81 Calls for Submissions in November 2026 - Paying markets!

This November 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: Pickpik]

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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: November 1, 2026.

Spec Colorways in Verse. Restrictions: Open to queer Black, Indigenous, & People of Color, disabled, rtc. poets. Genre: Speculative poetry, Payment: $50. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

The Spectacle. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $50. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

The Forge Literary Magazine. Genre: Prose. They prefer stories under 3,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: November 1, 2026. Free submissions open on the 1st of each month and close when cap is reached. 

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review. Genre: Reviews of chapbooks coming soon or published in the past three years, essays on the crafts of poetry and chapbook making or publishing, and features about authors or publishers of chapbooks. Payment: $10. Deadline: Opens November 1, 2026.

Flame Tree: Mythos & Meaning: Human Accounts of Beastly Encounters. Genre: Short fiction. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

Thema. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Sent by Mistake. Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: November 1, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Ninth Letter Web Edition. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

Okay Donkey. Genre: One flash fiction OR one poem per author, per submission period. See website for details. Payment: $25. Deadline: Opens November 1, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Tome & Space. Genre: Speculative fiction, nonfiction, art, and comics. Payment: 11 cents ($CAD) per word up to a maximum of $400 ($CAD). $70 ($CAD) per page up to a maximum of $400 ($CAD) for comics. $50 ($CAD) per piece. They will consider reprints of pieces posted on personal blogs like Substack, at a rate of $15 ($CAD) for commentaries.$300 ($CAD) per cover art piece. Deadline: Opens November 1, 2026.

Fusion Fragment. Genre: Science fiction or SF-tinged literary fiction stories and novelettes ranging anywhere from 2,000 to 15,000 words. Payment: Both previously unpublished work and reprints pay 4 cents (CAD) per word, up to a maximum of $400 (CAD) per story. Deadline: Opens November 1, 2026.

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: November 1, 2026.

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

Horizon Review. Restrictions: Open to current residents of the Southwest (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah), with preference given to submissions from New Mexico. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF, art. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 2, 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: November 4, 2026. Open to submissions the first three days of every month.

Sci Phi Journal. Genre: Hard science fiction, fictional nonfiction, and speculative philosophy. Translations accepted. Payment: €0.03/word; €0.01/word for translations. Deadline: November 5, 2026.

Black Inc. Restrictions: Open to Australians. Genre: Full-length general, literary and commercial non-fiction – including history, current affairs, memoir and biography. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 7, 2026. This is a monthly call.

Flash Point Science Fiction. Genre: Speculative fiction stories from 100 to 1,000 words in length. "Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short." Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: November 7, 2026.

foofaraw: Monstrously Massive March. Genre: Weird horror featuring monsters or a big bad. Length: 1,000–5,000 words. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: November 8, 2026.

Space & 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: November 9, 2026.  This is a monthly call.

Alocacia is now seeking new unpublished queer-authored creative writing for our upcoming EcoFutures issue, to be published December 2026. We are looking for poetry and prose that engages with environmental futures, futurisms, and aesthetics toward new ways of surviving and thriving alongside our natural worlds and natural relations. We’re interested in liberatory systems, anti-colonial lenses, and infinite possibilities." Payment: $50. Deadline: November 11, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Deep Blue. Genre: Short stories. Hard science. The cutting edge of technology: that’s what humanity will need to explore what lies in the depths of the ocean. The blue waters give way to the black the deeper you go, and the pressure will kill you faster than the lack of oxygen. Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 12, 2026.

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: November 13, 2026.

