The intangible world of the literary mind | What secrets of the mind lurk beyond the mist enshrouded bridge

Novel Writing Month – Where Do We Go From Here?

October 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Despite the problems that plagued the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) non-profit organization, resulting their demise earlier this year, many authors still find value in the concept behind it. This article is intended for those folks in order to provide some helpful information for writers looking for a replacement.

For those who don’t know the history of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), it started in July 1999, created by freelance writer Chris Baty, with 21 participants in the San Francisco Bay area. In 2000 the official website was launched and the event moved to November due to the more miserable weather that month. The Young Writers Program was added in 2005. The organization became a non-profit in 2006, and from there participants ballooned globally over the years. By 2020 they were carrying a six-figure debt. NaNoWriMo had grown to over 400,000 participants worldwide in 2022. They faced a significant drop in revenue in 2023, coinciding with the first of two serious controversies that plagued them in their final few years, contributing to their downfall. This controversy, centered on safety issues within their forums, forcing them to shut down their forums for a time. The second major controversy, on the question of AI use in writing, came the following year. After these unfortunate controversies and their ongoing financial difficulties, they announced their closing in March 2025, officially shutting down with a public notification April 2, 2025.

National Novel Writing Month was about more than the writing, it was about the community and a shared, daunting but potentially attainable, goal.

Embracing the Concept

The challenge – A self-owned and regulated challenge – to put your editing urges and self-doubts together in a dark corner, invigorate your muse, and unabashedly write 50,000 words in 30 days during the bleak month of November when the weather is (or in some cases already has) turning cold, days are growing shorter for those of us in this hemisphere, and we are on the cusp of the longer stretch of winter months, again in this hemisphere (perfect for editing!). P.s. while it’s winter here in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, i.e. Australia and New Zealand.

The community – What better for a bunch of introverts used to self-reflection and trying to convince ourselves we really can do it than a big beautiful community supporting us in such an awe-inspiring challenge? Despite the problems endemic to any large online community, there was also a great sense of belonging for many. For many that was the lifeblood of the 30-day writing challenge and is something that is sorely missed.

Do you still embrace the concept, even if you revile the organization that NaNo became? As a solitary effort or do you seek that lost sense of community and a shared experience?

The good news is that too many in the writing community embraced the power of a national novel writing month to liberate our muses and bring us together in a shared commitment and sense of community for it to just go away.

There are some organizations, community groups, and companies who sought to put out their own versions, no doubt in hopes of selling their programs or products. This is not an endorsement of any of these programs, but just a list of some options available for those who still want a novel writing month challenge. Use them at your own discretion and always do your research – especially when it comes to giving anyone money or your manuscripts.

I have not done thorough research or vetting of any of the below. Additionally, there are resources out there to help track your word counts. Some on the list below are more similar to NaNo’s feel, while others are not. (Sources: https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/nanowrimo/, https://vanillapapers.net/2025/04/01/nanowrimo-alternatives/)

has a defeat the monsters with words videogame feel and describes itself as a “vibrant game world for writers.” It features writing battles, sprints, and “multiplayer battles”.

AutoCrit’s Novel 90 Writing Challenge is one of them. The goal is to write a novel in 90 days. I see nothing about a minimum word goal. You can maybe get in late on their fall challenge for longer works (October 1 to December 31). This challenge repeats for February 1 to April 30 and June 1 to August 31. They have a variety of writing challenges. January 7 to 28, 2025 is their Start Strong Writing Challenge.

myWRiteClub is a new website for tracking your own writing goals and inviting friends to track each others’ goals together.

NoQuWRiMo dubs itself a “Novel Quest Writing Community” with a NaNo styled November writing challenge. They offer some resources and tools, as well as a year-round community.

Order of The Written Word November Challenge allows participants to choose their format, i.e. novel, short stories, poems, etc. This is an AI-free challenge being run on their Discord channel. Using AI-assisted program features will not be welcomed here.

Pathfinders Writing Collective is an open community with four customizable challenges through the year including March Madness (March), Scribble Swap (April-May), PaWriCo’s Bookish Bootcamp (June-July), and The PaWriCo Challenge (Nov-Jan).

ProWritingAid Novel November is one I list in spite of the backlash their sponsorship caused to NaNoWriMo. They mimic NaNo’s timeline and target of 50,000 words in 30 days and offer an online tracker like NaNo to help keep you on target. They do not appear to require you to buy or use their program for this challenge.

Reedsy Novel Sprint copies the NaNo timeline and target of 50,000 words, but unlike NaNo this one has cash prizes for those who win the judging contest and offers a potential introduction to a literary agent.

Shut Up & Write! doesn’t seem to have a specific competition goal, but it is a large online community with community-led events and challenges.

StoryADay is a month-long challenge geared towards shorter writing and provides daily writing prompts. The goal is to write a short story each day “or whatever “daily” means to you.” The next challenge starts November 1, 2025.

Word Anvil NovelEmber mimics NaNo’s timeline and target, but also allows you to set your own goal, and similarly offers a digital badge and printable certificate for those who are successful. They offer a few suggestions for those alternative goals.

Keep writing, my friends.

For a more detailed background on the fall of NaNoWriMo, see here.

I would love to hear about your experiences and feedback – good and bad – on any writing challenges you participated in this year.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Words on Writing | Tagged author, novel writing month, writer, writing, writing challenges | Leave a Comment »

Can The National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Concept Live On In The Hearts of Writers?

October 25, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

The goal of NaNoWriMo: to put your editing urges and self-doubts together in a dark corner, invigorate your muse, and unabashedly write 50,000 words in 30 days.

National Novel Writing Month was about more than the writing, it was about the community and a shared, daunting but potentially attainable, goal.

The troubles with NaNoWriMo:

As with any organization with a large following, there will be problems. It is up to the organization to do their utmost to manage those issues.

There are very many in the writing community who feel the NaNoWriMo organization failed in their duty of care in keeping their forums a safe space. This is one issue that was not up for debate. As with any online presence that brings a large number of random people together in a space where they can hide behind a computer screen and sense of anonymity, there will be trolls and bullies, those hate-filled people who thrive on making others miserable. There will be predators who seek to prey on others for financial gain, egos of many shapes and sizes, … – not all those participating will be good and decent people. As with any large free-voice medium, the forums were full of these abusers. Not all moderators were negligent, but perhaps it was more than they could keep up with. Most troubling was the accusations of predation centered on the forums for the Young Writers Program. Youths accused a volunteer forum moderator of grooming and sending them to an inappropriate adults-only website for predators. The allegations were widely considered by the writing community to have been grossly mishandled– they banned participants for speaking up and failed to report the moderator to the authorities, and the allegations and moderator ultimately were reported to the FBI by the teens themselves after they failed to get help from the organization.

Maintaining a system and website capable of managing the huge influx of users every November also costs money. NaNoWriMo was free to sign up and use and selling their swag would bring in a pittance. There were no membership fees to draw on financially. To survive financially, they relied on donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships. Perhaps they had grown too large too fast for their limited income sources to keep up.

On the non-monetary side, they also had organizational and community and local groups partnerships. Also, many of the community and local groups existed outside of any partnership with the NaNoWriMo organization. A few of the organizational partnerships that offered resources included Day One App, a journaling app, John August, who provided resources like the Writer Emergency Pack, and Writer Beware.

Some of NaNo’s corporate sponsors were controversial and problematic within the writing community, including a few predatory vanity presses and organizations that would have naïve writers give away their first publishing rights by publishing ‘free’ on their websites. Hint: do not do that if you hope to find a paid publisher for that story! Published is published anywhere, anytime, including on your own blog.

The final nail that brought the downfall of the NaNoWriMo organization was the AI controversy. Some in the writing community took issue with their sponsorship partnership with ProWritingAid. For those who do not know, ProWritingAid is a program similar to Grammarly, giving automated feedback on grammar, spelling, style, and more to help writers to improve their craft. It also helps identify overused words, passive voice, and readability, and can be integrated with many of the popular writing software programs like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and Scrivener. As with all similar programs, ProWritingAid is an AI-powered tool. So are the writing software programs and pretty much every program out there now, to some degree.

The Problem with ProWritingAid and AI:

Many in the writing community who used them as aspiring writers learning how to write swear by and love programs like ProWritingAid and Grammarly, so why was there so much criticism over it? Some voices cried out loudly against the partnership, taking issue with it being an AI-powered tool. Some were the bandwagoners, jumping on to loudly proclaim their distaste for anything AI related, while many others opposed the issues surrounding AI creation and training. Others were concerned using a program like that would help people to “cheat” at NaNo. There was nothing in the NaNo program to prevent cheating. It was entirely on the honour system, there was no real awards or prizes outside the grand feeling of accomplishment, downloadable winner’s certificate, and a cute little digital badge. The only person you cheat by cheating is yourself. The confirmation program was a generic word counter, counting strings of characters of any language separated by a space. To cheat, you needed only to create a series of gibberish characters separated by spaces, copy, and paste it over and over until you hit the 50,000 ‘words’ goal.

But the AI-haters voiced their displeasure loudly, the global AI controversy was growing with the increased revelations of 10s and 100s of thousands of copyrighted books being illegally scraped to train AI, and authors and publishers alike were increasingly finding organically written work lost in a tidal wave of AI-generated products. NaNoWriMo was denounced for partnering with an AI program. There were demands for an apology and immediate cessation of the corporate sponsorship.

Why is the use of programs designed to aid aspiring writers to learn how to write better such a controversial thing? On the one level, it’s about intellectual property and data privacy concerns related to the vast amounts of copyrighted work illegally scraped to train the very AI code sold to programs like ProWritigAid, Grammarly, and others to make their software work. On another, AI-generated feedback is known to be inconsistent and inaccurate. But perhaps the biggest issue relating to NaNoWriMo could be argued to be the confusion over the potential use of AI-generated content in lieu of organically created (real) writing vs. the use of AI-powered tools to assist authors who are organically writing.

Wait? What? A program designed for writers to help them be better writers has an AI-generated content feature? Yes. And this is also why I personally find the AI controversy against ProWritingAid a bit short-sighted. While Grammarly does now include a prompt-based generative AI tool that allows users to generate text for them from nothing but a prompt, ProWritingAid’s AI is not generative in the same way and is limited to helping you rephrase or fix writing you provide it. The program at the center of the NaNo AI controversy does not generate text for you from just a prompt. Perhaps this difference is what led to the problematic choice of words in NaNoWriMo’s short-sighted defence of their corporate sponsor and AI? Then again, perhaps nothing short of an absolute rejection of all things AI would have been enough.

Note – the difference between AI-assisted and AI-generated text:

AI-assisted: Always check with your publisher if you used one of these programs to assist you in improving on a writing piece. The use of programs like Grammarly and ProWritingAid may fall within their definition of “AI assisted” work, even though you wrote the story yourself. I also strongly recommend getting a living person’s feedback, if possible, in addition to any AI-generated feedback you may get on your writing from these programs. Algorithms don’t feel or understand nuances. Many publishers will allow AI-assisted writing, because the piece is organically written by you, but some do not.
AI-generated: If you used Grammarly’s AI generative tool, or any other program, to generate the story for you from a prompt, you are the editor of the algorithm-created text (essentially a re-mashup through the algorithm of illegally scraped copyrighted material written by 1000s of other writers). You are not the author of it. This falls under “AI-generated” work and 99.9% of publishers will absolutely reject all AI-generated work they can identify – and unfortunately it means also rejecting any work they suspect is AI-generated, even it if is not. Trying to pass AI-generated work off as your own can get you blacklisted, and put the publisher in a copyright infringement situation, since under the laws as they stand today you do not own the copyright to computer algorithm-generated pieces. To own the copyright, you need to write it yourself from your own imagination – aka “organically” written.

A Tone-Deaf Defence:

NaNoWriMo was forced to defend their choice of corporate sponsorship with ProWritingAid. The immediate backlash from that defence caused other sponsors and partners to step back. Board members resigned in protest and a wave of writers quit NaNo. AI was, and is, a hot-button topic on many levels.

In short, their response was overwhelmingly considered to be tone deaf. Their attempt at neutrality backfired spectacularly. The reasons their defence caused so much backlash are as varied as the writers themselves who denounced it. Generally, their refusal to categorically condemn all AI resulted in their being widely accused of endorsing its use, not just as a tool, but as a generative-AI replacing flesh and blood authors and their organically written work.

Below is a screenshot of their statement on AI, with their apology following the backlash to their statement in the form of an edit to the original post. This statement is no longer available on their website. Take from it what you will.

My own thoughts on this are that, perhaps, their ill-implemented intention was to relay that it is not their place to denounce and censor aspiring writers who are using programs to help them learn how to be better writers. At least, that is my hope in their intentions. Nowhere did I see any statements where they encouraged the use of AI-generators in lieu of organically written work.

A categorical denouncement of AI would, by definition, include denouncing the use of all AI tools, including programs that help aspiring writers learn to write, and every program out there including MS Word, Google Docs, etc. with any form of spelling and grammar checks because they all have AI tools now.

But they put their message out very poorly and tone deaf, trying too hard to defend themselves while failing in any message of real substance and support of writers. To me, while putting out the message that it is not their place to censor writers and tell them how to learn to write, they should have also put out messaging strongly supporting the value of organically written work, acknowledged the harm done to writers through AI-scraping/training in AI-powered tools, and discouraged the use of AI generators to auto-create stories through computer algorithms. After all, NaNoWriMo was supposed to be about writers supporting writers of all levels and backgrounds – writers… people, not computer algorithms.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Words on Writing | Tagged author, NaNoWriMo, national novel writing month, Words on Writing, writer, writing, writing challenge | 1 Comment »

Nonfiction Submission Deadlines Coming Soon

September 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Photo by Joshua Rawson-Harris on Unsplash

Dust the writing cogs, these submission deadlines are coming up – nonfiction markets:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Nov 10/25

2025

The Iowa Review

Deadline: November 1, 2025; opens August 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Nov 9/24)

Nonfiction p to 25 pages. Payment: $0.08 per word for prose ($100 minimum). No fee for snail mail submissions. $4 fee for online submissions.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Funny stories

Deadline: November 15, 2025.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for stories about something that happened to you or someone close to you, the kind of stories that get you and your listeners laughing when you tell them. Rat out your spouse. Share that funny thing your kid said. Tell us that hilarious thing that happened when your relatives did… Payment: $250.

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review

Deadline: November 15, 2025; opens November 1, 2025 (every two months).

(checked Mar 25/24)

Reviews of chapbooks coming soon or published in the past three years, essays on the crafts of poetry and chapbook making or publishing, and features about authors or publishers of chapbooks. Payment: $10.

Fashionably Late

Deadline: November 28, 2025.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Nonfiction anthology featuring LQBTQIA+ people who came out later in life. Up to 5,000 words. “We want to hear about the challenges and joys you faced as part of your journey.” Payment: $50.

Small Robin Press

Deadline: November 30, 2025.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Creative Nonfiction. Theme: Walls — real, imagined, perceived, constructed, demolished, and rebuilt. Payment: $50.

This Is Not Your Mother’s Eating Disorder

Deadline: November 30, 2025.

(checked Nov 9/24)

Your story in the form of a personal essay, poem, visual art expression, or interview. 1000-3000 words for prose, 100-200 words for poems. Theme: Eating disorder. Payment: $250.

The New York Times: Modern Love

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (bi-annually).

(checked Jul 2/24)

Essay 1500-1700 words on modern love. We seek true stories on finding love, losing love and trying to keep love alive. Payment: Not Specified

2026

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, messages from heaven & angels

Deadline: January 15, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are now accepting stories for another book about unexplained happenings and occurrences. Stories about miracles, angels, messages from heaven, premonitions, amazing coincidences and other unexplainable but good events! Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about the December holidays

Deadline: February 28, 2026.

(checked Jul 10/25)

True stories. “…about the entire December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too. Remember that these holiday titles do make wonderful gifts for everyone on your list!” Payment: $250.

CBC Nonfiction Prize

Deadline: March 1, 2026; opens: January 1, 2026 (annually)

(checked Oct 15/25)

Submit your original, unpublished works of nonfiction up to 2,000 words. Open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Prizes: $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and have their work published on CBC Books.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best cat ever…

Deadline: March 1, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for first-person true stories of up to 1200 words. We want your funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about your cat. Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Best dog ever…

Deadline: March 1, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for first-person true stories of up to 1200 words. We want your funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about your dog. Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count your blessings

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for stories about how you count your blessings. Stories can be serious or funny but definitely should be inspirational and heartwarming. Attitude adjustments, finding contentment and gratitude, a new way of handling your daily life, and other great ideas to inspire readers to find their own paths to happiness and to remember to count their blessings every day are what we are looking for. Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Married/couples stories

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. Married? In a long-term relationship? We know you have stories! Share the ups and downs, the funniest moments, the most romantic moments, and all your tips and advice for other couples. We want to know how you got together and how you stay together! Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random acts of kindness

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for true stories about random acts of kindness that have happened to you or stories about a kindness that you performed for someone else. Stories can be serious or funny but they should definitely inspire our readers to look for ways in which they can perform kind acts. Payment: $250.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Stories about using positive thinking

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Sep 21/25)

Nonfiction. We are looking for stories of optimism, faith and strength to encourage our readers to use positive thinking. These inspirational stories will remind readers to use positive thinking, focus on hope and show them that each day holds something to be grateful for. Payment: $250.

The Deadlands

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (annually for nonfiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Nonfiction 1-4k words. “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Payment: $100 per essay.

The Hudson Review

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually, Nonfiction only).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Publishes fiction, poetry, essays, book reviews; criticism of literature, art, theatre, dance, film, and music; and articles on contemporary cultural developments. Payment: Not specified.

Brick

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Literary nonfiction 1000-5000 words preferred. Payment: $55–685, depending on the length of accepted work, plus two copies of the issue the work appears in and a one-year subscription to the magazine.

Hub City Press

Deadline: July 13, 2026; opens July 11, 2026 (annually / nonfiction only).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Single-narrative nonfiction books. Payment: Royalties.

Malahat Review: Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize

Deadline: August 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

To nurture our newest genre, the Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize was established in 2007. The winning entry appears in the winter issue. Quarterly contests for different genre requirements. Prize money: CAD$1,250.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: August 31, 2026, opens July 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Nonfiction prose pamphlets (up to 70 pages). Payment: Royalties.

Event Magazine Non-Fiction Contest

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (annually)

(checked Oct 3/25)

Creative Non-fiction up to 5,000 words. Writers are encouraged to explore the form. Prizes: $3,000 in total, plus publication in EVENT: $1,500 First Place; $1,000 Second Place; $500 Third Place.

Brick

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Monthly

Black Ink Books

Deadline: Open to submissions the first week of every month.

(checked Oct 21/23)

Restrictions: Open to Australian writers. Genre: Full-length general, literary and commercial non-fiction – including history, current affairs, memoir and biography. Full manuscripts. Queries only. Payment: Royalties.

Bright Wall/Dark Room

Deadline: check date monthly; opens around the 15^th for 3 weeks (monthly).

(checked Jul 2/24)

Essay on monthly theme. Payment: $100.

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review

Deadline: 1^st-15^th Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, 7 Nov (every two months).

(checked Mar 25/24)

Deadline: March 1-31, 2025 (annually for nonfiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Quarterly

Griffith Review.

Deadline: ?-Jan 14, Mar 4-Apr 14, 2024 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Non-fiction up to 4,000 words on theme. Full submission only, no pitches. Payment: Negotiated.

Tri-Annually

The Rumpus

Deadline: Jan 1-Feb 28, Jun 2-Aug 1, Sep 1-Oct 31 (Tri annually).

(checked Jun 2/24)

Essays. Payment: $400 divided among all contributors.

Biannually

Brick

Deadline: Apr 1-30, Oct 1-31 (biannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

How2Conquer

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31 & Sep 1-Oct 31, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Mar 15/24)

Nonfiction books 40,000-70,000 words. Payment: Royalties.

Hub City Press

Deadline: Mar 16-31 & Oct 16-31, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Restrictions: Writers living in or from the South (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.) Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. “We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South.” Payment: Royalties. Nonfiction only.

The Deadlands

Deadline: Sep & Nov (bi-annually).

(checked Jul 4/24)

Nonfiction. “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Payment: 10 cents/word.

The New York Times: Modern Love

Deadline: Mar-June & Sep-Dec (bi-annually).

(checked Jul 2/24)

Essay 1500-1700 words on modern love. We seek true stories on finding love, losing love and trying to keep love alive. Payment: Not Specified

Annual

Bellevue Literary Press

Deadline: December 15, 2024; opens September 15, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 16/24)

Narrative nonfiction books. Submit pitches. Payment: Royalties.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: August 31, opens July 1 (annually).

(checked Nov 11/23)

Nonfiction prose pamphlets (up to 70 pages). Payment: Royalties.

Fulcrum Publishing

Deadline: June 30; opens June 1 (annually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Nonfiction works that explore conservation and stewardship, American culture, civics, and the American West. Pieces from the manuscript may have been published previously, but collection as a whole must be unpublished. Query only. Payment: Royalties.

Hub City Press

Deadline: July 13, 2025; opens July 11, 2025 (annually / nonfiction only).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Single-narrative nonfiction books. Payment: Royalties.

Room Magazine: Creative Non-Fiction Contest

Deadline: June 1, 2024; opens April 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Mar 29/24) *cheeck 2025 dates

Restrictions: Open to artists of marginalized genders. Creative non-fiction up to 3500 words. Prizes: $1000 1st, $250 2nd, $100 honourable mention.

The Iowa Review.

Deadline: November 1; opens August 1 (annually).

(checked Nov 9/24)

Nonfiction p to 25 pages. Payment: $0.08 per word for prose ($100 minimum). No fee for snail mail submissions. $4 fee for online submissions.

Rolling

Alien Magazine

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Oct 30/23)

All types of nonfiction and visual art. Payment: $20.

Malahat Review

Deadline: rolling.

(checked May 22/23)

Creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words or three up to 1,000 words each.

Write or Die

Deadline: always open.

(checked Mar 1/24)

Nonfiction up to 3000 words and pitches for interviews with authors with forthcoming or recently published books. “We are interested in essays that focus on the writing life and especially love work where the personal intersects with the critical. We love essays that examine how publishing, reading, teaching, spirituality, sexuality, identity, obsession, labor, and family shape writing.” Payment: $50 USD for nonfiction, $25 USD for interviews.

