<![CDATA[Erica Verrillo - Blog]]>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:13:08 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[91 Calls for Submissions in March 2025 - Paying markets]]>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:05:47 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/91-calls-for-submissions-in-march-2025-paying-markets
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Wikimedia
This March 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.

Happy submitting!
__________________

Brave Knights: Heroic CourageGenre: Speculative Fiction. Theme: Bravery and courage still matter. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Offing MicroGenre: Ten- to 560-character (including spaces) works in any genre. You may submit one to five Micros in a single submission. Payment: ? Deadline: March 1, 2025.

SolstitiaGenre: All genres and all submission types (fiction, non fiction, poetry, art). Word count up to 10,000. See theme. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Okay DonkeyGenre: One flash fiction OR one poem per author, per submission period. See website for detailsPayment: $20. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025 and closes when cap is reached.

SundogGenre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. Payment: $50. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

Orion's BeltGenre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: 1200 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025.

IHRAM PublishesGenre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme: The Evolving Gaze: Society’s Voice for Masculinity. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Forge Literary MagazineGenre: Prose. They prefer stories under 3,000 words but will consider up to 5,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025. Free submissions open on the 1st of each month and close when cap is reached. 

Teach. WriteGenre: 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: March 1, 2025.

Microcosm Publishing: Disability & Bikes in Space AnthologyGenre: Speculative feminist fiction about disability and bicycles. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Toronto JournalGenre: Short stories from anywhere in the world. No word limit. "We will also consider non-fiction pieces that are either set locally or explore some local history (Toronto, GTA, and surrounding)." Payment: $50 CAD per piece. All published writers will also receive two printed copies of the issue in which they appear. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

table/FEASTGenre: Prose, poetry, CNF, art about food. Payment: $10 per poem, prose $20, art $15. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Singapore Unbound: SuspectRestrictions: Open to authors who identify as Asian. Genre: Fiction and essays (maximum 6,500 words) or poetry (maximum 10 pages). See themePayment: $100. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

ParabolaGenre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. See themesPayment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

ThemaGenre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: The Lost Sock. Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Book XIGenre: Personal essays, memoir, fiction, science fiction, humor, and poetry with philosophical themes. See theme. Payment: $200 for prose; $50 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Horror Short Story AnthologyGenre: Horror and dark fantasy. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch ShoresGenre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: March 2, 2025. Opens March 1.

Stone's ThrowGenre: Noir, dark fiction, crime short stories. Length: between 1,000 and 2,000 words. See themePayment: $25. Deadline: March 4, 2025. Note: This is a monthly call.

Androids and DragonsGenre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 5, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Talk VomitGenre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Theme: The call is coming from inside the house. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction - $10-30; poetry - $5-15. Deadline: March 6, 2025.

HexagonGenre: Speculative fiction short stories, flash fiction, poetry, graphic stories, and visual art, in English or French. Payment: $5 for accepted poetry and cartoons, 0.01$ per word for all short stories up to 7,500 words, $40/page for comics and $150 for cover art pieces. (Payment in CAD). Deadline: March 7, 2025. Open to submissions the first week of every second month.

R&R MagazineGenre: Poetry, poetry translations, and short fiction. Payment: $50 for 2-5 poems, and $75 for fiction. Deadline: March 7, 2025.

Northwords NowGenre: Prose and poetry. Work can be in Gaelic, English, Scots and any local variants used in Scotland. Also does book reviews. Payment: "Modest." Deadline: March 8, 2025.

Bennington ReviewGenre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $120 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $250 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $25 per poem. Deadline: March 9, 2025.

Samjoko MagazineGenre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, play, screenplay. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Eavesdrop MagazineRestrictions: Canadian writers (anyone living in Canada for work, school, asylum, etc, as well as artists living on traditional, unceded territories, is welcome to submit). Genre: Queer-focused fiction, poetry, comics, plays, CNF, art. Payment: $30 per poem, $70 per short fiction, CNF piece, and short play, $70 per visual art piece, $30 per comic. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Horror LibraryGenre: Horror short stories. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Carcanet PressGenre: Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 14, 2025.

Cast of WondersGenre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. See themes. 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: March 14, 2025.

WordworksRestrictions: Open to BC and Yukon writers. Genre: Nonfiction. Sometimes publishes poetry, flash fiction, short story, and creative non-fiction. See theme. Payment: $125 for articles of 400–600 words and $250 for articles of 800–1,100 words, $100 for cover art and $25 for other interior illustrations, $50 for reprints. Deadline: March 14, 2025.

Heroic Fantasy QuarterlyGenre: Sword and sorcery fantasy. Payment: $25 - $100 for stories, depending on length, and $12.50 - $25 for poems, upon publication. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Kitchen WorkGenre: Writing about markets, cafes, urban picnics, tiny kitchens, and big dinner tables in your favorite city. Payment: $0.20 per word. Illustrators are paid $100 per accepted illustration. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Eye to the TelescopeGenre: Speculative poetry. See theme. Payment: $0.04/word, up to $25. Deadline: March 15, 2025. 

Philly Poetry Chapbook ReviewGenre: Poetry and reviews of chapbooks coming soon or published in the past three years. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Book*hug Press is a Canadian independent literary publisher working at the forefront of contemporary book culture. "We specialize in bold and exciting literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and literature in translation. We champion emerging established writers whose work meaningfully contributes to and reflects contemporary culture and society, books that challenge and push the boundaries of cultural expectations. Please note that we do not publish children’s literature, genre fiction, cookbooks, textbooks, or self-help books." Read submission guidelines herePayment: Roylties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

PenumbricGenre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art, animation, and music. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Modern Mummies AnthologyGenre: Mummy genre horror. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and other underrepresented voices: March 1 – March 15, 2025. Reprints accepted.

University of Wisconsin PressGenre: Full-length manuscripts. "We publish a limited number of novels and short story collections. Historically, we have focused on works with LGBTQ themes or works set in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. We are open to considering well-written works of literary fiction that do not meet either of these criteria. However, we do not publish science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult, and most other genre fiction." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

EpochGenre: Poetry, prose, art and comics. Payment: $100 - $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art. Deadline: March 15, 2025. No fee for snail mail submissions.

Quarter Press: Quarter(ly)Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art. See themesPayment: $5. Deadline: March 15, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Christmas SpiritsGenre: Ghost stories suitable for sharing around a fire during holiday celebrations. Payment: $50 per work that appears in the printed magazine. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Meadowlark Books. Genre: Full-length memoir, poetry, short stories, novels. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Demagogue PressGenre: Original works from Oregon and Washington based writers that include a quest or chase element and prominently feature iconic (or soon to be iconic!) locations throughout the urban, wild, and lost places in our backyards. "We have an editorial preference for works in a “spooky speculative” vein including fantasy and light horror." Payment: $50. Deadline: March 16, 2025.

Harelquin: The Great Love Inspired Author SearchGenre: Romance. Harlequin is looking for new authors. Pitch onlyPayment: Royalties. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

FuturepoemGenre: Full-length poetry collection. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

QwertyGenre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry. Payment: $15 CAD. Deadline: March 19, 2025.

Short FictionRestrictions: They accept submissions from the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and every other country except for the USA. Genre: Short fiction between 500 and 5,000 words. Payment: 2p (£0.02) per word, to the nearest 100 words, with a minimum of £30 and maximum £100. Deadline: March 23, 2025.

new wordsGenre: nw{p} is a trans and gender-expansive poetry and hybrid journal. Payment: $15. Deadline: March 25, 2025.

Flash Point Science FictionGenre: 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: March 31, 2025.

Metatron PressRestrictions: Submissions are open to Canadian citizens and residents only. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, as well as innovative or hybrid book projects that push the boundaries of contemporary literature and book art. "While we don’t have strict formatting or length requirements, our books typically range from 60–160 pages." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

New Orleans ReviewGenre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2026. In celebration of Disability Awareness Month, there are no submission fees for writers living with both visible and invisible disabilities for the month of March.

Dark Moments Monthly ChallengeGenre: Drabble. See themePayment: 4 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Behind the ShadowsGenre: Horror. There is no restriction as to how you incorporate the theme into your story as long as the genre falls within Speculative Fiction, including Sci-Fi or Fantasy. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The FiddleheadRestrictions: Canadians only. Genre: Fiction, including excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, art, poetry. Payment: $60 CAD per published page. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Haven SpeculativeRestrictions: 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: March 31, 2025.

PodcastleGenre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Theme: Disability Pride & Magic. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: March 31, 2024.

Chestnut ReviewGenre: Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $120. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.

Hearth StoriesGenre: Speculative fiction. "We publish fiction and poetry that explore connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world. The stories often fall into a fantasy, science-fiction, or magical realism sort of “slice of life.” Payment: 1¢ per word for accepted stories (with a minimum of $20 regardless of length. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

MetaStellarGenre: Science fiction, fantasy or horror. 1000 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: March 31, 2024.

parABnormalGenre: 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.$6.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $6.00 for reprints. $7.00 for reviews and interviews. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

BansheeGenre: Poetry, essays, flash fiction, short stories. Payment: "Small" Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Small Harbor PublishingRestrictions: Open to marginalized writers only. Genre: Chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Tiger Bark PressGenre: Poetry. "As part of Tiger Bark Press’s ongoing commitment to printing quality poetry by a diversity of voices, the press holds an open reading period throughout the month of March each year, for full-length book manuscripts by American poets who identify as Black, as indigenous, or as people of color. There is no entry fee for submission." Payment: Selected poets will be offered a standard publishing contract, with books scheduled for publication within one year of acceptance. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Riddle Fence is a Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $30/page. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Hub City PressGenre: Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. "We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

SpecPoVerseGenre: Speculative poetry. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Hudson ReviewGenre: Nonfiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

OCCUPYING BODIES – BODY HORROR ANTHOLOGYGenre: Stories on the horrors of having human consciousness and occupying a body. Payment: Stories over 3,000 words will receive $10 USD. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Black Hare PressGenre: Dark stories, in any genre. Payment: 5,000 to 10,000 words  – $20 USD, 10,000 to 17,000 words– $30 USD.. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Snafu: ContagionGenre: Action-based horror. "Please ensure the action is central to the story, from start to finish, and don’t forget monsters! It really should be in the style of military or paramilitary action." Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

khōréōRestrictions: 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: March 31, 2025.

Serving House BooksGenre: Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Inked in GrayGenre: Full-length romance. Marginalized communities preferred. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

My Galvanized FriendRestrictions: Submissions must be LGBTQIA+ content created by LGBTQIA+ identified submitters. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and essays between 500 and 3,500 words as well as works of poetry and original works of art. Payment: $25 per fiction/nonfiction/essay and $10 per page of poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025.
Bethlehem Writers RoundtableGenre: Short stories and poetry. See themePayment: $50.00 USD for featured authors, or $20.00 USD for stories published on their &More page and $10.00 USD for poems. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

foofaraw anthologyGenre: Speculative and literary fiction. See themePayment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Palimpsest Press Genre: Full-length poetry, literary fiction, and non-fiction titles that deal with poetics, cultural criticism, and literary biography. "We look for poetry that displays technical mastery, precise language, and an authentic voice, and fiction that is rich in imagery, well crafted, and focused on character development. Our non-fiction titles are essays or memoirs written by poets, and books that examine Canadian poetry and the Canadian cultural landscape. In an effort to remove barriers for BIPOC, Deaf, and Disabled authors, Palimpsest Press is officially opening submissions year-round for authors who identify as BIPOC, Deaf, or Disabled. These guidelines take effect immediately. Please include “Year-round Submission” in the email subject line if you submit outside of our designated January1st-March 31st submission period." Read their submission guidelines herePayment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Terrain.orgGenre: Poetry, nonfiction, fiction, artwork, videos, and other contributions on place, climate, and justice. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Spirit of the WolfGenre: Speculative fiction stories where wolves play a major role. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Midnight & IndigoRestrictions: Open to black women. Genre: Fiction, personal essays. Payment: $50 for essays, and $50-$75 for fiction. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Dragon Soul Press: Sea of MonstersGenre: All pirate stories are welcome. The more monsters, the better. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

JMS BooksGenre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themePayment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Utopia Science FictionGenre: Utopian science fiction. See themePayment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Brother Mockingbird Press Genre: Full length Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Commercial literary fiction, Thrillers, Suspense, Traditional crime (i.e. 'cozies'), Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Young Adult. Their new imprint, Small Town Girl, focuses on fiction and nonfiction set in or about the 1980s. Payment: Royalties. Read guidelines HEREDeadline: March 31, 2025.

Split Lip MagazineGenre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $75 for poems, memoirs, flash, fiction, and art, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews web issues. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

Gordon Square ReviewGenre: Poetry, short stories, personal essays, and hybrid prose works.  Payment: $25 per prose piece and $10 per poem. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

McClelland & Stewart is a division of Penguin Random House. Restrictions: Open to Black, Indigenous, and racialized writers, as well as those of other traditionally underrepresented communities. Genre: Full-length literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Payment: Advance and royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Adroit JournalGenre: Fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

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. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints accepted.

Poetry Substack accepts one poem every month. Genre: Poem. Must have a rhyme scheme or a rhythm scheme. No blank verse or free verse. Payment: Base Pay of $10 for the chosen poem + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints accepted.


AND A FEW MORE...

