142 Calls for Submissions in May 2022 - Paying markets

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

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

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

Happy submitting!

(Image: Pixabay)

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Stylist. Restrictions: Open to those over the age of 18 and who live in the United Kingdom or Ireland. Genre: Unpublished short story. "You don’t have to be established or have even written a story before to submit; we’re more interested in the quality of your words than your writing experience. Stylist Short Stories aren’t limited by genre, either – we’re after romance, horror, crime, fantasy, historical fiction and everything in between. All that we ask is that you’re an original talent whose voice resonates with fellow readers." 1,000 words max. Payment: £200. Deadline: Open each week in May.

Last Girls Club. Genre: Feminist horror: short stories and poems - see themes. Payment: Short Story-2,500 words or less. $0.01 USD per word/$25 USD and copy of magazine; Flash Fiction under 1,000 words $0.01 USD per word/$10 USD; Poems under 200 words $10 upon acceptance and a PDF of the magazine. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Cincinnati Review. Genre: Prose, poetry, art. Payment: $25/page for prose in journal. $30/page for poetry in journal. Deadline: Opens on May 1, closes when cap is reached.

Prolit. Genre: Poetry, prose, and visual art that corresponds to the themes of work, money, and/or class. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Socrates on the Beach. Genre: Longer essays and fiction at least 3000 to 10,000 words. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction on Theme of COWARDICE / COURAGE. Payment: $10 via PayPal for each story published in an Anthology. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Hungry Zine. Restrictions: Open to writers located in Canada. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, art, poetry about food. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Foglifter. Genres: Poetry, prose, cross-genre work. "Foglifter welcomes daring and thoughtful work by queer and trans writers in all forms, and we are especially interested in cross-genre, intersectional, marginal, and transgressive work." Payment: $25. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Dark Matter. Genre: Science Fiction and Horror. "If it’s dark fiction with a sci-fi element (even slight), we’ll read it. Cyberpunk will always win you bonus points, though." Word Limit: 1000-5000 words, no exceptions. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction. $30 per poem. Short Comics: 1-10 pages; $50 per page. Reprints: $0.02/word paid at least 30 days prior to publication. Deadline: May 1, 2022. Accepts reprints. 

Boulevard. Genre: Poems up to 200 lines. Send up to five poems. Also fiction and nonfiction. Payment: $25-250 for poetry, and $100-300 for prose. Deadline: May 1, 2022. No submission fee for mailed submissions.

Haunt Publishing. Genre: Full-length manuscripts of Gothic, horror and dark fiction. Payment: $200 and Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Voiceworks. Restrictions: Open to Australians under the age of 25. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics. Theme: Gleam. Payment: $100 for written work and art, $150 for multi-page comics or suites of art. Deadline: May 1, 2022. Art, comics and comic pitches only.

Ruminate. Genre: Nonfiction under 5,500 words. Payment: $20 per 500 words. Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

The Temz Review. Genres: Poetry and prose chapbooks. Length: 20 - 45 pages. Payment: Royalties (?) Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Panel. Restrictions: Submissions are restricted to people who live and work in Central and Eastern Europe. Genre: Fiction, poetry, non-fiction and the arts, currently being produced in Central and Eastern Europe and originally written in English or translated into English. Payment: 20 euros.  Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: May 1, 2022. See themes.

The First Line. Genres: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Sundog. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 1, 2022. Submit early to avoid submission fee. 

Red Dog Press Crime Fiction Anthology. Genre: Crime fiction on theme Gone. Length: Up to 6K words. Payment: £30. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

december magazine. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction (essays, memoirs, biography, literary journalism, social or cultural commentary or analysis) and visual art that can be reproduced in our print format. Payment: $10.00 per page with a minimum of $40.00 and a maximum of $200.00. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Lightspeed. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy flash fiction. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

JOURN-E The Journal of Imaginative Literature. Genre: Adventure, Detection & Mystery, Fantasy, Horror & the Supernatural, and Science Fiction. Payment: One (1) cent per word for prose fiction and non-fiction, BUT with the following maximums: Up to $50.00 maximum for short stories; up to $35 maximum for scholarly articles; up to $15 maximum for reviews. Poetry from 3-13 lines--$7.50. Poetry from 14-50 lines--$15.00. Poetry over 50 lines--$15.00 plus 25 cents per line over 50 lines up to a maximum of $35.00. Interior Illustrations--$25-$50.00 (half-page to full-page). Cover Art in Full RGB Color--$100 [will be commissioned, or the illustrator should contact the editor with a concept before finished work and submission]. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: May 1 - 2, 2022.

Planet Scumm Genre: Hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, speculative fiction, weird fiction, and slipstream.  Payment: $0.05/word. Deadline: May 2, 2022.

The Dark Waves of Winter. Genre: Noir/neo-noir that takes place on a beach. Payment: $35. Deadline: May 2, 2022.

Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of “Weather.” Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: May 3, 2022.

Vautrin. Genre: Gritty urban fiction, Crime/Mystery Fiction. Payment: $130.00 and two contributor’s copies for fiction over 2,500 words. $65.00 and two contributor’s copies for fiction under 2,500 words. Deadline: May 3, 2022.

The Suburban Review: Revel. Genre: Prose, art, poetry on theme: Revel. Payment: AUD150-275 for prose; AUD125-275 for poetry. Deadline: May 5, 2022.

Mizna. Restrictions: In this issue, we are interested in focusing specifically on work by people from Black SWANA communities and their diasporas, to create a gathering space for our voices and ideas. Those submitting work should identify as Black. Genre: Poetry, stories, creative essays, flash fiction, comics. Payment: $200. Deadline: May 6, 2022.

The Victorian Writer. Genre: Poems and articles. Payment: Poems ($70), and articles of 600 words ($100) and 1200 words ($200) in the print edition with particular interest in the craft of writing and the writing life. Deadline: May 6, 2022. Note: Pitches only. See themes.

Cossmass Infinities. Restrictions: Open to Black, Asian, Latin, LGBTQ+ and other under-represented authors. Genre: Science fiction and fantasy short stories. Payment: $0.08/word for original fiction. Deadline: May 7, 2022.

Maine Review. Genre: Short fiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and Nonfiction writers receive a $25 honorarium per published flash (1,000 words or fewer) and a $50 honorarium for work 1,001 words or more. Poets receive a $25 honorarium per published poem. Deadline: May 7, 2022. 

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: May 7, 2022. Opens to submissions on May 1.

Nat. Brut. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF, comics. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 7, 2022.

