Comps and calls for November 2015

Here are November 2015’s 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 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!

COMPETITIONS

Poetry by teens (Cathy’s note: as they will stop taking entries when they have enough of sufficient quality, get your entries in ASAP!). NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/teen-poets.php

Ghost stories up to 250 words by those up to 18 years old (Cathy’s note: as they will stop taking entries when they have enough of sufficient quality, get your entries in ASAP!). NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/ghost-stories.php

4th Nov ‘You are invited to describe an everyday object, in verse, from the point of view of a Martian. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 4 November.’ PAYING http://new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/rocker-to-writer/

5th Nov ‘The written submission must relate to the architecture of health. The topic should explore a fresh and provocative perspective that addresses the context of the architecture of health. It should demonstrate how good design for health can and should happen without the essay being a survey, a descriptive process or a building study. Participants will be asked to register and submit a written piece which has not been previously published. It can be fantastical, critical, and in the form of a blog, story, critique, polemic etc Illustrations that help to explain the text will be accepted. There is an upper word limit of 2000 words.’ PAYING  http://www.architectsforhealth.com/awards/the-phil-gusack-writing-prize/

6th Nov ‘Your challenge: In no more than 75 words, write the beginning of a story in which someone has any kind of amnesia. Any character(s) in the story can be the one(s) with amnesia–the narrator, someone other than the narrator–we don’t have a preference. The goal is to write a beginning of an amnesia story that’s so interesting, we want to read more, even though the story’s built around a cliché.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.submittable.com/Submit

11th Nov Comp 2924: You are invited to submit a ‘love scene’ from a novel that dampens rather than boosts the reader’s libido. Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 11 November. PAYING http://new.spectator.co.uk/2015/10/fictihew/

13th Nov (Cathy’s note: airfare to Iceland is not included in the prize!) ‘The winner will receive the full retreat package, including a free hotel stay, tours, most meals, and all workshops for the duration of the event, from 13 to 17 April.* We know you’re all great writers, so show us what you’ve got. Write a short story, essay or poem, no more than 500 words, on the theme “Iceland — A Land of Storytelling.”’ NON-CASH PRIZE http://icelandwritersretreat.tumblr.com/post/128183802454/win-a-free-writers-retreat-in-iceland

15th Nov Poetry, fiction or nonfiction on the theme of Women and Water. PAYING http://eco-chick.com/2015/09/33727/announcing-women-in-water-the-first-annual-eco-chick-writing-contest-fiction-nonfiction-and-poetry/

15th Nov ‘The Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize, a cash award of $500, will be awarded to the best Brooklyn-focused non-fiction essay which is set in Brooklyn and is about Brooklyn and/or Brooklyn people/characters. We are seeking compelling Brooklyn stories from writers with a broad range of backgrounds and ages who can render Brooklyn’s rich soul and intangible qualities through the writer’s actual experiences in Brooklyn.’ (Cathy’s note: they don’t specify Brooklyn-only or even USA-only, but they do say that it should be rendered through the writer’s actual experience in Brooklyn, so you’ll have to decide whether or not your experiences render you eligible. I don’t usually include non-UK regional stuff unless anyone can enter it – this is available internationally, technically!) PAYING http://www.filmbrooklyn.org/

15th Nov Letter, or ode to letters. PAYING https://notokens.submittable.com/submit/47892

15th Nov ‘We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for our 2016 Emerging Writer Fellowships. Under this project, three emerging writers will be selected for six-month fellowships. Our focus when reviewing applications will be on finding writers who have not yet published or been contracted to write a book-length work and who would benefit from the time, space, and editorial attention the fellowships offer.’ PAYING https://apublicspacedemo.submittable.com/submit/47311

16th Nov Speculative story up to 250 words on the theme of Christmas Invasion (Cathy’s note: all entrants receive a free digital issue of Apex magazine. Useful for those who might want to submit to it in the future). PAYING http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontpage/46103937-apexs-annual-flash-fiction-contest

16th Nov Memoir up to 750 words. PAYING https://splitlip.submittable.com/submit/48534

23rd Nov ‘Prompt: Write a short story, of 700 words or fewer, that begins with the following sentence: The difference is, I lie for a reason. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story.’ http://www.writersdigest.com/your-story-competition/your-story-70-submit-now

27th Nov ‘We’re looking for carefully crafted short stories with vivid characters who encounter grace in everyday settings—we want to see who, in the age we live in, might have one foot in this world and one in the next.’ Up to 8000 words. PAYING http://dappledthings.org/the-j-f-powers-prize-for-fiction/

29th Nov Poem, short story or blog post, preferably by a new writer. ‘We hope the applicants will be people with little to no published works, or those who have a blog lacking visitors.’ PAYING http://www.buildyourownblog.net/scholarship/