Escape Plan: EarthGenre: Pulp Mad Science Fiction. Word Count: 5,000 – 10,000. Payment: A percentage of sales divided equally between the contributing authors. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Paris ReviewGenres: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens April 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

Zero Street Restrictions: Open to LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Full-length literary fiction. "Zero Street will be committed to LGBTQ+ literary fiction with commercial potential, providing marginalized authors opportunities for a wide readership in the trade fiction market. The series editors are Timothy Schaffert, bestselling author of The Perfume Thief, and SJ Sindu, author of Blue-Skinned Gods. The series seeks LGBTQ+ literary fiction of all kinds, from stories of modern life to innovations on traditions of genre and are particularly interested in BIPOC authors, trans authors, and queer authors over 50." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Ex-PuritanGenre: 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: April 1, 2025.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch ShoresGenre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: April 2, 2025. Opens April 1.

West BranchGenre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: April 1, 2025. See themes.


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<![CDATA[77 Free Writing Contests in March 2025 - No entry fees]]>Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:08:50 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/77-free-writing-contests-in-march-2025-no-entry-fees
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Picryl
This March there are more than six dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $27,000 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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United States/Japan Creative Artists Residencies. This is a 3-5 month residency in Japan. Grant: $24,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Jacob Zilber Prize for Short FictionRestrictions: Open to BIPOC writers. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: $1,500 top prize. DeadlineDeadline: March 1, 2025.

Tales to TerrifyGenre: Horror. Length: 1000 words max. See theme. Prize: $50. DeadlineMarch 1, 2025.

Intrepid Times Travel Writing ContestGenre: Factual, first-person travel story. Intrepid Times is inviting writers to explore the concept of the pilgrimage. Literary, secular, personal, or spiritual Prize: $300. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Iron Horse 2025 Chapbook CompetitionGenre: Prose chapbook, between 40 and 56 pages (10,000 - 20,000 words) Prize: $1,000 honorarium and 15 copies. DeadlineNote: They will accept 25 free submissions on March 1, 2025.

North Carolina State Poetry ContestRestrictions: Open to North Carolina residents (including out-of-state and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities) with no published books. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement. Since Poets & Writers began the Writers Exchange in 1984, 85 writers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to participate. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous Writers. Genre: Poetry and Fiction. Prize: A $500 honorarium; A trip to New York City to meet with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers. All related travel/lodgings expenses and a per diem stipend are covered by Poets & Writers. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Texas Review Press Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series: VirginiaRestrictions: Open to any poet born in Virginia, or currently residing in Virginia, or who lived in Virginia for 5 consecutive years at any point, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will receive a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Waterman Fund Essay ContestRestrictions: Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction on topics of wilderness, wildness, or the ethics and ecology of environmental issues are eligible. Genre: Personal essays between 2000 and 3000 words. "The  Waterman Fund seeks new voices on the role and place of wilderness in today’s world." Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $3000 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $1000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Curae PrizeRestrictions: For writers who are also carers. "A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.: Genre: Short story and non-fiction/creative non-fiction. Prize: £500 top prize. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Ungar German Translation Award is bestowed biennially in odd-numbered years. Genre: Book-length literary translation translated from German into English and published in the United States between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Prize: $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and up to $500 toward expenses for attending the ATA Annual Conference in San Francisco, California. Deadline: March 1, 2025. 

Library of Virginia Literary AwardsRestrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Mississippi Artists FellowshipsRestrictions: Open to permanent residents of Mississippi. Genre: Fiction and poetry. (Plus many art forms) Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Alpine Fellowship Writing PrizeGenre: Pieces of any genre up to 2500 words on the theme (See website). Prize: £3,000 cash prize. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Alabama Arts Council FellowshipsRestrictions: Open to any author who has lived in Alabama for at least 2 years. Genre: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction of 10-20 pages. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Steve Miller BSFS Annual Poetry Contest. Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Genre: Speculative poetry. Prize: 1st prize: $100; 2nd prize: $75; 3rd prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Deep Wild Graduate Student PrizeRestrictions: Open to students currently enrolled in graduate programs. Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. "We seek work that conjures the experiences, observations, and insights of backcountry journeys." Prize:1st Place prize is $200, 2nd Place $100, and 3rd Place $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story ContestRestrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Michigan residents only. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: March 2, 2025.

The American Buffalo Books Fiction PrizeGenre: Novels — from 40,000 to 80,000 words — that are set in or explore the Midwest, the Great Plains, and/or the alleged flyover portions of the West. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: March 2, 2025. Closes when they reach their cap so submit early. 

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Prize: $7000 (CAN). Deadline: March 3, 2025.

David Nobbs Memorial Trust New Comedy Writing CompetitionRestrictions: Entrants must have at least one credited broadcast comedy writing credit and live in the UK. Genre: Comedy scripts for radio or TV. Prize: £1,000 top prize. Deadline: March 3, 2025. 

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry FellowshipsRestrictions: Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 31 years of age as of April 30, 2024. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $27,000.  Deadline: March 3, 2025. Please register for the online portal by February 24, 2025 if this is your first application.

Hurston/Wright College AwardRestrictions: Open to unpublished Black writers who are full-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs at a college or university in the United States. Genre: Full-length fiction and poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Pegasus Award for Poetry CriticismGenre: This prize seeks to honor the best book-length works of criticism published in the US in the prior calendar year, including biographies, essay collections, and critical editions that consider the subject of poetry or poets. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: March 3, 2025 for all nominations except first time nominations.

Randall Albers Young Writers AwardRestrictions: Open to  all Chicago-area students currently enrolled in grades 9–12. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. Prize: $250 top prize, Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Furious FictionGenre: Flash fiction. "On the first Friday of every month, a new set of story prompts will be revealed. You will have 55 hours to submit your best 500-word (or fewer) story." Prize: $500AUD. Deadline: March 9, 2025. Opens March 7.

NEA Literature Fellowships are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $50,000 grants to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Deadline: March 12, 2025.

Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest for High School StudentsRestrictions: High school students living within 100 miles of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First prize $225, Second prize $125, Third prize $75. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Naomi Long Madgett Poetry AwardRestrictions: This competition is open to African American poets only. Genre: Book-length poetry. Prize: $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Broadside Lotus Press. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

The Massachusetts Poetry Festival First Poem ContestRestrictions: This contest is open to all New England writers or writers who have previously lived in New England. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: March 15, 2025. For students and those for whom the entry fee represents a financial burden, a no-fee submission option is available.

Jacklyn Potter Young Poets CompetitionRestrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two high school students will be selected and scheduled to read their original work for Café Muse with established poet, Michelle Garcia King, Prince William Poet Laureate, emerita, on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. They will receive an honorarium. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Lynn DeCaro Poetry ContestRestrictions: Open to Connecticut Student Poets in Grades 9-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

53-Word Story ContestGenre: Flash fiction of exactly 53 words based on monthly theme. Prize: Publication and a free book. Deadline: March 15, 2025. This is a monthly contest.

Forward PrizesGenre: Collections and single poems published in the UK and Ireland are eligible for the Prizes. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £1,000 to £10,000. Deadline: March 16, 2025.

POPP Award: Poetry of the Plains and PrairiesGenre: Poetry of any style for their annual Poetry of the Plains and Prairies chapbook publication. "While the author(s) may call any place home, their submissions must deftly capture the feeling of, as well as the reality of, living on the plains and prairies. Authors may submit any number of poems equaling thirty to thirty-five pages in length, with no more than one poem per page. (Single poems may extend more than one page.) The selected poetry collection will be published as a limited edition chapbook, hand-printed with antique letterpress equipment." Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation PrizeGenre: Book-length translations into English of either a) poetry or b) source texts from Zen Buddhism (which must not consist solely of commentaries). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $6,000. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay PrizeRestrictions: Open to writers resident in the UK and Ireland who have yet to secure a publishing deal. Genre: Proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Prize: £4,000 advance against publication with Fitzcarraldo Editions. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

CollaboratureRestrictions: Submissions must be written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry). Genre: Poetry, prose, art. Prize: $20. Deadline: March 17, 2025. Note: This is a monthly contest.

BBC National Short Story AwardRestrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over, who have a history of publication in creative writing. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: £15,000 to the winner, £3,000 for the runner-up and £500 for three further shortlisted writers. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation AwardGenre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 17, 2025. 

ALTA First Translation PrizeGenre: Debut literary translation from any other language into English published in the previous calendar year. Prize: 3,000, with $2,000 bestowed to the translator and $1,000 to the editor. Deadline: March 17, 2025. 

Nancy Ludmerer Fellowship for Flash Fiction and NonfictionGenre: One or more flash narratives up to 1,000 words. Award: A 5-night residency at Porches. Deadline: March 20, 2025. No entry fee for the first 20 submissions received on March 20.

Tempest PrizeRestrictions: Open to  LGBTQ+ writers based in the North of England. Genre: Poetry, fiction and narrative non-fiction. Prize: £1000, access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network and mentoring from Andrew McMillan. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Arvon AwardRestrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry or narrative non-fiction work in progress. Prize: Arvon course. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Northern Promise TLC AwardsRestrictions: Open to people who may have faced barriers to seeing their work progress for financial reasons or issues connected to disability, ethnicity and/or sexuality. living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry, narrative non-fiction, or children's book in progress. Prize: In-depth editorial report on their work in progress. In addition to the Free Read, writers will receive £500 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: Macrh 20, 2025.

Victor Howes Prize in PoetryRestrictions: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college (2-year or 4-year). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

The Finchale Award for Short FictionRestrictions: Open to writers based in the North of England. Genre: Short story of up to 1500 words. Prize: £1000 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Sid Chaplin AwardRestrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England who identify as originating from a working-class background. Genre: Memoir, novel, young-adult novel, short-story collection or work of literary essays in progress. Prize: £2000; a manuscript appraisal from The Literary Consultancy; advisory sessions from the writer Michael Chaplin; an introduction to the North Agency; and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

HavokGenre: Flash fiction. See themesPayment: $50 via PayPal for each one selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: March 21, 2025.

Savage Mystery Writing ContestGenre: Mystery short story. Prize: Winning stories are published in Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 23, 2025. Opens March 21.

BBC Young Writers AwardRestrictions: Open to UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 14 to 18 years old, Genre: Short fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: Publication and free workshop. Deadline: March 24, 2025.

On The Premises. "For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which someone or something important to the story is not where it/they always have been, or where it/they would be expected to be located, or is in the process of changing location from where it/they have always been. The distance it/they have moved or is traveling is not important, but the move itself must be important to the story. Whether this change in location is an improvement or a problem is up to you." Prize: $250 for first place, $200 for second, $150 for third. Deadline: March 28, 2025.

Cymera-Scotland’s Futures Forum-Shoreline of Infinity Prize for Speculative Short FictionRestrictions: Anyone living in Scotland or who identifies as Scottish by birth or inclination, aged 14 years or over. Genre: Speculative short stories. Prize: £150. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition for High School StudentsRestrictions: Open to students in Grades 7-12. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Ann Petry AwardRestrictions: Open to Black authors. Genre: Previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Garden Party Chapbook ContestGenre: Prose, poetry, and hybrid between 20 and 30 pages. Prize: Publication. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Orwell Prize for JournalismRestrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Published journalism. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Orwell Prize for Reporting HomelessnessRestrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Reportage and/or commentary on homelessness. Entries will be encouraged from people who are experiencing or have experienced all forms of homelessness as well as journalists and others writing about or reporting on homelessness. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary TranslationGenre: Poetry or literary prose. Translation of modern Arabic literature into English. Books must have been published and be available for purchase in the UK via a distributor or online. The source text must have been published in the original Arabic in or after 1967. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future ContestRestrictions: Open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Genres: Science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words. Prizes: Three cash prizes in each quarter: a First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500, in US dollars. In addition, at the end of the year the winners will have their entries rejudged, and a Grand Prize winner shall be determined and receive an additional $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

City of Literature Paul Engle PrizeGenre: This prize does not recognize one work, nor is it solely limited to reflecting literary achievement. Rather, the award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' ContestsRestrictions: Open to writers between 14 and 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year who reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Genre: Science fiction or fantasy, 2,500 words max. Prizes: $150, $100 and $75. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Jack London Fiction Writing ContestRestrictions: Open to U.S. students in grades 6-8. Genre: Unpublished stories. Length: 2,000 words maximum. "You and your group of friends go camping in the wilderness for a weekend adventure when an unexpected disaster strikes and leaves you stranded. Then one morning you all awaken to a set of mysterious footprints surrounding your campsite. Who or what has left them? Are they friend or foe? How will your group work together to make it out of the wilderness alive.” Prize: $250, $150, and $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Silvers Grants for Work in ProgressRestrictions: Open to Anglophone writers of any nationality. Genre: Long-form essays in the fields of literary criticism, arts writing, political analysis, and/or social reportage. Prize: Up to $10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for StudentsRestrictions: Students in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Deborah Rogers Foundation AwardRestrictions: Applicants may not be under contract to any publisher for any work or title. Applications are only open to writers who have not previously published or self-published a full length book of their own prose writing (with the exception of a collection of poetry). Entrants must write in the English language and reside within the British Commonwealth and Eire. Genre: Excerpt: 20-30,000 words of a work in progress, fiction or non-fiction, which is not under option or contract. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Biennial award.