Inkd Publishing: Hidden Villains. Genre: Speculative Fiction, including Sci-Fi or Fantasy. See theme. Word Limit: 2,000 to 7,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Flame Tree: Hungry Spirits. Genre: Horror. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Flame Tree: Art is Horror. Genre: Horror. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

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

IHRAM Press: Language, Censorship, and Translation. Genre: Firsthand experiences, factual retellings of stories from the author’s life, and personal reflections exploring the relationship between language, identity, expression, and power. Payment: $50. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

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

 

Prairie Fire: Branching Out—All About Trees. Genre: Creative non-fiction, fiction or up to 3 poems. See theme. Payment: CAD0.10/word up to CAD250, CAD40/poem. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

MIDLVLMAG. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, CNF. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Memezine. Genre: Traditional or hybrid pieces that directly or indirectly engage with the intersections of humanity and technology. This includes (but is not limited to) memes, political/currentevents, viral content, trends, social media, pop/internetculture, technology, and any other work that blursthe linesbetween art, literature, and content. Payment: $10. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Riddle Fence is a Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. They publish poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $50/page. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

My Galvanized Friend is a new publication focused on highlighting works from those identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and essays between 500 and 3,500 words as well as works of poetry and original works of art. Payment: $25 per fiction/nonfiction/essay and $10 per page of poetry. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Revolute. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Payment: $50. Only pays writers based in the US. Deadline: November 15, 2026

The Blue Route. Restrictions: Only the work of current undergraduate writers will be considered. Genres: Fiction, or creative nonfiction totaling no more than 3000 words. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Agita. Genre: Horror or dark science fiction flash stories. See theme. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: November 17, 2026.

Belanger Books: Sherlock Holmes – The Science-Fictional Adventures. Genre: Science ficton on theme. Sherlock Holmes, Payment: $100. Deadline: November 20, 2026.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. Payment: $100. Deadline: November 20, 2026.

Usawa. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translation, author/activist interviews, comics and visual work, written in English or translated into English from any language. Theme: Laughter. Payment: $12. Deadline: November 20, 2026.

Variant Lit. Genre: Poetry, fiction, flash fiction, art. Payment: $15 - $25. Deadline: November 20, 2026.

foofaraw: The Annual Drabble. Genre: Drabble. Tell a story relating to an event from 2026. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 25, 2026.

Agita. Genre: Horror or dark science fiction flash stories. See theme. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: November 25, 2026. Extended deadline for LGBTQIA+, disabled, or BIPOC authors.

Free the Verse: Good Bones. Genre: Poem. Payment: $10.  Deadline: November 25, 2026.

Daylight. Genre: Gothic Horror/Paranormal Romance. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 28, 2026.

Weird Christmas Flash Fiction ConThology. Genre: Flash fiction of no more than 350 words that’s both about Christmas (or any other winter holiday) and simultaneously weird. See theme. Payment: $35. Deadline: November 29, 2026.

Anthology: Neurodivergent People & Animals. Restrictions: Open to neurodivergent writers. Genre: Nonfiction essays that talk about own voices/lived experience of being neurodivergent and their relationship with animals. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Interrobang. Genre: Prose up to 3,000 words in English on prompt: An animal can hear human thoughts. Payment: $3. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $35 - $150. Deadline: November 30, 2026. Free submissions for Canadians only.

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: November 30, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Indie Bites. Genre: Fantasy. See theme. Payment: 5 pounds. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

foofaraw zine. Genre: Fiction 750–5,000 words. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

foofaraw zine. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $1/line; $25 max. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Experimental Thoughts. Genre: Speculative fiction. Short stories that explore the connections between speculative fiction and philosophy. Payment: 2¢ per word. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Dzanc Books publishes innovative literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid fiction. They don't consider genre fiction (sci-fi, mystery, romance, etc.), children's books, or YA. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

parABnormal. Genre: Nonfiction, poetry on the paranormal. "For us, this includes ghosts, spectres, haunts, various whisperers, and so forth. It also includes shapeshifters and creatures from various folklores." Payment: $30.00 for original stories, $10.00 for reprints. $15.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $10.00 for reprints. $10.00 for reviews and interviews. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Utopia Science Fiction. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $30 per poem. Deadline: November 30, 2026

New Orleans Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: November 30, 2026. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, there are no submission fees during the month of November for all Indigenous writers, not limited to those living in/born the US.

