Hello everybody! I hope you are well! November can often be a dreary month for writing opportunities, before all the exciting stuff in December — but not this year! There are loads of interesting things to have a go at, and I wish you the best of luck with them.

Remember last month I mentioned that I’d been longlisted for the Cheshire Literature Prize? Well my play, ‘A Taste of Paradise’ (it’s about a woman stranded on a desert island. She falls in love with a coconut), has made the final four, and will be performed on 29th November at the Garrett Theatre, Chester, UK! I am so excited! My play, on a stage, with actors, and an audience (I hope!), and everything! If you can come, it would be lovely to see you, and do introduce yourself to me. You can get tickets here: https://www.storyhouse.com/event/cheshire-prize-for-literature-2019

So I will be spending most of November in a fluster.

Have a lovely time with your own writing – you never know where it could take you!

Much love,

Cathy x

Ps. You can support Comps and Calls via Paypal or Patreon.

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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):

• Competitions
• Submissions With Deadlines
• Submissions Without Known Deadlines

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 Nov Weird Christmas flash fiction. PAYING https://weirdchristmas.com/2019/05/06/weird-christmas-flash-fiction-contest-2nd-annual-2019/

6th Nov Spectator Competition No. 3124: it’s a date! ‘You are invited to compose a clerihew about any date in the calendar. Please email entries (up to three each) to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 6 November.’ https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/10/going-concern/

15th Nov ‘The flash must pass or discuss Raleigh Becket Test, which contains a central male character whose narrative needs the development of a female character but is precluded from being sexually or romantically involved with the character.’ PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/#1538347466119-241fd8cf-66ed

17th Nov ‘Simply tell us who you want to connect with and what a stay away together would mean to you. We can then work our magic and make it happen!’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://planetradio.co.uk/hits-radio/competitions/win/sponsored-connect-holidayinn-3/

22nd Nov Various awards with differing criteria. PAYING https://newmediawritingprize.co.uk/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk for this one)

24th Nov ‘Angela Poetry Magazine invites all poets to submit lighthearted,
humorous, playful, and curious poems to The Lighthearted Poetry
Contest. This is a free contest, open to everyone on Earth.’ ROYALTIES http://waxpoetryart.com/angela/submissions/lighthearted.html

24th Nov Residents of Africa only: poem up to 35 lines. ROYALTIES http://waxpoetryart.com/africa/submissions/poetsofafrica.html

30th Nov ‘The prize is open to African poets, defined as those who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African. It is for ten poems exactly in order to encourage serious poets. These poems may, however, have already been published. Only poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published are eligible. Poets who have self-published poetry books or had chapbooks and pamphlets published are allowed to submit for this prize.’ PAYING http://www.africanpoetryprize.org/

30th Nov ‘We are looking for stories (in a variety of formats: play, film, radio, book, tv) that in some way touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society.’ A six part TV series. PAYING http://www.greenstories.org.uk/about-the-competition/

30th Nov Unpublished poems (maximum 96 lines) by youth (aged 17 and under) relating to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. PAYING https://www.facebook.com/ReneeDukeYouthAward

1st Dec Residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut: poem up to 25 lines. ROYALTIES http://waxpoetryart.com/calgary/submissions/poetsofwesterncanada.html

1st Dec 100-word story on the theme of Winter. ‘The competition is open to women of all nationalities. Entries must be written in English and should intend to bring a smile to the reader’s face (dark humour qualifies).’ VOUCHER/OTHER https://funnypearls.com/competition-100-words-winter/

1st Dec A metrical poem. PAYING https://anglica.co.uk/poetry-competition/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk for this one)

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

Deadline every Friday: fiction up to 500 words written on that week’s theme. https://frictionlit.org/submit-to-dually-noted/

USA only – deadline varies by State: poetry. https://www.zpublishinghouse.com/blogs/upcoming-books/the-best-emerging-poets-series

3rd Nov ‘We’re looking for thrilling stories of suspense, delving into the dark spaces of the night, ideally between 2000 and 5000 words.’ PAYING http://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/fall/autumn-2019-submissions-announcement

3rd Nov Poetry, fiction and more suitable for Christian children on the theme of THE BEAUTY OF THE HOLIDAY. PAYING http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html

3rd Nov Flash fiction on the theme of Dynamic Duos. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/

3rd Nov ‘Hairstreak Butterfly Review welcomes submissions for our themed issue “O Canada.” For a short period (9/22 to 11/3), we will be accepting fiction, poetry, nonfiction, visual stories, and photography that praises, laments, addresses, or otherwise engages the topic of Canada.’ https://hairstreakbutterflyreview.submittable.com/submit

3rd Nov Theme: Rattle. ‘We accept all forms and genres of creative non-fiction and visual media so long as it presents a personal narrative.’ https://chicagomemoryhouse.wordpress.com/submit/

3rd Nov Fiction 800-2000 words on the theme of Sugar & Spice. https://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/writers.html

4th Nov Fiction 800-3000 words on the theme of Intimacy & Isolation. https://www.liarsleaguenyc.com/submissions

4th Nov Poetry, flash, fiction and more on the theme of Mothers and Motherhood. http://londonreader.uk/2019/10/open-call-for-creative-writing-mothers-and-motherhood/

8th Nov Story 1000-3500 words on the theme of A Dysfunctional Family Christmas. PAYING http://www.stormyislandpublishing.com/submissions/

8th Nov Poetry and flash on the theme of Celestial. https://thewildword.com/submissions/

9th Nov ‘Submissions should address the intersection of women’s sexuality with the issue’s theme. Please note that at Cliterature, we believe in sisterhood, not cis-terhood, and include trans women in our definition of women. Submissions should not exceed 10 pages per submitter. Poetry, prose, fiction, and nonfiction all receive equal attention and weight.’ Theme: Fertility. https://cliteraturejournal.com/submit

