The Practicing Writer 2.0: December 2023
As usual in this 20th year of serving writers: dozens of carefully curated, fee-free opportunities that pay for fiction, poetry, & creative nonfiction.
Welcome, new readers, and welcome back to the regulars.
For updates and additional opportunities between newsletters, please check the “Practicing Writing” blog and follow Erika Dreifus on Twitter (yes, I’m still calling it that, and for reasons I don’t entirely understand, I’m still there), Facebook, and/or Substack.
If you are accessing this newsletter via email, you may find a “Message Clipped” notice as you continue reading. That’s due to the length of this info-packed missive. Please be sure to click as appropriate to access the full text.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Editor’s Note
Success Stories
Featured Resource
Contests, Competitions, and Other Opportunities (NO FEES TO ENTER/APPLY; PAYING OPPORTUNITIES ONLY; NOTHING THAT’S LIMITED TO WRITERS IN A SINGLE CITY/STATE/PROVINCE)
Submission Alerts (NO SUBMISSION/READING FEES; PAYING CALLS ONLY; NOTHING THAT’S LIMITED TO WRITERS IN A SINGLE CITY/STATE/PROVINCE)
Blog Notes
Newsletter Matters
1. EDITOR’S NOTE
Greetings, practicing writers,
I wish that I could return to a “typical” introduction for this newsletter. But for me, as for many other Jews I know—including Jews who are practicing writers—October 7 was a demarcation point. And especially while we continue to await the safe release and return of each and every hostage, nothing can be ordinary.
But I won’t linger on that. I’ve said enough in last month’s newsletter and in the mid-month update. For now, at least.
So I’ll keep this opening message brief. Thank you for being here. And however you will be spending the upcoming month, I hope that it’s a good one for you—and for your writing practice.
Happy holidays,
ERIKA
P.S. Quick reminder: I am thrilled when you share this newsletter, in its entirety, with your networks. But if you choose to share only certain listings, please respect my work of research and curation and credit your source—ideally, with a link back to this newsletter. Thank you so much!
2. SUCCESS STORIES
From Julie Zuckerman:
Thanks for listing the Creators of Justice Literary Awards in The Practicing Writer! My memory is somewhat of a blank as to things that happened before October 7, 2023, so when I received the email saying my essay, “Under One Sky,” had won first place, I was flabbergasted. The essay deals with my occasional volunteer work with The Road to Recovery, a non-profit which transports Palestinian patients to and from the border crossings for treatment in Israeli hospitals. It ends on a line of hope, which was an important reminder for me, post October 7. I suppose I was writing a memo to my future self. Thank you, Erika!
and from Lucinda Zoe (a former “day-job” co-worker!):
Erika, I’ve been getting your Practicing Writer newsletter for a while now and promised myself that upon retirement I would pursue some of your leads. I have written poetry on and off for years, but have kept it mostly to myself. However, since retiring, I did keep my promise to myself and found a chapbook competition in your listings [the Kari Ann Flickinger Biennial Memorial Literary Prize] and submitted my manuscript for consideration. First, I was thrilled to learn I had made the cut to the “Long List” of manuscripts that had been reviewed by a panel of judges to be moved along for review by the final judge. I was recently informed that my work was awarded 3rd place and comes with a portfolio piece in their literary magazine and a 250£ cash award! I was quite stunned and, of course, humbled by this recognition and validation. This has certainly given me the confidence to continue writing and, finally, getting my work out there. Without your thoughtful list of resources I’m not sure I would have taken the step. Thus, I write to thank you for your support of and commitment to all writers.
Reminder: Please share news from your writing practice that may be connected with this newsletter, or my blogs/other resources. I love to celebrate and amplify in this space!
3. FEATURED RESOURCE
This feature will return next month.
