35 Calls for Submissions in October 2019 - Paying markets

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There are 35 calls for submissions in October. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. Some accept reprints.

As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from speculative fiction to poetry to personal essays.

NOTE: I post upcoming calls for submissions at the end of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on upcoming calls for submissions by checking that page periodically. (I only post paying markets.)


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Power Play Anthology. Genre: Stories about hockey combined with the drama and emotion of romance. Payment: $20. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Cherry Tree. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and literary shade. Payment: $20. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

The Blue Route. Restrictions: Only the work of current undergraduate writers will be considered.  Genres: Fiction, or creative nonfiction totaling no more than 3000 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Gordon Square Review. Genre: Poetry, short stories, personal essays, and hybrid prose works. Payment: $25 for prose, $10 for poetry. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Boyfriend Village. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, hybrid, visual and multimedia art, sound collage, video, games, databases. "We want work that bores discursive holes through the internet, or is manufactured from the dialog beneath the discourse. It should shout in pianissimo and whisper in double forte." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: October 10, 2019.

Return to San Cicaro. Genre: Dark urban fantasy, the weird, the macabre and the hopeful. "Tell us of unassuming teenagers stumbling upon witch meetups, who weave spells for good or ill. Of hell-born creatures leaving scenes of carnage that confound the police. Of trolls trying to fit into the society of the homeless. We want them all."  Payment: $135. Deadline: October 11, 2019.

Jalada 08: Bodies. Genre: Short fiction, essays, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more that play with the very concept of the body and bodies. Payment: Between 100 and 150 USD. Deadline: October 11, 2019.

Rattle: Young Poets Anthology. Genre: Poetry. The author of the poem must have been age 15 or younger when the poem was written, and 18 or younger when submitted. Payment: $100. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

The Puritan: Creativity and D&D. Genre: Personal essays, critiques, and creative explorations about Dungeons & Dragons. Payment: $25 CAD. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Gumbo Media. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography. "Black and Brown communities are filled with talent. But opportunities can be hard to come by, especially when steady media narratives are driven by monoliths or entertainment and celebrity. Much in our communities remains unseen, and we’re calling on all emerging artists to help us bring it to light. In the spirit of shining a spotlight, we open our call for submissions to any and all Black creatives—of all identities, expressions, backgrounds, abilities, personalities, and communities (including global)—to submit." Payment: Not specified. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Zombie Pirate Publishing. Genre: Short stories for CLOCKWORK DRAGONS: A Fantasy Punk Anthology, 1,500-8,000 words long. Stories should be set in a world where magic or fantasy elements have become the prevailing means by which mainstream technology is powered or run. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

The Worlds of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Volume V. Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Payment: $75AUD. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Havok. Genre: Mystery, scifi, comedy, thriller, and fantasy on theme of Open Mic Night. Length: 300 to 1,000 words. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 18, 2019.

Inklings Press: Pirates. Genre: Short stories about pirates. Payment: $50. Deadline: October 18, 2019.

Wizards in Space. Genre: Short stories, poetry and art. "For Wizards in Space’s golden fifth orbit, we’re reflecting on what it means to come full circle: the journeys that propel us toward growth, the endings that loop into beginnings, the reliable chaos of moving from winter to spring to summer to fall." Payment: $40. Deadline: October 18, 2019.

WordWorks. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. Payment: Twenty-five cents a word for articles ($50 for reprints) and $50 for creative prose pieces or poems. Deadline: October 21, 2019.

Story Seed Vault. Genre: Microfiction tweets based on science. Payment: Short Fiction (<150CH) $3AUD per story; Long Fiction (>150CH/<200CH) $2AUD per story. Deadline: October 23, 2019.

Suburban Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, art. Payment: $75 - $150 for prose and poetry; Art $100 - $200. Deadline: October 24, 2019.

Every Day Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction (1000 words max) Payment: $3. Deadline: October 27, 2019.

Corners of the World Volume 1: Judaism. Genre: Jewish stories of horror. "We want stories from Jews of every ethnic background focusing on the culture and world of Judaism." Payment: $5.  Deadline: October 30, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "Laughter Is the Best Medicine." Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories about something that happened to you in your life - in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Did the other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding turn into a comedy of errors? We can’t wait to hear your true stories. We want them to be silly, outrageous and hilarious, and they absolutely must make us laugh!" Payment: $200. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Horroraddicts.net: Dark Divinations. Genre: Horror fiction on divination. Stories must be horror, set in the Victorian era (1837-1901), and can be set anywhere – England, American West, Colonial India, or Africa. Payment: $10. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

New Writing Scotland. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in Scotland or Scots by birth, upbringing or inclination. Genre: All forms of writing. Payment: £20 per published page. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Overcast. Genre: Speculative fiction podcast. Payment: $20 minimum. Deadline: October 31, 2019. Accepts reprints.

Songs of Eretz. Genre: Poetry, cover art on theme of Christmas/Chanukah/Yule. Payment: $5.   Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Rumpus. Genre: Essays. Payment: $300 divided among all contributors (?). Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Room Magazine. Genre: Feminist fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, art, interviews, and book reviews. Payment: $50 CAD for one page, $60 for two pages, $90 for three pages, $120 for four pages, $150 for five or more pages. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Capilano Review. Genre: Art, poetry, fiction, essays and interviews commissioned by the editor, as well as a small selection of unsolicited poetry and prose. Payment: $50 per published page to a maximum of $200. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Eleventh Transmission: 45 Poems of Protest. Genre: Poems of protest. Payment: Royalties.  Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Banshee Press. Genre: Fiction, poetry, essays. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Jersey Pines Ink: WHO DUNIT ANTHOLOGY: Genre: Mystery stories. "Stories MUST have a beginning, middle and end with a solution. The mystery story will be solved with the influence, inspiration, or assistance of a pet--Any pet." Payment: $5. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Monsters, Movies, & Mayhem. Genre: "Original short stories that feature a monster in a movie setting, to include a mix of science fiction, fantasy, horror, alien, magical, witchcraft, AI, and romance elements. Must be appropriate for a “PG-13” audience. Please, no copyrighted characters and no real movies." (6,000 words max) Payment: 6¢/word on acceptance. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Pulp Horror Phobias Volume 2. Genre: Pulp/noir short stories about phobias. Length: 4,000-6,000 words. Payment: 4¢/word. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $5. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Arsenika. Genre: Speculative flash fiction and poetry. Payment: $30 for poems and $60 for fiction. They also publish in audio format. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

35 Writing Contests in October 2019 - No entry fees

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There are nearly three dozen writing contests in October for short stories, poetry, essays, scripts, and books in every genre. None charge entry fees. Prizes range from $100 to $54,000. 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 has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck!