9th Nov Undergraduates only: poetry, fiction and more. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://campus.albion.edu/albionreview/submit/

10th Nov Poetry, fiction, essays and more on the theme of Earth. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS (Only Australian contributors will be paid) http://cordite.org.au/submissions/

15th Nov Short poetry and prose on the theme of Hive. https://www.hunnybeelit.com/submissions.html

15th Nov Poetry. PAYING https://mcneesereview.submittable.com/submit

15th Nov Romance story. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies

15th Nov or when filled: Spec Fic 4000-15,000 words. Also another anthology for horror, same length.PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL http://adityadeshmukh.com/the-great-void/

15th Nov Writing on the theme of Spirit. https://thebezine.com/2019/10/22/guidelines-and-inspiration-for-submissions-to-the-december-issue-of-the-bezine-by-john-anstie/

15th Nov Women over 60 only: ‘Short Takes are usually short pieces, fiction or non-fiction (250-500 words), but can also be topical poetry, sometimes even drawings or photography.’ Theme: Gift/Giving https://persimmontree.org/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: you have to scroll down quite a bit to get to the Short Takes guidelines!)

15th Nov ‘We’re looking for cozy (no excessive gore, torture, graphic violence) to cozy noir (where nothing really goes right for anyone) stories that include a crime. Each crime must revolve around a song from the 60s.’ 2500-6000 words. ROYALTIES http://darkhousebooks.com/sixties-music-call-for-submissions/

15th Nov ‘Submit previously unpublished poems 1 to 10 lines long or prose poems up to 100 words (viz. poetic drabbles and even more compressed microfiction). Titles, epigrams/epigraphs, postscripts/author’s notes, and white space are not counted. The poems can be one of many established varieties like monostich, distich, Haiku, senryu, tanka, cinquain, and all its variations, as well as free verse, experimental poems, hybrid forms, etc. Just be sure it contains a speculative element.’ PAYING https://www.silverblade.net/submissions-2/

15th Nov Poems on the theme of Imprisonment/Freedom. http://www.writingyourvoice.org.uk/as-above-so-below/

17th Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of Supernatural. PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

17th Nov ‘The theme of time travel must be present in the story (although the actual act does not need to take place within the story). The title cannot be time or travel or any variation of those, and the story must be exactly 100 words, with a 1 word title.’ http://www.101fiction.com/

18th Nov Poetry and prose on the theme of Fairy Tale. https://thewriterscafemagazine.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/the-writers-cafe-issue-18-fairy-talecallout/

20th Nov Poetry on the theme of Winter. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIEShttp://www.stormyislandpublishing.com/submissions/

20th Poetry and fiction on the theme of Christmas. ‘The main requirement is that the content should edify the reader. An edifying story doesn’t imply that challenging things cannot happen in a story. Difficult themes can be included in the story but something positive should be noted or have a hopeful resolution.’ http://www.edifyfiction.com/submissions.html

22nd Nov ‘To mark the beginning of the 10-year anniversary of CantoMundo, Anomaly and I want your work! I will be editing a poetry folio of work that highlights, celebrates, and honors the incredible work of the fellows who have been part of CantoMundo’s ten-year history.’ http://anmly.org/call-for-submissions-cantomundo-a-decade-of-song/

25th Nov Poetry and prose on the theme of Rings. Must contain elements of the natural world. PAYING https://clawandblossom.com/submissions/

26th Nov Story up to 3000 words on the theme of Twisted Love. PAYING http://www.bronzevillebooks.com/writers/twisted-love-guidelines/

27th Nov Spec fic/horror on the theme of Lust. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIEShttps://www.blackharepress.com/submissions/

30th Nov ‘This anthology will combine the best new mysteries with classic reprints from yesteryear, so give us a masterful tale. You’ll need an engaging and memorable protagonist who can hold his or her own against Sherlock Holmes and Auguste Dupin. Above all, we want a clever puzzle the reader can try to solve.’ 2500-7000 words. https://blackbeaconbooks.blogspot.com/p/submissions.html

30th Nov Horror stories consisting of only two sentences. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://www.triviamundi.co.uk/nano-nightmares.html

30th Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Movement. https://www.apofenie.com/contact

30th Nov Fiction 5000-15000 words on the theme of Lost Love. ROYALTIES https://dragonsoulpress.com/anthologies/

30th Nov Japanese fantasy drabble. https://insigniastories.com/subs/

30th Nov Poetry on the theme of Blue. https://truthserumpress.net/submissions/indigomania/

30th Nov Spec fic on the theme of Experimentation. PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Nov Writing on the theme of The Elements. http://ninearchespress.com/magazine.html

30th Nov Story or poem containing the words Carriage, Pinwheel and Scour. http://3elementsreview.com/submission-guidelines

30th Nov ‘Chipper Press is looking for short stories that feature youngsters that go caving.’ 4500-17,000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.chipperpress.com/anthology-submissions/

30th Nov ‘Tell us stories of queer resilience and queer survival, stories set after the end of a world that could be ours but might not be.’ PAYING https://www.neonhemlock.com/submissions

30th Nov Writers of colour: ‘We publish adult literary fiction (novels and short story collections) and narrative non-fiction.’ https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/2-submissions

30th Nov LGBTQ Romance: ‘We’re looking for science fiction romance set in space, whether it’s on a spaceship or a planet or even the moon. Whether it’s hard sci-fi or space opera, or somewhere in between, we want love stories that are literally out of this world!’ ROYALTIES https://www.jms-books.com/2019-submissions-calls-lgbtq-romance-stories-ezp-33.html

30th Nov Poetry and fiction on the theme of Weird West in Winter. http://runebear.com/submit

1st Dec Poetry and fiction on the theme of When Hell Freezes Over. PAYING https://sites.google.com/site/bethlehemwritersroundtable/submissions

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Persistence. PAYING https://slicemagazine.org/submit/

