The Practicing Writer 2.0: September 2024
Featuring 55+ fee-free opportunities that pay for winning/published work. Serving writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction for more than 20 years.
Welcome, new readers, and welcome back to the regulars.
For updates and additional opportunities between newsletters, please check the “Practicing Writing” blog and follow me 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:
As a Gen X-er raised in New York City and nearby New Jersey, I still find it hard to absorb all of the back-to-school photos that begin to flood social media early each August! (From kindergarten through high school, I never returned to the classroom before Labor Day, which, here in the United States, is observed the first Monday in September.)
In any case, summer is most definitely winding down; that typically means that a number of literary journals are re-opening for submissions. I’m glad to be able to share another ample assortment with you, combined with an array of contests and other competitions.
At my own desk, I was (finally!) able in recent days to assemble queries for some work that I’ve wanted to do for a long while. I’ll be happy (delighted, actually) to tell you more if/as things develop. In the meantime, here’s a hint: It’s not without reason that you sometimes find opportunities in the kidlit space included in these newsletters—even if most listings continue to reflect my history and grounding in writing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction for adults.
I’ve also spent time these past few weeks reading books in keeping with August’s designation as Women in Translation Month. Plus, aware of challenges facing many Jewish/Israeli writers these days in getting attention for their books in a decidedly inhospitable literary environment (more about that below), and inspired by
’s example, I’ve recently curate my own Bookshop list for #WITMonth. And I’m pretty proud of it.
Okay. Lots to get to. Onward.
With all best wishes for all of you and your writing practices,
ERIKA
P.S. I am grateful 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 Steph Ellen Feeney:
A thank-you from me: I heard of litmosphere through your newsletter, and I’m thrilled to say they’ll be publishing three of my poems in their fall issue. Gratitude for all the work you do collating opportunities for all us writers.
From Tamar Gribetz:
I want to thank you for your [resources] listing Jewish publications. I found a home for my short story at Iron Words Israel. So thank you again for all your helpful information and guidance.
From Steve Pollack:
Some months ago your Practicing Writing blog listed a submission call from Mukoli: The Magazine for Peace, a project within the School of Conflict Management at Kennesaw State University. Four of my poems are included in their summer issue. Before your [listing], I had not realized how many of my poems touched on the themes of peace and cultural and historical connections.
Erika, thank you for this wonderful opportunity. I began writing poems following a career in engineering. Poetry is a passion, not my livelihood. This acceptance by Mukoli marks the first time I have been compensated with anything other than books for my poems. It will not pay tuition for grandchildren, but it is a meaningful reward.
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
Even before the incident that earned widespread coverage (including in The New York Times) as it unfolded last week, one could discern signs that the world of independent bookstores was becoming a space evincing the same kinds of bias—and other sorts of professional malpractice—that I’ve addressed in this newsletter in the past.
Which is evidently why, on August 19 (again, before last week’s Brooklyn brouhaha), a petition for “Global Inclusive Representation in Independent Bookstores” was launched on Change.org.1
I hope that you’ll read the text that accompanies the petition—attributed to an organizing team identified only as “Fighting Antisemitism”—to explain it. I hope that, like me, you may even choose to sign it.
But that’s not why I’m writing about it here.
The “resource” component that I wish to highlight is, in fact, embedded. (I’m not going to link directly because, again, I want to impress upon you the importance of reading the full text.) The resource is a spreadsheet with (vetted) crowd-sourced information that both spotlights bookstores that appear to be heeding the petition’s plea and discloses many that evidently are not.
Before amplifying the project, I wanted to learn more about it; a few days ago, I connected with “Fighting Antisemitism” through Change.org’s “Media Request” feature. (Slight digression: I mention this not least for the benefit of any assigning editors whose screens this may cross—you don’t need to hire me to write about this more expansively, although you can certainly reach out if you’re interested in doing so.)
One of the organizers responded to my inquiry via email. I still don’t know the names of the team’s members (more about that in a moment). But I did learn some things about them.
I’ve been told that they are a small group of volunteers. That they are not affiliated with any specific organization, although “in terms of values, we’re mostly left-leaning.” And, yes—I learned that they prefer to remain anonymous: “We know how doxxing and cancel-culture work. As individuals, we don't have means to protect ourselves beyond trying to remain private.”
