There are nearly three dozen calls for submissions in May. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees.

As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from speculative fiction to poetry to personal essays.

NOTE: I post upcoming calls for submissions at the end of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions.

You can get a jump on upcoming calls for submissions by checking that page periodically. (I only post paying markets.)


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Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of Recover. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: May 1, 2019. See accepted genres.

Tiny Nightmares. Genre: Short and terrifying tales of monsters, madness, and nightmares.1200 words max. Payment: $100. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose Series. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction. Payment: Publishing contract. Deadline: May 1, 2019.
Mud Season Review. Genre: Fiction up to 6,000 words, poetry. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Visions. Genre: Speculative fiction on theme of "Humanity." Payment: 4 to 5p (~6¢) per word. The final fee will be decided together with the author. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Boulevard. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment: $100-300 for prose, $25-250 for poetry. Deadline: May 1, 2019. Fee to submit online, no fee by post.

Serial Killers Anthology. Genre: True crime stories with serial killers, the editor is especially interested in stories about killers from outside the US. Material must be factual or fact-checked. The style can be journalistic, first-person, narrative, etc. – they are looking for something more than dry reportage. They are not looking for sensationalism. Payment: $130. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Ellipsis Zine, ‘Woman’ zine, a celebration of female writers and writing Five. Genre: Fiction celebrating female writers and writing. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 6, 2019.

The Georgia Review. Genre: Submit up to five poems, fiction, nonfiction, and reviews. Payment: $4 per line of poetry, and $50 per page for prose. Deadline: May 14, 2019. Fee to submit online, no fee by post.

Vallum Magazine is a Canadian poetry magazine. Genre: Poems on the theme of  Fear. “It has been said by writers like William Golding that fear is the most destructive of human emotions. It may be a fear of the known or of the unknown, a fear that seems overwhelming and unbeatable. Franklin D. Roosevelt said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” How is fear represented in poetry, specifically in your poetry? What are we afraid of?” Send 4-7 poems (by mail only). They also accept essays, interviews, reviews, and audio and video poems. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Once Upon Anthology: The Enchanted Forest. Genre: Short stories with magical/witchcraft elements, and romance must be included in some manner. Payment: $75. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Bennington Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $100 for prose of six pages and under, $200 for prose of over six pages, and $20 per poem, in addition to two copies of the issue the piece is published in. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Visions: Humanity. Genre: Speculative fiction on theme of Humanity. Payment: $0.06/word.   Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Lamplight. Genre: Dark fiction. Payment: $0.03/word, up to $150. Deadline: May 15, 2019. Accepts reprints.

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, 2019. Snail mail submissions only.

Cast of Wonders Podcast. Genre: Speculative fiction for teens. Length: 3,000 words max. Theme: Banned Books Week, an annual international event celebrating the freedom to read and raising awareness of the immense social value of free and open access to information. Payment: 6 cents/word. Deadline: May 15, 2019.
Pedestal Magazine. Genre: Poems. Payment: $50 for each poem accepted. Deadline: May 26, 2019.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about Forgiveness. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories that will show our readers how forgiving someone or being forgiven by someone changed your life in a positive way. Were you able to reestablish a relationship after forgiving or being forgiven? Did letting go of your hurt feelings heal you and bring you a sense of peace? Help others find the same resolution by sharing your story." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 30, 2019.

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, 2019.

Apparition. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Retribution. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of 10.00 dollars. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Ruminate. Ruminate welcomes submissions that both subtly and overtly engages faith from all the world religions. Genre: Nonfiction. Payment: $15/poem and $15/400 words for prose. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

The Lifted Brow. Genre: Translated fiction, comics, essays, experimental non-fiction, and poetry on theme of  "Digital Intimacies." Payment: $75 - $300. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

AGNI. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $20 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

One Story. Genre: Short stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. Payment: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

ZYZZYVA. Genre:  fiction, poetry, essays, and artwork. Payment: Token to semi-pro. Deadline: May 31, 2019. Snail mail submissions only.

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, 2019.

Grain. Genre: Poems, sequences, or suites of poems up to a maximum of six pages or fiction or nonfiction of no more than 3,500 words. Payment: $50 per page to a maximum of $250. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Highlights Magazine is a magazine for children ages 6-12. Genre: Poems up to 10 lines, especially non-rhyming and/or humorous poetry. No poems with nature or seasonal themes or poems about dogs. Also publish short stories (see guidelines for current themes), puzzles, articles, activities, and cartoons. Payment: $40 and up for poems, crafts, and puzzles, and $175 and up for fiction and nonfiction. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

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, 2019. (Charges small fee for online submissions. No fee for snail mail.)

Antioch Review. Genre: Nonfiction articles, fiction and poetry geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: May 31, 2019. Snail mail submissions only.

New Rivers Press: Wild Gods: The Ecstatic in Contemporary Poetry and Lyric Prose Anthology. Genre: Poems, prose poems, or lyric nonfiction shorts.  Payment: Royalties (?) Please inquire.  Deadline: May 31, 2019.

There are nearly three dozen free writing contests in May. Prizes range from tens of thousands of dollars to publication. As always, read the restrictions to make sure you qualify.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck!

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Sunlight Press. Genre: Essay. Prize: $100 plus their regular payment for submissions. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Remastered Words Short Story Competition. Genre: Short story up to 5,000 words. Prize: £75, £50, £25. The winning stories will be produced as audio shorts by voiceover artists. Deadline: May 1, 2019.


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: May 1, 2019.

Questions Writing Prize. Restrictions: Open to authors aged 18-30. Genre: Short stories of any genre or nonfiction between 1500 and 2000 words. Prize: First place winners (or prize pool for a tie) is $2000. The work will also be published in a book. Deadline: May 1, 2019. 

