78 Calls for Submissions in May 2026 - Paying markets

This May there are more than six 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 upcoming calls for submissions shortly before 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.

[Image: Needpix]

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Sundog. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap.

IHRAM Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme:As global warming accelerates and climate change deepens, we are witnessing more frequent and devastating environmental disasters, often unrecognized or unaddressed by governments, leaving countless people homeless, vulnerable, and disadvantaged. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Cincinnati Review. Genre: Literary nonfiction (up to 20 pages), fiction (up to 40 pages), poetry, poetry translations, drama, and art. Payment: $25/page for prose in the journal, $30/page for poetry, $25 for miCRo posts or special features. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Note: Opens on the first day of the month and closes once they hit the submissions cap.

The Bombay Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, poetry, translated fiction/poetry and graphic fiction. Payment: Indian rupees 5,000 (approx. $61) per contribution. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Year's. Genre: True stories and poems. "Please submit your true stories and poems about the entire December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Forge Literary Magazine. Genre: Prose. They prefer stories under 3,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: Opens May 1, 2026. Closes when they reach their cap. 

Iron Fang Press: Wish You Were Here Anthology. Genre: Horrifying/spooky/unsettling short stories with the theme of vacations. Payment: CAD30. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Emberwick Press. Genre: Full-length Chapter Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult Fiction manuscripts in the Contemporary (YA/MG), Fantasy (YA/MG), Romance (Adult/YA), Romantasy (Adult/YA), Mystery (all ages), and Horror / Thriller (all ages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

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: May 1, 2026.

The First Line Journal. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry using the line provided. (See theme) Payment: $25-50 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: May 2, 2026. Opens May 1.

Liars’ League. Genre: Short stories. Length: 800-2,000 words. See theme. Payment: £20, reading of your story by a professional actor, as well as podcast, video and online publication of your work. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Lucky Jefferson: Paradox. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, hybrid work, and poetry on the Paradox theme. Payment: $25 - $35. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Flame Tree: Climbing High: Speculative Stories of Female Ambition. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: May 3, 2026.

Prairie Fire. Genre: Creative nonfiction submissions on the theme, ‘Lost and Found: Things Forgotten, Things Remembered.’ Payment: CAD0.10/word up to CAD250 for prose. Deadline: May 4, 2026.

Affirm Press Restrictions: They only accept Australians. Genre: Affirm Press accepts all literary and genre fiction. For non-fiction, they are interested in most subjects that have an author or authors based in Australia, and only manuscripts that haven’t been previously published. They only accept submissions on the first Monday of each month and twice yearly on their children’s & teen list. Read their submission guidelines here. Deadline: May 4, 2026.

Stone’s Throw. Genre: "We're looking for dark fiction, crime and noir, length between 1,000 and 2,000 words." Payment: $25. Deadline: May 4, 2026. Open to submissions the first three days of every month.

Space and Time. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We welcome poetry, art and fiction that bend rules, transcend genre and break stereotypes." Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 for poetry. Deadline: May 7, 2026. Open the first seven days of every month.

University of Queensland Press Genre: Adult non-fiction submissions that address environmental sustainability and the climate crisis. We are looking for potential new books that engage with current science, with themes of hope, resilience and innovation. Full or partial manuscripts (minimum 15,000 words) will be accepted. They do not publish books in the following categories: Genre fiction (including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and erotica), travel guides, cookbooks, self-help books, plays/scripts/music scores, textbooks, unrevised theses or conference proceedings. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 7, 2026. Open the first seven days of every month.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: May 8, 2026.

Lucky Jefferson: En Recuerdo De. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, hybrid work, and poetry on the Recuerdo theme. Payment: $25 - $35. Deadline: May 10, 2026.

Blood Clot! Revolution. Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers only. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $5-25; they also offer a $50 prize for the best story. Deadline: May 12, 2026. Accepts reprints.

