63 Writing Contests in December 2017 - No entry fees

The end of the year is always marked by a substantial number of writing contests. This December there are dozens of poetry, short story, essay, and full manuscript contests for every genre and style. Some of the prizes are substantial. None of these contests charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and regional restrictions, so be sure to check submission guidelines before submitting.

Many contests are annual, so if you miss your ideal contest this year,  you can always enter next year. For a month-by-month list of free contests see: Writing Contests

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Poetry Center at Smith College Prize. Restrictions: Open to sophomore or junior high school girls in New England. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Donald Murray Prize for Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Original, unpublished works of creative nonfiction with a preference for essays on writing, teaching, and teaching writing, but will consider quality entries on any subject, including topics related to social justice, civic action, and inequality. Prize:  $300 in the form of an AMEX gift card and publication in the Spring 2018 issue of Writing on the Edge. All entries will be considered for publication in the journal. Length: 8,000 words maximum (2500–4500 preferred) Deadline: December 1, 2017.

‘Geo-Lit’ Writing Contest. Genre: Short stories between 500 words and 1500 words set at a real location in New York City. Prize: First place $100, and a $50 prize will awarded by Literary Manhattan. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Unified Caring Association Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to US High School Juniors and Seniors. Genre: Essay on topic: If you were the President of the United States, what would you do to promote Peace and Unity? Word count: 500 - 550 words. Prize: 10 first prizes of $333 scholarship; 10 second place essays will each receive a $100 scholarship Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Quantum Shorts Competition. Genre: Short story, max 1,000 words, that draws on the strange ways of quantum particles and anticipate a new era of quantum technology. You must also include the phrase: "There are only two possibilities: yes or no." Prize: Up to US$1500 and digital subscriptions to Scientific American magazine. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Tony Quagliano Poetry Fund, International Poetry Award. Restrictions: Open to poets who have a published body of work over a period of years. Poems must be in English. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

The David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction is offered annually to the best book in American historical fiction that is both excellent fiction and excellent history. Prize: $1.000.  Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest for Canadian Youth. Restrictions: Canadians, grades 7-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $400. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Brunel University African Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to poets who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African. Genre: 10 poems exactly. Prize: 3,000 pounds. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

The Schneider Family Book Award is sponsored by the American Library Association. The award honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Prize: Three annual awards each consisting of $5000 and a framed plaque, will be given annually in each of the following categories: birth through grade school (age 0-10), middle school (age 11-13) and teens (age 13-18). (Age groupings are approximations). Genre: May be fiction, biography, or other form of nonfiction. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Thomas and Lillie D. Chaffin Award for Appalachian Writing. Restrictions: Open to published writers who are writing from the region. Genres: All. Prize: $1000. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

The Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry. Restrictions: Open to African poets who have not yet published a collection of poetry. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1,000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion Press in Senegal. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

The Pushcart Prize honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in small presses and literary magazines. Magazine and small press editors may nominate up to six works. Pushcart Press publishes yearly anthologies of the winning submissions. Prize: Publication.  Deadline: December 1, 2017.

The Lyric College Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to undergraduates enrolled full time in an American or Canadian college or university. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Emerging Poets Fellowship at Poets House. Restrictions: Applicants to the Emerging Poets Fellowship at Poets House must reside in one of the five boroughs of New York City. Students who are or will be enrolled in any degree granting program during Spring 2018 are ineligible. Deadline: December 1, 2017. There is no application fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

The W.Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction honors the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. It recognizes the service of American veterans and military personnel and encourages the writing and publishing of outstanding war-related fiction. Genre: Military fiction. Prize: $5000. Deadline: December 1, 2017.

Literature Matters. Restrictions: UK residents. Genre: "Awards will be given to individual writers or other literary creators, recognising their past achievements and providing them with financial support to undertake a proposed new piece of writing or literary project. Launched as part of the RSL’s new Literature Matters programme, priority will be given to proposals which (a) will help connect with audiences or topics outside the usual reach of literature, and/or (b) will help generate public discussion about why literature matters." Award: £20,000. Deadline: December 4, 2017.

Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award. Restrictions: Open to an LGBTQ writer who has shown exceptional talent and the potential for continued literary success and significance in the future. The nominee must have published at least one but no more than two books, written in the discipline of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Works must be in the English language. Prize: $1,500. Deadline: December 5, 2017.

Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) provides direct support to individual Bronx artists who create literary, media, visual, and performing works of art. Prize: 25 BRIO grants of $3,000 each are awarded to Bronx artists. BRIO award winners complete a one-time public service activity. Deadline: December 8, 2017.

Friends of American Writers. Restrictions: The author must be a resident (or previously have been a resident for approximately five years) of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota or Wisconsin; or the locale of the book must be in a region identified above. The author must not have published more than three books under his/her own pen name. Genres: Books can be fiction or creative non-fiction and published in 2017. Self-published and e-Books are not eligible. Prize: $4000. Deadline: December 10, 2017.

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest. Restrictions: Registered undergraduate full-time Juniors or Seniors at accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States during the Fall 2015 Semester. Genre: Essay Topic: Articulate with clarity an ethical issue that you have encountered and analyze what it has taught you about ethics and yourself. 3,000 to 4,000 words. Prize: First Prize $5,000, 2nd Prize $2,500, 3rd Prize $1,500, two Honorable Mentions $500 each. Deadline: December 11, 2017. Read details here.

White River Environmental Law Writing Competition is sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and Vermont Law School. Restrictions: Open to all students currently pursuing a degree (J.D. or LL.M) at an accredited law school in the United States. Submissions written as a class component, as a journal requirement, or otherwise for academic credit are acceptable. Genre: Original essays addressing any relevant topic in the fields of environmental law, natural resource law, energy law, environmental justice, land use law, animal law, and agricultural law. Prize: $1000 cash prize and an offer of publication with the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. Deadline: December 11, 2017.