The Hudson Review. Genre: Fiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Channel. Genre: Fiction, art, creative non-fiction, and poetry that engages with the natural world, and have a particular interest in work which encourages reflection on human interaction with plant and animal life, landscape and the self. Payment: €40/poem, and €50/page of prose up to €150. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Bog Matter. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and graphic shorts that could be described as science fiction, horror, fantasy, magical realism, slipstream, New Weird, utopian, dystopian, satirical, cross-genre, experimental, or exuding a general air of oddness. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Hobbyhorse. Genre: Fiction and CNF. See theme. Payment: Up to $70. Reprints, $35. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

khōréō. Restrictions: Open to writers who identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. "This includes, but is not limited to, first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, persons who identify with one or more diaspora communities, persons who have been displaced or whose heritage has been erased due to colonialism/imperialism, transnational/transracial adoptees, and anyone whose heritage and history includes ‘here and elsewhere’. We especially encourage BIPOC creators who identify as the above to submit their work." Genre: Stories, art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. See theme. Payment: 10 cents/word for fiction, and $100- $400 for art. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Poetry pamphets (up to 40 pages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Poet Lore. Genre: Poetry translations. Payment: $50. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Inkd Publishing. Genre: Spooky Speculative Fiction. See theme. Word Limit: 2,000 to 6,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Claudine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, micros. " We like fairy tales, magical realism, hauntings, but more than any genre, we love prose that makes us ache and images that linger. (Sea creatures, always a plus.)" Payment: $25. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Married/couples stories. Genre: Nonfiction. Married? In a long-term relationship? We know you have stories! Share the ups and downs, the funniest moments, the most romantic moments, and all your tips and advice for other couples. We want to know how you got together and how you stay together! Payment: $200. Deadline: November 30, 2026, extended deadline.

The Fiddlehead. Restrictions: Canadians only. Genre: Fiction, including excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, art, poetry. Payment: $60 CAD per published page. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Appalachia Book Company:The General Store: Community and Memory in Central Appalachia. Genre: Essays, photographs, oral histories, archival materials, and personal reflections. Its geographic focus is Central Appalachia, particularly Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Southwest Virginia, East Tennessee, and Western North Carolina. See theme. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

The London Magazine. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: November 30, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Plenitude. Restrictions:. LGBTQ2S+ writers only. Genre: Poetry, Fiction. Payment: $60 per poem, $125 for fiction and CNF. Deadline: November 30, 2026. No submission fee for Canadian writers. 

Black Fox Literary Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Manawaker Studio: 100 Word Project. Genre: Speculative fiction of exactly 100 words. See theme. Payment: $1. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Sublimation. Genre: Speculative poetry and art. See theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026

Northwords Now. Genre: Prose and poetry. Work can be in Gaelic, English, Scots and any local variants used in Scotland. Also does book reviews. Payment: "Modest." Deadline: November 30, 2026.

What Blooms in Darkness. Genre: Lunarpunk stories exploring the people, communities, ecologies, and possibilities that thrive beyond the dominant gaze. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Haven Speculative. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: NEXT DOOR. Genre: All love stories with a happily ever after. Childhood friends turned lovers or next door neighbor love interest stories preferred, but not required. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Nimrod. Genre: Fiction poetry. Payment: $20 per poem and page of prose, with a $300 maximum. Deadline: November 30, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

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: November 30, 2026. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

AND A FEW MORE...

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

Breath and Shadow Genre: Writing on any topic for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and drama; these pieces do not have to be "about" disability. However nonfiction, academic, and similar articles (profiles, interviews, opinion pieces) do have to relate to disability in some way. Payment: $25 for poetry, $40 for fiction, and $40 for nonfiction. In addition to publication and payment, Breath & Shadow will post links to contributors' work on other sites and to their Web site or e-mail address. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

One Story. Genre: Short story. Payment: $500. Deadline: Opens in December, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

WordSmyths: Books of Rot and Bloom – Book 1: Spellbound. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry anthology inspired by The Coven series by Ukrainian painter Inna Vjuzhanina. Payment: CAD50 for stories up to 15,000 words / poetry up to 50 lines. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

Pitch Dark: A Dark Romance Anthology. Genre: Dark romance. Payment: $5 for reprints $10 for original submissions. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

Venom and Velvet: A Dark Romantasy Anthology. Genre: Dark romantasy. Payment: $5 for reprints $10 for original submissions. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

The HTML Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essays, graphic storytelling, and experiments are all welcome. Payment: $500. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

Adventitious. Genre: Speculative, surreal, and literary fiction. Length: Flash Fiction (including Micro): Up to 1,000 words; Fiction: 1,000 – 6,000 words. Novelette: 6,000 – 17,000 words. Payment: $0.08 USD per word. Deadline: Opens December 1, 2026, and closes when they reach capacity.

