While you are self-isolating, why not get published? There are more than 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 short stories to poetry to essays.

I post the following month's calls for submissions toward 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 next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.

Happy submitting!

_________________________


The First Line. Genre: Stories that use a first line provided by the journal. (See journal for first lines.) Also 500-800 word critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work.  Payment:  $25.00 - $50.00 for fiction, $5.00 - $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (all U.S. dollars). Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Bayou Magazine. Genre: Fiction, CNF, nonfiction, poetry, art. Payment for fiction is $50 for published manuscripts of 3000 words or more and $25 for those less than 3000 words. 7,500 words max. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

University Press of Kentucky New Poetry & Prose Series. Genre: Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Running Dog: Crowd / the / Revolution. Genre: Long-form essays, video, poetry, digital interfaces, fiction and creative non-fiction. This is an ongoing series investigating four major concerns that are reshaping our world. Payment: All contributors will be paid for their work. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review. Genre: Poetry and art on theme of Love. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 1, 2020. Opens April 10.

Hybrid Ink. Genre: Transfuturistic science-fiction. "The stories within will explore the way love, relationship, and identity issues may change over time, from the near future to far, on Earth or other planets, in humans or those from the stars." Payment: 2½¢ per word (maximum $100 per story.)  Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Bloodbath: Vampires. Genre: Horror fiction, poetry and art on theme of Vampires. "Note: For this issue, we will not be accepting work by straight, white, cisgender men." Payment: £30. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Mud Season Review. Genre: Nonfiction up to 6,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

The Evil Cookie: Brewtality – Alcohol Infused Extreme Horror. Genre: Horror. Length: Up to 3,000 words. Payment: $0.03/word. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Boulevard. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. "While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. If you have practiced your craft and your work is the best it can be, send it to Boulevard." Payment: Prose minimum is $100, maximum is $300. Poetry minimum is $25, maximum is $250. Deadline: May 1, 2020. $3 to submit online. No charge for postal submissions.
Enchanted Conversation: A Fairy Tale Magazine. Genre: Fairy tales, and essays on theme of Angels. Payment: $100. US dollars only. Essays: $50. Deadline: May 3, 2020. On hiatus.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction 300 - 1,000 words on theme of Touch. Payment: Pays for anthologies only. Deadline: May 3, 2020. See accepted genres.

Scum. Genre: Feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 2000 words (50 lines for poetry, max. 3 poems) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. Payment: $60 AUD. Deadline: May 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on May 1.

Abyss and Apex. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. No horror. Payment: USD $.06/word (six cents a word) up to 1,250 words, and a flat payment of $75.00 for longer stories. Deadline: May 7, 2020. Opens to submissions on May 1.

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 8, 2020.

Newfound. Genre: Fiction, Flash, Creative Nonfiction, Poetry, Translation, and Visual Arts. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 14, 2020.

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, 2020. Fee to submit online, no fee by post.

Selene Quarterly. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art that dwells in the shadows. Payment: $0.06 word for fiction. $50 for poetry, Reprints: Any length of poetry paid $15USD and 100-17,500 words of fiction paid $0.01USD per word. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Luna Station Quarterly. Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

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 15, 2020.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: Young adult short fiction up to 6,000 words in length. Theme: Banned Books. Audiocast. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction of any length. For reprints, $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Rogue Blades Entertainment: We Who Are About to Die. Genre: Sword & ... “Not every hero survives. All heroes pay a cost, some the ultimate sacrifice. We’re examining that theme of ultimate sacrifice as key to heroism. Not only the willingness to sacrifice all, but the act of sacrifice for the greater ’cause,’ whatever that may be." Length: 500 words initially, 2,000-9,000 words for full submissions. Payment: $30. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

Sick Cruising. Genre: Short stories with a minimum of 2000 words using their provided writing prompts. Payment: $20. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

Tinderbox Poetry Journal. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $15. Deadline: May 21, 2020.

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, 2020.

Orca. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $25. Deadline: May 30, 2020. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee. 

