MARKETS, AWARDS, GRANTS, CONTESTS, AND COMPETITIONS – February 1, 2017
Have a contest to share? Send them to [email protected]
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Poetry
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**NEW**
SPORT LITERATE’S POETRY CHAPBOOK AWARD
Deadline: February 14; Entry Fee: $15
Sport Literate, the award-winning, 22-year-old journal featuring “honest reflections on life’s leisurely diversions,” wants your best sporty poems. Our first chapbook will be comprised of up to 10 poems from three winning poets, each of whom will receive $150. Send seven to 10 poems (along with a $15 entry fee) before the St. Valentine’s Day deadline (February 14, 2017). Previously published work is fine, but please tell us where it first appeared. Find detailed guidelines, as well as back issues and featured work, on our website: sportliterate.org.
DON’T TALK TO ME ABOUT LOVE 2017 POETRY CONTEST
Deadline: February 14; Entry Fee: $20
What does LOVE mean to you? Submit poetry ( 1- 3 poems of up to 75 lines) exploring love in any of its myriad expressions: romantic, platonic, parental, and much, much more. First prize: $1000. See complete guidelines at Don’t Talk to Me About Love.
TNQ: NICK BLATCHFORD OCCASIONAL VERSE CONTEST
Deadline: February 28: Entry Fee: $40
Sponsored by former TNQ editor Kim Jernigan and family in memory of her father Nick Blatchford, in celebration of the man who sparked the family’s love of poetry. For poems written in response to an existing occasion, personal or public, or poems that make an occasion of something ordinary or uncelebrated by virtue of the poet’s attention. We are interested in light verse and in verse more sober, in the whole spectrum of tones and occasions. One of Nick’s own poems, which we think captures the broadness of his (and our) sense of occasion, is pictured at left. It originally appeared in Issue 100 of TNQ. Visit: tnq.ca/contests
THE THREE MILE HARBOR POETRY PRIZE
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $25
$500 honorarium and book publication: submit your book-length manuscript of poems to the Three Mile Harbor Book Prize for Poetry by February 28th and a $25 reading fee. See the complete guidelines at 3mileharborpress.com/?page_id=2938
THE RIALTO NATURE AND PLACE POETRY COMPETITION 2017
Deadline: March 1; Entry Fee: £6
The Rialto working with the RSPB, BirdLife International and the Cambridge Conservation Initiative. Poems are invited that deal with any aspect of nature and place and will be given a very wide interpretation by the judge. The entry fee is £6 for the first poem and £3.50 for each subsequent entry. Full details and the facility to enter online can be found on The Rialto website: therialto.co.uk/pages/nature-poetry-competition-2017.
**NEW**
RBC BRONWEN WALLACE AWARD FOR EMERGING WRITERS 2017
Deadline: March 6
Submissions are now open for the 2017 RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers. Alternating each year between short fiction and poetry, the 2017 award will be given for an outstanding work of poetry. The deadline to submit is March 6, 2017. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 and two honourable mentions will each receive $2,500. In addition, each finalist will win a trip to Toronto to attend the award ceremony on May 30, 2017 and a mentorship opportunity. writerstrust.com
VALLUM CHAPBOOK AWARD 2017
Deadline: March 31; Entry Fee: $25
Submit 12 – 20 previously unpublished pages. Prize: $125 and publication in the Vallum Chapbook Series. Visit Vallum’s website for full submission guidelines.
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Fiction
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PLENTITUDE CORNUCOPIA LITERARY PRIZE
Deadline: February 15; Entry Fee: $15
We are thrilled to announce our first-ever contest, the Cornucopia Literary Prize for fiction. The prize is open for submissions from September 15, 2016 until February 15, 2017, and is awarded to the best work of fiction by a LGBTTQI writer. We welcome submissions from writers of any nationality. In addition to publication in Plenitude magazine, the winning author receives a cash prize of $500. Every submission will be considered for publication. The shortlist will be announced in May, 2017, and the winning author, as well as two honourable mentions, will be announced June 1, 2017. Visit: plenitudemagazine.ca/announcing-the-inaugural-cornucopia-literary-prize
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GRANTA MAGAZINE
Deadline: February 16
Please submit only one complete story or essay, or up to three poems at a time. Multiple submissions will not be read. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and art will be considered for both our print and online editions, unless you specifically state otherwise in your cover letter. We remain open to submissions of photography and art year-round. Granta accepts submissions in different categories during the following periods: Poetry: 3 October – 3 November; Fiction: 16 January – 16 February; Nonfiction: 24 April – 24 May. We will also be accepting submissions to our Canada issue, Granta 141, between January 9 to February 6, 2017. Submissions may be in French or in English, and are open to Canadians only. We have no set maximum length or minimum length, though most of our submissions are between 3,000-6,000 words. Visit: granta.submittable.com/submit
**NEW**
FISH FLASH FICTION CONTEST
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: €14
The Fish Flash Fiction Contest is an opportunity to attempt one of the most interesting and rewarding tasks – to create, in a tiny fragment, a completely resolved and compelling story in 300 words or less. The judge for 2017, author Chris Stewart, will be selecting the 10 flash stories to be published in the Fish Anthology 2017. The Flash Fiction Stories are wonderfully entertaining to read and challenging to write, but we love them and so do the readers of the Fish Anthology. This is a chance to get a story, however small, into the next Fish Anthology. The Fish Flash Fiction Contest has been an annual event since 2004. fishpublishing.com/competition/flash-fiction-contest
EXETER WRITERS SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: £6
The competition is open to published and unpublished authors (except members of Exeter Writers) writing in any genre except children’s. Stories must not have been previously published. The maximum word limit is 3,000, but there is no lower limit. Visit: exeterwriters.org.uk/p/competition.html
GLIMMER TRAIN SHORT STORY AWARD FOR NEW WRITERS
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $18
Open only to writers whose fiction has not appeared, nor is scheduled to appear, in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000. (Entries must not have appeared in print, but previous online publication is fine.) Most entries run from 1,000 to 5,000 words, but any lengths up to 12,000 are welcome. Visit: glimmertrain.org/pages/guidelines/short_story_award_for_new_writers_guidelines.php