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: December 1, 2026. Note: Opens on the first day of the month and closes once they hit the submissions cap.

Ninth Letter. Genre: "We are interested in prose and poetry that experiment with form, narrative, and nontraditional subject matter, as well as more traditional literary work." Payment: $25 per printed page, with a maximum payment of $150. Deadline: No submission fee during December.

Did I Leave the Gas On: Tales of Coming Home. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $5 a story, plus $0.05 royalties. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

Screw Dem Space Horses: Equine Stories Across Space and Time. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $5 a story, plus $0.05 royalties. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

Big Bear Press: Superheroes/Supervillains Anthology. Genre: Speculative short stories that show your original interpretation on the theme of Superheroes/Supervillains. Payment: $100. Deadline: December 1, 2026.

41 Writing Contests in November 2026 - No entry fees!

This November there are more than three 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: Pickpik]

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Brave New Weird Awards. Genre: Weird horror. "We define New Weird Horror as a Horror subgenre focused on progress, creatively capturing themes and questions that bleed into fiction straight from the modern reader's life and future." (If you understand that definition, feel free to submit.) Prize: $25. Deadline: November 1, 2026. Previously published work only.

Commonwealth Short Story Prize. Restrictions: Open to citizens of the British Commonwealth. Genre: Unpublished short fiction (2,000-5,000 words) in English. Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible. Prize: Regional winners receive £2,500 (US$3,835) and the overall winner will receive £5,000 (US$7,670). Deadline: November 1, 2026.

William F. Deeck-Malice Domestic Grants Program for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: Writers must not have published a book, short story, or dramatic work in the mystery field, either in print, electronic, or audio form. Genre: Mystery stories of the Agatha Christie type—i.e., “traditional mysteries.” These works usually feature no excessive gore, gratuitous violence, or explicit sex. Prize: Each grant may be used to offset registration, travel, or other expenses related to attendance at a writers' conference or workshop within a year of the date of the award. In the case of nonfiction, the grant may be used to offset research expenses. Each grant currently includes a $2,500 award plus a comprehensive registration for the following year's convention and two nights' lodging at the convention hotel, but does not include travel to the convention or meals. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

Stowe Prize. Restrictions: US authors only. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction or body of work that "makes a tangible impact on a social justice issue critical to contemporary society." Prize: $10,000. Deadline: Nominations are due November 1, 2026.

Prism: Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1,500 grand prize, $600 runner-up, $400 2nd runner-up. Deadline: November 1, 2026. 

Evaristo Prize for African Poetry. Restrictions: The Prize is open to poets who were born in Africa, or who are nationals of an African country, or whose parents are African. It is for ten poems exactly in order to encourage serious poets. These poems may, however, have already been published. Only poets who have not yet had a full-length poetry book published are eligible. Poets who have self-published poetry books or had chapbooks and pamphlets published are allowed to submit for this prize. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1500. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

Reedsy Novel Sprint 2026. Genre: Write a 50,000-word novel in the month of November. Prize: 1st prize - $5000 and an intro to an agent; 2nd prize - $2500 and an intro to an agent; 3rd prize - $1000 and an intro to an agent. Deadline: Opens November 1, ends November 30, 2026.

Bennington Young Writers Awards. Restrictions: Open to students in the 9th-12th grades. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Prize: First-place winners in each category are awarded a prize of $1,000; second-place winners receive $500; third-place winners receive $250. Deadline: November 1, 2026.

Dylan Thomas Prize. Restrictions: Authors must be aged 39 or under. Eligible books must have been commercially published for the first time in the English language between January 1 and December 31 of the year in which the deadline falls. Genre: Published books of poetry, fiction (novel, novella, or short story collection), radio scripts, or screenplays. Prize: 30,000 pounds, plus 1,000 pounds for shortlisted authors. Deadline: November 6, 2026.