J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award. Genre: Uncompleted work of nonfiction on a topic of American political or social concern. Prize: $30,000 fellowship. Deadline: December 11, 2017.

Deborah Rogers Foundation Award. Restrictions: Applicants may not be under contract to any publisher for any work or title. Applications are only open to writers who have not previously published or self-published a full length book of their own prose writing (with the exception of a collection of poetry). Entrants must write in the English language and reside within the British Commonwealth and Eire. Genre: Excerpt: 20-30,000 words of a work in progress, fiction or non-fiction, which is not under option or contract. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: December 13, 2017.

Spark Award: Held by SCBWI , open to members of SCBWI who are self-published. Genres: Fiction and nonfiction. Prize: Envy. The SCBWI is our most prestigious national organization (US) for children's book and YA writers. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Whiting Prize. Restrictions: Applicants must be not-for-profit literary magazines in the US, annual budgets of no more than $500,000, and have published at least annually for at least three years. Genre: This contest is for print and digital literary magazines. Prize: $30,000 - $60,000. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Exiled Writers Ink Free Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to UK refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First Prize £400 plus The Literary Consultancy’s free detailed report on the winner’s poetry collection; Second Prize £200 plus a free course at the prestigious Poetry; School; Third Prize £100. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Barbara Kyle’s 4th Annual Manuscript Evaluation Contest. Genre: Manuscript. (Genre not specified) Prize: Grand Prize: evaluation of a full manuscript: Second Prize: evaluation of the first 50 pages of a manuscript: Third Prize: evaluation of the first 25 pages of a manuscript. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Women Artists Datebook. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $70. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Rider University Annual High School Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genres: Essays, poetry, fiction. Prizes: 1st-$100, 2nd-$50, 3rd-$25. Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Arts & Letters Awards. Restrictions: Open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Genres: poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, dramatic script, art, music, and French language. Entries must be unpublished and completed during the previous 12 months. Prizes: C$1,000 and C$250.  Deadline: December 15, 2017.

Alice Fay Di Castagnola Award.  Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter. Genre: Poetry, unpublished and published. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Lucille Medwick Memorial Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter. Genre: Poetry, unpublished and published. Original poem in any form on a humanitarian theme. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Cecil Hemley Memorial Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter. Genre: Poetry, unpublished and published. Lyric poem that addresses a philosophical or epistemological concern. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Lyric Poetry Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter. Genre: A lyric poem on any subject. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

The Writer Magazine/Emily Dickinson Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter for free. Genre: A poem inspired by Dickinson though not necessarily in her style. Prize: $250. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

George Bogin Memorial Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter for free. Other must pay a $15 entry fee. Genre: Poetry that takes a stand against oppression. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Robert H. Winner Memorial Award. Restrictions: Only Poetry Society of America members may enter for free. There is a charge of $15 for non-members. Open to mid-career poets who have not had substantial recognition, and is over forty, and who have published no more than one book. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to residents of California. Genre: Book of poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Prize: Medal. Deadline: December 22, 2017.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association. BCALA presents four awards to an African American writer published in the United States during the previous year: one for adult fiction, one for nonfiction, one for a first novelist and one for poetry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. Prize: Four $500.00 awards. Deadline: December 29, 2017.

Posen Society of Fellows Awards. Genre: Jewish-themed dissertation. Prize: $40,000 fellowship. Deadline: December 30, 2017.

Ouen Press Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story on theme of "Taste." Prize: £300 top prize. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Best Translated Book Awards for Fiction. Genre: All original translations published between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 are eligible. Reprints and retranslation are ineligible. Prize: $5,000.00. Two awards of $5,000: one apiece for the author and translator of the winning book in fiction. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Best Translated Book Awards for Poetry. Genre: All original translations published between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 are eligible. Reprints and retranslation are ineligible. Prize: $5,000.00. Two awards of $5,000: one apiece for the author and translator of the winning book in fiction. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures. Awards are given for both fiction and nonfiction. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017. The winners are announced in the spring.

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, 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: C$200,000, is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Kansas Book Award. Restrictions: Author must establish a connection to Kansas by birth, education, employment, residence or other significant claim. Genre: Book of literary nonfiction. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction prose, up to 17,000 words. Prize: $1,000 with $5,000 grand prize. Deadline: December 31, 2017. Read details HERE.

Blue Mountain Arts Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poem. Prize: $300. Deadline: December 31, 2017. Read details HERE.

Best Translated Book Awards for Fiction and Poetry. Genre: Published translated poetry book or novel. Prize: $5,000: one apiece for the author and translator of the winning book. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Society of Classical Poets, Poetry Competition. Genre: Poetry. Three to five poems, each of which does not exceed 50 lines. The poems must be within the four themes used by the Society. Prize: First Prize: $500. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Viva la Novella. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand writers. Genre: Novella. Prize: $1,000 and publication in Seizure. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

USNI Naval History Essay Contest. Genre: Essay.  Prize: First Prize: $6,000. Second Prize:$3,000. Third Prize: $2,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Arnold Adoff Poetry Awards. Genre: Poetry books for children and young adults. Novels in verse, memoirs in verse, collections of original poetry, and edited collections are all acceptable formats for the awards. Prize: $500. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Goldstein, Lawrence, and Clayton Prizes in Poetry and Short Fiction. Sponsored by Michigan Quarterly Review. Genres: Poetry, short fiction. Prizes are given to the best poetry and fiction submitted to the MQR throughout the year. Follow their usual submission guidelines. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award in Literary Nonfiction. Restrictions: Author must establish a connection to Kansas by birth, education, employment, residence or other significant claim. Genre: Nonfiction book with a publication date of 2015, 2016 or 2017. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Neil Postman Award for Metaphor. Sponsored by Rattle. Genre: Poetry. All published submissions during the year are considered for the prize. Follow their regular submission guidelines. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Dapim: Studies on the Holocaust Article Prize Competition. Genre: Nonfiction of 7,000-10,000 words about the Holocaust. Prize: $1,000 top prize. Deadline: December 31, 2017.  Questions/submissions: dapim_h@univ.haifa.ac.il

Caribbean Writers Prizes. Genre: Short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, books. Prize: $400 - $500.  Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Lex:lead Essay Competition. Genre: Essay on topic: How can banking regulatory law reduce poverty and support economic development? Prize: $500. Deadline: December 31, 2017. You must register by November 30.

