February Top Picks: Opportunities for Writers
The February 2023 edition of "Writing Life Essentials" is a monthly hand-curated list of contests, grants, scholarships, submission calls, and awards. We try to prioritize opportunities that are at least one of the following: local, free to apply, and/or committed to celebrating and supporting writers from historically marginalized communities. We do the research, so you have more time for what matters: the writing. Or, treating yourself to a book from your TBR for V-Day. That’s important, too.
Contests & Awards
Prizes in Poetry and Prose | Slippery Elm
Fee: $15; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 1st
Two prizes of $1,000 each and publication in Slippery Elm are given annually for a single poem and a short story or essay. Using only the online submission system, submit up to three poems of any length or up to 5,000 words of prose with a $15 entry fee, which includes the latest issue of Slippery Elm, by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Claire Keyes Poetry Award | Salem State University
Fee: $10; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 1st
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Soundings East is given annually for a group of poems. Naomi Shihab Nye will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit 8 to 10 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) with a $10 entry fee ($15 for a subscription to Soundings East) by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards | Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Fee: $18; Award: $2,000; Deadline: February 1st
A prize of $2,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is given annually for a single poem. A second prize of $1,000 and publication in Paterson Literary Review is also given. The winning poets are invited to give a reading at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Submit three copies of up to five poems of no more than two pages each with an $18 entry fee by February 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Yeats Poetry Prize | WB Yeats Society of NY
Fee: $15; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 1st
A prize of $1,000 and publication on the WB Yeats Society of NY website is given annually for a single poem. The winner also receives a two-year membership to the organization and is invited to a ceremony in New York City in the spring, as public health guidelines allow. Alan Feldman will judge. Submit a poem of up to 60 lines with a $15 entry fee ($12 for each additional poem) by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Paterson Poetry Prize | Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College
Fee: $0; Award: $2,000; Deadline: February 1st
A prize of $2,000 is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year. The winning poet is expected to participate in an awards ceremony, give a reading, and teach a workshop at the Poetry Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Books of at least 48 pages are eligible. Publishers and authors may submit two copies of books published in 2022 by February 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Veterans Writing Award | Syracuse University Press
Fee: $0; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 15th
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Syracuse University Press is given biennially in alternating years for either a debut fiction or a debut nonfiction manuscript written by a U.S. veteran, active-duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military, or the immediate family member of a veteran or active-duty personnel. The 2023 award will be given in nonfiction. Anuradha Bhagwati will judge. Submit a memoir, essay collection, or work of creative nonfiction in manuscript form of up to 90,000 words by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Book Prize | Center for African American Poetry and Poetics/Autumn House Press
Fee: $0; Award: $3,000; Deadline: February 15th
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Autumn House Press is given annually for a first or second poetry collection or a work that intersects with poetry, including hybrid text, speculative prose, and translation, by a writer of African descent. Nicole Sealey will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit 48 to 168 pages of poetry or poetry-adjacent work by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Ambroggio Prize | Academy of American Poets
Fee: $0; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 15th
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of Arizona Press is given annually for a poetry collection originally written in Spanish by a living writer and translated into English. Achy Obejas will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 48 to 100 pages in the original Spanish along with the English translation by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Furious Flower Poetry Prize | Furious Flower Poetry Center
Fee: $15; Award: $1,500; Deadline: February 15th
A prize of $1,500 and publication in Obsidian, the literary journal of Illinois State University, is given annually for a group of poems. The winner also receives a $500 honorarium to give a reading at James Madison University (either virtually or in person, as public health guidelines allow). Poets who have published no more than one collection of poetry are eligible. Evie Shockley will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit three poems exploring Black themes and totaling no more than six pages with a $15 entry fee by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Harold Morton Landon Translation Award | Academy of American Poets
