Erica Verrillo - Blog

61 Calls for Submissions in August 2026 - Paying markets

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:55:46 GMT

Wikimedia

This August there are more than five 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.

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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: August 1, 2026.

We'Moon Lunar Calendar. Restrictions: Open to women only. Genre: Art, poetry and prose, 350 words maximum. Payment: Small honorarium; art up to $500. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

ryga. Genre: Poetry, prose and short plays. Payment: $50. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

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

Starship Blunder Anthology 3: Mission Hospitality. Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

After Happy Hour. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Payment: $2.50 per printed page, with a minimum of $15 and a maximum of $50, on publication ($25 for the cover artist). Deadline: Opens August 1, 2026. Free submissions are capped at 300, so submit early.

Saddlebag Dispatches. Genre: Short stories, poetry, and non-fiction articles about the West. Payment: $10 - $20. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Dark Waters. Genre: Dark fiction. See theme. Payment: Up to $25. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

IHRAM Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme:We are opening submissions for an issue dedicated to amplifying the voices of women of colour, including transgender women and women living across cultures as expats, migrants, or in diasporic communities. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Queer Little Daydreams. Restrictions: Contributors must identify as LGBTQIA2S+. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction that purposefully play with the speculative, strange, and surreal from a uniquely queer perspective. Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Witch House. Genre: Cosmic horror. Payment: $10. Deadline: August 2, 2026.

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

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

Crimeucopia. Genre: Crime fiction. See theme. Payment: £4 per 1,000 words. Deadline: August 4, 2026.

Again Anthology. Genre: Short stories. See theme. Payment: €200. Deadline: August 4, 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: August 5, 2026.

Cozy Fantasy Anthology. Genre: Cozy Fantasy. Length: 1500-4500 words. Payment: USD $0.02/word; Reprints $0.01/word. Deadline: August 6, 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: August 7, 2026. This is a monthly call.

Abyss and Apex. Genre: Speculative fiction. No horror. Payment: USD $.08/word (eight cents a word) up to 1,000 words, and a flat payment of $80.00 for longer stories. Deadline: August 7, 2026.

University of Queensland Press. Restrictions: Open to Australian citizens or permanent residents. Genre: Full-length nonfiction manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 7, 2026.

Flame Tree: Cosmic Horror Short Stories. Genre: Cosmic Horror. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word for original stories, 6 cents/4 pence for reprints. Deadline: August 9, 2026.

Flame Tree: Zombie World. Genre: Zombies! Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word for original stories, 6 cents/4 pence for reprints. Deadline: August 9, 2026.

Poetry Sango-Ota. Restrictions: Open to African poets. Genre: Poetry. "We are interested in poems with a keen connection to a sense of place, nature, or otherworldly geographies." Payment: N10,000 (ten thousand naira) per poem. Deadline: August 10, 2026. Open from the 1st to the 10th of every month.

Sparks. Restrictions: Open to residents on the island of Ireland. Genre: Fiction, flash fiction, poetry. Payment: €20 for a Short Story, €15 for Flash Fiction and €10 for a Poem. Deadline: August 10, 2026.

Crimeucopia. Genre: Crime fiction. See theme. Payment: £4 per 1,000 words. Deadline: August 11, 2026.

Pseudopod. Genre: Horror. Payment: USD $0.08 per word for original fiction. USD $100 per story for reprint fiction. Deadline: August 11, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Hold-My-Beer Heroes. Genre: Short stories. Hold-My-Beer Heroes plays with the "superiority theory" concept of comedy. The author and the reader are in on the joke of the overconfident everyman thrust into a situation they have no business surviving, but somehow manage to end up winning the day. The ever- predictable train-wreck unfolds in real time. Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Manuscrypt Magazine. Genre: Horror. See theme. Payment: $50. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

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

Grimalkin Press: Sweet Screams – A Taste of Darkness. Restrictions: Open to women writers and gender diverse people only. Genre: Horror stories centered around themes of sweetness, baking, cooking, desserts, and the unsettling things that can exist beneath comfort, nostalgia, celebration, or indulgence. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Star Wars 50th anniversary book. Genre: True stories. How has Star Wars affected you? And not just the movies. The brand has expanded to books, video games, TV shows, theme parks, toys, clothes, board games and more. Payment: $200. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings. Genre: Nonfiction. One of the most important keys to contentment and happiness is the ability to count your blessings. Even during the toughest times, if we can find gratitude and count our blessings we feel better. Each day holds something to be thankful for and it could be just as simple as having the sun shine or having food on the table. Payment: $200. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

Inkd Publishing: Cthulu: Awakens. Genre: Lovecraftian horror. Word Limit: 2,000 to 6,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

In a Flash: Recipes. Genre: Creative nonfiction of 500 words or less. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

Beyond the Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. Genre: Fiction. Sherlock Holmes themes. Payment: $100. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

The Lorelei Signal. Genre: Fantasy short stories, flash fiction, and poetry with strong female characters. Payment: $15 for short stories, $5 for poems and flash (<1000 wds) fiction pieces, $5 for reprints. Deadline: August 15, 2026. Accepts reprints.

The Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy-tale inspired stories/poems. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: August 21, 2026.

Griffith Review. Genre: Nonfiction and fiction. See theme. Payment: AUD$0.75 per word. Deadline: August 23, 2026.

Augur Press. Genre: Speculative literature that breaks down walls between literary and sci-fi/fantasy spaces. We seek work across genres: poignant dark fantasy, crisp science fiction, lush secondary world adventures, contemporary gothic, quiet myth-building, and dreamy realism. Length: Novellas and novelettes. Payment: Advance and royalties. Deadline: August 30, 2026.

Carmen et Error. Genre: Poems, 40(ish) lines max. Fiction, 400(ish) words max. Payment: £5. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Saraband: Inklings. Genre: Narrative non-fiction. "The Inklings is a series of pocket-sized pop culture books that introduce readers to a wide range of topics they might only have an inkling about!" Pitches only. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

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: August 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Ampersand Review. Restrictions: Open to Canadians. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, reviews. Payment: Poetry: $50 per poem/page to a maximum of $100. Fiction: $100 per story. Non-fiction: $100 per piece. Reviews: $100 per piece. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Event Magazine. Genre: Poetry, fiction. Payment: CAD $40/page for poetry and $35/page for prose, up to a maximum of $500. Deadline: August 31, 2026. Note: Closes when cap is reached.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ stories, 5,000 - 9,500 words. See themes. Payment: $30. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Escape Pod. Genre: Science fiction (Audio and written format). Payment: USD $0.08 per word for original fiction. USD $100 per story for reprint fiction. Deadline: August 31, 2026. Reprints accepted.

Passing Strange: Queer Weird Arthurian Tales. Genre: Queer Arthuran stories. Word count: Between 3,000 and 10,000 words. Payment: A rate of $0.05 USD per word to a maximum of $500 USD will be offered. $200 for art. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Broken Sleep Books. Genre: Non-fiction prose pamphets (up to 150 pages). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Body Horror. Genre: Body Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Found Footage Horror. Genre: Found Footage Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Technological Horror. Genre: Technological Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Propel Disability Poetry Book Series. Restrictions: Open to disabled poets. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Royalties. One poet wins a $2000 prize. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Cast of Wonders. Restrictions: Open to young authors. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: ONCE UPON A TALE. Genre: Fairytale retellings across all genres. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: CURSES & CRYSTALS. Genre: Witch-themed stories across all genres. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul. Genre: True humorous stories. "Share your funny stories about something that happened to you in your life – in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Did the other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding turn into a comedy of errors?" Payment: $200. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Slapshots in Space & Magical Marathons: A Speculative Sports Anthology. Genre: Speculative fiction on theme: Sports. Payment: $50/story, flat rate. $20 per poem. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Manawaker Studio: 100 Word Project. Genre: Speculative fiction of exactly 100 words. See theme. Payment: $1. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

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

Sundress. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026. Submission fee is waived for all BIPOC writers.

Heartlines Spec. Restrictions: "Since Heartlines Spec is primarily a Canadian magazine, we're looking to feature writers identifying as being from Canada/Turtle Island. This includes expats, new immigrants, and people who refuse/resist Canadian Identity. Our goal for each issue is to publish at least 50% Canadian content." Genre: Short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships: platonic, romantic, or familial. "We want stories and poetry with strong, confident relationships amid all the sci-fi/fantasy. We are especially interested in stories featuring queer platonic relationships, ace/aro love stories, and polycules." Payment: $0.08 CAD per word for short fiction and $80 CAD flat for poetry. Deadline: Early submission period for equity-deserving groups August 24-31.

AND A FEW MORE...

Philadelphia Stories. Restrictions: Open to authors living in, or originally from, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or New Jersey. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art. Payment: $50. Deadline: September 1, 2026.

“Psycho Pulp” Anthology. Genre: Crime, horror, psychological thriller, western, science fiction, or any sub-genre or blend of these. Payment: $20. Deadline: September 1, 2026.

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

Pacific Northwest Gothic. Restrictions: Open to current residents of Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and British Columbia. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art "that explore the region’s shadowed forests, coastal fog, urban isolation, and the quiet unease that lingers beneath its natural beauty." Payment: $25. Deadline: September 1, 2026.

Teach. Write. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, CNF. "I prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning." Payment: $15. Deadline: September 1, 2026.

University of Wisconsin Press. Genre: Novels, short story collections, and works in translation. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: September 1, 2026.

40 Writing Contests in August 2026 - No entry fees!

Sun, 26 Jul 2026 12:01:32 GMT

Deviant Art

This August there are more than three 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!

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Epigram Books Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Authors must be Singaporean, Singaporean permanent resident or Singapore-born. Genre: A full-length, original and unpublished novel written in the English language. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Iron Horse Prize. Genre: First book of collected prose. Prize: $1000, and the collection will be published by Texas Tech University Press. Deadline: August 1, 2026. Free submissions on August 1, 2026 only.

Iron Horse Photofinish. Genre: Brief ekphrastic work that pushes beyond an absolute litera.l read of a photo prompt. "We're looking for work that recognizes what's hidden in the world we see, responding to the physical details that the picture offers or what emotion it conveys or both. We provide the photo on our website and social media platforms every mid-May. Responses should be no longer than 500 words for prose or 15 lines for poetry. Prize: Winner receives $250. The finalists receive: $75. Deadline: August 1, 2026. Free submissions on August 1, 2026 only.

Granum Foundation Prize helps U.S.-based writers complete substantive literary works—such as poetry books, essay or short story collections, novels, and memoirs—or to help launch these works. Additionally, a Granum Foundation Translation Prize will be awarded to support the completion of a work translated by a U.S.-based writer. Prize: One winner will receive $5,000; up to three finalists will be awarded $500 or more; $500 or more will be awarded to one writer working in translation. Deadline: August 1, 2026. Closes when cap is reached so submit early.

NOMAD Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, industry specials, and criticism/reviews/interviews on theme. See website. Prize: $75. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Delaware poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who have lived in Delaware for at least one year prior to application and who are not enrolled in a degree-granting program. Genres: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Prize: Established Professional Fellowships of $6,000 each and Emerging Artist Fellowships of $3,000 each. Deadline: August 3, 2026.

Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grants. Restrictions: Open to women and trans artists in Greater Philadelphia to fund art for social change projects. People living in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties Delaware who are 18 years of age or older and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Genre: Art in traditional or nontraditional modes, mediums or disciplines. Prize: $2500. Deadline: August 3, 2026.

Oregon Literary Fellowships. Two fellowships (one $10,000 grant and one $3,500 grant) are reserved specifically for writers of color. There are also fellowships for women/gender-nonconforming writers as well as special fellowships for fiction writers who have lived in Oregon over the past 5 years. Deadline: August 7, 2026.

Only Poems Poem of the Month. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Prize: $40. Deadline: August 7, 2026.

Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English between July 1, 2026, and September 30, 2026. Must be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $25 - $50 via PayPal for one story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Waterford Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to residents of Ireland. Genre: Poem. Prize: First prize is €400 plus attendance at a designated writing course. Deadline: August 14, 2026.

Ligonier Valley Writers. Genre: Flash fiction on theme;1000 words max. Prize: The first prize winner will receive $50, second prize $25, and third prize $15. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

The Gotham Publish a Book Scholarship. Restrictions: Open to people of color who have completed a book manuscript (or nonfiction book proposal) and are ready to go to market with their book. Three fellowships will be offered every year. Prize: Admittance to a Gotham Writers Conference—the panels and presentations as well as a seat at a pitching roundtable with two agents in your genre. The Gotham course How to Get Published or Nonfiction Book Proposal. A one-on-one Agent Evaluation session and a Query Letter Coaching session, both with a literary agent. Deadline: August 15, 2026.

