23 Calls for Submissions in February 2019 - Paying markets

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There are 23 calls for submissions in February 2019. 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 monthly calls for submissions on the last day of the previous 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: Short story, nonfiction or poem beginning with a pre-set first line. To celebrate 20 years of the journal, they are inviting writers to select any one of the first lines from their previous journals. Payment: $25-50 for fiction, $5-10 for poetry, $25 for nonfiction. Length: 300-5,000 words. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

yəhaw̓. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous people living in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia. This includes residents of those states belonging to Native communities outside of the Pacific Northwest, and outside of what is currently the United States. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, experimental work, and hybrids. Payment: $75. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Nonbinary Review: Books of Blood. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays, and art on theme of the Clive Barker series Books of Blood. (Books only) Payment:1 cent per word for fiction and nonfiction, and a flat fee of $10 for poetry (singular poems or a suite) and $25 per piece of visual art. Deadline: February 6, 2019.

Suburban Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, comics, art on theme of Luck. Payment: Up to $225AU. Deadline: February 6, 2019.

Blood Bath Genre: Horror: short fiction, poetry and visual art on theme of: DEMONS. Payment: £20 per 1,000 words for prose, £20 per 15 lines for poetry, and £20 per image for visual art. Deadline: February 14, 2019.

Lethe Press: Transcendent 4: The Year's Best Transgender Speculative Fiction. Genre: Transgender-themed fiction with elements of the strange, the weird, the fantastic, horror and science fiction. Stories must be related to gender and/or sex minorities. All stories must have been published in 2018. No novellas, no work longer than 15,000 words. Payment: $25 to $100 depending on the length of the work. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about Running for Good. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for true stories or poems of 1200 words or less, about all aspects of running and walking and stories about running, walking and steps to raise awareness of and funds for a cause. Stories can be funny and quirky, or they can be serious and heartwarming." Payment: $200. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $3. Deadline: February 24, 2019.

Carina Press. Genre: Contemporary romance novels on Holiday theme. Minimum of 50,000 words.  Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 14, 2019.

Shenandoah. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $100. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Cricket Media: Faces – Chocolate. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction, activities for children. Send query only. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: February 25, 2019.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Poetry and essays. Payment: $25 per printed page. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Apparition. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Ambition. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of 10.00 dollars. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Blue Mesa Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about Angels. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for true personal stories about how an angel has touched your life – stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels. Amazing stories that will make people say “wow” or give our readers chills. Have you experienced something otherworldly or celestial? Or had a personal experience with an angel or divine being? How did your angel manifest himself or herself to you? How did your angel protect or guide you? Do you have a guardian angel?" Payment: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Darkhouse Books: What We Talk About When We Talk About It . Genre: Poetry or prose on theme of love. Payment: 50% of royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2019. Some reprints accepted.

Mizna. Theme: For this special 20th anniversary year issue of our eponymous literary journal, Mizna: Prose, Poetry, and Art Exploring Arab America, we call for writing that takes stock of the last two decades in Arab America while also looking to the future-Where have we been? Where are we now? Where could we go? Genre: Poetry, stories, creative essays, flash fiction, comics, and other literary interpretation of the topic whether direct or indirect. Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

The New Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $250 for a short story or nonfiction entry, and $40 per poem or postscript story. Deadline: February 28, 2019. Snail mail submissions only.

Strange Constellations. Genre: Speculative fiction between 3000-7500 words. Payment: $30.  Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Triangulation Anthology. Genre: Speculative Fiction on theme of Dark Skies. "Dark Skies is a celebration of the natural beauty of the night sky. We are looking for speculative tales that feature a sky full of stars as a meaningful element of the story. Take us to other times and other worlds, or show us our own place in the universe and explore our ability, as sentient beings, to see out into the depths of space." Payment: $120. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Understorey Magazine (CAN). Restrictions: Open to writers and artists age 12-21 who live in Canada and identify as female or non-binary. Genres: Fiction, essay, poetry. Theme is "Francophone Women in Atlantic Canada ." Payment: $30-$60 per piece. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Uncanny: The Disabled People Destroy Fantasy. Genre: Speculative fiction written by disabled writers. Payment: $.08 per word. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

54 Writing Contests in February 2019 - No entry fees

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For a month that is nasty, brutish and short, February packs a punch when it comes to writing contests. This month there are 54 contests, and none charge entry fees. Prizes range from $100,000 to a free writing class. As always, read the restrictions to make sure you qualify.

