There are over two dozen calls for submissions in May. Genres include speculative fiction, horror, comedy, personal essays, poetry, general fiction and "everything." Some of these calls are for themed issues, so make sure you read the full guidelines before submitting.
Note: I post calls for submissions during the last week of every month. But if you want to get a jump on upcoming calls, you can find a list of sites that regularly post submission calls (paying and non-paying markets) on Calls for Submissions.
____________________
Subterrain
Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, commentary, essay – all welcome!
Length: Maximum of 3,000 words
Payment: $50 per page
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Ghosts on Drugs: Anthology
Genre: Short stories (mix of comedy + other genres)
Payment: 6-15 cents per word
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Story Magazine
Genres: Story, essay, poetry submissions wanted for 'Identity' issue
Payment: $20 per page (prose), $30+ per poem
Length: Maximum of 2500 words
Deadline: May 1, 2016
Reprints considered if they fit the theme
____________________
Skirt! Magazine
Genre: Personal essay. All Things Summer.
Length: Between 800 and 1,100 words
Payment: $200
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Understorey Magazine
Submissions are open to writers and artists who self-identify as women and live in Canada (or are Canadian citizens living abroad).
Genre: Fiction, poetry, art
Length: Under 1,500 words
Payment: $40-$65
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Sirens Call Publications: 'Monster Brawl' Anthology
Genre: Horror
Length: 4,000 - 8,000 words
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Lethe Press: Nature of the Phantasms: Queering the Cthulhu Mythos
Genre: Cthulhu Mythos tales told from an LGBT point of view, all genres
Length: Up to 6,000 words
Payment: 3 cents/word and 2 copies of the book
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Lethe Press: 'Survivor' anthology
"In this SF/F anthology, we’re looking for stories of everyday trauma survival -- from a barmaid on an intergalactic space station who was abandoned by her parents, to a farmer’s son bullied by his peers, who withstands and resists their abuse. We also welcome stories with a war setting, such as stories about veterans and refugees. The key component for all of these stories is how relatively ordinary characters survive and thrive, given the traumatic experiences they’ve had. Note: we aren’t necessarily looking for happily ever after. Trauma survival rarely ends in happily ever after, though it can, and hopefully will, end in closure and a coming to terms."
Genre: Speculative fiction
Length: Up to 10,000 words
Payment: 3 cents/word
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
New Legends Book 2
Genre: Steampunk
Length: 2,500 minimum – 8,000 maximum
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 9, 2016
____________________
Lamplight
Genre: Dark fiction
Length: Up to 7,000 words
Payment: 3 cents per word
Deadline: May 15, 2016
Reprints accepted at 1 cent per word
____________________
Migla Press: Toxic
"The world can be a dangerous place, not just from the obvious, but also from the most seemingly innocent. From despots who silence entire nations with deadly gas, to the tiniest creatures which can kill with a single sting or bite, this anthology is centered around the theme of poisons, toxins, and anything, well...toxic. The goal for this publication will be to collect ten unique stories, each using a different real life substance (they must actually exist)."
Genre: Any
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 15, 2016
____________________
Alaska Quarterly Review
Genre: Fiction, short plays, poetry, photo essays, and literary non-fiction in traditional and experimental styles
Payment: $50-$200 for prose; $10-$50 for poetry
Deadline: May 15, 2016
____________________
Coffee House Conversations
Genre: Poetry or prose excerpt, 50 words max. Submissions must be written by a writer of color currently living in St. Paul.
Payment: $100
Deadline: May 15, 2016
Previously published work accepted
____________________
Kweli Journal
"Kweli is the first online journal of its kind to celebrate community and cultural kinships. In this shared space, you will hear the lived experience of people of color. Our many stories. Our shared histories. Our creative play with language. Here our memories are wrapped inside the music of the Muscogee, the blues songs of the South, the clipped patois of the Caribbean."