At this point I will anticipate protests (especially from those who haven’t taken the time to read through the petition’s accompanying text and the details included within the spreadsheet). So I will say that what I find here is not a boycott or blacklisting project. It is an initiative with a dual purpose: a) to encourage stores that may not be living up to inclusive standards and practices to learn more/do better; and b) to help everyone make their own informed choices as they navigate the literary ecosystem.2
And, again, you can check it all out—and even contribute further information yourself (the organizers are interested in bookstores both within and beyond the United States)—as directed on the petition page.
4. CONTESTS, COMPETITIONS, AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
IRON HORSE LITERARY REVIEW “LONG STORY” COMPETITION
Fee-free submissions day: September 1. Each fall, Iron Horse considers “marathon-long submissions…in nonfiction and fiction--prose manuscripts that run between 20 and 40 pages” for this prize, which confers $1,000 prize and publication “e-single, in full-color, available for free download to all readers via ISSUU.” NB: Fee-free submissions will be capped at 25.IRON HORSE LITERARY REVIEW “NAPOMO” COMPETITION
Fee-free submissions day: September 1. “Recently, we’ve rethought the way we manage and release our annual NaPoMo issue. Now, it is published electronically, via ISSUU, which means anyone can download and read it for free, and so our contributors’ works reach a wider audience. We’re also more selective with this issue: instead of 25 poems, we select only the very best 10: one winner and nine finalists--much like our annual PhotoFinish issue. The issue will be released in full color, and each manuscript will have its own artwork.” Also: “While the ten finalists will receive our special NaPoMo honorarium for poems ($100 per poem), the winner will receive $1,000.” NB: Fee-free submissions will be capped at 25.SPECULATIVE LITERATURE FOUNDATION WORKING CLASS WRITERS GRANT
Applications: September 1-30. Awarded annually “to speculative fiction writers who are working class, blue-collar, financially disadvantaged, or homeless, who have been historically underrepresented in speculative fiction due to financial barriers which make it hard to access the writing world. Such lack of access might include an inability to purchase a computer, books, and tuition, or to attend conventions or workshops. Often, these writers, many of whom work more than one job, have less time to write. The SLF seeks to bring more of these marginalized voices into speculative fiction.” Grant amount: $1,000. Note: “Unlike our other grants, you may choose to receive this grant anonymously or pseudonymously.” Note also that “while we are based in America…this grant is available to international writers.”YOUNG LIONS FICTION AWARD
Deadline: September 6. This $10,000 prize administered by the New York Public Library is awarded “to a writer age 35 or younger for a novel or a collection of short stories.” Eligibility, as noted, is limited to U.S. citizens with books published in 2024. Publisher must submit books.GARDEN PARTY COLLECTIVE MENTAL HEALTH POETRY CONTEST
Submissions: September 8-14 (National Suicide Prevention Week). “We at the GPC were heartbroken to learn the news of Christa Vander Wyst’s passing (Jan. 2024). She was a beautiful light in our group, and to her friends and family, and we're all still processing her loss. Discussing how we could best honor her, we knew mental health was always an important subject for Christa--she was already planning to host a contest soon through our collective for poets who have struggled / are currently struggling with mental illness. As such, we at the GPC have started a yearly contest in tribute to Christa and her legacy. Furthermore, we will be partnering with Christa's family to pick the 3 winners for this yearly contest.” Per general guidelines: “Each winning poet will have their choice between 1) a $50 payment, or 2) choosing a charity of their choice (either in their community or we can share a small list of reputable choices), which GPC will match for a total donation of $100.”CASA UNO RESIDENCY
Deadline: September 15. “Located in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, the residency takes place on a beautiful property that provides an opportunity for one to four artists simultaneously to have meaningful interactions and stimulating discussions while pursuing their own individual projects in an inspiring natural setting.” Eight residencies will be awarded for 2025. Note that although there’s no fee to apply or to attend, you will need to cover your own transportation.HADASSAH-BRANDEIS INSTITUTE RESEARCH AWARDS
Deadline: September 18. These grants “support research or artistic projects in Jewish women’s and gender studies across a range of disciplines.” Note that “creative arts proposals” must “deal with gender; projects by and about Jewish artists that do not deal with gender, do not meet the criteria.” Awards are “open to applicants regardless of gender or religion” and “applications (in English) from outside the United States are welcome.” Awards “junior grants” up to $2,000 and “senior grants,” up to $5,000, for “established scholars and professionals.”THE IGNITE FELLOWSHIP
