There are over two dozen contests in August for short stories, poetry, essays, scripts, and books in every genre. None charge entry fees. Prizes range from hundreds of thousands of dollars to publication. Some accept self-published work. 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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The Governor General’s Literary Awards. Restrictions: Books must have been written, translated or illustrated by Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Genre: Best English-language and the best French-language book will be chosen in each of the seven categories of Fiction, Literary Non-fiction, Poetry, Drama, Children’s Literature (text), Children’s Literature (illustrated books) and Translation (from French to English). Prize: $1,000 - $25,000. Deadline: Nominations by publishers for books in English must reach the Canada Council no later than August 1, 2019.

The Miracle Monocle Award for Ambitious Student Writers. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled as students (high school, undergraduate, or graduate). Genre: All. Prize: $200. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Milwaukee Irish Fest. Genre: Poetry. Entries should have a culture/literary relation to either Ireland, Irish-America, or to Irish poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Epigram Books Fiction Prize. Restrictions: Authors must be Singaporean, Singaporean permanent resident or Singapore-born. Genre: A full-length, original and unpublished novel written in the English language. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Leeway Foundation Art and Change Grants. Restrictions: Writers living in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia counties Delaware who are 18 years of age or older and who are not full-time students in a degree-granting arts program are eligible. Genres: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Prize: $2500.  Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Boardman Tasker Prize. Restrictions: Books published between 1st August 2017 and 31st July 2019 in the UK. Genre: Books with mountain,not necessarily mountaineering, theme whether fiction, non-fiction, drama or poetry, written in the English language. Prize: £3,000.00. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships. Restrictions: Delaware poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers who have lived in Delaware for at least one year prior to application and who are not enrolled in a degree-granting program. Genres: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction. Prize: Established Professional Fellowships of $6,000 each and Emerging Artist Fellowships of $3,000 each. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Pen 2 Paper Creative Writing Competition. Restrictions: Open to writers with disabilities. Genre: Fiction, poetry, CNF, graphic novel. Prize: One Grand Prize winner will receive $500 USD, and a 1st Place winner in each of the four divisions will receive $100 USD. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Costa Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to writers in the UK or Ireland. Genre: Short story (maximum 4,000 words). Prize: £3,000. Deadline: August 1, 2019.

Bethune & Son Texas Short Story Competition. Genre: Unpublished short stories with the Texas theme: "Black Gold." Prize: up to $1,000. Deadline: August 2, 2019.

Frieze Writers' Prize. Genre: Essay: Art Criticism. Aspiring art critics are invited to submit one unpublished review of a recent contemporary art exhibition, which should be 500 words in length. Prize: The winner will be commissioned to write a review for frieze magazine and will be awarded GBP£2,000. Deadline: August 5, 2019.

Oregon Literary Fellowships. Fellowships of $3,000 each are given annually to Oregon writers to initiate, develop, or complete literary projects in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. One Women Writers Fellowship and one Writer of Color Fellowship of $3,000 each are also given annually. Submit three copies of up to 15 pages of poetry or 25 pages of prose with the required entry from. Deadline: August 9, 2019.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Poets living in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., or West Virginia. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500, publication by Broadkill River Press, ten author copies, and two cases of Dogfish Head craft beer. Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Headway Quarterly Writing Contest. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Theme is color—whatever that means to you—but should also be limited to 350 words in length. Prize: $100. Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Scotiabank Giller Prize. Restrictions: Open to books published in Canada in English between July 1, 2019 and Sept 30, 2019. Must  be nominated by publisher. Genre: Fiction. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally, or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists. Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. Restrictions: Emerging African American writers.  Genres: Short story collection or novel published in the current year. Prize: $10,000.    Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Montgomery County Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Prize: $250. Deadline: August 15, 2019.

PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Restrictions: Candidates must have published one or more novels for children or young adults that have been warmly received by literary critics, but have not generated sufficient income to support the author. Genre: Book-length children's or young-adult fiction. Prize: $5000. Deadline: August 15, 2019.