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

Berggruen Prize Essay Competition. Genre: Essay. "We are inviting essays that follow in the tradition of renowned thinkers such as Rousseau, Michel de Montaigne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Submissions should present novel ideas and be clearly argued in compelling ways for intellectually serious readers." Prize: $50,000 USD for essays submitted in English and $50,000 USD for essays submitted in Chinese. Deadline: August 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, fiction. Prize: $20. Deadline: August 17, 2026. Note: This is a monthly contest.

Stone Canoe. Restrictions: Open to people who live or have lived in Upstate New York (not New York City). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: August 18, 2026. (It is difficult to find this information on their website.)

Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative Grant. Genre: Investigative journalism addressing hate and prejudice. Prize: $2000 - $5,000 grant. Deadline: August 20, 2026. Note: There are two dates listed on the website, June 1 and August 20, 2026.

John Glassco Translation Prize. Sponsored by Literary Translators' Association of Canada. Restrictions: Open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents only. Genre: The work submitted must be the translator's first published book-length translation into English or French. Prize: $1000. Deadline: August 21, 2026.

Faber Children’s: Faber and Andlyn BAME (FAB) Prize. Restrictions: Open to undiscovered BAME writers and illustrators; entrants must be of black, Asian or minority ethnic background, and UK- or Ireland-based. Genre: Text or artwork for children. Prize: £1,500 and £500 each for a writer and an illustrator. Deadline: August 21, 2026.

Penguin UK: Merky Books New Writers’ Prize. Restrictions: Open to Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic writers who are aged between 18 and 35 and residing in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Applicants will need to be unpublished and un-agented in order to apply. Genre: Unpublished manuscript. Prize: Publishing contract with #Merky Books. All shortlisted writers will also be invited to our Writers’ Camp, where they will get the chance to participate in writing workshops, panel talks, editorial one-to-ones and meet the #Merky Books team. Deadline: August 24, 2026.

Coppercoat Brian Black Memorial Award. Genre: The judges are looking for article and photographs that capture an inspiring encounter that you have had with marine wildlife or the marine environment more generally that impacted, inspired and changed you in some way. The photo competition is open to adults with a separate category for young people aged 16 or under.. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: August 30, 2026.

Katherine Mansfield Society Essay Prize 2026. Genre: Essays that address any aspect of the theme of Katherine Mansfield. Prize: £200 and the winning essay will be considered for publication in Katherine Mansfield Studies. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Propel Disability Poetry Book Series. Restrictions: Open to disabled poets. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Royalties. One poet wins a $2000 prize. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Preservation Foundation Biographical Nonfiction Contest. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $250 in any single year. Genre: Biographical Nonfiction. Prize: First prize is $200. Runners-up will receive $100. Finalists will receive $50. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

PADIBA Awards 2027. Genre: Traditionally published PB/GN and MG/YA novel that features intersectional protagonists. Prize: $1500. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry collection (in English), at least 48 pages long, published between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the deadline year by an upstate New York author. Prize: $2000. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Iowa Short Fiction and John Simmons Short Fiction Awards. Restrictions: Any writer who has not previously published a volume of prose fiction is eligible to enter the competition. Genre: Short story collection. The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages. Prize: Publication by the University of Iowa Press, royalties. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

“Kusamakura” Haiku Competition. Genre: Haiku. Prize: (Grand Prize) to one winner : goods worthy of ￥20,000. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing. Genre: Short story with an overall word-count of 1500 on theme. Prize: £100. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Morioka International Haiku Contest. Genre: Haiku. Prize: Not specified. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing. Genre: Scholarly essay. All work submitted must have been written or published within the last year. Prize: $3,000. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Debra E. Bernhardt Labor Journalism Prize. Genre: Article that furthers the understanding of the history of working people. Articles focused on historical events AND articles about current issues (work, housing, organizing, health, education) that include historical context are both welcome. The work must be published in print or online between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2026. Prize: $1000. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Kindle Storyteller Award (UK). Restrictions: The prize is open to all authors who publish their book through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon.co.uk. Genre: Book. Prize: £20,000. Deadline: August 31, 2026.

Voice.club. Genre: Flash fiction, 350 words max. See theme. Prize: $25 Amazon gift card. Deadline: August 31, 2026. Note: You have to join in order to enter. See themes.

Apex Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: August 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.

PolyPolyphony Lit Summer Contest 2026. Restrictions: Open to High school students (aged 14-18) from anywhere in the world. Genre: Fiction and poetry on theme Home. Prize: Publication. Deadline: August 31, 2026. Free submissions cap of 200.

Rattle Ekphrastic Challenge. Genre: Poem inspired by artwork. (See site for image.) Prize: $100. Deadline: August 31, 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: August 31, 2026. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.

19 Awesome Writing Conferences and Workshops in August 2026

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 11:34:20 GMT

Derry, NH: Wikimedia

This August 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.

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Frost Place Poetry Seminar. August 2 - 6, 2026: Online. The Seminar schedule features a daily presentation/discussion exploring aspects of craft and technique, an afternoon workshop of participants’ poems or individual, virtual meetings with faculty, and an evening reading, some by faculty poets and others featuring participants. Will be held online.

First Friday Book Talk & Reading Series. August 7, 2025: Zoom. First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Lisa Knopp, Author of Ravelings: Essays on Love, Loss, and Wonder.

Into the Springs Writers Workshop. August 7 - 9, 2026: Yellow Springs, OH. Into the Springs is a full weekend of shared sessions, events and lunch, making your interaction with featured guest instructors and writer participants easily accessible.

Travel Writers & Photographers Conference. August 7 – 9, 2026: Corte Madera, Calif. Writing and photography workshops in the morning, a full afternoon of panels and discussions, and evening faculty presentations. There are optional, working field trips to explore the resources of the Bay Area. The faculty includes publishers, magazine editors, photographers, travel essayists, food writers, restaurateurs, guidebook writers, and more.

VCFA Writers' Conference. August 8 - 14, 2026: Valencia, CA. At the heart of the conference is its distinctive workshop model—intimate groups of six writers led by a member of our acclaimed faculty. This structure allows for sustained, in-depth engagement with each participant's manuscript. In addition to daily workshops, every writer receives an individual, hour-long consultation with their instructor, ensuring focused, one-on-one attention. The conference includes workshops in fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, romance, young adult, and writing for the screen, guided by four pillars: Community (building lasting creative relationships), Inspiration (renewing artistic energy and vision), Craft (deep, rigorous engagement with the work itself), and Industry (practical insight into publishing and professional pathways).

The Writing Shorter Retreat: Why (and How) Less Can Be More. August 9 - 12, 2026: Boyds Mills Campus, PA. Discover how “writing short” might be exactly what your story needs. Join this retreat to learn practical tools to build a shorter narrative while staying true to your voice.

Get Away to Write - Vermont. August 9 - 14, 2026: Grafton, VT. Combine an extended writing retreat with a relaxing summer vacation in the picturesque mountains of Vermont. This getaway blends our trademark challenging and supportive workshop experience with plenty of free time for you to write and bask in the refreshing New England summer. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, you will return home energized by the tranquil setting and excited to continue writing.

Odyssey Writing Workshop. August 10, 2026 (12 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.

Picture Book Essentials: A Two-Night Mini for Picture Book Writers. August 11 - August 13, 2026: Online. Picture books may be short, but writing them is no small task! Join award-winning author Darcy Pattison and author/illustrator Leslie Helakoski for a two-session deep dive into the essential elements that turn your ideas into engaging picture books!

Graphic Novel Storytelling: Where Words Meet Pictures Meet Readers. August 11 - August 13, 2026: Online. Your entry point into graphic novels. Two nights of expert craft, hands-on exercises, and a clear path forward for your story ideas.

Sundress Academy: Giving Shape: Retrospection & Projection in Personal Essays. August 12, 2026: Online. We’ll use four essay excerpts to study how authors have used retrospection and projection in their work, then we’ll practice those same moves through guided prompts. Students will come away with a new or renewed understanding of specific craft mechanics and new angles to approach their own ideas.

Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. August 12 - 22, 2026: Ripton, VT. Workshops in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction are at the core of the conference. Each faculty member conducts a workshop that meets for five two-hour sessions over the course of the 10 days. Groups are kept small to facilitate discussion, and all participants meet individually with their faculty leaders to elaborate on workshop comments. Faculty members also offer lectures on issues around literary writing and one-hour classes on specific aspects of the craft. Readings by the faculty, conference participants, and guests take place throughout the day and into the night. Participants meet with visiting editors, literary agents, and publishers who provide information and answer questions, individually or in small groups. Application deadline March 15.

3rd Annual Idlewild Writers Conference. August 14 - 15, 2026: Idlewild, MI. Returning for its third year, the Idlewild Writers Conference brings together poets and writers from across the country for a relaxing and inspiring experience in the beautiful historic resort community of Idlewild, MI.

Poetry at the Frost Farm. August 14 - 16, 2026: Derry, New Hampshire. The retreat offers workshops, readings, and one-on-one consultations for formalist poets. "Join a small community of people at the historic Robert Frost Farm learning, reading and writing formal poetry with contemporary award-winning poets. Choose your focus from a series of offerings designed to provide tools for beginning poets as well as perfect the mastery of published poets."

Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists. August 15 - 20, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. This intensive, transformative Whole Novel Workshop offers writers the rare opportunity to have the entire draft (up to 85,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and two private consultations provided.

Building Your Plot: Structures and Strategies. August 18 - 20, 2026. Online. Stop guessing what happens next and start building the architecture of your story with this two-night workshop on plotting techniques.

Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. August 20 - 23, 2026: Nashville, TN. The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature. "At the conference, we try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and our sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Our learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics. Killer Nashville features nine breakout sessions for intense smaller group interaction, an authors’ bar (free for hotel guests), a moonshine and wine tasting, free agent/editor roundtable pitch sessions, a mock crime scene designed by special agents and other law enforcement professionals, cocktail receptions, the Guest of Honor Dinner and Awards Banquet, film previews, live music performances and—of course—all the great activities one can enjoy in downtown Nashville."

Community Retreat with Grace Lin and Debbi Michiko Florence: Celebrating Asian and Asian American Stories. August 27 - August 30, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Work alongside community members and spend time creating, dreaming, and discovering the many beautiful contributions made by Asian and Asian American voices in the children’s book field.

Bookgardan: A Year's Sustenance for Women Writers. August 2026 to August 2027. "Bring your book project and your literary practice to full fruition in Bookgardan, a year-long program of sustained, one-on-one mentorship and advanced craft curriculum created by an acclaimed writer, seasoned editor, and devoted & inspiring literary mentor, shared with an intimate cohort of like-minded literary artists. Hone your work-in-progress, develop your technical expertise, and refine your inimitable artistic process over twelve months bookended by two full retreat weeks as fall writers-in-residence at Craigardan, an interdisciplinary mountainside residency program for artists in the majestic Adirondacks of upstate New York. Now enrolling its fifth cohort, Bookgardan is unlike any other writing program, book incubator, or literary mentorship. Designed for women writers with book-length, literary fiction and creative nonfiction projects, created in partnership with a residential artists’ program that fosters collaboration and cross-fertilization among artists, and intentional in its goal of building a lasting, mutually. supportive community of women writers, at Bookgardan’s heart is Kate Moses’ passionate dedication to helping other women writers realize their vision for their work, made manifest in the unstinting one-on-one mentorships she forges with each writer and their book."

11 New Agents Seeking Genre Fiction, Romance, SFF, Kidlit, Picture Books, Memoir, LGBT and more

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:55:42 GMT

Tali Shammas

Here are eleven new literary agents actively seeking clients. New agents 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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Tali Shammas of Storm Literary Agency

Tali grew up devouring books by flashlight long past her bedtime. After several years practicing corporate law, she returned to her childhood love: reading and writing fiction. Tali interned with Creative Media Agency and joined Storm as an agent in 2026. With her legal knowledge and skills in client advocacy and contract negotiation, she looks forward to building a diverse client list.

What she is seeking: I am drawn to commercial hooks, lyrical writing, and voice-y characters who jump off the page and pull you in. I love books that weave in folk stories and mythologies, particularly those underrepresented in literature. Similarly, I am interested in non-Western settings. In fantasy, I adore a unique magic system. I am also a big fan of books about books. Across all genres and age groups, I would love to see projects from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodiverse, and chronically ill communities.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE. Currently closed to queries.

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Rebecca Lommers of Katie Reed Literary

Rebecca Lommers graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s in English: Creative Writing, a Music Minor, and an Editing and Publishing Certificate. She is currently attending graduate school at Eastern Washington University to receive an MFA in Fiction. She has loved books ever since she learned how to read, and she always dreamed of reading books before they were published. She is incredibly excited to work with authors to help them achieve their writing dreams. She interned with Katie Reed for two years before being promoted to junior agent.

