There are more than three dozen free contests in April, covering the full range of topics, styles and genres, from essays, to poetry, to full-length works.

In addition to the prestige of winning a contest, some of the monetary prizes this month are substantial.

Be sure to check the submission requirements carefully, as some have age and geographical restrictions.

Many contests are offered annually, so if you miss a contest you may be able to catch it next year. For a full month-by-month listing of contests see: Free Contests.

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Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest. Now in its 16th year, this contest seeks today's best humor poems, published and unpublished. Please enter one poem only, 250 lines max. Prize: $2,250 in prizes, including a top prize of $1,000, and publication on Winning Writers. Deadline: April 1, 2017. Submission form HERE.

Bill Hallberg Award in Creative Writing. Restrictions: Open to undergraduate students at colleges and universities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Genre: Single poem. Prize: $150. Deadline: April 1, 2017. Submit poem to Christy Hallberg as hallbergc@ecu.edu

The Scythe Prize. Restrictions: Open to college students. Genre: Short stories, creative nonfiction. Prize: $200. Deadline: April 1, 2017. Submission guidelines are HERE.

The Penny Fiction Flash Fiction Competition. Genre: Flash fiction stories told in exactly 15 words. Prize: $25 and publication. Deadline: April 1, 2017. How to enter: Read submission guidelines HERE (scroll down).

Bop Dead City. Genres: Prose, poetry. Prize: $20. Deadline: April 1, 2017. More details are HERE.

Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be Canadian, and an entry must be the writer's first or second published book of any type or genre and must have a Canadian locale and/or significance. Genre: Print books and ebooks of creative non-fiction published in the previous calendar year. Prize: C$10,000.00. Deadline: April 1, 2017.

The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers. Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians awards fellowships for writers to spend time in McCullers' childhood home in Columbus, Georgia. The fellowships are intended to afford the writers in residence uninterrupted time to dedicate to their work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities. Award: Stipend of $5000 to cover costs of transportation, food and other incidentals. Fellowship recipients will be required to introduce or advance their work through reading or workshop/forum presentations. The Fellow will work with the McCullers Center Director to plan a presentation near the end of the residency. Deadline: April 1, 2017. 

The Great American Think-Off. Genre: Essay on the theme: “Has the 2016 election changed our perception of truth?” Entrants should take a strong stand agreeing or disagreeing with this topic, basing their arguments on personal experience and observations rather than philosophical abstraction. Essay should be no more than 750 words. Prize: One of four $500 cash prizes. Deadline: April 1, 2017.

Washington State Book Awards. Restrictions: Open to Washington State writers. Genre: Published book, all genres. Prize: $500. Deadline: April 1, 2017. 

The Waterston Desert Writing Prize. Genre: Literary nonfiction, desert theme. Prize: $1,500.  Deadline: April 1, 2017.

William Saroyan Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to students in 1st grade through college. Genre: Short story, 2 pages. Prize: $50 - $100. Deadline: April 1, 2017.

Graphix Publication Contest. Restrictions: US residents only. Genre: Graphic novel for children and teens. Prize: Up to five (5) winners will receive an offer to publish their work with Scholastic and a $15,000 advance, with $5,000. Deadline: April 1, 2017.

B4ME Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to UK & IRELAND residents of black, Asian minority ethnic background, and will need to provide this information in the sign up form. Genre: Short story, unpublished. Prize: £1,000, and the story will be published on the Guardian website. Deadline: April 2, 2017.

Harold U. Ribalow Prize. Genre: Fiction on a Jewish theme, published books only. Prize: $3,000. Deadline: April 7, 2017. More details are HERE.

Radiating You. Genre: Letter. "Tune out the noise of the world for a few minutes and write the letter that could really inspire others, but more importantly, inspire yourself." Prize: 1st place $100, 2nd place $75, 3rd place $50. Publication on blog and in a compilation book in 2018. Deadline: April 7, 2017.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translation of Asian poetry into English. Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 7, 2017.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: April 7, 2017.

A Voice for Animals Teen Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to students between the ages of 14-18. Genre: Essays on an animal rights topic.  In the 16-18 year olds category, essays must be 800-1,000 words long and be accompanied by a photograph; in the 14-15 year olds category, essays should be between 1,400-1,500 words. One climate change prize (both age categories compete) will be awarded for an essay on how climate change affects a particular animal species. Prize: $500. Deadline: April 10, 2017.

Monash Undergraduate Prize for Creative Writing. "Now in its sixth year, the Prize is a significant literary award for new and emerging writers. The prize is open to both Australian and New Zealand university students, enrolled in either an undergraduate or honours degree. All types of creative writing will be accepted, including short stories, non-fiction narrative and narrative verse." Prize: $4000.  Deadline: April 12, 2017. 

Wikipedia: Leading Edge and Harold B. Lee Library Contest. Restrictions: Wikipedia content creators and article writers. Genre: Improve upon an article within the guidelines to enter. Prizes range from $25-50 for the first four placers, plus various copies of Leading Edge Magazine. Articles improved must involve Utah and the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre in some way (the website gives a few suggested articles). Pages must be improved to at least double their current character count. Prize: $25 - $50. Deadline: April 12, 2017. 

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between March 1, 2017 and April 30, 2017 to be eligible for the 2017 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: April 15, 2017.

Great Plains Emerging Tribal Writer Award. Restrictions: Open to writers enrolled in a Native American tribe from the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Nebraska who have not published a book of creative writing. Genres: Short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, or drama/screenplays. Prize: $500. Deadline: April 15, 2017.

Wick Poetry Center High School Poetry Competition. Restrictions: Open to Ohio high school seniors. Genre: Poetry. Prize: One-time $1,500 scholarship to Kent State University. Second and third prize winners receive $1,000 and $500 one-time scholarships. Deadline: April 15, 2017.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Genre: Essay. "Emerging writers are asked to offer and explore stories of what humans build in wild places, considering the ecological and emotional integrity of wilderness and wildness. From trails and bridges to communities and visitor service facilities, humans have an undeniable impact on the wild places we love, even as we seek to steward these most meaningful landscapes for their own sakes, ourselves and future generations. How do we strike a balance—personally and culturally—between discovering and sustaining the spirit and substance of wilderness and wildness?" Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $1500 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $500. Deadline: April 15, 2017. 

Common Good Books Poetry Contest is sponsored by Common Good Books, proprietor Garrison Keillor. Genre: Poetry. The poem must be a Poem of Experience. Prize: Grand prizes of $1000 each, and four poets will receive $500 for poems of particular merit. Deadline: April 15, 2017. 

Galtelli Literary Prize. Genre: Short fiction up to 5000 words that reflects the themes of Canne al Vento, a book by Grazia Deledda (such as identity, class, and religion). Prize: 1st – 5th place, travel and accommodations to Sardinia. grand prize winner, €1000. Deadline: April 15, 2017.

Enterprise Through Literature Contest for High School Students. Restrictions: Open to high school students teams (up to four people). Genre: Video and essay. "The theme of this year’s ETL contest is Individual Identity in Utopia and Dystopia. In a utopia/dystopian society, how does the restriction of an individual’s rights impact their role in society and therefore entrepreneurial spirit? Cite examples from both your chosen piece of literature and real world examples. The essay should be between 250 and 500 words and should concisely explain the link between the video and the work of literature." Prize: $2,000. Deadline: April 17, 2017. 

The Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest is open to 12th grade, undergraduate and graduate students. To be eligible for this contest, you must write an essay of no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, double-spaced, on one of three topics related to Ayn Rand's novel, Atlas Shrugged. Essays are judged on both style and content. The winning essay must demonstrate an outstanding knowledge of the book Atlas Shrugged. Prizes: 1st - $10,000, 2nd - $2,000, 3rd - $1,000. Also prizes for finalists, and semi-finalists. Deadline: April 28, 2017. Entry form and details here.