Bodley Head/Financial Times Essay Prize. Restrictions: open to anyone between 18 and 35 years old. Genre: "A dynamic, authoritative and lively essay of no more than 3,500 words in English, on any subject." Prize: £1,500 cash and an e-publication with The Bodley Head, publication in the FT of their winning essay and a mentoring session with The Bodley Head. Two runners-up will win £500 cash each and an e-publication with The Bodley Head. Deadline: August 16, 2019.

RBC Taylor Prize. Restrictions: Citizens or residents of Canada. Must be published author. Genre: Literary nonfiction. Prize: $25,000 (CAN). Deadline: August 26, 2019 for books published between June 1 and August 23, 2019.

Harvill Secker Young Translators' Prize. Restrictions: Open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 34. Genre: Short story translation from French to English. Entrants will translate an excerpt from the novel De purs hommes by Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr. Prize: £1,000.00. Deadline: August 30, 2019.

On The Premises Short Story Contest. "For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which some kind of tradition(s) play(s) an important role." Prize: Winners receive between US$60 and US$220, and publication. Deadline: August 30, 2019.

Kindle Storyteller Award (UK). Restrictions: The prize is open to all authors who publish their book through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon.co.uk. Genre: Book. Prize: £20,000. Deadline: August 31, 2019.


Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Gabo Prize for Literature in Translation or Multi-Lingual Texts. Restrictions: Translators and authors of multi-lingual texts. Genres: Poetry and prose. Prize: $200. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Lee & Low Books New Voices Award is sponsored by Lee &Low Publishers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published. Genre: Children's books - fiction, nonfiction or poetry.  Prize: $1,000 and publication. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Preservation Foundation Essay Contest for Unpublished Writers. Restrictions: The contest is open to writers whose creative writing has never produced revenues of over $750 in any single year. Genre: Nonfiction: Biographical Nonfiction, General Nonfiction, Travel Nonfiction, and Animal Nonfiction. Prize: First prize in each category will be $200. Runners-up will receive $100. Finalists will receive $50. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize. Restrictions: Open to Upstate New York authors. Genre: Poetry collection, at least 48 pages long, published between July 1 of the previous year and June 30 of the deadline year. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Jack Grapes Poetry Prize. Genre: Poetry. Prize: WINNERS will receive $200 each, plus publication. FINALISTS will receive $50 each, plus publication. Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Jacques Maritain Prize for Nonfiction. Genre: Essay, Catholic themes. Prize: $500 top prize.    Deadline: August 31, 2019.

Summer is the perfect time for writing conferences. This August there are conferences, intensive workshops, retreats and book fairs from coast to coast. You will also have a chance to pitch your work to agents, meet editors, and get to know your fellow writers. Conferences provide great opportunities to network, so make the most of your experience!

I strongly recommend that you plan ahead for next year if you miss your perfect conference or workshop. Many of these conferences offer scholarships, but you have to apply early.

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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Fine Arts Work Center Summer Workshops (poetry, fiction, art, and creative nonfiction). June 9 - August 23, 2019, Provincetown, Massachusetts. The faculty and presenters include poets David Baker, Samiya Bashir, Jill Bialosky, Sophie Cabot Black, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Martha Collins, Kate Daniels, Nick Flynn, Vievee Francis, Gabriel Fried, Jorie Graham, Marie Howe, Major Jackson, Fred Marchant, Gail Mazur, Jane Mead, John Murillo, Eileen Myles, Matthew Olzmann, Gregory Pardlo, Carl Phillips, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, Victoria Redel, Martha Rhodes, Brenda Shaughnessy, Nicole Sealey, Alan Shapiro, Carmen Giménez Smith, Craig Morgan Teicher, Brian Turner, Monica Youn, and Javier Zamora; fiction writers Joseph Cassara, Alexander Chee, Andre Dubus III, Julia Glass, Marcie Hershman, Pam Houston, Greg Jackson, Reif Larsen, Richard McCann, Ivy Pochoda, Sarah Schulman, Justin Torres, Laura van den Berg, Joan Wickersham, and Paul Yoon; and nonfiction writers Alysia Abbott, Hanif Abdurraqib, Elissa Altman, Garrard Conley, Melissa Febos, Tessa Fontaine, Paul Lisicky, Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich, Ander Monson, Wendy C. Ortiz, Sarah Ruhl, Dani Shapiro, Susanna Sonnenberg, and Marion Winik. Tuition ranges from $650 to $750.

