93 Writing Contests in March 2026 - No entry fees!

This March there are more than seven dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $100,000 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: Wikimedia]

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Lewis Galantiere Award. Restrictions: Open to US citizens or permanent residents. Genre: Translation of book-length literary work from any language, except German, into English. Entries must have been published in the US in the past two years. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Republic of Letters. Genre: Short story. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Mississippi Artists Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to permanent residents of Mississippi. Genre: Fiction and poetry. (Plus many art forms) Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Flare. Genre: Flash fiction, micro fiction, poetry, short story, CNF, experimental. Theme: Disability as a Strength. Prize: 1st Place Winner: $125 + online publication. 2nd Place Winner: $75 + online publication. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

The Kelpies Prize (Scotland). Restrictions: Open to Scottish authors. Genre: Children’s fiction and nonfiction, picture books. Prize: £1,000, a publishing contract, a writing retreat, and a year of mentoring by an editorial team. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Future Worlds Prize. Restrictions: Open to unpublished SFF writers of color. Genre: Speculative fiction. Submit a 5,000-10,000 word extract of either a short story or the opening chapters of a novel. Prize: £4,500 top prize. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement. Since Poets & Writers began the Writers Exchange in 1984, 85 writers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to participate. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous Writers. Genre: Poetry and Fiction. Prize: A $500 honorarium; A trip to New York City to meet with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers. All related travel/lodgings expenses and a per diem stipend are covered by Poets & Writers. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Steve Miller BSFS Annual Poetry Contest. Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Genre: Speculative poetry. Prize: 1st prize: $100; 2nd prize: $75; 3rd prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Michigan residents only. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: March 1, 2026.

Voice.club. Genre: Flash fiction, 350 words max. Prize: $25 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 1, 2026. Note: You have to join in order to enter. See themes.

Susan Kamil Emerging Writers Prize. Restrictions: Any unpublished writer over the age of 18 working on a full-length manuscript, graphic novel, or book-length comic who is also currently employed at (or owns) a physical book or comic store in the U.S. or its territories (as defined by Binc) with a minimum of three months of continuous book or comic store employment. Genre: Full-length manuscript, graphic novel, or book-length comic. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: "Applications accepted in March."

Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism. Genre: This prize seeks to honor the best book-length works of criticism published in the US in the prior calendar year, including biographies, essay collections, and critical editions that consider the subject of poetry or poets. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 27, 2026 for first time nominations only. All others, March 2, 2026.

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Prize: $7000 (CAN). Deadline: March 2, 2026.

Rattlecast Prompt Poem of the Month. Genre: Poetry based on prompts. (See website) Prize: $100 (?) Deadline: March 2, 2026. Opens March 1.

Alabama Arts Council Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to any author who has lived in Alabama for at least 2 years. Genre: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction of 10-20 pages. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 2, 2026.

North Carolina State Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to North Carolina residents (including out-of-state and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities) with no published books. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 2, 2026.

Western Australian Premier's Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to authors who either are citizens or permanent residents of Western Australia. Genre: Book published during the preceding calendar year in a variety of genres. Prize: Up to A$60,000. Deadline: March 6, 2026. 

David Nobbs Memorial Trust New Comedy Writing Competition. Restrictions: Entrants must have at least one credited broadcast comedy writing credit and live in the UK. Genre: Comedy scripts for radio or TV. Prize: £1,000 top prize. Deadline: March 6, 2026. 

On The Premises. Circles: Words that are normally hyphenated, but generally considered one word, are considered one word for this contest. (Examples: “Twenty-three”, “Jack-o-lantern”, and “Father-in-law” are each one word.) However, stringing a bunch of words together with hyphens for artistic effect will result in each connected word being counted separately. (Example: “It was a get-out-of-my-way day.” That hyphenated phrase counts as five words.) Length: The story needs to be 25 to 50 words long. Prize: $35 for first place, $25 for second, $15 for third. Deadline: March 6, 2026.

Reedsy. Genre: Story on theme. See website. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 6, 2026.

Tempest Prize. Restrictions: Open to  LGBTQ+ writers based in the North of England. Genre: Poetry, fiction and narrative non-fiction. Prize: £1000, access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network and mentoring from Andrew McMillan. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

Betty L. Yu and Jin C. Yu Creative Writing Prizes. Restrictions: Open to writers of Taiwanese heritage (or writers with other significant connections to Taiwan), or have subject matter otherwise relevant to the Taiwanese or Taiwanese American experience. Submissions will be considered in four categories: Middle School (enrolled in 6th-8th grade as of the deadline), High School (enrolled in high school as of the deadline), College (enrolled in community college or as an undergraduate as of the deadline), Adult (in any stage of life beyond college). Genre: Any literary genre including fiction, poetry, personal essays or other creative non-fiction. Prize: Grand Prize Winner: $500 – one selection per age category. Finalist: $200 – three selections per age category. Honorable Mention: $75 – at judge’s discretion per age category. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

Northern Promise TLC Awards. Restrictions: Open to people who may have faced barriers to seeing their work progress for financial reasons or issues connected to disability, ethnicity and/or sexuality. living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry, narrative non-fiction, or children's book in progress. Prize: In-depth editorial report on their work in progress. In addition to the Free Read, writers will receive £500 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