Genre: Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry
Length: No more than 7,000 words
Payment: "upon publication"
Deadline: May 30, 2016
____________________
Ticonderoga Press: "Welcome" Anthology
"People leave their homes behind, setting off, often risking everything, in search of a new start, a better life. We are looking for stories that emphasise what makes these people the same rather than focussing on where they are going, exploring the idea this is something that could happen to anyone and that seeking refuge in a new land can be a good thing, both for the migrant and for the place that becomes their new home. Stories that look at the inhumanity of indefinite detention of refugees, of allowing them to be stripped of their dignity and sanity. Stories that explore the potential benefits of allowing refugees to establish a new, safer life. Stories of hope."
Genre: Short stories, mainly science fiction and fantasy, but other genres accepted
Length: 1500 to 7500 words
Payment: 8 cents/word (AU)
Deadline: May 30, 2016
____________________
Otter Libris: Amazing Tales from the Circus Anthology
"Circuses are supposed to be places of joy and wonder, but they are also full of clowns and many people find clowns distinctly creepy. Circuses come into town and disappear after a brief stay, leaving behind nothing but a memory of the magic. They are homes for misfits, bearded ladies and contortionists who might be shunned in the outside world. What better environment than a circus for a story of magic and wonder that leaves you wondering if it ever happened. Give us your best wonderful, dark, or fantastic story about the circus."
Genre: Dark Fiction
Length: 3,000 to 10,000 words
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Reprints accepted if they are a perfect fit
____________________
One Story
Genre: Literary Fiction
Length: Between 3,000 and 8,000 words
Payment: $500
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Contemporary Verse 2
Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews.
Length: Varies
Payment: Poetry: $30 per poem; Interviews: $50-$100, depending upon length; Articles: $50-$100, depending upon length; Essays: $40-$150, depending upon length; Reviews: $20-$75, depending upon length
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Arc magazine
Genre: Poetry (modern style), book reviews, and poetry-themed essays
Payment: $40/page and one copy
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
The Gettysburg Review
Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays
Payment: $2.00 per line for poetry and $15 per printed page for prose. Published authors also receive a copy of the issue containing their work and a one-year subscription.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
_____________________
Where the Stars Rise Anthology
Genre: Asian speculative fiction
Payment: 6 cents/word (CAN)
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Agni
Genre: Poetry, short stories, essays, stand-alone novel excerpts
Payment: $20 per page for prose and $40 per page for poetry, with a $300 maximum
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Grain Magazine
Genre: Poetry, short stories, literary non-fiction
Payment: $50 per page to a maximum of $250, plus 3 copies of the issue
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
_____________________
Haunted Waters Press: From the Depths: Outsiders
"We welcome both the profound and the quirky. We are open to most styles and genres of fiction including speculative, dark, experimental, and literary. We love flash fiction of any word count as long as it tells a complete story. We enjoy all forms of poetry including experimental, rhyming, free verse, and invented form. While we welcome deep, meaningful poetry, we also enjoy works that are witty, peculiar, or offbeat. As a general rule, we do not accept erotica. Horror only upon request. Profanity and violence, if used, must be integral to the story."
Payment: $.01 - $.04/word
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
ZYZZYVA
Payment: Token to semi-pro
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
____________________
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada
"In 2017 Canada will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Our Canadian writers and readers will be focused on what Canada, and being Canadian, means. Send us your stories about what it means to be a Canadian, whether you're talking about hockey or camping, Celtic fiddle music and step dancing or singing “O Canada,” or any of the other things that make you so proud—and grateful—to be Canadian."
Genre: True stories
Payment: $200
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Nashville Review
"Nashville Review seeks to publish the best work we can get our hands on, period. From expansive to minimalist, narrative to lyric, epiphanic to subtle—if it’s a moving work of art, we want it."
