38 Writing Conferences in October 2018

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October offers writers a bumper crop of writing conferences. There are no fewer than 38 conferences, retreats, expositions, and fairs this month, spanning the country. Genre-specific conferences include romance, science fiction, fantasy, children's literature, poetry, mystery, thrillers, horror and more. There is something for everyone!

I can't recommend attending a conference enough. There is nothing like making personal contacts with agents, editors, and writers to advance your career as a writer.

If you can't make your ideal conference this year, plan ahead for next year. Many conferences are yearly events. Planning ahead also gives you an opportunity to apply for the scholarships offered by some of these conferences. You can find a comprehensive list of conferences throughout the year here: Writing Conferences.

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Digital Book World Conference + Expo, Nashville, TN, October 2 - 4, 2018. This is the premier event for digital publishers and content providers of all sizes and business models.

Georgia Romance Writers: Moonlight and Magnolias. October 4 – October 7, 2018: Atlanta, Georgia. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, editor/agent appointments, autographing & bookfair, awards banquet.

Beginner’sClass In World Building And World Conjuring 2018. October 4 – October 7, 2018: Honesdale, PA. If you are in the beginning stages of creating a speculative, science fiction, magical realism, or fantasy novel, this workshop will teach you the techniques of worldbuilding, the process of constructing an imaginary world. Workshop leader Cori McCarthy is well versed in the challenges of the craft and will guide you to create depth in your world and characters with techniques that lend themselves to fantastical worlds: ways to establish rules and meaning, build relationships, and structure governments. Special guest authors Amy Rose Capetta, Sage Blackwood and Kristen Simmons will help Cori immerse you in the process of building compelling and believable worlds in your fiction and help you develop new ideas for your work-in-progress. Along with daily lectures and writing, Cori will host one-on-one consultations on the first 10 pages of your work-in-progress and facilitate writer’s roundtables on additional pages.

New York Comicon. October 4 - 7, 2018: New York, New York. New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest popular culture convention: Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television; Panels and Autograph Sessions give Fans a chance to interact with their favorite Creators; Screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit big and small screens.

2018 Creative Retreat for writers, photographers. October 5 - 7, 2018: Mountain View, Missouri. Relax & refuel your creativity along a scenic river, while picking up tips from professionals in writing & photography. There will be time to learn & time to create. Participants stay in rustic cabins & enjoy family-style meals in dining hall.

Colrain Classic. October 5-8, 2018: Leicester, Massachusetts. The conference will be held at the beautiful Barred Owl Retreat, a 15-room, 1920′s colonial home located just outside the city of Worcester, Massachusetts. The retreat’s lovingly landscaped acreage hosts an orchard, a brook, two ponds and an abundance of wildlife including herons, beavers, otters, deer, and of course, barred owls. The property abuts a secluded 114-acre nature preserve so on the grounds one might feel away from it all, yet Barred Owl Retreat is just four miles from downtown Worcester. Here, you will work with poet-editor-educators Joan Houlihan, Rusty Morrison, and Ellen Dore Watson.

PictureBook Illustration: From Conception To Birth 2018. October 5 – October 7, 2018: Honesdale, PA. A down-to-earth, hands-on workshop for the illustrator who’s looking for the inside track, packed with valuable pointers and solid advice. Picture book illustration is a highly competitive field. Art directors and editors are not only looking for the illustrator with the right style for a particular book. The edge goes to the professional who’s confident in the craft of making picture books. This workshop is designed to give you that competitive edge by providing practical tips and direction from an art director with many years of experience working in the trenches.

Creatures, Crimes & Creativity. October 5 - 7, 2018: Columbia, MD. A writer's and fan's conference for genre fiction covering mystery, suspense, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk & horror.

State Writing Conference & Convention, sponsored by The Kansas Authors Club, Oct 5 - 7, 2018, Salina, Kansas. Writing workshops, panels, and presentations by Kevin Rabas, Jeff Broome and more.

Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Pre-Conference. Oct 5 - 7, 2018: Edmonds, WA. WOTS offers the opportunity to explore various writing craft techniques with nationally recognized industry professionals in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. SOLD OUT.

Imaginarium. Oct 5 - 7, 2018: Louisville KY. A three day annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. Imaginarium Convention features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by over 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing, and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns, and many more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.

Picture Book Summit. Oct 6, 2018, Online. An online, one day live event for picture book writers including author keynotes, interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. Recordings provided for attendees for four months post-conference.

WritingFor All Young Readers: Board Books Through Mg Series 2018. October 7 – October 9, 2018: Honesdale, PA. This workshop is for anyone looking for ways to break in or expand upon a career in writing for children, from board books to middle grade series. Crystal Allen, Kelly Starling Lyons, Kristy Dempsey, and Gwendolyn Hooks met at the Highlights Foundation’s Chautauqua Workshop over a decade ago. Their friendship was forged over works-in-progress, critiques, and the drive to publish great books for all children. Fast forward to now, and between the four women, they have over 30 books published for readers of all ages. They’ve designed a workshop to share with you all that they have gathered over years of their journeys.