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The Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry, sponsored by the African Poetry Book Fund and in partnership with the literary journal, Prairie Schooner, is the only one of its kind in the world and was established to promote African poetry written in English or in translation and to recognize a significant book published each year by an African poet. A standard edition is 48 pages or more in length. Genre: Open to any book of original poetry, in English, published during 2015 in a standard edition by a full-length collection of poetry. Restrictions: African nationals, African residents, or poet of African parentage with roots from any country, living anywhere in the world. Prize: USD $5,000. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Young Poets Prize. Restrictions: Open to all poets ages eighteen and under. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First, second & third place prizes will be awarded to three poems in the amount of $300, $200 and $100, respectively. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Stories Out of School. Genre: Flash fiction. Prize: First-prize winners receive $1000; second-prize winners, $500. Both will be published online by Electric Literature in The Commuter. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Perito Prize. Genre: Fiction about accessibility. Prize: £250 and the story will be uploaded to the Perito Prize section of the Perito Ltd website. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Houston Poetry Fest 2018 Youth Poet Competition and the Mary Villarreal Memorial Award. Restrictions: Poets aged 16 or younger by October 12, 2018. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

Royal Institute of Philosophy Essay Prize. Topic: Philosophy and International Relations. Prize:  £2,500 top prize. Deadline: October 1, 2019.

The Word Poetry Competition. Genre: Poetry inspired by the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing on the theme “light in our darkness.” Prize: £100, £50 and £25. Deadline: October 3, 2019.

Man Booker International Prize. The Man Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: October 4, 2019.

American Antiquarian Society Fellowships for Creative Writers is calling for applications for visiting fellowships for historical research by creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative, non-formulaic works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history. Successful applicants are those whose work is for the general public rather than for academic or educational audiences. The Society's goal in sponsoring this program is to multiply and improve the ways in which an understanding of history is communicated to the American people. Prize: A stipend of $1,150 to $1,350 and on-campus housing is provided; fellows residing off-campus receive $1,850. Deadline: October 5, 2019.

RBC Taylor Prize for Literary Nonfiction. Restrictions: Open to published Canadian authors. Genre: Nonfiction book. Prize: CAN$25,000.00. Deadline: October 7, 2019 for books published between August 24 and September 30, 2019.

2020 Embracing Our Differences International Art Exhibit Celebrating Diversity. Genre: Quotes, 20 words max. "These quotations provide the writers a chance to voice their thoughts, feelings and ideas reflecting our theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion.” Prize: $1000. Deadline: October 8, 2019.

Fairytalez: Best New Phenomenon Fairy Tale. Genre: Original fairy tale or folktale that explains a how and why behind a natural phenomena – from the stars to the appearance of animals. Prize: $200 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Deadline: October 9, 2019.

NUHA Blogging Prize. Genre: Article on specific topic. (See website) Prize: $150 - $2400.    Deadline: October 12, 2019.

Bath Flash Fiction Award. Genre: Flash fiction (300 words max). Prize: £1000 prize for the winner, £300 second and £100 third. Two commendations £30 each. Deadline: October 13, 2019.

Kathy Fish Fellowship for Emerging Writers. Restrictions: All writers previously unpublished in SmokeLong Quarterly and who do not have a published chapbook or book-length work in any genre (or are not under contract for such) are eligible to apply. Genre: Flash fiction (1000 words max). Prize: $500. Deadline: October 15, 2019. (The application fee is $8. For writers who cannot afford an application fee, there is a free submission option in Submittable.)

A Public Space Emerging Writer Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book. Prize: $1000 and six months of editorial support from A Public Space editors to prepare a piece of prose for publication in the magazine. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Amy Lowell Poetry Traveling Scholarship. Restrictions: Poet must be born in the United States. Genre: Poetry. The sample must not exceed either (1) 40 typed pages or (2) one printed volume plus no more than 20 typed pages of your most recent work. There is no minimum page requirement. Prize: $54,000 for a year of travel and study abroad. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction. Restrictions: Open to residents of UK. Genre: Short stories between 2000-6000 words on the theme "Artificial Intelligence." Prize: £500 and 10 shortlisted authors will be published in an ebook anthology. Deadline: October 25, 2019.

50 Word Horror Story Halloween Contest. Genre: Horror: 50 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: October 25, 2019.

The Marfield Prize, also known as the National Award for Arts Writing, is given annually by the Arts Club of Washington to nonfiction books about the arts written for a broad audience. Genre: Non-fiction book. Self-published books not accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: October 29, 2019.

The Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest is sponsored by Hollins University. Restrictions: Open to young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Up to $5,000 renewable annual Creative Talent Scholarship in creative writing if winner enrolls at Hollins. Free tuition and housing for the university’s Hollins summer creative writing program. $200 cash prize. Publication in Cargoes, Hollins’ award-winning student literary magazine. Ten copies of Cargoes. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is the most prestigious literary award in the US. Restrictions: Authors must be living American citizens. Self-published works not accepted. Genres: Novels, novellas, and collections of short stories. Prize: $15,000. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Benjamin Franklin House Literary Prize. Restrictions: Entrants must be aged 18-25 years and living in the UK. Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. Each year a question or quote exploring Franklin’s relevance in our time is open for interpretation in 1000-1500 words. Prize: First prize of £750, second prize of £500. Winning entries will be posted on the website and also published online by The Telegraph. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Eric Gregory Awards. Restrictions: Applicants must be under 30 and a British subject by birth and must ordinarily be resident in the United Kingdom or Northern Ireland. Genre: Poetry collection. Previously published work accepted. Prize: £4,000.00. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Young Walter Scott Prize. Restrictions: Open to UK authors aged 11-19. Genre: Historical fiction between 800 and 2000 words. Prizes: £500 travel and research grant to further explore historical places in the UK, and an invitation to the Borders Book Festival in Melrose, Scotland. Two runners-up in each category receive a £100 book token, and all four winning stories are published in a special YWSP anthology book. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

McKitterick Prize. Restrictions: Open to authors over age 40 on December 31, 2019. Genre: First novel. The work must have been first published in the UK in the year in which the deadline falls (and not first published abroad), or be unpublished. Prize: £4,000.00. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Tom-Gallon Trust Award. Restrictions: Open to citizens of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland with at least one short story published or accepted for publication. Genre: Short story, maximum 5,000 words. May be unpublished. Prize: £1,000.00. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Lex:lead Essay Competition. Restrictions: Candidates must show citizenship in an eligible country and be enrolled in studies with at least one law class in an eligible country at the time of the award. Genre: Essay: How can access to justice reduce poverty and support economic development? Prize: $500 scholarship. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

Kraemer Intergenerational Story Contest. Genre: Short story, video, art, audio clip featuring more than one generation. Length: 500 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

The Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. Restrictions: The Orwell Prize for Political Fiction is open to novels and short story collections first published in the UK or Ireland in the calendar year 2019. Genre: Fiction that explores ideas and issues, political themes, dilemmas and injustices through imagined narratives. Prize: £3,000.00. Deadline: October 31, 2019. 

Frontier New Voices Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers traditionally under represented by mainstream magazines and presses, in order to make that “breaking in” a little easier. Prize: $500 grant meant to be used toward covering industry submission costs, multiple publications (original poetry and prose) in Frontier, participation in their editorial community, and introductions to agents and presses. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

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: October 31, 2019.

The End of Our World 2.0. Genre: Stories about climate change. Prize: Up to $1000. Deadline: October 31, 2019.

27 Writing Conferences in October 2019

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This October there are 27 conferences, intensive workshops, retreats and book fairs from coast to coast. You will also have a chance to pitch your work to agents, meet editors, and get to know your fellow writers. Conferences provide great opportunities to network, so make the most of your experience!

I strongly recommend that you plan ahead for next year if you miss your perfect conference or workshop. Many of these conferences offer scholarships, but you have to apply early.

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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Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Writers. October 1, 2019 - October 1, 2020: Keene, NY. "Devote a year to writing your book in community with an intimate group of dedicated writers, nurtured from start to finish by acclaimed author, seasoned editor, and literary mentor Kate Moses. The program opens and closes with week-long fall residency intensives at Craigardan, a secluded artists' retreat set at a circa-1800s farm nestled in the Adirondack mountains of upstate New York. From the first residency onward Kate will provide writers the structure, tools, and guidance required to cultivate and nourish their manuscripts, with the goal of bringing projects to fruition (a full first draft, a revised draft, or meeting an individual goal) by program's end. Throughout the year, writers will receive ongoing individual and group mentorship, one-on-one monthly conferences in response to their manuscript submissions, and take part in online craft tutorials, group seminars, interviews with published writers and publishing professionals, and other opportunities for connection with like-minded artists sharing in an often solitary endeavor. Bookgardan culminates twelve months later—once again syncing with the autumn harvest—with a second Craigardan residency focused on the business of writing and publishing, the sustenance of lasting fellowship, and a deserved celebration. Limited to a maximum of 6 participants each year."

Georgia Romance Writers: Moonlight and Magnolias. October 3 – October 3, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. Includes keynote speakers, workshops, editor/agent appointments, autographing & bookfair, awards banquet.

New York Comicon. October 3 - 6, 2019: New York, New York. New York Comic Con is the East Coast's biggest popular culture convention: Show Floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies and television; Panels and Autograph Sessions give Fans a chance to interact with their favorite Creators; Screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit big and small screens.

2019 Creative Retreat for writers, photographers. October 4 - 6, 2019: Mountain View, Missouri. Relax & refuel your creativity along a scenic river, while picking up tips from professionals in writing & photography. There will be time to learn & time to create. Participants stay in rustic cabins & enjoy family-style meals in dining hall.

State Writing Conference & Convention, sponsored by The Kansas Authors Club, Oct 4 - 6, 2019, Wichita, Kansas. Writing workshops, panels, and presentations by Kevin Rabas, Jeff Broome and more.

Write on the Sound Writers' Conference and Pre-Conference. Oct 4 - 6, 2019: Edmonds, WA. WOTS offers the opportunity to explore various writing craft techniques with nationally recognized industry professionals in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

WriteAngles. October 5, 2019: South Hadley, Massachusetts. Panels and workshops, with two keynoters, a limited number of agent meetings. Continental breakfast, and buffet lunch included. Agents: TBA

Picture Book Summit. Oct 5, 2019, Online. An online, one day live event for picture book writers including author keynotes, interviews, workshops and agent & editor panels. Recordings provided for attendees for four months post-conference.

Ozark Creative Writers Conference. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Workshops by published authors, editors and agents; Publishers Row, independent publishers available to hear about your next project; Writing contests available to all participants.

Historical Writers of America Conference 2019. Oct 10 - 12, 2019: The Woodlands, Colonial Williamsburg, VA. The conference programming will focus on supporting quality historical writing – fiction and nonfiction, research, the submission process, the road to publication, and the life of a historical writer. There will be a mix of sessions on the craft of writing and genre and era specific knowledge (food, clothing, language) as well as the business side of publishing including self/indie publishing, marketing and publicity and social media techniques. While many of the sessions are geared specifically to historical writing, this year the focus is on the craft of writing - in all genres.

Imaginarium. Oct 11 - 13, 2019: Louisville KY. A three day annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. Imaginarium Convention features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by over 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing, and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns, and many more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.