RSL Christopher Bland Prize. Restrictions: Writers must be a citizen of, or resident in, the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Books must have been published for the first time in the UK or RoI within the 2023 calendar year. Books must be entered by trade publishers or agents based in the UK or RoI; each publisher, imprint of a publisher, or agent may enter two books only. Genre: Debut novel or non-fiction book first published by a writer aged 50 or over. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: November 6, 2026.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards. Restrictions: Wyoming writers. Genres: The Frank Nelson Doubleday Award is given for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script written by a woman writer. The Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award is given annually for the best poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or script which is informed by a relationship with the natural world. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: November 9, 2026. 

Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing. Genre: Book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on contemporary Canadian political life. Book must be published in Canada. Prize: CAN $25,000. Deadline: November 11, 2026. (For books published between Sept 9, 2026 and November 10, 2026)

Debutiful Short Story Contest. Genre: Short story. Prize: $100. Deadline: Opens on November 13, 2026 and closes when cap is reached.

Washington State Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to Washington State writers. Genre: Published book, fiction, nonfiction, poetry: adults or children. Prize: Recognition (?) Deadline: November 15, 2026. (For books published Aug. 16 - Oct. 15, 2026.)

PJI Prize and Editor's Prize. Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Natan Notable Books Award. Genre: Recen­t­­ly pub­­lished or soon to be pub­lished nonfic­­tion book on Jew­ish themes. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Poetic Justice Institute Book Prizes. Restrictions: Submissions are restricted to BIPOC Writers. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscripts. Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Lee Smith Novel Prize. Genre: Novel (no genre fiction). Prize: $1,000 and publication. Deadline: Will open November 15, 2026.

Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize is sponsored by the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival. Genre: Non-fiction essay between 4 to 10 pages, set in Brooklyn about Brooklyn and/or Brooklyn people/characters. (Up to 2500 words). Prize: $500. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to residents of California. Genre: Book of poetry, fiction or nonfiction. Prize: Gold medal. Deadline: November 15, 2026.

Perugia Press Prize. Restrictions: Poets must be women with more than one previously published full-length book. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Book publication and $2,000. Deadline: November 15, 2026. No fee for poets who are Black, Indigenous, and women of color.

The Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World. Genre: Any nonfiction book published for children or young adults, released between January 1 and December 31, 2025, is eligible. If both an author and illustrator are listed on the book cover, the prize will be split between them. Prize: $2500. Deadline: Opens November 16, 2026.

Audible Emerging Playwrights Fund. Restrictions: Open to emerging playwrights in the US and UK. Genre: Audio dramas in the following genres: Action & Adventure (including Mystery, Thrillers, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy), and Core Fiction (including Contemporary Fiction, Romance, and Literary Companion Pieces). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: November 18, 2026.

Renee Duke Youth Award Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to poets 19 years old and younger. Prize: $100. Deadline: November 22, 2026.

Write the World: Environmental Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to Young Writers (13-19). Genre: Environmental writing. Prize: $100. Deadline: November 23, 2026.

C Magazine: Indigenous Art Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous writers all over the world. Genre: Art writing. Prize: $1,500 CAD; editorial support to prepare their article for publication in a future issue of C Magazine. Deadline: November 23, 2026.

Dark Descent. Genre: Horror microfiction, 250–500 words. Prize: £25. Deadline: November 25, 2026. Note: This is a monthly contest.

UNT Rilke Prize. Restrictions: US citizens or residents. Open to authors with at least two prior published books of poetry. Genre: Book of poetry published between November 2025 and October 2026. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

AVBOB Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to any citizen of South Africa. Genre: Poetry. Prize: R10,000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

SUSPECT Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Flash fiction. See theme. Prize: USD300, 200, and 100. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

The Gulliver Travel Grant. The Gulliver Travel Grant is awarded annually to assist writers of speculative literature in their non-academic research. These funds are used to cover airfare, lodging, and other travel expenses. Travel may be domestic or international. You may apply for travel to take place at any point in the following year. Grant: $1000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Servicescape. Genre: Short story or nonfiction up to 5,000 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

2026 Minotaur Books/Malice Domestic Best First Traditional Mystery Novel Competition. Restrictions: Open to writers who have never been the author of any published mystery novel. Genre: Mystery novel. Prize: $10,000 advance against royalties, Deadline: November 30, 2026.

