Comps and calls for October 2016

Posted on 1st October 20161st October 2016 by cathy in Uncategorised

Hello all! It’s October, which is the best month of the year because it has my birthday in it. Also, it’s the month I’ve chosen to launch my creative writing consultancy. I get asked for advice, feedback and critiques all the time – and now, for a very reasonable fee, you’ll be able to get them. The Comps and Calls website and listing will always be free as long as I have anything to do with it, so don’t worry, but Cathy Bryant’s Creative Writing Consultancy is a paid-for service.

Click on the link above if you’re interested, or just email news@cathybryant.co.uk.

As always, good luck this month with your writing and entries!

Cathy x

Here are October 2016’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.

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

5th Oct Spectator Competition number 2969: autumnal. ‘You are invited to submit a poem about autumn in the style of the poet of your choice. Please email entries of up to 16 lines to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 5 October.’ PAYING http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/09/competition-150/

12th Oct Spectator Competition number 2970: ig nobel. ‘The Ig Nobel Prizes are spoof awards handed out at Harvard annually ‘for achievements which cannot — and should not — be reproduced’. You are to supply an extract from an award-winner’s speech that describes the ‘achievement’ (invented by you) being honoured. Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 12 October.’ http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/10/if/

14th Oct 200-word stories on the theme of Hallowe’en. PAYING http://ironsoap.com/200-ccs/submissions/

14th Oct UK only: Share your tip on how you fit exercise into your busy day. VOUCHER/OTHER http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/win-holiday-vouchers_uk_57592898e4b0069193651619

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

15th Oct Story up to 500 words including the words ‘chicken’, ‘potato’ and ‘bathrobe’. PAYING http://www.mashstories.com/competition/

24th Oct UK children aged 5-11 only: story 200-800 words on the theme of animals. https://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_content1_tbp?storeId=10001&langId=100&spotName=bedtime-comp-enter

30th Oct Socially aware and satirical poetry. PAYING http://waxpoetryart.com/contests/socially_engaged.html

31st Oct Australians only: poems on the theme of plants in general, or plants in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. NON-CASH PRIZE https://rochfordstreetreview.com/2016/07/13/calls-for-submissions-for-the-new-shoots-poetry-prizes/

31st Oct Published African writers only: excerpts from your previously-published work. PAYING http://www.milesmorlandfoundation.com/#!-scholarship-announcements/ralvv (with thanks for this one to http://fundsforwriters.com/)

31st Oct UK residents aged 18-25 only: ‘Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. The 2016 Franklin quote is : ‘Light often arises from a collision of opinions, as fire from flint and steel’ – Benjamin Franklin, 1760’ http://www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org/site/sections/news/literary_prize.html

31st Oct Story 3000-10,000 words on the theme of The Journey. PAYING http://www.ouenpress.com/11.html

31st Oct Family-friendly haiku. VOUCHER/OTHER http://design.printexpress.co.uk/the-print-express-haiku-competition/

31st Oct Fiction up to 1000 words inspired by the illustration. https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/competitions/firewords-quarterly-writing-competition NON-CASH PRIZE

31st Oct Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of Haunted Amusement Park. VOUCHER/OTHER http://www.greywolfeshop.com/2016-monthly-contests.html

31st Oct ‘Manuscripts must be original and unpublished (either in print or digitally). Minnesota settings and authors are preferred but not mandatory–anyone can submit.

Do not send the whole book. (This is important.)’ ADVANCE + ROYALTIES http://www.startribune.com/you-have-until-halloween-to-send-us-your-manuscript/390717421/ (With thanks to www.erikadreifus.com for this one.)

31st Oct Poem inspired by the image. PAYING http://www.rattle.com/ekphrastic/

1st Nov Up to 3 poems on the theme of Reality Has Never Betrayed Me. PAYING http://www.newyorkencounter.org/poetry-contest-2017

1st Nov Up to 3 poems (Cathy’s note: according to Firstwriter’s newsletter, there is a commemorative trophy up for grabs, and the top three poems get a free copy of the anthology, but I can’t find any mention of this on the website. Fingers crossed that there is a prize of some sort other than just publication!). NON-CASH PRIZE http://arebgnew17.wixsite.com/bznwritinghouse

1st Nov ‘The Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words) in English written by a citizen of a Commonwealth country. All stories submitted must be unpublished, but both unpublished and published writers are eligible to apply. The competition is free to enter.’ http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/

1st Nov US only: your real-life story 2500-3500 words. PAYING http://www.glamour.com/story/essay-contest-rules

1st Nov ‘The Jane Lumley Prize will only be awarded to emerging poets who have not published more than one full length collection of poetry/prose (both traditional as well as self-published), and/or have only published chapbooks, and/or found a home for their works in literary magazines and anthologies. We also strongly encourage unpublished writers to submit their poems for consideration.’ PAYING https://hermeneuticchaos.submittable.com/submit

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

2nd Oct Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Us and Them. http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

2nd Oct Current and recent grad students only: writing on the theme of Glass Ceilings. https://anamesajournal.wordpress.com/submissions/

3rd Oct Creative nonfiction by women. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://sixhens.com/#submissions

3rd Oct Flash and short fiction on the theme of Nightmares. https://litro.submittable.com/submit/62059