Genre: Short stories and poems
Payment: $100/story, $25/poem
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Antioch Review
Genre: Nonfiction articles and some fiction geared to an educated audience
Payment: $20/page
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
Note: I post calls for submissions during the last week of every month. But if you want to get a jump on upcoming calls, you can find a list of sites that regularly post submission calls (paying and non-paying markets) on Calls for Submissions.
____________________
Subterrain
Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, commentary, essay – all welcome!
Length: Maximum of 3,000 words
Payment: $50 per page
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Ghosts on Drugs: Anthology
Genre: Short stories (mix of comedy + other genres)
Payment: 6-15 cents per word
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Story Magazine
Genres: Story, essay, poetry submissions wanted for 'Identity' issue
Payment: $20 per page (prose), $30+ per poem
Length: Maximum of 2500 words
Deadline: May 1, 2016
Reprints considered if they fit the theme
____________________
Skirt! Magazine
Genre: Personal essay. All Things Summer.
Length: Between 800 and 1,100 words
Payment: $200
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Understorey Magazine
Submissions are open to writers and artists who self-identify as women and live in Canada (or are Canadian citizens living abroad).
Genre: Fiction, poetry, art
Length: Under 1,500 words
Payment: $40-$65
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Sirens Call Publications: 'Monster Brawl' Anthology
Genre: Horror
Length: 4,000 - 8,000 words
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Lethe Press: Nature of the Phantasms: Queering the Cthulhu Mythos
Genre: Cthulhu Mythos tales told from an LGBT point of view, all genres
Length: Up to 6,000 words
Payment: 3 cents/word and 2 copies of the book
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
Lethe Press: 'Survivor' anthology
"In this SF/F anthology, we’re looking for stories of everyday trauma survival -- from a barmaid on an intergalactic space station who was abandoned by her parents, to a farmer’s son bullied by his peers, who withstands and resists their abuse. We also welcome stories with a war setting, such as stories about veterans and refugees. The key component for all of these stories is how relatively ordinary characters survive and thrive, given the traumatic experiences they’ve had. Note: we aren’t necessarily looking for happily ever after. Trauma survival rarely ends in happily ever after, though it can, and hopefully will, end in closure and a coming to terms."
Genre: Speculative fiction
Length: Up to 10,000 words
Payment: 3 cents/word
Deadline: May 1, 2016
____________________
New Legends Book 2
Genre: Steampunk
Length: 2,500 minimum – 8,000 maximum
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 9, 2016
____________________
Lamplight
Genre: Dark fiction
Length: Up to 7,000 words
Payment: 3 cents per word
Deadline: May 15, 2016
Reprints accepted at 1 cent per word
____________________
Migla Press: Toxic
"The world can be a dangerous place, not just from the obvious, but also from the most seemingly innocent. From despots who silence entire nations with deadly gas, to the tiniest creatures which can kill with a single sting or bite, this anthology is centered around the theme of poisons, toxins, and anything, well...toxic. The goal for this publication will be to collect ten unique stories, each using a different real life substance (they must actually exist)."
Genre: Any
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 15, 2016
____________________
Alaska Quarterly Review
Genre: Fiction, short plays, poetry, photo essays, and literary non-fiction in traditional and experimental styles
Payment: $50-$200 for prose; $10-$50 for poetry
Deadline: May 15, 2016
____________________
Coffee House Conversations
Genre: Poetry or prose excerpt, 50 words max. Submissions must be written by a writer of color currently living in St. Paul.
Payment: $100
Deadline: May 15, 2016
Previously published work accepted
____________________
Kweli Journal
"Kweli is the first online journal of its kind to celebrate community and cultural kinships. In this shared space, you will hear the lived experience of people of color. Our many stories. Our shared histories. Our creative play with language. Here our memories are wrapped inside the music of the Muscogee, the blues songs of the South, the clipped patois of the Caribbean."