The Finchale Award for Short Fiction. Restrictions: Open to writers based in the North of England. Genre: Short story of up to 1500 words. Prize: £1000 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

Sid Chaplin Award. Restrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England who identify as originating from a working-class background. Genre: Memoir, novel, young-adult novel, short-story collection or work of literary essays in progress. Prize: £2000; a manuscript appraisal from The Literary Consultancy; advisory sessions from the writer Michael Chaplin; an introduction to the North Agency; and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

Northumbria University Student and Alumni Award. Restrictions: Open to students and graduates from any discipline who are: final-year undergraduates; current postgraduate students; or alumni who have graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at Northumbria University within the last ten years. Genre: Poetry, fiction and narrative non-fiction. Prize: £2000. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

Arvon Award. Restrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry or narrative non-fiction work in progress. Prize: Arvon course. Deadline: March 10, 2026.

The Africa Institute: Global Africa Translation Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to Translators in the Global South. Genre: Translations of works from the African continent and its diaspora, into English or Arabic. This is a non-residential fellowship. Projects may be retranslations of old, classic texts, previously untranslated works, poetry, prose, or critical theory collections. The project may be a work-in-progress, or a new project feasible for completion within the timeframe of the grant. Prize: $1,000-$5,000. Deadline: March 12, 2026. 

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each one selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: March 13, 2026.

Reedsy. Genre: Story on theme. See website. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 13, 2026.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Restrictions: Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction on topics of wilderness, wildness, or the ethics and ecology of environmental issues are eligible. Genre: Personal, scientific, adventure, or memoir essays between 2000 and 3000 words. "The  Waterman Fund seeks new voices on the role and place of wilderness in today’s world." Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $3000 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $1000. Deadline: March 15, 2026. 

Brilliant Flash Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction. Word limit: 350 words, excluding title. Prize: $200 first prize, $50 second prize, $50 third prize. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

City of Literature Paul Engle Prize. Genre: This prize does not recognize one work, nor is it solely limited to reflecting literary achievement. Rather, the award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to Kentucky poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Genre: Literary arts. Prize: $7,500. Deadline: March 15, 2026. 

Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Connecticut Student Poets in Grades 9-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

53-Word Story Contest. Genre: Flash fiction of exactly 53 words based on monthly theme. Prize: Publication and a free book. Deadline: March 15, 2026. This is a monthly contest.

Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two high school students will be selected and scheduled to read their original work for Café Muse with established poet, Michelle Garcia King, Prince William Poet Laureate, emerita, on Monday, June 1, 2026. They will receive an honorarium. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

NFSPS Annual Poetry Contests. Genre: Poetry. The National Federation of State Poetry Societies sponsors 50 contests for adults, 34 of which are free and open to the public. There are also 3 free poetry contests for children. Prize: Monetary awards vary. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

Forward Prizes. Genre: Collections and single poems published in the UK and Ireland are eligible for the Prizes. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £1,000 to £10,000. Deadline: March 15, 2026.

Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. Restrictions: This competition is open to African American poets only. Genre: Book-length poetry. Prize: $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Broadside Lotus Press. Deadline: March 15, 2026. (Note: Website deadline is 2025, but their Facebook announcement states that it is 2026)

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translations into English of either a) poetry or b) source texts from Zen Buddhism (which must not consist solely of commentaries). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $6,000. Deadline: March 16, 2026.

BBC National Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over, who have a history of publication in creative writing. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: £15,000 to the winner, £3,000 for the runner-up and £500 for three further shortlisted writers. Deadline: March 16, 2026.

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in the UK and Ireland who have yet to secure a publishing deal. Genre: Proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Prize: £4,000 advance against publication with Fitzcarraldo Editions. Deadline: March 16, 2026.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 16, 2026. 

ALTA First Translation Prize. Genre: Debut literary translation from any other language into English published in the previous calendar year. Prize: 3,000, with $2,000 bestowed to the translator and $1,000 to the editor. Deadline: March 16, 2026. 

Papatango New Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to anyone resident in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Genre: Script of roughly 25 – 50 pages. Prize: £8000. Their scripts will be produced as audio plays and tour the UK in free listening stations. The scripts will also be published digitally by Nick Hern Books. Deadline: March 16, 2026.

POPP Award: Poetry of the Plains and Prairies. Genre: Poetry of any style for their annual Poetry of the Plains and Prairies chapbook publication. "While the author(s) may call any place home, their submissions must deftly capture the feeling of, as well as the reality of, living on the plains and prairies. Authors may submit any number of poems equaling thirty to thirty-five pages in length, with no more than one poem per page. (Single poems may extend more than one page.) The selected poetry collection will be published as a limited edition chapbook, hand-printed with antique letterpress equipment." Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: March 17, 2026.

Collaborature. Restrictions: Submissions must be written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry). Genre: Poetry, prose, art. Prize: $20. Deadline: March 17, 2026. Note: This is a monthly contest.

DAG Prize. Restrictions: Open to US residents working on a second book. Genre: Second book of prose in the U.S., written in English. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 18, 2026.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition for High School Students. Restrictions: Open to students in Grades 7-12. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 20, 2026.