Fee: $0; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 15th
A prize of $1,000 is given annually for a poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the United States during the previous year. Anna Deeny Morales will judge. Using only the online submission system, publishers may submit a book published in 2022 by February 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Writing Awards | Sustainable Arts Foundation
Fee: $20; Award: $5,000; Deadline: February 24th
Up to 20 awards of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers with children. Writers with at least one child under the age of 18 are eligible. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 10 poems totaling no more than 15 pages or between 10 and 15 pages of prose with an artist statement of up to 500 words and a $20 entry fee by February 24. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Chautauqua Janus Prize | Chautauqua Institution
Fee: $20; Award: $5,000; Deadline: February 28th
A prize of $5,000 and publication in Chautauqua is given annually for a single work of fiction or nonfiction by an emerging writer displaying “daring formal and aesthetic innovations that upset and reorder readers’ imaginations.” The winner will also give a lecture during the summer 2023 season of the Chautauqua Institution. Writers who have not published a book of over 15,000 words and/or 100 pages in any prose genre are eligible. Submissions may consist of unpublished work or work published no earlier than April 2022. Submit a manuscript of up to 15,000 words totaling no more than 100 pages with a $20 entry fee by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Confidence Competition | Minds Shine Bright
Fee: $3; Award: $1,031; Deadline: February 28th
A prize of $1,600 AUD (approximately $1,031) and publication in the Confidence Minds Shine Bright anthology will be given annually for works of poetry or fiction exploring the theme of confidence. Using only the online submission system, submit a single poem of up to 240 lines, a work of flash fiction of up to 1,000 words, or a short story between 1,000 and 5,000 words with an entry fee of $5 AUD (approximately $3) by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Award Series | Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Fee: $30; Award: $5,500; Deadline: February 28th
Two prizes of $5,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a poetry collection and a story collection. In addition, two prizes of $2,500 each and publication by a participating press are given annually for a novel and a book of creative nonfiction. For the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages; University of Pittsburgh Press will publish the winning collection. For the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 300 pages; Red Hen Press will publish the winning collection. For the AWP Prize for the Novel, submit a manuscript of at least 60,000 words; University of Nebraska Press will publish the winning novel. For the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, submit an essay collection or memoir of 150 to 300 pages; University of Georgia Press will publish the winning book. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript with a $30 entry fee ($20 for AWP members) by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Self-Publishing Literary Awards | Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Fee: $0; Award: $2,500; Deadline: February 28th
Two prizes of $2,500 each are given annually for a poetry e-book and a fiction e-book by an African American writer self-published in the United States during the previous year. The awards honor books that depict “cultural, historical, and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.” Using only the online submission system, submit an e-book self-published in 2022 by February 28. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Flash Fiction Prize | Fish Publishing
Fee: $14; Award: $1,035; Deadline: February 28th
A prize of €1,000 (approximately $1,035) and publication in the Fish Publishing anthology is given annually for a short short story. The winner is also invited to give a reading at the West Cork Literary Festival in July 2023. Kit de Waal will judge. Submit a story of up to 300 words with a €14 (approximately $14) entry fee for online entries or €16 (approximately $17) for postal entries by February 28. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Red Hen Press Women’s Prose Prize | Red Hen Press
Fee: $25; Award: $1,000; Deadline: February 28th
The Women’s Prose Prize is for a previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. Awarded manuscript is selected through an annual competition which is open to all writers who identify as women. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Maya Angelou Book Award | Kansas City Public Library
Fee: $0; Award: $10,000; Deadline: March 1st
A prize of $10,000 is given in alternating years for a poetry collection or a novel by an author whose work “demonstrates a commitment to social justice in America and/or the world.” This year the award will be given for a poetry collection. The winner must also participate in a two-week reading tour of Missouri colleges, universities, and libraries. Submit a book of poetry published in 2022 or scheduled to be published in 2023 by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award | Poets & Writers, Inc.