4. CONTESTS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
JEWISH BOOK COUNCIL & THE BETSY WRITERS ROOM INAUGURAL WRITER’S RESIDENCY CONTEST
Deadline: December 7. “In celebration of Jewish Book Month, JBC and The Betsy Writers Room are thrilled to announce our inaugural writer's residency contest,” which confers a stay at The Betsy Hotel in Miami. “The stay includes a daily American breakfast as well as a modest per diem to assist with incidentals in the hotel. Residencies are typically booked in a Sunday through Thursday window in an agreed-upon timeframe, subject to availability.” To enter the contest, writers are asked to submit a short essay (maximum 2,200 characters (spaces included, as I was told on Twitter) answering the question, “What is your favorite Jewish book and why?”. Important note: “JBC and The Betsy Hotel reserve the right to use and publish the essays submitted as a part of this contest.” Note also “that travel to the residency is not included and the winner will need to coordinate their stay directly with The Betsy Writers Room team.”EZRA JACK KEATS AWARD
Deadline: December 15. “Known collectively as the Ezra Jack Keats Award, the New Writer Award was established in 1985 and the New Illustrator Award in 2001 to recognize and encourage emerging talent in the field of children’s books.” Prizes: “The winning author and illustrator will each receive, at the award ceremony, a monetary award of $5,000 and the EJK medallion suspended in lucite and inscribed with the recipient’s name, the name of their book and the year it was published. The EJK Award ceremony is held in early April during the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival at The University of Southern Mississippi. In order to receive the award, the winning writer and illustrator must attend the ceremony. The publishers are responsible for making arrangements for authors and illustrators to be at the Award ceremony. Honor book winners will receive a monetary award of $2,000 and a glass plaque inscribed with the recipient’s name, the name of their book and the year it was published.” Publishers must enter the books; check the guidelines for essential criteria and other information.THE NEWBERRY ARTIST IN RESIDENCE FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: December 15. Three fellowship programs—including one for historical-fiction writers—at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Each one-month fellowships confers a $3,000 stipend.OUTPOST RESIDENCY
Deadline: December 15. “The Outpost Foundation is an advocacy organization for creative writers of color from the United States and Latin America. Its flagship program is a residency that awards two writers a $2,000 stipend as well as complimentary travel, lodging, and meals to spend the month of September cultivating a generative writing community in the mountains of Southern Vermont. In addition to the time spent in residence, Outpost Fellows will engage in organized interactions with the community of local universities and bookstores, allowing space to share their work and expand their networks.”WITCRAFT MONTHLY HUMOUR COMPETITION
.)
Deadline: December 15. “Send us skillfully written stories that are brief, humorous and engaging, with the emphasis on wit, word play, absurdity and inspired nonsense….Word limits: 200-1000. First prize A$50, second prize A$20, third prize A$10, payable via Paypal only.” (Hat tip:ST. MARTIN’S/MINOTAUR-MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA FIRST CRIME NOVEL COMPETITION
.)
Deadline: December 17. “Open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any Published Novel (in any genre),” as defined within the guidelines. Note that “murder or another serious crime or crimes [must be] at the heart of the story.” Prize: “If a winner is selected, Minotaur Books will offer to enter into its standard form author’s agreement with the entrant for publication of the winning Manuscript. After execution of the standard form author’s agreement by both parties, the winner will receive an advance against future royalties of $10,000. On the condition that the selected winner accepts and executes the publishing contract proposed by Minotaur Books, the winner will then be recognized at the Edgar Awards Banquet in New York City in May 2024.” (Appreciate the reminder about this one fromKIM WALL MEMORIAL FUND GRANTS