It Was All A Dream. Restrictions: Extended submission window exclusively for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and marginalized writers open May 1, 2022 - May 7, 2022. Genre: Short horror, weird, dark fiction between 1500 and 4000 words that take your least favorite horror trope and make it work.  Payment: $0.03 per word up to 4000 words. Deadline: May 7, 2022. 

The Hypocrite Reader is a biannual magazine of "reportage, criticism, history, sociology, theory, translations, manifestos, analysis, popular science, synthesis, verse, comics, wedding announcements, and Viking-themed erotica. Just because something doesn’t fit into any of those categories doesn’t mean we won’t publish it." Each issue is built around a theme. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 7, 2022. 

Tin House. Restrictions: Eligible writers must not currently have an agent, and must not have previously published a book (chapbooks okay). Genre: Poetry collections + Essay collections + Short Story collections. Payment: Royalties (?) Deadline: May 8, 2022.

ongoing. Genre: Prose in any genre up to 1000 words based on musical prompt. Payment:  30CAD.  Deadline: May 8, 2022.

Bennington Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $100 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $200 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $20 per poem. Deadline: May 8, 2022.

Shooter. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF, art on theme of Out West. Payment: £25 per story and £5 per poem. Deadline: May 8, 2022.

Ghoulish Books. Genre: Horror novellas. Payment: Small advance + royalties. Word count: 20,000 – 40,000 words. Deadline: May 8, 2022.

Witch House. Genre: Cosmic horror. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 8, 2022.

Narratively: Ripples of War. Genre: Nonfiction. "Narratively collaborates with The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars to produce Wilson Quarterly, a global journal of ideas, culture and news. Wilson Quarterly looks at how policy and politics affect people and the world. For the upcoming edition of Wilson Quarterly, we are seeking pitches for this theme: Ripples of War. The world has shifted dramatically since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. As the world now sits on the hinge of history, the summer 2022 Wilson Quarterly examines the ripples of war. Using a narrow lens to go beyond what we’re seeing in the mainstream media, we hope to offer our readers either a deeper look at a specific issue or examine a yet to be considered angle of the conflicts’ far-reaching impacts. Broad topics of interest include global supply chains, food security, energy supply and markets, new and shifting alliances, human migration, Russian brain/creative drain, and other geopolitical shifts." Payment: $2000. Deadline: May 8, 2022. Pitches only.

Riddlebird. Genre: Literary fiction, personal essays, genre fiction. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 9, 2022.

Starward Shadows Quarterly. Genre: Dark speculative fiction, flash fiction, art. Cosmic Horror, Sword and Sorcery, and most other subgenres of speculative fiction. Payment: 1 cent/word for short stories. $10 for flash fiction. Deadline: May 9, 2022. 

Escape Anthology. Genre: Short prose. 500 - 3000 words. "We’re looking for short prose—fiction or creative nonfiction—that explores the need to leave, to escape, to run. We love a speculative slant, whatever that means to you. It can mean the strange or surreal. It can mean horror or fantasy. It can simply mean it’s not what you’re supposed to wish for." Payment: $30. Deadline: May 9, 2022.

The London Reader. Genre: Stories featuring UFOs, Cover-ups, & Conspiracies. Payment: Published submissions are paid based on a percentage of revenue, in perpetuity. Deadline: May 9, 2022.

Eggplant Emoji. Genre: Humorous short stories. Length: 1,000 – 5,000 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 10, 2022.

Newfound. Genre: Fiction, Flash, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, and Visual Arts. Payment: $25.  Deadline: May 14, 2022.

Solarpunk Magazine. Genre: Solarpunk. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40/poem, and $75/essay.  Deadline: May 14, 2022.

Rakehell. Genre: Swashbuckling adventure. "We love fantasy, steampunk, and historical fiction, but we’ll read anything that fits the Rakehell vibe. We’re looking for small-scale conflicts with personal motivations. We’re less interested in epic quests and straight military fiction. … Feel free to draw on other genres, like mystery, comedy, and romance." Length: 3,000-7,000 words. Payment: $0.01/word. Deadline: May 14, 2022.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length (yes, including flash!). For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: May 14, 2022. See themes.

Georgia Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, non-fiction. Payment: $50 per printed page for prose and $4 per line for poetry. Essay-reviews and standard reviews earn honoraria of $50/printed page. Deadline: May 14, 2022. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction.  Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Some reprints accepted.

Dark Recesses Press. Genre: Horror/dark fiction pieces between 500-5000 words. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Note: Only pays for print magazine.

Urban Fantasy Digest 2022: The Wizard Must Be Stopped! Genre: Urban fantasy novelettes. Length: 7,500 to 10,000 words. Payment: Revenue sharing. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Sylvia. Genre: Poetry and prose. "We are looking for nature-inspired pieces for summer, autumn and winter. We are leaning into our sylvan vibes this year; send us your forest poems, tales of fairies, and moments in nature." Payment: £1.75 per line for poetry (not including titles or line breaks) and £0.25 per word for prose. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Lucent Dreaming: For a Friend Anthology. Genre: Prose and poetry "for oneself or a friend." Word Limit: 400-3,999 words for prose. Line Limit: 72 lines for poetry. Payment: £100 and a free contributor copy. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Brink. Genre: Hybrid, cross-genre fiction, nonfiction poetry. Payment: $25 Poem; $50 Work (less than 1500 words); $50 Art (1-3 Images); $100 Art (4+ Images); $100 Work (more than 1501 words). Deadline: May 15, 2022. See theme.

Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Genre: Short stories based on a classic Kolchak story. Length: 1500 to 5000 words. Payment: $120.  Deadline: May 15, 2022

Outlook Springs. Genre: "Send us your weird, wobbly wordwork: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry." Payment: $10 per poem, $10 per flash piece (under 1,000 words), $25 for short fiction and essays (over 1,000 words). Payment via PayPal or Venmo. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Note: They close early if they hit their submission cap.

Lamplight. Genre: Dark fiction, both short stories and flash fiction. Payment: Unpublished Fiction: 3¢ per word, $150.00 max. Reprints: 1¢ per word up to 7,000 words. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Note: They close early if they hit their submission cap.

just femme & dandy. Genre: Fashion for the LGBTQIA+ community. Theme: Sustain. "We offer a space in the literary & arts world that has yet to exist, and hope to celebrate the queer, trans, non-binary, and intersex community, who have long since coded ourselves with how we adorn and dress our bodies when it has been dangerous to identify solely with words. Until recently, we could only find a handful of models within popular culture and the public imagination to inform our own aesthetic choices, and so the styles (and art) we don and make operate as a patchwork quilt, collaged together with vintage and thrift store finds, our sister or mother’s lipstick and gowns, our father’s neckties and waistcoats". Payment: 50 USD per text-based submission and 150 USD per multimedia submission (video, photography, image + text, fashion spread + interview, etc.). Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Farmer-ish. Genre: Nonfiction, CNF, poetry related to farming (including recipes). Payment: $25 or copy of book (print only). Deadline: May 15, 2022 for pitches.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: May 15, 2022. See themes.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry and art. Payment: $7 per poem, $12 for cover art and $7 for inside art. Deadline: May 15, 2022. See themes.