Posted in Markets and Submissions | Tagged author, literature, nonfiction markets, publishing, writing, writing markets | Leave a Comment »

Poetry Submission Deadlines On The Horizon

September 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Time to wax poetic. These poetry submission deadlines are coming upon us:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Jan 2/26

2025

Arc Poetry Magazine

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poetry up to 3 poems or 360 lines of poetry. Free submissions for Canadians. Payment: $50 per page.

Harbor Review: Laureate Prize

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens October 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Full length poetry books 50-80 pages. Individual poems may be previously published, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Payment: $500.

Graveside Press: Illustrated Poetry Anthology

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens October 1, 2024.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Illustrated “horror-centric” poetry 150 lines maximum. “Give us your limericks, sonnets, haiku, ballads, and free verse! Have visual poetry? EVEN BETTER. We want grim, gothic, morbidly funny, terrifying works.” Payment: $0.02/word.

2026

Rattle: A Tribute to Invented Forms

Deadline: January 15, 2026.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Poetry on any subject and of any length, as long as they demonstrate a form that you’ve invented or substantially modified yourself. “Our Summer 2026 issue will be dedicated to invented forms—poetic structures created by the poets themselves.” Payment: $100.

Double Dutch

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Poetry, Music, Art. Reprints allowed. Payment: $50.

Fourteen Poems

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Poetry by LGBT+ poets. If you’re a poet, even if you’ve never been published before, we want to read your work. Every issue we publish 14 of the best queer poems we’ve found, and we want to include you! We publish 4 times a year, but take submissions all year round. To be considered, email up to 5 poems, preferably in a pdf format, with a small paragraph about yourself to hello@14poems.com. Payment: £30 for each poem published.

Harbor Review: The Editor’s Chapbook Prize

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens November 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Poetry micro chapbook exactly 10 poems long. Payment: $200.

Southword

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Poetry. Payment: €50 per poem.

The Paris Review

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Poetry. Closes when they reach capacity. Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original. Payment: Not specified.

Arc Poetry Magazine: Poem of the Year

Deadline: February 1, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poetry up to 100 lines of poetry. Free submissions for Canadians. Prizes: $5,000 CAD 1^st, $500 CAD honourable mention, $250 CAD readers choice selection.

White Stag

Deadline: February 1, 2026.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Restrictions: US authors only. Full length poetry manuscripts in the scope of their thematic elements, which can include themes of alchemy & the occult, mysticism & spirituality, folklore & mythos, the speculative or supranatural, or intersections of witchcraft & activism. Read guidelines here. Payment: $50 honorarium, 40% royalties based on total profit of each copy sold.

The Deadlands

Deadline: February 21, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (quarterly for poetry).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Poetry, no length limit. “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Open first 3 weeks. Payment: $50/poem.

Clare Songbirds

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Poetry chapbooks up to 40 pages and full-length poetry collections over 40 pages. Payment: Royalties.

The Marrow

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Poetry written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40.

Tiger Bark Press

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Poetry. Full-length book manuscripts by American poets who identify as Black, as indigenous, or as people of color. There is no entry fee for submission.” Payment: Selected poets will be offered a standard publishing contract, with books scheduled for publication within one year of acceptance.

Dragon Soul Press: Soul Cleanse anthology

Deadline: April 30, 2026.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Poetry. Minimum of five poems. All poetry pieces are welcome. There is no theme Payment: Royalties.

Harbor Review

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Poetry, art. Payment: $10.

The Paris Review

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Poetry. Closes when they reach capacity. Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original. Payment: Not specified.

The Society of Classical Poets: 2025 Friends of Falun Gong Poetry Competition

Deadline: April 30, 2025 (annually?)

(checked Apr 5/25) *check for 2026

Poetry. See themes. Prizes: $500 1st place, $250 2nd, $100 3rd.

The Deadlands

Deadline: May 21, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (quarterly for poetry).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Poet Lore

Deadline: May 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Up to 5 poems (max. 10 pages). Payment: $50.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: May 31, 2026, opens April 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Poetry collections (40+ pages). Payment: Royalties.

Contemporary Verse 2

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Free submissions to Canadians and Canadian residents. Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Welcomes translations and submissions in French and English. Payment: $35 – $150 CAD.

Princeton Series of Contemporary Poets

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Read full guidelines HERE.

CBC Poetry Prize

Deadline: June 1, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (annually)

(checked Oct 15/25)

Original, unpublished poem or collection of poems. The submission will be judged as a whole and must be a maximum of 600 words (including titles). open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, whether living in Canada or abroad. Prizes: $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and their work will be published on CBC Books.

Poetry Magazine

Deadline: June 14, 2026; opens September 16, 2025 (annually).

(checked May 10/25)

Poetry. Payment: Text poems: $10/line with a minimum payment of $400 per poem. Visual poems: $400 per poem. Video poems: $600 per poem

Prose: $250 per published page.

The Hudson Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (annually, poetry only).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Restrictions: Poetry only this period. Publishes fiction, poetry, essays, book reviews; criticism of literature, art, theatre, dance, film, and music; and articles on contemporary cultural developments. Payment: Not specified.

Unicorn Press

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties.

Anstruther Books

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jul 2/25)

Poetry books over 50 pates “that takes risks and represents a diverse cross-section of the Canadian literary community.” Although you do not need to be published in book form, you must have been published substantially in literary journals. Payment: Royalties.

Arc Poetry Magazine

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poetry up to 3 poems or 360 lines of poetry. Free submissions for Canadians. Payment: $50 per page.

Clare Songbirds

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Poetry chapbooks up to 40 pages and full-length poetry collections over 40 pages. Payment: Royalties.

Harbor Review: The Washburn Chapbook Prize

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Awarded to a woman or non-binary writer for a micro chapbook. Our definition of woman includes all women, including transgender and all female-identifying individuals. Women of color and queer women are encouraged to apply. Poetry micro chapbook exactly 10 poems long. Payment: $200.

The Marrow

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Poetry written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40.

The Paris Review

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Poetry. Closes when they reach capacity. Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original. Payment: Not specified.

The Deadlands

Deadline: August 21, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (quarterly for poetry).

(checked Apr 2/25)

University of Alberta Press

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Poetry manuscripts minimum 50 pages by Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. Payment: Royalties.

Glass Poetry Press

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Poetry chapbooks 15-25 pages. Payment: Royalties.

Harbor Review

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Poetry, art. Payment: $10.

Phoenix Poets Series: University of Chicago Press

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Full-length poetry manuscripts. Read full guidelines HERE. Payment: Royalties.

Shenandoah: The Graybeal-Gowen Price for Virginia Poets

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 15, 2026 *closes when they reach capacity (500 submissions), (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Restrictions: poets living in or born in Virginia, as well as those with long-term residency in the past, are eligible. Poetry up to 50 lines. Payment: $1000 prize.

The Paris Review

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Poetry. Closes when they reach capacity. Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original. Payment: Not specified.

The Deadlands

Deadline: November 21, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (quarterly for poetry).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: November 30, 2026, opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Poetry pamphlets (up to 40 pages). Payment: Royalties.

Contemporary Verse 2

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poet Lore

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Up to 5 poems (max. 10 pages). Payment: $50.

The Marrow

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Poetry written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40.

Deborah Wills Chapbook Contest: High Marsh Press

Deadline: December 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 14/25)

Open to any poet who has not yet published a book of poems (either trade collection or chapbook). Individual poems from the manuscript may have been previously published in journals, magazines, or online. Prize: Winner receives $500 and chapbook publication.

Arc Poetry Magazine

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poetry up to 3 poems or 360 lines of poetry. Free submissions for Canadians. Payment: $50 per page.

Harbor Review: Laureate Prize

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Full length poetry books 50-80 pages. Individual poems may be previously published, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Payment: $500.

Monthly

Off Topic Publishing: Poetry Box

Deadline: monthly by the 25th.

(checked Dec 1/23)

Submit 1-3 poems up to 15 lines (including blank lines) of any style and theme by the 25th of each month. Poems received after the 25th will be considered in the next batch. Payment $30 CAD.

Only Poems

Deadline: 1^st to 7th (monthly free reading period, always open to submissions).

(checked Nov 7/24)

Poetry up 10 pages. “We love prose poems, traditional forms (ghazals, villanelles, sestinas), love poems, sex poems, and experimental questionnaires, but we are not married to a style or genre. We are welcoming of anything you think is your most exciting work. Ultimately, we want poems that move us or make us go: “God, I wish I had written this!” Payment: $55 per contribution.

Poetry Substack

Deadline: March 31, 2025 (monthly).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Poetry. Accepts one poem every month. Must have a rhyme scheme or a rhythm scheme. No blank verse or free verse. Payment: Base Pay of $10 for the chosen poem + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Reprints accepted.

Quarterly

2River View

Deadline: Dec 1-Feb 11, Feb 12-Apr 14, Apr 15-Aug 31, Sep 1-Nov 30 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Poetry, no more than five poems, once per reading period. Payment: none.

Griffith Review

Deadline: November 3, 2024; opens October 14, 2024 (quarterly). Other dates?

(checked Nov 2/24)

Poetry up to four poems. See theme. Payment: AUD $200.

Songs of Eretz Poetry Review.

Deadline: Feb 1-15, May 1-15, Aug 1-15, Nov 1-15, 2024 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 29/24) *check for 2025 dates.

Poetry and art on theme of form poetry. Payment: $7 per poem, $12 for cover art and $7 for inside art. See themes.

The Deadlands

Deadline: Feb 1-21, May 1-21, Aug 1-21, Nov 1-21, 2025 (quarterly for poetry).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: January, April, July, and October (quarterly).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Poetry. Closes when they reach capacity. Translations are welcome and should be accompanied by a copy of the original. Payment: Not specified.

Variant Lit

Deadline: Feb & Aug for poetry (quarterly).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Poetry, art. Payment: $10.

Tri Annually

Malahat Review

Deadline: Tri annually Jan 1-Feb 29, May 1-Jul 31, Nov 1-Nov 30.

(checked May 23/23)

Poetry. Payment: CAD $70/page. Submissions by Canadian writers are accepted for consideration all year.

Poetry Ireland Review

Deadline: November 1, 2024; opens July 1, 2024 (published tri-annually, other dates?).

(checked Nov 2/24)

Poetry (up to 4 poems/8 pages) in Irish or English. Payment: €50, or a year’s subscription to the review.

Poetry Wales

Deadline: March 12, 2024, Mar 4-Apr 4, 2025 (usually Oct, Mar, Aug for 4 weeks each time. Dates subject to change.)

(checked Mar 22/25)

Poetry, reviews, articles. One submission per window. See theme. Payment: Poems £20/page. Reviews £67.50/1500-word review. Articles £200/3000 word, or in that proportion, depending on number of published words. *Check out their writing resources!

SpecPoVerse

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31, May 1-June 30, Sep 1-Oct 31, 2025 (triannually).

(checked Mar 16/25) *double check dates for 2026

Speculative poetry up to 100 lines or 499 words for a prose poem. Payment: $5.

The Deadlands

Deadline: 21^st (1^st 3 weeks of) May, Aug, Nov (tri-annually).

(checked Jul 4/24)

Poetry. “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Payment: 10 cents/word.

The Marrow

Deadline: Mar 1-31, Jul 1-31 & Nov 1-30 (tri-annually.

(checked Mar 16/25)

Poetry (up to 3 poems) written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40.

Biannually

Abyss and Apex

Deadline: May & Nov (biannually).

(checked Aug 3/23)

Speculative poetry. No horror. Payment: $5.50 per poem.

Arc Poetry Magazine

Deadline: Apr 1-Jul 31 & Sep 1-Dec 31 (biannually).

(checked Jun 25/23)

Poetry up to 3 poems / 360 lines. Payment: $50 per page. *ALSO CHECK FOR CONTESTS. Poem of the Year contest was Feb 15/24 deadline. *informed Feb 11/24.

Contemporary Verse 2

Deadline: Feb 1-May 31 & Sep 1 to Nov 30 (biannually).

(checked Aug 4/23)

Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $30 – $150.

Futurepoem

Deadline: March 18, 2025; opens February 18, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Mar 11/25) *other date?

Full-length manuscripts of poetry, prose, and multi-genre writing that challenge and expand on the potential for poetic form, language, content, and process. Payment: Royalties.

Gival Press Poetry Award

Deadline: December 15, 2025 (biennial, odd years).

(checked Mar 21/23)

“Original work, not a translation of someone else’s poetry. Open to any form or style; simply good poetry.” Prize: $1,000 USD, reading fee: $20 USD.

Harbor Review

Deadline: Feb 1-Apr 30, Aug 1-Oct 31 (biannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Poetry, art. Payment: $10.

Poet Lore

Deadline: Apr 1-May 30 & Oct 1-Nov 30, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Up to 5 poems (max. 10 pages). Payment: $50.

Annually

Anstruther Books

Deadline: July 31, 2024; opens July 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Jul 2/24)

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: May 31, 2024, opens April 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 11/24)

Poetry collections (40+ pages). Payment: Royalties.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: November 30, 2024, opens October 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 11/24)

Poetry pamphlets (up to 40 pages). Payment: Royalties.

Codhill Press

Deadline: June 30, 2024; opens May 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Jun 4/24)

Poetry manuscript – full length collections. Payment: Royalties.

The Society of Classical Poets: 2025 Friends of Falun Gong Poetry Competition

Deadline: April 30, 2025 (annually?)

(checked Apr 5/25)

Poetry. See themes. Prizes: $500 1st place, $250 2nd, $100 3rd.

Gival Press Oscar Wilde Award

Deadline: June 27, 2024 (annually, on the Mon if date falls on Sun).

(checked Mar 29/24)

“…given to the best previously unpublished (self-publications and publications online are considered “published work”) original poem written in English (of any length, in any style, typed, single spaced but with breaks for stanzas on one side only), which best relates LGBTQ life by a poet who is 18 or older.” Prize: $500 USD, reading fee: $20 USD.

Harbor Review: The Editor’s Chapbook Prize

Deadline: Nov 1-Jan 31 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Poetry micro chapbook exactly 10 poems long. Payment: $200.

Harbor Review: The Washburn Chapbook Prize

Deadline: May 1-Jul 31 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Inside the Castle

Deadline: March 1, 2024; opens January 1, 2024 (annually). *possibly defunct.

(checked Feb 28/24)

Last publication dated Dec 2022. Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties.

Kissing Dynamite

Deadline: Oct 1-31 (annually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Poetry microchap manuscripts. “We’re happy to consider a diverse range of poetic styles and themes, so send us work that represents you!” Payment: $50.

Princeton Series of Contemporary Poets

Deadline: May 1-31 (annually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Read full guidelines HERE.

Room Magazine: Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry

Deadline: ~~September 30, 2023; opens July 15, 2023~~ (annually). *Extended *closed/not on Submittable link

(checked Sep 21/23)

Restrictions: Open to artists of marginalized genders. Up to three poems or maximum 150 lines altogether. Prizes: $1000 1st, $250 2nd, $100 honourable mention.

Shenandoah: The Graybeal-Gowen Price for Virginia Poets

Deadline: October 15-31 *closes when they reach capacity (500 submissions), (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Restrictions: poets living in or born in Virginia, as well as those with long-term residency in the past, are eligible. Poetry up to 50 lines. Payment: $1000 prize.

Shooter: 2024 Poetry Contest

Deadline: May 26, 2024 (annually?).

(checked Apr 2/24)

Poetry any style up to 100 lines. Payment: £150 per poem.

The Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence – Poetry 2023 (The Ex-Puritan)

Deadline: November 1, 2023 (annually)

(checked Sep 23/23)

We want to encourage our readers and writers to think through what it means to rebuke the Canadian cultural establishment. We want our writers to continue Clarke’s legacy by reimagining the boundaries of Canadian literature. Equally important to this, however, is a focus on style. We actively encourage submissions that are experimental with form and unrelentingly demand an attention to their style. We believe that Austin Clarke would’ve wanted nothing less. Prizes: $1,000 first $200 runner up.

The Backwaters Prize in Poetry (U of Nebraska Press)

Deadline: May 1, 2025; opens April 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 21/25)

The winner will be awarded a $2,000 cash prize and the honorable mention will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. Both winners will be awarded the publication of their book by the University of Nebraska Press under its imprint, The Backwaters Press.

The Hudson Review

Deadline: June 30, 2024; opens April 1, 2024 (annually, poetry only).

(checked Mar 29/24)

The Loraine Williams Poetry Prize: Georgia Review

Deadline: May 15, 2024; opens February 7, 2024 (annually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Each year one winner gets $1,500, publication, and an expenses-paid trip to read in Athens, Georgia, with the judge. We also publish three finalists, each of whom receives $200. All entries will be considered for publication.

Tiger Bark Press

Deadline: March 31, 2025; opens March 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal annual contest

Deadline: August 31, 2023; opens August 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked Mar 29/24) *still shows 2023 submission dates

Poetry. Submission fee: $15. Two prizes of: $500.

Unicorn Press

Deadline: June 30, 2024; opens May 1, 2024 (annually)

(checked Jun 4/24)

Poetry collections. “Unicorn Press seeks to publish excellent works of poetry that are unlikely to find a home elsewhere.” Payment: Royalties.

Verve Poetry Press

Deadline: April 30, 2024; opens April 1, 2024 (annually?).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Pamphlets, chapbooks and full-length poetry manuscripts. Payment: Royalties.

Rolling

32 Poems

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 23/23)

As a rule, we publish shorter poems that fit on a single page, but we sometimes make exceptions to accommodate remarkable work that runs a little longer. Payment: $25.

Poet Lore

Deadline: open year-round except months of July and December.

(checked Apr 29/24)

Poetry translations. Payment: $50.

Poetry Substack

Deadline: ~~Rolling~~. *DEFUNCT

(checked Mar 1/24)

Poem. Must have a rhyme scheme or a rhythm scheme. No blank verse or free verse. Payment: Base Pay of $10 for the chosen poem + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Accepts one poem every month. Reprints accepted.

Posted in Markets and Submissions | Tagged author, Poetry, poetry markets, writing, writing markets | Leave a Comment »

Looming Submission Deadlines – Crime and Horror

September 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Darkness is Closing In. These Crime & Horror Submission Deadlines Are Imminent:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Jan 2/26

CRIME, MYSTERY, TRUE CRIME, & DARK FICTION CRIME MARKETS:

Jump to Horror & Dark Fiction Markets

2025

Howdy Dude: imprint of Burial Books

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Apr 8/25)

Crime fiction novels over 60,000 words. No. Payment: a onetime payment plus royalties.

2026

Inkd Publishing: Detectives, Sleuths, and Nosy Neighbors III

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens November 1, 2025.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Murder mysteries, detectives noir, cozy, and humorous 2,000-7,000 words. Payment: Royalty share and $10.

Curated by Costiuc

Deadline: February 1, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Mysteries and crime stories 1,000 to 5,000 words. Reprints accepted and preferred. Payment: $25.

Black Orchid Novella Award Contest

Deadline: May 31, 2026 (annual).

(checked Apr 4/25)

AHMM and The Wolfe Pack, the official Nero Wolfe appreciation society, team up each year to sponsor an annual writing contest that seeks to honor an unpublished work of fiction written in the tradition of the Nero Wolfe mystery stories by Rex Stout. Entries must be 15,000 to 20,000 words in length. Prize: $1,000

The Raven Short Story Contest

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

We Pulp Literature editors collect stories like ravens in the woods, swooping down on what catches our eye and bringing the treasures — sometimes sparkling, sometimes grisly, but always fascinating — home to our nests. Show us your most scintillating treasures in the form of short fiction 250 to 2500 words in length and you could be the one bringing home $300 to line your nest! Prize: $300

Toby Award for Self-Published Canadian Mystery Writers (3rd annual)

Deadline: December 15, 2026 (annually)

(checked Oct 14/25)

Recognizes excellence in self-published mystery novels by Canadian mystery authors. This year’s award is open to novels released in trade paperback format in 2024 and is sponsored by Barbara Crook (Ottawa), and ReBound Press (Ashton, Ontario). The award aims to spotlight Canadian authors navigating the evolving publishing landscape. “The Toby Award recognizes the risk-taking, creativity, and perseverance of Canadian mystery writers who choose to publish outside the traditional system. Our goal is to help readers discover exceptional books that deserve a wider audience.” Prize: Toby Award statue.

Monthly

Stone’s Throw

Deadline: 1^st to 4^th of the month (monthly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Ezine. Dark fiction, crime, and noir stories 1,000 and 2,000 words. See monthly themes. Payment: $25.

Annually

Black Orchid Novella Award Contest

Deadline: May 31, 2024/25 (annual/date varies).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest

Deadline: February 15, 2024; opens January 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Jan 3/24)

Is your shortest fiction soft and appealing with a hidden sting? Send us your short, sweet, and sassy fiction up to 750 words for a chance to win $300 and publication in Pulp Literature. Get an editorial critique for $25.

The Raven Short Story Contest

Deadline: October 15, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Wolfsbane—Best New England Crime Stories 2025

Deadline: March 31, 2025; opens January 1, 2025 (annually, date varies).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Open to all writers who currently live in one of the six New England states. Crime stories: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, historical, and horror. Length: 1,000 and 5,000 words. Payment: $25 per story.

Rolling

Black Beacon Books

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Jan 3/24)

Full length manuscripts (50K-90K words is standard). “Fair-play Mystery featuring a private investigator or other non-police protagonist. We love traditional mystery puzzles, which means you need to make the reader play along. There will be an original protagonist, a gripping mystery, a limited range of suspects, clues and red herrings and foreshadowing, and we won’t know who the culprit is until the final chapter/s.” Payment: Royalties

Close to the Bone

Deadline: Rolling/Closed to short submissions.

(checked Jan 3/24)

“…gritty and interesting short fiction across multiple genres from a range of talented writers. We are looking for bank robberies gone bad, double-crossing bastards going at it, serial killers with a heart (maybe literally), redemption and revenge. We like it thoughtful and well written. We publish work that is gritty, graphic and disturbing and stress readers err on the side of caution when reading certain themes.” 500 to 5,000 words.

Cozy Cat Press – Cozy Mysteries

Deadline: Rolling – currently not accepting new submissions until some time in 2024.

(checked Jan 3/24)

We only publish cozy mysteries–that is, light, gentle mysteries, with little or no blood, violence, or sex. The main character should be an amateur sleuth, not a professional. We like manuscripts of about 50,000 to 70,000 words, and are looking primarily for books that are in or will be part of a series.