Ozark Creative Writers Conference. Oct 11 - 13, 2018: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Workshops by published authors, editors and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project; Writing contests available to all participants.

Other Words Literary Conference. Oct 11 -13, 2018: University of Tampa, Florida. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panels and readings. Their goal is "to bring together writers, editors, agents, publishers, book sellers, grant administrators, directors of writers' colonies and retreats, and other interested folk in one place. We'll be talking about the how to of the literary arts: how to write it, make it, sell it, fund it, and nurture it."

2018 Greater Nebraska Writers Conference. Oct 12 -13, 2018: Aurora, Nebraska. Hear Keynote Speaker: Alex Kava and attend 22 great classes! New this year: Boot Camp! Split into groups with a facilitator at each table. Read your first chapter or 2,000 words. Get personal feedback and give others feedback.

Northern Woodlands Writers & Readers Conference. Oct 12 - 14, 2018: Fairlee, Vermont. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, the conference explores how writers, artists and educators express the rich forest heritage of the Northeast: both the natural history of our region, and the interactions of people and place. The event will include writing workshops, readings, a nature illustration class, special workshops for educators, woods walks, fun talks on forest topics, and plenty of time for informal conversations over meals and around the campfire. Register by Oct 1.

TLA Power of Words Conference. Oct 12 - 14, 2018: Plainfield, Vermont. Conference that explores the use of expressive language arts, including written, spoken, and sung words. Special tracks in Narrative Medicine, Right Livelihood, and Social Change.

When the Personal Becomes Political. October 13, 2018: Galloway NJ. "Are you eager to contribute to the political conversation? Take advantage of our supportive atmosphere as a safe space to write a provocative personal essay worthy of submitting to the Op-Ed editors of major publications. Whether you lean left or right—or stand smack dab in the middle—this invigorating workshop will help you transform your fiery arguments into an eloquent and persuasive, thought-provoking piece."

James River Writers Conference. October 13 - 14, 2018: Richmond, Virginia. Participants include poets Tyree Daye and Pavana Reddy; fiction writers Xhenet Aliu and Mackenzi Lee; nonfiction writers David Coogan and Laurie Gwen Shapiro; literary agents Moe Ferrara (BookEnds Literary), Jessica Felleman (Foundry), Dara Kaye (Ross Yoon Agency), Chad Luibl (Janklow & Nesbit Associates), Beth Phelan (Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency), and Rebecca Scherer ( Jane Rotrosen Agency); and editor Latoya C. Smith (LCS Literary Services). The cost of the conference, which includes some meals and a one-on-one meeting with an agent, is $335, or $195 for a single day. The cost of a master class is an additional $65.

The Craft And Heart Of Writing Poetry For Children 2018. October 14 – October 18, 2018: Honesdale, PA. If you have a passion for writing children’s poetry, then please join us. Beginning poets, seasoned writers, teachers, and dreamers are all welcome. Would you love to work in an intimate setting with published poets, make new friends, and immerse yourself in writing poetry and working on the craft? Then this workshop is for you. Our goal is to bring poets together to delve into the heart, joy, and craft of poetry. We will be discussing, learning, writing, revising, and working on the craft of writing poetry for children. This workshop will offer plenty of interaction, direction, and free creative writing time. We’ll focus on all elements of poetry, from the importance of word choice to surprising metaphors. There will be plenty of writing exercises to inspire new poems followed by group discussions. As a group, we’ll brainstorm ideas, share our writing process, and generate original poems. You’ll be inspired to create new poems or bring works in progress to polish.

Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay. October 17 - 21, 2018: Tomales Bay, California. Manuscript and poetry workshops are limited to 12 participants and generative workshops are limited to 15 to ensure an intimate setting.

TellingIt True: The Art Of Storytelling In Picture Book Biography AndNarrative Nonfiction 2018. October 18 – October 21, 2018: Honesdale, PA. Engage children in the lives of others through captivating events and compelling narrative threads. Unfamiliar names may not hook your readers, but a well-told true story can inspire, delight, teach, and enthrall. It’s an exciting time for nonfiction in the children’s book world. Teachers are craving more of it. Authors are experimenting with structure and story-telling technique. And kids are realizing that nonfiction can read with the same page-turning momentum as great fiction. Join Leda Schubert and Tod Olson as they explore the art of writing nonfiction for children and teens in both long and short forms. The process, for both picture books and narrative nonfiction, starts with the idea and research—lots of it. From there, the art of storytelling takes over.

Cagibi Hudson Valley Writing Retreat. October 18 - 21, 2018, Rhinebeck, NY. "Join a small group of writers for a long weekend of dedicated writing time and workshops co-led by teachers and editors under the spell of Hudson Valley’s spectacular autumn. Tuition includes gorgeous accommodations on-site in a stunning renovated farm house, three scrumptious meals a day, and one-on-one consultations. The retreat leaders will be Matt Pasca (author of A Thousand Doors and Raven Wire) and Terri Muuss (author of Over Exposed, co-editor of Grabbing the Apple), along with Cagibi founding editors."

