NewPages Blog :: Where to Submit

Stop by the NewPages Blog every Friday to find writing contests and calls for submissions from literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, and more, to help you figure out where to submit your work.

Contest :: Lynx House Press 2020 Blue Lynx Prize

TLynx House Press 2020 Poetry Prize flierhere is now one month left to submit poetry collections of at least 48 pages to Lynx House Press for their Blue Lynx Prize for Poetry. The $28 submission fee includes a copy of a book from their catalog.

The winner will receive $2,000 and publication. Previous judges have included Previous judges include James Tate, Yusef Komunyakaa, Dorianne Laux, Dara Wier, Melissa Kwasny, and Robert Wrigley. Submit your manuscripts at lynxhousepress.submittable.com/submit by June 1.

Contest :: North Street Book Prize for Self-Published Books

Winning Writers North Street Book PrizeDeadline: June 30, 2020
6th year. Grand prize of $5,000. Top winner in each category will win $1,000. Co-sponsored by BookBaby and Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, Poetry, Children’s Picture Book, and Graphic Novel & Memoir. $12,500 in total cash prizes. Fee: $65 per book. Final judges: Jendi Reiter and Ellen LaFleche. Submit online or by mail. Winning Writers is one of the “101 Best Websites for Writers” (Writer’s Digest). Guidelines: winningwriters.com/north.

Deadline Extension Alert :: Southern Humanities Review 2020 Auburn Witness Poetry Prize

Yes, that’s right! Literary magazine Southern Humanities Review has chosen to extend the deadline to their annual Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. You know have until May 8 to submit up to three poems. SHR welcomes submissions from poets of all levels in their careers and especially seek work from underrepresented voices. First place is $1,000 and publication in the journal. The winner will also receive travel expenses to attend a reading at Auburn University in October. This year’s judge is Paisley Rekdal. www.southernhumanitiesreview.com/auburn-witness-poetry-prize.html

Contest :: 2020 Laux/Millar RR Prize

Raleigh Review - Spring 2020Deadline: June 1, 2020 at 5 AM EST
Raleigh Review is open for the 2020 Laux/Millar Raleigh Review Poetry Prize. All entrants to the contest receive the fall 2020 issue. Raleigh Review is a nonprofit literary arts organization now in its 11th year. Works selected during the spring submission period will appear in the fall issue. To submit, visit: raleighreview.submittable.com/submit/.

Black Warrior Review Reduces Entry Fee for Annual Contests

Black Warrior Review - Spring 2020Black Warrior Review has decided to lower the rates to enter work into their annual writing contests. The submission fee to enter fiction, nonfiction, and poetry is now $15 while the fee to enter flash is now $6. Winners will receive publication and cash prizes ($500 for flash and $1,000 for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction). This year’s judges are Mayukh Sen, Paul Tran, C Pam Zhang, and Lucy Corin. Open until September 1. Complete information available at bwr.ua.edu.

Call :: The Revolution (Relaunch) Wants Your Creative Activism

The focus of The Revolution (Relaunch) is feminism in the broadest sense. This means they are interested in “creative activism” that voices the marginalized and/or criticizes corrupt authority for their online journal. They publish a range of styles—memoir, poetry, cultural criticism, interviews, and profiles featuring activists and grassroots organizations. Submit one piece of prose under 750 words, three poems, or 5 images to [email protected].

Call :: Mental Snapback Podcast is Looking for Recovery Stories!

Submission accepted year-round.
Mental Snapback Podcast is looking for your mental health recovery stories to be featured in our episodes. This podcast is for everyone and anyone who has experienced mental illness, whether it be that you have experienced acute or chronic illnesses yourself or someone you love has experienced them. We know the struggle, and we don’t want to invalidate that. However, we want to hear about the other side—the recovery of your struggles—to build a foundation of hope for whoever may need it. Currently, we only accept creative nonfiction in the form of essays. Acceptance of manuscripts occurs on a rolling basis, and they will be read aloud on weekly podcast episodes. mentalsnapback.com/submission-guidelines/

Contest :: Orison Chapbook Prize Open to Submissions

July 1 is the deadline to submit 20-45 page manuscripts to the 2020 Orison Chapbook Prize. Submissions are welcome in any literary genre, i.e. poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or hybrid. Orison Books founder and editor Luke Hankins will judge. The winner receives $300 and publication. $12 entry fee. For complete guidelines, see www.orisonbooks.submittable.com.