McLaughlin-Esstman-Stearns First Novel Prize is awarded to the author of the best first novel published in the previous calendar year. Restrictions: Only American authors publishing in English are eligible. Non-eligible books include short story collections, flash fiction, memoirs, biographies and books published solely in electronic format. Prize: $500. Deadline: April 28, 2017.

Luminarts Creative Writing Program. The Creative Writing Competition awards five $5,000 grant awards and Luminarts Fellowships across categories of creative nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. Open to writers between the ages of 18 and 30 years old at the time of application; be enrolled in, or have graduated from, a degree program; and live within 150 miles of the Union League Club of Chicago. Genre: Poetry or prose, fiction and nonfiction. Prize: $5,000 and publication in Luminarts Review, a literary journal. Deadline: April 28, 2017.

Toronto Book Awards. Genres: All genres accepted. Restrictions: Submission "must evoke the city itself, that is, contain some clear Toronto content (this may be reflected in the themes, settings, subjects, etc.). Authors do not necessarily have to reside in Toronto. Ebooks, textbooks and self-published works are not eligible. Prize: A total of $15,000 CD will be awarded. Each shortlisted author (usually 4-6) receives C$1,000 and the winning author is awarded the remainder. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. Restrictions: 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, 2016. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $25,800.  Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Lake Superior State University High School Short Story Prize. Restrictions: Open to high school students students residing in the Midwestern United States (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) or Ontario, Canada. Genre: Short realistic fiction. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Wax Poetry and Art Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem. (Enter 1 poem for free. There is a charge for additional poems.)  Prize: $120. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation Writing Competition. Genre: Play. Only full-length works (dramas, comedies, musicals, screenplays) will be considered. One entry per author. Scripts must be original. Must be in English. All must concern LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) life and be based on, or directly inspired by, a historical person, culture, work of art, or event. Prize: First Prize, $3,000. Second Prize, $1,500. Honorable Mentions, $500. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Friends of Falun Gong, Poetry Contest. Genre: Poem Submit one or two poems of no more than 50 lines each. Poems must encompass at least one of the following themes: Advocate for Falun Gong practitioner’s fundamental human rights. Expose the crimes against Falun Gong perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party. Share in the beauty, peacefulness and good nature of Falun Gong. Prizes: $500, $250, $100. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

SA Writer’s College Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to unpublished writers in South Africa. Genre: Short stories. Prizes: 1st – R 10 000; 2nd – R 5 000; 3rd – R 2 000. Deadline: April 30, 2017.

Conferences are not only the best way to meet agents, get tips from other writers, and learn about the publishing industry, they make you feel like a writer. We all need community, and this is how we, as writers, get the necessary incentive to keep writing.

If you miss your perfect conference this year, you may be able to catch it next year. Many conferences are annual occurrences. Planning ahead may also lower the cost, as quite a few conferences offer scholarships and discounts for early bird registrations.

To see a full list of conferences organized by month, as well as links for finding conferences in your area see: Writing Conferences.
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Rananim online classes Courses run for eight weeks from April through May. "Participants receive personalized feedback on assignments from their instructor, as well as responses from classmates on discussion board forums. All instructors are university professors and/or working professional writers, who have experience teaching at the Taos Summer Writers’ Conference. Classes are limited to 15 students who will engage in conversation with you and your work. Firm deadlines and feedback help keep you writing and improving your work throughout the class." International students accepted. Cost: $400 per class.

Rochester Writers' Spring Conference. Apr 1, 2017, Rochester Hills, Michigan. Writing for Children and Young Adults.

Writers' Day. April 1, 2017, Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. Workshops and seminars led by professional writers, editors, agents, and publishers. The conference includes the option of face-to-face manuscript critiques and agent/publisher one-on-one pitch sessions.

Tennessee Mountain Writers Annual Conference, Apr 6 - 8, 2016, Oak Ridge, TN. Speakers and session leaders include Carol Aebersold, Jessie van Eerden, Beverly Connor, Debbie Dadey, Marianne Worthington, Susan Gregg Gilmore, Victoria Hubbell, Kory Wells, and more!

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Retreat. April 6 - 9, 2017, Colorado Springs, CO. An intensive 3-day writing retreat with Susan Spann, Anita Mumm and Susan Brooks.

IBPA Publishing University. April 7-8, 2017, Portland, OR. The Independent Book Publishers Association offers 30+ educational sessions including experiential learning labs, insightful keynotes, a gala book award ceremony, networking events, and so more!Cost: $195-$475.

William Paterson University Spring Writer’s Conference. Wayne, New Jersey, April 8, 2017. Readings and workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. The faculty includes poet Rosa Alcalá.

San Antonio Book Festival. April 8, 2017, San Antonio, TX. The San Antonio Book Festival is a FREE, annual, daylong event that unites readers and writers in a celebration of ideas, books, libraries, and literary culture. Featuring more than 80 nationally and regionally acclaimed authors, the Festival offers programming for all ages.

Rally of Writers Conference. April 8, 2017, Lansing, Michigan. Keynote speaker will be Lori Nelson Spielman, international bestselling author of The Life List and Sweet Forgiveness, and 10 Michigan authors and educators in 15 breakout sessions and workshops on all aspects of writing, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, the Nuts & Bolts of manuscript submissions, and more.

Duck River Writers’ Conference. April 8, 2017, Columbia, Tennessee. Features workshops, craft talks, manuscript consultations, and a featured reading. Workshops are offered for poetry, fiction, and creative works written by teens. Workshop participants must submit manuscripts by March 20 to be considered. Registration: $15 (free for Columbia State students with a valid I.D.) An additional reading fee of $15 is required to attend a workshop.

New York Writers Workshop Fiction Pitch Conference, April 8 – 9, 2017, Ripley-Grier Studios (NY Spaces) 520 Eighth Ave (36th/37th), 16th Fl. Participants polish their pitches with the help of conference leaders who are members of the New York Writers Workshop faculty, then they present them to three different editors from major New York publishing houses. Editors provide feedback and may request proposals and manuscripts after the conference.

New Worlds, New Voices Workshop for Science Fiction and Fantasy. April 12 - 16, Morro Bay, CA. During the course of the conference, writers will hone and improve their writer voice and style by studying and applying an array of narrative, scene, and structure technique, thus enabling them to begin, enhance, and/or reconstruct their work in more powerful and innovative ways. Writing exercises are derived from analysis of a select group of works by both dramatists and authors. Writers are given assignments focusing on aspects of their writing, character and plot development. On days number two and three, the writers return to the workshop to review and discuss assignments as they pertain to their work-in-progress (novel or short fiction). Writers continue to workshop their novel, and all relevant elements, prior to pitching to agents and editors. Writers will focus on pitching their work and getting reactive feedback from agents and editors in attendance, and that includes their workshop leaders. Pitch sessions will take place in private, and in the group, as deemed appropriate by faculty. Cost: $795.00 for five days.

Norwescon, April 13 - 16, 2017, Sea Tac, WA. Norwescon is one of the largest regional Science Fiction and Fantasy conventions in the United States.

Business Writers Conference. April 19 - 21, 2017, Birmingham, Alabama. A conference for professionals who want to publish their idea, concept, or expertise. Speakers, boot camp. break-out sessions, workshops.

Las Vegas Writer’s Conference sponsored by the Henderson Writers’ Group, Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada. April 20 – 22, 2017. Join writing professionals, agents publishers and marketing experts for a weekend of workshops and enlightening discussions about the publishing industry. A chance to pitch your manuscript and ideas to agents.

Poetry at Round Top Festival. April 21 - 23, 2017. Round Top, Texas. Features readings, lectures, craft talks, panel discussions, and workshops with poets Featuring Vijay Seshadri, Cornelius Eady, Natalie Diaz, Octavio Quintanilla, Wendy Barker, J. Scott Brownlee, Barbara Crooker, Lisa Olstein, Sheila Fiona Black and more.