Reedsy. Genre: Short fiction. "This week, let’s explore themes of departure, arrival, and distance. Maybe your characters are hopping between cities, crossing galaxies, or trying to bridge the gap through messages — I’m curious to find out where they end up (and if things come full circle… or not!). Grab your bags and let's see where your writing takes us!" Prize: $250. Deadline: March 20, 2026.

Nancy Ludmerer Fellowship for Flash Fiction and Nonfiction. Genre: One or more flash narratives up to 1,000 words. Award: A 5-night residency at Porches. Deadline: March 20, 2026. No entry fee for the first 20 submissions received on March 20.

Garden Party Chapbook Contest. Genre: Prose, poetry, and hybrid between 20 and 30 pages. Prize: Publication. Deadline: March 21, 2026.

Cymera-Scotland’s Futures Forum-Shoreline of Infinity Prize for Speculative Short Fiction.  Restrictions: Anyone living in Scotland or who identifies as Scottish by birth or inclination, aged 14 years or over. Genre: Speculative short stories. Prize: £150. Deadline: March 22, 2026.

Savage Mystery Writing Contest. Genre: Mystery short story. Prize: Winning stories are published in Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 22, 2026. Opens March 20.

BBC Young Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 14 to 18 years old, Genre: Short fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: Publication and free workshop. Deadline: March 23, 2026.

Max Afford Playwrights' Award. Restrictions: Open to Australian playwrights aged 18-40. Genre: Full-length plays. Prize: A$15,000. Deadline: March 23, 2026. Biennial award.

Write the World Competitions. Restrictions: Young writers ages 13-19. Genre: Screenplay. See theme. Prize: Best Entry: $100; Runner up: $50. Deadline: March 23, 2026. This is a monthly contest.

White River Environmental Law Writing Competition is sponsored by the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law and Vermont Law School. Restrictions: Open to all students currently pursuing a degree (J.D. or LL.M) at an accredited law school in the United States. Submissions written as a class component, as a journal requirement, or otherwise for academic credit are acceptable. Genre: Original essays addressing any relevant topic in the fields of environmental law, natural resource law, energy law, environmental justice, land use law, animal law, and agricultural law. Prize: $1000 cash prize and an offer of publication with the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. Deadline: March 27, 2026.

Reedsy. Genre: Short story: "The Lie They Believe." Prize: $250. Deadline: March 27, 2026.

Broadway Arts Festival: Julia & Martin Wilson Short Story Prize. Genre: Short Story, 2,000 words max. Prize: Ages 14-18yrs: £100, Age 13 and under: £50. Deadline: March 27, 2026. Note: No fee for writers under 16 years of age. Biennial prize.

BlackInk Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to writers from the African and African Caribbean Diaspora. Genre: Short story, maximum of 2,000 words. See theme. Prize: £500 top prize. Deadline: March 28, 2026..

Booker Prize. Genre: Long-form fiction written in English published in the UK or Ireland. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £50,000. Deadline: For books published between 1 May 2026 and 30 September 2026, all submission forms, physical copies, PDFs and additional assets must be submitted by Monday, March 30, 2026.

Victor Howes Prize in Poetry. Restrictions: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college (2-year or 4-year). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

African Human Rights Sustainability Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to poets of African descent resident within the continent. Genre: Poetry. "We encourage works that reflect, but are not limited to: environmental justice, reciprocality with nature, sustainable living, climate action, personal connection with the environment, etc." Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Redbud Writing Project Coppice Prize. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers who identify as belonging to marginalized or under-represented groups (e.g. cultural identity, income level of your family, racial identity, gender identity, disability, or something else).Genre: Short story. Maximum length is 4000 words. Prize: $600 top prize. Deadline: March 31, 2026. 

Claire Harris Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who are writers from Black, Indigenous, or other racialized communities and who have not previously published a book-length collection of poetry. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: $1,000, a contract for the publication of the collection under the icehouse poetry imprint in the following year (2025), and public readings in at least three Canadian cities. Deadline: March 31, 2026. Biennial prize.

Foley Poetry Contest. Genre: One unpublished poem on any topic. The poem should be 45 lines or fewer and not under consideration elsewhere. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Parsec Ink. Genre: Speculative short story up to 3,500 words. See theme. Prize: First-place receives $200 and publication in the Confluence program book. Second-place receives $100 Third-place receives $50. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for Students. Restrictions: Students in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