Contest :: Baltimore Review Wants Short Shorts

The Baltimore Review has not set a theme for their annual summer contest this year. Instead, they want to see short shorts. Send flash fiction, flash creative nonfiction, and prose poetry. They want to be amazed at how you abracadabra a sprinkling of words into magic. And maybe be a little jealous of how you do that. One writer in each category will be awarded a $300 prize and published in the summer issue. All entries considered for publication. Total word limit for each category is 1,000. See www.baltimorereview.org for complete details. Deadline: May 31, 2020. Fee: $5.

Call :: Spread Art and Philanthropy by Submitting to COVID LIT

COVID LIT logoDeadline: Rolling
COVID LIT is a new online lit mag that gives the middle finger to COVID-19 by publishing, promoting, and spreading art, poetry, and prose using the disease’s name. What sets us apart from other magazines? Simple: instead of paying us a submission fee, all submissions must be accompanied with a minimum $3 donation to a nonprofit of the artist’s choosing. Our goal is to publish weekly online content and, eventually, a print anthology, so send your best work and use your creative superpowers for good! Visit www.covidlit.org today and help those who desperately need it.

Call :: Underground Writers Association of Portland Maine Seeks All that is Essential

Deadline: Rolling
The Underground Writers Association of Portland Maine seeks poetry, micro fiction, and visual art submissions for Essential, the press’ fourth annual anthology. Submitted works should be inspired by one or more of the themes: isolation, disruption, abandon, and what is essential. It is up to the author to define and make the argument for what is essential in times like these. All are welcome to submit; emerging writers are encouraged. No fee to submit. Simultaneous submissions and previously published work OK. An optional charity-based reading fee is available for an expedited response. Full submissions guidelines at www.undergroundwritersassociation.com/submit.

Digital Storytelling with Runestone Journal

Runestone Journal logoUndergraduate writers, Runestone Journal wants to see your take on digital storytelling. Digital works based on a piece of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry are all welcome.

Editor Richard Pelster-Wiebe will be judging your submissions, and after an initial screening, the selection process will take place during Hamline’s “Introduction to Literary Publishing: Runestone.” The winner will receive a prize of $250.

Submissions are free and are open until October 1, so you have plenty of time to craft a great digital piece.

Call :: The Blue Mountain Review is Open to Submissions Year-round

The Blue Mountain Review flierBefore sending work in for consideration, check out Issue 17 of Blue Mountain Review. Published in February, this issue features interviews with Kelli Russell-Agodon, Zoe Fishman, Alex Gannon, Eurydice Eve, Justin Butts, Firewords. You can also find Poetry by Shutta Crum, Betsy Rupp, Jeremy Ray Jewell, and Twixt; plus fiction by Jacquelyn Scott, Kimberly Knutson, and Jim Kelly.

When you’re done reading, head on over to their submission manager and consider submitting your own poetry, fiction, micro fiction, and essays. They do charge a $5 fee. Remember, they particularly want work with both homespun and international appeal.

2020 Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction

Philadelphia Stories 2020 Prize for Fiction flierThis annual national short fiction contest features a first place $2,000 cash award and invitation to an awards dinner on Friday, October 9, on the campus of Rosemont College; a second place cash prize of $500; and third place cash prize of $250. Requirements: unpublished works of fiction up to 8,000 words; $15 reading fee. Deadline: June 15. philadelphiastories.org

View the full April eLitPak Newsletter here.