Deadline: September 18. From Scottish Book Trust to support “established writers who are embarking on or working through a significant project.” Three fellowships are awarded; applicants must be based in Scotland. Fellowship package includes a £2,500 cash award and other benefits.MILES MORLAND FOUNDATION WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: September 20 (ED note: confirmed via email when I noticed an earlier deadline listed elsewhere on the site). “It can be difficult for writers, before they become established, to write while simultaneously earning a living. To help meet this need the MMF annually awards a small number of Morland Writing Scholarships, with the aim being to allow each Scholar the time to produce the first draft of a completed book. The Scholarships are open to anyone writing in the English language who was born in Africa, or both of whose parents were born in Africa.”MOLLIE SAVAGE MEMORIAL WRITING CONTEST
Dates: September 20-September 22. From Toasted Cheese. “The autumn edition of the Savage Writing Contest is a SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY contest. It is held annually the weekend closest to September 21….Winning stories are published in the December issue of Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card.”INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS & EDITORS (IRE) FREELANCE FELLOWSHIP
.)
Deadline: September 23. This program provides up to $4,000 “for non-fiction project proposals which demonstrate impact, breadth and significance. Proposals for books, documentaries, cable series and other long-form projects are eligible. We also accept proposals for shorter term work such as video or audio projects for broadcast or online sites, articles for newspapers, magazines, online sites and niche news publications, among others. Proposals that deal with whistleblowers, business ethics or privacy issues will be given priority. It is intended to support work that will be primarily be published or broadcast in the U.S. and in outlets where the primary audience will be at least a part of the American public.” (Hat tip:CULLMAN CENTER FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: September 27. From the New York Public Library’s Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers, for “outstanding scholars and writers….Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply. Candidates for the Fellowship will need to work primarily at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building rather than at other divisions of the Library.” Confers “a stipend of $85,000, the use of an office with a computer, and full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources.” Fellowship term runs from September through May.WINGATE AWARD FOR UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPTS (JEWISH SUBJECT)
Deadline: September 29. Part of the Australian Jewish Book Award program. “The winner will receive a monetary prize of $4,000, a mentorship with judge Lee Kofman, and will have their manuscript reviewed by Morry Schwartz, owner of Schwartz Publishing.” Writers, who must be “an Australian citizen, or ordinarily reside in Australia,” may enter excerpts from unpublished manuscripts of fiction or non-fiction (for adults, children or young adults) “completed at least to a full first draft stage”; the manuscript’s topic “must engage in some capacity with Jewish experience.” As always, check the detailed terms/criteria.AFTER THE END POETRY COMPETITION
Deadline: September 30. “This poetry competition invites creative responses from poets that critically engage with ideas of time and temporality and the question of who gets to say that something has ended. Work from poets at every stage of their writing careers is welcome….The After the End Poetry Competition offers to winners a first prize of £750, second and third place winners will be offered £125 each. All three winners will be published on the After the End website, and poems may be shared on media channels connected to the After the End project.” Previously published and international submissions welcome. (Hat tip: Freelance Writing Jobs.)ART OF UNITY CREATIVE AWARD
Deadline: September 30. From the International Human Rights Art Movement in conjunction with Yahad-in Unum Mid-America. Theme: “Never Again: Remembering to Heal and Overcome.” Cash prizes: $150/$100/$50.BERLIN PRIZE FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: September 30. From the American Academy in Berlin. “Each year…the Academy awards roughly two dozen semester-long fellowships to outstanding US-based scholars, writers, visual artists, composers, and policy experts.” They “encourage projects that concern the future of democracy, technology and society (especially Artificial Intelligence), contemporary China, as well as climate change and sustainability. The Academy maintains dedicated fellowships for projects in American political economy, Jewish studies, and public health and biotechnology. Finally, while project proposals need not focus on topics related to Germany, candidates should explain how their projects would benefit from a residency in Berlin.” (Writers should note that poets are offered fellowships through an invitation-only application process.) “Fellowship benefits include round-trip airfare, accommodation at or near the Hans Arnhold Center, partial board, and a stipend of $5,000 per month. Berlin Prize recipients reside at the Academy during the entire term of the award—generally one academic semester—and present their work at two public events. The Academy supports Berlin Prize fellows through residential