Ellery Queen

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Jan 3/24)

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. We do not want true detective or crime stories.

Guilty Crime Mag

Deadline: Ongoing.

(checked Jan 3/24)

Flash Crime fiction 500-1,000 words (cozies, police procedurals; private eye stories only when asked for, no serial killers). Payment: none. Query only for nonfiction.

Mystery Magazine

Deadline: rolling

(checked Jan 3/24)

“If your story is accepted, a digital agreement must be signed and payment will be sent by PayPal to the email address you specify below. Your story may appear in our monthly print and digital magazine, on our website, in audio format, in our App, as social media excerpts, and possibly in printed collections of our monthly issues. We require first-publication and archival rights with an exclusivity period of 2 years.”

Mystery Tribune

Deadline: rolling

(checked Apr 4/24)

Fiction, non-fiction, art and photography, as well as Flash Fiction. Accepts translations. 3000-6000 words preferred for prose, less than 1000 words for flash fiction.

Noir Nation

Deadline: No set reading periods. Sign up to newsletter to find when they are.

(checked Jan 3/24)

We have no regular reading periods. Much depends on available editorial resources. But if you want updates on the reading period and what we may be needing for a particular issue, please subscribe to our newsletter. The newsletter provides subscribers advance notice of open calls and pay and official announcements of Golden Fedora winners and publication releases. Additionally, editors rely on subscribers for ideas and referrals when working on special by-invite-only issues.

Red Dog Press Crime Fiction

Deadline: CLOSED/DEFUNCT.

(checked Jan 3/24)

Crime fiction within all sub-genres of crime fiction 70,000+ words.

Suspense Magazine

Deadline: Rolling – appears to be defunct.

(checked Jan 3/24)

Suspense Publishing only accepts manuscripts in the suspense, thriller, mystery, and horror genres. Up to 5,000 words.

The Dark City

~~Deadline: rolling~~. *CLOSED/DEFUNCT

(checked Sep 27/23)

The Dark City is dedicated to the love of story, and in particular, the rough and tumble of the world of crime and violence. We are fans of story that has roots in reality but we do consider humorous situations and characters to be part of reality. We hope to acquire stories that leave readers thinking about the characters and their dilemma. 1,000 to 7,500 words. Pays: $25.

Unnerving Books

Deadline: All submissions CLOSED. No return date listed.

(checked Jan 3/24)

Horror, crime, mystery, & dark general fiction novel & novella submissions. See themes on site. Stories written using AI tech will not be considered. Query finished project first. See preferred query letter format. 20,000 to 110,000 words.

HORROR & DARK FICTION MARKETS:

Horror jump to:

Dated – 2025
Dated – 2026
Monthly
Quarterly
Biannual
Rolling

2025

Black Beacon Book of Horror 2

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Horror 3,000 to 9,000 words. Allows reprints. Payment: $30 USD for original stories and $10 for reprints regardless of length, plus one print copy.

Black Hare Press Novellas & Short Reads

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens December 1, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Dark stories in any genre 5,000-50,000 words. Payment: 5k-10k words $20USD, 10+k-17k words $30USD, 17+k-50k words $50USD.

Dracula Beyond Stoker: Van Helsing

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025.

(checked May 11/25)

Fiction 1500-5000 words based on Stoker’s characters. See theme. “We like stories that feel like they could be canon, but we also enjoy fun alternate takes and pastiche. Prequels, sequels, updates, divergent timelines – unleash your creative powers of darkness and show us something exciting.” Payment: 5 cents/word.

Graveside Press: Illustrated Poetry Anthology

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens October 1, 2024.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Spooky

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Horror up to 5000 words (2500-3000 preferred). “Cozy horror. Fun horror. Classy horror. Dare we say, wholesome horror?” Also considers horror-themed haiku poems. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, no payment for haiku.

Tenebrous Press

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025.

(checked Sep 23/25)

New Weird Horror novels and novellas 20,000 – 120,000 words. Payment: Royalties.

2026

Cosmic Horror Monthly

Deadline: January 7, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Cosmic Horror, Lovecraftian, Weird stories, fiction and nonfiction, art. 1,000 to 6,000 words (3,000-5,000 preferred). Payment: 3 cents/word. $20 for artwork chosen as interior content. $100 for cover art.

Horror Tree: Trembling With Fear

Deadline: January 15, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

We publish dark speculative fiction: horror, dark scifi, dark fantasy, and more. If it’s dark and speculative, we’d love to read it. Short stories up to 1500 words (800-1500 preferred) and drabbles (exactly 100 words). Payment: $5.

Last Girls Club

Deadline: January 15, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Authors must be 18+. Feminist horror: short stories and poems – see themes. Payment: $0.015 USD per word (max $15 under 1k words, 37.50 up to 2500 words); Poems-less than 200 words $10.

Eerie Lullaby

Deadline: January 25, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Horror, gothic, and dark flash fiction under 1000 words. Payment: $5.

Nightmare

Deadline: January 26, 2026; opens January 19, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers. Dark fiction, CNF, poetry. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40 for CNF and poetry.

Dark Peninsula Press: Negative Space 3: The End of All Sanctuary

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Survival horror 2,000-8,000 words. Specifically looking for horror stories with a siege (or isolation) sub-theme. Payment: $25.

Horror Tree: Themed and special series: Valentine’s

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Nightmare

Deadline: February 1, 2026; opens January 25, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Dark fiction, CNF, poetry. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40 for CNF and poetry.

Split Ends: Beaches and Trails Publishing

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens November 15, 2025.

(checked Nov 8/25)

Restrictions: Priority given to Canadians. Psychological thriller fiction 3,000 to 5,000 words that explores unreliable narrators, emotional unravelling, and mental tension. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word CAD.

Horror Tree: Trembling With Fear

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Last Girls Club

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Dragon Soul Press: The Fear Dealer

Deadline: May 31, 2026.

(checked May 5/25)

Horror drabbles 500-1500 words per submission. Drabbles are 100 words each. A minimum of 5 and a maximum of 15 drabbles from each author. Payment: Royalties.

Dracula Beyond Stoker: Bram Stoker

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026.

(checked May 11/25)

Dragon Soul Press: Sinister Dreams

Deadline: June 30, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All horror stories are welcome. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Spooky

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

It Came from the Trailer Park

Deadline: July 1, 2026; opens May 1, 2025.

(checked Nov 10/25)

Horror comedy/creature feature 5,000-10,000 words. “Creature-feature, horror-comedy with the same feel as The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Shaun of the Dead, or Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. And of course, our heroes winning the day in all of their redneck glory.” Payment: Royalties.

Cosmic Horror Monthly

Deadline: July 7, 2026; opens 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Horror Tree: Trembling With Fear

Deadline: July 15, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Last Girls Club

Deadline: July 15, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Dragon Soul Press: Midnight Bites

Deadline: July 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All horror stories are welcome. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Horror Tree: Themed and special series: Summer holiday special

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Horror Tree: Themed and special series: Halloween

Deadline: October 13, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Horror Tree: Trembling With Fear

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Last Girls Club

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Tenebrous Press Award Consideration (Brave New Weird)

Deadline: November 1, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Reprints 1,000 to 7,499 words originally published over the previous calendar year only. Payment: $25 + award certificate and print copy.

Horror Tree: Themed and special series: Christmas

Deadline: December 7, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 15/25)

Spooky

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Monthly

Black Hare Press: Dark Moments Monthly Challenge

Deadline: 1st to last day monthly.

(checked Mar 16/25)

Drabble (exactly 100 words). See themes. Payment: 4 cents USD/word.

Black Hare Press: Patreon Monthly Challenge

Deadline: 1st to last day monthly.

(checked Mar 16/25)

Dark stories 100 to 2000 words. Payment: 4 cents USD/word for first 100 words, 1 cent USD per word thereafter, or a paperback copy of the annual publication and print discounts.

Dark Moments Monthly Challenge (Black Hare Press)

Deadline: 1^st to last day of month (monthly).

(checked Mar 15/24)

Drabble (exactly 100 words). Monthly theme announced each month. Payment: 4 cents/word.

Snake Bite Books Monthly Drabble Competition

Deadline: 1^st to last day monthly.

(checked Mar 10/24)

100 word horror. On the first of every month, we send out our email newsletter. The newsletter contains a short spooky prompt for all of our amazing subscribers who wish to enter.

The Other Stories podcast (Audio)

Deadline: 1^st each month (monthly).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Horror 2000 words long (10% tolerance +/-) on monthly themes. Payment: 15 GBT.

The Theatre Phantasmagoria (Night Terror Novels Publishing)

Deadline: 1-last day each month (monthly).

(checked Sep 27/23)

Horror flash fiction up to 2,000 words. This is a monthly call. See themes. Payment: £10.

Quarterly

Black Hare Press Novellas & Short Reads

Deadline: Mar, Jun, Sep, & Dec 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25) *check for 2026

Dark stories in any genre 5,000-50,000 words. Payment: 5k-10k words $20USD, 10+k-17k words $30USD, 17+k-50k words $50USD.

Dark Recesses Press

Deadline: April 30, 2024; opens February 1, 2024 (quarterly). *CLOSED/ALL PENDING SUBMISSIONS RELEASED

(checked Sep 27/23)

Quarterly print magazine. Winter issue. Horror/dark fiction pieces between 500-5000 words. Payment: 5 cents/word.

Dose of Dread

Deadline: ~~1^st-15^th Ja, Apr, Jul & Oct (quarterly)~~ – CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

(checked Aug 3/23)

Horror flash fiction 500 – 1,000 words. Payment: 2c/word.

Fraidy Cat Quarterly

Deadline: July 5, 2024; opens June 20, 2024 (quarterly: open for a limited two week period four times annually).

*Extended deadline July 12, 2024 for Members of the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Palestinian communities

(checked Jun 28/24)

“Fraidy Cat Press loves all things horror.” Horror, dark fantasy up to 8,000 words and black and white artwork. Payment: Flash fiction (400-1,500 words long, $10 per accepted piece); Short stories (1,501-8,000 words long, $20 per accepted piece); Black and white artwork ($10 per accepted piece). May close early if cap is reached.

Otoroshi Journal

Deadline: January 31, 2024; opens January 1, 2024 (quarterly). – CLOSED/DEFUNCT

(checked Sep 28/23)

Horrorku, horror tanka, and horror haibun, art. Payment: Poetry, $1. Art, $10.

Last Girls Club

Deadline: Jan 1-15, Apr 1-15, Jul 1-15, Oct 1-15 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Biannually

Archive of the Odd

Deadline: December 15, 2023; opens September 15, 2023 (biannual).

(checked Oct 22/23)

Speculative fiction, horror preferred. “Archive of the Odd is a biannual magazine of found fiction—stories told in the style of found footage, also known epistolary, neo-epistolary, found file, or found document fiction. Essentially, stories told in the form of other documents.” Submissions do not have to be entirely in text. Payment: $15-25 for fiction of 500-5,000+ words.

Cosmic Horror Monthly

Deadline: January 1-7 & July 1-7 (biannually).

(checked Sep 27/23)

Ghoulish Tales

Deadline: August 31, 2023 (bi-annually)

(checked Aug 2/23)

Horror fiction up to 5,000 words; non-fiction up to 3,000 words. “Fun horror that aims to celebrate all things spooky.” Payment: 10 cents/word.

Spooky

Deadline: May-Jun & Nov-Dec (biannually).

(checked Aug 7/24)

Horror up to 5000 words (2500-3000 preferred). “Cozy horror. Fun horror. Classy horror. Dare we say, wholesome horror?” Payment: 1 cent/word.

Weird Horror Magazine

Deadline: Mar 2-15 & Sep 2-15 (biannually).

(checked Sep 28/23)

Restrictions: no stories written, co-written, created, or assisted by AI. Horror and weird fiction 500 to 6,000 words. No extreme horror. Payment: 1.5 cents/word.

Rolling

Black Beacon Books

Deadline: Rolling/no date.

(checked Sep 27/23)

Full length manuscripts (50K-90K words is standard). Post-apocalyptic thrillers and ghost stories / Folk Horror. Payment: Royalties

Black Hare Press: Novellas

Deadline: rolling. *Temporarily closed “to catch up”.

(checked Sep 27/23)

Dark stories 5000+ words. Payment: 5,000-1,000 words $20 USD, 10,000-17,000 words $30 USD, plus digital copy.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Apr 30/23)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Speculative/Horror short stories and Book Reviews focused on works by Black women authors are accepted year-round. Payment: $200 for published in annual Speculative issue, $100 for published online on mignightandindigo.com.

Posted in Markets and Submissions | Tagged author, crime fiction markets, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, horror fiction markets, mystery fiction markets, short stories, true crime markets, writing, writing markets | Leave a Comment »

Mixed/Multi-Genre Submission Deadlines Coming Soon

September 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Warm up the keyboard, these submission deadlines are closing fast – mixed/multi genre markets:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Jan 2/26

2025

Allegory

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative Fiction and nonfiction. Payment: $15 USD.

Anodyne

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens December 1, 2025 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Arc Poetry Magazine

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Jan 31/23)

Poems, prose (essays, interviews, and articles on poetry), art. Payment: $50 per printed page. “Poets who are living with a disability and/or poets for whom English is not their first language are welcome to reach out to seek assistance with the submission process if necessary.”

Chestnut Review

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens October 1, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

DreamForge

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens October 1, 2025.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Science fiction and fantasy fiction up to 7,000 words, and speculative poetry. Payment: $0.08/word. Payment for reprints is $0.04/word. Poems are paid at the rate of $25 to $100. Accepts reprints.

foofaraw zine

Deadline: December 31, 2025; open October 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, poetry, and op-eds. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry and op-ed: $5.00.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens December 24, 2025 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Restrictions: “Since Heartlines Spec is primarily a Canadian magazine, we’re looking to feature writers identifying as being from Canada/Turtle Island. This includes expats, new immigrants, and people who refuse/resist Canadian Identity. Our goal for each issue is to publish at least 50% Canadian content.” Short fiction and poetry focused on long-term relationships: platonic, romantic, or familial. Payment: $0.08 CAD per word for short fiction and $80 CAD flat for poetry.

Mayday

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens December 1, 2025 (biannually – free submission period).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Reads year round. Short fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Interviews, Nonfiction and Translation. Payment: $10 – $50.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: December 31, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

The Broken Tribe Press North American Series (Serving House Books)

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens September 1, 2025.

(checked Mar 16/25)

Restrictions: only authors from states, provinces, & native American tribes that begin with (to be annouced) in Canada, Mexico, & USA. Poetry collections, Short Story collections, Novellas, and Novels. Payment: Royalties.

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens December 1, 2025 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Literary nonfiction, fiction, fiction translations, poetry, poetry translations, drama, and art. Payment: $25/page for prose in the journal, $30/page for poetry, $25 for miCRo posts or special features. Opens on the first day of the month and closes once they hit the submissions cap.

The Smokelong Workshop Prize

Deadline: December 31, 2025 (annually).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Have you participated in a SmokeLong workshop or attended a SmokeLong webinar? Have you subsequently published a narrative–or even more–born in one of these SmokeLong workshops/webinars? Then we’d love to hear from you. You might just win some money. Your narrative or narratives–fiction, nonfiction or anywhere in between–must have begun in a SmokeLong workshop (from 2019 to the present) and must be published by December 31, 2025. Prizes: $500 first, $100 second, $50 third.

Tim Saunders Publications: Anthology of Cookery

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Aug 4/25)

Poems up to 30 lines and fiction up to 1,000 words.

Utopia Science Fiction

Deadline: December 31, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Speculative fiction 100-4000 words, poetry up to one page, non-fiction up to 6000 words, and art. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $30 per poem.

Variant Lit

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 25, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Poetry, fiction, flash and micro fiction. Payment: $10.

Workers Write!

Deadline: December 31, 2025. Closes when full.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Fiction 500-5,000 words and poetry “about the people who work in airports and for airlines, such as passenger service agents, ramp agents, TSA agents, airport engineers, baggage handlers, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, pilots, and so on.” Payment: $10 – $50.

2026

Mslexia

Deadline: January 5, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction on themes. Stories up to 2,200 words, poems up to 40 lines, and short scripts up to 1,000 words (including character names and stage instructions). Payment: starts at £30.

Blanket Gravity Magazine *new market, 2^nd issue

Deadline: January 10, 2026; opens September 22, 2025.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 5,000 words, and visual art. Payment: $40 USD.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: January 14, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Restrictions: members of marginalised groups only. Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose 500 to 2,500 words with a strong emotional or psychological focus. “We are mainly interested in fiction, but we’re open to speculative memoir or creative non fiction, as long as it has speculative elements.” Payment: £0.02 per word for each piece accepted, with a minimum £20 payment.

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: January 18, 2026; opens January 12, 2026.

(checked Apr 7/25)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words. Payment: £0.01 per word.

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: January 14, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $40/poem, and $75/essay, $100 for reprint cover art, $200 for original unpublished cover art, $50 for reprint interior art, $100 for original unpublished interior art

Astrolabe

Deadline: January 21, 2026; opens December 21, 2025.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 3,000 words, and photography & art. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

OTHERSIDE

Deadline: January 21, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jan 2/26)

Restrictions: Extended deadline only for BIPOC, trans, and/or disabled authors. Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by self-identified members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Payment: $0.08/word for prose. $50 per poem. $100 for nonfiction and reprints.

The Fairy Tale Magazine

Deadline: January 21, 2026; opens January 15, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Fairy-tale inspired stories 900-2,000 words and poems up to 50 words on theme of “Green Man/Woman.” Payment: $25.

After Happy Hour

Deadline: January 31, 2026*, opens November 1, 2025 (triannually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Free general submissions cap at 300 per month. *Annual contest (print issue). Payment: $10.

Capital Love: A WWPH Love Celebration

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 3, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Restrictions: Open to all writers from DC, Maryland, and Virginia, and to all those who have a connection to the DMV (lived here, worked here, educated here). Poems up to 14 lines. Micro stories (fiction or nonfiction) up to 250 words. See theme. Payment: $25.

Event Magazine

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025 (biannually)

(checked Oct 3/25)

Fiction, poetry, and reviews. Submission windows will close on the last day of the month, or when our allowable unpaid submission limit is reached (whichever comes first). Payment: $40/page for poetry and $35/page for prose, up to a maximum of $500.

FIYAH

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jan 2/26)

Restrictions: Submissions are restricted to people of the African Diaspora. Speculative fiction, art, and poetry about African Diaspora. Short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words, and novelettes up to 15,000 words. Payment: Payment: 8 cents/word per story or novelette. $50 per poem. 10 cents/word for nonfiction. $400 for art.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

General submissions. Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose 500 to 2,500 words with a strong emotional or psychological focus. “We are mainly interested in fiction, but we’re open to speculative memoir or creative non fiction, as long as it has speculative elements.” Payment: £0.02 per word for each piece accepted, with a minimum £20 payment.

Litmosphere

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (bi-annually).

(Sep 23/25)

Art, flash (fiction and nonfiction), poetry, and short prose (fiction and literary nonfiction). Payment: $50 per accepted poem, flash fiction and nonfiction; $100 per short fiction and literary nonfiction; $250 for non-exclusive online use of 15-30 images.

Malahat Review: International submissions

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 6/25)

Restrictions: open to international writers (including US writers) in Jan & May only. Poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as translated work in any of these three genres. Payment: CAD $70/page.

Nashville Review

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Fiction (flash, short, & novel excerpts), poetry, nonfiction, translations, and comics. No fee to submit. 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.

Parsec Ink: 23rd Triangulation Anthology — Bad Romance

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens November 15, 2025.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Speculative fiction under 5,000 words and poetry under 60 lines. See theme. Payment: $0.03/word for original fiction, 25 cents per line for original poetry.

Phylum

Deadline: January 31, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jan 2/26)

Fiction and CNF up to 5,000 words, Poetry up to 5 pages, Art. See theme. Payment: $10.

Space and Time

Deadline: January 31, 2026; January 15, 2026 (biannually) – closed.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Speculative fiction up to 5,000 words and poetry up to 40 lines. Creative hybrids welcome. “We welcome poetry, art and fiction that bend rules, transcend genre and break stereotypes.” Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 for poetry.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $50 – $75 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. Note: Submit early to avoid submission fees.

The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction and The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry (Nimrod)

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction: 5,000 words maximum (one short story or a self-contained excerpt from a novel). Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry: 3-8 pages. One long poem or several shorter poems. No previously published works or works accepted for publication elsewhere. Author’s name must not appear on the manuscript. Include a cover sheet with title, author’s name, full address, phone, and email. Payment: The First and Second Place winners of our two annual contests, the Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry and the Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction, receive $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

The Iowa Review Awards

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 5/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry. Up to 25 pages of prose or 10 pages of poetry (one poem per page). Prizes: $1,500 for winners, $750 for first runners-up. Publication in December issue.

The Temz Review

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jan 2/26) *submission dates vary year-to-year

Prose (fiction and creative non-fiction) up to 10,000 words. Payment: $20.

Malahat Review: Long Poem / Novella Prize

Deadline: February 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

Our oldest contests are offered every other year, with Long Poem entries accepted in odd-numbered years and Novella entries accepted in even-numbered years. The winning entry appears in the summer issue. Quarterly contests for different genre requirements. Prize money: CAD$2,500 (Long Poem) and CAD$2,000 (Novella).

The First Line

Deadline: February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

Slush

Deadline: February 1, 2026.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Short stories up to 5000 words in length. This includes micro and flash fiction as well as comics, prose poetry and other forms. Payment: $100 AU.

Ecotone

Deadline: February 4, 2026; opens February 2, 2026. *Deadline extended to March 1 for current subscribers.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Payment: $100 minimum. Closes when cap is reached.

Ecotone: Valentine’s Day

Deadline: February 13, 2026 *open one day only (annually).

(checked Oct 7/25)

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. See theme. Payment: $100 minimum.

Smokelong

Deadline: February 14, 2026; opens November 15, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Free submission period ends December 31, 2025. Flash narratives–fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid (somewhere between fiction and non-fiction) up to 1000 words. We consider reviews of flash collections, essays on craft, and articles on teaching flash for the blog. They are looking for prose that is troubling, that explores our darkest fears. Payment: $100/story or $150/story with audio, upon publication.