Mendocino Coast Writers Conference. August 1 - 3, 2019: Mendocino, California. The conference features workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as craft talks, readings, manuscript consultations, open mics, and pitch sessions with agents and editors. The faculty includes poet Victoria Chang; fiction writers Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Charlotte Gullick, Mitali Perkins, Shobha Rao, and Scott Sigler; and nonfiction writers Myriam Gurba, Ismail Muhammad, and Jeannie Vanasco. Participating publishing professionals include agents Sarah Bowlin (Aevitas) and Rayhané Sanders (Massie & McQuilkin) and editors Andrew Karre (Dutton Books) and Philip Marino (Little, Brown). An optional post-conference daylong Publishing Boot Camp taught by Marino will be held on August 4. The registration fee, which includes most meals, is $575. One-on-one manuscript consultations are available for an additional $60. The Publishing Boot Camp is $150. Register by June 30.

The 2019 Writers' Police Academy: Mudercon. MurderCon is a rare opportunity for writers to participate in hands-on “for law enforcement eyes only” training, using modern testing and evidence collection tools and equipment, in workshops taught by some of the world’s leading homicide investigation experts. This incredibly detailed, cutting-edge instruction has never before been available to writers, anywhere."

Your Guide to Graphic Novels 2019. August 1–4, 2019: Honesdale, PA. Learn about the narrative style of this highly engaging format. Writers and writer/illustrators at any level welcome.
Cape Cod Writers Center Conference. August 1 - 4, 2019: Hyannis, Massachusetts. The conference features workshops and craft classes in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as mentoring sessions with agents. Fiction writer Richard Russo will deliver the keynote. The faculty includes poet Enzo Silon Surin and fiction writers M. William Phelps, Marcella Pixley, and Tim Weed. Participating publishing professionals include editor Christina M. Frey (Editorial Freelancers Association), social media expert Bobbie Carlton, and agents Lori Galvin (Aevitas Creative Management), Steven Hutson (WordWise Literary), and Linda Konner (Linda Konner Agency). Tuition is $150 for a three-session course, $120 for a two-session course, or $70 for a single workshop. Manuscript consultations are available for an additional $150; query consultations with agents are available for an additional $25. General registration is $80.

Taylor's Professional Writers Conference. August 2 - 3, 2019: Upland, Indiana. 35 seminars covering General & First-timers, Fiction, Nonfiction, Platform & Marketing and Specialty Writing.

Florida Authors and Publishers Association Annual Conference. August 2 - 4, 2019: Orlando, Florida. "Our theme this year is Charting Your Course and our agenda includes speakers who will help you travel along the many paths you’ll take on your publishing journey. These “tour guides” will share the latest marketing trends, explore legal issues, translate printing and distribution challenges, help you discover the importance of making timely connections, and identify your destination by publishing with a purpose."

Willamette Writers Conference. August 2 - 4, 2019: Portland, Oregon. This year the conference will feature Celebrating Diverse Voices in Writing with three full days of classes, workshops, keynotes, critiques, and events. There are also Master Classes with industry professionals in which you can learn from top instructors in a small group setting and many options for one on one critique, including On the Spot Critiques and Advance Manuscript Critique. As always, they will have a roster of agents, editors and film executives ready to hear about your project.

Deadly Ink Mystery Conference. August 2 - 4, 2019: Rockaway, New Jersey. Guest of Honor: Wendy Corsi Staub, Toastmaster: R.G. Belsky, Fan Guest of Honor: Nikki Bonanni. Other authors: Eileen Watkins, Kate Gallison, Roberta Rogow, Vicki Weiseld, Carol Gyzander, Teal James Glen...and more...and more. Cost ranges from $75.00 to $250.00.