Be a Better Freelancer  October 11 - 13, 2019: St Louis, MO. Annual conference for freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, indexers, graphic artists, website managers and developers, etc., with presenters offering guidance and tips on marketing, promotions, new skills and other business aspects of freelancing. Focus: Nonfiction.

Letters & Lines Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Golden, CO. Conference focus: children's and young adult books. Faculty: Molly O’Neill, Sylvie Frank, Tiffany Liao, Meredith Mundy, and many more.

James River Writers Conference. October 12 - 13, 2019: Richmond, Virginia. The conference features pitch sessions with agents and editors and panel discussions for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. The conference will also offer preconference master classes on October 11. Participants include poets Jon Pineda and Pavana Reddy, fiction writers Nafissa Thompson-Spires and Padma Venkatraman, nonfiction writers Marita Golden and Roben Farzad, and literary agents Brenna English-Loeb (Transatlantic Agency), Anna Knutson Geller (Write View), Marie Lamba (Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency), Beth Marshea (Ladderbird), Christina Morgan (Serendipity), and Eric Smith (P.S. Literary). The cost of the conference, which includes some meals and a one-on-one meeting with an agent, is $355, or $195 for a single day. The cost of a master class is an additional $65.

Writing By Writers Workshop @ Tomales Bay. October 16 - 20, 2019: Tomales Bay, California. Manuscript and poetry workshops are limited to 12 participants and generative workshops are limited to 15 to ensure an intimate setting.

Annual Florida Writers Conference, October 17 - 20, 2019: Altamonte Springs, Florida. Four workshops and panels dedicated to help you learn how to pitch your story, and more than fifty acclaimed authors, poets, and publishing industry experts for three days of networking opportunities.

Nimrod Conference for Readers and Writers. October 18 - 19, 2019: University of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, master classes, panel discussions, and individual manuscript consultations with faculty. Participants include poets Kim Addonizio and Jeanetta Calhoun Mish; fiction writers Rachel Hall, Margot Livesey, and Anna-Marie McLemore; nonfiction writer Rhys Martin; agent Jennifer Udden (Barry Goldblatt Literary); Nimrod International Journal of Prose and Poetry editorial board members Diane Burton, Crystal Carey, Cynthia Gustavson, and Christopher Murphy; and recent winners of the Nimrod Literary Awards. The cost of the conference is $60, which includes lunch. Scholarships are available. The deadline to register for a one-on-one manuscript consultation with an editor is October 12; general registration is first come, first served.

Northern Woodlands Writers & Readers Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019: Fairlee, Vermont. Sponsored by The Trust for Public Land, the conference explores how writers, artists and educators express the rich forest heritage of the Northeast: both the natural history of our region, and the interactions of people and place. The event will include writing workshops, readings, a nature illustration class, special workshops for educators, woods walks, fun talks on forest topics, and plenty of time for informal conversations over meals and around the campfire. Register by Oct 1.

Emerald City Writers' Conference. Oct 18 - 20, 2019, Bellevue, WA. Local Romance Writers of America conference, featuring film and television scouts, who will be taking pitches along with editors and agents, keynote speakers, workshops, and a master class. 

Annual Rochester Writers’ Conference, October 19, 2019: Rochester, Michigan. Lectures, Workshops and Panel Discussions in fiction, non-fiction and business of writing presentations. Open to new, working and published writers of all genres. Attendees select four presentations from a dozen to tailor fit their needs.

Viable Paradise Science Fiction Writers' Workshop. Oct 20 - 25, 2019: Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Viable Paradise is a unique one-week residential workshop in writing and selling commercial science fiction and fantasy. The workshop is intimate, intense, and features extensive time spent with best-selling and award-winning authors and professional editors currently working in the field. VP concentrates on the art of writing fiction people want to read, and this concentration is reflected in post-workshop professional sales by our alumni. Applications close June 1.

Other Words Literary Conference. Oct 24 -26, 2019: University of Tampa, Florida. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as panels and readings. Their goal is "to bring together writers, editors, agents, publishers, book sellers, grant administrators, directors of writers' colonies and retreats, and other interested folk in one place. We'll be talking about the how to of the literary arts: how to write it, make it, sell it, fund it, and nurture it."

Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference, October 24 - 27, 2019: Pasadena, CA. Experienced authors, editors, agents and publishing experts will be on hand, ready to help you develop your own craft and position yourself for success.

Gotham Writers Conference. Oct 25  - 26, 2019: NY, NY. A writing conference built by agents, for writers, with a faculty of some of the top agents in New York City. Receive focused attention within your genre from some of the best in the business.

Atlanta Writers Conference. October 25 - 26, 2019: Atlanta, Georgia. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on creating or improving author websites. Participating publishing professionals included editors Sarah Blumenstock (Berkley), Matthew Daddona (Dey Street Books), Rachel Diebel (Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press), Tom Hoeler (Del Rey Books), Tiara Kittrell (Balzer + Bray), Loan Le (Atria Books), Megha Majumdar (Catapult), and Christopher Werner (Amazon Publishing), and agents Amelia Appel (Triada US), Lucy Cleland (Kneerim & Williams), Arielle Datz (Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency), Melissa Edwards (Stonesong), Wendi Gu (Janklow & Nesbit Associates), Saritza Hernández (Corvisiero Literary Agency), Tamara Kawar (ICM Partners), and Kelli Martin (Wendy Sherman Associates). The cost of a single session ranges from $50 to $170; the cost of the “All-Activities Package,” which includes two manuscript critiques, one query letter critique, two pitch sessions, a craft workshop, access to two Q&A panels, and an optional pre-conference manuscript edit, is $620. Writers who are not members of the Atlanta Writers Club must purchase a yearlong membership for an additional $50 in order to register. The deadline to register for a manuscript critique is September 24.

Magna cum Murder XXIV. Oct 25  - 27, 2019: Indianapolis, IN. 45+ authors of crime writing fiction.

Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference. October 25 - 28, 2019: Truchas, New Mexico. The conference features evaluation and discussion of book-length and chapbook-length manuscripts with poets, editors, and publishers. The cost of the conference is $1,400, which includes lodging and meals. Using the online submission system, submit a brief bio and three to four poems.

Top 12 Paying Markets for Fiction, Personal Essays and Poetry

Mr B finds Pamela writing (Wikimedia Commons)

Updated 8/23/23

Here are a dozen prestigious literary magazines that accept submissions of poetry, short fiction, and nonfiction. None charge submission fees, and all pay writers at professional or semi-professional rates.

Although these are big names in the world of literary magazines, you don't have to be an established writer to submit to them. In fact, many of these magazines are proud of their reputation of discovering new voices and launching the careers of famous authors. You could be one of them!

There are, of course, many more prestigious magazines than the ones on this list. Check out these lists. (Some of the magazines on these lists charge fees to submit.):

Top 50 Literary Magazines -Every Writer

20 Respected Literary Journals and Magazines that Publish Creative Writing

Ranking of the 100 Best Literary Magazines

For hundreds of additional paying markets, see: Paying Markets

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Agni

Agni is a respected publication put out by Boston University. They publish poetry, short fiction, and essays. Payment: $40 per page for poetry, with a $300 maximum. Reading period: September 1st to May 31st.

Narrative

Narrative accepts short stories, essays, one-act plays, and other complete short works of nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of fiction and nonfiction, as well as novellas (up to 40,000 words), and audio prose. There is a fee-free submission period during the first two weeks of April.

Payment: $500 for a Story of the Week.

—$200 for a Poem of the Week.

—$250 to $500 for 500 to 2,000 word manuscripts.

—$500 to $1,000 for 2,000 to 15,000 word manuscripts.

—$200 minimum for each accepted poem or audio/video piece. ($100 for poetry reprints.)

—$100 for Readers’ Narratives.

The Atlantic

The Atlantic is a highly prestigious magazine founded in 1857 as The Atlantic Monthly in Boston, They always interested in great nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Payment: Professional rates. To submit poetry, send your manuscript to: poetry@theatlantic.com.

The Georgia Review

Founded in 1947, The Georgia Review is the University of Georgia’s journal of arts and letters.  The journal has twice taken a top prize in the annual National Magazine Awards competition, winning out over the likes of the Atlantic, Esquire, the New Yorker, and Vanity Fair, and has been a finalist twenty times in various categories. Payment: $50 per printed page for prose and $4 per line for poetry. Essay-reviews and standard reviews earn honoraria of $50/printed page. In addition, all contributors receive a one-year subscription to The Georgia Review. No fee to submit by regular mail. Closed to submissions between May 15 and August 15.

Harper's Magazine

Founded in 1850, Harper's Magazine is one of the oldest magazines in the country. It has a circulation of more than 220,000. They publish fiction, art and nonfiction. Payment: According to Who Pays Writers Harper's pays between 25 cents and a dollar a word. Snail mail submissions only.

The Kenyon Review

This is another long-standing publication with a great reputation. In addition to poetry, they publish fiction, plays and creative nonfiction. Payment: Professional rate. Their annual submission period is in September.

One Story

One Story is seeking literary short stories. "They can be any style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to stand alone." Single stories are sent to email subscribers every month. Length: Between 3,000 and 8,000 words. Payment: $500 and 25 contributors copies. See reading periods.

The Paris Review

In its long history as a literary magazine The Paris Review has published such luminaries as Jack Kerouac, Philip Larkin, V. S. Naipaul, Philip Roth, Adrienne Rich, Italo Calvino, Samuel Beckett and Robert Bly. It has a readership of over 22,000. The Paris Review accepts fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: Who pays writers reports payments of 10 cents/word to $100 flat fee. The Paris Review accepts unsolicited submissions of prose in March and September and unsolicited submissions of poetry in January, April, July, and October.

Poetry Magazine

Poetry is a highly prestigious publication, and therefore has a high rejection rate. But do not be afraid to give it a whirl. (The worst that can happen is that they will cut your head off and stick it on a pole as a warning to other poets.) Payment: $10 per line (with a minimum payment of $300), and $150 per page of prose, for first serial rights. Closed to submissions June 15 through September 15.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker is New York. It started as a humor weekly in 1925, and has since grown to be one of the most prestigious magazines in the country. The New Yorker publishes one short story per issue and several poems. Payment: Professional rates. Submission guidelines are here.

VQR

"VQR strives to publish the best writing we can find. While we have a long history of publishing accomplished and award-winning authors, we also seek and support emerging writers. We read unsolicited fiction, poetry, and nonfiction submissions July 1-31 through our Submittable portal." Note: Genre fiction not accepted. Payment: $200 per poem, up to 4 poems; for a suite of 5 or more poems, payment is $1,000. For short fiction, $1,000. For other prose, such as personal essays and literary criticism, $1,000 and above, at approximately 25 cents per word, depending on length. Online content is generally paid at $100-$200, depending upon genre and length.

ZYZZYVA

ZYZZYVA is a print journal based in San Francisco. "We have established a vigorous tradition of finding and fostering new talent, in our backyard and beyond. For over thirty years ZYZZYVA has nurtured emerging writers, many of whom go on to spectacular careers (Haruki Murakami, Po Bronson, F.X. Toole, Kay Ryan, Sherman Alexie) and whose work in ZYZZYVA is recognized by the Pushcart Prize, the Best American series, the O. Henry Prize Stories, and other awards organizations." They publish fiction, poetry, essays, and artwork. Payment: Token to semi-pro. They accept submissions from January 7 through May 31, and September 1 through November 19. (These submission periods can change without notice.) Snail mail submissions only.

12 Speculative Fiction Magazines Accepting Submissions NOW - Paying markets

Goodfreephotos.com

Updated 8/23/23

Speculative fiction is near and dear to my heart. It's also what I write, so I am always on the lookout for speculative fiction magazines open to submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees.

For over a hundred paying speculative fiction magazines accepting submissions see: 

Mega-List of Science Fiction and Fantasy Magazines - Paying markets

Happy submitting!