Mother: Tales of Love and Terror. Genre: Speculative fiction. "There is no one with more power and control over the fate of the world than a mother. Whether it’s an evil stepmother or a virtuous mother-to-be, there are stories inherent in the acts of mothering and being mothered. In these 27 stories, mothers become heroes and villains. The concept of motherhood is examined and stretched to its ultimate limits across time, space, gender, location, and concept. Deliciously dark, each tale forces us to examine the depth and breadth of what motherhood is and what a mother will do for her offspring." Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: May 15, 2022

Island. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and residents only. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $120. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

The Lorelei Signal. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, and poetry with strong female characters. Payment: $15 for short stories, $5 for poems and flash (<1000 wds) fiction pieces, $5 for reprints. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Accepts reprints.

Uncanny Magazine. Genre: SF/F novellas. Length: 17,500 to 40,000 words. Payment: $.10 per word. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Opens May 1. Also accepts poetry and nonfiction.

Shacklebound Books: The Mods. Genre: Cyberpunk. Wordcount: Up to 2,000 words. Payment: .02 per word, .01 per word for reprints, and an eBook copy of finished product. Deadline: May 15, 2022. Reprints accepted.

Brigid's Gate Press: Western Horror. Genre: Splatterpunk Western Horror set in the late 1800s in the Old West. All horror tropes welcome. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Shotgun Honey. Genre: Stories about strong women as they straddle both sides of the law. Payment: $25, Deadline: May 17, 2022.

Metaphysical Times. Genre: Pagan and metaphysical topics, including spirituality, religion, divination, witchcraft, and more. Payment: $0.05 USD per word up to 1200 words after editing. Deadline: May 18, 2022.

Mithila Review: Hopepunk. Genre: Speculative poetry and fiction. Length: 3000-7500 words. "For this special issue of Mithila Review, we want excellent, hopeful and memorable stories. Your story and characters should make us think, turn us into believers, and make us want to fight for and be part of a truly democratic future. What positive interventions do you think could bring us closer to the future you want for all of us?" Payment: $10 for poetry, 8 cents/word for fiction. Deadline: May 20, 2022.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanksgiving, Xmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa & New Year's. Genre: True stories and poems. "We want to hear about your holiday memories and traditions. The rituals of the holiday season give a rhythm to the years and create a foundation for our lives, as we gather with family, with our communities at church, at school, and even at the mall, to share the special spirit of the season, brightening those long winter days. Please share your special stories about the holiday season with us. Be sure that they are “Santa safe” so that we don’t spoil the magic for precocious readers!" (Check Preteens for topics.) Payment: $200. Deadline: May 20, 2022. Deadline extended.

Orion's Beau. Genre: Gay fantasy: fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $3. Deadline: May 20th, 2022. See themes.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror) and literary fiction. Payment: $80. Deadline: May 21, 2022. Accepts reprints.

Faces. Genre: Nonfiction, activities for children 9 - 14. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 23, 2022. Queries only. See themes.

Native Skin is an online literary magazine directly devoted to advancing equality by celebrating a noted point of exclusion—skin. Genre: Poetry, creative nonfiction, art. Payment: Varies: up to $100.   Deadline: May 23, 2022.

Alphabet Box. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, up to 900 words. Writers can send more than one submission, as long as the total does not exceed 900 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 23, 2022.

Story Seed Vault. Genre: Fiction based on science. Up to 200 characters. Payment: Up to $3AUD per story. Deadline: May 24, 2022.

The Dancing Plague. Genre: Short stories about the dancing plague. "In the summer of 1518, in the free city of Strasbourg, Frau Troffea stepped into the street and started to dance. Unable to stop, she danced until she collapsed from exhaustion. Then she got up and danced some more. Soon other citizens of Strasbourg joined her. At the peak of this bizarre mania, up to four hundred people danced, against their will, for months on end, until, just as mysteriously as it began, the dancing plague began to taper down. Send us your stories of utter speculation on the cause of the dancing plague, for our fourth collection. 10k words or less (less is more)" Payment: $10. Deadline: May 24, 2022.

Protean. Genre: Criticism, journalism, essays, reviews, interviews, poetry, fiction, and artwork. Payment: $50 - $350. Deadline: May 27, 2022.

Rough Cut Press. Restrictions: Open to LGBTQIA writers. Genre: Experimental fiction, nonfiction, art poetry. 650 words max. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 27, 2022. See themes.

The Storyteller Series (Podcast and Print) Genre: Fiction, non-fiction, memoir up to 10,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 28, 2022. Reprints accepted.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cats. Genre: True stories and poems. "We want your true funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about all the simply amazing things that your cat does. What have you learned from your cat? How does your cat improve your life? What crazy things does your cat do? Has your cat ever done anything heroic? How does your cat warm your heart and make you smile? We want to hear all about the absurd antics, funny habits and insightful behavior of your cat." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Dogs. Genre: True stories and poems. "We want your true funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about all the simply amazing things that your dog does. What have you learned from your dog? How does your dog improve your life? What crazy things does your dog do? Has your dog ever done anything heroic? How does your dog warm your heart and make you smile? We want to hear all about the absurd antics, funny habits and insightful behavior of your dog. Stories can be serious or humorous." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Crazy, eccentric, wacky, lovable, fun families. Genre: True stories and poems. "Share your true stories and poems about those family members. With love and appreciation, please. No mean- spirited stories wanted. And don’t worry. You can put a pen name on your story if necessary." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 30, 2022. 

Kweli Journal. "Kweli is the first online journal of its kind to celebrate community and cultural kinships. In this shared space, you will hear the lived experience of people of color. Our many stories. Our shared histories. Our creative play with language. Here our memories are wrapped inside the music of the Muscogee, the blues songs of the South, the clipped patois of the Caribbean." Genre: Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry. Length: No more than 7,000 words. Payment: "Upon publication." Deadline: May 30, 2022.

B Cubed Press: Scott's Planet. Genre: Stories and poetry based on a short story contained on the site. Payment: 3 cents/word. Deadline: May 30, 2022. 