Don't Be A Hero: A VILLAINthology. Genre: Speculative fiction. Prize: Publication in an anthology. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

West Virginia Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open to West Virginia residents or students. Genre: Short fiction, 5,000 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2019. 

Erbacce-prize for Poetry (UK) Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will be given a publishing contract with erbacce press who will publish a perfect-bound collection of the winner's book. "We will pay all costs including the legal registering of the book and supplying copies to the major libraries. The book will be sold through our sales/shop pages and the poet will be paid 20% royalties." Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Fraser Institute Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Canadian high school, college, and graduate students. Genre: Short essay on "What in the world would Adam Smith say?" Prize: CAD$1,500 in each age category. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

Hiett Prize in the Humanities. The Hiett Prize in the Humanities is an annual award aimed at identifying candidates who are in the early stages of careers devoted to the humanities and whose work shows extraordinary promise and has a significant public component related to contemporary culture. Restrictions: All applicants must reside in the United States. Prize: $50,000. Deadline: May 3, 2019.

Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Program. Restrictions: Debuting authors and writers with fewer than three previously published books who have yet to receive a major literary award are eligible for consideration. Exceptions are sometimes made for authors who have published more titles, but have yet to break out to a larger audience. Submissions must be original publications, penned by one author. Self-published works not allowed. Genres: Published or scheduled to be published fiction and literary nonfiction. Prize: $10,000 in each genre and in-store marketing/merchandising from Barnes & Noble. 2nd Place $5,000 in each genre, 3rd Place $2,500 in each genre. Deadline: May 9, 2019.

DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. Genre: Published book with themes based on South Asian culture, politics, history, or people. Entries must have been first published in English between February 15 of the previous year and April 15 of the deadline year. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: $25,000. Deadline: May 10, 2019.

RTÉ Radio Short Story Competition. Restrictions: Open to Irish writers and residents of Ireland.  Genre: Short story. Prize: Up to 3,000 euros. Deadline: May 10, 2019.

The James Laughlin Award is sponsored by the Academy of American Poets. Genre: A second book of poetry forthcoming in the next calendar year. Must be under contract with US publisher.
Restrictions: Open to US citizens and residents only. Prize: $5,000, an all-expenses-paid week long residency in Florida, and the Academy will purchase approximately 1,000 copies of the book for distribution to its members. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. No self-published works. Prize: $25,000 will be awarded to a novel or short-story collection published between March 14, 2019 and May 15, 2019. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

New Roscommon Writing Award. Restrictions: All entrants must have a connection with the county of Roscommon (born in, living in, currently working in, went to school in, etc). Genres: Short stories.  Prize: €500.00. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

St. Francis College Literary Prize. Genre: Novel. Third, fourth, or fifth published book of fiction. Self-published books and English translations are eligible. Prize: $50,000 is given biennially.  Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Leeway Foundation: Transformation Award. Restrictions: Women and transgender poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers in the Philadelphia area who have been creating art for social change for five or more years. Writers who have lived for at least two years in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties, who are at least 18 years of age, and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Award: $15,000. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Science Me A Story. Genre: Scientific stories for children (ages 6-12) of up to four pages by authors over age 18. Stories can be in English or Spanish. Prize: £150, £100 or £50. Deadline: May 16, 2019.

Bacopa Literary Review. Genres: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Prizes: First ($200) and Runner-Up ($160) prizes in each genre. All published will receive $20 and a copy of the print journal. After publication, Bacopa will be promoted online. Deadline: May 17, 2019.

A Very Short Story Contest. Genre: Flash fiction (10 words max). Prize: Free Gotham 10-week workshop. Deadline: May 20, 2019.

Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Non-Fiction. Genre: Literary non-fiction. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $60,000 will be awarded to a literary nonfiction book published between March 13, 2019 and May 21, 2019. Deadline: May 22, 2019.

Stowe Prize. Restrictions: US authors only. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction or body of work that "makes a tangible impact on a social justice issue critical to contemporary society." Prize: $10,000.  Deadline: May 29, 2019.

The Canadian Women Artists’ Award. Restrictions: Open to Canadian women living in New York who are between the ages of 21 and 35 before the application deadline. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Grant: $5,000. Deadline: May 30, 2019.

The Wolfe Pack Black Orchid Award. Genre: Mystery novellas in the style of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novellas. Manuscript length: 15K-20K words. Prize: $1,000, plus recognition and publication in a forthcoming issue of AAMM. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

bpNichol Poetry Chapbook Award. Genre: Published poetry chapbook. Restrictions: Canadian publishers only. Prize: The author receives $4,000 and the publisher receives $500. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Claudia Ann Seaman Awards For Young Writers. Restrictions: High school students. Genre: Stories and poems. Prize: $200. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

CNO Naval History Essay Contest. Genre: Essay: Naval history.  Prize: First Prize: $5,000. Second Prize:$2,500. Third Prize: $1,500. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction/Warren Hollister Prize for Oz Nonfiction. Genre: Short Fiction, Art & Creative Nonfiction. All work must be related to the world of Oz. Prize: $100 in each genre. 2nd Prize $50 in each genre. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. Genre: Unpublished fiction approximately 1,000 - 5,000 words. Story should pertain to music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Prize: $100 and publication in Jerry Jazz Musician. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

TCU Texas Book Award. Genre: Book of fiction, nonfiction, art or photography about Texas, published in the past three years. Prize: $5000. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Eden Mills Teen Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Canadian teens. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two $50 prizes, 2 $25 prizes. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Online Writing Tips Short Fiction Prize. Genre: Short story of 2000-5000 words. Prize: £150.   Deadline: May 31, 2019.

James Bartleman Aboriginal Youth Creative Writing Awards. Restrictions: Open to aboriginal youth, 18 years or younger, residing in Ontario, Canada. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Cromwell Article Prize. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history.  Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

​May is a great month for writing conferences! This month there are some excellent opportunities to network, pitch your work, and attend stimulating workshops.