Walter Muir Whitehill Prize in Early American History. Genre: Essay on early American history (up to 1825), not previously published, with preference being given to New England subjects. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

William Carlos Williams Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to students attending allopathic or osteopathic schools of medicine in the United States and Canada. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $300.  Deadline: December 31, 2017.

Viva La Novella. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand writers. Genre: Novella. Prize: $1000. Deadline: December 31, 2017.

4 Noteworthy Writing Conferences and Workshops in December 2017

Anna Spiro

During the holidays, writing conferences slow down. However, the few conferences offered in December are vibrant with opportunities.

The New York Pitch Conference is ideal for anyone with a finished manuscript. Dozens of agents and editors attend this conference to listen to pitches, and not only do you get a chance to pitch to an agent, you can take workshops that teach you how to pitch. 

In an age in which agents frequently only accept submissions from writers they have met at a pitch conference, this is an event not to be missed.

I've said it before, and I will say it again - attending a conference is one of the best things you can do for your writing career. Conferences offer a unique opportunity to network with other writers, meet agents and pitch your book, and learn how the publishing industry works from editors and professionals.

I strongly urge you to plan ahead if you are thinking of attending a writing conference. Many offer scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost. And all of the intensive writing workshops have application deadlines. For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)

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LWC}NYC Writers Conference. Dec 7 - 8, 2017, NY, NY. Clinics, workshops and panels with industry professionals. Plus, Agent Speed Dating on December 7, 2017 offers meetings with agents from Don Congdon Associates, Fletcher & Company, Folio Literary Management, Trident Media Group, Writers House, and other top literary agencies—included in your registration, which also comes with two lunches and welcome coffee & bagels. Cost is $350.

The 2017 Mesa Book Festival. December 9, 2017, Mesa, Arizona. The festival features presentations, readings, visits with authors, and a poetry open mic. Participating authors include fiction writers Marcia Fine, Marsha Ward, Connie Wesala, and Natalie Wright; and creative nonfiction writers Bruce Davis, Jan Krulick-Belin, and Katrina Shawver. All events are free and open to the public.

The 2017 Hawai’i Writers’ Retreat. December 10-16, 2017, Puako, Hawai’i. Faculty: Sheila Bender; Brenda Miller. Mornings at the Hawai’i Writers’ Retreat feature intensive craft lectures, as well as generative-writing workshops.

New York Pitch Conference. Dec 14 - 17, 2017, 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. The registration fee until December 5 is $795.00, and $895.00 after that date. This fee covers all conference pitch sessions and workshops.

15 Famous Authors Who Were Published After 40

Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mark Twain, JRR Tolkein, and George Eliot

The drive to be successful while still in the first blush of youth may be appropriate for dancers, athletes, and models, but it does not apply to the contemplative arts. Writers who publish in their 20s may be jumping the gun, with too little life experience to back them up for the long haul.

This is not to say that writers in their 20s can't have talent. They obviously do. But creating a novel demands not just talent, but discipline, and a certain amount of - how shall I put it - cynicism.

So, dear younger writers, and dear older ones, take heart if you haven't published your novel and are now gazing at the looming age of 40 with dread (or looking back on it with nostalgia). Here is a list of fifteen famous authors who were published after the age of 40.

(Just for the record, while I can't claim fame, my first novel was published by Random House when I was 50.)

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1. Mary Ann Evans, better known as George Eliot, published her first novel, Adam Bede, at age 40. It was an instant success and Eliot went on to write six more novels.

2. William S. Burroughs' first book, Junky, was published in 1953, when Burroughs was 40. Naked Lunch appeared six years later.

3. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen-name, Mark Twain, published his first novel, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, when he was 41.

4. Marcel Proust didn’t publish the first volume of À la Recherche du Temps Perdu until he was 43. He paid for the publishing costs himself after the manuscript was rejected by the publishing house where Andre Gide was editor-in-chief.

5. Henry Miller's first book, Tropic of Cancer, was published when he was 44. The book had to be published in France, because it was too risque for the American market.

6. J. R. R. Tolkien's first novel, The Hobbit, was published when he was 45 years old. For the next ten years he worked on his trilogy, Lord of the Rings, only to encounter snags with his publisher when he had finished it. Lord of the Rings was published over the years 1954 and 1955, by which time he was 63.

7. Tony Hillerman published The Blessing Way when he was 45. His agent, Ann Elmo, famously told Hillerman to "Get rid of the Indian stuff."

8. Bram Stoker published his first novel, The Snake's Pass, when he was 43. He published Dracula when he was 50.

9. Alex Haley's The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published when he was 44. Roots, his second book, came out eleven years later, when he was 55.

10. Raymond Chandler’s first novel, The Big Sleep, was published in 1939, when he was 51.

11. Richard Adams published Watership Down at age 52. It was an instant classic

12. Annie Proulx, winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction, didn't publish her first novel, Postcards, until she was 57. The Shipping News was published a year later.

13. Daniel Defoe published his debut novel, Robinson Crusoe, at age 59.

14. Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book in her "Little House" series, Little House in the Big Woods, in 1932, when she was 65 years old. She finished her last book when she was 76.

15. Frank McCourt's memoir, Angela's Ashes, came out when he was 66.

What are the most popular fiction genres?

Determining the most popular fiction genres is not as straightforward a task as it may seem. Is popularity judged by how many people say they prefer a certain genre, by books actually read, by revenue, or by books published? Each of these questions will yield a different answer.