5th Oct ‘Thrilling and frightening’ ghost stories 1500-2500 words. https://hofstrawindmill.com/

6th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of East and West. http://herecomeseveryone.me/submit/

Pitches due by 7th Oct: fiction, essays, poetry and more on the theme of Millennials Strike Back. PAYING https://griffithreview.submittable.com/submit/65923

7th Oct Poetry, fiction and more up to 500 words on the theme of True. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://truthserumpress.net/submissions/true-more-or-less-truth-serum-vol-1/

10th Oct Fiction on the theme of Marine Wildlife. http://zoomorphic.net/submissions/

10th Oct Murder and crime mysteries. http://pilcrowdagger.com/themes/

10th Oct Poetry and fiction on the theme of Fear. http://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/artsandsci/art/oracle/submissions.html

14th Oct ‘October’s issue is now open for submissions! The theme prompts this time around are “macabre” and “Gothic”. Here’s the important part: October’s issue is a flash-submission issue – this means that all non-fiction and fiction submissions are limited to a maximum word-count of 1000 words, and all poems are limited to a maximum of 1 page, up to 5 poems per submission. Art submissions remain unaffected.’ PAYING http://www.violethourpress.com/the-violet-hour-magazine

14th Oct Stories of around 200 words on the theme of Halloween (sic). PAYING http://ironsoap.com/200-ccs/submissions/

15th Oct ‘Found poems crafted from public domain sources.’ http://herontree.com/how/

15th Oct Our Spring 2017 issue will be dedicated to Civil Servant Poets. The poems may be written on any subject, in any style or length, but must be written by those who have worked a significant amount of time for a non-military governmental department or agency (whether U.S., foreign, or international). Please explain how this applies to you and how this work affects your poetry in your contributor note. PAYING https://rattle.submittable.com/submit

15th Oct ‘Temptation Press is holding open submissions for short stories to be featured in this upcoming collection that tells tales of becoming the favorite of a Madam. Whether the main character is the Madam herself, one of her clients, or one in her employ, the story arc should contain how the character came to be in the position of favorite and what being the favorite really means.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.temptationpress.com/submission-guidelines/upcoming-anthology-calls-for-submission/

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.washingtonsquarereview.com/submit/

15th Oct Dark, spooky stories 1000-6000 words, set in New Orleans. PAYING https://fundeadpublications.com/new-story-submissions/

15th Oct Fiction and nonfiction, 3000-5000 words. https://hofstrawindmill.submittable.com/submit

15th Oct US only: Fiction 2000-5000 words on the theme of Body Horror. PAYING http://www.disquieteddreams.com/call-for-submissions.html

15th Oct Fiction, poetry and more on the theme of Imagining Peace. http://www.newmadridjournal.org/submissions/index.htm

15th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Ghost Hunters. http://www.earthenlampjournal.com/submissions.php

15th Oct ‘The secrets being kept from us reveal a world in of themselves. Science fiction has a long speculative history of new technology and species, the likes of which humanity has never seen. The horror genre always aims to excite and instil fear, with depictions of possessions and cruel vengeance. Fantasy literature can always teeter on the edge of a grim dark worldview. RE_ACTED wants stories that explore the dark side of human progression. What are the secrets we’ve erased from our families shared histories?’ Fiction, poetry and more. PAYING http://heliosquarterly.com/index.php/submissions/

16th Oct ‘Following up our Summer Edition of 2016 – The Work Issue, NOUS 8 will focus on the exploration of its flip side: “Play”. We are searching for stories, poems, and essays taking on themes such as Addiction, Gambling, Virtual Reality and Computer Games, Therapy, Community Action and Social Change.’ PAYING http://www.nous-magazine.de/play

16th Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Cities. PAYING https://shooterlitmag.com/submissions/

20th Oct Poetry and more on the theme of Politics and Poetry. https://foragepoetry.com/contact/

21st Oct US writers only: Dieselpunk fairytales, 4000-9000 words. PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL https://twitpublishing.wordpress.com/dieselpunk-fairy-tales/

22nd Oct Fiction and drama up to 3000 words, and poetry, on the theme of Bedtime Stories. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://crucibleunc.weebly.com/submissions.html

25th Oct ‘For this anthology, we are looking for stories that focus on strong heroines. We want to see stories of damsels who save themselves instead of waiting for a man to do the job for them. We want Rapunzel to find her own way out of the tower, the little mermaid to shove that dagger into the prince’s heart and win back her life, Snow White to shove that poisoned apple into the queen’s face… you get the idea.’ 100-25,000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://fantasiadivinitymagazine.myfreesites.net/anthology-submission-calls

28th Oct POSTAL SUBMISSION ONLY (Cathy’s note: I rarely include postal opportunities, but I love this publisher and recommend them highly. If you’ve got the postage and your MS is a good fit….) MSS of poetry or prose on the following themes: Normalising breastfeeding; Empowering both mothers and fathers; Celebrating femininity and empathy (which is by no means only a female trait); Providing positive role models; Encouraging creativity http://www.mothersmilkbooks.com/index.php/submissions