30th Nov Short story up to 2500 words. PAYING http://www.deancharltonmag.com/competition.html

30th Nov ‘Throughout human history, different periods have been captured by a defining theme: the Dark Ages… the Industrial Age… the Nuclear Age… the Information Age… the Space Age, etc. What do you think the theme of the 21st century will be?’ Essay 1500-2500 words. PAYING http://fountainmagazine.com/essaycontest

30th Nov ‘Each month three topics from recent news will be selected.  Choosing one from the list, writers will have the opportunity to imagine the implications of that event on our future and can decide for themselves whether the outcome will be positive or negative.  Two winners will be selected, one Utopian and one Dystopian story, and will be announced at the beginning of the following month.’ PAYING https://subtopian.submittable.com/submit/47200

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Nov Canadians only: ‘The stories surrounding monsters, creatures, and myths play an integral role in the formation of a cultural and individual identity. For our forthcoming anthology, Those Who Make Us, we will gather together a unique body of speculative fiction with a focus on creatures, myths, and monsters set in a real or imagined Canada that highlight these diverse identities. We welcome stories about classic Canadian monsters, but Those Who Make Us will also explore how monsters from other cultures affect and are affected by Canadian landscapes.’ PAYING https://thosewhomakeus.wordpress.com/

5th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Dickensian Holidays (Cathy’s note: you don’t have to pay a submission fee unless you want to enter the contests, or are submitting microfiction). http://www.literarygarage.com/submissions.html

6th Nov ‘Solstice, Krampus, The Snow Queen, wolves, forests, the Christmas story, Jack Frost… these are just a few bits of winter wonder that might find their way into a poem or flash for our three drops from a cauldron Midwinter Special e-issue.’ http://threedropspoetry.co.uk/submissions/midwinter-special-2015/

9th Nov Women writers only: ‘Six Hens features true stories about the moments that define and redefine. Our writers take us to the places and events that changed what they believe in, changed how they see their place in the world, and changed them. Through their storytelling, they change us. We are looking for powerful, first-person nonfiction about the moments that segment life into before and after.Your submission should be previously unpublished. Please limit your piece to 2000 words.’ PAYING http://www.sixhens.com/index.php#submissions

10th Nov Poetry and prose on the theme of Monogamy for this ‘zine about women’s sexuality. http://www.cliteraturejournal.com/submissionguidelines.html

10th Nov Poetry, flash and more on the theme of Dream. http://www.local-nomad.net/sample-page/

11th Nov Flash, short fiction and graphic art on the theme of Torsion. PAYING http://www.rickysbackyard.com/new-issue/

14th Nov or when filled: Poetry on the theme of The Long Road. ROYALTIES http://www.ftbpress.com/poetry.html

15th Nov ‘Anthology to celebrate the power of Anna Akhmatova’ s voice seeks poems and essays about her works, life, and times. Though the editor is interpreting the topic broadly, she is interested in poems sparked by lines from A. A.’s poems or biographical material and personal essays about how she may have influenced your work, as well as scholarly essays.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY  http://leavingmyshadow.webs.com/

15th Nov ‘We ask you to summon up Sherlock Holmes once more. We ask you to take the canonical Holmes, just as Doyle left him, and work him into your style and into your fictional universe. We ask you to create the finest mysteries and adventures.’ 15,000-30,000 words approx. PROFIT/REVENUE-SHARING MODEL    https://18thwall.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the-science-of-detection-guidelines1.pdf

15th Nov Lyric essays. https://tinderboxeditions.submittable.com/submit/44547

15th Nov ‘We will consider a broad variety of material, but we place special emphasis on that which discusses healthcare or illuminates the experience of health or disease in some way. This can include short fiction, non-fiction, poetry, visual art, music, or book/article reviews, or any other form of creative expression that strikes your fancy.’ http://www.foliamag.com/#!submissions/c108h

15th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Christmas or Christmas Horror. http://elitecritiques.com/submissions/december-guidelines/

15th Nov Poetry on the theme of Harvest. http://theplumtreetavern.blogspot.co.uk/p/guidelines.html

15th Nov Speculative fiction up to 7500 words on the theme of Sirens. http://www.worldweaverpress.com/submit-anthologies.html

15th Nov Creative writing and more on the theme of Legacy. CONTRIBUTOR COPY

http://www.thephoenixsoul.com/submit/

15th Nov Writing for the Holiday issue (Cathy’s note: holiday as in the American sense, i.e. Christmas, Kwanza etc, rather than trips to places, I think). http://walkwriteup.com/2014/05/26/submissions/

15th Nov Fiction 100 words long, with a one-word title, on the theme of Fire. http://www.101fiction.com/

21st Nov Fiction up to 4000 words on the theme of Oddism. ROYALTIES

http://www.ftbpress.com/fiction-1.html

27th Nov Flash and short fiction inspired by Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://infectiveink.com/?page_id=242

