69 Calls for Submissions in June 2020 - Paying markets

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There are more than five dozen calls for submissions in June. 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 the following month's calls for submissions toward 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 next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

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

Happy submitting!

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Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Lazy, Hazy, Crazy. Payment: $20 for featured author stories; $10 for stories published on &More page $5 for poems. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Coastal Shelf. Genre: Poetry, fiction. Length: 2,000  words max. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Eerie River: It Calls from the Sky. Genre: Horror. "Send me your stories of lights in the sky, a storm that brings with it more than rain, comets that crash, aliens that secretly invade, or a wishing star that is hell-bent on revenge. The stories themselves do not have to take place in the sky, but the evil bad does need to come from it in some way or form." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Eternal Haunted Summer: Holy Days. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, essays about Holy Days.  Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

The Bare Life Review: The Climate Issue. Restrictions: Open to immigrant and refugee authors, including foreign-born authors living in the US, and writers living abroad who currently hold refugee and/or asylum-seeker status. Also, for this issue, anyone who has been displaced by climate change. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $100 - $300. $750 for accepted full-length prose pieces. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Tales from the Moonlit Path. Genre: Dark, eerie, speculative stories. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Fly on the Wall Press: Food. Genre: Poetry (up to 3 poems), flash fiction, short stories, book reviews, and artwork on the theme of Food theme. “I’m looking for personal connections with food. Cooking can be a delicate art. Sitting down at a family meal can be painful, explosive, a treasured moment; a special kind of chaotic seasonal holiday! What foods do we worship with in places of worship? What foods do we love with; give as gifts, bake with care?  Taste memory can be extremely evocative.  What kind of foods define us? What if a lack of food defines us?” Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Speculative City. Genre: Afrofuturist fiction, poetry, and essays written by authors who are specifically of Black and/or African descent. They seek speculative works that are centered within a cityscape. Payment: $20-$55. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Contrary. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Hawk and Cleaver: The Other Stories. Genre: Horror short stories. Theme: Alternative Reality.  Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Bloodbath Zine. Restrictions: Open to anybody except white, straight males who don't have a disability. Genre: Horror on theme of  vampires. Payment: £30. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: June 2, 2020.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: June 3, 2020.

Occult Detective Magazine. Genre: Mystery short stories, nonfiction, art. "We love both old-style and modern, cutting edge weird fiction, and we love folk horror; we embrace unashamed arcane adventure, and we also draw gritty noir mysteries into our domain. At the heart of all these tales are the occult detectives." Payment: $0.01/word (up to $50, up to $30 for nonfiction). Deadline: June 5, 2020.

Prairie Fire: Living in a House on Fire. Genre: Fiction, creative non-fiction, essays, and poetry that explore the topic of living in our current time of tremendous uncertainty. We believe that taking on the task of articulating the affective consequences of climate change will help countless others as they find their own language for inevitable loss. General submissions (non-themed) also open.  Payment: Prose: $0.10 per word. Poetry: $40 per poem.  Deadline: June 5, 2020.

Bronzeville Books:Rigor Morbid 2. Genre: Horror. “A collection of horror tales for Halloween.” Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: June 6, 2020.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of Taste. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: June 7, 2020. See accepted genres.

Scum. Genre: Feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 2000 words (50 lines for poetry, max. 3 poems) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. Payment: $60 AUD. Deadline: June 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on June 1.

Mslexia. Genre: Poems and stories on theme of WILDLIFE. "We’re inviting submissions on all creatures great and small. Whether it’s a mosquito or marmoset, a flea or a ferret, we’re itching to read your zoological creations." Payment: £25. Deadline: June 8, 2020.

Hawk and Cleaver: The Other Stories. Genre: Horror short stories. Theme: Something Left On The Doorstep. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 14, 2020.

Seventh Wave: Before After. Genre: Prose, film, art, poetry. Payment: $75 for prose, film, plays, multiple poems, and multiple pieces of artwork; for individual poems, images, artwork $40.  Deadline: June 14, 2020.

Hippocampus Magazine: Road and Corner Anthology. Genre: Creative nonfiction about Roads and Corners. ROAD: "We're looking for (true) road trip stories of up to 5,000 words for this essay collection. While Route 66 and other now desolate U.S. highways immediately come to mind when thinking of road trips, we are certainly interested in stories from around the globe. What we are most looking for are stories with strong characters and an arc that take place in a mobile setting." CORNER: "For this essay collection, we're looking for stories of all kinds that are set in or revolve around a corner bar/dive bar (or small pub or tavern). Like for the ROAD collection, we're seeking stories up to 5,000 words with strong characters and and arc. We're open to stories that explore aspects of these establishments: we know it was not always fun and games." Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: Young adult short fiction up to 6,000 words in length. Theme: Banned Books. Audiocast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length. For reprints, $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Eye to the Telescope: The Sex Issue. Genre: Speculative poetry. "Sexual themes can be erotic, funny, silly, serious, heart-pounding, and heart-breaking, and perhaps doubly so when viewed through a science-fiction, fantasy, and horror lens." Payment: US 3¢/word rounded up to nearest dollar; minimum US $3, maximum $25. Payment is on publication. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

All Worlds Wayfarer: Through Other Eyes Anthology. Genre: Speculative fiction. "Through Other Eyes is an anthology of tales featuring non-human protagonists. Become someone—and something—else. We're eager for monsters, androids, vampires, elves, and aliens, but we're especially excited to meet species of your own design." Payment: $20. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Human/Kind Press. Genre: Craft essays for an anthology exploring connections between identity and narrative craft. "How can a marginalized identity bring a new perspective to how writing works? How can a marginalized identity challenge and/or complicate an old idea about how writing works?" Payment: $20. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Zombie Pirate: Full Metal Horror. Genre: Sci horror, cosmic horror, and bizzaro horror. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Colp: Treasure. Genre: Short fiction, all genres. "For this collection, we would like your stories that feature a treasure, whether they be buried treasure, cultural treasures or any other interpretation of the word." Payment: AU$5.00 for stories under 2500 words / AU$10.00 for anything above 2500 words. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