28th Oct ‘What if White Fang was actually a chupacabra? What if a pod of warmongering mermaids sank the Titanic? What if Oliver Twist turned out to be a twisted leprechaun? In these literary retellings, we want to know who really populated the stories that history wouldn’t allow told. The plot and motivations will stay largely the same, but the characters will be a little different than we remember. Think Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters when you’re writing the true versions of these classic spec-fic masterpieces.’ PAYING http://splickety.com/imprints/havok-magazine/

30th Oct ‘We are looking for short fiction (1,500 to 5,000 words) that takes place in space and has a strong horror element. This can include aliens, ghosts, or disturbing circumstance. The key to success, as with all strong writing, is the human struggle and relatable characters.’. PAYING http://www.tacituspublishing.com/call_for_submissions.html

31st Oct ‘We are looking for works that combine text and images in interesting ways. We are primarily thinking of 2D works, but will also consider pop-ups, limited layering and other ventures into the 3rd dimension. Works should incorporate significant text, not just a few words.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://medusaslaugh.submittable.com/submit

31st Oct ‘Our cats make us smile and laugh every day, but sometimes they really outdo themselves. Whether they came up with the idea themselves, or you put them in a situation that caused them to do something unusual, we want to hear about it!’ Poems and stories. PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

31st Oct Poetry. http://ratsassreview.net/?page_id=81

31st Oct Horror fiction 2000-5000 words on the theme of Clockwork Wonderland. ‘Following the rabbit down the hole is the easy part. Battling time is what will kill you. Whether you’re trying to get back home or struggling to survive in Wonderland, your stories MUST be horrifying.’ PAYING https://horroraddicts.wordpress.com/book-6-clockwork-wonderland/

31st Oct ‘Book of Blasphemous Words is a weird fiction, horror, and speculative fiction anthology about humanity’s relationship with its gods. When we answer the call for salvation from the bondage of the material—when we believe in gods—we reach a hand into the unknown and risk losing it to something peckish. When we forget the power of the hearth, we risk a conflagration that can return civilization to the dirt whence it has come.’ https://amurderofstorytellers.submittable.com/submit

31st Oct Poetry and more. https://thehighwindowpress.com/submissions/

31st Oct Poetry. https://beechstreetreview.com/guidelines/

31st Oct Poetry and fiction either on the theme of Narrow, or in response to the provided photograph. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.solidagojournal.com/submissions/

31st Oct SF/F flash fiction up to 500 words. PAYING http://whortleberrypress.com/writersguidelines.html

31st Oct Fiction 1000-12,000 words on the theme of Cannibalism. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://hydramstar.com/Books_and_Magazines.html

31st Oct Fiction 800-3000 words on the theme of Dreams and Aspirations. http://www.liarsleaguenyc.com/submissions/

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Four Elements. http://www.youngravensliteraryreview.org/submission-guidelines.html

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more including the elements Glaze, Thread and Murmur. http://3elementsreview.com/submission-guidelines

31st Oct Poetry on the theme of either Gambling or Surrealism. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.redactions.com/submission-and-ordering.asp

31st Oct Poetry and more on the theme of Home. http://www.snapdragonjournal.com/submit.html

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more by women on the theme of Rebirth. http://loveliestmag.com/submit/

31st Oct Canada only: poetry, fiction and more. ‘The Maple Tree Literary Supplement provides a platform for dialogue or interviews on any topic between and amongst Canadian writers, while featuring their work and reporting on literary events, landmarks or festivals in Canada and around the world–with an emphasis on their Canadian composition.’ PAYING http://www.mtls.ca/issue21/submissions/

31st Oct Writing and more on the theme of “Surrealism and the Sea / Marine Communism”. http://peculiarmormyrid.com/submissions/

31st Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Publication. http://www.puertodelsol.org/submit/

31st Oct Fiction and more on the theme of Winter. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://eabpublishing.com/submissions.html

1st Nov Fiction 300-5000 words, starting with the line: In the six years I spent tracking David Addley, it never occurred to me that he didn’t exist. PAYING http://www.thefirstline.com/submission.htm

1st Nov Poetry on the theme of Ekphrastic (Cathy’s note: only Australian contributors are paid). PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://cordite.org.au/submissions/

1st Nov Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of The Missing Letters. PAYING http://themaliterarysociety.com/submissions.html

1st Nov Poetry, fiction, plays and more. PAYING http://www.kenyonreview.org/submission/

1st Nov Dark poetry, fiction and more. PAYING https://peartreepress.submittable.com/submit

1st Nov ‘Please submit one mixed-genre mystery story (so mystery + any other genre, including romance, science fiction, fantasy, etc.) no longer than 7,500 words or up to three mixed-genre mystery poems (poetry is the genre mixed with mystery in this case).’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES, PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://www.kellyannjacobson.com/anthologies/candlesticks-and-daggers#sthash.fcrx4WHb.dpbs

1st Nov ‘We’re looking for work that revolves around parties and celebrations, from the sophisticated to the debaucherous: soirées, shindigs, galas, cotillion balls, beer busts at The Moontower—if someone’s raising a glass, we want to know about it. Send your poetry, fiction, essays, illustrations and photography.’ http://www.thebrokencitymag.com/submissions.html

1st Nov Flash and short fiction on the theme of Reflection. https://litro.submittable.com/submit/62060/reflection-december-2016-print-magazine

1st Nov Genre fiction 1000-5000 words on the theme of Women of War. PAYING http://www.sockdolager.net/submission-guidelines/

1st Nov or when full: ‘Porkbelly Press (in partnership with the reading staff of Sugared Water) is seeking work inspired by dark forests, fanged girls, fierce women, feral princesses, a sisterhood of witches deep in the woods. Send us your tale of a girl that eats the wolf’s heart a piece at a time. Send us your poetry, your prose poems, micro/short fictions & short essays.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://porkbellypress.com/catalog/anthologies/bramblethorn/

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.