1st Dec ‘For Bodies in the Library we need tales of crime in stately houses, lonely mansions, ancient castles. Footsteps in the Dark will tease out the terror of the alleyways, the edges of the town, the frontier shacks, the winter forests and lonely mountain hideaways. An emphasis on heightened senses would differentiate the best stories from the rest! Word length is most likely to be successful at 2000–4000, but we will still read stories slightly outside this range.’ PAYING http://blog.flametreepublishing.com/fantasy-gothic/fall/autumn-2019-submissions-announcement

1st Dec Flash fiction on the theme of Answering the Call. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/upcoming-themes/

1st Dec ‘An anthology on the broad theme of freedom of movement. The anthology, Write to Move, welcomes submissions of fiction, creative non-fiction, essays and poetry that explore experiences and ideas about mobility, freedom, physical activity and physical limitations.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.winnipegtrails.ca/writetomove/

1st Dec ‘We are looking for works of fiction that directly address the significance of clothes and accessories in our lives and where the object — be it a dress, a skirt or trousers, a coat, a pair of shoes or a handbag, or even a piece of jewelry — is at the core of the story.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://newlitsalonpress.com/open-call-dress-you-up/

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Decadence. PAYING https://www.mythridate.com/submit

1st Dec Poetry and fiction on the theme of Anniversaries. http://www.linesandstars.com/about/

1st Dec ‘We’re looking for poems, short stories, and essays about both the many indigenous spiritualities of the Americas, and those which have been born or evolved here; e.g., African Diaspora Traditions, American-born Wiccan traditions, Feri Tradition, Santa Muerte, devotion to Goddesses such as Libertas/Statue of Liberty, and so on.’ PAYING https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/about/

1st Dec Fiction on the theme of Grumpy Old Gods. ROYALTIES https://stormdancebooks.junetakey.com/posts/grumpy-old-gods-5-submission-call/#more-1700

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Grandparents and other Wise Ancestors. https://www.shantiarts.co/SPAQ/SPAQ_calls.html

1st Dec ‘The Broken City is currently accepting submissions for its winter 2019 edition: Welcome to the Interzone. That’s right, Dr. Benway, the magazine is running an issue on drugs (legal or otherwise) and the psychedelic experience. Fact or fiction: the weirder the better. Send your poetry, fiction, essays, illustrations and photography.’ http://www.thebrokencitymag.com/submissions.html

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of There’s Something about Travel. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.ncc.edu/programsandcourses/academic_departments/english/nassau_review/submission_guidelines.shtml

1st Dec Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.peripheriesjournal.com/submissions

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

(Publishers might not give out their rates on their submission pages, so make sure that they will pay you!)

‘beestung considers poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrids, and art, by creators who fall under the non-binary umbrella.’ PAYING http://beestungmag.com/about/

‘We are primarily considering novel-length works in any speculative fiction genre including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other subgenres, but we’re also open to other works of interest to the community of SF&F readers.’ https://www.erewhonbooks.com/submissions/

‘We are actively acquiring agented and unagented Romance fiction for our Casablanca imprint including Own Voices, marginalized voices, inclusive and diverse romances.’ https://www.sourcebooks.com/sourcebooks-casablanca-submissions.html

Send the first three chapters of your nonfiction book. https://www.blinkpublishing.co.uk/submissions

‘Futures is a venue for very short stories or ‘vignettes’ of between 850 and 950 words. The subject is typically near-future, hard SF, although this can be interpreted liberally.’ PAYING http://blogs.nature.com/futureconditional/2015/04/19/how-to-write-for-nature-futures/

Nonfiction writing about theatre. PAYING https://howlround.com/participate#write-for-the-journal

Poetry, short fiction and more. PAYING https://www.icebergtales.co.uk/blank-page-1

‘Persimmon Tree’s mission is to bring the creativity and talent of women over sixty to a wide audience of readers of all ages. We are looking for work that reveals rich experience and a variety of perspectives. Each issue of the magazine will include several fiction and nonfiction pieces, poetry by one or more poets, and the work of one or more visual artists.’ https://persimmontree.org/submissions/

Poetry. ‘Must have both Asian and speculative elements (fantasy, scifi, etc). Due to the short format, you do not need to specify which country your poem is about within the poem itself, but the Asian setting/people/culture should all give good hints. The Asian elements are more important that the speculative ones, for this call. (It’s a challenge, but we believe in you!).’ https://insigniastories.com/submissions-poetry/

Flash. https://tinymolecules.wordpress.com/submit/

Hello everyone! As I write, the north of England is experiencing rain that is like a giant tap being turned on. It’s not great for going out (unless you are a duck) but it’s what I call good writing weather! So, make yourself a cup of tea and get stuck in to this month’s opportunities…

I’ve just finished writing a short play for a competition. My ‘treatment’ was longlisted, so I’m guaranteed £50, but I would dearly love to win as this particular competition is dear to my heart. Also, having just moved, my life is measured out in cardboard boxes. I have no trousers at present. That’s the writer’s life, isn’t it? Exciting projects and searching for trousers (is that a metaphor? Not in my case!).

Good luck, all of you!

Cathy x

Ps. You can support Comps and Calls via Paypal or Patreon.