GEIST 13TH ANNUAL LITERAL PITERARY POSTCARD STORY CONTEST
Deadline Extended: March 1; Entry Fee: $20
The writing contest whose name is almost as long as the entries! How it works: 1) Send us a story and a postcard—the relationship can be as strong or as tangential as you like, so long as there is a clear connection between the story and the image. 2) If you’re not sure where to look for a postcard, you can make your own or visit Wikimedia Commons. 3) The story can be fiction or non-fiction; maximum length is 500 words. Visit our postcard story archive for more examples of notable stories. Prizes: First Prize: $500; Second Prize: $250; Third Prize: $150. Read more here
2017 BRISTOL SHORT STORY PRIZE
Deadline: May 4; Entry Fee: £8.00 (about $13.20 CAD)
The 2017 Bristol Short Story Prize is open for entries. The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished, UK or non-UK based. 20 stories will be shortlisted and published in Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Volume 10. The winner and 2 runners up will be selected from the shortlist and announced at an awards ceremony which will be held in Bristol Central Library on October 14th 2017. The closing date for entries is midnight (BST) May 3rd 2017. The maximum word limit is 4,000, there is no minimum. Stories may be on any theme or subject and entry can be made online or by post. Read more here.
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Nonfiction
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**NEW**
TOP STORY – SEEKING EXCEPTIONAL LONGFORM NONFICTION
Deadline: Submissions accepted year-round
True Story is a new monthly magazine from the editors of Creative Nonfiction. Each issue features one exceptional work of creative nonfiction. Submissions should be between 5,000 and 10,000 words long, on any subject, in any style. Surprise us! The only rules are that all work submitted must be nonfiction and original to the author, and we will not consider previously published work. creativenonfiction.org/true-story
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BIOSTORIES
Deadline: Submissions accepted year-round
bioStories is an online literary magazine of creative nonfiction focused on biography and autobiography. We publish weekly “feature essays”, semi-annual digital issues, and digital and print thematic anthologies. We read submissions year round for essays keeping with our tradition of “sharing the extraordinary in ordinary lives,” and run two annual thematic contests. Writers are encouraged to visit the website to gain a full sense of our reading tastes and literary mission of presenting exceptional writers exploring the subtleties of the lives we might otherwise overlook. Full submission guidelines are available by visiting: biostories.com.
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: LUMA FILM & MEDIA ART QUARTERLY
Deadline: February 14
Luma is a quarterly online publication about independent film and media art published by the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers and EMMEDIA Gallery & Production Society. Luma includes critical essays, news, reviews, event previews, interviews, reflections, and photo/video essays about culturally relevant productions, events and ideas. Luma aims to expand critical dialogue about media art and film from a Western Canadian perspective on an international platform. Issues are released in May, August, November and February. The deadline for Issue 008 is February 14, 2017. Successful contributors will receive an honorarium of $200 per submission per issue. Further information on submission guidelines can be found at lumaquarterly.com.
DIANA WOODS MEMORIAL AWARD IN CREATIVE NONFICTION
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: TBA
Lunch Ticket is honored to serve as the host for the Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction. Creative nonfiction authors are invited to submit an essay of up to 5,000 words on the subject of their choice to be considered for the Diana Woods Memorial (DWM) Award in creative nonfiction. Winners will receive $250 and their work will be featured in the next issue of Lunch Ticket. Each award recipient must submit a 100-word biography, current photo, and send a brief note of thanks to the Woods’ family. Visit: lunchticket.org/contests/the-diana-woods-memorial-award
CBC NONFICTION PRIZE
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $25
The 2017 CBC Nonfiction Prize is open for submissions. The deadline is Feb. 28th at 11:59 p.m. ET. WHAT: Submit your original, unpublished works of nonfiction between 1200 and 1800 words. WHEN: Competition runs from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2017. WHO: All Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada can submit. A fee of $25.00 (taxes included) for administration purposes is required for each entry. WHAT YOU CAN WIN: The winner receives $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have their story published in Air Canada enRoute magazine and will have the opportunity to attend a 10-day writing residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Four finalists will receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their story published on CBC Books. WHAT YOU CAN WRITE: You can submit memoir, biography, humour writing, essay (including personal essay), travel writing and feature articles. Visit: cbc.ca/books/2016/01/cbc-creative-nonfiction-prize-is-now-open.html
**NEW**
2017 STELLA KUPFERBERG MEMORIAL WRITING CONTEST
Deadline: March 1; Entry Fee: $25
Symphony Space’s award winning, nationally aired program, Selected Shorts is sponsoring the 2017 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Writing Contest. The contest is offered to writers worldwide. The winning submission, selected by Lauren Groff author of Fates and Furies, will be read as part of a Selected Shorts performance at Symphony Space on May 10, 2017. The story will be recorded for possible broadcast as part of the public radio series and published on electricliterature.com. The winning writer will receive $1000 and a free 10-week course with the Gotham Writers’ Workshop Entries should be 750 words or less. Stories can be on any theme. selectedshorts.org/extras/writing-contest
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ESSAYS ON THE BEAT GENERATION
Deadline: March 1
Beatdom Literary Journal is looking for submissions for its 10th anniversary issue. The topic is “family.” This means we prefer submissions relating to the Beat Generation and the subject of family. Essays are preferred, but we also print a small number of poems, short stories, interviews, reviews, etc. Check out our website for previously published material. Submission guidelines here: beatdom.com/submission-guidelines.