The 2019 Tennessee Writing Workshop. August 3, 2019, Nashville, TN. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."

Hurston/Wright Summer Writers Workshop. August 3 - 9, 2019: Washington, DC. For more than 20 years, the Hurston/Wright Summer Writers Workshop has offered a safe space for black writers in intensive workshop sessions and master classes. Workshops are led by award-winning writers who are influencing today’s literature. The program features critiques, craft talks, writing time and public readings. Hurston/Wright workshops serve emerging and experienced writers who are starting projects, developing projects or seeking to polish projects. More than a thousand writers have participated in workshops since the first session in 1996.

The Ins and Outs of a Picture Book and Its Many Forms 2019. August 4 -7, 2019: Honesdale, PA. Let three celebrated picture book authors help you navigate the ins and outs of the picture book form. The word count may be short, but the work is long. This hands-on workshop with Bethany Hegedus, Carmen Oliver & Salina Yoon will help you discover what you must write and how to get that work ready for submission to editors and agents.

Catamaran Writing Conference. August 4 - 8, 2019: Pebble Beach, CA. This poetry conference will be held on the campus of the Robert Louis Stevenson school. Spend each morning workshop with Dorianne Laux or Michelle Bitting (9:30-12:30), working on your poetry. The workshop meets four mornings (Monday-Thursday) and each participant will receive focused feedback from the group on their poems.  Workshop packets with group submissions will be available after July 15th.  You'll be invited to submit a writing sample for group feedback. Optional participant readings will be held. During registration you will be invited to indicate your poetry workshop instructor preference.

Novel Beginnings: Building Strong Foundations ForYour Novel And Your Career 2019. August 8–11, 2019: Honesdale, PA. Get feedback on your novel AND guidance about your writing career from two experienced authors with great teaching and editing experience. Nothing is more important than laying strong foundations for both your novel and your writing career. Just as the choices you make at the start of your novel will have ripple effects throughout the entire book, the time you invest in establishing what’s important to you as an author will resonate throughout your entire writing journey. Our faculty will help you on your road to discovery as you lay down the cornerstones of your novel and your career.

Travel Writers & Photographers Conference. August 8–11, 2019: Corte Madera, Calif. Writing and photography workshops in the morning, a full afternoon of panels and discussions, and evening faculty presentations. There are optional, working field trips to explore the resources of the Bay Area. The faculty includes publishers, magazine editors, photographers, travel essayists, food writers, restaurateurs, guidebook writers, and more.

The 2019 Sacramento Writing Workshop. August 9, 2019: Sacramento, CA. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."

Colrain Intensive. August 9 - 12, 2019: Greenfield, MA. The Colrain Manuscript Intensive is a small, select, highly focused, 3-day conference designed for the evaluation and discussion of book-length manuscripts by editors and publishers. The intensive is open only to those who have attended a previous Colrain conference and/or those whose manuscript is close to publication (semi-finalist, finalist or publisher feedback), and/or those with previous book publication.

Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators Annual Conference. August 9 - 12, 2019: Los Angeles, California. More than 100 writers, editors, illustrators, & agents. Workshops, breakout sessions, manuscript and portfolio consultations, panels, discussions.

Whole Novel Workshop. August 11 - 17, 2019: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. The Whole Novel Workshop is specifically designed for writers of middle-grade and young adult novels. This unique program offers the one-on-one attention found in degree programs, but without additional academic requirements, lengthy time commitments, or prohibitive financial investments. Our aim is to focus on a specific work in progress, moving a novel to the next level in preparation for submission to agents or publishers. Focused attention in an intimate setting makes this mentorship program one that guarantees significant progress.

