There are over two dozen writing contests in September for short stories, poetry, essays, scripts, and books in every genre. None charge entry fees. Prizes range from a gift basket to $25,000. 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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Green Stories Writing Competition. Genre: Screenplay about building a sustainable society. Prize: £750: 1st prize £500, 2nd prize £100, third prize £50 plus £50 for best student submission (18-25 years) and £50 for best < 18 year submission. Deadline: ?

Helen Schaible Shakespearean/Petrarchan Sonnet Contest. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $50, 2nd Prize $35, 3rd Prize $15, three Honorable Mentions, three Special Recognitions. Deadline: September 1, 2019.

Brilliant Flash Fiction. Genre: Flash fiction. Word limit: 300 words, excluding title. Prompt: “Feed Us” Prize: $100.00 first prize, $30.00 second prize, $20.00 third prize Deadline: September 1, 2019.

Transitions Abroad. Genre: Essay on living, working or moving abroad. Prize: $500. Deadline: September 1, 2019.

The Critical Junior Poet’s Award. Restrictions: Open to students between the ages of 13 and 18. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: September 1, 2019.

PEN Prison Writing Contest. Restrictions: Anyone incarcerated in a federal, state, or county prison in the year before the September 1 deadline is eligible to enter. Genres: Poetry, fiction, drama, creative nonfiction. Prize: $200 top prize per category. Deadline: September 1, 2019.

Wrightwood Literary Festival Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to school-aged poets in the Tri-Community area and beyond (Wrightwood, CA). Genre: Poetry. Prize: Gift basket and invitation to read at the festival. Deadline: September 1, 2019.

Hubert Butler Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to European Union citizens aged 18+. Genre: Essay on theme "Where does a citizen of the world belong?" 3,000 words max. Prize: Up to 1,000 pounds. Deadline: September 2, 2019.

IWSG. Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy. Theme: Voyagers. Word count: 3500-5000. Prize: The winning stories will be edited and published by Dancing Lemur Press' imprint Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title. Deadline: September 4, 2019.

#PitMad Pitch Party. #PitMad is a pitch party on Twitter where writers tweet a 280-character pitch for their completed, polished, unpublished manuscripts. Agents and editors make requests by liking/favoriting the tweeted pitch. Every unagented writer is welcome to pitch. All genres/categories are welcomed. Deadline: September 5, 2019.
Young Lions Fiction Award. Restrictions: Open to US citizens 35 years of age or younger. Genre: Novel or a collection of short stories published between January 2017 and December 2017. Submissions by publisher only. Authors may not submit their own work. Prize: $10,000.00.    Deadline: September 6, 2019.

Pass or Pages. Genre: Novel. Prize: Possible agent representation. Deadline: September 9 - 13, 2019.

Shaughnessy Cohen Award for Political Writing. Genre: Book of literary nonfiction that captures a political subject of relevance to Canadian readers and has the potential to shape or influence thinking on contemporary Canadian political life. Book must be published in Canada. Prize: CAN $25,000.00. Deadline: Books published between July 31 and September 10 must be received by September 11, 2019.

Michael Marks Awards for Poetry Pamphlets. Restrictions: Poetry pamphlet. Only pamphlets published in the United Kingdom between September 2018 and this year’s closing date are eligible. Genre: Poetry. Prize:  £5,000. Deadline: September 12, 2019.

Toni Beauchamp Prize in Critical Art Writing. Genre: Scholarly essay. All work submitted must have been written or published within the last year. Prize: $3,000. Deadline: September 15, 2019.

RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction. Restrictions: The writer must be a resident of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or have been a resident in the UK or ROI for the past three years. Genre: Nonfiction book. Prize: Two awards – one of £10,000, one of £5,000 – are offered to support writers to complete their first commissioned works of non-fiction. Deadline: September 16, 2019.

Three Cheers and a Tiger. Genre: Science fiction/fantasy short story. Prize: Winning stories are published in the December issue of Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card. Deadline: September 21, 2019.

Val Wood Prize for Creative Writing. Genre: Short story on theme: ‘Love Letters.’ Prize: £200.    Deadline: September 21, 2019.

Slackjaw Humor Writing Challenge! Genre: Humor Prize: Up to $2000. Deadline: September 21, 2019.