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

Good luck!
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Life Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to UK residents. Genre: Life writing. The Prize defines life writing as ‘intended to be true’, reflects someone’s own life journey or experiences and is not fiction. Prize: Winner will receive £1,500, publication on Spread the Word’s website, an Arvon course, two years’ membership to the Royal Society of Literature and a development meeting with an editor and an agent. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

The John Gardner Fiction Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Novel or collection of fiction published in 2018. Prize: $1,000.    Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Jane Martin Poetry Prize (UK). Restrictions: Open to  UK residents between 18 and 30 years of age. Genre: Poetry. Prize: £700, second prize, £300. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Fantastica SF Prize. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand writers. Genre: Science fiction. Length: 30,000 words or more. Payment: $2000. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Paterson Fiction Prize. Genre: Published novel or collection of short fiction. Prize: $1,000.   Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Allen Ginsberg Poetry Awards. Genre: Poetry, up to five poems per person. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2019. 

Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. Genre: Most outstanding book for young people published in 2016. There is a $500 award in each category: Pre-K - Grade 3;  Grades 4 - 6;  Grades 7 - 12. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Paterson Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry book published in 2018. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Gannon University Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Entrants must be a US high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through twelve.Genre: Poetry. Each student may enter 1 or 2 poems; each poem may be no longer than 50 lines. Prize: First Place: $100.00 Second Place: $75.00 Third Place: $50.00. Deadline: February 1, 2019. 

The Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award. Genre: Short story of no more than 8,000 words that shows the near future (no more than about 50-60 years out) of manned space exploration. Prize: Publication as the featured story on the Baen Books main website paid at the normal paying rates for professional story submissions. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest is sponsored by the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation. Restrictions: Students enrolled in grades 6-12. Genre: Short fiction of exactly 1000 words. Prize: Two $1,000 scholarship prizes will be awarded, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Seven $100 cash prizes will also be awarded for winning entries, one per grade level.  Deadline: February 1, 2019.

The Levis Reading Prize is sponsored by the Department of English and its MFA in Creative Writing program at Virginia Commonwealth University. Restrictions: The prize is given annually for the best first or second book of poetry published in the previous calendar year. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $5000.  Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award is sponsored by the Binghamton Center for Writers-State University of New York with support from the Office of the Dean of Binghamton University's Harpur College of the Arts & Sciences. Genre: Poetry book in English published in 2017. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

Hart Crane Memorial Poetry Award. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 1, 2019.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Genre: Personal essays between 2000 and 3000 words. The topic is, simply, wilderness and wildness. Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $1500 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $500. Deadline: February 2, 2019.

Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students in Michigan. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st place - $250 and publication in The Albion Review, 2nd place - $150 and publication in The Albion Review; 3rd place - $100 and publication in The Albion Review. Deadline: February 2, 2019.

Student Stowe Prize. Restrictions: Open to US high school and college students. Genre: published writing on a social justice or human rights topic, in the spirit of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Prize: Up to $2,500. Deadline: February 2, 2019.

Zocalo Public Square Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to US poets only. Genre: Poetry that evokes a connection to place. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 4, 2019. Note: Winning author gives up all rights.

White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. Restrictions: Open to all poets who currently reside in and have had residency in one of the following states for a minimum of 12 consecutive months: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. (Residency will be verified before prize winner is announced.). Writers who have published 2 or more full-length collections of poetry or who do not meet the residency requirements are NOT eligible. Genre: Poem on topic of Wisdom. Prize:  $1,500. Deadline: February 7, 2019. Note: Winning author gives up all rights.

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: February 8, 2019.

The University of Chester Flash (Youth). Restrictions: Open to Scottish students aged 16-19 who are studying in the UK. Genre: fFash fiction of up to 360 words. Prize: Up to £100. Deadline: February 8, 2019.