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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):

• Competitions
• Submissions With Deadlines
• Submissions Without Known Deadlines

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 October Spectator Competition No. 3119: watch the birdie. ‘Birds have been a popular subject for poets.You are invited to submit a poem about a yellowhammer. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 2 October.’ PAYING

4th Oct ‘In honor of Alcott’s novel, this week’s writing prompts are all themes and elements pulled from her seminal family drama. And don’t worry if you haven’t read the book or aren’t too familiar with the March family — these themes are all universal!’Story 1000-3000 words. PAYING https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/9/

6th Oct Unpublished travel writers: ‘To enter the competition, you should write a piece of 600–800 words, which must be original, written in the first person and based on personal experience. For this year’s competition, instead of a general theme, entrants must include the phrase ‘and then it happened’ somewhere within their entry. Please note, ‘and then it happened’ should NOT be the title of the piece, but those four words should occur naturally somewhere in the text.’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.bradtguides.com/articles/travel-writing-2020/

9th Oct Spectator Competition No. 3120: back space’In 1969 a competition was set in this magazine inviting poems commemorating man’s first landing on the moon. You are invited to submit verses, in the style of a well-known poet, reflecting on the Apollo 11 mission, 50 years on. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 9 October.’ PAYING

15th Oct ‘The speculative flash must pass or discuss The Finkbeiner Test, which sets out that the story must not mention 1) The fact that the subject is a woman, 2) Her husband’s job, 3) Her child care arrangements, 4) How she nurtures her underlings, 5) How she was taken aback by the competitiveness in her field, 6) How she’s such a role model for other women, 7) How she’s the “first woman to…”’ PAYING https://www.apparitionlit.com/submission-guidelines/#1538347466119-241fd8cf-66ed

19th Oct A flash suite: “A series of at least three flash fiction works that correlate, and build to something greater. Recurring characters, extended motifs, harmonious subject matters, and/or sustained narrative are such correlations– but we encourage innovation and new ideas.” PAYING http://defenestrationism.net/flash-suite-contest/

25th Oct 50-word scary story. PAYING https://www.everywritersresource.com/500-halloween-horror-50-word-story-contest-2019/ (thanks to https://fundsforwriters.com/ for this one)

25th Oct Fiction 2000-6000 words on the theme of Artificial Intelligence. PAYING https://commapress.co.uk/resources/prizes

26th Oct Story with one of the provided beginnings, and featuring chocolate. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums/chocolate-library-short-story-competition

31st Oct ‘The whole point of this magazine is to raise awareness of the harm that we are doing to our planet and the dire consequences this will have.’ Fiction 1500-5000 words. PAYING https://www.aftermathmag.org/short-story-contest.html

31st Oct Short story – check theme and length. PAYING https://www.fictionesse.com/p/fictionesse-competitions.html

31st UK writers aged 18-25: essay on the provided theme. PAYING http://benjaminfranklinhouse.org/education/literary-prize/ (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk for this one)

31st Oct ‘We are looking for stories of 500 words or fewer that have a joyful, hopeful or uplifting theme. There are no genre restrictions and stories may be for adults or children. One entry per person.’ https://gaynor69.wixsite.com/astoryfordaniel (thanks to www.prizemagic.co.uk for this one)

1st Nov Short story, novelette, novella or novel. PAYING https://fresh.ink/contest

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

3rd Oct Poetry, fiction and more suitable for Christian children on the theme of GAK SAYS LET’S EXPLORE OREGON TRAILS. PAYING http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html

7th Oct Poetry and fiction on the theme of Truth. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://firewords.co.uk/submit

8th Oct ‘A critical part of the Embracing Our Differences exhibit is the impact of personal thoughts that accompany each work of art. These quotations provide members of our community a chance to voice their thoughts, feelings and ideas reflecting our theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” The combination of visual art and the written word adds a deeper dimension to the overall experience. Please consider submitting an original quotation.’ https://www.embracingourdifferences.org/submit-a-quotation/

9th Oct Poetry and flash on the theme of Monster. https://thewildword.com/submissions/

10th Oct ‘BWR’s next issue of Boyfriend Village is seeking new work before which rather large structures get weak-kneed. We want work that bores discursive holes through the internet, or is manufactured from the dialog beneath the discourse.’ Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://bwr.submittable.com/submit

11th Oct ‘As before, we’re looking for yarns of dark urban fantasy, the weird, the macabre and the hopeful. Tell us of unassuming teenagers stumbling upon witch meetups, who weave spells for good or ill. Of hell-born creatures leaving scenes of carnage that confound the police. Of trolls trying to fit into the society of the homeless. We want them all.’ 5000-8000 words. PAYING https://tbirdstudios.com/news/open-call-return-to-san-cicaro/

13th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Decay. http://www.camasmagazine.org/submit

14th Oct Writing on the theme of Drugs for this Quaker magazine. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.friendsjournal.org/submissions/

14th Full length and chapbook MSS of poetry, short stories, novels and novellas. https://thirtywest.submittable.com/submit

15th Oct ‘In the spirit of shining a spotlight, we open our call for submissions to any and all Black creatives—of all identities, expressions, backgrounds, abilities, personalities, and communities (including global)—to submit.’ Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://gumbomedia.com/callforsubmissions

15th Oct Writing for children. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies(Cathy’s note: you have to scroll a long way down to get to the anthology info!)

15th Oct Non-residential fellowship for writers who have not yet published, or been contracted to write, a book. PAYING https://apublicspace.org/news/detail/the-2020-a-public-space-fellowships (thanks to www.erikadreifus.com for this one)

15th Oct Poetry up to 30 lines on the theme of Water. http://highlandparkpoetry.org/scheduleofevents.html

15th Oct Poetry and CNF on the theme of Redemption/Grace. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.snapdragonjournal.com/submit.html

15th Oct Poetry and fiction. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES, PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS https://gatewayreview.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Oct ‘We accept short stories (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry. Per the Rockford Writers’ Guild Constitution, we do not publish content that is sexist, racist, supremacist, vulgar, or pornographic. We publish work that is new and is a reflection of the global, national, local, or personal times. If you are unsure, please ask.’ https://www.rockfordwritersguild.org/submission-guidelines/

15th Oct Story for children. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies

15th Oct Poetry, flash and more on the theme of Sleepover. https://sleepyheadcentral.com/vitaminzzz/