Parsec InkGenre: Speculative short story up to 3,500 words. See themePrize: First-place receives $200 and publication in the Confluence program book. Second-place receives $100 Third-place receives $50. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Gwenn A. Nusbaum / WWBA ScholarshipRestrictions: Open to poets at the beginning of their careers, ages 25-35 years. Prize: $1800 scholarship. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

A Public Space Emerging Writer FellowshipsRestrictions: Open to writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book. Prize: $1000 and six months of editorial support from A Public Space editors to prepare a piece of prose for publication in the magazine. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Archibald Lamp­man AwardRestrictions: Open to residents of Canada's National Capital region (Ottawa). Genre: Book of any genre published by a recognized publisher. Prize: $1500. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for FictionGenre: A book-length work of imaginative fiction written by a single author published in the U.S. in English or in translation to English. Prize: $25,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Foley Poetry ContestGenre: One unpublished poem on any topic. The poem should be 45 lines or fewer and not under consideration elsewhere. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Booker International Prize. The Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: For books published between May 1 and Sept 30, 2024 the entry form and physical materials are due by March 31, 2025.

#GWstorieseverywhereGenre: Micro fiction or essay on theme. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: March 31, 2025. This is a monthly contest.

Apex Flash Fiction ContestGenre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Note: Apex Magazine’s Flash Fiction Contest is open from the 7th until the final day of each month. The contest is themed.

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to "revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful." Genre: Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize: $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute. 
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<![CDATA[35 Magnificent Writing Conferences and Workshops in March 2025]]>Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:21:46 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/35-magnificent-writing-conferences-and-workshops-in-march-2025
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Flickr
This March 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, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

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

Be sure to check out Highlights list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year. 
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Amelia Island Book Festival. March 1, 2025: Fernandina Beach, FL. During the Festival, Authors have opportunities to engage with over 1300 Readers in an up-close and personal way to showcase and sell their books. Readers will be able to engage with more than 100 exhibiting authors in a personal way about their work and what inspires them.  There are numerous Author breakout presentations, including several led by New York Times best-selling authors, book signing session, food trucks, and a variety of activities designed to keep both Authors and Readers engaged, educated, and entertained through activities throughout the day.  ​

The 2025 South Carolina Writing Workshop. March 1, 2025: Charleston, SC. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total).

The Gotham Writers Genre Fiction Conference. March 1 - 2, 2025: Zoom. There will also be at least two in-person pitching roundtable at the Gotham Writers Headquarters in NYC. The Gotham Writers Genre Fiction Writers Conference happens in March 2025, for writers of mystery, horror, and science fiction & fantasy books. There will be panels, presentations, and pitch sessions with agents.

Futurescapes. March 6 - 9, 2025. Workshop the first 3,500 words of your Novel; 7:1 Student-Faculty Ratio; Work with Top Agents & Authors in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror; Our Faculty have won Hugo, Nebula, Newbery & World Fantasy Awards; Apply Early - Seating is Capped and Competitive.

The 2025 Texas Writing Workshop. March 7 - 8, 2025: 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). 

2025 Carolina Writing Workshops. March 7 (Charlotte) and March 8 (Raleigh), 2025. "The workshops are both one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Colrain Classic. March 7 - 10, 2025: Via Zoom. "The Colrain Manuscript Classic is a highly focused, 3.5 day conference designed for poets with manuscripts in progress. The Classic features in-depth pre-conference work and candid, realistic evaluation and feedback from nationally-known poets, editors and publishers. In preparation, participants work at home on pre-conference assignments and then, in the workshop, review, arrange, and winnow their work based on the pre-conference work. In addition to the manuscript preparation workshop and editor sessions, there will be an editorial Q&A, and an after-conference strategy session." 

Writing Your Queer Nature: A Generative Writing Workshop. March 8, 2025. Via Zoom. Join us for a generative writing workshop and discussion with a queer ecofeminist writer and the author of 18 books. The workshop will address the relationships between environmental diversity and the healing power of embracing our queer identities within different aspects of ourselves and our communities. Participants need not identify as queer to attend, as everyone will be welcomed. Together, we will practice different genres of writing from journaling to poetry to fiction, and participants will have the opportunity to generate new writing or work on existing projects in a safe and supportive way.

Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. March 8, 2025: Wye Mills, Maryland. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association. "Featuring six tracks and over 30 sessions sure to fit all your writing needs, this year’s Bay to Ocean Writers Conference celebrates a quarter of a century of helping writers develop their craft, edit, publish, and market their writing.  This year’s sessions, all 50-minutes in length, are carefully designed to help you generate solid writing, hone your craft, and ask pointed questions from published and award-winning presenters about the process."

Getaway to Write - Florida. March 11 - 16, 2025: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. "Our retreats revolve around the belief that when writers leave behind the distractions of their busy lives to gather in an encouraging community, they are able to make important breakthroughs in their writing. Each workshop will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending the entire week in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible. You may choose to spend the week working on your poetry or prose."

Alabama Writing Workshop. March 14, 2025: Birmingham, Alabama. "A one-day writing workshop full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We will also have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well."

Ossabaw Weekend Writer’s Retreat. March 14 - 19,  2025: Ossabaw Island, GA. Workshops and seminars led by nationally recognized faculty, and evening readings (special emphasis on ghost stories) by faculty and participants. Application deadline: February 1.

Atlanta Writing Workshop. March 15, 2025: Atlanta, GA. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome." 

The 2025 Writing Workshop of South Florida. March 15, 2025: Fort Lauderdale / Pompano, Florida. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total).

Practical Matters in Children’s Book Publishing: A Two-Night Mini with Editor Harold Underdown. March 18 - 20, 2025. Online. Curious about breaking into children’s book publishing? Join editor Harold Underdown for a smart, engaging two-night course covering everything from book types to contracts—plus a chance to ask your pressing questions!

Breakout Novel Intensive. March 18 - April 22, 2025: Online. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass. 

a lot of curiosities. March 19, 2025: Via Zoom. This generative, crafty workshop aims to introduce a series of tools, ideas, and curiosities to storytellers of all levels, but especially those looking to dip their toes into creative writing for the first time. The workshop will consist of a short discussion asking the question: what is creative writing? And a guided session of an open writing prompt, titled “The Hands That Make Us.” Through this generative prompt, we’ll explore the stories in our hands, literally. Participants will come out with either a poem or piece of hybrid prose.

University of North Dakota Writers Conference. March 19 - 21, 2025: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1970 and held every year since, the UND Writers Conference is a three day event featuring six to eight authors annually. Authors ranging from Gwendolyn Brooks and August Wilson to Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead, the UND Writers Conference is committed to community outreach, engagement, and finding ways to increase audience access to literature. The conference is free, but workshop space is limited to twenty participants; registration is first come, first served. 

Beall Poetry Festival. March 19 - 21, 2025: Waco, TX. Baylor University’s Beall Poetry Festival is a three-day celebration of contemporary poetry, with poetry readings, a panel discussion, and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry. The festival is supported by the John A. and DeLouise McClelland Beall Endowed Fund, established in 1994 by Mrs. Virginia B. Ball to honor her parents and to encourage the writing and appreciation of poetry.​

Virginia Festival of the Book. March 20 - 23, 2025: Charlottesville, VA. "The Festival is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. We have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors." Book exhibits, talks by authors, readings, workshops on book promotion, finding an agent, poetry, publishing, agents roundtable - you name it, this conference has it. 

WTP. March 20 - 23, 2025: NY. NY. "The goal of this conference, and all its companion editorial and development programs, is to set you on a realistic path not only to publication, but to becoming a career author. The Write to Pitch utilizes a time-tested methodology that works to get writers published. Pitching TV/Film pros, literary agents, and publishing house acquisition editors is a vital component (see the Schedule), of course, but when asked what specific elements make the event unique and better than other writer conferences, our response lists a number of game-changing factors, both major and minor." Limited to 65 participants, so apply early.

The 2025 Colorado Writing Workshop. March 22, 2025: Denver, CO. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Courtyard Denver Airport at Gateway Park. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Western Reserve Writers' Conference. March 22, 2025, South Euclid, Ohio. This free one-day writing conference takes place at Cuyahoga County Public Library's William N. Skirball Writers' Center, located in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch library. It features a choice of breakout sessions, a keynote address, and private sessions with editors. 

Chesapeake Writing Day Workshop. March 22, 2025. Online. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."

Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference. March 22, 2025: Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference (ASPC) is dedicated to serving self-published authors and the independent publishing market. No matter whether you're curious about the self-publishing market or you want to learn how to grow your independent author business, our conference will help you launch your career forward.

The 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop. March 22, 2025: Oklahoma City, OK. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total). 

From Spark to Story: A Fiction Workshop. March 24 - April 21, 2025. Online. In this five-week short fiction course, we’ll delve into the elements that make short stories most compelling. Through generative writing exercises and discussions about contemporary short stories, we’ll experiment with plot, character development, point of view and more. During each weekly session, we’ll workshop works-in-progress we want to improve, or entirely new pieces we write during the course. We’ll assign small workshop groups for each coming session, and everyone will read their group’s work ahead of class to be prepared to discuss each in a safe, supportive setting. By the end of this workshop, you will have the tools and feedback you need to complete a short story or two, and to continue honing your future writing. Limited to 12 participants

Building Worlds: An Online Poetry Workshop. March 26 - April 23, 2025. Online. In this five-week course, we’ll explore the art of world-building within the confines of poetry, creating vibrant, imaginative spaces that come alive with detail, emotion and resonance. Through generative writing exercises, prompts and discussions, we will learn how to develop poems that transport readers to fully realized universes rooted in fantasy, myth, memory or reality. The course will emphasize techniques for establishing mood and atmosphere, as well as infusing our work with dynamic characters, stories and themes. Together, we’ll read exemplary pieces from William Blake to Audre Lorde to Jamaal May and more to analyze how world-building enhances the emotional and narrative depth of a poem, making it engaging and memorable. Weekly workshops will provide a supportive environment for feedback, helping you refine your craft and push the boundaries of your imagination.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. March 26 - 29, 2025: Los Angeles, California. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America." 

Algonkian Novel Retreat. Algonkian Park, Virginia, March 26 - 30, 2025. "In keeping with the spirit of this place and the goals of this retreat, you can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?" Registration is first come, first served.

National Black Writers Conference 2025 Biennial Symposium. March 27 - 29, 2025: Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn, New York. This Symposium, a culturally enriched literary gathering of writers, educators, literary professionals and the general public, specifically targets Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) Literature by Black authors, a genre that has expanded over the last two decades. This genre serves as an energizing force for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation of readers and writers, helps to affirm students’ self-esteem, literacy, identity, and awareness of the contributions of literature by Black writers.

The 2025 Connecticut Writing Workshop. March 28, 2025: New Haven, CT. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total).

Power of Narrative. March 28- 29, 2025: Boston, MA. Over 30 journalists, directors, producers and editors lead three days of lively discussions geared to advance the knowledge of narrative storytellers. Approximately 500 persons attend. Early registration is encouraged. 

WonderCon. March 28 - 30, 2025: Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention.

The 2025 Boston Writing Workshop. March 29, 2025: Boston, MA. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Conferences with application deadlines in March 2025

Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops. June 22 – July 5, 2025 and July 13–26, 2025: Gambier, Ohio. At Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops, talented high school students from around the world join a dynamic and supportive literary community to stretch their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of peers who are also passionate about writing. Application deadline: March 1.

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 15 -  27, 2025: 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.

Write Stuff Writers Conference. April 13 -15, 2025: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Workshops, Agent./Editor pitch sessions, marketing consults plus lunch and Keynote address, Book Fair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, Door Prizes. Featuring: Tiffany Yates Martin. Registration closes March 2.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 21 - 27, 2025: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: March 10.

Community of Writers Workshop in Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, and Memoir. July 7 - 14, 2025: 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.

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. June 22 - July 19, 2025: Saratoga Springs, NY. Since 1987, the Institute has been offering students the opportunity to learn from an extraordinary faculty of distinguished writers led by director Robert Boyers. The program is an offshoot of the New York State Writers Institute created by Albany native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy. The curriculum is designed for college-aged students and adults, and the new virtual format will retain many of the Institute’s hallmark features:
  • Creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction and non-fiction
  • Small classes that offer individualized attention and workshop student writings
  • Public readings and afternoon Q & A sessions with world-renowned guest writers
  • Private tutorial sessions for student fiction manuscripts, book-length poetry, or non-fiction (available for an additional fee)
  • Option to enroll for one-week, two-week, or four-week sessions
  • Optional undergraduate credit for eligible students enrolled in one genre for four weeks
  • Merit Scholarships for tuition

The deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 15

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers. May 7 - July 16, 2025: Online. A transformative opportunity to have your entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation provided. This online program is for any writer of a middle grade or young adult novel. Apply by March 24.
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<![CDATA[10 New Literary Agents Seeking Literary and Genre Fiction, SFF, YA, MG, Women's Fiction, Memoir, Nonfiction and more]]>Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:42:47 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/10-new-literary-agents-seeking-literary-and-genre-fiction-sff-ya-mg-womens-fiction-memoir-nonfiction-and-more
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Karolina Kaim

Here are ten 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. 

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

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.
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Ms. Karolina Kaim of William Morris Endeavor (UK)

Karolina joined WME in 2024 after having gathered over eight years of commissioning experience at publishing houses both in the UK and abroad, with training in intellectual property law. She is based out of London and works closely with the American office to find the best home for agency’s talent.

What she is seeking: Her areas of focus are psychology, health and wellness, self-development, smart thinking, business, as well as narrative nonfiction including memoir.