Bethesda Literary Festival Essay and Short Story Contest. The Bethesda Urban Partnership & Bethesda Magazine have partnered to honor local writers at the Bethesda Literary Festival. Genres: Essays and poetry. Adult and high school student categories. Restrictions: Residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are eligible. Prizes: First Place: $500 and published in Bethesda Magazine. Second Place: $250. Third Place: $150. Honorable Mention: $75. Deadline: February 8, 2019.

Luminarts Creative Writing Program. The Creative Writing Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards and Luminarts Fellowships across categories of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction. Prize: $5,000 and publication in Luminarts Review, a literary journal. Deadline: February 8, 2019.

Lex Allen Literary Festival Prizes. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate college students. Genres: Poetry and fiction. Prize: $100. Deadline: February 8, 2019.

Writers’ Trust / McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize. Restrictions: Only works from writers who are Canadian citizens, whether living in Canada or abroad, or permanent residents of Canada are eligible. Genre: Short story or excerpt from a fiction work-in-progress first published by a Canadian magazine or annual anthology during the previous calendar year. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 8, 2019.

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 12, 2019.

Writers' & Artists' Yearbook Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or fewer. Prize: £500 and publication. Deadline: February 13, 2019.

North Carolina Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to residents of North Carolina (including students). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 14, 2019. Snail mail entries only.

West Coast Eisteddfod Online Poetry and Short Story Competitions. Genre: Poetry, short story. (No limericks.) Prize: Poetry: $200 in each language category (Welsh and English). Short Story: $200.00 (one English-language entry) Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Judith A. Markowitz Award for Emerging LGBTQ Writers. Restrictions: The nominee must self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The nominee must have written and published at least one but no more than two books of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Ballard Spahr Prize for Poetry is an annual regional prize. Restrictions: Open to residents of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Michigan. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $10,000 as well as a contract for publication to the author of the winning manuscript. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Harold Morton Landon Translation Award. Genre: Poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards for Excellence in Published Haiku, Translation, and Criticism. Genre: Published book. Books must have been published in 2018 and must clearly contain a printed 2018 copyright. A member, author, or publisher may submit or nominate more than one title. At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, or haibun, or prose about these subjects (books mostly of tanka, for example, are not eligible). Prize: $500. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between October 1, 2018 and February 28, 2019 to be eligible for the 2017 Prize. 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: February 15, 2019.

Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Award. Genre: Poetry - translation into English of a significant work of modern Italian poetry. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

New York City Emerging Writers Fellowship. Restrictions: "Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs, and must remain in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply, even if the focus of study is not directly related to writing. This program supports emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their careers as fiction writers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who has not yet had a novel or short story collection published by either a major or independent publisher and who is also not currently under contract to a publisher for a work of fiction. Eligible applicants may have had stories or novel excerpts published in magazines, literary journals or online, but this is not a requirement." Genre: Fiction. Grant: $5,000. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

The Sunday Times Audible Story Award. Restrictions: Open to any author who has been published in the UK or Ireland. Genre: Short stories of 6000 words or less. Prize: £30,000. Deadline: February 15, 2019.

The Tomorrow Prize. Restrictions: Open to high school students in Los Angeles. Genre: Science fiction, 1500 words max. Prize: $250. Deadline: February 18, 2019.

Past-Year Memoir Contest. Genre: True story about your past year in 18 words. Prize: Free Gotham class of your choosing. Deadline: February 19, 2019.

RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Candidates must be: A Canadian citizen or permanent resident; Under the age of 35; Unpublished in book form and without a book contract. Genre: Poetry. Prizes: Winner: $5,000; Finalists: $1,000. Deadline: February 18, 2019.

Western Australian Premier's Book Awards.Restrictions: Open to authors who either are citizens or permanent residents of Western Australia. Genre: Book published during the preceding calendar year in a variety of genres. Prize: A$15,000. Deadline: February 18, 2019.

The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award supports the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition. Genres: Nonfiction journalism works in progress with “strong, character-driven narratives with detailed scene writing and lyrical description.” Restrictions: The award will not fund proposals to report on armed conflicts where journalists are already imperiled, nor projects that are mainly investigatory. Prize: $12,500 grant and use of the NYU library. Deadline: February 19, 2019.

Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) from across the Washington Metropolitan Area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC). Genre: Poetry. Prize: First, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates.  Deadline: February 21, 2019.

The Spotlight Books Competition (UK) Restrictions: Open to marginalized or under-represented authors in the UK. Genre: Short fiction or poetry of 8000-10,000 words/40-45 pages respectively, by Open to marginalized or under-represented authors in the UK. Prize: Publication and 10% royalties. Deadline: February 24, 2019.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Published E-Book Literary Award.  Restrictions: Open to African-Americans. Genre: Self-Published E-Book in fiction and poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multi-Lingual Texts. Genre: Literary translations and multi-lingual texts. Prize: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Poetry Matters Literary Prizes. Restrictions: Several categories, from middle-school to senior citizens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st prize- $75; 2nd prize- $50; 3rd prize-$35; Honorable Mention- $25. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Solution Loans Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to UK residents 18 years and up. Genre: Short fiction on theme of "A New Home." Prize: £200 and publication on the Solution Loans website. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

The Kelpies Prize (Scotland). Restrictions: Open to Scottish authors. Genre: Children’s fiction of both novel and short length. Prize: £1,000, a publishing contract, a writing retreat, and a year of mentoring by an editorial team. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

SLF Working Class Writers Grant is sponsored by the Speculative Literature Foundation. Genres: Speculative fiction, magical realism. Restrictions: Applicants must be working class (see guidelines page for definition) and demonstrate financial hardship. Available to international writers. Prize: $750. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Spirit First Meditation Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem on the theme of mindfulness or meditation.   Prize: $200.  Deadline: February 28, 2019.

The Premises. Write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story in which someone or something of importance to the story is hidden in some way from at least one important character. It is entirely up to you whether the person/place/thing that is hidden is ever found/revealed/unhidden. Genre: Short story. Length: Between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Prize: Between US$60 and US$220, and publication. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

Creative Capital Award. Restrictions: Entrants must be US citizens or permanent residents, aged 25+, with 5+ years' professional writing experience, and not be full-time students. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Grant: Up to $50,000. Deadline: February 28, 2019.

7 Great Writing Conferences in February 2019

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Conferences are not only the best way to meet agents, get tips from other writers, and learn about the publishing industry, they make you feel like a writer. We all need community, and this is how we, as writers, get the necessary incentive to keep writing.

All of these conferences and workshops charge tuition, but some offer financial assistance. There are deadlines for applying for aid, so make sure you plan ahead.

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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The Writers Studio, sponsored by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, February 7 - 10, 2019, Los Angeles, CA. The conference offers workshops in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as writing for television and film. Offered by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, the Writers Studio brings together a community of writing students to workshop with some of Southern California’s most accomplished writers and teachers. From among the 10 offered, participants choose one workshop in which they work closely with a professional writer in classes limited to no more than 15 people.

Get Away to Write. February 10 - 15, 2019: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Spend an inspiring week working on your memoir or poetry. Enjoy plentiful writing time, insightful feedback, homemade meals and time to relax. Workshops and faculty:  Recasting Memory: Choice and Allegiances in Memoir with Barbara Hurd; Finding Your Authentic Voice: A Poetry Workshop with Peter E. Murphy; Plus Special Guest Pulitzer Prize Winner Stephen Dunn will offer one-on-one tutorials.

San Francisco Writers Conference, Feb. 14 -18, 2019, San Francisco, CA. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writer’s conferences anywhere. "Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft and business of writing. The SFWC is also one of the friendliest conferences. Presenters this year will include bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses.  There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. The San Francisco Writers Conference has one of the largest faculties of any writer’s conference to ensure the best networking with the people who can help you get published."

Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat). February 15 - 17, 2019, San Diego, CA. Faculty: 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. "Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration." Cost: $350-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional. Limited to 175 conferees.

Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference. February 22 - 23, 2019: Tempe, AZ. "The Desert Nights, Rising Stars Writers Conference creates a unique and intimate creative writing experience where writers of all backgrounds, genres, and skill levels gather together and connect through the celebration and study of literary craft, culture, and community. Featuring over 25 faculty members teaching more than 50 sessions, we seek to create a warm and welcoming environment that meets people wherever they are, where writers can learn from and support each other as they work toward their goals. Beyond regular programming, we also feature advanced pre-conference workshops, an exhibitor fair, scholarships, and fellowships. We also offer opportunities to advertise with or sponsor the conference as well."

Genre-LA™ Creative Writing Conference. February 22 - 24, 2019: Van Nuys, CA. More than 30 best-selling authors of genre novels, literary agents, editors, publishers, industry experts, Hollywood veterans, educators, and publishing professionals will share their wisdom and experience to help take your writing to the next level.

St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop, Feb 28 - March 3, 2019, St. Augustine, Florida. "The St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop creates an intimate and professional environment that combines private meetings with small-group workshops, thus enabling aspiring authors to wisely approach the writing and publication of their novel. At the St. Augustine event, aspiring authors will:

1) Work one-on-one with top authors and savvy market professionals.

2) Apply advanced story and narrative technique to their novel-in-progress.

3) Hone and improve their writer voice and style.

4) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business.

5) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards publication of their novel.

Group workshop sessions will be interspersed with agent and author consultations, workshop assignments, as well as consults with workshop leaders."

18 Paying Markets for Blog Posts

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Updated 8/5/23

There are a gazillion blogs out there. Yours is probably one of them. But not all blogs are created equal. Some get considerably more traffic than others. So, if you want your views, opinions, and/or brilliant writing to be noticed in this world of non-stop communication, you may want to consider writing for a blog that has a larger audience than yours.

This can be done two ways: 1) Write for free, 2) Get paid.

Writing for free is good idea provided that the site has substantial traffic. Well-trafficked sites can offer you a boost if they include a bio, and links to your blog or website. Getting paid is the preferable option, especially if the pay is decent. These sites can also provide links to your website as well as a bio. In both cases, read their terms carefully. Many sites, whether they pay or not, acquire all rights, meaning you will not have the right to use your article in the future.

Useful articles:

List of Guest Blogging Sites (140+ best sites) - Peter Sandeen keeps a huge list of blogs. Most do not pay.

55 Blogs that Pay Writers $50+ for Guest Posts - Ian Chandler has an eclectic list of blog venues. All pay a minimum of $50.

30 Websites that Pay Up to $700 For a Blog Post 
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3rd Act Magazine

3rd Act Magazine is a blog and magazine that publishes articles "that are interesting, entertaining, important and relevant to older adults in the third act of their lives." Payment: $25 - $50. "If you are a published writer with proven expertise and submit articles that are well researched and require little editing, you will be considered for our paid list of writers at a per word rate of $.25." Read their submission guidelines.

Cracked

"If you are a funny/smart/creative person, Cracked.com is the single best opportunity you will ever come across in your life. No experience necessary. We will pay you if it's good. You talk directly to the editors — no form letter rejections. Your work could be seen by millions of people. We need articles, photoshops, infographics and videos. Take your pick."  Payment: $50 - $150. Read their submission guidelines.

Extra Crispy

It's all about breakfast. Extra Crispy wants opinion pieces, reported stories, personal essays, works of humor, illustrated narratives, breakfast-y profiles of people, original recipes, how-tos and unusual points of view on the beloved morning meal are all welcome. No restaurant reviews. Payment: Average pay is 46 cents/word, according to Who Pays Writers. Read submission guidelines.

Freelance Mom

Freelance Mom is is a community for professional moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. "We believe the landscape has completely changed and that there is no better time for parents to be a freelancer or solopreneur." Your article should offer current practical and actionable advice, tips and be *in-depth enough that the reader walks away with new knowledge and new approaches. Articles should be between 900 to 1,500 words. Payment: $75 to $100. Read their submission guidelines.

The Hairpin

The Hairpin is a general-interest site aimed at women. Payment: Who Pays Writers lists average pay at 18 cents/word. Read guidelines here.