CRICKET: Best Friends Forever? (ages 9–14) Genre: Contemporary and historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, folk tales, myths and legends, and poetry touching on the theme of friendship. Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Spider Magazine:Wordplay (ages 6 - 9). Genre: Word games, language activities, riddles, puzzles, and more. Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Spider Magazine: Get a Move On! (ages 6 - 9). Genre: Stories, poems, nonfiction, and activities on the theme of movement and activity, from the great outdoors to the basketball court behind school. "We’re interested in the excitement, challenge, and joy of getting up, out, and moving!" Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Ladybug: Making Make Believe (ages 3 - 6). Genre: Short stories, poetry, rebus stories, and songs to fuel the young child’s imagination. "We’re interested in work with an imaginative or magical twist, whether it’s a contemporary story of children at play, a gentle fantasy, a retelling of a folk or fairy tale, or an exaggerated story told by a narrator who might not be entirely reliable. LADYBUG accepts fiction up to 800 words (shorter work is fine) and poetry up to 20 lines. For our young audience, we are looking for lively writing that begs to be read aloud, as well as playfulness, humor, and lyricism." Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Ladybug: My Family (ages 3 - 6). Genre: Short stories, nonfiction, poetry, rebus stories, and songs about family life. "Send us stories about the personal or cultural traditions that make each family special: celebrating holidays, passing down jokes and stories, annual scavenger hunts, favorite trips, and more. Whether funny or heartfelt, we’re interested in stories about the routines and rhythms that give young children a sense of belonging. LADYBUG accepts fiction up to 800 words, nonfiction up to 400 words, and poetry up to 20 lines." Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word.  Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Babybug: Beep-Beep, Vroom-Vroom! (for babies and toddlers). Genre: Poetry, action rhymes, finger plays, and simple stories about all kinds of vehicles. "For inspiration, you might think of little ones who are fascinated with construction sites or sailboat-filled harbors, or those who love watching bicycles, trains, buses, and garbage trucks. Please keep manuscripts short; poems can be up to eight lines and stories up to six sentences. When we read submissions, we are especially interested in rhythmic writing that babies and toddlers will want to hear again and again." Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Babybug: Breezy Summer. (for babies and toddlers). Genre: Poetry, action rhymes, finger plays, and very short stories that celebrate summertime. "Your work might explore sunny outings to the park or beach, the season’s special games, sights, and sounds, or some other interesting aspect of summer. We’re looking for playful writing that the very young will want to hear again and again. Please be concise; poems can be up to eight lines and stories up to six sentences." Payment: Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Fire and Ice. Genre: Full-length YA novels that take place during the holiday season (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years.) Novels should preferably be light hearted and humorous, and do not have to be romantic in nature, but can be. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art, and CNF. Must be "compressed" in some way. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Verve Poetry Press. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: June 25, 2020.

Third Point Press. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 26, 2020.

Outsiders Within. Genre: Cosmic horror. Payment: £15.00. Deadline: June 26, 2020. Reprints accepted.

Midnight and Indigo. Genre: Character-driven, speculative short stories written by Black women writers. Payment: $50 - $75. Deadline: June 28, 2020.

Night Shift Radio: Storyteller Series. Genre: Short stories, nonfiction, memoir.  Length: 7,000 - 10,000 words. Payment: $25 - $50. Deadline: June 28, 2020. Opens June 21.

Dragon Soul Press: Lethal Impact. Genre: Speculative fiction. "In this post-apocalyptic anthology, nothing matters except survival. In a world full of humans pitted against each other, how can there be anyone left to trust?" Word Count – 5,000-15,000. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Willowherb Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry and nonfiction by writers of color on nature, place, and environment. Payment: €150 for prose, €50 for poetry. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Cloud Lake Literary. Restrictions: Canadian writers. Genre: Fiction, art. creative nonfiction, poetry, and children’s literature (up to and including YA). Payment: $50 CAD/per page to a maximum of $150 CAD. Visual Art Submission: $50 CAD/per submission. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Women of the Woods. Genre: Spooky, eerie, gothic tales that leave out the gore and focus more on a feeling of dread and foreboding. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Better Off Dead Series Volume 3. Genre: Horror. "Submissions must have a strong female Main Character who will do whatever it takes to protect/avenge those she loves." Payment: $25. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Full-length poetry books. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Six Guns Straight From Hell, Volume 3. Genre: Western horror. Payment: $25 against royalties.  Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Cobblestone Press: Where's Holmes. Restrictions: Australian and New Zealand writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We are looking for short stories 5000 - 15000 words in which the presence and the methods of the great detective can be felt and referenced, but where he himself can be mentioned but not actually appear." Payment: Short story 5000 - 10000 words: $20AU; Short story 10000 - 15000 words: $25AU. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Dancing Star Press. Genre: Speculative fiction novellas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Deadite Press. Genre: Extreme horror and splatterpunk. Length: 20,000 to 100,000 words. Payment: 50% royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020. No simultaneous submissions.

Jolly Horror Press: Coffin Blossoms. Genre: Horror.Your story must include elements of both horror and comedy. "We wanna chuckle when we read it, in between sh*tting our pants." Payment: $25. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Downstate Story. Genre: Short stories. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 30, 2020. Snail mail only.

