57 Writing Contests in June 2026 - No entry fees!

This June there are more than four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $50,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Many of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck! 

[Image: Picryl]

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ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

The Novel Prize. Genre: Book-length work of literary fiction written in English. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: June 1, 2026. Biennial award.

Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards. Genre: Haiku. Prize: First Place - $200, and a miniature crystal turtle; Second Place - $100; Third Place - $50. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Bicoastal Review. Genre: Nonfiction. "Submit nonfiction – critical, creative, experimental, or cross-genre – that fits our journal (we often favor writing about literature, art, culture, politics, ecology, love, the body, feminism, and/or queer identity). We welcome braided essays, reviews, art writing, cultural critique, lyric essays, and more. We are NOT looking for short stories, overly academic writing, rants, comedy, purely family-oriented memoirs, anything using AI, or anything too self-absorbed." Prize: $250. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. Restrictions: Open to poets aged 18-23. Genre: Poetry. Prize:  $100 and publication in the Atlanta Review. Deadline: June 1, 2026. 

International Wizard of Oz Club Annual Contests. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Academic Nonfiction Research Papers. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Cromwell Article Prize. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Bard Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to a writer who is an American citizen aged 39 years or younger at the time of application. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Mouthful of Salt: Archive Alive. Genre: Poem. See theme. Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative Grant. Genre: Investigative journalism addressing hate and prejudice. Prize: $2000 - $5,000 grant. Deadline: June 1, 2026. Note: There are two dates listed on the website, June 1 and August 20, 2026.

Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Canadian high school, college, and graduate students. Genre: Short essay on "What would our Essential Scholars say about Canadian economic prosperity today?" Prize: CAD$1,500 in each age category. Deadline: June 5, 2026.

Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to to U.S. citizens or green card holders living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont). Genre: Picture book. Prize: $25,000 stipend, paid in monthly installments over one year. Deadline: June 5, 2026.

Ocean Awareness Youth Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6 - 12. Genre: Art, poetry, prose, film. "Use humor, positivity, irony, or other unconventional approaches that are not typically used in environmental communication to address the climate crisis. Think outside the tackle-box, beyond clichés, to create something that makes the topic of climate change and our oceans more approachable and accessible." Prizes: $100 - $1,500. Deadline: June 8, 2026.

Dream Foundry Emerging Writers Contest. Restrictions: You have published a total of less than 4,000 words of paid or income-earning speculative fiction in English. You have earned a total of less than USD 320 from those words. You have never been nominated for any award listed here as a major award in speculative fiction. Genre: Short speculative fiction, up to 10,000 words. Prize: $200 - $1,000. Deadline: June 8, 2026.

Solid Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Essay (See site for topics.) Minimum number of words is 600 and maximum is 800. Prize: Scholarship of $1000. Deadline: June 9, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for one story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: June 12, 2026.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

PEN/Bare Life Review Grants. Restrictions: Open to immigrant and refugee writers in the US and abroad. Genre: Unpublished work-in-progress that will not be published prior to April 15, 2027. The project must be a work of a literary nature: fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry. Prize: $5000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists. Restrictions: Candidates must have published one or more novels for children or young adults that have been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated sufficient income to support the author. Genre: Book-length children's or young-adult fiction. Prize: $5000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History. Genre: Literary work of nonfiction that uses oral history to illuminate an event, individual, place, or movement. Prize: $15,000 each. (Two prizes) Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Genre: Book-length works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama in translation. Note: Translations from Italian will automatically be considered for the PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. Prize: $3000 - $4000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. Genre: Translation. Work-in-progress of a book-length translation of an Italian work of literary fiction or nonfiction into English. Prize: $5,000 grant. Deadline: June 15, 2026. 

Blessing the Boats. Restrictions: Open to all women poets of color in the U.S., including poets who identify as cis, trans, and non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centers on women’s experiences, regardless of citizenship and publication history. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscript. Prize: $2,500 honorarium and book publication by BOA Editions, Ltd. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Anne Brown Essay Prize. Restrictions: Entrants must be aged over 16 and resident in Scotland, born in Scotland or have a longstanding association with Scotland. Genre: Literary essay, published or unpublished. Prize: £1,500. Deadline: June 15, 2026. 

Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award. Genre: High-quality picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experience. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or any other nondominant populations. Prize: American Express® gift cards totaling $1,500, round trip travel to New York City, and the honor of a one-day mentorship with a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ professional children’s book design and editorial team. Submission will be reviewed for publication. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: Three cash prizes of $1,000 apiece will be awarded in 2025 for coursework submitted during the academic year. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Pineberry Literary Contest. Restrictions: Open to students currently enrolled in a high school. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $30. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative. Restrictions: Applicants must be professional writers based in the United States, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping address a short-term emergency situation. Prize: Grant, amount not specified. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Towson University Prize for Literature. Restrictions: Open to Maryland writers. Genre: Book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction. The work must have been published within the three years prior to the year of nomination or must be scheduled for publication within the year in which nominated. Self-published works will not be considered. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2026. See nomination form HERE.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two $50 prizes, two $25 prizes. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Baltimore Science Fiction Society Amateur Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to Maryland residents or students at a MD 2- or 4-year college, and not a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America or published in a professional science fiction/fantasy magazine Genre: Science fiction short stories. Prize: 1st place is $250; 2nd place is $100; 3rd place is $50. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Australian Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to Australian writers. Genre: adult fiction between 75,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: A publishing contract with HarperCollins to publish your work including an advance against royalties of AUD$15,000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Icelandic Festival of Manitoba Poetry & Short Stories Contest. Genre: Poetry and short stories. Length; 1200 words max. Prize: $50 - $125. "You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference." Deadline: June 19, 2026.

Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English between  May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: June 19, 2026.

Griffin Poetry Prize. Restrictions: One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada. Genre: Poetry. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award. Prize: The winner receives C$130,000 and the other shortlisted poets each receive C$10,000. Deadline: June 19, 2026, for works published between January 1 and June 30, 2026.

International EJCA Spring Haiku Contest. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $20 - $30. Deadline: June 20, 2026.

A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest. Genre: Non-genre fiction and creative nonfiction. Theme: Summer Festival. Length: 1,000 words minimum; 5,000 words maximum. Prize: $35 - $50 Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 21, 2026.

Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Debut book published between April 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Prize: $12,000. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. Restrictions: Books must be English-language, first-edition trade books published by a Canadian press, written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Titles must be published between April 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Genre: Literary nonfiction including, among other forms, works of personal or journalistic essays, memoirs, commentary, criticism both social and political, history, and biography. Prize: Winner: $75,000; Finalists: $5,000. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Genre: Novel or short story collection. Prize: $70,000 will be awarded to the novel or short story collection published between  April 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Tales from the Moolit Path. Genre: Dark fiction on theme: Something in the Water. Prize: $50. Deadline: June 25, 2026.

Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers from Northern England who would like to work in television. Genre: TV writing. Prize: Mentoring support and a bursary worth £3000. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book and Magazine Awards for Social Justice Writing. Restrictions: Open to “continuing residents of Canada” who at the date of application have “lived in Canada for the last twelve months” and who are “working a minimum of seventy per cent of their work time as a self-employed freelance writer.” Genre: Nonfiction books and articles. Prize: $5000 for books, $2000 for articles. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Wingate Literary Prize. Genre: Published book that explores Jewish themes. Book must be published between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, must be published, distributed or easily available in the UK and Ireland, and must be published in English, whether originally or in translation. Prize: £4,000. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for a young science journalist. Restrictions: Open to  applicants whose 31st birthday is July 1, 2025 or later. Genre: Science journalism. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Suspect Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. "We are looking for poems that use BOTH words “minor” AND “destructions” or their variants. Prize: USD300, 200, and 100 will go to the top three winners. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Sargeson Prize for Secondary Schools. Restrictions: Open to students enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school and aged between 16 and 18 years. Genre: Short story, Length: 5,000 words max. Prize: First Prize: $2000; Second Prize: $1000; Third Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Sargeson Prize. Restrictions: Open to New Zealanders. Genre: Short stories. Length: 5,000 words max. Prize: First Prize: $15,000; Second Prize: $1000; Third Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Digital Privacy Scholarship. Restrictions: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Genre: 500- to 1,000-word essay about digital privacy. Prize: $1000 scholarship. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror. 17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. Book must be author's first full-length book of poetry, published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 20256. Self-published books are accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted. Prize: $100,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Mountain Book Competition. Genre: Mountain literature. Prize: Over $29,000 in cash is awarded annually with 8 awards selected by an international jury of writers, adventurers and editors. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Storyhouse: Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $250 in any single year. First prize winners of previous contests, while ineligible for prizes in regular contests, can compete in this one.  Genre: Nonfiction. Prize: First prize is $200; Runners-up will receive $100. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize. Genre: Poem in English on the theme of ‘Journey’ Prize: £200. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

2026 BCSA Writing Competition. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. See theme. Entries must deal with either (1) the links between Britain and the Czech and/or Slovak Republics, at any time in their history, or (2) society in those Republics since 1989. Entries should be in English and not more than 2,000 words long. Prize: First prize £400, second prize £150. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Washington State Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to Washington State writers. Genre: Published book, fiction, nonfiction, poetry: adults or children. Prize: Recognition (?) Deadline: June 30, 2026 (for books published Jan. 1-May 31, 2026).

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to "revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful." Genre: Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize: $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: June 30, 2025. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

47 Glorious Writing Conferences and Workshops in June 2026

This June there are nearly four dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but most will be held in person or use a hybrid format.

These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, how to market your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

I have included conferences with deadlines that have already passed on this list to give you advance notice. If you miss an application deadline, put it on your calendar for next year. Quite a few conferences offer scholarships, so apply early. Plan ahead!

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences.

Be sure to check out Boyds Mills list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year.

[Image: Boothbay Harbor, Maine: Flickr]

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Odyssey Writing Workshop. June 1, 2026 (6 weeks): Online. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Will be held online. Application deadline April 10.

Naropa Summer Writing Program. June 1 - 27, 2026: Boulder, CO. Summer Writing Program of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University. (See site for individual classes)

Educational Publishing 101: Navigating New Paths for Your Writing. June 2, 2026: Online. Bridge the gap between your creative craft and the classroom with an insider’s roadmap to the thriving educational market.

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers. June 3 - 6, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. If you're writing (or want to write) a picture book, this is the retreat for you. You'll have time to write/revise, a 1:1 consultation with picture book faculty, presentations, and small group feedback sessions.

Nebula Conference. June 3 - 7, 2026: Chicago, Illinois. SFWA members and other individuals who are interested in the field of science fiction and fantasy are welcome to attend SFWA’s Nebula Conference. Attendees may participate in workshops, programming and special events throughout the weekend. You do not need to be a member of SFWA to attend. 

The Crash Course in Children’s Book Publishing (Spring). June 3 - August 5, 2026: Online. Join lead faculty Harold Underdown and special guests for a Crash Course in Children’s Publishing. At the end of the course, you will understand how the children’s book publishing industry works, including submitting, publishing, marketing a book for children, teens, or young adults, and beginning ideas about craft and critique.