**NEW**
ROOM’S CREATIVE NONFICTION CONTEST
Deadline: March 8; Entry Fee: $35
Our 2017 Creative Non-Fiction Contest is now open! Submit your non-fiction work to us before March 8, 2017. Judge: Carmen Aguirre. FIRST PRIZE: $500 + publication in Room, SECOND PRIZE: $250 + publication in Room, HONOURABLE MENTION: $50 publication on Room’s website. Carmen Aguirre’s Something Fierce: Memoirs of a Revolutionary Daughter won CBC Canada Reads 2012 and is a #1 national bestseller. Mexican Hooker #1 and My Other Roles Since the Revolution, a Globe and Mail bestseller, was published in April 2016. Entry fee includes a one-year subscription to Room, beginning with issue 40.1 (March 2017). room.submittable.com/submit/35799/creative-non-fiction-contest
**NEW**
FOURTH GENRE STEINBERG ESSAY CONTEST
Deadline: March 15; Entry Fee: $22 (USD)
We accept submissions to the Fourth Genre Steinberg Essay contest from January 15 – March 15. Reading fee for Essay Prize: $22 (U.S.) for each individual submission (multiple submissions accepted). 6,000 word limit for Fourth Genre Steinberg Essay Prize (longer submissions will not be read). Simultaneous submissions require immediate notification to Fourth Genre if accepted elsewhere. We accept only work not published elsewhere. Do not include your name anywhere on the manuscript. Winning author receives $1,000 and publication. fourthgenre.submittable.com/submit/66909/fourth-genre-steinberg-essay-contest-2017
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE CHAOS – THEME OF LOVE
Deadline: March 31
Woody Allen said, “To love is to suffer. To avoid suffering one must not love. But then one suffers from not loving. Therefore, to love is to suffer; not to love is to suffer; to suffer is to suffer. To be happy is to love. To be happy, then, is to suffer, but suffering makes one unhappy. Therefore, to be happy one must love or love to suffer or suffer from too much happiness.” We’re seeking short, personal essays, 250-5000 words, about love for the The Chaos spring issue. Tragedy or comedy, originality will win us over. thechaos.life
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Playwriting/Screenwriting
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**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SAGE THEATRE IGNITE FESTIVAL OF EMERGING ARTISTS
Deadline: February 12
The IGNITE! Festival is accepting project proposals and scripts as part of the theatre series, as well as looking for individual emerging theatre artists to work on productions. Who Can Apply? The IGNITE! Festival theatre series is geared towards emerging theatre artists—non-union artists under the age of 30 who are pursuing a professional career in theatre. Learn more here
**NEW**
The Major Matt Mason Collective in association with Sage Theatre presents: The Wildfire National Playwriting Competition
Deadline: April 1
We want to read awesome plays by young Canadian playwrights and we are willing to offer cash money! We are looking for playwrights 30 years of age or under to submit fresh, young scripts that embrace risk, grit and evocation. The winning script(s) selected by our jury will receive a cash prize and a one week development workshop culminating in a performance at the IGNITE! Festival in Calgary, Alberta as well as full or partial reimbursement for travel. Read more at mmmtheatrecollective.com/wildfire.
PGC TOM HENDRY AWARDS
Deadline: May 16; Entry Fee: Varies
The Playwrights’ Guild of Canada is now accepting submissions to the Tom Hendry Awards, a group of playwriting awards, including: Carol Bolt Award for Playwrights: for Playwrights is given annually to a member of PGC who has premiered an original play within the past year (July 1st 2016 – June 30th 2017); RBC Emerging Playwright Award: an award that will give up-and-coming playwrights the opportunity to win a 6-month mentorship with a professional playwright of their choice; Stage West Pechet Family Comedy Award: given annually for a new comedy by a PGC-member, which has not yet had a premiere production as of June 30th, 2017; and Stage West Pechet Family Musical Award: given annually for a new musical work by a PGC-member, which has not yet had a premiere production as of June 30th, 2017. Details: playwrightsguild.ca/tom-hendry-awards
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French Language Submissions
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**NOUVEAU**
APPEL DE SOUMISSIONS : À CIEL OUVERT (La revue littéraire des prairies)
Date de tombée : 10 février
Avis aux auteur.e.s des prairies! Le comité de rédaction d’À ciel ouvert est à la recherche de textes en français de haute qualité et de tous les genres littéraires, de même que des œuvres médiatiques. Autre que la qualité, nous recherchons des textes et œuvres d’auteur.e.s. vivant dans les prairies canadiennes ou ayant un lien thématique avec les prairies. Soumettez un texte ou une œuvre, ou plus, d’ici le 10 février 2017. Les textes et les œuvres seront diffusés gratuitement sur le site d’À ciel ouvert (www.acielouvert.ca) dès le 1er mai 2017 et aucuns frais de soumission ne seront encourus par les auteurs. Les textes demeureront en ligne jusqu’à nouvel avis de l’auteur.e. Consultez l’adresse (leau-vive.ca/acielouvert/Soumissions/tabid/1136/Default.aspx) pour procéder à vos soumissions de textes et d’œuvres médiatiques. Au plaisir de vous lire, À ciel ouvert.