Cullman Center Fellowships. Fellowship. The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards up to 15 fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers—academics, independent scholars, journalists, and creative writers. Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply. Award: A stipend of up to $70,000, an office, a computer, and full access to the Library's physical and electronic resources. Deadline: September 27, 2019.

Writers' HQ Flash Quarterly Contest. Genre: Unpublished flash fiction, 500 words max. Prize: 450 pounds. Top three winners win membership to Writers' HQ, a British writing resource site, and admission to three WHQ writing retreats. Winners outside the UK can substitute a manuscript critique for the retreats. Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Owl Canyon Press Short Story Hackathon. Genre: Short story. " Writers are invited to create and submit a short story consisting of 50 paragraphs. The contest provides the first and last paragraph and the short story writer crafts the rest." Prize: First prize is $1000, 2nd prize is $500, and 3rd prize is $250 with the winning short story published in an ebook short story anthology for Amazon, as well as an invitation to give a public reading at Inkberry Books in Niwot, CO. Twenty-four (24) Finalists will also have their short stories included in this ebook anthology. Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Salisbury Story Prize. Genre: Short fiction (500 words) on theme of "Rivers." Open to ages 4 and up. Prize: £50 for children to be spent at Waterstones. Free online course for adults.  Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: $100. Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Iowa Short Fiction and John Simmons Short Fiction Awards. Genre: Short story collection. The manuscript must be a collection of short stories in English of at least 150 word-processed, double-spaced pages. Prize: Publication by the University of Iowa Press, royalties. Deadline: September 30, 2019.

L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is held four times a year. Restrictions: The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment of at least six cents per word, and at least 5,000 copies, or 5,000 hits. Genre: Short stories or novelettes of science fiction or fantasy. Prizes: $1,000, $750, $500, Annual Grand Prize: $5,000.  Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Johnson and Amoy Achong Caribbean Writers Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers of Caribbean birth or citizenship, living and working in the Anglophone Caribbean and writing in English, over the age of 18 by 30 September, 2018 and have no previously published a book-length work in the genre in which they are making a submission.Genre: Literary non-fiction work in progress.   Prize: $20,000TT (or the equivalent in US dollars). Deadline: September 30, 2019.

Victoria Literary Festival Writing Competition. Genre: Short story: 1500 words, taking into consideration the theme of the 2019 VLF festival: Hats Off. Prize: First prize will receive 350 CDN$ with four runners up receiving 50 CDN$ each. Deadline: September 30, 2019.

John Pollard Foundation International Poetry Prize. Genre: Published book of poems. Publishers may submit four copies of a debut full-length poetry collection (or bound galleys) published between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019. Prize: €10,000 (approximately $11,400) Deadline: September 30, 2019.

With the change in seasons, writers are energized, and raring to go. This September there are 35 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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Writing Retreat for Jewish Kidlit Authors! September 5 -8, 2019:  Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. A 4-day writers retreat. Special guest Agent Linda Epstein.

LoonSong Retreat. September 5 -9, 2019: Cook, Minnesota. Workshops for poetry, novels, picture books, nonfiction and manuscript consultations.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference. Sept. 6 - 8, 2019: Denver, CO. Keynote Speakers: Marie Force, John Gilstrap, and Anne Hillerman. Faculty includes a wide variety of published authors, marketers, editors, and agents. Opportunities to pitch projects to agents and editors.

Poets on the Coast. Sept. 6- 8, 2019: La Conner, Washington. Workshop, one-on-one mentoring, craft classes, and yoga for women poets. The faculty includes poets Kelli Russell Agodon and Susan Rich. Tuition, which does not include lodging or meals, is $429. (Closed but check for cancellations)

Slice Literary Writers’ Conference. September 7 - 8, 2019: Brooklyn, NY. Craft workshops, panels, and one-on-one agent meetings for poets, fiction writers, and nonfiction writers. Fiction and nonfiction writers Mira Jacob and Kiese Laymon will deliver the keynotes. Participating publishing professionals include agents Amy Elizabeth Bishop (Dystel, Goderich & Bourret), Sarah Bowlin (Aevitas Creative Management), Reiko Davis (DeFiore & Company), Stephanie Delman (Greenburger Associates), Mitch Hoffman (Aaron Priest Literary Agency), Annie Hwang (Folio Literary Management), Heather Jackson (Heather Jackson Literary Agency), Jacqueline Ko (Wylie Agency), Ayesha Pande (Ayesha Pande Literary), Anjali Singh (Ayesha Pande Literary), and DongWon Song (Howard Morhaim Literary Agency). The cost of the conference is $375 for both days or $275 for one day; students receive a $50 discount. Agent meetings are an additional $100 to $175; workshops are $50.