Annual Florida Writers Conference, October 18 - 21, 2018: Altamonte Springs, Florida. Four workshops and panels dedicated to help you learn how to pitch your story, and more than fifty acclaimed authors, poets, and publishing industry experts for three days of networking opportunities.

Nimrod Conference for Readers and Writers. October 19 - 20, 2018: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, master classes, panel discussions, and individual manuscript consultations with faculty. Participants include poets Kaveh Bassiri and Patricia Smith; fiction writers Rilla Askew, Erin Bow, Sarah MacLean, and Julia White; poet and creative nonfiction writer Jill Bialosky; editor Carl Engle-Laird (Tor); and recent winners of the Nimrod Literary Awards. The cost of the conference is $60, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available. The deadline to register for a one-on-one manuscript consultation with an editor is October 13.

Magna cum Murder XXIII. Oct 19  - 21, 2018: Indianapolis, IN. 45+ authors of crime writing fiction Guest of Honor: Terence Faherty; International Guest of Honor: Reavis Wortham.

Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference, October 20, 2018: Rochester, Michigan. Lectures, Workshops and Panel Discussions in fiction, non-fiction and business of writing presentations. Open to new, working and published writers of all genres. Attendees select four presentations from a dozen to tailor fit their needs.

DAWG Writing Workshop, Write to Publish: Climbing Toward Success!  Oct 20, 2018: DeSoto, TX. Faculty: Stephen Fraser, Sarah LaPolla, Brian Smith and more.

ElementsOf Plot With Grace Lin And Padma Venkatraman 2018. October 21 – October 24, 2018: Honesdale, PA. Find your way through your novel, from point to point and place to place. Crafting engaging characters and an interesting concept are only part of what makes a novel successful. For all stories, plot is a crucial element. It provides the energy to move your story from beginning to end. Plot must be responsive in its point of view, dialogue, and characterization. Join Newbery winner Grace Lin and critically acclaimed author Padma Venkatraman in a hands-on experience designed to help you understand the analytical nature of plot and uncover ways to plan your novel. You’ll examine the internal and external conflicts of your story and whether or not an emotional arc is achieved. Grace and Padma will offer feedback on pacing, tension, and stakes, as well as guide you in planning the journey of your story. Whether plot comes to you intuitively or you struggle to bring structure to your concepts, this workshop is designed to help you strengthen your novel under the support and guidance of Grace and Padma. Writers will be asked to submit 10 pages from the beginning of their work-in-progress, along with a chapter-by-chapter summary of the entire manuscript. Picture book writers are also welcome to attend and may send a single manuscript in its entirety.

Viable Paradise Science Fiction Writers' Workshop. Oct 21 - 26, 2018: Martha’s Vineyard, MA. One-on-one & workshop critiques, participation in student group critiques, writing sessions, daily readings. Instructors include Scott Lynch, Debra Doyle, Patrick & Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Sherwood Smith, James D. Macdonald and Daryl Gregory, with Elizabeth Bear and Laura Mixon as writers in residence. Applications close June 1.

John R. Milton Writers' Conference. Oct 25 - 27, 2018: Vermillion, South Dakota. The 2018 conference theme is “This Lonely Frontier: Exploring Boundaries of Space, Identity, and Genre." Percival Everett, Ellen Forney, Karen Salyer McElmurray and Erika T. Wurth are keynote and featured authors. In addition, Ellen Forney will deliver a workshop on creating comics.

Emerald City Writers' Conference. Oct 26 -28, 2018, Bellevue, WA. Local Romance Writers of America conference, featuring film and television scouts, who will be taking pitches along with editors and agents, keynote speakers, workshops, and a master class. 

Retreat to the Springs! Oct 26 -28, 2018: Yellow Springs, OH. Includes instruction and one-on-one manuscript critique. Faculty: Ann Hagedorn (creative nonfiction), Donna MacMeans (romance), Jason Sanford (scifi/fantasy), and Valerie Coleman (self-publishing).

Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, Oct. 26 - 28, 2018: Pasadena, CA. Experienced authors, editors, agents and publishing experts will be on hand, ready to help you develop your own craft and position yourself for success.

Steel Pen Conference. October 27, 2018: Fair Oaks, IN. Featured speakers and experts in the field provide workshops, and authors can showcase books, or receive direct critiques on their work from experienced writers and network with fellow writers. This is an annual conference.

FundamentalSteps To Writing Historical Fiction 2018. October 28 – October 31, 2018: Honesdale, PA. Give your historical fiction a strong start by learning the fundamentals of this popular genre. Are you writing a novel where a historical event or historical figure plays a main role? This workshop is designed to help you finish or revise your historical novel with five thoughtful steps. Using the acronym STEPS, award-winning historical fiction author Joyce Moyer Hostetter will introduce the basics of writing historical fiction.

American Literary Translators Association (ALTA) Conference. October 31 - November 3, 2018, Bloomington, IN. Panels, workshops, readings, a book fair, and opportunities to meet with editors for translators. "The ALTA Annual Conference is a refreshingly collegial gathering of amateurs and professionals alike, both within the profession and outside it, all wholeheartedly committed to fostering, furthering, and supporting the practice of literary translation."