PEN America’s U.S. Writers Aid Initiative. Restrictions: Applicants must be professional writers based in the United States, and be able to demonstrate that this one-time grant will be meaningful in helping address a short-term emergency situation. Prize: Grant, amount not specified. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Ilse Schwepcke Prize for Women’s Travel Writing. Genre: Women’s travel writing in English. Prize: £5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Jack London Fiction Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to U.S. students in grades 6-8. Genre: Unpublished stories. Length: 2,000 words maximum. "You and your group of friends go camping in the wilderness for a weekend adventure when an unexpected disaster strikes and leaves you stranded. Then one morning you all awaken to a set of mysterious footprints surrounding your campsite. Who or what has left them? Are they friend or foe? How will your group work together to make it out of the wilderness alive.” Prize: $250, $150, and $100. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contests. Restrictions: Open to writers between 14 and 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year who reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Genre: Science fiction or fantasy, 2,500 words max. Prizes: $150, $100 and $75. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Genres: Science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words. Prizes: Three cash prizes in each quarter: a First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500, in US dollars. In addition, at the end of the year the winners will have their entries rejudged, and a Grand Prize winner shall be determined and receive an additional $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. Genre: Poetry or literary prose. Translation of modern Arabic literature into English. Books must have been published and be available for purchase in the UK via a distributor or online. The source text must have been published in the original Arabic in or after 1967. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Reportage and/or commentary on homelessness. Entries will be encouraged from people who are experiencing or have experienced all forms of homelessness as well as journalists and others writing about or reporting on homelessness. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Orwell Prize for Journalism. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Published journalism. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils. Restrictions: Entries must be able to demonstrate a link to the UK and/or Ireland by meeting one or more of the following criteria: a) The articles submitted were first published in the UK and/or Ireland; b) one or more of the authors was based in the UK and/or in Ireland at the time of publication; c) one or more of the authors is a UK or Irish citizen. Entries where only one author is a UK/Irish citizen or resident are eligible. Genre: Journalism. The winning entry should consist of a story that has enhanced the public understanding of social problems and public policy in the UK, and should strive to meet Orwell’s own ambition ‘to make political writing into an art’. Prize: £5,000 to the winner, and £2,500 each to two runners-up.  Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Eye Contact Award in Genre Flash Fiction. Genre: Fantasy flash fiction, 1000 words max. See theme. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

The F. Sean Hodge Prize for Poetry in Medicine. Restrictions: Open to current medical students, residents, or fellows or physicians who have completed post-graduate training. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Ann Petry Award. Restrictions: Open to Black authors. Genre: Previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Archibald Lamp­man Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Canada's National Capital region (Ottawa). Genre: Book of any genre published by a recognized publisher. Prize: $1500. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Silvers Grants for Work in Progress. Restrictions: Open to Anglophone writers of any nationality. Genre: Long-form essays in the fields of literary criticism, arts writing, political analysis, and/or social reportage. Prize: Up to $10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

A Public Space Emerging Writer Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book. Prize: $1000 and six months of editorial support from A Public Space editors to prepare a piece of prose for publication in the magazine. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

The Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. Genre: A book-length work of imaginative fiction written by a single author published in the U.S. in English or in translation to English. Prize: $25,000. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

Landfall Tauraka Young Writers’ Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to New Zealand citizens or residents aged 16 to 25. Genre: Essay (see site for theme) Prize: NZ$1500 and a year’s subscription to Landfall Tauraka. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction or essay on theme. Your story must be no longer than 25 words. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: March 31, 2026. This is a monthly contest.

Rattle Ekphrastic Challenge. Genre: Poem inspired by artwork. (See site for image.) Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2026. This is a monthly contest.

Apex Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: March 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: March 31, 2026. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute. 

41 Marvelous Writing Conferences and Workshops in March 2026

This March 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: Moniker Partners]

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Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. March 4 - 7, 2026: Baltimore, Maryland. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America." 

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Spring). March 4 - April 29, 2026: Online. This supportive program takes all creatives (nonfiction or fiction, picture books, novels, essays, and more) from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we’ll move through live sessions, writing prompts, studio dates, daily inspirations, check-ins, feedback, and more. 

First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Katherine Wela Bogen. March 6, 2026: Online. Katherine Wela Bogen is “first, a storyteller; second, a scholar-activist; and third, a joyful little freak.” Her debut novel, Queering Him, chronicles the scalding-hot story of millennial enemies turned lovers Avra and Kieran. Described by BookLife Reveiws as "equal parts erotic, tender, and devastating, Bogen’s bold and biting debut explores bisexuality and first love in all its messy, nuanced glory."

The Texas Writing Workshop. March 6 - 7, 2026: Online. 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 online “seats” at the event (200 total). 

The Indiana Writing Workshop. March 7, 2026: Indianapolis, IN. This is a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing conference. 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). 

The South Carolina Writing Workshop. March 7, 2026: Charleston, SC. This in-person 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 (125 total).

9th Annual Women In Publishing Summit. March 8-11, 2026: Online. The biggest online conference for women, and those who identify as women, in publishing. Our community and conference help aspiring and published authors and publishing professionals grow their businesses and expand their networks and skills. Both groups find the people they need to be—better together!

Get Away to Write - Florida. March 9 - 14, 2026: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. "Our retreats revolve around the belief that when writers leave behind the distractions of their busy lives to gather in an encouraging community, they are able to make important breakthroughs in their writing. Each workshop will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending the entire week in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible. You may choose to spend the week working on your poetry or prose."

Writing the Women We Were Warned About: Monstrous Feminine and Superstition in Poetry. March 11, 2026: Online. Superstitions shape the way we learn about danger, identity, and belonging, but they also tell us who we’re allowed to be. In this generative poetry workshop, we’ll explore the stories and sayings we grew up with: from playful warnings to cultural myths meant to guide or socially condition us. We’ll focus on Latin American monstrous women like La Siguanaba and La Ciguapa, specifically on their folklore and their defiance of gender expectations. What happens when you become the woman you’ve been warned about?