15th Oct Short fiction set in LA. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://madeinlawriters.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Oct ‘CLOCKWORK DRAGONS: A Fantasy Punk Anthology, 1,500-8,000 words long. Stories should be set in a world where magic or fantasy elements have become the prevailing means by which mainstream technology is powered or run.’ PAYING http://www.zombiepiratepublishing.com/Calls-For-Submissions/

15th Oct 50-word fiction on the theme of True Crime. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.blink-ink.org/submissions/

17th Oct Poetry on the theme of Circuits. https://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~bpr/submission-guidelines/

18th Oct Pirate stories around the 5000 word range. PAYING http://www.inklingspress.com/submissions.html

20th Oct Poetry on the theme of Autumn. https://www.localgemspoetrypress.com/musings-of-autumn.html

21st Oct Poetry and prose on the theme of Writing and Activism. PAYING https://www.bcwriters.ca/wordworks/submit/

23rd Oct Microfiction based on Science. PAYING https://storyseedvault.com/submissions/

24th Oct Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://thesuburbanreview.com/submit/

30th Oct Horror fiction up to 5000 words by Jewish writers. PAYING https://madnessheart.press/submissions/corners-of-the-world-volume-1-judaism/

30th Oct ‘LANTERN: The Inner Circle Writers’ Group Christian Stories Anthology 2019 I’m looking for that special kind of story with the ending that J. R. R. Tolkien described as a ‘eucatastrophe’ — a story which, against all the odds, turns to the Good.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies (Cathy’s note: you have to scroll a long way down to get to the anthology info!)

30th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Grief and Loss. http://heroinchic.weebly.com/blog/special-winter-issue-on-loss-grief-editorial-guidelines

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.washburn.edu/inscape/submit.html

31st Oct ‘Inspiring protests led by concerned citizens and youth are demanding change.The role of the poet is to critique, celebrate, acknowledge, and inspire, to provoke thought and action, and to speak truth to power. Those are the poems sought for publication in 45 Poems of Protest.’ ROYALTIES http://waxpoetryart.com/eleventh/submissions.html

31st Oct ‘We’re looking for four (4) fantasy romance short stories featuring “women loving women/”lesbians, including translesbians, for 2020: asian vampires, afro-mermaids, indigenous shapeshifters, and latinx fairies.’ PAYINGhttps://aurelialeo.com/invictus-quarterly-comics-and-illustrations/

31st Oct ‘In this anthology, Temptation Press is looking for short stories that explore the naughty side of the city. These stories should be about sex clubs. Think ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ meets ‘Exit to Eden’. Any gender combination is welcome. We are looking for a unique take on the age-old tale.’ 4500-20,000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://zimbellhousepublishingllc.submittable.com/submit/144541/nights-in-the-city-a-temptation-press-anthology

31st Oct Poetry, flash and short fiction. PAYING https://bansheelit.tumblr.com/submissionsguidelines

31st Oct Poetry on the theme of Home. https://www.allegropoetry.org/p/submit.html (thanks to http://robinhoughtonpoetry.co.uk/ for this one)

31st Oct Poetry and fiction. https://theinterpretershouse.org/submissions

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Weathering. ‘OMQ publishes submissions from anyone with lived experience of madness/mental health challenges/accessing mental health services, and who has experiences to share and a voice to be heard.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://openmindsquarterly.submittable.com/submit

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and much more. https://partisanhotel.co.uk/Submissions

31st Oct Mystery story up to 2000 words, in which the mystery is solved with the assistance of a pet. PAYING https://www.jerseypinesink.com/

31st Oct ‘We’ve all experienced a night out at the movies. Are you old enough to remember the drive in? Do you dare build a movie theater in your basement and invite monsters and mayhem to your home? Monsters, Movies, & Mayhem is a collection of tales involving monsters and the chaos they create in the movie world.’ Up to 6000 words. PAYING https://wordfirepress.com/anthology-guidelines/

1st Nov Poetry on the theme of Christmas/Chanukah/Yule. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

1st Nov Poetry, fiction, drama and more. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS

https://ellipsis.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: only contributors from the USA will be paid.)

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of What a Strange Question! PAYING http://themaliterarysociety.com/submissions.html (Cathy’s note: submitters outside the USA may submit by email)

1st Nov Flash and short fiction on the theme of Is it Safe? https://wildhuntmag.com/submissions-theme

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Calling. https://halfwaydownthestairs.net/submissions/

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Loss. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.longshippress.com/

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Getting On. PAYING https://griffithreview.com/guidelines-for-writers/

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Cult: Astarte, Isis and Kore. http://cauldronanthology.weebly.com/submissions.html

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Poetry and prose. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL http://prolebooks.co.uk/submissions.html

An anthology of creative works devoted to the climate crisis and climate justice. https://www.watchyourhead.ca/about.html

Poetry and fiction. https://bindweedmagazine.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

‘Interstellar Flight Magazine is seeking essays on pop culture, movies, geekery, and scifi/fantasy related topics.’ PAYING https://www.interstellarflightpress.com/submissions.html

‘Culture Matters is part of our cultural struggle or ‘mental fight’ against class divisions, to achieve a cultural commons in a socialist society – a new Jerusalem, as William Blake called it, and not only in England, but across the world.’ Poetry, articles, art and more. http://culturematters.org.uk/ (thanks to http://robinhoughtonpoetry.co.uk/ for this one)

Data poetry. http://poetryindata.com/take-part/

Poetry. http://www.snakeskinpoetry.co.uk/submit.htm

Poetry. PAYING http://marblepoetry.com/submit/

‘We don’t have themed submissions—we feel that poets need to write what they need to write—however we would, for Issue 8, be very keen to read poems that encapsulate the current political climate, be it today or a couple of months from now. Not rants, not abstraction, but those moments which most speak of what it is like to live right now, at this time of political instability: poems about people, their actions, where they go, the things they say.’ http://www.thecompassmagazine.co.uk/submissions-2/

Poetry and more. https://londongrip.co.uk/home/

‘Aggregate is an upcoming fiction anthology, and we’re looking for solid, creative short stories. We tend toward science fiction and horror, but prefer to think of genre as a loose categorization at best.’ PAYING https://writerfield.com/aggregate/

‘Real and unreal’ stories, poetry and more. http://www.quailbellmagazine.com/submit.html

Novel MSS. https://authors.equinoxbooks.com/

Poetry, fiction and more for this Christian magazine. PAYING https://www.plough.com/en/about-us/magazine-submissions

Prose and more. https://www.presspausepress.org/contact-us

Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/mfa-in-creative-writing/mary-journal

Hello all! Many thanks to those of you who’ve emailed me about your successes — you’re a talented lot! If you’re still waiting for success, remember: proofread your work properly, avoid clichés, try writing a bit outside your comfort zone, and keep trying.