Wyoming Writers Conference. June 5 - 7, 2026: Casper, WY. The conference features workshops in craft, marketing, and productivity for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers, as well as publisher pitch sessions, roundtable critiques, and open mics. Past writers have included fiction writer Nina McConigley, and Poet Matt Mason. 

The Creativity Workshop in New York. June 5 - 8, 2026: New York, New York. "The Creativity Workshops take away the fear of writing and open the way to new ideas. They are especially helpful for writers in fiction, poetry, memoir, theatre and film to get over writing blocks. In our Creativity Workshop Retreats you will generate both new work and ideas for the work you are in the midst of creating. We use many different techniques to help you find your way through the novel, essay, poem, memoir, or script you are writing or hope to write. In The Creativity Workshop you will be doing free writing, writing from guided visualizations, collaborative writing, journaling and memoir work and even some rudimentary drawing, collage and photography."

Northeast Texas Writers Organization. June 6, 2026: Mt Pleasant, TX. Crime, Mystery, Suspense, Horror Writing Conference.

Colgate Writers’ Conference. June 7 - 13, 2026: Hamilton, New York. Morning craft talks & workshops. Individual consultation with workshop instructor in the afternoon. Late afternoon participant readings and talks on publishing, storytelling. Evening readings by instructors & guests. Late night social events. "Bring a story, a book in progress, some poems, or a novel, and work with us on developing narrative strategies, verse techniques, and methods of research. Members of the publishing profession will also be here to discuss marketplace tactics." 

Picture Book Middles: Bridging Beginning and End. June 8, 2026: Online. The middle of a picture book isn’t filler. It’s the emotional bridge that carries readers from promise to payoff. Discover practical ways to strengthen that bridge and avoid a muddy, unfocused middle.

Look / Mira: Latinx/e Ways of Looking in Poetry & Prose. June 10, 2026: Online. This 90-minute generative workshop invites participants to explore the act of looking at both cultural inheritance and creative practice. Drawing on Latinx/e writers who reframe the gaze, we’ll examine how looking and being looked at are shaped by language, place, power, and memory. We’ll read short excerpts from poetry, creative nonfiction, and hybrid works that reimagine observation as resistance, remembrance, and recognition.

The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA”. June 10 - 16, 2026: Boothbay Harbor, Maine. "The Writer’s Hotel Maine “Mini MFA” is a unique, hybrid, comprehensive writing program. Our programming includes our TWH two-editor pre-conference Team Reading and our conference, to be held in person, June 4-10, 2025. We have even built in a free day so that attendees can enjoy the surrounds. Space is extremely limited. From our virtual pre-reading process through to conference, TWH takes writers and their writing to the next level. It's an extraordinary opportunity." Deadline to apply to TWH is April 6, 2026.

Squam Writes Retreat. June 11 - 14, 2026: Squam Lake, New Hampshire. The Squam Writes Retreat is a small group retreat for experienced fiction writers. We focus on craft with an eye toward publication. We offer opportunities for feedback and plenty of time to write, make new friends, and recharge creative batteries in a beautiful New Hampshire lakeside setting. Every participant receives a one-on-one critique with an agent or editor. 

The 2026 California Writing Workshop. June 12 -13, 2026: Online. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total).  

West Virginia Writers Conference. June 12 - 14, 2026: Cedar Lakes, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others.

Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop. June 14 - 19, 2026: Roanoke, Virginia. "In our manuscript workshops, capped at 10, you will distribute manuscripts in advance, prepare comments for your colleague’s submissions, and gather each morning to share insights and gain inspiration on the best path to advance your writing. You’ll receive critical feedback from peers and your faculty mentor and learn what other writers are working on as well. Our write-now workshops, capped at 12, allow you to immerse yourself in the craft of writing without the pressure of preparing or reading manuscripts. Through daily reading, writing exercises, and prompts, you’ll write both in class and during the afternoon to generate new work over the course of each day, dedicating as much time as possible to your own new writing. In our tutorial (a new offering this year!), you will submit work in advance to your faculty mentor, and then meet one-on-one three times during the week in 30-minute sessions. You will get an individualized reading list and extensive writing prompts to help you continue your work throughout the week."

Orion Environmental Writers’ Workshop. June 14 - 19, 2026: The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. This program is for writers who want to learn how to write an Orion essay, short story, or poem; for writers who seek to become better advocates for the environment through their writing; for poets who are drawn to writing about nature and culture; for teachers and scholars who wish to write for a more general readership; and for environmental professionals who want to bring better writing skills to bear on their work. The program will feature small writing workshops dedicated to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as faculty readings and lectures, student readings, and presentations on publishing. Application deadline May 1, 2026.

Kenyon Review Writers Workshops. June 14 - 19, 2026: Gambier, Ohio. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction led by an accomplished faculty. Genre workshops (Fiction, Literary Nonfiction, and Poetry) are held for three hours each morning. Online. Applications open in March.

Lit Camp. June 14 - 19, 2026: Boonville, California. The conference features workshops, panels, and craft talks for fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers. Part writing retreat, part MFA-style intensive, our spring conference focuses on the craft of writing. Over the course of the five days, you will have plenty of uninterrupted time to write...because one of the best ways to get better at writing is to sit down and write. There will also be prompted free writing sessions to motivate and inspire you, as well as daily afternoon master classes taught by some of the most accomplished writers and instructors in publishing. Registration is limited to 23 participants. Application Deadline: January 31, 2026.

Bread Loaf Environmental Writers' Conference. June 14 - 20, 2026: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers' Conference is a week-long writers’ conference designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about the environment and the natural world. The conference is co-sponsored by the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Orion magazine, and Middlebury College’s Environmental Studies Program. Application deadline March 15.