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Mixed/Multi-Genre
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**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GFT PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLICATION (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: Submissions accepted year-round
We crave your best, most remarkable, polished creative work. We are currently accepting poetry, visual art, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, and interviews for publication in GFT Presents: One in Four (print) and Ground Fresh Thursday (online). Whether it’s a journey through our priceless existence, a struggle to achieve personal contentment, a heart-wrenching brush with defeat, an intelligent observation on humanity, a deep desire for your voice to be heard, stirring inspiration, or just pure entertainment, we want it and will strive to share it. Submission guidelines and additional information available at gftpress.com/submissions.
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: EDIFY FICTION (Poetry, Fiction)
Deadline: Rolling
Edify Fiction is an online magazine that is accepting poetry (up to 1,000 words), flash fiction (micro to 500 words), short stories (up to 4,000 words), and photography/digital artwork for our inaugural issue. We seek work that is uniquely positive and edifying. Submissions are free for no critique/feedback or $4.00 to receive critique/feedback (regardless of publication status). We welcome unpublished work in all formats, genres, styles; new and established authors. We just want to be encouraged and inspired! To read the guidelines and submit, please visit edifyfiction.com/submissions.html.
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: EMPTY SINK PUBLISHING (Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: Rolling
The new Empty Sink Publishing is open for submissions. Our new format is focused exclusively on short fiction and creative nonfiction, published on a monthly basis. We are looking for work that defies conventions and stretches the mind. We do not want standard genre fiction, but could potentially accept fiction in any genre if it fits our voice. Follow submission guidelines—failure to do so will result in immediate rejection. emptysinkpublishing.com/submissions
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: FUN ON THE FARM 2 (Poetry, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 10
DriverWorks Ink publishing invites you to share more of your short stories (or poems) for Fun On the Farm 2, about more funny, true events that have happened on Prairie farms. Tell us about events, interactions, people, or pranks that have happened to you or someone you know related to life on a Prairie farm. 500 words to 1,500 words. Photos may be submitted upon acceptance of your story. Please provide details including your name, address, phone number and email address, as well as the names, dates, location and other details of the people and places in your story. Please send your submissions before Feb. 10, 2017, by email to: [email protected] or by mail to: DriverWorks Ink, 110 McCarthy Blvd. N., Regina, SK S4R 6A4. All submissions will be accepted but not all submissions will be published. Those whose stories are published will receive two complimentary copies of the Fun On the Farm 2 book and will be able to purchase more copies at a 40% discount. Thank you in advance. We look forward to receiving your submissions. A donation from each book sold will be made to the Saskatchewan Lung Association.
THE 2017 DISQUIET PRIZE (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline Extended: February 10; Entry Fee: $15
The 2017 DISQUIET Prize is now open for entries! Contest winners in the categories of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction will have their winning work published in North America’s leading publications. Additionally, one grand prize winner will receive a full fellowship (airfare stipend, tuition, and housing included) to the 2017 DISQUIET International Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Runners-up and other outstanding entrants will be considered for financial aid. For fiction: ONE short story or novel excerpt, maximum 25 (double-spaced) pages per entry. For nonfiction: ONE piece of non fiction, maximum 25 (double-spaced) pages per entry. For poetry: No more than SIX poems per entry, up to 10 pages total. Read full guidelines here.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE BOILER (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 15, May 15
The Boiler publishes new and emerging writers on a quarterly basis. Check submission periods below for our next cycle: SPRING issue | Dec. 15 – Feb. 15; SUMMER issue | March 15 – May 15; FALL issue | June 15 – Aug. 15; WINTER issue | Sept. 15 – Nov. 15. We’re hungry for your best stuff. We pride ourselves in being advocates of the writing we publish. Give us something to talk about. Poetry: 3 – 5 poems; Fiction: up to 3500 words; Nonfiction: up to 3500 words. Visit: theboilerjournal.com/guidelines
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SCRIVENER CREATIVE REVIEW (Poetry, Fiction, Translation)
Deadline: February 15
Scrivener Creative Review accepts poetry, fiction, book reviews, illustrations, and photography for publication. As an annual publication, we are open to submissions in the spring. We accept simultaneous submissions. All submissions are accepted electronically. Poetry: up to 5 poems, Fiction: up to 2500 words. Scrivener Creative Review only accepts unpublished work for the annual magazine. We publish work in English and French, as well as works translated from other languages into English. Visit: scrivenercreativereview.com/submit
2017 NEXT GENERATION INDIE BOOK AWARDS
Deadline: February 17; Entry Fee: $75
Entries are now being accepted for the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the most exciting and rewarding book awards program open to independent publishers and authors worldwide who have a book written in English and released in 2015, 2016 or 2017 or with a 2015, 2016 or 2017 copyright date. Why should you enter the Next Generation Indie Book Awards? Open to independent authors and publishers worldwide; Enter books with a 2015, 2016 or 2017 copyright date; Over 70 categories to choose from; Cash prizes and fabulous awards; Exposure of top 70 books to leading New York literary agent; Gala awards reception held at a landmark location in New York City during BEA; Earn recognition and receive other benefits from having an award-winning book. Visit: indiebookawards.com