As I write this everything here is chaos. We’re moving house on August 29th. Also, a treatment for a play script I wrote has been shortlisted for an award — now I have to write the play itself! This is something I have never done before.

Phew! Wish me luck with both — and maybe I’ll be less busy next month!

Best wishes,

Cathy x

Paypal/Patreon

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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):

• Competitions
• Submissions With Deadlines
• Submissions Without Known Deadlines

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

Closing date unknown. ‘KEEP WRITING is a contest for Writers organized by the Enlivening Emotions. We all have beautiful Illusions in our Mind that make us Write so we Welcome you to the Family and Let’s Grow Together in the World of Writing. It can be Story, Poetry, Song, Shayari, Ghazal, Blog, Rap. All writing forms are welcome and as We know Writing is an Emotion. It has no Language but comes in every language and it’s all about expression so Let’s be expressive…’ Entries can be in Hindi, English or other language. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.youthop.com/competitions/awards/keep-writing-writing-contest-2019-enlivening-emotions (Cathy’s note: I wasn’t sure abut this one as there’s no tangible prize, but as it’s free to enter, I thought some of you might find it fun.)

2nd Sep ‘Imagine a bottle rides the waves of the ocean until it finally washes ashore, where someone discovers the bottle, pulls out a cork, and…there is a message inside. Tell us what the message says in 27 words or fewer. The person who creates the most compelling “story in a bottle” wins a free Gotham class of his or her choosing.’ NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.writingclasses.com/contest/story-in-a-bottle-contest-2019 (thanks to www.reedsy.com for this one)

3rd Sep ‘Portland Reviewwelcomes themed prose submissions of fiction and nonfiction for the 2019 Verna Marion Nugent chapbook contest. The winner will receive $500 and publication as a chapbook included inside our Laborissue, to be published in 2020.’ Theme: Invisible Labor. PAYING https://portlandreview.submittable.com/submit

4th Sep Middle-grade fiction on the theme of Voyagers, 3500-5000 words.  ROYALTIES http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/the-2019-annual-iwsg-anthology-contest.html

8th Sep ‘Have you experienced mental health problems, or are you a family member or friend of someone who has? We’re inviting you to enter our poetry competition, Healing Words, which is back for its second year.’ Poem up to 25 lines. NON-CASH PRIZE https://www.advocacyproject.org.uk/poetry/

10th Sep ‘The Nan Shepherd Prize is a new competition to find the next voice in nature writing. It aims not only to celebrate nature writing but provide an inclusive platform for new and emerging nature writers from underrepresented backgrounds.’ PAYING https://nanshepherdprize.com/submissions/ (Cathy’s note: although ‘unpublished writers’ are specified in the guidelines, you can still enter if you have self-published, if you’ve had poetry published, or if you’ve had short pieces published in litmags.)

15th Sep TV, Film and Short Screenplays. PAYING https://thescriptlab.com/free-screenplay-contest/

16th Sep Poetry on the theme of Discovery by children from Yorkshire or Lancashire, Years 1-6 or there’s a separate category for Years 7-13. VOUCHER/OTHER http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/posts/autumn-festival/childrens-poetry-competition and http://www.ilkleyliteraturefestival.org.uk/posts/news/young-peoples-poetry-competition

21st Sep ‘Send us your Halloween-themed poetry, fiction, short plays and creative non-fiction.’ PAYING https://thefuriousgazelle.com/submit/halloween-writing-contest/

27th Sep Theatre script by a writer of 55 or over, who is resident or works in the North West of England. PAYING  https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/english-literature-and-creative-writing/about-us/playwriting/

30th Sep SF/F story by new and amateur writers. PAYING https://www.writersofthefuture.com/enter-writer-contest/

30th Sep ‘Our recent survey revealed that almost half of you think there are not enough books featuring middle-aged or older female characters. In response to that, we’re delighted to announce that, together with HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins, we are launching a fiction writing competition for women writers over the age of 40. We will specifically be looking for stories featuring a leading character aged over 40.’ OTHER https://www.gransnet.com/competitions/2019/gransnet-hq-writing-competition

30th Sep ‘Three times a year, Jerry Jazz Musicianawards a writer who submits, in our opinion, the best original, previously unpublished work of short fiction. The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America.’ PAYING https://jerryjazzmusician.com/2013/02/short-fiction-contest-details/

30th Sep Drabble on the theme of Treasure Hunt. PAYING https://albanlakepublishing.com/contests/drabble-contest/

1st Oct Flash fiction narrated by a teacher, or featuring a teacher as the protagonist. PAYING https://academyforteachers.org/stories-out-of-school/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Sep Fiction 800-3000 words on the theme of  Accident and Emergency. https://www.liarsleaguenyc.com/submissions

2nd Sep or until filled: ‘Quite simply, we want Sword & Sorcery tales about immortals in the vein of Karl Edward Wagner’s Kane, Barry Sadler’s Casca, Steven Erikson’s Rhulad Sengar and Kallor, and Dennis O’Neil’s Rā’s al Ghūl.’ PAYING https://roguebladesentertainment.submittable.com/submit/130977/deaths-sting