Fee: $0; Award: $500; Deadline: March 1st
Two prizes of $500 each are awarded annually to a poet and a fiction writer from a select state. Each winner will also receive a monthlong residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Wyoming and will meet with writers, editors, publishers, and agents virtually or in person in New York City, as public health guidelines allow. The 2023 contest is open to residents of Iowa. Poets and fiction writers who have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying are eligible. By email only, submit 7 to 10 pages of poetry or up to 25 pages of fiction by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award | Broadside Lotus Press
Fee: $0; Award: $500; Deadline: March 1st
A prize of $500 and publication by Broadside Lotus Press is given annually for a poetry collection by an African American poet. Submit two copies of a manuscript of approximately 60 to 90 pages by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Hazel Rowley Prize | Biographers International Organization
Fee: $25; Award: $5,000; Deadline: March 1st
A prize of $5,000 is given annually for a work-in-progress by a writer who has not published a biography. The winner will also receive review of their proposal by an agent, publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website, registration to the annual BIO Conference in May, and a one-year BIO membership. Writers who have not previously published, or who are not under contract to write, a book of biography, history, or other work of narrative nonfiction are eligible. Gretchen Gerzina, Carl Rollyson, and Paula Whitacre will judge. Using only the online entry form, submit a proposal, a writing sample, and a résumé totaling up to 20 pages with a $25 entry fee by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Fellowships, Grants & More
Philip Roth Residencies | Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts
Deadline: February 1st
Two four-month residencies, which include a stipend of $5,000 each, at the Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University are given annually to writers in any literary genre, including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, and graphic novels, working on a first or second book. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 20 pages of writing, a curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation by February 1. There is no application fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Frances “Frank” Rollin Fellowship | Biographers International Organization
Deadline: February 1st
Two prizes of $5,000 each will be given annually to writers “working on a biographical work about an African American figure (or figures) whose story provides a significant contribution to our understanding of the Black experience.” Biographers may be at any stage in the writing process. The winners will also receive publicity through the Biographers International Organization (BIO) website, registration to the annual BIO Conference in May, and a one-year BIO membership. Adam Henig, Tamara Payne, and Eric K. Washington will judge. Using only the online entry form, submit a project description, statement of need, author bio, and a writing sample of up to 20 pages by February 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Courage to Write Grants | The de Groot Foundation
Deadline: February 12th
Seven grants of $7,000 each will be given annually to emerging poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers with works-in-progress and “for whom a monetary boost could help further or complete the project.” Up to ten Writer of Note Grants of $1,500 each will also be awarded. Awardees will meet virtually to discuss their projects and share ideas. Using only the online submission system, submit a brief bio of up to 120 words, a completed application form, and five pages of a current, unpublished poetry or prose project with a $22 entry fee by February 12. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing Fellowships | University of Wisconsin
Fee: $50; Award: $39,000; Deadline: March 1st
An academic year in residence, which includes a stipend of at least $39,000, at the University of Wisconsin in Madison is given annually to at least five writers working on a first or second book of poetry or fiction. Writers with an MFA or PhD in creative writing who have not published more than one book are eligible. Submit 10 pages of poetry or one story or novel excerpt of up to 30 pages, a curriculum vitae, and contact information for two references with a $50 entry fee by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Literary Arts Fellowships | Alabama State Council on the Arts
Fee: $0; Award: $5,000; Deadline: March 1st
Approximately two fellowships of $5,000 each are given annually to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who have lived in the state of Alabama for at least two years. Using only the online submission system, submit 10 to 20 pages of poetry or prose and a résumé including a list of publications by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Raiziss/de Palchi Fellowship | Academy of American Poets
Fee: $0; Award: $25,000; Deadline: March 1st
A fellowship of $25,000 is given biennially for the translation into English of a work of modern Italian poetry. The winning translator will also receive a five-week residency at the American Academy in Rome. Jennifer Scappettone, Graziella Sidoli, and John Taylor will judge. Using only the online submission system, translators may submit a proposal and 15 pages of a translation-in-progress, alongside copies of the original poems, by March 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Creative Writing Fellowships | National Endowment for the Arts
Fee: $0; Award: $25,000; Deadline: March 8th
Around 35 grants of $25,000 each are given annually in alternating years to poets and prose writers to “enable the recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement.” Applications in prose will be accepted for 2023. Writers who are citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and who have published at least five different short stories, works of short fiction, creative essays, or excerpts from larger works; a novel or novella; or a volume or collection of short fiction or creative nonfiction over the last seven years are eligible to apply. Using only the online submission system, submit a completed application, which includes a brief project description, 20 to 25 pages of a prose writing sample, and a list of publications by March 8. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Emerging Writer Fellowship | GrubStreet
Deadline: March 13th
The Emerging Writer Fellowship aims to develop new, exciting voices by providing three writers per year tuition-free access to GrubStreet’s classes and Muse & the Marketplace conference series. Over the course of one year, each Emerging Writer Fellow will attend a combination of seminars and multi-week courses of their choosing, along with a wide selection of Muse & The Marketplace programming, in order to enhance their understanding of craft and the publishing industry. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
YAWP Summer Writing Fellowship | GrubStreet
Deadline: March 20th
GrubStreet's Teen Summer Writing Fellowship immerses high school students in the writer's life of creative craft and publishing. During three weeks at GrubStreet, teens work with published authors and meet with literary agents and editors, take field trips to inspirational locales like the ICA, and more. In the spirit of writers' residencies for adults, all teens will receive a stipend for their commitment to the program and their time spent as working writers. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
BWOC Literary Support Program | GrubStreet
Fee: $0; Award: $125-250; Deadline: Rolling
BWOC’s Literary Support Program offers stipends for BIPOC writers to be used for submissions, contests, fellowships, retreats, writing supply expenses, and any other literary opportunities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and will be reviewed every three weeks at the time of each submitted application. Funding is issued as a Visa or Mastercard e-gift card. Applicants must be in the US, and may reapply every six months/twice a year. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Work Experience
Associate Director for Individual Giving | GrubStreet
Boston, MA
The Associate Director for Individual Giving works closely with other Development team staff to develop strategy and execute fundraising initiatives that invite supporters and community members to contribute to both the annual fund and special campaigns. The position helps to engender excitement, optimism, and confidence in achieving the fundraising goals that support GrubStreet’s programs, particularly free and fully-funded programs for teens and adults. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Development Coordinator | Oxford American Magazine
Central Arkansas or Remote
The Oxford American (OA), a nonprofit literary arts organization, is seeking a Development Coordinator (DC) for an exciting opportunity to help lead the organization to new heights. The DC will play an essential role in redefining and executing development strategies that enhance the organization’s fundraising practices. This is a full-time salaried position with room for growth. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Writer | Garfinkel + Associates, Inc.