In nonfiction, she’s on the lookout for dedicated experts and authentic voices who offer a novel lens through which the reader can look at the surrounding reality, whether inspiring or discerning. She’s particularly interested in authors whose works could stand alongside THE CREATIVE ACT by Rick Rubin, PRINCIPLES by Ray Dalio, STRONG FEMALE CHARACTER by Fern Brady, ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE by Chris van Tulleken, BARBARIAN DAYS by William Finnegan, THE LOST PIANOS OF SIBERIA by Sophy Roberts.

How to submit: Follow her submission instructions HERE.

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Ms. Fabienne Schwizer of Ki Agency (UK)

I joined the agency in 2024 after stints in scouting, editorial and audio. I’ve got an academic background and managed the reviews side of Grimdark Magazine before becoming an agent. I will be actively building my list in 2025 once I open to queries in January 2025.

What she is seeking: Crime, Gothic, Horror, LGBTQ, Magical Realism, Mystery, New Adult, Psychological Thriller, Romance, Romcom, Science Fiction, Speculative, Speculative Literary, Thriller, Upmarket Speculative, Young Adult. In fiction I’m looking at adult and YA stories. I am not currently looking for children’s books, and prefer YA on the older side. My heart is in fantasy and horror especially, though I am happy to read most genres (preferably with a bit of the supernatural). Atmosphere and a strong voice are two of the most important elements for me. My favourite stories are commercial and accessible but have something to say. I am keen on stories that centre diverse characters, be that queer, neurodivergent, disabled or BIPOC – and I’d love to hear from writers who are writing in English as a second language. I’m probably not the right agent for very spicy books.

In non-fiction, I’m mainly interested in serious trade books situating themselves in the history/archaeology/sociology area. I want to learn something new about things I’d never even considered looking into. For me, these need to be accessible to a wide audience but solidly researched. I’m probably not the right agent for books that are humour-driven.

How to submit: She requests you submit a short synopsis and the first three chapters / first 50 pages as a Word document or PDF attachment along with your query letter. She is keen to get a sense of who you are from your query and happy to accept alternative formats for accessibility reasons. Fabienne accepts submissions via email. Send materials to: fabienne@ki-agency.co.uk


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Julia Kim of The Rights Factory (CANADA)

After wasting many years studying literature in graduate school, she worked as a freelance editor and an Assistant Editor at Dundurn Press before joining The Rights Factory in 2024.

What she is seeking: Julia is looking for literary fiction and select genre fiction (mystery, crime, horror, historical). She is also seeking a range of nonfiction topics including history, politics, current affairs, women's issues, biography and memoir, food and lifestyle, art and culture, film and TV, pop culture.

She is keen to support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and historically underrepresented writers. As a second-generation Korean Canadian based in Toronto, she has a particular interest in diverse stories from diasporic communities in North America and beyond.

How to submit: Use her querytracker HERE
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Ms. Kodie Van Dusen of The Rights Factory (CANADA)

Kodie Van Dusen is a published author. She is a sucker for well-structured stories that contain hints of the whimsical, the horrific, and the absurd, favoring authors like Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, and George Orwell who have something reflective and important to say about the nature of humanity.

What she is seeking: Fiction —Absurdist, Horror, Science Fiction, Speculative, Commercial, Upmarket, Magical Realism | Non-Fiction — narrative journalism, philosophy, psychology, parenting, women’s issues, true crime, memoir, cultural criticism, politics.

In adult fiction she will consider: absurdism, upmarket horror (strong literary themes with accessible commercial hook and structure), science-fiction (think more Douglas Adams and Ted Chiang, less Frank Herbert). However, more important than genre is that authors understand what they’re trying to say with their stories and make a strong philosophical point, demonstrating a fundamental understanding of story structure.

For nonfiction she is actively acquiring: narrative journalism (in the style of Johann Hari and Neil Strauss), philosophy, psychology, parenting, women's issues, true crime, select memoirs, cultural and corporate criticism, and politics.

How to submit: Use her querytracker HERE
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Ms. Sara Shandler of The Book Group

Sara Shandler joined The Book Group in 2025 after twenty-six years in publishing, most recently as the Editor-in-Chief of Alloy Entertainment, where she collaborated with authors from the inception of their stories through publication. Sara’s introduction to publishing began around the dinner table with her can-do-anything hippie parents who encouraged her to write the bestselling book Ophelia Speaks, which gave voice to the experience of teenage girls and was published when she was just eighteen-years-old. This early success inspired Sara’s lifelong passion for connecting the dots between a blue sky idea and a best seller.

Sara is proud to have worked on many New York Times best sellers, Book Club selections, and award winning novels, including two National Book Award finalists, a Printz Honor, Walter Dean Myers Award Honors, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Carnegie Medal, the William C. Morris Award, the Stonewall Award for Teens, the Lambda Literary Award and the Coretta Scott King-Steptoe Award for New Talent. Many of the novels Sara developed and edited have been successfully adapted to TV and film. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, three children and dog, and spends summers in Fire Island.  

What she is seeking: Sara is interested in working with authors across a range of genres, especially upmarket and book club fiction, plot-driven and emotionally resonant YA and middle grade, narrative non-fiction, topical personal development, social psychology and parenting non-fiction and author-illustrators telling stories in unconventional ways. She is compelled by narratives that connect with readers and contribute to cultural conversations.

How to submit:  Follow the submission guidelines HERE.
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Ms. Laura Bennett of The Liverpool Literary Agency (UK)

Laura developed a love of writing early, attending her first Creative Writing course at college. She then decided to study Writing at Liverpool John Moores University, obtaining a BA before pursuing a career in teaching. She began work at a college for young adults with special needs, and then moved to a vocational college while studying for a post-compulsory PGCE.  Laura taught English for a few years, and also ran several Creative Writing courses before returning to LJMU to obtain an MA in Writing. She then worked as a teaching assistant at a local secondary school, before leaving that job to pursue a career in editing.

What she is seeking: Young Adult and Adult Fantasy (including Urban), SF, Dystopian, Steampunk, Post-Apocalyptic genres.

How to submit: Please follow the agency guidelines HERENote: Laura accepts submissions from anywhere in the UK and Ireland.
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Mr. Cody Siler of William Morris Endeavor (UK)

Cody is a coordinator in the International Rights department, working with publishers around the world to help WME books reach new audiences in translation. He’s worked with WME clients including Terry Hayes, Tom Clancy, Julia Fox, Emma Straub, Nnedi Okorafor, Jean Kwok, Kim Ghattas, and Mary Roach.

What he is seeking: Cody is actively looking for authors and projects originating outside the English language. He is interested in fiction writers who marry literary prose and a singular voice with a plot-driven, suspenseful structure, like Paco Ignacio Taibo II, Virginia Feito, Javier Cercas, Anna Burns, or Asako Yuzuki. For nonfiction, he is interested in writing that explores timely issues from a relevant and unique vantage point. Cody reads both Spanish and English.

How to submit: For fiction projects, please send Cody your query letter and bio, along with the first three chapters of your manuscript. For nonfiction, please send only the query and your bio. For works originating in languages other than Spanish or English, please include a translation sample of at least 10 pages and a synopsis in English. See submission details here.

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A.J. Van Belle of The Booker Albert Literary Agency

A.J. Van Belle (they/them) is a junior agent at the Booker Albert Literary Agency. They are also a writer of fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, an editor, and a biologist. They have a BA in art with a minor in English from Columbia College, an MA in anthropology and an MS in biology from California State University, and a PhD in biology from Boston University.
 
What they are seeking: A.J. is actively building a diverse list and welcomes queries from marginalized writers. In YA and adult fiction, they’re seeking horror, thriller, and SFF with dark and atmospheric elements. They’re also open to select MG across all genres. In all categories, they’re drawn to books that merge literary sensibilities with compelling plotlines. Some of their favorite authors include Paolo Bacigalupi, Nnedi Okorafor, Jordanna Max Brodsky, Yangsze Choo, Natasha Pulley, T. Kingfisher, and Jenna Satterthwaite.
 
In nonfiction, they’re seeking fresh ideas in science, popular science, self-help, and health/wellness from authors with established platforms. As a scientist who has published NSF-funded research in ecology, they welcome queries from authors whose expertise links with evolution, ecology, statistics, microbiology, and biogeoscience.

How to submit: See submission link HERE.

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Danielle Marshall of Jane Rotrosen Agency


Danielle Marshall joined JRA in 2025 after more than 30 years working in publishing and bookselling, with varied experiences across the book business including Editorial Director for Lake Union Publishing, marketing and publicity roles at Workman and Simon & Schuster, as well as frontlist book buyer for the largest independent bookstore on the west coast. An avid reader and editor, she is known as a strong advocate for her authors and for building bestselling brands. 

What she is seeking: Danielle is looking for fresh voices in women's fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery and suspense, as well as memoir and selected self-help nonfiction. 

How to submit: Follow the guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Rhian Parry of The Blair Partnership (UK)

Rhian was inspired to write her first novel at 12 years old after winning her primary school’s Eisteddfod, and she’s not stopped writing since. After moving from her Welsh hometown to London and realising that a career in management consultancy was a fate worse than death, she left the industry to pursue her love of reading and writing. She’s since obtained a Publishing MA from UCL and currently works as a literary agency assistant.

What she is seeking: I’m seeking commercial fiction with a primary focus on romance, including romcoms, romantasy, paranormal romance, and dystopian romance. I am also open to some horror, but specifically horroromance that’s more of the gothic ilk than anything super gory.

I’m most interested in the new adult space, and I’m particularly keen to receive LGBTQ+ submissions across all genres. In the contemporary romance space I’m exclusively interested in romcoms, and I love anything with lots of banter and tropes – bonus points if a book has a speculative edge (think Ashley Poston) and male love interests who reject ideas of toxic masculinity.

I especially love anything in the fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian space that has a humourous edge to its tone akin to the Emily Wilde series. Although I’m open to epic fantasy, my taste typically veers towards more grounded fantasy (Godkiller by Hannah Kaner is probably my limit)! For these speculative genres, the romance doesn’t necessarily have to be central to the story – I love a brilliant fantasy plot with a side of romance. In horroramance, an atmospheric and immersive setting is key and I’m particularly interested in dark academia, both in the literal sense and aesthetically.

Spice at all levels is welcome, but no erotica.

I’m open to some YA fiction, but specifically fantasy, paranormal, or dystopian (i.e. no YA without fantasy elements). I’m generally closed to non-fiction, but am happy to receive submissions that explore the LGBTQ+ and/or neurodivergence experience. I am always looking for books from marginalised authors.

How to submit: You can submit to her at: rhiansubmissions@theblairpartnership.com


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<![CDATA[50 Calls for Submissions in February 2025 - Paying markets]]>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 11:37:14 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/50-calls-for-submissions-in-february-2025-paying-markets
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Flickr
This February there are more than four 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. 
Note: I update this list continually throughout the month, so check back frequently for new submission calls.

Happy submitting!
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The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: February 1, 2025. See themes.

Nightlight (Podcast). Restrictions: At least one of your birth parents must be Black. Genre: Horror. Flash fiction (750-1,500 words) Payment: 5 cents per word. Deadline: Opens February 1, 2025.

Last Girls ClubGenre: Feminist horror: short stories and poems - see themes. Payment: Fiction, 1.5 cents/word. Poetry, $10. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

White Stag PublishingGenre: Full length manuscripts in either Poetry, Prose / Fiction, Non-Fiction, Hybrid Work, & Ritual Projects in the scope of our thematic elements, which include alchemy & the occult with intersections of science & magick, witchcraft & activism, mysticism & spirituality, & / or the supranatural. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

The Paris ReviewGenres: Fiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens February 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

The First Line JournalGenre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry using the line provided. (See theme) Payment: $25-50 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

CorditeGenre: Poetry. See themePayment: Not specified. Payment is available for Australian contributors only. Deadline: February 2, 2025

Stone's ThrowGenre: Noir, dark fiction, crime short stories. Length: between 1,000 and 2,000 words. See themePayment: $25. Deadline: February 4, 2025. Note: This is a monthly call.

Sci Phi JournalGenre: Hard science fiction, fictional nonfiction, and speculative philosophy. Translations accepted. Payment: €0.03/word; €0.01/word for translations. Deadline: February 5, 2025.

TypehouseRestrictions: In honor of Black History Month, no-fee submissions are open for all Black creators, not limited to those in the US. Genre: Prose, poetry, art. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 7, 2025.

The Rumpus: EnoughGenre: ENOUGH is a Rumpus original series devoted to creating a dedicated space for essays, poetry, fiction, comics, and artwork by women and non-binary people that engage with rape culture, sexual assault, and domestic violence. Payment: $50. Deadline: February 7, 2025.

Forest Avenue PressRestrctions: Open to US residents. Genre: Unagented novel manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 9, 2025.

The Suburban ReviewGenre: Prose, art, poetry. See theme. Payment: AUD300-450 for prose; AUD300-550 for poetry; comics and art AUD200-300. Deadline: February 9, 2025. 

Wyldblood Press (UK) Genre: Short speculative fiction. Length: 6000 words max. Payment: £0.01 cent/word. Deadline: Opens February 10, 2025.