Nashville Review. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art, and nonfiction. Payment: $25 per poem & song selection; $100 per selection for all other categories, including featured artwork. Translators receive $25 per poem & $100 for prose selections. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

What I Thought Of Ain’t Funny: An Anthology of Short Fiction Based On the Jokes of Mitch Hedberg. Genre: “We are looking for short fiction that “yes ands” a Mitch Hedberg joke. The pieces should be “based” on a specific Mitch Hedberg joke. We are not looking for pieces that emulate or mimic the style of Mitch Hedberg with no connection to his actual existing material.” Length: Up to 4,000 words. Payment: $50. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Age Is Just a Number. Genre: True stories. "We are looking for stories about the humorous or serious sides of life after 60." Payment: $200. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Geek Out! III – Queer Pop Lit, Art & Ideas. Genre: Seeking the following, up to 7,500 words (or 5 pages for art), from LGBTQ+ writers and artists:

• Genre fiction (scifi, fantasy, western, romance, thriller, horror, etc.)
• Nontraditional/experimental poetry
• Creative nonfiction, opinion essays, topical articles and reviews (non-memoir)
• Scripts for stage, screen or audio
• Comics and graphic short stories
• Visual Art 

Payment: $5/page. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Antioch Review. Genre: Nonfiction articles and fiction geared to an educated audience. Payment: $20/page. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Snail mail submissions only.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $50 per author (via PayPal) for our web issues. Payment for print is $5 per page, minimum of $20, plus 2 contributor copies and a 1-year subscription. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Note: Submit early in May to avoid submission fees.

AGNI. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $20/page of poetry (up to $150), $10 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Contemporary Verse 2. Genre: Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 - $150. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

One Story. Genre: Short stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. Payment: $500. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Baltimore Review. Genre: Poetry; send up to three poems, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $40. Deadline: May 31, 2020.
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, 2020. Charges small fee for online submissions. No fee for snail mail.

MORE...

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Poetry and fiction on theme of Lazy, Hazy, Crazy. Payment: $20 for featured author stories; $10 for stories published on &More page $5 for poems. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

The Bare Life Review: The Climate Issue. Restrictions: Open to immigrant and refugee authors, including foreign-born authors living in the US, and writers living abroad who currently hold refugee and/or asylum-seeker status. Also, for this issue, anyone who has been displaced by climate change. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $100 - $300. $750 for accepted full-length prose pieces. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Fly on the Wall Press: Food. Genre: Poetry (up to 3 poems), flash fiction, short stories, book reviews, and artwork on the theme of Food theme. “I’m looking for personal connections with food. Cooking can be a delicate art. Sitting down at a family meal can be painful, explosive, a treasured moment; a special kind of chaotic seasonal holiday! What foods do we worship with in places of worship? What foods do we love with; give as gifts, bake with care?  Taste memory can be extremely evocative.  What kind of foods define us? What if a lack of food defines us?” Payment: Royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2020.

Here are eleven well-respected science fiction and fantasy markets currently open to submissions. All of them accept submissions from previously unpublished writers, in fact, they relish discovering new talent. The majority of these are SFWA qualifying markets, which means they pay 8 cents a word or more.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) is the national organization for science fiction and fantasy writers. Writers who publish a story or poem in a qualifying market can become members. Membership benefits include help with contractual disputes, an emergency medical fund, promotion for your work, workshops, and networking opportunities. Nonmembers can take advantage of their resources as well. The SFWA site has an ample information center which includes Writer Beware, writing tips, sample contracts and other tools of the trade.

Happy submitting!


________________


Asimov’s Science Fiction

Asimov's is a big name among speculative fiction magazines. They are looking for “character oriented” stories, those in which the characters, rather than the science, provide the main focus for the reader’s interest. "Serious, thoughtful, yet accessible fiction will constitute the majority of our purchases, but there’s always room for the humorous as well. SF dominates the fiction published in the magazine, but we also publish borderline fantasy, slipstream, and surreal fiction. No sword & Sorcery, please. Neither are we interested in explicit sex or violence. A good overview would be to consider that all fiction is written to examine or illuminate some aspect of human existence, but that in science fiction the backdrop you work against is the size of the Universe."

Payment: Asimov’s pays 8-10 cents per word for short stories up to 7,500 words, and 8 cents for each word over 7,500. They pay $1 a line for poetry, which should not exceed 40 lines. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________

Fantasy & Science Fiction

Like Asimov's, F&SF prefers character-oriented stories. They receive a lot of fantasy fiction, but never enough science fiction or humor. Their word count limits are generous - up to 25,000 words.