EP;PHANY MAGAZINE ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, Translation)
Deadline: February 20; Entry Fee: $20
Our annual Spring writing contest is open from January 4–February 20. We have four fantastic judges—writers whom we respect and admire—judging this year. They are: Peter Ho Davies (Fiction), Saïd Sayrafiezadeh (Nonfiction/Memoir), Patricia Smith (Poetry), Ann Goldstein (Translation: Fiction). 1st Prizes: $400 publication in our contest issue; Runners-up: $100 publication in our contest issue. *Contest submission fee includes a free 1-year submission to Epiphany (a $22 value). Visit: epiphanymagazine.submittable.com
**NEW**
NSWA 21ST ANNUAL WRITING CONTEST (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $20
North Shore Writers’’ Association is now accepting submissions for their 21st annual writing contest. $100 First Prizes in: Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry. Mail Entries to: 2017 Writing Contest, North Shore Writers’ Association, 2131 Keith Road West, North Vancouver, B.C. V7P 1Z4. Fiction – Maximum = 2,000 words per entry. Nonfiction – Maximum = 2,000 words per entry. Poetry – Entrant may submit up to 3 poems with a total word count for all poems of 2,000 words. Read full guidelines here
AWP AWARD SERIES (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $30
AWP sponsors the Award Series, an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and is available to published and unpublished authors alike. Entries for the 2017 competition will be accepted from January 1 to February 28, 2017. Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: Poetry – minimum 48 pages text; Short story or CNF collection – 150-300 manuscript pages; Novel – min. 60,000 words. Visit: awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: NINTH LETTER (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 28
Ninth Letter is accepting submissions of fiction from September 1 to November 30 and from January 1 to February 28 (postmark dates) We are accepting submissions of poetry and essays from September 1 to February 28 (postmark dates). Ninth Letter is a published semi-annually at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. We are interested in prose and poetry that experiment with form, narrative, and nontraditional subject matter, as well as more traditional literary work. To make life easier for everyone, including yourself, please adhere to the following guidelines when submitting your work to Ninth Letter: For poetry, submit 3-6 poems (max. 10 pages) at a time. For fiction and nonfiction, please send only one story or one essay at a time, up to 8,000 words. Visit: ninthletter.com/journal/submit
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: VINE LEAVES MAGAZINE (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 28
“Vignette” is a word that originally meant “something that may be written on a vine-leaf.” It’s a snapshot in words. It differs from flash fiction or a short story in that its aim does not lie within the realms of traditional structure or plot. The vignette focuses on one element, mood, character, setting or object. It’s descriptive, excellent for character or theme exploration and wordplay. Through a vignette, you create an atmosphere. A vignette can be written in a variety of forms. We’re looking for: prose, poetry, script. We will accept all genres except erotica. Write something brilliant and woo us into publishing it! Visit: vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/submission-guidelines.html
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MINZA – PROSE, POETRY, & ART EXPLORING ARAB AMERICA (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: February 28
The presidential election in 2016 in the United States has reignited the narrative about Arabs and Muslims as expedient villains. This is nothing new, but perhaps there are a fervor and momentum this time around that are especially dangerous. How are we being affected, responding and not responding, surviving? We’re looking for work that wrestles with the topic in thoughtful, personal, whimsical, humorous, critical, or other ways, skipping the speeches and lessons. Please include “Submission: Surviving” in the email subject line. Prose should be double-spaced and limited to 2500 words. Kindly limit poetry submissions to four poems per submission. Visit: mizna.org/articles/about/36.shtml
WHISTLER INDEPENDENT BOOK PRIZE
Deadline: February 28; Entry Fee: $100
New for 2017! Following up on the success of the first Whistler Independent Book Awards, we’re launching a special manuscript competition for Canadian writers. The competition to find the best original, unpublished manuscript is now open. Enter to have your book published and launched at the 2017 Whistler Writers Festival. Entries must include an excerpt of the manuscript (max 5,000 words) and a synopsis (max 500 words) in Word doc format. Visit: tidewaterfestival.com/wiba-manuscript-competition
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: UPSTREET NUMBER THIRTEEN (Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 1
upstreet, based in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, is an award-winning annual literary anthology containing the best new fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction available. We invite you to submit your fiction, and creative nonfiction for the thirteenth issue of upstreet. upstreet will not consider unsolicited poetry submissions for the next issue. Only poems submitted by invitation will be read. Queries about poetry may be made to [email protected]. Fiction and nonfiction pieces must be 5,000 words or less. The thirteenth issue of upstreet will appear in early July of 2017. Payment, upon publication, will be between $50 and $250 for short stories or essays. Each author will also receive one complimentary copy, and may purchase more copies at a reduced rate. upstreet-mag.org/guidelines
**NEW**
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: 45TH PARALLEL (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 1
Calling all creative writers! We at 45th Parallel Magazine are seeking your high quality poetry, prose, and comics for our second issue. This time around, we are especially interested in reading flash, lyric, or experimental pieces, but our top priority will always be good writing, regardless of form. Send us one or more items of prose (4,000 words, total), up to 5 poems, or any comics through March 1st. Submissions are absolutely FREE through our Submission Manager. Check the submission guidelines at our website (45thparallelmag.com/submissions).