I strongly urge you to plan ahead if you are thinking of attending a writing conference. Many offer scholarships that can significantly reduce the cost. And all of the intensive writing workshops have application deadlines.

For a month-by-month list of conferences throughout the year see: Writing Conferences. (You will also find links to resources that can help you find conferences in your area on that page.)
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Las Vegas Writer’s Conference is sponsored by the Henderson Writers’ Group, Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, Nevada. May 2 – 4, 2019. 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.

Northern Colorado Writers Conference. May 3 - 4, 2019, Fort Collins CO. Workshops, seminars, speakers, entertainment, agent roundtables, pitch sessions, networking with authors and industry professionals.

Atlanta Writers Conference. May 3 - 4, 2019, Atlanta, GA. The conference features publishing panels, pitch sessions, manuscript and query letter critiques, and a workshop on author branding for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, and graphic novelists. Participating publishing professionals include editors Rebecca Brewer (Ace/Berkley Publishing Group), Stephanie Guerdan (HarperCollins), Jennifer Gunnels (Tor Books), Emily Hartley (Ballantine Books), Chelcee Johns (37 INK), Danielle Marshall (Lake Union Publishing/Amazon Publishing), Grace Menary-Winefield (Sourcebooks), and Kristine Swartz (Berkley Publishing Group); and agents Caroline George (Cyle Young Literary Elite), Natalie Grazian (Martin Literary & Media Management), Julie Gwinn (Seymour Agency), Sharon Pelletier (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret), Michelle Richter (Fuse Literary), Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein (McIntosh & Otis), Jennifer March Soloway (Andrea Brown Literary Agency), and Léonicka Valcius (Transatlantic Agency). You must be a member to attend.

The Pikes Peak Writers Conference. May 3 - 5, 2019. 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.

Malice Domestic. May 3 - 5, 2019, Bethesda, MD. Malice Domestic™ is an annual fan convention in the metropolitan DC area that celebrates the traditional mystery, books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely identified as mysteries which contain no explicit sex, or excessive gore, or violence.

Gold Rush Writers Conference. May 3 - 5, 2019, Mokelumne Hill, CA. "Writing professionals will guide you to a publishing bonanza through a series of panels, specialty talks, workshops and celebrity lectures. Go one-on-one with successful poets, novelists, biographers, memoirists and short story writers." Writing workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Children's, Fiction, Marketing, Non-fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Romance, Travel, Young Adult. Individual sessions available.

Hedgebrook VORTEXT Salon. May 3 - 5, 2019, Whidbey Institute on Whidbey Island, about 35 miles northwest of Seattle. Workshops, panel discussions, lectures, open mics, and time to write in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for women writers.

Michigan Writers Conference, May 4, 2019, Detroit, MI. This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Detroit Livonia Novi. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome.

ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) Writers Conference, May 5 - 6, 2019. NYC, NY. Focus on Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Humor, Journalism, Marketing, Nature, Non-fiction, Publishing, Religion, Screenwriting, Travel. Attending: more than 100 editors, authors, literary agents, and publicists.

Mokulē‘ia Writers Retreat. May 5 - 10, 2019 in Waialua, Hawaii at Camp Mokulē‘ia, Oahu. Offers workshops in fiction and nonfiction, readings, one-on-one consultations, publishing panels, yoga sessions. The retreat is led by North Shore native Constance Hale, the author of Sin and Syntax, the editor of more than two dozen books, and a journalist whose stories about Hawai‘i appear on CD liner notes, as well as in publications like The Los Angeles Times and Smithsonian magazine. Hale invites a mix of writers, editors, and agents from both the islands and the mainland to lead various workshops and appear on panels.

Columbus State Community College Writers Conference. May 6, 2019, Columbus, Ohio. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Business/Technical, Fiction, Journalism, Marketing, Non-fiction, Playwriting, Poetry, Publishing, Screenwriting. This one-day conference is free of charge.

Annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. May 6 - 12, 2019 at various locations in New York City. "Join more than 125 writers and artists representing over 50 nationalities in New York City for the 2019 PEN World Voices Festival: Open Secrets. In 60+ events in venues across New York City, the 15th anniversary of New York’s first international literary festival will gather nonfiction and fiction writers, thinkers, and activists to discuss what we reveal and what we withhold, and the opportunities and dangers inherent in the rapid reconfiguring of the public and the private in the literary, cultural, social, and political realms."

8th Annual Nonfiction Writers Conference. May 8 - 10, 2019: Conducted online. Opening Speaker: Gretchen Rubin.

Washington Writers Conference 2019. May 10 - 11, 2019: Bethesda, MD. Pitch sessions, expert sessions, author talks, and a luncheon (featuring keynote speaker Jeffery Deaver), plus panels on how to query, how to pitch, and more publishing pros’ insights, are just some of the highlights. Past speakers have included Bob Woodward, Bob Schieffer, Kitty Kelley, Judith Viorst, Alice McDermott, Ron Charles, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Susan Coll, and E.J. Dionne.

Lakefly Writers Conference. May 10 - 11, 2019, Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Workshops, talks, and a book fair for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Keynote is Liam Callanan, the author of The Cloud Atlas, All Saints, Listen, and Paris by the Book. His work has been or will be translated into Chinese, German, Italian, and Japanese. Liam was the winner of the 2017 George W. Hunt, SJ Prize in Arts, Letters & Journalism and a finalist for the Edgar Award.

The Loft's Wordplay Conference. May 11- 12, 2019, Minneapolis MN. "The Loft’s Wordplay aims to be Minnesota's largest celebration of readers, writers, and great books. Imagine a weekend full of famous authors and celebrated books; a weekend of readings, conversations, workshops, kids’ activities, demonstrations, and one-of-a-kind happenings with outdoor stages, cooking stages, book signings, quiet reading corners, boisterous parties, food trucks, beer tents, and books, books, books."