community-building, professional networking, targeted media outreach, and access to in-house library services.” Note: “Fellowships are restricted to citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Candidates must explain any limited periods spent outside the United States, such as sabbaticals or foreign assignments. American expatriates are not eligible to apply.” Note also: “Writers of fiction and nonfiction must have published at least one book with a reputable press at the time of application.”JERRY JAZZ MUSICIAN SHORT FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: September 30. “Three times a year, Jerry Jazz Musician awards a writer who submits, in our opinion, the best original, previously unpublished work of short fiction. The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Our newsletter subscribers include publishers, artists, musicians, and fellow writers. While your writing should appeal to a reader with these interests and in these creative professions, all story themes are considered.” Confers $150 and publication.WILLIE MORRIS AWARDS FOR SOUTHERN WRITING
Deadline: September 30. “The Willie Morris Awards for Southern Writing celebrate works in three genres—fiction, nonfiction and poetry. A national panel of judges reviews hundreds of nominated books and poems looking for works that ask readers to engage with the complexities of the U.S. South.” Winners receive cash prizes ($12,000 for fiction and nonfiction winners; $3,000 for the poetry winner). “Winners also receive an expenses-paid trip to Oxford, Miss., where we celebrate the winning writers as part of the Oxford Conference for the Book.” For fiction and nonfiction, “books must be published during the submission year and cannot be self-published. Advance reader copies or proofs for books that will be published in October, November or December” are acceptable. For poetry, “poets may submit one original, unpublished poem no longer than 60 lines. Poems should evoke the US South.”SEJONG INTERNATIONAL SIJO COMPETITION
Deadline: September 30 (“11:59pm CDT USA”). “The sijo is a traditional three-line Korean poetic form organized technically and thematically by line and syllable count. Using the sijo form, write one poem in English on a topic of your choice.” Cash prizes: $500/$250/$100. Open to writers of any nationality.RHONDA GAIL WILLIFORD AWARD FOR POETRY
Deadline: September 30. “The Rhonda Gail Williford Award for Poetry honors the courageous, passionate, and justice-oriented life of poet and attorney Rhonda Gail Williford. Rhonda was an unashamed believer in beauty in all its forms, as well as in the power of language. Poetry that is sparse, compact, and powerful or lush and melodious is welcome, as are poems that combine these qualities. The contest will be judged by a panel of poets who knew and cherished Rhonda and her commitment to beauty, justice, and life. Sincerity, vulnerability, and courage are codes Rhonda lived by and we are looking for poems that reflect these ideals.” Entrants may submit one poem “that incorporates themes of justice, dignity, and resistance.” Cash prizes: $150/$100/$50.THE WRITERS COLLEGE SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Deadline: September 30. New Zealand-based annual competition “is held to acknowledge excellence in creative writing in the short story form” and “is open to any writer” (worldwide) “who is unpublished, or has been published fewer than four times.” All genres welcome, but “literary fiction tends to fare best with our judges.” Current theme is “‘It didn’t have to be this way’. Writers can interpret and represent the theme in any way they choose. Each story must include the phrase ‘It didn’t have to be this way’ somewhere in the story. Writers must produce their own title.” Cash prizes (NZ$ 1000/NZ$ 500/NZ$ 250) plus publication. (Hat tip: WOW! Women on Writing Markets Newsletter.)CAMARGO FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: October 1. The Camargo Foundation’s flagship program “for artists, scholars, and thinkers.” Confers 10-week residencies in Cassis, France; for the next cycle, these will take place from September 10-November 19 (2025) and February 24-May 5 (2026). “A stipend of EUR 350 per week is provided (EUR 3500 for the entire duration of the residency), as is funding for basic transportation to and from Cassis per Fellow. In the case of air travel, basic coach class booked in advance is covered.” NB: “On Thursday 5 September at 4pm (CET), a webinar will be hosted by the Camargo team to present the upcoming edition of the Camargo Fellowship to interested applicants. It will include information about Camargo, the call for residencies in 2025-2026 and a Q&A session.”RUSSELL FREEDMAN AWARD FOR NONFICTION FOR A BETTER WORLD
Deadline: October 1. From the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), this award honors “the late Russell Freedman, Newbery Award winner and one of the modern masters of narrative nonfiction.” Confers “a prize of $2500 plus $500 to purchase copies of the winning book for distribution to schools and libraries, recognition in all SCBWI publications, and a virtual forum to give a speech before the entire children’s book community. Any nonfiction book published for children or young adults, released between January 1 and December 31, 2024, is eligible. If both an author and illustrator are listed on the book cover, the prize will be split between them. You do not have to be a member of SCBWI to submit. However, your book must be traditionally published.”IMPACT AND LEGACY FUND (ILF) ENCOURAGEMENT FUND GRANTS