What she is seeking: Romance, upmarket fiction, domestic suspense or psychological thriller, Epic Fantasy, Dystopian scifi, Literary Fiction, YA/NA Crossover, Mythology Retellings, Fiction with a Fantastical Angle.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.
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Jackie Garcia-Morales of Storm Literary Agency

Jackie Garcia-Morales is a mixed Puerto Rican neurodivergent professional and career changer from STEM to publishing. She began her career in trade marketing, publicity, and sales at Penguin Random House and Baker & Taylor, alongside work with boutique presses and freelance reviewing for Kirkus Indie and Publishers Weekly. She also has experience in academic and peer-reviewed publishing, including acting as editor of a nonprofit journal for clinical herbalism.

What she is seeking: Author-illustrators that want to work across fiction and nonfiction picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels (spanning age audiences). Particularly interested in STEM/STEAM, social-emotional learning, irresistible humor/silly, mystery, epic adventure, mindfulness/similar wellness concepts, and stories centering diverse or underrepresented lived experiences, including neurodiversity, disability, multicultural identity, and unconventional family structures, Nonfiction from experts, YA, YA Crossover, & New Adult.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE. Currently closed to queries

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Hollie Michaels of Martin-Newens Literary Management

While working toward her M.A. in Creative Writing (Scripts) from City University of London, Hollie worked for the Blake Friedmann Literary Agency as a reader. When she returned to NYC, she joined the Gersh Agency as an assistant in the Theatrical Department. While working in indie theater as a director and producer, Hollie taught theater from grades K-12 and continued teaching when she moved to CT and had kids. During that time, Hollie ventured deeper into publishing, expanding her background from playwright to writing books for kids.

Hollie is the author of the chapter book series, Golda and Ezra, published by Capstone, as well as an early middle grade, The Bad News Bestie. Her youth play, Children of Hooverville is published and widely performed by middle schools around the country. Her short comic Wimbly can be found in Kids Comics Unite anthology, Let’s Go!

Hollie lives in commuting distance to NYC, with her husband, two kids and two fur babies. In her free time, Hollie works on building a green thumb, camping, baking sugar free treats, exploring indie bookstores and seeing Broadway shows.

What she is seeking: Hollie is excited to build her list of amazing authors and illustrators from kidlit to adult. She is looking for the following:

Illustrators: I’m open to all styles – traditional and digital - send me your portfolio.
Please no AI.

Picture Books: I’m open to authors and author / illustrators. Please send me humor, dark humor, wacky humor, kids being kids, commercial fiction, nonfiction told in a fun / engaging way. I’m not the best fit for books that are didactic or lesson based.

Middle Grade / Chapter Books: Please send me commercial, contemporary, fantasy, dystopian, mystery, horror. Anything with humor, heart, a strong voice, and unforgettable characters. Stories a young reader won’t want to put down.

Graphic Novels: I am open to pitch packets from chapter books, middle grade, young adult. I prefer author / illustrators only but if you have a background in writing for comics (and really know the language of writing graphic novels) I will be open to those authors as well.

Young Adult: I’m looking for commercial, fantasy, dystopian, romance, sci-fi, and horror.

New Adult: Romance, Fantasy and any genre mashups.

Adult: I’m open to selective genres. I am looking for humor and a unique voice

Commercial, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Romcom

Fantasy– I love cozy, witchy, everyday magic to magical worlds.

Horror -I prefer supernatural, speculative in this space and humor.

In all genres I am looking for a strong voice, a gripping story with emotional stakes, humor, and layered, unforgettable characters.

How to submit: You can submit to Hollie via Query Tracker here.

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Celsie Moseley of Context Literary Agency

Celsie graduated from Baylor University in 2021, earning a B.A. in English Literature. After a year teaching English in South Korea, she went on to earn her publishing certificate from the Columbia Publishing Course Oxford in 2022. Previously, she was the promotions assistant at the University of Chicago Press where she assisted the wider publicity team in executing their book campaigns. In her spare time, Celsie loves to read genre-bending SFF with strong characters and unique premises. When she’s not reading, she can often be found playing video games on her PC.

What she is seeking: Celsie is looking for unique voices, atmospheric stories that pull you under from the very first page, and worlds that feel as intimate as they are expansive. She is interested in themes that explore power, corruption, rebellion, class systems, climate change, liminal spaces, and intersectionality. In kidlit, she's seeking whimsical and heartfelt MG and high concept YA fiction. On the adult side, she seeks genre-bending SFF, horror, and book club/upmarket fiction.

How to submit: Please send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email to querycelsie@Contextlit.com

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Jenny Lewis of Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents

Jenny joined as an associate agent in 2026. She began her publishing career as an intern at Writers House before working with Sobel Weber Associates and WW Norton.

What she is seeking: Fiction, memoir, history. She’s actively growing both her children’s and adult lists—across genres, she has a particular bent towards works that are voice-driven, immersive, and combine humor with a razor-sharp bite.

How to submit: Please send the first 50 pages in an email to submissions@dvagency.com

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Hannah Teachout of Folio Literary Management

In 2022, Hannah completed her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts and began as an intern at Folio in 2023. I have worked as a bookseller, festival organizer, and freelance editor before landing at Folio Literary Management where I’ve had the privilege to support Lauren Spieller and John Cusick and their lists of talented clients and am now building my own list.

What she is seeking: Across Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult fiction, I’m looking for stories with high concepts, gripping and memorable voices, and characters you don’t want to let go of when the book ends. This could be fantasy, horror, thriller, romance, bookclub, etc, but I tend to prefer fast-paced, tight plotting no matter the genre. I’m a sucker for projects that cross shelves (think horror-romcom or other mash-ups!) and I’m always looking for underrepresented voices telling all sorts of stories, with adventure and joy and hope at their heart.

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Ms. Brianna Aideen of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

Brianna Aideen joined The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency after interning for both JDLA and Triada US. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Film and Creative Writing. When she’s not reading, she’s painting, writing, or pointing out the production mistakes in feature films.

What she is seeking: Brianna represents Adult, New Adult, and some YA fiction. I am mostly focused on Adult or New Adult genres, but I won’t pass up a brilliant YA. I love all things fantasy and romance, give me all the tropes.

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Grace Garrahan of Europa Content

Grace joined the agency as Associate Agent and Agency Coordinator after three years with The Robbins Office and previous experience at Lucinda Literary. Before she joined the agenting world, Grace worked in the events industry, where she formed a lifelong passion for food and bev. She currently lives in Brooklyn where she enjoys going to concerts, trying new restaurants, and walking until she finds hidden gems.

What she is seeking: She is interested in popular psychology, self-development, pop culture, and some memoir. In the fiction space, she is drawn to literary-leaning commercial fiction and mysteries/thrillers.

How to submit: Please email the first 25-50 pages of your manuscript to
grace@europacontent.com

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Ms. Stuti Shah of The Rights Factory

Prior to joining The Rights Factory, Stuti worked in international rights at Transatlantic Agency, advising on publishing contracts and collaborating with authors, publishers, and co-agents across domestic and international markets, giving her a close look at what makes a project stand out and a deal work for everyone at the table.

Before moving into publishing, she practiced at a top-tier law firm, and that experience has shaped how she reviews deals and advocates for her clients. When Stuti believes in a project, she is a fierce and dedicated advocate for it, in her authors' corner at every stage of their publishing journey.

What she is seeking: She's interested in commercial and upmarket fiction and narrative-driven nonfiction for adult and YA readers, including book club fiction with an edge, historical fiction, thrillers and psychological suspense, cosy mysteries, speculative and genre-blending fiction, fantasy, sci-fi & cli-fi, dark academia, coming-of-age sagas, romcoms, contemporary relationship fiction, and funny or whimsical fiction. On the nonfiction side, she prefers memoir, true crime, and narrative nonfiction with a compelling voice. Stuti is also actively seeking concept-driven books with cross-format or adaptation potential for film and TV.

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Kelsey Day of Aragi AgencyKelsey Day (they/them) is an associate literary agent at Aragi Inc. Assisting Nicole Aragi, they cut their teeth working with bestselling phenomena such as Colson Whitehead, Tommy Orange, and Ocean Vuong.

What they are seeking:
Fiction: BIPOC Literature, Horror, LGBTQ, Literary

Non-Fiction: Cookbooks, Illustrated, LGBTQ, Psychology, Self-help, Spiritual, Tarot/Astrology, Wellness, Witches/WitchcraftHow to submit: Use their querytracker form HERE.

84 Calls for Submissions in July 2026 - Paying markets

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 11:51:28 GMT

Wikimedia

This July there are seven 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.

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Thema. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Waiting in Line. Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: July 1, 2026. Accepts reprints.

The Quiet Ones. Genre: Quiet Horror and Intimate-Scale Dystopian Fiction. "We primarily seek creative work from those who identify as LGBTQIAP+, women, and allies. We’re especially fond of (though do not require) stories that center LGBTQIAP+ and female characters. That said, we welcome work from anyone and everyone, and we do not automatically disqualify any submissions based on the author’s identity, nor do we require our contributors to share their sexual or gender identities." Payment: $25. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Flash Fiction Online. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. Payment: $100. Deadline: Opens July 1, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

The Marrow. Genre: Poetry written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40. Deadline: Opens July 1, 2026.

A Public Space. Genre: Fiction, essays, poetry, as well as graphic and hybrid work. Payment: Honorarium. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Monstrously Misguided Anthology. Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Speculative, Dark Humour, Weird Fiction, Slipstream, Light Sci‑Fi. Theme: Creatures, legends, and monsters… but not as you’ve ever seen them before. Payment: 2.5 cents per word. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

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

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 July 1, 2026.

Cordite. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Payment is available for Australian contributors only. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

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

Dirty Magick Magazine. Genre: Short fantasy fiction, from 2,000 to 12,500 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: Opens July 1, 2026, and closes when they reach capacity.

It Came from the Trailer Park. Genre: Horror/Comedy. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Dark Ink: Movie Horror Themed Anthology. Genre: Horror centered on movies, filmmaking, and the act of watching films—where cinema itself becomes the doorway to terror.” Payment: $20. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Phi Kappa Phi Forum. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Payment: $4/ line. Deadline: July 2, 2026.

Raconteur Press: Buck Yeah!. Genre: Short stories. Buck Rogers enters the public domain this year! We’re looking for new tales from the Buck Rogers universe. Rocket ships! Astonishing adventures 500 years into the future! Anti-gravity belts, rocket guns, disintegration beams! Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 3, 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: July 4, 2026. Open to submissions the first three days of every month.

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: July 5, 2026.

Daikaijuzine. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $10.00 for each short story, and $5.00 for each poem and flash fiction piece. Deadline: July 5, 2026.

Thirty West Publishing. Genre: Full-length poetry, fiction, short story collections, essay collections, CNF, novellas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 5, 2026.

Cosmic Horror Monthly. Genre: Weird and cosmic fiction under 5,000 words. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word. Deadline: July 7, 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: July 7, 2026. This is a monthly call.

Isele Quarterly. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, photography, visual art, and hybrid works that explore the theme: Red. Payment: "Modest." Deadline: July 7, 2026.

Anodyne. Genre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video, Music on theme of Health. Payment: Revenue sharing. Deadline: July 7, 2026. (Submissions are free the first seven days of the month.)

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: July 7, 2026.

OTHERSIDE. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by self-identified members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Payment: $0.08/word for prose. $50 per poem. $100 for nonfiction and reprints. Deadline: July 1- 7, 2026. Submission period only for BIPOC, trans, and/or disabled authors.

Baneberry. Genre: Literary horror. Length: 500 - 7000 words. Payment: $500. Deadline: July 8, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: July 10, 2026.

Griffith Review. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Payment: AUD$0.75 per word. Deadline: July 12, 2026.

The Orange & Bee. Genre: Original works of fiction, poetry, and non-fiction that engage in a significant way with the long history of fairy tales. Payment: Poetry: flat rate $US50.00 per poem; Flash fiction/non-fiction: flat rate $US80.00 per story (max 1000 words); Short fiction/non-fiction: $US0.08 per word (max 4000 words). Deadline: July 14, 2026.

Solarpunk Magazine. Genre: Solarpunk. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40/poem, and $75/essay, $100 for reprint cover art, $200 for original unpublished cover art, $50 for reprint interior art, $100 for original unpublished interior art. Deadline: July 14, 2026.

Mulberry. Genre: All creative media—from prose, flash, poetry, script, and comics, to film, music, visual art, dance, and everything in-between. Cross-genre, experimental, and hybrid work are always welcome, as well as excerpts of longer pieces. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 14, 2026.