 

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, 2026. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Goblins & Galaxies Magazine. Genre: Sword & sorcery, dark fantasy, and science fiction stories under 6,000 words. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word for original fiction. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Opens May 7.

filling station. Genre: Stories, poems, CNF, nonfiction, and art. See theme. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 14, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

In a Flash. Genre: Flash fiction, 500 words max. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Fourteen Poems Genre: Poems. "We want to represent all that's thrilling about the new wave of LGBT+ poets. If you’re a poet, even if you’ve never been published before, we want to read your work. Every issue we publish 14 of the best queer poems we’ve found, and we want to include you! We publish 4 times a year, but take submissions all year round. To be considered, email up to 5 poems, preferably in a pdf format, with a small paragraph about yourself." Payment: £30 for each poem published. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

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, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $10. Deadline: May 15, 2026. 

Tableware. Genre: Art, poetry, fiction, essays, photography, reviews. Most anything you can print on paper. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Poetry Magazine. Restrictions: Open to poets born and/or raised in the city and writers who have lived in Chicago for around seven years at some point in their lives. Genre: Poetry. Theme: Chicago. Payment: $500 per text and visual poem, $600 per video poem. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Orion's Belt. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: 1200 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, messages from heaven, angels. Genre: True stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! Payment: $200. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Way Downstream. Restrictions: Open to queer, trans, and gender variant authors. Genre: Prose between 4,000–10,000 words. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2026. Reprints accepted.

Tableware. Genre: Art, poetry, fiction, essays, photography, reviews. Most anything you can print on paper. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Inkd Publishing: Beyond 2026. Genre: Science Fiction. See theme. Payment: Minimum $10. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Pet Monsters. Genre: Short stories. Pet Monsters plays on the classic "Mom, can I keep it?" question. Some strange creature – an under-the-bed monster, critters hiding in the garage, or secret basement friends – end up discovered by our wide-eyed protagonist, but that new pet may not be housebroken. Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Three-Lobed Burning Eye. Genre: Horror, fantasy, science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: May 16, 2026.

Missed Fits. Genre: Speculative short stories (science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.) about someone or something that doesn’t fit, that is missing, that is out of place. Payment: 8 cents U.S. per word. Deadline: May 16, 2026.

Utopia Science Fiction. Genre: Utopian science fiction. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

(s)crawl magazine. Restrictions: Open to work by LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, BIPOC, disabled, women, and gender-diverse writers. Genre: Horror fiction and poetry. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Griffith Review. Genre: Non-fiction and fiction that responds to the theme "Out of Office." Payment: AUD$0.75 per word. Deadline: May 17, 2026.

The Stinging Fly is an Irish magazine that accepts submissions from around the world. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction: €30 per magazine page; Poetry: €50 per poem; Featured Poet: €250. Deadline: May 20, 2026.

Don’t Go for the Vault: A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror. Theme: Bank Robbery. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: May 20, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Raconteur Press: Wyrd Warfare 3. Genre: Short stories. More Combat! More arcane action! More war and wizardry! Still wyrd! Join warfighters from across all time and space for one more journey into the strange and unknown. Psychic soldiers and angelic apparitions. Will an alien invasion unite East and West? Nations beg for the aid of supernatural allies, but at what price? Rebels and mercenaries aren't the only threats in post-colonial Africa. Lost submarines "still on patrol." Nice fleet you have there, be a shame if some old sea god got mad about it… Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 29, 2026.

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, 2026.

New Orleans Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026. In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, there are no submission fees for all API writers for the month of May, not limited to those living in/born in the US.

Dragon Soul Drabbles. Genre: Horor Drabbles. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

100 Word Project. Genre: Drabbles of exactly 100 words. See theme. Payment: $1. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