American Poetry Journal Submission Opportunities

American Poetry Journal April eLitPak flierAmerican Poetry Journal publishes in print and online every year. We publish full-length books, chapbooks, and an annual anthology. This year’s anthology is Gods & Monsters. APJ is proud to introduce the American Poetry Journal Book Award and residency at City of Asylum in Pittsburgh. Award Publication of Full-length Book & $500 Honorarium from American Poetry Journal and 1-4 Week residency & travel provided by City of Asylum. www.apjpoetry.org

View the full April eLitPak Newsletter here.

Call :: Palooka Open to Submissions Year-round

Palooka screenshotDon’t forget that literary magazine and chapbook publisher Palooka is open to submissions year-round. Even better? They are currently offering free digital copies of past issues to help lift the spirits of creatives and book lovers. So go ahead and grab a copy today. Palooka is open to all voices, forms, and styles. Submit unpublished chapbooks, fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art, photography, graphic narratives, and comic strips. There is a $3 fee for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction journal submissions and an $8 fee for chapbook manuscripts.

Call :: Club Plum Seeks Flash Fiction, Prose Poems, & Art

Have you read the first two issues of online literary magazine Club Plum Literary Journal yet? Check those out and consider submitting your own flash fiction, prose poetry, and art for their next issue. There is no fee to submit. Fiction should be under 800 words. They want the lyrical and the unusual. They accept images of pen-and-ink line art, pencil drawings, watercolor, experimental, impressionistic, or abstract pieces. These can be black and white or in color. They do not currently accept photography at this time.

Call :: the Vitni Review Spring & Fall 2020 Issues

Deadline: Rolling
the Vitni Review seeks creative writing submissions on an ongoing basis for its spring and fall 2020 issues. Our intention is to publish writing that pushes against convention, which challenges, subverts, or skillfully manipulates tradition, and which serves to advance the understanding of human culture and experience via interesting metaphors, exciting diction, and engaging content. We are especially dedicated to publishing work by writers from historically under- or misrepresented demographics. See our guidelines at www.vitnireview.org/submit.

Call :: Tolsun Books Closes to Submissions on May 31

There is just over a month remaining to submit manuscripts to Tolsun Books, an independent, non-profit press based in the Southwest. They are accepting both full-length and chapbook-length manuscripts composed of parts. This includes poetry, short stories, essays, hybrids, translations, and things they haven’t dreamed of. They want both new and experienced writers with high-energy voices. They offer free submissions on the 15th of every month otherwise it is $15 to submit.

Call :: Washington Writers’s Publishing House Seeks Work for Anthology

This is What America Looks Like coverWashington Writers’ Publishing House is accepting poetry and short fiction for their first anthology in 25 years. If you are a writing living in or connected to DC, Maryland, and Virginia, you have until June 1 to submit work to the This is What American Looks Like anthology. They seek new and established writers, a cross-section of diverse voices, to write on America today. Be provocative, be personal or political (or both). There is a $5 fee to submit.

Call :: The Roadrunner Review Invites Student Writers to Submit

Deadline: May 11, 2020
The Roadrunner Review‘s mission is to provide student writers with a beautiful publishing venue. We publish flash fiction, flash nonfiction, poetry, and cover art. We have an international focus. We also have a particular need for more creative nonfiction and essays. Submissions FREE via Submittable. roadrunner.lasierra.edu/submissions/

Call :: Oyster River Pages Closes to Submissions on May 31

Don’t forget that Oyster River Pages, a literary and artistic collective, is open to submissions of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual arts that stretch creative and social boundaries for its fourth annual issue. They believe in the power of art to connect people to their own and others’ humanity. Because of this, they seek to feature artists whose voices have been historically de-centered and marginalized. Additionally, their Emerging Voices section seeks new voices in fiction from those who have published fewer than two publications and who meet our submission criteria. Please see www.oysterriverpages.com for submission details and send your important work for an urgent time.