‘All of the manuscripts that we select involve conveying meaningful messages to children or youth. They catalyze conversations between parents and children, teachers and students, about the topics that matter most to the generation of children we are shaping today.’ http://www.littlepicklepress.com/resources-category/writers-2/

Full length MSS of poetry, fiction or nonfiction. https://educepress.com/submissions/

Poems. PAYING http://wandererpoetry.com/submit/

‘We want stories set in what Tolkien called a “secondary world”: some other world that is different from our own primary world in some way. It could be different in terms of zoology (non-human creatures), ecology (climate), or physical laws (the presence of magic). It could be set on Earth but an Earth different from our primary world in terms of time (the historical past) or history (alternate history).’ PAYING http://www.beneath-ceaseless-skies.com/submissions/

Open until filled (or Dec 31st): ‘Lucky issue thirteen of Workers Write! will be Tales from the Casino and will contain stories and poems from workers in the gambling industry.’ PAYING http://www.workerswritejournal.com/

Fiction and more. http://www.thecaprareview.com/?page_id=62

Fiction 500-2500 words. https://fictivedream.com/submission-guidelines/

Hippocampus Magazine and Press LLC is looking for its first few book-length works for its small press division. We’re looking for work in the following categories (and, in parentheses, is what to submit for consideration): Memoirs (query + first three chapters), Essay collections (query + three essays), Literary journalism – (query + first three chapters OR proposal, as we’ll entertain strongly developed ideas that may not yet be completed projects), Creativity books (proposal), Craft books (proposal). ADVANCE + ROYALTIES https://hippocampusmagazine.submittable.com/submit/64449

(thanks for this one to www.erikadreifus.com )

‘We publish brilliant fiction of all types, whether it be literary or genre – sci-fi, YA, fantasy, crime, short stories, or whatever you’re having yourself. Please note that we don’t publish children’s books, history, poetry, memoir or non-fiction. If you’re a short story writer, please submit three sample stories. Please also note that you’ll have to have enough stories for a complete collection.’ http://www.tramppress.com/submissions/

‘Do you dream of being a highly paid, famous comedy writer? Living the opulent life that goes with such a lofty title? Well, then this might not be for you. However, if you can write stuff that’s funny, this might be your lucky day! We are currently casting a wide net to find some worthy comedy writers for article submissions to NationalLampoon.com Article submissions can be topical, conceptual, open letters, photoshops, fake news blurbs, reviews of inanimate objects, etc. Please keep it to 1500 words or less.’ PAYING http://nationallampoon.com/submission-guidelines

SF and H fiction, 1500-6000 words. PAYING http://doublefeaturemagazine.com/index.php/submissions/

‘We only publish novels in which at least one of the main characters is of indigenous African descent. Sorry, White South Africans, but you are of European descent. Indigenous Africans are not necessarily Black. Lands like Egypt and Algeria have been relatively multiracial for millennia.’ ROYALTIES http://www.mugwumppress.com/afrocentric/submissions/

Poetry, fiction, plays and more. SOME CONTRIBUTORS GET CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://sites.google.com/site/bankstreetwriters/current-accounts-magazine

Dark fiction (Cathy’s note: although they are open until 16th Nov according to the website, they close when they have 300 submissions, so get yours in early if possible). PAYING https://lamplightmagazine.submittable.com/submit

‘The Unnamed Press publishes literature from around the world. Whether it’s fiction, memoir or something in between, we are always interested in unlikely protagonists, undiscovered territories and courageous voices.’ http://unnamedpress.com/about

Beautiful creative work. http://peacockjournal.com/guidelines/

‘Creators, Inc. distributes a great variety of continuing features, such as comic strips and panels, columns and political cartoons, as well as books and original manuscripts. We are constantly on the lookout for quality features.’ http://www.creators.com/submissions

Sponsorship spot for Oct 2016 available!

Posted on 23rd September 201623rd September 2016 by cathy in Uncategorised

Once again we’ve had the sponsorship spot for the next big monthly update open up unexpectedly. This provides an excellent way of tapping into the community of individuals interested in creative writing and self-publishing. It also costs significantly less than you might think because we try to keep the cost at a level everybody can afford.

Interested? It’s first come, first served so email webmaster Keir (k@keirthomas.com) sooner rather than later!

Comps and calls for September 2016

Posted on 1st September 20161st September 2016 by cathy in Uncategorised

Hello all! It’s September, and probably time to do something other than complain that we didn’t get any Summer at all here in the UK (shakes fist at sky). Submitting and entering is probably more productive! Many thanks, as ever, to those who email me to tell me about their successes from my links. Many thanks to our sponsor this month, writer.support, a website all about technology and how it can aid writers and editors.