UnnervingGenre: Crime and Mystery. Word count: 2,000 – 6,000. Payment: 1.5¢ CAD/word. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Crimson QuillGenre: Fantasy. Payment: $25. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Burial Books: Horror Short StoriesGenre: Horror short stories between 500 and 10,000 words in length. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

The Lorelei SignalGenre: 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: February 15, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Fallen Tree PressRestrictions: Open to writers from the U.S. and Canada only. "It’s our intent to promote a diverse group of writers, especially those identifying as women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and members of underserved groups." Genre: Poetry chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 15, 2025.


Cursed Morsels PressRestrctions: Open to BIPOC writers only. Genre: Full-length horror short story collections. "Queer, anticapitalist, and antifascist fiction. Eco horror. Body horror. Gripping prose. Unplaceable feelings of strangeness. Moral messiness. Fiction written for adults. Nuance. Ambiguity." Payment: $500 advance. 50% royalties paid quarterly. Deadline: February 15, 2025. 

Iron HorseGenre: Poems, stories, essays on any topic. Payment: $50 - $100. Deadline: February 15, 2025. Free submissions on February 15 only.

Luna Station QuarterlyRestrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 15, 2025. 

Griffith ReviewGenre: Nonfiction on theme: Here Be Monsters. Payment: AUD $200. Deadline: February 16, 2025. 

Sinister Smile Press: If I Die Before I Wake – Tales of Cryptid ChaosGenre: Horror. Length: Between 4,000 and 10,000 words. See themePayment: $40 - $50. Deadline: February 20, 2025.

HavokGenre: Flash fiction. See themesPayment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: February 21, 2025.

Hiding Under the Leaves, Genre: Folk horror. Payment: 1p a word to a maximum of £50. Deadline: February 23, 2025.

Vampire Hunters: An Incomplete Record of Personal AccountsGenre: Diary/Journal Entry type stories from vampire hunters throughout history. 1000 - 5000 words. Payment: 2 cents/word. $20 for art. Deadline: February 25, 2025. 

Fission is the British Science Fiction Association's annual anthology of SFF fiction. You don’t need to be a BSFA member to submit. Genre: Science fiction. Length: Up to 5,000 words. Payment: 2 pence per word. Deadline: February 26, 2025.

Malahat Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: CAD $70/page. Deadline: February 28, 2025. (Note: Submissions by Canadian writers are accepted for consideration all year.)

Harvest the Night: An Anthology of Folk HorrorGenre: Folk Horror. Payment: $10 per 1K words, and one contributor copy. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Terrazzo EditiionsGenre: Full-length literary fiction manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Air and Nothingness Press: Our Dust EarthGenre: Science Fiction stories based upon the RPG - Our Dust Earth, which is a "Dying Earth" era game. Payment: 8 cents.word. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Farmer-ishGenre: Nonfiction, CNF, poetry related to farming (including recipes). Payment: $25 for print journal. Deadline: February 28, 2025. See themes.

Ripples in SpaceGenre: Science fiction stories that fit snugly within the imagery, concept, and theme of first contact. Payment: $20. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Murderous Ink Press: CrimeucopiaGenre: Crime fiction. Payment: Up to £7.00. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Yellow Arrow JournalGenre: Creative nonfiction, poetry, cover art by authors who identify as women. Theme: Unfurl. Payment: $10. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

New Orleans ReviewGenre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: February 28, 2025. In celebration of Black History Month, there are no submission fees for Black writers for the month of February.


New MythsGenre: 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: February 28, 2025.

Fahmidan Publishing is a publisher for all POC & Women ardent in battle against subjugation. Genre: Poetry or fiction chapbook. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Conium PressGenre: Magical realist, surrealist, and experimental fiction chapbooks. Payment:
Ten copies and a small honorarium. Deadline: February 28, 2025.


Red Line: Chicago Horror StoriesRestrictions: Writers must live or have lived in the following Illinois counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will, as well as Lake County, Indiana. Genre: Horror short stories about "the horrors, both real and supernatural, that populate the White City." Payment: 5 cents per word. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Modern Mummies AnthologyGenre: Mummy genre horror. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: February 28, 2025. Reprints accepted.

JMS BooksGenre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themePayment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

SouthwordGenre: Fiction. Payment: €300 per short story. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Dragon Soul Press: Lured Into the DeepGenre: Speculative fiction. Theme – All mermaids (and their kin), kraken (sea monsters), underwater civilizations, etc. stories are welcome. All genres are accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

GwyllionRestrictions: Writers living in Wales and writers who identify (fully, in part, or by ancestry) as Welsh. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Welsh themes. Payment: £15 per accepted story or poem. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

The New QuarterlyRestrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $275 for a short story or nonfiction entry, and $50 per poem or postscript story. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Humour MeGenre: Funny short stories with the theme ‘fresh starts.’ Payment: £12.50. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Flash Fiction OnlineGenre: Speculative flash fiction. Payment: $100. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Haven SpeculativeGenre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: February 28, 2025. (?)

AND A FEW MORE...


Brave Knights: Heroic CourageGenre: Speculative Fiction. Theme: Bravery and courage still matter. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Teach. WriteGenre: 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: March 1, 2025.

The Woodward ReviewGenre: Poetry, prose, art, and digital media from anyone, anywhere. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

table/FEASTGenre: Prose, poetry, CNF, art about food. Payment: $10 per poem, prose $20, art $15. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Singapore Unbound: SuspectRestrictions: Open to authors who identify as Asian. Genre: Fiction and essays (maximum 6,500 words) or poetry (maximum 10 pages). See themePayment: $100. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

ParabolaGenre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. See themesPayment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

ThemaGenre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: The Lost Sock. Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Book XIGenre: Personal essays, memoir, fiction, science fiction, humor, and poetry with philosophical themes. See theme. Payment: $200 for prose; $50 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Horror Short Story AnthologyGenre: Horror and dark fantasy. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 1, 2025.
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<![CDATA[80 Free Writing Contests in February 2025 - No entry fees]]>Mon, 27 Jan 2025 11:10:24 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/80-free-writing-contests-in-february-2025-no-entry-fees
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This February there are more than six 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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New Media Writing PrizeGenre: Fiction or non-fiction written specifically for delivery and reading/viewing on a PC or Mac, the web, or a hand-held device such as an iPad or mobile phone. It could be a short story, novel, poem, narrative game, documentary, or transmedia work using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction. Interactivity is a key element of new-media storytelling. Prize: £500. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Mike Resnick Memorial Award: Best Unpublished Science Fiction Short Story by a New Author. Restrictions: Open to an author who has not had any work published (including short stories, novelettes, novellas, and novels in paper, digital or audio form) that has been paid a per-word rate of 6 cents a word or more or received a payment for any single work of fiction totaling more than $50. Genre: Science fiction short story, up to 7,499 words. Prize: $250 and publication. Deadline: Feburary 1, 2025.

World History Association Bentley Book PrizeGenre: World history book published in the immediately preceding calendar year. Prize: $500. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

$1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest is sponsored by the Leyla Beban Young Authors Foundation. Restrictions: Students enrolled in grades 6-12. Genre: Short fiction of exactly 1000 words. Prize: Two $1,000 scholarship prizes will be awarded, one for grades 6-8 and one for grades 9-12. Seven $100 cash prizes will also be awarded for winning entries, one per grade level. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Paterson Prize for Books for Young PeopleGenre: Most outstanding book for young people published in previous year. There is a $1000 award in each category: Pre-K - Grade 3; Grades 4 - 6; Grades 7 - 12. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Gannon University Poetry ContestRestrictions: Entrants must be a US high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through twelve. Genre: Poetry. Each student may enter 1 or 2 poems; each poem may be no longer than 50 lines. Prize: First Place: $100.00 Second Place: $75.00 Third Place: $50.00. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay CompetitionRestrictions: Writers must be enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate programme (master level or higher) in any field of study at a regular university, and be born in 1993 or later. Genre: Essay on "Global power is shifting. What’s your innovative idea to address a related risk or opportunity?" Length: 2,100 words. Prize: CHF20,000, split between three winners; they’ll also cover travel, accommodation, and admission to the symposium in Switzerland. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Paterson Poetry PrizeGenre: Poetry book published in the previous year. Prize: $2000. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Hodson Trust–John Carter Brown Library FellowshipGenre: Nonfiction (includes creative nonfiction). A book-in-process relating to the literature, history, culture, or art of the Americas before 1830. Award: $20,000. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Wednesday Club Junior Poetry PrizeRestrictions: High School Students in Grades 9 through 12 in the St. Louis Area. Genre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $200,  $150,  $100, $80, $50, and up to five $25 honorable mentions TEACHER AWARDS: $200, $150, $100. (Applies to teachers of first three student winners.) Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Iron Horse 2025 Chapbook CompetitionGenre: Prose chapbook, between 40 and 56 pages (10,000 - 20,000 words) Prize: $1,000 honorarium and 15 copies. DeadlineNote: They will accept 25 free submissions on February 1, 2025.

Wednesday Club Poetry PrizeRestrictions: Adults over 18; living within a 50-mile radius of St. LouisGenre: Poetry. Two individual poems. Prizes: $500, $300, $150. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

Bath Flash Fiction AwardGenre: Flash fiction, 300 words max. Prize: £1000 prize for the winner, £300 second and £100 third. Two commendations £30 each. Deadline: February 2, 2025.

Hurston/Wright Crossover AwardRestrictions: Open to unpublished, Black writers who are 18 years and older. Genre: Literary nonfiction. Submissions may be stand-alone essays or excerpts from a book in progress. Prize: $2000. Deadline: February 3, 2025.

Narrative Magazine High School ContestRestrictions: Open to high school students aged 15-18. Genre: Poetry on theme. Prize: Up to $500. Deadline: February 5, 2025.

Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing PrizeGenre: Adventure writing novel. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-FictionRestrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length novel, work of narrative non-fiction or a short-story collection work in progress. Prize: Winners will receive awards of between £2000 and £5000 to support them to develop work in progress and to complete promising manuscripts. They will also be given access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Northern Writers’ Awards for Fiction and Narrative Non-Fiction and Young AdultRestrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months, and who are yet to publish a full-length novel or collection of short stories. Genre: Fiction, narrative non-fiction, young adult fiction. Prize: £2000, mentoring and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

The Northern Writers’ Awards for Poetry and Debut PoetryRestrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Poetry collection. Open to both established and debut poets. Prize: Winners will receive awards of between £2000 and £5000 to support them to develop work in progress and to complete promising manuscripts. They will also be given access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Northumbria University Student and Alumni AwardRestrictions: Open to students and graduates from any discipline who are: final-year undergraduates; current postgraduate students; or alumni who have graduated from an undergraduate or postgraduate programme at Northumbria University within the last ten years. Genre: Poetry, fiction and narrative non-fiction. Prize: £2000. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Young Northern Writers’ AwardsRestrictions: Open to young writers aged 11-18 in the North of England. Genre: Creative work in any form including prose, poetry, scriptwriting, blogging, songwriting and rap. Prize: Up to £150. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Matthew Hale AwardRestrictions: Open to young people aged 11-18 based in the North of England. Entrants must be 18 years or under on 6 February 2025 when the awards close. The Matthew Hale Award is open to young writers who show promise but have had limited opportunities to pursue their talent. This could be due to a number of factors, including physical or mental ill-health, family circumstances, financial circumstances, lack of access to cultural opportunities or other reasons. Genre: Creative work in any form including prose, poetry, scriptwriting, blogging, songwriting and rap. Prize: Package of support created by New Writing North to the value of £500. The package will be tailored to the specific interests and needs of the winner, but could include anything from one-on-one mentoring with a professional writer, enrolment on a course, books, theatre tickets or a pass to a literature festival. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

The Eva Ibbotson AwardRestrictions: Open to young writers aged 11-15 in the North of England who are writing in English as an additional language. Writers must be aged 11-15 when the awards close on 6 February 2025. Genre: Creative work in any form including prose, poetry, scriptwriting, blogging, songwriting and rap. Prize: Package of support created by New Writing North to the value of £500. Deadline: February 6, 2025.

Criminal Lines AwardRestrictions: Open to writers aged 18 and over born or living in Britain (including the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) and Ireland (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland). Entrants must not have previously published a novel or novella although self-published novels, novellas and self-published e-books are accepted. You must not be represented by a literary agent at the time of submission or at the shortlist stage. Genre: Full-length crime, thriller, mystery and suspense fiction. Prize: £3,500 and an offer of representation from A.M. Heath. Deadline: February 7, 2025.

The University of Chester Flash (Youth)Restrictions: Open to Scottish students aged 16-19 who are studying in the UK. Genre: flash fiction of up to 360 words. Prize: Up to £100. Deadline: February 7, 2025.

Furious FictionGenre: Flash fiction. "On the first Friday of every month, a new set of story prompts will be revealed. You will have 55 hours to submit your best 500-word (or fewer) story." Prize: $500AUD. Deadline: February 9, 2025. Opens February 7.

The Miracle Monocle Award for Young Black WritersRestrictions: Writers must be 25 years old or younger and identify as Black. Genre: All. Prize: $200.  Deadline: February 10, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Highlights Foundation ScholarshipsPrize: 25 full tuition scholarships and 20 partial tuition scholarships for workshops that take place at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. 30 full tuition scholarships for online courses through the Highlights Foundation. 15 scholarships for personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation Retreat Center. Deadline: February 10, 2025.

The Tomorrow Prize & The Green Feather AwardRestrictions: Open to Los Angeles County high school students. Genre: Science fiction, and environmentally focused sci-fi story. Prize: Tomorrow Prize: $250, $150, and $100 USD. Green Feather Award: $250.00 & online publication by the Nature Nexus Institute. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Giller PrizeRestrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between October 1, 2023, and February 28, 2025 to be eligible for the 2025 Prize. 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: February 14, 2025.