Honeyguide Magazine is a bi-annual magazine that features fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art, and blog posts about animals and their human neighbors. Payment: $50. Only pays for features. Deadline: May 30, 2022. See themes.

The Wire’s Dream Magazine. Genre: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Art, Photography, Combined Work from underprivileged individuals. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

Writer Shed Press. Genre: Book-length manuscripts. Creative nonfiction/memoir on the broad themes of nature, wilderness, wide open spaces, and how the natural world meets the human world; how this relationship makes us whole. Length: 60,000 words max. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

Space Fantasy Magazine: Is There Anybody Out There? Genre: Stories about unexpected encounters in isolated places. "We want stories that challenge our relationship with space—past, present, and future." Payment: 8 cents USD/word. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

Uncanny Magazine. Genre: SF/F short stories. Payment: $.10 per word. Deadline: May 30, 2022. Opens May 16.  Also accepts poetry and nonfiction.

Poet Lore. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Hermine. Genre: Short fiction. Payment: 8 cents a word (CAD). Deadline: May 31, 2022. (Open until they hit their submissions cap)

Lost Boys Press: Doom. Genre: Stories and poems about endings. Payment: $10.00 as a flat fee per short story and/or $5.00 as a flat fee per poem. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Full House Literary Magazine. Genre: Poetry: Up to 30 lines per poem (not including spaces or line breaks); Prose: Up to 750 words per piece; Script: Up to 1.5  pages. Art. Payment: £5. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Dark Void. Genre: Science fiction horror. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Dread Imaginings. Genre: Quiet horror. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Long Con Magazine. Genre: Art (poetry, prose poetry, fiction, translations, visual, video, audio, and other – digital, hybrid, etc.), in response to artwork. (No nonfiction) Payment: CAD25 - 50. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Seasons Unceasing: A Worldsmyths Anthology. Genre: Fantasy/science fiction stories, following the theme of “seasons.” Length: 2000 words minimum to 8,000 words max. Payment: $0.005/word (up to $40USD). Deadline: May 31, 2022. Reprints accepted.

AGNI. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $20 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

The Gettysburg Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays. Payment: $2.50 per line for poetry, with a maximum of $300.00 for an individual poem, and $25.00 per printed page for prose. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Fiction pamphlets (up to 50 pages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Red Cape Publishing: A - Z of Horror: O is for Outbreak. Genre: Horror. "Think outside the box for this one." Payment:  £10. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Verve Poetry Press. Genre: Pamphlets and full-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Campfire Tales: The Call of the Sea. Genre: "Give us ADVENTURE, searches for treasure, sea battles, the perils of loving a Jack Tar, and the dangers of the briny deep." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

the other side of hope. Genre: Fiction and poetry by refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants only. They accept non-fiction, reviews, and interview submissions by anyone as long as the subject matter sheds light on the refugee and immigrant life. Payment: £100 per published author in the print issue, and £50 per published author in the online issue. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series. Restrictions: Open to any individual living in the U.S. who identifies as an immigrant and who either (i) was born in another country, (ii) has at least one parent who was born in another country (iii) is a refugee, or (iv) lives in the United States under Asylum or a Protection Program, such as TPS or DACA. Genre: Books of poetry, prose (fiction or nonfiction), and hybrid texts of poetry and prose. Payment: In addition to publication, marketing, and a standard royalties contract from Black Lawrence Press, authors chosen for the Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series will receive a travel stipend of $500, which can be used for book tours or in any manner chosen by the authors. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $50 per author (via PayPal) for our web issues. Payment for print is $5 per page, minimum of $20, plus 2 contributor copies and a 1-year subscription. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Note: Submit early in the month.

University Press of Kentucky. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Nashville Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art, and nonfiction. Payment: $25 per poem & song selection; $100 per selection for all other categories, including featured artwork. Translators receive $25 per poem & $100 for prose selections. Deadline:  May 31, 2022.

Prairie Fire. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF. Payment: Prose: $0.10 per word; Poetry: $40 per poem. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Nightmare Sky. Genre: Horror. Theme: Astronomy or night-sky themed horror stories about humans and our connection to the stars. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of $20 payment. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Orca. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.

“Exhaustion: Limited Reserves” Genre: Chapbook – Poetry and Flash Fiction on theme: Exhaustion. Payment: $15 CAD upon publication ($10 for reprints).  Deadline: May 31, 2022. Accepts reprints.

Azathoth: Ordo ab Chao. Genre: Speculative fiction. "This project will be the first in a series of anthologies focusing on each of the Lovecraftian gods featured in the wildly successful The Gods of HP Lovecraft (published in 2015 by JournalStone Publishing). This first anthology begins with primal origins and the god Azathoth, who represents primordial chaos in the world of the Lovecraftian Mythos." Payment: 5 cents a word and a copy of the book. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Typehouse. Restrictions: In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month, no-fee submissions are open for all API creators and all Mental Health identified creators, not limited to those in the US. Genre: Prose, poetry, art. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Halloween Ghost Anthology. Genre: Dark fiction short stories of classic paranormal, poltergeists, ghosts, spirits, haunted places and objects, and the eerily unexplained that take place on or around Halloween. Payment: 6 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

Reservoir Road Literary Review. Genre: Literary short stories, lyrical creative non-fiction, photography. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Note: Submit early in the month. Submission window closes when their cap is reached.

Haven Speculative. Restrictions: Open to authors of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented groups. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 1 cent/word for fiction and $5 - $10 for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Nightlight. Restrictions: Open to Black writers. Genre: Horror. 10,000 words max. Audio format. Payment: $75 - $200 depending on length. $50 for reprints. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Eerie River. Genre: Horror on theme of Fire. Word count: 1500 - 7000 firm. Payment: ¢1 per word CAD. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

One Story. Genre: Short story. Length: 3,000 - 8,000 words. Payment: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Dragon Soul Press: Haunt. Genre: "In a world where so many dark things go bump in the night, terror awaits around every corner as these authors take horror stories to the next level." Word Count – 5,000-15,000. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Opens May 15. See themes. 

Propertius Press. Genre: Short stories on theme: The Natural World. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Escape Pod. Genre: Science fiction (Audio and written format). Payment: USD $0.08 per word for original fiction. USD $100 per story for reprint fiction. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Reprints accepted.