Genre: Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry
Length: No more than 7,000 words
Payment: "upon publication"
Deadline: May 30, 2016
____________________
Ticonderoga Press: "Welcome" Anthology
"People leave their homes behind, setting off, often risking everything, in search of a new start, a better life. We are looking for stories that emphasise what makes these people the same rather than focussing on where they are going, exploring the idea this is something that could happen to anyone and that seeking refuge in a new land can be a good thing, both for the migrant and for the place that becomes their new home. Stories that look at the inhumanity of indefinite detention of refugees, of allowing them to be stripped of their dignity and sanity. Stories that explore the potential benefits of allowing refugees to establish a new, safer life. Stories of hope."
Genre: Short stories, mainly science fiction and fantasy, but other genres accepted
Length: 1500 to 7500 words
Payment: 8 cents/word (AU)
Deadline: May 30, 2016
____________________
Otter Libris: Amazing Tales from the Circus Anthology
"Circuses are supposed to be places of joy and wonder, but they are also full of clowns and many people find clowns distinctly creepy. Circuses come into town and disappear after a brief stay, leaving behind nothing but a memory of the magic. They are homes for misfits, bearded ladies and contortionists who might be shunned in the outside world. What better environment than a circus for a story of magic and wonder that leaves you wondering if it ever happened. Give us your best wonderful, dark, or fantastic story about the circus."
Genre: Dark Fiction
Length: 3,000 to 10,000 words
Payment: $25
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Reprints accepted if they are a perfect fit
____________________
One Story
Genre: Literary Fiction
Length: Between 3,000 and 8,000 words
Payment: $500
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Contemporary Verse 2
Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews.
Length: Varies
Payment: Poetry: $30 per poem; Interviews: $50-$100, depending upon length; Articles: $50-$100, depending upon length; Essays: $40-$150, depending upon length; Reviews: $20-$75, depending upon length
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Arc magazine
Genre: Poetry (modern style), book reviews, and poetry-themed essays
Payment: $40/page and one copy
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
The Gettysburg Review
Genre: Poetry, fiction, essays
Payment: $2.00 per line for poetry and $15 per printed page for prose. Published authors also receive a copy of the issue containing their work and a one-year subscription.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
_____________________
Where the Stars Rise Anthology
Genre: Asian speculative fiction
Payment: 6 cents/word (CAN)
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Agni
Genre: Poetry, short stories, essays, stand-alone novel excerpts
Payment: $20 per page for prose and $40 per page for poetry, with a $300 maximum
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Grain Magazine
Genre: Poetry, short stories, literary non-fiction
Payment: $50 per page to a maximum of $250, plus 3 copies of the issue
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
_____________________
Haunted Waters Press: From the Depths: Outsiders
"We welcome both the profound and the quirky. We are open to most styles and genres of fiction including speculative, dark, experimental, and literary. We love flash fiction of any word count as long as it tells a complete story. We enjoy all forms of poetry including experimental, rhyming, free verse, and invented form. While we welcome deep, meaningful poetry, we also enjoy works that are witty, peculiar, or offbeat. As a general rule, we do not accept erotica. Horror only upon request. Profanity and violence, if used, must be integral to the story."
Payment: $.01 - $.04/word
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
ZYZZYVA
Payment: Token to semi-pro
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
____________________
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of Canada
"In 2017 Canada will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Our Canadian writers and readers will be focused on what Canada, and being Canadian, means. Send us your stories about what it means to be a Canadian, whether you're talking about hockey or camping, Celtic fiddle music and step dancing or singing “O Canada,” or any of the other things that make you so proud—and grateful—to be Canadian."
Genre: True stories
Payment: $200
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Nashville Review
"Nashville Review seeks to publish the best work we can get our hands on, period. From expansive to minimalist, narrative to lyric, epiphanic to subtle—if it’s a moving work of art, we want it."
Genre: Short stories and poems
Payment: $100/story, $25/poem
Deadline: May 31, 2016
____________________
Antioch Review
Genre: Nonfiction articles and some fiction geared to an educated audience
Payment: $20/page
Deadline: May 31, 2016
Snail mail submissions only
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