‘A literary magazine looking for the messy, the emotional, but most of all the humanity found in art.’ https://ilinixlitmag.wixsite.com/ilinix/contact-1 (Cathy’s note: as the editors are high schoolers, this might be a good place for your children and young adults to submit. I don’t know the editors personally, so as always this is info rather than a recommendation, but the site looks good.)

‘Cozy fantasy flash and microfiction.’ PAYING https://wyngraf.com/2022/03/20/now-open-to-cozy-flash-and-microfiction/

Science fiction poetry. VOUCHER/OTHER  https://www.shorelineofinfinity.com/submissions/submissions-poetry-multiverse/

Open until filled: ‘Tales of dark fantasy and the high seas!’ 500-1000 words. PAYING https://shackleboundbooks.wordpress.com/submissions/

Open until filled: Dark military SF stories up to 1000 words.  PAYING https://shackleboundbooks.wordpress.com/submissions/

Open until filled: dark drabbles. Also Planetside: SF drabbles. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://shackleboundbooks.wordpress.com/submissions/

Comps and calls for March 2022

Hello Everyone,

It’s March, and I hope that you are making the way towards your literary goals! Do remember my personal motto: “Have a go”. And also remember that if you proofread your work and it isn’t filled with cliches, and you follow the submission guidelines, then you have as good a chance as anybody.

We’re all thinking about the situation in Ukraine as I write this. Remember that writing can be a helpful outlet to express your feelings and thoughts. Do take care of yourself. Much love to those who are suffering in Ukraine and elsewhere.

I’ve had some good news. When the pandemic broke out, the word ‘Corona’ wasn’t very popular. People even smashed bottles of Corona beer! The Corona Press decided not to bring out the 4th Corona Book of Horror stories, in which I had a story, and the future of the Press itself was uncertain. Well, I’m thrilled to say that they’re going ahead with the project now! I always used to look for anthologies such as ‘Tales of the Unexpected’, ‘The 12th Book of Pan Horror’, ‘More Tales of Unease’, and similar titles now on my bookshelf, so to have work in The 4th Corona Book of Horror Stories is a delight!

Many thanks for all the kind messages and emails. My Mother-in Law has indeed died, and her suffering is over. She died peacefully, not in pain, with her beloved son (my husband and the Comps and Calls Webbie) beside her.

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

2nd Mar ‘Spectator Competition No. 3239: bookish. Sajid Javid is a big fan of Ayn Rand and Justin Trudeau loves Stephen King. You are invited to submit political manifestos inspired by literary heroes (please specify). Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 2 March.’ PAYING https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/spectator-competitions-winners-o-my-love-is-like-

4th Mar ‘For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which… IN THE FIRST SENTENCE… one or more characters arrive at a location and find something unexpected.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.com/current-contest/

5th Mar ‘Amateur playwrights world-wide are invited to submit a one-act play. Three winning scripts will be selected for fully staged performances during the Windsor Fringe Festival in October. One of the three scripts will be chosen as the overall winner and awarded a £500 prize.’ ‘If “BBC Writersroom” is written on the top right hand corner of contact sheet, no submission fee will be needed.’ PAYING https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/windsor-fringe/ (Cathy’s note: you do need to send hard copies as well as digital, so some expense is involved.)

13th Mar ‘We invite published and non-published authors to enter by submitting an original story of up to 2,200 words on the theme of ‘Treasure’. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a36157/harpers-bazaar-short-story-competition/

14th Mar Flash fiction inspired by the provided image. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

14th Mar ‘The 2022 Fitzcarraldo Editions/Mahler & LeWitt Studios Essay Prize, an annual competition for unpublished writers, is now open to submissions. Initially made possible by an Arts Council Grant in 2015, the prize awards £3,000 to the best proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words) by a writer resident in the UK & Ireland who has yet to secure a publishing deal.’ PAYING https://fitzcarraldoeditions.com/prizes/essay-prize

15th Mar 53-word story inspired by this month’s prompt. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.press53.com/53word-story-contest

15th Mar Speculative flash fiction on the theme of Claude Calhun. PAYING https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/

18th Mar Age 9-18 only: poem on the theme of Life After Conflict. PRIZES (UNKNOWN WHAT) https://www.neversuchinnocence.com/poetry-competition

24th Mar Microfiction up to 250 words. PAYING https://solarpunkmagazine.com/monthly-micro-fiction-contest/

31st Mar Flash Fiction up to 300 words. PAYING https://shadygroveliterary.wixsite.com/shadygroveliterary/about

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

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

7th Mar Short stories up to 5000 words on the theme of The Last Five Minutes of a Storm! PAYING https://www.sanspress.com/submissions