The Offing. Genre: Translation poetry and CNF. Payment: $25 - $100. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Heartlines Spec. Restrictions: "Since Heartlines Spec is primarily a Canadian magazine, we're looking to feature writers identifying as being from Canada/Turtle Island. This includes expats, new immigrants, and people who refuse/resist Canadian Identity. Our goal for each issue is to publish at least 50% Canadian content." Genre: Short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships: platonic, romantic, or familial. "We want stories and poetry with strong, confident relationships amid all the sci-fi/fantasy. We are especially interested in stories featuring queer platonic relationships, ace/aro love stories, and polycules." Payment: $0.08 CAD per word for short fiction and $80 CAD flat for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Qwerty. Genre: Art, Poetry, Prose. Theme: Stories, poems, and otherwise artistic interpretations on the theme of dark architecture and pseudoarchaeology. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Anibon Press. Genre: Poetry and prose chapbooks questioning animal and spiritual encounters, cryptozoological and pseudoscientific treatises, and other hybrid texts interested in more than human ideas and stories. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Shacklebound Books: Witches & Warlocks. Genre: Drabbles (exactly 100 words) on theme. See site. Payment: Flat fee of $5. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Don’t Go for the Vault: A Bank Robbery Horror Anthology. Genre: Horror. Theme: Bank Robbery. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and other underrepresented voices: May 21– May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: Slayer. Genre: All monster hunter stories. From dragons and dinosaurs, to Cthulhu and sirens, to the usual vampires and werewolves. Gore, horror, and originality are appreciated. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: FAERIE CONTRACT. Genre: All fairy stories across all genres. Fae, selkies, brownies, etc. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

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, 2026. Fee to submit online. No fee to submit by USPS.

Black Fox Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themes. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

The London Magazine. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Nonbinary Review. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: Up to 3,000 words for prose; up to 3 pages for poetry. See theme. Payment: $0.01/word for prose, $10 for poetry. $25 flat fee for visual art, or $50 for pieces chosen as cover art. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Litmag. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. "What We Look For: Work that moves and amazes us.We are drawn to big minds, large hearts, sharp pens." Length: Print: 15,000 words; Online: 4,000 words. Payment: Print: $300 for full-length fiction or nonfiction (5,000+ words); $150 for fiction or nonfiction (2,500-4,999 words); $100 for a short short (flash); $100 for a poem or group of short poems. LitMag Online: Upon acceptance, $100. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $35 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Free submissions for Canadians only.

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, 2026. Reprints accepted.

Haven Speculative. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Indie Bites. Genre: Fantasy. See theme. Payment: £5. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Roxanne Gay. Genre: Unagented books. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Plentitude. Restrictions: Canadian citizens living in Canada or abroad; those who identify as Indigenous; and/or residents of Canada (temporary residents or refugees). LGBTQ2S+ writers only. Genre: Poetry, Fiction. Payment: $60 per poem, $125 for fiction and CNF. Deadline: May 31, 2026. 

Folded Space. Genre: Speculative fiction. Length: 3,000 words up to 7,000 words. Podcast. Payment: $0.02 USD per word for original work that has never been published and $0.01 USD per word for reprints. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Kirby Fantasy Fiction Magazine. Genre: Fantasy. See theme. Payment: £0.05 per word. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Zombies Need Brains: Were-2 Anthology. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy, or urban fantasy stories where the story revolves around were creatures. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Reader Beware. Genre: Horror. Payment: $0.01/word for fiction, $0.05/line for poetry, $5/page for comics. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $75 for poems, memoirs, flash, fiction, and art, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews web issues. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

Princeton Series of Contemporary Poets. Genre: Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Read full guidelines HERE. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Poetry collections (40+ pages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

University Press of Kentucky. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Closes when submission cap is reached, so submit early.

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, 2026.

 

AND A FEW MORE...

Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Poetry, short fiction. See themes. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Green Writers Press is an independent, Vermont-based publishing company dedicated to spreading environmental awareness and social justice by publishing authors who promulgate messages of hope and renewal through place-based writing and environmental activism. Genre: Adult/juvenile fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cat Stories. Genre: True stories and poems. "We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words that highlight the unique personalities that cats have. Celebrate your cat, or a cat you know, with a wonderful story about what he or she does. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both." Payment: $200. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

The Paris Review. Genres: Prose. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens June 1, 2026, and closes when they reach capacity.

Roses & Wildflowers: Anarchy and Harmony. Genre: Mythopoeic fiction, poetry, and art. See theme. Payment: $20 for fiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: June 1, 2026. May close early if cap is reached.

54 Writing Contests in May 2026 - No entry fees!

This May there are more than four dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. 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. Many of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck! 