USNI Leadership Essay Contest. Genre: Essay. "The Leadership Essay Contest focuses on the roles of leadership and character in the U.S. Sea Services from the perspective of tomorrow's leaders. Junior officers (LCDR/Major and below) from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are eligible to participate." Prize: $5,000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

J. F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: $700. Deadline: November 30, 2026. 

Encore Award. Restrictions: Open to British or Commonwealth citizens. Genre: Second published novel. Book must have been first published in the UK. Prize: 15,000 pounds. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Haunted Haiku. Genre: Haiku. "This fall, we want your eeriest, most spine-tingling...haiku." Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Gotham Book Prize. Genre: Book. "The Gotham Book Prize is awarded once a year to the best book (works of fiction and nonfiction are eligible) published that calendar year that either is about New York City or takes place in New York City." Prize: $50,000. Deadline: November 30, 2026.

Apex Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: November 30, 2026. Note: Apex Magazine’s Flash Fiction Contest is open from the 7th until the final day of each month. The contest is themed.

Rattle Ekphrastic Challenge. Genre: Poem inspired by artwork. (See site for image.) Prize: $100. Deadline: November 30, 2026. This is a monthly contest.

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: November 30, 2026. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

22 Notable Writing Conferences and Workshops in November 2026

This November there are more than a 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: Kauai, Wikimedia Commons]

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2026 Kauai Writers Festival. Master Classes: November 2 - 5, 2026. Conference: November 6 -8, 2026 Kalapaki Bay, Lihue, Kauai, HI. Join bestselling authors and agents in an intimate, oceanfront setting, with an emphasis on fiction, memoir, thrillers, and screenwriting. Includes in-depth sessions on craft, publishing, and the writing life, with opportunities for agent/editor feedback. 

Breakout Novel Intensive. November 3 - December 15, 2026: Online. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. 

Medical Writing and Communication Conference. November 4 - 7, 2026: Phoenix, AZ. Workshops in medical writing, designing materials for patients, analysis, clinical reports, and more.

Sanibel Island Writers Conference. November 5 - 7, 2026: Sanibel Island, Florida. Participants at all stages of development — from notebook scribblers to published novelists —are invited to attend a variety of workshops in fiction, poetry, TV writing, songwriting, storytelling, memoir, travel writing, children’s literature, and creative nonfiction; panels on publishing and editing; and readings, keynote addresses, and concerts.

Poetry Palooza! A Workshop for Poetry Lovers. November 5 - 8, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Imagine four days of poetry-themed activities with poetry enthusiasts, alongside the dynamic team: Charles Waters, Irene Latham, Rebecca Kai Dotlitch, Georgia Heard, and their guests. Waitlisted.

Seattle WritingWorkshop. November 6 - 7, 2026: Online. 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. 

First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Steve Edwards. November 6, 2026: Online. Steve Edwards is author of Rare Good: Essays on Art, Autism, and Astonishment (forthcoming, fall 2026) and the memoir Breaking Into the Backcountry. His work appears in The Yale Review, The Sun, Orion, The Rumpus, Lit Hub, Longreads, & elsewhere.

Atlanta Writers Conference. November 6 - 7, 2026: Atlanta, Georgia. The goals of this conference are to give you access to eighteen top publishing acquisitions editors and literary agents actively seeking new clients (see their profiles on our Editors and Agents page), 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. Virtual option for critique and pitch meetings with the agents and editors.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Fall Conference. November 6 - 8, 2026: Wrightsville Beach, NC. The WSOC will feature classes and conversations on the craft and business of writing. 