7th Mar ‘At the intersection of being Nigerian and being queer—outlawed by both government and society—the majority of us have had to inherit definitive models of religion, belief, and faith which exclude, devalue, or otherwise victimize us in our communities, our forms of expression, and our forms of love. What, then, are our processes of compromise, redefinition, negotiation, or renunciation? As the editor of this online folio, I am seeking poetry, creative nonfiction, and visual art from the queer Nigerian community (on the continent or in the diaspora)’. https://pankmagazine.submittable.com/submit

9th Mar ‘Volume 4’s theme is Light. We accept poetry, Creative Non-fiction (CNF), and art.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://paddlerpress.ca/submissions/

10th Mar Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Navigations: A Place for Peace. https://aboutplacejournal.org/submissions/

11th Mar Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Resilience. PAYING https://www.mascarareview.com/submit/

11th Mar ‘Caustic Frolic is seeking fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, music, and digital media to the theme Limbo for our Spring 2022 issue. For this edition, we’re excited about works about isolation, loneliness, the unknown. Make us think, or even feel a state of limbo from your work.’ https://causticfrolic.org/submission-info/

13th Mar Short story 800-2000 words. OTHER https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

14th Mar ‘If you are a BIPOC writer – regardless of whether you’re widely published or just starting out – and would like to see your work appear in a major anthology like The Book of Witches, we’d love to hear from you.’ 1500-6000 words. PAYING https://www.jonathanstrahan.com.au/wp/2022/01/12/open-submission-period-for-bipoc-writers-for-the-book-of-witches/ (thanks to https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/for this one)

15th Mar Indigenous writers only: ‘This call asks you to remember, imagine, or re-imagine moments in your life where you were the miracle (you define it) or where you were part of something bigger than yourself. Tell us about magic and miracles you witnessed, you fueled, you received, or that you want to wish into being for you and our world.’ http://www.yellowmedicinereview.com/id12.html

15th Mar BIPOC only: ‘Here’s what I’m looking for: Novel or novella length adult or YA fiction. I’m thrilled that the novella has made a comeback, but will note that the available markets are still few in number so having plans for novels also would be keen. My list is fairly representative of my taste, but I’m particularly interested right now in grounded science fiction, futurism, space opera, second world fantasy, secret history, gothics, and horror. I’ll consider anything that falls into SF/F/H or adjacent speculative categories, though.’ http://maassagency.com/jennifer-jackson/ (Cathy’s note: This is a call from an agent rather than a publisher or editor, but it’s a well-worded and clear call, and I feel like including it, so I have.)

15th Mar Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Layers. https://www.themedley-ostraca.net/submissions

15th Mar Poetry and fiction on the theme of Baseball. PAYING https://thetwinbill.com/submissions/

15th Mar ‘We’re excited to read your original science fiction stories (genre benders welcome)!’ Up to 5000 words. PAYING https://bsfa.co.uk/fission

15th Mar ‘We are looking for stories centered around one of our favorite sub-genres, Human Monsters. We enjoy twisty-turny, dark, psychological, thrilling, dangerous, menacing, gothic, strange, ugly, murderous, messed-up tales of people doing awful, no-good, very bad things to one another.’ 2000-4000 words. PAYING https://darkmattermagazine.com/submission-guidelines/human-monsters-anthology/

15th Mar Stories, drabbles and poems on the theme of Medusa. PAYING https://brigidsgatepress.com/?page_id=17

15th Mar Haiku and Senryu: using punctuation. https://poetrypea.com/submission-topics-2022/

15th Mar Prose poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Breaking the Rules. https://thewoolfx.com/submit/

15th Mar Poetry, essays and more on the theme of The Sacred Masculine. https://www.kosmosjournal.org/contribute-to-kosmos-quarterly/

15th Mar ‘When former editor Katharine Hyzy first introduced this tagline in the fall of 2003, she wrote, “What makes the West what it is has more to do with what it inspires than the physical, tangible features of its terrain.” Our place, our politics, and our social fabric have changed a lot since she wrote those words. After 30 years of making Camas, want to reimagine what it is that the West inspires.’ Poetry, fiction and more. http://www.camasmagazine.org/submit

15th Mar This collection was inspired by an earworm from the 1978 film, Grease. The lyrics “Summer Lovin’” from the song “Summer Nights” became “Summer Bludgeon,” and a new anthology title was born! We’re imagining a collection that highlights the dark corners of our hearts. Pull back the curtain and show us people at odds, broken relationships, love gone wrong. Send us stories, poems, photos, and art that have a dash of retro, maybe a hint of the campy, and a heaping helping of broken relationships of some kind (romantic, familial, collegial, etc.).’ PAYING https://unsettlingreads.squarespace.com/call-for-submissions