Contest :: Shooter Literary Magazine 2020 Short Story Competition

Deadline: May 31, 2020
UK-based Shooter Literary Magazine‘s 2020 Short Story Competition is currently open to short fiction of any theme/genre, from anywhere in the world, up to a maximum length of 5,000 words. All entrants will receive an e-copy of Shooter‘s Winter 2021 issue, in which the winning story will appear. Winner receives £400 and publication both in print and online; runner-up wins £100 and online publication. The winners will be announced online in July. Entry fee of £7 per story or £10 for two. Guidelines and entry details can be found at shooterlitmag.com/competition.

Call :: Xi Draconis Seeks Socially Engaged Works for Publication in 2020-21

Deadline: July 31, 2020
Xi Draconis Books seeks socially engaged, book-length works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for its 2020 and 2021 production years. We accept novels, short story and poetry collections, memoirs, essay collections, and cross-genre book-length works. Our mission is to publish works that examine social justice issues of all kinds. Head to xidraconis.org/submission-guidelines/ to submit.

Contest :: SHR 2020 Auburn Witness Poetry Prize

Deadline: May 1, 2020
The quarterly literary magazine Southern Humanities Review is currently open for submissions of poetry to its annual Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. SHR seeks submissions from writers in all stages of their careers, and especially in work from historically underrepresented voices. Poets may submit up to three poems for a prize of $1,000 and publication in the magazine. The winner will also receive travel expenses to give a reading at a poetry event at Auburn university in Alabama in October 2020 alongside the contest judge. This year’s judge is Paisley Rekdal. www.southernhumanitiesreview.com/auburn-witness-poetry-prize.html

What Are You Reading?

What are you reading?

Last month, we asked all of you what you’ve been reading while sheltering in place. We’re thrilled with the response and thankful for everyone who has shared their recommendations with us.

If you‘re reading anything you’d like to recommend, send it over—we’d be happy to share it here on our blog. We have a little more information on what we’re looking for at this post to help you get started: www.newpages.com/2020/03/25/what-are-you-reading.

We’re looking forward to checking out your recommendations!

Call :: Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality and the Arts Issue 1

Submit by May 15 to the inaugural issue of Pensive, an interfaith global journal based at Northeastern University in Boston. Original poetry, prose, visual art, film, music, and translations welcome. Especially interested in work that deepens the inward life; envisions a more just, peaceful, sustainable world; and advances dialogue across differences. Submissions by global and historically underrepresented groups particularly encouraged. Submit up to 5 pieces; simultaneous submissions and previously published works welcome. Send documents in 12 point Times New Roman with a brief (3-5 line) contributor’s bio in third person to [email protected]. Email Alexander Levering Kern, co-editor, with questions.

Contest :: Swan Scythe Press 2020 Poetry Chapbook Contest

Swan Scythe Press logoSwan Scythe Press is now considering manuscripts for its 2020 Poetry Chapbook Contest. Submit a manuscript of 20-32 pages of poems that includes a title page with author’s name, address, phone number, and email address and a second title page without personal identifiers, book title only. Manuscripts can be mailed to 1468 Mallard Way, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 or submitted online, visit swanscythepress.submittable.com/submit. Entry fee is $18.00 payable to Swan Scythe Press. Deadline is June 15th. Winner receives $200 and 25 perfect-bound chapbooks. For full guidelines and details, please visit www.swanscythepress.com.

Call :: Light and Dark Issue 15

Deadline: May 15, 2020
Light and Dark is seeking your best short stories for our fifteenth online issue! We are particularly interested in stories that deal in some way with the dichotomous nature of existence. Please send us nothing longer than 3,000 words. All stories will be published on our website: www.lightanddarkmagazine.com. The author will also receive a token payment of $15. We look forward to reading your best work: lightanddark.submittable.com/submit.

Call :: the tiny journal iii

Deadline: June 1, 2020
Feeling quarantined and alone? Come connect with us! We are an annual online lit mag looking to publish beautiful works of micro-fiction, short poems, and flash nonfiction for issue iii. We are especially interested in works grappling with the challenges of our current times. Navigate to our website, www.thetinyjournal.org, for submission details.