18 Magazines Accepting Reprints - Paying Markets

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There is nothing quite like having your work published after you have spent months sending your stories or poems to magazines that take forever to respond. Sadly, the elation you feel when you have finally seen your work published may be short-lived.

Most stories and poems that make their way into literary journals have only a brief shelf-life. After readers have read your work and the issue has been archived, now what? One good way to extend the life of your story is to send it to literary magazines that accept reprints.

Very few magazines are willing to pay for reprints. But some make exceptions, especially if your work is not still available online. Writers who submit reprints must always own the rights to their work.

For more paying markets in a variety of genres see: Paying Markets.

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Allegory. Genre: Speculative Fiction. Payment: $15. See reading periods.

Fabula Argentea. Genre: Fiction and poetry. Payment: $8 for short stories and poems, $3 for flash, $15 to $25 for Longer Stories (7500 to 20,000 words). Only accepts work that is not currently available online.

Kaleidoscope. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry - Must focus on some aspect of disability. Payment: $10 - $100. 

The Lorelei Signal. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. Payment: $2. See reading periods.

Los Angeles Review of Los Angeles. Genre: "Stories and poems and stuff. Pictures. Sound files. Non-fiction." Payment: "A few pennies."

Maniacal. Genre: "Twisted humor, funny horror, or anything else you think will disturb and amuse us." Payment: $2. See reading periods.

NonBinary Review. Genre: Art and literature that "tiptoes the tightrope between now and then. Art that makes us see our literary offerings in new ways. We want language that makes us reach for a dictionary, a tissue, or both. Words in combinations and patterns that leave the faint of heart a little dizzy. We want insight, deep diving, broad connections, literary conspiracies, personal revelations, or anything you want to tell us about the themes we’ve chosen." Themed issues. Payment: Semi-pro. See reading periods.

Pantheon. Genre: Most genres of fiction and poetry. Themed issues (see prompts). "We are looking for myth in our stories—contemporary, weird, horrific. We want work that taps into the greater truths of humanity through storytelling. We want stories from all over the world, from all voices, from all cultures, backgrounds, and orientations—and we particularly welcome stories from voices that have been marginalized. Speculative elements are very welcome but not required, but we do look for a sense of the uncanny. Our tastes skew dark." Payment: Semi-pro.

Sanitarium Magazine. Genre: Horror. Payment: Token. See reading periods.

The Savage Kick. Genre: "Contemporary grit" articles and short stories between 1000-8000 words. Payment: Token.

Still Point Arts Quarterly. Genre: non-fiction and fiction (up to approximately 5000 words). Poetry is published on occasion. Focus on art, nature, and spirit. Payment: Token.

Sub-Saharan Magazine. Genre: Stories that present Africa in a Fantasy, science fiction, or horror setting or with speculative elements (2000 words max) Payment: $5. 

Tales of the Zombie War. Genre: Zombies! Prose and poetry. Payment: Semi-pro.

THEMA. Genre: Poetry and prose - themed issues. Payment: Token.

Workers Write! More Tales from the Classroom. Genre: Stories and poems from educational settings. "We're looking for fiction about teachers, counselors, admins, school librarians, principals, janitors - anyone who works in a school or classroom setting." Length: 500-5,000 words. Payment: $5-50. Deadline: December 31, 2018, or until filled.

Timeless Tales. Genre: Retellings of fairy tales and myths. Themed anthologies. Payment: $20.

The Lascaux Review. Genre: Stories, poems, and essays. Payment: $25.

The Bark Genre: Essays and fiction, as well as a few short poems about dogs. Payment: Who Pays Writers lists a payment of 67 cents/word.

5 Major Australian Publishers That Accept Unagented Manuscripts

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Unlike US and UK publishing houses, Australian publishers suffer from a dearth of submissions. Why submit to a publisher Down Under? All of these are major traditional publishers, with worldwide distribution, and all offer an advance and royalties. (You don't have to be Australian to submit to three of these publishers.)

Submission periods are limited for some of these publishers, so make sure to read their requirements carefully before you submit.

For a list of 150 publishers that accept submissions directly from writers, no agent required, see Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts. 

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Allen & Unwin accepts submissions every day of the week. Allen & Unwin is an independent Australian publishing company established in 1976 as a subsidiary of the British firm George Allen & Unwin Ltd., one of the leading publishers of the twentieth century. They currently publish up to 250 new titles a year, including literary and commercial fiction, a broad range of general non fiction, academic and professional titles and books for children and young adults.

Pan Macmillan Australia accepts electronic manuscript submissions directly from writers between 10am and 4pm the first Monday of every month as part of its manuscript submission process. Pan Macmillan is a major Australian publisher with a wide range of titles under group imprints, including Macmillan, Pan, Picador, Plum, Momentum, Macquarie Dictionary Publishers, Pancake, St Martin's Press, Tor, Forge, Griffin and Sidgwick & Jackson. They publish commercial and literary fiction, children's and YA fiction, picture books, Australiana, history, biographies, cooking, health and self-help, sports and travel. It also handles sales for Guinness World Records.

