The September 2026 edition of "Get Submitting" is a monthly hand-curated list of the top five contests, grants, scholarships, submission calls, and awards. We try to prioritize opportunities that are at least one of the following: open to all genres, 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.

Submissions

Tell-All Boston

Fee: $0; Award: Live Reading; Deadline: 10/2

Open Submissions Tell-All Boston Fall 2026! They invite submissions of personal essays from emerging writers on the theme of Inheritance. If selected you will participate in the November 13th event at Porter Square Books. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Ploughshares

Fee: $3.75; Award: $45 per page and publication; Deadline: 11/15

Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during our reading period, open from June 1 to November 15 at 5:00pm EST. For the open reading period, submit one prose piece up to 6,500 words or 3-5 pages of poetry. Visit the website for more guidelines.

Contests & Prizes

Flash Prose Prize | CRAFT

Fee: $20; Award: $1,000 and publication; Deadline: 9/13

The CRAFT 2026 Flash Prose Prize will be open for submissions of both flash fiction and flash creative nonfiction. They are looking for masterpieces of compression, those stories and essays that speak to the soul of the human experience in under 1,000 words. This year’s guest judge is Amy Hempel, she will select her favorite three entries from a shortlist of twenty-five. These winners will each receive $1,000, a bundle of Rose Metal Press Field Guides, and publication in CRAFT. Three editors’ choice selections will receive $200 each along with publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

2026 Elsewhere Prize | fractured lit

Fee: $20; Award: $3,000 and publication; Deadline: 9/20

The 2026 Fractured Lit Elsewhere Prize is accepting micro and flash fiction, inviting submissions of stories from 100-1,000 words. They love unique, specific characters who are grounded in their story worlds, challenge the rules, and make dynamic choices. Guest Judge Gina Chung, will choose three prize winners from a shortlist. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Prize for Fiction | Dzanc Books

Fee: $25; Award: $5,000 and publication: Deadline: 9/30

The Dzanc Books Prize for Fiction recognizes daring, original, and innovative novels. A $5,000 advance and publication by Dzanc Books will be awarded to the winner. This year’s judges are Alyssa Quinn (Habilis), Alan Michael Parker (Bingo Bango Boingo), and Ruyan Meng (One Is Three). Visit the website for complete guidelines.