Nightmares of Strangers Anthology. Genre: Horror, 3,000 – 7,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Touchpoint Press: Christmas Anthology. Genre: Wholesome stories that inspire, instill kindness and hope, and contain a sense of togetherness and community. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Vampires and Such. Genre: Short stories featuring vampires. 4K - 10K word count. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

There Used to Be a House Here. Genre: Horror-themed fictional stories that simply feature a house that was once somewhere, but is no longer. Payment: £25 via PayPal upon acceptance, and a digital e-Book contributor copy upon release. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

Herstories. Coupling and Uncoupling. Genre: Personal essays by women about love, marriage, divorce, dating, and being single... at midlife. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

Dread Machine: Darkness Blooms. Genre: Horror. All stories must inspire dread. Three themes: Identity, security, and community. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

River Paw Press: Sunflowers: An anthology of Ukrainian poems on War, Resistance, Hope, and Peace. Genre: Poetry on the theme: War(s) in Ukraine. Payment: There is no pay for Non-Ukrainian writers, poets and translators. However, all submitters will receive a soft copy of the Sunflowers, regardless of whether their work is accepted or not for the anthology. Ukrainian poets and translators will be paid. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

Minola Review. Restrictions: Open to women and non-binary writers. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $25 - $175. Deadline: May 31, 2022. 

Dark Moments Monthly Challenge. Genre: Drabble (100 words) on theme Genius Loci. The pervading spirit/tutelary deity of a place. Payment: 0.04 USD per word. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

 

And a few more ...

Kaleidotrope. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry—science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also compelling work that blurs the lines between these and falls outside of neat genre categories. Payment: For fiction, $0.01/word (1 cent a word) USD. For poetry, a flat rate of $5 USD per accepted piece. For artwork, a flat rat of $60 for cover art. Deadline: Opens June 1.

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Short stories and poetry. See themes. Payment: 20.00 USD for featured authors, or $10.00 USD for stories published on their &More page and $5.00 USD for poems. Deadline: June 1, 2022.

Scorched Earth Press: Cars Against Humanity! Genre: Nonfiction pieces whose goal is to illuminate the many ways in which cars, and the infrastructure built to support them, constrict (human) life. "We want the essays in this volume to help readers understand the deadly automotive ecologies that have emerged around the world over the past century." Payment: $50. Deadline: June 1, 2022.

Olit. Restrictions: Strong preference for Orlando based writers/submissions about Orlando and surrounding areas. Genre: Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Artwork, Photography. "Send us all kinds of stuff. We love the artfully weird." Payment: $10. Deadline: June 1, 2022.

Parabola. Genre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: June 1, 2022. See themes.

Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Poetry, short fiction about Other-Than-Human Realms. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2022.

63 Writing Contests in May 2022 - No entry fees

This May there are five dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $60,000 to a free writing class. 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! 

(Image: Piqsels)

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Forum Prize. Genre: Essay on the subject of: ‘Challenging Literature.' "We are looking for bold, visionary and persuasive essays that use academic research to pursue innovative questions. The topic may be addressed from the perspective of any of the literatures (including literary linguistics, translation and comparative literature approaches) normally covered by the journal: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish." Prize: £500 and publication. Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

The Orchards Poetry Journal: Grantchester Award. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First place is $50.00.
Second place is $30.00. Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $1,500.  Deadline: May 1, 2022.

West Virginia Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open to West Virginia residents or students. Genre: Short fiction, 5,000 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Queer Scifi Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Fantasy, paranormal or horror LGBTIQA stories of no more than 300 words on the theme of Clarity. Prize: The top three winners will receive cash prizes of $75, $50, and $25 respectively. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Questions Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to authors aged 18-30. Genre: Short stories of any genre or nonfiction between 1500 and 2000 words. Prize: First place winners (or prize pool for a tie) is $2000. The work will also be published in a book. Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be Canadian, and an entry must be the writer's first or second published book of any type or genre and must have a Canadian locale and/or significance. Genre: Print books and ebooks of creative non-fiction published in the previous calendar year. Prize: C$10,000.00. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

CINTAS Creative Writing Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to any Cuban author (including those of direct Cuban lineage; need not reside in Cuba). Genre: Novel excerpts, short stories, plays, or poems of up to 25 pages. Prize: $20,000 fellowship. Deadline: May 1, 2022.

Parsec Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to non-professional writers. Genre: Speculative fiction. The theme for the 2022 contest is: Hearth, Song, and Table. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue…the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. Prize: $200 and publication. Best youth story (age 19 and under) receives $50. Deadline: May 1, 2022. 

Reel One Entertainment. Genre: Rom-com screenplay. "We want your fun, romantic and feel-good TV movie ideas for a love story our audiences worldwide are sure to fall for." Submit a 2-page treatment in PDF format for your romcom idea. Prize: $5000 USD cash prize and the opportunity to work alongside our experienced Development Executives with the intention of greenlighting to Production. Deadline: May 2, 2022.

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors. Created by the Missouri Humanities Council, the Warrior Arts Alliance, and Southeast Missouri State University Press, this series of anthologies preserves and shares military service perspectives of our soldiers and veterans of all conflicts and of their families. It is not only an outlet for artistic expression but also a document of the unique aspects of wartime in our nation's history. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction, Essay, Photography, Interview with a Warrior. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: May 2, 2022 (postmarked).

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Genre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between March 1, 2022 and May 2, 2022. Deadline: May 3, 2022.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between March 1, 2022 and May 2, 2022. Prizes of $5,000 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 3, 2022.

Harper-Wood Creative Writing & Travel Award for English Poetry and Literature. Restrictions: Open to any student who has graduated from any university in the UK, Ireland, the Commonwealth or the USA. Genre: The Award Holder is expected to engage in a course of study or research, and produce a piece of original fiction, drama or poetry. Prize: £15,500 is provided to cover accommodation and living expenses during the course of the year. Deadline: May 4, 2022.

Spectator No. 3248: where there’s a will. You are invited to submit the last will and testament of a well-known fictional character (please specify). Please email entries of up to 150 words to lucy@spectator.co.uk by midday May 4. Prize: £30. Deadline: May 4, 2022.

Jane Austen Literacy Foundation Writing Competition. Genre: Original, fictional short story. Length: 1000-2000 words. "Your short story can be inspired by Jane Austen in any way.  For example, you may wish to write a short story based on Austen’s novels or characters, a fictional story that includes Jane herself, or perhaps a tale of something or someone inspired by Jane Austen or her writing." Prize: "The winning stories (the winner and two runners up) will be recorded as an audiobook by multi-award winning and best-selling Austen narrator, Alison Larkin, published WORLDWIDE and promoted for all to hear!" Deadline: May 4, 2022.  

Grist: Imagine 2200. Genre: Short stories. "What we’re seeking: short stories that envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress. Our mission is to make the story of a better world so irresistible, you want it right now." Prize: First, second, and third-prize winners will be awarded $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively, and nine additional finalists will each receive a $300 honorarium. Deadline: May 5, 2022.