Bread Loaf Translators' Conference. June 14 - 20, 2026: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference includes workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and readings by faculty and guests. Application deadline March 15.

Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 15 - 19, 2026: Draper, Utah. A week-long conference filled with hands-on workshops where the faculty work WITH you on your manuscript. As a participant of a five-day workshop, you get free feedback from an agent or editor on your writing, opportunities to network with like-minded writers, and five days of afternoon breakout sessions filled with dozens of craft-specific topics designed especially for kidlit authors.

Kundiman Retreat. June 15 - 20, 2026: Brooklyn, NY. "In order to mentor and build community among Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual creative writing Retreat. During each Retreat, six nationally renowned poets and fiction writers conduct craft classes and mentorship meetings. Readings, writing circles, and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging AAPI writers."

Western Writers of America Convention. June 17 - 20, 2026: St. Louis, Misouri. Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Publishing, Young Adult. History presentations at the convention include Cats in the Old West, Border Wars/Law and Order, Mark Twain Literary Contributions, and more. Other sessions will take place related to the craft of writing, book marketing, and research sources and techniques.

The 2026 Writing Workshop of Chicago. June 20, 2026: Chicago, IL. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

Sundress Academy: Summer Poetry Writing Retreat. June 20 - 21, 2026: Via Zoom. All SAFTA retreats focus on generative writing, and this year’s retreat will also include the following craft talk sessions: “When the Only Way Out Is Through: On Discomfort, Breaking, and Adaptation” as well as “Getting the Picture,” a workshop the seeks to hone the visual imagery of our writing by exploring the effect of this spectrum on both readers and writers, and by embodying visual images through personal somatic activities, social and scenic research, ekphrastic prompts, and more. Application deadline April 15, 2026.

Aspen Summer Words. June 21 - 26, 2026: Snowmass Village, Colorado. Workshops, panels, and readings in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors. "Aspen Summer Words is the Rocky Mountain gateway to the literary world. Recognized as one of the country’s pre-eminent literary conferences, Summer Words welcomes visitors and locals alike to celebrate writing and writers in Aspen for a week each June. The exceptional faculty and awe-inspiring mountain scenery combine to make this a writing retreat like no other." Juried workshops close on February 26. All other workshops are on a first come first serrved basis.

The Santa Barbara Writers Conference. June 21 – 26, 2026: Santa Barbara, Calif. "Every summer, writers in many genres from around the world gather to participate in a magical week of intensive work focused on story, voice, craft, marketing, and networking with fellow writers and publishing professionals."  

Juniper Summer Writing Institute. June 21- 27, 2026: Amherst, MA. Daily workshops in poetry, fiction, & nonfiction; interactive craft sessions that include discussions & writing exercises; evening readings by faculty & writers-in-residence. Workshops and craft sessions are led by MFA candidates from the renowned University of Massachusetts MFA Program for Poets and Writers who design curricula especially for the Institute setting. The scholarship application deadline is January 5, 2026. The self-pay application deadline is February 15, 2026.

Chesapeake Writers' Conference at St. Mary's College of Maryland. June 21 - 27, 2026: St. Mary's City, Maryland. "Join us on Maryland’s Western Shore-for the Annual Chesapeake Writers’ Conference for a week of craft talks, lectures, panel discussions, and readings, as well as daily workshops in fiction, poetry, screenwriting, translation, songwriting, or creative nonfiction.

Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp & Speculative Fiction Writing Retreat. June 21- 27, 2026: Racine, Wisconsin. The Bookcamp offers morning instruction, an afternoon editing clinic, group critique sessions, discussions on the current publishing industry, one-on-one consultations with our staff, pitch sessions with literary agents and acquisition editors, and presentations on writing or publishing topics. Separate tracks for speculative fiction, and all genres.

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. June 21 - July 18, 2026: Saratoga Springs, NY. Since 1987, the Institute has been offering students the opportunity to learn from an extraordinary faculty of distinguished writers led by director Robert Boyers. The program is an offshoot of the New York State Writers Institute created by Albany native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy. The curriculum is designed for college-aged students and adults, and the new virtual format will retain many of the Institute’s hallmark features:

• Creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction and non-fiction
• Small classes that offer individualized attention and workshop student writings
• Public readings and afternoon Q & A sessions with world-renowned guest writers
• Private tutorial sessions for student fiction manuscripts, book-length poetry, or non-fiction (available for an additional fee)
• Option to enroll for one-week, two-week, or four-week sessions
• Optional undergraduate credit for eligible students enrolled in one genre for four weeks
• Merit Scholarships for tuition

The deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 7.

Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops. June 21 – July 4, 2026 and July 12–25, 2026: Gambier, Ohio. At Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops, talented high school students from around the world join a dynamic and supportive literary community to stretch their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of peers who are also passionate about writing. Application deadline: March 1.

Christopher McKitterick Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop. June 21 - July 4, 2026: Lawrence, Kansas. Learn how to write SF that sells. Using the short-story form, we help you master the elements that create great stories. Since 1985. This annual two-week residential writing workshop helps established writers grow their skills while helping those who have just begun to publish or who need the final bit of insight or skill to master the elements that create great stories readers love and editors want to buy. Become part of a writing community: Award-winning author, SF scholar, long-time director of James Gunn's original SF research center, and Ad Astra SF Institute Director Christopher McKitterick has led this workshop since 2010, and served as guest author in James Gunn's SF Writers Workshop starting in 1995. 

Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, visual art, and creative nonfiction). June 21 - August 21, 2026: Provincetown, Massachusetts. "This year, we have lined up 65 extraordinary workshops in visual arts and creative writing over the course of nine weeks. We’ve brought together an outstanding group of instructors that includes many esteemed faculty members, along with many faces who are new to FAWC. We are confident that this dynamic combination of new and familiar faces will help create an inspiring atmosphere at FAWC that will invite students to take creative leaps." Housing is available at nearby guesthouses and inns; limited campus housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. See individual workshops for dates.

Clarion West Summer Writers Workshop. June 21 - August 1, 2026: Seattle, Washington. "The six-week workshop can give you time away from everyday distractions and encourage you to experiment and take artistic risks. The critique sessions are the heart of the workshop: you learn not only by receiving critiques, but by reading others’ work and constructing your own critiques. Instructors work directly with attendees to present group critiques of newly written stories, participate in discussions about writing techniques or professional concerns, and hold individual or small-group conferences. Throughout the entire experience, the Clarion West Workshop staff is present to help guide participants and facilitate an inclusive environment." Application deadline February 13.

Stonecoast Writers’ Conference. June 22 - 27, 2026: Portland, ME. "Your conference experience centers around the workshop. In these classes, your work (and the work of your peers) serves as the primary text. Faculty focus on providing constructive criticism that can help you unlock your writing. Class discussions provide opportunities to discuss theories and practical application of writing craft. Each instructor adapts their class to reflect the interest and abilities of the students. Generative writing exercises ensure that you’ll have threads of new work to follow after the conference ends. This summer we are offering three distinct workshop classes: Creative Writing, CNF and Memoir. Each workshop is limited to ten students.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 22 - 28, 2026: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: March 10.

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 23 - 26, 2026: Bemidji, Minnesota. Our faculty so far includes four members of the MNWC25 faculty: Jennifer Foerster (poetry), Toni Jensen (creative nonfiction), Douglas Kearney (poetry), and Joni Tevis (creative nonfiction). The award-winning novelist Debra Magpie Earling (fiction) and the acclaimed poet Layli Long Soldier will be joining the faculty this year. Please check our website periodically for updates. We will open registration in March.We hope to see you this coming June!

Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers. June 23 - 28, 2026: Wallowa Lake, Oregon. Join us this June at Wallowa Lake where you’re sure to get some writing done! Spend a week in community with fellow writers, learning from some of the best teaching artists in the West. Each weeklong workshop is limited to no more than 13 students, creating a brave space for you to explore your craft in new and creative ways. Registration includes your five-day workshop, plus craft talks, featured author readings, panel discussions, open mics, discussions, and much more. Workshops offered include fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and poetry.

Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 25 - 27, 2026: Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. 

David R Collins Conference Faculty & Workshops. June 25 - 27, 2026: Rock Island, IL. Daily workshops, critiques, pitches, evening events, keynote. 

In Your Write Mind Workshop. June 25 - 28, 2026: Greensburg, Pennsylvania. This is an annual, alumni-run writers workshop. It features writing-related classes, agent pitch sessions, a book signing, and other special events. Open to the public.

New York Pitch Conference. June 25 - 28, 2026: NY, NY. The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop is held four times a year and features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.

Writing for the Educational Market. June 25 - July 30, 2026: Online. Learn the ins and outs of writing for the educational market in this 6-week course. Hosted by experienced industry professionals, this workshop will get you up to speed quickly and prepare you for submitting your work to publishers. 30 participants max.

Writers' League of Texas. June 26-28, 2026: Austin, Texas. "The WLT’s Agents & Editors Conference is one of the nation’s premier conferences for writers. Every year, we bring together nationally-known literary agents and book editors and other industry professionals with writers at all stages of the writing process for a weekend of conversation and community around the craft of writing and the practical steps toward publication. For writers with finished manuscripts, the conference’s one-on-one consultations with agents and editors offer a unique opportunity to pitch their work directly to publishing professionals. For writers working toward a completed manuscript, the conference’s genre meet-ups, panels, presentations, and general sessions offer an abundance of useful information and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere for informal chats with agents, published authors, and fellow writers from all genres and backgrounds." 

110 Calls for Submissions in May 2026 - Paying markets

This May there are more than nine dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

I post upcoming calls for submissions shortly before the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.

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Sundog. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap.

“Wish You Were Here.” Genre: Horror on theme: Vacations. Payment: $30 CAD. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

IHRAM Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme:As global warming accelerates and climate change deepens, we are witnessing more frequent and devastating environmental disasters, often unrecognized or unaddressed by governments, leaving countless people homeless, vulnerable, and disadvantaged. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Cincinnati Review. Genre: Literary nonfiction (up to 20 pages), fiction (up to 40 pages), poetry, poetry translations, drama, and art. Payment: $25/page for prose in the journal, $30/page for poetry, $25 for miCRo posts or special features. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Note: Opens on the first day of the month and closes once they hit the submissions cap.

The Bombay Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, poetry, translated fiction/poetry and graphic fiction. Payment: Indian rupees 5,000 (approx. $61) per contribution. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Year's. Genre: True stories and poems. "Please submit your true stories and poems about the entire December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Forge Literary Magazine. Genre: Prose. They prefer stories under 3,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap. 

Iron Fang Press: Wish You Were Here Anthology. Genre: Horrifying/spooky/unsettling short stories with the theme of vacations. Payment: CAD30. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Emberwick Press. Genre: Full-length Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction manuscripts in the Contemporary (YA/MG), Fantasy (YA/MG), Romance (Adult/YA), Romantasy (Adult/YA), Mystery (all ages), and Horror / Thriller (all ages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The First Line Journal. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry using the line provided. (See theme) Payment: $25-50 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: May 2, 2026. Opens May 1.