Penguin Australia accepts unsolicited manuscripts the first week of every month. Currently, they only accept children's literature. Their reading period of from February to November.  Australians only.

Text Publishing Australia accepts non-fiction and fiction manuscripts, including middle grade and young adult. Submissions are by hard copy only. Send the first 3 chapters and a brief (1-page) synopsis. If they want to see more they will contact you. Responses generally take three months.

Hachette Australia accepts work from Australian or New Zealand residents. They do not accept science fiction/fantasy, illustrated children’s books, illustrated books, cookbooks, poetry, self-help, screenplays or academic submissions. They will contact you only if they are interested. Responses take four weeks.

Philip Roth: "All you have to do is attach one word to the other"

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American novelist Philip Roth died on May 22, 2018. Like everyone of my generation, I read Portnoy's Complaint when it was published. (People spoke about it in hushed whispers, behind closed doors.)

In 1969, critics didn't quite know how to respond to a satire on sex, in particular when the sex was explicit, but the book accomplished what it was supposed to. It defined Philip Roth as an iconoclast.

In keeping with his role as an iconoclast, Roth was also politically outspoken.

In an interview published in the New York Times, Roth called Trump “a massive fraud, the evil sum of his deficiencies” and “devoid of everything but the hollow ideology of a megalomaniac.” In more literary terms, Roth accused Trump of “wielding a vocabulary of seventy-seven words that is better called Jerkish than English.” Trump was “humanly impoverished” and “ignorant of government, of history, of science, of philosophy, of art, incapable of expressing or recognizing subtlety or nuance” and “destitute of all decency." 'Nuff said.

In addition to his pithy remarks about Trump, it's worth listening to Roth's observations about writing. As with politics, Roth puts things in perspective.

"You must be interested in what you are writing."

"I began to write stories. The first ones were terrible, but then it got better."

"All you have to do is attach one word to the other."

“Writing is frustration – it’s daily frustration, not to mention humiliation. It’s just like baseball: you fail two-thirds of the time.” (The New York Times.)

“I work all day, morning and afternoon, just about every day. If I sit there like that for two or three years, at the end I have a book.” (The Paris Review.)

“The novelist’s obsession, moment by moment, is with language: finding the right next word.” (Stanford University)

“Literature isn’t a moral beauty contest. Its power arises from the authority and audacity with which the impersonation is pulled off; the belief it inspires is what counts.” (The Paris Review)

6 British Agents Seeking Kidlit, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Sci-Fi, Nonfiction, and More

Here are six British agents actively seeking writers. You don't have to be British to submit to these agents. Most British agencies accept writers from just about anywhere. They also maintain international contacts through sub-agents, as well as offices in New York and elsewhere. So feel free to query.

Always check the agency website before submitting. Agents may switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

If these agents don't suit your needs, you can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Allison DeFrees of C+W

Originally from Los Angeles, Allison was a contracts and immigration lawyer in the US before moving into the arts. In addition to owning her own law firm in Texas and New York, Allison worked for Harper’s magazine and Facts on File as an intern and editor, and was active on the poetry circuit in NYC. She has for many years worked as an actor, playwright and puppeteer, most recently working with the Victoria & Albert Museum, Wigtown Book Festival, Curious Arts Festival and Edinburgh Book Festival on commissioned puppet musicals. Allison gained a degree with honours in English Literature from the University of Virginia, and a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the former Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Poetry Translation Centre.

What she is seeking: She is most interested in poetry and literary fiction, but also loves literary non-fiction.

How to submit: Send your query to allison@cwagency.co.uk Please email the first three chapters (or about 50 pages) and a synopsis for fiction. For nonfiction send a thirty-page proposal. (There are no instructions on the site for poetry.)

Kerry Glencorse of Susanna Lea Associates

Kerry Glencorse studied Classics at Oxford University and Political Science at Sciences Po in Paris. After two years as a management consultant, she started her publishing career in 2000 at Editions Flammarion before moving to the Paris office of Susanna Lea Associates. In 2007 she moved back to the UK and set up the London office. She handles the agency’s clients in the UK and Australia and has a growing list of her own clients including novelists Alice Adams, Marie Phillips, Louisa Hall, Andrea Carter and Joanna Bolouri and non-fiction writers Tom Service, Caroline Jones and Ted Kessler.

What she is seeking: Literary and upmarket commercial fiction; well-written genre fiction, including crime, thrillers, women’s fiction, and historical. And on the non-fiction side: memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular science, social and cultural history, and cookery.

How to submit: Send query, synopsis and 3 chapters to  london@susannalea.com

Mandy Suhr of Miles Stott Children’s Literary Agency

Mandy Suhr joined MSCLA in 2010 and specialises in picture books. During a long career as editor and publisher, she has launched many now familiar names and has created best-selling picture books for Orchard, Gullane, Campbell, Macmillan and Puffin. As well as her role as an agent, Mandy also consults for several of the bigger publishing houses, creating novelties, picture books and apps.

What she is seeking: Children's fiction.