All Our Various Voices. Montpelier Arts Center is seeking original and unpublished submissions for All Our Various Voices, an anthology celebrating the rich diversity of personal or family stories of immigration from writers who are 18 years of age and older and reside in Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Prize: First Place ($200), Second Place ($150), Third Place ($100) and two Honorable Mentions ($50 each). First Place ($200), Second Place ($150), Third Place ($100) and two Honorable Mentions ($50 each). Deadline: May 7, 2022.

Love the Words 2022: Water. ‘Love the Words’ is an annual celebration of the magic and power of words, and is part of International Dylan Thomas Day. Genre: Poems on theme: Water. Prize: Publication. Deadline: May 7, 2022.

ANGELA MANKIEWICZ POETRY CONTEST. Genre: Poem. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 7, 2022. First 500 entries eligible for prize.

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: May 8, 2022.

Spectator competition No. 3249. Genre: You are invited to submit an extract from a Mills & Boon-style novel whose central character is a contemporary politician (please specify). Email entries of up to 150 words.’ to lucy@spectator.co.uk. Prize: £30. Deadline: Midday on May 11, 2022.

RTÉ Radio Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to Irish writers and residents of Ireland.  Genre: Short story. Prize: Up to 3,000 euros. Deadline: May 13, 2022.

Apparition Lit. Genre: Speculative flash fiction inspired by the monthly photograph prompt. (See site for photo.) Length: 1000 words max. Prize: $30. Deadline: May 14, 2022.

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: May 15, 2022.

FIYAH Literary Magazine Grant Series. Restrictions: Open to Black writers and editors. Genre: Speculative fiction. Grant: $1000. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

OutWrite 2022 Chapbook Competition. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry Chapbooks. OutWrite is a celebration of LGBTQ literature; entries that explore aspects of LGBTQ culture or identity are encouraged. Prize $100, an offer of print publication from Neon Hemlock Press, and an opportunity to read from their work at OutWrite 2022. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Toyin Falola Prize. Restrictions: Open to Africans between the age of 15 and 35. Genre: Prose (fiction or nonfiction) on theme of Freedom. Prize: $2,500 share between winner and 5 short listed stories.  Deadline: May 15, 2022.

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 and French-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: May 15, 2022.

Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media. Genre: Nonfiction. "The Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media recognizes a select group of media professionals, including journalists, writers, and others who create exemplary work that contributes to a deeper understanding of and greater public awareness about mental health issues. To be eligible, work must have been written in English, intended for the layperson, and must have been first published/released after April 1, 2020." Prize: $3000. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Singapore Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. "We are looking for poems that use the chiming words "time" and "regime" together or separately in imaginative ways." Prize: USD300, 200, and 100 will go to the top three winners. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

Leeway Foundation: Transformation Award. Restrictions: Women and transgender poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who have been creating art for social change for five or more years. Writers who have lived for at least two years in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties, who are at least 18 years of age, and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Award: $15,000. Deadline: May 15, 2022.

The Roadrunner Review: High School Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Poetry, prose. Prize: $100. Deadline: May 16, 2022.

Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant. Genre: Articles, books, and short-form writing about contemporary art—the grants support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences, from short reviews for magazines and newspapers to in-depth scholarly studies. The program also supports art writing that engages criticism through interdisciplinary methods and experiments with literary styles. Grant: $15,000 to $50,000. Deadline: May 18, 2022.

Bennett Nieberg Transpoetic Broadside Prize. Restrictions: Open to trans poets who have yet to publish their first full-length book. Genre: Poem. Prize: $1,000 USD, 25 limited edition letterpress broadsides of the winning poem, and a feature in the upcoming issue of Gasher Journal. Deadline: May 18, 2022.

Roscommon New Writing Award. Restrictions: All entrants must have a connection with the county of Roscommon (born in, living in, currently working in, went to school in, etc). Genres: Short stories. Prize: €750.00. Deadline: May 20, 2022.

Spectrum: Poetry Celebrating Identity. Genre: Poem. "We’re particularly keen to hear from those who do not see their identity represented in traditional or mainstream media. Anywhere in the world, any age." Prize: 1st prize: £200; 2nd prize: £100. Deadline: May 21, 2022.

Creative Future Writers’ Award. Restrictions: Open to underrepresented writers in the UK only, who are over 18 years old. Genre: Poetry, fiction. This year’s theme is ‘How It Started.’  Prize: Publication, unspecified monetary award (?)  Deadline: May 22, 2022.

Bacopa Literary Review. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Prizes: First ($200) and Runner-Up ($160) prizes in each genre. All published will receive $20 and a copy of the print journal. After publication, Bacopa will be promoted online. Deadline: May 23, 2022.

Celebrating Black Writers: Voices Calling for Activism and Social Justice. Restrictions: Open to high school and college students of all ages. Genre: Fiction, prose, and essays. Writings should represent various themes raised by Black writers—poets, novelists, literary activists, public intellectuals, civil rights leaders, and historians—who have advocated for social justice. Prize: For college students: first place $4,000; second place $2,000. High school students (includes juniors and seniors): first place $3,000; second place $1,500. Deadline: May 23, 2022.

Solarpunk Microfiction Contest. Genre; Microfiction, 250 words max. Prize: $25 and publication on the Solarpunk Magazine website. Deadline: May 25, 2022. See theme. Opens May 20.

Irene Adler Prize for Women Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women. Genre: Creative nonfiction. Prize: $1,000 scholarship to a woman pursuing a degree in journalism, creative writing, or literature at a recognized post-secondary institution in the U.S. or Canada. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

The Center for Fiction / Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships offer grants, editorial mentorship, and other opportunities to early-career New York City-based practitioners who are at a critical moment in their development as fiction writers. Genre: Fiction. Grant: $5,000. Deadline: May 30, 2022.

The Wolfe Pack Black Orchid Award. Genre: Mystery novellas in the style of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novellas. Manuscript length: 15K-20K words. Prize: $1,000, plus recognition and publication in a forthcoming issue of AAMM. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

A Voice for Animals Teen Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to students between the ages of 14-18. Genre: Essays on an animal rights topic.  In the 16-18 year olds category, essays must be 800-1,000 words long and be accompanied by a photograph; in the 14-15 year olds category, essays should be between 1,400-1,500 words. One climate change prize (both age categories compete) will be awarded for an essay on how climate change affects a particular animal species. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. See themes. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

bpNichol Poetry Chapbook Award. Restrictions: Canadian publishers only. Genre: Published poetry chapbook. Prize: The author receives $4,000 and the publisher receives $500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

CNO Naval History Essay Contest. Genre: Scholarly essay on naval history.  Prize: First Prize: $5,000. Second Prize:$2,500. Third Prize: $1,500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Awards. Restrictions: Open to aboriginal youth, 18 years or younger, residing in Ontario, Canada. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. Genre: Unpublished fiction approximately 1,000 - 5,000 words. Story should pertain to music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Prize: $100 and publication in Jerry Jazz Musician. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Genesis Jewish Book Week Emerging Writers' Programme. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers over 18 years of age, of any background living in the UK. Genre: Fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Prize: Up to £1,500 and mentorship. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

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: May 31, 2022.