Liars’ League. Genre: Short stories. Length: 800-2,000 words. See theme. Payment: £20, reading of your story by a professional actor, as well as podcast, video and online publication of your work. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Lucky Jefferson: Paradox. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, hybrid work, and poetry on the Paradox theme. Payment: $25 - $35. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Flame Tree: Climbing High: Speculative Stories of Female Ambition. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Prairie Fire. Genre: Creative nonfiction submissions on the theme, ‘Lost and Found: Things Forgotten, Things Remembered.’ Payment: CAD0.10/word up to CAD250 for prose. Deadline: May 4, 2026.

Affirm Press Restrictions: They only accept Australians. Genre: Affirm Press accepts all literary and genre fiction. For non-fiction, they are interested in most subjects that have an author or authors based in Australia, and only manuscripts that haven’t been previously published. They only accept submissions on the first Monday of each month and twice yearly on their children’s & teen list. Read their submission guidelines here. Deadline: May 4, 2026.

Stone’s Throw. Genre: "We're looking for dark fiction, crime and noir, length between 1,000 and 2,000 words." Payment: $25. Deadline: May 4, 2026. Open to submissions the first three days of every month.

Space and Time. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We welcome poetry, art and fiction that bend rules, transcend genre and break stereotypes." Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 for poetry. Deadline: May 7, 2026. Open the first seven days of every month.

Anhedonia Press. Genre: Drabbles (100 words exactly). See theme. Payment: 25 cents/word. Deadline: May 7, 2026.

University of Queensland Press Genre: Adult non-fiction submissions that address environmental sustainability and the climate crisis. We are looking for potential new books that engage with current science, with themes of hope, resilience and innovation. Full or partial manuscripts (minimum 15,000 words) will be accepted. They do not publish books in the following categories: Genre fiction (including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and erotica), travel guides, cookbooks, self-help books, plays/scripts/music scores, textbooks, unrevised theses or conference proceedings. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 7, 2026. Open the first seven days of every month.

#EnbyLife Journal: Lineage, Restrictions: Open to non-binary and gender diverse creatives only. Genre: Poetry, microfiction (under 100 words), and art. See theme. Payment: $30 AUD. Deadline: May 7, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: May 8, 2026.

Lucky Jefferson: En Recuerdo De. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, hybrid work, and poetry on the Recuerdo theme. Payment: $25 - $35. Deadline: May 10, 2026.

Blood Clot! Revolution. Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers only. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $5-25; they also offer a $50 prize for the best story. Deadline: May 12, 2026. Accepts reprints.

 

Georgia Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, non-fiction. Payment: $50 per printed page for prose and $4 per line for poetry. Essay-reviews and standard reviews earn honoraria of $50/printed page. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Goblins & Galaxies Magazine. Genre: Sword & sorcery, dark fantasy, and science fiction stories under 6,000 words. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word for original fiction. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Opens May 7.

filling station. Genre: Stories, poems, CNF, nonfiction, and art. See theme. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Flash Fiction Online. Restrictions: Open to historically underrepresented and marginalized authors. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. See theme. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 14, 2026.

In a Flash. Genre: CNF, 500 words max. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Pinhole Poetry. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Payment: $5 CAD. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Extremely Weird Splatter. Genre: Stories that highlight the awesome potential released when extreme aesthetics and splatter savvy fuse with weird that leaves “grounded” behind. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Scryptid Games: Tales from the Cryptids Anthology. Genre: Games, fiction, poetry, and other ephemera. See theme. Payment: $0.10/word for original fiction and games, $50 for original poems, $25 for ephemera. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Longer Worlds. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy novelettes and novellas, between 7,500 and 25,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Screaming Scorpion Press: Sinister Soiree – A Celebration Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror stories involving celebrations: birthdays, graduations, weddings, baby showers, bachelorette parties, etc.-just nothing attached to a specific holiday. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Outlook Springs. Genre: "Send us your weird, wobbly wordwork: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry." Payment: $10 per poem, $10 per flash piece (under 1,000 words), $25 for short fiction and essays (over 1,000 words). Payment via PayPal or Venmo. Deadline: May 15, 2026. Note: They close early if they hit their submission cap.

Fourteen Poems Genre: Poems. "We want to represent all that's thrilling about the new wave of LGBT+ poets. If you’re a poet, even if you’ve never been published before, we want to read your work. Every issue we publish 14 of the best queer poems we’ve found, and we want to include you! We publish 4 times a year, but take submissions all year round. To be considered, email up to 5 poems, preferably in a pdf format, with a small paragraph about yourself." Payment: £30 for each poem published. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

The Lorelei Signal. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, and poetry with strong female characters. Payment: $15 for short stories, $5 for poems and flash (<1000 wds) fiction pieces, $5 for reprints. Deadline: May 15, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 15, 2026. 

Tableware. Genre: Art, poetry, fiction, essays, photography, reviews. Most anything you can print on paper. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Poetry Magazine. Restrictions: Open to poets born and/or raised in the city and writers who have lived in Chicago for around seven years at some point in their lives. Genre: Poetry. Theme: Chicago. Payment: $500 per text and visual poem, $600 per video poem. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Orion's Belt. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: 1200 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, messages from heaven, angels. Genre: True stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! Payment: $200. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Way Downstream. Restrictions: Open to queer, trans, and gender variant authors. Genre: Prose between 4,000–10,000 words. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2026. Reprints accepted.

Tableware. Genre: Art, poetry, fiction, essays, photography, reviews. Most anything you can print on paper. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Inkd Publishing: Beyond 2026. Genre: Science Fiction. See theme. Payment: Minimum $10. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Pet Monsters. Genre: Short stories. Pet Monsters plays on the classic "Mom, can I keep it?" question. Some strange creature – an under-the-bed monster, critters hiding in the garage, or secret basement friends – end up discovered by our wide-eyed protagonist, but that new pet may not be housebroken. Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Three-Lobed Burning Eye. Genre: Horror, fantasy, science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: May 16, 2026.