Deadline: December 17. From the International Women’s Media Foundation. Providse $5,000 grants “to journalists whose work embodies the spirit of Kim’s reporting. The grant will fund women or non-binary reporters covering subculture, broadly defined, and what Kim liked to call “the undercurrents of rebellion.” Kim wanted more women to be out in the world, brushing up against life, and the Kim Wall Memorial Fund honors this legacy.” (Hat tip: WOW! Women on Writing Markets Newsletter.)READWRITE STRATEGIES ANTHOLOGY CONTEST
Deadline: December 18. “ReadWrite Strategies is partnering with Jim Dunn, PhD, DHA, FACHE to create an anthology of funny anecdotes about the workplace….We particularly welcome stories from HR professionals.” NB: “We aim to publish the book in early March 2024. All accepted contributors will receive a digital copy of the book. The five funniest stories will win an award: 1st place will receive $500 and a print copy, 2nd place will receive $200 and a print copy; and 3rd, 4th, and 5th place will each receive $100 and a print copy.” (Hat tip: The Writer’s Job Newsletter.)DOLORS ALBEROLA POETRY PRIZE
Deadline: December 31. From Editorial Dalya. Open to “all writers worldwide,” this prize “aims to expand poetry reading from around the world.” Winning manuscript receives publication in a bilingual edition; translation into “another European language”; copies; and royalties. Finalists receive publication in a Spanish edition; copies; and royalties.ANISFIELD-WOLF BOOK AWARDS
Deadline: December 31. These awards recognize “outstanding works that contribute to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of cultural diversity.” Awards are given for fiction, poetry and nonfiction. Submissions of books published this year are now open. Prize: “Award recipients traditionally receive $10,000 from the Anisfield-Wolf fund.”BEING JEWISH ON CAMPUS: A STUDENT WRITING CHALLENGE
Deadline: December 31. “Sources: A Journal of Jewish Ideas invites Jewish college students to tell us how campus life is shaping your Jewish identity and connection to Jewish life. We are currently accepting submissions of 1500-2000 word essays written by Jewish college students that describe an aspect of Jewish life on your campus and then explore what it means to you and what it might mean for other Jews. We are looking for a variety of perspectives, and we want to hear from you, no matter what your Jewish background is, where you go to school, or what you’re studying! We’re interested in hearing about any topics that relate to your Jewishness and Jewish identity on your campus.” Open to students enrolled at 2- or 4-year colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Prizes: “Up to four writers will receive $500 and have the opportunity to work with editor Claire E. Sufrin to prepare their essays for publication.”W.Y. BOYD LITERARY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MILITARY FICTION
Deadline: December 31. “Honors the best fiction set in a period when the United States was at war. It recognizes the service of American veterans and military personnel and encourages the writing and publishing of outstanding war-related fiction.” Confers $5,000. Novels submitted “must have been published during the year prior to the award.” Both YA and novels for adults are eligible.FOUR QUARTETS PRIZE
Deadline: December 31. From the Poetry Society of America. Prize recognizes “a unified and complete sequence of poems published in the United States in a print or online journal, chapbook, or book in 2023.” Awards: “Three finalists will receive $1,000. The winner will receive an additional $20,000.” Judges: Catherine Barnett, Eduardo C. Corral, D.A. Powell.ERNEST J. GAINES AWARD FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE
Deadline: December 31 (received). Award confers $15,000, “honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence [U.S. citizens only] at a national level.” Eligible authors must have a “work of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) that is published between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023. Galleys for a 2023 publication are also accepted, though galley proofs considered during the 2022 submission cycle are not eligible for consideration in 2023.”