Longleaf Writers Conference. May 11 - 18, 2019: Seaside, Florida. "Formerly the Seaside Writers Conference, Longleaf Writers Conference is an annual gathering of creative writers from all over the nation, featuring award-winning writers in poetry and fiction and screenwriting who will offer a full week of intensive writing workshops, one day seminars, school outreach programs, and social events. This event occurs every year in May, and offers the opportunity for beginning, intermediate and advanced writers to celebrate writing, to network with other writers, and to hone their craft. There will also be seminars hosted by professional editors and literary agents who will offer one-on-one consultations. All participants who pay the full conference tuition fee will be able to take part in all daily activities, while those paying a la carte pricing will have the pick of which classes and workshops they would like to attend. The Longleaf Writers Conference is one of the only conferences in the nation to take place on one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and every year will feature notable guest writers, literary agents, and professional editors."

Writing the Unreal: The Whole Novel Workshop in Fantasy & Speculative Fiction. May 12 -19, 2019, Honesdale, PA. This unique workshop is designed for anyone with a complete or near-complete draft of a middle-grade or young adult novel in fantasy or speculative fiction who wants a thorough manuscript critique and help making plans for revision.

Nebula Conference. May 16th-19th, 2019, Los Angeles, CA. SFWA members and other individuals who are interested in the field of science fiction and fantasy are welcome to attend SFWA’s Nebula Conference. Attendees may participate in workshops, programming and special events throughout the weekend. You do not need to be a member of SFWA to attend.

Big Sur on Cape Cod. May 17 - 19, 2019, North Falmouth MA. Faculty: Andrea Brown and four of her agents, four editors and four authors. Children's writing.

Missouri Writers' Guild Annual Conference. May 17 - 19, 2019: Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Workshops (fiction/nonfiction, romance, mystery, screenwriting, query letters, book design), critiques, pitches to literary agents, Slush Pile sessions, awards banquet & keynote address. Eight (8) Sunday master classes. Literary agents: Nikki Terpilowski, Caroline, George, Savannah Brooks, and Jill Marr (remote). Claudia Shelton, Karen Sargent, Steve Wiegenstein, Paul Bass, Ellie Searl, and The Deadly Duo, Bill & Sharon Hopkins.

Pennwriters Conference. May 17 - 19, 2019: Pittsburgh, PA. The 32nd Annual Pennwriters Conference features three days of workshops, panels, networking and learning to help you learn, grow, soar! Friday, Saturday and Sunday feature an open attendance slate of one-hour workshops on all things writing. The schedule is structured with open attendance, so you can take whichever classes appeal to you. Attendees will have 40+ hours of sessions to choose from. Our faculty is comprised of published authors, literary agents and editors, and other writing industry professionals. Pitch appointments are available at no additional fee.

Austin SCBWI 2019 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference. May 18 - 19, 2019: Austin, TX. Conference on children's books with keynotes; general sessions; breakout sessions for writing, professional development and illustration; intensives for novels, picture books and illustration; critiques; pitches and more.

Novel-In-Progress Bookcamp. May 19 - 25, 2019: West Bend WI. 6-day, residential workshop-retreat for writers in all genres working on a novel or creative nonfiction book. Workshops in Autobiography/Memoir, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Publishing, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult. Registration is limited to 30 people.

Boldface Conference for Emerging Writers. May 20 - 24, 2019: Houston, Texas. Daily workshops, readings, craft talks, social events and professionalism panels in an intimate and supportive environment designed specifically with the needs of emerging writers in mind.

Sundress Academy for the Arts Summer Poetry Writing Retreat. May 24 - 26, 2019: Knoxville, Tennessee. The three-day, two-night camping retreat will be held at SAFTA's own Firefly Farms in Knoxville, Tennessee. All SAFTA retreats focus on generative poetry writing, and this year's poetry retreat will also include break-out sessions on writing political poetry, writing confession, kicking writer's block, publishing, and more.

Balticon 53. May 24 - 27, 2019: Baltimore, MD. Balticon is sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society (BSFS). BSFS presents the Compton Crook Award, the Robert A. Heinlein Award, and the winner of the annual Jack L. Chalker Young Writer's Contest annually at this event. Faculty: Guest of Honor: Catherine Asaro. Multiple tracks of Programming over the four day weekend, featuring authors, artists, scientists, musicians, podcasters, publishers, editors, costumers and other creative SF luminaries.

James Jones Writers Workshop Retreat. May 26 - June 2, 2019: New Harmony, IN. Faculty: Kaylie Jones, Judy Mandel, J Patrick Redmond. Costs: Advanced Writing Workshop (includes food and lodging for 7 days): $2,450. The Art of Creative Writing (beginner): $500. FULL

North Words Writers Symposium. May 29 - June 1, 2019: Skagway, Alaska. Faculty: Susan Orlean, Emily Wall, Ernestine Hayes, Don Rearden, Jonathan Evison, Nancy Lord, Terrence Cole. Costs: $375 includes most meals. College credit extra for $90.

Bear River Writers’ Conference. May 30 - June 3, 2019: Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey, Michigan. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, discussions, nature walks, and time to write.

Surprise Valley Writers’ Conference. May 31 - June 4, 2019: Cedarville, California. Features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft lectures, readings, open mics, and a Book Arts workshop.

Bread Loaf Translators' Conference. May 31 - June 6, 2019: Ripton, VT. The Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference includes workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as lectures, craft classes, meetings with editors and agents, and readings by faculty and guests. Application deadline: February 15, 2019.

While the Big Five publishers require an agent, many smaller publishers do not.