Time period is also a consideration. Are we looking at last year's books, last decade's books, or all-time publishing and sales records? The infographic to the left from Ebook Friendly is a compilation of all book sales for which there are figures. Children's books are clearly the winner. But one has to take into account the boost in sales generated by the Harry Potter series, which alone generated $25 billion in revenue, selling more than 400 million books worldwide. And while the Harry Potter books may be classed as children's fiction, they may also be classed as cross-over, fantasy, and magical realism.

Given these complexities, let's break down what is meant by popularity based on what people say they read (which encompasses books people borrow from libraries), which books are sold, which genres generate the greatest revenue, and which books agents and publishers predict will sell, as these will produce the greatest number of contracts.

Preferences

According to Bubble Cow, the most popular genre in the U.S. is Fantasy. (This is based on Amazon sales.)

However, according to Nielsen BookScan, which compiles data on actual sales, the most popular adult genre in 2022 was romance, followed by suspense/thrillers. Children's books sold more than three times the number of adult books.

The most popular genres according to 2015 Nielson sales data are:

Children's General Fiction (49,325)
Children's Science Fiction/Fantasy/Magic (44,578)
Children's Social Situations/Family/Health (24,932)

Adult General Fiction (35,101)
Adult Romance (28,031)
Adult Suspense/Thrillers (21,783)

What Genres Do Agents Request?

The top fiction genres that agents request don't necessary correspond to the genres with the most sales. The reason for this is that agents work on commission. Their percentage (usually 15%) is based on the amount of money books generate. So while children's books may sell more copies, they usually cost less than adult or YA fiction. In addition, media options for games, film, and TV are more likely to pan out for YA and adult contracts. (Harry Potter breaks all the rules.) According to Query Tracker the top ten most requested genres are:

1 Young Adult
2 Fantasy
3 Literary Fiction
4 Children's
5 Science Fiction
6 Thrillers/Suspense
7 Middle Grade
8 Romance
9 Historical
10 Women's Fiction

Which Genres Make the Most Money?

At $1.44 billion, Romance and Erotica are #1 in sales. That figure includes self-published romance as well. With 30 million dedicated readers, it's hard to miss if you write in this genre. As anyone in advertising knows, sex sells.

According to Bookstr, Crime and Mystery novels come in second at $728.2 million. People have a fascination with murder, whether it's a "cozy" murder in the Cotswolds or "torture porn." The fact that most murders are relatively mundane crimes committed against family members, neighbors, and friends does not lessen the appeal of hunting for "who dunnit."

Inspirational and Religious books generated $720 million in 2012. This number reflects the fact that the Bible is the most published book of all time, but it also reflects the popularity of self-help and other inspirational titles, which have gained a large share of the market.

Fantasy and Science Fiction come in at $590 million. Like Romance, Sci-fi and Fantasy have dedicated readers, which means there is a steady market. This is why so many agents include SFF on their wish lists.

You will notice that the books agents are most interested in don't have a one-to-one correspondence with the books that have generated the most sales. For example, many agents put YA at the top of their lists, while Romance actually generates the most sales. The reason for the discrepancy is two-fold; 1) Romance authors can easily publish their work without the help of an agent, either with a Romance publisher or on their own, and 2) YA is a developing market.

According to The Balance, the number of YA titles more than doubled between 2002 and 2012 — over 10,000 YA books came out in 2012 versus about 4,700 in 2002, and this upward trajectory is only increasing. Agents not only choose manuscripts based on what is happening now in the publishing industry, but on projected sales. It takes a year or more after a contract is signed to get a book on the shelves, and that's not counting the time it takes to make a sale. Agents, like publishers, have to keep an eye on trends.

Which Genre Should You Write?

That is an easy question to answer: Write whatever genre that suits you. Don't base your decision on the genres agents want, or on the market. If your heart isn't in what you are writing, you'll only make yourself miserable. Ultimately, the writers who are the most successful have followed their own ideas, their own inspiration, their own muse. My advice is to write what you care about — and keep your day job.

Book Fairs: Are They Worth It for Self-Published Authors?

Frankfurt Book Fair

Updated 11/2/23

Large international book fairs, such as Frankfurt and Bologna, are where industry professionals meet to buy and sell rights, arrange for subsidiary rights, such as film and games, and scope out what's hot in the literary market.

Can self-published authors set up a table at international book fairs? Technically, no. But in 2013, Tina Seskis formed a shell publishing company (hers was the only published book on the list), and exhibited at Frankfurt. She ended up nabbing a $500,000 deal with HarperCollins.

In general, setting up a shell company is frowned upon, and venues are tightening up their restrictions. But you can still exhibit if you have self-published. Combined Book Exhibit offers self-publishers the opportunity to showcase their books (print or ebook) and/or advertise it for a few hundred, rather than a few thousand dollars. There is an annual membership fee of $150.

The question is: Should self-publishers invest a few hundred dollars? Showing your book at a book fair can be an advantage, provided you (the author) intend to make an appearance and know how to make a sale. Tina Seskis actually attended the Frankfurt Book Fair and set up a booth, so she was able to negotiate a deal. If you aren't there to represent yourself, and your book is merely displayed, it won't attract anyone's attention.

The other thing to consider is whether your book already has a track record. Most publishers are reluctant to make a deal with an author who has no fans, and whose books have not garnered significant sales. (Selling over 10,000 books in the first year is considered significant.)

The bottom line for first-time self-publishers is not to waste your money on an international book fair. However, if you happen to live near one of these events, it is worth attending as a member of the public, if only to get a taste of what is available to publishers.

While international book fairs may not be the best option for self-published authors, local and regional book fairs are another matter entirely. These present many opportunities for local authors to read, sell and sign books, and lead workshops. Local fairs are an excellent means of building a fan base, as well as making contact with other authors. If you would like to exhibit, costs are much lower than for international fairs, and the logistics are easier to manage. You can find out if there is a fair in your region by contacting your local chamber of commerce, or by googling "book fair" and your city.