Eraserhead Press. Genre: Bizarro fiction novels and novellas. "We want surprising, unique, well-crafted weird stories with compelling plots, eccentric characters, and never-before-seen concepts." Length: 20,000 - 100,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Ruminate. Genre: All styles of creative nonfiction—essays, short memoirs, literary journalism, etc—only requiring that it be in prose form (no line breaks). Payment: $20 per 400 words. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Muskeg Press Genre: Short stories, up to 5,000 words. "In 1348, the Black Plague hit Florence, Italy, and it would kill tens of thousands of the city's residents by the time the pandemic was over in 1351. Among those who lived in Florence at the time was Giovanni Boccacio, who would become famous for writing The Decameron. We're now living through a similar moment in time, as we each do our part in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. At Muskeg Press, we look back and admire the attitude of Boccacio, who, in the midst of a terrible pestilence, wrote a great work of art that survives to the present day." Payment: $350. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Threepenny Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Allegory. Genre: Speculative fiction and nonfiction about the business of writing. Payment: $15.  Deadline: June 30, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Quommunicate Publishing: Even More Queer Families: LGBTQ+ True Stories Anthology. Genre: Short personal memoirs in prose, poetry and dramatic form up to 3,500 words on the theme of family from an LGBTQ+ perspective. Payment: $5/page. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Serendipity. Genre: Poetry, prose, and art that engages with issues of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and intersecting identities. "LGBTQ BIPOC are strongly encouraged to submit. Please do not submit if you do not identify as BIPOC." Payment: $15. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

And Lately, The Sun. Genre: Short stories about climate change. Payment: AUD$80; one story will receive an editor’s pick payment of AUD$500. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Prairie Fire. Genre: Fiction, creative non-fiction, essays, and poetry on the topic of walking.  General submissions (non-themed) also open. Payment: Prose: $0.10 per word. Poetry: $40 per poem.  Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Love Letters to Poe. Genre: Flash fiction stories in the gothic fiction genre. Payment: USD $0.05 (five cents) per word of original fiction. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Tales from OmniPark. Genre: Weird fiction set in OmniPark. Payment: $100. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Rumpus: Enough. Genre: ENOUGH is a Rumpus original series devoted to creating a dedicated space for essays, poetry, fiction, comics, and artwork by women and non-binary people that engage with rape culture, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Payment: $10 - $25. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Bright Wall/Dark Room. Genre: Essays of any length on any film or television related topic. Payment: $100 - $300 per essay. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Syndrome. “As a response to the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and countless others, and the continuous systematic violence perpetrated against the black community, we have launched the Black Voices Matter campaign for the month of June. As an ally and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, we believe that now is the time to pause our regular content and instead utilize this online space for anti-racism efforts. Black women/non-binary individuals are invited to submit their work – we look forward to hearing from you.” Payment: “Black writers will receive $50 for each published article. Our regular fee of $20 per article has been increased during this time as a small gesture to black writers whose work will inevitably bring insight and education to our wide readership, though we acknowledge this payment is not nearly enough.” Deadline: June 30, 2020.

MORE...

Thema: The Tiny Red Suitcase. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: The Tiny Red Suitcase. Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: July 1, 2020. Accepts reprints.

Tell-Tale Press. Genre: Fantasy, horror, mystery/crime, and/or science fiction short stories. Payment: $5 for 500 to 1000 words; $10 for 1000 to 3000 words; $25 for 3000 to 5000 words. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

The Were-Traveler: People of Color Destroy Lovecraft. Genre: Horror. They want stories with "POC characters that turn Lovecraft's racism and monsters on his/their heads." Payment: $10 for shorts, $5 for microfiction. Reprints accepted. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

Hawk and Cleaver: The Other Stories. Genre: Horror short stories. Theme:  Ghost Ships. Payment: $5. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

Writer Shed Press: Love and Sacrifice. Genre: Short stories on theme of Love and Sacrifice. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

Binge Watching Cure. Genre: Science fiction short stories. Payment: $100. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

carte blanche. Genre: Poetry, Translations, Photography, and Comics. Theme: Anxiety. Payment: Modest honorarium. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

Jaggery. Restrictions: South Asian diasporic writers and homeland writers. "We also welcome non-South Asians with a deep and thoughtful connection to South Asian countries, who bring their own intersecting perspectives to the conversation. (By South Asia we mean Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.)" Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, art, reviews. Payment: $100 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction/poetry/art/reviews. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

Meetinghouse. Note: This is a new journal put out by Dartmouth College. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 minimum for prose, and $20/page for stories over 5 pages.  Up to 7,500 words per submission; up to 3 pieces of prose and up to 3 poems. Deadline: July 1, 2020.

53 Writing Contests in June 2020 - No entry fees

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This June there are more than four dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $50,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

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

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. 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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Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Canadian high school, college, and graduate students. Genre: Short essay on "The Ideas of Milton Friedman: Exploring the Connections between Economic Freedom and other Freedoms or Aspects of the Human Condition." Prize: CAD$1,500 in each age category. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

International Human Rights Art Festival: Creators of Justice Literary Award. Genre: poetry, short stories and essays which use the written word to celebrate justice. Prize: First Prize: $150; Second Prize: $100; Third Prize: $50. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Hiett Prize in the Humanities. The Hiett Prize in the Humanities is an annual award aimed at identifying candidates who are in the early stages of careers devoted to the humanities and whose work shows extraordinary promise and has a significant public component related to contemporary culture. Restrictions: All applicants must reside in the United States. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

The PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Genre: Book-length works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama in translation. Beginning in 2017, under the administering of the PEN/Heim Translation Fund, PEN will also offer the PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. From the pool of annual submissions, judges for the PEN/Heim Translation Fund will select one project of narrative prose that has been translated into English from the Italian to receive this award, which will come with a $5,000 prize. Prize: $2000 - $4000. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. Restrictions: Open to poets aged 18-23. Genre: Poetry. Prize:  $100 and publication in the Atlanta Review. Deadline: June 1, 2020. 