North Carolina Writers’ Network Spring Conference. April 22, 2017, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, North Carolina. Features intensive workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as publisher exhibits, on-site "lunch with an author" readings, and an open mic. Cost: $150 ($99 for members) until April 17 and $165 ($135 for members) thereafter and on-site.

Sign of the Times: An AfroSurreal EcoArts Festival and Conference. April 22, 2017, Oakland, CA. This free event will focus on creating eco-lit (poetry and prose based on the environment) and eco-art using environmental friendly practices. This year's event will take place at ProArts Gallery in Oakland, CA, on April 22 from 1-4 pm.

Spring Big Apple. April 22, 2017, NYC, NY. Offers a session on queries and pitches, a Meet the Agents panel, an opportunity to pitch your project and a writing workshop with poet Myra Shapiro.

The Cambridge Writers’ Workshop Spring in Portland Writing Retreat. April 22 - 24, 2017, Portland, OR. The retreat offers multi-genre workshops, as well as craft seminars and time to write. The faculty includes award-winning writers Adam Reid Sexton, Kerry Cohen, Rita Banerjee, and Diana Norma Szokolyai. Genres include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The cost of the retreat is $750, which includes tuition, lodging, and some meals. Register by March 15, 2017.

Travel & Words: Northwest Travel Writers Conference. Apr 23 - 25, 2017, Salem, OR. Workshops, panels, networking and Writer Matchmaking: Writers attending Travel & Words are looking for story ideas and possibly press trips. These “speed dating” sessions connect destination marketers with freelance writers and bloggers on the “Experienced” track.

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) Edgar Week Symposium. Apr 26, 2017, New York City, NY. Panels, discussions. Cost: $95 members, $125 non-members – with a $10 retroactive discount for those who join Mystery Writers of America within 30 days after Symposium.

Arkansas Literary Festival. Apr 27 - 30, 2017, Little Rock, Arkansas. "Prestigious award-winners, screenwriters, comedians, an expert witness, artists, and a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet are among the diverse roster of presenters who will be providing sessions." Free.

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference, April 28 - 30, 2017. Colorado Springs, Colorado. "The three-day conference is full of topical, in-depth workshops, dynamic keynote speakers, opportunities for one-on-one time with agents and editors, the chance to read your work aloud for constructive critique, plus time to socialize with fellow writers."

Monadnock Pastoral Poetry Retreat. Apr 28 - 30, 2017. Greenfield, NH.  Includes workshops, individual conferences, participant & mentor readings; hiking & kayaking (weather permitting). Each workshop uses dual mentors.

Colrain Poetry Manuscript Conference. April 28 to May 1, 2017. Naples, Maine. Features evaluation and discussion of book-length and chapbook-length manuscripts with poets, editors, and publishers. The faculty includes poet-editor-educators Joan Houlihan, Fred Marchant, Stephen Motika and Martha Rhodes. Cost: $1,375, which includes lodging and meals. 

2017 Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp. April 28 - May 1, 2017. Tahoe City, CA. The Writing By Writers Manuscript Boot Camp is for the writer who has a full book-length manuscript (novel, memoir or short story collection) and would like to engage with a small group for a serious and productive response. The long weekend will include an intimate full manuscript workshop, craft talks, readings, an agent panel and individual agent meetings – the perfect pre-publication boot camp for any manuscript. Classes are limited to 5 participants.Tuition includes one three-day workshop, admittance to all craft talks, panels and readings, a one-on-one with an agent, all meals (dinner on Friday; three meals Saturday and Sunday; breakfast, and lunch on Sunday) and lodging in a single room for three nights. Vegetarian meals are available upon request. FULL.

Write Now! Apr 29, 2017, Raleigh NC. One day writing conference hosted by Triangle Association of Freelancers.Sessions include screenwriting, financial tips for writers, pillars of freelance success, copyediting, trade pubs, column writing, publishing tips and more. Cost: $69; $59 for students with ID and seniors 65+; $80 at the door.

Northeast Texas Writers Organization. Apr 29, 2017, Mt. Pleasant, TX. One-day bootcamp.

Here are two new agents seeking clients. Natascha Morris (Bookends)  is seeking picture books, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, historical fiction, and narrative non-fiction. Justin Wells (Corvisiero Literary) is looking to represent middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult novels. For middle grade, he is actively seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, and historical fiction. In young adult, he is seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, historical fiction, contemporary, and dystopian fiction. For new adult, he is seeking fantasy, contemporary romance, and science fiction. And, lastly, for adult, he is seeking fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction.

Note: You can find a comprehensive list of new and established agents seeking clients here: Agents Seeking Clients
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Justin Wells of Corvisiero Literary

About Justin: Justin started his journey six years ago when he began his young adult literature blog. If you had asked him then, he would have never imagined just how much his journey over the course of those early years would impact his future. Starting as an intern with the Corvisiero Literary Agency in May of 2016 quickly turned into a position as a Literary Agent Apprentice, under the guidance of Marisa Corvisiero. Being a literary agent is something that Justin has fallen in love with, and is eager to continue for years to come.

He is seeking: Justin is looking to represent middle grade, young adult, new adult, and adult novels. For middle grade, he is actively seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, and historical fiction. In young adult, he is seeking fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, adventure, historical fiction, contemporary, and dystopian fiction. For new adult, he is seeking fantasy, contemporary romance, and science fiction. And, lastly, for adult, he is seeking fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. He would really like to see submissions for all categories and genres that have diverse main characters.

How to submit: To submit a query to Justin, e-mail query@corvisieroagency.com with the subject line “Query – ATTN: Justin Wells, [insert name of manuscript]”. When submitting your query, please make sure that you are making it as strong as it can be. Please include a one to two page synopsis, and also the first ten pages of your manuscript within the body of your query, at the bottom (no attachments will be accepted.

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Natascha Morris of Bookends

About Natascha: Before joining Bookends, Natascha Morris worked at Simon and Schuster’s Atheneum Books for Young Readers and Margaret K. McElderry Books. Prior to that she was an intern with Sourcebooks.

She is seeking: Picture books, middle grade and young adult manuscripts across most genres, including contemporary, mysteries, thrillers, fantasy, historical fiction, and narrative non-fiction.

"As the child of an immigrant, I would love to see a middle grade that addresses that. There were times I didn’t feel a part of either culture: too German for America and too American for Germany. Many children from mixed cultural backgrounds experience this. Even if it is not about immigrants, it needs to speak to this internal feeling of exclusion outside of the normal experience. I’d love to get a young adult novel as brutal, intense, and morally complex as The 100 TV show. Not many people know I grew up very poor in Texas. My mother was going back to school and we lived in government housing. That experience shaped who I am today, but many of my friends never experienced that life. I’d love to find a middle grade novel that speaks to the struggle of the working poor (living paycheck to paycheck, having your clothes come second hand, etc.) but does so in a way that is not depressing."

How to submit: Use the agency's online submission portal HERE.

Getting collections of short stories published is not as easy as publishing a novel. That does not mean it is impossible, but it does mean you have to publish your short stories in literary magazines first. (Very few publishers will take on collections from completely unpublished writers.)

The more prestigious literary magazines, like Ploughshares and Tin House, will give you the greatest advantage, but they are hard to get into. Second tier magazines (those that pay for stories  - however little), are preferable over journals that either pay nothing, or have very few subscribers. Journals run by MFA departments of universities are quite desirable, even if they only make a token payment.

Here is a great resource for finding paying markets: 296 Paying Markets for Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction. And if you write speculative fiction go here for over 100 science fiction and fantasy markets. You should also check the Poets & Writers database, which contains circulation and payment information.