Horror Tree: Trembling With Fear. Genre: Horror short stories. Payment: $5. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Scuppernong. Genre: Hybrid memoir, as well as books on social justice issues in North Carolina. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

If There's Anyone Left. Restrictions: Open to people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, members of marginalized genders, and disabled people. Genre: Speculative fiction. Length: 1000 words max. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Able Muse is a small literary press. They publish poetry and fiction. Most of the fiction they publish is short story collections. They have one free reading period every year, from May 1 through July 15. Read submission guidelines HERE. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Strange Pilgrims. Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. “We’re not married to any genre, structure, or subject. We love surreal, speculative, and fabulist stories; unhinged, lyric, and fragmented essays; voice-driven experimental narratives and slow-burn realism; cultural and literary criticism; hyper-intellectual riffs and children’s stories — so long as they move." Payment: $50 for flash prose, $200 for longer works. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

In a Flash: Recipes. Genre: Creative nonfiction of 500 words or less. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Electric Spec. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $20 per piece. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Augur Magazine. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $0.14 cents (CAD) per word for short fiction (1000+ words), and a flat fee of $112.00 per flash fiction piece (1000 words and under); $100 per poem. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Eye to the Telescope. Genre: Speculative poetry. See theme. Payment: 5 cents/word, up to $25. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Last Girls Club. Genre: Feminist horror: short stories and poems - see themes. Payment: Fiction, 1.5 cents/word. Poetry, $10. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Scrawl Place is part visitor’s guide, part literary journal. Genre: Work that explores places in Chicago. Payment: $40. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

The Dancing Griffin Press Halloween Special. Genre: Horror. "All types of horror are welcome - extreme horror, young adult, spooky middle grade - monsters, body horror, torture, paranormal, we do not discriminate. The only requirement is that your story takes place during the month of October, and at least one character must die." Payment: USD $20 for original stories; $15 for reprints. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Seaside Gothic. Genre: Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Payment: £0.01 per word. Deadline: July 19, 2026.

Black Hare Press. Genre: Dark stories, in any genre. Length: 5,000 - 50,000 words. See theme. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 19, 2026.

In The Mood Magazine. Genre: Nonfiction, poetry. art. "From celebrity personas, to impersonations, to acting school methods, we’re looking for criticism, essays, poetry, and visual art that engages with the concept of performance." Payment: $300 CAD. Deadline: July 20, 2026.

OTHERSIDE. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by self-identified members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Payment: $0.08/word for prose. $50 per poem. $100 for nonfiction and reprints. Deadline: July 21, 2026.

The Deadlands. Genre: Poetry. "The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve." Payment: $50. Deadline: July 21, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Kaleidotrope. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry—science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also compelling work that blurs the lines between these and falls outside of neat genre categories. Payment: For fiction, $0.01/word (1 cent a word) USD. For poetry, a flat rate of $5 USD per accepted piece. For artwork, a flat rat of $60 for cover art. Deadline: July 25, 2026.

Mudroom. Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays, and essays in translation. Payment: $15. Deadline: July 25, 2026.

Diabolical Plots. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy and horror up to 3,500 words. Payment: 10 cents/word. Deadline: July 27, 2026.

Mythaxis. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: 0.01 per word, with a $20 minimum. Deadline: July 30, 2026.

Pseudopod. Genre: Horror Anthologies and Collections of stories that have been or will be published in 2026. Payment: USD $0.08 per word for original fiction. USD $100 per story for reprint fiction. Deadline: July 30, 2026.

Raconteur Press: The Spy Who Conjured Me. Genre: Short stories. The Cold War was not just between the US and USSR, but literally between the side of angels and the side of demons. A spy planting a haunted listening device in an enemy embassy finds that the ghost inside it has his own ideas. Codewords that are also magic spells, assassins using curses, and undead drops. Espionage with magical elements. Length: 5,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Haven Speculative. Restrictions: Open to submissions by authors of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented groups. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Flash Frog. Genre: Flash fiction ghost stories. 1,000 words max. Payment: $25. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Polaris Poetry Series. Genre: Afrofuturistic poetry. Submissions should be a minimum of 65 pages of poems, with each new poem beginning on a new page. Payment: $1000 advance. Deadline: July 31, 2026. Closes when cap of 100 submissions is reached.

Die Laughing. Genre: Funny horror. Payment: $10 for flash, $25 for shorts. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Spoon Knife. Genre: Short fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $30. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Phobos. Genre: Weird fiction. Payment: 8 cents a word or $25, whichever is greater. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Brink. Genre: Hybrid, cross-genre fiction, nonfiction poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 Poem; $50 Work (less than 1500 words); $50 Art (1-3 Images); $100 Art (4+ Images); $100 Work (more than 1501 words). Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Whitaker Lyon Press: Meet Virginia – A Romance Anthology. Genre: Short romance fiction. Length: 1,500-7,500 words. See theme. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Exquisite Engines. Genre: Streampunk. See theme. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Scylla: The Monstrous & The Divine Sapphic Anthology. Restrictions: Authors must be female identifying or non-binary; and the main character/s must be sapphic/wlw. Genre: Short and flash fiction, poetry. See theme. Payment: AUD0.10/word up to AUD400 for original fiction; up to AUD100 for reprints. Deadline: July 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Only Poems: Poet of the Week. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $100. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Locative Magazine. Restrictions: Open to Australian residents. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $30. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Zine Machine. Genre: Mini zines. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Ink in Thirds. Genre: Poetry, prose (up to 600 words), art. Payment: $5. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Clare Songbirds. Genre: Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

ECHO Small Press Books accepts full length novel submissions from teens (ages 13 - 19) and publishes one book a year. Genre: YA. Length: Between 40 and 100 thousand words. Payment: Advance and Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

The Temz Review. Genre: Prose (fiction and creative non-fiction) up to 10,000 words long. Payment: $20. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Psychological Horror. Genre: Psychological Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Nine Pens. Restrictions: Open to people in the UK or Ireland. Genre: Poetry pamphlets. Payment: Royalies. Deadline: July 31, 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: $25.00 for original stories, $7.00 for reprints. $10.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $6.00 for reprints. $7.00 for reviews and interviews. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

New Myths. Genre: Speculative fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: 3 cents/word with a minimum payment of $50 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry; $50 for book reviews; $80 for art. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

A Midnight Kind of Place Anthologies. Genre: Horror. See themes. Payment: £30 for originals. Deadline: July 31, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Slashic Horror Press. Genre: LGBTQ horror manuscripts. Length: 30,000 to 90,000 words. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 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 and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. Payment: 0.10/word for fiction, $100 for nonfiction, and $40-300 for art. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: MIDNIGHT BITES. Genre: Horror across all genres. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Hashtag Press. Genre: Full-length children's and YA books as well as nonfiction. All books must be diverse or inclusive. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Anstruther Books. Genre: Poetry "that takes risks and represents a diverse cross-section of the Canadian literary community." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

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: July 31, 2026.

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

Short Story Substack accepts one short story every month. Genre: All genres. Word count 6,000 - 10,000 words. Payment: Base Pay of $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Reprints accepted. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

AND A FEW MORE...

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: August 1, 2026.

Dark Waters. Genre: Dark fiction. See theme. Payment: Up to $25. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

IHRAM Press. Genre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme:We are opening submissions for an issue dedicated to amplifying the voices of women of colour, including transgender women and women living across cultures as expats, migrants, or in diasporic communities. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

Saddlebag Dispatches. Genre: Short stories, poetry, and non-fiction articles about the West. Payment: $10 - $20. Deadline: August 1, 2026.

48 Writing Contests in July 2026 - No entry fees!

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:58:30 GMT

Wikimedia

This July there are four 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!

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2084 Literary Competition. Genre: Poem. The theme: Write something that pertains to a bigger, brighter future. Prize: $100. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Embracing Our Differences Exhibition. Genre: Thought-provoking quotations. Entries can be no longer than 20 words. Prize: $6000 total prizes. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

ALCS Award for Educational Writers. Genre: The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS) Educational Writers’ Award is awarded to an outstanding example of traditionally published non-fiction that stimulates and enhances learning. The total prize money is £2,000, shared between author and illustrator. The ALCS Educational Writers’ Award was established in 2008 by ALCS and the Society of Authors, “to celebrate educational writing that inspires creativity, encourages students to read widely and builds up their understanding of a subject beyond the requirements of exam specifications. Prize: £2,000.00. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Utah Division of Arts and Museums Original Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to Utah writers. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $1,500 top prizes for book-length manuscripts of novels, creative nonfiction & history, collection of poetry or short stories, and juvenile book. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Emmy Awards - Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award. Restrictions: Non-US citizens under the age of 30 only. Prize: $2,500, a trip to New York City, and an invitation to the International Emmy® Awards Gala in November. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Embracing Our Differences Quotation Contest. Genre: An original quotation to accompany a piece of artwork. Length: 20 words max. Prize: $2000. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Richard J. Margolis Award. Genre: Journalism. Prize is awarded annually to a promising new journalist or essayist whose work combines warmth, humor, wisdom and concern with social justice. Prize: $5,000 and one month of residency at Blue Mountain Center. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Boardman Tasker Prize. Restrictions: The prize will be awarded for a work first published or distributed in the United Kingdom between July 1, 2025 and July 1, 2026. Genre: Books with a mountain, not necessarily mountaineering, theme whether fiction, non-fiction, drama or poetry, written in the English language. Prize: £3,000.00. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Forum Prize. Genre: Essay on the subject of: “Science and the arts.” We are looking for bold, visionary and persuasive essays that use academic research to pursue innovative questions. The winning essay will be that judged by the panel to have best addressed the topic with flair, ambition and resonance.The topic may be addressed from the perspective of any of the literatures (including literary linguistics, translation and comparative literature approaches) normally covered by the journal: Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish." Prize: £500 and publication. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. Book must be author's first full-length book of poetry, published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Self-published books are accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted. Prize: $100,000. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

BCLF Short Fiction Story Contest (BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Caribbean-American Writer’s Prize and BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for Writers in the Caribbean). Restrictions: All entrants must be of Caribbean heritage/of Caribbean descent or writers who were born/raised and holding nationality in the Caribbean. Genre: Unpublished short fiction (3000 words max). Prize: US$1750 for each contest. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

Barbara Mandigo Kelly Peace Poetry Awards. Genre: Poetry. "The awards contest is an annual series of awards to encourage poets to explore and illuminate positive visions of peace and the human spirit." Prize: $200. Deadline: July 1, 2026. Free entry for poets age 12 and under.

On The Premises. Genre: For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story in which one or more characters are trying to make something–anything–smaller in some way. Trying to change their behaviors (“I will ____ less”) or their weight counts, and so does inventing a way to make something faster (“this process will take less time”). Stories must be between 1,000 and 3,000 words long. Prize: $250 for first place, $200 for second, $150 for third, and $75 for honorable mention. Deadline: July 3, 2026.

Hubert Butler Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to European Union and UK citizens aged 18+. Genre: Essay on theme ‘With narratives of conflict currently distorted by misinformation and the substitution of memory for history, what are the chances of reconciliation?’ 3,000 words max. Prize: First prize of €2,500. Deadline: July 3, 2026.

RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be a resident of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or have been a resident in the UK or ROI for the past three years. Genre: Nonfiction book. Prize: Two awards – one of £10,000, one of £5,000 – are offered to support writers to complete their first commissioned works of non-fiction. Deadline: July 6, 2026.

FSG Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers from an underrepresented community. US resident or citizen. Genre: Debut work of poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Submit work samples as part of the application: 8-12 pages for poetry, and 40-50 pages for prose. Work samples can include previously published work and need not be from a single selection of the work. Prize: Stipend of $15,000 and mentorship. Note: Farrar, Straus & Giroux is part of Macmillan. Deadline: July 6, 2026.

Only Poems Poem of the Month. Genre: Poetry. See theme. Prize: $40. Deadline: July 7, 2026.

HG Wells Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story on theme. See site. Length: 1,500 to 5,000 words. Prize: £1,000 and publication in the annual HG Wells Short Story Competition Anthology. Deadline: July 7, 2026. No fee for writers under the age of 21. Those over 21 can enter for a fee.

Young Scots Writer of the Year Award. Restrictions: You must be aged 11–18 to enter as an individual. Genre: Stories, poems, spoken word pieces, comics, videos or other pieces of writing. "We want to see it all, as long as it's in Scots and under 2500 words or up to ten minutes." Prize: £100 book token. Deadline: July 8, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $100 Amazi gift card. Deadline: July 10, 2026.

The Kari Howard Fund for Narrative Journalism. Restrictions: Open to women and nonbinary journalists. Genre: Narrative Journalism. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: July 12, 2026.