GLENCAIRN GLASS CRIME SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Deadline: December 31. “Do you have a knack for conjuring up sinister plots, capturing the perfect crime, or documenting deadly deeds? If so, this is your chance to showcase your talent. Glencairn Crystal, the maker of the world’s favourite whisky glass – the Glencairn Glass, and sponsor of the McIlvanney and Bloody Scotland Debut crime writing awards, is seeking crime short stories in collaboration with Bloody Scotland and Scottish Field Magazine. This year’s theme is ‘A Crime Set In Scotland.’” Open to writers worldwide. Prizes: “First prize – £1000. Runner Up – £500. Both winners will also receive a set of six bespoke engraved Glencairn Glasses. The overall winning entry will be published in Scottish Field Magazine and online at www.whiskyglass.com.” (Hat tip: Freelance Writing Jobs.)HOOKS INSTITUTE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD
Deadline: December 31. From the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change at the University of Memphis, for a non-fiction book “that best furthers understanding of the civil rights movement and its legacy.” Confers a prize of $1,000 and an invitation to lecture at the University of Memphis. “Non-fiction books with a first-published date in the 2023 calendar year are eligible for the award.”IRIDESCENCE AWARD
Deadline: December 31. From Kinsman Quarterly. For short stories and poetry by BIPOC authors. “Themes should include the supernatural, extraterrestrial, or the paranormal. Prizes include publication in the Iridescence anthology with cash awards up to $500 USD.”LILITH MAGAZINE ANNUAL SHORT FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: December 31. “Lilith Magazine—independent, Jewish & frankly feminist—seeks quality short stories with heart, soul and chutzpah, 3,000 words or under, for our Annual Fiction Contest. First prize: $300 and publication. We especially like fresh fiction with feminist and Jewish nuance, and are eager to read submissions from writers of color and emerging writers of any age.”LIT UP BY REESE’S BOOK CLUB FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: December 31. For “unagented and unpublished women and nonbinary writers who are also diverse.” Program gives five emerging writers “an all-expenses-paid retreat, a three-month mentorship with a published author, and marketing support from Reese’s Book Club.”THE LYRIC MAGAZINE COLLEGE POETRY CONTEST
Deadline: December 31. Open to undergraduates enrolled full time in an American or Canadian college or university. “Poems must be original and unpublished, 39 lines or less, written in English in traditional forms, preferably with regular scansion and rhyme. We welcome up to three poems per student. Winners are announced and published in the Winter issue of The Lyric.” Cash prizes: $500/$200/$100.REBOOT STUDIOS PROJECT FUND
Deadline: December 31. “Reboot Studios will provide seed investments to develop new inspirational and transformational Jewish content. Driven by the belief that art influences our world, enriches our lives and has the power to educate, inspire, create movements and change the way we think, Reboot Studios will tell stories through a Jewish lens about the shared human experience….For 2024, Reboot Studios currently contemplates that it will make between four (4) to seven (7) recoupable development investments with a range of $15,000 to $25,000 each.” Note emphasis on “development and production of narratives that explore a far more expansive vision of the Jewish diaspora, its themes and identities beyond what we’ve historically been exposed to in the media. These projects would include scripted and documentary media (long form, short form and episodic), theatrical productions (plays, one-person shows, etc), podcasts, books, albums, photography projects, and digital/multimedia art.”TARTTS FICTION AWARD
Deadline: December 31. For writers who have not published a short fiction collection (American citizens only). “Winning short story collection will be published by Livingston Press at the University of West Alabama, in simultaneous library binding and trade paper editions. Winning entry will receive $1000, plus our standard royalty contract, which includes 60 copies of the book.”JACK HAZARD FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: January 4. From the New Literary Project: “Jack Hazard Fellows are fiction, creative nonfiction, and memoir writers who teach full-time in an accredited high school in the United States. We provide a $5,000 award that enables these creative writers who teach to focus on their writing for a summer.” Note: “Published writers are certainly encouraged to apply, but so are unpublished and yet to be published writers.”ASSOCIATION OF WRITERS AND WRITING PROGRAMS (AWP) CONFERENCE WORK-EXCHANGE PROGRAM
Deadline: January 5. “Are you a current student, adjunct professor, or someone in need of assistance to cover the cost of the conference? Sign up to participate in our work-exchange program for the #AWP24 Conference & Bookfair February 7–10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri! The success of each year’s conference and bookfair depends on the commitment and efforts of our work-exchange participants. In exchange for a pre-conference web training session and four hours of your time on-site, AWP will provide you with a waived conference registration, which gives you full access to the bookfair and all conference events.”OLIVE B. O’CONNOR FELLOWSHIPS IN CREATIVE WRITING
Deadline: January 5. At Colgate University. Two fellowships will be conferred (one in fiction, one in nonfiction). “Writers who have recently completed an MFA, MA, or PhD in creative writing, and who need a year to complete their first book, are encouraged to apply. The selected writers will spend the academic year…at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York. The fellows will teach one multigenre course each semester and will give a public reading from the work in progress.” Fellowship confers a stipend of $55,500, travel expenses, and health and life insurance.ANDERSON CENTER DEAF ARTISTS’ RESIDENCY
Deadline: January 9. “The Anderson Center at Tower View’s Deaf Artists Residency (DAR) provides 5 Deaf artists the opportunity to come together to live, work and share ideas in ASL, while advancing their own personal artistic projects. DAR is the only residency opportunity in the world devoted exclusively to Deaf artists. The program was created in 2014 to enact the vision of a Deaf visual artist, Cynthia Weitzel, who designed and leads the program. Weitzel maintains year-round studio space at the Anderson Center. A DAR Program Assistant, a role filled through an open application process, also supports artists during, and leading up to, their residencies….The program has supported twenty-seven visual artists, performing artists, writers, and scholars through five artist cohorts in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Five artists will participate in the upcoming June 2024 program. Thanks to support from Anderson Center funders & sponsors, artists selected to participate in the cohort will receive a $1,400 stipend for the month, reimbursement of up to $600 in travel costs, art-making resources, lodging & studio space, groceries, and chef-prepared communal dinners.”