Once you have published at least a dozen stories, or roughly the equivalent of 150 - 225 manuscript pages, you can begin submitting your collection to publishers. Remember to put your strongest story first! Most editors begin with the first story, so if you don't make a memorable impression with the first, they will never make it to the second.

Note: These publishers do not charge a  reading fee to submit manuscripts. However, there are a number of other presses that publish short story collections through annual competitions, for which there is an entry fee. (Those are not included in this list.)

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Bellevue Literary Press

Bellevue Literary Press is devoted to publishing literary fiction and nonfiction at the intersection of the arts and sciences because we believe that science and the humanities are natural companions for understanding the human experience. With each book we publish, our goal is to foster a rich, interdisciplinary dialogue that will forge new tools for thinking and engaging with the world.

Submissions: Bellevue Literary Press publishes literary fiction and narrative nonfiction geared toward a general readership. We do not publish poetry, single short stories, plays, screenplays, memoir, or self-help/instructional books. If you are unsure whether your manuscript would be a good fit for our list, you may send a query email, using the same subject line as for a submission. See guidelines HERE.

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Black Bed Sheet Books 

Black Bed Sheet Books specializes in publishing fiction of a dark nature: Horror, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Suspense, Young Adult, Contemporary, Thriller. Accepting novels, novellas, short story collections. Black Bed Sheet Books has published over 80 authors. Advance: No information. Formats: Print and ebooks. Read guidelines here.

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Black Mountain Press
"Black Mountain Press is a literary press for outstanding emerging writers publishing several different genres of books annually. For the next six years from 2014 through the end of 2021 our focus will be in collections of poetry, memoir, novels and collections of short stories. Our editors are looking for the highest quality literary fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry that combines a distinct voice and vision." Genres: Book-length literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. 

Submissions: Manuscripts accepted via regular mail only. Send one hard copy of your finished, book-length manuscript, along with a cover letter containing contact information, and relevant biographical information. Manuscripts should be typed on one side of the page only. Read full guidelines HERE.

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BlazeVOX [books]

BlazeVOX [books] is an independent small press publisher located in Buffalo, New York. To date, BlazeVOX has published 280 books and over 1000 writers in their online journal and other publishing outlets. They are seeking poetry, short stories, experimental fiction, literary criticism (including companions, studies and histories), women authors. They pay 10% royalties on fiction and poetry books, based on net receipts. This amount may be split across multiple contributors. No advance.  Submissions: Read guidelines HERE.

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Coffee House Press

Coffee House Press publishes emerging and midcareer authors. Nearly all CHP authors have had works published in literary magazines or other publications (a resume including a list of prior publications can strengthen your submission). Although prior publications are important, they are not a requirement; part of our mission is to present promising debut authors alongside those who have been previously published. Coffee House Press publishes literary novels, full-length short story collections, poetry, creative nonfiction, book-length essays and essay collections, and the occasional memoir. CHP does not accept submissions for anthologies. CHP also does not publish genre fiction, such as mysteries, Gothic romances, Westerns, science fiction, or books for children. CHP currently publishes eighteen trade titles annually.

Submissions: The next open reading period will begin September 1, 2017. If you plan to send your work, please do so early. The review process for full-length manuscripts can take up to 4–6 months, or longer in some instances. Manuscripts that seem appropriate for Coffee House Press are given several careful readings, and the final decision rests with our publisher. Read guidelines HERE.

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Manic D Press

Manic D Press is an American literary press based in San Francisco, California publishing fiction novels and short stories, poetry, and graphic novels. It was founded by Jennifer Joseph in 1984 as an alternative outlet for young writers seeking to bring their work into print. Manic D Press books are distributed throughout the US by Consortium, Last Gasp, and wholesalers including Ingram and Baker & Taylor; in the UK and EU by Turnaround PSL; in Canada by Publishers Group Canada; and throughout the world by Perseus. 

Submissions: Email submissions are preferred. Printed manuscripts are read twice a year, during the months of January and July ONLY. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, just let them know if your work has been accepted elsewhere or if (and where) it has been previously published. Read full guidelines HERE.

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Milkweed Editions

Milkweed Editions publishes 18-20 books per year of nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and translation. "We believe that literature has the potential to change the way we see the world, and that bringing new voices to essential conversations is the clearest path to ensuring a vibrant, diverse, and empowered future."

Submissions: Milkweed Editions will be open to manuscripts of fiction (novels, novellas, and short story collections) from May 1–31, 2017. They do not publish romance, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, crime, or westerns. Please submit a query letter with three opening chapters (of a novel) or three representative stories (of a collection). See guidelines HERE.

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Persea Books

Persea Books is an independent, literary publishing house founded in 1975 by Michael Braziller and Karen Braziller, who still own and direct the company. The aim of the press is to publish works that endure by meeting high standards of literary merit and relevance. They publish poetry, fiction, essays, memoir, biography, titles of Jewish and Middle Eastern interest, women's studies, American Indian folklore, and revived classics, as well as works in translation. They do not publish genre fiction (romance, fantasy, science fiction, thrillers), self-help, textbooks, or children's books.


Submissions: Queries should include a cover letter, author background and publication history, a synopsis of the proposed work, and a sample chapter. Please indicate if the work is simultaneously submitted. See guidelines HERE.

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Queen’s Ferry Press

Founded in 2011 as an independent publisher, Queen’s Ferry Press specializes in literary fiction. Inspired by a Scottish coastal estuary through which crossings have occurred for over a thousand years, the press seeks to publish works that convey via structuring and interpretation. At Queen’s Ferry Press, physical crafting and emotional connection are celebrated. The press currently releases 6–12 titles a year, many from debut authors, and is the publisher of Shadows of Men, the 2013 recipient of the TIL Steven Turner Award for Best Work of First Fiction. Queen’s Ferry Press is proud to extend its mission of providing a venue for fine literary collections by branching into other genres of fiction.

Submissions: Reading periods unknown. Check submission manager for open calls.

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Rainfall Books

Rainfall Books is a British publisher of fantasy, horror and science fiction, specializing in modern works inspired by the writing of H. P. Lovecraft, Robert E. Howard and Clark Ashton Smith. 

Submissions: Rainfall has published 150 chapbooks over the past three or four years and have many more waiting in the wings. They are always looking for submissions for chapbooks in the form of poetry and short stories. They are happy to publish reprints. Please read guidelines here.

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Red Hen Press

Red Hen Press is an independent, non-profit press that publishes about twenty books of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry every year. They are looking for novels, memoir, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, and story, essay, and poetry collections of exceptional literary merit that demonstrate a high level of mastery.

Submissions: Writers may submit either the full manuscript or a sample of between 20 and 30 pages. Please keep in mind that full manuscripts take longer to review. All manuscripts should include page numbers on every page. Read guidelines HERE.

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Small Beer Press

Small Beer Press is a small press located in Easthampton, Massachusetts. It was founded in 2000 and is run by Gavin J. Grant and Kelly Link. They publish 6-10 books per year. They pay a small advance and standard royalties. Their ebook royalty rate is 40% of net receipts. 

Submissions: Please send a query with a synopsis and the first 10-20 pages of the book (not the full manuscript) in standard manuscript format, and an SASE (with a Forever Stamp or an international reply coupon) by mail. No email queries. See full guidelines HERE.

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Tartarus

Tartarus is a small British independent press founded in 1990. They specialize in collectible hardback limited editions of literary supernatural/strange/horror fiction. They also publish paperbacks and ebooks. Tartarus has been the recipient of four World Fantasy Awards, and in 2010 received a "Stoker" from the Horror Writers Association. 


Submissions: Tartarus is looking for short story collections and novels of between 75,000 and 120,000 words. They are not interested in high fantasy, violent horror or young adult fiction. Electronic submissions should be sent to rosalieparker@btinternet.com as a Word or rtf attachment. Please send a synopsis or first two or three chapters/stories when first getting in contact. Additionally, they are now accepting single short story submissions for Strange Tales V. Please read full guidelines here.