30th Nov Stories and poetry inspired by the goddess Hestia. ‘Send us your household stories–your domestic noir, haunted houses, tales of forgotten homes, distant homes, missing homes. Tell us your hearth-side fairy tales and old legends. Contemporary stories of the sacrifices we make in our homes every day.’ PAYING http://pantheonmag.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Nov Crime fiction 1-5000 words. http://manslaughterreview.com/submit/

30th Nov SF or F fiction 1000-6000 words on the theme of Sword and Sorcery. PAYING http://crossedgenres.com/submissions/magazine/

30th Nov Personal stories and poems on the theme of Angels and Miracles. PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30th Nov ‘This issue’s theme asks you to control yourself! We are looking for poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and anything in between that binds itself to a pattern or a limit. Whether it’s a Larry Smith-style Six Word Memoir, a 100-word story, a 250 word essay, a haiku, sestina, or syllabic poem, we want to see it. Although we are interested in form-related constraint in this issue, we are also happy to receive conventionally structured work in which the notion of constraint (or lack thereof) is explored on a thematic level.’ (thanks to Erika Dreifus http://www.erikadreifus.com/ for this link) http://www.ilanotreview.com/submissions-page/

30th Nov Poetry on the theme of Carpe Diem. http://cantopoetry.co.uk/submissions/

30th Nov Fiction on the theme of Carpe Diem. http://www.riptidejournal.co.uk/contribute/

30th Nov ‘Send us your stories about what it means to be an American, whether you’re talking about apple pie and baseball, country music and our national anthem, barbecues, national holidays, our military heroes, first responders, American ingenuity, buying “made in America” (like our books!), our huge and varied country, our diversity and our tolerance, our energy and spirit, and all the other things that make us proud Americans.’ PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30th Nov Speculative fiction. PAYING http://betwixtmagazine.com/submissions/

30th Nov Poetry on the theme of The Silk Road. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://pirenesfountain.com/submissions.html

30th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Karma. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.mpapublishing.co.za/index.php/issue-guidelines/

30th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Eureka! CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://eabpublishing.com/submissions.html

30th Nov Nonfiction. http://fourthgenre.msu.edu/?page_id=38

30th Nov Found poetry on the theme of Holiday (Cathy’s note: this is in the sense of Christmas and Thanksgiving, not as in trips to the seaside). http://unlostjournal.com/submit/

30th Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of dot com. http://mgversion2datura.blogspot.co.uk/p/submit-contribuer.html

30th Nov Writing and more on the theme of Psychedelics and Psychotropics. http://psychologytomorrowmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

1st Dec Complex fairy tales for children. http://defenestrationism.net/books/complex-fairy-tales/

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and art. http://fragmentsofchiaroscuro.weebly.com/submit.html

1st Dec Pagan fairy tales. http://neosalexandria.org/bibliotheca-alexandrina/calls-for-submissions/les-cabinet-des-polytheistes/

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more. http://thevirginianormal.com/submit-to-the-virginia-normal/

1st Dec Poetry and more on the theme of The Divine Feminine. PAYING  http://parabola.org/submissions/

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Lies We Tell Ourselves. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.ncc.edu/programsandcourses/academic_departments/english/nassau_review/submission_guidelines.shtml

1st Dec ‘We ask that when you submit to Pelorus Press you send us your process rather than just your product. Please send us several drafts (at least three drafts) of each poem as well as the final draft. We appreciate drafts with hand written notes and revisions as well as drafts that explain your thought process. We are also open to accepting essays about creativity, books or authors that inspired you, great teaching moments, and any other essay that may celebrate the craft of writing.’ http://www.peloruspress.org/submit-1/

1st Dec Sonnets. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.hermeneuticchaospress.com/the-anthology.html

1st Dec Poetry, flash and short fiction. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://14hills.net/content/submissions

1st Dec Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Pleasure or Pain. https://thequotablelit.submittable.com/submit

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

NOTE: Publishers sometimes don’t discuss their royalty rate upfront. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t pay! I just haven’t put them as paying/giving royalties whenever I haven’t found details on the website.