Good luck!

Cathy x

Here are September 2016’s writing competitions and calls for submission, all with free, electronic entry.

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! The links are in the comments, and any dates at the start are deadlines. December is the best time by far to submit and enter. There are loads of opportunities, and many people are too busy to take advantage of them. Please try to find the time if you can!

COMPETITIONS

Weekly: US only: Fiction. PAYING https://printersrow.submittable.com/submit

2nd Sep ‘For this contest, we challenge you to write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which the concept of “darkness” plays an important role. You may interpret “darkness” any way you want–literally, metaphorically, or any other way. Darkness doesn’t have to have a value judgment attached to it, and it doesn’t have to be symbolic in any way, although it can.’ PAYING https://onthepremises.submittable.com/Submit

2nd Sep Women only: sample of writing for residency at Edith Wharton’s house. PAYING http://www.edithwharton.org/visit/the-edith-wharton-writer-in-residence-program/ (thanks to www.erikadreifus.com for this one)

6th Sep Scary MSS PAYING http://madeleinemilburn.co.uk/madeleine-milburn-summer-writing-competition-make-us-scared/

8th Sep Spectator Competition No. 2965: selfie ‘Edna St Vincent Millay (among others) wrote a poem about a sonnet written in sonnet form (‘I will put Chaos into fourteen lines’). You are invited to write a poem about a verse form, written in that form (sorry, but a maximum of 16 lines please). Please email (wherever possible) entries to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday on 8 September.’ PAYING http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/08/body-talk/

12th Sep US only: ‘Each award is tailored to a particular literary form. The Merrill Award recognizes a poet, while fiction writers may apply for either the Johnson Award (for a short story) or the Russo Award (for a novel-in-progress). Winners receive full tuition support for our January Seminar and Workshop Program, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium, and the opportunity to appear on stage during the Seminar. Runners-up for each award will also be offered financial assistance packages. Poets and writers living in the United States who have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply.’ PAYING http://www.kwls.org/awards/emerging-writer-awards/ (with thanks for this one to Hope Clark’s Funds for Writers: http://fundsforwriters.com/)

12th Sep Up to three poems. PAYING http://www.princemere.com/ (with thanks for this one to www.winningwriters.com)

14th Sep Gothic short story up to 2000 words. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.stylist.co.uk/books/enter-stylists-short-story-competition-writing-literature-fiction-authors-book-books-tips

15th Sep A selection of your flash fiction. ‘All writers previously unpublished in SmokeLong Quarterly and who do not have a published chapbook or book-length work in any genre (or are not under contract for such) are eligible to apply.’ PAYING http://www.smokelong.com/kathy-fish-fellowship/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email

15th Sep Flash fic up to 500 words on the theme It Came in the Mail. PAYING https://brilliantflashfictionmag.wordpress.com/2016/06/22/special-delivery-writing-contest/

15th Sep Short poetry, flash fiction and more. PAYING http://concis.io/contest/

16th Sep UK only: Story up to 1000 words on the theme of Jungle, Animals and/or India. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.mumsnet.com/competitions/2016/august/win-a-huge-prize-bundle-with-the-jungle-book

17th Sep Story up to 700 words on the theme of Past Loves. PAYING http://ourpastloves.com/contest (with thanks to www.winningwriters.com)

19th Sep US only: essay on the theme of Life Lessons. PAYING http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/contests-sweepstakes/eighth-life-lessons-essay-contest-rules (with thanks to www.winningwriters.com)

21st Sep Sonnet. PAYING http://www.theamericanaesthetic.org/sonnet-prize.html

26th Sep Poetry, drama, fiction and more incorporating disability as a theme or having a major character with a disability. PAYING http://www.txdisabilities.org/p2p-submission-rules

29th Sep ‘The prize, worth £30,000 to the winner, is an international award, founded in 2010, that is open to any story of up to 6,000 words written in English. Stories need to have been either previously unpublished or only published after 31 December 2015. Five authors shortlisted for the award will each receive £1,000. The prize is administered by the Society of Authors. To be eligible, the author must simply have a record of prior publication in creative writing in the United Kingdom or Ireland.’ PAYING http://shortstoryaward.co.uk/enter

30th Sep ‘We are seeking aspiring or established travel writers to send us interesting, original writing relating to the competition theme: Off the Beaten Track. Your article may be about a fascinating, relatively unknown place near to where you live or that you came across by chance when travelling around, or it may be a totally fictional place. It’s entirely up to you.’ Up to 750 words. PAYING http://seniortravelexpert.com/off-beaten-track-writing-competition/

30th Sep Africa only: writers and other artists can apply for six-week residencies. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.africacentre.net/rockefeller-foundation-bellagio-center-application-guidelines/

30th Sep Children aged 5-12 only: drawings and stories. NON-CASH PRIZE http://www.writingtimes.co.uk/children

30th Sep Fiction up to 2000 words on the theme of Anyone but Me. VOUCHER/OTHER http://www.greywolfeshop.com/2016-monthly-contests.html

30/9 UK only: say why you’d like to win a trip to LA to do the Colour Run, with spending money and various other nice things. PAYING https://www.facebook.com/skittles/photos/a.367523843474.190396.7914733474/10154979516868475/?type=3&theater