Tree2mydoor Valentines Day Poetry competitionRestrictions: Open to UK citizens. Genre: Witty or soppy, romantic or silly Valentines Day poems. Prize: £100 worth of Tree2mydoor gift vouchers. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Writers' & Artists' Short Story CompetitionGenre: Short story. All entries must be original unpublished prose of 2,000 words or fewer. See theme. Prize: A place on one of Arvon's residential writing courses and publication. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Bar Sagi PrizeRestrictions: Open to Israelis aged 12 to 18 when the poem was written. Genre: Poem. Prize: 400 NIS first prize, 250 NIS second prize, 100 NIS third prize. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Aniko Press Summer Flash Fiction CompetitionGenre: Flash fiction (100 words max) on theme: Wave. Prize: Publication on their website and social media, a copy of rock flight by Hasib Hourani, plus the latest issue of Aniko Magazine. Deadline: February 14, 2025.

Syracuse University's Veterans Writing AwardRestrictions: Open to U.S. veterans and active duty personnel in any branch of the U.S. military and their immediate family members. This includes spouses, domestic partners, and children. Women veteran writers and veterans of color are encouraged to submit. Genre: Unpublished, full-length novels, novella, or short story collections. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

The American Prospect Writing Fellows Program. The American Prospect’s Writing Fellows Program offers journalists the opportunity to spend two years developing their skills with the magazine at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. (or working remotely, in pandemic times). Each fellow benefits from an intensive mentoring program with the experts on our editorial team, and is expected to contribute regularly. The annual salary for this two-year fellowship starts at $46,500 and includes a full range of benefits (health, dental, vision) plus union membership in Washington-Baltimore News Guild (Communication Workers of America). Deadline: February 15, 2025.

The Tom La Farge Award for Innovative Writing, Teaching and PublishingGenre: "literary activity that combines serious play, imagination, erudition and innovative practice." Prize: $10,00. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Harold Morton Landon Translation AwardGenre: Poetry collection translated from any language into English and published in the previous calendar year. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Haiku Society of America Merit Book Awards for Excellence in Published Haiku, Translation, and CriticismGenre: Published book. Books must have been published in 2023 and must clearly contain a printed 2023 copyright. A member, author, or publisher may submit or nominate more than one title. At least 50 percent of the book must be haiku, senryu, or haibun, or prose about these subjects (books mostly of tanka, for example, are not eligible). Prize: $500. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Hefner Heitz Kansas Book Award in Poetry (Kansas Book Award)Restrictions: Author must establish a connection to Kansas by birth, education, employment, residence or other significant claim. Genre: Novel or collection of short stories. The nominee's book must have a publication date of 2022, 2023, or 2024. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Walter Rumsey Marvin GrantRestrictions: Open to authors under 30 years of age who have not had a book published. Applicant must have been born in Ohio or have lived in Ohio for a minimum of five years. Genre: Short fiction and creative non-fiction. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

CAAPP Book PrizeRestrictions: Open to writers of African descent. Genre: First or second book by a writer of African descent and is open to the full range of writers embodying African and African diasporic experience. The book can be of any genre that is, or intersects with, poetry, including poetry, hybrid work, speculative prose, and/or translation. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Governor General's Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written or translated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. They do not need to be residing in Canada. Genre: The Governor General’s Literary Awards are given annually to the best English-language and the best French-language book in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Young People’s Literature (Text), Young People’s Literature (Illustrated Books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $25,000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Paul-Victor Winters Memorial Creative Writing ContestRestrictions: Open to NJ high school students in private or public schools, grades 9-12. Genre: Flash Fiction and Poetry. Prize: $500 top prize. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

Raiziss/de Palchi Translation AwardGenre: Poetry - translation into English of a significant work of modern Italian poetry. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

James Welch Prize for Indigenous PoetsRestrictions: The prize is open to new, emerging, and established poets who are community-recognized members of tribal nations within the United States and its trust territories (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Chamorros, and American Samoans). Only poets who have not published more than one book-length collection are eligible; however, previous publication is not a requirement. Eligible contestants must be community-recognized members of their tribal nation. Formal tribal enrollment is not the only way of acknowledging belonging, and this prize aims to recognize all Native writers who are in community. Previous first place winners of this prize are not eligible, but previous finalists are welcome to submit work. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 15, 2025.

53-Word Story ContestGenre: Flash fiction of exactly 53 words based on monthly theme. Prize: Publication and a free book. Deadline: February 15, 2025. This is a monthly contest.

Charles Crupi Memorial Poetry ContestRestrictions: Open to high school students in Michigan.  Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st place - $250 and publication in The Albion Review, 2nd place - $150 and publication in The Albion Review; 3rd place - $100 and publication in The Albion Review. Deadline: February 16, 2025.

Iris N. Spencer Undergraduate Poetry AwardRestrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Poetry composed in the traditional modes of meter, rhyme and received forms. Prize: First prize $1,500, and a runner-up prize $500. Deadline: February 17, 2025.

Sonnet AwardRestrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Sonnet. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 17, 2025.

Villanelle AwardRestrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Villanelle. Prize: $1,000. Deadline: February 17, 2025.

Myong Cha Son Haiku AwardRestrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Haiku. Prize: First prize $1,500, and a runner-up prize $500. Deadline: February 17, 2025.

Rhina P. Espaillat Poetry AwardRestrictions: Open to undergraduate poets who are enrolled in a United States college or university. Genre: Original poems written in Spanish and translations of English poems to Spanish. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 17, 2025.

The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award supports the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition. Genres: Nonfiction journalism works in progress with “strong, character-driven narratives with detailed scene writing and lyrical description.” Restrictions: The award will not fund proposals to report on armed conflicts where journalists are already imperiled, nor projects that are mainly investigatory. Prize: $6,000 upon announcement of the winning proposal; $3,000 upon evidence of substantial progress (usually a first draft); and $3,500 upon completion and acceptance by the Award committee.. Deadline: February 19, 2025.

Christopher Tower Poetry CompetitionRestrictions: Open to UK students between 16-18 years of age. Genre: Poetry, one poem, maximum 48 lines. See themePrize: £5,000. Deadline: February 20, 2025. 

Western Australian Premier's Book AwardsRestrictions: Open to authors who either are citizens or permanent residents of Western Australia. Genre: Book published during the preceding calendar year in a variety of genres. Prize: Up to A$60,000. Deadline: February 20, 2025. 

Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry ContestRestrictions: Open to high school students (grades 9-12) from across the Washington Metropolitan Area (Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC). Genre: Poetry. Prize: First, 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive $250, $100 and $50 gift certificates. Deadline: February 21, 2025.

Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War HistoryGenre: First book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: February 21, 2025.

The Lakefly Writers ConferenceRestrictions: Open to residents of Wisconsin. Genres: Short story fiction: 3000 words or less. Any genre. Poetry: All poems, free verse to formal and everything in between—75 lines max. Personal Essay: 2500 words max. Prize: First place winners will receive a cash prize of $100; second place winners will receive $75; and third place winners will receive $50. Winners must be able to attend an awards ceremony. Deadline: February 23, 2025.

Harper’s Bazaar short-story competitionRestrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over. Genre: Original, unpublished short story, written in English on the subject of ‘The open road’ up to 2,000 words. Prize: Two-night stay at Chewton Glen in Hampshire (UK). Deadline: February 23, 2025.

The Lancaster Playwriting PrizeRestrictions: The competition is open to applicants living or learning in Lancashire and who must have reached their 12th birthday/must not have reached their 19th Birthday by the date of the submission deadline. Genre: Script (for a play). Scripts must be 15 to 30 minutes long. See themePrize: The top three submissions will receive a rehearsed public reading of a 15-20 minute section of their work on 28th March 2025. Runners up will receive £250 each and the winner will receive £1000 cash prize and a trophy. Deadline: February 24, 2025.

Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction PrizeGenre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between October 1, 2024 and February 25, 2025. Prizes of $5,000 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: February 26, 2025.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-FictionGenre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between October 1, 2024 and February 25, 2025. Deadline: February 26, 2025.

Writers' Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging WritersRestrictions: Open to Canadian LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Debut book  published between October 1, 2024 and February 25, 2025. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: February 26, 2025.

Toronto Star Short Story ContestRestrictions: Open to Ontario residents 16 years of age or older. Genre: Short story. Prize: 1st prize - $5000; 2nd prize - $2000, 3rd prize - $1000. Deadline: February 26, 2025.

Sejong Cultural Society Essay CompetitionRestrictions: Open to writers ages 19-30. Also see youth and children's divisionsGenre: Essay responding to prompts. (See websitePrizes: $1000, $750, $500, $50 for honorable mention, plus possible publication. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Sejong Cultural Society Sijo CompetitionGenre: Sijo. Prizes: Adult: $1000, $750, $500, $50 for honorable mention, plus possible publication. Pre-college division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300) Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Post Election Emotional Turmoil ContestGenre: Poetry, art, and prose. "If you went into a depressive spiral in November, you're not alone. Share your grief, your rage, your feelings of helplessness with us." Prize: $50. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Victor Howes Prize in PoetryRestrictions: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college (2-year or 4-year). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

The Kelpies Prize (Scotland)Restrictions: Open to Scottish authors. Genre: Children’s fiction and nonfiction, picture books. Prize: £1,000, a publishing contract, a writing retreat, and a year of mentoring by an editorial team. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

2025 Sijo CompetitionGenre: A Sijo poem. Prize: Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third ($500); Pre-college division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300) Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Imagine Little Tokyo. Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) seeks fictional short stories in Japanese or English for its “Imagine Little Tokyo” writing contest. The setting of the story should be in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, CA– either past, present or future. Prize: $1000. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

#GWstorieseverywhereGenre: Invent a Word. We invite you to invent a word. Not just any word. A word you think will greatly enhance the English language. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

The Orwell Society Dystopian Fiction PrizeRestrictions: Open to current students (both BA and MA) at British universities. Genre: Dystopian narratives of 3,000 words. Prize: £750. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Black Caucus of the American Library Association Self-Published E-Book Literary Award
Restrictions: Open to African-Americans. Genre: Self-Published E-Book in fiction and poetry written by African-Americans that depict the "cultural, historical, or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora." Prize: $2,500. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative NonfictionGenre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Words Without Borders Momentum Grant for Early-Career TranslatorsGenre: The grant is intended to facilitate the completion of a substantial sample of a book-length work of prose translation suitable for submission to English-language publishers, and will be awarded to an individual translator who has not yet received a book-length contract for translation work into English. We particularly welcome submissions from translators from historically underrepresented cultures and backgrounds. Prize: $3000. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

The Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation & Multi-Lingual TextsGenre: Literary translations and multi-lingual texts. Prize: $200. Deadline: February 28, 2025.

Rattle Ekphrastic ChallengeGenre: Poem inspired by artwork. (See site for image.) Prize: $100. Deadline: February 28, 2025. 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: February 28, 2025. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute.
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<![CDATA[12 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February 2025]]>Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:22:30 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/12-fabulous-writing-conferences-and-workshops-in-february-2025
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This February there are 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, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

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

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

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African-American Children's Book Fair. February 1, 2025: Philadelphia, PA. Meet over a dozen African-American children's book writers.

San Francisco Writers Conference. February 6 - 9, 2025: San Francisco, CA. Attendees will join with 100+ presenters and fellow writers from across the country and around the world at this year’s event. The SFWC events are consistently rated among the top writer’s conferences anywhere. "Our goal is to help writers become published authors as we help them become better at the craft and business of writing. The SFWC is also one of the friendliest conferences. Presenters this year will include bestselling authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers from major publishing houses. There will be experts on self-publishing, book promotion, platform building, social media, and author websites. The San Francisco Writers Conference has one of the largest faculties of any writer’s conference to ensure the best networking with the people who can help you get published." 

Savannah Book Festival. February 6 - 9, 2025: Savannah, Georgia. Our four-day Festival takes place in Savannah’s Historic District against a backdrop of stunning historic buildings, cascading Spanish moss, and blooming Azaleas. Each year, over 9,000 people join us for three ticketed Headliner Address events and for our free Festival Saturday. Festival Saturday presentations take place in museums, churches, and theaters in and around the historic Telfair and Chippewa Squares in the heart of Downtown Savannah. Our lineup of nationally-recognized authors from wide-ranging genres give 30-minute solo presentations on their creative process, followed by a Q&A and book signing.

Online San Diego Writing Workshop. February 7 -8, 2025. "This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” online writing workshop. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome. And even though this is the Online “San Diego” Writing Workshop, make no mistake — writers from everywhere are welcome to attend virtually. Our WDW writers conferences have helped dozens of writers find literary agent representation."

Southern California Writers’ Conference (and Retreat). February 14 - 16, 2025: San Diego, CA. Faculty: 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. "Founded and run by professional writers the SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent with authoritative guidance to help distinguish those manuscripts that are ready for market consideration." Limited to 150 conferees.