The Lorelei Signal

Deadline: February 15, 2026, opens January 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 22/25)

Quarterly magazine. Fantasy short stories up to 10k words (2500-5000 words preferred), flash fiction, and poetry with strong female characters. Payment: $15 for short stories, $5 for poems and flash (<1000 wds) fiction pieces, $5 for reprints. Accepts reprints.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: February 28, 2026, opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Wildcard books (books that don’t fit with our other submission windows). Payment: Royalties.

Gwyllion

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(Apr 7/25)

Restrictions: Writers living in Wales and writers who identify (fully, in part, or by ancestry) as Welsh. Speculative fiction, poetry, and reviews. Welsh themes. Payment: £15 per accepted story or poem.

New Myths

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Speculative fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Requests for reviews can be submitted any time. Payment: 3 cents/word with a minimum payment of $30 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry; $50 for book reviews; $80 for art.

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Speculative fiction up to 3,00 words, poetry up to 3 pages, art. See theme. *Two week early submission period for those on mailing list. Payment: $0.01/word for prose, $10 for poetry. $25 flat fee for visual art, or $50 for pieces chosen as cover art. Accepts reprints.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (tri-annually).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Prose. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Book XI

Deadline: March 1, 2026; opens January 1, 2026.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Prose 1,000-5,000 words, poetry: personal essays, memoir, fiction, science fiction, humor, and poetry with philosophical themes. Theme of “On A Certain Blindness in Human Beings”. Payment: $200 for prose; $50 for poetry. Closes when cap is reached so submit early.

Toronto Journal

Deadline: March 1, 2026.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Prose up to 7500 words: Short stories from anywhere in the world, non-fiction pieces that are either set locally or explore some local history (Toronto, GTA, and surrounding). Payment: $50 CAD per piece.

Bennington Review

Deadline: March 9, 2026; opens January 5, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 10/25) *dates vary

Restrictions: poetry and fiction only this submission window. Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $120 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $250 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $25 per poem.

The Quarter(ly): Quarter Press

Deadline: March 15, 2026; opens January 1, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic stories, art. See themes. Payment: $5. Closes when cap is reached.

Hub City Press

Deadline: March 16, 2026; opens March 14, 2026 (biannually / fiction only).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. Payment: Royalties.

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: March 25, 2026.

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $100 – $200 (CAD).

Gordon Square Review

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Poetry (one poem), fiction/prose up to 5000 words, nonfiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $25 honorarium.

Chestnut Review

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

foofaraw zine Anthology

Deadline: March 31, 2026; open January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, comics, humor/satire, poetry, essays. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00.

McClelland & Stewart (division of Penguin Random House)

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Restrictions: Open to Black, Indigenous, and racialized writers, as well as those of other traditionally underrepresented communities. Full-length literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Payment: Advance and royalties.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: March 31, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

Riddle Fence: Free Submission Period

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $50/page.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Fiddlehead

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Fiction, including excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, poetry, art. “Did you know? Qwerty Magazine and Canadian literary powerhouse The Fiddlehead are both based out of Fredericton, the capital city of New Brunswick.” Payment: $65 CAD per published page.

Toronto Journal

Deadline: March 31, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 7/25)

Short stories from anywhere in the world up to 7500 words. “We will also consider non-fiction pieces that are either set locally or explore some local history (Toronto, GTA, and surrounding).” Payment: $50 CAD per piece plus two printed copies of the issue in which they appear.

Trollbreath Magazine

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 10/25)

*Fiction/Poetry submissions. Speculative fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment: 4 cents/word. 1/2 cent/word for reprints, $25 flat for poetry, $40 flat for nonfiction. Accepts reprints.

Utopia Science Fiction

Deadline: March 31, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Speculative fiction 100-4000 words, poetry up to one page, non-fiction up to 6000 words, and art. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $30 per poem.

Ninth Letter

Deadline: April 1, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose. Closes when they reach cap.

Orison Books: The Orison Prizes in Poetry & Fiction

Deadline: April 1, 2026; December 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

Book-length manuscripts. Publishes spiritually-engaged books that have a transcendent aesthetic effect on the reader, and reading it can itself be a spiritual experience. Prize: $1,500 and publication.

West Branch

Deadline: April 1, 2026; opens August 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: April 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: April 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Bull City Press: Inch

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 10/25)

Poems, short stories, memoirs. Small collections—a minimum of three stories or essays, or a constellation of poems, between 10-16 pages in length. Up to 75% of your collection can be previously published. Payment: Royalties.

Consequence Magazine: The Culture of War

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Short fiction, poetry, nonfiction, interviews, reviews, and visual art mainly focused on the culture of war. Translations open year-round. “All submissions need to address in some manner the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.” Payment: varies per genre and publishing format.

Foglifter: Digital Issue

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens February 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

See online exclusive guidelines. Fiction and nonfiction up to 7500 words, 3 to 5 poems, up to 20 pages of cross-genre work, text-image hybrids or drama. Compendium of queer and trans writing. Payment: $100 plus 2 copies of the issue they appear in.

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: April 19, 2026; opens April 13, 2026.

(checked Apr 7/25)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words. Payment: £0.01 per word.

Astrolabe

Deadline: April 20, 2026; opens March 20, 2026.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 3,000 words, and photography & art. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

After Happy Hour

Deadline: April 30, 2026, opens March 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Free general submissions cap at 300 per month. Payment: $10.

Anodyne

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 23, 2026 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 15, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Pink Hydra

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (tri annually).

(checked Jul 10/25)

Speculative fiction up to 30,000 words and poetry. Payment: Stories and poetry contributions under 5,500 words will receive $3, with longer stories receiving more, up to a maximum of $17. Accepts reprints.

The Threepenny Review

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece. (Nonreading period: May 1 through December 31.)

Foglifter: Print Issue

Deadline: May 1, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

Fiction and nonfiction up to 7500 words, 3 to 5 poems, up to 20 pages of cross-genre work, text-image hybrids or drama. Compendium of queer and trans writing. Payment: $100 plus 2 copies of the issue they appear in.

Malahat Review: Far Horizons Award for Poetry / Short Fiction

Deadline: May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

The Far Horizons Award for Short Fiction given during odd years and the Far Horizons Award for Poetry in even. Only open to writers who have yet to publish in book form for the genre in question. Winning entries appear in the fall issue. Quarterly contests for different genre requirements. Prize money: CAD$1,250.

Sundog

Deadline: May 1, 2026; opens March 1,2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

The First Line

Deadline: May 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

Smokelong

Deadline: May 10, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Free submission period ends March 31, 2026. Flash narratives–fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid (somewhere between fiction and non-fiction) up to 1000 words. We consider reviews of flash collections, essays on craft, and articles on teaching flash for the blog. They are looking for prose that is troubling, that explores our darkest fears. Payment: $100/story or $150/story with audio, upon publication.

Georgia Review

Deadline: May 14, 2026; opens August 16, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, non-fiction. Payment: $50 per printed page for prose and $4 per line for poetry. Essay-reviews and standard reviews earn honoraria of $50/printed page. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

The Lorelei Signal

Deadline: May 15, 2026, opens April 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 22/25)

Utopia Science Fiction

Deadline: May 16, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Speculative fiction 100-4000 words, poetry up to one page, non-fiction up to 6000 words, and art. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $30 per poem.

Folly

Deadline: May 30, 2026; opens January (roughly), 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction up to 2500 words, nonfiction, poetry (3 up to 40 lines each), CNF. Payment: NZD $25-$50. May close early if cap is reached.

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: May 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

AGNI

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens September 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Poetry and prose. Closed for monthlong break Dec 15-Jan 15. Payment: $30 per printed (or printed-out) page for accepted prose, and $50 per page for accepted poetry, up to a maximum of $300. Fee to submit online. No fee to submit by USPS.

Baltimore Review

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/24)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. May close early if they reach their cap.

Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series

Deadline: May 31, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 4/24)

Restrictions: Open to any individual living in the U.S. who identifies as an immigrant. See criteria. Full length manuscripts of poetry, prose (fiction or nonfiction), and hybrid texts of poetry and prose. Payment: Royalties. Authors chosen for the Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series will receive a travel stipend of $500, which can be used for book tours or in any manner chosen by the authors.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Malahat Review: International submissions

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 6/25)

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Stygian Zine

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Short stories, personal musings, visual art, and comics. See theme. Up to 2500 words (poetry included). Payment: $20 CAD.

Eternal Haunted Summer

Deadline: June 1, 2026; opens May 1, 2026.

(checked Mar 6/25)

Poetry, short fiction, reviews, and essays with Pagan focus. Theme: Flash fiction and poetry. Payment: $5.

Wallstrait

Deadline: June 1, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction 500 to 5,000 words (500-3,000 preferred). Flash fiction, longer stories, hybrid, and experimental stuff you can’t quite define. Payment: $25.

The Quarter(ly): Quarter Press

Deadline: June 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic stories, art. See themes. Payment: $5. Closes when cap is reached.

Bull City Press: Chapbook Reading Period

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens May 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 10/25)

Poetry chapbooks 18-30 pages, flash fiction & flash creative nonfiction chapbooks 20-90 pages (up to 2,000 words/piece).

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jul 19/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, prose poetry, mixed media, visual arts, “and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50.

Yellow Arrow Vignette

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens May 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 10/23)

Restrictions: Open to people who identify as women and live or have lived in the Baltimore area. Creative nonfiction, poetry (including spoken-word poetry), and cover art. See annual themes. Payment: $10.

Astrolabe

Deadline: July 20, 2026; opens June 20, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 10/25)

Fiction & creative nonfiction up to 3 pieces of 3000 words total, and photography & art up to 5 pieces. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: June 25, 2026.

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $100 – $200 (CAD).

Anvil Press

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 20/25)

Restrictions: Open to writers living in Canada. Genres: Full-length books per year in the following genres: literary fiction (short story collections, novels, uncategorizable prose), creative nonfiction, memoir, essay collections, poetry, and books about Vancouver history (preferably off-beat or little-known history).
Read submission guidelines here.

Chestnut Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

foofaraw zine

Deadline: June 30, 2026; open April 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, poetry, and op-eds. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry and op-ed: $5.00.

Malahat Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

Restrictions: Canadian writers only. Poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as translated work in any of these three genres. Payment: CAD $70/page.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: June 30, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (tri-annually).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Prose. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Ninth Letter

Deadline: April 1, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose. Closes when they reach cap.

Orison Books: The Orison Prizes in Poetry & Fiction

Deadline: April 1, 2026; December 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

West Branch

Deadline: April 1, 2026; opens August 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: April 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: April 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Bull City Press: Inch

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 10/25)

Consequence Magazine: The Culture of War

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Foglifter: Digital Issue

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens February 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: April 19, 2026; opens April 13, 2026.

(checked Apr 7/25)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words. Payment: £0.01 per word.

Astrolabe

Deadline: April 20, 2026; opens March 20, 2026.

(checked Oct 7/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction up to 3,000 words, and photography & art. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

After Happy Hour

Deadline: April 30, 2026, opens March 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Free general submissions cap at 300 per month. Payment: $10.

Anodyne

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 23, 2026 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 15, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Pink Hydra

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (tri annually).

(checked Jul 10/25)

The Temz Review

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Prose (fiction and creative non-fiction) up to 10,000 words. Payment: $20.

The Threepenny Review

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece. (Nonreading period: May 1 through December 31.)

Foglifter: Print Issue

Deadline: May 1, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

Malahat Review: Far Horizons Award for Poetry / Short Fiction

Deadline: May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

Sundog

Deadline: May 1, 2026; opens March 1,2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

The First Line

Deadline: May 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

Smokelong

Deadline: May 10, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Georgia Review

Deadline: May 14, 2026; opens August 16, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

The Lorelei Signal

Deadline: May 15, 2026, opens April 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 22/25)

Utopia Science Fiction

Deadline: May 16, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Speculative fiction 100-4000 words, poetry up to one page, non-fiction up to 6000 words, and art. See theme. Payment: 8 cents/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $30 per poem.

Folly

Deadline: May 30, 2026; opens January (roughly), 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction up to 2500 words, nonfiction, poetry (3 up to 40 lines each), CNF. Payment: NZD $25-$50. May close early if cap is reached.

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: May 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

AGNI

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens September 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Baltimore Review

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/24)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. May close early if they reach their cap.

Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series

Deadline: May 31, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 4/24)

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Malahat Review: International submissions

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 6/25)

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Stygian Zine

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Short stories, personal musings, visual art, and comics. See theme. Up to 2500 words (poetry included). Payment: $20 CAD.

Eternal Haunted Summer

Deadline: June 1, 2026; opens May 1, 2026.

(checked Mar 6/25)

Poetry, short fiction, reviews, and essays with Pagan focus. Theme: Flash fiction and poetry. Payment: $5.

Wallstrait

Deadline: June 1, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction 500 to 5,000 words (500-3,000 preferred). Flash fiction, longer stories, hybrid, and experimental stuff you can’t quite define. Payment: $25.

The Quarter(ly): Quarter Press

Deadline: June 14, 2026; opens April 1, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic stories, art. See themes. Payment: $5. Closes when cap is reached.

Bull City Press: Chapbook Reading Period

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens May 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 10/25)

Poetry chapbooks 18-30 pages, flash fiction & flash creative nonfiction chapbooks 20-90 pages (up to 2,000 words/piece).

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jul 19/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, prose poetry, mixed media, visual arts, “and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50.

Yellow Arrow Vignette

Deadline: June 15, 2026; opens May 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 10/23)

Astrolabe

Deadline: July 20, 2026; opens June 20, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 10/25)

Fiction & creative nonfiction up to 3 pieces of 3000 words total, and photography & art up to 5 pieces. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: June 25, 2026.

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $100 – $200 (CAD).

Anvil Press

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 20/25)

Chestnut Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

foofaraw zine

Deadline: June 30, 2026; open April 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, poetry, and op-eds. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry and op-ed: $5.00.

Malahat Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

Restrictions: Canadian writers only. Poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction, as well as translated work in any of these three genres. Payment: CAD $70/page.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: June 30, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (tri-annually).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Prose. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Orison Books: The Orison Chapbook Prize

Deadline: July 1, 2026; April 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

Manuscripts 20-45 pages of any genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, or hybrid). Publishes spiritually-engaged books that have a transcendent aesthetic effect on the reader, and reading it can itself be a spiritual experience. Prize: $300 and publication.

Riddle Fence: contest window

Deadline: July 1, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Fiction, Poetry, & Visual Art. Prize: $1000 grand prize.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: July 14, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: July 14, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Able Muse

Deadline: July 15, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Full length manuscripts. Poetry (minimum 50 pages), fiction and nonfiction (minimum 100 pages). Read submission guidelines HERE. Payment: Royalties.

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: July 19, 2026; opens July 13, 2026.

(checked Apr 7/25)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words. Payment: £0.01 per word.

Bateman Books

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jul 10/25)

Restrictions: The books they publish must have some connection to Aotearoa New Zealand, whether it’s theme, content, setting or author. A select range of high-quality books, specialising in illustrated non-fiction, commercial fiction and children’s/YA books. Payment: Royalties.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 15, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Litmosphere

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (bi-annually).

(Sep 23/25)

Mayday

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (biannually – free submission period).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Reads year round. Short fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Interviews, Nonfiction and Translation. Payment: $10 – $50.

New Myths

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Space and Time

Deadline: July 31, 2026; July 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jun 19/25)

The Pink Hydra

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (tri annually).

(checked Jul 10/25)

Orison Books: The Best Spiritual Literature Awards

Deadline: August 1, 2026; May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

Single works in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Publishes spiritually-engaged books that have a transcendent aesthetic effect on the reader, and reading it can itself be a spiritual experience. Prize: $500 and publication in annual anthology.

The First Line

Deadline: August 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

Smokelong

Deadline: August 14, 2026; opens May 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Free submission period ends June 30, 2026. Flash narratives–fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid (somewhere between fiction and non-fiction) up to 1000 words. We consider reviews of flash collections, essays on craft, and articles on teaching flash for the blog. They are looking for prose that is troubling, that explores our darkest fears. Payment: $100/story or $150/story with audio, upon publication.

The Lorelei Signal

Deadline: August 15, 2026, opens July 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 22/25)

After Happy Hour

Deadline: August 31, 2026, opens July 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 8/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Free general submissions cap at 300 per month. Payment: $10.

Anodyne

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Event Magazine

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (biannually)

(checked Oct 3/25)

Gwyllion

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (biannually).

(Apr 7/25)

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens August 24, 2026 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Sundog Collaboration Contest

Deadline: August 31, 2026; opens July 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

Toronto Journal

Deadline: September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 7/25)

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: September 25, 2026.

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $100 – $200 (CAD).

Story Unlikely

Deadline: September 29, 2026; opens February 2, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Fiction and nonfiction up to 10,000 words. Payment: 8 cents a word ($500 cap), 2 cents a word for reprints. Accepts reprints.

Chestnut Review

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

Freefall

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Restrictions: Open to Canadians. Prose p to 4,000 words (short story and novel excerpts; non-fiction, writing-related or general-audience topics; creative non-fiction; plays; and postcard stories), 1-3 poems. Payment: $10 per page in the magazine (to a maximum of $100) and one copy of the issue your piece is published in.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: September 30, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

Nashville Review

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Small Harbor Publishing

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Chapbooks 20-40 pages of poetry or 20-50 pages of prose. Payment: Royalties. All fees are waived for BIPOC identifying writers.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Paul Cave Prize for Literature: Tim Saunders Publications

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens March 30, 2026 (annually)

(checked Aug 4/25) *confirm 2026 dates

Poems up to 30 lines and fiction up to 10,000 words. Prizes: £20 to £200.

Trollbreath Magazine

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 10/25)

*Fiction/Poetry submissions. Speculative fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment: 4 cents/word. 1/2 cent/word for reprints, $25 flat for poetry, $40 flat for nonfiction. Accepts reprints.

Gordon Square Review

Deadline: October 1, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Poetry (one poem), fiction/prose up to 5000 words, nonfiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $25 honorarium.

The Iowa Review

Deadline: October 1, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 5/25)

Fiction, poetry. Translations per original work’s genre. Payment: $1.50 per line for poetry ($100 minimum) and $0.08 per word for prose ($100 minimum). No fee for snail mail submissions. $4 fee for online submissions.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: October 14, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: October 14, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Consequence Magazine: The Culture of War

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens July 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Foglifter: Digital Issue

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens August 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: October 18, 2026; opens October 12, 2026.

(checked Apr 7/25)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words. Payment: £0.01 per word.

Hub City Press

Deadline: October 19, 2026; opens October 17, 2026 (biannually / fiction only).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. Payment: Royalties.

Astrolabe

Deadline: October 22, 2026; opens September 22, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 10/25)

Fiction & creative nonfiction up to 3 pieces of 3000 words total, and photography & art up to 5 pieces. Closes early if 150 submissions are reached. Payment: $50.

Black Lawrence Immigrant Writing Series

Deadline: October 31, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 4/24)

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 15, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Sep 15/25)

Orison Books

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

Full-length fiction and nonfiction books, and anthology proposals. Publishes spiritually-engaged books that have a transcendent aesthetic effect on the reader, and reading it can itself be a spiritual experience. Payment: Royalties.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (tri-annually).

(checked Jun 5/25)

Prose. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

The Pink Hydra

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (tri annually).

(checked Jul 10/25)

Foglifter: Print Issue

Deadline: November 1, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 21/25)

Malahat Review: Open Season Awards

Deadline: November 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 6/25)

Writers are encouraged to enter our newest contest in three genres: poetry, fiction, and/or creative nonfiction. Winning entries are published in the spring issue. Quarterly contests for different genre requirements. Prize money: CAD$6,000.

Ninth Letter

Deadline: November 1, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose. Closes when they reach cap.

Orison Books: The Best Spiritual Literature (formerly The Orison Anthology)

Deadline: November 1, 2026; August 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 6/25)

Collection of the best spiritual writing in all genres published in periodicals in the preceding year. Editors of periodicals may submit work for consideration. collection of the best spiritual writing in all genres published in periodicals in the preceding year. Editors of periodicals may submit work for consideration.

The First Line

Deadline: November 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

The Iowa Review

Deadline: November 1, 2026; opens August 1; 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 5/25)

Nonfiction, visual literature. Translations per original work’s genre. Payment: $0.08 per word for prose ($100 minimum), $40/page for visual literature. No fee for snail mail submissions. $4 fee for online submissions.

Smokelong

Deadline: November 14, 2026; opens August 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Free submission period ends September 30, 2026. Flash narratives–fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid (somewhere between fiction and non-fiction) up to 1000 words. We consider reviews of flash collections, essays on craft, and articles on teaching flash for the blog. They are looking for prose that is troubling, that explores our darkest fears. Payment: $100/story or $150/story with audio, upon publication.

Revolute

Deadline: November 15, 2026; opens September 15, 2026 (annually).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Prose up to 6000 words, poems up to 3. Closes early if cap reached. Payment: $50. Only pays writers based in the US.

Baltimore Review

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. May close early if they reach their cap.

Claudine

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Fiction, CNF, micros up to 400 words. ” We like fairy tales, magical realism, hauntings, but more than any genre, we love prose that makes us ache and images that linger. (Sea creatures, always a plus.)” Payment: $25.

McNally Robinson Booksellers & Prairie Fire Writing Contests

Deadline: November 30, 2026 (annually).

(checked Aug 12/25)

Creative nonfiction up to 5000 words, poetry up to 3 poems/150 lines combined, short fiction up to 5000 words. Prizes: $1250 per category.

Nimrod

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Creative nonfiction and short fiction up to 5,000 words, and poetry 3-7 pages. Payment: $20 per poem/page of prose, with a $300 maximum. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25) *check dates, not listed to Nov 2026

Riddle Fence: Free Submission Period

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $50/page.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (monthly; free submission month).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Stygian Zine

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Nov 8/25)

Short stories, personal musings, visual art, and comics. See theme. Up to 2500 words (poetry included). Payment: $20 CAD.

The Fiddlehead

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens September 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Eternal Haunted Summer

Deadline: December 1, 2026; opens November 1, 2026.

(checked Mar 6/25)

Poetry, short fiction, reviews, and essays with Pagan focus. Theme: Bulfinch’s Mythology. Payment: $5.