30th Sep Story up to 400 words including characters from more than one generation. PAYING http://intergenerationmonth.org/enter-the-contest/

30th Sep ‘Three times a year, Jerry Jazz Musician awards 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 http://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/2013/02/short-fiction-contest-details/

30th Sep Story/essay up to 2000 words on the theme of Connecting Politics with People. PAYING http://www.wolfoundation.org/guidelines/

1st Oct Family-friendly 30-minute play by a member of the British East Asian, South Asian and South-East Asian communities. PAYING http://www.reddragonflyproductions.co.uk/#!upcoming/c1z71 (thanks to http://www.londonplaywrightsblog.com for this one)

1st Oct Poetry and stories on the theme of Apologies. PAYING https://bopdeadcity.com/contests/

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

Sept/Oct (Exact deadline not clear): Writing by parents of colour on the theme of Loved Ones. http://www.raisingmothers.com/submissions/

2nd Sep ‘Supernatural stories set in the 1920s. Not horror stories, necessarily, but stories that use the 1920s and its spook culture (and spook-busting culture) in an engaging way. Bring us supernatural adventures, supernatural mysteries, supernatural fantasy, or supernatural pulp.’ 1000-16000 words PROFIT/REVENUE SHARING MODEL http://18thwall.com/submissions/

2th Sep Women only: ‘Secret fantasy’. ‘Stories up to 2,200 words and poems up to 40 lines on the theme of erotic passion. Requited or unrequited, chaste or salacious, enacted or just dreamed about, take us on a walk to the wild side of your romantic imagination.’ PAYING https://mslexia.co.uk/themed-writing/

3rd Sep Poetry and flash on the theme of Hope. CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://shortstops.info/2016/08/06/a-furious-hope-a-call-for-submission-to-an-anthology/

4th Sep Story 800-2000 words on the theme of Flesh and Bone. http://www.liarsleague.com/liars_league/forthcoming-events-themes.html

5th Sep Submissions wanted for a new anthology of short stories based on the theme of Nothing. ‘Bleak landscapes, empty hearts, insignificant lives, dystopian futures, extinction, limbo, uncertainty, death. A beautiful void or a horrific state of being. The simple complexity of nothingness.’ 3000-7000 words. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.hic-dragones.co.uk/nothing-call-for-submissions/

5th Sep Poetry, flash and short fiction on the theme of Fusion. https://eyedrumperiodically.org/index.php/submissions/

5th Sep Fiction 1500-2500 words on the theme of Change. https://hofstrawindmill.submittable.com/submit

6th Sep Peace poems. http://johnkaniecki.weebly.com/peace-action.html

8th Sep Essays by working class people on the working class. http://deadinkbooks.com/know-your-place-essays-on-the-working-class/

9th Sep GLBT SF stories 3000-15,000 words. PAYING http://www.waywardinkpublishing.com/submission-guidelines/beyond-the-infinite/

10th Sep Writing by women. https://jennymag.submittable.com/submit

10th Sep Poetry, flash, short fiction and more on the theme of Trespassers Beware. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://faroffplaces.org/submissions

15th Sep ‘Inside The Bell Jar is a quarterly journal accepting poetry, short stories and flash fiction of absolutely any genre. The only real requirement we have is that your piece is related to mental illness in some way; through a character, the general theme, something about the setting – you decide.’ PAYING http://www.insidethebelljar.com/submit/

15th Sep ‘Darkhouse Books is looking for light-hearted, satirical stories envisioning life under President Trump. Length: 2500 to 5000 (exceptions will be considered) Graphic stories will be considered, as well as paranormal.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY+ ROYALTIES http://darkhousebooks.com/submissions/

15th Sep Positive writing and more on the theme of Beloved. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.thephoenixsoul.com/submit/

15th Sep ‘The Fifth Estate, founded in 1965, is an anarchist, anti-capitalist, and anti-authoritarian, anti-profit project published cooperatively by a volunteer collective of friends and comrades. We are committed to non-dogmatic, action-oriented writing and activity to bring about a new world.’ http://www.fifthestate.org/contact-fifth-estate/call-for-submissions/

15th Sep ‘We invite submissions that address the question of precarious work, in the humanities as well as social sciences. Scholarly articles, fictional pieces, poetry and artwork should engage with gendering, broadly construed. Academic and fictional pieces that treat contemporary questions concerning women, gender, sexuality, feminism, LGBTQ issues and/or disability studies are especially welcome.’ http://www.feministpress.org/wsq/current-call-papers

15th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Nostalgia. PAYING http://subterrain.ca/about/35/sub-terrain-writer-s-guidelines

15th Sep ‘Behind the Mask (working title) is our next themed anthology and it’s all about superheroes! But not how they saved the world this time. We’re more interested in the ordinary day-to-day challenges facing these extraordinary individuals: growing up, growing old, relationships, career struggles, parenting. How they cope with that age-old desire to fit in when, let’s face it, they don’t.’ 3000-6000 words. PAYING http://meerkatpress.com/submissions-open-for-a-superhero-anthology/

15th Sep ‘Have you ever put a quarter in the parking meter for a stranger? Has someone performed a random act of kindness for you? We love hearing about random acts of kindness and we want to read your best stories about ones that have occurred to you or to someone close to you.’ PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