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges for the academic year 2017-18 are eligible. "This Prize has traditionally encouraged submissions from students with an Asian background, but we urge all students to enter." Genre: Fiction of no more than 7,500 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 1, 2020. 

Baltimore Science Fiction Society Amateur Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to Maryland residents or students at a MD 2- or 4-year college, and not a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America or published in a professional science fiction/fantasy magazine Genre: Science fiction short stories. Prize: 1st place is $250; 2nd place is $100; 3rd place is $50. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Writing for Peace. Restrictions: Open to writers ages 13-19. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. "Writing for Peace challenges young writers to expand their empathy skills by researching an unfamiliar culture and writing from the point-of-view of a character within that new world, while exploring social, political, and environmental pressures, and universal themes." Prize: $200.  Deadline: June 1, 2020

The Mother of All Contests. Genre: Flash fiction about motherhood (29 words max). Prize: Free Gotham 10-week workshop. Deadline: June 2, 2020.

Green Stories Writing Competition. Genre: Full length adult novel about building a sustainable society. Prize: £750: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £100, third prize £50 plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. Deadline: June July 2, 2020.

Icelandic Festival of Manitoba Poetry & Short Stories Contest. Genre: Poetry and short stories. Length; 1200 words max. Prize: $50 - $125. "You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference." Deadline: June 3, 2020.

Literary Taxidermy. Genre: Short story, must begin and end with lines from one of three chosen novels. Prize: Up to $1500 and publication. Deadline: June 4, 2020. Note: There is a voluntary $10 fee. Entrants are encouraged to pay the fee, but the fee will be waived in the case of financial hardship.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards. Restrictions: Wyoming writers. Genres: The Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script written by a woman writer. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award is given annually for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script which is informed by a relationship with the natural world. Prize: $1,000.00. Deadline: June 4, 2020.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $1,500. Deadline: June 8, 2020.

Sapiens Plurum. Genre: Short stories that personalize the consequences of climate change so readers feel as well as know them. But stories must offer hope, at least a possibility, for without hope people rarely act. This year, the contest asks brilliant imaginers such as you "Can you rewrite our children's history?" Prize: 1ST PRIZE: $1000; 2ND PRIZE: $500; 3RD PRIZE: $300. Deadline: June 9, 2020.

Defenestration. Genre: Short story including an incident of defenestration – the art or –ism of throwing people out of windows. It need not be literal. "This can be a sudden, immediate, even violent shift, change, or seismical event between the beginning and the end.” Prize: $75, two runner-up prizes of $30 each. Deadline: June 9, 2020.

Young Lions Fiction Award. Restrictions: Open to US citizens 35 years of age or younger. Genre: Novel or a collection of short stories. Each year, five young fiction writers are selected as finalists by a reading committee of Young Lions members, writers, editors, and librarians. Submissions by publisher only. Authors may not submit their own work. Prize: $10,000.00. Deadline: June 11, 2020.

Cave Canem Northwestern University Press Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to black poets of African descent who have had no more than one full-length book of poetry published by a professional press. Genre: Poetry book. Prize: $1000. Deadline: June 12, 2020.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two $50 prizes, 2 $25 prizes. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Christopher Hewitt Award. Genre: Poetry, fiction, CNF, drama. "The award showcases outstanding responses to the AIDS pandemic and the realities of individuals living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Prize: $75 in each category. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

American-Scandinavian Foundation Translation Prizes. Genre: English translations of poetry, fiction, drama, or literary prose originally written in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, or Swedish by a Scandinavian author born after 1800. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: $1,500. Two runner-up prizes of $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction/Warren Hollister Prize for Oz Nonfiction. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Creative Nonfiction. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

The Furious Gazelle Spring Contest. Genre: Short fiction up to 5,000 words. Prize: $30 and publication. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Vermont Studio Center – Full Fellowship Awards. The Vermont Studio Center offers 54 fellowships; open to anyone in the world. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Bard Fiction Prize. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People. Restrictions: Open to people 25 years of age or less. Genre: Essay (max 700 words). Theme: “A Letter from Myself in 2030.” Prize: 1st US$840, 2nd US$420. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Towson University Prize for Literature. Restrictions: Open to Maryland writers. Genre: Book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction. The work must have been published within the three years prior to the year of nomination or must be scheduled for publication within the year in which nominated. Self-published works will not be considered. Prize: $1,000.  Deadline: June 15, 2020.(?) See nomination form HERE.

Ocean Awareness Youth Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6 - 12. Genre: Art, poetry, prose, film. "Theme | Climate Hope: Transforming Crisis." Prizes: $100 - $1,500. Deadline: June 15, 2020.

Solid Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Essay (See site for topics.) Minimum number of words is 600 and maximum is 800. Prize: Scholarship of $1000. Deadline: June 18, 2020.

Peter K. Hixson Memorial Award. Genre: Poetry, short stories. Prize: Each winner will receive $1,800 in Writer’s Relief submission services free of charge. Deadline: June 18, 2020.

Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have lived in the state of Maine for at least one year. Genre: Fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: June 18, 2020.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. 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: Books published between May 1, 2019 and June 30, 2019 must be received on or before June 19, 2020.

Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing. Genre: Editorial writing. The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship was established to enable a mid-career editorial writer or columnist to have time away from daily responsibilities for study and research. Freelancers may also apply. Fellowship:  $75,000. Deadline: June 20, 2020.

A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest. Theme: Quarantine. Length: 1,000 words minimum; 5,000 words maximum. Prize: $35 - $50 Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 21, 2020.

African American Voices in Children's Literature Contest. Restrictions: The award is open to writers of African American heritage who are residents of Minnesota and at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing in Minnesota. Genre: Fiction or nonfiction board books for ages 0-4 (50-125 words) and picture books for ages 4-8 (300-800 words) featuring contemporary African American characters and culture and focusing on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development. Deadline: June 22, 2020.