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Uncial Press

Uncial Press is seeking submissions of complete manuscripts. "Our present needs are for futuristic, contemporary, paranormal and historical romance, other fantasy and paranormal stories; cozy and traditional mysteries; Science Fiction; and nonfiction how-to books and humor. Please feel free to query us about stories in other genres, because the list of what we would like to see is far too long to include here. We will consider both book-length works (at least 50,000 words) and superlative shorter fiction (at least 5,000 words.)" Read submission guidelines HERE.

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Academic Presses


Arte Público Press

Arte Público Press, affiliated with the University of Houston, specializes in publishing contemporary novels, short stories, poetry, and drama based on U.S. Hispanic (Cuban American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and others) cultural issues and themes. Submissions: Arte Público uses an online submission form. See submission guidelines HERE.

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Northwestern University Press 

Prestigious authors first published by Northwestern University Press have been the recipients of numerous prizes, including the Nobel Prize in Literature and the National Book Award. Publishes sixty books per year. Read submission guidelines HERE.

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University of Nebraska Press 

The University of Nebraska Press publishes scholarly and trade publications. Founded in 1941, they publish scholarly monographs, literary works, and general interest books in select areas. Read submission guidelines HERE.

You might also like:

Here are eleven agents looking for literary fiction. Literary agents often make a distinction between literary and commercial fiction. In a nutshell, commercial fiction is popular fiction that falls into a genre. Literary fiction has long-lasting social content, features a more complex writing style, and is innovative.

The distinction between commercial/genre/popular books and literary work is not hard and fast. 1984 by George Orwell is genre fiction (dystopian), and is wildly popular, but it is not considered commercial fiction, because it is a work of social commentary.

Note: You can find a comprehensive list of dozens of new and established agents actively looking for new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Mitch Hoffman (Aaron M. Priest Literary Agency)

Mitch Hoffman joined the Aaron Priest Literary Agency as a Senior Agent in 2015. A 20-year veteran of the publishing industry, he was most recently Vice-President, Executive Editor at Grand Central Publishing. Mitch is actively building a list of authors writing across the spectrum of fiction and nonfiction, including thrillers, suspense, crime fiction, and literary fiction, as well as narrative nonfiction, politics, popular science, history, memoir, current events, and pop culture. His clients include Meg Bortin, Raymond Khoury, Charles Linehan, Tom Rob Smith, and Radha Vatsal.

How to Submit: Please submit a one-page query letter via e-mail. Please do not send attachments. However a first chapter pasted into the body of an e-mail query is acceptable. Send queries to queryhoffman [@] aaronpriest.com.

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Caryn Karmatz Rudy (DeFiore and Company)

Caryn Karmatz Rudy joined DeFiore and Company in the fall of 2010. Prior to becoming a literary agent, Caryn spent seventeen years as an editor of both fiction and nonfiction for Warner Books/Grand Central Publishing. Her experience on the other side of the publishing desk has armed her with invaluable insight into the hurdles editors face throughout the entire publishing process from the book’s initial acquisition to the marketing, publicity and sales vital to ensuring strong sales…and she believes falling shamelessly in love with a book is the ultimate weapon in any agent’s arsenal.

How to Submit: Please email at Caryn@defliterary.com, using the word “Query” and your book’s title in the subject line. Please include a brief, compelling description of the book in the email, along with a short bio, and for fiction and memoir, please include the first five pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. Attachments will not be opened unless I have requested them.

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Amaryah Orenstein (Go Lit)

Amaryah began her career at the Laura Gross Literary Agency in 2009 and, prior to that, she worked as an Editorial Assistant at various academic research foundations, including the Tauber Institute, where she edited books for Brandeis University Press/University Press of New England. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Amaryah earned a BA at McGill University before coming to the United States to pursue graduate studies in American History. She completed an MA at Ohio University’s Contemporary History Institute and a PhD at Brandeis University, and currently serves as Co-President of the Boston chapter of the Women’s National Book Association.

How to Submit: Please send your queries to submissions@go-lit.com. Emails should include a description of your work and a brief biographical sketch. Please do not send your manuscript, whole or partial, unless it has been specifically requested.

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Steve Kasdin (Curtis Brown)

Steve Kasdin joined Curtis Brown in 2012 as Director of Digital Strategy. He supervises Curtis Brown’s eBook program, consulting with Curtis Brown’s agents in developing custom digital opportunities for their clients with eBook publishers and digital retailers. Previously on the Kindle team at Amazon.com, Steve has been in the publishing business for over 20 years. He has served as Marketing Director at St. Martin’s Press, Scholastic and Harcourt, as an agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, and as a buyer for Barnes & Noble.

How to Submit: Please send a query letter about what makes your book unique, a 1-3 page plot synopsis, a brief bio (including a description of your publishing history, if you have one), and the first 40-50 pages of your manuscript as an attachment to the e-mail to skasdin [@] cbltd.com. If querying Steve, do not query Kerry, also on this list.

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Stacy Testa (Writers House)

Stacy is seeking literary fiction and upmarket women’s fiction, particularly stories with international settings, unique subcultures, historical hooks, magical realism, and/or strong, empowered women. "On the nonfiction side, I am interested in acquiring remarkable memoirs, humor writing, essay collections, narrative nonfiction, and prescriptive titles with strong platforms. Broadly speaking, I am drawn to anything with a compelling narrative voice and/or a great sense of humor. And now, more than ever, I want to represent titles that promote social justice."

How to Submit: Please send your query letter to stesta [@] writershouse.com, with the first 5-10 pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. No attachments, please.

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Alison Fargis (Stonesong)

With more than 20 years in publishing, Alison represents a wide range of commercially successful properties and is actively looking for lifestyle, pop culture, health/wellness, diet, parenting, select middle grade and young adult fiction, and adult fiction that blurs the line between literary and commercial. Prior to joining Stonesong in 1995, she taught English to President Vaclav Havel’s staff at the Prague Castle and taught high school English in Příbram, Czech Republic. Alison was the recipient of a Dana Foundation Grant and a Foundation for a Civil Society (Soros Foundation) Fellowship. She graduated Vassar College with a B.A. in Art.

How to Submit: Send queries to submissions [@] stonesong.com. Include the phrase “Query for Alison: [Title]” in the subject line of your e-mail to ensure she receives it and it isn’t filtered as spam. Include the first chapter or first 10 pages of your work, pasted into the body of your e-mail, so that she may get a sense of your writing. Please do not send attachments. Please note that Alison is closed to queries during the months of August and December.

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Laura Mamelok (Susanna Lea)

Laura represents a range of fiction and nonfiction, both commercial and literary. Laura is French-American and has lived in both Paris and New York. She obtained her BA in comparative literature at Barnard College and her MA in comparative literature and film at Columbia University and the University of Paris. Prior to joining SLA in 2009, she worked as a literary scout for Maria B. Campbell Associates. She lives in Brooklyn.

How to Submit: Queries by email only: lmamelok@susannalea.com  Please send a concise query letter, including e-mail address, phone number, and any relevant information (previous publications, etc.), a brief synopsis, and the first three chapters and/or proposal. Please include the word “Query” in the subject line of your e-mail. Laura will respond if interested.

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Robin Mizell (Robin Mizell Ltd.)

Robin possesses a BA in English literature. Prior to becoming an authors’ representative she accumulated a decade of publishing experience in the corporate and government sectors and as a freelance writer and copyeditor. She launched her blog, Treated & Released, to demonstrate to her clients the value of transparency. An avid monitor of media criticism, she often writes about social networking and publicity for authors.

How to Submit: First five pages of the manuscript along with the query email. Send to mail [at] robinmizell.com.”

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Shannon Hassan (Marsal Lyon Literary)

Before becoming an agent, Shannon was the Acquisitions Editor at Fulcrum Publishing, and prior to that, a corporate attorney at Arnold & Porter in New York. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University.