Remote
Join us to write great copy for Fortune 500 companies, top communications firms, leading nonprofits and other great clients. Stretch yourself to master all sorts of interesting topics in finance, tech, business, health, education and more. Flex your imagination to create everything from tight taglines to comprehensive campaigns. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Writer for Fictional Children's Short Story | The Last Seen Project
Remote
The Last Seen Project is looking for an author to compose a short-story based on a Last Seen ad(s) for 4th/5th grade students. Formerly enslaved people placed Last Seen ads searching for loved ones after emancipation. Each ad documents the tragedy of family separation and the hope for reunion. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Boston, MA
Fabulist Cafe is looking for an enthusiastic Barista to join our team as we launch this exciting new establishment. Fabulist will offer a quality espresso program, simple delicious food, beer and wine. The cafe will serve the community of booklovers and writers affiliated with the center as well as the general public. The Barista will focus on engaging with our customers. They will ensure our guests receive a welcoming experience with a high level of quality and service. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Freelance Publicist | 8th & Atlas Publishing
Remote
The Publicist is responsible for contributing to the production and delivery of outreach strategies and campaigns, attracting media attention for the press’s books and/or activities, developing partners in the publishing industry and expanding the press’s network, helping strengthen social media channels and develop visual and written content, monitoring and reporting trends in the publishing industry, proposing new approaches to marketing strategies, and more. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Boston, MA
We are looking for an experienced bookkeeper or accountant to join our diverse team as the Finance Manager. This role will be responsible for the management of the financial and budgeting functions in our organization, including the day-to-day work of financial operations, monthly financial reporting, budget creation and monitoring, and yearly audit prep. Visit the website for complete guidelines.
Submissions
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 10th
Each issue of Movable Type revolves around a theme, and 1455 welcomes submissions year-round. Every new release is accompanied by a live (virtual) reading, featuring the contributors. Please send your original work on the theme of “Diversity & Beauty” (up to 3 poems, fiction, essays, and memoir up to 3,000 words, visual art, photography, etc.) to [email protected] View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Long River Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 18th
The Long River Review, an annual literary journal of art and literature staffed by undergraduates at the University of Connecticut, is currently accepting submissions for the 2023 issue. We publish poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, translations, drama, art and photography, comics, and any otherwise uncategorized creative work. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Santa Clara Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 26th
The Santa Clara Review publishes a wide variety of work from all over the world. Our magazine is open to all and is especially interested in writing and art from Black writers, Indigenous writers, LGBT+ writers, and writers of color. Writers–send us your best poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, including flash pieces, humor, satire, short screenplays and plays, and hybrid works. Visual artists–send us art to fill the 12 pages of full-color art and photography we publish each issue. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 28th
Awake is a digital zine and collection of work by Black authors that explores the power we each hold. For the very first time, Awake will be in print! The West is under attack! Protect your frontier and deliver your ‘isms [alive] to collect your bounty! While the frontier is often typecast through an old western lens, your frontier can be whatever setting or undiscovered territory you want to explore. This can be a place near to you or a place not yet imagined. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 28th
We’re seeking submissions of literary nonfiction and essays up to 4000 words for publication in ARTWIFE! We also gladly accept flash. Essays in a variety of forms are welcome (braided, hermit crab, lyric, etc.). View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Texas Review Press
Fee: $0; Deadline: February 28th
The TRP Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series highlights a first full-length collection by emerging authors from each state in the southern U.S. Submissions open each year on December 1 and close on February 28. The current state is South Carolina. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Pink Panther Magazine
Fee: $1; Deadline: February 28th
New call for submissions! Now reading for Pink Panther Magazine, V14, N1, due for release 8 March 2023. Women writers, poets, and artists, send us your poetry, prose, and visual art now through February 28th. Pink Panther Mag is a semiannual international and multicultural celebration of women’s art and writing–it’s a safe place for female-identifying writers, poets, and artists to explore women’s issues and interests in every phase of life. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Coneflower Cafe
Fee: $1; Deadline: February 28th
Choeofpleirn Press is seeking poetry, short fiction, and art for its 2023 issue of Coneflower Cafe, our spring issue. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 1st
