Resources
From Category: Markets and Contests for Writers
95 Traditional Poetry Manuscript Presses Who Do Not Charge Reading Fees
Writers' resource site Authors Publish released this list in January 2023 of 95 traditional poetry presses (i.e. not self-publishing or hybrid) that have fee-free submission periods. Not all the presses are open to entries at any given time, so check their websites for updated rules.
A Winner’s Advice: Jennifer Perrine
Award-winning poet Jennifer Perrine talks about how she prepares her work for publication, and what attracted her to particular contests at different stages of her career. This interview appears on G&A: The Contest Blog, a feature on the Poets & Writers website.
A Woman’s Write
The website A Woman's Write offers writing advice, editing and reviewing services, links to other useful sites for women writers, and an annual Good Read Novel Competition with a $500 prize for unpublished manuscripts. The contest fee includes a critique.
Advice on How to Sell Poetry
Published poet Neile Graham offers a useful basic overview of manuscript formatting, submission etiquette, and researching markets for your work. "Whatever you do, do it because you believe in your work and you love writing. If you're doing it for recognition and glory you'll burn out fast."
Aerogramme Writers’ Studio
Hosted in Melbourne, Australia, Aerogramme Writers' Studio publishes news and resources for emerging and established writers. The site features craft articles, upcoming publication opportunities, book recommendations, and literary humor. Follow them on Twitter @A_WritersStudio for timely announcements of contests and calls for submissions.
African Poetry Book Fund
Affiliated with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the prestigious journal Prairie Schooner, the African Poetry Book Fund supports African and diaspora literature through readings workshops, publisher collaborations, and awards such as the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry and the Sillerman First Book Prize.
Algonkian Writer Conferences
Algonkian Writer Conferences bring together authors, agents, and editors in different locations across the US to help emerging novelists create marketable commercial fiction. Their workshops cover the elements of successful fiction and how to revise and pitch a manuscript. The faculty has included notable authors such as Robert Bausch and Robert Olen Butler.
Allison Amend’s Instructions for a Do-It-Yourself Book Tour
In this article from the Glimmer Train website, literary fiction author Allison Amend shares road-tested practical advice for small press authors. Amend's IPPY Award-winning debut short story collection, 'Things That Pass for Love', was published in October 2008 by OV/Dzanc Books, and her novel, 'Stations West', is due out from Louisiana State University Press's Yellow Shoe Fiction Series.
Almond Press Writing Competitions Event Calendar
Launched in 2012, Almond Press is a Scottish small press that publishes short story collections and sponsors literary contests. This curated submissions calendar on their website lists numerous writing contests, free and fee-charging, for English-language writers in the UK and internationally.
American Literary Translators Association: Awards
The American Literary Translators Association awards five major prizes at its annual conference: the National Translation Award in Poetry and Prose, for an exceptional book of translated literature published within the previous year; the Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize, for an outstanding work of Asian literature published within the previous year; the Italian Prose in Translation Award (IPTA), for an exceptional work of Italian prose in English translation; and the Cliff Becker Book Prize, for an unpublished book-length manuscript of poetry in translation. They also offer the ALTA Travel Fellowships for emerging translators to attend the annual conference, including the Peter K. Jansen Memorial Travel Fellowship.
Anne R. Allen’s Blog…with Ruth Harris
Comic mystery writer Anne R. Allen publishes weekly posts about publishing and marketing your books in the digital age. Guest columnist Ruth Harris is a New York Times bestselling author and former Big Six editor who contributes a post each month. Popular posts include "Top Ten Questions from New Writers", "Top 10 Self-Sabotaging Mistakes of Author-Bloggers", and "12 Signs Your Novel Isn't Ready to Publish".
Arts Writers Grant Program
The Creative Capital | Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program supports individual writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art through grants in the following categories: articles, blogs, books, new and alternative media, and short-form writing. Grants range from $3,000 to $50,000 depending on the needs and scope of the project. Application deadline is typically in early June.
ASBPE Editorial/Magazine Publishing Resources
The American Society of Business Publication Editors' website offers this extensive page of links for journalists, including trade associations, reference sites, job markets and legal basics.
ASCAP Resource Guide to Songwriting Competitions
ASCAP, the rights management agency for songwriters and recording artists, maintains this link directory. (Although we assume that contests listed here are more likely to be reputable, writers should still research each contest online before entering.)
Association of University Presses Subject Area Grid
The Association of University Presses maintains this annually updated list, free to download, of member presses' special interests in particular genres and topics. If you're considering a university press for your poetry or literary prose book, this guide will help you target the right ones.
Authors Access
This site features free downloadable podcasts of interviews with people around the world who can help authors better manage their writing careers. Popular guests have included Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of 'The Frugal Book Promoter'; Jo Virgil, a community relations manager for Barnes & Noble; and publicist Maryglenn McCombs.