Vermont College of Fine Arts Postgraduate Writers’ Conference. August 12 - 18, 2019: Montpelier, Vermont. The conference is designed for writers with graduate degrees or equivalent experience. Workshops in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as readings, craft classes, and individual consultations with faculty members. "At the heart of the Postgraduate Writers' Conference's unique model is the small workshop size, with groups led by acclaimed faculty limited to five or six writers. The intimate format allows for an extraordinarily in-depth, far-reaching discussion of participants’ work. Beyond the daily group sessions, each member has an individual consultation with the workshop instructor. The schedule also features a rich menu of readings by faculty and participants, craft talks, generative writing sessions and social events that galvanize our vibrant, inclusive community."

Bread Loaf Writers' Conference. August 14- 24, 2019: Ripton, VT. Workshops in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction are at the core of the conference. Each faculty member conducts a workshop that meets for five two-hour sessions over the course of the 10 days. Groups are kept small to facilitate discussion, and all participants meet individually with their faculty leaders to elaborate on workshop comments. Faculty members also offer lectures on issues around literary writing and one-hour classes on specific aspects of the craft. Readings by the faculty, conference participants, and guests take place throughout the day and into the night. Participants meet with visiting editors, literary agents, and publishers who provide information and answer questions, individually or in small groups.

Northwestern University Summer Writers’ Conference. August 15 - 17, 2019: Chicago, Illinois. "Join a community of writers at Northwestern University for a three-day institute on writing fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The program, which is now in its 15th year, includes a diverse array of workshops, panels, keynote speakers, networking events, and literary readings. Learn how to escalate your plot, write a gut wrenching story, motivate your characters, and turn your nonfiction into narrative. Hear keynote presentations from award-winning authors, including Rebecca Makkai (The Great Believers). Get advice from publishers, agents, literary editors, critics, and published authors in all genres. You can also schedule an individual manuscript consultation with conference faculty. Writers at all levels of experience are welcome, as are writers of all genres and backgrounds. Come seek a fuller understanding of the craft—and business—of writing."

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference, August 16 - 19, 2019: West Coast Writers Conferences presents a full weekend of panels, workshops and presentations by educators, noted speakers, and industry professionals focused on the craft and business of writing.

Iota Short Prose Conference. August 16 - 19, 2019: Lubec, Maine. Workshops, craft discussions, readings, open mics, one-on-one meetings with faculty, and field trips to nearby locations for poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Faculty includes Beth Ann Fennelly and Sven Birkerts.

Murphy Writing of Stockton University: Live Free and Write. August 18 - 23, 2019: Sunapee, NH. "Combine an extended writing retreat with a relaxing summer vacation in the picturesque mountains of New Hampshire. This getaway blends our trademark challenging and supportive workshop experience with plenty of free time for you to write and bask in the refreshing New England summer." Current and past faculty includes Stephen Dunn, Sharon Olds, Gregory Pardlo, Barbara Hurd, Kathleen Graber, Carol Plum-Ucci, James Richardson, Mimi Schwartz, Peter E. Murphy and more.

Mystery Writers Conference. August 22 - 25, 2019: Corte Madera, CA. In this conference, mystery writers learn the clues to a successful writing career. Editors, agents, and publishers tell participants what they need to know to get published. Authors offer classes on setting, dialogue, suspense, point of view, and openings. They tell how to write about private eyes, amateur sleuths, and police protagonists, and how to create thrillers and historical mysteries. Panels of detectives, forensic experts, police, and other crime-fighting professionals provide information that allows crime fiction writers to put realism in their work.

Writer’s Digest Conference. August 22 - 25, 2019: New York City. Annual Writer's Digest Conference featuring: Pitch Slam, with more than fifty agents and editors in attendance, educational tracks devoted to publishing and self-publishing, platform and promotion, and the craft of writing,  speakers and instructors.

Killer Nashville Writers’ Conference. August 22 - 25, 2019: Nashville, TN. The Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference was created in 2006 by author/filmmaker Clay Stafford in an effort to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature. "At the conference, we try diligently to ensure that the weekend has something for every writer and lover of literature, and our sessions are structured to assist writers on multiple career levels. Our learning tracks tackle the craft of writing, business of writing, marketing, and forensics. Killer Nashville features nine breakout sessions for intense smaller group interaction, an authors’ bar (free for hotel guests), a moonshine and wine tasting, free agent/editor roundtable pitch sessions, a mock crime scene designed by special agents and other law enforcement professionals, cocktail receptions, the Guest of Honor Dinner and Awards Banquet, film previews, live music performances and—of course—all the great activities one can enjoy in downtown Nashville."