UCLA Extension Writing Retreat at Lake Arrowhead. Sept 8 - 13, 2019: Lake Arrowhead, CA. Join a small group of committed writers for four full days of uninterrupted writing time at UCLA’s beautiful conference center at Lake Arrowhead. Participants will enjoy private bedrooms, private baths, and three gourmet meals each day, along with complimentary beverages all day long. The Writers’ Program will coordinate some structured activities, including pre-dinner social hours and nightly open mic events, but your time will ultimately be yours to accomplish your writing goals at your own pace.

PNWA Conference. September 12 - 15, 2019, Seattle, Washington, Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. More than 50 seminars, editor/agent forums & appointments, practice pitching, keynote and featured speakers, reception, awards ceremony. Many agents and editors attending.

Creatures, Crimes & Creativity. September 13 - 17, 2019: Columbia, MD. A writer's and fan's conference for genre fiction covering mystery, suspense, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, steampunk & horror.

San Francisco Writing for Change. September 14, 2019: San Francisco, CA. This event is for writers of nonfiction AND fiction who want to change the world for the better through their work.

The Art & Craft of Fiction. September 14, 2019: Litchfield, CT. Seven in-depth workshops with writer/editor/instructors John and Natalie Bates. Cost: $125 includes workshop, manuscript feedback, and lunch.

2019 Flathead River Writers Conference. Sept 14 - 15, 2019: Kalispell, MT. Writers help writers in this two day conference packed with energizing speakers and workshops. Features:Workshops on VOICE, HOOK, Your WORLD & TRIBE, MS preparation & submission, working with agents, movie deals, media use, & children's book publishing. Past presenters: Susan Adrian, Christine Carbo, Kathy Dunnehoff, Larry J. Martin, Jess Owen. Agents: Kate Testerman and Cindy Uh.

Connecting Writers with Hollywood. September 15, 2019: Spokane, WA. CWWH is a writers conference where writers and screenwriters can pitch their material directly to film agents and producers. It is a weekend of education, panels and pitch sessions.

Brooklyn Book Festival. September 16 - 23, 2019: Brooklyn, NY. The festival features readings, panels, and a book fair. Participants include poets Jericho Brown, Tina Chang, Rigoberto González, Ilya Kaminsky, and Sally Wen Mao; fiction writers Ted Chiang, Susan Choi, Edwidge Danticat, Jonathan Safran Foer, Amitav Ghosh, Aleksandar Hemon, Marlon James, N. K. Jemisin, Laila Lalami, Courtney Maum, Maaza Mengiste, Joyce Carol Oates, Téa Obreht, and Nell Zink; and nonfiction writers Christopher Bonanos, Dave Cullen, Benjamin Dreyer, Bill McKibben, Mary Norris, Rebecca Traister, and Damon Young. All events are free and open to the public.

Idaho Writers League Annual Conference. Sept 19 -21, 2019: Sandpoint, Idaho. Workshops focusing on writing, publishing, marketing and IWL awards. Faculty includes Mary Buckham, keynoter; active settings for all fiction; pacing; one-on-ones; Jack Nisbet, memoirs, non-fiction; Janet Oakley, researching/writing historical fiction; Tom Reppert, character development, time-travel; Jim Payne, Jennifer Lamont Le.

Hampton Roads Writers Eleventh Annual Writers' Conference. Sept 19 -21, 2019: Virginia Beach, Virginia. 1 evening plus 2-full days of workshops, 2 best-selling keynoters, 2 first ten-lines critique sessions, 60 workshops during 10 breakout sessions, ten-minute agent and/or publisher pitches, cash prize contests for short fiction, short nonfiction, and poetry, complimentary 90-minute cocktail social, 2-hour open mic, optional 4-hour add-on WRITER'S BOOT CAMP SESSION (pre-conference); workshops cover fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, screenwriting, songwriting, marketing, and the business of getting published. A bookshop, book signings, and many networking opportunities.