WORD ON THE LAKE WRITING CONTEST (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 1; Entry Fee: $15
In Celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation, the theme for this year’s contest is Canada. Stories or poems can be set in the past, present or future and be of any genre as long as they reflect Canada in some way. The Word on the Lake Writing Contest is open to all writers 18 years and older. All submissions must contain original material, and may not have been previously published, accepted for publication, or have been a winner in another contest prior to the deadline. Contest opens November 15, 2016. All submissions must be emailed and received by midnight March 1, 2017. Please note that paper or PDF submissions are not accepted. Categories: Fiction short stories: 1200 -1500 words; Non-fiction: 1200 – 1500 words; Poetry: one poem per page. You may submit up to three poems per entry fee. shuswapassociationofwriters.ca/word-on-the-lake-writing-contest-2017
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: UPSTREET NUMBER THIRTEEN (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 1
Award-winning annual’s thirteenth issue seeks quality submissions of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. We have published authors such as Lydia Davis, Ted Kooser, Michael Martone, Tamas Dobozy, Randall Brown, Jonathan Evison, Douglas Glover, Marilyn Hacker, Mark Halliday, Tony Hoagland, David Jauss, David Kirby, Courtney Maum, Scott Nadelson, D. Nurkse, Jean Valentine, and Connie Wanek, among others. Interview subjects have included Robert Olen Butler, Robin Hemley, Wally Lamb, Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, Sue William Silverman, and Joan Wickersham. Reading period: September 1, 2016, to March 1, 2017. For new submission guidelines, including payment, and to submit: upstreet-mag.org
WRITERS’ FEDERATION OF NEW BRUNSWICK 2017 WRITING COMPETITION (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 3
The Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick warmly encourages all New Brunswickers to submit their poems, stories or creative essays to its 2016-17 Writing Competition. The contest opened on December 9, 2016. Deadline for entries is March 3, 2017. All submissions must be made electronically through the WFNB website at wfnb.ca/competitions. The competition awards $2,600 in cash prizes. It is open to all New Brunswick residents and members of the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick. Entries must be received by March 3, 2017. For competition guidelines, visit our contest page, telephone (506) 224-0364 or email [email protected].
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MISTAKE HOUSE MAGAZINE (Poetry, Fiction)
Deadline: March 5; Submission Fee: $3
Show us your world and voice. We welcome the familiar revealed in new ways, the curious, inventive, tenacious. Poetry and fiction submissions open to students currently enrolled in graduate or undergraduate programs. Submission accepted until March 5, 2017. Submission fee $3. See guidelines at mistakehouse.org. Mistake House Magazine is a publication of the Principia College English Department. Fiction: one story, maximum 5,000 words; Poetry: up to three poems, maximum 40 lines per poem.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: NEW MADRID LITERARY MAGAZINE (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 15
We invite well-crafted, compelling submissions of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction for our summer 2017 issue, which carries no theme—we are open to any subject matter. Quality is the determining factor for acceptance in New Madrid. Submissions open January 15, 2017 and close March 15. Please visit our website for details on how to submit via Submittable. We look forward to considering your work. Warmly, The New Madrid Editors, newmadridjournal.org
BELLINGHAM REVIEW’S CONTESTS IN FICTION, NONFICTION, AND POETRY
Deadline: March 15; Entry Fee: $30
Contest submissions open Dec 1st – Mar 15. We offer three $1,000-dollar first-place prizes: the Tobias Wolff Award for Fiction, the 49th Parallel Award for Poetry, and the Annie Dillard Award for Creative Nonfiction. Winners will be notified in June 2017. Winning entries and many runners up will be published in the Spring 2018 print edition, Issue 76. Entry fee $20, international entries $30. Submit one essay, one story, or up to three poems. Please limit prose to 6,000 words. Fee includes one-year subscription. For more information, visit us at: bhreview.org.
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CUTBANK CHAPBOOK CONTEST (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: March 31; Entry Fee: $20
We’re looking for a fresh, powerful manuscript. Maybe it will overtake us quietly; gracefully defy genres; satisfyingly subvert our expectations. We’re interested in both prose and poetry—particularly work that straddles the lines between genres. Winning author receives a $1000 honorarium plus 25 copies of the published book. Two runners-up will be chosen for publication as well. The contest will be judged by the CutBank editorial staff. Manuscripts should be 25-40 pages in length of poetry (a cohesive poetry manuscript), fiction (either a short fiction collection or novella), or creative nonfiction (one long essay or a short collection of essays). www.cutbankonline.org
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GRAVEL LITERARY MAGAZINE (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: April 1
We are presently accepting original, unpublished works (including posting it on any website blog, deviant art, anywhere it can be found on the web). In particular, we are interested in fiction and creative nonfiction anywhere from 25 to 3000 words in length, poetry (no more than 3 poems per submission, and you can submit all of them at the same time on Submittable), photo essays, artwork, comics, video, hybrid—look, we’ve got eclectic tastes here. Don’t be afraid to submit works that defy form or genre. We cannot pay you, but if it makes you feel better, we’re not getting paid either. gravel.submittable.com/submit
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TIMBERLINE REVIEW (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: April 30; Submission Fee: $5
The Timberline Review, a new semi-annual literary journal based in Portland, Oregon, is looking for brave new words to put on the page. We want short fiction, poetry, essays, and creative nonfiction. Submission period open July 1 to October 31 for Winter/Spring (publication date February 1), and January 1 to April 30 for Summer/Fall (publication date August 1). Looking for emerging and established writers with strong voices and strong ideas. Visit timberlinereview.com/submissions for more information. Each published contributor will receive a payment of $25 and one copy of the journal.