Poetry, flash and more. https://www.facebook.com/BunburyMagazine/info?tab=page_info

Poetry, flash and short fiction. PAYING http://sparkanthology.org/

Militant Thistles is the new sister site to The Recusant, and is specifically here to publish politically topical poems of a left-wing/socialist persuasion in oppositional response to the policies of “permanent austerity”. We ‘Thistles’ aim to be permanent thorns in the sides of Tories and establishment torch-carriers alike… http://militantthistles.moonfruit.com/

Short fiction and art. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://berkeleyfictionreview.com/submit/

Poetry, fiction and much more that engages with contemporary feminist culture and activism. http://makeshiftmag.com/submissions.htm PAYING

Poetry and fiction. http://referentialmagazine.org/guidelines/

Short fiction and poetry from debut and emerging writers. PAYING http://www.amazon.com/Day-One/dp/B00FDWVIHO

The Weekend Read publishes outstanding fiction written by women every Friday. We feature prize-winning stories, stories from published collections and brand new work by established authors as well as showcasing new, emerging voices from across the globe. For a chance to have your writing featured as a Weekend Read, please send us your short stories. We welcome all genres and subjects from self-identifying women over sixteen years old. Minimum word count is 2,000. Maximum word count is 6,000. https://forbookssake.submittable.com/submit/47585

Children’s, YA and adult fiction MSS. https://amberjackpublishing.com/book-submissions/

Flash, short fiction and more. PAYING https://catapult.submittable.com/submit

‘We publish poetry, fiction, nonfiction, graphic narratives, comix, artwork, photography, photographic essays, video essays, slam poetry performances, and hybrid/experimental works from new and established writers and artists.’ http://www.razorlitmag.com/submission-guidelines/

‘Priestess & Hierophant Press publishes short fiction, non-fiction, novels, novellas, poetry, artwork, and mixed mediums in the following areas:

1) Speculative – any genre.  We consider magical realism to be borderline speculative.  Please submit.

2) Esoteric Works – any path or practice.

3) Fine Artwork – any medium.

4) Cross-Genre – any combination of the above.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES http://www.priestessandhierophantpress.com/#!services/c13aa

‘We’re looking for stories of how the lives of animals and humans intersect, particularly in regards to the conservation and protection of animals. We are not seeking stories about hunting, fishing, or eating animals—unless they are analogous to a good anti-war novel being all about war. Under these basic guidelines, however, we’re open to reading a wide range of short fiction with animal themes.’ https://ashlandcreekpress.submittable.com/submit

‘Writers, illustrators and writer-illustrators are invited to submit, by email, ideas for children’s picture books, in idea form or as fully written or illustrated texts. Our books will work for both children and for the adults reading to them.’ ROYALTIES http://fishertonpress.co.uk/send-us-an-idea/

Up to 4 poems. http://www.amaryllispoetry.co.uk/p/submissions.html

‘The Drabblecast is a paying fiction market, an award-winning one, and befittingly choosy. There’s something specific we are looking for – that weird idea you have, that hilarious or disturbing scenario you’ve been brooding over.  We like stories that are humorous, bizarre, gross, disturbing, badass, interesting and original.’ PAYING http://www.drabblecast.org/submissions/

‘White Ash accepts all forms of poetry, short fiction and quotes. However, submissions containing explicit language, horror and the names of living or recently deceased persons will not be accepted or published. Submit only 1-3 submissions per issue–deadlines are rolling and accepted submissions will be included in the next available publication. Poetry and prose may be submitted along with flash fiction, which is confined to under 350 words.’ http://www.whiteashmag.com/submissions.html

Poetry, short fiction and more. http://www.bridgeeight.com/submit/

Novels with female sleuths for their Damned Dames imprint. ROYALTIES http://buttontapper.com/submissions/

‘We accept manuscripts of poetry, flash fiction, visual poetry, experimental poetry, or any combination thereof. Manuscripts must be at least 50 pages to be considered for publication. All proceeds from book sales get donated to a charity organization, meaning authors receive no royalties. Selected authors receive the privilege of helping choose what charity their book’s profits go toward supporting.’ http://afterthepause.com/a-p-press/

Poetry, fiction and more. http://45thparallelmag.com/

Poetry, fiction and more (Cathy’s note: scroll down past the comp, which requires an entry fee to be paid). PAYING http://www.indianolareview.com/submit.html

Poetry, prose and more. http://www.halcyonreader.com/submissions.html

‘Crux Literary Journal is always looking for incredible poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction to publish on this site.  Creative work submitted to Crux should have Christian themes but should in no way shy away from rougher parts of life.’ http://cruxliteraryjournal.com/submissions/

Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://oaklandreview.weebly.com/submit.html

Flash fiction. https://noextrawords.wordpress.com/submit-your-story/

Poetry and fiction. http://theliterarynest.com/submissions/literary-submissions/

‘ “It seems to me that our three basic needs, for food and security and love, are so mixed and mingled and entwined that we that we cannot straightly think of one without the others,” M.F.K. Fisher writes in the Art of Eating. The best food writing is not just about what’s on the plate, but is, like all literature, also interested in language, psychology, and the most pressing issues of the day. The Inquisitive Eater: New School Food aims to provide a forum for artists and academics alike to come together in discussion of what role food plays in our lives, through the environment, politics, economics, nationalism, poverty, inequality, and family.’ https://inquisitiveeater.submittable.com/submit