Recommended reading

Read Jane Friedman's article on BEA before investing your time and money: Authors: Think Twice Before Paying to Exhibit at Book Expo (BEA)

Indie Author Fringe advises against international book fairs: Authors, Don’t Waste your Money: Book Fair Bewares: David Gaughran

Debbie Young points out that even if you don't exhibit your book, fairs are a good opportunity for meeting people in the industry, attending talks, and learning about publishing: Publishing Conferences & Book Fairs – What’s In Them for Self-published Authors?

For a complete list of all international fairs (there are over a hundred) see: 2 Seas International Book Fair Calendar

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International Book Fairs

New Delhi World Book Fair

New Delhi, India

The New Delhi World Book Fair is India's second oldest book fair after the Kolkata Book Fair. India is the third biggest market for English publications with almost 12,000 publishers that publish around 90,000 titles a year in more than 18 languages. Visitors come from India as well as the USA, Bangladesh, France, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Germany.

Bologna Children's Book Fair

Bologna, Italy

The Bologna Children's Book Fair is the world's leading event for children's book authors and publishers. This is where all industry professionals involved with creating and publishing children's books buy and sell rights for books, translations, and for derived products like movies or animated series. Major awards are also given at the fair, the Bologna Ragazzi Awards, in four categories: Fiction, Non-fiction, New Horizons (for the non-Western world) and Opera Prima (for first works).

London Book Fair

Olympia, London, UK

The London Book Fair is the second largest international book fair, after Frankfurt. Over 1700 exhibitors participate in The London Book Fair, representing a wide range of interests and markets within the publishing industry.

American Library Association Annual Conference
New Orleans, LA

The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world with more than 62,000 members. The ALA annual conference is one of the largest professional conferences in existence, typically drawing over 25,000 attendees.

Beijing International Book Fair

Beijing, China

The Chinese market is one of the largest and fastest growing in the world. With over 2 billion people, education is a high priority for the government. Every Chinese child is required to learn English when they enter school which puts English language content in high demand. The Beijing Book Fair is attended by over 30,000 people each year. In attendance are publishers, distributors, literary agents, consumers, digital media companies, film and production companies and bookstores.

Frankfurt Book Fair

Frankfurt am Main, Germany

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's largest trade fair for books. With 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 countries representing book publishing, multimedia and technology companies, it is considered the most important book fair for international deals and trading.  Publishers, agents, booksellers, librarians, academics, illustrators, service providers, film producers, translators, professional and trade associations, institutions, artists, authors, antiquarians, software and multimedia suppliers all participate in the events.

Tickets for individuals range from 19 Euros for one day to 30 euros for two days. Exhibition space costs 372 - 450 euros per square meter. Custom-designed stands can be over 40 square meters. There are additional charges to set up early. In addition there are lighting fees, furniture rentals, surcharges, which bring costs up to the thousands.

Major Book Fairs in the US

Brooklyn Book Festival

The Brooklyn Book Festival is the largest free literary event in New York City, presenting an array of national and international literary stars and emerging authors. One of America’s premier book festivals, this diverse gathering attracts thousands of book lovers of all ages to enjoy authors and the festival’s lively literary marketplace. If you live in New York, the publishing hub of the US, plan on attending this event.

National Book Festival

This yearly festival is held in Washington, DC and is sponsored by the Library of Congress. Tens of thousands of visitors from all over the country attend. The Library live-streamed the entire Main Stage event on its Facebook page, where it was watched by thousands of viewers. The Festival is free and open to the public.

The Miami Book Fair International

The Miami Book Fair International describes itself as an "eight-day literary party." The highlight of the event is the Festival of Authors, with more than 450 authors reading and discussing their work, including the Latin American and Spanish authors who participate in the IberoAmerican Authors Program. More than 250 publishers and booksellers exhibit and sell books, with special features like the antiquarians, who showcase signed first editions, original manuscripts and other collectibles. There are programs for children, workshops, presentations, and every kind of literary event you can think of.

Baltimore Book Festival

The Baltimore Book Festival is sponsored by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is a non-profit organization that serves as Baltimore City’s official arts council, events agency and film office. 

Virginia Festival of the Book

The Virginia Festival of the Book is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. Authors have ranged from international bestsellers to debut authors. Past participants include Rick Atkinson, Edward Ayers, David Baldacci, Maureen Corrigan, Edwidge Danticat, Kate DiCamillo, Rita Dove, Alan Furst, John Grisham, Jan Karon, Jim Lehrer, Frances Mayes, Colum McCann, David McCullough, Alice McDermott, Yewande Omotoso, Katherine Paterson, Jon Scieszka, Lisa Scottoline, Pete Seeger, Karin Slaughter, Alexander McCall Smith, Lee Smith, Bryan Stevenson, Joseph Stiglitz, Elizabeth Strout, Judith Viorst, and Charles Wright. The headliner for the 2018 Festival is Khizr Khan, author of An American Family and This Is Our Constitution.

Texas Book Festival

The Texas Book Festival features 250 nationally and critically recognized authors, more than 20 venues including the State Capitol, 80 exhibitors, live music, local food trucks, family activities, and  opportunities to meet authors. Founded in 1995 by First Lady Laura Bush, the Festival has hosted thousands of notable and award-winning authors over the years, including Margaret Atwood, Robert Caro, Sandra Cisneros, Salman Rushdie, Cheryl Strayed, Walter Mosley, Molly Shannon, Frank McCourt, Ziggy Marley, Liz Carpenter, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and many others.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

The LA Times Festival is held every year on the University of Southern California campus. Over 150,000 people typically attend the Festival, which features writers, poets, artists, filmmakers and musicians. Past participants have included Margaret Atwood, T.C. Boyle, Bryan Cranston, Cory Doctorow, and more writers and performers than I can count. Don't miss this event if you live in LA.