How to Submit: Please send a query letter by e-mail, with the word QUERY in the e-mail’s subject line, to Shannon [@] MarsalLyonLiteraryAgency.com.

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Sarah LaPolla (Bradford Literary)

Sarah LaPolla joined Bradford Literary Agency as an agent in 2013. She had previously worked in the foreign rights department at Curtis Brown, Ltd., and became an associate agent there in 2010. Sarah received her MFA in Creative Writing (Nonfiction) from The New School in 2008, and has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Ithaca College.

Representing MG, YA, and Adult fiction, Sarah is especially drawn to the following genres: literary fiction, science fiction, magical realism, dark/psychological mystery, literary horror, and upmarket contemporary fiction. No matter the genre, Sarah is drawn to layered/strong characters with engaging voices. She seeks stories that evoke strong connections and novels that offer a wide range of emotions. Whether they write dark, gritty YA, light coming-of-age narratives, or edgy urban fantasy, Sarah’s authors tend to reflect larger themes within a character-focused story, such as feminism, tolerance, religion, and challenging the status quo.

How to Submit: Please paste your query + first five pages into the body of an e-mail to sarah [@] bradfordlit.com with the subject line reading “Query: [title].”


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Kerry D’Agostino (Curtis Brown)

Kerry D’Agostino started working at Curtis Brown, Ltd. in 2011 as assistant to Tim Knowlton and Holly Frederick in the Film and Television Department. Before Curtis Brown, she received her certificate in publishing from the Columbia Publishing Course, her masters in Art in Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her bachelors from Bowdoin College.

How to Submit: Please e-mail query letters to kd [@] cbltd.com, along with a synopsis and three sample chapters.

If querying Kerry, do not query Steve, also on this list.

If you have set out to write a novel, a memoir, or a non-fiction book, the question "How long will this take?" almost inevitably arises - especially if you have been at it for a few months.

That question is not easily answered, because it depends entirely on what you are writing. Some projects require months of research, others only need that special "Ah!" moment when a story somehow inserts itself in the mind of the unsuspecting writer.

Now that I've claimed the question can't be answered, I am going to answer it in a most unsatisfactory manner: Like childbirth, writing a book takes as long as it takes. If you are on a manic roll, it can take a couple of months. (One of my novels took only a few weeks to write. At 90,000 words, it was an exhilarating and exhausting experience.) If you are grappling with the text, writing your book can take decades. (It has taken me twenty years, so far, to finish another one of my novels. It is only 55,000 words, so I have no idea why this book is proving so stubborn.)

If you are stuck on a project, putting it down for a while can be enormously helpful. You may find that your unconscious continues to work on it, even when you are not writing. Working on other projects is also quite helpful. I usually write two books at once. That way, when I hit a snag with one, I can simply switch off to the other.

Writing in another genre is extremely liberating. If you are a novelist, write nonfiction. If you write long form, write a short story. Write a screenplay if you have never written one. By stretching yourself in different directions, whatever roadblock preventing you from finishing your book will be removed.

The important thing is to keep writing. Write anything. It is not important what you write, it is only important that you write.

Here are some famous books whose writers either took their time, or dashed them off in a rush. As you can see, how long it took to write these books has little to do with their quality.

At one end of the spectrum, John Boyne said that he wrote the entire first draft of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in two and a half days, barely sleeping until he finished it. At 44,800 words, that amounts to 747 words an hour. It's quite possible to dash off 700 words for a few hours - that is how many of us write our short stories - but sustaining that kind of output for days is hard to imagine.

Other books on the short end of the scale include: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (6 days), A Clockwork Orange (3 weeks), A Study in Scarlet (3 weeks), A Christmas Carol (6 weeks), and As I lay Dying (6 weeks).

At the far end of the spectrum is J. R. R. Tolkien, who took 16 years to complete the Lord of the Rings. At 455,000 words, that amounts to 28,000 words a year, roughly the length of a novella.

Les Miserables took Victor Hugo 12 years to write, Catcher in the Rye and Gone with the Wind each took ten years, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone took five.

Realistically, your book should fall somewhere between Boyne's and Tolkien's.

Here are eight literary agents actively seeking clients. Make sure you read the agency's website before submitting, especially the submissions page, for more information.

The more you know about an agent before submitting the better. An excellent resource for checking out agents is Absolute Write. (Just type Absolute Write and the agent's name into a Google search.)

Note: For a complete list of dozens of new and established agents actively seeking clients click here. 

Happy submitting!
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Danielle Smith of Lupine Grove Creative


Danielle's publishing career began with her well known book reviews and articles, of which many can still be found at There's A Book. Additionally she wrote for print & online publications such as Women's World and Parenting Magazine. She's an author, literacy advocate, professional flutist and movie lover. Danielle has also served as a judge for the Cybils Awards in the picture book category for three years as well as for the INSPYs and various other writing competitions. Danielle was formerly an agent at Red Fox Literary. She launched Lupine Grove Creative in 2017.

What she is looking for: Only submissions of the picture book, early reader, chapter book, middle grade and young adult book variety as well as illustrators will be considered. 

How to submit: Send a query via email and paste your manuscript (ten pages for novels/chapter books; full text of picture book for picture books/early readers) within the body of the email to submissions@lupinegrove.com.

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Lorin Oberweger of Adams Literary

Before joining Adams Literary, Lorin Oberweger served as a highly sought-after independent book editor and ghostwriter for more than two decades, helping to shepherd hundreds of books—including many bestsellers—to publishing success. She is particularly known for her one-on-one story development and workshops for writers of all genres of fiction and creative non-fiction. Lorin is a popular speaker at conferences around the country, including many appearances at SCBWI events. 

An award-winning author, Lorin has written for a wide variety of periodicals, and her ghostwritten books, commissioned by major publishers, have received glowing notices from the New York Times and Kirkus Reviews. Lorin is the co-author of BOOMERANG, REBOUND, and BOUNCE, under the pen name Noelle August. 

What she is looking for: Lorin is seeking middle grade and young adult in any genre with a preference for social themes, edgier/darker works (though she loves a “feel good” story, too), and characters who are either self-actualized or promise self-actualization from the start.

How to submit: Guidelines for submitting are on the Submissions page. Use submission form here.

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Victoria Marini of Irene Goodman Literary Agency 

Victoria Marini began her career as a literary agent at Gelfman Schneider and ICM Partners before joining the Irene Goodman Agency in 2016.

What she is looking for: She is interested in both Literary and Commercial Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult fiction. From contemporary to magical realism to sci-fi/fantasy and dramatic suspense, she is always looking for unforgettable off-the-page characters, compulsive stories, and unique voices. She is a sucker for weirdness, atmosphere, secrets, things that go bump in the night, a bit of whimsy, a twist of magic, or a dash of humor.

How to submit: Email a query letter and the first ten pages, along with a synopsis (3-5 paragraphs) and bio, in the body of an email to victoria.queries@ irenegoodman.com
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Linda Kasten of Loiacono Literary Agency

Linda Kasten is a novelist who writes thrillers and romance suspense. Having received a literature degree with minors in journalism and creative writing from Newman University in her hometown, Wichita, Kansas, she has continued studying and working on honing her craft, taking advantage of writing workshops and retreats, networking through conferences, and working with critique editors. She also belongs to several writing groups within her state’s radius.

What she is seeking: Thrillers, suspense, romance, mysteries, cozies, alternate histories, adventure, and mainstream fiction.

She is not interested in: erotica, foreign language translations, horror, LGBTQ, historical fiction unless it is outstanding, or works with excess profanity or vulgarity.

How to submit: Send query to Linda@Linda.K@llallc.net. Send synopsis and complete manuscript as attached word documents. Read the submissions page carefully for specific guidelines. 