How to submit: Please send a brief synopsis together with the first three chapters and a short covering letter telling us a little bit about yourself, your writing and your publishing experience (if any). The email address for fiction submissions is fictionsubs@milesstottagency.co.uk

Hayley Steed of The Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency

Hayley is an Associate Agent, working closely with Madeleine’s clients as well as actively seeking new talent for the agency. She also coordinates the digital rights and Film & TV rights, focusing on book to screen adaptation and scripts written by existing clients.

What she is seeking: Commercial fiction across all genres including smart women’s fiction; contemporary women’s fiction; uplifting love stories; high concept novels; grounded sci-fi; speculative fiction; feminist reads; magical realism; tense crime and thrillers; cross-genre books; 14+ YA; non-fiction focused on sport.

How to submit: Please email your submissions, addressed to a specific agent, to: submissions@madeleinemilburn.com. Put your name and the title of your manuscript in the subject line of the email. Attach a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters of the manuscript. (Submission requirements are fairly extensive for this agency. Please read them HERE.)

Kate Burke at Northbank Talent Management

Kate moved to agenting in 2013 following a career commissioning and publishing commercial fiction at Headline, Penguin, HarperCollins and latterly as Editorial Director at Century (Random House), where she achieved an excellent track record of publishing bestsellers. At Northbank Kate heads up the market-leading fiction list.

What she is seeking: Commercial and upmarket women’s fiction, historical fiction, and crime, thriller and suspense.

How to submit: Please send a cover letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your submission as Word or Open Document attachments to fiction@northbanktalent.com.

Chloe Seager at Northbank Talent Management

Chloe is responsible for the agency’s children’s and young adult book business as well as science fiction and fantasy. Chloe is herself a published author of young adult fiction, with her first novel Editing Emma published by HQ in 2017 and the sequel Friendship Fails of Emma Nash published in 2018.

What she is seeking: All genres of young adult, middle-grade and age 5-8 fiction and non-fiction.

How to submit: Please send a cover letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your submission as Word or Open Document attachments to childrens@northbanktalent.com.

5 Agents Seeking Kidlit, Crime Novels, Nonfiction & all Genres of Adult Fiction

Here are five agents expanding their client lists. Amy Levenson is open to nonfiction, and all fiction genres. Masha Gunic is only looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels. Jim Kelly leans toward biography and history, and also has a passion for crime, both real and imagined. Annie Bomke is interested in representing a wide variety of adult and YA fiction and nonfiction. Lauren Scovel is especially interested in fiction and nonfiction involving social justice, political issues, and other timely and underrepresented stories.

Always check the agency website before submitting. Agents may switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

If these agents don't suit your needs, you can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Jim Kelly of Aevitas

For more than thirty years, Jim Kelly worked as a writer and editor at Time Magazine, including as its managing editor. Jim joined Aevitas this year after serving for six years as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. Life has many pleasures, but few beat a well-told story.

What he is seeking: Jim leans toward biography and history, and also has a passion for crime, both real and imagined.

How to submit: Please use the contact form on the website HERE.

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Amy Levenson of Blue Heron Agency

Amy Levenson, a native to the Pacific Northwest and graduate of the University of Washington, began her career at the Sheldon Fogelman Agency in New York City, where she had the opportunity to work with books by some of her favorite childhood authors and illustrators. She later returned to Seattle, selling books for becker&mayer! that focused on well-known estates and intellectual properties, including Star Wars and the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

What she is seeking: Nonfiction, and all fiction genres.

How to submit: Fiction submissions should include a query letter, synopsis, the first 3 chapters or 25 pages of your manuscript, and an author biography. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter and full proposal. No attachments. Submit queries to submissions@blueheronliterary.com.

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Masha Gunic of the Azantian Literary Agency

Masha started her career in publishing as an intern at the Azantian Literary Agency and has since held internships at Red Fox Literary and Writers House before working as an Editorial Assistant at Abrams Books on the children's side for two years. Her love for books across genres, as well as her desire to find and foster great talent, drove her to make the transition from editorial back to the Azantian Literary Agency on the West Coast.

What she is seeking: Masha is only looking to acquire middle grade and young adult novels.

How to submit: Please use the submission form on the website HERE.

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Annie Bomke of Annie Bomke Agency

Annie Bomke is a literary agent with over a decade of experience helping authors succeed. She has worked with internationally bestselling authors such as Ken Blanchard, Spencer Johnson, John Assaraf, John David Mann, and Bob Burg. She has edited a wide range of projects—from hard-nosed business books to otherworldly historical novels.

What she is seeking: Annie is interested in representing a wide variety of adult and YA fiction and nonfiction, including commercial and literary fiction, upmarket fiction, mysteries (from hilarious cozies to gritty police procedurals and everything in between), historical fiction, women’s fiction, psychological thrillers, literary/psychological horror, self-help, business, health/diet, cookbooks, memoir, relationships, current events, psychology, and narrative nonfiction. She is especially looking for books that feature diverse characters.