HippoCamp Creative Nonfiction Conference. August 23 - 25, 2019: Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This three-day creative writing conference in PA features 50+ notable speakers, engaging sessions in four tracks, interactive panels, readings, social activities, networking opps and optional, intimate pre-conference workshops.

DragonCon. August 29 - September 2, 2019: Atlanta, Ga. HUGE sci-fi event, with parade, autograph sessions, live performances, readings, wrestling (!), workshops on belly dancing, writing (yes, there's even some writing), art show. (This conference sounds really wild.)

WriterCon. August 30 - September 1, 2019: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. "Discover if self-publishing is the best option for your book–and how to self-publish easily. See what techniques and tools you need to be your own best editor. Find out how to pitch to an agent–by email and in person. Go over the 7 steps to creating your fiction novel, so it’s ROCK SOLID every time. Learn about ghostwriting, which can be a lucrative market for authors. Dive deeper into children’s writing, writing for computer games, poetry, screenplays, songs, cookbooks and more. Witness how to publish on Kindle step-by-step. Uncover the latest tips, tricks and tools for marketing your book–and yourself–effectively. Talk to top agents, editors, publishers and publicists, and MORE."

Mysteries and thrillers are perennial favorites among readers. According to Simba Information, the only genre that beats mystery is romance. Even in second place, crime novels pull in more than $730 million a year. The subgenres span from cozy, to hardboiled, to police procedural, to cross-genre blends with science fiction, fantasy and romance.

If you write short form mysteries or thrillers, there are a number of markets you can submit your work to. All of these are paying markets, and none of charge submission fees. Happy submitting!

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Over My Dead Body!

This magazine publishes a wide variety of mystery-related manuscripts, from cozy to hardboiled and everything in between. They don't discriminate on the basis of content, subgenre, or author recognition.

NONFICTION: "We're looking for mystery-related author interviews/ profiles and articles. Mystery-related travel pieces will also be considered. (For example: travel article about the Reichenbach Falls of Sherlock Holmes fame.) 500+ words."

FICTION: "We want to see taut, absorbing, original work. Keep dialogue and narrative consistent with characterization (unless you're using the discrepancy as a plot point). Don't waste words, and don't ignore facts to facilitate your plot. Most importantly, if you're going to break the rules, do it well. 750-4,000 words."

PAYMENT: Nominal - $.01/word for fiction; $10-$25 total for unsolicited nonfiction. All contributors will be paid within 30 days of acceptance.

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Who Knocks?

This magazine accepts mystery, weird tales, suspense and horror, 1500-5000 words in length. If you are not sure what category your story falls into feel free to send it anyway. They will accept previously published work on a limited basis. They are open to blog style editorials and articles about the craft of writing or pertaining to the accepted genres. Payment: $0.01/word up to $50 for fiction; $15 for editorials and articles; $25 for reprints.

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Flash Bang Mysteries


This magazine is looking for original mystery/suspense of all types (police procedural, private eye, amateur sleuth, cozies, hardboiled, etc.). Flash fiction ONLY between 500 and 750 words. "Basically, if it involves a crime and it is within our guidelines, we would love to consider it. We want stories that feature believable characters who speak naturally, realistic situations that bleed conflict, and surprise endings that stay with us long after we reach the final period. We welcome new and established authors." Payment: $20.

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Switchblade

Switchblade is a fiction print anthology featuring the hardboiled/noir genre, and nothing else."We will consider noir/crime fiction ranging from the early twentieth century up to present day. Aside from that, we are a no limit hardboiled fiction journal—we publish the kind of stories no one else will consider." They also accept poetry and artwork. Payment: $15.