Kentucky Women Writers Conference. Sept. 19–22, 2019: Lexington, KY. The Kentucky Women Writers Conference is the longest running literary festival of women in the nation. About 1,000 individuals attend the conference each year. Daytime sessions attract about 150 writers at all stages of development, and free evening events gather a lively community of readers. Most come seeking literary sisterhood, help with a manuscript, or practical advice about the publishing industry. Many are students or beginning writers.

New York Pitch Conference. Sept 19 - 22, 2019: New York, NY. Features publishing house editors from major houses such as Penguin, Random House, St. Martins, Harper Collins, Tor and Del Rey, Kensington Books and many more who are looking for new novels in a variety of genres, as well as narrative non-fiction. The event focuses on the art of the novel pitch as the best method not only for communicating your work, but for having you and your work taken seriously by industry professionals.Workshops, homework & pitch training, agent/editor feedback, market study, publication plan.

Writing for Illustrators: An Author/Illustrator Intensive. Sept 19 - 22, 2019: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. Grow as a writer while honoring your illustration background. Join author/illustrators a three-day intensive workshop.

Ridgefield Writers Conference. Sept 20, 2019: Ridgefield, CT. Faculty-led workshops; agent, editor and publisher panels; networking; readings; and post-conference resources.

KABAM! (Kingman Area Books Are Magic). September 20-21, 2019: Kingman, AZ. The KABAM! book festival & writers conference welcomes writers of all skill levels to breakout sessions, pitching tables, and other events. Faculty includes Mystic Publishers; Crystal Publishing. Headline Author: YA - Randall Platt. Headline Poet: Myrlin Hepworth. Marketing Specialist: Brian Rouff Jo A. Wilkins, author/publisher/writing coach. Richard Draude, author/graphic design.

A Weekend For Words. Sept 20 - 22, 2019: Irvine, CA. 60+ working, professional authors of fiction, nonfiction & screen, editors & agents. Costs $325-$425. Manuscript critique & one-on-one consultation additional.

The Pacific Coast Children's Novel Workshop & Retreat. Sept 20 - 22, 2019: Santa Cruz, CA. Intensive seminar offers editor or agent feedback on selected whole-novel manuscripts, including two in-person consults with your mentor. Editor and agent critiques on your polished, opening chapters. Faculty includes Agent Kari Sutherland, Editor Liesa Abrams, and Editor Samantha Gentry.

Connecticut Fiction Fest. Sponsored by Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Sept. 21, 2019: Danbury, CT. Learn to Write Naked: A one-day craft & marketing workshop with Jennifer Probst.

Mini Writing Getaway. Sept 21, 2019: Atlantic City, NJ. Need a brief break from your life? Need to rekindle your love affair with writing? Join us for a welcoming getaway designed for writers of fiction, memoir, creative nonfiction and poetry. This retreat will trigger your imagination, giving you the freedom to compose new and exciting work. Spend the day immersed in the literary life: writing, discussing craft and sharing new drafts.No distractions. Just a day of writing. Led by Peter E. Murphy.

Chattahoochee Valley Writers Conference. Sept 21, 2019, Athens, GA. "Got Writer's Block? Give Your Creativity a Kick in the Pants! In this interactive workshop with editor Val M. Mathews, you’ll learn fun tools to jump-start your writing day, prevent the blank-page stare, and make your writing pop."
ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival at Boulder. Sept 21 - 22, 2019: Boulder, CO. Presentations, panels, readings, and music performances. In an uplifting celebration of the mind and heart, authors from the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe will take part in provocative conversations about life and society, economics and the arts, equity, freedom, and the care of our planet. In these critical times, the penetrating, intercultural dialogue exchanged speaks deeply to individuals and gives rise to the joy of community.

4th Annual Broadleaf Writers Conference. Sept 21 - 22, 2019: Decatur, GA. Headlined by #1 NYT bestseller Angie Thomas, bestselling writers, literary agents, and sessions packed with insightful information and experience, our conference offers what you need to improve your craft and get you on the road toward publication!

Plotting Madness Boot Camp, Scene Structure Book Camp. Sept 21 - 25, Sept 26 - 28, Sept 29 - Oct 2, 2019 : South Lake Tahoe, CA. Three intensive days in a mansion at South Lake Tahoe. With a small group of writers and instructors you will plot out a full novel outline. Breakfast and lunch included. Led by C. S. Lakin, author, editor and writing coach and Catharine Bramkamp author and writing coach.