Louisiana Book Festival

This one-day annual festival held in Baton Rouge attracts tens of thousands of visitors. The event is sponsored by the State Library of Louisiana, the Louisiana Center for the Book, the Louisiana Library Foundation and local businesses.The festival features author signings and readings, workshops, exhibits, food, activities for children, and (of course) live music.

Chicago Tribune Printer's Row Lit Fest

The Printers Row Lit Fest was founded in 1985 by the Near South Planning Board to attract visitors to the Printers Row neighborhood (once the city's bookmaking hub). By 2002, it had grown to five city blocks (South Dearborn Street from Harrison to Polk, Harold Washington Library Center and Jones College Prep High School), attracting more than 100 booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books and featuring more than 200 authors participating in panels, discussions and a variety of other programs. It is now the largest literary festival in the Mid-West.

Jewish Book Festivals

There are more Jewish book festivals than I can name. You can find a list of them HERE. (If you type "Jewish Book Festivals" into a Google search, you will find dozens more.) Jewish culture places a high value on literacy and on literature. If you are a Jewish author, these are great events to participate in. 

3 New Literary Agents Actively Seeking Scifi, Fantasy, Adult Fiction, YA & More

Here are three agents actively building their client lists. Rachel Horowitz (Bent Agency) specializes in children’s and commercial adult fiction. Jennifer Haskin (The Corvisiero Agency) is seeking young adult literature, fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian fiction. Lexi Wangler (Massie & McQuilkin) is primarily looking for literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, crime fiction, cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, essay collections, memoir and young adult fiction.

Before you query, go to the agency's website, read the agent's bio and check submission requirements. Submission requirements often change, and agents may switch agencies or close their lists.

If these agents do not suit your needs, you can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Lexi Wangler of Massie & McQuilkin

NO LONGER AN AGENT

Lexi Wangler is a junior agent and foreign rights associate at Massie & McQuilkin. She holds a dual MFA in Fiction and Writing for Children from The New School. Coming to MMQ from PEN American Center and the Irene Skolnick Literary Agency, she graduated from Loyola University of New Orleans in 2013. Lexi assists Maria on all foreign rights for Massie & McQuilkin, and is looking for books that focus on complex, three-dimensional characters, especially women and non-binary people.

She is passionate about representation across the race, class, gender and sexuality spectrum and uplifting voices that historically have had less of an opportunity to resonate. Subverting genre boundaries and strong, distinct voices are appealing to her, as are books that reflect truth back to the reader. Her MFA background is proof of her strong dedication to exemplary writing, and she prizes a clear narrative above all else.

What she is seeking: She is primarily looking for literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, crime fiction, cultural criticism, narrative nonfiction, essay collections, memoir and young adult fiction.

How to submit: To query Lexi, please email your query letter and the first ten pages of your manuscript pasted in the body of the email to Lexi@mmqlit.com with the word “query” in the subject line.
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Rachel Horowitz of the Bent Agency

NO LONGER AN AGENT

Rachel has spent nearly two decades in publishing, most recently as a children's literary scout at Maria Campbell Associates, and before that, as the Director of Rights & Co-Editions at Scholastic. While at Scholastic she helped build many successful author franchises, including Maggie Steifvater, Blue Balliet, Brian Selznick and Walter Wick. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and was a two-time writing fellow at the Breadloaf Writing Conference at Middlebury College in Vermont.

What she is seeking: Rachel is looking for well-crafted middle-grade stories that have heart, humor and adventure, and for YA, romance with an authentic voice, and stories that reflect what teens are grappling with today - girl power, body image, family dynamics, race relations. She is also looking for memoirs and fiction that feature a teen protagonist and can even be read by adults; The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls and The Age of Miracles by Karen Thomas Walker are good examples.

How to submit: Send query to:  horowitzqueries@thebentagency.com  Include the title of your project in the subject line of your email. Then paste the first ten pages of your book in the body of your email (not as an attachment, please).
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Jennifer Haskin of The Corvisiero Agency

NO LONGER AN AGENT

Jennifer Haskin is an agent, author, and portrait artist who lives in Olathe, Kansas. She began working for The Corvisiero Agency in October of 2017, following her time at Metamorphosis Literary Agency. She assists in a Creative Writing workshop and runs weekly author writing groups. She is a member of Saavy Authors, RWA, Missouri, Kansas City, and Nebraska Writing Guilds. She has a B.S. from Friends University, but took her English coursework through the University of Missouri. Her debut novel, The Key of F, was named a winner in the Ink & Insights literary contest in 2016, and is scheduled for release May 8th 2018.

What she is seeking: Young adult literature, fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian fiction. (She is a sucker for romance, too.) She is drawn to faulty heroines with strong voices, real friendships, and super skills with a weapon. As well as a hunky love interest with a tangled plot of his own. Currently not accepting: screenplays, poetry, picture books, or nonfiction.

How to submit: Query directly at http://QueryMe.Online/jennhaskin.

20 Great Podcasts for Writers

Updated 11/2/23

Podcasts are perfect for people who commute, or who spend a lot of time in a car, subway, or train. (Airplanes! Boats!)

There are a lot of great podcasts for writers. They span the gamut - from entertaining shows about writing, history, and language to informative episodes about publishing, marketing, building a platform, how to get readers, and a lot more.

You can even listen to all the presentations given at the Odyssey Speculative Fiction Workshop. And if you want to get the inside scoop on the publishing industry, there are plenty of interviews with agents, editors, and published authors.

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A Way with Words

A public radio program about language examined through history, culture, and family. Episodes include: Decisions by dictionary editors, wacky wordplay, and Walt Whitman’s soaring verse, the epic history behind a familiar vegetable: fans of illustrator Maurice Sendak eagerly await publication of a newly discovered manuscript by the late author, writing advice from Mark Twain and a wonderful bit of prose from Sara Pennypacker’s book Pax. You'll want to listen to these episodes at your leisure.