Owl Canyon Press Essay Contest. Genre: Essay of at least 2,000 words about some aspect of Marc Jampole’s experimental literary masterpiece, The Brothers Silver. Prize: $5000. An additional honorarium of $1,000 will be awarded the winner if their essay is published in an eligible publication (see rules for list); authors of any other entry published in an eligible publication will receive $300. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to "revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful." Genre: Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize: $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: May 31, 2022. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

Speculative Literature Foundation Older Writers Grant. Restrictions: Open to writers who are fifty years of age or older at the time of grant application. Genre: Speculative fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Undiscovered Voices First Novel Prize. Genre: First novel published in 2021. Prize: $3000. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

The Drabble Harvest Contest. Genre: Drabble on theme of "Space Junk." A "drabble" is defined as a short story containing exactly precisely no more and no fewer than 100 words. It has a title, which can be from 1 to 15 words-- but no more than 15. Prize: $5. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans. This creative writing contest for U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel is hosted by The Iowa Review and made possible by a gift from the family of Jeff Sharlet (1942–69), a Vietnam veteran and antiwar writer and activist. The contest is open to veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre and about any subject matter. Prizes: First place: $1,000 plus publication in The Iowa Review. Second place: $750. Three runners-up: $500 each. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Tales to Terrify. Genre: Nautical horror flash fiction. Prize: $25. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

The Seventh Annual H. Gene Murtha Senryu Contest. Genre: Senryu. Prize: 1st Place: $50.00, 2nd Place: $25.00, 3rd Place: $25.00 Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Rattle's Ekphrastic Challenge. Genre: Poetry based on art. (See website) Prize: $100. Deadline: May 31, 2022.

Aura Estrada Short Story Contest. Genre: Short story on theme: Speculation. Prize: $1,000 and publication. Deadline: May 31, 2022. (free entry for contestants outside U.S., Canada, Western Europe, and those experiencing hardship)

27 Marvelous Writing Conferences in May 2022

This May there are more than two dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but some will be held in person as pandemic restrictions ease. Virtual events still offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early.

(Image: Kachemak Bay: Flickr: Alan Grinberg )

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ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference, May 1  - 2, 2022: Jersey City, NJ. "As freelance journalists and authors, we collaborate with editors, agents, publishers, designers, and multimedia experts. At the 2022 conference, we will explore the ways collaboration helps us succeed. We have three tracks of interactive, dynamic programming focused on journalism, content marketing, and books. Sessions will benefit freelancers at all phases in their careers. Also available are members-only mastermind programs for small groups led by freelance experts.​​​​​​​"

Annual Nonfiction Writers Conference. May 4 - 6, 2022: Conducted online.

Virtual Radical Craft Retreat: Attention, Devotion; Perhapsing into the Unknown with T Kira Madden. May 5 - 9, 2022. Closed.

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 6 - 7, 2022: Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Workshops, talks, and a book fair for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Previous presenters: Beth Amos, Malinda Andrews, Valerie Biel, Rebekah Bryan, R. R. Campbell and more. 

Atlanta Writers Conference. May 6 - 7, 2022: Atlanta, GA. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on author branding for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and graphic novelists. The goals of this conference are to give you access to eighteen top publishing acquisitions editors and literary agents (our most ever!) actively seeking new clients, help you get your work ready for them, and educate you with a workshop and talks by experienced authors and other industry professionals. The Conference Activities page details each activity you can register for: select them all, only one, or some number in between–it’s entirely up to you, so you can craft the conference experience that will be best for your growth, interests, and budget. Some of our guest agents and editors have elected to participate virtually via Zoom in all events rather than risk exposure during travel to and from our conference. For each guest on our Editors and Agents page, we have indicated whether they will be in-person at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel or virtual.

Philadelphia Writing Workshop. May 6-7, 2022. This is a special two-day online “How to Get Published” writing workshop on May 6-7, 2022. In other words, it’s two days 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. And even though this is the “Philadelphia” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually.

Monadnock Pastoral Poetry Retreat. May 6 - 8, 2022. Greenfield, NH.  Includes workshops, individual conferences, participant & mentor readings; hiking & kayaking (weather permitting). Each workshop uses dual mentors.

“You Really Got a Hold on Me”: A Generative Pop Culture Poetry Workshop. May 11th, 6:00-7:30PM EST. "The Sopranos brought about a generation filled with fans who found themselves inexplicably drawn to Tony Soprano’s heavy breathing and violent leadership. Fans of the show Killing Eve are consistently torn between troubled MI5 officer Eve Polastri and the object of her detection, the dastardly but captivating Villanelle. What is it about these characters that compels us to talk about them, to think about them, and to write about them? In looking outward to these characters, we look inward. In this 90-minute generative poetry workshop, you’ll drill down on a character from popular culture who fascinates you in some way. You’ll look at examples of pop culture poetry from writers including Morgan Parker, and Hanif Abdurraquib, and with two short writing periods, you’ll begin drafting work, and even share a line or two. Come along, make sense of your interior life and get an excuse to re-binge your favorite show." While there is no fee for this workshop, those who are able and appreciative can make direct donations via Venmo @helloshanwolf.

Annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. May 11 - 14, 2022 at various locations in New York City and Los Angeles. "Join more than 125 writers and artists representing over 50 nationalities in New York City for the 2019 PEN World Voices Festival: Open Secrets. In 60+ events in venues across New York City, the 15th anniversary of New York’s first international literary festival will gather nonfiction and fiction writers, thinkers, and activists to discuss what we reveal and what we withhold, and the opportunities and dangers inherent in the rapid reconfiguring of the public and the private in the literary, cultural, social, and political realms." 

Washington Writers Conference. May 13 - 14, 2022: Bethesda, MD. "Expert sessions with authors and publishing pros on the many paths to publishing — from writing killer query letters and landing an agent to going your own way and utilizing a self/hybrid model — and publicizing your book once it exists!" 