16th Mar ‘Following the success of Black Sci-Fi Short Stories comes another important collection, now open for submissions, inspired by stories of the first peoples in Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the first migration, the first exploration, the discovery of land and landscape without the footprint of humankind…We are looking for submissions from writers with appropriate heritage, whose stories will be cast alongside ancient myths and legends from around the world and will bring new perspectives to the legacy of First Nations, of First Peoples. The stories themselves can be speculative, fantastic, mythic or folkloric.’ PAYING http://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/first-peoples-call-for-submissions-0

20th Mar ‘Our Summer 2022 Edition theme is Swimming. We’re looking for stories, poems, and essays that explore slipping into the water and finding yourself.’ https://capsulestories.com/submissions/

21st Mar Writing on the theme of Vocal Minstry for this Quaker publication. https://www.friendsjournal.org/submissions/

25th Mar ‘We publish work on the topic of history and we have specific themes per issue. The third issue’s theme is ABSURD.’ https://sites.google.com/view/provenancejournal/submit

25th Mar Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Time. https://necroproductions.com/magazine/guidelines/

26th Mar Canadians only: poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.yolkliterary.ca/submissions (Cathy’s note: international writers may submit to the digital edition, but won’t receive a free copy unless they pay for shipping.)

27th Mar ‘We’d love to see your prose, flash and micro fiction, poetry, essay, creative non-fiction, photography, ekphrastics, and more! Surprise us! Be creative! Bend and blend genres!’ Theme: LIARS! (The Unreliable Narrator). https://www.parliamentlit.com/contests-submissions

27th Mar ‘JADEN is small leaf press’ proudest publication created to give writers of colour and underrepresented writers and creators a space to express their self-discovery journeys.’ Theme: New Beginnings. https://www.smallleafpress.co.uk/jaden-magazine

28th Mar BIPOC writers only: poetry, fiction and more. https://salthilljournal.net/submit

30th Mar ‘We’re looking for your uplifting true stories and poems about how you used the power of gratitude to change your own life while you navigated the preteen and teenage years.’ PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/

31st Mar ‘We’re seeking original, unpublished stories of up to 2022 words (horror/dark/speculative fiction) on any topic, in any style. (Word count does not include title.) The one rule, and here’s the tricky part … your story should be set in 2022. We don’t want one hundred stories all about coronavirus though, so think outside of the box!’ PAYING https://www.bagofbonespress.com/submission-calls

31st Mar ‘All stories featuring East Asian warriors are welcome.’ 5000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/anthologies/

31st Mar ‘Everyone deserves a chance at love. Whether it lasts forever or ends up being temporary, these characters will fight for the chance at happily ever after.’ 5000-15,000 words. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/anthologies/

31st Mar Haibun. https://poetrypea.com/submission-topics-2022/

31st Mar ‘The theme this year will be energy, sustainable energy. We’re looking for outstanding fantasy, science fiction, weird fiction, and speculative horror–from both new and established writers.’ Fiction up to 500 words, and poetry. PAYING http://parsecink.com/index.php/triangulation-submissions/

31st Mar ‘The theme for Summer 2022 will be: CYCLES. We encourage you to think of this theme broadly and incorporate into your work. Nonfiction, reviews, open letters, and research should relate specifically to experiences of madness or mental health challenges. Poetry, fiction, or visual art submissions do not need to focus on madness/mental health, but we may prioritize pieces that we feel fit our mandate and this issue’s theme.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL), POSSIBLE PAYMENT https://openmindsquarterly.submittable.com/submit

31st Mar ‘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: Cold. PAYING https://www.crowtoesquarterly.org/submit

31st Mar Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Catalyst. https://www.pareidolialiterary.com/submissions

31st Mar Canadians only: poetry and fiction. PAYING https://thefiddlehead.ca/submit

31st Mar Poetry and fiction on the theme of Many Worlds. https://www.planisphereq.com/p/guidelines.html

31st Mar Transracial adoptees: ‘Share your experience of being a child of color growing up and moving away from the gaze of whiteness. How has it shaped you? How has it informed your parenting? Have you decided against parenting because of it? Have you searched for your birth family? We invite all forms–essays, poems, interviews, comics, etc.–from diasporic transracial adoptees (Black, Asian, Latine(x), Indigenous, and other persons of color) to add nuance to the collective narrative. Being a parent is not a requirement.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://www.raisingmothers.com/submissions/

31st Mar ‘This fiction anthology from Eric Raglin (writer of NIGHTMARE YEARNINGS, editor of ANTIFA SPLATTERPUNK) will feature stories of body horror in sports and fitness. Submit your most grotesque, strange, frightening, and thought-provoking stories—ones with complex characters, unapologetic weirdness, and horror that takes bold narrative risks.’ 2000-4500 words. PAYING https://ericraglin.com/2021/12/16/shredded-a-sports-and-fitness-body-horror-anthology/