Payment: 8-12 cents per word on acceptance. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Clarkesworld

Clarkesworld Magazine is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction. Science fiction does not need to be "hard" SF, but rigor is appreciated. Fantasy can be folkloric, contemporary, surreal, etc. No horror, but dark science fiction and fantasy are accepted. Length: 1000-22000 words.

Payment: 10¢ per word. Payment via PayPal or check. (International authors may request wire transfers.) No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Analog Science Fiction and Fact

Analog is a well-established magazine that exclusively publishes science fiction. Future science must be integral to the story. "The science can be physical, sociological, psychological. The technology can be anything from electronic engineering to biogenetic engineering. But the stories must be strong and realistic, with believable people (who needn't be human) doing believable things–no matter how fantastic the background might be."

Payment: 8-10 cents per word for short fiction (up to approximately 20,000 words), 6 cents per word for serials (40,000-80,000 words), 9 cents per word for fact articles, and $1 per line for poetry. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Strange Horizons

Strange Horizons publishes all kinds of speculative fiction but they are particularly interested in fiction from or about diverse perspectives and traditionally under-represented groups, settings, and cultures, written from a non-exoticizing and well-researched position. Stories must be under 10,000 words. They also publish literary, SF/F, speculative, and slipstream poetry, nonfiction and reviews.

Payment: 10¢/word USD, within 60 days of contract. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Interzone

Interzone was founded in 1982 by David Pringle, John Clute, Alan Dorey, Malcolm Edwards, Colin Greenland, Graham Jones, Roz Kaveney and Simon Ounsley. The magazine is regularly shortlisted for prestigious awards, and is a winner of the Hugo and British Fantasy Awards. Many of its stories have also won awards and/or reprints in various Year’s Best anthologies. Interzone has helped launch the careers of many important science fiction and fantasy authors, and continues to publish some of the world's best known writers.

Payment: £30/1000 words on publication (?) No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Daily Science Fiction

Daily Science Fiction accepts speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, etc.) stories from 100 to 1,500 words in length. They will consider flash series - three or more flash tales built around a common theme. Each story needs to stand on its own. They may purchase dark fantasy, but try not to publish pure horror.

Payment: 8 cents/word. No reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Beneath Ceaseless Skies

Beneath Ceaseless Skies publishes “literary adventure fantasy”: stories with a secondary-world setting and some fantasy feel, but written with a literary approach. "We want stories set in what Tolkien called a “secondary world”: some other world that is different from our own primary world in some way. It could be different in terms of zoology (non-human creatures), ecology (climate), or physical laws (the presence of magic)." Length: Up to 15,000 words.

Payment: 8 cents/word. No reprints. Simultaneous submissions are okay.

________________


East of the Web

East of the Web's new imprint is seeking science fiction and fantasy short stories. Stories should be accessible, with strong plots and compelling characters, written with a good knowledge of the science fiction or fantasy canon. Stories should be at least 7,000 words.

Payment: Starts at $0.05 per word or a mix of an advance and a royalty. Reprints accepted.

________________


Flash Fiction Online

Flash Fiction Online publishes all genres. "We want developed, empathetic characters and discernible, resolved plots.  Please no non-fiction or poetry." Length: 500 to 1000 words.

Payment: 8 cents per word for original fiction. 2 cents per word for reprints. No simultaneous submissions.

________________


Escape Pod 


Escape Pod publishes science fiction in audio and text. "We are fairly flexible on what counts as science (we’ll delve into superheroes or steampunk on occasion) and are interested in exploring the range of the genre. We want stories that center on science, technology, future projections, and/or alternate history, and how any or all of these things intersect with people." Length: 1500-6000 words. 

Payment: $0.08 per word for original fiction; $100.00 flat rate for reprints of any length.

This May there are more than two dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $60,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

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

Good luck!
_________________



West Virginia Fiction Competition. Restrictions: Open to West Virginia residents or students. Genre: Short fiction, 5,000 words max. Prize: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Molly Keane Creative Writing Award. Restrictions: Open to Irish residents. Genre: Unpublished short story, maximum 2,000 words. Prize: 500 pounds. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Restrictions: Open to first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere. Genre: Unpublished Fiction books. Prize: $10,000 and publication. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

CINTAS Creative Writing Fellowship. Restrictions: Open to any Cuban author (including those of direct Cuban lineage; need not reside in Cuba). Genre: Novel excerpts, short stories, plays, or poems of up to 25 pages. Prize: $20,000 fellowship. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

Remastered Words Short Story Competition. Genre: Fantasy short story up to 5,000 words on theme of ‘One Last Chance’. Prize: £75, £50, £25. The winning stories will be produced as audio shorts by voiceover artists. Deadline: May 1, 2020. Accepts reprints.