Write Stuff Writers Conference. March 12 - 14, 2026: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Workshops, Agent./Editor pitch sessions, marketing consults plus lunch and Keynote address, Book Fair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, Door Prizes. Featuring: Tiffany Yates Martin. Registration closes March 1.

Futurescapes. March 12 - 15, 2026: Online. Workshop the first 3,500 words of your Novel; 7:1 Student-Faculty Ratio; Work with Top Agents & Authors in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror; Our Faculty have won Hugo, Nebula, Newbery & World Fantasy Awards; Apply Early - Seating is Capped and Competitive.

2026 Carolina Writing Workshops. March 13 (Charlotte) and March 14 (Raleigh), 2026. "The workshops are both 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."

Ossabaw Writer’s Retreat. March 13 - 18,  2026: Ossabaw Island, GA. Work with one of our critically acclaimed writers in a workshop limited to five qualified participants. Each day, participants will bring manuscripts of their work-in-progress to their assigned workshop group where they will read, discuss and receive feedback about their projects from fellow participants and the assigned group leader. Workshop manuscripts should be limited to 12 pages poetry/16-20 pages fiction or non-fiction. Application deadline: February 15.

Kansas City Writing Workshop. March 14, 2026: Kansas City. This is a special one-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing workshop at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza. 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. 

Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. March 14, 2026: Wye Mills, Maryland. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association. BTO features six tracks with thirty-one sessions to help writers of all levels develop their craft, edit, publish, and market their writing. The sessions, all 50-minutes in length, are carefully designed to help attendees generate solid writing, hone their craft, and ask pointed questions of published and award-winning presenters about the process.

Colrain Cold Read. March 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.

Breakout Novel Intensive. March 17 - April 21, 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. 

Beall Poetry Festival. March 18 - 20, 2026: Waco, TX. Baylor University’s Beall Poetry Festival is a three-day celebration of contemporary poetry, with poetry readings, a panel discussion, and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry. The festival is supported by the John A. and DeLouise McClelland Beall Endowed Fund, established in 1994 by Mrs. Virginia B. Ball to honor her parents and to encourage the writing and appreciation of poetry.​

Algonkian Novel Retreat. March 18 - 27, 2026: Algonkian Park, Virginia. "In keeping with the spirit of this place and the goals of this retreat, you can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?" Registration is first come, first served.

Embodied Lines: A Poetry Workshop. March 18 - April 15, 2026: Online. Writing poetry is not about perfection. It’s about presence—learning to see again, listen again, to taste and feel, and trust the instincts that shape your inner voice. This inspiring workshop is designed to bring you back to your senses. Each week, you’ll slow down, tune in and awaken one sense at a time. Through guided exercises, generative prompts and thoughtful sharing, you’ll learn to write from the body, the breath and the moment in front of you. Beginning and experienced writers are welcome. Limited to 12 participants.

Virginia Festival of the Book. March 20 - 22, 2026: Charlottesville, VA. "The Festival is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. We have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors." Book exhibits, talks by authors, readings, workshops on book promotion, finding an agent, poetry, publishing, agents roundtable - you name it, this conference has it. 

The 2026 Colorado Writing Workshop. March 21, 2026: Denver, CO. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Courtyard Denver Airport at Gateway Park. 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."

The Gotham Writers Nonfiction Conference. March 21 - 22, 2026: NYC and via Zoom. Panels and Presentations (Day 1) — Take a peek behind the publishing curtain with eye-opening panels and presentations, all on Zoom. You can see the full breakdown on the conference schedule. These days are for people who are ready for publication or just gearing up to enter the publishing process.

Pitching Roundtables (Day 2) — Each roundtable will have two agents and a group of pre-selected writers with book projects, either on Zoom or in-person. You spend the day with your "table"—pitching, reading pages, and discussing your work. These tables will focus on completed nonfiction manuscripts with agents who specialize in this field.

Precision and Power: Writing Flash Fiction. March 19 - April 16, 2026: Online. Flash fiction proves that the smallest stories can hold the greatest weight. In this generative workshop, we’ll explore how compression, image and rhythm can give short prose extraordinary depth and resonance. Each week, we’ll read and discuss short works by contemporary writers to examine how voice, structure and omission shape meaning. Through guided prompts and in-class exercises, we’ll experiment with form and tone, generating new drafts that surprise us. We’ll also discuss strategies for revising short work and preparing it for publication. Open to writers of all levels who want to sharpen their prose and discover how to make a few hundred words feel infinite. Limited to 12 participants.

Chesapeake Writing Day Workshop. March 21, 2026: Washington, DC. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "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."

University of North Dakota Writers Conference. March 25 - 27, 2026: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1970 and held every year since, the UND Writers Conference is a three day event featuring six to eight authors annually. Authors ranging from Gwendolyn Brooks and August Wilson to Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead, the UND Writers Conference is committed to community outreach, engagement, and finding ways to increase audience access to literature. The conference is free, but workshop space is limited to twenty participants; registration is first come, first served. 