There are some important advantages to publishing with a smaller press. For one thing, there is a shorter gap between acceptance of a manuscript and production. Larger publishers often take upwards of a year to produce and distribute a book. With a smaller press, the wait is a matter of a few months.

A second advantage is that there is greater flexibility in contracts. Among larger publishers, contracts are written in stone. There is very little room for negotiation. Smaller presses can offer larger royalties, and give authors greater leeway in terms of rights.

Lastly, smaller presses are more accessible. With a larger press, authors have absolutely no say in cover design, blurbs, or marketing. Small presses accept more input from authors. The increase in communication is reassuring for authors, who often feel that control over their book is taken out of their hands once a contract is signed.

For a list of more than a hundred publishers that do not require an agent, go to Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts.

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Academy Chicago Publishers is one of the oldest publishing houses in Chicago. They publish both fiction and nonfiction and have more than two hundred published titles on their list. Academy Chicago publishes about 60 new titles yearly under five imprints: Chicago Review Press, Lawrence Hill Books, Ball Publishing, Zephyr Press, and Academy Chicago. Seeking: Nonfiction, memoirs, mysteries, fiction, history, popular science, music, film, biography, autobiography, DIY, craft, and travel, as well as children's activity books and young adult biographies. Read submission guidelines here.

Acre is an imprint of the Cincinnati Review. They are interested in novels, poetry, and short story collections. Read submission guidelines here.

Arsenal Pulp Press is a book publisher in Vancouver, Canada with over 400 titles currently in print, which include literary fiction and nonfiction; books on social issues; gender studies; LGBTQ and diverse literature; graphic novels and non-fiction; cookbooks; alternative crafts; youth culture and young adult literature; visual arts; and books in translation. "We are interested in literature that engages and challenges readers, and which asks probing questions about the world around us." Read submission guidelines here.

Baen Books was founded in 1983 by science fiction editor and publisher Jim Baen (now deceased). Baen was one of the first publishers to use the Internet as a means of "spreading the word" about a book or author. Seeking: Science fiction with powerful plots with solid scientific and philosophical underpinnings are essential for science fiction submissions. For fantasy, any magical system must be both rigorously coherent and integral to the plot, and overall the work must at least strive for originality. Manuscripts should be at least 100,000 words. Click here for submission guidelines.

Bellevue Literary Press publishes literary fiction and narrative nonfiction geared toward a general readership. They do not publish poetry, single short stories, plays, screenplays, memoir, or self-help/instructional books. Distributed to the trade by Consortium Book Sales & Distribution. Read submission guidelines here.

Black & White Publishing is an established Scottish press. They publish nonfiction and fiction in a variety of genres. Seeking: Commercial women’s fiction, especially chick lit, saga and romance, crime and psychological thrillers, contemporary YA and New Adult crossover books, children’s fiction. In nonfiction: memoirs, sport (UK and Ireland in particular), humour, food and drink, activity books. Read submission guidelines here.

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 in the process of developing a book series that promotes the work of women who are courageous, innovative, definition defying writers. Seeking:  Poetry, short stories, experimental fiction, literary criticism (including companions, studies and histories), women authors. Submissions online.

Coffee House Press is an independent book publisher and arts nonprofit based in Minneapolis, MN; through their literary publications and Books in Action program, CHP acts as a catalyst and connector—between authors and readers, ideas and resources, creativity and community, inspiration and action. Seeking: 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. Read submission guidelines here.

Chronicle Books  "We're always looking for the new and unusual." Chronicle Books publishes 90 titles per year. Seeking: Art and design, art, craft, graphic design, interior design, photography, food and drink, kids and teens, literature, lifestyle, pop culture. Read submission guidelines here.

City Lights Publishers has launched several famous poets, including Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Allen Ginsberg, but this press also specializes in literary fiction and nonfiction. City Lights publishes 12 books a year. Seeking: Fiction, essays, memoirs, translations, poetry, and books on social and political issues. They do not publish New Age, self-help, children’s literature, how-to guides, or genre works such as romance, westerns, or science fiction. Read their submission guidelines here. 

Dalkey Publishers primarily publishes literary fiction, rarely poetry or non-fiction. They place a heavy emphasis upon fiction that belongs to the experimental tradition of Sterne, Joyce, Rabelais, Flann O’Brien, Beckett, Gertrude Stein, and Djuna Barnes. They also accept scholarly work.  Read their submission guidelines here. 

Harvard Square Editions was started by a group of Harvard University graduates who met on one of the university’s online discussion boards. The press focuses on novel and novella submissions with environmental and social themes. HSE does not offer an advance. Read submission requirements   here.

Head of Zeus opened for business in 2012, and won Independent Publisher of the Year in 2017. Their list is a mix of general and literary fiction, genre fiction and non fiction. In 2016, they launched Aria, a digital fiction imprint, and in 2017, they started a children's imprint, Zephyr. Head of Zeus uses a submissions portal HERE.

Holland Park Press (UK) publishes books in English and Dutch. No advance. What they want: They accept literary fiction in the form of a novel, novella or collection of short stories. They also welcome poetry collections. Read submission requirements here.

Immedium publishes picture books, Asian-America: Contemporary viewpoints on our evolving national identity and changes that have universal resonance, and Arts and Culture:
Cutting-edge commentary on the intersection of popular culture, social trends, and our modern lifestyle. Read submission guidelines here.

Joffe Books is a small publisher located in London. They accept full-length manuscripts in following genres: Mysteries, Romance, Thrillers, Detective, Suspense. They do not publish children's books, sci-fi, non-fiction, conspiracy theories, or erotica but they'll take a quick look at just about anything. Joffe gives royalties, but there is no information on whether they offer an advance. Read submission guidelines here.