SemiSages of the Pages. Genre: Flash fiction on prompt: You receive an odd package and have no idea who sent it to you. Length: 250-500 words. Prize: $25 Amazon gift certificate and publication. Deadline: May 1, 2020.

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 8, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

Rachel Wetzsteon Chapbook Award. Genre: Literary fiction. 7,000-12,000 words. Prize: $250, publication, and 25 copies. Deadline: May 15, 2020. Entry is free until March 15.

Unified Caring Association Student Essay Contest. Restrictions: Open to US High School Juniors and Seniors. Genre: Essay on topic: "Choose one category: children, animals, reforestation, or elderly. Write a 500 or more word essay addressing the caring actions you would take to make change for the better in your chosen category." Prize: 10 first prizes of $350 scholarship; 10 honorable mention essays will each receive a $100 scholarship. Deadline: May 15, 2020.

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, 2020.

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 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to each of the finalists. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

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 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. Genre: Literary fiction, novel or short story collection. Restrictions: Titles must be published in Canada and written by Canadians. Prize: $50,000 will be awarded to a literary fiction book or short story collection published between March 11, 2020 and May 19, 2020. Deadline: May 20, 2020.

On The Premises Mini Contest. "Life isn’t much fun right now, anywhere in the world. The pandemic has touched everybody to some degree. Wrap up how you feel about life today–the good, the bad, the ugly, the inspiring, the awful, the funny, the not funny–and because this is a contest challenge, send it to us in the form of a limerick. The limerick doesn’t have to be funny, but it does have to evoke thoughts and feelings in us like everything else we ask of you." Prize: $40. Deadline: May 23, 2020.
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 27, 2020.

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: May 31, 2020.

The Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans. This creative writing contest for U.S. military veterans and active duty personnel is hosted by The Iowa Review and made possible by a gift from the family of Jeff Sharlet (1942–69), a Vietnam veteran and antiwar writer and activist. The contest is open to veterans and active duty personnel writing in any genre and about any subject matter. Prizes: First place: $1,000 plus publication in The Iowa Review. Second place: $750. Three runners-up: $500 each. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Cromwell Article Prize. Restrictions: Open to early career scholars. Genre: Articles published in the field of American legal history.  Prize: $2,500. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

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, 2020.

Creative Futures. Restrictions: Open to under-represented UK writers. Genre: Fiction, poetry on theme of Tomorrow.  Prize: Up to £75. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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 31, 2020.

Words Without Borders Poems in Translation Contest. Genre: Contemporary international poetry translated from other languages into English. Prize: $150 each for winning poets and translators. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

Sapiens Plurum. Genre: Short stories that personalize the consequences of climate change. "This year’s short-fiction contest challenges authors to ask: How can technology increase empathy and connection? The news today is full of examples of technology creating dissension and amplifying differences. We ask authors to imagine ways that technology can improve how we relate to each other and bring us closer, even across species. We welcome stories that view life from another species’ point of view and/or explore empathy between different forms of life."  Prize: 1ST PRIZE: $1000; 2ND PRIZE: $500; 3RD PRIZE: $300. Deadline: May 31, 2020.

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 31, 2020. (No date given. The books are featured monthly.)

Here are three agents interested in LGBTQ fiction and nonfiction. Claire Draper is seeking young adult fiction, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels, or a feminist memoir/collection of essays.

​Emmy Nordstrom is looking for literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction, for adults and older young adults, and on the non-fiction side: memoir, deep dive journalistic accounts, investigative true crime, activism, essay collections, and progressive political and social commentary. Kiana Nguyen focuses primarily on YA Contemporary, but would love to work with low/high Fantasy (not-western/European based) and Sci-fi.