Missed Fits. Genre: Speculative short stories (science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.) about someone or something that doesn’t fit, that is missing, that is out of place. Payment: 8 cents U.S. per word. Deadline: May 16, 2026.

Utopia Science Fiction. Genre: Utopian science fiction. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

Saros Speculative Fiction: Breaking the Mold. Genre: Speculative fiction submissions on the theme, Breaking the Mold. Payment: $33 CAD. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

Chronicle Books. Genre: Children's books. "We are looking for projects that have a unique bent—be it in subject matter, writing style, or illustrative technique—and that will lend our list a distinctive flair. We are interested in fiction and nonfiction books for children of all ages as well as board books, decks, activity kits, and other unusual or "novelty" formats." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

Sine Theta Magazine. Restrictions: Open to people of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original 'homeland' of that heritage. Genre: All genres of visual and literary work as long as they relate to the current theme. (See theme) Payment: $10. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

Griffith Review. Genre: Non-fiction and fiction that responds to the theme "Out of Office." Payment: AUD$0.75 per word. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

The Stinging Fly is an Irish magazine that accepts submissions from around the world. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction: €30 per magazine page; Poetry: €50 per poem; Featured Poet: €250. Deadline: May 20, 2026.

Cat Eye Press: Don’t Go for the Vault – A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror stories involving bank robberies. See theme. Payment: $0.05/word. Deadline: May 20, 2026.

Don’t Go for the Vault: A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror. Theme: Bank Robbery. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: May 20, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Electric Lit: The Commuter. Genre: Poetry, flash, graphic, and experimental narratives. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 24, 2026 Closes when cap is reached.

Electric Lit: Personal Narrative Genre: Personal essay. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 24, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Free the Verse: If you say so. Genre: Poem. See theme. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 25, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Wyrd Warfare 3. Genre: Short stories. More Combat! More arcane action! More war and wizardry! Still wyrd! Join warfighters from across all time and space for one more journey into the strange and unknown. Psychic soldiers and angelic apparitions. Will an alien invasion unite East and West? Nations beg for the aid of supernatural allies, but at what price? Rebels and mercenaries aren't the only threats in post-colonial Africa. Lost submarines "still on patrol." Nice fleet you have there, be a shame if some old sea god got mad about it… Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 29, 2026.

Kweli Journal. "Kweli is the first online journal of its kind to celebrate community and cultural kinships. In this shared space, you will hear the lived experience of people of color. Our many stories. Our shared histories. Our creative play with language. Here our memories are wrapped inside the music of the Muscogee, the blues songs of the South, the clipped patois of the Caribbean." Genre: Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry. Length: No more than 7,000 words. Payment: "Upon publication." Deadline: May 30, 2026.

The Waxed Lemon. Genre: Poetry, flash fiction, short stories. Payment: €50 per poem, €50 per flash fiction piece, and €100 per short story. Deadline: May 30, 2026.

DILIM Press: DILIM Anthology of Dark Fiction from the Philippine Diaspora – Galleon Dreaming. Genre: Short stories in the following genres: historical fiction, magical realism, fantasy, science fiction, horror, adventure, mystery, or up to 5 poems. Send fiction up to 7,000 words, or poetry up to 5,000 words. They also accept reprints. See theme. Payment: $0.07/word for originals. Deadline: May 30, 2026.

Tasavvur. Genre: South Asian speculative fiction. Payment: 3 cents per word, up to a maximum of 5,000 words. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

AGNI: Proximity Portfolio (Writing). Restrictions: Women writers and artists of color. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. Payment: $30/page for prose, $50/page for poetry, up to $300. We welcome works in translation, with a preference for translators who also identify as women of color.” Deadline: May 31, 2026.

New Orleans Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, there are no submission fees for all API writers for the month of May, not limited to those living in/born in the US.

Memezine. Genre: Traditional or hybrid pieces that directly or indirectly engage with the intersections of humanity and technology. This includes (but is not limited to) memes, political/currentevents, viral content, trends, social media, pop/internetculture, technology, and any other work that blursthe linesbetween art, literature, and content. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Augur Magazine. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $0.14 cents (CAD) per word for short fiction (1000+ words), and a flat fee of $112.00 per flash fiction piece (1000 words and under); $100 per poem. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Deadline for trans, disabled, and/or BIPOC creators and creators residing in Canada/Turtle Island.

Usawa Literary Review: Refuse. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, interviews, book reviews, and translations — "through caste and gender, ecology and the body, disgust and endurance. Work that asks what a society throws away to call itself clean, and what continues to speak from the heap, the grave, the wound." Payment: INR 1000 / $12 per accepted piece, Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Drabbles. Genre: Horror Drabbles. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dark Moments Monthly Challenge. Genre: Dark fiction drabbles (Word count: 100). Payment: 4 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Monthly call.