2nd Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Labor. PAYING https://portlandreview.submittable.com/submit

2nd Sep or until filled: ‘Slaughter is the Best Medicine: An Heroic Anthology of Mayhem & Mirth in Melee. This one is exactly what it sounds like – pulpy battle royale with a smile!’ PAYING http://roguebladesentertain.wixsite.com/roguebladespresents/submissions?lightbox=dataItem-jrebh0k3

2nd Sep Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Chance. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.popshotpopshot.com/submit/

2nd Sep ‘RBE’s first Western isn’t simply going to be filled with dusty tales of cowpokes and gunslingers no matter how romantic. Oh no – you know better than that! REACH FOR THE SKY is all about cowboys and aliens!’ 2000-9000 words. PAYING http://roguebladesentertain.wixsite.com/roguebladespresents/submissions?lightbox=dataItem-jrebh0k34

3rd Sep Poetry and fiction on the theme of The Abduction of Persephone. PAYING https://www.timelesstalesmagazine.com/submissions

3rd Sep Stories and poetry suitable for children, on the theme of Trains, Tracks and Travelers. PAYING http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html

5th Sep or when full: ‘The first in a new series featuring retellings of fairy tales! This one will feature Snow White. We will be looking for new and fresh takes on the tale, however it has to be easily recognizable as a Snow White story.’ 500-10,500 words.  CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://fantasiadivinitymagazine.com/anthology-submission-calls

6th Sep ‘Speculative City publishes provocative works that are centered within a cityscape.’ Theme: Industry. Poetry, fiction and more.  http://www.speculativecity.com/submissions/

7th Sep Poems, stories and more on the theme of Melt. PAYINGhttps://thefureviewberlin.wordpress.com/submit/

8th Sep Poetry and prose that touch upon the natural world. Theme: Fierce. PAYING https://clawandblossom.com/submissions/

10th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of “Reforming violence | Restorative justice for everyone”. http://moonmagazine.org/submission-guidelines/

10th Sep Writing on the theme of Awareness Light. http://www.yellowmedicinereview.com/id12.html

12th Sep ‘The theme is ‘100 words, 100 years from now’. Please create pieces on any subject such as climate, politics, technology, consumersim, social media, life, love or death, etc. but they must somehow be set in 2119.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.ellipsiszine.com/six/

13th Sep ‘Latinx Screams is looking for stories by Latinx and AfroLatinx writers with protagonists facing overwhelming fears and rising to fight horrifying foes. Some will thrive, some with survive, and some will die. Give us your vanquished, and your victors.’ PAYING http://www.bronzevillebooks.com/writers/anthology-submissions/

13th Sep Spec flash on the theme of Stories that Sing: the 90s. PAYING https://gohavok.com/submission-guidelines/

13th Sep Story on the theme of Supernatural. 500-3000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.stormyislandpublishing.com/submissions/

13th Sep Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of MYSTERY, DEATH and the DEAD, HARVEST, SEASON OF DARKNESS, and more. https://www.cleaningupglitter.com/submissions (Cathy’s note: Subs are free until they’ve used up 80% of their Submittable allocation. After that there’s a fee. So get in early.)

Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Fun House. http://www.pilgrimagepress.org/

15th Sep Dark literary fiction and twisted horror poetry. PAYING https://macabre-museum.com/submissions/

15th Sep Write a story that lasts. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES  https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies

15th Sep Poetry, fiction and more about cartoons. ‘Please only send work that has to do with television cartoon series, not animated movies (you can save that for our Pop Culture issue).’ http://www.drunkmonkeys.us/submission-guidelines

15th Sep Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://thespectacle.submittable.com/submit (Cathy’s note: when they run out of free submission slots, they charge a fee, so get in early if possible.)

15th Sep 50-word story. ‘There is no payment associated with stories. However, each month a “Story of the Month” is selected, and receives a prize of $10 Canadian.’ PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://fiftywordstories.com/submissions/

15th Sep ‘Whether framed as deities or regular folks—as wise role models, rascally clowns, or underhanded villains—trickster figures have fascinated audiences for centuries. For the 34th issue of Eye to the Telescope, we want original work that demonstrates why this is.’ Poetry. PAYING http://www.eyetothetelescope.com/submit.html

15th Sep ‘How do you read/experience/address solidão? This issue invites intersectional critical theory from scholar-activists to confront systems of oppression that challenge the idea of universalism and the limited belief that humanity is white, skinny, heterosexual, able-bodied, U.S. American, middle class, Christian, and male.’ https://www.feministpress.org/current-call-for-papers

15th Sep ‘Zimbell House is holding open submissions for short stories about the old west and how the U.S. Marshal played a part in establishing the law of the land.’ 4000-20,000 words.  CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://zimbellhousepublishingllc.submittable.com/submit/140286/the-marshal-a-zimbell-house-anthology

15th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Confession. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.constellations-lit.com/submissions/

21st Sep Poetry and fiction on the theme of Jungle. https://wordsforthewild.co.uk/?p=5853

23rd Sep Microfiction based on Science. PAYING https://storyseedvault.com/submissions/

25th Sep ‘We will be looking for new and fresh takes on the tale, however it has to be easily recognizable as a Snow White story.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://fantasiadivinitymagazine.com/anthology-submission-calls

29th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Lore. https://talesfromtheforest.net/submissions/

30th Sep ‘Truancyis a semipro market for revised folktales, legends, myth and other traditional narratives that have been made new by your retelling or your original fiction that has these folkloric elements or mythic elements.’ Poetry also accepted. PAYING http://www.truancymag.dreamhosters.com/submissions-guidelines/