The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Open to unpublished Australian residents aged 18 years or older. Genre: Fiction and narrative non-fiction, the first three chapters plus synopsis (max 20,000 words). Prize: $10,000 and a year’s mentorship with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers. The Guardian Australia will publish an extract of the first chapter of the winning work on its website. Deadline: July 13, 2026.

Donn Goodwin and Joseph Gahagen Poetry Prizes: Milwaukee Irish Fest. Genre: Poetry. Entries should have a culture/literary relation to either Ireland, Irish-America, or to Irish poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: July 14, 2026.

Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Only undergraduates enrolled full time in United States and Canadian universities and colleges are eligible. Genre: Fiction of no more than 7,500 words. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: July 14, 2026.

Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest. Genre: Poetry. Categories: #1 Traditional Sonnet – Shakespearean or Petrarchan; #2 Modern Sonnet. Prize: $50, 2nd Prize $30, 3rd Prize $20, three Honorable Mentions, three Special Recognitions. Deadline: July 15, 2026.

Stone Canoe. Restrictions: Open to people who live or have lived in Upstate New York (not New York City). Genre: Fiction. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: July 15, 2026. (It is difficult to find this information on their website.)

Roscommon New Writing Award. Restrictions: All entrants must have a connection with the county of Roscommon (born in, living in, currently working in, went to school in, etc). Genre: Short story, poem. Poetry collection. Prize: €500.00 for fiction or poetry. €600.00 for poetry collection. Deadline: July 16, 2026.

Nakata Brophy Short Fiction Prize for Young Indigenous Writers. Restrictions: The prize is open to Indigenous Australian writers who are 35 years or younger at the closing date of the competition. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: First prize includes $5000, an optional writing residency at Trinity College, and publication of the successful piece in Overland. Deadline: July 17, 2026.

The Burlington Contemporary Art Writing Prize. Restrictions: Entrants must have published no more than six pieces of writing in print or online prior to their submission. Genre: Review of a contemporary art exhibition. Prize: £1,000. Deadline: July 20, 2026.

Peter Blazey Fellowship. Restrictions: Applicants must either be an Australian citizen or have Australian residency. Genre: Non-fiction in the fields of autobiography, biography or life writing. Prize: $20,000, and a one-month writer-in-residency at The Australia Centre. Deadline: July 27, 2026.

Write the World Competitions. Restrictions: Young writers ages 13-19.5. Genre: Fantasy. Prize: Best Entry: $100; Runner up: $50. Deadline: July 27, 2026. (Note: This is a monthly contest.)

Landfall Essay Competition. Restrictions: Open to New Zealand writers. Genre: Essay about New Zealand. Prize: The winner will receive $3000 and a year’s subscription to Landfall. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Drue Heinz Literature Prize. Restrictions: Open to published writers. Genre: Short story collection, or two or more novellas. “Eligible submissions include an unpublished manuscript of short stories; two or more novellas (a novella may comprise a maximum of 130 double-spaced typed pages); or a combination of one or more novellas and short stories. Novellas are only accepted as part of a larger collection. Manuscripts may be no fewer than 150 and no more than 300 pages.” They also accept translated manuscripts. Prize: $25,000 and publication. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Journey’s End Fantasy Novel Contest. Restrictions: Open to unagented US writers who have never had a book traditionally published. Self-published authors are OK! Genre: Fantasy novel with a word count of 40,000 to 100,000. Prize: $500 and a publishing contract. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

SLF Diverse Writers and Diverse Worlds Grants. Restrictions: Open to writers from underrepresented and underprivileged groups, such as writers of color, women, queer writers, disabled writers, working-class writers, etc. -- those whose marginalized identities may present additional obstacles in the writing / publishing process. Genres: Book-length works (novels, collections of short stories) of speculative fiction. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Polar Expressions Publications Short Story and Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Canadian citizens or residents of all ages. Genre: Short story, poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Hachette UK: The Future Bookshelf – The Robinson New Voices Award. Restrictions: Open to unpublished psychology writers from Black, Asian, mixed heritage and multiple ethnic backgrounds, as well as those who are disabled, gender diverse, part of the LGBTQIA+ community or from cultural or religious minorities. Genre: Works of commercial non-fiction, aimed at general readers, on any topic within any branch of psychology. Prize: £5000 advance. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award. Restrictions: Open to young poets age 11 - 17. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Publication. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Col. Darron L. Wright Memorial Writing Awards. Restrictions: Open to U.S. military service members and veterans and their immediate families. Genre: Prose and poetry. Prize: $250, $150, and $100. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

The Protopian Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. "The Protopian Fiction Prize invites you to share your vision of people working toward liberatory futures, meeting obstacles, and making real change. A “protopia” is an optimistic but achievable future. It's neither flawless nor catastrophic, but instead workably better than today. And it's one we've gotten to through steady progress rather than revolutionary leaps." See themes. Prize: 2 prizes, $5000 each. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Pride Award for Emerging LGBTQIA+ Crime Writers. Genre: An unpublished work of crime fiction, aimed at readers from children’s chapter books through adults. This may be a short story or first chapter(s) of a manuscript in-progress of 2,500 to 5,000 words. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Biopage. Genre: "Inspiring, uplifting, and heartwarming stories." Prizes: Up to $300. Deadline: July 31, 2026. Registration required.

The Stephen Spender Prize. Restrictions: Open to UK or Irish citizens, or pupils at a British School overseas. Genre: Translated poetry from Portuguese to English. Prize: £50-£100. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

What’s Your Story? Restrictions: Open to Victorian residents. (Australia) Genre: Poetry, short stories, CNF. Prize: $500. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

Northwind Writing Award. Genre: Prose Poetry, Poetry, Short Fiction, and Non-fiction/Essay/Memoir. Prize: $100 and publication. Deadline: July 31, 2026.

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

30 Great Writing Conferences and Workshops in July 2026

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:26:07 GMT

Hyannis: Flickr

This July there are more than two 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.
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First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Patricia Henley July 3, 2026: via Zoom. Patricia Henley’s fifth collection of short stories, Apple & Palm, was published by Cornerstone Press in 2026.

Writing the Lyric Essay: A Writing Workshop with Hannah Dela Cruz Abrams. July 5–August 23, 2026: ONLINE. Throughout our generative workshop, participants will read, discuss, and write the lyric essay. Together, we will walk the highline between poetry and prose. We will become students of musicality and revelation. Reading shall compass critical and craft essays, alongside hallmarks of the genre. Across these pages, we will trace, among others, the applications of associative logic, white space, research, syntax, and lyric time. Representative authors may include Claudia Rankine, Eula Biss, Kiese Laymon, Maggie Nelson, Lia Purpura, Ocean Vuong, Hanif Abdurraqib, and Anne Carson. Application deadline: June 20, 2026.

The Dis-Form: Disability and the Embodied Mode. July 8th, 2026: Online. In this workshop, we will take the inabilities of our languages and our bodies and use these as dis-modes to generate new, original work. By emphasizing what the body cannot do, we will attempt to complicate a poetics of embodiment.

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session One! July 8 - 12, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Our Summer Camp is a not-to-be-missed experience with 1:1 mentorship, educational and inspirational keynotes, breakout sessions in your chosen track, a community of fellow creatives, time to create, and lots of fun!

Community of Writers Workshop in Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, and Memoir. July 10 - 17, 2026: Olympic Valley, California. These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, as well as brief individual conferences. The morning workshops are led by staff writer-teachers, editors, or agents. There are separate morning workshops for Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction/ Memoir. In addition to their workshop manuscript, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in an individual conference. During the week, a portion of our workshops is devoted exclusively to nonfiction. Memoir, narrative nonfiction, and essays are invited. Literary criticism and scholarly work will not be considered. Nonfiction applicants can use the same general form for submission. Application deadline March 10.

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session Two! July 12 - 16, 2026: Boyds Mills, PA. Our Summer Camp is a not-to-be-missed experience with 1:1 mentorship, educational and inspirational keynotes, breakout sessions in your chosen track, a community of fellow creatives, time to create, and lots of fun!

Port Townsend Writers’ Conference. July 12 - 19, 2026: Port Townsend, Washington. workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft lectures, readings, open mics, and time to write. "The Port Townsend Writers’ Conference has been since 1974 at the wild heart of the thriving Pacific Northwest literary scene. With a focus on community and rigorous attention to craft, the Conference offers morning workshops, afternoon workshops, residencies, guided freewrites, and a vibrant readings and lectures series presented by vital, contemporary writers."

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.

Romance Writers of America. July 15 - 18, 2026: Albuquerque, NM. Whether you're new to romance writing, an established author, or anywhere in between, there’s something for everyone—dynamic workshops, exciting community activities, and much more to elevate your career and connect with fellow writers.

Southampton Writers Conference. July 15 - 19, 2026: Long Island, NY. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and publishing, as well as readings, lectures, and a master class series. Creative writing workshops are the heart and soul of the summer experience, meeting four afternoons or mornings throughout the session. Enrollment is limited to 13 lucky writers who have applied with writing samples. Those accepted have the privilege of sharing their work in an intimate, rigorous and friendly setting.

Writercon Retreat. July 15 - 19, 2026: Wagoner, OK. Join us for a five-day, small-group writing retreat at the 300-acre Canebrake Resort in Wagoner, OK, on Ft. Gibson lake. Our retreat group will have the resort to ourselves with paths to hike, a pool to enjoy, bikes to ride and much more!

Midwest Writers Workshop. July 16 - 18, 2026: Muncie, Indiana. Craft and business sessions, agent pitches, manuscript evaluations. MWW includes quality instruction by a faculty of authors, agents, editors, and specialists. Will be held online and in person.

North Carolina Writers' Network Squire Summer Writing Workshops. July 16 - 19, 2026: Boone, North Carolina. The Squire Summer Writing Workshops offer an intensive course in a chosen genre (creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry) over the four days of the program. Space in each workshop is limited, so that registrants can work in-depth on their own manuscript samples, as well as their colleagues’, while also studying the principles of the genre with their instructor.

Saskatchewan Festival of Words. July 16 - 19, 2026: Moose Jaw, Canada. Workshops for all ages, reading sessions, concerts, film, panel discussions, interviews, music, theatre, a slam poetry competition as well as workshops and author readings.

Mystery Writers Conference. July 17 - 19, 2026: Corte Madera, CA. In this conference, mystery writers learn the clues to a successful writing career. Editors, agents, and publishers tell participants what they need to know to get published. Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, suspense, point of view, and openings. They tell how to write about private eyes, amateur sleuths, and police protagonists, and how to create thrillers and historical mysteries. Panels of detectives, forensic experts, police, and other crime-fighting professionals provide information that allows crime fiction writers to put realism in their work.

Imaginarium. July 17 - 19, 2026: Louisville KY. A three day annual event held in Louisville, Kentucky centered entirely around creative writing, including the worlds of books, movies, gaming, music, and comics/graphic novels. Imaginarium Convention features extensive programming content, with panels and workshops presented by over 150 professional guests covering everything from the craft of writing to various genres, industry-specific topics, publishing, and social media/publicity. The convention features a film festival with a full array of awards, a masquerade/costume contest, live music, gaming, an expo open to the general public, an awards banquet, a series of literary awards called the Imadjinns, and many more activities, creating a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that is content-rich and ideal for networking, promotion and personal development.

Sundress Academy: Trans/Nonbinary Writing Retreat. July 18 - 19, 2026: Via Zoom. The Sundress Academy for the Arts is thrilled to announce its Trans/Nonbinary Writers Retreat, which runs from Saturday, July 18th, 2026, through Sunday July 19th, 2026. This event will be entirely virtual held via Zoom. All SAFTA retreats focus on generative writing, and this year’s retreat will also include the following craft talk sessions: “The Volta As A Survival Strategy” and “Ekphrastic Identities: Exploring Gender and the Body Through Art.” The event will be open to trans and nonbinary writers of all backgrounds and experience levels and provide an opportunity to work with many talented authors and poets from around the country, including workshop leaders Dr. Kelsey L. Smoot and Kay E. Bancroft. Sold out.

Taylor's Professional Writers Conference. July 23 - 25, 2026: Upland, Indiana. Sponsored by Taylor University's nationally recognized Professional Writing major, this conference stresses tools and tips for getting your writing into print. You'll learn from professional writers and network with agents and editors who can take you to the next level in your writing.

Writer's Digest Annual Conference. July 23 - 25, 2026: New Brunswick, New Jersey. Writer's Digest Annual Conference offers everything you need to advance your writing career creatively and professionally. Gain invaluable tips to improve your craft, explore publishing options and learn how to establish a sustainable career—all while being inspired by successful authors and your fellow attendees. It’s all brought to you by Writer’s Digest, the experts at nurturing and developing writers at every stage of their career for over 100 years.