Deadline: October 1. Administered by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), this fund provides “three grants of $2,000 each to children’s book authors, artists, or translators who have traditionally published at least one book of any genre. Generously supported by Stephen Fraser, a veteran editor and now one of our industry’s most respected agents at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, this grant reflects Stephen’s commitment to supporting talent. Encouragement comes in many forms. As such, the grants have no strings attached and may be used however the recipient sees fit. In addition to the financial grant, recipients may also take advantage of Stephen’s offer to meet with them for career advice or feedback.” NB: “This year, the grant is exclusively for creators working on middle-grade fiction. Submitters must have one book of any genre (for example, a picture book or an adult novel) traditionally published and must be currently working on a work of middle-grade fiction—a novel, chapter book, collection of stories, or graphic novel. The middle-grade work-in-progress does not need to be attached to a publisher. You do not have to be a member of SCBWI to submit. However, your previously published book must be traditionally published.”LUSCHEI PRIZE FOR AFRICAN POETRY
Deadline: October 1. Annual award of USD $1,000, under the auspices of the African Poetry Book Fund and in partnership with the literary journal, Prairie Schooner. “Established in 2015 and named for the literary philanthropist Glenna Luschei, this Pan African Poetry Prize is the only one of its kind in the world and aims to honor and promote African poetry written in English or in translation and to recognize a significant book published each year by an African poet.” Note: “An ‘African writer’ is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, or whose parents are African.” Note also: “Only poetry submissions in English can be considered, but we welcome published works of translation for consideration.”NATAN NOTABLE BOOK AWARD
Deadline: October 1. “Around Passover and the Jewish High Holidays, Natan selects a ‘Natan Notable Book,’ a recently-published or about-to-be published non-fiction title that will catalyze conversations aligned with the themes of Natan’s grantmaking: reinventing Jewish life and community for the twenty-first century, shifting notions of individual and collective Jewish identity, the history and future of Israel, and the evolving relationship between Israel and world Jewry. Natan Notable Book winners receive a Natan Notable Book seal and $5,000 for the author, marketing/distribution coaching and promotion from Jewish Book Council and Natan, and customized support designed to bring the book and/or the author to new audiences.”OPPENHEIM-JOHN DOWNES MEMORIAL TRUST GRANTS
Deadline: October 1. “The Oppenheim-John Downes Memorial Trust provides small scale grants to British artists, designers, writers and performers over the age of 30 who are experiencing financial difficulties in the pursuit of their careers.” Grants “typically range from £250 - £1,000.”ALICIA PATTERSON FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS
Deadline: October 1. Confers grants for 12 months ($40,000) or six months ($20,000) for independent research and writing projects. “At least one fellowship is aimed at science and environmental coverage.” NB: “The Alicia Patterson fellowships are open only to U.S. citizens who are fulltime print journalists, or to non-U.S. citizens who work fulltime for U.S. print publications, either in America or abroad. Freelancers are welcome to apply.”MONEY CHRONICLES: A STORY INITIATIVE
Deadline: October 2. From Principal Foundation with support from Short Edition and the Center for Fiction. “We want to read your imaginative and meaningful short stories (fiction and creative nonfiction) touching on themes related to money and personal finance. Introduce us to protagonists whose relationship to money may be on the verge of unexpected or needed change. Your tale may be the inspiration someone needs to reimagine their relationship with money.” Entrants must live in the United States. NB: “The first 400 submissions will be read by Short Edition’s editorial team….The winner will receive a $1000 honorarium, and each finalist will also receive an honorarium of $150. The winner and the finalists’ stories will be distributed across Principal Foundation’s Short Story Dispensers throughout the year” in six U.S. locations. “In addition, Short Edition will consider the winner and all finalists for international publication in their 300+ Dispensers worldwide, located in universities, public libraries, airports, public transportation centers, retail, and many other locations.”AMERICAN ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY FELLOWSHIPS FOR CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTISTS AND WRITERS
Deadline: October 5. From the Massachusetts-based American Antiquarian Society, these visiting fellowships confer $2,000 “for historical research by creative and performing artists, writers, film makers, journalists, and other persons whose goals are to produce imaginative works dealing with pre-twentieth-century American history, literature, and culture. Successful applicants are those whose work is for the general public rather than for academic or educational audiences.”