Kensington Publishing Corp. is the last remaining independent U.S. publisher of hardcover, trade and mass market paperback books. Seeking: Fiction and non-fiction. They do not publish science fiction, fantasy, poetry, or plays. Read their submission guidelines here. 

Milkweed Editions is one of the nation’s leading independent, nonprofit literary publishers. Publishing fifteen to twenty books each year, they have some three hundred titles in print, and nearly four million copies of our books in circulation. Genres: Fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry collections. Submissions: Milkweed Editions accepts unsolicited manuscripts from authors of all backgrounds, Submissions that do not initially meet the guidelines will not be considered. Please read full guidelines here. Milkweed has one open submission period a year.

NCM Publishing is soliciting manuscripts in all genres of fiction, non-fiction, self-help and young adult fiction. "Our editors are seeking tasteful provocative, intelligent fiction manuscripts in the areas of sexuality and erotica, romance, urban and street, science fiction, Christian fiction, and general interest, as well as nonfiction, and lively stories of all genres of fiction for the general population between the ages of 18 and older (as well as Young Adult fiction).  A novel must be well written, and professionally edited, in order to find a place on the list. The editors prefer to see completed manuscripts. Query letters are accepted. Along with your submission, please include a book marketing and promotions plan." (Note: If a publisher requires a marketing plan, it is usually because they will do very little to market your book.)

Nimbus Publishing. "Locally, nationally and internationally, Nimbus is best known and widely recognized as the premier publisher of books about Atlantic Canada. Our books usually fall into one or more of these categories: biography, art, history, science and nature, political and social issues, folklore, children’s fiction and non-fiction, sports, guidebooks, cookbooks, and photographic books. Nimbus does not publish in the following sub-genres: self-help, religion, philosophy, poetry, drama, erotica." Read guidelines here.

Page Street Publishing. "Page Street Publishing Co. does around sixty original titles a year and is distributed by Macmillan everywhere except Canada, where Manda does the sales and PGC handles distribution. Our books are large format, full-color throughout, packed with original photography and nearly two hundred pages for around twenty dollars. Most titles feature lay-flat binding for ease of use. Page Street is a proud member of 1% for the Planet and donates 1% of its annual revenue to environmental groups. We have an established line of credit with Berkshire Bank. Page Street Publishing Co. was founded in 2012 and is located just outside of Boston." Seeking: YA and children's fiction (all genres) and nonfiction. Submission guidelines are here.

Peachtree Publishers, located in Atlanta Georgia, publishes 30 books per year. Seeking: Children's books, from picture books to young adult fiction and nonfiction; consumer references in health, education, and parenting; and regional guidebooks about the American South. Read their submission guidelines here.

Persea Books is an independent, literary publishing house founded in 1975 by Michael Braziller and Karen Braziller, who still own and direct the company. Genres: Poetry, fiction, essays, memoir, biography, titles of Jewish and Middle Eastern interest, women's studies, American Indian folklore, and YA. Response time: Eight weeks for proposals and 12 weeks for requested manuscript. Submissions: Queries should include a cover letter, author background and publication history, a synopsis of the proposed work, and a sample chapter. Send queries and manuscripts to info@perseabooks.com or to the appropriate editor (Fiction or Nonfiction), Persea Books, 277 Broadway, Suite 708, New York, NY 10007. Read their submission guidelines here.

Reagent Press publishes Children's Fiction, Teen Fiction, Adult Fiction, Nonfiction and market Specialty Merchandise. They are particularly interested in fantasy. They publish their books in print, digital, and audio with simultaneous distribution in the US, Canada, and UK. They work directly with foreign agents and publishers to sell rights internationally. Accepts novels and novellas. This press does not edit manuscripts, so your book must be professionally edited prior to submission. Read their submission guidelines HERE.

Skyhorse Publishing accepts proposals for non-fiction books through its main website. Its distributor is Perseus Book Group. Skyhorse has 14 imprints, including Talos and Nightshade (speculative fiction), Sky Pony Press (children's book imprint), and several imprints for fiction. They have hundreds of titles on their list. Read guidelines here.

Small Beer Press was founded in 2000 and is run by Gavin J. Grant and Kelly Link. It publishes books as Small Beer Press, Big Mouth House, and Peapod Classics, and occasionally chapbooks and a zine - on recycled paper. Generally, they publish 6-10 books per year. Seeking: Fiction (leaning toward the speculative), both short story collections and novels. No poetry. Read their submission guidelines here.

Tirgearr Press is a small independently-owned publishing company of commercial adult genre fiction located in Ireland. It is a digital-first publisher, which means in most cases it is a digital-only publisher. Tirgearr does not offer an advance. Rights are purchased for five years. Read guidelines here.

Turner Press is an award-winning, independent publisher of books. The company is in the top 101 independent publishing companies in the U.S. as compiled by Bookmarket.com and has been named five times to Publishers Weekly's Fastest Growing Publishers List. Operating since 1984, Turner currently publishes 5,000 titles. Turner has a broad array of titles in fiction & non-fiction, including business, young adult, history, romance, mystery, cookbooks, health & wellness, animals, design, and more. Turner Publishing Company has the following imprints:

• Turner
• Wiley: Turner publishes under the Wiley name, with permission, for over 1,000 acquired titles
• Hunter House: Health, Wellness & Sexuality Titles
• Ancestry: Genealogy (acquired assets of the book division of Ancestry.com)
• Fieldstone Alliance: Business Books for Non-profits (acquired assets of Fieldstone Alliance)
• Basic Health Publications: Titles on Health and Wellness
• Iroquois Press: Fiction and Literature imprint
• Ramsey & Todd: for children's books
• Specific Titles formerly published by Cumberland House Press

Read their submission guidelines here.