Nurturing Your Artistic Voice: A Guide for Kidlit Rebels and Risk-takers. Sept 22 - 25, 2019: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. Illustrator Carolyn Flores and author Meg Medina will lead participants in an exploration of identity, creativity, and publishing.

Breakout Novel Intensive 2.0. September 23 - 29, 2019: San  Antonio, Texas. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass.

Algonkian Writer Retreat and Novel Workshop. September 25 - 29, 2019: Sterling,Virginia. This event is now enhanced with new pre-event studies and pre-event phone consultation, a broader range of faculty, an array of vital workshops, as well as extended personal time with business professionals. "You can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, have your work read by our writer mentors, attend our workshops, pitch a literary agent or two, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer.

Taking Your Writing & Art to New Places: Published Authors and Illustrators at Work 2019. September 25 - 29, 2019: Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Highlights Foundation. With this workshop, we are aiming for meaningful conversation about how to continue to push the boundaries of our work. How do we acknowledge the power of our recurring themes and at the same time find ways to break new ground and find innovation? For published authors only.

Authorpreneur Workshop. September 27 - 28, 2019: Red Bank, NJ. Workshop for authors of all genres that imparts writing and publishing business skills to attain success in the publishing industry, plus insider tips and guidance on everything from plotting to submissions to publishing deals. Faculty includes Marisa Corvisiero, Esq. Amy Bishop, Lit Agent, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret, Alec Shane, Lit Agent, Writers House, Caitlen Rubino-Bradway, Lit Agent, LKG Agency, Katherine Prosswimmer, Acq. Editor, McElderry, Simon & Schuster Eva Scalzo, Lit Agent.

LiTFUSE Poets’ Workshop. September 27 - 29, 2019: Tieton, WA. The workshop features readings, performances, and meditation for poets. The faculty includes poets Susan Blair, Thom Caraway, Laura Da’, Natalie Diaz, Christopher Howell, Claudia Castro Luna, Finn Menzies, Saretta Morgan, Cynthia Neely, Matthew Nienow, Dan Peters, and Maya Jewell Zeller. The registration fee, which includes weekend classes and a banquet dinner on Saturday night, is $220 until August 31 and $250 thereafter. Master classes are available for an additional $50 to $120 each.

Wrightwood Literary Festival. September 28 - 29, 2019: Wrightwood, CA. Features workshops and readings by new guest faculty.This year’s festival will also feature an all-new nature walk, a new member of the local faculty in Melissa Chadburn, and a keynote address by Janet Fitch.

If you write genre fiction, here are a dozen literary magazines that will pay for your work. Some also accept poetry and nonfiction. There are no submission fees.

Genre fiction is popular fiction that falls into a well-defined category, such as fantasy, romance, science fiction, horror, thrillers, westerns, mysteries, and so on. (Fiction that doesn't fall into a neat category is "literary" fiction.) Frequently, literary magazines that accept genre fiction won't accept literary fiction, and vice versa. (Agents also follow this rubric.) This does not imply that genre fiction is any less worthy as literature. Good writing isn't limited to what is considered "literary."

For many more paying markets that accept fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, see Paying Markets.

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Serial Magazine specializes in genre fiction: action-adventure, science fiction, mystery, fantasy, horror, thriller,  romance, and westerns. "We love unexpected endings, romances that dip into melodrama, or even romances that completely switch genres midway through. The content must be suitable for young adult audiences. No explicit sex scenes or known racial or LGBTQIA+ slurs.  Related comics are also accepted. Payment: Before the magazine sale date, you will receive a payment of at least $0.004 / word. Every 15th of the month, you will receive a royalties payment if applicable. Read guidelines HERE.

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable publishes all genres, except for horror and erotica. Length must be 2,000 words or fewer. They are looking for G, PG, or PG-13 rated material according to the MPAA. Poetry, fiction, and memoirs are accepted. "We are an “old fashioned” editorial crew: we love stories. We admire great writing; we swoon at beautifully worded sentences and lovely descriptions, and chuckle at clever metaphors--but we always choose a great story over all of that. We constantly receive great character sketches, serious mood pieces, wonderfully written scenes that in the end are just wonderful scenes or elegant reminiscences.… And we judge all of this by one simple standard--where is the story?" Payment: $20 for featured author stories; $10 for stories published on their &More page; $5 for poems. Read guidelines HERE.