‘Red Light Lit is an art and literary journal that explores love, lust, desire, sex and sexuality in the form of prose, poetry, photography and song.’ http://redlightlit.com/?page_id=18

Writing and more by queer/trans writers of colour. PAYING http://www.blackgirldangerous.org/submissions/

Accessible poetry. http://redeftreview.blogspot.co.uk/p/submission-archives.html

‘Wildness wants work that evokes the unknown. The lostness; the distance. We want stories that linger just out of reach. We want to follow you into the blue that’s nestled inside your dreams. We are currently looking for poetry, prose, essays, art, photography and videos for our inaugural issue.’ http://readwildness.com/

Poetry, short prose and more. https://bearreview.submittable.com/submit#_=_

‘We focus on the “mid-list” rather than celebrity mass-market publishing on the one hand or highly academic on the other. We know we can’t compete with the big publishers, and we try and keep our prices competitive. We’re looking for good popular writing; the new, non-generic, ambitious and risky. We particularly enjoy the books that cross boundaries and push out the envelope, that are in their way unusual or definitive (or both).’ ROYALTIES http://www.chronosbooks.com/imprint-submissions

Sport-themed poetry, fiction and more. http://www.uta.edu/english/sla/aethlon.html#guides

Horror and dark fantasy fiction. PAYING http://www.nightmare-magazine.com/about/guidelines/

‘Zoo Cake Press is an independent publishing collective dedicated to the production of small run and limited edition books. Our mission is to promote underrepresented voices in literature and art.’ http://zoocakepress.com/post/118453371844/about

Open until filled: ‘Well-written, literary ‘weird’ tales.  Short stories that have a beginning, a middle and an end.  This will not be an anthology of horror stories.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://darklane.webs.com/anthologysubmissions.htm

‘I want your weird stories, your bleeding-heart stories, your fantasy stories, your robot stories, your haunting stories, your dark alley stories. I want your confessional poetry, your imagist poetry, your formal poetry, your socio-political poetry, your prose poetry, your found poetry.’ http://blood-alloy.xyz/submissions/

‘Moonsick Magazine is currently accepting works of fiction and non-fiction from significantly female-identified people. Our definition of “women” is the all-embracing one and gender binary is for the birds.
Stuff We Want:
STORIES between 5 and 3000 words, preferably really good ones. We want them to resonate, but only maybe resolve. Above all, write honestly.
NON-FICTION including essays, interviews, reviews of continental breakfasts, whatever, ideally under 3000 words.
POETRY no haikus, up to three poems per submission.’ http://www.moonsickmagazine.com/submit.html

Poetry, fiction and more. http://lunarisreview.com/submit-journal/

Poetry, flash, plays, short fiction and more. https://randomsamplereview.wordpress.com/submit/

3-5 short poems. https://poems2go.wordpress.com/about/

Rhyming poems and articles about writing. http://www.kishboo.co.uk./articles_g.php

‘A new publication that explores the probable, as well as the possible through speculative fiction, art, and the occasional poem as humankind colonizes the solar system. Suggested themes: colonizing planets in the solar system, evolution/devolution of humanity on other planets (physical/cultural/etymological/ideological), first contact with other species, etc.’ Poetry and fiction. PAYING http://whitesidereview.com/about/

Up to seven poems. http://yespoetry.com/submission

Fiction up to 2000 words. http://www.intrinsick.com/submissions.html

Contemporary fiction, chick lit, young adult, and romance MSS. http://velvetmorningpress.com/

Writing by girls and those raising them. http://newmoon.com/how-to-get-published-new-moon-girls/

‘whimperbang invites the submission of serious, directed artistic expressions that reflect
or comment upon today’s world. All literary and visual genres will be considered.’ Poetry, fiction, plays and more. http://whimperbang.com/submissions/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

Comps and calls for October 2015

Here are October 2015’s writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

C&C is a little slimmer than usual this month but I have some very good excuses for this – I got married and my first novel, Pride & Regicide, has just been published! It’s all been a bit hectic. There are still some fantastic opportunities this month, though, and I and my husband Keir wish you all the best possible luck with them.

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 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!

