News

Showcase Quarterly

2026-09-02T18:24:00+00:00

Call for submissions: received by October 9

Deadline October 9 (must be received by this date). Showcase: Object/Idea is an online journal published by C&R Press. Editor Bethany Leger says, "Showcase seeks to highlight work that explores the realm of high-control environments, whether this includes the journey of extricating oneself from harmful religion, an unhealthy relationship, or finding clarity and confidence after a crisis." The regular edition publishes one poem and one prose piece each issue. They are currently accepting submissions for the first issue of Showcase Quarterly, a special feature that will spotlight one author with a longer selection from their work plus an interview. Accepted contributors receive $100. Send up to 10 poems or 10 pages of prose with a $10 submission fee (paid-tier Substack subscribers can enter for free). Previously published work is acceptable if it was published more than a year ago; include publication details with your submission.

Independence Literary Review: “Healthcare and Healing” Folio

2026-09-01T13:30:00+00:00

Call for submissions: received by October 1

Deadline October 1 (must be received by this date). Independence Literary Review, a print and online journal published by Baylor University, is currently open to submissions of unpublished poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and artwork. In addition to open-theme submissions, they are reading for a folio section in the next issue on the theme of "Healthcare and Healing". Send 1-5 poems, maximum 15 pages total; one story or essay, up to 7,500 words; 1-3 flash prose pieces, 1,000 words maximum apiece; or 8-10 artworks.

This is a paying market.

Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition

2026-08-28T10:28:00+00:00

200 pounds prize, deadline change: received by October 21

Deadline October 21 (must be received by this date), formerly October 14. Neutral free contest gives prizes up to 200 pounds for unpublished poems, 30 lines maximum. The 2026 theme is "Unsung City". The first entry is free, additional entries 5 pounds each. Enter by email. This was formerly a contest for religious poetry but that is no longer required.

The Perch: “The Mix” Issue

2026-08-27T19:06:00+00:00

Call for submissions: received by October 31

Deadline October 31 (must be received by this date). The Perch is a creative arts journal with a mental health theme, published by the Program for Recovery and Community Health at Yale School of Medicine. For their next issue, "The Mix," they are seeking work that addresses the double-sided nature of mental illness, its highs and lows, burdens and creative insights. Entries may be poetry, fiction, personal or scholarly essays, or visual art. Editors say, "We are most interested in personal stories."

Indigo

2026-08-20T23:06:00+00:00

Call for submissions: received by September 30

Deadline September 30 (must be received by this date). Indigo is a new literary journal currently seeking submissions of unpublished poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction for their first issue. Send 1-3 poems or one prose piece (no hard limit but under 3,000 words preferred). Editors say, "Experimental, hybrid, cross-genre and medium-bending submissions are greatly encouraged." See website for their aesthetic preferences for each genre.

Friends of American Writers Literary Awards

2026-08-19T09:51:00+00:00

$2,500 prize, deadline change: received by December 12

Deadline December 12 (must be received by this date), formerly December 13. Highly recommended free contest from Friends of American Writers gives two awards of $2,500 apiece for books of fiction or creative nonfiction for adults. Books must have been published in the current calendar year and be set in the Midwest or written by a Midwestern author. Entrants must have published no more than 3 books, including the one under consideration for the prize. The author must be a resident (or previously have been a resident for approximately five years) of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, or Wisconsin; or the locale of the book must be in a region identified above. Send 2 copies of book plus author's biographical information to the address specified on sponsor's rules page.

Neltje Blanchan/Frank Nelson Doubleday Memorial Awards

2026-08-18T12:55:00+00:00

$1,000 prize, deadline change: received by November 9

Deadline November 9 (must be received by this date, don't enter before September 14), formerly November 17. Neutral free contest offers two prizes of $1,000 for creative writing by Wyoming residents aged 18+ with no more than one published book in each genre (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and script). Doubleday Award is for women only; Blanchan Award is for writing inspired by nature. Entries in all genres compete together. Entrant may not be a full-time high school or college student or faculty member. Complete your entry form and submit your work (poetry, maximum of 10 single-spaced pages; prose and drama, maximum of 25 double-spaced pages) online.

Latino Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest

2026-08-18T11:23:00+00:00

$1,000 prize, deadline change: received by October 14

Deadline October 14 (must be received by this date; don't enter before September 14), formerly October 13. Neutral free contest from Free Spirit Publishing awards prizes up to $1,000 for original children's books, written for either ages 0-4 (50-125 words) or 4-8 (300-800 words), by Latino authors residing in the US who have not previously published work for children (self-published authors are eligible). The contest's mission is "to elevate authentic, culturally relevant children's stories written by and about Latino people." Every entry will be considered for publication. Enter online or via postal mail.

Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction

2026-08-18T11:09:00+00:00

500 pounds prize, deadline change: received by October 11

Deadline October 11 (must be received by this date), formerly October 13. Neutral free contest gives ebook anthology publication and 500 pounds prize for a previously unpublished short story, 2,000-7,500 words, by a UK resident aged 18+ on a theme that changes annually. For 2026, the theme is "Found Fiction". Complete the entry form online and upload your entry. Co-sponsored by Comma Press and the University of Central Lancashire. Named after founding Comma Press board member, writer Dinesh Allirajah.

Zocalo Public Square Book Prize

2026-08-18T10:52:00+00:00

$10,000 prize, deadline change: received by October 16

Deadline October 16 (must be received by this date), formerly October 10. Highly recommended free contest gives $10,000 for the best US-published nonfiction book, published or forthcoming in the current calendar year, that best enhances our understanding of community and the forces that strengthen or undermine human connectedness and social cohesion. Books may be scholarly or general-interest nonfiction from a variety of disciplines including philosophy, history, journalism, and political science. Submit by mail.