2020 African American Voices in Children's Literature Writing Contest. Restrictions: The contest is open to authors of African American heritage who are residents of Minnesota and at the time of entry are at least 18 years of age and residing in Minnesota. Genre: Fiction or nonfiction manuscripts for ages 0–4 (50–125 words) or ages 4–8 (300–800 words) featuring contemporary African American characters and culture and focusing on one or more of the following topics: character development, self-esteem, diversity, getting along with others, engaging with family and community, or other topics related to positive childhood development. Prize: $1000. Deadline: June 23, 2020.

Great Lakes Colleges New Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to Americans and Canadians.    Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. In each category, the submitted work must be an author’s first published volume. Prize: $500. Deadline: June 25, 2020.

Linda Flowers Literary Award. Restrictions: Entrants must live in North Carolina. "The North Carolina Humanities Council invites original, unpublished entries of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for the Linda Flowers Literary Award. Submissions should detail examinations of intimate, provocative, and inspiring portraiture of North Carolina, its people and cultures, bringing to light real men and women having to make their way in the face of change, loss, triumph, and disappointments." Prize: $1,500. Deadline: June 25, 2020.

Angela Poetry Magazine - The Lighthearted Poetry Contest #2. Genre: Lighthearted Poetry. Prize: Publication, royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize is awarded to the author of the best first novel published in the previous calendar year. Restrictions: Only American authors publishing in English are eligible. Non-eligible books include short story collections, flash fiction, memoirs, biographies and books published solely in electronic format. Prize: $1000. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $750 in any single year. Genre: Biographical Nonfiction. Stories must be between 1000--10,000 words in length. Prize: First prize in each category will be $200. Runners-up will receive $100. Finalists will receive $50. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Louise Meriwether First Book Prize. Restrictions: Open to fiction and narrative nonfiction by women of color and nonbinary writers of color who are US residents. Genres: First book of fiction, including novels and short story collections, or narrative memoir, of 50,000 to 80,000 words. Prize: $5,000 and a publishing contract from the Feminist Press. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror. 17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, Griffin Poetry Prize. Restrictions: One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada. Genre: Poetry. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award. Prize: C$200,000, is awarded annually in two categories – International and Canadian. Each prize is worth C$65,000. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Letheon. Genre: Poetry related to the perioperative setting. "Are you a medical professional or related to one? Perhaps you have been anesthetized recently, or you are overly acquainted with the waiting room. If you are connected to the world of anesthesia, we encourage you to share your experience with us." Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: The award is open to writers who have published a book-length collection of fiction or a minimum of three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals of national distribution. Online and self-publication does not count toward this requirement. Genre: A manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Prize: $15,000 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press under its standard contract. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Utah Division of Arts and Museums Original Writing Competition. Restrictions: Utah writers. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $1,000 top prizes for book-length manuscripts of novels, creative nonfiction & history, collection of poetry or short stories, and juvenile book; $300 top prizes for individual poems, short stories, and personal essays. 2nd Prize $500 for the book-length categories, $150 for poetry. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Blue Mountain Poetry Card Contest. Genre: Poetry. "Poems can be rhyming or non-rhyming, although we find that non-rhyming poetry reads better. We suggest that you write about real emotions and feelings and that you have some special person or occasion in mind as you write." Prize: First prize $300. Second prize $150. Third prize $30. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Contest. Restrictions: The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under. Genre: Essay. The theme of the contest is "A Connected Commonwealth." Prize: Past prizes have included certificates, resources for winner's school, visits to Cambridge University, a trip to London and a week of activities, work experience at international organisations, and having your entry featured in worldwide media. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Africa Book Club Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Setting and context must be primarily set in Africa, or written by African authors. Genre: Fiction and CNF. Prize: 1st Prize – $250; 2nd Prize – $150; 3rd Prize – $100. Other accepted entries, which will be included in their annual anthology – $25 per entry. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

Costa Book Awards. Restrictions: Prize is for books first published in the UK or Ireland by authors who have lived in the UK or Ireland for at least six months of each of the preceding three years. Books must be published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year. Self-published works not allowed. Books are entered by publishers only. Genre: Five categories - First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children's Book. Prize: £30,000.00 across all genres. 5,000 pounds in each category (poetry, novel, first novel, biography, children's book). Deadline: June 30, 2020.

The Vestal Review Award (The VERA) for the Best Flash Fiction of The Year. Genre: Fiction of less than 500 words published in print or online between 1/1/2019 and 12/31/2019. Must be nominated by editor. Prize: $100 and publication. Deadline: June 30, 2020.

26 Writing Conferences in June 2020

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Summertime is for writing conferences. In spite of the pandemic, quite a few are still being held live, while others have moved to an online format.

Plan ahead! Conferences often offer scholarships, but these have deadlines. If one of these conferences interests you, put the scholarship deadline date on your calendar for next year, or for whenever the conference rolls around again.

For a full list of conferences, organized by month, see Writing Conferences. While nearly all of these are in the United States, you can find links on that page that will take you to world-wide conference lists.

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Odyssey Writing Workshop. June 1 - July 10, 2020: Manchester, NH. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Top authors, editors and agents serve as guests, and 59% of graduates go on to professional publication.

Tinker Mountain Writers’ Workshop. June 7 - 12, 2020: Roanoke, Virginia. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft seminars, individual conferences with faculty members, and readings. Will be held online.

Naropa Summer Writing Program. June 7 - June 27, 2020: Boulder, CO. This is the 45th Summer Writing Program of the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University.  Rescheduled for 2021.