Sundog

Deadline: December 1, 2026; opens October 1,2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

Wallstrait

Deadline: December 1, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Fiction and creative nonfiction 500 to 5,000 words (500-3,000 preferred). Flash fiction, longer stories, hybrid, and experimental stuff you can’t quite define. Payment: $25.

ellipsis… literature & art

Deadline: December 15, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Poetry, short fiction, drama, and creative non-fiction. Art submissions accepted Aug 1-Jan 31. Payment: $3 per page for prose. $10 for poetry and visual art. (Only pays American writers.)

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: December 15, 2026; opens December 1, 2026 (tip jar submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts

Deadline: December 15, 2026; opens September 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Jul 19/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, prose poetry, mixed media, visual arts, “and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50.

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: December 25, 2026.

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $100 – $200 (CAD).

Anodyne

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Chestnut Review

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Chapbooks 15-25 poetry or 15-35 prose. Prose, poetry or hybrid. Payment: $120 plus royalties.

foofaraw zine

Deadline: December 31, 2026; open October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, poetry, and op-eds. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry and op-ed: $5.00.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens December 24, 2026 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Mayday

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2026 (biannually – free submission period).

(checked Nov 9/25)

Reads year round. Short fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Interviews, Nonfiction and Translation. Payment: $10 – $50.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: December 31, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 18/25)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Smokelong Workshop Prize

Deadline: December 31, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jun 17/25)

Monthly

Affirm Press

Deadline: Monthly: on 1st Monday of the month only.

(checked Mar 8/25)

Restrictions: Accepts submissions from Australians or authors based in Australia only. Full manuscripts: pitches only. Literary and genre fiction, entertaining nonfiction. Payment: Royalties. Accepts submissions the first Monday of the month.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores

Deadline: 1^st to 2^nd monthly (monthly).

(checked Mar 8/25)

Prose (nonfiction and speculative stories), and poetry from 1,000 words min. to 9000 max. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work, 2 cents/word for reprints, poetry at $1/line for new or 50 cents/line for reprints.

evOke

Deadline: 1st to 15th monthly.

(checked Sep 24/23)

All things Pagan, polytheist, and witchy. See themes. Artwork, poetry, fiction, essays, interviews, lifestyle articles, reviews, video and audio submissions. Payment: $5.

Haven Speculative

Deadline: Alternates months: odd months limited demographic/even months general submissions (monthly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

General submissions. Speculative fiction up to 6,000 words, poetry any length, nonfiction up to $3,000 words, translations, and art. Payment: 1 cent/word for fiction, nonfiction, and translations; $5 – $10 for poetry.

New Orleans Review

Deadline: 1st to last day monthly.

(checked Mar 16/25)

Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Check for monthly free submission qualifications.

Okay Donkey.

Deadline: Closes when cap is reached; Opens 1st of every month except Dec. (monthly).

(checked Mar 5/25)

One flash fiction OR one poem per author, per submission period. Publishes one new piece every Friday. See website for details. Payment: $20.

Plenitude Magazine

Deadline: last day of month (monthly).

(checked May 8/25)

Literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic narrative, book reviews and short film by both emerging and established LGBTTQI writers. We define queer literature and arts as works created by LGBTTQI people, rather than works which feature queer content alone.” Each genre has a monthly submission cap. If the genre you wish to enter does not appear on the site, try again at the start of next month to submit. Payment: $50-60CAD/poem, $100-125CAD/prose, $100CAD book review.

Rough Cut Press

Deadline: Approx 27th (monthly).

(checked Nov 19/23)

Restrictions: Open to the LGBTQIA community. Experimental fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on monthly theme. “We seek personal, lyrical, critical, and experimental work in under 650 words.” Payment: $25.

Shooter: Monthly Flash Contest

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Apr 2/24)

Prose (fiction & nonfiction) up to 1000 words. Payment: £50.

Split Lip Magazine

Deadline: Jan, Mar, May, Aug, Sep, Nov (monthly; free submission month); Feb, Apr, Oct, 1^st half Dec (monthly; Tip Jar Submissions).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Stygian Lepus Magazine

Deadline: 1^st to 25^th each month (monthly).

(checked Mar 7/25)

Dark speculative prose (dark fiction, serialized dark fiction, creative non-fiction up to 4k words), poems, articles, art. Payment: $5.

The Forge Literary Magazine

Deadline: Monthly. They open to fee-free submissions on the first of each month and close when they reach their quota.

(checked Mar 7/25)

Prose: Fiction and nonfiction under 3,000 words preferred, will consider up to 5000 words. Payment: $100.

Tim Saunders Publications: Four Words

Deadline: Monthly

(checked Dec 2/23)

Story or poem. Four words writing challenge: Every month we select four words, which are written below. Writers and poets are then invited to write a 50 word story or poem that incorporates these four words. Send your submissions to tsaunderspubs@gmail.com and they will be published on this page. In time they will feature in their own book. Good luck!

Tim Saunders Publications: Idea

Deadline: Monthly

(checked Dec 2/23)

Story or poem. Idea writing challenge: Every month an idea is suggested, written below. Writers and poets are then invited to write up to a 150 word story or 15 line poem on it. The deadline is four weeks from the published date, so the deadline for the May 18 idea will be June 18 and so on. The submissions are initially published on this website and then in a book. Send your submissions to tsaunderspubs@gmail.com and include Idea in the subject bar. They will be published on this page. In time they will feature in their own book. Good luck!

Tim Saunders Publications: Title

Deadline: Monthly

(checked Dec 2/23)

Story or poem. Title writing challenge: Every month a title is suggested, written below. Writers and poets are then invited to write up to a 500 word story or 30 line poem on this subject. The deadline is four weeks from the published date, so the deadline for the May 18 title will be June 18 and so on. The submissions are initially published on this website and then in a book. Send your submissions to tsaunderspubs@gmail.com and include Title in the subject bar and they will be published on this page. In time they will feature in their own book. Good luck!

Tim Saunders Publications: Writing Prompt

Deadline: Monthly

(checked Dec 2/23)

Story or poem. Writing prompt challenge: Every month a painting is selected from a professional artist belonging to www.creativecoverage.co.uk. Contributors are invited to submit a poem up to 30 lines or a story up to 500 words (as a Word .doc file) about the painting. The deadline is four weeks from the published date, so the deadline for the May 5 prompt will be June 5 and so on. The submissions are initially published on this website and then in a book. Please email submissions (with the date of the prompt in the subject bar) to tsaunderspubs@gmail.com

University of Queensland Press

Deadline: Open the first seven days of every month (monthly).

(checked Mar 8/25)

Non-fiction (history, politics, current affairs, biography and memoir, environmental issues), literary fiction including short stories, children’s and young adult (YA) books (fiction and non-fiction), poetry. Full or partial manuscripts (minimum 15,000 words) will be accepted. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties.

Bi-Monthly (every 2nd month)

Hexagon

Deadline: open 1^st 7 days every 2^nd month (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov)

(checked Mar 8/25)

Speculative fiction up to 10,000 words and comics 1-5 pages. Payment: $5 for accepted poetry and cartoons, 0.01$ CAD/word for all short stories, $100 CAD/page for comics.

The London Magazine

Deadline: Jan 1-31, Mar 1-31, May 1-31, Jul 1-31, Sep 1-30 & Nov 1-30 (bimonthly/every two months).

(checked Jul 7/24)

Fiction up to 4,000 words, nonfiction 800-2,000 words, poetry up to 40 lines. Payment: Not specified.

Quarterly

Apparition Lit

Deadline: Nov 15-30/23, Feb 15-29, May 15-31, Aug 15-31, 2024 (quarterly).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Speculative fiction and poetry on theme. See theme. Payment: $0.05/word min $50 for short stores, $50 flat/poem. Opens February 15. Submission periods are extended by a week for BIPOC creators only.

Chestnut Review

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 31, Apr 1-Jun 30, Jul 1-Sep 30, Oct 1-Dec 31. (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Restrictions: minimum age to submit is 18. Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $120. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.

Contrary

Deadline: Mar 1, June 1, Sep 1 & Dec 1 (quarterly) – on indefinite hiatus from publication.

(checked Sep 2/24)

Poetry, fiction, CNF. Payment: $20.

Farmer-ish

Deadline: Feb 28, May 20, Aug 22, Nov 21, 2025 (quarterly, online).

(checked Mar 26/25)

Nonfiction, CNF, poetry related to farming (including recipes). Payment: $25 for print journal, none for online issues. See themes.

FIYAH

Deadline: Sep 1-Oct 31/23, Dec 1-Jan 31/24 Mar 1-Apr 30/24 (quarterly). *check for later dates.

(checked Oct 22/23)

IHRAM Publishes

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 1, Apr 1-June 1, Jul 1-Sep 1, Oct 1-Dec 1, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 6/25)

Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme: “Invisible Chains: Contemporary Slavery and Forced Migration.” Modern slavery, forced migration, human trafficking, economic challenges, cultural discrimination, first-hand accounts, feelings of hope and perseverance. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art.

Many Worlds

Deadline: Dec-Jan, Mar-Apr, June-Jul, Sep-Oct (quarterly).

(checked Oct 22/23)

Genre: Everything. “We welcome submissions by those who identify with and as any of the following descriptors: trans, two-spirit, disabled, neurodivergent, Mad, queer, crip, nonbinary, genderqueer, intersex. This is a space for the words, works, and worlds of and by those whose bodyminds defy social expectations and invite new ways of thinking and knowing.” Payment: $10.

Midnight & Indigo

Deadline: March 31, June 30, September 30, December 31 (quarterly).

(checked Aug 9/24)

Restrictions: Open to black women. Short fiction and personal essays. Payment: Payment: $100-150 for essays, and $0.07/word for fiction.

Nonbinary Review

Deadline: Jan 31, Oct 31, ? (quarterly).

(checked Aug 3/23)

Zoetic Press. Poetry, fiction, essays, and art on themes. Payment: 1 cent per word for prose, and a flat fee of $10 for poetry. Closes when cap is reached, so submit early.

Parabola

Deadline: Mar 1, June 1, Sep 1, Dec 1, 2023 (quarterly).

(checked Feb 4/24)

Essays and translations, poetry, reviews. Payment: Not specified. See themes.

Plott Hound

Deadline: Mar 1-15, Jun 1-15, Sep 1-15, Dec 1-15, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Apr 4/25) *check 2026 dates

Speculative fiction, poetry, and nonfiction starring animals. Payment: 8 cents/word fiction, $50 each poetry, $100 each.

Reservoir Road Literary Review.

Deadline: Jan, Apr, July Oct. (quarterly)

(checked Aug 3/23)

Literary short stories, lyrical creative non-fiction, photography. Payment: $5. Submission window closes when their cap is reached.

Samjoko Magazine

Deadline: Oct 10-Dec 15/23; Jan 15-Mar 10, Apr 10-June 10, Jul 10-Sep 10/24 (quarterly).

(checked Feb 4/24)

Publishes, “…exemplary work from content creators around the world. Focusing mainly upon the written word, we hope to create an immersive digital and print platform that stands out for its honesty and desire to take risks for the sake of artistic expression. We have no set aesthetic, though different themes will be focused upon periodically.” Payment: $20.

Seaside Gothic

Deadline: Jan 9-15, Apr 10-16, July 10-16, Oct 9-15 (quarterly).

(checked May 22/23)

Seaside gothic fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or a collection of photographs or illustrations. Up to 1,000 words Payment: £0.01 per word.

Silver Blade

Deadline: Dec-Jan, Mar-Apr, Jun-Jul, Sep-Oct (quarterly).

(checked Oct 22/23)

Science Fiction, Slipstream, Classic and Modern Fantasy; short fiction, flash fiction, novellas, and poetry. Payment: $15 for novellas, $3 for flash fiction, $8 for short stories, $8 for single poems and $15 for Featured Poets (by invitation only). Silver Pen will pay half of these rates for previously published works. Reprints accepted.

Sine Theta Magazine

Deadline: January 7, 2024 (quarterly). *other dates?

(checked Dec 23/23)

Restrictions: Open to people of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage. Poetry, prose, visual art: all genres of visual and literary work as long as they relate to the current theme. See themes. Payment: $10.

Solarpunk Magazine

Deadline: Jan 1-14, Apr 1-14, Jul 1-14, Oct 1-14 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 22/25)

The Ex-Puritan

Deadline: Mar 25, Jun 25, Sep 25 & Dec 25 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, essays, poetry, interviews, reviews, and experimental/hybrid work. “The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing.” Payment: $50 – $200 (CAD).

The First Line

Deadline: Feb 1, May 1, Aug 1, Nov 1, 2024 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction using the first line provided. (See site.) Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction.

The New Quarterly

Deadline: March 1 to August 31; September 1 to February 28 (biannually).

(checked Apr 30/23)

Restrictions: Open to Canadian writers. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $275 for a short story or nonfiction entry, and $50 per poem or postscript story.

Utopia Science Fiction

Deadline: May 31, 2025, quarterly dates vary (quarterly).

(checked Mar 18/25) *check back for more dates after this deadline

Fiction, poetry, non-fiction, and art. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry.

Tri Annually

After Happy Hour

Deadline: Mar 1-Apr 30, July 1-Aug 31, Nov 1-Jan 31 (triannually).

(checked Nov 16/24)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, comics. Free general submissions cap at 300 per month. Payment: $10.

Anodyne

Deadline: Apr 1-30, Aug 1-31, Dec 1-31 (triannually).

(checked Mar 22/25)

Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Photography, Video on theme of Health. *Free submissions for first week. Payment: Revenue sharing.

Astrolabe

Deadline: Mar 20-Apr 20, 2025, Jun 20-Jul 20, 2025, Sep 22-Oct 22, 2025 *closes when 150 submissions reached (triannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Fiction & creative nonfiction up to 3 pieces of 3000 words total, and photography & art up to 5 pieces. Payment: $50.

Heartlines Spec

Deadline: Dec 24-31, Apr 23-30, Aug 24-31 *Early submission period for equity-deserving groups April 23-30 (triannually).

Deadline: Jan 1-31, May 1-31, Sep 1-30; opens September 1, 2025 (triannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

In The Mood Magazine

Deadline: December 31, 2023, other dates? (tri-annually).

(checked Dec 1/23)

Writing about film, TV, music videos, and celebrity/pop culture related to your hometown—however you may define it, through essays, conversations, and unconventional forms of criticism like film diaries, poetry, and comics. Word count: 1,000 words max for features, 300 words max for Film Diaries. Payment: $30 CAD for features, $20 CAD for Film Diaries.

Islandia

Deadline: December 31, 2023 (rolling).

(checked Dec 1/23)

Restrictions: Preference is given to residents of Florida & the Caribbean but Islandia considers written work and visual art with strong ties to the region. Genre: Poetry, art, and prose. Payment: Pay for poetry and visual art begins at $50 and for prose submissions $100 – $150.

Lammergeier

Deadline: Jan-Mar, May-Jul, Sep-Nov (trianually).

(checked Oct 22/23)

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. “Have a piece you think doesn’t quite fit into the previous three categories (or is a combination of said genres)? Feel free to send it in as hybrid. Submit either one piece of up to 5,000 words or less or up to three flash pieces of 1,000 words or less or equivalent audio/visual material. (Hybrids will be considered with nonfiction submissions for featured writer submissions until further notice).” Payment: $25.

parABnormal

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31, Jun 1-Jul 31, Oct 1-Nov 30 (triannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry on the paranormal. “For us, this includes ghosts, spectres, haunts, various whisperers, and so forth. It also includes shapeshifters and creatures from various folklores.” Payment: $25.00 for original stories, $7.00 for reprints. $6.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $6.00 for reprints. $7.00 for reviews and interviews.

Radon

Deadline: Dec 16-Apr 15, Apr 16-Aug 15, Aug 16-Dec 15 (tri-annually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Short stories up to 3k words and poetry containing elements of anarchism, transhumanism, dystopia, and/or science fiction. Art. Payment: 2¢ per word for original work and 1¢ for reprints for fiction, $20/poem for original work and $10/poem for reprints, $20-$100 for art.

Sundog

Deadline: Mar 1-May 1, Oct 1-Dec 1, Jul 15-Aug 31* *Collaboration contest. Submit early to avoid submission fee (Tri-annually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

The Bombay Literary Magazine

Deadline: Jan 1-31, May 1-31 & Sep 1-30 (Tri-annually).

(checked Nov 17/24)

Fiction, poetry, translated fiction/poetry and graphic fiction. Payment: Indian rupees 5,000 (approx. $61) per contribution. Closes when cap is reached.

The Cincinnati Review

Deadline: May 1-30, Sep 1-30, Dec 1-31 (triannually).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Good Life Review

Deadline: Feb 1-Jul 31 (Fall issue), Aug 1-Jan 31 (Spring issue), Nov 15-Apr 15 (Honeybee Prize).

(checked Dec 22/23)

Poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Prose op to 5000 words, or 5 poems/10 pages. Payment: $75 per published piece ($100 for two); Honeybee Prizes in each category: $500 1st, $75 runner up.

The Maine Review

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 31, May 1-Jun 30, Sep 1-Nov 30 (tri-annually).

(checked Oct 21/23)

Short fiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and Nonfiction writers receive a $25 honorarium per published flash (1,000 words or fewer) and a $50 honorarium for work 1,001 words or more. Poets receive a $25 honorarium per published poem.

Thema

Deadline: Mar 1, Jul 1, Nov 1, 2024 (tri-annually)

(checked Mar 7/25)

Fiction, poetry, and art on theme. “The premise (target theme) must be an integral part of the plot, not necessarily the central theme but not merely incidental.” Payment: $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Accepts reprints.

Biannually

Agbowo

Deadline: Mar 1-Apr 30 & Sep 1-Oct 30, 2024 (biannually). *”Submissions closed at the moment.”

(checked Mar 28/24)

Restrictions: Open to African origin writers only. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, book reviews and art/photography. Payment: Single Poems – $25; Suites of poems (2-4) – $50; One act plays -$50; Essays/Nonfiction – $60; Fiction – $60; Visual Art – $35.

Alien Magazine

Deadline: May 22-Aug 5/23, Nov 20-Feb 29/24 (biannually).

(checked Oct 30/23)

All types of fiction and poetry. Payment: $20.

Allegory

Deadline: Nov 1-Dec 31/24, May 1-Jun 30 & Nov 1-Dec 31, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25) *check 2026 dates are the same

Speculative Fiction and nonfiction. Payment: $15 USD.

Baltimore Review

Deadline: Feb 1-May 31, Aug/Sep (varies)-Nov 30 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/24) *check date opens for Nov, varies

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, videos (including poetry), and cross-genre work. Payment: $50. May close early if they reach their cap.

Bennington Review

Deadline: March 8, 2024; opens November 15, 2023 (biannually).

(checked Nov 23/23)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $120 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $250 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $25 per poem.

Black Fox Literary Magazine

Deadline: Mar 1-May 31,23, Aug 1-Nov 30/23 (biannually).

(checked Sep 2/23)

Blog posts, fiction, poetry, CNF, and art. Payment: $20.

Block Party Press: Magazine

Deadline: Dates? (biannually).

(checked Dec 24/23)

Fiction and CNF up to 2500 words, poetry up to 100 lines, photography, digital art, visual art. Payment: $10.

Brink

Deadline: Jan & Jul (biannually).

(checked Nov 16/24)

Hybrid, cross-genre fiction, nonfiction poetry. Payment: $25 Poem; $50 Work (less than 1500 words); $50 Art (1-3 Images); $100 Art (4+ Images); $100 Work (more than 1501 words).

Consequence Magazine: The Culture of War

Deadline: January 15 to April 15; July 15 to October 15 (biannually).

(checked Feb 26/23)

Short fiction, poetry, nonfiction, interviews, reviews, and visual art mainly focused on the culture of war. “All submissions need to address in some manner the human consequences and realities of war or geopolitical violence.” Payment: $20 – $60 for prose and poetry, $150 for art.

Contemporary Verse 2

Deadline: Feb 1-May 30 & Oct 1-Nov 30 (biannually).

(checked Nov 9/24)

Poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews. Payment: $35 – $150.

Copper Nickel

Deadline: Aug 14-Dec 15, Jan 15-Mar 1 (biannually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Poetry, fiction, essays, and translation folios. Payment: $30 per printed page + two copies of the issue in which the author’s work appears + a one-year subscription. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fees.

Epoch email submissions

Deadline: Aug 1-31 & Jan 1-31 (biannually).

(checked Nov 23/24)

Poetry, prose, art and comics. Payment: $100 – $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art. Mail submissions accepted Aug 1 to Mar 15. No fee for snail mail submissions.

foofaraw zine

Deadline: Apr 1-Jun 30, Oct 1-Dec 31 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, poetry, and op-eds. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry and op-ed: $5.00.

The Fairy Tale Magazine

Deadline: Jan 22-29 & Jun 17-24, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Apr 2/24)

Fairy-tale inspired stories/poems on theme of Classic Fairy Tales. Payment: $25.

Falling Star Magazine

Deadline: February 11, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Short stories 2,000 – 5,000 words on the theme of having to move forward to, heading toward and eventually finding a new home, and poetry up to 50 words. Payment: Poetry $10. Fiction pays $20.

Foglifter

Deadline: Mar 1-May 1, Sep 1-Nov 1 (biannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: queer and trans writers. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: “sliding scale”.

Gordon Square Review

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31 & Aug 1-Oct 1 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Poetry (one poem), fiction/prose up to 5000 words, nonfiction up to 1000 words. Payment: $25 honorarium.

Gwyllion

Deadline: January 1 to February 28; July 1 to August 31 (biannually).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Speculative fiction up to 10,000 words, poetry up to 30 lines, and book reviews up to 200 words. Payment: £10 per accepted story or poem.

Hippocampus Magazine

Deadline: Mar 1-May 31 & Sep 1-Nov 30 (December 1-14, 2023 Fee free period) (biannually).

(checked Dec 1/22)

Memoir Excerpts, Personal Essays, and Flash Nonfiction. Payment: $40.

Honeyguide Magazine

Deadline: September 2, 2023; opens July 22, 2023 (bi-annually).

(checked Jul 27/23)

Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art, and blog posts about animals and their human neighbors. See themes. Payment: $25 for the story, $50 for art. Only pays for featured articles.

Hub City Press

Deadline: Mar 14-16 & Oct 17-19 (biannually / fiction only).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. Payment: Royalties.