The IWA Wine Blog

The IWA Wine Blog is the official blog of International Wine Accessories. "Do you enjoy sharing your wine know-how with other wine lovers? Do you have a knack for writing original, engaging content? We’d love to hear from you!" Payment:  $20-$50. Read guidelines here.

MoneyPantry

MoneyPantry is looking for anyone with unusual and interesting, yet practical, ideas for earning and saving more money. They like detailed stories with numbers, strategies, and tips. 700 words minimum. 1000 to 2000 words preferred. Payment: $30 to $150. Read guidelines here.

Ms. Magazine

Ms. is looking for pieces from a feminist perspective. "We consider articles on politics, social commentary, popular culture, law, education, art and the environment. We do not consider articles on fashion, beauty, fitness, travel, food or of a "self-help" variety. Film, music and book reviews are covered in-house." To pitch the Ms. blog, please email blog@msmagazine.com. You may also submit completed works for consideration. Pitches should include a detailed description of what your piece will look like and when you can turn it around. Please also include links to previously published work if possible. Payment: Rates are negotiated. Read guidelines here.

Michelle Pippin

Michelle Pippin is looking for experts with first-hand experience about a business topic. "I do not want “writers” who write about “anything.” I want to share real-world experience from other business owners." Payment: $50 – $150. Read guidelines here.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Blog 

The SFWA Blog is open to nonfiction submissions that might be of interest to new and/or established writers of science fiction and fantasy. Length: 500-1000 words. Payment: 10 cents per word. Read guidelines here.

Travel Fashion Girl

The title says it all. This site is all about traveling literally in style - just for women. Payment: 5 cents/word. Read guidelines here.

WeAreTeachers

"WeAreTeachers welcomes submissions on a wide range of topics pertaining to education and teacher life. Payment: If we publish your submission, you will receive a $100 honorarium. Plus, if you’re a blogger, we’ll include a link to your blog or website." Most of their blog posts run between 500–700 words.Read their submission guidelines.

Women on Writing

WOW! welcomes queries from its audience of women writers. "We are now open to general queries, as long as it relates to the craft of writing and publishing. We are particularly looking for how-tos on a variety of writing and publishing topics, and interviews/round-ups with acquiring editors/literary agents/publishers. All articles must have takeaway value for fellow writers." Payment: $50 or $75. Read submission guidelines here.

Writer's Weekly

WritersWeekly.com focuses on “selling” the written word. "We do not seek articles on how to write. Rather, we seek articles on how to make more money doing what you love….writing! We are also interested in other forms of home-based businesses and self-employment that may result from writing, such as self-publishing, corporate writing, ghostwriting, etc. All ideas that help writers support themselves performing the work they love are warmly welcomed." Payment: $60. Read their guidelines here.

Funds for Writers

Funds for Writers is about earning a living as a writer. Articles should fall between 550 and 650 words. Each FundsforWriters newsletter lists only one article – short and sweet and to the point. So make each word count. MAKE YOUR WRITING TIGHT. Watch the passive voice. Give it a beginning, middle, and ending. A list of links is not an article. An article about anything other than making a career of writing will be rejected pronto. Payment: $75 for unpublished original articles; $25 for reprints over 90 days old.. Read their guidelines here.

Listverse

This is an interesting site that capitalizes on the Internet craze for lists. You will find lists for just about everything on Listverse. They are looking for offbeat, unexpected, little-known facts, all written with a sense of humor. Check out some of their lists to see what they prefer. 1500 words minimum. Payment is $100 via Paypal only.

Rooted in Rights

The Rooted in Rights Blog is a platform dedicated to amplifying the authentic perspectives of disabled writers. "We’re seeking reported and investigative articles, op-eds, creative nonfiction, personal essays, interviews, and short fiction on disability, with an emphasis on disability rights and justice, written by people who identify as disabled."

Payment: Sliding scale, with minimum payment being $150.

Ploughshares

Ploughshares is a highly prestigious literary magazine that also publishes a blog. They currently accept pitches for the following categories of writing:

• critical essays
• personal essays
• blended longform essays
• interviews
• book reviews

Payment ranges from $15 - $30.

