Resources
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What Editors Want: A Must-Read for Writers Submitting to Literary Magazines
In this essay from the online bulletin of the literary journal Glimmer Train, Lynne Barrett gives new writers an overview of the magazine editing process and offers tips to help your submission succeed. Barrett is the author of several short fiction collections and the editor of The Florida Book Review.
Unbound
UK-based site applies the principle of "crowdfunding" to book publishing. Agent-recommended authors pitch their book ideas on the site. If you like their idea, you can pledge to support it. If they hit the target number of supporters, the author can go ahead and start writing. If the target isn't met, you can either get your pledge refunded in full or switch your pledge to another Unbound project. Pledging readers get backstage access to the creative process, including updates on the book’s progress, exclusive interviews, draft chapters, information about the author's backlist, and discussions with the author and other supporters.
Poetry Library UK
The Poetry Library at Southbank Centre maintains this page of poetry competition opportunities.
Top Ten Topics for Writers
Basic information on submission etiquette, getting published, writers' conferences and degree programs, avoiding scams, and promoting your work. From the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine.
The Writers’ Union of Canada: Awards & Competitions
Canadian writers should take note of these quality fiction and nonfiction contests. Prizes are awarded for individual pieces, collections, writing for children and short-shorts.
The Whole 9
Free online job board features calls for artists, writers, performers, and graphic designers, plus contests and other opportunities for creative people.
The Smart Approach to Contest Submissions
In this essay from May/June 2013, the staff of Poets & Writers Magazine gives seven simple steps to make your contest submission choices more efficient and well-targeted.
The Practicing Writer
Very useful free monthly e-newsletter for writers of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, featuring articles, interviews, contests, calls for submissions, and more. Editor Erika Dreifus (Ed.M., M.F.A., Ph.D.) is a Massachusetts-based writer and writing instructor with many publication credits, who serves as contributing editor of The Chattahoochee Review. Dreifus says, "Our mission is to support the craft and business of excellent writing."
The Muse’s Muse: Songwriting Contests
Jodi Krangle has done a great job of finding interesting songwriting contests and other resources for songwriters. Subscribe to her free newsletter, and enjoy articles and tools for both novices and professionals. We especially liked "Six Easy Steps to Writing Hit Lyrics".
The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of five how-to books for writers, including 'The Frugal Book Promoter', has condensed her expertise into 'The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes'. Check out other useful resources on her website.
The Great American Poetry Show
Hardcover poetry anthology is open year-round to submissions of poems in English on any subject and in any style, length and number. Submit by mail or email. Each anthology contains about 100 poems; publication schedule is about 2 years between volumes. Simultaneous submissions and previously published poems are welcome. Response time is usually 1-3 months. Each contributor receives one free copy of the volume in which his/her work appears. See website for table of contents and contributors' list from Volume 1. Site also has an extensive directory of poetry links.
The Frugal Editor
Book-promotion expert Carolyn Howard-Johnson offers tips for perfecting your business letters, query letters, book manuscripts, and book proposals. Readers of this award-winning blog are encouraged to submit questions that may be answered on the site.
ShortStops
Literary news site covers contemporary short fiction in the UK and Ireland. ShortStops features listings of live literary events where short stories are read, journals that publish short stories, a directory of authors in the genre, and other related links.
Scribe & Quill
This free monthly ezine for writers suggests contests and markets, publicizes the successes of its readers. The motivational articles are particularly valuable.
Savvy Authors
This multi-author blog shares opportunities and advice for writing genre and commercial fiction. Online workshops are also available.
Save the Short Story
Site devoted to preserving and expanding the market for literary short fiction has links to dozens of literary journals publishing this genre, and to websites featuring modern masters of the form.
Sapling: The Writer’s Guide to the Small Press Industry
Black Lawrence Press publishes this weekly e-newsletter for writers. Each issue includes profiles of a currently-open contest and a recommended literary journal, an interview with a writer or editor on a career-related topic, a readers' Q&A, and recent successes for subscribers. Subscriptions are $50/year. Selections from back issues can be read for free on their archive page.
Saison Poetry Library
Located at the Southbank Centre, the Saison Poetry Library is the most comprehensive and accessible collection of poetry from 1912 in Britain. It is the major library for modern and contemporary poetry and is funded by the Arts Council England. Visit the Competitions page for listings of British poetry contests, updated monthly.