The Poet's Myth. Wednesday, February 19 – Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Online. In this generative poetry workshop, we’ll take a closer look at the origin of classical poetry: the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. We’ll examine texts from classical mythology to contemporary poetry, uncovering the power of poetic inspiration. Each week, we’ll read and respond to poems and artworks that engage with the myth in various forms. Works by Rainer Maria Rilke, Jack Spicer, Walt Whitman and Ovid will serve as touchstones for exploring the nature of artistic creation, while contemporary poems and other expressions of myth in popular culture will bring the forces of love, death and desire into our conversation. By the end of the workshop, you will have generated a portfolio of original poems. This workshop is for writers at all levels interested in exploring myth, artistry and the dynamic relationship between poet and muse. Limited to 12 participants.

Finding the Narrative Arc in Memoir. Wednesday, February 19 – Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Online. With you as the central character in your memoir, how would you develop a powerful narrative arc that both unfolds and reflects on the story? How can themes, details and timelines propel your story forward from beginning to end? In this workshop, we will discuss the structure and shape of your memoir’s narrative arc, as well as how linear and nonlinear structures give your story the energy to keep flowing. We will read inspiring excerpts, do generative exercises and give and receive constructive feedback on each other’s writing samples. Come empty-handed, or with excerpts of a work in progress. Limited to 12 participants.

Wild Seeds Writers Retreat. February 20 - 23, 2025. The Wild Seeds Writers Retreat (formerly the North Country Institute & Retreat for Writers of Color), a collaboration with the Center for Black Literature, the English Department at SUNY, Plattsburgh, and the Paden Institute and Retreat for Writers, provides a writing community where established and newly discovered writers of color can focus on the craft of writing and create cross-cultural conversations around the literature created by writers of the African diaspora. Deadline: January 10, 2025.

Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop. February 21-23, 2025: Monterey, CA. The Andrea Brown Literary Agency runs the Big Sur Children's Writing Workshop every winter with occasional offshoot conference locations. "Since 1997, we have brought in outstanding editors from the top publishing houses, both large and small, and successful authors to make up our experienced and giving faculty. We pride ourselves on an excellent faculty-to-attendee ratio and a weekend with ample opportunities for faculty/attendee interactions, both formal and informal. This workshop has been the source of many successful author/agent relationships and many publishing deals, including one for more than half a million dollars."

Tinker Mountain Winter Recharge. February 21 - 23, 2025: Online. The weekend begins with a social session on Friday evening and continues with workshops Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m.  Just the right amount of time to affirm your writing and to reset for the balance of winter and spring. Manuscript workshops, limited to 8 participants, give you an opportunity to receive feedback on your work from peers and your faculty mentor and learn what other writers are working on. Write now workshops, limited to 10 participants, allow you to immerse yourself in the craft of writing and generate new work without the pressure of preparing or reading manuscripts.

The 2025 Las Vegas Writing Workshop. February 22, 2025:  Las Vegas, NV. The 2025 Las Vegas Writing Workshop is a full-day in-person “How to Get Published” writing event in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop. February 28 - March 3, 2025: St. Augustine, Florida. "The St. Augustine Author-Mentor Novel Workshop creates an intimate and professional environment that combines private meetings with small-group workshops, thus enabling aspiring authors to wisely approach the writing and publication of their novel. At the St. Augustine event, aspiring authors will:
1) Work one-on-one with top authors and savvy market professionals.
2) Apply advanced story and narrative technique to their novel-in-progress.
3) Hone and improve their writer voice and style.
4) Learn the necessary inside mechanics of the publishing business.
5) Leave the workshop with a detailed plan to work towards publication of their novel.
Group workshop sessions will be interspersed with agent and author consultations, workshop assignments, as well as consults with workshop leaders."
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<![CDATA[8 New Agents Seeking Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Thrillers, Literary Fiction, YA, Memoir, Nonfiction and more]]>Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:09:19 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/8-new-agents-seeking-fantasy-horror-romance-thrillers-literary-fiction-ya-memoir-nonfiction-and-more
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Charlotte Sunderland
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. 

NOTEDon'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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Charlotte Sunderland of Park, Fine & Brower

Charlotte Sunderland works with Celeste Fine on bestselling nonfiction and fiction. She comes to books with a film and tv background, having worked in Los Angeles for a decade, at Creative Artists Agency, wiip studios, and as Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Creative Executive, where she helped develop film, tv, and podcast material. Charlotte graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with a B.A. in Cinema and Media Studies.

What she is seeking: Charlotte is looking for upmarket fiction that can expand into film and television, and is particularly interested in self-sabotaging heroines and morally ambiguous characters, dysfunctional families, unreliable narrators, ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations, and humorous takes on conventionally dark subjects.

How to submit: Please specify the first and last name of the agent to whom you are submitting, as well as the category and genre of your submission (i.e.: “Charlott Sunderland – Adult Fiction”) in the subject line of the email. Send your query letter and accompanying material to this email address: queries@parkfinebrower.com. All materials must be in the body of the email, as we are unable to open attachments. Due to the volume of email queries we receive, we will only respond if we are interested.

For adult fiction submissions, please include a query letter and approximately the first 25 pages of your work. For YA & children’s fiction submissions, please include a query letter and the first chapter or approximately the first ten pages of your work. For non-fiction submissions, please send a query letter. 
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Ben Kaslow-Zieve of Park, Fine & Brower


Ben Kaslow-Zieve works alongside Celeste Fine on bestselling nonfiction and fiction. Having started his career in the foreign rights department at Park & Fine (now Park, Fine & Brower), he is particularly attuned to ideas and stories that will impact readers around the world—and how to help those books reach their audience in every country and every language. 

What he is seeking: He loves non-fiction of all kinds, especially books that seek to translate big ideas to a broad audience and authors who help us better understand the time and place in which we live. Whether in science, history, memoir, cultural criticism, investigative journalism, or business, he loves an unexpected angle, an untold story, and an unusual discovery. He believes in the power of nonfiction to start conversations, shift perspectives, and change our culture.

In fiction, he’s looking for smart takes on genre and accessible literary fiction that engages with its social and historical context. He loves: original premises taken to surprising conclusions; epics of all genres; unique relationships; characters at odds with their time; a feel for the rhythms of the world; understated heartbreak; compassion; compelling sentences.

How to submit: Please specify the first and last name of the agent to whom you are submitting, as well as the category and genre of your submission (i.e.: “Ben Kaslow-Zieve – Adult Fiction”) in the subject line of the email. Send your query letter and accompanying material to this email address: queries@parkfinebrower.com. All materials must be in the body of the email, as we are unable to open attachments. Due to the volume of email queries we receive, we will only respond if we are interested.For adult fiction submissions, please include a query letter and approximately the first 25 pages of your work. For YA & children’s fiction submissions, please include a query letter and the first chapter or approximately the first ten pages of your work. For non-fiction submissions, please send a query letter.
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Melissa Rodman of Park, Fine & Brower

Melissa Rodman works closely with Sarah Passick to develop a variety of nonfiction and select fiction projects from proposal to publication. Prior to joining the team at Park & Fine (now Park, Fine & Brower), she served as research associate in entertainment, media, and sports at Harvard Business School and editorial associate at Harvard University Press, before earning a master’s degree at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and completing an editorial internship at The New Republic. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History & Literature, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and in college interned at Picador, the U.S. imprint of her North Star author, Hilary Mantel.

What she is seeking: Her literary interests include narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, and memoir, and she enjoys collaborating with authors to hone their ideas, arguments, and sentences.

How to submit: Please specify the first and last name of the agent to whom you are submitting, as well as the category and genre of your submission (i.e.: “Melissa Rodman – Adult Fiction”) in the subject line of the email. Send your query letter and accompanying material to this email address: queries@parkfinebrower.com. All materials must be in the body of the email, as we are unable to open attachments. Due to the volume of email queries we receive, we will only respond if we are interested.

For adult fiction submissions, please include a query letter and approximately the first 25 pages of your work. For YA & children’s fiction submissions, please include a query letter and the first chapter or approximately the first ten pages of your work. For non-fiction submissions, please send a query letter. 
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Ms. Natalie Barracliffe of Sheil Land Associates Ltd

Natalie studied Comparative Literature and Culture at Royal Holloway University of London and graduated in 2018. She completed work experience with Rogers, Coleridge & White and then joined Sheil Land Associates in 2019 as Assistant to two literary agents, including our CEO, Sonia Land. She was promoted to Associate Agent in 2024 and is growing her list while continuing to support the agents.

What she is seeking: As I begin growing my list, I’m particularly interested in fantasy, thrillers and romances in the Adult and Young Adult market. I'm also looking for a chilling horror to sink my teeth into. Genres: Romance, Fantasy, specifically fantasy with a romance element, Young Adult fiction, specifically thrillers, fantasy and romance, Thriller, Crime fiction, Horror, General fiction.

How to submit: Please follow the guidelines HERE.

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Arianna Siddiqui of FinePrint Literary Management

Arianna Siddiqui earned dual degrees in political science and economics from Trinity University and completed the Columbia Publishing Course at the University of Oxford. She also started her professional career selling used Mercedes before transitioning into a career in publishing. With experience as an assistant at Lucinda Literary and William Morris Endeavor, and as a mentee with the Writers House Mentor Initiative, she has a strong eye for engaging stories and market trends. Arianna is currently pursuing a part-time master’s in creative writing at the University of Cambridge. In her free time, Arianna writes speculative romance and fosters litters of kittens.

What she is seeking: Arianna is particularly drawn to mysteries, romance, and speculative fiction across young adult and adult audiences. She’s also open to adult nonfiction that explores unique narratives or perspectives.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE

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Hailey Stephens of Arthouse

Hailey Stephens is an avid reader, writer, and editor with a bachelor's degree in English-Writing from Illinois Wesleyan University, as well as a master's in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. She is especially interested in uplifting diverse artists from rural communities that may be overlooked by such a metropolis-based industry. When not reading or writing, Hailey enjoys exploring her many hobbies. She's a baker, hiker, puzzler, gamer (board games, card games, D&D, video games-she's open to it all!), cross-stitcher, and so much more. While Hailey's reading tastes include almost everything (she currently favors romance, literary fiction, and creative memoirs), her writing is focused on both creative nonfiction and psychological/supernatural horror. 

What she is seeking: In general, Hailey is only looking for Adult novels, but she will selectively take on Middle Grade books if the manuscript will inspire a passion for reading. In fiction, she is looking for literary fiction, romance, thrillers, and horror. In nonfiction, she is looking for both trade and literary proposals, including memoirs.

How to submit: Please follow the agency guidelines HERE.

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Ed Wood of The Blair Partnership (UK)

As Publishing Director at Little, Brown, I published crime, thriller and book club bestsellers including Mark Billingham, Chris Brookmyre, Carl Hiaasen, Keith Stuart, Jessica Fellowes, Patricia Highsmith, and international megabrands Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler. I published numerous Sunday Times and digital bestsellers, including at number one. Among various awards, my titles won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, various CWA Daggers, and the McIlvanney Prize. And in my second role as Little, Brown IP Director, I worked with authors on original concepts that became huge rights sales hits and international bestsellers. I like to work in creative partnership with authors to fulfil their vision – and then help them reach the biggest readership possible.

What he is seeking: I’m thrilled to take on clients in crime, thriller, mystery and book club fiction – and to be their creative and commercial champion.

How to submit: You can send submissions at EdSubmissions@theblairpartnership.com

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Ms. Marissa Koors of The Curious Minds Agency (UK)

Before joining Curious Minds in 2023, Marissa worked as an editor at Basic Books, where she edited Kate Cooper’s Queens of a Fallen World – a Finalist for the 2023 Cundill Prize – and Sophie Duncan’s Juliet.  An avid gamer with a love of branching narrative, she also edits video games and tabletop roleplaying games in her spare time. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

What she is seekng: She is seeking non-fiction authors in categories ranging from history, philosophy, and the ancient world to fashion, culture, the arts, and emerging science and technology who want to use their expertise to render the hidden structures of the world legible to readers. She is drawn to stylish and substantive books animated by bold argument that spark debate and start conversations.

How to submit: You may submit a proposal and sample chapter by email to info@curiousmindsagency.com

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<![CDATA[2025 New Year's Writing Resolution (for writers): Recycle Your Work]]>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:38:33 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/2025-new-years-writing-resolution-for-writers-recycle-your-work
Every year, I make a New Year's Resolution just for writing. I don't bother with personal resolutions, because I never keep them. (I have not, for example, run the Boston Marathon, cured cancer, or finished my PhD...yet.) But, without fail, I do keep my writing resolutions. 

In past years, I have made writing resolutions to Write What I Feared (we must all face our writing demons), and to get more rejections than C. S. Lewis. (He got over 800; I clocked in at a measly 160 that year.). In 2020, I resolved to begin (facing a blank screen is always daunting) and the following year, to finish what I had started. (This is a perennial problem for writers such as myself, who have a wealth of ideas, but little patience.) 

I have resolved to read, because it is only through reading and re-reading that we hone our writing skills, and I have resolved to observe the ordinary, because observing what goes on around us, and listening, really listening, with the heart as well as the ears, is the basis of all subject matter. 

Perhaps most important of all, I have resolved to be true to my own work - that is to say, to not conform to what I think an audience might like (or dislike, as the case may be), but to be loyal to my own message, my own thoughts, my own feelings. Most writers may not realize it, but ignoring a prospective audience is actually quite difficult, especially once editors and publishers get hold of your manuscript. 

Where was I? Oh yes...

After resolving to get off my butt and get published, and, miraculously, having done so, and having started, finished, faced my writing demons, observed, revised, and re-read the greats ... what is left?

Nothing. I am completely bereft of ideas.