15th Sep Poems on the theme of Bars. http://03c9c48.netsolhost.com/WordPress/anthologies/

15th Sep Poems and stories on the theme of Fast Food. http://03c9c48.netsolhost.com/WordPress/anthologies/

15th Sep 50-word fiction on the theme of Crossroads. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.blink-ink.org/2016/07/30/submissions-open-for-issue-25-crossroads/

15th Sep Poems inspired by the life and work of Bob Dylan. http://www.newriverspress.com/visiting-bob

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

15th Sep Narratives up to 3500 words on the theme of Firsts. https://chicagomemoryhouse.wordpress.com/submit/

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

15th Sep Story up to 8000 words on the theme of Enter the Aftermath. PAYING http://tanstaaflpress.com/enter-the-anthologies-submission-guidelines/

15th Sep Fiction up to 3500 words on the theme of Myths, Monsters, Legends and Fairy Tales. PAYING https://syntaxsaltstories.submittable.com/submit

15th Sep Travel fiction, poetry and more on the theme of either Treasures or Seen. SOME CONTRIBUTORS GET CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.panoramajournal.org/calls/

15th Sep Poetry flash and short fiction on the theme of Holidays (Cathy’s note – although this is an NZ mag, they appear to be using the word ‘holidays’ in the American sense, i.e. Christmas, Hallowe’en etc, rather than rests from work and trips away). PAYING http://newzenithmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Sep ‘We publish short and flash fiction, poetry, word art, and artwork that can be considered “strange and beautiful.” That’s open to interpretation. Literary sci-fi and fantasy, dystopia, utopia, weird tales, bizarro, or just literary stories that are kind of quirky and/or adorable.’ https://kaaterskillbasin.submittable.com/submit

15th Sep ‘Six years have passed since the publication of Lambda Literary Award finalist Dear John, I Love Jane: Women Write about Leaving Men for Women, a groundbreaking exploration of sexual fluidity through intimate, firsthand stories. This anthology remains a crucial resource for women who find themselves deliciously (and distressingly) floundering in the knowledge that although they have always identified as straight, they are now madly in love with another woman. It’s time to update, extend, broaden, and strengthen the conversation.’ PAYING http://cleispress.com/blog/

15th Sep Longform poetry, fiction and more. PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://apt.aforementionedproductions.com/submission-guidelines/#.V7cGoDVc7fZ

15th Sep ‘d/Deaf and Disabled BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) compose the silent majority of people harmed by police, but mainstream movements for justice have failed to include us. The Deaf Poets Society wants to change that. Send us your state and police violence related poems, art, and nonfiction pieces for publication in Issue 2.5: Nothing About Us Without Us.’ PAYING http://www.deafpoetssociety.com/submit/

15th Sep Horror poetry, flash and short fiction. https://kaaterskillbasinjournal.com/submission-guidelines/

15th Sep Poetry and more. PAYING http://www.munsterlit.ie/Southword%20Journal.html

16th Sep Poetry on the theme of Marine Life. http://zoomorphic.net/submissions/

22nd Sep ‘NILVX (nil-lux) is a multimedia journal providing a platform for writers, philosophers, artists, and photographers inspired by magic and the occult. Whether you are drawn to the symbols and mysteries of the occult or actively part of the magical community, we welcome creatives from all diverse backgrounds and rich traditions.’ Poetry, fiction and much more on the theme of Womb, Egg, Phallus and Seed. https://themageslantern.submittable.com/submit

23rd Sep Flash fiction on the theme of Christmas in Crisis. PAYING http://splickety.com/submission-guidelines/

25th Sep Poetry, fiction and more. PAYING http://puritan-magazine.com/submissions/

30th Sep We ask for prose (inc. nonfiction works) of no longer than 1500 words or 5 poems (prose poems) or no more than 30 lines (300 words) each. http://platypuspress.co.uk/2412/

30th Sep Poems. http://www.jazzcig.com/submit.html

30th Sep Poetry and flash on the theme of Reflections. CONTRIBUTOR COPY http://www.kindofahurricanepress.com/p/anthology-reflection.html

30th Sep Fairytale-inspired poems and stories on the theme of Ghosts. PAYING http://www.fairytalemagazine.com/p/blog-page_22.html

30th Sep ‘The Patchwork Raven is looking for submissions for a book of short bedtime stories for children between roughly 3-9 years old. Stories should be between 500 and 1500 words. In particular, we are looking to create a book of diverse protagonists – stories from and about people all over the world from all kinds of cultures and sub-cultures. Don’t get too hung up on “message”, though – we want strong tales that will be gripping to kids, we just also want multiple kinds of voices in the book.’ PAYING http://www.thepatchworkraven.com/#!submissions/dliyq

30th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Serendipity by lesbian POC. https://blacklesbianliterarycollective.com/serendipity/

30th Sep ‘Write To Meow is a bi-annual, anthology. The goal of this collection is to bring awareness to the plight of the thousands of cats that are currently suffering in shelters and needlessly walked into the gas chamber. 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.’ https://greywolfepublishing.submittable.com/submit