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

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

_____________________


Emmy Nordstrom Higdon of The Rights Factory

"I am a PhD student at McMaster University, a bookseller at Another Story independent book shop, a blogger at Books Beyond Binaries, and a member of the planning team for the Festival of Literary Diversity. I am a queer, trans, non-binary colonizer originally from Newfoundland, now based in Tkaronto (Toronto, Ontario). I keep busy with research projects, spending time with my family (including adopted dogs and cats), embroidery, vegan cooking, and… obviously, a lot of reading."

What they are seeking: "Authors of literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction, for adults and older young adults. I specialize in LGBTQ2S+ literature. I am not currently accepting middle grade or children's literature queries. While atmospheric stories with lots of plot twists are my favourites, I'm eager to read literary fiction, feminist thrillers, book club, millennial, dark fantasy, paranormal horror, contemporary Gothic, and magical realism."

Non-Fiction: Adult and YA: "On the non-fiction side, my interests include memoir, deep dive journalistic accounts, investigative true crime, activism, essay collections, and progressive political and social commentary."

How to submit: Use their query form HERE.

_____________________




Kiana Nguyen of Donald Maass

"Newly minted Assistant Literary Agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency. I focus primarily on YA Contemporary, but would love to work with low/high Fantasy (not-western/European based) and Sci-fi. I am HUNGRY for queer and POC voices, especially if the narrative is as much driven by the main character(s) as by a high-concept plot. Think THUG, ONE OF US IS LYING, THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS. Recent Fantasy: FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS, THE FIVE DAUGHTERS OF THE MOON, WINTERSONG.

I am looking for queer gang ensemble casts in any YA genre/sub-genre that kick ass physically, mentally, at the arcade or in a high-stakes heist. Some of my favorite badass teams right now are in The Flash, Wynona Earp, The Craft (obviously), The Diviners by Libba Bray, Feral Youth edited by Shaun David Hutchinson. They all have their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks and each are wholly unique in their own ways. Also, COVENS.

I'm looking for an achingly bittersweet queer love story with thriller or genre spin like FAR FROM YOU and THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END. I want my heart broken with all things dark and twisty.

Give me the girls with skinned knees and boys weak with jealousy and queer kids who couldn't be good if they tried. All the gray morality and friendships they would kill to keep. Nothing cookie-cutter for me! I am also looking for Adult SFF, thrillers (specifically domestic suspense), and romance. Think Nicky Drayden, THE GIRL BEFORE (Rena Olsen), and Rebekah Weatherspoon."

How to submit: Submissions should be emailed to query.knguyen@maassagency.com

Begin your subject line with QUERY: title of the manuscript (e.g. QUERY: The Count of Monte Cristo).  Include:

• a query letter (be sure it includes both genre and word count)
• the first five pages of your manuscript
• a short synopsis (1-2 pages)

_____________________


Claire Draper of Bent Agency

Claire Draper studied Queer Diversity in Children’s Literature at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. While a student, she interned at Rare Bird Lit, InkWell Management, and the Children’s Book Council. Originally from Southern California, she misses the beach and In-n’-Out more than possibly imaginable. She is a recent transplant to Brooklyn and enjoys heading to the park to read literary fiction, young adult fiction, graphic novels, and the latest collection of feminist essays.

What she is seeking: Young adult fiction, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels, or a feminist memoir/collection of essays. "I love a good YA romance, but will absolutely take on any other YA genre. I'm craving more YA queer romances with much more going on than the romance, like lesbian witches avoiding persecution, or your everyday trans crime-fighting teen, though both characters in the relationship need to be lovable for their own reasons, so please make sure your characters are as lovable as we want them to be. Also, I'm very much looking for YA books that handle mental illness well, especially a character who deals with having bipolar disorder."

How to submit: "By submitting a query to me, you are agreeing to address me as Claire or Mx. Draper." Include the title of your project in the subject line of your email. Then paste the first ten pages of your book in the body of your email (not as an attachment, please).

Send to: clairequeries@thebentagency.com

Here are five new agents seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients. Lori Steel represents children's and YA literature. Eryn Kalavsky is interested in narrative nonfiction, personal growth, parenting, health & fitness, cookbooks, spirituality and pop culture. Laura Mazer represents adult nonfiction only.