Cascade Three-day Critique Workshop. July 23 – 26, 2026: Bremerton, WA. "Our Three-Day Critique Workshop is an opportunity for you to submit the first 4000 words of your novel, short story, or whatever project you are working on, for critique in a group of up to 8 peers led by an industry professional. This is a great way to polish up those first pages and first chapter. Submissions are due six weeks before the event via our Discord Channel. Registrants will receive login information a few weeks before submissions are due. There will also be one-hour workshops and panel presentations on craft, querying, the publishing industry, and more. Optional casual gatherings provide opportunities to get to know other writers as well as authors, editors, and agents."

The 2026 New England Writing Workshop. July 24 - 25, 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).

Confluence-SFF. July 24 - 26, 2026: Coraopolis, PA. Located at the birthplace of the Ohio River, Confluence is Pittsburgh’s longest-running literary conference with a strong focus on science fiction, fantasy and horror. Award-winning authors, editors, artists and song-writers gather for three full days.

Napa Valley Writers’ Conference. July 26 - 31, 2026: Napa, California. While conference lectures and readings are open to the public, the heart of the experience — the daily workshop, with the opportunity to give and receive feedback on work in progress — is available only to participants. It’s through this intense process that new and established writers interact most meaningfully and forge the bonds that give the conference community life beyond the annual conference week. Application deadline April 20.

Chapter Books and Early Readers: Getting Started with Beginning Readers. July 28 - 30, 2026: Online. Explore ways to get started writing a chapter book or early reader that turns a new reader into a lifelong book lover.

Mendocino Coast Writers Conference. July 30 - August 1, 2026: Mendocino, California. The Mendocino Coast Writers’ Conference is a vibrant gathering that offers Morning Workshops in a wide range of genres. Afternoons are packed with craft seminars, panels, one-on-one consultations, and open mics; and every evening offers an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and connection that make this conference, in the words of one participant, “life changing.” The registration deadline is June 30.

Cape Cod Writers Center Conference. July 30 - August 2, 2026: Hyannis, Massachusetts. Supporting published and aspiring writers. Featuring distinguished authors, editors and agents in workshops on fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, poetry, mysteries and thrillers, social media, promotion and more!

Willamette Writers Conference. July 30 - August 2, 2026: Portland, Oregon. Three full days of classes, workshops, keynotes, critiques, and events. There are also Master Classes with industry professionals in which you can learn from top instructors in a small group setting and many options for one on one critique, including On the Spot Critiques and Advance Manuscript Critique. As always, they will have a roster of agents, editors and film executives ready to hear about your project.

SCBWI: Virtual Summer Conference. July 30 - August 2, 2026: Online. Ready to take your children’s book career to the next level? Wherever you are in your publishing journey, the Virtual Summer Conference provides an opportunity for growth, creativity, and connection. Dive into every aspect of the children’s book world, from writing and illustrating to translating, marketing, and self-publishing. Put your art in front of industry pros in the career-launching Portfolio Showcase and pitch your book to acquiring agents and editors. Get inspired by sessions tailored for illustrators, picture book authors, novelists, nonfiction writers, graphic novel creators, and more. Best of all? You’ll have access to all sessions through September 13th, so you can learn and grow at your own pace. Join us and invest in your passion. It’s time to bring your stories to life!

Florida Authors and Publishers Association Annual Conference. July 31 - August 1, 2026: Lake Buena Vista, Florida. "Six (6) optional small-group workshops are being scheduled, offering attendees options a more intimate setting to learn about specific topics related to the publishing industry. These focused workshops will be offered a la carte and are scheduled so that you may register for up to three (3).

The Creativity Workshop in New York. July 31 - August 3, 2026: New York, New York. "The Creativity Workshops take away the fear of writing and open the way to new ideas. They are especially helpful for writers in fiction, poetry, memoir, theatre and film to get over writing blocks. In our Creativity Workshop Retreats you will generate both new work and ideas for the work you are in the midst of creating. We use many different techniques to help you find your way through the novel, essay, poem, memoir, or script you are writing or hope to write. In The Creativity Workshop you will be doing free writing, writing from guided visualizations, collaborative writing, journaling and memoir work and even some rudimentary drawing, collage and photography."

WRITING EVENTS WITH DEADLINES IN JULY

Hold Space Retreat for Artists of Color. September 14- 20, 2026: Saugatuck, Michigan. Participants who qualify for a Hold Space Retreat can enjoy communal living, making, and opportunities to organize on Ox-Bow’s campus in Saugatuck, Michigan. Lodging, three meals per day, and access to Ox-Bow studios and spaces are provided. People of color across the creative spectrum including artists of any discipline, writers, curators, teachers, and Ox-Bow Alumni are encouraged to apply. The retreat supports individuals or groups of up to twenty for any length from one to seven nights. Application deadline: July 5, 2026.

Traveling at Home: A Writing Workshop with Erika Howsare. September 1 - October 27, 2026. Online. In this course we will ask how writing can be a tool for creating intimacy with our own places, the places where we live, even (and especially) if they lack destination status. We’ll be less focused on polishing finished pieces of writing and more concerned with using the notebook as a focusing device for our eyes, ears, intuition, and all other human sensory gifts, generating material that may later be refined into poems or essays. Weekly assignments will feel more like experiments. Application deadline: July 15, 2026

The Gift of Attention: A Poetry Workshop with Erin Coughlin Hollowell. September 5 - October 25, 2026: Online. In this eight-week course we will discuss ways to refocus our attention as poets by examining anchor texts by various contemporary poets and then trying out the techniques in our own work with some generative exercises. Poets should bring a good idea of which landscapes are often featured in their work, and they will leave with five or six new poems that re-envision those places with refreshed attention. Application deadline: July 15, 2026.

8 New Agents Seeking Genre Fiction, YA, New Adult, Nonfiction, LGBTQ, Literary Fiction, Graphic Novels and more

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 11:04:16 GMT

Ava Grayson

Here are eight new literary agents actively seeking clients. New agents 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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Ava Lauren Grayson of Lowenstein Associates

Ava Lauren Grayson is a literary agent based in Los Angeles who joined Lowenstein Associates in 2026. She was previously as an editor at Quill and Flame Publishing House for several years, following an internship supporting the literary department at Echo Lake Entertainment. She is also an author and award-winning director with a background in theater, photography, and fashion.

What she is seeking: Ava is a modern romantic with a taste for all things magical and dramatic. She is passionate about reading romantic yearning, empowering female heroines, and coming-of-age stories, and is actively building her list in the literary fiction, horror, romantasy, gothic, YA, genre-blends, romance, fantasy, and narrative nonfiction spaces. Ava reads widely and is willing to consider projects in any genre as long as the writing is compelling and immersive. She is seeking debut authors, own stories, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ stories.

How to submit: Please send your query letter in an email, with the first chapter attached as a Word document and “Query” in the subject line. Paper queries will be discarded. Please direct queries for Ava Grayson to ava@bookhaven.com.
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Ms. Gemma Paynter of P.S. Literary Agency (CANADA)

Gemma Paynter is an associate agent at PSLA. She holds a BA in Philosophy and a postgrad in Publishing. After over a decade working in marketing and strategy, she moved into publishing with Harlequin, working across both trade and category romance. She brings an instinct for audience development, emerging trends, and the cultural undercurrents that shape what resonates, often before it fully breaks through.

What she is seeking: Gemma is actively acquiring adult fiction and non-fiction that subvert expectations. In non-fiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture.

In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie. She has a soft spot for “weird girl” literary fiction, unreliable narrators, and true rom-coms — make her laugh! She is drawn to work that takes an irreverent, witty approach to the macabre and is always on the lookout for projects that capture the strange, uncanny magic of Twin Peaks. She encourages submissions from underrepresented voices, especially those centering characters who don’t often get to be the protagonist.

How to submit: Follow the agency guidelines HERE.
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Donna Greaves of Colwill and Peddle (UK)

I am the newest member of the Colwill and Peddle team, having joined as an agent in 2025. I got my start in publishing at Jo Unwin Literary Agency, where I spent seven years. Prior to this, I trained and worked as a speech and language therapist in the NHS, before changing career.

What she is seeking: I’m excited to be building a list across adult commercial, book club and accessible literary fiction, and non-fiction. I’m particularly drawn to voice-led narratives, unconventional settings and people, and humour, as well as rich, immersive storytelling that interweaves cultural, political or historical context.

In fiction I am also on the lookout for stories that can translate across genres and mediums, to reach a wide audience; stories that are as captivating in audiobook as they are on the page, and that lend themselves to film and TV adaptation. Some examples of books I’ve enjoyed across the genre are: Bernardine Evaristo’s Mr Loverman, Nussaibah Younis’s Fundamentally, V. V. Ganeshananthan’s Brotherless Night, Lisa McInerney’s The Glorious Heresies, Alison Espach’s The Wedding People, Emily Henry’s Book Lovers and Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s Yinka, Where is your Huzband?

In crime and mystery, I am open to more traditional crime series with great atmosphere and page-turning mystery, in the vein of Elly Griffiths and Val McDermid. I’d love to see books with off-beat characters, uncommon settings, and subversive and playful storytelling, such as The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley, The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff, The Woman Old Woman with the Knife by Gu Byeong-mo, and The Trees by Percival Everett.

I am not specifically looking for sci-fi, fantasy or horror, however, like any decent millennial, I was raised on the classics - Buffy, Scream and The Craft - so would be open to books that are witchy, or capture the horror and adventure of being human, and books with crossover potential – I will never forget reading The Girl with all the Gifts, and being drawn into a zombie apocalypse in a way I didn’t know was possible. I loved The Binding by Bridget Collins and would happily accept an atmospheric, magical book to get lost in.

In non-fiction I am looking for books that use a personal lens through which to explore a culture, identity, community, or period in history - I really loved Kiese Laymon’s Heavy and Wild Swans: the daughters of China - as well as narrative projects about intriguing and unusual lives, jobs and experiences, such as Evie King’s Ashes to Admin and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams.

I’m open to seeing popular science and psychology that is accessible in tone or written from a personal perspective, and similarly with true crime e.g. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara and Raised by a Serial Killer by April Balascio. I’m also keen to see books that connect us to our past and examine the world through popular culture, tradition and history, including books about ‘scenes’, music or otherwise, in the manner of Jeffrey Boakye and Lloyd Bradley. Ultimately, I am looking for non-fiction that makes knowledge accessible, helps readers feel seen, and/or is good laugh.

How to submit: Follow submission guidelines HERE. Note: This agency does not represent American writers.

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Danai Christopoulou of The Tobias Literary Agency

Danai Christopoulou is a Pushcart Prize nominated SFF author and editor. After a long career as a journalist and copyeditor (their articles and opinion pieces have featured in magazines such as Glamour, House & Garden and Marie Claire since 2004), Danai has been a freelance editor and new talent mentor for mentorships such as QueeryFest. Danai edits for Hugo-nominated magazine khōréō, and reviews short fiction for HavenSpec. Originally from Greece, Danai currently resides in Sweden.

What they are seeking: Danai loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy and romance, especially from marginalized voices. They are mostly focused on adult fiction, but are interested in Young Adult fiction with crossover appeal. Danai likes their fiction upmarket with nuanced plots, particularly from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent and other traditionally marginalized groups.

How to submit: Use the querytracker form HERE. Open to BIPOC authors only until June 30.

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Analía Cabello of Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Analía has been working at ABLA since 2021, assisting Executive Agent Kelly Sonnack in championing a diverse list of authors and illustrators. Before that, she was an editorial assistant at Candlewick Press and interned at several literary agencies. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Child Development and Ethnic Studies, which have informed her passion for the intersections of children’s literature, developmental psychology, and identity.

What she is seeking: She’s looking to represent picture book illustrators, authors, and author-illustrators; middle grade fiction; and young adult fiction. In all categories, she is a fan of characters who feel in-between in any sense (identity, friend groups, transitional period of life, etc.); stories of self-discovery and character growth; explorations of sibling relationships and intergenerational families, in the vein of The Penderwicks and Darius the Great Is Not Okay; and stories from creators whose voices have been traditionally underrepresented in the industry.

How to submit: Use her querytracker form HERE.

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Maria Carolina Ministeri of Ginger Clark Literary

Maria Carolina Ministeri is an Associate Agent at Ginger Clark Literary. She is actively building her client list and assists in the sale of domestic and foreign rights. She studied English, Education, and Creative Writing at the University at Buffalo and got her start in publishing with the Writers House Intern Program. Born in Venezuela and raised in South Florida, she is fluent in both English and Spanish (and working on appeasing her dad's side of the family by learning Italian). She is now based in Washington, DC.