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Tough

Tough is a crime fiction journal publishing short stories and self-contained novel excerpts of between 1500 words and 7500 words, and occasional book reviews of 1500 words or fewer. They are particularly interested in stories with rural settings. Payment: $35.

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The Dark City

The Dark City is dedicated to the "rough and tumble of the world of crime and violence." They prefer stories that have roots in reality but we do consider humorous situations and characters. "We hope to acquire stories that leave readers thinking about the characters and their dilemma." Length:1000 to 7500 words. Payment: $35.

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Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

They are interested in nearly every kind of mystery: stories of detection of the classic kind, police procedurals, private eye tales, suspense, courtroom dramas, stories of espionage, and so on. "We ask only that the story be about a crime (or the threat or fear of one). We sometimes accept ghost stories or supernatural tales, but those also should involve a crime." Payment: From 5 to 8¢ a word, sometimes higher for established authors.

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Noir Nation

Noir Nation: International Fiction publishes crime fiction, nonfiction, and noir poetry in print and Kindle editions. Its content is often dark, sometimes creepy, and sometimes humorous but always at the service of the literary imagination as it explores the darker regions of human experience. Payment: "Not much. But always."

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Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine welcomes submissions from both new and established writers. "We publish every kind of mystery short story: the psychological suspense tale, the deductive puzzle, the private eye case—the gamut of crime and detection from the realistic (including the policeman's lot and stories of police procedure) to the more imaginative (including "locked rooms" and "impossible crimes"). We need hard-boiled stories as well as "cozies," but we are not interested in explicit sex or violence." Payment: From 5 to 8¢ a word, sometimes higher for established authors.

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Occult Detective Quarterly Magazine

Occult Detective Quarterly Magazine is devoted to those intrepid investigators who explore the weird, exotic and bizarre. These are the people who explore the darkness, both within and beyond, often to their own peril and the expense of their very lives and sanity. They accept fiction (3,000-6,000 words), nonfiction (2,000-5,000 words), and art. "We are eager to read stories featuring a diverse range of characters, cultures and periods. You may cheerfully pursue established Lovecraftian, Pulp or Dystopian themes, for example, but a fresh twist on the classics is always more likely to grab us. We do like stories with unusual protagonists, or with less common backgrounds, and we have an appetite for the pulp and modern weird tale as long as it fits the overall concept." Payment: Fiction: 1 cent per word, with a $50 cap; $25 per accepted reprint. Articles: 1 cent per word, $25 cap. Interior art rates are $15 - $40 per piece.

Here are three UK agents actively seeking clients. Tim Bates is particularly interested in pop culture, narrative and serious non-fiction, food-writing, nature and the outdoors, sport and commercial non-fiction and fiction of all forms. Josephine Hayes is on the look-out for exciting new voices in commercial children’s fiction for all ages, particularly pacy and adventurous middle grade and teen fiction with lots of heart. James Wills is looking for commercial and literary fiction as well as narrative non-fiction, including history, sport, science, popular music, comedy and website/blog-based material.

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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Ms. Charlotte Wenger of Prospect Agency

"I honed my love of stories by getting a BA in English and theatre from Eastern Mennonite University. After graduating, I worked as a project manager and editor for Scribe, a Philadelphia-based publishing services company, for three years. To follow my passion for books and children, I moved to Boston to earn a master’s in Children’s Literature from Simmons College (now University). I interned at Charlesbridge (editorial) and Candlewick (sales), and after grad school, I interned with literary agent Rubin Pfeffer for a year. Prior to joining Prospect Agency, I was an associate editor for just over two years with Page Street Kids, where I acquired and edited more than twenty picture books and grew relationships with authors, illustrators, agents, and other editors."

What she is seeking: "I'm interested in working with authors and illustrators of children's books—board books through YA, but especially picture books—as well as adult nonfiction, particularly biographies and memoirs."

How to submit: Please submit a query letter, three chapters and a brief synopsis via the online form HERE. If you are submitting a picture book text, please submit the entire manuscript. Illustrators should provide a link to their URL.
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