[Image: Pexels]

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Confluence Poetry Prize. Genre: Japanese short form poem on the theme of death and dying. Prize: $500 in total prize money. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

World Historian Student Essay Competition. Restrictions: Open to students enrolled in grades K–12 in public, private, and parochial schools, and those in home-study programs. Genre: Essay that addresses one of the following topics and discuss how it relates to you personally and to World History:  Your view of a family story related to a historical event or your personal family cultural background, or an issue of personal relevance or specific regional history/knowledge, such as "My ancestor walked with Abraham Lincoln from Illinois to fight in the Black Hawk War of 1832." Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Proud to Be: Writing by American Warriors Contest. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, essay, and photography, plus publication in annual anthology from Northwest Missouri State University's GreenTower Press. Prize: $250 in each category. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Teen Nib Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students attending high school (Grades 9-12) in the state of Virginia. Genre: Short story, poetry, nonfiction. Prize: $100 top prize. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Rabbi Sacks Book Prize. Genre: Published nonfiction book that contributes significantly to the arena of modern Jewish thought. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Molly Keane Creative Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to Irish residents. Genre: Unpublished short story, maximum 2,000 words. Prize: €250 plus a course at the Molly Keane Writers Retreat. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

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: $25,000 fellowship. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $3,000. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

The Governor General’s Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written, translated or illustrated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Genre: Best English-language and the best French-language book will be chosen in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustrated books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: May 1, 2026.

Casa Africa Essay Prize. Genre: Essay on the theme, 'Disinformation in Africa: local, regional and geopolitical impacts and the role of Artificial Intelligence.’ 15,000-20,000 words. Prize: €2,000. Deadline: May 2, 2026.

The Future Bookshelf: Mo Siewcharran Prize. Restrictions: The contest is open to BAME writers in the UK. Genre: Picture book. Prize: £2,500, £1,500 and possible publication. Deadline: May 2, 2026.

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 ‘Material.’  Prize: Publication, GBP £75.  Deadline: May 5, 2026.

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 6, 2026.

RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award. "The RBC PEN Canada New Voices Award is an annual award that aims to encourage new writing and to provide a space where unpublished Canadian writers can submit short stories, creative nonfiction, journalism, and poetry. The shortlisted submissions are judged by a distinguished jury of Canadian writers." Prize: The winning entry will receive a $3,000 CAD cash prize and mentorship from a distinguished Canadian author. Deadline: May 7, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for one story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: May 8, 2026.

Boroondara Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to Australians. Genre: Prose and poetry. Prize: More than $5,000 in prize money across various age groups in the Young Writers’ category; more than $3,500 in prize money in the Open Short Story category. Deadline: May 8, 2026.

BSME Young Writers Prize. Restrictions: Open to UK residents aged 18-25. Genre: Nonfiction. Short piece of original writing based on the subject of ‘something you love’. Length 800 - 1000 words. Prize: £12,000 cash prize. Deadline: May 8, 2026.

Pulitzer Center's "Fighting Words—Poetry in Response to Current Events" Contest. Restrictions: Current K-12 students anywhere in the world may enter. Students may write in any language, and are welcome to submit multilingual poems. Judges will have reading fluency in English and Spanish. Genre: Poetry. Theme: How can poetry be an effective response to current events and the issues impacting our communities? How can creative expression help us process our personal responses to issues we encounter in the news? Students and young adults are invited to explore these questions and make their voices heard in their entries to the Fighting Words Poetry Contest. Prize: $300 top prize. Deadline: May 10, 2026.

WWPH Writes Pride Contest. Restrictions: Open to LGBT writers living in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Genre: Poetry, prose, hybrid. See theme. Prize: $100. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Brown's Mart Theatre Award. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: Script. There is no word limit. Scripts must have a performance time of more than 30 minutes. Script treatments are ineligible. Prize: The winner of the Brown’s Mart Theatre Award will receive a $1,000 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to select shows in Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Flash Fiction Award. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: A blog post, fan fiction, short story, fictional diary entry or fictional letter. Word limit: 500 words. Entries limited to three entries per person. Prize: The winner of the Flash Fiction Award will receive a $600 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Kath Manzie Youth Award. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: A piece of creative writing, either poetry or short story, by a person aged 12 to 18 years as of 1 January 2023. Limit of three poetry entries with a 300-line limit OR a short story with a 3,000-word limit per person. Prize: The winner of the Kath Manzie Youth Award will receive a $600 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