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Through the Gate: Fantastical poetry "We are looking for fantastical poetry of literary and emotional depth from a diversity of voices and perspectives. Our definition of fantastical is quite fluid, encompassing fantasy, magic realism, myth, folklore, surrealism and slipstream. We desire poetry that is atypically beautiful, unconventionally imaginative, and boundary-crossing. We are not interested in work that is strictly science fiction or mainstream, but poetry that blurs the lines between such genres and the fantastical is welcome." Length: Up to three poems. Payment: $20 per poem. Deadline: Open now.

Three-lobed Burning Eye. "Original speculative fiction: horror, fantasy, and science fiction. We're looking for short stories from across the big classifications and those shadowy places between: magical realism, fantastique, slipstream, interstitial, and the Weird. We will consider suspense or western, though we prefer it contain some speculative element. We like voices that are full of feeling, from literary to pulpy, with styles unique and flowing, but not too experimental. All labels aside, we want tales that expand genre, that value imagination in character, narrative, and plot. We want to see something new and different." Length: Short fiction 1000–7000 words, Flash fiction 500–1000 words, (2000–5000 preferred). Payment: $100 for short fiction, $30 for flash fiction; + 1 print annual. Deadline: Open now.

The Dark The Dark publishes dark fantasy and horror. "Don’t be afraid to experiment or to deviate from the ordinary; be different—try us with fiction that may fall out of “regular” categories. However, it is also important to understand that despite the name, The Dark is not a market for graphic, violent horror." Length: 2,000 – 6,000 words. Payment: 6 cents/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for first world rights; and 1 cent/word for reprint fiction up to 6,000 words on publication for nonexclusive reprint rights. Deadline: Open now. 

Allegory. Genre: Speculative fiction and nonfiction articles about the business of writing. Payment: $15. Deadline: December 31, 2023. Accepts reprints.

Havok. Genre: Mystery, scifi, comedy, thriller, and fantasy.  Length: 300 to 1,000 words. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: September 1, 2023. See theme.

Electric Spec "We prefer science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we're willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres. We do not consider poetry, stories with over-the-top sex or violence, serials, novels, fan fiction, or non-fiction. We don't accept multiple submissions; in other words, only submit one story at a time and wait for a response before submitting another. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as you let us know up front and tell us as soon as it's accepted elsewhere. We do not publish reprints, including anything that has appeared on a website." Length: 250 to 7000 words. Payment: $20. Deadline: October 15, 2023

Dragon Soul Press: Magick and Mystery. Genre: "All witch stories for all genres." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: September 30, 2023.

Dragon Soul Press: A Winter Promise. Genre: "All Christmas stories. As long as Christmas is involved, the story qualifies. All genres. Happily Ever After not required." Payment:  Royalties.  Deadline: September 30, 2023.

Fanatical. Genre: Sci-fi, fantasy and horror stories between 2,000 and 6,000 words. Payment: £20. Deadline: September 30, 2023.

The Were-Traveler: Curst & Twysted Tarot. Genre: Short fiction. Choose an image you would like to write a story about. Payment: $10 for flash, $15 for short stories. (Open until filled.)

Hearth Stories. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We publish fiction and poetry that explore connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world. The stories often fall into a fantasy, science-fiction, or magical realism sort of “slice of life.” Payment: 1¢ per word for accepted stories (with a minimum of $20 regardless of length. Deadline: October 31, 2023.

Assault Team Anthology. Genre: Military Science Fiction. Payment: "a percentage of sales divided equally between the contributing authors." Deadline: December 1, 2023.

5 Literary Agents Actively Seeking Thrillers, Memoir, Pop Culture, Cookbooks, Speculative Fiction and more

Updated 8/22/23

Here are five literary agents actively building their client lists. All work with reputable literary agencies with solid track records. These agents are seeking everything - from nonfiction, to children's literature, to adult fantasy and science fiction, to thrillers and much more.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Mr. Jon Michael Darga of Aevitas Creative Management

Jon Michael Darga has edited titles across a diverse range of genres, including Dianne Hales’ La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World; transgender activist Sarah McBride’s memoir Tomorrow Will Be Different; Nico Tortorella’s poetry collection all of it is you.; and the paperback edition of Pulitzer Prize winner Sheri Fink’s Five Days at Memorial. Darga graduated from the University of Michigan with Honors with a BA in English and Creative Writing, and later attended the Columbia University publishing program. Before coming to Aevitas, he worked as an editor at Crown, a division within Penguin Random House.

What he is seeking: Darga represents both non-fiction and fiction as an Aevitas agent based in Michigan. He is most interested in voice-driven pop culture writing, non-fiction histories that re-cast the narrative by emphasizing unexpected or unheard voices, and both adult and young adult commercial fiction that features diverse casts and new stories. He is not looking for genre fiction like political/crime thrillers, fantasy/sci-fi, or non-fiction in the self-help/how-to/business categories.

How to submit: Use his querymanager HERE.

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Ms. Agnes Carlowicz of Arc Literary Management

Agnes Carlowicz joined Arc Literary Management in April 2022 as a full time agent. She began her publishing career in 2015 as assistant to Joy Tutela at the David Black Agency, while completing her English B.A. and Creative Writing concentration at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York. In 2017, she joined Carol Mann Agency as assistant to the president where she worked closely with renowned novelist and essayist Paul Auster. While there, she began growing her own list to include authors from varied perspectives interested in disrupting the status quo. Agnes wants to use her position in the publishing industry to help create a world where writers are liberated to unabashedly express themselves, and readers of all identities see themselves represented on the page.

What she is seeking: Her interests include both fiction and non-fiction, with a special passion for literature that amplifies underrepresented voices and subverts the status quo. Among others, she enjoys: intersectional feminism, millennial self-care, female-driven memoir,  true-crime, and humorous pop culture.

How to submit:  Use her querymanager HERE.