No, just kidding. I do have one goal this year. Over the past few years (or is it decades?), I have gotten a number of short pieces published. It was exhilaring to see my work in print. So, like an addict, I kept pursuing the intoxication of publishing new work. Meanwhile, my older stories (some of which are quite good, even if I do say so myself), have been forgotten in my lust for novelty. 

There is simply no excuse for abandoning your prior work, especially when it has appeared in journals which are now defunct. (My strategy has always been to submit to print journals first. That allows me to submit to online journals later.)

So, this year, I shall delve into my neglected writings and recycle them. There are plenty of journals that accept reprints, and, because I happen to have a list of them right here, I shall begin to recycle.

*    *    * 

If you want to follow in my footsteps, this is my excellent list of 185 Literary Magazines Accepting Reprints. You are welcome to make ample use of it.

Previous resolutions (all of which are worth following in case you're stuck for inspiration):

2024 New Year's Writing Resolution: Revise Your Darlings
2023 New Year's Resolution for Writers: Motivation
2022 New Year's Writing Resolution: Observe the Ordinary
2021 New Year's Resolution for Writers: Read
2020 New Year's Resolution for Writers: Begin
2019 New Year's Resolution for Writers: To Thine Own Work Be True
2018 New Year's Resolution for Writers: Finish
New Year's Resolution: Write What You Fear
2016 - Your Year to Get Published!
A New Year's Resolution - For Writers (Get rejected!)
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<![CDATA[67 Calls for Submissions in January 2025 - Paying markets]]>Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:08:13 GMThttp://ericaverrillo.com/blog/67-calls-for-submissions-in-january-2025-paying-markets
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Wikimedia
This January 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.

Happy submitting!

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What If… Skunk Wurks EditionGenre: "Who doesn’t know the black projects that rolled out of the Skunk Works like the famous SR-71, U-2, or F-117 stealth fighter? What do you think they aren’t telling us about? This anthology dives into the concept of other black projects, their uses, and outcomes. Maybe the crazies are right. What If… the UFO’s are actually ours… Anything from discovery and design to use in application of the Aircraft, Heavy Weapons, Power Armor, Sea Vessels, and more are welcome." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

Flame Tree: Robots Past & Future Short StoriesGenre: Short fiction on theme: Robots. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word for original stories, 6 cents/4 pence for reprints. Deadline: January 1, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Glen Must Die! Genre: Speculative fiction. See theme. Payment: $.03/word pending a Kickstarter launch of the anthology. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

June Road PressGenre: Poetry collection, full-length, 40 to 60 poems, preferably the author’s first or second book. "We’re particularly interested in work with strong ecological/environmental themes, or that engages in meaningful ways with nature or place, by writers who identify as women." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

Cafe IrrealGenre: Magical realism. Length: Up to 2,000 words. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

Planet Black JoyRestrictions: Open to women and non-binary folk who identify as Black, African, or of Afro-descendent heritage. Genre: Fiction exploring and celebrating Black joy and pleasure. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

Utopia Science FictionGenre: Utopian science fiction. See themePayment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: January 1, 2025.

The Paris ReviewGenres: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens January 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: January 1, 2025. See themes.

CorditeGenre: Poetry. See themePayment: Not specified. Payment is available for Australian contributors only. Deadline: January 2, 2024.

Stone's ThrowGenre: Noir, dark fiction, crime short stories. Length: between 1,000 and 2,000 words. See themePayment: $25. Deadline: January 4, 2025. Note: This is a monthly call.

Sci Phi JournalGenre: Hard science fiction, fictional nonfiction, and speculative philosophy. Translations accepted. Payment: €0.03/word; €0.01/word for translations. Deadline: Opens January 4, 2025.

The Fantastic OtherGenre: Fiction, flash fiction, poetry, art on theme: Storm. Payment: $5. Deadline: January 5, 2025.

Rainy Weather DaysGenre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction on theme of Defiance. Payment: $25 for prose, $10 for poetry.  Deadline: January 5, 2025.

All My Relations is an art and lit, online and printed magazine, exploring themes of interconnectedness. This volume is open to racially and ethnically marginalized, gender variant, and disabled creatives only, in consideration of the theme. Own voices only, please. Payment: $10. Deadline: Open until filled or until January 5, 2025, whichever comes first.

MslexiaRestrictions: Open to women. Genre: Fiction poetry, nonfiction. Payment: £25. Deadline: January 6, 2025.

Sunlight PressGenre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, photography, reviews. Payment: $15 - $40. Deadline: Opens January 6, 2025.

Cosmic Horror MonthlyGenre: Weird and cosmic fiction under 5,000 words. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word. Deadline: January 7, 2025.

Fourteen Poems Genre: Poems. "We want to represent all that's thrilling about the new wave of LGBT+ poets. If you’re a poet, even if you’ve never been published before, we want to read your work. Every issue we publish 14 of the best queer poems we’ve found, and we want to include you! We publish 4 times a year, but take submissions all year round. To be considered, email up to 5 poems, preferably in a pdf format, with a small paragraph about yourself to hello@14poems.com." Payment: £25 for each poem published. Deadline: January 10, 2025.

HeadlandRestrictions: Open to Māori writers. Genre: Poetry, short fiction and nonfiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: January 10, 2025.

DaikaijuzineGenre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $10.00 for each short story, and $5.00 for each poem and flash fiction piece. Deadline: January 12, 2025. Opens January 6.

34 OrchardGenre: Fiction, poetry. "We like dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth. We’re not genre-specific; we just like scary, disturbing, unsettling, and sad." Payment: $50. Deadline: January 14, 2025. Opens January 1.

Midnight Meadow Publishing's goal is to publish engaging and unique LGBTQ+ stories while elevating marginalized voices. They are interested in a wide variety of genres. Read submission guidelines HEREDeadline: January 15, 2025.

Puncher & WattmannRestrictions: Open to Australians. Genre: Full-length fiction, memoir, poetry. Payment: Advance and royalties. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Electric SpecGenre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $20 per piece. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

100-Foot CrowGenre: Speculative fiction drabbles. Payment: $8. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Inked in GrayRestrictions: Open to Marginalized Representation includes LGBTQ+ representation (we will never ask you to out yourself), Authors of Color, Disabled Authors, etc. International authors welcome! Genre: Romance manuscripts - all genres and subgenres. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Tales from the CrosstimbersGenre: Science fiction, fantasy, splipstream, and horror. Payment:  $10 per story or 1 cent/word rounded to the nearest 100 words, up to a maximum of $25. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Shatter the Sun: Queer Tales of Untold AdventureGenre: Fantasy stories of queer heroes forged and tempered in the fire, fighting dark stars and bright suns, and overthrowing tyranny in all its forms. Sword and sorcery, sweat and sandals, souls and stars. Payment: $0.08/word. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

Beautiful Days PressGenre: Full-length and chapbook-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: January 15, 2025. 

Women Artists DatebookRestrictions: Open to women. Genre: Poems and art. Theme: Peace and Justice. Payment: $200 for art, $70 for poetry. Deadline: January 15, 2025.

OrionGenre: Essays on the environments in which songs are conceived and recorded. Payment: Who Pays Writers lists payment of 25 cents/word. Deadline: January 15, 2025. Pitches only.

PloughsharesGenre: Fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. Payment: $45/printed page, $90 minimum per title, $450 maximum per author. Deadline: January 15, 2025. (Charges for online submissions. No charge for snail mail.)

ShenandoahGenre: Fiction and novel excerpts. Payment: $80 per 1000 words of prose up to $400. Deadline: Opens January 15, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.


Rattle: Tribute to Food PoemsGenre: Poetry about food. Payment: $200. Deadline: January 16, 2025. 

HavokGenre: Flash fiction. See themesPayment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected. No payment for online publication. Deadline: January 17, 2025. 

Seaside GothicGenre: Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Payment: £0.01 per word. Deadline: January 19, 2025.

Flame Tree: Witch CraftGenre: Stories that deal with what it means to be ‘witch’, and the rediscovery and reclaiming of that power, its links to nature – and the exploration of whether a witch is drawn to 'good' or 'bad', and why. Stories should be in the horror and folk horror veins, and we’d like to see as wide a range as possible. Payment: 8 cents/6 pence per word. Deadline: January 19, 2025.

AstrolabeGenre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, and photography & art. Payment: $50. Deadline: January 21, 2025.

The Fairy Tale MagazineGenre: Fairy-tale inspired stories/poems. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: January 21, 2025.

This MagazineRestrictions: Open to Canadians. Submissions by BIPOC, Q2ST, disabled, and other marginalized writers are especially welcomed. Genre: Fiction. Payment: $125 per accepted short story up to 2500 words; 60$ per flash fiction story under 1000 words Deadline: January 26, 2025.

MythaxisGenre: Speculative fiction. Payment: €0.01 per word, with a €20 minimum. Deadline: January 30, 2025.

GwyllionRestrictions: Writers living in Wales and writers who identify (fully, in part, or by ancestry) as Welsh. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Welsh themes. Payment: £15 per accepted story or poem. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Event MagazineGenre: Poetry, fiction. Payment: CAD $40/page for poetry and $35/page for prose, up to a maximum of $500. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

JMS BooksGenre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See themePayment: Royalties. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

West Avenue: A Sparkle of Woodland MagicGenre: Short stories of up to 5,000 words and poems. See themePayment: £10. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

GarlandGenre: Poetry, prose poetry, short prose (<1500 words), and other experimental writing by queer, trans, and gender variant writers. Visual components and hybrid formats are welcome. Payment: $5. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

BrinkGenre: Hybrid, cross-genre fiction, nonfiction poetry. Payment: $25 Poem; $50 Work (less than 1500 words); $50 Art (1-3 Images); $100 Art (4+ Images); $100 Work (more than 1501 words). See themeDeadline: January 31, 2025.

The Temz ReviewGenre: Prose (fiction and creative non-fiction) up to 10,000 words long. Payment: $20. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Split Lip MagazineGenre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $75 for poems, memoirs, flash, fiction, and art, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews web issues. Deadline: January 31, 2025. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

december magazineGenre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction (essays, memoirs, biography, literary journalism, social or cultural commentary or analysis) and visual art that can be reproduced in our print format. Payment: $10.00 per page with a minimum of $40.00 and a maximum of $200.00. Deadline: January 31, 2025. For the month of January, they open fee-free submission portals exclusively for BIPOC writers.

The Bombay Literary MagazineGenre: Fiction, poetry, translated fiction/poetry and graphic fiction. Payment: Indian rupees 5,000 (approx. $61) per contribution. Deadline: January 31, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Parsec Ink: Triangulation: Dark HeartsGenre: Speculative stories and poems about women who are anti-heroes. Payment: 3¢ per word for fiction, 25 cents per line for poetry. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Ampersand ReviewRestrictions: 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: January 31, 2025.

FictionGenre: Experimental fiction and translations of works previously unpublished in English. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Dragon Soul Press: Reach for the StarsGenre: Contemporary fiction stories. Must feature a character overcoming various obstacles to reach their goals. Can be based on true stories. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Inked in Gray: WriteHive AnthologyGenre: Science fiction, fantasy, or horror only. Theme: Surviving Humanity. Payment: $45. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Silver BladeGenre: Science Fiction, Slipstream, Classic and Modern Fantasy; short fiction, flash fiction, novellas, and poetry. Payment: $15 for novellas, $3 for flash fiction, $8 for short stories, $8 for single poems and $15 for Featured Poets (by invitation only). Silver Pen will pay half of these rates for previously published works. Deadline: January 31, 2025. Reprints accepted.

Poetry From the RockRestrictions: Open to Canadians. Genre: Poetry. Payment: Short poems will receive $25 per poem, medium poems $50 per poem, and long poems $75 per poem. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

LitmosphereGenre: Art, flash (fiction and nonfiction), poetry, and short prose (fiction and literary nonfiction). Payment: $50 per accepted poem, flash fiction and nonfiction; $100 per short fiction and literary nonfiction; $250 for non-exclusive online use of 15-30 images. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Space and TimeGenre: 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 themePayment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 for poetry. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Only PoemsGenre: Poetry. "We love prose poems, traditional forms (ghazals, villanelles, sestinas), love poems, sex poems, and experimental questionnaires, but we are not married to a style or genre. We are welcoming of anything you think is your most exciting work. Ultimately, we want poems that move us or make us go: “God, I wish I had written this!” Payment: $55. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Nashville ReviewGenre: Fiction, poetry, art, and nonfiction. Payment: $25 per poem & song selection; $100 per selection for all other categories, including featured artwork. Translators receive $25 per poem & $100 for prose selections. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

SouthwordGenre: Poetry. Payment: €50 per poem. Deadline: January 31, 2025.

Malahat Review. Genre: Poetry. Payment: CAD $70/page. Deadline: January 31, 2025. (Note: Submissions by Canadian writers are accepted for consideration all year.)

Nonbinary ReviewGenre: Poetry, fiction, essays, and art. See themePayment: $10 - $25. Deadline: January 31, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

AND A FEW MORE...

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: February 1, 2025. See themes.

Last Girls ClubGenre: Feminist horror: short stories and poems - see themes. Payment: Fiction, 15 cents/word. Poetry, $10. Deadline: February 1, 2025.

The Paris ReviewGenres: Fiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens February 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

The First Line JournalGenre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry using the line provided. (See theme) Payment: $25-50 for fiction, $25 for nonfiction, $10 for poetry. Deadline: February 1, 2025.
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