REMINDER: Multiple opportunities listed in last month’s newsletter remain open into the new month. And please keep reading the “Blog Notes” below for an important reminder about additional opportunity listings!
5. SUBMISSION ALERTS
Scheduled to re-open for submissions September 1: THE BOMBAY LITERARY MAGAZINE. “We have a cap of 400 submissions in each category. Once we are maxed out, we can no longer accept submissions in that category. It’s a good idea not to wait until the end of the month to submit.”
Also re-opening September 1, for print-journal submissions for the month (although caps apply here, too—act fast!): THE CINCINNATI REVIEW.
Scheduled to re-open September 1 for general submissions (and remaining open until November 30): Canada-based CONTEMPORARY VERSE 2, “a quarterly literary journal that publishes poetry and critical writing about poetry, including interviews, articles, essays, and reviews.” (NB: Free general submissions for Canadians and Canadian residents only.) Note also that until October 1, Contemporary Verse 2 is open for a special call for poetry for an upcoming “Birthday” issue in conjunction with its own 50th birthday; for the themed issue, submissions are evidently free for writers outside Canada, too, but those writers should [re]check the general guidelines for details about payment. Note further that they “prefer that you do not send us work for this themed issue that has also been submitted elsewhere.”
And another journal that will re-open September 1 (in this case, for literary-nonfiction submissions only): CUTLEAF.
At STONE’S THROW, “the monthly online companion to Rock and a Hard Place Magazine,” they’re open for submissions early each month. “We’re looking for all the same dark fiction, crime and noir as our usual submissions, but with a target length between 1,000 and 2,000 words, and aligned with the monthly submissions prompt.” For submissions September 1-4 (for the October issue), they seek work as follows: “Every town has a legend of a haunted place, and in most cases, those legends and haunted places involve a crime. This month, we want stories about legends, real or imagined, the crimes that inspired them, and the way those legends affect those living in their shadows. Make it dark. Make it gothic.”
Scheduled to re-open September 1 (and remaining open until September 30): UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA PRESS, for poetry manuscripts from Canadian citizens and landed immigrants. “At the end of the submission period, the Press, working with members of our external jury for poetry, selects up to three manuscripts per year for publication. The selection generally occurs early in the new year and those manuscripts are published the following spring.”
Open through September 2: FUNICULAR, which publishes “short stories of 3000 words or less, poetry, and flash fiction pieces under 1000 words.”
SPECULATION PUBLICATIONS remains open for submissions for its annual “Yule” anthology until September 6 (unless they are “slammed” and close early). The current theme is “Evergreen: Tales of Winter Shadows.” NB: “NO MORE CHRISTMAS HORROR. We Are Buried in Christmas Horror and Need More Stories from OTHER Winter Solstice Based Holidays and more Fantasy and Mysticism.” (Hat tip: WOW! Women on Writing Markets Newsletter.)
BOOK XI, “a journal dedicated to publishing personal essays, memoir, fiction, science fiction, humor, and poetry with philosophical theme,” remains open for submissions through September 14, or until their submissions cap is met. Current theme: “Reality and its other(s).”
Canada-based GRAIN is scheduled to re-open September 15, at which time, their submissions page notes (scroll to “To Send Work Through Submittable”), they will institute a submissions fee for writers from outside Canada. Additionally, they do have “a monthly Submittable cap, and if we reached the said cap, online submissions will be closed until the following month. If you’d like to submit but our account is full, you can either submit by mail or wait until the 1st of the following month.”