Call :: Jay Lit Review Issue 1

Deadline: Rolling
Jay Lit Review call for critiques, commentary, research, essays, and translations. Fields of interest: African (youth) literature and literacy; African (youth) culture and language studies; African language education; feminist/gender, post/decolonial, reader-response, linguistic, comparative, etc. analysis; translation into/from African languages; related areas of study. Topics: African youths, youth culture and literature; reflections on teaching African languages; multilingualism in Africa, linguistics, related subjects. Educators, academics and translators invited to showcase knowledge and skills in their professional field. Postgrad essays on a variety of African youth concerns will be considered. Double-blind peer review. Visit africanyouthliterature.art.blog/the-jay-lit-review for more info. Email [email protected].

Hypertext Magazine Waives Submissions Fees

Due to the ongoing crisis, literary magazine Hypertext Magazine has decided to waive normal submission fees for the foreseeable future. If you would like to help out their independent magazine during this time, please do consider making a donation. Editorial staff do not know who donates to the journal, so donations do no affect editorial decisions. They are open to submissions through June 1.

Hypertext Magazine has been publishing short stories, essays, poetry, and interviews in print and online since 2010. Earlier this month, they published two interviews. One with Kelly Fordon and another with Sahar Mustafah.

Call :: Journal of African Youth Literature Issue 2

The Journal of African Youth Literature Issue 1Journal of African Youth Literature issue 2 call for submissions of creative writing and artworks open now. Poetry, fiction, visual stories, plays, essays. Artworks of all kinds, including front cover. Criteria: Must be created by, about and/or for African youths (15-35 years). ‘African’ definition is, generally, born-in-Africa and of African heritage. Includes the diaspora, and not related to race or colour. Our mission is ‘Preserving African Youth Identities’ through creative expression. Visit africanyouthliterature.art.blog for more info. Email [email protected]. See issue 1 at bit.ly/2SxiOI8.

Memoir Magazine Extends Inaugural Book Prize Deadline

Memoir Prize for BooksOnline literary magazine Memoir Magazine has extended the deadline for its first-ever book contest to April 30. The Memoir Prize is dedicated to memoirs and creative nonfiction of book-length works of exceptional merit. They have three categories: published, self-published, and unpublished. The grand prize winner receives $2,000. The fee to enter is $95. Results to be announced in June.

Alaska Quarterly Review Moves Temporarily to Online-only Submissions

Due to the necessity of social distancing in this time, Alaska Quarterly Review will no longer be able to review hard copy submissions to the journal. But don’t fear, they are still accepting online submissions through Submittable. Poetry submissions are being accepted through April 16 and nonfiction submissions will be open from April 17 to 30. They do charge a $3 fee.

Also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of their Spring 2020 issue which includes a special feature “Carrying the Fire: Celebrating Indigenous Voices of Canada.”

Under the Gum Tree Celebrates 9 Years of Telling Stories Without Shame

Under the Gum Tree Spring 2020 Issue

Under the Gum Tree is an electronic literary magazine and they are currently celebrating nine years in 2020. They are partnering with Stories on Stage Davis for their Northern California Writers Creative Nonfiction Contest. There is no fee to submit. Winners will be featured at Stories on Stage Davis on October 10, have their stories published in the 9th anniversary issue of Under the Gum Tree, and receive a $100 cash prize.

The contest is open until June 30 at 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time. Entries cannot have been previously published.

Don’t forget to check out their Spring 2020 issue featuring Kathy Stearman, Laura Halferty, Kirsten Ismene Schilling, Catherine Jagoe, Marilyn Martin, and Janine DeBaise. They offer both print and digital subscriptions.