Hub City Press

Deadline: Mar 16-31 & Oct 16-31 (biannually / nonfiction only).

(checked Aug 10/24)

Restrictions: Must live in for be from the USA South (see list of states). Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. Payment: Royalties.

Hub City Press.

Deadline: Mar-Apr & Sep-Oct (biannually).BIPOC only Sep 1-30.

(checked Aug 3/23)

Query only. Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. “We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South.” Payment: Royalties.

Kaleidotrope

Deadline: Jul 1-31 & Oct 1-31, 2024 (biannually).

(Apr 2/24)

Speculative fiction and poetry—science fiction, fantasy, and horror, but also compelling work that blurs the lines between these and falls outside of neat genre categories. 250-10,000 words preferred for prose. Payment: For fiction, $0.01/word (1 cent a word) USD. For poetry, a flat rate of $5 USD per accepted piece. Flat rate of $60 for cover art.

Litmosphere

Deadline: Jan & July 1^st to end (bi-annually).

(Jul 7/24)

Mayday

Deadline: Jul 1-31 & Dec 1-31 (biannually – free submission period).

(checked Sep 3/24)

Reads year round. Short fiction, CNF, Poetry, Art, Interviews, Nonfiction and Translation. Payment: $20 – $50.

Mslexia Showcase

Deadline: June 9, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 4/25) *watch for other date

Restrictions: Open to women. Fiction, poetry, nonfiction. Payment: £30.

Nashville Review

Deadline: January 1-31 & August 1-31, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 29/24)

Fiction, poetry, art, and nonfiction. No fee to submit. 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.

New Myths

Deadline: Jan 1-Feb 28, Jun 1-Jul 31 (biannually).

(checked Nov 23/23)

Speculative fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: 3 cents/word with a minimum payment of $30 for all submissions, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry; $50 for book reviews; $80 for art.

Ninth Letter

Deadline: Feb 1-Apr 1 & Sep 1-Nov 1 (biannually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose. Closes when they reach cap.

Olit

Deadline: Mar 1-June 1, Aug 1-Nov 1 (biannually).

(checked May 22/23)

Restrictions: Strong preference for Orlando based writers/submissions about Orlando and surrounding areas. “We aim to focus primarily on publishing marginalized voices.” Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Hybrid, Artwork, Photography. “Send us all kinds of stuff. We love the artfully weird.” Payment: $10.

Penumbric

Deadline: Jun 15-Sep 15 & Dec 15 to Mar 15 (bi-annually).

(checked Nov 23/23)

Penumbric Speculative Fiction Mag. Fiction and poetry up to 10,000 words, illustration, graphic narrative, animation, music, or combinations of these (e.g., a spoken-word version of a poem). Payment: $10.

Pyre

Deadline: Jan 17-Feb 28; Aug 17-Sept 18 (biannually).

(checked Apr 30/23)

Horror, sci-fi, the weird, the macabre, fantasy, and magical realism: Flash fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, videos. Payment: $10.

Riddle Fence: Free Submission Period

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31 & Oct 1-Nov 30 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $50/page.

Roses and Wildflowers

Deadline: July 30, 2024; opens February 5, 2024 (biannually, spring and fall).

(checked Nov 23/23)

Mythopoeic fiction 1000-7500 words, poetry & art on theme of “Walking Away”. Payment: $5/poem, $20/short fiction.

Silver Blade

Deadline: Mar 1-Jul 31 & Sep 1

-Jan 31 (bi-annually).

(checked Nov 17/24)

Southern Indiana Review

Deadline: Feb 15-may 15 & Sep 15-Dec 15 (biannually)

(checked Sep 2/24)

Fiction, CNF, poetry, art & photography. Payment: $125-$250 per piece.

Space and Time

Deadline: Jan 15-31 & Jun 15-30 (bi annually).

(checked Jun 7/24)

Fiction up to 5,000 words, poetry up to 40 lines: Science fiction, fantasy, horror, steampunk, magical realism. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 per poem.

Sundog

Deadline: Mar 1-May 1, Oct 1-Dec 1, Jul 15-Aug 31* *Collaboration contest. (biannually, plus collaboration contest).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

Teach. Write

Deadline: Oct 1-Mar 1, Apr 1-Sep 1 (bi-annally).

(checked Feb 4/23)

Fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, CNF. “I prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning.” Payment: $15 for short stories, creative non-fiction, and essays; $10 for all other categories.

The Fiddlehead

Deadline: January 1 to March 31 (Canadian only); September 15 to November 30 (biannually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts

Deadline: Mar 15-Jun 15, Sep 15-Dec 15 (biannually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, prose poetry, mixed media, visual arts, “and even kitchen sinks, if they are compressed in some way.” Payment: $50.

The Stinging Fly Magazine

Deadline: November 30, 2023; opens November 1, 2023 (biannually).

(checked Sep 2/23)

Irish and international writers. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction: €30 per magazine page; Poetry: €50 per poem; Featured Poet: €250.

The Woodward Review

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 1, Sep 1-Nov 1 (biannually).

(checked Dec 1/23)

Poetry, prose, art, and digital media from anyone, anywhere. Payment: $50.

Trollbreath Magazine

Deadline: Apr 1-30 & Oct 1-31 (biannually).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Speculative fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. Payment: 4 cents/word. 1/2 cent/word for reprints, $25 flat for poetry, $40 flat for nonfiction. Accepts reprints.

Variant Lit

Deadline: April 5, 2025; opens March 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Mar 22/25) *check back for 2026 dates

Poetry, fiction, flash and micro fiction. Payment: $10.

Annually

2024 Next Generation Indie Book Award

Deadline: February 14, 2024 – SEP 30, 2023 EARLY BIRD SPECIAL

(checked Sep 12/23)

Sep 30 early bird special: enter and pay online by Sep 30 and your second category selection is free. 80+ categories in fiction and non-fiction. The 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards is open to all indie book authors and publishers including independent publishers (small, medium or otherwise), university presses, self-published authors, e-book authors, seasoned authors and even first time authors in the U.S., Canada or internationally who have a book, a manuscript, or a galley proof written in English and published in 2022, 2023 or 2024 or with a 2022, 2023 or 2024 copyright date. Prizes: $50 to $1500.

34 Orchard

Deadline: January 15, 2025; opens January 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Nov 16/24)

Fiction 1000-5000 words, poetry. “We like dark, intense pieces that speak to a deeper truth. We’re not genre-specific; we just like scary, disturbing, unsettling, and sad.” Payment: $50.

AGNI

Deadline: Sep 1-May 31 (annually).

(checked Apr 3/25)

Anterior Skies (Strange Elf Press)

Deadline: January 1, 2024; opens December 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked Dec 23/23)

Fiction (horror, dark fantasy, sci-fi, noir—anything macabre and weird, preferably with cosmic horror undertones), non-fiction (based on true story, investigative journalism, true crime), poetry, flash fiction. Anything and everything, as long as it fits. Payment: One cent per word; $15 minimum payment; up to $50 maximum payment.

Block Party Press: Chapbook

Deadline: March 1; opens January 1 (annually).

(checked Dec 24/23)

Poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction chapbooks 15-24 pages not including title page and acknowledgements. Payment: Royalties.

Boulevard

Deadline: May 1, 2024, opens November 1, 2023 (annually? Check).

(checked Mar 28/24)

Poems up to 200 lines, prose (fiction, nonfiction) up to 8000 words. Payment: $50-$250 for poetry, and $100-300 for prose. No submission fee for mailed submissions.

Broken Sleep Books

Deadline: February 28, 2025, opens January 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Nov 11/24)

Wildcard books (books that don’t fit with our other submission windows). Payment: Royalties.

Bull City Press: Inch

Deadline: Mar 15 to Apr 15 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/24)

Small collections—a minimum of three stories or essays, or a constellation of poems, between 10-16 pages in length. Up to 75% of your collection can be previously published. Payment: Royalties.

Bull City Press: Chapbook Open Reading Period

Deadline: May 15 to Jun 15 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/24)

Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction Chapbooks. Payment: Advance against royalties.

Dorothy

Deadline: Sept 1-14 (annually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Full-length works of feminist fiction or near fiction or about fiction. “Each fall, we publish two new books simultaneously. We work to pair books that draw upon different aesthetic traditions, because a large part of our interest in literature lies in its possibilities, its endless stylistic and formal variety.” Payment: Royalties.

ellipsis… literature & art

Deadline: November 15, 2024; opens August 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 9/24)

Restrictions: only pays American writers. Poetry, short fiction, drama, and creative non-fiction. Payment: $3 per page for prose. $10 for poetry.

Epoch

Deadline: January & August for electronic submissions (annually).

(checked Mar 1/24)

Poetry, prose, art and comics. Electronic submissions. Payment: $100 – $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art.

Epoch

Deadline: April 15, 2024; opens August 15, 2023 for mailed submissions (annually).

(checked Mar 1/24)

Poetry, prose, art and comics. Mail submissions only. Payment: $100 – $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art. No fee for snail mail submissions.

Epoch mail submissions

Deadline: March 15, 2025; opens August 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 23/24)

Poetry, prose, art and comics. Payment: $100 – $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art. Electronic submissions accepted Aug & Jan. No fee for snail mail submissions.

Diet Milk Minis

Deadline: May 15, 2023; opens May 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked April 29/23)

Prose (3 of less than 999 words or one up to 2,000 words), poetry up to 3 pieces. Payment: $10 for poetry, $20 for prose. See theme.

Fahmidan Publishing

Deadline: February 28, 2025; opens February 1, 2025 (annually). – CLOSED UNTIL 2025

(checked Nov 11/24)

Restrictions: only open to POC & Women identifying writers. Digital chapbook submissions. Poetry or fiction chapbook. Payment: Royalties.

Fahmidan Publishing

Deadline: November 30, 2024; opens November 1, 2025 (annually). – CLOSED UNTIL 2025

(checked Nov 11/24)

Restrictions: only open to POC & Women identifying writers. Print chapbook submissions. Poetry or fiction chapbook. Payment: Royalties.

Folly

Deadline: May 30; opens January (roughly) (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Fiction up to 2500 words, nonfiction, poetry (3 up to 40 lines each), CNF. Payment: NZD $25-$50. May close early if cap is reached.

foofaraw zine Anthology

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 31, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 4/25)

Speculative and literary fiction, comics, humor/satire, poetry, essays. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00.

Freefall

Deadline: September 30, 2023; June 1, 2023 (annual?).

(checked Sep 24/23)

Restrictions: Open to Canadians. Genre: Fiction, poetry, prose, art. Payment: $10/page prose up to $100 and $25 per poem plus a copy of the issue the work is published in.

Georgia Review

Deadline: Aug 16-May 14 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

McClelland & Stewart (division of Penguin Random House)

Deadline: Mar 1-31 (annually).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Nimrod

Deadline: Nov 1-30 (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Creative nonfiction and short fiction up to 5,000 words, and poetry 3-7 pages. Payment: $20 per poem/page of prose, with a $300 maximum. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

The Georgia Review Prose Prize

Deadline: Aug 16 to May 14 (annually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

The best short story and essay will both be published in The Georgia Review. This year the overall winner, will also receive $1,500 and an expenses-paid trip to read at the Smithsonian’s 2023 Asian American Literature Festival in Washington, D.C. The runner-up will receive $600.

Grain Magazine

Deadline: June 15, 2023; opens September 15, 2022 (annually).

(checked Apr 29/23)

Published quarterly. Submissions close monthly when submittable cap reached, reopens the next month. Fiction and literary nonfiction up to 3500 words, and poetry up to 6 pages. Payment: $50 CAD/page up to $250 CAD for writing, up to $500 CAD for art.

In the Bleak Midwinter

Deadline: October 31, 2023; opens October 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked April 29/23)

Micro/flash fiction up to 3 pieces 350 words or less for an eerie advent calendar posted to dedicated blog on website. Payment: $3 per micro piece, $5 per flash fiction piece. See theme.

Kweli Journal

Deadline: May 30, 2023, opens September 1, 2022 (annually).

(checked Apr 24/23)

“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.” Self-contained novel excerpt, short story, or creative non-fiction piece, poetry. Length: No more than 7,000 words.

Newfound

Deadline: May 14, 2023; opens August 16, 2022 (annually).

(checked Apr 24/2)

Reviews, Poetry, and Visual Arts. Payment: $25.

Ninth Letter Print Edition

Deadline: February 28, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (annually; published semi-annually, print/web edition).

(checked Nov 2/24)

Fees waived Dec 1-31. Poems up to 3 (max 8 pages), creative nonfiction and short fiction up to 8,000 words, 3 flash pieces up to 4,000 words combined. Payment: $25 for poetry, $100 for prose. Dec. only is fee-free until they hit 300 submissions, so submit early in Dec.

Ninth Letter Web Edition

Deadline: November 1, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (annually; published semi-annually, print/web edition).

(checked Nov 2/24)

Fiction and nonfiction up to 3500 words, and poetry up to three poems. See theme. Payment: $25 per poem and $75 for prose.

Orion’s Belt.

Deadline: August 31, 2025; opens March 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 5/25)

Speculative fiction, poetry, and art up to 1200 words. Payment: 8 cents per word.

Orison Books

Deadline: October 31, 2023; opens October 1, 2023 (annually). Our open reading period will be on hiatus in 2023 while we catch up on a backlog of accepted manuscripts. We will reopen for general submissions in October 2024.

(checked Oct 22/23)

Novels, short story or flash fiction collections, novellas, personal or lyric essays and memoir. Payment: Small advance and royalties.

Revolute

Deadline: Sep 15-Dec 8 (annually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Payment: $25.

Riddle Fence: contest window

Deadline: Apr 1-July 1 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Fiction, Poetry, & Visual Art. Prize: $1000 grand prize.

Room Magazine: Short Forms Contest

Deadline: December 1, 2023; opens October 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked Sep 21/23)

Restrictions: Open to artists of marginalized genders. Prose poems, flash fiction, flash creative non-fiction up to 500 words. Prizes: $500 1st, $350 2nd, $150 honourable mention.

Sundog Collaboration Contest

Deadline: Jul 15-Aug 31 (annually).

(checked Sep 2/24)

Fiction up to 3k words, 3 flash fiction under 750 words, poetry, nonfiction up to 4k words, 3 flash nonfiction under 1k words and art. Payment: $50. Submit early in month to avoid submission fee.

Texas Review Press: The Sabine Series in Literature

Deadline: April 30, 2024; opens April 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Mar 28/24)

Restrictions: The Sabine Series in Literature highlights work by authors born in or working in Eastern Texas and/or Louisiana. There are no thematic restrictions. Poetry and fiction. Payment: Royalties. Submissions are capped at 300.

Shooter

Deadline: May 12, 2024 (annually?).

(checked Apr 2/24)

Fiction, poetry, CNF, art on theme of Nightlife. 2000-6000 words prose, up to three poems. Payment: £25 per story and £5 per poem.

The Gettysburg Review

Deadline: May 31, 2024; opens September 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked May 24/23)

Published triannually. Poetry, fiction, essays. Payment: $2.50 per line for poetry, with a maximum of $300.00 for an individual poem, and $25.00 per printed page for prose. Fee to submit online; no fee for postal submissions.

The Hudson Review

Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 31 nonfiction only, Apr 1-Jun 30 poetry only, Sep 1-Nov 30 fiction only (annually).

(checked Aug 12/24)

Fiction, poetry, essays, book reviews; criticism of literature, art, theatre, dance, film, and music; and articles on contemporary cultural developments. Payment: Not specified.

The Iowa Review

Deadline: October 1; opens August 1 (annually).

(checked Nov 11/24)

The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction and The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry (Nimrod)

Deadline: January 31; opens January 1 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

The Temz Review

Deadline: March 1-April 30 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Prose (fiction and creative non-fiction) up to 10,000 words. Payment: $20.

Thisteldown Press (CANADA)

Deadline: September 1 – May 1 (annually).

(checked Nov 23/23)

Restrictions: Open to Canadian authors, with a preference for Western Canadian voices. Full-length literary work, including novels, short story collections, creative non-fiction, and collections of poetry. They will consider YA novels and—occasionally—books for younger children. Query first. Payment: Royalties.

The Threepenny Review

Deadline: Janu 1-Apr 30 (annually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Poetry, fiction, nonfiction. Payment: $400 per story or article, $200 per poem or Table Talk piece. (Nonreading period: May 1 through December 31.)

Trade Creative Works (Nebraska Imprint)

Deadline: June 1, 2025; opens September 1, 2024 (annually).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translations. Full manuscripts. Restrictions: “We publish contemporary poetry in established series only.” Payment: Royalties.

University Press of Kentucky

Deadline: May 31, 2023; opens May 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked Dec 24/23)

Books of poetry or fiction (novels, short story collections, etc.). Payment: Royalties.

Transit Books

Deadline: June 15, 2023; opens May 1, 2023 (annually).

(checked Apr 30/23)

Translations and undelivered lectures proposals. International and American literature, with a focus on literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, essay, and prose that falls somewhere in between. Payment: Royalties.

West Branch

Deadline: April 1; opens August 1 (annually).

(checked Mar 21/25)

Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100.

Rolling

Dark Onus Lit

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 23/23)

Fiction, poetry. Dark Onus Lit is focused on “dark-themed” work, as in writing and artwork that is in some way thematically or visually dark in its telling or presentation. The editors are keen on serious, challenging, experimental works. Payment: none.

Driftwood Press Comics / Graphic Novel & Shorts Collection

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Dec 26/23)

Submit samples, full & partial manuscripts Payment: depends on page count; royalties 15% on first 1,000 copies sold, and 20% on copies sold after that.

Electric Literature: The Commuter.

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Aug 28/23)

The Commuter is our home for poetry, flash, graphic, and experimental narratives. It publishes weekly on Monday morning. Payment: $100.

Otherwise Magazine

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 23/23)

Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction. We invite authors to be reflexively aware of their positionality, respectful of manifold forms of diversity, and radical in their imaginations of the possible. Ultimately, we want stories to remind us that society could be otherwise.

Prairie Fire (general submissions)

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Nov 19/23)

For general submissions: Prairie Fire accepts ONE submission per category (Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction) every twelve months. Once you have submitted, please wait twelve months before submitting again. Submissions via snail mail only. Payment: Poetry, $40/poem, prose $0.10/word to maximums listed on their rates of payments page.

PRISM international (Magazine)

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 2/23)

Poetry, prose, and black & white illustrations. PRISM international publishes exciting, original material from established and emerging writers in Canada and around the world. Payment: 40/printed page for prose, $45/printed page for poetry.

Terrain.org: Letter to America

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Apr 30/24)

Prose, poetry, visual art-based, video, or other Letter to America (generally up to 1,500 words). Payment: $50 per contribution.

The Stinging Fly Press

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 2/23)

Irish and international writers. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction: €30 per magazine page; Poetry: €50 per poem; Featured Poet: €250.

Trail Creek Publishing

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 31/23)

Serves primarily authors in Central and Western Canada. In our current call we are welcoming unsolicited manuscripts and proposals in fiction, creative non-fiction including essays, and poetry.

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Fast Approaching Submission Deadlines For You – General Fiction

September 26, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Here are a few fast approaching submission deadlines for you – general fiction:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Jan 2/26

2025

Allegory

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Speculative Fiction 500-5000 words preferred. Payment: $15 USD.

Dragon Soul Press: Curse of the Sword

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All fairytale retellings. No happily ever after required. Payment: Royalties.

Dragon Soul Press: Fallen In Love

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Mar 17/25)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All romantic stories involving angels, nephilim, etc. Happy ever afters are not required. Payment: Royalties.

Fun in the Dark Anthology

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Any genre short story 2000-5000 words. See theme. Payment: £20.

Howdy Dude: imprint of Burial Books

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Apr 8/25)

Western novels at least 60,000 words. No fantasy or weird westerns. Payment: a one time payment plus royalties.

Oddity Prodigy Productions: Tales of Steel and Sorcery

Deadline: December 31, 2025.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Epic fantasy 2,000-5,000 words. Payment: $10 USD minimum.

The Deadlands

Deadline: December 31, 2025; opens November 1, 2025 (trianually for fiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Fiction up to 5000 words (3-4k preferred). “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Payment: 10 cents/word for fiction, $1 cent/word for reprints. Accepts reprints.

We’re Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction 2025

Deadline: December 31, 2025 (annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Queer speculative fiction. Submissions are open for all speculative work published in 2025 under 17,500 words that deals either implicitly or explicitly with queerness. Payment: $0.01/word.

2026

Cafe Irreal

Deadline: January 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Magical realism up to 2,000 words. Payment: 1 cent/word.

Electric Spec

Deadline: January 15, 2026 (quarterly reading periods).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Speculative fiction 250-7000 words. “We prefer science fiction, fantasy, and the macabre, but we’re willing to push the limits of traditional forms of these genres.” Submissions never close but has reading period Deadlines per issue. Payment: $20 per piece.

Three-Lobed Burning Eye

Deadline: January 16, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Speculative fiction 500-7499 words: Horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word.

Strange Horizons

Deadline: January 21, 2026; opens January 19, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Speculative fiction (broadly defined) up to 10,000 words. Under 5,000 preferred. Other genres appear to be open on a rolling basis. Payment: 10¢/word (USD), with a minimum payment of $60.

Raconteur Press: Mad Science! Bits & Pieces

Deadline: January 23, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Fiction 5,000 to 8,000 words exploring fringe science and its consequences. Unhinged researchers push the boundaries of our perception of reality. Clone armies! Eccentric experiments! Doomsday devices! Flip the switch! Push the button! It’s Alive! What have we done? Payment: Royalties.

Baubles From Bones

Deadline: January 29, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Science fiction and fantasy 1,000 to 8,000 words. Payment: $.01/word.

Mythaxis

Deadline: January 30, 2026; opens January 23, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Speculative fiction (sf/f/h) “of all stripes for our first three issues each year. We are also interested in submissions of crime fiction for our end-of-year “all crime” issue. All these genres are equally welcome in each submission window.” 1000-5000 words (firm). Payment: €0.01 per word, with a €20 minimum.

Rat Bag Lit: Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit

Deadline: January 30, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

100-word drabble. Your submission must include the word “rabbit” three times. Payment: $1.

Cozy Fantasy Anthology

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Oct 9/25)

Cozy fantasy 3,000-8,000 words. Payment: $30 USD.