The Forge publishes one prose piece per week, fiction or nonfiction. They are open to all genres and voices. Length: Stories under 3,000 words. They love flash and micro prose. Unpublished pieces only. They are open to fee-free submissions on the first of each month and close when they reach their Submittable limit. Payment: $50. Read guidelines HERE. 

Buckshot Magazine is looking for fresh, engaging and previously-unpublished stories of up to 2000 words in every genre and style (plus the occasional bit of poetry). Payment: 20 USD (25 CAD) per accepted piece. Read guidelines HERE.

Selene publishes speculative romance, mystery, and alternate history. Translations are welcome. Payment: POETRY: Any length paid $50USD per poem; FICTION: 100-7500 words paid $0.06USD per word. REPRINTS: Any length of poetry paid $15USD and 100-7500 words of fiction paid $0.01USD per word. Reading period: May 1 - 15. Read guidelines HERE.

Every Day Fiction publishes flash fiction (up to 1,000 words) in all genres, and also stories that do not fit neatly into any genre. "There’s no such thing as too short — if you can do the job in 50 words, have at it! — but our readers prefer pieces that tell or at least hint at a complete story." Payment: $3. Read guidelines HERE.

Pulp Literature  publishes any genre or between-genre work of literature, or visual art (black and white for interiors, color for covers) up to 50 pages in length. "Short stories, novellas, poetry, comics, illustrations — bring it on.  We do not publish non-fiction, memoir, or children’s stories. Aside from that we want anything entertaining and well written." Payment: $0.05 – $0.07 per word for short stories (to 7000 words),  $0.03 – $0.05 per word between 7000 and 10000 words,  and $0.02 – $0.035 per word for works over 10000 words. Poetry and interior illustrations pay between $25 – $50. Sequential art (graphic novels and cartoons) and illustrations are at a rate of $25 to $75 per page. Reprints are up to 50% of first publication rates. See submission periods. Read guidelines HERE.

Crimson Streets is looking for fiction with a focus on action and atmosphere over characterization. Stores can fall into the adventure, aviation, detective/mystery, fantasy, hard-boiled, gangster, horror/occult, masked-vigilante, noir, railroad, war, and western/cowboy genres. "We publish everything that could fall under the banner of pulp with the exception of Science Fiction. We are looking for stories from 800 to 6,000 words.  We are not interested in poetry, fan-fiction, or stories that fall outside of the broad umbrella of pulp. A work of fiction should be a quick read." Payment: 1 cent per word of final, edited length. Read guidelines HERE.

Pulp Modern is a biannual fiction journal that publishes crime, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and westerns. Absolutely NO SUBJECT is taboo. (3,500-5,000 words). Payment: $10. Read guidelines HERE.

EconoClash Review (Quality Cheap Thrills) is a biannual print journal of Genre Fiction. "We accept only the best contemporary pulp submissions. Which includes quality Crime, Noir, Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Weird, Humor and Other Words for Uplifting Gormandizers. We like stories about Weirdos, Criminals and Pregnant Prom Queens going to great lengths to destroy or keep the status quo. HOWEVER, we don't want erotica, or pornography, or torture-porn-erotica between characters of any age, race, species both real or fictional." Payment: $10. Read guidelines HERE.

The Literary Hatchet This is a journal devoted to provocative fiction, poetry and prose. "We are interested in well-written but digestible works in any genre (except erotica). We will consider previously published material but prefer original works. We accept short fiction, flash fiction, first-person narratives, speculative fiction, short stories, poetry, photography, art, cartoons, and illustrations. We’re interested in new angles on old ideas, or topics that don’t get covered frequently. We like to showcase articles that don’t just sum up some issue but make us think and make us want to read further." Payment: FICTION, SHORT STORIES: 500-6,000 words — $10. INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS: compensation is paid to the person conducting the interview — $5. POETRY: we prefer poetry under 100 lines — $5. ART/ILLUSTRATIONS: in JPG or GIF format only — $5.

The Offing The Offing is an online literary magazine publishing creative writing in all genres and art in all media. "The Offing publishes work that challenges, experiments, provokes — work that pushes literary and artistic forms and conventions. The Offing is a place for new and emerging writers to test their voices, and for established writers to test their limits." Payment: Upon publication, contributors will be paid a $20–$60 fee, depending on department and number/length of works published ($20 for a Micro or a poem; $60 for all other departments).