Michael L Joy accepts queries in the following genres: In Adult Fiction: Mystery, Crime, Suspense, Thrillers, and Graphic Novels (in script form). In Non-Fiction: Art, Music, Pop Culture, True Crime, Business Self-Help, Graphic Novels. Erin Files is most interested in upmarket young adult, middle grade and adult fiction. She also enjoys literary-leaning nonfiction in the areas of psychology, history, and popular science.

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

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

_____________________


Laura Mazer of Wendy Sherman, Associates

Before joining the book-publishing industry, Laura oversaw editorial operations for Creators Syndicate, a global news agency representing some of the most influential opinion writers and editorial cartoonists of the day, including Hillary Clinton, Arianna Huffington, Molly Ivins, Ann Landers, and Mike Luckovich. Laura was also a senior editor at Brill’s Content magazine and the special sections editor at the Los Angeles Times.

What she is seeking: Laura represents adult nonfiction only, with a focus on progressive cultural commentary, feminism and racial justice, intelligent pop culture, keep-it-real prescriptive advice, irreverent self-help, and packaged gift or “concept” books. She adores history, biography, and celebrations of literary legacies, especially when they offer fresh stories about women. An established national platform is essential.

How to submit: Please send all e-mail submissions to submissions@wsherman.com.  Include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line. They will not open attachments unless they have been requested.  For non-fiction, please include your query letter and author bio.

_____________________


Ms. Lori Steel of Raven Quill Literary Agency

Lori joined the RQLA team as Agent and Agency Assistant after working with young readers’ literature for more than a decade. Her experience runs the gamut from school librarian to freelance editor to intern/assistant with two kidlit agencies. She holds degrees in history, education, as well as an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, where she currently serves as Coordinator for their Oxford/Bath summer residency program. When not holding a quill, Lori is often planning her next travel adventure or perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe.

What she is seeking: Children's and YA literature.

How to submit: Use her form HERE.


_____________________



Ms. Eryn Kalavsky of Salky Literary Management

Eryn Kalavsky is a veteran of the book publishing industry, having built the foundation of her career in publicity, marketing and international sales at HarperCollins Publishers. Prior to joining SLM, she worked with a list of authors and entrepreneurs as a publishing consultant strategically helping develop their book ideas while simultaneously growing their brands and platforms. She is based in Los Angeles and her approach to representation is with a long-term view of building a client’s career within the publishing world and beyond.

What she is seeking: Her interests include narrative nonfiction, personal growth, parenting, health & fitness, cookbooks, spirituality and pop culture. However, she appreciates any idea with an ability to foster connection and satisfy an audience.

How to submit: Use the query form HERE.

_____________________


Michael L. Joy of Seymour Agency

Michael L Joy is a graduate of the Stonecoast MFA Creative Writing program and a board member of the Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, where he is the co-chair of their annual mystery writing conference, SleuthFest. (SleuthFest.com). He is a professor of English, musician and recovering programmer living in Southwest Florida.

What he is seeking: Fiction: "I’m looking for character-driven commercial fiction in mystery/crime/suspense/thriller – including graphic novel script format. I’m excited to read new perspectives – #OwnVoices, race, gender, LGBTQ, or sub-culture - different POVs, obstacles and outcomes. Situational humor is good, but not required. Cozies will be a tough sell unless the “community” is something extremely different. No talking or communicative animals. No Romance."

Non-Fiction: "I’m looking for art, music, pop-culture or sub-culture topics, including positive mental and physical health for artist. True crime. Business Self-Help: How to survive and keep positive while starting a business, running a business or working a high-pressure job. I’d be excited to look at graphic novel formats for non-fiction also. No politics or religion."

How to submit: Send your query to michaeljoy@theseymouragency.com. When sending your query please include a book blurb, what topic the book targets, clear marketing/platform information (eg. Social media followers, subscribers, professional connections, etc.), your proposal, a comparison in the market, sample index page and three sample chapters. No attachments.


_____________________


Erin Files of Aevitas

Erin Files graduated from New York University with a BA in English Literature. Prior to Aevitas, she worked at several publishing houses and agencies, mostly notably Writers House and W.W. Norton in New York and Little Tiger Press in London.

What she is seeking: Erin is most interested in upmarket young adult, middle grade and adult fiction—particularly issue-driven stories that mirror the depth and diversity of the world around us. She also enjoys literary-leaning nonfiction in the areas of psychology, history, and popular science.

How to submit: Use the form HERE.