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Ms. Lindsey Smith of Speilburg Literary Agency

Lindsey Smith got her start in the publishing industry as an author. After her own publishing success, she started working with other writers to help launch their books and shape their careers. To date, Lindsey has worked with over 1,000 authors and negotiated book deals even before becoming an agent. Her unique perspective helps shape her passion for the industry and her role as an advocate for her clients. Formerly a publicist and hailing from the world of self-publishing, Lindsey understands the importance of branding, and she works with each client not only to sell a book but to build a career.

What she is seeking: Lindsey is interested in cookbooks, lifestyle, health, pop culture, gender issues, self-help, true crime, and current events. She is especially interested in podcast-to-book ideas, journalists who specialize in specific research, and cookbooks that have a niche and/or narrative voice. Please do not send diet books.

How to submit: Fill out the online form HERE: https://querymanager.com/query/lindsey

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Mr. Jonathan Cobb of Hannigan Salky Getzler Agency

Jon began working at HSG in the summer of 2016. After graduating from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, he decided to follow his dream of joining the publishing industry by moving to New York. He gained valuable experience interning at NYU Press and Writers House, while also pursuing a Master’s degree in Publishing: Digital and Print Media at NYU.

​What he is seeking: Jon reads all genres of fiction but has a particular interest in contemporary middle grade and YA, adult science fiction and fantasy, African-American fiction, literary fiction, and mysteries and thrillers.

How to submit: Jon accepts unsolicited queries through querymanager.

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Ms. Alicia Brooks of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency

NO LONGER LISTED ON THE AGENCY WEBSITE

Alicia Brooks began her career over twenty years ago in book publishing as an editorial assistant at Penguin USA. She worked her way up to an assistant editor position at Nan A. Talese/Doubleday where she worked with noteworthy authors, including Margaret Atwood, Pat Conroy, and Ian McEwan. Alicia then made the transition to an editor position at Picador/St. Martin's Press. Alicia is a graduate of Wellesley College with a B.A. in English and Philosophy and has a Master's Degree in the Teaching of English from Columbia University.

What she is seeking: As an agent at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, she is looking for Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Self-Help, Pop Culture, Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, YA Fiction, Mystery/Crime, and Historical Fiction.

How to submit: Use the agency's online form HERE: http://www.jvnla.com/submissions.php

10 UK Literary Agents Seeking New Clients NOW

Updated 8/21/23

Here are ten UK literary agents actively seeking clients. All are from reputable literary agencies with solid track records. They are seeking a wide variety of genres, including literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, scripts, fantasy, children's literature and much more.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients

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Ms. Jennifer Christie of Graham Maw Christie Literary Agents

Jennifer worked in marketing and advertising for 12 years, and as a literary agent for 13 years. Starting in PR ( The Rowland Company, Saatchi & Saatchi), she moved into advertising (TBWA, Ogilvy and Mather) and then journalism (BBC and freelance). She has also worked as a ghostwriter.

What she is seeking: Memoir, autobiography, parenting and self-help to popular philosophy, science, food, creativity, history and smart thinking

How to submit: Please email your submission to submissions@grahammawchristie.com with the title of your work in the subject header and the word 'submission'. See the website for details.

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Ms. Megan Carroll of Watson, Little Ltd

Megan graduated from Goldsmiths with a BA in English and American Literature in 2013 and worked as an intern at Watson, Little and Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency before returning to the agency as the assistant in July 2014. She is now an Associate Agent and is building her own list.

What she is seeking: Megan is looking for commercial fiction & reading group fiction with original voices and an interesting hook, YA with realistic themes and characters, memoir and good narrative non-fiction writing on film, popular culture and issues from a female perspective. She’s especially keen on finding debut authors as well as growing a list of talented illustrators. Megan is also interested in discovering new, diverse, quirky and imaginative voices across all ages in Children’s Fiction.

‘I’d love to find a regional family drama with multiple voices, generations and realistic characters – think East is East meets Parenthood – and I’m keen for more stories about sisters or mothers and daughters. If you’re writing funny, female focused MG, I would love to read it. Psychological thrillers are not for me but I’d love to see a female led police procedural or a Big Little Lies-esque mystery.’

How to submit: Send all queries to submissions@watsonlittle.com. For fiction, send approximately 10,000 words or the nearest equivalent. Please send this as a single document, taken from the beginning of the book. For non-fiction send a proposal.

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Ms. Florence Rees of A.M. Heath & Co. Ltd

"I love that feeling of having to read one more chapter.  Characters (real or fictional) can stay with me for years. I’ve spent memorable hours weeping over the last pages in the beautiful, heart-wrenching memoirs of Paul Kalanthi’s When Breath Becomes Air and Cathy Rentzenbrink’s The Last Act of Love. It’s not limited to non-fiction though. Marian Keyes’s character, Amy, from The Break had me imagining my life had my (non-existent) husband of twenty years left me for a gap year. I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams recently and felt such empathy for Queenie, who is just trying to live her life as best she knows how. Aren’t we all?"

What she is seeking: Fiction, memoir, fantasy.

How to submit: Use their online submission form HERE.


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Ms. Charlotte Seymour of Johnson and Alcock

Charlotte Seymour began her career in publishing as a literary scout at Eccles Fisher Associates. Following six and a half years as an agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, in 2022 she joined Johnson & Alcock, representing fiction and non fiction, and selling UK rights on behalf of US publisher Other Press.  

What she is seeking: In fiction, Charlotte is looking for stories that grip and move her, be they nail-biting and suspenseful, funny and uplifting or heart-breaking. She loves beautiful writing that crosses boundaries, whether geographic or linguistic or in bringing a twist to a genre. She has a penchant for the dark and haunting, and occasionally a hint of the speculative or uncanny. She is always on the hunt for a great love story.

In non-fiction, she is looking for accessible, engaging writing on a range of subjects including popular science, social and environmental issues, linguistics, social and cultural history, nature, food and cookery, and popular culture. She especially loves hybrid books, for example, when in a memoir, the personal is interwoven with a bigger story or subject.

Charlotte enjoys working editorially with her authors, bringing existing projects to fruition and helping come up with new ideas. As well as championing literature in translation, she is eager to see more submissions from new and original voices in English from around the world.