COMPETITIONS

Monthly until January: upload a photo of your answer to each month’s question. You have up to 25 words. CASH PRIZE https://www.facebook.com/oxfordnotebooks/app_181034565422548

‘All you have to do is write 600 words or less about somewhere special that you took a trip to and know well.’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.st-christophers.co.uk/live-your-life/write-for-a-night

4th Oct Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Curiouser and Curiouser. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

7th Oct  ‘You are invited to write a poem that begins with the first line or two lines of a well-known poem but then takes off in a new and unexpected direction (16 lines maximum). Please email entries to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 7 October.’ PAYING

9th Oct Poem on the theme of Just Like a Pearl. PAYING http://www.plaxjewellery.com/poetrycompetition-page

11th Oct UK only. Short story by an unpublished writer. PAYING http://writeideafestival.org/short-story-competitions/

12th Oct Story of up to 3750 words on the theme of Choices. PAYING https://cardinalsins.submittable.com/submit

15th Oct Short story 3500-5000 words. PAYING  http://www.anderbo.com/anderbo1/no-fee-rrofihe-trophy2015.html

15th Oct Poem or flash fiction inspired by the artwork at Jupiter Artland.  PUBLICATION AND INVITATION TO READ  https://www.jupiterartland.org/whats-on/inspired-to-write-competition

15th Oct Flash fiction by writers aged 18 or over who haven’t had a chapbook (or longer) length workpublished, and haven’t been published in Smokelong. PAYING http://www.smokelong.com/2016-kathy-fish-fellowship/

16th Oct (I think this is UK only, but I can’t find it in the T&Cs): Explain why you or a loved one would benefit from one of their watches. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.facebook.com/watchovers/posts/300108400113501

18th Oct (Cathy’s note: don’t press ‘enter here’ at the top, but scroll down to find the comp I’ve listed here): Tell them how the internet makes your life easier, and win a prize suited just for you.  http://promo.musicradio.com/nsandi/smooth

19th Oct Flash fiction or poetry inspired by the video. PAYING  https://duckbillanthology.wordpress.com/the-annual-duckbill-prompt-competition/

25th Oct ‘Woo hoo! It’s almost the best time of year, peeps. To celebrate, CC is accepting scary short story submissions until October 25th. There is no charge, but also no prize money. (Sorry, Charlie.) The best story, as determined by our estimable staff, will be published on All Hallows’ Eve and will win the title “Scariest Story of 2015”!’ https://ceasecows.submittable.com/submit

30th Oct Nature poems and stories. NON-CASH PRIZE http://talesforlove.blogs.sapo.pt/

31st Oct USA only: ‘The editors of Dating Over 40 Tales are holding a contest for TRUE, first-person stories/personal essays about dating over the age of 40. Your story can be humorous, heart-tugging, inspirational, life-changing, or be about something downright weird as long as it’s about a REAL dating experience that took place when you were 40 years old or older. Poetry more your style? You can also submit a poem instead of, or in addition to, a story/essay, but it must be a humorous poem about dating over the age of 40.’ CASH PRIZES https://www.facebook.com/Dating-Over-40-Tales-1453642188265406/timeline/

31st Oct UK only, aged 18-25. ‘Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The 2015 Franklin quote is : ‘If all Printers were determin’d not to print any thing till they were sure it would offend no body, there would be very little printed.’ ‘  PAYING http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/news/literary_prize.html

31st October Fiction 250-7500 words and art on the theme of Where Thou Art. PAYING http://www.buffaloalmanack.com/wherethouart/

31st Oct  Poetry, flash and short stories, which can (but don’t have to be) on the theme of mental health. PAYING http://www.scarborough-fair.ca/sf-writing-contest-2015/

1st Nov Commonwealth citizens only: short story.  PAYING http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/prizes/commonwealth-short-story-prize/submit-an-entry/

1st Nov Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Kith and Kin. NON-CASH PRIZE  http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

9th Oct Micro, flash and short fiction on the theme of Castaway. http://www.rumpunchpress.com/submissions/

10th Oct ‘Our Samhain issue will deal with dark themes surrounding the festival of the Day of the Dead, Hallowe’en, and All Souls Night — the perfect time for sending us your spooky sonnets and horror haikus. We look forward to reading your work.’ (Cathy’s note: they also have a call for erotic mythic/speculative verse with the same deadline.) http://quarterdayreview.com/about/

10th Oct Prose and poetry on the theme of Transformation. https://elohigadugi.submittable.com/submit

12th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Worlds Apart for this magazine dealing with mental health issues. PAYING http://www.nous-magazine.de/worldsapart

12th Oct Poetry, short fiction and more on the theme of Sound. http://www.synaesthesiamagazine.com/#!submissions/ck0q

13th Oct Topical sketches and one-liners for Newsjack. PAYING http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1hDdvFLfWClPHW7zT3sq01S/submit-a-sketch

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY  https://cherrytree.submittable.com/submit

15th Oct ‘We are calling for BEST 1-3 poems per poet from Africa (living in Africa) or of African descent (Diasporas) to be included in BEST “NEW” AFRICAN POETS 2015: 100 Poems, 100 Poets Anthology. Poems of any topic, form… but less than 40 lines, must be in any 3 languages; French, English, and Portuguese. The anthology to be edited by Tendai Mwanaka and Daniel de Purificacao, is earmarked for publication by Langaa RPCIG (Cameroon) Entries should be sent to Tendai Mwanaka or Daniel Purificacao on these emails: mwanaka@yahoo.com or danieljose26@yahoo.com.br