REMINDER: Some competitions listed in last month’s newsletter remain open into December; make sure you haven’t missed them!
5. SUBMISSION ALERTS
At THE CINCINNATI REVIEW, print-magazine submissions will reopen December 1 and will most likely close again soon thereafter; act quickly if you’re interested.
Open between December 1 and December 14: the fee-free submissions period at HIPPOCAMPUS magazine, which seeks personal essays, memoir excerpts, and flash creative nonfiction.
Reminder that online submissions of fiction, poetry, and essays for the print edition of NINTH LETTER are free during December. NB: “(300 submission cap for fiction; no cap for poetry or creative nonfiction).”
FEMINIST FOOD JOURNAL is open until December 3 for pitches for an upcoming “Meat” issue. They welcome “personal essays, narrative or reported pieces, literature or film reviews, cultural commentary, poetry, creative writing, video, audio — we’re interested in it all!” (Hat tip: WOW! Women on Writing Markets Newsletter.)
Per its website, INVISIBLE CITY remains open for nonfiction submissions until December 5. (Note that at last check there was a different, later deadline mentioned on their submission manager.)
Until December 10, NORTHERN GRAVY is open for “submissions over three areas: Fiction, Poetry and Kid Lit (writing for Middle Grade and Young Adult audiences).” NB: “While we love receiving submissions, if you weren’t either born in the UK or Ireland, or currently reside in the UK or Ireland, we will have to discard your submission without reading it.”
FUNICULAR, which “publishes short fiction, flash fiction, and poetry from emerging and established Canadian writers, as well as work from writers around the world,” is open for submissions until December 11. (NB: They pay for print publication only.)
Until December 15, EASTOVER PRESS “is accepting previously published short stories for a forthcoming anthology. The stories should have been published in 2021 or 2022. The anthology will focus on BIPOC writers who live in or hail from rural or semi-rural locales (in the United States) and whose short stories feature characters living and/or working in rural or semi-rural spaces. In addition, we'll also accept work from BIPOC writers who've spent a significant amount of time in rural or semi-rural locales and whose work might reflect those spaces.
Erika T. Wurth will serve as guest editor.”
Until December 15, THE JOURNAL OF COMPRESSED CREATIVE ARTS is receiving submissions of “‘compressed creative arts.’ We accept fiction and creative nonfiction, as long if they are compressed in some way.”
For the next anthology in its “Surf Noir” series, KELP BOOKS is also open for submissions until December 15.
December 15 is also current deadline at MIDSTORY, which features “personal essays and columns from midlife women about relationships at this stage of life.”
At ORCA, submissions for the February 2024 “literary” issue similarly remain open until December 15. NB: “Orca offers 100 free submissions each month….If the fee-free submission forms do not appear, it means the 100 free submissions have been used for that month, and the free portals will reopen at the start of the next month.” On another note: Orca has recently announced that it will now consider previously published material.
MEETINGHOUSE is open for general submissions until December 22.
A reminder from THE EX-PURITAN: Submissions “received by December 25 are considered for the winter issue, out in February.”