Game Over Books. Genre: Novels. Payment: 30% Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Adi Magazine. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Payment: $150 per poem. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Childhood Fears. Genre: Horror stories with kids as main characters, finding themselves in scary situations. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

100 Word Project. Genre: Drabbles of exactly 100 words. See theme. Payment: $1. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

The Offing. Genre: Translation poetry and CNF. Payment: $25 - $100. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Heartlines Spec. Restrictions: "Since Heartlines Spec is primarily a Canadian magazine, we're looking to feature writers identifying as being from Canada/Turtle Island. This includes expats, new immigrants, and people who refuse/resist Canadian Identity. Our goal for each issue is to publish at least 50% Canadian content." Genre: Short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships: platonic, romantic, or familial. "We want stories and poetry with strong, confident relationships amid all the sci-fi/fantasy. We are especially interested in stories featuring queer platonic relationships, ace/aro love stories, and polycules." Payment: $0.08 CAD per word for short fiction and $80 CAD flat for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Qwerty. Genre: Art, Poetry, Prose. Theme: Stories, poems, and otherwise artistic interpretations on the theme of dark architecture and pseudoarchaeology. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Anibon Press. Genre: Poetry and prose chapbooks questioning animal and spiritual encounters, cryptozoological and pseudoscientific treatises, and other hybrid texts interested in more than human ideas and stories. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Shacklebound Books: Witches & Warlocks. Genre: Drabbles (exactly 100 words) on theme. See site. Payment: Flat fee of $5. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Don’t Go for the Vault: A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror. Theme: Bank Robbery. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and other underrepresented voices: May 21– May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: All genres of flash fiction. Translations and reprints. Payment: $36. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: Slayer. Genre: All monster hunter stories. From dragons and dinosaurs, to Cthulhu and sirens, to the usual vampires and werewolves. Gore, horror, and originality are appreciated. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: FAERIE CONTRACT. Genre: All fairy stories across all genres. Fae, selkies, brownies, etc. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Tolka. Genre: Non-fiction: personal essay, memoir, reportage, travel writing, auto-fiction, and the writing that falls in between. Length: 2,000 - 4,000 words. Payment: €600. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

AGNI. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $20 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Fee to submit online. No fee to submit by USPS.

Black Fox Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themes. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

The London Magazine. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Nonbinary Review. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: Up to 3,000 words for prose; up to 3 pages for poetry. See theme. Payment: $0.01/word for prose, $10 for poetry. $25 flat fee for visual art, or $50 for pieces chosen as cover art. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Cat Eye Press: Don’t Go for the Vault – A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror stories involving bank robberies. See theme. Payment: $0.05/word. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and other underrepresented voices: May 21– May 31, 2026.

Litmag. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. "What We Look For: Work that moves and amazes us.We are drawn to big minds, large hearts, sharp pens." Length: Print: 15,000 words; Online: 4,000 words. Payment: Print: $300 for full-length fiction or nonfiction (5,000+ words); $150 for fiction or nonfiction (2,500-4,999 words); $100 for a short short (flash); $100 for a poem or group of short poems. LitMag Online: Upon acceptance, $100. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $35 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Free submissions for Canadians only.

Escape Pod. Genre: Science fiction (Audio and written format). Payment: USD $0.08 per word for original fiction. USD $100 per story for reprint fiction. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Reprints accepted.

Haven Speculative. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Indie Bites. Genre: Fantasy. See theme. Payment: £5. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Roxanne Gay. Genre: Unagented books. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Plenitude. Restrictions: Canadian citizens living in Canada or abroad; those who identify as Indigenous; and/or residents of Canada (temporary residents or refugees). LGBTQ2S+ writers only. Genre: Poetry, Fiction. Payment: $60 per poem, $125 for fiction and CNF. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Channel. Genre: Fiction, art, creative non-fiction, and poetry that engages with the natural world, and have a particular interest in work which encourages reflection on human interaction with plant and animal life, landscape and the self. Payment: €40/poem, and €50/page of prose up to €150. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Folded Space. Genre: Speculative fiction. Length: 3,000 words up to 7,000 words. Podcast. Payment: $0.02 USD per word for original work that has never been published and $0.01 USD per word for reprints. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Kirby Fantasy Fiction Magazine. Genre: Fantasy. See theme. Payment: £0.05 per word. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Zombies Need Brains: Were-2 Anthology. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, or urban fantasy stories where the story revolves around were creatures. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Reader Beware. Genre: Horror. Payment: $0.01/word for fiction, $0.05/line for poetry, $5/page for comics. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $75 for poems, memoirs, flash, fiction, and art, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews web issues. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

Princeton Series of Contemporary Poets. Genre: Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Read full guidelines HERE. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Poetry collections (40+ pages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

University Press of Kentucky. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when submission cap is reached, so submit early.

Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series. Restrictions: Open to any individual living in the U.S. who identifies as an immigrant and who either (i) was born in another country, (ii) has at least one parent who was born in another country (iii) is a refugee, or (iv) lives in the United States under Asylum or a Protection Program, such as TPS or DACA. Genre: Books of poetry, prose (fiction or nonfiction), and hybrid texts of poetry and prose. Payment: In addition to publication, marketing, and a standard royalties contract from Black Lawrence Press, authors chosen for the Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series will receive a travel stipend of $500, which can be used for book tours or in any manner chosen by the authors. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

(s)crawl magazine. Restrictions: Open to work by LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, BIPOC, disabled, women, and gender-diverse writers. Genre: Horror fiction and poetry. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

 

AND A FEW MORE...

Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Poetry, short fiction. See themes. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Green Writers Press is an independent, Vermont-based publishing company dedicated to spreading environmental awareness and social justice by publishing authors who promulgate messages of hope and renewal through place-based writing and environmental activism. Genre: Adult/juvenile fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cat Stories. Genre: True stories and poems. "We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words that highlight the unique personalities that cats have. Celebrate your cat, or a cat you know, with a wonderful story about what he or she does. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both." Payment: $200. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

The Paris Review. Genres: Prose. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens June 1, 2026, and closes when they reach capacity.

Roses & Wildflowers: Anarchy and Harmony. Genre: Mythopoeic fiction, poetry, and art. See theme. Payment: $20 for fiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: June 1, 2026. May close early if cap is reached.