AuthorsPublish List of Journals Open to Publishing Reprints
Writing resource site AuthorsPublish compiled this list, current as of Spring 2023, of 26 journals that accept previously published poetry, fiction, or essays. Some are magazines with a specific theme, like speculative fiction, while others are general-interest.
AuthorsPublish List of No-Fee Poetry Manuscript Publishers
This list compiled by Emily Harstone at AuthorsPublish features 80+ publishers that do not charge reading fees to consider poetry manuscript submissions. Among them are major British presses like Carcanet and Faber & Faber, as well as reputable American literary publishers like Able Muse Press, Damaged Goods Press, Milkweed Editions, and Persea Books.
Between the Lines
Webzine associated with The Editorial Department, a well-established manuscript-editing service, offers original interviews, craft articles, essays, forums and blogs to keep writers and publishing professionals informed about today's book publishing market. The Editorial Department offers a range of editing and marketing services for your prose manuscript or screenplay. We like their transparency with respect to price, which is not always the case with their competitors.
Black and White Gets Read
Kind of a Hurricane Press publishes this webzine devoted to reviews of poetry books and chapbooks.
BOMB Magazine
Launched in 1981, BOMB Magazine is a NYC-based print and online journal that curates interdisciplinary conversations among artists. On their website, they publish a quarterly list of fellowships and residencies. Sign up for their e-newsletter to be notified of their open submission periods for poetry and short fiction.
Book Promotion Tips at Blue Light Press
Founded by poet and novelist Diane Frank, Blue Light Press is a well-established independent publisher of poetry books, chapbooks, and anthologies. This page on their website provides a long list of ideas for promoting your forthcoming book via readings, reviews, launch parties, media interviews, and more.
Book Review Directory
Launched in 2015, the Book Review Directory is a growing list of bloggers who review books in various fiction and nonfiction genres. The site has three goals: to match authors with reviewers, to raise the profile of book review blogs, and to help readers find new books in their areas of interest.
Book That Poet
State-by-state directory of poets available for readings aims to match them with local libraries, bookstores and historical societies looking for speakers. Most listings are in Wisconsin at present, but site owner hopes to expand its reach. Poets pay $12 per year to be listed.
BookRix
BookRix is an online community where authors of poetry and prose can upload their work and receive feedback. Membership is free. The site is based in Germany but has an English-language section. BookRix offers several free contests throughout the year, with prizes up to $1,000; winners are decided by members' votes.
Brilliant Flash Fiction
Based in Ireland, the online journal Brilliant Flash Fiction is published quarterly and accepts submissions of unpublished short stories under 1,000 words. See website for rules for their quarterly free contests with prizes up to 50 euros. No simultaneous submissions.
Caitlin Kunkel’s List of Humor and Satire Websites
Caitlin Kunkel is a writer, editor, and teacher of humor and satire. In this Medium post from 2020, she shares links to reputable humor-writing sites that accept submissions and pitches, with brief guidelines and examples of the work that they publish.
Calls for Submissions (Poetry, Fiction, Art) Facebook Group
This Facebook group features calls for creative writing and art submissions. Closed group, members accepted by request.
Catholic Writers Conference Online
This site offers a free online writers' conference featuring live chats with experienced writers and editors, pitch sessions with Christian publishers, writing workshops, and more.
Cathy’s Comps and Calls
Award-winning poet and fiction writer Cathy Bryant curates this writing resources site, which specializes in free-to-enter contests and calls for submissions that can be entered online. Her book How to Win Writing Competitions (and Make Money) collects the knowledge she has gained from editing this site and publishing her work.
Children’s Book Publishers Open to Direct Submissions
This list posted in 2024 at the writers' resource site Authors Publish profiles 55 presses that accept un-agented submissions of picture books, middle-grade, and/or young adult literature.
Chill Subs
Chill Subs is a free searchable database of submission opportunities for creative writers. Their most extensive category is literary magazines, with over 500 publications that can be filtered by selectivity, demographics (e.g. youth or LGBTQ writers), response time, and "vibe". They are also building up their listings of contests, residencies, and resources.
Christopher Fielden’s Writing Advice and Competitions Listings
The blog of Christopher Fielden, author of the thriller Wicked Game and numerous short stories, includes several pages of useful resources for fiction writers. In addition to Fielden's writing advice and editorial services, there are links to the top English-language competitions for short stories, unpublished novels, and published and self-published books.
Creative Writers Opportunities List
Allison Joseph, award-winning poet and moderator of the late Conpo list, is back. Get well-screened notices about literary contests, calls for submissions from literary journals and anthologies, and opportunities such as residencies and fellowships. Listings are posted without comment. Join free. Formerly a Yahoo group, switched to blog format in 2019.
Creative Writing Contests Blog
Frequently updated blog maintained by Oliver Abrahim Khan posts listings of literary contests, fellowships, residencies, and calls for submissions. Site is searchable by category.
Cultured Vultures
Cultured Vultures is an online journal of contemporary writing, literary and entertainment reviews, and articles on politics and culture. Their free poetry contest offers web publication to the top three unpublished poems submitted each week.