Copper Nickel accepts submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and translation folios from September 1 to December 15, January 15 to March 1.Please submit four to six poems, one story, or one essay at a time, and please wait at least six months between submissions. For prose we do not have any length restrictions—but longer-than-normal pieces have to earn their space. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Read Furiously One ‘n Done Series
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 1st
The Read Furiously One ‘n Done series features shorter works designed to be portable (the final physical book measures at 4×6 inches) and to be read quickly without sacrificing quality of story and content. We are currently accepting novellas, black and white comic one-shots, and long form essays between 17,000-20,000 words or 80-100 pages of sequential work. The work must be a complete story that is compelling, interesting, and relevant to today’s literary landscape. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $3; Deadline: March 1st
ANMLY is reading unsolicited work in all genres, including poetry, fiction, translation, creative nonfiction, and comics, until March 1st. There is no fee for Black and Indigenous writers. If our $3 submissions fee is a barrier because of financial hardship, please email [email protected] View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 1st
Parabola is a quarterly journal devoted to the exploration of the quest for meaning as it is expressed in the world’s myths, symbols, and religious traditions, with particular emphasis on the relationship between this store of wisdom and our modern life. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 1st
Contrary® was founded in 2003 at the University of Chicago by students and alumni of Chicago’s Master of Arts Program in the Humanities. It was quickly embraced and has been abundantly nourished by graduates of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA in Writing program. It now operates independently and without a thought of profit on the South Side of Chicago and publishes writers from throughout the world. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to God’s Cruel Joke
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 3rd
God’s Cruel Joke is looking for works of fiction, poems, essays, memoirs, and reviews that explore the stranger, possibly more dangerous waters of the human condition. GCJ does not shy away from depictions of sex and violence, no matter how graphic they may be. It is only asked that those depictions serve a larger purpose than simple exploitation or shock value. Genre fiction is gladly accepted so long as it falls in line with these preferences. Experiment, flex your linguistic muscles, draw daring conclusions, and stretch your mind and body beyond repair. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Cordite Poetry Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: March 5th
Submission to Issue 109: NO THEME 12 with poetry guest-edited by Nadia Rhook and Caitlin Maling will close at 11.59pm Melbourne time on Sunday, 5 March 2023. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Rusted Radishes
Fee: $0; Deadline: January 1st - March 15th
Rusted Radishes’ 11th issue calls for works of literature and visual art on the theme of Labor & Idleness. How do the concepts of labor and idleness mirror, face, oppose, or complement one another? How do we imagine labor in a world that has recently seen a seismic shift in people’s engagement with it, but also what of the idle, the time outside of labor, and its fraternal twin concept of the idyllic? View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to New Ohio Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: January 15th - April 15th
We accept literary submissions in any genre. We do not reprint previously published work, book reviews, or unsolicited translations. Our submission periods are September 15th to December 15th, and January 15th to April 15th. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: May 1st
Founded in 2002, Bayou Magazine is a biannual, international literary magazine published by The University of New Orleans. We publish poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and the winner of the annual Tennessee Williams One-Act Play Contest. Our mission is to publish exceptional, exciting work by both established and emerging writers. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: May 31st
We look for writing that catches experience before the crusts of habit form—poetry and prose that resist ideas about what a certain kind of writing “should do.” We seek out writers who tell their truths in their own words and convince us as we read that we’ve found something no one else could have written. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: May 31st
Barnstorm publishes only previously unpublished work in nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. While we welcome submissions in multiple genres, please wait to hear from us before submitting twice in the same genre. We also accept visual art which accompanies each written piece published. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Poetry London aims to publish the best, most exciting poetry being written now, and we are always interested in work by unpublished poets, as well as celebrated ones. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Coffin Bell is a quarterly online journal of dark literature. Submissions now open–seeking poetry, flash fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, essay, and short criticism that explore dark themes. We publish two themed and two unthemed issues per year, and a print annual anthology of highlights. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Bodega releases digital issues on the first Monday of every month, featuring poetry, prose, and occasional interviews by established and emerging writers. We’re here to give you a handful of essential pieces you can digest in one sitting. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to The Decadent Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