How to submit: Email your submission to charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk. See site for submission details. 

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Ms. Meg Davis of Ki Agency

Meg worked in the theatre and in bookselling before becoming an agent.  After some years at MBA, she started Ki Agency in 2011 to represent authors and scriptwriters. Meg’s work for her clients is informed by her involvement behind the scenes, previously as co-Chair of the Dramatists’ section of the PMA, on the management board of Public Lending Right, and as the external examiner for the MA in Scriptwriting course at Sheffield Hallam. She is currently Chair of the Writers’ Organisations Advisory Group, and serving a third term on the committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents.

What she is looking for: Meg is happy to consider scripts in all genres, and books in some genres, especially genre fiction.  Not a good bet for fiction that might be considered to be wearing a cardigan, or which is narrated by an animal.

How to submit: Please send scripts for film, TV and theater as a PDF file. For books, send a full synopsis and the first 3 chapters/50 pages as a doc file or PDF to meg@ki-agency.co.uk. Does not accept writers from the US.

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Mr. Jamie Maclean of Coombs Moylett MacLean Literary Agency

AGENCY IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO QUERIES

Educated at Edinburgh College of Art, Jamie was fortunate enough to join the pilot scheme of the Sotheby’s Works of Art Course. Subsequently he worked for Sotheby’s and briefly ran the newly formed Victorian paintings department before moving to Michael Parkin Fine Art, a gallery specializing in modern British art. His next job was at Wildenstein & Co, the international art dealers. Three years later he set up his own dealership, the Maclean Gallery, holding exhibitions of paintings, drawings and prints from the 18th century to the present day, for which he produced several catalogues. In 1985 he curated the first exhibition of erotic art to be held legally in the UK.

What he is seeking: Jamie specialises in both fiction and non-fiction and is particularly interested in sexual politics, relationship, lifestyle how-to’s, erotica, thrillers, whodunit and historical crime.

How to submit: Use the agency's online form HERE.

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Ms. Cara Lee Simpson of Susanna Lea Associates

After growing up in Wales, I moved to London to study English Literature at King’s College London then a Masters at the London School of Economics. I joined the SLA London office as a Literary Agent in 2024, having previously been an agent at PFD where I launched the Queer Fiction Prize. I represent literary, book club and general fiction, as well as some narrative non-fiction and am actively developing a carefully curated client list of career authors. My authors have been international number one bestsellers and won or been shortlisted for numerous prizes. I love working closely with my clients to developing their manuscripts, which I then handle in the UK and North America, with my wonderful colleagues looking after their translation and Film & TV rights around the globe.

What she is seeking: "I am on the lookout for general fiction, immersive book club novels and literary fiction. I’m drawn to smart, clean prose or a lyrical voice, books with an interesting form or structure, and character-driven fiction with unusual and absorbing protagonists. I would also love to find something speculative like Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam. Something that takes an unusual scenario, slightly removed from the everyday, through which regular human relationships play out in a heightened way. I work on a select number of narrative non-fiction titles and am interested in memoirs and real-life stories, nature writing, and social commentaries told through an interesting lens and with a strong sense of personal journey. I am open to submissions from international writers. As well as developing home grown UK, Irish and European talent, I also represent clients in North America, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand – and am keen to develop the international side of my list where a book is first written in the English language."

How to submit: Follow submission guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Sophie Gorell Barnes of MBA Literary Agents Ltd

Sophie studied theatre and television and worked as a researcher for several years on factual programmes and for the COI. She has written children’s books for Macmillan Education, reviewed theatre and worked on magazines as a sub editor. She joined MBA at the end of 1993 and moved to agenting original and talented children’s writers, working on picture books to YA fiction.  She also agents writers for theatre, adult non fiction and handles audiobook rights for MBA.

What she is seeking: She is looking, in particular, for slick and humorous middle grade fiction.

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters and a synopsis as attachments and a covering letter in the body of the email. All attachments must be in Word, PDF or Final Draft format. Please e-mail all submissions to submissions@mbalit.co.uk marking your email for the attention of the relevant agent.

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Lucy Morris of Curtis Brown

Lucy Morris joined the Curtis Brown Books Department in September 2014 from Bloomsbury Publishing.

What she is seeking: Currently she is looking for commercial and reading-group novels written with wit and warmth, irresistible contemporary romance, truly chilling ghost stories, and thrillers with a high concept and strong emotional roots.

"In fiction, I represent both commercial and literary writing. I am interested in topical themes, incisive social commentary and thoughtful, intimate observations of people: their emotions, their behaviours, their relationships. Books with heart and humour, and voices that sparkle with originality. Long-time favourites include Megan Abbott, Liane Moriarty and Marian Keyes, and recently I’ve loved Tia Williams’ Seven Days in June, Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures, and Rachel Khong’s Goodbye Vitamin. I have read (and will continue to read) everything that Mhairi Macfarlane has ever published – modern and completely irresistible love stories, underpinned by spirited characters and a fierce wit. In crime and thriller I look for high concepts with an emotional core, and am very lucky indeed to work with Gillian McAllister, queen of the moral dilemma!

In non-fiction I enjoy working with writers to bring their passion and expertise to a wide audience in books that are practical and accessible, told with an engaging voice. I have a particular soft spot for memoir, stories of extraordinary lives and remarkable careers. I’m always intrigued by an unusual approach to putting a life on to the page, think Maggie O’Farrell’s masterful I Am, I Am, I Am, or the food vignettes of Nigel Slater’s Toast."

How to submit: Email Lucy at lucy.morris@curtisbrown.co.uk with your synopsis and first three chapters (for fiction), or your proposal (for non-fiction).
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Ms. Seren Adams of Lexington Literary

Seren Adams worked at Granta and Foyles before joining United Agents in 2015. As well as assisting Anna Webber, she is building her own list. She is looking for excellent short fiction, unconventional literary novels, and narrative non-fiction.
 
How to submit: Started new agency. Currently closed to queries.