30th Sep ‘Spy Girl – Chipper Press is looking for short stories that feature a female sleuth. We want these stories to be set in a middle-grade school. It can be a spy ring or a single amateur detective. Keep in mind these tales are intended for middle-graders.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.chipperpress.com/anthology-submissions/

30th Sep Writing by Asian lesbians. http://www.sinisterwisdom.org/AsianLesbians

30th Sep ‘We are looking for stories about something that happened to you in your life – in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud.’ Stories and poems. PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/story-guidelines

30th Sep Canadian women/nonbinary only: ‘Re Nature: Writing on a World under Threat. Understorey Magazine invites submissions of critical writing & visual art – for a nature in crisis.’ PAYING https://understoreymagazine.ca/2019/04/re-nature-writing-on-a-world-under-threat/

30th Sep Crime/mystery/thriller story. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.clarendonhousebooks.com/anthologies

30th Sep ‘We are looking for stories about the humorous or serious sides of life after 60.’ Stories and poems. PAYING https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30th Sep  ‘We want all of your travel stories, whether they’re also love stories, horror stories, success stories…you know we’re flexible here.
The only rule is the same as it always is: this trip must include music!’ https://memoirmixtapes.com/submissions/

30th Sep Poetry. https://wendpoetry.com/submissions/

30th Sep Spec fic. PAYING https://aurealis.com.au/submissions/ (thanks to www.freedomwithwriting.com for this one)

30th Sep Erotic literary fiction and erotic formal poetry. http://www.sliptongue.com/submissions.html

30th Sep Poetry and fiction on the theme of Free Will. https://theliterarynest.com/submissions/literary-submissions/

30th Sep Poetry and more. https://www.thimblelitmag.com/submissions/

30th Sep Poetry on the theme of Brink. http://oxfordpoetry.co.uk/

30th Sep Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Night Terrors. https://tigersharkpublishing.wordpress.com/home/guidelines/

30th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Anne of Green Gables: All Thngs Anne. http://www.portyonderpress.com/all-things-anne—issue-9.html

30th Sep Poetry on the theme of Autumn. PAYING http://www.songsoferetz.com/p/guidelines.html

1st Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Keep Texas Salty. PAYING http://www.quartermarchmedia.com/faq

1st Oct Poetry, prose and more on the theme of Wilderness. https://manzanomountainreview.com/submissions

1st Oct ‘Power Playis all about the action and competition of hockey combined with the drama and emotion of romance. I’m looking for consensual power exchange romance stories that revolve around the rink.’ 2500+ words. PAYING  http://www.penandkinkpub.com/home/call-for-submissions/

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

‘We seek to confront the 21st century headlong and with humanity. To publish poetry that feels crisp and new; poetry that explores rough edges of humanity instead of attempting to smooth them.’ ‘Due to Submittable limits, we are only able to offer a limited number of no-cost submissions each month. If there is no option to submit at no-cost please check back at the beginning of the next month!’ http://dovecotemag.com/submissions

Haiku. PAYING https://haikujournal.org/submit/terms.php

Poetry. PAYING https://poetryquarterly.com/submit/terms.php

Various anthology calls, all open until filled: Mythological beasts/creatures, Faeries. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES  https://ironfaeriepublishing.com/open-anthology-calls/

Poetry, flash and short fiction. https://jamandsandjournal.com/submissions

Clean fantasy and SF. PAYING https://deepmagic.co/submissions/# (thanks to www.freedomwithwriting.comfor this one)

Stories under 2000 words. PAYING https://www.intrinsick.com/guidelines.html

Fiction up to 10,000 words. PAYING https://www.fabulaargentea.com/index.php/submissions/

‘Wordwooze Publishing seeks talented authors who write stories that are out of the ordinary and feature strong plots, smooth writing, three-dimensional characters, and interesting backgrounds. If that sounds like you, we invite you to send us a copy of your manuscript.’ ROYALTIES https://www.wordwooze.com/submissions.html

‘The material chosen for Kaleidoscope challenges and overcomes stereotypical, patronizing, and sentimental attitudes about disability.We accept the work of writers with and without disabilities; however the work of a writer without a disability must focus on some aspect of disability.’ PAYING http://www.udsakron.org/kaleidoscope/enter-a-submission.aspx

‘This anthology, to be edited by Steve Berman, seeks short stories and novellettes that adapt classic fairy tales. But we want them populated with Bears! Strapping heroes are fine as long as they are stout. All the stories should have a measure of whimsy and/or wonder.’ PAYING https://www.lethepressbooks.com/call-for-submissions.html#/

Until filled: ‘We now have an OPEN call for the high fantasy anthology “Of Witches, Warriors, and Wyverns”.’ PAYING https://tanstaaflpress.com/fantasy-anthology-guidelines-of-witches-warriors-and-wyverns/

Spec fic on the theme of Whigmaleeries & Wives’ Tales. PAYING http://www.jayhenge.com/callforstories.html

Erotic spec fiction. PAYING http://www.jayhenge.com/callforstories.html

Christian flash fiction. https://transfiguredlit.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

Transgressive, bizarro and splatterpunk fiction. PAYING http://www.filthyloot.com/about/

MSS of various kinds. https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/page.aspx/submissions

‘We are currently open to submissions for our inaugural issue. We want work that breaks through the mundane reality of our daily lives. Send us literature that elevates thought and feeling beyond what we experience in the monotony of daily life. If it floats your boat, you can have that be as fantasy or science fiction.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://realitybreakpress.com/submission-guidelines/

‘Welcome to Poetrylandia, a new Wapshott Press journal, we are seeking book length single author poetry collections, as well as book length poems, epic poetry, saga poetry, very long poems, fiction and non-fiction in verse.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://www.wapshottpress.org/poetrylandia/

Spec fiction 1500-5000 words on the theme of Birds. PAYING https://lackingtons.com/submissions/

Poetry, flash, short fiction and more. PAYING http://www.drunkmonkeys.us/submission-guidelines