From Proposal to Page Workshop: A nonfiction writing workshop with Jessica J. Lee. November 7 - December 12, 2026: Online. This nonfiction course will center on a wealth of contemporary work inspired by the more-than-human world, laying the groundwork for book-length projects. Through close readings of literary material as well as industry documents like book proposals, weekly exercises and workshopping, we’ll consider the practical aspects of developing nonfiction projects, as well as techniques for writing the environment in our current moment.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being: Writing Beauty and Darkness in Fiction and Memoir: A Generative Writing Workshop with Charlie J. Stephens. November 8 - 15, 2026. We will explore the work of contemporary writers through reading short excerpts, notice what they’re doing and why, and discuss the effect those choices have on us as readers. We will then use writing exercises and prompts to write our own pieces of any genre, but focused mostly on fiction and memoir. Expect to leave with new writing starts, a refreshed toolbox of techniques and practices, and connections with other writers. Whether you are just getting started or have old projects that need inspiration, Unbearable Lightness seeks to offer the time, support and space to dive into this creative practice. This workshop is designed for writers of any experience level, beginners encouraged!

Storytelling for the Armchair Traveler with Kim Culbertson. November 10, 2026: Online.How to build compelling stories from the places we’ve been. Kim has made a habit of working her travels into her novels and flash fiction – see Instructions for a Broken Heart (which won the Northern California Book Award for YA) and The Wonder of Us, which The Horn Book Guide named a “Summer of Change” selection. In this workshop, she’ll provide examples of how to turn places you love and have been to into powerful stories as well as provide prompts for generative exercises for your WIP and original flash fiction and short stories. Bring your writerly passport!

Picture Book Approaches: Concept Books, Biographies and More. November 10 - 12, 2026: Online. Not every picture book needs a traditional arc. Discover the many ways picture books can work, and learn how to choose the structure that best serves your story!

The Poet Journalist: Intro to Docupoetics. November 11, 2026, 6:00-7:30PM EST: Online. Poets are keen observers of the world and are always trying to make sense of what it means to be alive here, now, in this moment. Docupoetics, or documentary poetry, is one way to do that. By letting the latest headlines inspire poems and using journalistic skills––such as interviews, embedded citations, and historical, academic, and archival research––poets bring an urgent voice and a critical eye to the issues of the day. In this workshop, you’ll learn about the history of docupoetics, what poets are drawn to the subgenre and why, and you’ll be guided through a generative writing exercise to pen your own documentary poem.

Monterey Writer Retreat. November 11 - 15, 2026: Pacific Grove, CA. "Join us on the wondrously scenic Monterey Peninsula for a writer retreat like no other. Know that writers of every kind have journeyed for over a century to this same location on the California west coast. They've come in search of inspiration, individuality, purpose and vision, but more importantly, to share an understanding that art has preceded their arrival in the form of a brutally beautiful sea and windswept shore."

Query Letter Intensive: Write Your Query Letter Today! November 12 - 25, 2026: Online. Your story took years to craft, but your query letter only needs a weekend of focus to get done! In this weekend intensive, write and refine a query letter for your story.

Wright Women Writers Conference. November 13 - 14, 2026: University of Central Arkansas. "The mission of the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference is to recognize, promote, and encourage women writers with special emphasis given to writing inspired by or written in the south. Keynote presentations, panel discussions, craft talks, publishing advice, readings, a book fair, and workshops led by contemporary authors provide a venue for participants to explore opportunities, challenges, and trends specific to women writers. The conference seeks to offer writers a space to gather for inspiration, further education, support, and networking."

Pittsburgh Writing Workshop. November 14, 2026: Pittsburgh, PA and online. "This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. 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 “Pittsburgh” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation."

Colrain Cold Read. November 15, 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.

Cleveland Writing Workshop. November 21, 2026: Cleveland, Ohio. This is a special one-day in-person “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.

Odyssey Writing Workshop. November 23, 2026 (18 weeks): Online. Since its inception in 1996, Odyssey has become one of the most highly respected workshops for writers of fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Will be held online. Application deadline April 10.

Conferences with deadlines in November

Eckerd College Writers in Paradise Conference. January 16 -23, 2027: St. Petersburg, FL. Workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, manuscript consultation, Q&As, readings book signings, and receptions. Application deadline: November 1, 2026.

Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference. January 7 - 17, 2027: Seaside, 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. Application deadline: November 15, 2026.