15th Oct Poems on any subject by those who identify as feminist poets. PAYING  https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/28744

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Fear. http://www.pilgrimagepress.org/guidelines.html

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Evolving Islands. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.newmadridjournal.org/submissions/index.htm

15th Oct Writing and more on the theme of Unity. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.thephoenixsoul.com/submit/

15th Oct Poetry, fiction, stage/screenplays and more. http://www.southalabama.edu/oracle/submissions.html

15th Oct Short fiction and novellas on the theme of Curse of the Tomb Seekers. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.zimbellhousepublishing.com/contest-submissions/

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Intersections for this ‘zine that deals with Asian-American concerns. http://www.hyphenmagazine.com/submissions

15th Oct Flash and short fiction on the theme of Halloween. http://www.thefableonline.com/submissions/

16th Oct Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING http://www.bluemondayreview.com/#!guidelines/c1enr

17th Oct Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://lobstercartel.com/submit/

18th Oct Poetry and fiction on the theme of Haunted. http://www.wyvernlit.com/submit/

20th Oct ‘Phosphene Literary Journal accepts unsolicited submissions from writers and artists in high school, college, or graduate school, or writers and artists of high school or college/grad school age (preferably, those under age 25).’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY  http://www.phosphene.co.nr/

21st Oct ‘We are taking as our theme The Longest Night. …ON THEME short story or poem, no more than 2000 words. Anyone can send us their work, provided it is their own, unpublished and in English.’ https://arachnepress.submittable.com/submit?mc_cid=27e8816db4&mc_eid=32df781c24

25th Oct Flash and short fiction on the theme of Going Home. https://litro.submittable.com/submit/44602

25th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Surreal.  PAYING http://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

25th Oct Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of A Twist in the Tale. http://www.earthenlampjournal.com/submissions.php

26th Oct Poetry and fiction for children on the theme of Knights and Castles. PAYING http://www.cricketmagkids.com/files/cricket/CallforSubs24AUG2015final.pdf

28th Oct Flash and short fiction on the theme of First time eating something ‘extreme’. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://infectiveink.com/?page_id=242

30th Oct ‘If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, please share your best advice, encouragement, funny stories, comforting stories, and support with other people like you.’ PAYING  http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30th Oct ‘We are seeking short fiction in the Speculative Fiction genre (by which we mean to be the umbrella term for the wide and varied range of Science Fiction and Fantasy subgenres).  The stories are to be inspired by (by which we mean drawn from, informed by, derived from) the author’s personal experiences of living on The Rez (by which we mean an American Indian Reservation or any of the country’s many Reservation analogs).’ PAYING http://www.treelionpress.com/submissions.html

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY  https://metonymwju.submittable.com/submit

31st Oct Poetry and fiction on the theme of Clockwise (The Rising Dawn). PAYING http://solarwyrm.com/latchkey-tales/

31st Oct British Columbia only: ‘Calling all writers and poets from the interior of BC (or who have spent time there), including the upper Fraser Valley, the Cariboo, the Thompson-Nicola Valley, the Okanagan Valleys, the Similkameen, the Columbia-Shuswap, and the Kootenays, to submit a short fictional story, a short creative nonfiction piece (a fascinating true story, well told), or some poetry for an anthology in which BC’s recent history, varied lifestyles, rugged landscapes, or stunning natural features play somewhat of a role.’ Proceeds from sales of the book will go to Doctors without Borders Canada (MSF). http://jodierennerediting.blogspot.ca/2015/07/voices-from-valleys-anthology-depicting.html

31st Oct Horror fiction on the theme of radiotelegraphy. PAYING http://perpetualpublishing.com/2015/02/14/open-call-lost-signals/

31st Oct Poems. http://payattentionjournal.com/how-to-submit-2/

31st Oct SF, F and H fiction up to 10,000 words. PAYING http://radiumtownpress.com/guidelines.html

31st Oct ‘We are seeking frightening fairytales, fables, and folklore. We want to feature your own new tales or new takes on old classics. Stories of seelie and unseelie alike. Are the things that go bump in the night there to help or harm us? Submitted stories should deal with fairies or fairy tale settings, and must also be considered horror, evoking a classic fear and dread reminiscent of the fables of old.’ 2000-8000 words. PAYING https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/current-submission-calls/

31st Oct Murder mysteries combined with urban myths. Profit/revenue-sharing model https://18thwall.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/all-the-petty-myths-guidelines.pdf

31st Oct Short fiction, novelettes and novellas revolving around magical items, cursed relics, ancient artefacts, or alien devices. The device must be central to the plot. PAYING http://www.bardsandsages.com/speculative_fiction/great_tome_series

31st Oct SF story up to 5000 words. PAYING http://www.shorelineofinfinity.com/submissions/