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STORM CELLAR’S FORCE MAJEURE FLASH CONTEST (Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: April 30; Entry Fee: $5
Storm Cellar, a literary journal of safety and danger, seeks all the best flash for its 2017 Force Majeure contest. Winner $300, two runners-up $100. All entries considered for publication, all entrants receive the prize issue. We want to see everything under 1k words, from tiny tales to genre-busting experiments. Under-represented writers encouraged. Guidelines: stormcellar.submittable.com/submit/72759.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: RALIEGH REVIEW (Poetry, Fiction)
Deadline: April 30; Submission Fee: $3
Raleigh Review is now accepting poetry, flash fiction, and short fiction submissions for the Fall 2017 issue. Raleigh Review is a biannual print publication with beautiful cover art, high-quality paper, full-color interior art, and stunning writing. We are looking for work that is emotionally and intellectually complex. All submissions are online; there is a small fee to submit. We pay $10 per piece plus one free contributor’s copy and a discount on additional copies. See full guidelines at raleighreview.org, and browse the archives while you’re there!
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: CUMBERLAND RIVER REVIEW (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: April 30
The Cumberland River Review reads during the traditional academic year, September through April, and aims to maintain a regular response time of three months. We read and encourage simultaneous submissions and acquire First North American Serial Rights and the right to maintain an archive copy of accepted work online. (All other rights revert to our authors upon publication.) We nominate work for the Pushcart Prize, Best New Poets, Best of the Net, and other anthologies and prizes. As always, our hope is to feature work of moral consequence. crr.trevecca.edu
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SOUTH 85 JOURNAL (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: April 30
South 85 Journal is an online literary journal published by the Converse College Low-Residency MFA Program. We are currently seeking fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art for our Fall/Winter 2016 issue. While we consider all quality work that follows the submission guidelines, we are especially interested in pieces that demonstrate a strong voice and/or a sense of place. So, create like mad, and if it’s good, we want to see it. More at south85journal.com/submission-guidelines.
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2017 CEDRIC LITERARY AWARDS (Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction)
Deadline: May 1; Entry Fee: $25
Changing the landscape of writing competitions, The Cedric Literary Awards® provides a unique platform to encourage and celebrate unpublished authors of fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry, over the age of 50. The juried competition also celebrates First Nations writers, those who write prose and poetry in French, and those who represent a pan-Asian heritage. The Cedric Literary Awards® exclusively support the 50+ demographic, which is the most under-served and under-recognized segment of our population. More than 300 writers from across British Columbia have participated in the competition since 2015, and in 2017 the awards program will be expanded to include writers from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon. Read more here
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: OYSTER RIVER PAGES
Deadline: May 31
Oyster River Pages is looking for submissions for its inaugural issue. We accept fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. We value artistic expression that is emotive, pure, and unafraid to push the boundaries of the medium. Check out our website at oysterriverpages.com for details.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MONEY ANTHOLOGY (Poetry, Nonfiction)
Deadline: May 31
Editors Aaron Giovannone and Naomi K. Lewis are collecting poetry and creative non-fiction for an anthology about money. Literature often pretends to transcend the material conditions of life, but let’s talk cash: having it, not having it, owing it, wanting it, needing it, fear of losing it, the things we do for it, and the ways it changes us. Submit non-fiction pieces of up to 5,000 words or up to five poems. No fiction, please. Previously published work is fine, and so are simultaneous submissions, but do let us know. Please include a cover letter with a biographical note. Feel free to share this call with your writing community. We may be able to offer contributors payment depending on the success of our funding applications. Submissions and queries: [email protected]. Deadline: May 31, 2017
2017 AESTHETICA CREATIVE WRITING AWARD (Poetry, Fiction)
Deadline: August 31; Entry Fee: £12 (Poetry); £18 (Short Fiction)
The 11th Aesthetica Creative Writing Award is now open for entries, presenting a fantastic opportunity for poets and writers, both established and emerging, to further their literary career and showcase work to a wider audience. The Award is an internationally renowned literary prize that nurtures and supports talented practitioners from around the world. Prizes include publication in an anthology of outstanding poetry and short fiction. Short Fiction entries should be no more than 2,000 words. Poetry entries should be no more than 40 lines. Works previously published are accepted. Find out more
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Contests for Youth
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GIRLS RIGHT THE WORLD
Deadline: April 1
Girls Right the World is a literary journal inviting young (14-21), female-identified writers to submit their work for consideration for the first issue. We believe that girls’ voices can and do transform the world for the better. We currently seek poetry, prose, short stories, and lyric essays of any style and theme. Girls Right the World asks for first North American serial rights. Upon publication, all rights revert back to the authors. We publish annually. Send your best writing, in English or English translation, to [email protected] by April 1, 2017. girlsrighttheworld.com
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PEN CANADA NEW VOICES AWARD (Ages 17 – 30)
Deadline: April 21
PEN Canada is now accepting English language submissions for the fourth annual PEN International New Voices Award. The annual award aims to encourage new writing and to provide a space where young, unpublished writers can submit short stories, creative non-fiction, journalism, and poetry. Eligible writers, unpublished between the ages of 17 and 30, are invited to submit short stories, creative non-fiction, journalism, and poetry to a jury of distinguished PEN Canada members for a chance to win $2,000 CAD and mentorship from a Canadian author. Submissions must be in by midnight on April 21, 2017. More information about the prize, its eligibility and other details, can be found at pencanada.ca/newvoices.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: CICADA YA – THEME: ALIENS
Deadline: April 27
Cicada YA/teen lit magazine seeks fiction, poetry, comics, and essays on the theme of Aliens. Tell us a story of a stranger in a strange land, whether they be a three-headed visitor from the Andromeda Galaxy or just someone trying to navigate an unfamiliar place. Of course, feeling like an alien does not always have to do with physical location—sometimes you might feel like an alien in familiar spaces. We love works about extraterrestrials and outer space, but we also encourage authentic and diverse works about immigration, gentrification, and feelings of otherness and dissociation. Not welcome: cultural appropriation. cricketmag.submittable.com/submit/17820/cicada-magazine-for-ages-14
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Grants/Artist Awards
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CALL FOR NOMINATIOSN FOR SASKATCHEWAN’S POET LAUREATE
Deadline: February 15, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.