31st Mar ‘Tigershark ezine is open to submissions from anyone (both new and established writers) in any style or genre, and accepts flash fiction, short fiction and non-fiction/reviews up to 5000 words (loose), poetry of any length, and artwork.’ Theme: The City. https://tigersharkpublishing.wordpress.com/home/guidelines/

31st Mar ‘Love Letters to Poe will be open for original gothic short stories and poems inspired by “The Fall of the House of Usher” from February 1 through March 31, 2022.’ PAYING https://loveletterstopoe.com/submit-a-story/

31st Mar ‘The guidelines for this issue are simple – the first line of every fiction/non-fiction submission must start with “If I were you I’d […] and this must be the title of any art submission. When it comes to poetry the author may choose whether to use it as the first line or the title.’ http://www.kissthewitch.co.uk/seinundwerden/submissions.html

31st Mar Theme: ‘(Re)Writing Home: In this issue of Apofenie, we seek poetry, prose, and nonfiction that addresses this question of home—its problems, possibilities, architectures, and mythologies.’ https://www.apofenie.com/masthead

31st Mar ‘We are calling for poetry, fiction, and art for our 8th issue of Nostos (2022). This will be our ODES issue. All themes are possible as long as the work’s intention is the ode. The nature of the ode may certainly be captured in fiction and art as well as poetry.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.longshippress.com/

31st Mar Speculative fiction 1500-5000 words on the theme of Prehistories. PAYING https://lackingtons.com/submissions/

31st Mar ‘Legion of Dorks Presents: Abandoned – An Anthology of Vacant Spaces is searching for short stories no more than 7000 words exploring the phenomenon of full spaces gone empty.’ PAYING https://curseddragonship.com/submissions/

31st Mar ‘Fairytale retellings with a twist. The twist being a mirror must feature.’ 2500-7000 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://ironfaeriepublishing.com/open-anthology-calls/

1st Apr ‘We want stories about magic in today’s world. Not stories of witches and warlocks surrounded by vampires and werewolves that hide in the shadows, but of real, everyday people, in our real, everyday world, and that one little magic charm they found, or that one spell they learned that actually works, or that one gift they were born with, and how they can make it work for them in today’s world. And maybe how it works against them, too… Reprints, poetry, flash fiction, and B&W art are welcome and will be paid at 1/2 rate of original stories.’ ROYALTIES https://knightwritingpress.com/magic-portals/

1st Apr ‘There is currently so much room and need for more sapphic content in the horror literary genre. Moonflowers and Nightshade will include a diverse group of stories, including but not limited to stories involving genderqueer, non-binary, BIPOC, genderfluid, lesbian, trans, bisexual, and pansexual characters.’ 2000-5000 words. PAYING https://samreadswhat.wixsite.com/books/about-us

1st Apr First person narratives under 1000 words on the theme of Field. PAYING https://www.christiancentury.org/blog-post/editors-post/century-invites-reader-submissions-8

1st Apr ‘For Witches of a Certain Age, I’m looking for female (or female-identifying) magic users between 40-99, women with some life experience under their belts, and who are well-established in their magical power… I want to see what they do when faced with a challenge – preferably a threat or mystery that they have to resolve using the combination of their life experience and their magic.’ 6000-8000 words. ROYALTIES http://www.camdenparkpress.com/witches/

1st Apr Word made by remixing work from an earlier (provided) issue. SOME CONTRIBUTORS GET CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://tinyspoon.org/submissions/

1st Apr Theme: After the Gold Rush – Future SF, climate change, economics. ‘We appreciate short, imaginative tales, preferring those that work with the theme in some way. Short stories should be 3,000 words or less. Flash humor pieces (<=1,000 words) can be on any theme.’ PAYING https://thirdflatiron.com/2021_TF_WP/

1st Apr Poetry, prose and art on the theme of Puppy Love. https://mosspuppymag.wixsite.com/home/submissions

1st Apr Writing on the theme of GARDENING: AN INSTRUMENT OF GRACE. https://www.shantiarts.co/SPAQ/SPAQ_calls.html

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 open for speculative fiction, poetry, prose (fiction & non-fiction), graphic novels & art submissions. Stories should be speculative (a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, magic realism & futuristic), and non-fiction pieces should tie in creatively to the speculative genre.’ ROYALTIES + SUBSCRIPTION https://www.vraeydamedia.ca/submissions

‘History Through Fiction is now accepting historical fiction short story and novel excerpt submissions that, if accepted, will be published in the member-only content area of our website (launching May 1). Stories and excerpts must be previously unpublished and should be between 1,000 and 8,000 words long.’ PAYING https://www.historythroughfiction.com/submissionguidelines

MS over 50,000 words. https://www.foundationsbooks.net/submissions/

Romantic drabbles (100 word stories) on various themes. Open until filled. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES (MAY BE PRINT OR DIGITAL) https://www.darkrosepress.com/calls/