NT Writers' Centre Poetry Award. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: A single poem up to 300 lines. Entries limited to three separate poetry entries per person. Prize: The winner of the NT Writers’ Centre Poetry Award will receive a $1,000 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award 2024. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: A factually accurate work, written with attention to literary style and technique. Can take the form of a biography, autobiography, memoir, diary entry, travel writing, food writing, literary journalism, or criticism. Word limit: 3,000 words. Prize: The winner of the Charles Darwin University Creative Non-Fiction Award will receive a $500 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Charles Darwin University Essay Award 2024.  Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: A referenced academic essay on a topic relating to the Northern Territory. Word limit: 3,000 words. Prize: The winner of the Charles Darwin University Essay Award will receive a $1,000 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

Zip Print Short Story Award 2024. Restrictions: Open to all writers from across the Northern Territory, Australia. Genre: An original work of short fiction. Word limit: up to 3,000 words. Prize: The winner of the Zip Print Short Story Award will receive a $1,000 prize, an NT Writers’ Centre membership and a double pass to Brown's Mart’s performance program. Deadline: May 11, 2026.

The Pattis Family Foundation Creative Arts Book Award. Genre: Works of fiction or nonfiction. Prize: $25,000. The award-winner will participate in a 2-3 day residency at Interlochen Center for the Arts in April 2027. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

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, 2026.

Dear Aliens Contest. Genre: A written document from humanity to aliens. Prize: $2,000 USD to the best submission. Second and third place get $250 each. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

RTÉ Radio Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to Irish writers and residents of Ireland. Genre: Short story. Prize: Up to 5,000 euros. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Page One Media 2027 Grant. Genre: A book being published by a US based publisher and published in the US sometime between January and December 2026. Adult books only. Prize: The 2026 grant will provide one full book publicity campaign spanning eight months for a book publishing in 2026. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

IHRAM SADC Writing Climate Resilience 2026. Restrictions: Open to Southern African writers. Genre: Narratives, essays, poetry and short stories on theme. Prize: $100. Deadline: May 15, 2026.

Quay Words Young Writers’ Flash Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open writers aged 10 to 18-years. Genre: Flash fiction on theme ‘Between the Lines.' Prize: £200 top prize. Deadline: May 18, 2026. (Conflicting information on website.)

The Kentucky State Poetry Society Student Contest. Restrictions: Open to public, private, and homeschool students in grades 3-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st prize - $75, 2nd prize - $50, 3rd prize - $25. Winners are invited to read their poems at the annual meeting. Deadline: May 18, 2026. (Conflicting information on website.)

Changing Light Prize for a Novel-in-Verse. Genre: Novel-in-Verse. Prize: $500 and publication for a novel-in-verse, 90-160 pages. Deadline: May 25, 2026.

Great Lakes Colleges (GLCA) 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: May 25, 2026.

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. Prize: $200 - $500. Deadline: May 25, 2026.

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, 2026.

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 30, 2026.

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, 2026.

Furphy Literary Award: Junior and Youth Competition. Restrictions: Open to  juniors & youth age writers who live in the Goulburn Valley, Australia. Genre: Short stories and poetry. Prize: First prize of $300. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

African Human Rights Prison Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to currently incarcerated persons and also to formerly incarcerated individuals in Africa. Genre: Essays or articles. Prize: $50 - $100. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Kellman Prize for Immigrant Literature. Restrictions: Open to first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere. Genre: Unpublished nonfiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

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, 2026.

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, 2026.