Submissions for CHANNEL are open until December 31. “We publish new, previously unpublished work that engages with the natural world…Although based in Ireland, Channel welcomes international submissions. We also welcome submissions in translation.” NB: Although fiction and poetry can be submitted only during specific windows, non-fiction/essays are welcome year-round.
Also until December 31, “submissions are OPEN for IN THE MOOD MAGAZINE Issue 9: HOMETOWN! We’re looking for writing about film, TV, and pop culture related to your hometown—however you may define it. These could be films shot or set in your town, state/province, or country. Or maybe it’s a town you’ve always identified with, an invented hometown, or a hometown hero.”
From FLIPPED MITTEN PRESS: “We’re seeking individual poems on ‘The Body’s Experience of Religion.’ In what ways do we experience religion, or the loss of religion, in our bodies? We consider poetry to be almost anything, so if you have something weird (like a word search that blasts purity culture), we’d love to see it. We’re willing to consider previously published work as long as you retain the rights. Just let us know where your work was previously published.” Deadline: January 1.
Also until January 1, JUNE ROAD PRESS is accepting submissions for full-length poetry collections.“We’re looking for an original, well-structured, and polished manuscript of (about) 40 to 60 poems, preferably the author’s first or second book. We’re particularly interested in work with strong ecological/environmental themes, or that engages in meaningful ways with nature or place, by writers who identify as women.”
And also until January 1: THE WILD UMBRELLA, “an ambitious new journal, eager to publish compelling prose and poetry from Ireland and the world,” is open for submissions. (Hat tip: @Duotrope.)
As noted in a recent newsletter, RIDDLEBIRD, which features “literary fiction and personal essays,” has “decided to try a rolling submission system. We will be open year round, but capped at 50 a month.”
Although general submissions at SHORT STORY, LONG are currently closed, two windows remain open: for unpublished writers and BIPOC writers.
Reminder: Make it a habit to check the CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL website, where titles in development are posted. Note: “If this is your first time, please visit our Story Guidelines page.”
Reminder: ROUGH CUT PRESS seeks “experimental work of all genres by writers and allies of the LGBTQIA community. To get a sense of what we publish please read some of our former issues. We don’t know what we like until we see it. Each month we announce a different theme, but don’t worry if the work you submit doesn’t quite fit: we often build issues around work that takes us by surprise.”
Reminder: There’s a rolling deadline (the 25th of each month) for OFF TOPIC PUBLISHING’s Poetry Box, which supplies subscribers with a poem “printed postcard-style” along with tea and chocolate. Poems should be no longer than 15 lines (“including blank lines”).
Also:
, which aims to “revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful,” selects one story for publication each month and considers reprints.
REMEMBER: Multiple venues listed in last month’s newsletter remain open for submissions, too. And please keep reading the “Blog Notes” below for an important reminder about additional opportunity listings!
6. BLOG NOTES
The newsletter is published just once each month, but there’s always something new on the Practicing Writing blog:
(Monday) Markets and Jobs for Writers (including fee-free/paying opportunities that don’t make it into the monthly newsletter)
(Friday) Finds for Writers
#SundaySentence
Occasional Notes from a Practicing Writer
Please visit, comment, and subscribe.
Interested in matters of specifically Jewish literary and cultural interest? Please also visit the My Machberet blog (“machberet” is the Hebrew word for “notebook”). And be sure to consult our collection of Jewish Writing Resources.
7. NEWSLETTER MATTERS
Information contained in The Practicing Writer is researched carefully but readers should always verify information. Any necessary corrections, when discovered, are added post-publication within each archived issue. The Practicing Writer and its editor disclaim any liability for the use of information contained within. Thank you for following/reading.
We value our subscribers, and we protect their privacy. We keep our subscriber list confidential.
About the editor: Erika Dreifus is a writer, teacher, and literary consultant whose books include Birthright: Poems and Quiet Americans: Stories. A Fellow in the Sami Rohr Jewish Literary Institute and an adjunct associate professor at Baruch College/CUNY, she lives in New York. Please visit ErikaDreifus.com to learn more about her work and follow her right here on Substack, on Facebook, and/or on Twitter, where she tweets (mostly) “on matters bookish and/or Jewish.”