How to submit: For all fiction submissions, please include a query letter, synopsis, and the first two chapters of your manuscript pasted in the body of the email. Submission guidelines for nonfiction: For all nonfiction submissions, please include a query letter and proposal. You can email submissions to submissions@abliterary.com, or mail them via USPS.

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Lauren Scovel of Laura Gross Literary Agency

Lauren grew up outside of Seattle and graduated summa cum laude from Emerson College with a degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing as well as Theatre Studies. She began her publishing career as an editorial intern at Aevitas Creative Management (formerly Zachary Shuster Harmsworth). Her editorial work can be seen at The Millions. She has also been a bookseller at Newtonville Books since 2016.

What she is seeking: She especially interested in fiction and nonfiction involving social justice, political issues, and other timely and underrepresented stories.

How to submit: Please submit via Submittable. 

41 Calls for Submissions in September 2018 - Paying Markets

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There are more than three dozen calls for submissions in September. As always, anything you can think of is wanted - flash fiction, speculative fiction and poetry, creative nonfiction, children's stories, along with several interesting themed issues.

All of these literary magazines pay, and none charge submission fees.

Make sure to follow submission requirements carefully. Editors get cranky when writers don't follow their submission rules.

If you want to get a jump on next month's calls for submissions, check the page Calls for Submissions, which is where I post new calls as they come up.

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Smash Medical Paternalism. Genre: Personal accounts of experiences with medical paternalism, including forced treatment, confinement in prisons and institutions, societal pressure to “recover” from one’s identity, hiring and housing discrimination, gatekeeping access to medical treatment, and social ostracism. Also analytical, philosophical or scientific pieces that explore issues of medical paternalism, healthism and cognitive liberty from an academic or critical perspective. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: September 1, 2018.

Apt. Genre: Fiction, poetry essays. The print journal is open to long-form only, 10,000 words and up. Online journal accepts lower word counts. Payment: $50. Deadline: September 1, 2018.

Hysterical. Restrictions: Open to submissions only from writers who are women, femmes or non-binary people. Genre: prose, poetry, and hybrid/cross-genre writing. Payment: $50. Deadline:  September 1, 2018.

Release the Virgins. Genre: Short stories that include, somewhere in the story, the phrase “Release the Virgins.” Length: Up to 5,000 words. Payment: 5 cents a word. Deadline: September 1, 2018.

Contrary. Genres: Fiction, poetry, commentary. Payment: $20. Deadline: September 1, 2018.

SubTerrain Magazine. Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, essays, and commentary.  Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem; Prose: $.10 per word (to a maximum of $500.) Canadian dollars. Deadline: September 3, 2018. Charges fee for online submissions; no fee for snail mail.

Hallmark Publishing Genre: Romance, and cozy mystery, full-length novels (65,000 – 85,000 words). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: September 3, 2018.

Overland Literary Journal: Tribulations of the Digital Frontier. Genre: Poetry about the Internet. Payment: AUD $150 per poem. Deadline: September 10, 2018.

Spirit's Tincture. Genre: Poetry of the supernatural. Payment: $10 per poem. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Understorey. Restrictions: Open to writers in Canada who identify as women or non-binary Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction or poetry on theme of Age. Payment: $30-$60. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Eye to the Telescope: Witches. Genre: Speculative poetry. Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Arsenika. Genre: All; flash fiction and poetry. Payment: $60 USD for fiction and $30 USD for poetry. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Cricket: Curtain Call. Genre: Short stories, nonfiction and poetry about music, theater, and the performing arts for 9-14-year-olds. Payment: Up to $0.25/word for prose, $3/line for poetry, $75 for activities and recipes. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Hinnom Magazine. Genre: Weird fiction. Payment: 3001 to 5000 words, $55. 250 to 3000 words, $30. Art, $75-$150. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Corpus Press: Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror short stories. Payment: $0.03/word, capped at $150. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Selene Quarterly. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art that dwells in the shadows. Payment: $0.01-0.03/word for fiction, $35 for nonfiction, $15 for reviews $0.25/line for poetry. Deadline: September 15, 2018.

Apex: Do Not Go Quietly. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy short stories about those who resist. Payment: $.06 per word up to 7,500 words. Minimum of $60. Deadline: September 19, 2018.

Enchanted Conversation. Genre: Spooky, spellbinding, and creepy stories in fairy tale, folktale or mythic settings. Payment: $10. Deadline: September 20, 2018.

Splickety: Christmas Abroad. Genre: Flash fiction between 300 and 1000 words. "Give us young adult stories that embrace the holiday spirit in faraway lands. What does Christmas look like in high summer when the family goes to visit their grandfather in Australia? Can an army brat find the Christmas spirit on her third overseas base in three years? What happens when an exchange student in Ecuador finds romance under the mistletoe? We want to see compelling characters, evocative settings, and a hearty dose of Christmas magic." Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: September 21, 2018.

Alien Dimensions. Genre: Speculative fiction.  Payment: $10. Deadline: September 22, 2018.
The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: September 25, 2018.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash Fiction. Payment: $3. Deadline: September 26, 2018.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: September 28, 2018.