The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is calling for nominations for the next Poet Laureate. The term will run from April 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018. Any member of the public may nominate someone. The Poet Laureate will meet the following criteria:
- will have a significant body of work, including a minimum of three books of poetry professionally published by established literary presses (not self-published)
- will have achieved recognition for the literary merit of his/her work
- will have a record of public involvement in the literary life of the province (e.g. teaching; delivering workshops; giving readings; writing reviews and articles; service on arts and literary boards and committees)
- will be a current resident of Saskatchewan
- will have been a resident of Saskatchewan for at least 2 of the past 3 years
- will have means of reliable transportation
Contact: [email protected]. Visit: skwriter.com
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Alberta Markets and Contests
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CALL FOR WRITING SUBMISSIONS: CELEBRATING THE GRAY JAY
Deadline for Indication of Interest: February 15
Winner Notified: March 1
Deadline for Commission Completion: April 15
WP Puppet Theatre plans to create a community video of a modern day story about Canada’s new avian emblem – the Gray Jay. They are calling for emerging Alberta authors to apply to be commissioned to write a 150 sentence story to be part of the video. Visit their website for more information and submission guidelines.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: EDMONTON’S HALL OF FAME AND AWARDS OF DISTINCTION
Deadline: February 16
Edmonton’s Halls of Fame and Awards of Distinction: Nominations are now open for the City of Edmonton’s Halls of Fame and Awards of Distinction. These awards recognize and honour Edmonton’s most outstanding citizens who, through their contributions in arts and culture, community service, and sports, or through extraordinary service to their communities have made exemplary contributions to the quality of life in Edmonton. Nomination and eligibility information
LUNCHBOX THEATRE – STAGE ONE 2017
Deadline: February 24
Lunchbox Theatre is currently inviting playwrights to submit one-act plays for consideration for the Suncor Stage One Festival of New Work. All chosen playwrights receive dramaturgical support, a weeklong workshop with a professional director and actors, followed by a public reading. Up to nine plays will be chosen for development. Successful applicants should be available to attend the full week of workshops and the reading. Consideration of the playwright’s availability is taken into account when scheduling the workshops. For more information or if you have any questions email Artistic Producer, Mark Bellamy.
CALL FOR ANTHOLOGY SUBMISSIONS: THE GREAT CANADIAN PIZZA EXPERIENCE – AN ANTHOLOGY AND TRIBUTE
Deadline: March 1
Submit your pizza-inspired true story, poem, essay, or recipe for inclusion in this exciting new anthology that seeks to explore Canadian identity through this cheesy medium. The contest will be open for five months, from November 1, 2016, to March 1, 2017. The objective is to expose the power of pizza and celebrate its contributions to Canadian culture. Often, pizza is present during pivotal moments of our lives (with friends, graduations, dates, funerals, cold winter days, etc.), and I want to hear about them. Read full guidelines here.
WORDS OF WELLNESS: FRIENDS OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST
Deadline: March 15
Theme: Hospital experience, health, hope, illness and wellness. Maximum 30 lines. Any style. Drop poems off at Friends Office or McMullen Gallery or email to [email protected]. Include your contact information.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ON GIVING A SHIT
Deadline: March 31; No entry fee
We want your best original and unpublished poem, prose, or other brief statement (no more than 50 words) on giving a shit — on the value of making things, making community, stopping to care, growing vegetables, why art matters, what have you. Entries must be short ([email protected] or to: Monica Kidd & Sandra McIntyre, William Street Letterpress, Grain Exchange Building, Suite 300 815 1 St SW, Calgary AB T2P 1N3. Website coming soon!
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: CALGARY UNTOLD, A POET LAUREATE PROJECT
Deadline: May 31
Micheline Maylor, Poet Laureate of Calgary 2016-17, has issued a call for submissions: Calgary untold – what don’t we know about Calgary? The wrong side of the tracks, the dark spaces, the secret places, hide aways, and revelations. What is the other side of Calgary? The outsides? The wilderness within city limits, the boundaries, doorways, passages, etc. What is “off script” about Calgary? Tell us in poetry, prose poetry, or poetic essay. Edited by Micheline Maylor, Bruce Hunter, and Joan Shillington with Frontenac House Press. Email: [email protected]