James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Awards. Restrictions: Open to aboriginal youth, 18 years or younger, residing in Ontario, Canada. Genre: Creative writing. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Indie Author Project. Genre: Indie-published fiction. (See site for list of genres.) Prize: $2,500 to the 1st place winner and $500 each to two runner-ups in each genre.  Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Writers' College Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to any writer who is unpublished, or has been published fewer than four times. Genre: Short story. See theme. Prize: First prize NZ $1000 and publication; second prize NZ $500 and publication. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Reedsy Prompts. Genre: Short story (2,000 to 5,000 words) in response to one prompt. Prize: $1500. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Vancouver Writers Fest's Youth Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in British Columbia. Genre: Short stories and personal essays: 1,000 word limit (for elementary school student submissions) and 1,500 (for high-school student submissions). Prize: $100 top prize. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

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: $150 and publication in Jerry Jazz Musician. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

The Gwen Ifill Award. Genre: Journalism. "The award is open to journalists working in the United States. Candidates for the award will be evaluated on criteria including their record of outstanding achievement in journalism, and the extent to which they represent the values Ifill embodied, including in the areas of mentorship, leadership and commitment to a diversity of perspectives in journalism." Prize: Each Gwen Ifill awardee will receive a cash prize. Deadline: May 31, 2026.

Apex Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: May 31, 2026. Note: Apex Magazine’s Flash Fiction Contest is open from the 7th until the final day of each month. The contest is themed.

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, 2026. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

39 Marvelous Writing Conferences and Workshops in May 2026

This May there are more than three dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but most will be held in person or use a hybrid format.

These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, how to market your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

I have included conferences with deadlines that have already passed on this list to give you advance notice. If you miss an application deadline, put it on your calendar for next year. Quite a few conferences offer scholarships, so apply early. Plan ahead!

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences.

Be sure to check out Boyds Mills list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year. 

[Image: Kenai Fjords, Alaska: Wikimedia]

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The 2026 Arizona Writing Workshop. May 1, 2026: Phoenix, AZ. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total). 

Washington Writers Conference. May 1 - 2, 2026: 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!" 

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 1 - 3, 2026: Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Writers Conference will begin at 1 p.m. Friday, May 1 and conclude at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. Events include a keynote speaker, workshops, panel discussions and one-on-one consultations with industry experts. Registration will open in February 2026. The Book Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2. This event will be free/open to the public. 

First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Terese Svoboda. May 1, 2026: Online. Native of Ogallala, Terese Svoboda published her second memoir and 24th book, Hitler and My Mother-in-Law in December of 2025. Threaded with dark humor and sharp observation, this intriguing memoir interweaves the lives of two women: the author, a renowned writer, and her husband‘s mother, the only female journalist to cover WWII in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

The 2026 Writing Conference of Los Angeles. May 2, 2026: Los Angeles, CA. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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. 

Michigan Writers Workshop. May 2, 2026: Detroit, MI. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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. 

Colrain Cold Read. May 3, 2026: Online. An intimate, 5–6 poet one-day intensive built around an enactment of a real-time submission moment: a press editor reads your manuscript cold, in front of the small group, and thinks aloud—exactly as they would at their office desk. You’ll hear the real editorial questions (title/TOC, opening 5-10 pages, through-line, writing skill, structure, cohesiveness, style, etc), followed by concrete responses for all 5-6 manuscripts in the group as the editor responds to each, one by one. After the editor’s departure, a Colrain faculty member anchors interpretations and expectations so you leave with a realistic understanding of work to be done.

In This Poem Something Grows: A poetry workshop with Asa Drake. May 5 - June 9, 2026: Online. This workshop title is, of course, aspirational. More likely, something grows, and then it fails. Or something thrives for a given set of conditions. In this generative workshop we’ll hone our observation skills while also risking accountability for our role as an observer in the human and natural world. Application deadline: March 31, 2026.

ThrillerFest XXI. May 5 - 9, 2026: 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. 

Finding Joy in the Ordinary: A multi-genre writing workshop with Natalya Sukhonos. May 5 - June 23, 2026: Online. In our world of constant distraction and the 24-hour news cycle, how can we pay attention to the small details that shape our world, that give us a firm sense of place and allow us to come one step closer to the many hidden worlds of our natural environment? In this multi-genre writing class, we will think about the role of sensory details in helping shape the world of the page. Application deadline: March 31, 2026.

Nonfiction Writers Conference. May 6 - 8, 2026. ONLINE EVENT. The Nonfiction Writers Conference (NFWC) is a multi-day event featuring live presentations by top speakers and industry experts, Q&A with speakers, and plenty of downloadable materials. You can attend the live webcast by computer, mobile device or phone.