What she is seeking: Maria is looking for adult, crossover, and YA fiction across genres that feature compelling characters, complex relationships, and immersive settings (real or imagined).

How to submit: Please send your query letter, contact information, and the first 15 pages of your manuscript via email to mministeri (at) gingerclarkliterary (dot) com with “mcm query” in the subject line. Maria will respond within three weeks if she is interested in reviewing more.

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Ivanka Dimitrova of Olswanger Literary

Ivanka Dimitrova is a Literary Associate with Olswanger Literary and a published author represented by Focused Artists Agency. She holds a business degree and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, the Women’s National Book Association, the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Jane Austen Society of North America.

What she is seeking: Ivanka is seeking commercial and upmarket fiction, including women’s fiction, book club fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, magical realism, low fantasy, and time-slip fiction. She is drawn to stories where history intersects with mystery, folklore, and wonder, as well as immersive settings and emotionally resonant storytelling. For nonfiction, she is interested in literary and cultural history, travel, biographies, authors’ lives, homes, and gardens, and select lifestyle, gift, and cookbook projects.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Laura Katz of Writers House

Writers House is one of the largest independent literary agencies in the world, with in-house international licensing, media, contracts, and accounting teams. I joined in 2021, working first as an assistant in the contracts and accounting departments. Since 2022, I’ve supported Simon Lipskar and his list of award-winning and bestselling clients, and I'm now actively building my own list of adult fiction.

What she is seeking: I'm currently seeking authors of book club, upmarket, and literary fiction. My favorite books tend to sit in the range between plot-driven stories with deep emotional intelligence (IF WE WERE VILLAINS by M.L. Rio) and character-driven yet propulsive novels with complex themes (CIRCE by Madeline Miller). I enjoy voices ranging anywhere from atmospheric to earnest to wry, and I particularly love:
- Mystery/suspense influences, or crime fiction that leans literary (THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore)
- Contemporary stories with a strong hook and complicated relationships (Kiley Reid’s novels, TOM LAKE by Ann Patchett)
- Speculative or spooky elements thrown into a world that otherwise resembles our own. True high fantasy, sci-fi, and undiluted horror are probably not right for me. (BABEL by R. F. Kuang, YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke)
- Vivid, specific settings that allow me to explore a new place or see a new angle on a familiar one (MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER by Oyinkan Braithwaite, CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan)
- I’m also open to select rom-coms, though I’m more likely get excited about a project if the romance is mixed with/secondary to other plot elements. In any case, the intelligence, character growth, and humor need to be front and center (Ali Hazelwood’s dialogue is my gold standard!)

How to aubmit: Use her querymanager HERE.

86 Calls for Submissions in June 2026 - Paying markets

Thu, 28 May 2026 09:04:20 GMT

Flickr

This June there are more than seven 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: Sunflowers: Flickr]
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Eternal Haunted Summer. Genre: Poetry, short fiction. See themes. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, messages from heaven, angels. Genre: True stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! Payment: $200. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Breath and Shadow. Genre: 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: The pay scale is $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. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Tales from the Crosstimbers. Restrictions: "We welcome submissions from under-represented groups who bring their lived experience to their fiction. We also welcome submissions from first-time, unpublished authors. We welcome submissions from any location. However, our mission includes providing a market for authors from the region of the Crosstimbers Forest–which includes Oklahoma and surrounding states–so we especially encourage authors from this region to submit." Genre: Speculative fiction, some nonfiction and poetry. Payment: The larger of $10 per story or 1 cent/word rounded to the nearest 100 words, up to a maximum of $50. Deadline: Opens June 1, 2026.

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

Nachtljocht. Genre: Fiction and short plays, 3,000 minimum – 12,000 maximum words. Payment: $15. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Brown Paper Fox. Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Children's books. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

New Mundo. Genre: Poetry manuscripts and chapbooks, translations written by authors from North America, South America, or the Caribbean. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Okay Donkey. Genre: One flash fiction OR one poem per author, per submission period. See website for details. Payment: $20. Deadline: Opens June 1, 2026 and closes when cap is reached.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: June 5, 2026.

Feminist Press. Genre: Novels, novellas, and short story collections that bring a literary depth and flair to genre fiction—specifically sci-fi, horror, fantasy/romantasy, and speculative fiction. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 5, 2026.

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

University of Queensland Press Genre: Adult non-fiction submissions. Full or partial manuscripts (minimum 15,000 words) will be accepted. They do not publish books in the following categories: Genre fiction (including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and erotica), travel guides, cookbooks, self-help books, plays/scripts/music scores, textbooks, unrevised theses or conference proceedings. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 7, 2026. Open the first seven days of every month.

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: June 7, 2026.

Mslexia. Genre: Fiction, poetry. See theme. Length: Stories up to 2,200 words. Payment: £25. Deadline: June 8, 2026.

One Story. Genre: Short story. Payment: $500. Deadline: Opens June 8, 2026. Closes when cap is reached.

Samjoko Magazine. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, play, screenplay. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 10, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: June 12, 2026.

The Fantastic Other. Genre: Fiction, flash fiction, poetry, art on theme. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 13, 2026.

beestung is a quarterly online micro-magazine for non-binary and two-spirit writers and readers, with an emphasis on intracommunity sensibilities. beestung resists the canon and all forms of bigotry. Genre: Beestung considers poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrids, and art, by creators who fall under the non-binary umbrella or who are two-spirit. Multilingual work and work in translation is welcome. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 13, 2026.

side hustle: horror stories for late capitalism. Genre: Horror and dark science fiction stories about the extra work we do to stay afloat. Payment: 5 cents USD per word. Deadline: June 14, 2026.

Savagery on the Salty Seas. Genre: Maritime-themed horror. Payment: $50/ story + 4 (minimum) Copies of Anthology. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Smokelong. Genre: Flash narratives--fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid (somewhere between fiction and non-fiction)--up to 1000 words. Payment: $100/$150 with audio, upon publication. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Bull City Press. Genre: Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction Chapbooks. Payment: Royalties (?) Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Baffling. Genre: Speculative flash fiction. Length: Under 1200 words. See themes. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Propagule. Genre: Short stories that are intrepid with regard to experimentation and oddity; the strange, the surreal, the atypical, the unexpected. Payment: $30 (max). Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review. Genre: Poetry and fiction. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Tundra Swan Press: Earth Resists and Reclaims. Genre: Eco-horror. Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Book Worms. Genre: Horror: fiction, poetry, and essays. See theme. Length: Up to 1,500 words. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. Theme: Banned Books Week. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, mixed media, visual arts, "and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Poetry Magazine. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $500 per text and visual poem, $600 per video poem, $400 essays about poetry. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Plott Hound. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry starring animals. Payment: 8 cents/word for original fiction. $20 - $100 for reprints. $50 for poetry. $300 for art. Deadline: June 15, 2026. Accepts reprints.

Off the Broken Path: Dark Tales of Enchanted Forests. Genre: Grimdark and horror tales featuring enchanted forests. Payment: $5.00 per story + ebook of anthology + audiobook of anthology. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Farmer-ish. Genre: Nonfiction, CNF, poetry related to farming (including recipes). See themes. Payment: $25 for print journal. Deadline: June 20, 2026.

beestung is a quarterly online micro-magazine for non-binary and two-spirit writers and readers, with an emphasis on intracommunity sensibilities. beestung resists the canon and all forms of bigotry. Genre: Beestung considers poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrids, and art, by creators who fall under the non-binary umbrella or who are two-spirit. Multilingual work and work in translation is welcome. Payment: $20. Deadline: June 20, 2026. Extended deadline for BIPOC writers.

side hustle: horror stories for late capitalism. Genre: Horror and dark science fiction stories about the extra work we do to stay afloat. Payment: 5 cents USD per word. Deadline: Extended window for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled authors June 15-21, 2026.

The Ex-Puritan. Genre: Poetry, fiction, reviews, interviews, essays, and experimental work. "The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing." Payment: $100 - $200 (CAD). Deadline: June 25, 2026.

foofaraw zine. Genre: Speculative and literary fiction. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

[RECORDED] A Found Media Anthology. Genre: Stories (any genre, horror strongly preferred), told as found media; think stories written as emails, as transcripts from videos, as social media posts, forum threads, audio recordings, whatever. Payment: 500 -1,200 paid at a flat rate of $50USD per story.1,201 - 3,000 words paid at a flat rate of $150USD per story. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Codhill Press. Genre: Poetry manuscript. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Harbor Editions: Hybrid Chapbook Reading Period. Genre: Hybrid chapbook. Chapbooks should be around 20-50 pages. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026. No submission fee for BIPOC writers.

Fun in the Dark: “SMALL TOWN WEIRDNESS.” Genre: Dark fiction. See theme. Payment: £20. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Mertails Anthology. Genre: Stories can be of any genre, so long as the primary characters are merfolk of some aspect. The stories can be urban fantasy, high fantasy, or for those bold enough, the editor would love to see some sci-fi takes. Payment: AU 1c/word + 1 contributor’s copy. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Modern Love. Genre: Personal essay about love. Payment: $300 - $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Inkd Publishing: Beyond the Red Line. Genre: Horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy short stories that are told from the other side of town, where haunted, million dollar mansions don’t exist. We’re not looking for hauntings behind ornate doors with gilded knobs. We’re looking for time traveling public transit. The failed gentrification of haunted halfway houses. The home loan that takes more than you bargained for in the fine print… Payment: $10 + Royalty share of Draft to Digital “D2D” sales. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Moocat le Meaux. Genre: Essays and narratives exploring the tension between the need to remain connected to the world online and the desire to stop “feeding the beast” of extractive social media and tech giants. Also poetry, fiction, travelogues. Payment: $10+. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Grave Empire. Genre: Horror novellas and novels. Payment: Royalties (?). Deadline: June 30, 2026. (Note: This publisher has no published books on its website.)

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness. Genre: Nonfiction. We are looking for true stories about random acts of kindness that have happened to you or stories about a kindness that you performed for someone else. Stories can be serious or funny but they should definitely inspire our readers to look for ways in which they can perform kind acts. Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings. Genre: Nonfiction. One of the most important keys to contentment and happiness is the ability to count your blessings. Even during the toughest times, if we can find gratitude and count our blessings we feel better. Each day holds something to be thankful for and it could be just as simple as having the sun shine or having food on the table. Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Positive Thinking. Genre: Nonfiction. We are looking for stories of optimism, faith and strength to encourage our readers to use positive thinking. What was the situation that inspired you to use positive rather than negative thinking? How did you change your attitude -- from negative to positive? How did that turn your life around? These inspirational stories will remind readers to use positive thinking, focus on hope and show them that each day holds something to be grateful for. Payment: $200. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Green Bottle Press. Genre: Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

105 Meadowlark Reader. Restrictions: You must be a Kansas resident or have lived in Kansas at some point in your life. Genre: True stories about Kansas written by Kansans. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Chestnut Review. Genre: Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $120. Deadline: June 30, 2026. Submit early to avoid submission fee.

Neon Hemlock Novella Series. Restrictions: Open to trans women and writers of color. Genre: Speculative fiction novellas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The New Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Nonfiction. Payment: $400 Deadline: June 30, 2026.

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

Malahat Review. Restrictions: Free submissions for Canadians only. Genre: Poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as translated work in any of these three genres. Payment: CAD $70/page. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Black Hare Press. Genre: Dark stories, in any genre. Length: 5,000 - 50,000 words. Payment: $20 - $50, depending on length. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Dancing Star Press. Genre: Speculative fiction novellas. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Galactic Mindsea Empire Anthology. Genre: Stories set in the Galactic Mindsea Empire up to 10,000 words in length. "The Empire uses wonderdomes for many purposes. The float pool can heal the injured and restore the (recently and not too damaged) dead to life. It can reform criminal minds and return balance to disturbed minds. It can change a person's gender and alter their appearance in countless other ways, even adding non-human organs and appendages. What can't a wonderdome do?" Payment: 4 cents/word. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The Hudson Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Dracula Beyond Stoker. Genre: Fiction based on Stoker’s characters. See theme. Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Allegory. Genre: Speculative Fiction and nonfiction. Payment: $15. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Midnight and Indigo. Genre: Short Stories, Speculative Fiction, and Personal Essays written by Black women writers. See theme. Payment: $0.07 per word for Short Stories and $150 for personal essays. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

SpecPoVerse. Genre: Speculative poetry. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Truth We Carry. Restrictions: We aim for ~75% of published work to be from Maine survivors. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Works of flash and micro lengths are welcome. The anthology is focused on publishing creative work from survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Payment: $100. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themes. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Dragon Soul Press: SINISTER DREAMS. Genre: Horror across all genres. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Horror. Genre: Horror. Payment: $10. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Hellbound Books Anthology of Folk Horror. Genre: Folk Horror. Payment: $5. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Anvil Press. Restrictions: Open to writers living in Canada. Genres: Full-length books per year in the following genres:
• literary fiction (short story collections, novels, uncategorizable prose)
• creative nonfiction
• memoir
• essay collections
• poetry
• books about Vancouver history (preferably off-beat or little-known history)
Read submission guidelines here. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

New Orleans Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: June 30, 2026. In celebration of Pride, there are no submission fees for LGBTQIA2+ writers in June. We are especially interested in trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming voices.