Being a Writer Is the Fastest Way to Starve to Death

Wikimedia

Updated 2/22/24

When my son was contemplating various professions, I told him, "Whatever you do, don't become a writer. It's the fastest way to starve to death." It turns out I was right. (I hate being right all the time.)

The Authors Guild, of which I am a proud member, has released a report on writing income for American authors. Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger said the newest author income survey “paints a sobering picture of the financial realities authors face today.”

So, all you young and old writers, keep your day job. You're gonna need it.

(My son, much to my chagrin, is a writer. He is starving to death in Los Angeles.)

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Writing Books Remains a Tough Way to Make a Living

By Jim Milliot, September 29, 2023

A new author income study released by the Authors Guild provides a dizzying array of numbers and breakdowns about how all types of authors—traditionally published and self-published, full-time and part-time—fared financially in 2022. With such a deep trove of statistics, the survey offers something for everyone, but the main takeaway is that most authors have a hard time earning a living from their craft.

The survey, which drew responses from 5,699 published authors, found that in 2022, their median gross pre-tax income from their books was $2,000. When combined with other writing-related income, the total annual median income was $5,000. The median book-related income for survey respondents in 2022 was up 9% from 2018, adjusted for inflation, with all the increase coming from full-time authors, whose income was up 20%, compared to a 4% decline for part-time authors.

Read the rest of this depressing article HERE.

3 UK Agents Seeking Thrillers, Narrative Nonfiction, Horror, Speculative Fiction and More

Updated 8/5/23

These three UK agents are actively seeking to expand their client lists. Claire Paterson Conrad represents a wide range of subjects and authors, both fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial. Joanna Swainson is looking for crime and thrillers, ghost stories, speculative fiction, horror, and narrative nonfiction. Cara Jones is looking for exciting new voices in fiction, particularly crime and thrillers, and is also interested in thought-provoking narrative non-fiction.

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

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

Cara Jones started her career in publishing in 2002 at Random House and joined Rogers, Coleridge & White in 2006.

What she is seeking: Cara is looking for exciting new voices in fiction, particularly crime and thrillers, and is also interested in thought-provoking narrative non-fiction.

How to submit: Send a query letter to cara@rcwlitagency.com. For fiction, send the first three chapters or approximately the first fifty pages of the work to a natural break, and a brief synopsis. Non-fiction submissions should include a proposal up to twenty pages explaining what the work is about and why you are best person to write it. Material should be in 12 point font, double-spaced.
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Claire Paterson Conrad of Janklow and Nesbit (UK)

Claire Paterson Conrad began her publishing career at Chatto & Windus, went on to work for Granta and Canongate Books, then subsequently moved to New York, where she lived for five years and worked for the New York Review of Books. There she became Publisher of the NYRB Classics series, an imprint which republishes great and sometimes forgotten literature. Claire returned to the UK in 2002, and joined Janklow & Nesbit as a literary agent. 

What she is seeking: She represents a wide range of subjects and authors, both fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial.

How to submit: Please include a covering letter in the body of your email and attach other components in Word format if possible, or as PDFs.  Please send your submission to submissions@janklow.co.uk, including your name, the title of your work and the name of the agent you wish to submit to in the subject line. If you are submitting fiction, you should include a covering letter, synopsis, and either the first three chapters or the first fifty pages, whichever you feel is appropriate. Your covering letter and synopsis should ideally be no longer than a page each. If you are submitting non-fiction, you should include a covering letter, a full outline setting out the aims of each chapter, and if possible a sample chapter. Please title all documents and your email with your full name and the title of your work for ease of reference. Your submission should be double-spaced, size 12 and in a reasonable font.
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Joanna Swainson of Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency (UK)

After a degree in French Joanna ran a business for several years, providing a range of copy writing and editing services. Her love of books and an interest in writing led her to freelance for a number of literary agents, including one of the most commercial agencies in London as well as a specialist children’s agent.

What she is seeking: "In fiction, I am looking for complex, larger-than-life characters. I love crime and thrillers at both ends of the commercial / literary spectrum. I also love a good ghost story and accessible speculative fiction, as well as a bit of horror. Whatever the genre, whether literary or commercial, for adults or children, historical or contemporary, thriller or crime, I’m looking for originality and distinctive voices. On the non-fiction front, I enjoy narrative non-fiction, especially popular history and science. I’m very partial to a memoir. I also enjoy nature writing."