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Chris Wellbelove of Aitken Alexander Associates

Before joining Aitken Alexander Associates, Chris worked as an agent for six years at Greene & Heaton. 

What he is seeking: Literary fiction and nonfiction, including memoirs, nature writing, sports, and other nonfiction topics.

How to submit: Please send a query letter, with a short synopsis and the first 30 pages of your book as a Word attachment to submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk

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Kathleen Schmidt of Empire Literary

An industry veteran with 20 years of experience, Kathleen Schmidt was most recently Associate Publisher of Rodale Books where she helped develop the Rodale Books publishing program, as well as new products and initiatives with current and prospective authors and brands, including The New York Times bestsellers Run Fast. Eat Slow., Thug Kitchen 101, The Code of the Extraordinary Mind, and Hustle. Prior to joining Rodale, Schmidt was VP of Marketing and Publicity at Running Press, Weinstein Books and Atria.

Schmidt has also led her own PR & Marketing firm, KMSPR, where her clients included New York Times bestselling author Buzz Bissinger, former WNBA player Chamiques Holdsclaw, and writers J. Courtney Sullivan, Alissa Nutting, and Dawn Tripp among others.

What she is seeking: Kathleen is looking to acquire narrative nonfiction, memoir, pop culture, health and wellness, lifestyle, and select women’s fiction. 

How to submit: Send query to Queries@empireliterary.com
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Monika Woods of Curtis Brown, Ltd. 

Monika Woods is a graduate of the Columbia Publishing Course and has worked at Trident Media Group and InkWell Management, where she worked closely with leading voices in contemporary literature.

What she is seeking: literary and commercial fiction and compelling non-fiction in food, popular culture, journalism, science, and current affairs. Monika is particularly excited about plot-driven literary novels, non-fiction that is creatively critical, unique perspectives, a great cookbook, and above all, original prose.

How to submit: Send an email with a description of your project as well as the first ten pages of your manuscript to mmw@cbltd.com. She reviews all queries sent to her within three to four weeks, and will respond if she’s interested in seeing more.
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Pamela Malpas of Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency

Pamela Malpas has spent more than two decades in publishing; before joining the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, she was an agent with Harold Ober Associates, and prior to that, with Knox Burger Associates. She has worked with winners of the Stella Prize, and the Morton Dauwen Zabel, PEN/New England, PEN/West, and Ippy awards. Pamela represents work in several categories of fiction and narrative nonfiction. AAR member.

What she is seeking: Fiction (literary and upmarket commercial, crime and suspense) that examines moral problems, family dynamics, and human behavior. Narrative nonfiction in history, natural history, arts and culture. She does not consider nonfiction in the areas of pop culture, self-help or practical nonfiction, nor fiction in the categories of science fiction/fantasy, romance/erotica, juvenile or YA fiction.

How to submit: Send an email query to  pamela@jenniferlyonsliteraryagency.com

If you write short form literary pieces - poems, short stories, creative nonfiction - getting paid can be an uphill battle. Most literary journals don't pay anything, or pay only a pittance.

Nonfiction writing, on the other hand, can be quite lucrative. Many magazines will pay handsomely for a nonfiction article, especially if it is instructive. The flow of information is key in the information age, and publications are always hungry for more.

Even if you primarily write poetry or short stories, you can make money as a nonfiction freelancer because everyone is an expert at something. Are you a parent? There are many parenting magazines interested in your expertise. Do you collect stamps as a hobby, own pets, have a garden? Are you a foodie or like to travel? Can you write a compelling book or movie review? There are even magazines that want to hear about your experience as a writer. What is your writing process? How do you overcome writers' block? And if you're published - how did you get your agent or publisher?

There is one important difference between creative writing and nonfiction submissions. While fiction is submitted in full, nonfiction is pitched. A pitch is a brief description of the article you want to write - one that will convince the editor your idea is a perfect fit for their publication. The pitch also includes your credentials and/or expertise, which are essential for nonfiction writing.

Do some research before you pitch. Read submissions guidelines carefully, and get familiar with the publication. Unlike literary journals, nonfiction publications respond quickly. If you don't hear back from the editor within a week, follow up with a polite email. If you still don't get a reply, move on.

Here are some helpful articles:

How to Write the Perfect Article Pitch

How to Pitch

How NOT to pitch editors
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These sites provide some great resources for freelance writers.

Who Pays Writers

This is an enormously useful site for both fiction and nonfiction writers. It gives detailed information on hundreds of publications, including how much they pay, when they pay (upon publication, 30-day net, etc.), how to submit, platform (print, online), whether there is a contract, and helpful comments.

Contently Rates Database

The Contently database is organized by date, format, category (writing, photography, etc.), and pay rate. The comments are very helpful. (It's interesting to look at this list just to see what every news outlet pays freelancers.)

Write Jobs

Write Jobs is one of my favorite resources for finding calls for submissions and writing contests. The site also features numerous opportunities for nonfiction writing, along with pay rates and detailed information for submitting. Some of these are longer term gigs with hourly pay.

Make a Living Writing

This is a site that features 92 paying markets organized by topic: Business, Career, and Finance; Essays; Family and Parenting; Health; Lifestyle and General Interest; Tech; Travel and Food; and Writing. The site also offers tips for pitching, resources for freelance writers, and many other informative articles.

And for those who are looking for something more than a one-off:

Freelance Writing

Freelance Writing is the go-to site for finding longer term writing jobs. The site compiles job offerings from a number of different sources. You can search by location, job source, skills, and sort by date. You can also apply for jobs directly from the site.

Here are two new agents seeking clients. Amanda Ayers Barnett (Donaghy Literary) is interested in mystery/thrillers and middle-grade, young adult, new adult and women’s fiction, coming of age novels and precocious main characters.

Michael Caligaris (Holloway Literary) is looking for literary fiction, autobiographical fiction, short story collections or connected stories as a novel, LGBTQ lit, novels that are set in the Midwest or could be considered Americana, crime fiction, mystery/noir, dystopian fiction, civil unrest/political uprising/war novels, memoir, New Journalism and/or long-form journalism, essay collections, satirical/humor writing, and environmental writing.

You can find many more literary agents actively looking for clients here: Agents Seeking Clients
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Michael Caligaris of Holloway Literary

About Michael: Michael Caligaris has been working in publishing since 2013. After earning an MFA in Creative Writing from St. Mary’s College, he co-founded a Bay Area literary magazine, The East Bay Review, and worked for the world’s largest academic science journal, PLOS ONE. He considers the time he taught creative writing to first-generation college students as a turning point in his career, for they inspired him to further seek out those often-overlooked authors writing about family, struggle, class, and race. As an agent for Holloway Literary, Michael strives to find emerging authors with strong voice and vision, and he promises to tirelessly campaign for their exposure.

What he is seeking: Literary fiction, autobiographical fiction (i.e., So Long, See You Tomorrow; A River Runs Through It; Sylvia), short story collections or connected stories as a novel (i.e., Jennifer Egan, Elizabeth Strout, Junot Diaz), LGBTQ lit, novels that are set in the Midwest or could be considered Americana, crime fiction, mystery/noir (i.e., Walter Mosley, Kate Atkinson, Lou Berney), dystopian fiction, civil unrest/political uprising/war novels, memoir, New Journalism and/or long-form journalism, essay collections (on art, race, mental health, music, etc.), satirical/humor writing, and environmental writing.

How to submit: Send a query and the first 15 pages pasted in the body of the e-mail to submissions [at] hollowayliteraryagency.com. Your subject line should read “Michael/[Title]/[Genre].”

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Amanda Ayers Barnett of Donaghy Literary

About Amanda: Amanda began her publishing career 20 years ago, fresh out of Middlebury College and the Radcliffe Publishing Course. She has worn many hats—publicity assistant at Random House, associate editor at Pocket Books, acquisitions editor at Re.ad Publishing, freelance book editor for New York Book Editors—all of which have given her extensive and valuable experience. She is thrilled to add literary agent to these titles, and to join the Donaghy Literary Group.