AND A FEW MORE...

Thema. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: Waiting in Line. Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: July 1, 2026. Accepts reprints.

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 July 1, 2026.

Cordite. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Payment is available for Australian contributors only. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

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

Dirty Magick Magazine. Genre: Short fantasy fiction, from 2,000 to 12,500 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: Opens July 1, 2026, and closes when they reach capacity.

It Came from the Trailer Park. Genre: Horror/Comedy. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: July 1, 2026.

57 Writing Contests in June 2026 - No entry fees!

Wed, 27 May 2026 10:10:55 GMT

Picryl

This June there are more than four 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!

___________________

ABA Journal/Ross Writing Contest for Legal Short Fiction. Sponsored by the American Bar Association. Restrictions: Entrants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Genre: Original works of short fiction that illuminate the role of the law and/or lawyers in modern society. 5000 words max. Prize: $3,000 and publication in ABA Journal. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

The Novel Prize. Genre: Book-length work of literary fiction written in English. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: June 1, 2026. Biennial award.

Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Awards. Genre: Haiku. Prize: First Place - $200, and a miniature crystal turtle; Second Place - $100; Third Place - $50. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Bicoastal Review. Genre: Nonfiction. "Submit nonfiction – critical, creative, experimental, or cross-genre – that fits our journal (we often favor writing about literature, art, culture, politics, ecology, love, the body, feminism, and/or queer identity). We welcome braided essays, reviews, art writing, cultural critique, lyric essays, and more. We are NOT looking for short stories, overly academic writing, rants, comedy, purely family-oriented memoirs, anything using AI, or anything too self-absorbed." Prize: $250. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Poets. Restrictions: Open to poets aged 18-23. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100 and publication in the Atlanta Review. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

International Wizard of Oz Club Annual Contests. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Academic Nonfiction Research Papers. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Cromwell Article Prize. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Bard Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to a writer who is an American citizen aged 39 years or younger at the time of application. Genre: Published fiction book. Prize: $30,000 and a one-semester appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Mouthful of Salt: Archive Alive. Genre: Poem. See theme. Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: June 1, 2026.

Daniel Pearl Investigative Journalism Initiative Grant. Genre: Investigative journalism addressing hate and prejudice. Prize: $2000 - $5,000 grant. Deadline: June 1, 2026. Note: There are two dates listed on the website, June 1 and August 20, 2026.

Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Canadian high school, college, and graduate students. Genre: Short essay on "What would our Essential Scholars say about Canadian economic prosperity today?" Prize: CAD$1,500 in each age category. Deadline: June 5, 2026.

Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to to U.S. citizens or green card holders living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont). Genre: Picture book. Prize: $25,000 stipend, paid in monthly installments over one year. Deadline: June 5, 2026.

Ocean Awareness Youth Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in grades 6 - 12. Genre: Art, poetry, prose, film. "Use humor, positivity, irony, or other unconventional approaches that are not typically used in environmental communication to address the climate crisis. Think outside the tackle-box, beyond clichés, to create something that makes the topic of climate change and our oceans more approachable and accessible." Prizes: $100 - $1,500. Deadline: June 8, 2026.

Dream Foundry Emerging Writers Contest. Restrictions: You have published a total of less than 4,000 words of paid or income-earning speculative fiction in English. You have earned a total of less than USD 320 from those words. You have never been nominated for any award listed here as a major award in speculative fiction. Genre: Short speculative fiction, up to 10,000 words. Prize: $200 - $1,000. Deadline: June 8, 2026.

Solid Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Essay (See site for topics.) Minimum number of words is 600 and maximum is 800. Prize: Scholarship of $1000. Deadline: June 9, 2026.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for one story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: June 12, 2026.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher. Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

PEN/Bare Life Review Grants. Restrictions: Open to immigrant and refugee writers in the US and abroad. Genre: Unpublished work-in-progress that will not be published prior to April 15, 2027. The project must be a work of a literary nature: fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry. Prize: $5000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists. Restrictions: Candidates must have published one or more novels for children or young adults that have been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated sufficient income to support the author. Genre: Book-length children's or young-adult fiction. Prize: $5000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN/Jean Stein Grant for Literary Oral History. Genre: Literary work of nonfiction that uses oral history to illuminate an event, individual, place, or movement. Prize: $15,000 each. (Two prizes) Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN/Heim Translation Fund. Genre: Book-length works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama in translation. Note: Translations from Italian will automatically be considered for the PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. Prize: $3000 - $4000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

The PEN Grant for the English Translation of Italian Literature. Genre: Translation. Work-in-progress of a book-length translation of an Italian work of literary fiction or nonfiction into English. Prize: $5,000 grant. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Blessing the Boats. Restrictions: Open to all women poets of color in the U.S., including poets who identify as cis, trans, and non-binary people who are comfortable in a space that centers on women’s experiences, regardless of citizenship and publication history. Genre: Full-length poetry manuscript. Prize: $2,500 honorarium and book publication by BOA Editions, Ltd. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Anne Brown Essay Prize. Restrictions: Entrants must be aged over 16 and resident in Scotland, born in Scotland or have a longstanding association with Scotland. Genre: Literary essay, published or unpublished. Prize: £1,500. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Little, Brown Emerging Artist Award. Genre: High-quality picture books that resonate with readers of diverse backgrounds and experience. Diversity includes literal or metaphorical inclusion of characters of underrepresented ethnicity, religious background, gender identity, class, mental or physical disability, or any other nondominant populations. Prize: American Express® gift cards totaling $1,500, round trip travel to New York City, and the honor of a one-day mentorship with a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ professional children’s book design and editorial team. Submission will be reviewed for publication. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Norton Writer's Prize. Sponsored by W.W. Norton & Company. "The Norton Writer’s Prize will be awarded annually for an outstanding essay written by an undergraduate. Literacy narratives, literary and other textual analyses, reports, profiles, evaluations, arguments, memoirs, proposals, mixed-genre pieces, and more: any excellent writing done for an undergraduate writing class will be considered." Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Scholarly Essay. Prize: Three cash prizes of $1,000 apiece will be awarded in 2025 for coursework submitted during the academic year. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Pineberry Literary Contest. Restrictions: Open to students currently enrolled in a high school. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $30. Deadline: June 15, 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: June 15, 2026.

Towson University Prize for Literature. Restrictions: Open to Maryland writers. Genre: Book-length manuscript of fiction, poetry, drama or imaginative non-fiction. The work must have been published within the three years prior to the year of nomination or must be scheduled for publication within the year in which nominated. Self-published works will not be considered. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 15, 2026. See nomination form HERE.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two $50 prizes, two $25 prizes. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Baltimore Science Fiction Society Amateur Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to Maryland residents or students at a MD 2- or 4-year college, and not a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America or published in a professional science fiction/fantasy magazine Genre: Science fiction short stories. Prize: 1st place is $250; 2nd place is $100; 3rd place is $50. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Australian Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Open to Australian writers. Genre: adult fiction between 75,000 and 100,000 words. Prize: A publishing contract with HarperCollins to publish your work including an advance against royalties of AUD$15,000. Deadline: June 15, 2026.

Icelandic Festival of Manitoba Poetry & Short Stories Contest. Genre: Poetry and short stories. Length; 1200 words max. Prize: $50 - $125. "You do not need to be of Icelandic descent to submit an entry however material reflecting Icelandic culture and interests will be given preference." Deadline: June 19, 2026.

Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English between May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026. Must be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: June 19, 2026.

Griffin Poetry Prize. Restrictions: One prize goes to a living Canadian poet or translator, the other to a living poet or translator from any country, which may include Canada. Genre: Poetry. Books must have been published in English during the calendar year preceding the year of the award. Prize: The winner receives C$130,000 and the other shortlisted poets each receive C$10,000. Deadline: June 19, 2026, for works published between January 1 and June 30, 2026.

International EJCA Spring Haiku Contest. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $20 - $30. Deadline: June 20, 2026.

A Midsummer Tale Narrative Writing Contest. Genre: Non-genre fiction and creative nonfiction. Theme: Summer Festival. Length: 1,000 words minimum; 5,000 words maximum. Prize: $35 - $50 Amazon gift card. Deadline: June 21, 2026.

Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers. Restrictions: Open to Canadian LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Debut book published between April 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Prize: $12,000. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction. Restrictions: Books must be English-language, first-edition trade books published by a Canadian press, written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Titles must be published between April 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026. Genre: Literary nonfiction including, among other forms, works of personal or journalistic essays, memoirs, commentary, criticism both social and political, history, and biography. Prize: Winner: $75,000; Finalists: $5,000. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Genre: Novel or short story collection. Prize: $70,000 will be awarded to the novel or short story collection published between April 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. Deadline: June 24, 2026.

Tales from the Moolit Path. Genre: Dark fiction on theme: Something in the Water. Prize: $50. Deadline: June 25, 2026.

Channel 4 Writing for Television Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers from Northern England who would like to work in television. Genre: TV writing. Prize: Mentoring support and a bursary worth £3000. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Dave Greber Freelance Writers Book and Magazine Awards for Social Justice Writing. Restrictions: Open to “continuing residents of Canada” who at the date of application have “lived in Canada for the last twelve months” and who are “working a minimum of seventy per cent of their work time as a self-employed freelance writer.” Genre: Nonfiction books and articles. Prize: $5000 for books, $2000 for articles. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Wingate Literary Prize. Genre: Published book that explores Jewish themes. Book must be published between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, must be published, distributed or easily available in the UK and Ireland, and must be published in English, whether originally or in translation. Prize: £4,000. Deadline: June 26, 2026.

Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for a young science journalist. Restrictions: Open to applicants whose 31st birthday is July 1, 2025 or later. Genre: Science journalism. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Suspect Poetry Contest. Genre: Poetry. "We are looking for poems that use BOTH words “minor” AND “destructions” or their variants. Prize: USD300, 200, and 100 will go to the top three winners. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Sargeson Prize for Secondary Schools. Restrictions: Open to students enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school and aged between 16 and 18 years. Genre: Short story, Length: 5,000 words max. Prize: First Prize: $2000; Second Prize: $1000; Third Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Sargeson Prize. Restrictions: Open to New Zealanders. Genre: Short stories. Length: 5,000 words max. Prize: First Prize: $15,000; Second Prize: $1000; Third Prize: $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Digital Privacy Scholarship. Restrictions: You must be a high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior or a current or entering college or graduate school student of any level. Home schooled students are also eligible. There is no age limit. You must also be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. Genre: 500- to 1,000-word essay about digital privacy. Prize: $1000 scholarship. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment and at least 5,000 copies (or 5,000 hits for online publication). Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi or Horror. 17,000 words max. Prize: $1,000 1st Prize awarded each quarter; one of those winners also receives the $5,000 annual "Golden Pen Award" grand prize. 2nd Prize $750, 3rd Prize $500. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Kate Tufts Discovery Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. Book must be author's first full-length book of poetry, published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 20256. Self-published books are accepted. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award. Sponsored by Claremont Graduate University. Restrictions: Poets must be citizens or legal resident aliens of the United States. Genre: Poetry. The work submitted must be a first book of poetry published between between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Manuscripts, CDs, and chapbooks are not accepted. Prize: $100,000. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Mountain Book Competition. Genre: Mountain literature. Prize: Over $29,000 in cash is awarded annually with 8 awards selected by an international jury of writers, adventurers and editors. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Storyhouse: Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $250 in any single year. First prize winners of previous contests, while ineligible for prizes in regular contests, can compete in this one. Genre: Nonfiction. Prize: First prize is $200; Runners-up will receive $100. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

The Gerard Rochford Poetry Prize. Genre: Poem in English on the theme of ‘Journey’ Prize: £200. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

2026 BCSA Writing Competition. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. See theme. Entries must deal with either (1) the links between Britain and the Czech and/or Slovak Republics, at any time in their history, or (2) society in those Republics since 1989. Entries should be in English and not more than 2,000 words long. Prize: First prize £400, second prize £150. Deadline: June 30, 2026.

Washington State Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to Washington State writers. Genre: Published book, fiction, nonfiction, poetry: adults or children. Prize: Recognition (?) Deadline: June 30, 2026 (for books published Jan. 1-May 31, 2026).

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: June 30, 2025. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.