Interlochen Writer’s Retreat. June 7 - 11, 2020: Interlochen, Michigan. Moving to an online format in 2020, the 15th Annual Writers Retreat offers a choice of four courses, each grounded in different craft concepts, across genres, with an emphasis on generating new work, and appealing to advanced and beginning writers alike. Spend four days studying the craft concept of your choice —breaking rules, humor, fiction incubator, or writing for troubled times— and write new material across an array of genres, or apply new knowledge to your existing drafts. Gain skills in the virtual classroom and write independently during "off" hours or collectively (in silence) during virtual livewriting sessions. Attend provocative presentations by the faculty, as well as readings by faculty and participants. Will be held online.

Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers. June 8 - 12, 2020: Sandy, Utah. Offers one-, two-, three- and five-day workshops. Morning workshops devoted to individual work; afternoon talks on market, craft, publication; chats w/ editors and agents; keynote; book signing. For those interested, specialized workshops--Boot Camp and Full-Novel classes. Single day programs as well. Will be held online.

Bread Loaf Translators' Conference. June 10 - 16, 2020: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference includes workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and readings by faculty and guests. Application deadline: March 1, 2020. Canceled for 2020.

West Virginia Writers Conference. June 12 - 14, 2020: Ripley, West Virginia. Author readings, contests and sharing your love of writing with others. Canceled for 2020.

Algonkian Writer Conference–New York City Pitch. June 18 - 21, 2020: Ripley-Grier Studios in New York City. The New York Pitch Conference and writers workshop is held four times a year and features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. June 18 - 28, 2020: Forest Grove, Oregon. Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage in sustained and meaningful conversation with others who share your passion for the art of writing.

Poetry at the Frost Farm. June 19 - 21, 2020:  Derry, New Hampshire. The retreat offers workshops, readings, and one-on-one consultations for formalist poets. "Join a small community of people at the historic Robert Frost Farm learning, reading and writing formal poetry with contemporary award-winning poets. Choose your focus from a series of offerings designed to provide tools for beginning poets as well as perfect the mastery of published poets." Canceled for 2020.

Get Published Conference. June 20, 2020: Bozeman, Montana. This conference is devoted to book writing, marketing and getting published. Faculty includes experienced writers who share their methods for planning, writing and finishing their books, along with practical marketing and promotional information.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 20 - June 27, 2020: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: April 15, 2020. Will be held online.

Orion Environmental Writers’ Workshop. June 21 – 26, 2020: The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. This program is for writers who want to learn how to write an Orion essay, short story, or poem; for writers who seek to become better advocates for the environment through their writing; for poets who are drawn to writing about nature and culture; for teachers and scholars who wish to write for a more general readership; and for environmental professionals who want to bring better writing skills to bear on their work. The program will feature small writing workshops dedicated to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, as well as faculty readings and lectures, student readings, and presentations on publishing. Canceled for 2020.

Science Fiction & Fantasy Novel Writers Workshop. June 21 - July 3, 2020, University of Kansas, Kansas. "In conjunction with the Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction, Kij Johnson teaches a two-week intensive master class on writing novels. This workshop is for those interested in the art and craft of writing a speculative novel. Our primary focus is on structure and the perils and pitfalls unique to novel-length projects. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have been presented with the tools necessary to create a novel, starting from the first idea generation, to brainstorming, to organization, to the actual writing." Will be held online.

Clarion West Speculative Fiction Writers Workshop. June 21 - July 31, 2020: Seattle, Washington. "Every summer, Clarion West holds an intensive six-week workshop in Seattle’s University District, geared to help you prepare for a professional career as a writer of speculative fiction. Each workshop is limited to 18 students, and each week features a different instructor, a highly regarded author or editor offering their unique perspective on the field. Short fiction is the workshop’s focus, with an emphasis on science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Come prepared to write several new stories, to experiment and take artistic risks, and to give and receive constructive criticism. FULL

Aspen Summer Words. June 22 - 26, 2020: Aspen, Colorado. Workshops, panels, and readings in fiction and creative nonfiction, as well as opportunities to meet with agents and editors. "Aspen Summer Words is the Rocky Mountain gateway to the literary world. Recognized as one of the country’s pre-eminent literary conferences, Summer Words welcomes visitors and locals alike to celebrate writing and writers in Aspen for a week each June. The exceptional faculty and awe-inspiring mountain scenery combine to make this a writing retreat like no other." Will be held online.

Manhattanville College Summer Writers' Week. June 22 - 26, 2020: Purchase, New York. Each day begins with a workshop, then afternoons feature craft panels and events. Evenings feature faculty readings and a keynote reader, and these evening readings are free and open to the public. For an immersive experience, housing is available on campus for workshop participants.

Stonecoast Writers’ Conference. June 22 - 27, 2020, Portland, ME. Workshops in poetry, short fiction, novel, and nonfiction/memoir, and a mixed-genre Creative Writing Bootcamp. The Stonecoast Writers’ Conference is open to students of all experience levels. However, admission is selective. Writing sample and deposit required. Canceled for 2020.

Minnesota Northwoods Writers Conference. June 22 - 27, 2020: Bemidji, Minnesota. Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Faculty: The faculty includes Elizabeth Bradfield (Poetry), Brenda Shaughnessy (Poetry), Alison Hawthorne Deming (Creative Nonfiction), Meera Subramanian (Creative Nonfiction), and Scott Russell Sanders (Fiction). And the award-winning and acclaimed author Robin Wall Kimmerer will be the Distinguished Visiting Writer. The online conference fee is $465, a reduction of $230 from the regular early bird price. Will be held online.

Chuckanut Writers Conference. June 22 - 27, 2020: Bellingham, Washington. Writers conference that includes speakers, panels, breakout sessions, authors' readings, reception with authors, pitch sessions with literary agents, book signings, open mic for attendees. Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Nature, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing. Will be held online.