Pennwriters Conference. May 13 - 15, 2022: Pittsburgh, PA. The 35th Annual Pennwriters Conference features three days of workshops, panels, networking and learning to help you learn, grow, soar! Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature an open attendance slate of one-hour workshops on all things writing. The schedule is structured with open attendance, so you can take whichever classes appeal to you. Attendees will have 40+ hours of sessions to choose from. Our faculty is comprised of published authors, literary agents and editors, and other writing industry professionals. Pitch appointments are available at no additional fee. 

Writing on the Door: Health & Healing Conference. May 13-15, 2022: Fish Creek, WI. "An experience that welcomes all who are interested in paths of health and healing, this conference offers something for everyone. Workshop offerings include navigating trauma, holistic support, writing to heal, neurodivergence, word medicine, and much more."

Biographers International Organization Conference. May 13 - 15, 2022. The conference features panels on current issues in biography and the craft of biography, including discussion of the topics of interviewing, writing about writers, and obituary writing. The conference also offers a unique opportunity to hear some of biography’s best—and best-known—writers share their stories. During the James Atlas Plenary, prominent biographers such as Douglas Brinkley, Annette Gordon-Reed, David Remnick, Stacy Schiff , T. J. Stiles, and Evan Thomas begin the day in casual conversation. The afternoon features a keynote lecture by the recipient of the BIO Award. Past recipients include Robert Caro, Ron Chernow, Arnold Rampersad, Jean Strouse, and Claire Tomalin. Panel sessions throughout the day provide tips for novice biographers, examination of the craft of biography, and exploration of issues aimed at seasoned biographers. And a highlight of the conference is the presentation of the Plutarch Award for the year’s best biography. 

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. May 14 - 17, 2022. The 2022 keynote speaker will be Jericho Brown, 2020 Pulitzer Prize winning poet, winner of the American book award, and finalist for the 2020 National Book Award. Joining Jericho are the amazing Victoria Chang, Christina Chiu, CMarie Fuhrman, Toni Jensen, T. Geronimo Johnson, Tynan Kogane, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, and Anjali Singh.

Longleaf Writers Conference. May 14 - 21, 2022: Seaside, Florida. "Formerly the Seaside Writers Conference, Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry and fiction and screenwriting who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events. This event occurs every year in May, and offers the opportunity for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network with other writers, and to hone their craft. There will also be seminars hosted by professional editors and literary agents who will offer one-on-one consultations. All participants who pay the full conference tuition fee will be able to take part in all daily activities, while those paying a la carte pricing will have the pick of which classes and workshops they would like to attend. The Longleaf Writers Conference is one of the only conferences in the nation to take place on one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and every year will feature notable guest writers, literary agents, and professional editors."

Essay Camp: A May Write-Along with Summer Brennan. May 16 - 20, 2022. "Starting on May 16th, each day for five days we’ll spend some time writing, with a focus on generating ideas and connecting to our authentic voice. There is no time requirement, and no word count goal. You are invited to write as personally or as impersonally as you see fit; to expound icily or scream into the void. You can use the Five Things format, or do your own thing." Online format.

Clarksville Writers Conference. May 19 - 20, 2022: Clarksville, TN. Two days of writing workshops and presentations, a keynote banquet with the authors, and manuscript consultations.

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 19 - 23, 2022: Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey, Michigan. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write.

Big Sur on Cape Cod. May 20 - 22, 2022, North Falmouth MA. Focus on children's writing. Faculty: Andrea Brown and four of her agents, four editors and four authors. 

Nebula Conference. May 20 - 22, 2022: Los Angeles, CA. SFWA members and other individuals who are interested in the field of science fiction and fantasy are welcome to attend SFWA’s Nebula Conference. Attendees may participate in workshops, programming and special events throughout the weekend. You do not need to be a member of SFWA to attend. Will be held online.

San Antonio Book Festival. May 21, 2022: San Antonio, TX. The San Antonio Book Festival is a FREE, annual, daylong event that unites readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. Featuring more than 80 nationally and regionally acclaimed authors, the Festival offers programming for all ages.

Lit Camp. May 22 - May 27, 2022: Bell Valley Retreat Center and the Boonville Hotel in Mendocino County, California. The conference features workshops, panels, and craft talks for fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers. The faculty includes fiction writers Gabriela Garcia, Jane Smiley, and Dana Spiotta; agent Laurie Liss (Sterling Lord Literistic); and editor Ethan Nosowsky (Graywolf Press). The cost of the conference, including lodging and meals, ranges from $995 to $2,395, depending on lodging. Registration is limited to 40 participants. Application Deadline: January 31, 2022.

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. May 23 - 27, 2022: Houston, Texas. Daily workshops, readings, craft talks, social events and professionalism panels in an intimate and supportive environment designed specifically with the needs of emerging writers in mind.

North Words Writers Symposium. May 25 - 28, 2022: Skagway, Alaska. "Exploring the Frontiers of Language," the North Words Writers Symposium welcomes all to an intimate setting with just 40 participants engaging with authors in a spectacular Alaska setting. Join this year's faculty of Alaska-NW authors for four days of panel discussions, writing workshops, readings, and adventure in Skagway, Alaska. We are planning a safe in-person 2022 event. Symposium events include activities such as hiking and writing workshops, a barbecue with live music at Alderworks Writers & Artists Retreat in Dyea; and a keynote banquet in a show garden.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat. May 26 - 29, 2022, Colorado Springs, CO. An intensive 3-day writing retreat.

Balticon 56. May 27 - 30, 2022: Baltimore, MD. Balticon is sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS). BSFS presents the Compton Crook Award, the Robert A. Heinlein Award, and the winner of the annual Jack L. Chalker Young Writer's Contest annually at this event. Faculty: Guest of Honor: Nancy Springer. Multiple tracks of Programming over the four day weekend, featuring authors, artists, scientists, musicians, podcasters, publishers, editors, costumers and other creative SF luminaries. 

ThrillerFest XIV. May 31 – June 4, 2022: New York City. This is the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers. The ThrillerFest conference has four main components: Master CraftFest, CraftFest, PitchFest, and ThrillerFest. Master CraftFest was designed as an educational tool for aspiring writers as well as debut and midlist authors to gain advanced training from the masters of the craft in an intimate, day-long training session. CraftFest was designed for all writers to learn from bestselling authors and subject experts who kindly offer their advice and assistance to advance attendees’ writing techniques and further their careers. PitchFest was designed to match writers with agents, editors, publishers, and producers. ThrillerFest, the final two days of the conference, is intended to offer readers a chance to meet the best authors in the industry and be introduced to debut and midlist authors. Expect innovative panels, spotlight interviews, and workshops to educate and inspire.