Picture Book Plotting from A to Z: A 5-Week Online Course for Writers. May 6 - June 10, 2026: Online. This online course with Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen features pre-recorded and/or written lectures, along with assignments for each letter of the “Picture Book Alphabet,” plus weekly LIVE Zoom sessions for all of your course related questions and discussion with Sudipta. In addition, Sudipta will offer consultations in small groups during the last two live sessions.

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence: Celebrating Asian and Asian American Stories. May 7 - May 10, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Work alongside community members and spend time creating, dreaming, and discovering the many beautiful contributions made by Asian and Asian American voices in the children’s book field.

2026 Portland Writing Workshop. May 8, 2026: Portland, OR. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (175 total).

Seattle Writers Workshop. May 9, 2026: Seattle, WA. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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. 

Longleaf Writers Conference. May 9 - 16, 2026: 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."

Character Design Basics: An Online Course for Illustrators. May 12, 2026: Online. Attention illustrators: Learn the building blocks of character design that make young readers lean in.

The Monterey Writer Retreat in California. May 12 - 16, 2026: Monterey, CA. Participants in the Monterey Writer Retreat will work both in a group and one-on-one with the best literary "closers" and mentors in the business: Paula Munier, Michael Neff, and Katharine Sands (see bios below), who together combine more than 75 years of working with aspiring authors and ushering them to publication. Before you meet with them, you inform us ahead of time via the Monterey Writer Retreat Application about the retreat goals you wish to focus on and we'll make it happen.

Writing Without Words: On Gesture. May 13, 2026: Online. As writers, our medium is words: written or spoken; mumbled or sung. We share language with other genres—like music and theatre—but what other tools do these media have in conjunction with words, and how can we learn from them? In this generative workshop, we will expand our understanding of our art form and craft our own poetry or short prose pieces that are driven by more-than-words. Drawing inspiration from instrumental songs, mime acts, and experimental poetry, we will devote the majority of our session to studying gesture: a vital tool for every art form. We will consider artistic examples ranging from the band Daikaiju to the painter Kay Sage as we engage in conversation and participate in low-stakes, wordless activities designed to spark our imaginations, before quietly writing with the guidance of a prompt, with an opportunity to share.

Finding Your Form When Writing About Food: A writing workshop with Kate Lebo. May 13 - June 17, 2026: Online. When we’re struggling to begin a work of food-focused nonfiction, how do we find the right form? How can forms associated with food, like the recipe or the menu, be used as invitations to experiment? How might formal constraints guide us toward the fullest expression of our art? In this workshop, we’ll take a close look at three forms: the recipe, the flash essay, and the braided essay. Application deadline:April 20, 2026

IBPA Publishing University. May 14 - 16, 2026: Portland, Oregon. The Independent Book Publishers Association offers 30+ educational sessions including experiential learning labs, insightful keynotes, a gala book award ceremony, networking events, and more! 

Storymakers Conference. May 14 - 16, 2026: Provo, Utah. The Storymakers conference features over a hundred classes geared toward aspiring and established writers alike, taught by some of the best presenters in the publishing industry. Some past keynote speakers have included such names as Brandon Sanderson, Lois Lowry, Jennifer A. Nielsen, Shannon Hale, Ally Condie, and more!

Getting to Know Your Character with Sarah Aronson. May 15, 2026: Online. Characters aren't just part of your story; they are the story. From picture books to novels, your characters drive every plot twist and emotional beat. Join Sarah Aronson to explore character-driven writing techniques and to discover your story's characters. 

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. Application deadline May 15, 2026: 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. Dates: June-18-28, 2026.

Bookstock Literary Festival. May 15 - 17, 2026: Woodstock, Vermont. Expect 50+ speakers, author signings, live music, workshops, exhibits, special events and a huge tent sale of 10,000-12,000 used & rare books. All events and workshops are free and open to the public.

The 2026 Cincinnati Writing Workshop. May 16, 2026: Cincinnati, OH. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Courtyard Cincinnati North at Union Centre (West Chester). 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."