Call :: The Red Wheelbarrow Wants Work for Summer 2020 Issue

Formerly known as Red Savina ReviewThe Red Wheelbarrow Review is set to to debut its first issue under the new name this month. Don’t forget that they are still on the hunt for poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction where “word meets spirit in a commingling of the sacred and mundane.” Submissions accepted on a rolling basis. $3 fee. They also offer an expedited response option. Learn more…

Contest :: KAKALAK 2020

KAKALAK 2019 coverDeadline: May 18, 2020
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES apply to both poetry and art. Anyone can enter. Goal: We’re looking for work that evokes the SPIRIT of the Carolinas from the Outer Banks and Low Country to the Piedmont and Appalachia. Submission Period: March 1—May 18, 2020. Entry fee: $12 for 1-3 poems or 1-3 images. All entries considered for publication. All contributors will receive one copy for each item selected for publication. Prize money ranges from $300 to $20. Details can be found on the Kakalak contest page of the www.MainStreetRag.com website.

Call :: Gold Man Review Seeks West Coast Work

Deadline: June 1, 2020
Gold Man Review, a West Coast Journal, is currently looking for submissions in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for Issue 10. We are open to all topics and themes and love writing that pushes boundaries. If your work is on the unusual side, then we’re probably the journal for you. If you’re interested in submitting to Gold Man Review, please see our website for full submission guidelines. Please also note that we only accept submissions from writers in Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington. www.goldmanpublishing.com

Call :: Transference Closes to Submissions on April 30

Don’t forget that literary magazine Transference officially closes to translations of poetry from (or inspired by) works originally written in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Latin, and Classical Greek on April 30. Submissions must be accompanied by commentary. They especially would like poetry on the themes of vision/seeing. They also would love to see essays on the translation of poetry. scholarworks.wmich.edu/transference/. Transference is peer-edited in a blind submission process. Published by the Department of World Languages and Literatures at Western Michigan University. Write to the editors at [email protected].

Contest :: Fiction Southeast Story of the Month

Each month, the editors will select one short-short story (under 1,000 words). The winning story will grace the front page of the website for the entire month and will be listed on the Stories of the Month Page, as well as the Fiction Page. The reading fee will be $10, and the winner will receive $50. Submit here: fictionsoutheast.submittable.com/submit/163713/story-of-the-month.

Call :: Storm Cellar Seeks Secrets, Treasures, Evidence, & Evocations

Storm Cellar, a journal of safety and danger since 2011, seeks amazing new writing and art for its summer issue. We especially encourage BIPOC, lgbtqia+, women and gender nonbinary, poor, neurodivergent, border-straddling, and other under-represented authors. Send secrets, treasures, evidence, and evocations: surprise us! Submission form at stormcellar.submittable.com.

Contest :: 3rd Annual Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize

Conduit Books & Ephemera logoDeadline: June 30, 2020
Our third annual first book prize is open and accepting manuscripts. If you have a smoking hot manuscript or know someone who does, please give us a shot. Awarded annually to a poet writing in English who has not yet published a full-length poetry book, the Marystina Santiestevan First Book Prize champions poets who dance to their own tune not to be different but to be true. Previously unpublished manuscripts of 48-90 pages should be submitted through our Submittable page or via the USPS. Please visit www.conduit.org/book-prizes for details.

Nimrod Extends Deadline for 2020 Literary Awards

Nimrod 2020 Literary AwardsExtended Deadline: April 15, 2020
Submissions for The Pablo Neruda Prize for Poetry and The Katherine Anne Porter Prize for Fiction, with prizes of $2,000 and $1,000 and publication, have been EXTENDED to April 15th. Finalists and selected semi-finalists will be published and paid at a rate of $10/page. For poetry, submit 3-10 pages (one long poem or several short poems); for fiction, one story, 7,500 words maximum. Manuscripts may be mailed or submitted online: nimrodjournal.submittable.com/submit. Each entry must be accompanied by a $20 entry fee, which includes a one-year subscription. For more information and the complete rules, email [email protected] or visit nimrod.utulsa.edu.