Review Outlets Database at Poets & Writers
Poets & Writers Magazine maintains this searchable database of periodicals and websites that publish book reviews. Find out where to send review copies, what genres are accepted, whether self-published books will be reviewed, and more.
Publishers & Vendors of Deaf-Related Materials
The website of Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf, features this list of English-language publishers who specialize in or otherwise publish a relatively large number of deaf-related books and/or videos. The list was last updated several years ago, but it is a good place to start your research into this market.
Poets & Writers: A Frequent Winner’s Advice
In this interview with Poets & Writers Magazine from January 2009, award-winning poet Cynthia Lowen offers tips for maximizing your success with writing contests.
Poetry Super Highway
Be sure to sign up for the weekly email update highlighting emerging poets and new poetry links.
Poetry Northwest: Quarterly Poetry Competitions
Poetry Northwest, the literary journal of Everett Community College in Washington, offers the quarterly poetry competition "The Pitch". Each round features a writing prompt drawn up by a notable writer and work submitted must adhere to the specifications outlined in the prompt. Work can be submitted via email as a Word.doc or pdf attachment to thepitch@poetrynw.org (only these formats can be accepted) and include in the email message your name, address, phone number, and month/year of birth. One entry per person. Please include your legal name in the email address, even if you wish to be represented on our site by a pseudonym. See website for complete rules. Two finalists will be selected by the editorial staff for a public vote. The finalists will appear on poetrynw.org at the end of the quarter for which their pitch submission is received: for spring and summer, September 15; for fall, December... [continue]
Poemeleon Mystery Box Contest
Online journal Poemeleon seeks poems inspired by a "mystery box" depicted in a photo on their website. The winner and runners-up will be published in Poemeleon, and the first-prize author will receive the box. Deadlines are irregular; check website.
Playscripts, Inc.
This service aims at matching authors of new plays with producers who are looking for specific types of work. Searchable database allows you to sort scripts by genre, duration, and casting requirements, and read samples online.
Pioneer Drama Service: Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
Free contest from a leading publisher of middle- school, high-school and community-theater plays. Winner receives a $1,000 royalty advance in addition to publication. Pioneer specializes in farce and musical comedy that would be appropriate for family audiences. Postmark deadline is March 1 each year.
New York Foundation for the Arts Database
Large directory of opportunities for visual artists, performers and writers. Search by genre, geographic eligibility, type of funding and more.
National Association of Writers’ Groups
UK-based NAWG sponsors its own literary contests and provides information about two dozen others around Britain. The contest listings are updated several times each year. From the NAWG home page, click the Competitions link.
MovieBytes: Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online
Frequently updated links page for screenwriting contests and markets. Complete the brief, free registration to access Contest Report Cards. Includes contest advice, news of recent script deals and interviews with entrants about their experiences with various contests.
Make a Living Writing
Freelance writer Carol Tice's blog offers field-tested tips on how to market yourself and increase your earnings. Other services include an e-newsletter and mentoring consultations.
Literary Magazine Database at Poets & Writers
Poets & Writers Magazine offers this free online database featuring submission guidelines for hundreds of literary journals. The database is searchable by name, keyword, genre, openness to simultaneous and electronic submissions, geographic region and more. A very useful service.
Institute for Writers
Formerly the Institute of Children's Literature, this is a resource site for authors. Offerings include correspondence courses, how-to articles, and a newsletter with writing tips and calls for submissions.
Get Published Now: Molli Nickell, Publishing Consultant
Molli Nickell, a former Time-Life editor and journalist, now teaches writers to create marketing documents and make effective pitches to agents and editors. She also guides writers through the pros and cons of self-publishing. Her website features monthly contests with the prize of a free consultation. Based on the sample pitches and manuscript excerpts on the site, this service seems most appropriate for writers of genre fiction or commercial nonfiction.
Funds for Writers
Grants, contests and markets for writers. Resource-packed online newsletters include TOTAL FundsforWriters, FFW Small Markets, and WritingKid (young writers). Editor C. Hope Clark also offers ebooks with specialized marketing resources for poets, fiction writers and more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