Diversion Books was started by literary agent  Scott Waxman in 2010. They describe themselves as "an innovative indie publisher, combining decades of traditional experience with new, digital strategies." While the majority of their books are electronic, they are breaking into print. Genres: Most genres, as well as non-fiction. Fiction genres include: Thrillers, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult. Read full guidelines HERE.
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Wundor is a small publisher located in the UK. They publish fiction, poetry, and photography. They publish literary fiction only, but they consider innovative genre fiction to be literary fiction. Read their full submission guidelines HERE. 

Rise and shine, poets! It's National Poetry Month! Celebrate April by getting published.

Here are 27 literary journals that pay for poems. Short, long, lyrical, light - you name it, they want it. And if these markets aren't enough, you can find more publishing opportunities for poetry in these posts:

20 Paying Markets for Poetry

Top 5 Resources for Publishing Poetry

21 Poetry Publishers Accepting Unagented Manuscripts

325 Paying Markets for Short Stories, Poetry, Nonfiction


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Epoch Magazine is edited by faculty at Cornell University. Genres: Poetry in all forms, including the long poem; send up to five poems, fiction, essays, cartoons, screenplays, graphic art, and graphic fiction. Payment: $50 per poem, and $150 per short story, more for longer stories. Deadline: April 15, 2019. Snail mail submissions only.

The Massachusetts Review. Genre: Poetry up to 100 lines. Submit up to six poems. Also fiction and essays. No fee for mailed submissions. Payment: $50 for work published in a single issue. Deadline: April 30, 2019. Translations, including poetry, are accepted year-round.


Room Magazine is an established Canadian feminist literary journal. They accept work by women (cisgender and transgender), transgender men, Two-Spirit and nonbinary people. They specifically encourage writers with overlapping under-represented identities to submit their work. Genre: Poetry, send up to five poems. Also accept fiction, creative non-fiction, and art submissions. Payment: CAD $50-$150. Deadline: April 30, 2019.

Colorado Review. Genre: Poetry of any style. Submit no more than five poems with a maximum of 15 pages. Also fiction and nonfiction. Payment: $10 per page ($30 minimum) for poetry and $200 for short stories and essays. Deadline: April 30, 2019. No submission fee for mailed submissions.
Boulevard. Genre: Poems up to 200 lines. Send up to five poems. Also fiction and nonfiction. No fee for mailed submissions. Payment: $25-250 for poetry, and $100-300 for prose. Deadline: May 1, 2019.

The Georgia Review. Genre: Submit up to five poems, fiction, nonfiction, and reviews. No fee for mailed submissions. Payment: $4 per line of poetry, and $50 per page for prose. Deadline: May 14, 2019.

Bennington Review. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $100 for prose of six pages and under, $200 for prose of over six pages, and $20 per poem, in addition to two copies of the issue the piece is published in. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Vallum Magazine is a Canadian poetry magazine. Genre: Poems on the theme of  Fear. “It has been said by writers like William Golding that fear is the most destructive of human emotions. It may be a fear of the known or of the unknown, a fear that seems overwhelming and unbeatable. Franklin D. Roosevelt said “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” How is fear represented in poetry, specifically in your poetry? What are we afraid of?” Send 4-7 poems (by mail only). They also accept essays, interviews, reviews, and audio and video poems. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: May 15, 2019.

Grain Literary Magazine is a Canadian publication. Genres: Individual poems, sequences, or suites up to a maximum of 6 pages, fiction, literary nonfiction. Payment: CAD $50 per page up to CAD $250. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Highlights Magazine is a magazine for children ages 6-12. Genre: Poems up to 10 lines, especially non-rhyming and/or humorous poetry. No poems with nature or seasonal themes or poems about dogs. Also publish short stories (see guidelines for current themes), puzzles, articles, activities, and cartoons. Payment: $40 and up for poems, crafts, and puzzles, and $175 and up for fiction and nonfiction. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Apparition. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Retribution. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of 10.00 dollars. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

The Lifted Brow. Genre: Translated fiction, comics, essays, experimental non-fiction, and poetry on theme of  "Digital Intimacies." Payment: $75 - $300. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

AGNI. Genre: Poetry and prose. Payment: $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $20 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $150. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2019.

Mslexia. Genre: Stories, poems and script on the theme of journey. Length: Stories up to 2,200 words, poems up to 40 lines, and short scripts up to 1,000 words (including character names and stage instructions). Payment: £25. Deadline: June 10, 2019.

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, mixed media, visual arts, "and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way." Payment: $50. Deadline: June 15, 2019.

THEMA. Genre: Short stories, flash fiction, poems, art on theme of "The Clumsy Gardener."   Payment: short story, $25; short-short piece (up to 1000 words), $10; poem, $10; artwork, $25 for cover, $10 for interior page display. Deadline: July 1, 2019. Reprints accepted.

FIYAH. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry about Africa Diaspora. Theme: Chains. Length: Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Payment: $150 per story. $50 per poem. $300 per novelette. Deadline: July 31, 2019.

Apparition. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Euphoria. Payment: $0.01 per word, minimum of 10.00 dollars. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Westerly. Genre: Short stories, poetry, memoir and creative non-fiction, essays and literary criticism. Payment: Poems: $120 for one poem or $150 for two or more poems; Stories: $180; Articles: $180; Visual art/Intro essay: $120; Reviews: $100; Online Publication: $100. "We expect our contributors to be subscribers of the Magazine. While we will accept submissions from non-subscribers, should your work be accepted for publication in this instance, you will be asked to accept a subscription to the Magazine as part payment for your work." Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Pentimento. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction and art by individuals with a disability or a community member.  "If you are an individual with a disability or part of the disability community as a family member, caregiver, special educator, or in any way connected to disability, we want to see your disability-related writing." Payment: $25 - $250. Deadline: September 15, 2019.