National Black Writers Conference. March 25 - 28, 2026: Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn, New York. Black writers have historically turned lived struggle into powerful art—illuminating truth, inspiring action, and envisioning new futures. This Conference brings together voices of the African diaspora whose words push boundaries and empower change. Their narratives offer critical insight into the struggle for civil and human rights, using literature to confront obstacles, illuminate injustice, and inspire change while sustaining and strengthening us through challenging times. This Conference will explore how writers across the African diaspora address these issues through fiction, poetry, scholarship, technology, and plays.

Annual National Undergraduate Literature Conference. March 26 - 28, 2026: Weber State University, Ogden, UT. "Each year, nearly 200 undergraduate writers and poets throughout North America, and sometimes beyond, come to Weber State University to present their work and learn from some of the most important writers in contemporary literature."

Tennessee Mountain Writers Annual Conference. March 26 - 28, 2026: Oak Ridge, TN. Writing Contests, Workshops, Networking, Manuscript Evaluations, Publishers, Book Signings, Bookstore, Vendors, And more!

WTP. March 26 - 29, 2026: NY. NY. "The goal of this conference, and all its companion editorial and development programs, is to set you on a realistic path not only to publication, but to becoming a career author. The Write to Pitch utilizes a time-tested methodology that works to get writers published. Pitching TV/Film pros, literary agents, and publishing house acquisition editors is a vital component (see the Schedule), of course, but when asked what specific elements make the event unique and better than other writer conferences, our response lists a number of game-changing factors, both major and minor." Limited to 65 participants, so apply early.

Some Trees: A Generative Multi-Genre Writing Workshop with Rob Schlegel. March 26 - May 14, 2026: Online. In this generative writing course you will write prose and poetry that emerges out of field observations, classroom discussion, and close readings of texts that explore ecology and the imagination, plants and consciousness, poetry and justice, gender and ash trees. The workshop is designed to help you become more aware of the choices you make as a writer. Application window: February 1-15.

Alabama Writing Workshop. March 27, 2026: Birmingham, Alabama. "A one-day writing workshop full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We will also have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well."

The 2026 Connecticut Writing Workshop. March 27, 2026: New Haven, CT. This in-person 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 (125 total).

Power of Narrative. March 27- 28, 2026: Boston, MA. Over 30 journalists, directors, producers and editors lead three days of lively discussions geared to advance the knowledge of narrative storytellers. Approximately 500 persons attend. Early registration is encouraged. 

Writing and Illustrating for Kids (WIK): Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. March 27 - 28, 2026: Homewood, Alabama. "Gather with fellow writers, illustrators, translators, agents, editors, and other children's book publishing professionals for a day of craft, networking, professional development, and community. Make new connections, meet new friends, learn and explore, and refine your creative and business skills to move your kidlit career forward. With optional pre-conference intensives offered on Friday afternoon, March 27, and a free kidlit creators' social and trivia night event that evening. Sunday afternoon Shanda McCloskey will host a free event at the library. This will be a weekend to remember!"

Moravian Story Summit. March 27 - 28, 2026: Bethlehem, PA. Everyone’s invited to this year’s FREE conference, including local community members and faculty and students from all fields of study! Theme: Crafting Stories in an Uncertain World. Across two days of readings, workshops, and conversations, the Story Summit invites writers and creatives of all kinds to explore how storytelling helps us make meaning, navigate change, and stay connected in challenging times.

WonderCon. March 27 - 29, 2026: Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention.

Atlanta Writing Workshop. March 28, 2026: Atlanta, GA. "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." 

Western Reserve Writers' Conference. March 28, 2026, South Euclid, Ohio. This free one-day writing conference takes place at Cuyahoga County Public Library's William N. Skirball Writers' Center, located in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch library. It features a choice of breakout sessions, a keynote address, and private sessions with editors. 

Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference. March 28, 2026: Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference (ASPC) is dedicated to serving self-published authors and the independent publishing market. No matter whether you're curious about the self-publishing market or you want to learn how to grow your independent author business, our conference will help you launch your career forward.

The 2026 Boston Writing Workshop. March 28, 2026: Boston, MA. "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 online “seats” at the event (200 total). 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."

EVENTS WITH APPLICATION DEADLINES IN MARCH

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. June 21 - July 18, 2026: Saratoga Springs, NY. Since 1987, the Institute has been offering students the opportunity to learn from an extraordinary faculty of distinguished writers led by director Robert Boyers. The program is an offshoot of the New York State Writers Institute created by Albany native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy. The curriculum is designed for college-aged students and adults, and the new virtual format will retain many of the Institute’s hallmark features:

• Creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction and non-fiction
• Small classes that offer individualized attention and workshop student writings
• Public readings and afternoon Q & A sessions with world-renowned guest writers
• Private tutorial sessions for student fiction manuscripts, book-length poetry, or non-fiction (available for an additional fee)
• Option to enroll for one-week, two-week, or four-week sessions
• Optional undergraduate credit for eligible students enrolled in one genre for four weeks
• Merit Scholarships for tuition

The deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 7.

Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops. June 21 – July 4, 2026 and July 12–25, 2026: Gambier, Ohio. At Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops, talented high school students from around the world join a dynamic and supportive literary community to stretch their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of peers who are also passionate about writing. Application deadline: March 1.

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 14 -  26, 2026: Sewanee, TN. Faculty will give readings and provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures, as well as meet individually with participants to discuss their manuscripts. The Conference will offer five fiction workshops, four poetry workshops, and a playwriting workshop supported by two professional actors. In addition, a substantial number of literary agents will attend. Application deadline March 1.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 22 - 28, 2026: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: March 10.

Bread Loaf Environmental Writers' Conference. June 14 - 20, 2026: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Orion Environmental Writers' Conference is a week-long writers’ conference designed to hone the skills of people interested in producing literary writing about the environment and the natural world. The conference is co-sponsored by the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, Orion magazine, and Middlebury College’s Environmental Studies Program. Application deadline March 15.

Bread Loaf Translators' Conference. June 14 - 20, 2026: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference includes workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and readings by faculty and guests. Application deadline March 15.

8 New Agents and a New Literary Agency Actively Seeking Cookbooks, Memoir, Women's Fiction, LGBT, Horror, Romance and more

Here are eight new literary agents and a new agency actively seeking clients. New agents and agencies are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. All of these agents work for established agencies with good track records. They are looking for all genres.

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

NOTE: Don't submit to several agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another. (Some small agencies share. Be alert to a notice that "a no from one is a no from all.")

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

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Ms. Sharmaine Lovegrove of International Creative Agency (UK)

Sharmaine Lovegrove is a literary agent and cultural activist based in Berlin, with two decades of experience across publishing, bookselling, strategic cultural consultancy, and media. She was formerly the Managing Director of Dialogue, a division of Hachette UK, where she championed underrepresented voices and published acclaimed and bestselling authors including Brit Bennett, Liv Little, Lisa Ko, Tina Knowles, Clint Smith, Irenosen Okojie, Zaina Arafat, Theresia Enzensberger, Okechukwu Nzelu, and Jeffrey Boakye.

What she is seeking: At ICA, Sharmaine is actively building a list of fiction and non-fiction with international ambition, seeking distinctive voices, emotional resonance, and stories that broaden how we see the world. She is looking for literary and upmarket commercial fiction — novels and short story collections that are character-driven, emotionally rich, and often international in perspective. She is drawn to novels of love and relationships, whether familial, platonic, or romantic, that balance commercial reach with literary ambition. She is also seeking fiction that reimagines or disrupts dominant narratives, recasting history, myth, and perspective through fresh voices. In non-fiction, Sharmaine is interested in expert-led works on culture, politics, and society with narrative drive, as well as bold memoirs that move beyond the personal to spark wider cultural conversations.

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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V Ruiz of D4EO Literary Agency

V. Ruiz is a Lesbian, Mexican-American agent, editor, and author, who aspires to make publishing more equitable by working as an advocate for their authors. With nearly ten years of editing experience across literary and commercial genres, they consider themselves an editorial and career agent. V. wants to work with authors who are eager to work on multiple projects and who are open to editorial guidance and feedback. Recently, they worked as an acquisitions editor and project manager with Row House Publishing (distributed by Simon and Schuster) for over three years. While at RH, they also oversaw production, project schedules, contributed to design, and marketing. You can rest assured that they have a deep understanding of the publishing process which in turn, helps their authors feel prepared with what to expect. V. is always eager to hear from voices who have been systemically underrepresented in publishing.

They have worked on over 25 titles as an editor. Aside from editing, they have previously ghostwritten nonfiction and fiction titles (over 15) in topics ranging from finance to small town romance. They also hold an MFA and BA in English and Creative Writing.

When V. isn’t writing or reading, they are studying astrology, playing video games, or trekking across the world to scream their heart out at a concert.

What they are seeking: I am primarily interested in fiction for adults and teens. I am also open to seeing nonfiction if it’s spiritual or esoteric in nature, a cookbook proposal, and/or very select memoir projects. I’m especially focused on fantasy, horror and thrillers, women’s fiction, and romance. I love championing BIPOC, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ voices.  
 

How to submit: Use their querytracker form HERE.

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Jillian Schelzi of HG Literary

Jillian graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a BS in Mathematics. After working for years in Finance at a consulting firm in Boston, Jillian realized her passion did not lie within excel sheets, and she set off to pursue a new dream. She moved to New York City to attend NYU and obtained her MS in Publishing: Digital and Print Media. Her first role in publishing was as an intern for HG Literary in 2023. She also provided contract work for Gina Protano of GGP Publishing (whom she met by chance in Barnes & Noble). Upon graduating NYU, she returned full time to HG Literary as an assistant to Josh Getzler. 

She is thrilled to now be open to queries herself!

What she is seeking: Jillian loves a novel that is going to make her feel deeply, whether that is devastating sorrow or profound joy. She is primarily looking for adult fiction and is specifically interested in thrillers, particularly anything psychological (or anything with a shocking twist!) with page turning suspense. She is also drawn to rich historical fiction set against the backdrop of war. She also loves any book that includes representation of mental illness and is not afraid of novels that include darker, more challenging themes. She is open to novels that skew literary and upmarket, as well as anything Book Club.