31st Oct Horror stories 3000-10,000 words by women writers. PAYING http://fright-mare-anthology.blogspot.co.uk/

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more. http://www.caraveljournal.org/#!description/c1t44

1st Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of The Neat Lady and the Colonel’s Overalls (Cathy’s note: you can submit by email as long as you don’t live in the USA). PAYING http://themaliterarysociety.com/submissions.html

1st Nov Poetry and prose. PAYING http://www.ambitmagazine.co.uk/submit/

1st Nov Writing and more on the theme of the Divine Feminine. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://neosalexandria.org/bibliotheca-alexandrina/calls-for-submissions/garland-of-the-goddess-tales-and-poems-of-the-feminine-divine/

1st Nov Dark Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING  http://lizzieandrewborden.com/HatchetOnline/LiteraryHatchet/submissions-compensation.htm

1st Nov ‘We are accepting essay, appropriate short fiction, and art submissions for The Fandom Universe: A Galaxy Far Far Away.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY   http://goldenfleecepress.com/the-fandom-universe/

1st Nov Fiction beginning with the line: “George pressed the call button and said, “Mrs. Whitfield, you have a visitor.” PAYING  http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm

1st Nov LGBTQ stories up to 10,000 words. PAYING http://www.mischiefcornerbooks.com/submissions.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

NOTE: Publishers sometimes don’t discuss their royalty rate upfront. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they don’t pay! I just haven’t put them as paying/giving royalties whenever I haven’t found details on the website.

‘By&By reads year-round. We welcome submissions of any poetic form or style, including but not limited to formal poetry (especially pantoums, sonnets, and invented forms), experimental poetry, found poetry, and, of course, free verse. Please submit poems that you’re really proud of. Try us: we’re open to a diversity of topics, perspectives, and methods.’ http://www.byandbylit.org/submit/

‘Bloodletters accepts previously unpublished Nonfiction and Poetry that speaks to dealing with physical, mental, and emotional trauma. While Bloodletters appreciates the severity and implications of all types of trauma, our goal is to publish meaningful, well-written personal narratives and experiences that will help to provide closure or resolution to our readers.’ http://bloodletterslitmag.com/submission-guidelines/

Flash fiction inspired by the provided brooches, or a tube station. http://www.tubeflash.co.uk/submit-a-story/

‘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.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY  http://benningtonreview.tumblr.com/submissons

‘Mulligatawny Books is now calling for manuscript submissions. We are interested in novellas or novel-length works across genres, as well as non-fiction works (completed) in English. Either the work or the writer must have an Indian connection.’ http://mulligatawny.in/

Poetry and flash fiction. PAYING https://duckbillanthology.wordpress.com/submissions/

Various genre anthologies, plus SF novels. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL   http://www.salgado-reyes.com/submissions/#undead

Poetry. http://www.foldermagazine.com/

Up to 5 poems. http://www.byandbylit.org/submit/

SF, F and H by people of colour. http://sweetdecayzine.tumblr.com/submit

‘SubverCity Transmit seeks stories about the otherworldly, stories about the subversive, the outcast, the miscast. We are a speculative fiction podcast seeking work mainly in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, though the station recognizes that genres are a mere illusion. Send us your weird tales, your riot words. We especially like stories featuring LGBTQA characters, and/or those where gender and sexuality are fluid.’ http://subvercitytransmit.com/submission-guidelines/

‘At Bella Books, we believe stories about lesbians are an essential of life—and so do our readers. We are interested in acquiring manuscripts that tell terrific stories about lesbians. To provide our readers with the kinds of stories they demand and deserve, we publish lesbian romance, mystery, action/thriller, science-fiction, fantasy, erotica and general lesbian fiction. If you believe your manuscript will meet our needs, we welcome your submission.’ ROYALTIES http://www.bellabooks.com/Submissions-cat.html

Send queries for picture books, graphic novels, YA fiction and much more. http://www.arthuralevinebooks.com/submission.asp

‘We are currently looking for submissions of work from writers of fiction, creative non-fiction, science or conservation journalism and poetry that celebrates and defends the animal world.’ http://zoomorphic.net/submissions/

Speculative writing on the theme of childhood monsters and childhood fears, by people of colour. http://sweetdecayzine.tumblr.com/post/129632185105/submission-call#notes

Romance novellas and novels. http://www.crimsonromance.com/submissions/

Mini update: Cats short stories and personal essays

Deadline 30th Sep ‘Contributors wishing to achieve the goal of publication may submit short stories and personal essays of not more than 8,000 words; or poetry of not more than 45 lines, with a central theme or character involving cats. Proceeds from the 2015 edition of Write To Meow will go to support New Beginnings Animal Rescue, a no-kill animal haven in Michigan; a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.’ https://greywolfepublishing.submittable.com/submit