Dragon Soul Press: Elite

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – Warriors that have mastered their trade. Assassins, mercenaries, guilds, clans, etc. All genres are welcome. Payment: Royalties.

Dragon Soul Press: Thread of the Past

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Mar 17/25)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All time travel stories across all genres. It must involve time travel. Mentioning “time travel” in the story will not qualify. Payment: Royalties.

Fiction

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Experimental fiction and translations of works previously unpublished in English 1,000 to 7,500 words. Payment: determined upon publication.

Flash Fiction Online: Resistance themed reprints

Deadline: January 31, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Stories of all genres that explore resistance in all shapes and sizes, from actions that make a big impact to those tiny acts of rebellion. Reprints only. Closes early if 1,000 submissions reached. Payment: $40.

Flash Frog: The Blue Frog annual flash fiction contest

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026.

(checked Jul 10/25) *check dates

Taking place each January, the contest features a new theme based on what type of stories we wish we had seen more of in the queue. Each year also features a new Guest Judge and Guest Artist. The Blue Frog awards a total of $700 in prize money as well as signed books and original art!

Inked in Gray: Defying Death

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2026.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Science fiction, fantasy, or horror up to 8K words. Theme: Defying Death. Payment: $45.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Jul 6/25)

Restrictions: 1st ½ of month open to members of marginalised groups only. Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural horror prose 500-2500 words with a strong emotional or psychological focus. “We are mainly interested in fiction, but we’re open to speculative memoir or creative non fiction, as long as it has speculative elements.” Payment: £0.02 per word for each piece accepted, with a minimum £20 payment

Shenandoah

Deadline: January 31*, 2026; opens January 15, 2026 *closes when they reach capacity, (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Fiction (short stories 3000-4000 words and novel excerpts under 8000 words). Payment: Payment details will be explained when your work is accepted.

Short Story, Long

Deadline: January 31, 2026 (quarterly, or not).

(checked Jan 2/26)

Short stories, 2k-8k words long (3k-5.5k preferred) and art. Every story will be paired with original art. Payment: $100.

Summer in the City: Ruadán Books

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Short fiction 3,000 to 7,500 words. See theme. Payment: 10 cents/word.

Violet Lichen Books: ECO25 – The Year’s Best Speculative Ecofiction

Deadline: January 31, 2026; opens December 1, 2025.

(checked Jan 2/26)

Speculative Ecofiction 950-7,500 words published in 2025. Payment: $0.01/word. Reprints only.

The First Line

Deadline: February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Fiction that starts with the first line provided. Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (U.S. dollars). Reduced rates for international writers.

Luna Station Quarterly.

Deadline: February 15, 2026; opens December 15, 2025 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction 500-7,000 words. Payment: $5.

Aurealis

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (Annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Restrictions: open to subscribers only. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words.

Dragon Soul Press: Splash

Deadline: February 28, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All mermaids (and their kin), kraken (sea monsters), underwater civilizations, etc. stories are welcome. All genres are accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Dragon Soul Press: The Wild Frontier

Deadline: February 28, 2026.

(checked Mar 17/25)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme All stories featured the Wild West, cowboys, outlaws, etc. Cross genres are accepted (ex. Cowboys vs Aliens, etc). Payment: Royalties.

Silver Sun Books: Ruins & Rituals

Deadline: February 28, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fantasy fiction up to 7,500 words. See theme. Payment: £5.

The Paris Review

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (Tri annually)

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Zooscape

Deadline: February 28, 2026; opens February 1, 2026.

(checked Sep 23/25)

Short stories up to 5,000 words. Reprints up to 10,000 words. All stories must be furry. That means an anthropomorphic animal figure should be significantly featured in your story — it could be anthropomorphic in body or only intelligence. Payment: 8 cents/word for original fiction up to 1,000 words, $80 flat rate for longer. $20 for reprints.

A Coup of Owls

Deadline: March 7, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Restrictions: Only submit if you are aged 18 or over and belong to an underrepresented or marginalised community. These include, but are not limited to: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disabled people. Fiction 100 – 8000 words (hard limits), all genres. Payment: £5 – 15.

Aurealis

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (Annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Open to anyone anywhere. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words.

Dragon Soul Press: Pirate Cove

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – ll stories featuring pirates are welcome. From Pirates of the Caribbean to Treasure Planet and everything in between. Payment: Royalties.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens February 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative fiction stories 100 to 1,000 words. “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

foofaraw anthology

Deadline: March 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative and literary fiction 500-5000 words. See theme. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00.

TRUNK: stories that took the long way

Deadline: March 31, 2026.

(checked Sep 23/25)

SFF Stories 1,000 to 17,500 words that met with many rejections before being published. This can include both reprint or original stories. In either case, short stories (<7,500 words) must have been rejected at least 20 times. Novelettes (7,500-17,500) must have been rejected at least 10 times. Payment: $.01/word. Reprints will be paid a flat rate of $20/story. Reprints accepted.

Cafe Irreal

Deadline: April 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Magical realism up to 2,000 words. Translations are welcome. Payment: 1 cent/word.

Electric Spec

Deadline: April 15, 2026 (quarterly reading periods).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Translunar Travelers Lounge

Deadline: April 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Restrictions: First week of submission window is reserved for writers of color. Speculative fiction up to 5,000 words. Payment: $0.03 per word with a minimum of $20.

Dragon Soul Press: Survival

Deadline: April 30, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All apocalyptic stories are welcome. All genres are accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Jul 6/25)

Mythaxis

Deadline: April 30, 2026; opens April 23, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 24/25)

The First Line

Deadline: May 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Fiction that starts with the first line provided. Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (U.S. dollars). Reduced rates for international writers.

Goblins & Galaxies Magazine

Deadline: May 14, 2026; opens May 7, 2026 (annually).

(checked May 3/25)

Sword & sorcery, dark fantasy, and science fiction stories under 6,000 words. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word for original fiction.

Luna Station Quarterly.

Deadline: May 15, 2026; opens March 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction 500-7,000 words. Payment: $5.

Three-Lobed Burning Eye

Deadline: May 16, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Speculative fiction 500-7499 words: Horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word.

Black Fox Literary Magazine

Deadline: May 31, 2026; opens January 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25) *check dates

Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20.

Dragon Soul Press: Faerie Contract

Deadline: May 31, 2026.

(checked Mar 17/25)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All fairy stories across all genres. Fae, selkies, brownies, etc. Payment: Royalties.

Dragon Soul Press: Slayer

Deadline: May 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All monster hunter stories. From dragons and dinosaurs, to Cthulhu and sirens, to the usual vampires and werewolves. Gore, horror, and originality are appreciated. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

A Coup of Owls

Deadline: June 7, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Anvil Press

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 13/25)

Restrictions: Open to writers living in Canada. Full-length books in the genres: literary fiction (short story collections, novels, uncategorizable prose), creative nonfiction, memoir, essay collections, poetry, books about Vancouver history (preferably off-beat or little-known history). Read submission guidelines here.

Galactic Mindsea Empire Anthology

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens January 1, 2026.

(checked Oct 10/25)

Stories up to 10,000 words set in the Galactic Mindsea, on theme Wonderdomes. Payment: 4 cents/word.

Nimrod: The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens May 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Entries must be a collection of any combination of flash fiction, short stories, or novellas, from 100 to 200 book pages in length (word count between 27,500 and 50,000). Opens for fee-free submissions Jun 1^st. Prize: $1000.

The Deadlands

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens April 1, 2026 (trianually for fiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: June 30, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (Tri annually)

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Cafe Irreal

Deadline: July 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Magical realism up to 2,000 words. Translations are welcome. Payment: 1 cent/word.

Electric Spec

Deadline: July 15, 2026 (quarterly reading periods).

(checked Apr 7/25)

If There’s Anyone Left

Deadline: July 15, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Jul 1/25)

Restrictions: Open to people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, members of marginalized genders, and disabled people. Science fiction and speculative fiction up to 1000 words. Payment: 8 cents USD/word.

Mythaxis

Deadline: July 30, 2026; opens July 23, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Flash Frog

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026.

(checked Jul 10/25)

Flash fiction ghost stories up to 1,000 words. “We want traditional ghost stories that scare and haunt. We want completely unconventional ghost stories that make us rethink what a ghost story could be. And everything in between.” Payment: $25.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens June 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative fiction stories 100 to 1,000 words. “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: July 31, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Jul 6/25)

The First Line

Deadline: August 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Fiction that starts with the first line provided. Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (U.S. dollars). Reduced rates for international writers.

Luna Station Quarterly.

Deadline: August 15, 2026; opens June 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction 500-7,000 words. Payment: $5.

Dragon Soul Press: Curses & Crystals

Deadline: August 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All witch-themed stories are welcome. All genres are accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Silver Sun Books: Quests & Quarrels

Deadline: August 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fantasy fiction up to 7,500 words. See theme. Payment: £5.

A Coup of Owls

Deadline: September 7, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Three-Lobed Burning Eye

Deadline: September 16, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (triannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Speculative fiction 500-7499 words: Horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word.

Aurealis

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens March 1, 2026 (Annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Restrictions: open to Australian and New Zealand writers only. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words.

Dragon Soul Press: A Winter in Love

Deadline: September 30, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All Christmas-themed stories are welcome. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Shenandoah

Deadline: September 30*, 2026; opens September 10, 2026 *closes when they reach capacity, (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Fiction (short stories 3000-4000 words and novel excerpts under 8000 words). Payment: Payment details will be explained when your work is accepted.

The Deadlands

Deadline: September 30, 2026; opens August 1, 2026 (trianually for fiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

Cafe Irreal

Deadline: October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Magical realism up to 2,000 words. Translations are welcome. Payment: 1 cent/word.

The Last Line

Deadline: October 1, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 12/25)

Fiction 300-5,000 words that ends with the last line provided. Payment: $20-$40.

Electric Spec

Deadline: October 15, 2026 (quarterly reading periods).

(checked Apr 7/25)

Translunar Travelers Lounge

Deadline: October 15, 2026; opens September 15, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Restrictions: First week of submission window is reserved for writers of color. Speculative fiction up to 5,000 words. Payment: $0.03 per word with a minimum of $20.

Mythaxis

Deadline: October 30, 2026; opens October 23, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Anvil Press

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked May 13/25)

Dragon Soul Press: Flame Forger

Deadline: October 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All dragon-themed stories. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Fiction

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Experimental fiction and translations of works previously unpublished in English 1,000 to 7,500 words. Payment: determined upon publication.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative fiction stories 100 to 1,000 words. “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

Inner Worlds Zine

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (quarterly)

(checked Jul 6/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: October 31, 2026; opens October 1, 2026 (Tri annually)

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

CBC Short Story Prize

Deadline: November 1, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (annually)

(checked Oct 15/25)

Original, unpublished fiction up to 2,500 words. Open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, whether living in Canada or abroad. Prize: $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have the opportunity to attend a two-week writing residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and have their work published on CBC Books.

The First Line

Deadline: November 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Oct 8/25)

Fiction that starts with the first line provided. Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (U.S. dollars). Reduced rates for international writers.

Luna Station Quarterly.

Deadline: November 15, 2026; opens September 15, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction 500-7,000 words. Payment: $5.

Black Fox Literary Magazine

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens July 1, 2026 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25) *check dates

Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20.

Dragon Soul Press: Next Door

Deadline: November 30, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All love stories with a happily ever after. Childhood friends turned lovers or next door neighbor love interest stories preferred, but not required. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative fiction drabbles only (exactly 100 words). “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

Silver Sun Books: Sorcery & Secrets

Deadline: November 30, 2026.

(checked Nov 9/25)

Fantasy fiction up to 7,500 words. See theme. Payment: £5.

The Hudson Review

Deadline: November 30, 2026; opens September 1, 2026 (annually, Fiction only).

(checked Jun 21/25)

Publishes fiction, poetry, essays, book reviews; criticism of literature, art, theatre, dance, film, and music; and articles on contemporary cultural developments. Payment: Not specified.

A Coup of Owls

Deadline: December 7, 2026; opens December 1, 2026 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 22/25)

Dragon Soul Press: Across the Ages

Deadline: December 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – All stories involving time travel. Love knows no bounds as these characters stumble across people from other timelines and form close bonds. But everyone must return home in the end, even though it may not be forever (or is it). *Literature examples include: Outlander, A Wrinkle in Time, etc. Payment: Royalties.

Dragon Soul Press: Back in Time

Deadline: December 31, 2026.

(checked Nov 10/24)

Contemporary fiction 3,000-20,000 words. Theme – ll stories involving time travel and dragons. Payment: Royalties.

The Deadlands

Deadline: December 31, 2026; opens November 1, 2026 (trianually for fiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

We’re Here: The Best Queer Speculative Fiction

Deadline: December 31, 2026 (annually).

(checked Sep 23/25)

Queer speculative fiction. Submissions are open for all speculative work published in the current calendar year under 17,500 words that deals either implicitly or explicitly with queerness. Payment: $0.01/word.

Monthly

Apex Magazine

Deadline: monthly 7th to last day of month.

(checked Mar 29/23)

Flash fiction up to 1000 words. Apex Magazine focuses on dark and spectacular science fiction, fantasy and horror. Payment: 8 cents/word up to $10.

Apparition Lit

Deadline: Monthly 1-15, 2024 (monthly).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Monthly flash fiction contest. Flash fiction up to 1,000 words inspired or based on theme. Payment: $0.05/word.

Black Hare Press: Dark Moments Monthly Challenge

Deadline: 1st to last day monthly.

(checked May 21/23)

Drabble (exactly 100 words). See themes. Payment: 4 cents USD/word.

Dark Moments Monthly Challenge (Black Hare Press)

Deadline: September 30, 2023, opens September 1, 2023 (monthly).

(checked Sep 24/23)

Drabble (100 words) See Themes. Payment: $1. Reprints accepted.

Flash Fiction Online

Deadline: ~~1st to 21st monthly, except Dec, unless cap reached~~. – closed for submissions eff Mar 5/25, except for special calls

(checked Mar 24/25)

Speculative (science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and horror) and literary fiction 500-1000 words. See themes. Payment: $80.

Havok

Deadline: Month / day varies, 2024 (monthly). TBA

(checked Feb 1/24)

Flash fiction 300-1,000 words. “Remember when” monthly theme. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each story selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication.

JMS Books

Deadline: End of month (monthly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

LGBTQ+ romance stories, 12,000+ words. See theme. Payment: Royalties.

Short Story Substack

Deadline: End of month (monthly).

(checked Mar 19/25)

Accepts one short story every month. All genres short stories 6,000 – 10,000 words. Payment: Base Pay of $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Reprints accepted.

The Deadlands

Deadline: May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Nov & Dec (monthly schedules).

(checked Jul 4/24)

Fiction. “The Deadlands exists in liminal spaces between life, death, and elsewhere. We are looking for fiction that concerns itself with death—but also everything death may involve.” Payment: 10 cents/word.

The Great Void

Deadline: 15th monthly.

(checked Apr 21/23)

Speculative fiction: Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, and Thriller. 4,000–15,000 words for website and anthologies; 500–2000 for flash fiction anthologies. Payment: Revenue sharing. Pays for anthologies only.

Quarterly

A Coup of Owls

Deadline: 1st to 7th of March, July, September, December (quarterly).

(checked Jan 30/23)

Cafe Irreal

Deadline: Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1, Oct 1 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 16/24)

Magical realism up to 2,000 words. Translations are welcome. Payment: 1 cent/word.

Cast of Wonders

Deadline: Mar 1-14, Jun 1-14, Aug 1-31, Sep 1-14, 2025 (quarterly, dates vary year-to-year).

(checked Apr 5/25) *check dates every year

YA Speculative fiction: likes all forms of fantasy and sci-fi, horror (psychological, comedic, or spiritual – not visceral). We are particularly interested in considering stories from younger writers. Podcast. See schedule for theme. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction.

Critical Blast Publishing

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31, May 1-Jun 30, Jul 1-Aug 31, Sep 1-Oct 31/23, Dec 1-Jan 31/25 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 10/24)

Stories 2,000 – 10,000 words on theme. All genres welcome as long as the theme is met. Payment: $25.

Fanatical

Deadline: Dates?, Dates?, Sep 1-Oct 31, Nov 1-Dec 17, 2023 (quarterly).

(checked Oct 30/23)

Sci-fi, fantasy and horror stories between 2,000 and 6,000 words inspired by/based on tabletop games – roleplaying games, board games, miniature wargames. Payment: £20.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: Feb 1-Mar 31, Jun 1-Jul 31, Oct 1-31 & Nov 1-Nov 30 (drabbles only Nov) (quarterly).

(checked Mar 16/25) *check if dates are same for 2026

Speculative fiction stories 100 to 1,000 words. “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

khōréō

Deadline: November 30, 2024; opens November 1, 2024 (quarterly).

(checked Nov 11/24) *check for 2025 dates

Restrictions: Open to writers who identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. We especially encourage BIPOC creators who identify as the above to submit their work.” Fiction, voice actors, and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. Closed to non-fiction until further notice.

Luna Station Quarterly.

Deadline: Dec 15-Feb 15, Mar 15-May 15, June 15-Aug 15, Sep 15-Nov 15 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Restrictions: Open to women writers only. Genre: Speculative fiction 500-7,000 words. Payment: $5.

Malahat Review

Deadline: 1st to last day March, April, Sept, & Oct (quarterly).

(checked Aug 28/23)

Fiction up to 8,000 words or three stories up to 750 words each. Payment: CAD $70/page. Submissions by Canadian writers are accepted for consideration all year.

Midnight Meadow Publishing (formerly Hansen House)

Deadline: Jan 1-15, Apr 1-15, Jul 1-15, Oct 1-15 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 1/24)

“As a general rule, Midnight Meadow Publishing is looking for anything with queer protagonists or by queer authors so long as the story does not fall into the “bury your gays” trope.” See list of genres/categories on their wish list. Payment: Royalties.

Mythaxis

Deadline: Jan 23-30, Apr 23-30, Jul 23-30, Oct 23-30 (quarterly).

(checked Mar 24/25)

Short Story, Long

Deadline: March 31, 2024; opens March 1, 2024. Will be quarterly approx (still undetermined) dates, month of Oct/Jan/Apr/Jul (quarterly).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Short stories, 2k-8k words long (3,000-5,500 range preferred). Payment: $100.

Solarpunk Micro Mini

Deadline: Feb 14-21, May 14-21, Aug 14-21, Nov 14-21 (quarterly).

(checked Jun 5/24)

Solarpunk micro fiction up to 250 words. Payment: $25.

The First Line

Deadline: Feb 1, 2023, May 1, 2023, Aug 1, 2023, Nov 1, 2023 (quarterly).

(checked Sep 24/22)

Fiction that starts with the first line provided. Payment: $25.00 – $50.00 for fiction, $10.00 for poetry, and $25.00 for nonfiction (U.S. dollars). Reduced rates for international writers.

Tri Annually

Allegory

Deadline: May 1-jun 30/23, Nov 1-Dec 31/23, May 1-Jun 30/24 (triannual)

(checked Sep 24/23)

Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. Payment: $15.

Empyreal Tree Magazine

~~Deadline: Jan 1-Mar 12, May 1-Jul 12, Sep 1-Nov 12~~ ~~(triannual).~~ Magazine closed. Says they hope to reopen one day.

(checked Feb 3/24)

Speculative fantasy, science fiction, horror fiction 1000-15000 words. Payment $25. See themes.

Flash Point Science Fiction

Deadline: Jan 15-Mar 31, May 15-Jul 31, Sep 15-Nov 30 (triannual).

(checked Sep 24/23)

Speculative fiction stories 100 to 1,000 words in length. “Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short.” Payment: 2 cents/word.

Flux

Deadline: Feb-Mar, Jun-Jul & Oct-Nov (tri-annually).

(checked Jul 4/24)

YA fiction manuscripts. Accepts agented and unagented submissions. Imprint of North Star Editions, a Minnesota-based house specializing in trade fiction. Payment: Royalties.

Jolly Fish

Deadline: Feb-Mar, Jun-Jul & Oct-Nov (tri-annually).

(checked Nov 11/24)

MG and YA fiction. Accepts agented and unagented submissions. Payment: Royalties. Imprint of North Star Editions, a Minnesota-based house specializing in trade fiction.

The Deadlands

Deadline: Apr 1-June 30, Aug 1-Sep 30, Nov 1-Dec 31, 2025 (trianually for fiction).

(checked Apr 2/25)

The Paris Review

Deadline: Feb 1-28, Jun 1-30 & Oct 1-31 (Tri annually)

(checked Mar 19/25)

Fiction. Translations welcome. Payment: Not specified. Closes when they reach capacity.

Three-Lobed Burning Eye

Deadline: Jan 1-16, May 1-16, Sep 1-16 (triannually).

(checked Mar 25/25)

Speculative fiction 500-7499 words: Horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Payment: $0.08/word.

WolfSinger Publications

Deadline: Nov 1-Mar 31, Mar 1-Jul 31, June 1-Oct 31/24, Nov 1-Mar 31/25 (triannually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Speculative fiction varies-7,500 words on theme. Payment: usually $20 or Payment: $15 + royalties.

Biannually

Archive of the Odd

Deadline: Open March 15, 2024 – 1 day only! (look for dates announced randomly annually to bi-annually)

(checked Feb 4/24)

Speculative fiction 500-8,000 words preferred for magazine. Will consider 5,000-12,000 for a standalone chapbook. “Archive of the Odd is a zine of uncanny occurrences, told in even stranger ways.” They’d like a variety of time periods. Stories can be in any format, except traditional prose: “…stories told in the style of found footage, also known epistolary, neo-epistolary, found file, or found document fiction. Essentially, stories told in the form of other documents.” Payment: 1 cent/word USD + share of royalties.

Allegory

Deadline: May 1-Jun 30 & Nov 1-Dec 31 (lists 3 sub periods, appears to be same dates biannually May 1 2024- Jun 30 25).

(checked Sep 7/24)

Speculative Fiction 500-5000 words preferred. Payment: $15 USD.

Black Fox Literary Magazine

Deadline: Jan 1-May 31 & Jul 1-Nov 30, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Apr 3/25) *check dates

Fiction, CNF, poetry, art. Payment: $20.

Dancing Star Press

Deadline: April 1 to June 30, Oct to Dec 31 (biannually).