For YA, Jillian is only considering YA romance at this time.

Jillian is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy/romantasy, or horror at this time. 

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Ms. Corissa Hollenbeck of Janklow and Nesbit Ltd (UK)

Corissa Hollenbeck grew up in Massachusetts and attended Phillips Academy Andover, King’s College London, the University of Freiburg, and the Columbia Publishing Course. She has worked at VICE, Marie Claire, and The Guardian. Corissa has worked with a broad range of prize-winning and bestselling authors whilst assisting literary agent and Managing Director Will Francis.

What she is seeking: Corissa is actively building her list and is looking to hear from researchers, journalists, historians, academics, nature and culture writers. She is interested in writers who can help readers see the world differently, or experts who are keen to find a mainstream audience for their ideas and writing.

How to submit: Follow agency guidelines HERE.

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Justina Ireland of Handspun Literary Agency

Justina joined Handspun in 2026 as a junior agent. She is also an award winning and New York Times bestselling author of numerous books as well as a writer of both comics and television. She is a United States Army Veteran and holds a BA in History from Georgia Southern (previously Armstrong Atlantic State University) and an MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University.

What she is seeking:She loves meticulous worldbuilding and complicated characters and is currently looking for well executed speculative fiction in most categories. She is drawn to Middle Grade and Young Adult that asks complicated questions without talking down to a reader and adult books that skew a little offbeat–Bitter Karella’s Moon Flow and Sarah Gailey’s Spread Me are recent examples.

Justina does not accept non-fiction, picture books, romantasy, contemporary, or previously self-published works.

Writers from historically marginalized backgrounds are strongly encouraged to submit.

How to submit: Follow the agency guidelines HERE. (Scroll down)

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Ms. Claudia Cramer of Olswanger Literary

Claudia Cramer is a literary associate at Olswanger Literary. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English, she started her career in publishing by writing and editing for Coffee House Writers. She recently joined Olswanger Literary as a Literary Associate. 

What she is seeking: Claudia is actively seeking fiction and nonfiction projects with cross-genre appeal and strong audience potential. In fiction, she is interested in romance, historical fiction, family sagas, mystery, low fantasy, and book club reads. For nonfiction, she welcomes cookbooks, science, nature, history, and popular culture. She's especially enthusiastic about stories centered on Latino characters by Latino authors.

How to submit: Please submit your queries to my email at claudia@olswangerliterary.com

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Ms. Lindsay Watson of Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency

Lindsay Watson joined the agency in 2024. She manages the subsidiary rights department, and is currently building her list in Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult fiction. For Young Adult and Middle Grade, she is looking for fantasy, sci-fi, and speculative fiction. In Adult Fiction, Lindsay is interested in paranormal romance and romantasy (including LGBTQ+), and psychological thrillers.

What she is seeking: Lindsay enjoys immersive world-building, good banter, spooky vibes, and shocking plot twists. As her focus is subsidiary rights, she frequently works with indie authors who are expanding their subrights and translation portfolio, and pursuing a hybrid publishing career.

How to submit: Follow the agency guidelines HERE.

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Madelyn Knecht of Storm Literary Agency

Madelyn is an editor, writer, and passionate reader from Texas whose hair changes color on a weekly basis. After falling in love with reading books that made her laugh and cry in equal measure, she started writing her first book at nine and never looked back. She serves as a RevPit board member, where she created the BIPOC Editor Mentorship, and a member of the EFA. When not reading or writing, you can find her playing cozy games like Rune Factory and Stardew Valley, crocheting, picking up a new hobby, or spending time with her two criminal Australian Shepherds and her lovable cat, Lucas.

What she is seeking: Age Groups: Adult, Young Adult, select Middle Grade. Genres: Fantasy (all subgenres), scifi, speculative, horror, mystery

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Keystone Literary Agency

With 20 years of industry experience, as both an editor and an agent, Lindsay Guzzardo brings a hands-on, career-focused approach to representation. In 2025, she founded Keystone Literary Agency in the Keystone State. The word “keystone” is also a nod to the role an agent serves, fortifying the bridge between author and publisher, leading to our motto: “Keystone Literary Agency: Connecting Great Books with the World.”

Lindsay is drawn to high-concept, commercial premises well told and will consider adult fiction and narrative nonfiction with a clear, marketable, compelling hook, and strong voice. Her personal tastes align with the following:

Fiction:

• Retellings of classic stories (either modern retellings or classic stories told from a different character’s perspective)
• Beach reads
• Fiction exploring family dynamics and relationships (particularly mothers/daughters and sisters)
• Amish romance/fiction
• Wholesome, clean fiction and romance
• Cozy, charming, small-town romance/fiction
• Rich, evocative historical fiction
• Fiction featuring historical figures
• European-set fiction, any era and tone
• Dark psychological and domestic suspense
• Family dramas that interweave past and present

Nonfiction proposals welcome from journalists and field experts in:

• History
• Biography
• Science
• Sports
• Narrative nonfiction
• Memoirs (must have a strong platform)

Note: Lindsay accepts submissions the first week of the month. Please submit via Query Manager.