Fordham University Retreat. June 24 - 28, 2020, New York City. "In order to help mentor the next generation of Asian American writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual Retreat in partnership with Fordham University. During the Retreat, nationally renowned Asian American poets and writers conduct Master Classes and manuscript consultations with fellows. Readings, writing circles and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging Asian American writers." Application Deadline: January 15th, 2020.

The Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop, June 24 - 28, 2020: Algonkian Park, Virginia. "You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?"

Jackson Hole Writers Conference, June 25 - 27, 2020: Jackson Hole, WY. You will have ample opportunity to share your work with a distinguished faculty as well as writers from Massachusetts to Florida, from Texas to Washington.Serious writers pour into Jackson Hole each June looking for a fresh, but critical eye on their work. This event usually has at least 4 agents to pitch. Will host online programs.

DRC Conference Faculty & Workshops. June 25 - 27, 2020: Davenport, Iowa. Daily workshops, critiques, pitches, evening events, keynote. With five three-day workshops, book pitches with a publisher and an agent, author luncheon, concluding luncheon, free evening faculty reading and keynote address, there’s something for everyone!

The Writers’ League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference. June 26 – June 28, 2020: Austin, Tex. The conference features panel discussions, lectures, pitch sessions, receptions, and one-on-one consultations with agents and editors. PParticipating agents include Ian Bonaparte (Janklow & Nesbit), Jamie Carr (Book Group), Rebecca Gradinger (Fletcher & Company), Robert Guinsler (Sterling Lord Literistic), Sandy Lu (L. Perkins Agency), Duvall Osteen (Aragi, Inc.), and John Rudolph (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret). The cost of the conference is $469 for Writers’ League members and $529 for non-members. Lodging is available at the conference hotel for discounted rates. Admissions are rolling through June 24.

Chicago Writing Workshop. June 27, 2020: Chicago, IL. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, June 29, 2019, at the historic Congress Plaza Hotel, just south of the downtown area. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers  of all genres are welcome." Features over two dozen attending agents.

Pandemic Writing Wanted - Paying markets

John William Waterhouse - The Decameron

The COVID-19 pandemic is no match for writers! Literary magazines have stepped up and spawned a whole new genre - lockdown writing. How isolation affects people is varied and often unpredictable. People can become more gregarious, sympathetic and communicative, or they can drift toward the opposite side of the spectrum, becoming suspicious, angry and hostile. In all cases, the experience of isolation is disorienting.

These journals are looking for artistic, personal, and even humorous writing about life during the pandemic. All are paying markets, and none charge submission fees.


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Critical Read

"As we all adjust to life indoors, isolated from the world, we grow more aware of what gives our lives meaning. Art remains inseparable from our lives. Art is perhaps even more urgent in this time, as we turn to the people and places most important to us in order to find a sense of normalcy and safety. Critical Read is seeking 300-word personal essays about a particular work of art—be it a work of visual art, performing art, or literature—you are turning to in these uncertain times."

Payment: $25

Deadline: September 15, 2020

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Appalachia

"Those who read and write for Appalachia journal find their true selves in the backcountry and wilderness areas around the world—but especially in the Northeast. And within the Northeast, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and wild areas of Maine especially call to us.

Appalachia journal is looking for thoughtful essays in the range of 1,000 to 2,000 words on the COVID-19 pandemic. What has getting onto trails and cliffs and hills meant during this terrifying period? Do you see mountains more as life itself and less as recreation now? What is it like going to the backcountry and finding that facilities are closed, people must stay away from each other?"

Payment: Not specified. "We do our best."

Deadline: May 20, 2020.

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Owl Hollow Press

Owl Hollow Press wants short fiction on theme of Viruses for their upcoming anthology, 7500 words max. "Viruses are not new to life or literature. But the ways we experience them are always evolving. Join us as we explore love and loss, passion and betrayal, fear and panic, togetherness and separation, community and isolation within viruses of all varieties—real and imagined."

Payment: $50.

Deadline: July 10, 2020.

Muskeg Press

"In 1348, the Black Plague hit Florence, Italy, and it would kill tens of thousands of the city's residents by the time the pandemic was over in 1351. Among those who lived in Florence at the time was Giovanni Boccacio, who would become famous for writing The Decameron. The Decameron's main narrative tells the tale of seven young women and three young men who escape the plague by travelling to a countryside villa. There, they each tell one story each night for ten nights. They told stories of love, of lust, greed, of the fickleness of fortune, of the power of the human will.

We're now living through a similar moment in time, as we each do our part in fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. At Muskeg Press, we look back and admire the attitude of Boccacio, who, in the midst of a terrible pestilence, wrote a great work of art that survives to the present day.

With that in mind, we are putting out a CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS for any author out there who would like to spend this time in self-isolation to write a story for a forthcoming publication of Muskeg Press. We'll select 10 stories from all the submissions, and publish them in a book around Christmastime of 2020."

Length: Up to 5,000 words.

Payment: $100. Deadline June 30, 2020.

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Funny Women Surviving Coronavirus Lockdown by Laughing Through It

You’ve laughed. You’ve cried. You’ve stopped wearing a bra and started day-drinking. Now’s the time to start writing. The Syndrome Mag is curating a book of funny essays about how women across the world are coping with quarantine, social distancing, teleworking and all the other changes we face because of the COVID-19 crisis. We are looking for hysterical first-person stories and lists on specific issues from a women’s perspective. 

Payment: $20 for each essay (800-1200 words) accepted into the book.

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Pandemic Publications

This Canadian project has a mandate to "provide relief for multi-disciplinary artists through modest bursaries, while showcasing original and thought-provoking work from a diversity of voices." They are currently seeking writing loosely based around the following three themes: All things considered; On doing nothing; When this is all over. They have particular fondness for positive or darkly comedic writing.