Submissions for the next volume of RAINY WEATHER DAYS, “a cozy literary magazine,” will close “around September 15.” At the moment, they appear to be seeking fiction only. (Hat tip: Authors Publish.)
Scheduled to re-open September 15, for submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction from writers around the world: Canada-based THE FIDDLEHEAD.
Opening for submissions September 16: “BUSHEL & PECK BOOKS is seeking contemporary Jewish holiday stories from diverse perspectives to publish an anthology for ages 3 to 9. Short stories of 800 words or less on Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Hanukkah, Tu Bishvat, Purim, Passover, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Shavuot, Shabbat will be accepted between September 16, 2024 and November 18, 2024. Contributors will receive a flat fee of $200 for first time publication rights plus five copies of the anthology. Please submit stories to jewishholidayanthology(at)bushelandpeckbooks(dot)com between September 16th and November 18, 2024.” (NB: I received this one via email from one of the project’s editors; please direct any questions to the address included within this announcement, not to me.)
Slated to re-open September 16: POETRY magazine.
Open until September 29: STORY UNLIKELY, which seeks, “simply put…good stories.” NB: “Though we don’t charge for submissions, you do need to subscribe to our magazine (free) – this is how we publish our stories, and where you'll see yours in digital print.”
Based in Canada, with submissions limited to those from Canadian writers, FREEFALL is also closing September 30. “We publish poetry, fiction, non-fiction, literary reviews, author interviews, and visual arts.”
Closing October 1: short story submissions for THE LAST LINE; all stories must conclude with this year’s chosen line (provided in the guidelines; those submitting work from outside the US should be sure to check the note about payment for international submitters).
Quick note: Although ORCA is open for 100 fee-free submissions most months, they’ll take October off.
And as mentioned above, at STONE’S THROW, “the monthly online companion to Rock and a Hard Place Magazine,” they’re open for submissions early each month. “We’re looking for all the same dark fiction, crime and noir as our usual submissions, but with a target length between 1,000 and 2,000 words, and aligned with the monthly submissions prompt.” For submissions October 1-4 (for the November issue), they seek work as follows: “It’s election season, so this month we want to see stories about the government, its power, and how it can put its thumb on the scale. Whether its a cop with a chip on their shoulder, a zoning board that cannot be reasoned with, or a congressman saying one thing then doing the other, we want to see your stories about the little guy, and what happens when they come face to face with unaccountable power.”
- “is now accepting submissions of unpublished first person 1,000-2,000 word personal essays based on the author’s life experience ONLY from Open Secrets subscribers” [ED note: You can subscribe free of charge]. Essay categories are listed within the call/guidelines. NB: “The deadline for submitting to this round…is December 31, 2024. Earlier submissions have the best chance of acceptance. Submissions are currently free. Starting in 2025, we will be charging a small submission fee to help sustain Open Secrets.” (Hat tip: .)
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.” (NB: In case you’ve caught this bankruptcy-related news, the anthology website states: “Our book business is not part of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. While that business works on sorting out its financial challenges, we continue to publish our books as usual and we look forward to reading your submissions and considering them for our upcoming titles!”)
Reminder: PARANOID TREE, which welcomes fiction, creative nonfiction, and prose poetry (with a word limit “~400 words”), is always open for submissions.
Reminder: 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.”
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: , 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.
Reminder: VAST CHASM, which publishes “bold work that explores the expansive human experience, including flash and short fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and other nonconforming work,” considers submissions “year-round, on a rolling basis, for our quarterly online issues.”
Reminder: WRITE OR DIE is open for author interviews and creative nonfiction year-round. Regarding the latter: “We are interested in essays that focus on the writing life and especially love work where the personal intersects with the critical. We love essays that examine how publishing, reading, teaching, spirituality, sexuality, identity, obsession, labor, and family shape writing.”
REMEMBER: Some 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.”
An enormous hat tip here goes to journalist Luke Tress, who included a brief mention of this petition at the end of his New York Jewish News article “Brooklyn Book Launch Canceled Over ‘Zionist’ Moderator Is Re-Scheduled for Next Week.”
To that end, it’s worth noting the update posted regarding the petition team’s own interactions with powerHouse Arena, the store at the center of the storm covered in The New York Times and elsewhere. May there be many similar updates to come!