(checked May 31/23)

Speculative fiction novellas 17,500 to 40,000 words. Payment: Royalties.

Griffith Review: Attachment Styles.

Deadline: ?, 2024 (biannually).

(checked Dec 23/23)

Fiction up to 4,000(?) words. Full submission only, no pitches. Payment: Negotiated.

Hearth Stories

Deadline: Mar 1-31, Sep 1-30 (bi-annually).

(checked Mar 1/24)

Speculative fiction. Flash to novella length, 1,500-5,000 preferred. “We publish fiction and poetry that explore connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world. The stories often fall into a fantasy, science-fiction, or magical realism sort of “slice of life.” Payment: 1¢ per word for accepted stories (with a minimum of $20 regardless of length.

Hub City Press

Deadline: Mar 1-15 & Oct 1-15 (biannually).

(checked Mar 29/24)

Restrictions: writers living in or from the South (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia). Fiction only deadline. Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. “We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South.” Payment: Royalties.

Midnight Meadow Publishing

Deadline: Apr 1-30 & Oct 1-31 (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

The publisher’s goal is to publish engaging and unique LGBTQ+ stories while elevating marginalized voices. They are interested in a wide variety of genres. Read submission guidelines HERE.

Shenandoah

Deadline: Jan 15-31* & Sep 10-30* *closes when they reach capacity, (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Fiction (short stories 3000-4000 words and novel excerpts under 8000 words). Payment: Payment details will be explained when your work is accepted.

Space and Time

Deadline: Jan 15-31 & Jun 15-30 (biannually).

(checked Nov 18/24)

Speculative fiction up to 5,000 words. “We welcome poetry, art and fiction that bend rules, transcend genre and break stereotypes.” Submissions accepted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or Italian. See theme. Payment: 1 cent/word for prose, $5 for poetry.

The Rumpus

Deadline: Feb 15-Mar 15 & Aug 15-Sep 15 (bi annually).

(checked Jun 6/24)

Fiction up to 5500 words. Payment: $400 divided among all contributors.

Translunar Travelers Lounge

Deadline: Mar 15-Apr 15 & Sep 15-Oct 15 (biannually).

(checked Mar 23/25)

Speculative fiction up to 5,000 words. Payment: $0.03 per word with a minimum of $20. (Note: first week of submissions is reserved for writers of color.)

Write or Die

Deadline: Feb 1-Apr 1, Oct 1-Dec 1 (bi-annually).

(checked Mar 1/24)

Short fiction up to 4000 words. Payment: $200.

Annually

Aurealis

Deadline: March 31, 2024; opens March 1, 2024 (Annually).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Open to anyone anywhere. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words.

Aurealis

Deadline: September 30, 2024; opens February 1, 2024 (Annually).

(checked Feb 3/24)

Restrictions: open to Australian and New Zealand writers only. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror short stories between 2000 and 8000 words. Payment: A$20 and A$60 per 1000 words.

Fiction

Deadline: January 31, 2025; opens October 15, 2024 (annually).

(checked Nov 17/24)

Experimental fiction and translations of works previously unpublished in English under 7,500 words. Payment: Not specified.

foofaraw anthology

Deadline: March 31, 2025; opens January 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Mar 16/25)

Speculative and literary fiction 500-5000 words. See theme. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00.

Mirror World

Deadline: October 1-November 30 (annually).

(checked Oct 22/23)

Queries: Full-length speculative fiction. Adult, New Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade, or Children’s (please specify your target market in your query letter). Novels (125,000 words maximum), novellas (25,000 words minimum), graphic novels, children’s books, or illustrated mixed media (art included). Payment: Royalties.

Nimrod: The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction

Deadline: June 30, 2023; opens May 1, 2023 (annually). *check dates for 2024 submission.

(checked Oct 21/23)

Entries must be a collection of any combination of flash fiction, short stories, or novellas, from 100 to 200 book pages in length (word count between 27,500 and 50,000). Prize: $1000.

Room Magazine: Fiction Contest

Deadline: April 15, 2024; opens February 15, 2024 (annually).

(checked Sep 21/23)

Restrictions: Open to artists of marginalized genders. Fiction up to 3500 words. Prizes: $1000 1st, $250 2nd, $100 honourable mention.

Shooter: Short Story Competition

Deadline: September 24, 2024; opens later in summer (annually?).

(checked Apr 2/24) *check dates closer to deadline.

Fiction up to 5000 words. Payment: £400 1st place, £100 runner-up.

Small Harbor Publishing

Deadline: July 1 to September 30 (annually).

(checked Apr 30/23)

Chapbooks 20-40 pages of poetry or 20-50 pages of prose. Payment: Royalties. All fees are waived for BIPOC identifying writers.

The Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence – Fiction 2023

Deadline: November 1, 2023 (annually)

(checked Sep 23/23)

The Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence serves to honour the memory of Austin Clarke (1934-2016). We want our writers to continue Clarke’s legacy by reimagining the boundaries of Canadian literature. We actively encourage submissions that are experimental with form and unrelentingly demand an attention to their style. We believe that Austin Clarke would’ve wanted nothing less. Prizes: $1,000 first $200 runner up.

Touchpoint Press: Christmas Anthology

Deadline: May 31, 2024 (annual)

(checked Mar 1/24)

Wholesome stories 3000 to 7000 words that inspire, instill kindness and hope, and contain a sense of togetherness and community. Deep conflict (and multiple conflicts) is good, but your story must be HEA or HFN. Payment: $50 on publication ($25 for reprints). Reprints accepted.

Touchpoint Press: Haunting Tales of Romance Anthology

Deadline: May 31, 2024 (annual)

(checked Mar 1/24)

Stories (3-7k) must have a romantic element mixed with some type of paranormal, supernatural, fantasy, SciFi or otherwise “hard-to explain” element. Payment: $50 on publication ($25 for reprints). Reprints accepted.

Zero Street (U of Nebraska Press)

Deadline: Nov 1-Apr 1 (annually).

(checked Apr 21/25)

Restrictions: Open to LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Full-length literary fiction. “The series seeks LGBTQ+ literary fiction of all kinds, from stories of modern life to innovations on traditions of genre and are particularly interested in BIPOC authors, trans authors, and queer authors over 50.” Payment: Royalties.

Rolling

Apex Magazine

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Aug 31/23)

Publishes 1st Tuesday every other month. Short fiction up to 7,500 words flash fiction up to 1,000 words. Apex Magazine focuses on dark and spectacular science fiction, fantasy and horror. Payment: 8 cents/word short fiction, minimum of $50, plus $0.01/word if story is podcast; 8 cents/word flash fiction.

Lethe Press

Deadline: Rolling, except closed for July & August.

(checked Aug 31/23)

Speculative fiction, especially queer speculative fiction, historical fiction. Full-length manuscripts. Payment: Royalties. Query first.

Patreon Monthly Challenge (Black Hare Press)

Deadline: Rolling (monthly).

(checked Sep 24/23)

100-2000 words. Publication : In Patreon, and in a single anthology in print and digital formats at a later date (but within one year of initial publication) Author compensation : Payment will be EITHER (author’s choice); ~A monetary award: 0.04 USD per word for the first 100 words, 0.01 USD per word thereafter. To be paid via PayPal in the month after publication on Patreon. ~Or a paperback copy of the annual publication.

The Fabulist

Deadline: Rolling.

(checked Sep 24/23)

Fantastical and speculative fiction up to 3,000 words. Restrictions: No AI/LLM generated. Payment: $25.

Tule Publishing

Opens: February 1, 2024.

(checked Oct 21/23)

Romance and mystery ebooks. We are currently not accepting un-agented manuscript submissions. We will reopen un-agented submissions February 1, 2024. We are still accepting agented submissions during this time. Payment: Royalties.

Posted in Markets and Submissions | Tagged author, Fiction, fiction markets, short stories, writing, writing markets | Leave a Comment »

Children’s Submission Deadlines Coming Soon

April 5, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Grins and giggles. Here are a few markets sneaking up on us.

Robyn the Halloween Barbarian Fairy Princess.

Loose the fuzzy creatures, these submission deadlines are ready to play – children’s markets:

Check back for updates!

*Updated Jul 19/25

*NOTE: CRICKET MEDIA SUBMISSIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS LIST. See the article on Writer Beware.

The last update on this by Victoria Strauss is Oct 18, 2023. There is an interesting comment added Feb 24, 2024 from one of the former editorial/design staff at Cricket Media.

2025

Hashtag Press

Deadline: July 31, 2025; opens July 1, 2025.

(checked Jul 10/25)

Full-length children’s books. Also accepts YA and Non-Fiction books. All books must be diverse or inclusive. Payment: Royalties.

Affirm Press: Kids List Submissions

Deadline: Dec 2, 2025 (biannually).

(checked Mar 8/25)

Restrictions: only accepts Australian authors or authors based in Australia. Affirm Press accepts nonfiction and all literary and genre fiction. Picture books and board books, junior and middle grade fiction, illustrators, designors and graphic novelists, teen/ya fiction, nonfiction. Read their submission guidelines here.

2026

Rolling

Annick Press

Deadline: ongoing.

(checked Sep 28/23)

Currently accepting submissions of picture books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, and non-fiction for kids of all ages. Our stories feature contemporary themes (even if the setting is historical) and aim to instill kids with the joy of reading.

Clubhouse: Focus on the Family

Deadline: ongoing.

(checked May 2/24)

Focus on the Family Clubhouse is a 32-page magazine designed to inspire, entertain and teach Christian values to children ages 8-12. The magazine, which has a circulation of over 90,000, reaches young readers and their parents all over the world. Payment: generally pays between 15 and 25 cents per word, depending on the amount of editing required.

Fun For Kids

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 2/24)

Publishes six issues a year. We are looking for lively writing that involves an activity that is both wholesome and exceptional. The ideal length of a FUN FOR KIDZ nonfiction piece is up to 300-325 words for a one-page magazine article or up to 600-650 words for a two-page magazine article. Articles that are accompanied by strong high-resolution photos are far more likely to be accepted than those requiring illustration.

Kids Can Press

Deadline: Rolling

(checked Sep 28/23)

Non-rhyming picture books for ages 3–5 / 3–7 / 4–8. Nonfiction for ages 5–8 / 7–10 / 8–12 / 10–14. Fiction for ages 6–9 / 7–10 / 8–12 /10–14. Graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction) for all age categories.

Lorimer Press

Deadline: Rolling

(checked Sep 28/23)

James Lorimer & Company is seeking manuscripts for its children’s and teens’ imprint. We are looking for fiction, non-fiction and graphic novel manuscripts by Canadian creators. The goal of our publishing program is to provide engaging, accessible books for young people that address social-justice and human-rights issues as they uniquely affect Canadian society or individual Canadians. We aim to reflect a diverse range of cultural, regional and socio-economic experiences and issues in the books we publish.

Smarty Pants Kids

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 2/24)

Stories (under 800 words) should be kid-friendly, free of violence, and “questionable” content. Fun, humorous, and clever work is always appreciated. Payment: nonpaying.

Spaceports & Spidersilk (Hiraeth Publishing)

Deadline: Rolling

(checked Sep 28/23)

Stories about kids for kids 8-14 years old. “Short stories, poems, and art, as well as brief essays on science and the environment, interviews, quizzes, contests, [and, quite frankly, anything else that is genre-oriented and will help encourage the younger generation to read…and to dream, especially about going to the stars]. We at Spaceports & Spidersilk hope that younger writers and artists, as well as adults, will submit their work. NOTE: We prefer to see stories that have young protagonists—someone the younger readers can connect with.”

The School Magazine

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 2/24)

Short stories, articles, plays, poems and activities that have literary and academic merit. Our readers are primary school children who respond well to texts that delight, intrigue, challenge and inspire them—texts written especially for them. Remember that our readers live in a multicultural, diverse society and that our magazines reflect this. Most readers are Australian children between the ages of 8 and 12. Remember that The School Magazine aims to reflect the diversity and inclusivity of Australian society. Payment: $0.50c per word for fiction, articles and plays; poetry: 1-12 lines is $55; 13-24 lines is $105; 25-40 lines is $170, and over 40 lines is $230.

US Kids: Humpty Dumpty

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 2/24)

Humpty Dumpty is an award-winning magazine for children ages 2-6. It promotes the healthy physical, educational, and creative growth of young children through interactive activities and stories. The colorful pages are designed to engage and educate early learners to read, see, and do. Inside you will find: easy-to-read stories and poems; fun games, puzzles, and learning activities; and positive learning, social, and health messages. Payment: $30 and up.

US Kids: Jack and Jill

Deadline: Rolling

(checked May 2/24)

Jack and Jill is an award-winning magazine for children ages 6-12. It promotes the healthy educational and creative growth of children through interactive activities and articles. The pages are designed to spark a child’s curiosity in a wide range of topics through articles, games, and activities. Inside you will find: current real-world topics in articles in stories; challenging puzzles and games; and interactive entertainment through experimental crafts and recipes. Payment: $25 and up.

Posted in Markets and Submissions | Tagged author, books, Children's writing markets, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, writing, writing markets | Leave a Comment »

Markets for Young Writers Submission Deadlines Coming Soon

April 5, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Sharpen your writing pencils. Here are a few markets whose deadlines are looming over us.

Snap your friends, these submission deadlines are coming – markets for young writers only:

Check back for updates!

*Updated May 16/25

2025

IHRAM Press: Today’s Pressured Youth: What Will They Say?

Deadline: June 1, 2025.

(Checked May 16/25)

2500 words or less. “We invite submissions that amplify the voices of young people—firsthand accounts from youths, reflections on the author’s personal experiences, stories of resilience, and perspectives on isolation or societal pressures.” Payment: $50.

Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

Deadline: May 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 5/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Awarded annually to two students of secondary or undergraduate status. Prizes: $200 plus publication in Adroit Journal.

Polyphony Lit Volume

Deadline: May 31, 2025; opens, May 1, 2025 (quarterly, dates change year-to-year)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Open to High School Students Globally. Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction.
.

Cast of Wonders

Deadline: June 14, 2025; opens June 1, 2025 (quarterly, dates vary year-to-year).

(checked Apr 5/25)

Polyphony Lit Volume

Deadline: June 30, 2025; opens, June 1, 2025 (quarterly, dates change year-to-year)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Open to High School Students Globally. Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction.
.

National Writing Invitational

Deadline: August 1, 2025

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Restrictions: open to ages K-12. Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Essays

Cast of Wonders

Deadline: August 31, 2025; opens August 1, 2025 (quarterly, dates vary year-to-year).

(checked Apr 5/25)

Restrictions: Limited demographic – young authors only. YA Speculative fiction: likes all forms of fantasy and sci-fi, horror (psychological, comedic, or spiritual – not visceral). We are particularly interested in considering stories from younger writers. Podcast. See schedule for theme. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction.

Cast of Wonders

Deadline: September 14, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (quarterly, dates vary year-to-year).

(checked Apr 5/25)

Taradiddle Youth Writing Contests

Deadline: September 15, 2025; opens September 11, 2025 (biannually/biannual dates vary year to year)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18. Animal-themed prompt-based fiction. Sign up to get hints on the writing prompt. Prizes: $150/1st place. $100/2nd place, $50/3rd place.

Bennington College

Deadline: November 1, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (annual)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Young Writers Competition. Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction. Grades 9-12. Prizes: $1,000, $500, $250.

Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder/Sense the Wild Contest

Deadline: November 16, 2025 (annually)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Poetry and Prose (essay) w/ or w/o Photograph. See themes and categories. Intergenerational Team of two or more only. “Winners will receive a certificate from RCLA. Their first names and ages (optional) along with the title of their winning entry will be posted on the RCLA website. A portion or all of the winning entry may be posted on the RCLA website.”

2026

<to be added>

2027

<to be added>

Monthly

Stone Soup

Deadline: First week of the month (Monthly)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Restrictions: Most categories are for students 8-18, or for educators. Monthly Flash Fiction Contest Deadline: First week every month. Flash fiction following the prompt given. Check after it opens monthly for that month’s prompt. Length varies with the theme. No entry fee.

Quarterly

Cast of Wonders

Deadline: Mar 1-14, Jun 1-14, Aug 1-31, Sep 1-14, 2025 (quarterly, dates vary year-to-year).

(checked Apr 5/25) *check dates every year

Polyphony Lit Volume

Deadline: Jan 1-Feb 29, Mar 1-Apr 30, May 1-May 31, Jun 1-Jun 30, 2025 (quarterly, dates change year-to-year)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Open to High School Students Globally. Poetry, Fiction, Creative Nonfiction.
.

Biannually

Taradiddle Youth Writing Contests

Deadline: Mar 20-24, 2024; Sep 11-15, 2025 (biannually/biannual dates vary year to year)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Age Categories: Elementary under 13; High School 14-18. Animal-themed prompt-based fiction. Sign up to get hints on the writing prompt. Prizes: $150/1st place. $100/2nd place, $50/3rd place.

Annually

Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose

Deadline: May 1, 2025 (annually).

(checked Apr 5/25)

Fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Awarded annually to two students of secondary or undergraduate status. Prizes: $200 plus publication in Adroit Journal.

Arizona Mystery Writers: Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths

Deadline: January 1, 2025; opens September 1, 2024 (annually)

(Checked Nov 22/24)

Open to youths ages 9-13; 14-17. Mystery, suspense, thriller. Both age groups awarded prizes: $50 1st, $25 2nd & $15 3rd. Closes when full.

Arizona Mystery Writers

Deadline: February 1, 2024; opens September 1, 2024 (annual)

(Checked Dec 1/23)

Mary Ann Hutchison Memorial Story Contest for Youths ages 9-13; 14-17. Both age groups are awarded prizes.

Bennington College

Deadline: November 1, 2025; opens September 1, 2025 (annual)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Young Writers Competition. Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction. Grades 9-12. Prizes: $1,000, $500, $250.

Creators of Justice Literary Awards

~~Deadline: September 30, 2023; opens June 1, 2023 (annually)~~

(Checked Apr 5/25) *arts contest type changes annually

*2025 contest is African Human Rights Music Competition. International Human Rights Art Festival. Poetry, Short Story, Essay 2500 words or less on Human Rights theme. Youth Age Category 18 and under. Prizes: $150, $100, & $50.

Dan Veach Prize for Younger Writers (Atlantic Review)

Deadline: June 1, 2025; opens April 1, 2025 (annually)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Restrictions: Open to ages 18-23. Poetry. Prize: $100 plus publication in Atlantic Review.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society

Deadline: March 1, 2024 (annually)

(checked Dec 2/23)

Middle and high school on reading assignment: The Yearling, South Moon Under, Cross Creek, The Sojourner, Golden Apples, or any of Rawlings’s poems or short stories. writing contest. Story, poem, or essay.

National Writing Invitational

Deadline: August 1, 2025 (annually?)

(Checked Apr 5/25) *check for 2026 – is it annually?

Restrictions: open to ages K-12. Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Essays

Poetry Society of America: Louise Louis/Emily F. Bourn Student Award Poetry Award

Deadline: December 31, 2024; opens October 1, 2024 (annual award)

(Checked Nov 22/24)

Open to 9-12 grade students. Teachers or administrators may submit an unlimited number of their students’ poems, one submission per student, Prize: $250.

Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder/Sense the Wild Contest

Deadline: November 16, 2025 (annually)

(Checked Apr 5/25)

Radiant Peace Education Awards

Deadline: March 23, 2023.

(checked Sep 26/23)

Essay, Art. All students in grades 1-12 — from public and private schools, home schools, youth and after-school groups, and abroad

Stone Soup Annual Book Contest

Deadline: August 15, 2023 (annually)

(checked Apr 5/25) *site not updated since Nov 2023

Restrictions: age 14 or under. Fiction (novel, novella, short story collection) or Poetry. $18 entry fee. Prize: publication in Stone Soup.

Saint Mary’s College River of Words Poetry and Art Contest

Deadline: January 31, 2024; opens early October 2023 (annually)

(Checked Sep 26/23)

International youth poetry and art contest. Students in grades K-12 (Ages 5-19)

The Society of Classical Poets: 2024 SCP International High School Poetry Competition

Deadline: December 31, 2024; opens September 1, 2024 (annually)

(Checked Nov 22/24)

Open to high school and elementary school students, or 19 or younger, from any country or background. Poetry up to 50 lines on any topic, up to 3 poems. Poems must contain meter. Counting the number of syllables and ensuring there are a similar number in each line is sufficient. Prizes: $200 1st place.

Rolling

Kings River Review Call for 2-Year College Student Submissions

Deadline: Rolling; March 15 spring issue & October 15 fall issue (rolling).

(Checked Dec 24/23)

Artwork, creative nonfiction, short fiction, and poetry of current 2-year community college students. Submissions accepted year-round. Payment: Copies.

Poet2Poet

Deadline: rolling.

(Checked Sep 26/23)

Poetry. “You can submit your own poem and have it published on our website as well as have other passionate youth read to learn from your writing. We are a youth-oriented organization and our mission is to focus on the process of writing in order to help others understand your thought-process and gain valuable knowledge on poetry. To submit a poem, click the button below for a form and fill out all the details. Once you have submitted, we will send you a confirmation email within 1-2 days to inform you that your poem was posted. There is no word limit and you can submit poems on any topic!”

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Book Review – Magus Gambit by L. T. Getty

March 20, 2025 by L. V. Gaudet, author of dark fiction

Following the events of Witchslayer’s Scion, where Koth left his beginnings in a humble village with his aunt, Una, to revenge the murder of his brother Bizen and attempted kidnapping of Bizen’s betrothed, Koth continues his quest to punish those behind his brother’s murder.

Koth is no longer the naïve man he started out as. His primary goal is hunting and killing the mage, Radij, a journey that takes him through new lands with new companions, the lines between being their prisoner and ally blurring when he ends up working with them as his quest and theirs become intertwined.

Radij’s sister Iona, having escaped the attempted forced fate of being an Oracle imprisoned within her own mind, finds herself in the company of Koth and his group. One of my favourite scenes is when they encounter the somewhat humanoid, somewhat deerlike creature in the woods.

Getty combines moments of humour into the seriousness of the journey, making it a more entertaining read. Her stories focus more on the characters and adventure than the mechanics of the magic. I enjoy her writing style and other books I’ve read, and this one did not disappoint. If you enjoy a swords and sorcery storyline that is character driven, you will enjoy L. T. Getty’s Witchslayer’s Scion and its sequel Magus Gambit.