Payment: $120 CAD for fiction and non-fiction; $50 CAD per poem; $150 CAD for photography and illustrations.

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Plenitude

Plenitude Magazine is Canada's only queer literary magazine. They are currently seeking poetry and prose from Canadian LGBTQ2S+ writers for their “Queer Isolation in a Pandemic” call.

Payment: $35 CAD per poem and $80 CAD per prose contribution (including book reviews and articles).

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Rattle

Poets Respond is a call for poetry written within the last week about a public event that occurred within the last week. "Our only criterion for selection is the quality of the poem; all opinions and reactions are welcome."

Payment: $100

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Longreads: Life in the Time of Covid

"In recent months, a new reality has been foisted upon us. Coronavirus has changed our home lives, our work lives, our family lives. These essays will look at the virus’ impact on the way we spend our time now, and its effect on our relationships with friends, family, partners, co-workers, and others."

Payment: $500

4 UK Agents Seeking Fantasy, Science Fiction, Children’s, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction and more

Updated 9/11/23

Here are four UK agents expanding their client lists. Sara O'Keeffe has a particular passion for Irish writing. Harriet Moore represents literary fiction, narrative non–fiction, illustrated non–fiction and poetry. Robbie Guillory is looking for outstanding writing across a number of genres: stand-out commercial fiction, science fiction that focuses on communities and relationships whilst the galaxy looks after itself, crime and psychological thrillers with a difference, gripping historical dramas, and beautiful nonfiction with roots in the natural world. (Note: Robbie prefers UK writers.) Niamh O'Grady is actively looking for accessible literary and reading-group fiction, and narrative non-fiction. 

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

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

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Sara O'Keeffe of Aevitas Creative Management

NO LONGER LISTED ON AGENCY WEBSITE

Sara has come to Aevitas with twenty years’ experience in the world of publishing, having worked with a host of major brand names in fiction ranging from crime writer Minette Walters to bestselling women’s fiction author Elizabeth Buchan, Roman epic series writer Robert Fabbri and award-winning science fiction writer Chris Beckett. She was the UK editor for Kevin Kwan’s international bestseller, Crazy Rich Asians along with Robert Ludlum’s hugely successful Bourne series. She acquired and published the bestselling cult hit Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell which spent six weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list.

What she is seeking: Sara has a particular passion for Irish writing and has previously published rising stars in Irish fiction: Eithne Shortall, Catherine Ryan Howard and Rachel Donohue. She enjoys the process of working with authors on their ideas, honing their craft and turning their creativity and talent into commercial success. She is passionate about storytelling, with particular interest in genre and reading group fiction.

How to submit: Follow instructions on the agency website HERE.

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Ms. Niamh O'Grady of The Soho Agency

NO LONGER LISTED ON THE AGENCY WEBSITE

Niamh joined the agency in 2015, having worked as a Waterstones bookseller in Manchester. She works closely with Mark Lucas and Alice Saunders on their client lists and also helps manage the agency’s speaking activity alongside Alice, providing talent for corporate and public sector live events – from literary festivals to tech conferences – around the world.

What she is seeking: Niamh is actively looking for accessible literary and reading-group fiction, and narrative non-fiction. She is drawn to books with heart and humor, thought-provoking writing and distinctive, compelling voices. She particularly loves novels that explore family and relationships and wants to read stories that leave an emotional impact, with characters that stay with her long after the final page. She is keen to find new Irish and Northern writing talent.

How to submit: Send your query to sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com along with the first three chapters or first thirty pages of your manuscript in word format, along with a synopsis.

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Ms. Harriet Moore of Aitken Alexander Associates

I joined Aitken Alexander Associates in 2024 after over a decade at David Higham Associates. 

I represent fiction, narrative non-fiction, and poetry. I am currently looking for big family and/or love stories (all forms of friendship, familial and romantic arrangements); literary novelists who engage playfully with other genres (e.g. historical fiction which has a contemporary tone/strangeness); and imaginative literary biographies along the lines of Ruth Franklin’s Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life, or Heather Clark’s Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath. 

My non-fiction has a focus on literary biography, social, cultural (and oral) history, and vernacular or creative scholarship. Particularly writers who come at these genres with fresh and revisionist methodologies, books which vibrantly engage with archival work and private experience.

I represent a select list of poets which includes Jason Allen-Paisant, the winner of the 2023 T S Eliot Prize and 2023 Forward Prize; Rachael Allen, Nuar Alsadir, Sophie Collins, Eve Esfandiari-Denney, Oli Hazzard, Sandeep Parmar, and Jack Underwood. I look for surprising intonation and book-length narrative poems/projects rather than selected poems.

How to submit: Please email me with any queries regarding my authors and their work at: harriet@aitkenalexander.co.uk. Read submission details HERE.

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Robbie Guillory of The Underline Literary Agency

Robbie grew up in North Norfolk and worked as a butler before moving to Glasgow in 2005 to study, obtaining a degree in Comparative Literature and Slavonics. After a brief foray in education, he embarked on a career in publishing, most recently for Saraband Books. In 2016 he was shortlisted for the Saltire Society’s Emerging Publisher of the Year Award.

What he is seeking: Robbie is looking for outstanding writing across a number of genres: stand-out commercial fiction, science fiction that focuses on communities and relationships whilst the galaxy looks after itself, crime and psychological thrillers with a difference, gripping historical dramas, and beautiful nonfiction with roots in the natural world.

How to submit: Note: This agency prefers UK and EU writers. For fiction, please attach a document containing: a synopsis – no more than 1 page of A4 – plus the first 30 pages of your novel.  For non-fiction, please attach a proposal – with an overview of the book and a sample of your writing (up to 15,000 words). Use the agency's form HERE.