The Decadent Review is seeking spectacularly written texts of any length on the subject of Dmitri Shostakovich and his music. They’re looking for: Criticism (cultural, literary), reviews (recordings, books, poetry, art), essays (aesthetics, linguistics, meta, history), musical ekphrasis of compositions (poetic, euphonious, discordant). They value: Erudition, cynicism, sarcasm, classicism, brutality, humor, and existential despair. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to World Wildlife Love Letter
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
World Wildlife Magazine invites submissions of short, uplifting personal essays about nature’s impact on a writer. Length: 100-300 words. Pay: $1.25/word for accepted pieces. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to The Boston Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
The Boston Review welcomes nonfiction and book review submissions on a wide range of subjects, from politics, philosophy, and economics to science, law, gender, sexuality, and race. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
The WebSalh0n for Poetry and Poetry related writing and media. Accepting poetry, essays, reviews, and audio recordings.Send submissions w/short bio to: [email protected] View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Lily Poetry Review
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Lily Poetry Review is currently accepting general submissions of poetry, art and flash fiction for the review, chapbook and full-length poetry books. Please go to the Submittable for full details. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to The Los Angeles Review
Fee: $3; Deadline: Rolling
The Los Angeles Review is open for submissions year-round. All submissions will be considered for LAR Online and for the new best-of print edition to be released yearly in the Spring. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Contributors can submit fiction, non-fiction, poetry or visual artwork that portrays experiences from their lives, or activities and happenings in the world around them. We encourage you to share your work in any form as long as each mode represents a topical theme relatable to life, human nature, human condition, human concerns, human growth and achievements, etc. Whatever your story is, you are welcome to share it with us. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Capsule Stories
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Capsule Stories is a print literary magazine published once every season. Our first issue was published on March 1, 2019, and we accept submissions year-round. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Rollick Magazine
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Rollick’s mandate is to attract cutting-edge, quality content that inspires real engagement. We will consider any pitch that expresses unique and original thought. You can send in short stories, essays, poetry, memoirs, confessionals, experimental fiction, and anything else in between. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
The Puritan seeks submissions all year round, from anywhere in the world. Regular submissions to the magazine are free of charge and should fall under one of four categories: fiction, essays, poetry, and reviews. Unless we are soliciting your work, all submissions must be previously unpublished (this includes self-publishing, publishing on blogs, and in chapbook format). View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to The 365 Collection | Lucky Jefferson
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Lucky Jefferson happily accepts unsolicited submissions of poetry year-round into its 365 Collection, a 100% digital collection of poetry and other literature. Upon acceptance, submissions will be included on our website and social media account(s). View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Embark Literary Journal
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Embark accepts submissions from all over the world and have no geographical constraints. However, all submissions must be written in English (or translated into English from another language, in which case both the author and the translator must be credited). They do NOT accept submissions of memoirs or other nonfiction works. Only the openings of novels (works of fiction 50,000 words or longer) will be considered. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Award: $200 per accepted story; Deadline: Rolling
Voyage YA simply aims to publish good work and provide a space for new and established voices. To get an idea of what they publish, please read their archives. General submissions are open year-round and there is no fee to submit to their general categories. New work is published weekly. View complete submission guidelines here.
Submissions to So to Speak Blog
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
The So to Speak Blog is unique in that it opens itself up to multiple forms of storytelling. Hybrid works, reviews, interviews, and visual art are welcomed submissions. View complete submission guidelines here.
Fee: $0; Award: $100-$2,000; Deadline: Rolling
The Sun publishes personal essays, fiction, and poetry. Personal stories that touch on political and cultural issues are welcome. They encourage submissions from writers of color. View more submission guidelines here.
Submissions to Boston Accent Lit
Fee: $0; Deadline: Rolling
Submissions to Boston Accent Lit are always open on a rolling basis. They accept works in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and art. Issues are published six times per year online. View complete submission guidelines here.
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