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference. May 16 - 19, 2026: Homer, Alaska. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the beautiful Kachemak Bay Campus in downtown Homer, Alaska. There will there be four-days of craft classes, agent and editor meetings, panel discussions, readings by the participants and the faculty, and more chances for folks to interact with each other and form the community of writers that sustains us when we return to our desks.

Writeaway in New Mexico. May 17 - 24, 2026: Casa Bellisima, New Mexico. $3,500 for private room; $3,100 each for friends or couple sharing a room Includes writing consultations and daily writing workshops, all meals, wine and cocktails, plus a cooking class and excursion. Full

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. May 18 - 22, 2026: 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.

Writing Nonfiction: Hooking Your Reader & Finding Success. May 19, 2026: Online. In the crowded nonfiction market, a compelling hook makes all the difference! Learn how to draw readers and editors in, reveal your unique angle, and keep pages turning in this online workshop.

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 19 - 23, 2026: 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.

Balticon. May 22 - 25, 2026: 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. Multiple tracks of Programming over the four day weekend, featuring authors, artists, scientists, musicians, podcasters, publishers, editors, costumers and other creative SF luminaries. 

Martha’s Vineyard Summer Writers’ Conference. May 24 - 30, 2026, and June 14 - 20, 2026: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. "The Martha’s Vineyard Summer Writers’ Conference brings together writers from around the world with the central belief that we can all learn from one another.  Our program offers week-long classes on the craft of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, evening readings, panel discussions, and individualized manuscript sessions. Attendees study with award-winning Visiting Authors & Poets and celebrate writing on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. For those interested in individualized feedback, we offer Manuscript Sessions with our Visiting Authors and Poets. These one-on-one sessions allow attendees to get individualized feedback on their works-in-progress as well as advice on how to seek publication." 

North Words Writers Symposium. May 26 - 29, 2026: 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. 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.  REGISTER by May 18.

Biographers International Organization Conference. May 28 - 29, 2026: Washington, DC. Of all the programs and services provided to BIO members, the Biographers International Organization is proudest of its annual conference. Each year, BIO brings together some of the finest practitioners of the craft of biography to help guide, mentor, encourage, and advise attendees on a wide variety of topics relating to the writing, researching, and selling of biography. The conference also offers a unique opportunity to hear some of biography’s best—and best-known—writers share their stories. 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. A highlight of the conference is the presentation of the Plutarch Award for the year’s best biography.

Mountain Heritage Literary Festival. May 29 - 30, 2026: Cumberland Gap, TN. "Every year writers gather at the ancient and beloved Cumberland Gap to celebrate writing, music, and Appalachian heritage. Events include workshops, panels, readings, concerts, lectures, open mic, and more." 

The Bay Area Book Festival. May 30 - 31, 2026: Berkeley, California. The free Bay Area Book Festival celebrates books and literature with a heavy focus on readings and author talks. But you’ll also find panel discussions and writing workshops for youth and adults. There’s one large adult program stage, a robust children’s area with activities and readings, and more than 100 exhibitors and food vendors. 

Community Retreat with Meg Medina: Celebrating Latinx Stories in Kidlit. May 31 - June 3, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Join Meg Medina and guests for a retreat celebrating the rich tapestry of Latina, Latino, Latine, and Latinx voices in children’s literature, a space to rest, create, and honor the stories that shape us.

Interlochen Writer’s Retreat. May 31 - June 5, 2026: Interlochen, Michigan. Nestled deep in the woods between two lakes, Interlochen College of Creative Arts' five-day Writers Retreat is a true writer's dream. Spend your days writing new material, attending presentations by award-winning faculty, and enjoying lakeside lunches and evening readings while making friends and connections in the literary world. Select your concentration from four unique courses, each grounded in different craft concepts  with an emphasis on generating new work—appealing to both advanced and beginning writers alike.

EVENTS WITH DEADLINES IN MAY 2026

Orion Environmental Writers’ Workshop. June 14 - 19, 2026: 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. Application deadline May 1, 2026.

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. Application deadline May 15, 2026: 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. Dates: June-18-28, 2026.