DL Shirey’s Short List
Fiction writer DL Shirey curates this list of journals that publish short fiction and nonfiction, sorted by length, from publications for 50-word micros on up.
Dream of Things
Founded in 2009, Dream of Things publishes anthologies of creative nonfiction on a variety of themes: stories of forgiveness, coffee shop stories, travel writing, life in the modern workplace, Internet dating, and others. Their first anthology was 'Saying Goodbye', released in October 2010. Their books seek to fill the gap between popular anthologies that publish stories that are "short and sweet" (sometimes so saccharine-sweet they are hard to swallow), and the Best American Essays series, which are typically quite a bit longer. The goal for Dream of Things anthologies is to publish writing that is not short and sweet, but short and deep. The result is stories that are easier to swallow because they are authentic, and easier to digest because they average 1,250 words in length. See website for submission guidelines and special offers.
Duotrope’s Digest (Markets for Writers)
Free searchable database of over 875 print and online periodicals that publish fiction and poetry. Profiles can be sorted by genre, submission policies, pay scale and more. Mainly for fiction writers, but poets will also find it useful. (Search for poetry markets in the "length" field, not "genre".) Unlike many link directories, this site is updated daily and fact-checked every week. You can sign up for their Weekly Wire e-newsletter to receive new listings in your inbox.
Duotrope’s Digest: Editor Interviews
Duotrope's Digest, a directory of literary magazine submission guidelines, includes this extensive archive of brief and informative interviews with magazine editors about the unique characteristics of their publication. Featured journals range from heavy hitters (American Poetry Journal, Bellingham Review) to the quirky and obscure (Untied Shoelaces of the Mind).
Editorial Freelancers Association
National nonprofit professional association of self-employed workers in the publishing and communications industries. The EFA works to improve conditions for freelancers and match them up with clients. Employers can post jobs for free.
Emerge-Surface-Be: The Poetry Project’s Fellowship Program
Launched in 2013, Emerge-Surface-Be is a fellowship program sponsored by the Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church, a well-known center of literary culture in New York City. Each year, three NYC-based poets will receive a stipend and mentoring by an established writer to complete a new project. Eligible authors must not have published more than one full-length collection and three chapbooks, excluding self-published books. See website for rules and deadline.
Erika Krouse’s Ranking of 500 Literary Magazines for Short Fiction
Editor, writing coach, and fiction writer Erika Krouse ran the numbers on some 500 journals publishing literary short fiction. Rankings are based on circulation, pay rates for writers, subjective "coolness" factors, and how frequently stories from these publications are selected for Best American Short Stories, O. Henry Awards, and Pushcart Prizes. While there's room for debate about the value of these metrics, the comprehensive list of markets will be useful for writers seeking new submission venues.
Experiences With Editors
In this series on the Emerging Writers Network blog, published authors share the best and worst of their experiences with editors (the comments have been mostly kudos so far) and what they learned from them.
FilmMakers.com: Screenwriting Contests Database
Alphabetical listing of screenwriting contests. Expired and current links are mixed in together, but list is a good starting point for researching this market.
FISH List of Lively Independent Literary Magazines
Author Charlie Fish, editor of the online journal Fiction on the Web, compiled this list of over 1,800 independent literary journals that he recommends based on their longevity, transparency, active readership, and author-friendly submission practices like rapid response time and no fees. Though the list would be more useful if the journal names were hyperlinked, the metrics that he uses are ones that more authors should consider when submitting. As he explains on the Chill Subs blog, "My metrics for the FISH list focus less on awards and prestige, and much more on the features of the magazines themselves. Is there an active community of readers? Do the editors give feedback on submitted stories? Is the magazine going to stick around, or fade away like so many do?...I don’t want to give too much weight to the same-old darlings of the lit mag scene: I want to illuminate the margins."
Flash Fiction Magazine
Founded in 2014, Flash Fiction Magazine posts a new short-short story online every day. Contributors whose stories are selected for the annual print anthology receive payment. There is also a monthly $100 prize for the best story. Submissions should be 300-1,000 words and be a complete story (no vignettes or prose-poems) with conflict, character development, and resolution.
Forwriters.com
Excellent resources for writers, with special attention to science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Links to markets, publishers, contests, agents, writers groups, author sites, writing resources and conferences. Active discussion forum.
Freedom With Writing: The Paid Publishing Guidebook
Freedom With Writing connects freelance writers with jobs and opportunities. Sign up for their free e-newsletter to receive this PDF directory (100+ pages) of magazines and websites that pay for writing in various genres including news, entertainment, sports, travel, education, philosophy, and religion.
From Page to Pixels: The Evolution of Online Journals
In this article from the May/June 2009 Poets & Writers Magazine, award-winning poet Sandra Beasley discusses the growing prestige of online publication and the advantages it offers for disseminating your work. Recommended journals include Blackbird, Coconut, and Drunken Boat.