Rattle: Young Poets Anthology. Genre: Poetry. The author of the poem must have been age 15 or younger when the poem was written, and 18 or younger when submitted. Payment: $100. Deadline: October 15, 2019.

Modern Poetry in Translation. Genre: Translations of poetry. Send up to six poems. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: December 31, 2019.

Year-Round Submissions

New Reader Magazine. Genre: Poetry of all genres and types, and especially experimental poetry and work that defies genre conventions. Also investigative stories, memoirs and profiles, interviews, etc. of people who are doing interesting things and changing perspectives in big cities or small, secret towns, fiction, lyrical essays, and comics, as well as illustrations and photography. Payment: $5 per poem, $10-20 for prose.

The Sunlight Press. Genre: Poetry, up to five poems in one submission. Also fiction, personal essays, reviews, photography, and Artists on Craft Series (Interviews/Reflections by artists on their process of the art of choice; accompanying photos welcome): under 1,000 words. Payment: Not specified.

Star*Line is the official newsletter of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Poetry Association. Genre: Speculative poetry (including science fiction, fantasy, and horror), interviews, articles, and reviews. Submit up to five poems, or short articles on topics related to science fiction, fantasy, and horror speculative poetry. Payment: $0.03/word for poetry, rounded to the nearest dollar. Minimum $3.

Here are four literary agents actively seeking clients. Jacqueline Lipton is currently seeking submissions for middle grade and young adult, both fiction (all genres) and nonfiction. Kerstin Wolf is looking for MG, YA, Young Adult, and Romance. Victoria Loder is interested in historical, mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, steampunk, magical realism, paranormal fantasy, narrative non-fiction, feminist manifestos, memoir (travel and foodie). Chad Luibl wants narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, thrillers, speculative and historical fiction, and graphic novels.

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

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


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Jacqueline Lipton of Storm Literary Agency

Jacqueline Lipton holds an M.F.A. in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts and regularly teaches classes on writing and on legal aspects of publishing around the country for organizations like The Writing Barn, Savvy Authors, and a variety of adult education courses,  M.A. and M.F.A. programs, and libraries. Before joining Storm Literary Agency, she was a reader for literary agent, Susan Hawk for several years and a reader and member of the social media team for The YA Review Network (Y.A.R.N.)

What she is seeking: Jacqui is currently seeking submissions for middle grade and young adult, both fiction and nonfiction. While she’ll consider all genres (so please send anything!), she has a particular interest in science fiction, a good contemporary romance, retellings of classic stories, and mysteries of all kinds. She’ll consider fantasy and urban fantasy, although (sorry to say) dragons and high fantasy aren’t really her thing so if you’re the next George R.R. Martin, you might be better off submitting to someone else!

How to submit: Please email (only) to: jacqui.stormliteraryagency@gmail.com with QUERY: TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT in the subject line. It’s a good idea to also include whether it’s middle grade or YA. Please send your query letter and the first twenty pages of the manuscript in the body of your email. It is fine to note any other submission-ready and/or projects you’re working on in your query letter.

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Kerstin Wolf of D4EO Literary Agency

After years of interning at a number of literary agencies and publishers, freelance editing, and bookselling, Kerstin Wolf got her start as an agent in training at The Booker Albert Literary Agency before joining D4EO as a literary agent in February 2019.

What she is seeking: Middle Grade: Fantasy of any kind, Science fiction, Mysteries along the lines of The 39 Clues series, York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby, and Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, Horror along the lines of Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud, Graphic novels.

Young Adult: Fantasy of any kind, Science fiction, Horror, Paranormal, Historical with magical elements, Steampunk along the lines of Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, Contemporary romance along the lines of Geekerella by Ashley Poston and When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon, Graphic novels.
New Adult/Adult: Fantasy along the lines of V.E. Schwab's Shades of Magic series and Villains series and Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri
Women's fiction: Romance along the lines of The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and Josh and Hazel's, Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

How to submit: To query Kerstin Wolf, please send your query and the first 10 pages of your manuscript through Query Manager. 

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Victoria Loder of The Rights Factory

Victoria Loder is a freelance writer, editor, and publishing professional based just outside of Toronto. She holds an Honours B.A. in English and History from U of T and graduated from the Centennial College publishing program in 2017. Her writing, both fiction and academic, has won her awards from the University of Toronto, where she also served as Editor-in-Chief of Scarborough Fair magazine. She can often be found at her local Starbucks drinking a grande peppermint mocha (even in summer) and reading—historical fiction and mystery/thrillers are her favourites, but she also loves a good ghost story, or non-fiction in the vein of “Fat Girl Walking” or “Shrewed.”

What she is seeking: Historical, mystery, thriller, horror, fantasy, steampunk, magical realism, paranormal fantasy, narrative non-fiction, feminist manifestos, memoir (travel and foodie).

How to submit: Use the submission form HERE.

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Chad Luibl  of Janklow and Nesbit

A native of Virginia, Chad received a BA in English at Lynchburg University before moving to Eastern Europe to teach English for several years. While in Krakow, Poland, he got his MA in European Studies at Jagiellonian University, with a focus in Comparative Literature. He went on to get his MFA in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was also the coordinator of the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award, an intern in the Literature Department at the National Endowment for the Arts, and an editor at Blackbird and Broad Street literary journals.

What he is seeking: He is interested in narrative nonfiction with a strong emotional pull from journalists and writers who challenge the status quo. For fiction, he is particularly drawn to novels that are more character or plot-driven, thrillers that are as inventive as they are suspenseful, speculative and historical fiction that offer a nuanced perspective on place, and graphic novels that push the boundaries of the genre.

How to submit: Please send your material to submissions@janklow.com addressed to Chad Luibl
For fiction submissions, send an informative cover letter, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. If you are sending an email submission, please include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative cover letter, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. If you are sending an email submission, please include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query.