What she is seeking: Amanda especially loves mystery/thrillers and middle-grade, young adult, new adult and women’s fiction. She enjoys coming of age novels and precocious main characters. But more than anything, she loves an intriguing and well-written story.

How to submit: Visit Amanda’s page at the Donaghy Literary site and click on the “Submit a Query” button underneath her picture. Fill out the Query Submission form to submit.

There are 36 calls for submissions in March. Every genre and every form is welcome! All are paying markets.

Many of these journals have recurring calls for submissions, so if you miss this window, you can always submit during the next reading period.

For more literary journals seeking submissions see: Paying Markets.

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Parks & Points. Genre: Poetry. We invite poetry submissions that reflect upon nature, outdoor exploration, and accompanying moments of adventurousness or self-reflection. Submit 1-5 poems, the name of the location (park, public land, or designated outdoor space) that inspired the poem or poems. Payment: $15 per poem. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Penny. Genres: Experimental prose, poetry, short stories, CNF. Payment: $25. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Body Parts Magazine. Genre: horror, erotica, speculative fiction, essays and art. Theme: Killer Clowns and Freak Shows. Payment: $5 for flash fiction and $10 to $20 (depending on length) for short stories and nonfiction. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Upstreet. Genres: Fiction, CNF. Payment: $50-$150 per work. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Retro Future. Genre: Science fiction. Payment: SFWA minimum compensation guidelines. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

THEMA. Genres: Fiction, poetry, essays on theme "Is there a word for that?" Payment: Short story, $25; short-short piece (up to 1000 words), $10; poem. Deadline: March 1, 2017. Accepts reprints.

The Blue Route. Restrictions: Undergraduate students. Genres: Prose – Submit 1-3 pieces of fiction or creative nonfiction totaling no more than 3000 words. Poetry – Submit up to 3 poems. No genre fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Rhubarb. Restrictions: Mennonites. Genres: Poetry on theme of "Play." Payment: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Contrary Magazine. Genres: Fiction and poetry. Payment: $20 per author. Deadline: March 1, 2017.

Subprimal Poetry Art. Genres: Flash fiction and poetry. "We're looking for work that enables the reader / listener to experience something that they might not otherwise in their regular life and causes them to think. We like pieces that use language in new ways. We have a special fondness for prose poems. Voices outside of the status quo keep us awake at night." Payment: $20. Reprints $10. Deadline: March 2, 2017.

Mugwump. Genre: Erotica short stories on theme of sacrilege. Payment: 1 cent per word. Deadline: March 3, 2017.

Goblin Fruit. Genre: Fantastical poetry. Payment: $15.00 USD on publication for original, unpublished poems, and $5.00 for solicited reprints. Deadline: March 3, 2017.

Psychopomp. Genre: Previously published work. Payment: None for reprints, but 2 cents a word for original stories. (See submission periods.) Deadline: March 4, 2017.

Wordworks. Genres: Short stories, poetry, CNF. Theme of Publishing. Payment: .22/word for prose submissions, $50 per poem, $100 per cover art. Deadline: March 5, 2017. Reprints accepted.

Truancy. Genre: Retold and remixed folklore and myths from authors of the African Continent & Diaspora, no matter where they may be in the world. Payment: 01 cents per word. Deadline: March 5, 2017.

The Cincinnati Review. Genres: Prose and poetry. Payment: $25 per page (prose), $30 per page (poetry). Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Southword. Genres: Prose and poetry. Payment: €30 per poem and €120 per short story. Payment to writers within the Republic of Ireland is made by cheque. Writers abroad must accept payment through Paypal. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Supposed Crimes Publishers: Fairy Tales: A Speculative Anthology. Genre: "We are looking for stories that feature lesbian or bisexual heroines across a variety of genres, including thriller, paranormal, mystery, military, western, fantasy, and science fiction. Sexual content is not a requirement, but a compelling emotional connection between women should be a primary focus." Payment: $30 per story. Deadline: March 15, 2017. ?

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, mixed media, visual arts, and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way. Payment: $50 per piece. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Arsenika. Genres: Speculative fiction and poetry up to 1,000 words long. Payment: 1¢ USD per word (including audio rights) with a $5 minimum. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Beltane. Genres: Poetry and flash fiction of myths, folklore, legends, fables, and fairytales with a spring and summer, green and growing feel. Payment: Revenue sharing. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Southword Journal. Genres: Fiction and poetry. Payment: €30 per poem and €120 per short story. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

Eye to the Telescope. Genre: Speculative poetry. Payment: US 3¢/word rounded to nearest dollar; minimum US $3, maximum $25. Deadline: March 15, 2017.

The Breadbox Chapbook Series. Genres: Literary fiction and narrative nonfiction from 3,000 to 5,000 words in length and collections of up to ten poems. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 17, 2017.

The Puritan. Genres: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: $100 per nonfiction piece, $50 fiction, $15 per poem. Deadline: March 25, 2017.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 6 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: March 28, 2017.

Understorey Magazine (CAN): Issue 10: Youth on Power. Restrictions: Open to writers and artists age 12-21 who live in Canada and identify as female or non-binary. Genres: Fiction, essay, poetry. Theme is Power. Payment: $30-$60 per piece. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Orford Parish Books. Genre: Fiction submissions wanted for New England folk horror anthology (worldwide). Payment:$75 per story. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Notre Dame Review. Genres: Fiction, poetry. Payment: Small gratuity. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Amethyst Arsenic. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $10, featured poet receives $50. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Sycamore Review. Genres: Poetry, short stories, CNF. Payment: $50 per short story or non-fiction piece, or $25 per poem. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Mugwump: Afrocentric Anthology: Afrofuturism. Genre: Science fiction stories in diverse settings, featuring diverse people. Payment: 1 cent/word. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Enchanted Conversation Fairytale Magazine. Genre: Stories and poetry. Fairy tales on theme "Diamonds and Toads." Payment: Story pay: $30, Poem pay: $10. US dollars. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: "My Kind (of) America 101 Stories about the Land of the Free. Genre: True stories about living in a kind America. "It’s time to make America kind again. We have always been known as a country filled with good people who volunteer in our communities, help people who need help, and pride ourselves on doing the right thing. Our huge and varied country is known for tolerance, energy, and spirit. We are proud of our inclusive and welcoming attitude, no matter our color, our country of origin, our sexual identity, or our religion. This is not a book about politics. This is a book about people — one at a time — doing what we do best. Tell us your positive and uplifting experiences about living in a kind America — the kind of America we know to be the true America." Payment: $200. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Positively Happy! 101 Stories about Positive Thinking and Living a Happy Life. Genre: True stories. "Being happy is a state of mind. We can all find happiness in our lives and, even though we may have to look for it, we know that each day brings something to be grateful for. We want to hear your stories about finding your path to contentment. These success stories can be serious or funny and should inspire our readers to focus on hope, strength and optimism. How did you think positive and find happiness? Was it something as simple as an attitude adjustment? Did you make a major change in the handling of your daily life? How did you find purpose, passion and joy in your life and how do you stay positive? How do you use gratitude to be happier?" Payment: $200. Deadline: March 31, 2017.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Genre: True stories. "We all have a tendency to get in a rut. We start to say no to new things, and that can only lead to a narrower and narrower life. When we try new things, we end up feeling energized and pleased with ourselves. There is tremendous power in saying “yes” to new things, new places, and new experiences. It makes you feel more dynamic, younger, and more of a participant in the world. You’re not distancing yourself from change any more. Start now! Tell us your own stories about stepping outside your comfort zone and how that changed your life. How do you stay positive? How do you use gratitude to be happier?" Payment: $200. Deadline: March 31, 2017.