An anthology of Dieselpunk and Decopunk Fairy Tales. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Dieselpunk and decopunk are alternative history reimaginings of the WWI and WWII eras beginning with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ending before the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I’m looking for tales with the grit of roaring bombers, rumbling tanks, of 'We Can Do It', the Great Depression and old time gangsters or the glamour (real or imagined) of flappers, Hollywood starlets, smoky jazz, elegant cars and Radio City Music Hall." Payment: $50. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "More Messages from Heaven". Genre: True stories. "When our loved ones leave this world, our connection with them does not end. Death takes away their physical presence, but not their spirit, and we often sense them after they have gone. Sometimes we see or hear from them after they've passed, giving us signs and messages from beyond. We want to hear your story if you have experienced the other side or received a sign or signal from a loved one who has passed. If you submitted a story for a previous book title and we DID NOT publish it, please do submit it again if you think it will fit in this title. " Payment: $200. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Stories about Angels". Genre: True stories. "Angels are all around us. Have you encountered or been helped by an angel? How did your angel manifest himself or herself? How did your angel help you or someone you know? We are looking for stories from people who believe that they have been helped by angels. If you submitted a story for a previous book title and we DID NOT publish it, please do submit it again if you think it will fit in this title. Please do not send stories about people who are "angels" because they do nice things, and also please do not submit eulogies where you say that your loved one is now an angel." Payment: $200. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Stories about Miracles". Genre: True stories. "Everyone has experienced events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment and give them hope for a better future. Why did these things happen? We are looking for true stories in this multi-faith book that will awe you with examples of amazing events. Miracles do happen every day. Share your inspirational true stories with us to remind us that each day holds hope and that a miracle can happen at any time. If you submitted a story for a previous book title and we DID NOT publish it, please do submit it again if you think it will fit in this title." Payment: $200. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Stories about My Mom". Genre: True stories. "We are collecting stories and poems written by sons and daughters of all ages about their moms, step-moms, grandmoms or someone that is "like a mom" to you. Tell us what this special person has done for you. Is she always right? Do you still turn to her for advice? Does she annoy you with her advice? Have you become your mom even though you swore you never would? How has your relationship changed as you've gotten older? Share your best stories - ones that will make us laugh, cry, or nod our heads in recognition. We are not looking for general tributes (we know your mom is terrific) nor are we looking for biographies. We are looking for specific anecdotes about you and your mom or stepmom or grandmom." Payment: $200. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Pseudopod: Artemis Rising. Genre: Horror. "Escape Artists podcasts featuring stories by women and nonbinary authors in genre fiction." Audio format. Payment: 6 cents per word. Deadline: September 30, 2018. Reprints accepted.

GRIMM, GRIT, AND GASOLINE: An anthology of Dieselpunk and Decopunk Fairy Tales. Genre: Speculative fiction/alternative history. Payment: $0.01 per word + contributor copy. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

EVENT. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $25/page. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Life After All — "an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic/pastoral apocalyptic LGBTQIA+ anthology — The end of the world is a dark, bleak place. Life is full of grit, misery, and barely scraping by. But if humans excel at anything, it’s making the best of a bad situation, and the end of the world would be no different." Payment: $150.00. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

CONSEQUENCE is an independent, non-profit literary magazine published annually. Genre: Short fiction, poetry, non-fiction, interviews, visual art, and reviews primarily focused on the culture of war. Payment: Poetry: $25 per page; Prose: $10 per page ($250 maximum); Translations:$15 per page ($250 maximum). Deadline: September 30, 2018.

New Writing Scotland. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination. Genre: All forms of writing. Payment: £20 per published page. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Feral Cat Publishers: Bubble Off Plumb Anthology. Genre: Odd, unsettling stories. Payment:  $0.03/word. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Nashville Review . Genres: Fiction, poetry. Payment: $100 for fiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Writer’s Chronicle. "The editors look for articles that demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of literary issues and a generosity of spirit that esteems the arguments of other writers on similar topics." Genre: Nonfiction. Payment: $18 per 100 words. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Ginger Goat Press: John Silence. Genre: "The John Silence RPG & Anthology is a collective projective reinvisioning Algernon Blackwood's "John Silence" short stories to focus on non-white/POC/ethnically and racially marginalized psychic detectives in an alternate American noir setting spanning the 1920s to the 1990s." Payment: $0.06/word for fiction, $30 for poetry. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Autonomous Press: Spoon Knife 4 – A Neurodivergent Guide To Spacetime. Genre: Speculative fiction that examines and explores two fundamental ideas: time and space; stories that engage with themes of neurodivergence, queerness, and/or the intersections of neurodivergence and queerness. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Black Ship Books: Utopian Societies Anthology. Genre: Stories that explore utopian societies – past, present, or future, or of another world. “Preference will be given to stories that imagine alternate worlds that differ from our own in ways particularly relevant, obliquely or directly, to the current crisis in American democracy.” Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: September 30, 2018.

Less Than Three Press: Life After All.  Genre: Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic/pastoral apocalyptic LGBTQIA+ anthology. Payment: $150. Deadline: September 30, 2018.