Writing Excuses

"Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart." Some episodes: Extreme long-form serial stories, and how to keep things interesting without forcing the main characters into an absurdly high number of character-developing moments; Create a “Beat Chart” identifying iconic moments, questions and answers, and new promises to readers, and then break these out into book-sized groups; and “Raising the stakes,” making the outcomes of the events in a story increasingly important to the reader. In this episode they talk about the tools they use to raise the stakes in ways that are more sophisticated than just queuing up larger and larger explosions.

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer.

Odyssey SF/F Writing Workshop Podcasts

If you can't afford to attend a writing conference, the next best thing is to listen to one. Odyssey is an intensive six-week workshop for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror held each summer on the campus of Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Top authors, editors, and agents serve as guest lecturers. These podcasts are excerpts from guest lectures. For more information, visit http://www.odysseyworkshop.org.

Creative Writing Career

Turn writing into more than a hobby, make it your career. Stephan Bugaj (Pixar's Brave, Wall-E, The Incredibles), Justin Sloan (Telltale's Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, and Minecraft: Story Mode), and Kevin Tumlinson (Citadel, Lucid, The 30-Day Author) give you their advice on writing for books, movies, video games and more, and occasionally try to sound smarter by having on amazing guests.

Write Now with Sarah Werner | For Writers, On Writing

A weekly podcast for aspiring writers looking to find a healthy work/life/writing balance. Get the encouragement, honest advice, and inspiration you need to pursue your passion and write every day. Recurring themes include books, coffee, rainy days, truth, beauty, lasers, dinosaurs, and all of your other favorite things.

I Should Be Writing

Host Mur Lafferty is a science fiction writer who is "still learning." The podcast features writing interviews and how-tos.

Reading And Writing Podcast

Host Jeff Rutherford interviews authors about their books, their writing habits, their favorite novels, and how they got started writing. Authors include Dean Koontz, Susan Crandall, Mike Resnick and many more. The series does not appear to have any new episodes past July 2017, but there are 217 interviews to choose from.

The Writer Files

Kelton Reid studies the habits, habitats, and brains of a wide spectrum of renowned writers to learn their secrets of productivity and creativity. Tune in each week to learn how great writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer s block.

The Dead Robots Society

"By aspiring writers, for aspiring writers." Writing tips, interviews, book reviews, the apocalypse and other writing disasters. Or writing other disasters, depending on how you order your syntax. All round good fun

The Creative Penn Podcast

Author Joanna Penn provides one of the most thorough, well organized sources of publishing and writing information out there. Some of her highly informative podcasts include: Top 5 Mistakes of Indie Authors with Ricardo Fayet from Reedsy, Mastering Amazon Ads with Brian D. Meeks, How to Write a Mystery with Rebecca Cantrell, Writing Memoir with Roz Morris, Social media tips for writers with Frances Caballo and Writing fast, building an audience and Facebook advertising for authors with Mark Dawson.

The Story Grid

"Helping you become a better writer." Join Shawn Coyne, author of Story Grid and a top editor for 25+ years, and Tim Grahl, struggling writer, as they discuss the ins and outs of what makes a story great.

Beautiful Writers Podcast

"Up-close conversations with your favorite writers." Listen in as author Linda Sivertsen (aka Book Mama) brings together the world’s most beloved bestselling authors for monthly chats on writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity. Join Linda and her celebrity co-hosts for deep, funny, powerful interviews with authors and songwriters who have pulled it off—from breakout success to staying power. Heart-centered encouragement, street smart advice, and insider success (and failure!) stories for every writer and creative type. Details of biggest mistakes, best shortcuts, behind-the-scenes agent, press, and publishing stories help you gain the courage to get your book, blog, ballad, or biz birthed into the world.

The WRITER 2.0

The WRITER 2.0 Podcast is a show about writing, books, and the publishing industry. Hosted by author and professor A.C. Fuller, the show features interviews with authors, journalists, and publishing experts. About the Host: A.C. Fuller is a former adjunct professor of journalism at NYU. His non-fiction has been featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal and New York Newsday; his fiction in Cracked Eye Magazine (now closed). The prologue to his writing book in progress—WRITER 2.0—won the 2014 San Francisco Writers Contest, non-fiction category. His debut novel, THE ANONYMOUS SOURCE, was published in June of 2015. For more information: www.acfuller.com. The most recent podcast is from March 2017, but the list of previous episodes is worth delving into.

Create If Writing Podcast

This is the place for you if you are a writer, blogger, or creative who wants to build an online platform without being smarmy. Episodes include: Mailchimp updates, How to form lasting connections, Bad pitches, How to get more readers and sell more books, Tips for building traffic, and a whole lot more.

Damian Barr's Literary Salon

Writers read from their own works aloud in this podcast. Nothing is more exciting than listening to an author read!

Helping Writers Become Authors

Helping Writers Become Authors provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose. Learn how to write a book and edit it into a story agents will buy and readers will love.

Writer's Voice

Writer's Voice features author interviews and readings, as well as news, commentary and tips related to writing and publishing. We also talk with editors, agents, publicists and others about issues of interest to writers. Francesca Rheannon is producer and host of Writer's Voice. She is a writer, an independent radio producer and a broadcast journalist.

Between the Covers

Host David Naimon interviews some of the brightest stars in the writing world (including Ursula LeGuin). There are also links to Naimon's print interviews and stories on the site.

Print Run Podcast

Print Run is a podcast created and hosted by Laura Zats and Erik Hane. Its aim is simple: to have the conversations surrounding the book and writing industries that too often are glossed over by conventional wisdom, institutional optimism, and false seriousness. They have also created a Patreon page for Print Run. Patrons get access to special episodes featuring on-air workshopping of your queries and first pages of your manuscript!

36 Calls for Submissions in November 2017 - Paying markets

Sarolta Bán

There are three dozen calls for submissions in November. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories about mermaids and pirates, to essays on happiness.

I post calls for submissions on 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.)

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The First Line. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF. Must begin with the line: "I'm tired of trying to see the good in people." Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (all U.S. dollars). Deadline: November 1, 2017.

Skirt! Theme: The Jolly issue. Genre: Essay theme: Stories about happiness, joy, what brings you to happy tears or tears of laughter. Payment: $200 per piece. Deadline: November 1, 2017.

THEMA. Theme: Dancing in the Wind. Genre: Short stories, poems, essays. Payment: Short story, $25; short-short piece (up to 1000 words), $10; poem. Deadline: November 1, 2017. Reprints accepted.

Trouble the Waters: Tales from the Deep Blue. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, interstitial, and unclassifiable works: anthology of water-themed speculative short stories that explore all kinds of water lore and deities, ancient and new as well as unimagined tales. Payment: 6 cents per word. (Reprints 2 cents per word.) Deadline: November 1, 2017. Reprints accepted.

Ellipsis. Genres: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $50 for prose; $10 for poetry. Deadline: November 1, 2017.

Fell Beasts and Fair Anthology. Genre: Speculative short stories on theme: Fell Beasts and Fair. Payment: $0.01 / word. Deadline: November 1, 2017.

Sun Magazine: Love and Justice. Genre: Poetry on theme: Love and Justice. Payment: $100. Deadline: November 1, 2017.

Shooter. Genre: Poems and stories on theme of New Life. Minimum 2000 words for stories.  Payment: £25 per story and £5 per poem. Deadline: November 5, 2017.

The Pedestal Magazine. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $40. Deadline: November 6, 2017.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Online Edition on theme of "Community."  Payment: $25 per poem, $75 per story or essay. Deadline: November 5, 2017.

Alien Dimensions. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Alien New Orbit Celebration!” Payment: $10.  Deadline: November 10, 2017.

Fireside. Genre: Short stories, flash fiction. Payment: 12 cents/word. Deadline: November 11, 2017. Opens to submissions on November 5.

One Story. Genre: Short story. Payment: $500. Deadline: November 14, 2017.

World Weaver Press: Glass & Gardens: Solarpunk Summers Anthology. Genre: Fiction. "For this anthology, I want to see solarpunk summers. Show me futuristic stories that take place in summer, whether that involves a summer night in a rooftop garden, or characters adapting to extreme heat and weather, or an annual migration to cooler lands. Keep it planet-based (Earth or other), and optimistic. Solarpunk worlds aren’t necessarily utopias, but they definitely aren’t dystopias." Payment: TBD (Determined by Kickstarter success. $10 minimum.) Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Hinnom Magazine. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Payment: $0.005 cents per word with a minimum payment of $5.00 and a maximum cap of $25.00. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Fire Poetry. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $5. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Fighting Monkey Press: Uncommon Evil. Genre: Dark fiction. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Vallum. Genre: Poetry, essays, interviews, reviews. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: November 15, 2017. Snail mail submissions only for poems.

Manchester Speculative Fiction: Revolutions 2. Genre: Speculative fiction set in Manchester, UK. Payment: £15. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Human Noise Journal. Genre: Short stories, personal essays, poems. Payment: $30. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Dead Man's Tome. Genre: Horror, Dark fiction, lovecraftian. Theme: Cthulhu Christmas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 15, 2017.

Spark: Sadie Hawkins. "In this issue we want stories where the woman pursues the man. Strong, determined, know-what-they-want women who go after love. Whether it’s an unconventional proposal or someone who thinks they should be more than friends, let the lady take the leading role." Genre: Short fiction. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: November 24, 2017.

Gathering Storm Magazine. Genre: Short stories, poetry, comic. Themed issues: Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts, Money is the Root of all Evil, Everything Comes to Those Who Wait. Payment: $25 for short story, $10 for poetry, $25 for comics. Deadline: November 24, 2017.

Writer's Digest. Genre: Nonfiction articles about freelancing and publishing. Pitches only. "Put yourself in the shoes of a freelance writer and think about what would help them find more success." Payment: Competitive rates. Deadline: November 26, 2017.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction. 1000 words max. Payment: $3. Deadline: November 26, 2017.

Astounding Outpost: Ghosts, Ghouls, and Grave Robbers. Genre: Dark fiction. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 28, 2017.

Band of Misfits: Adventures on the High Seas Anthology. Restrictions: Only writers between the ages of 13-19 will be considered. Genre: Short story up to 7,500 words on theme of "gangs of pirates, steampunk sailors, mischievous mermaids, hostile Kraken, submerged vortexes, or any other mamapritime adventures you’d care to explore—whether contemporary, historical, science fiction, fantasy, or horror." Payment: $30. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Chicken Soup for the Soul. Genre: True stories and poetry. "We’re looking for stories about how you found love. And how you kept it fresh over the years. New love, old love, please warm our hearts with your stories and poems. PLEASE NOTE THIS BOOK IS FOR ADULTS, NOT FOR TEENS. We’re happy to hear about your high school sweetheart if you ended up together, but we are not looking for stories from current teens about teen relationships." Payment: $200.  Deadline:  November 30, 2017.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Fiction. Payment: $25 per page. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Third Point Press. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Theme: Skin. Payment: $10. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Winter Tangerine. Genre: Poetry, prose, and visual art on theme of fairy tales. Payment: $20. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Fantasia Divinity. Genre: Short stories on theme of Norse Mythology. Payment: One half-cent per word, with a minimum payment of $5.00 and a maximum of $15.00. Reprints - $10 max. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Apparition. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Apparition. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of 10.00 dollars. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Behind the Mask Anthology. Genre: Dark fiction. Payment: $50 (AUD). Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Enchanted Conversation. Genre: Fairy tale. Theme: Elves and the Shoemaker. Payment: Story pay: $30, Poem pay: $10. US dollars only. Deadline: November 30, 2017.

Holy Cow. Genre: Speculative fiction located in the Fertile Crescent. Payment: $0.07 - $0.10 per word + contributor copy. Deadline: November 30, 2017.