How to submit: Send a query, and attach a one-page synopsis as well as the full manuscript, and send by email to: submissions@hardmanswainson.com. For nonfiction send an email outlining your book, why it has a place on the bookshelf and why you are qualified to write it, along with a proposal and a sample chapter of the whole work, if it is completed. Please include the sample material along with the query – either as an attachment or in the body of the email.

2 Agents Actively Seeking YA, Romance, Mysteries & Suspense and more

Updated 12/17/19

Here are two agents actively expanding their client lists. Jessica Errera is looking for commercial women’s fiction with a fresh and fun hook, all genres of YA (especially diverse stories), contemporary romance, mysteries and suspense, the occasional historical fiction, and anything that might be read in a day on the beach. Kelli Martin is passionate about romance, focusing on contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and is also excited to discover new talent and shape content in commercial women’s fiction, including love stories, romantic comedies, suspense, family dramas, friendship dramas, beach reads, and women-coming-into-their-own stories.

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

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

Jessica has been with JRA since 2014. Jessica is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she spent four years cheering on the Tar Heels and a few fantastic months interning with Algonquin Books.

What she is seeking: She is looking for commercial women’s fiction with a fresh and fun hook, all genres of YA (especially diverse stories), contemporary romance, mysteries and suspense, the occasional historical fiction, and anything that might be read in a day on the beach. 

How to submit: Use her contact form HERE.

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Kelli Martin of Wendy Sherman Associates

CLOSED TO QUERIES

Kelli Martin began her book publishing career over twenty years ago. She started at Simon & Schuster and rose up the editorial ladder at HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Amazon Publishing. At Amazon Publishing, Kelli acquired and edited some of the house’s highest selling, breakout authors and books in romance and commercial fiction; in addition, she served as the launch editor and public face of Montlake Romance as well as Executive Editor at Lake Union.

What she is looking for: Kelli is passionate about building the agency’s romance program, focusing on contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and is also excited to discover new talent and shape content in commercial women’s fiction, including love stories, romantic comedies, suspense, family dramas, friendship dramas, beach reads, and women-coming-into-their-own stories.

How to submit: Please send all e-mail submissions to submissions@wsherman.com.  Include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line.  For fiction, please include a query letter and your first 10 pages copied and pasted in the body of the email.  They will not open attachments unless they have been requested.

2019 New Year's Resolution for Writers: To Thine Own Work Be True

Pixabay

Every year, at about this time, I make a special New Year's writing resolution. To my credit, I have managed to carry most of them through. In 2017 I resolved to write what I feared. That resolution had to do with stretching my boundaries. I am a fiction writer, and I have terror of writing memoirs, so I began to write one. (And it has been every bit as frightening as I thought it would be.)

The following year, in the throes of memoir-phobia, I resolved to finish. Starting new projects is fun and exciting, but actually finishing them is another matter entirely. I promised myself I would finish writing my memoir in 2018. Sad to say, I failed. (In my defense, I did write more than 80,000 words of it. And I swear I will finish it before I die.)

This year, after giving much thought to the process of writing, I have resolved to ignore my potential audience, along with the requirements of agents and editors, and simply fulfill the potential of my work the best I can.

For writers, who lately have been saddled with all sorts of marketing tasks ("Who will read your book?" "Give us three comps," "Do you have an online platform?" and so forth.), simply maintaining loyalty to your work can get short shrift. What you have to say can get overshadowed by considerations of whether it will have market appeal, and if your hypothetical audience will want to read your words.

The primary loyalty of any author should be to the work itself. You have something to say? Then say it to the best of your ability, pushing all other considerations aside until you have fully expressed yourself. Once you have finished your book, it will take on a life of its own, much like giving birth to a baby. It will have its own personality, and it will acquire meaning, often independent of the one you have given it. But that will only happen if you devote yourself to putting the work first, and all other considerations second.

Now go tell your story, the way only you can.