30th Sep ‘We’re looking for stories about moms of all ages, from young mothers to great-grandmothers, and everything in between. Let your mom or grandmother or stepmother or the mother of your children know that her hard work has been recognized and that without her, the kids wouldn’t be where they are today.’ Poems and stories. PAYING http://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics

30th Sep Stories up to 10,000 words on the theme of Uncommon Minds. ROYALTIES http://www.fightingmonkeypress.com/submissions/

30th Sep Poetry on the theme of Toxic Masculinity. https://thankyouforswallowing.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/

30th Sep SF and F stories 1000-10,000 words on the theme of Gun Control. PAYING http://magazine.metaphorosis.com/guidelines/

30th Sep Poetry, fiction and more on the themes of either Rehab or True Crime. Also unthemed. PAYING http://www.tinhouse.com/magazine/submission-guidelines.html

1st Oct Fiction up to 500 words, poetry and more suitable for Christian children on the theme of Seeing Eyeglasses. PAYING http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/submissions.html

1st Oct ‘Evocative language and strong narrative delight us! You do not have to be a sufferer of or write explicitly about mental illness but your work must deal with the theme somehow.’ https://nebulousmag.com/submissions/

1st Oct Story ending with the provided sentence. PAYING http://www.thelastlinejournal.com/

1st Oct Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of Witness (Cathy’s note: there are loads of categories with submission fees, but there is a free option). CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES http://www.originsjournal.com/submit/

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Many genre fiction anthologies. ROYALTIES https://horrifiedpress.wordpress.com/open-for-submissions/

Articles and poems. http://www.deancharltonmag.com/

Fiction novels, novellas and short story collections with a central hook. ROYALTIES http://www.ouenpress.com/2.html

Parodies of women’s magazine articles. http://www.happywomanmagazine.com/Navigation/Submissions.htm

Poetry, fiction and more. (Cathy’s note: if your piece isn’t published within 60 days, consider it rejected.) PAYS SOME CONTRIBUTORS http://anthonywatkins.wixsite.com/betterthanstarbucks/contact-submit

Novels and graphic novels. http://www.commondeerpress.com/#!submissions/c1t44

‘Dawn’s “nature awareness” titles—almost always picture books—are intended to encourage an appreciation for nature and a respectful participation in it. We want to inspire children as well as educate them.’ https://dawnpub.com/submission-guidelines/ (Many thanks for this one to Hope Clark’s http://fundsforwriters.com/)

Speculative fiction MSS. ROYALTIES http://www.lillicatpublishers.com/?page_id=607

SF stories. PAYING http://phantaxis.com/

Stories 500-2500 words. https://fictivedream.com/submission-guidelines/

Poetry, fiction and art. http://www.cypressknee.org/submit/

Poetry, fiction and more on the theme of What We Wear, for this ‘zine that is a place of healing for those who have survived (or are concerned about) sexual violence). http://www.awakenedvoices.net/#!submit/c1dav

‘We are looking for your poems that don’t see straight. That others aren’t willing to love enough. We want poems that bounce, poems that are flat, poems that pretend to be other things.’ https://strangepoetry.wordpress.com/submission/

Open until filled: ‘For our inaugural issue, please submit only work inspired by, influenced by or even about RAYMOND. That means Carver, Chandler, Romano, only. If there is another Raymond of which we aren’t thinking of , tell us in your submission. Do not submit anything not-inspired by/not-influenced by/not-about RAYMOND. You will be swiftly and cursorily rejected. Future issues, such as Queen (Latifah, Elizabeth), will be similarly focused.’ CONTRIBUTOR COPY/COPIES https://theraymondo.wordpress.com/submissions/

Fiction over 3000 words. PAYING http://www.foundpress.com/submissions/

‘We are looking for stories/personal essays about your relationship to your body between 500-1000 words. Whether that be a story about the shape and size of your body, an illness that has claimed your body, an act of violence committed to your body, or the greatest love your body has ever known. We are looking for stories of sexuality and identity. Who are you without your body? Does the shape of the vessel determine its contents? We are looking for stories of love and lust, or waiting and weight-ing. Who has loved your body? Have you?’ https://mybodymywords.submittable.com/submit

‘Day One is looking for: Original short fiction (up to 20,000 words) from debut and emerging writers who have never before published a full-length novel or story collection. Poetry from emerging poets.’ PAYING https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1001224641

Poetry, fiction and more. There’s also a special submission process for work by teens. http://www.805lit.org/submissions

Poetry, fiction and more. https://www.redfez.net/oldsubmit

Until filled: ‘Unnerving Magazine accepts short story submissions of horror, dark science fiction (light), dark fantasy and dark literary. Generally leaning strongly toward horror over other genres.’ PAYING http://www.unnervingmagazine.com/copy-of-submissions

MSS of various kinds. ADVANCE + ROYALTIES https://therove.submittable.com/submit

Poetry and prose on the theme of Tolerance. https://writersagainstprejudice.wordpress.com/about/

Romance and erotica over 60,000 words. ROYALTIES http://www.melange-books.com/subs.html

COMPETITIONS

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Tell others about this:

Tell others about this:

COMPETITIONS

SUBMISSIONS WITH DEADLINES

SUBMISSIONS WITH NO KNOWN DEADLINES

Tell others about this: