FICTION / NONFICTION — FEBRUARY 2025

LITERATURE GRANT

Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC

DEADLINE: February 3, 2025 (or if we reach our limit of 40 applications, which ever comes first)

INFO: The world is a story and the writer, the story teller. In writing stories we are trying to make sense of our world by seeking what is real, by rejecting what is false, and by exercising the greatest of our mortal gifts in pursuit of the immortal.

DESCRIPTION: Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC will award a writing grant to authors of fiction / creative nonfiction and poetry.  

SUBMISSIONS: To ensure that each submission receives the attention it deserves we will be only accepting 40 application for each of our categories.

AMOUNTS: Up to $10,000.00  

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Authors in fiction / creative non-fiction and poetry.

  • The applicant must be the originator of the written materialS.

  • Grants will not be made for the purpose of research only. 

  • Grants will not be made for equipment.

  • Writers applying applying must be a current citizen or resident of the United State and must currently reside in New York City and have lived there for a minimum of one year prior to applying and plan to be a resident through the completion of their project.

Grants awarded in this category may fund costs associated with continuing the composition of work submitted. Such as:

  • Course Reduction (if you're a Teacher/Professor)

  • Salary Replacement

  • Living Expenses

  • Research Expenses

  • Travel Research Expenses

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Up to and no more than a 15 page PDF of the work, for the Café Royal Cultural Foundation Selection and Executive Committee to download and read. Please make sure your links are correct and not password protected. If they are not correct or have password protection your application will be declined and not reviewed by the Selection Committee.

  • A short description of the project.

  • A short author biography of the person(s) involved.

  • Budget must not exceed the amount of $10,000.00.

  • List of costs of how you plan to use the grant funds.
    (Please review our lists of Approved and Ineligible Budget Items for Literature Grant Funds, located below)

  • Travel and Research costs within the United States must demonstrate a direct correlation to the project for which you are applying.

  • You may not apply for International Travel and Research Costs.

  • If you are hiring fact checkers / editors / research assistants please be aware that we prefer that individuals providing these services are located in the NYC area.

  • Writers applying must be a current citizen or resident of the United State and must currently reside in New York City and have lived there for a minimum of one year prior to applying and plan to be a resident through the completion of their project.

  • We ask that the completion of your manuscript is no sooner than 90 days after this application's due date (no sooner than May 4, 2025) and no later than 12 months after your grant’s award date (no later than March 24, 2026).

  • Applicants can only apply with the same project twice.

  • You may apply in a different cycle with a different project.

REVIEW PROCEDURES: The Café Royal Cultural Foundation Selection Committee Judges will review and score all applications. The top five scored applications will move to a next round and will be reviewed Executive Committees. In recognition of the time, effort, and professional expertise that our Selection Committee Judges devote to the grant selection process, Café Royal Cultural Foundation provides a stipend to honor their commitment.

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant application:

  • Creativity, originality, ideas and concepts, writing style

  • Importance of the Project/Cultural Relevance

  • Promise of future achievements in writing

    Please note you do not need to have a publisher to apply for this grant.

GRANT APPLICATIONS: 
We accept applications all year round, please view our submission dates in our Grant Schedule.

We ask that the completion of your manuscript is (no sooner than May 4, 2025) and no later than 12 months after your grant’s award date (no later than March 24, 2026).

caferoyalculturalfoundation.org/literature-page

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2025 TORCH RETREAT

Torch Literary Arts

APPLICATION PERIOD: February 3 - 17, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Torch Literary Arts is proud to provide our annual creative writing retreat. We welcome applications from Black women writers with works-in-progress across poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction (personal memoir or lyric essays), and script (plays or screenplays).

RETREAT LOCATION: Austin, TX

ABOUT THE RETREAT:

  • Dedicated Writing Time - Fellows receive plenty of time for dedicated writing devoted to their works in progress. We gently support you in your writing goals for the week by providing group check-ins and the opportunity to share your progress in a nurturing environment.

  • Comfortable Accommodations - Retreat fellows will stay at the beautiful Colton House Hotel. Accommodations include a private bedroom and bathroom in a two-bedroom suite with a shared living room and full kitchen. During your week-long retreat, you will receive dedicated writing time each morning, catered breakfast and lunch, and ample time during the afternoons and evenings to rest, recharge, enjoy the hotel amenities, or explore the city. The retreat will also include guest speakers and a public reading by fellows at the end of the week. 

  • Financial Support - There is no fee to apply or attend the retreat. Each fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend to assist with travel, supplies, childcare, or anything else that helps make it possible for fellows to attend regardless of financial ability.

torchliteraryarts.org/retreat

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MACDOWELL FELLOWSHIP: FALL/WINTER 2025-2026

MacDowell

DEADLINE: February 10, 2025

INFO: The Fellowship application period for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 residencies at MacDowell will open on January 15, 2025.

MacDowell encourages artists to apply in any stage of their career, and from all backgrounds and countries. We invite applications in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. If your proposed project does not fall clearly within one of these artistic disciplines, contact the admissions department for guidance at admissions@macdowell.org.

MacDowell has no residency fees, and to defray expenses that accrue during an artist’s stay, we provide need-based stipends to cover rent, utilities, childcare, and lost income from taking time off from employment, as well as reimbursements for travel to and from the residency.

Fall/Winter residencies will take place between September 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.

macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship

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Writing in Color Fellowship for BIPOC+ Writers

Lighthouse Writers Workshop

DEADLINE: February 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm MST

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: The Writing In Color Fellowship for Emerging Writers is awarded annually to a writer of color who demonstrates a passion for writing, a commitment to developing their craft, and a dedication to community service. 

This fellowship provides financial support for writers who would benefit from a year of involvement at Lighthouse but would not be able to do so without financial support. The goal is to support emerging writers of color who have limited access to traditional literary opportunities. BIPOC+* writers who reside in the United States and have participated in Lighthouse programming in the past or are planning to participate in the near future are eligible to apply.

In order to support the skills and creative passion of emerging writers in the Lighthouse community, this fellowship is intended for emerging writers of color who have not had significant access to or experience with traditional opportunities to learn and grow in the literary world. 

While Lighthouse has always emphasized accessibility, this award offers a depth and consistency of engagement to the fellowship recipient. The year-long award period not only engages the writer in directed literary activities, but also allows for full immersion in a project or body of work.

The Fellowship will provide access to:  

  • Four multi-week courses 

  • Participation in the annual Writing in Color Fest including a featured reading

  • Up to 5 hours access to a Lighthouse faculty member for mentorship 

  • One-year membership at Lighthouse Writers Workshop 

  • Opportunity to support a Lighthouse community outreach program, helping to facilitate, administrate, or teach in the program. 

*BIPOC+ includes but is not limited to: African, Indigenous, Native, Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islander, Arab, and Multiracial heritage.

FELLOWSHIP DATES:  April 2025–April 2026

NOTIFICATION: Applicants will be notified of submission status via email in the beginning of April 2025.

WHO’S ELIGIBLE:

  • Writers identifying as BIPOC+* who reside in the United States and have participated in Lighthouse programming in the past or are planning to participate in the near future.

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older

APPLICATION GUIDELINES: Please read these guidelines carefully. Submissions that do not meet the requirements below will not be considered.

Your submission should comprise a cover letter including your name, the name of the genre you are applying for, and your contact information. Your cover letter is the only place where your name should appear. Paginate your document, and use legible, 12-point font and standard margins. Upload your writing sample as a single .pdf, .doc, or .docx document. 

Recommendation letters are not required.

WRITING SAMPLE FORMAT: 

  • Poetry: Six-to-eight pages of poems. Only one poem per page is permitted, though you may submit multi-paged poems. Insert hard page breaks between every page.

  • Prose: Excerpt or combination of pieces to equal no more than 2500 words. More is not necessarily better. Please use standard manuscript format, double-spacing and ensuring page numbers are visible.

To complete your application via Submittable you will answer fellowship specific questions, submit your writing sample, cover letter, and pay the application fee of $25. If the application fee is prohibitive, please e-mail us at info@lighthousewriters.org to discuss alternatives.

Cover letters should be typed into the corresponding box on Submittable. Include your full name, address, email address and telephone number.

Please respond to each question in the corresponding text box explaining why you wish to apply for the fellowship and what you expect to accomplish over the course of the year.

One application per candidate. Please do not wait until the last day to apply in case you have technical difficulties submitting your application. Please note that we will not be able to respond to inquiries regarding applications that are not accepted, nor will we be able to provide feedback on those entries. 

Lighthouse Mission: The mission of Lighthouse Writers Workshop is to provide the highest caliber of artistic education, support, and community for writers and readers in the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. We strive to ensure that literature maintains its proper prominence in the culture, and that individuals achieve their fullest potential as artists and human beings.

QUESTIONS? 
Email our Community Engagement Program Manager, Marissa Morrow at marissa@lighthousewriters.org

lighthousewriters.submittable.com/submit

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2025 Native Writing Intensive

We Need Diverse Books

DEADLINE: February 14, 2025

INFO: The Native Writing Intensive offers an opportunity for reflection, conversation, celebration, and manuscript and career development.

Applications are now open for the 2025 We Need Diverse Books Native Children’s-YA Writing Intensive which will take place from Thursday, June 12 to Sunday, June 15 at the Texican Court Hotel in Irving, Texas.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact info@diversebooks.org.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR THE NATIVE CHILDREN’S AND YA WRITING INTENSIVE?

  • Native/First Nations/Indigenous writers seeking a weekend devoted to deep study, craft and conversation, manuscript feedback, and career mentorship.

  • Apprentice/beginner, agented, and/or published children’s and YA writers who are Native/First Nations/Tribal citizens/members or recent descendants who are connected to their community. (Priority will be given to those still in their pre-publishing apprenticeship and new voices with three books or fewer.)

  • Native/FN/Indigenous writers, including those who are Elders, 2SLGBT+, Alaskan Natives, Native Hawaiians, Métis, Black Natives, Five SE Tribes Freedmen, Indigenous folks who’re urban/rez/’burbs/rural/small-town, veterans, etc.

  • Native/First Nations/Indigenous writer-illustrators are welcome to apply and will receive feedback on their work, though the program emphasis will be on writing rather than illustration.

It is not required that your children’s or YA writing be centered on Native characters or topics. Please feel free to bring your mainstream nonfiction about, say, the history of roller skates or fiction about, say, robots from outer space.

WRITING INTENSIVE INCLUDES:

  • Presentations and Q&A sessions with agent, author and editor faculty members.

  • A 10-page critique (on one long project or no more than two picture books) in standard manuscript format or a career consultation with faculty. (Typically, you’ll chat one-on-one with one of the authors and either the agent or editor. For assignment purposes, you’ll indicate on the application whether you’re already agented, etc.)

  • The opportunity to read and participate in the discussion about the creative submissions of your peers.

APPLICATION:

To apply for the Intensive, please fill out this application AND email a five-page writing sample to wndb.native.writing.retreat@gmail.com. 

  • This writing sample is not part of your critique submission (it’s for broader participation consideration). Critique submissions will take place after participants are selected.

  • Writing sample tips: The sample should be aimed at young readers - not at grown-up readers. The piece does not have to be Native-centered, it can be fiction or nonfiction, on any topic appropriate for young people.

  • Please use standard manuscript format (double-spaced, 1" margins). Don't try to squeeze in extra text.

  • For past participants, it's better to send new work than a piece that's been submitted before.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning Jan. 6, 2025 at 10 am EST. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14, 2025.

If you have any questions about the application, please contact info@diversebooks.org.

diversebooks.org/programs/native-writing-intensive/

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call for submissions: Issue 24: Pride

FeelZine

DEADLINE: February 14, 2025 at 11:59pm

INFO: The relationship between our 2SLGBTQQIA+ identities and pride is deeply personal, storied, and nuanced. Between ourselves as individual beautiful beings and the social discourse of pride and queerness exists a multidimensional and complex expanse. What does it mean to feel pride in who we are? In our communities? How do we show it? How do we grapple with the vast spectrum of safety and unsafety we exist in? In issue 24, we witness each other’s journeys, honour our experiences, and celebrate queer joy, whatever that looks like for us.

Please send all submissions to submittofeels@gmail.com with a short bio and description of your work. Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council this is a paid opportunity! Each contributor will receive a $60 honorarium.

We accept:

  • Writing: poetry, personal essays, fictional stories, interview proposals.

  • Visual Art: photography, illustration, art, typography.

  • Have an idea for a submission not listed above? Send us an email with your proposal, we’re eager to read it.

Before submitting, please read our COMMUNITY GUIDELINES.

We welcome (and encourage) people of all diverse experiences, abilities and communities to submit their work. Your voice is important, and we would like to support it. The more voices we hear, the more we can learn from one another.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  1. Please title your email submissions using the following: "FEELS Submission - Issue ___ - [Your name as it should appear in the issue if accepted] - Title of Submission"

  2. If submitting a collection of works, please submit all in one email with the name of the collection as the title.

  3. If submitting multiple separate works for the same issue, please submit each individually.

  4. Art submissions: FEELS is 7.5" x 9.5" with a 0.125" bleed. Please be advised that we will recolour or ask you to recolour your artwork as we print in specific risograph ink colours.

  5. Longform written submissions: the maximum word count for submissions is 1200 words. Please submit as a word document or using Google Docs.

  6. A short bio about yourself and description of your work, including the country you are submitting from, as we publish a majority Canadian content as a Canadian publication, but do include global contributors as well. 

Please send all submissions to submittofeels@gmail.com. If you do not receive a reply to your email confirming it has reached us, please follow up with our main email, hellofeelszine@gmail.com.

We kindly request submissions are limited to one or two works due to the high volume of submissions we receive, and please have patience with us in responding to new emails--we promise to reply to each and every one.

feelszine.com/pages/submissions

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FORGE PROJECT FELLOWSHIP

Forge Project (Taghkanic, NY)

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET

INFO: Forge Project is seeking a 2025 cohort of six Indigenous individuals that represent a broad diversity of cultural practices, participatory research, organizing models, and geographical contexts that honor Indigenous pasts as well as build Native futures.

Two of the six fellowships are awarded to enrolled tribal members, First- and Second-Line Descendants of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in recognition of the peoples on whose homelands Forge Project is situated and to encourage site-specific and relational projects.

Each Forge Project Fellow receives a total of $25,000 toward their practice and will have access to the Forge Project site, libraries, and lending collection of living Indigenous artists during a residency stay of up to three weeks.

ABOUT THE JURY:

The Forge Project Fellowship 2025 applications will be reviewed by a juried panel of four distinguished Native cultural practitioners, artists, writers, scholars and former Fellows. The two Fellows from the Stockbridge-Munsee Community will be selected in a parallel process by a separate juried panel of three Native experts in their fields including a former Fellow.

General Fellowship Jury

  • Angela Ferguson (Onondaga): food sovereignty practitioner, educator

  • Julian Lang (Karuk): multidisciplinary artist, writer, language and culture teacher

  • Wanda Nanibush (Anishinaabekwe): curator, writer, organizer 

  • Mikayla Patton (Oglala Sioux Lakota): interdisciplinary visual artist, 2024 Forge Project Fellow

Stockbridge-Munsee Fellowship Jury

  • Donna Hogerhuis (Stockbridge-Munsee): basketweaver, archivist, and 2024 SMC Fellow 

  • Zack Khalil (Ojibway): filmmaker and artist

  • Marie Watt (Seneca): interdisciplinary artist

APPLICATION + ELIGIBILITY:

Interested individuals can learn more about the application and how to apply via Forge Project’s Submittable page. Applicants must be an enrolled member, citizen, or descendant with verification from the enrollment office of a state or federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native corporation, or of Native Hawaiian ancestry, a Canadian First Nations (status or non-status), Métis or Inuit to apply for the 2025 Forge Project Fellowship. At least two Fellows will come from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians.

  • Stockbridge-Munsee Community Fellowship Informational webinar, Wednesday, December 4 from 6-7:30 PM ET. Register here.

  • General Fellowship Informational Webinar, Wednesday, December 11 from 6 - 7:30 PM ET. Register here

  • Applications are due Saturday, February 15, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET

  • The 6 individuals will be announced in Spring 2025

forgeproject.com/fellowship/how-to-apply

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editorial fellowship

A Public Space

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025

INFO: The Editorial Fellowship is a program for aspiring editors. It is our hope to support the next generation of editors who will offer a more diverse publishing community—culturally, aesthetically, economically.

This is a 6-month working fellowship, and is designed to provide practical, hands-on experience as well as mentorship and education in editing and independent publishing. A Public Space is an independent, nonprofit publisher, and the Editorial Fellows will be an integral part of the staff and involved with all programs, which include a literary and arts magazine, A Public Space Books, an academy, and APS Together, a series of virtual book clubs.

The Editorial Fellows' responsibilities will include assisting with management of submissions; reading and reporting on incoming manuscripts; research; proofreading; assisting with marketing and publicity; and general office work, including filing, responding to emails, newsletters, website updates, and database maintenance.

Additionally, the Editorial Fellows will participate in editorial meetings; receive training in all aspects of editing, from evaluating submissions through to publication of a piece; meet regularly with the senior editorial staff to discuss the role of the editor and publishing history; and serve as the lead editor for a piece to be published in the magazine.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

TIME PERIOD + COMPENSATION: The 2025 Editorial Fellowships period is approximately six months, from June 1, 2025 through November 30, 2025. The Fellows will work on their own schedule, and will have responsibilities of approximately fifteen hours weekly. They must be able to attend up to two weekly meetings (virtual and in person) during regular office hours. The Fellows will receive compensation of $6,000.

ELIGIBILITY: A strong interest in contemporary literature and a career in publishing. The ability to work independently, and to bring curiosity and initiative to their work. Excellent verbal and written English-language communication skills. A commitment to meeting deadlines. Individuals who bring diverse experiences and new perspectives to our work are especially encouraged to apply. Some experience in editorial work is preferred but not required. Preference will be given to aspiring editors who have not worked extensively in literary publishing, and who may have limited access to career opportunities in the industry. The Editorial Fellows must be residents of New York City for the duration of the Fellowship. Proof of residency will be required. A Public Space reserves the right to invite candidates to apply. Unfortunately, A Public Space is unable to sponsor work visas.

TIMELINE: Applications for the 2025 Editorial Fellowships will be accepted via Submittable from January 15, 2025–February 15, 2025. Submissions for the Fellowships close at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on February 15, 2025. Successful applicants will be informed no later than April 5, 2025. The Fellowships will begin June 1, 2025.

GUIDELINES:

Please submit the following:

  • —A résumé

  • —As one file:

A statement describing your interest in editing and independent publishing; the influences and experience that you will bring to your work as an Editorial Fellow; and your goals for the fellowship and beyond. Please also include where you heard about the Editorial Fellowships.

A short excerpt from a work by an under-recognized writer; and a brief statement (250 words max.) on the writer and why you feel work such as this should be championed by editors.

A statement (250 words max.) about one author published by A Public Space, either in the magazine or A Public Space Books, and how their work resonates with your editorial interests.

Each Editorial Fellow serves as the lead editor for a portfolio that will appear in the winter issue of the magazine. This project starts with developing an idea for an Open Call for submissions. Please submit a short paragraph outlining two potential ideas for an Open Call, and your interest in these topics.

Note that only PDF or Word files (.doc and .docx) are accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

QUESTIONS? Contact us at office@apublicspace.org.

apublicspace.org/about/fellowships/editorial-fellowship

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OPEN CALL: The Artist Publishing Cohort 

at Louis Place

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025

INFO: at Louis Place is a community for artists and writers. Through an accessible, collaborative online platform, at Louis Place is an ecosystem for artistic practice that values liberation, experimentation, cooperation, and shared leadership. Daily co-writing, weekly writing groups, monthly guest workshops, peer exchange, and other offerings connect participants to peers around the world. at Louis Place was created by and for writers marginalized by conventional writing communities, including Black, Indigenous, immigrant, disabled, and over-50 writers, as well as writers outside urban centers; it is open to everyone who shares our values.

The Artist Publishing Cohort is a new initiative offering personalized support for eight artists with publishing projects in progress. Selected artists receive a $1,000 stipend, coaching and staff support, optional weekly workshop, and access to aLP resources.

The Artist Publishing Cohort at Louis Place is made possible by the generous support of Wagner Foundation.

WHO IS THIS FOR: 

The Artist Publishing Cohort is right for:

  • Visual artists, choreographers and performing artists, and other interdisciplinary artists whose primary training is outside of the field of creative writing

  • Artists preparing a publishing project featuring their own creative work, such as a novel, memoir, monograph, or book of poems

  • Artists looking for regular practical and creative support on their publishing project

  • Artists looking to build their work in fellowship with other artists and writers

  • Artists preparing work for digital publication, self-publication, or traditional publication

  • Artists with projects actively and urgently in progress and ready for support

We love all writers, but this particular program is not suited for:

  • Academically-trained writers preparing academic manuscripts in any field 

  • Playwrights and other trained writers preparing projects for performance rather than publication

  • Published authors with access to extensive writing networks 

  • Artists preparing print editions that won’t require an editorial process

  • Artists preparing projects that will be distributed in editions less than 50

Current and past aLP writers are eligible for this opportunity, along with those who are new to our community.

Not eligible?

Artists curious about publishing who do not have a specific project in mind are invited to join our Artist Publishing Practicum in Spring 2025 to learn more about pathways to publication for artists and nontraditional writers.

The creative community at Louis Place welcomes artists and writers who share our values, even if they are not eligible for the Artist Publishing Cohort. We review registrations in September, January, and May.


WHAT DO PARTICIPATING ARTISTS RECEIVE? 

Participating artists receive:

  • Financial support: A stipend of $1,000 to support their creative work—use it to offset childcare, research, rent, groceries, supplies, or anything else connected to life as an artist.

  • Mentorship: A supporting coaching session by an external mentor aligned with the artist’s creative goals, scheduled early in the cohort session

  • Peer support: Monthly cohort meetings to share project progress and identify opportunities and connections, facilitated by aLP staff

  • Workshop: Participate in a weekly workshop for creative feedback and accountability (this is an optional offering)

  • Practicums: In March and October 2025, aLP will offer two comprehensive practicums designed to demystify the pathway to publication for visual artists featuring a network of special guests. aLP Cohort artists are encouraged to join these special retreats.

  • Resources: Benefit from monthly writing workshops by guest lecturers, our archive of past events, our prompt and resource libraries, our extended network of writers of all kinds, and all other aLP offerings.

Artist Publishing Cohort artists should be prepared to participate fully in program offerings. Cohort artists are not required to attend every event, but should be able to make a meaningful commitment to regular participation.
 
HOW DO I APPLY: 

The application requests biographical information, a CV, information about your project, and a work sample.

Have questions? Join us for the information session January 23 at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern time. Register for the information session HERE.

Artists registered for the information session also receive access to the information session recording.

HOW ARE ARTISTS SELECTED?

After an internal review for eligibility, cohort artists are selected by an independent jury of artist-writers.

Applications are reviewed according to the following criteria: 

  • Is this the publication the world needs now? Is the work innovative, excellent, and exciting to the jurors? 

  • Is the project feasible; is the opportunity timely? Can this project be realized with the capacity you have and according to the plans you described? Is the opportunity a good fit with your current stage in career as well as the stage of the project? 

  • Is the project aligned with aLP values and priorities? Is this project under-supported by traditional publishing pathways—would it benefit from the specific resources we offer at Louis Place?

IMPORTANT DATES: 

  • Applicants notified: Early March, 2025

  • Program dates: March 22, 2025 - September 30, 2025

atlouisplace.com/cohort

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Indigenous Writer in Residency

Cranberry Lake Biological Station (Syracuse, NY)

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Cranberry Lake Biological Station (CLBS) is located in the heart of the Adirondack Park, on the lands of the Mohawk Nation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The biological station is a satellite campus of the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), in Syracuse, NY.

For over 100 years CLBS has served as a source of ecological knowledge and inspiration. Generations of students have learned from the land, explored their interests, and built lasting bonds with other students. CLBS is a place where student aspirations take root and career paths are launched. It is also a hub of research with over 115 peer reviewed publications crediting CLBS. Building on this tradition our mission is to provide learners with exceptional field experiences, further ecological understanding of the Adirondacks, engage with the broader scientific community, ensure diverse communities are supported in field studies, and to engage with local communities.

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY:

Three, three-week residency slots are: May 18 - June 6, June 8 – June 27, July 13 - August 1. Housing, a private room with shared living space, three meals a day are provided at the station dining hall, and a workspace will be provided. The resident will also have access to all facilities including canoes, classroom spaces, microscopes, and the ability to join classes if desired. Additional needs and requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Eligibility: The residency is open to Indigenous writers over 21 years of age whowrite poetry, plays/screenplays, fiction/short stories, and/or nonfiction.

  • Funding: The residency is fully subsidized and provides housing, food, and workspace space at no cost. In addition, the selected artist will receive a stipend/travel allowance of $1,000.

  • Expectations: It is expected that each resident will offer two evening readings/discussion during the residency, one for students at the station and one for local residents, these programs will be planned in conjunction with CLBS staff. In the fall writers are asked to participate either virtually or in person in an event on the SUNY ESF main campus in Syracuse, NY alongside the other residents. Past residents are also asked to serve on the selection committee for the next year.

  • Support: The residency is jointly supported by the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment and the Cranberry Lake Biological Station

APPLICATION DETAILS:

The application is hosted through an online form. The required information for the application is provided below. You may be unable to save your application, so please be prepared to submit all information at one time. Please submit all materials as a single PDF or word document.

  • Brief Biography - In 500 words or less, please share your professional trajectory, skills, and any relevant background you would like to share

  • Applicant Proposal - A 500-word proposal that addresses the concept and direction of planned work

  • Importance of Cranberry Lake Biological Station

    • In 500 words or less, please explain how CLBS is suited to your work and how you will utilize the station and its resources.

  • Résumé/CV - Please include educational background, teaching, publications, awards, honors, and other pertinent experiences.

  • Preferred Residency Dates - You will be asked to submit your ranked choice of residency dates.

  • Work Samples - Please submit a work sample no longer than 10 pages.

EVAULATION: Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of past recipients, Indigenous and non-Indigenous professional writers, and other qualified individuals.

This committee will make the final decision on who will be awarded residencies. The residencies can be awarded to writers at all career stages, from those who have never been published and without formal writing education to established writers with extensive education. Selection will be based on the strength of the application package.

NOTIFICATION:

Writers will be notified in mid-March whether they have been offered residency. All applicants will be notified about the final status of their application.

For questions, please reach out to Terrance Caviness at tcaviness@esf.edu

esf.edu/clbs/iwr.php

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Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction

Sarabande Books

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025 by 11:59pm

SUBMISSION FEE: $34

INFO: The Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction is awarded annually to one full-length manuscript of literary fiction: short stories, flash fiction, or novellas in any combination. The prize includes $2,000, publication of the work, a standard royalty contract, and an introduction written by the guest judge.

GUEST JUDGE: Ed Park

ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open to any short fiction writer of English. Employees and board members of Sarabande are not eligible. Agented manuscripts are not eligible. Submissions may include a collection of short stories, one or more novellas, or a short novel. Individual pieces from the manuscript may have been published previously in magazines, chapbooks of less than 48 pages, or anthologies, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Translations and previously published collections are not eligible. To avoid conflicts of interest, close friends of a judge or current students in a degree-granting program with a judge are not eligible.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Manuscript must be anonymous

  • Manuscript must be typed, standard font, 12 pt. 

  • Manuscript must be between approximately 150 and 250 pages 

  • Manuscript must be paginated consecutively with a table of contents 

  • Cover letter should include acknowledgements list (a list of publications in which poems in the manuscript have appeared)

Multiple submissions are permitted if submitted separately, each with a submission fee. Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are permitted, but please withdraw the submission if accepted elsewhere. 

Sarabande Books considers all finalists for publication. 

sarabandebooks.submittable.com/submit

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Sarabande Prize in the Essay

Sarabande Books

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025 by 11:59pm

SUBMISSION FEE: $34

INFO: The Sarabande Prize in the Essay is awarded annually to one full-length manuscript of literary nonfiction: an essay collection or book-length essay. The prize includes $2,000, publication of the work, a standard royalty contract, and an introduction written by the guest judge.

GUEST JUDGE: Leslie Jamison

ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open to any nonfiction writing in English. Employees and board members of Sarabande are not eligible. Agented manuscripts are not eligible. Individual essays from the manuscript may have been published previously in magazines, chapbooks of less than 48 pages, or anthologies, but the collection as a whole must be unpublished. Translations and previously published collections are not eligible. To avoid conflict of interest, close friends of a judge or current students in a degree-granting program with a judge are not eligible.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

  • Manuscript must be anonymous

  • Manuscript must be typed, standard font, 12 pt. 

  • Manuscript must be between 150 and 250 pages 

  • Manuscript must be paginated consecutively with a table of contents 

  • Cover letter should include acknowledgements list (a list of publications in which poems in the manuscript have appeared)

Multiple submissions are permitted if submitted separately, each with a submission fee. Simultaneous submissions to other publishers are permitted, but please withdraw the submission if accepted elsewhere. 

Sarabande Books considers all finalists for publication. 

sarabandebooks.submittable.com/submit

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summer editorial fellowship

Boston Review

DEADLINE: February 15, 2025

INFO: Boston Review’s summer editorial fellowship program is designed to prepare the next generation of editors by offering intensive training in editing and producing long-form, ideas-driven magazine writing for a general audience.

Each summer program offers hands-on training for one editorial fellow, touching on all aspects of editorial work: fact checking, proofreading, production, and engagement as well as acquisitions, pitch and draft evaluation, and developmental, line, and copy editing. The program also offers opportunities to network with industry professionals. Fellows work full time, five days a week, in person at our offices in Cambridge, MA.

The fellowship runs from June 1 to around August 31, with some flexibility around exact start and end dates. Fellows are paid $20 per hour. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those not well-represented in journalism and the publishing industry.

DETAILS: Fellows work closely with Boston Review’s small team to gain hands-on experience with the nuts and bolts of editorial work. 

Beyond workshops and trainings with Boston Review staff, most fellowship time is spent proofreading and fact checking essays for print and web publication, assisting with web production, helping to evaluate pitches and drafts, and taking part in all-staff meetings. Fellows may also gain experience with newsletter production, art research, events planning, and website and calendar maintenance.

ELIGIBILITY: The program is designed for those ready to step into an editorial career, so a bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience is required. (Currently enrolled students, except those who will graduate before the program begins, should not apply.) Regrettably, we are not able to sponsor visas for applicants from outside the United States.

Prior editorial experience is less important than a strong interest in an editorial career and a commitment to learning the editorial craft that goes on behind the scenes. We seek fellows who are curious about ideas and open to feedback, excited about engaging and evaluating alternative views, and comfortable discussing complex, often controversial issues in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. 

Perhaps most important, applicants should be familiar with magazine writing of the sort that Boston Reviewpublishes: primarily ideas-driven feature essays, long-form nonfiction book reviews, and political and social analysis (as opposed to op-eds, personal essays, and reportage). Please note that the program does not provide training or mentorship in fellows’ own writing projects.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit the following materials in a single PDF file:

  1. A cover letter of no more than one single-spaced page. This is by far the most important element of your application. Please give us some sense of the ideas and issues that are most important to you, your academic or research background, and how the fellowship would help to advance your career goals.

  2. A résumé or curriculum vitae detailing your educational and professional background, no more than two pages.

  3. The names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two references. Please specify their relationships to you. We prefer that at least one reference be a past or current employer.

  4. Responses to the following two questions:

  • In no more than 250 words, say what you liked about an essay of at least 3,000 words, published in a magazine comparable to Boston Review.

  • In no more than 300 words, describe what you take to be the best possible objection to a view you are deeply committed to, and then defend your position by responding to the objection.

If you have any questions, please contact us at fellowships@bostonreview.net.

bostonreview.submittable.com/submit

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WORKSHOP: “Power to the Pen: Writing for Revolution”

Blue Stoop (Philadelphia, PA)

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: February 23, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET

INFO: “Power to the Pen: Writing for Revolution” is an opportunity for new and returning Blue Stoop students to build their storytelling skills in a supportive environment. Applicants will choose from two 3-week classes, one in poetry and the other in essay-writing, and will be invited to participate in other community-building activities. Classes will be held in-person at 1315 Walnut Street, Philadelphia. 

Due to limited space, we require a brief application. We’re looking for local students who are eager to learn and form connections with other writers. No experience or prior training is required — you only need a solid grasp of the English language and the willingness to show up and try!

TUITION: Full-price tuition is $225. Thanks to a grant from PECO, Power to the Pen participants earning less than $20,000/year will receive full scholarships and pay $0 for tuition. Participants earning $20,000 – $39,999/year, and those impacted by the closure of The University of the Arts (i.e. former staff, faculty, and students), will receive half scholarships and pay $112.50 for tuition. Payment plans are available upon request.

Selected participants will be notified by March 10, 2025. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Read the descriptions below and decide which class you’d like to take. You can choose poetry, essay-writing, or “either.”

Complete the application by February 23, 2025, 11:59 pm ET. You’ll need approximately 20-30 minutes and a brief statement (up to 3000 characters, which is roughly 500 words maximum) about your interest in the program.

Wait to hear back from us. We’ll notify those selected by March 10, 2025. If you are not selected, we encourage you to check out our other spring classes and financial aid options.

ABOUT BLUE STOOP

Founded in 2018, Blue Stoop provides high quality classes, inspiring events, and transformative professional opportunities to creative writers in the greater Philadelphia area. Blue Stoop envisions a radically inclusive literary community where Philadelphia readers and writers are thriving and supported. Blue Stoop is a fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization through CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia. Learn more about our work here.

bluestoop.org/power

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2025 fiction prize

Autumn House Press

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

READING FEE: $35 (We will waive the submission fee for those undergoing financial hardship or living with limited means. Before you reach out to request a waived fee, please read our full statement and instructions here. If the guidelines are not followed, we will not be able to offer a waived fee.

INFO: For the 2025 prize, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is Alexandra Kleeman.

AWARD: The winner receives publication of their full-length manuscript and $2,500. We will announce the finalists and the winner by June 1, 2025.

GUIDELINES:

  • The winner will receive book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book

  • All finalists will be considered for publication

  • Fiction submissions should be approximately 150-300 double-spaced pages (37,500- 75,000 words)

  • All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of sub-genres are eligible

  • The book must be previously unpublished as a whole. However, individual pieces may have been published in journals, magazines, or anthologies.

  • We only accept original manuscripts; AI-generated or AI-supported works are not accepted.

  • Do not include your name anywhere on the actual manuscript

  • You may include a brief bio in the “cover letter” section of Submittable

  • Do not include a bio or an acknowledgments page in the manuscript

  • Feel free to include a table of contents (This does not count as part of your final page count)

  • Simultaneous submissions permitted

  • Friends, family members, and former students of judges or Autumn House editors may not submit to the contest. Students do not include interactions at short-term residencies or fellowships.

  • Former employees of Autumn House, including interns, may not submit to the contest.

autumnhouse.org/submissions/fiction/

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AWP AWARD SERIES

AWP

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

ENTRY FEES:

  • Non-members: $30

  • AWP Members: $20

INFO: The 2025 AWP Award Series is open for submissions. AWP welcomes your book-length manuscripts in poetry, short fiction, creative nonfiction, and the novel.

This year, Cheryl Strayed, R. O. Kwon, Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, and Kevin Wilson will judge the Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction, the James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel, the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry, and the Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, respectively.

Judges will select one winning manuscript in each genre by late summer 2025. Winning authors receive a cash prize and publication by one of our partner presses

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The AWP Award Series defines “book-length” as follows:

  • poetry: 48 pages minimum text;

  • short story collection or creative nonfiction: 150–300 manuscript pages; and

  • novel: at least 60,000 and no more than 110,000 words.

Poems, stories, and essays previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgments should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works primarily in English for adult readers. Mixed-genre manuscripts cannot be accepted. Criticism and scholarly monographs are not acceptable for creative nonfiction, which the AWP Award Series defines as factual and literary writing that has the narrative, dramatic, meditative, and lyrical elements of novels, plays, poetry, and memoir.

To avoid conflicts of interest, friends and former students of a judge (former students who studied with a judge in an academic degree-conferring program or its equivalent) are ineligible to enter the competition in the genre for which their former teacher is serving as judge.

Current staff of AWP and members of the AWP Board of Directors may not enter the AWP Award Series, and previous staff and board members may not enter for a minimum of three years after leaving AWP or rotating off the board, respectively.

AWP makes every effort to vary the judges by region, aesthetic, and institution so that writers, if ineligible one year, will certainly be eligible other years. If contestants win in any genre, they may not enter the competition again in the same genre for the next five consecutive years.

PRIZES:

  • Sue William Silverman Prize for Creative Nonfiction: $2,500 and publication by the University of Georgia Press

  • James Alan McPherson Prize for the Novel: $5,500 and publication by the University of Nebraska Press

  • Donald Hall Prize for Poetry: $5,500 and publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press

  • Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction: $5,500 and publication by Mad Creek Books, an imprint of The Ohio State University Press

awpwriter.org/AWP/AWP/Contests/AWP-Award-Series/Overview.aspx

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women’s prose prize

Ren Hen Press

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

ENTRY FEE: $25

INFO: Established in 2018, the Women’s Prose Prize is for previously unpublished, original work of prose. Novels, short story collections, memoirs, essay collections, and all other forms of prose writing are eligible for consideration. The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual competition which is open to all writers who identify as women.

AWARD:

  • $1000

  • Book publication by Red Hen Press

  • Final Judge: TBD

GUIDELINES: 25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font) to 80,000-word maximum. Entries will be accepted via Submittable only.

INELIGIBILITY:

The award is open to all women writers with the following exceptions:

  • Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press

  • Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press

  • Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors

  • Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material.

Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

redhen.org/awards/womens-prose-prize/

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Fiction & Poetry Contest

Hayden's Ferry Review

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

INFO: Hayden’s Ferry Review is accepting submissions for its Fiction & Poetry Contest.

AWARD: There will be two prizes of $1000 each and publication in HFR (online in summer 2025 and in the fall/winter 2025 print issue) for a poem or a group of poems and a work of fiction. A runner-up in each category will receive $250 and publication. All entries are considered for publication.

JUDGES:

  • This year’s fiction judge is Gwen Kirby, author of Shit Cassandra Saw.

  • Our poetry judge is Hieu Minh Nguyen, author of Not Here.

GUIDELINES + ENTRY FEE:

Submit 1-3 poems totaling up to 10 pages or a short story or novel excerpt of up to 20 pages with a contest entry fee. 

You can choose between a $15 entry fee, which comes with a 1-year digital subscription or a $23 entry fee, which comes with a 1-year print subscription. For international addresses outside of the US, please select a digital subscription. Your 1-year subscription will begin with our spring/summer 2025 issue. Current subscribers will receive a 1-year renewal. Writers may submit multiple entries, but each entry must include its own entry fee.

*If you have an international shipping address and are interested in a 1-year print subscription, we are happy to accommodate this with an additional shipping fee. Please get in touch before submitting and no later than February 20th to discuss details at haydensferryreview (at) gmail (dot) com. 

We will accept free submissions during a short free submissions window or until we hit our cap of 50 in each genre. *Please subscribe to our free newsletter by February 3rd. We’ll let our subscribers know via newsletter when our free submissions period will take place.* All will be able to submit for free during the free submission period or until we hit our cap; however, only newsletter subscribers will know in advance exactly when the free submission period will take place. Free submissions do not come with a 1-year subscription.

Judges will pick the winners and runner-ups from a list of finalists chosen by HFR editors. All entries are considered for publication in the fall/winter 2025 print issue. We do not read submissions anonymously. 

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Between Feb 1-28, 2025 submit your work to the appropriate genre at https://hfr.submittable.com/ 

Submitted work must be original work by the writer and unpublished. If your work is accepted elsewhere for publication, please withdraw your submission. If only a part of your poetry submission has been accepted elsewhere, please leave a note in Submittable.

ELIGIBILITY:

Close friends, family, or former and current students of the judges should refrain from submitting. We define a "former or current student" as someone who has done a semester-length course with the judge or who the judge has served as a thesis advisor. If you attended a one- or two-week-long workshop or similar with the judge, you are still eligible.

If you were published in one of HFR's print journals or web issues in the past two years, you CAN submit to this contest. (See our "general notes on submission" for specific guidelines for our print and web issues, which may differ from contest guidelines.)

Anyone affiliated with ASU (staff, faculty, and graduate/undergraduate students) is not eligible to submit to this contest and should refrain from submitting to HFR until they have been unaffiliated from ASU for three years.

All individuals are able to submit without regard to sex, race, national origin, religion, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

haydensferryreview.com/haydens-ferry-review-contest

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Book Art Research Fellowship

Center for Book Arts

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

INFO: Researchers and scholars in art history, literature, book history, library science, or museum studies, conservation studies, or other relevant fields are invited to submit research proposals that draw upon CBA’s unique collections of materials related to book art.

CBA’s Permanent Collection consists of three parts:

  1. Fine Arts Collection of artists’ books, prints, and objects

  2. Reference Library focused on the practice, theory, and history of book arts

  3. CBA’s Archives containing records of original exhibitions presented at CBA and the history of CBA’s programmatic activities.

Taken as a whole, CBA’s collections serve as a historical record of book art as a creative medium and a framework for critical research into book art practice.

You can browse the collections online or make an appointment to visit in-person by emailing collections@centerforbookarts.org.

The individual(s) selected for the Fellowship will have access to CBA’s collections, provided institutional support during the research process, and receive a $1,200 stipend.

Fellows are expected to spend a total of 2-3 weeks conducting research on-site at Center for Book Arts. Research periods can take place any time in the calendar year of 2025 outside of holidays and other planned closures. Please note that this fellowship is intended for scholarly research projects rather than the creation of artworks.

At the culmination of the Fellowship, the selected individual(s) will present their research in a public talk. CBA will subsequently have the first right of refusal to publish their research in our Book Art Review journal.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Applications must include all of the following:

  1. A resume or CV

  2. A 500 to 1000 word proposal outlining the research project, including:

    1. How holdings from the Center for Book Arts relate to the project

    2. A short bibliography listing individual resources from the collection to be consulted (5 or more works)

    3. A proposed timeline for residency at the Center for Book Arts. Please note that due to the application timeline, research will take place April-December, 2025.

Please note that this fellowship is intended for scholarly research projects rather than the creation of artworks.

centerforbookarts.org/book-art-research-fellowship

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Self-Publishing Literary Awards

Black Caucus of the American Library Association

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

INFO: The Black Caucus of ALA’s Self-Publishing Literary Awards honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in both fiction and poetry genres.

These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. The purpose is to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and scholarly research including biographical, historical, and social history treatments by African Americans. The judging committee will be comprised of a BCALA-appointed panel, which will select one winner in each genre.

AWARD: Each genre prize winner shall receive: $2,500, formal recognition at the NCAAL conference, and a BCALA Literary Award Seal to use in their marketing.

ADDITIONAL INFO: The awards will be presented during the National Conference Of African American Librarians (NCAAL) in summer of 2025. Authors will be advised of the Literary Award Committee’s decision in advance of the conference.

This contest is free and open to all self-published authors who meet the requirements. The submission process only takes about 10 minutes, and you are welcome to submit as many of your ebooks as you would like. All ebooks submitted to the contest must be:

  • In the poetry or fiction genres

  • A PDF or an ePUB file

  • In the English language

  • An original work that you own the rights to

  • Written by an African American author born in the U.S.

FAQs:

  • Will I lose the rights to my ebook when I submit?

    • No, the author retains full rights of their ebook after submitting, and their ebook may be removed from the contest at any time. 

  • What happens if I include my ebook in the Indie Author Project?

    • If you choose to opt-in to the Indie Author Project, you will still retain full rights of your ebook, and you will have the opportunity to have it distributed in libraries across the United States and Canada, increasing visibility and discoverability for your work. If you choose to remove your ebook from the Indie Author Project at any time, simply contact us and it will be removed. 

  • What happens if I choose not to include my ebook in the Indie Author Project?

    • If you choose to opt-out of the Indie Author Project, your ebook will only be distributed on the BiblioBoard platform so that the BCALA-appointed panel has access to judge your work. It will not be available to anyone outside of the BCALA-appointed panel and the technology support team, and once the contest has ended it will be removed. 

  • Is there a minimum publication date required to submit to the contest?

    • No, as long as your book meets the other contest criteria, it can be submitted, regardless of when it was published. 

bcala.librariesshare.com/bcala-ebook-contest/#guidelines

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call for submissions: nonfiction, poetry + cover art

Yellow Arrow Journal

DEADLINE: February 28, 2025

INFO: Yellow Arrow Journal is excited to announce that submissions are open for the spring 2025 (Vol. X, No. 1) issue:

UNFURL

: to release from a furled, coiled, or wrapped state
: to open out from or as if from a furled state
: to unfold

This issue of Yellow Arrow Journal explores the process people go through when finding and transforming into their authentic selves. UNFURL will be a survey of the unique journeys people take when experiencing and undergoing self-transformation, journeys that all start with a little fire, a desire, deep inside.

GUEST EDITOR: Sara J. Streeter, or 한혜숙 Hea Sook Han, is a writer and a Korean-American adoptee. Since starting her writing journey in 2021, Sara found her writing community through Adoptee Voices and developed a meaningful connection to readers, both within the adoption constellation and beyond. She mainly writes creative nonfiction prose and has been published in literary journals, such as Longleaf ReviewHippocampus Magazine, Peatsmoke JournalThe Rappahannock ReviewGASHER JournalCutleaf Journal, and others. Sara has been nominated for Best of the Net, Best Microfiction, and Best Small Fiction. She joined the Yellow Arrow community when her piece “Bitter / Sweet” was included in Yellow Arrow Journal kitalo Vol. IX, No. 2. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her family and is an interior designer for a small hospitality firm. You can find her at sarajstreeter.com. You can also find the video above on the Yellow Arrow YouTube channel.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Accepted submissions include creative nonfiction and poetry by authors identifying as women (cover art guidelines follow below).

  • Submissions must relate to the theme UNFURL, as interpreted by the author, using provided guiding questions (these will change for each theme).

    • What role did community play in finding yourself?

    • How has your sense of self changed due to your transformation? What about your relationships?

    • What did you find along the way?

    • What do you still need to be authentically you?

    • Was there something that forced you to be a different version of yourself? How did you internalize it?

  • Creative nonfiction (1 submission per author per issue) must be between 100 and 2,000 words. Poetry (up to 2 poems per author per issue, grouped into a single document) may be any length.

  • Submissions do not need to be in English but must include an English translation.

  • No previously published work will be accepted at this time—this includes all printed and online material; simultaneous submissions are okay but please let us know when you send in your submission(s) and if a submission is published elsewhere in the interim, email submissions@yellowarrowpublishing.com immediately.

COVER ART SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Cover art (1 submission per artist per issue) can be a painting, drawing, print, photo, graphic design, comic, or anything else that can be dreamed up by artists identifying as women, as related to the theme/guiding questions.

  • Artists must own all rights to the work submitted—if published or shown previously, artists must be able to list where and when.

  • If chosen, the artist must be able to supply the artwork at a resolution no lower than 300 dpi and at a size of 8 ½ x 11 cm, as a .jpeg/.jpg or .tiff/.tif.

ARE YOU READY TO SUBMIT?

To submit to UNFURL (Vol. X, No. 1, spring 2025), send an email to submissions@yellowarrowpublishing.com and include:

  • Subject: Vol. #, No. # Theme – type of submission [nonfiction, poetry, or cover art] (required)

  • Your full name (and name you would want Yellow Arrow to use), nationality, and current city/state/country of residence (required)

  • Our writers and readers come from all walks of life and so do we. We are taking steps across our portfolio to increase representation and give greater visibility to the voices of underrepresented women-identifying storytellers. If you are comfortable doing so, please share with us which underrepresented communities you identify with that may make you uniquely positioned to connect with a particular group of readers (optional)

  • Your pronouns and age (optional)

  • Where you heard about us (optional)

  • For cover art submissions, a list of past publications/exhibits for the artwork you are submitting (required, if applicable).

Authors/artists should only submit one type of submission per issue; no agents.

Note that submissions are anonymously reviewed in-house; the information you provide above is used only to better understand the composition of our audience.

Attach your submission to your email. Accepted files for creative nonfiction and poetry submissions include .doc/.docx, .rtf, or .pdf (.doc/.docx preferred)—use minimal document styling and do not include identifying information (only within your email). Accepted files for cover art include .jpeg/.jpg, .tiff/.tif, .gif, .eps, or .psd—a low resolution is preferable at this time.

By sending your submission you agree to the following statements:

  • You are a writer or artist who identifies as a woman

  • You have completely read and submitted within the guidelines.

Due to the volume of submissions and the nature of our submission process, authors/artists will not receive an email confirming receipt of submission. Rather, all who submit within the guidelines, whether accepted to the next issue or not, will receive an email after submissions have closed—please do not email us to inquire about a submission. Submissions for UNFURL (Vol. X, No. 1, spring 2025) are open February 1-28.

yellowarrowpublishing.com/submissions

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Ann Perry Award

Red Hen Press

DEADLINE: March 1, 2025

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: Founded in 2020 in partnership with Red Hen Press and the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance, the Ann Petry Award seeks to publish prose literature by Black authors.

The Ann Petry Award is for a work of previously unpublished prose (including self-published works), either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages, by a Black writer.

The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual submission process, with primary review by Aliah Wright, who will winnow the submissions to a list of finalists for the final judge.

The Ann Petry Award will consist of $3000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press, as well as a four-week residency at The Community Library's Ernest and Mary Hemingway House in Ketchum, Idaho.

Please use double-spaced, 12-pt. Times New Roman font. Title only on the cover sheet, with no other identifying information on the manuscript itself. The entry should be a minimum of 150 pages. 

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:  

The Ann Petry Award is open to all Black writers, with the following exceptions:

  • Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press;

  • Current employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press;

  • Relatives of employees or members of the Red Hen Press executive board of directors;

  • Members or former members of the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance;

  • Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges or with members of the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety.

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material. Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

Please remove all names, bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material from the submitted manuscript, and include only your name, contact information, and a short biographical statement in the cover letter field of Submittable.  

The Ann Petry Award of Red Hen Press and the Peauxdunque Writers Alliance is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

redhen.org/awards/ann-petry-award

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2025 Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award (for writers + poets living in north dakota or south dakota)

Poets & Writers

DEADLINE: March 1, 2025 by 11:59pm

INFO: Established in 1984, the Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award, which aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement, has helped to launch the careers of Sue Monk Kidd (The Invention of Wings, The Secret Life of Bees), David Mura (Turning Japanese: Memoirs of a Sansei), Craig Santos Perez (from unincorporated territory [åmot]), Mona Simpson (Case), Lidia Yuknavitch (Thrust), and others.

Since Poets & Writers began the Writers Exchange in 1984, 114 writers from forty-four states or jurisdictions have been selected to participate. The award is generously supported by Maureen Mahon Egen, a member of the Poets & Writers Emeritus Board.

Writers from the states of North and South Dakota are invited to apply for the 2025 Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award. One fiction writer and one poet will be selected. Winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to meet with top literary professionals, including editors, agents, publishers, and prominent writers. This year’s judges are Kali Fajardo-Anstine for fiction and Chet'la Sebree for poetry.

ELIGIBLE WRITERS

Poets and fiction writers who are residents of North Dakota or South Dakota are eligible to apply if they: 

  1. Reside in North Dakota or South Dakota presently and for at least two years prior to the application deadline, which is March 1, 2025.

  2. Have never published a book or have published no more than one full-length book in the genre in which they are applying. 

Winners and runners-up will be asked to submit verification of residency, as well as publication history. 

Writers may apply in poetry and/or fiction (only one manuscript per category).

Employees of Poets & Writers, Inc. are not eligible. 

AWARDS:

One poet and one fiction writer will be selected as winners. Winners will be announced in summer 2025. Each will receive: 

  • A $500 honorarium.

  • An all-expenses-paid trip to New York City in fall 2025 to meet with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers, and to give a public reading, hosted by Poets & Writers.

  • A one-month residency at the Jentel Artist Residency Program in Wyoming.

Manuscript Submission Requirements

  • Poetry manuscripts should not exceed ten pages, single or double-spaced (minimum of 7 pages). 

  • Fiction manuscripts should not exceed 25 pages and must be double-spaced. Fiction manuscripts may include stories and/or excerpts from novels. 

Published work may be included; however, photocopies of previously published work from a book or a magazine will not be accepted. Published work submitted for this award must conform to the above manuscript requirements and should not be identified as published work. 

All work must be the applicant’s original work and written in English; translations are not eligible. There are no restrictions on style or subject matter.

pw.smapply.us/prog/wex/

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2025 Rooted and Relational Summer Research Fellowships

Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO)

DEADLINE:  March 1, 2025 at 11:59pm ET

INFO: The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) invites applications from scholars, writers, and faculty for the 2025 Rooted and Relational Summer Research Fellowships. The fellowship tenure is three months during the summer of 2025 (June-August 2025) and proposals should be aligned with our annual theme, Archives: Memory & the Present Past of Puerto Rico and should explicitly engage with CENTRO’s available archival collections. For this round, we will be awarding two summer research fellowships of $5,000 each. For one of these fellowships, priority will be given to researchers interested in working with the Jesús Colón Papers. The other fellowship is open to any area of study or collection housed at the CENTRO Library & Archives. 

Theme description: Archives: Memory & the Present Past of Puerto Rico

The CENTRO library and archive of the Puerto Rican Diaspora is the only archival repository in the United States committed to documenting Puerto Rican communities in the United States. From this standpoint, we are uniquely positioned to invite scholars to reflect on how archives, archival theory and practice allow us to reframe the present past of Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican communities as well as help us imagine and build Boricua futures.

The theme: Archives: Memory & the Present Past of Puerto Rico, invites researchers to engage with the word “archives” as concept,  practice, and theory by bringing together some of the most important framings of historically inflected research. The theme contends with the material and theoretical importance of the archive in contemporary scholarship and research practices while opening a space to engage with contestation, archival reckoning, archival architecture, facilities, and accessibility, and quotidian interventions and forms of archival refusal. 

At a time when Puerto Rican Studies is seeing a resurgence in the United States, this is an opportunity to examine the roots of the field as we also contemplate what lies ahead. Both archival studies and archival structures in the Puerto Rican context, can be contentious and precarious. Thinking about the promises, betrayals, and possibilities of the archive in material and theoretical contexts opens a space for us to consider questions such as: How do we engage with institutional archives that continue to uphold colonial fantasies of race and gender? What are the material and theoretical relations between archives, memory, and temporality (e.g. notions of past, present, future)? What do we gain from challenges to various prominent historical archival practices like reading “archives against the grain,” which challenge the dominant historical consciousness and praxis of European empires? How do we approach memory and cultural preservation in times of austerity and natural disasters? These questions, and others will guide our discussions during this year-long seminar, where we will be considering different uses of the archive and explore how these spaces, collections, and practices can be transformed through a decolonial, feminist, and queer lens. 

Possible Topics:

  • Archival Silences

  • Memory and preservation

  • Archives and Affect

  • Embodiment 

  • Afro-Boricua archives 

  • Feminist Archives and archival practices

  • Queer Archives

  • Community Archives

  • Family Archives

  • Oral Histories

  • Archiving performance

  • Archives and Accessibility

  • Archiving through disaster

  • Tropical Archives 

  • Born digital archives

  • Archiving social media

  • Information/Right to Information (FOIA and other types of access to public information)

  • Archives and Accountability

  • Processing and new archival technologies

  • Metadata and Algorithms

  • Archival Engineering and Structures

ELIGIBILITY:

This call requires that fellows be over 21 years of age and can be faculty, graduate students, or independent scholars. The fellow must work in the field of Puerto Rican Studies and should be able to work at the CENTRO Library & Archives location (2180 3rd Ave, 1st Floor, Rm. 120 New York, NY 10035) during weekdays between June 1st and August 31st 2025 for a minimum of 10 days within the three month tenure of the summer fellowship. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

The application form will ask you to provide the following:

  1. CV (maximum 3 pages) 

  2. Proposal:

  1. Project Description (approx 500-1000 words)

  2. Collection(s) to be used (approx 250-500 words)

  3. Overall Timeline of your final project (approx 250 words)

  4. Timeline of the fellowship residency (month/dates you plan to visit)

TERMS:

  1. This is a three month long residency and will start on June 1st  and will end by August 31st. The fellow agrees to conduct research at the Library and Archives of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, with the intention of informing the development of their research project.The fellow must register at least 10 visits to the Library and Archives as part of the residency. 

  2. The Center for Puerto Rican Studies will provide a work space for the fellows to carry out their research and will offer personalized support.

  3. At the end of the residency, the fellows will share their works-in-progress at a CENTRO event or panel organized by CENTRO (date to be announced in fall 2025). 

  4. The fellows will receive an amount of $5,000 ($2,500 at the start of the residency and $2,500 after completing the full number of visits to the CENTRO Library & Archives).  

  5. CENTRO will not be able to provide lodging or meals during the research residency. 

Sending the application implies acceptance of all the conditions established in this call.

centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/opportunities/rooted-relational-summer-2025-research-fellowship-open-call/

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KHN Residency

Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts (Nebraska City, NE)

DEADLINE: March 1, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $35

INFO: The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts awards up to seventy juried residencies per year to established and emerging visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists from across the country and around the world. Residencies are 2 to 8 weeks in length. Each resident receives a $175 stipend per week, housing, and a private studio. 

2025 SESSIONS: July 7 - December 19, 2025

GUIDELINES: Each item will be presented as a separate form within our online application portal. Before beginning your application, download the WORK SAMPLES guidelines specific to your discipline (file links located bottom of page) and follow the directions to help prepare files. Application sections include:

  • General Application Information including your preferred dates and length of residency.

  • 2 ANONYMOUS Statements: An anonymous Statement of Submitted Works that clarifies the work and/or its relevance within contemporary or historical creative practices, contemporary society/issues, or the evolution of your personal creative practice; and an anonymous Statement of Intent regarding how you intend to utilize your time and why a residency at KHN is important to you at this point in your career. 

    • KHN utilizes a blind jury process. The ONLY items seen and reviewed by jurors are ANONYMOUS WORK SAMPLES and ANONYMOUS STATEMENTS. Jurors rate applications based solely on the quality and relevance of the submitted work and the statements' effectiveness in clarifying the work and the applicant’s intentions for a residency.

    • Do NOT include your NAME, CREDITS, AWARDS, UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS, COLLABORATORS, COMMISSIONING OR PUBLISHING AGENTS, GALLERY OR VENUE NAMES, or any other identifying information within the statements.

  • ANONYMOUS Work Samples: See the guidelines PDF specific to your discipline (file links located bottom of page) to help you prepare your materials.

    • KHN utilizes a blind jury process. The ONLY items seen and reviewed by jurors are ANONYMOUS WORK SAMPLES and ANONYMOUS STATEMENTS. Jurors rate applications based solely on the quality and relevance of the submitted work and the statements' effectiveness in clarifying the work and the applicant’s intentions for a residency.

    • Do NOT include your NAME, CREDITS, AWARDS, UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS, COLLABORATORS, COMMISSIONING OR PUBLISHING AGENTS, GALLERY OR VENUE NAMES within any uploaded work samples, file names, or descriptions.

  • References: Contact information for two professional references that are familiar with your work and your potential to be a positive member of our small community of residents. 

  • Professional History from your current resume or CV. Your name MAY appear in the contents of this information.

  • Application Fee of $35 paid via credit card through the online portal. All fees must be paid through the online portal. We are unable to waive the application fee.

STIPEND, HOUSING, + TRAVEL: Residency awards come with a weekly $175 stipend. All residents are provided housing that includes a private bedroom, bathroom, and studio space. Writers and visual artists generally share an apartment with one other resident, with shared kitchen, living room, and balcony space. Composers are generally housed in a garden-level studio apartment.

All travel expenses are the responsibility of the awardee, with the exception of cab fare from Omaha or Lincoln on the day of arrival and/or departure.

There are two airports about an hour away: Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA) and the Lincoln Airport (LNK). To get from either airport to Nebraska City, residents can arrange for transportation with Nebraska City's Tree City Cab at least 24 hours prior to their arrival or departure. The taxi fare ($100 per trip) will be paid for by the Kimmel Foundation.

Residents can also consider traveling by train or bus to Lincoln or Omaha. The same arrangement with the taxi service applies. The Kansas City Airport (KCI) is two hours away. However, taxi service will not be paid for from Kansas City to Nebraska City.

WORK SAMPLE GUIDELINES FOR WRITER + POET (LITERARY) SUBMISSIONS:

Upload one PDF that contains all writing samples (up to 10MB).

  • Previously published or non-published material is eligible.

  • Only writing submitted in English will be considered.

Fiction: Submit no more than 2 short stories or novel chapters, not to exceed 7500 words in length. If a portion of a novel is submitted, a brief (100-200 word) synopsis may be included and does not count toward the 7500-word limit.

Non-fiction: Submit no more than 2 essays or chapters, not to exceed 7500 words in length. If a portion of a manuscript or book is submitted, a brief (100-200 word) synopsis may be included and does not count toward the 7500-word limit. If the work submitted is memoir or biography, the requirement to remove your name from the writing sample may be disregarded.

Poetry: Submit up to 10 poems, combined length not to exceed 30 pages.

Drama: Submit up to 2 one-act plays or up to 2 excerpts (monologues, acts, scenes) from a longer work. Include a character list and brief synopsis. Total number of pages may not exceed 30.

Screenplays: Submit no more than 2 screenplays. Include a brief synopsis. Total number of pages may not exceed 30.

Combination of Genres/Non-traditional applications: If submitting samples from more than one genre, total submission should not exceed 7500 words or thirty pages in length.

All work samples MUST be ANONYMOUS. Do NOT include your NAME, CREDITS, AWARDS, UNIVERSITIES, EMPLOYERS, COLLABORATORS, COMMISSIONING OR PUBLISHING AGENTS, or GALLERY or VENUE NAMES within any work samples or in the title/description area within Slideroom.

*If your application includes a combination of visual and literary works, please consider applying under the interdisciplinary category.

Contact us at info@khncenterforthearts.org or 402-874-9600 with any questions regarding applications or submission materials.

khncenterforthearts.org/residency

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Open Call for SUSPECT Journal’s Themed Portfolio: Eco-

SUSPECT (Singapore Unbound)

DEADLINE: March 1, 2025

INFO: Wouldn’t you like a four-day work week, or to work from home? While economy and ecology both come from the root word oikos – for home – housework is excluded from GDPs; so too are the bat flights that pollinate a durian orchard, the citizen science surveys for salamanders, and the sea-spanning carbon capture projects of phytoplankton. The economy works through, not above or beyond, nature. “Economy is ecology,” as political theorist Jason Moore highlights. When supply chains and investments (re)move or (re)place things around the home that is Earth, that home changes. Whose work is prevented on developing land? Whose land is used up for the work, and whose isn’t? What kind of home is this building, and is it the kind we want?

We invite writing that engages with the powerful tensions and dimensions within the word “eco-”. We want nature writing grounded in physical and social contexts; writing that imagines how economies could center ecologies; writing on the work of becoming and belonging together with others. Works might highlight unappreciated labour (both human and otherwise), demand labour, address land and labour issues; might delve into ecological concepts from edge effects to metabolic rifts; might address houses, homes, displacement, and “homing” back to places like pigeons or salmon.

SUSPECT invites submissions exploring the theme of “Eco-” for our special portfolio, which is scheduled for publication starting 5th June 2025 to commemorate World Environment Day.

  • We accept fiction and essays (maximum 6,500 words) or poetry (maximum 10 pages). Authors may submit to multiple categories.

  • As our mission is to publish Asian authors, submitters must identify as Asian. In collaborative works, the work must involve at least one Asian author.

  • Any translated work will be submitted by the translator; any editing of the translated work will take place between SUSPECT and the translator. We expect translators to have received permission from the writers of the original works, if still living, to publish their translations.

  • Each accepted contribution is paid USD100.00. For translations or collaborative works, payment is made to the translator or submitter only.

We look forward to reading your submissions. Submit your work to Sharmini Aphrodite at suspect@singaporeunbound.org. Direct your questions to her as well.

singaporeunbound.org/opp/eco

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manuscript call: short story + flash fiction collections

Split/Lip Press

DEADLINE: March 1, 2025

READING FEE: $15**

INFO: We are currently looking for short story or flash fiction full-length book manuscripts (combinations of flash and longer short stories in the manuscript are welcome as well). Individually published pieces within the manuscript are absolutely fine (and expected!) but the book should not have been published as a BOOK before. We won't define "full-length" (our only hard limit is the lower end: minimum of 100pg), but 150-250 pages tends to be the sweet spot. If your book is shorter than 100pg, keep our chapbook reading period in mind this April! 

We're looking for manuscripts that question boundaries (physical, emotional, metaphysical, meta-emotional—you get the gist). Dazzle us with your version(s) of truth! 

To get an idea of what we love, please check out our current short story/flash fiction offerings: Hayden Casey's forthcoming story collection Show Me Where the Hurt Is, Midwatch by Jillian Danback-McGhan, Phantom Advances by Mary Lynn Reed, My Share of the Body by Devon Capizzi, 48 Blitz by Brett Biebel, This. This. This. Is. Love. Love. Love. by Jennifer Wortman, Hungry People by Tasha Coryell, Felt in the Jaw by Kristen Arnett, and The Hook and the Haymaker and I Am the Oil of the Engine of the World, both by Jared Yates Sexton. We'd love it if you'd add a copy of any (/all) of our books to your submission, and we'll happily throw in free shipping (to US/Canada only) as a thanks!

Historically under-represented perspectives are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED and HIGHLY SOUGHTwe want to help bring your voice to the world!

OUR PRESS MISSION:

We publish boundary-breaking fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid books, lifting the transition boards that prevent fluidity and smashing those we cannot pry up. We love work that questions the concept of truth, and work that reinterprets what we think we know. We prize experimentation (physical, emotional, metaphysical, meta-emotional); we welcome the unanswerable. We want to see the dark and the light side of the moon—or we want to see it obliterated. If your book is a wedge in a crack, Split/Lip Press is the hammer helping you split the wall apart.

All books published at Split/Lip Press have been discovered during our open reading periods—we do not solicit manuscripts and do not accept manuscripts sent outside of our reading periods. Every author has the same opportunity to join us! However, Split/Lip Press does not tolerate manuscripts celebrating racist, homophobic, or misogynistic perspectives, and will discard such manuscripts unread. We believe in breaking boundaries at Split/Lip, but we will not assist agendas of hate.

BASIC FORMATTING DETAILS:

TNR 12 (or similar), double-spaced (unless you are specifically using special formattingwhich we'd love to see), and PLEASE remove your name from the manuscript and file nameour readers want to review your manuscripts without names attached. There is a box on the submission form where, if you choose, you may indicate any information about positionality which may be helpful for the readers to know.

Please note that while we love and welcome work which includes images/diagrams/etc, they would need to appear as black-and-white images within a 6" x 9" printed book, so keep that in mind when submitting.

HUGS + THANKS

We work closely with our authors on all elements of their book from editing to design to promotion. We are engaged in the literary community and as writers ourselves, we know how important it is to have your book supported by a press that cares about more than the bottom line. We'd love for you to be part of the Split/Lip Press family.

Simultaneous submissions are obviously welcome. Our reading process is a process and we move quickly and efficiently, but we also don't interrupt it prematurely. So if another publisher snags you first, we just ask that you withdraw your submission (and congrats to you!).

We intend to reply to all submissions by May 15, 2025, so please do not query about the status of your manuscript before that date. If you haven't seen anything from us by 5/15/25, check your status in Submittable and double-check your email spam filter because Submittable's messages sometimes get stuck there—we will definitely respond!

Thank you for considering Split/Lip Press as the home for your book.

** The reading fee helps cover our costs as a press, and our SS/FF reading team splits 25% of the submission fees collected during this reading period as compensation for their hard work. But we don't want a fee to keep us from finding the best work out there. If you can't afford the reading fee, please send an email to splitlipthepress@gmail.com before submitting to receive a manuscript fee waiver, no questions asked.

splitlippress.submittable.com/submit

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Rumpus Prize for Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction

The Rumpus

DEADLINE: March 2, 2025

SUBMISSION FEE: $20 per entry

INFO: The Rumpus has a long history of championing emerging and established poets, fiction writers, and essayists, and we’re pleased to announce a new way the magazine will bring attention to great writing. 

All submissions will be read by The Rumpus‘s editorial team, and our final judges will be Kaveh Akbar (Poetry), Rachel Khong (Fiction), and Megan Stielstra (Creative Nonfiction).

AWARD:

  • $3,600 in prizes:

  • $1,000 first-place prize and publication in three genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction

  • Honorable mentions receive $200 and publication in each of the three genres

All submitters can opt in if they’d like to be considered for publication by The Rumpus, regardless of whether they’re named a winner or finalist.

Finalists will be contacted in May 2025. Winners will be announced publicly and published by June 2025.

therumpus.net/2024/12/05/the-rumpus-prize/

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call for submissions: historical fiction BY AFRICAN WRITERS

Lọún Lọún

DEADLINE: March 2, 2025

INFO: Lọún Lọún is a literary journal focused on historical fiction based on historical events that have shaped and defined places and times in Africa and the experiences of those who lived through the events—or didn’t—no matter how minute. They’re interested in a car crash in 2004 published in the local newspapers as much as they are in the Rwandan and Biafran genocides of 1994 and 1967, respectively.

We are interested in speculative or factual tellings of African history centred on themes across Economics, Society & Politics, Gender & Feminism, Hope & Healing, Identity & Belonging, and War, Conflicts, & Disaster. We strongly recommend reading a few stories from past issues before submitting.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

African writers, and those of African descent, home and abroad.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Before submitting your work, please carefully read and adhere to the following guidelines:

We accept only submissions in fiction.

Fiction: 2000 – 4000 word range.

  1. Only original pieces will be considered. Previously published pieces and excepts from a larger body of work are not accepted.

  2. Submissions should be in EB Garamond, size 12, 1.5-spaced, and submitted in Word document format with word count included.

  3. Submissions should be in English or translated into English. Writers are, however, allowed creative freedom with the expression of their languages.

  4. Submissions must be based on an event that has happened on or affected the continent, regardless of where characters in the telling are located.

  5. Submissions must contain a brief historical setting description (max. two sentences) formally describing the historical events in telling.

  6. Submissions must have at least two reference links to the historical events in telling.

  7. We accept simultaneous submissions, but let us know promptly if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  8. Ensure your submissions are meticulously reviewed for correct formatting, grammar, and punctuation. Significant mistakes in these areas can hinder the likelihood of your work being considered for publication.

COMPENSATION:

As of now, we cannot appropriately compensate our writers but stick around.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

To submit your work, send an email to submissions@lounloun.com with the subject ‘Fiction Submission.’ In the body of the email, include your third-person bio and theme, and attach the story. Please ensure the story has references and is in Word document format.

REVIEW PROCESS:

Our editorial team carefully reviews each submission. We strive to provide feedback and appreciate the time and effort you put into your work. Please be patient; the review process may take 3-8 weeks after the deadline.

We look forward to reading your work!

CONTACT:

If you have questions or encounter issues during submission, please contact our editorial team at lounlounjournal@gmail.com.

lounloun.com/submissions/

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research fellowships

The Boston Public Library

DEADLINE: March 3, 2025

INFO: The Boston Public Library is proud to announce two new research fellowships to support the use of special collections:

I - Telling Boston Stories Fellowship:

The Boston Public Library's Special Collections Department is offering a four-week fellowship intended to support research projects whose focus is on the people and communities of Boston that are often left out of the historical narrative.

This fellowship can support a wide variety of projects, both academic and artistic. Successful topics for this fellowship could include projects looking at Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood and its history of community activism, the rise of Boston’s Little Syria neighborhood, the campaign from Villa Victoria residents to save their community from urban renewal displacement, or other projects that applicants may be interested in researching further.

Fellows will receive a $4,500 stipend, with the first half dispensed at the start of the fellowship and the second at the completion of the fellowship. Fellows will be expected to spend four weeks working with collections, primarily at the Boston Public Library and Northeastern University, though trips to other Boston cultural heritage institution or research centers may be included in the four weeks. The weeks do not have to be consecutive.

In addition to their research time, fellows will be asked to:

  • Write a blog post on their research topic and collections utilized, to be published on the Boston Public Library’s website

  • Work with the Community History Department at the Boston Public Library to create a workshop or program based on their research experience

Fellows will work with the Community History Department to run a program at a neighborhood branch of the Boston Public Library within four months of completing their research time. This program will use the fellow’s research experience as a launching point to encourage other community members to delve into their own research. Suggested formats include a short talk paired with a community discussion or story sharing session. The Programming & Outreach Librarian for Community History will support the fellow in developing a program.

Artists, independent scholars, graduate, and doctoral students are all encouraged to apply, as well as academics, community activists, and library, archives, and museum professionals. We particularly welcome applications from artists, scholars, and researchers who belong to the community or neighborhood they wish to study.

II - Surfacing Overlooked Stories Fellowship:

The Boston Public Library's Special Collections Department is offering an eight-to-ten-week fellowship intended to highlight often overlooked voices and narratives in our collections.

The theme for the 2025-2026 fellowship will be looking into Black Bostonians from Boston’s founding through Boston’s incorporation as a city in 1822. Suggested collections for research include the Boston Town Records, Elijah Adlow Collection of Boston Legal History, Mellen Chamberlain Autograph Collection, and Boston Tax Records, 1780-1821, as well as city directories and newspapers held in our research collections.

Fellows will receive a $9,500 stipend, with the first half dispensed at the start of the fellowship and the second at the completion of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to research at the Boston Public Library's Special Collections Department for eight to ten weeks within their fellowship year, though these do not have to be consecutive weeks. Supplementary research with the Boston Public Library’s Research Collections will also count towards the research time.

In addition to their research time, fellows will be asked to:

  • Give an informal talk to Research & Special Collections staff midway through their fellowship about their research

  • Give a public talk at the Central Library in Copley Square on their research topic and collections they utilized at the end of their research time

  • Create a narrative guide to identifying the voices of Black Bostonians in the collections they utilized

Fellows will work with the Special Collections Public Services Supervisor to create this narrative guide within four months of completing the research residency, to be published digitally by the Boston Public Library on a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 license. Fellows are welcome to publish, present with, or otherwise use their written work elsewhere and retain the copyright for their work. The fellow will not be processing collections or creating archival description or finding aids for materials. Staff may choose to augment collection description based on findings from this fellowship at a later date.

Masters and doctoral students, post-doctoral, academic, and independent scholars, and artists as well as curators and other library, archive, and museum professionals are welcome to apply. We particularly welcome applications from students and scholars who identify in groups that have been historically unrepresented in academia. We will look for fellows whose expertise and research interests align with our chosen theme of the year and whose research projects would be supported and informed by the collections they utilize during their research at the Boston Public Library.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A FELLOWSHIP:

Fellowship applications are due on Monday, March 3, 2025. To apply for this fellowship, please email specialcollections@bpl.org. Please include in the subject line which fellowship you are applying to. Please also include the following documents:

  • Cover letter

  • Curriculum vitae or resume

  • Writing sample (maximum 400 words, preferably public-facing; excerpts from larger works are fine)

  • Project proposal, including explanation of how this fellowship would support and inform the project

  • Proposed research dates and collection materials

    • For the Telling Boston Stories Fellowship include any other institutions and collections you would hope to use during the fellowship

If you have any questions about the fellowship or application process, please write to Special Collections Public Services Supervisor Kathleen Monahan at specialcollections@bpl.org. Please identify yourself as an applicant for a fellowship in your email.

bpl.org/blogs/post/apply-for-a-research-fellowship-with-the-bpls-special-collections-department/

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2025 Summer Institute on Environmental Justice

Black Midwest Initiative (University of Illinois Chicago)

DEADLINE: March 7, 2025

INFO: The Black Midwest Initiative (BMI) at the University of Illinois Chicago invites applications from early-career scholars, artists, and community organizers to its 2025 Summer Institute on Environmental Justice. This convening will bring together 15 participants, designated as BMI Fellows, who are doing work around environmental justice issues affecting Black people and communities within the Midwest and Rust Belt regions of the United States for a week-long series of discussions, presentations, and workshops with leading figures in the field. In alignment with environmental sociologist and Institute facilitator David Pellow, we conceive of environmental racism as a “form of violent control over bodies, space, and knowledge systems.” Accordingly, we define the parameters of the environmental justice issues applicants might propose to address broadly—from urban agriculture, toxic emissions, natural disasters, and climate change to carcerality, housing instability, residential segregation, community health and wellness, and beyond.

After the conclusion of the Institute, each Fellow will also work to develop a project, individually or in collaboration with one or more other Fellows, that will be incorporated into the Black Midwest Justice Hub (the HUB)—a digital platform we will launch in the fall of 2026 that will serve as a resource repository for the BMI Environmental Justice Collaboratory, a set of environmental justice courses that will be taught across multiple midwestern colleges and universities during the 2026-27 academic year. HUB projects may ultimately take any number of forms that can be accessed digitally, including but not limited to short films, virtual exhibits, traditional academic papers, storymaps, graphic notes, sound recordings, oral histories, interviews, and introductory essays or lectures.

INSTITUTE FACILITATORS:

  • Erika Allen, Urban Growers Collective

  • Adrienne Brown, University of Chicago

  • Lydia Marie Hicks, Black Eden Arts Alliance

  • Fayola Jacobs, University of Minnesota

  • Tonika Lewis Johnson, UnBlocked Englewood

  • David Pellow, UC Santa Barbara

  • LaShawnda Crowe Storm, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Monica M. White, University of Wisconsin-Madison

ELIGIBILITY:

Emerging artists of all genres (including filmmakers, dancers, poets, and other literary, visual, sound, and performance artists), community organizers and activists, graduate students, junior faculty, adjunct and non-tenure track faculty, independent scholars, and postdoctoral scholars whose work deeply engages with environmental justice issues affecting Black communities in the Midwest or Rust Belt regions of the United States (ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, SOUTH DAKOTA, WISCONSIN).

DETAILS OF PARTICIPATION:

Fellows from outside of the Chicago area will be expected to arrive in Chicago on Sunday, July 20, with departure scheduled for the morning of Saturday, July 26. Most days of the Institute will feature a morning session during which facilitators will discuss their work with the Fellows and an afternoon session during which the Fellows will present their work to the group. There will also be a site visit during the week to a location TBA that is engaging critical EJ work in the Chicago metro area. Fellows will be expected to attend all sessions, including the site visit and final group dinner, to complete any readings or screenings assigned by the facilitators, and to prepare a presentation of their work to be shared during one of the afternoon sessions. The Summer Institute will be hosted at the UIC Institute for the Humanities, and all sessions will be held in person.

Each Fellow will receive up to $500 toward their travel expenses to attend the Summer Institute. Lodging will be provided in UIC campus housing for all Fellows coming from outside of the Chicago area. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day of the Institute, as well as dinner on Friday. After the conclusion of the Summer Institute, each participant will receive a $1000 stipend to be used toward the costs associated with their HUB project.

APPLICATION:

The BMI Summer Institute Application requires a 500-word project statement and a 5-page cv or resume.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by April 10.

QUESTIONS?

Please feel free to email theblackmidwest@gmail.com with any questions.

theblackmidwest.com/summer-institute

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2025-2026 emerging writer fellowship

GrubStreet (Boston, MA)

DEADLINE: March 10, 2025

INFO: The Emerging Writer Fellowship aims to develop new, exciting voices by providing three writers per year tuition-free access to GrubStreet’s classes and several key publishing/industry events. Over the course of one year, each Emerging Writer Fellow will attend a combination of seminars and multi-week courses of their choosing, along with a wide selection of other topical programming, in order to enhance their understanding of craft and the publishing industry.

We hope that this year's fellows will be able to join us in-person for classes and events. Priority will be given to applicants who will be able to join us in Boston.

OVERVIEW: The Emerging Writer Fellowship will be awarded to three writers who demonstrate a passion for writing, a commitment to developing their writing abilities, and financial need. Any person 18 and older who demonstrates ability and passion for writing is eligible.

The Emerging Writer Fellowship will provide access to each of the following:

  • 5 multi-week courses

  • 5 three-hour seminars

  • Access to key annual industry events and other craft-related programs.

  • Access to GrubStreet's Artistic Director and/or other program staff members for quarterly (or as-needed) office hours for personalized mentorship. (Optional)

  • At the end of the program, fellows will also receive a complimentary one-year GrubStreet membership so they can continue enjoying extra community perks even after their program year ends.

The fellowship year begins in May.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: This fellowship is open to anyone 18 and older with a passion for writing. The fellowship specifically aims to assist writers in need of financial assistance in reaching their writing goals. We particularly encourage writers of color, ethnic minorities, those who identify as LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, and other members of communities historically underrepresented by the literary community to apply.

WHY WE CREATED THIS FELLOWSHIP: Over the years, GrubStreet encountered more and more people who loved to write but didn't have the money to invest in a creative writing education that would help advance their craft or give them a thoughtful introduction to the publishing world. As part of its mission to make sure that voices of every type and talent are heard, GrubStreet developed the Emerging Writer Fellowship to eliminate some of the financial barriers to entry. Through this program, we hope to connect writers to a literary world – a world made richer and more relevant with the contribution of these voices.

In the program's first year, we were able to offer one fellowship to one student. As of the 2018-2019 cycle, we were able to begin offering a second fellowship in memory of novelist Anita Shreve, longtime board member and dear friend of GrubStreet. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we now offer three fellowships each year.

HOW TO APPLY:

The Emerging Writer Fellowship Application Form will require the following:

A sample of your writing that demonstrates your artistic style and voice. 5-10 pages for prose, screenwriting, or playwriting. 3-7 pages for poetry.

A personal statement—no more than 500 words please!—which should include the following:

  • How you envision using the fellowship.

  • A description of your relationship to writing. By this we mean: what excites you about it? What does it mean to you personally?

  • How the fellowship will help you in your growth and success as a writer.

  • Your writing and workshop history (Note: Prior workshop experience at GrubStreet is not required).

  • The Fellowship year begins in May.

  • All applicants can expect to hear back by early May.

grubstreet.org/write/emerging-writer-fellowship

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LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants

Georgia Writers

DEADLINE: March 10, 2025 BY 11:59 pm ET

INFO: Georgia Writers’ LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants, modeled on our John Lewis Grants, are designed to encourage and amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ youth (18-24) in Georgia. At a time when the country possesses a record number of anti-LGBTQ legislation (400+ bills and counting), we believe it is our responsibility to promote positive stories of queer life in the South. By promoting young queer voices state- and nationwide, we offer models for success that all young queer people in the state of Georgia can aspire to.

Generously supported by the Alliance for Full Acceptance (AFFA), the LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants will be awarded annually in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and screenwriting. The purpose of the grants is to elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of young queer writers in Georgia.

THE GRANTS:

Winners in each genre will receive:

  • A grant of $500 to give a reading at our Red Clay Writers Conference

  • A scholarship to the next annual Red Clay Writers Conference

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants must be 18 - 24 years of age and emerging writers who are queer residents of Georgia for at least one year, or full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award.

  • Applicants are ineligible if they have published more than one traditionally published book. Promising writers without publication will be considered. Writers who are eligible may apply annually but may only win a grant once. There is no submission fee to enter.

  • Applications will be reviewed anonymously.

  • Applicants are ineligible if they are of relations to any of the Georgia Writers staff or board of directors.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Writers may apply in only one genre and must submit the following:

  • A completed grant application

  • An essay of no more tha 500 words as a concise description of your work and goals as a writer. Please tell us what inspires or challenges your writing career.

  • No more than a ten-page writing sample of a published or unpublished piece in the genre in which you are applying--fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or screenwriting. If submitting poetry, one poem per page please.

  • Please format your manuscript: 12 pt. font, double-spaced, name and page number on each page.

georgiawriters.org/literarysuccess

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CALL FOR PAPERS - CHRONIC: LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS

WSQ (Spring 2026)

DEADLINE: March 14, 2025

INFO: In late December 2023, Giorgia Lupi, an information designer, published a long illustrated essay in the New York Times Opinion section titled “1, 380 Days: My Life With Long COVID.” “Long COVID,” she writes, “is a physical affliction, but chronic illness, stretching over months and years, has a way of picking apart your mind and breaking your heart. It is a constant deluge of pain that slowly strips you of everything you used to be by taking away everything you used to do . . . and, eventually . . . the ability to imagine a future without harsh physical limits.” The reported suffering of those like Giorgia Lupi who live with long COVID has brought into the spotlight the many chronic illnesses Americans endure—notably ME, myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome), from which primarily women suffer. Thanks to innovative treatments, especially over the last decade, some cancers have also become manageable chronic illnesses.

In contrast to acute or terminal disease, chronic illness—which includes mental illness—takes many forms over a lifetime: chronic with pain, chronic without pain, chronic with a medical diagnosis or without one (conditions that resist clinical documentation), chronic that is life-limiting or life-threatening, with progression, progression free, or stable, visible or invisible. There is not one chronic experience.  

This special issue of WSQ takes this contemporary phenomenon as our point of departure to consider the social, affective, and political consequences of living with chronic illness. We are soliciting essays, personal and researched, that reflect this variety and that map the critical and scholarly intersections of chronic illness with disability and critical race studies, notably in relation to lupus, but also related to health and healthcare issues. These might include, for example, issues primarily affecting Black women, including access to diagnosis and treatment of various cancers, notably gynecological ones. Though we will consider all approaches, we welcome work theorizing from the first person, whether in poetry, essay, comic, or hybrid form. Questions about chronic illness align as well with care, affect, and feminist eco-theory, which help illuminate the literary, social, and philosophical implications of what it means to be living one’s life in an ill body. To document the surprising variety of expressions of the lived experiences of chronic illness, we hope to include pieces that in some way grapple or experiment with the visual, whether through data visualizations, graphic representations, photography, or other media. (See guidelines below for more details.)

We see this project, in the spirit of the journal’s history, as transdisciplinary in conception, accessible and experimental at a variety of levels, and committed to the public good.

At the same time, we want specifically to explore new ways to live with and understand the challenges of chronic illness, and in the process, following activism and scholarship in the fields of health humanities and graphic medicine, we also hope to propose new paradigms of health and healthcare.

Submissions might attend to some of the following:

  • definitions and themes of the chronic in the twenty-first century: diagnosis, disability, medical infrastructure, autoimmune disease, comorbidity, chronic and crisis (as in the case with COVID-19)

  • discussions and/or representations of/discourse around chronic illnesses such as COVID/long COVID, HIV/AIDS, Lupus, ME (CFS), Lyme, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, heart disease, and cancer

  • advocacy and community: What are the challenges of living in relation to what philosopher Havi Carel calls “social architecture”? What different/alternative communities/illness mentorships exist? How do different illness communities advocate for their specific needs? What role(s) are played by factors like gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc.?

Other topics may include but are not limited to:

  • individual experiences and their relation to community activism, advocacy, and social norms

  • questions of gender expression, sexuality, and race

  • economics and illness; economics and healthcare

  • the physical (side effects, immunology)

  • psychological/social/temporal frames: “scanxiety”; the scan-to-scan existence; recurrence

  • relation to medical establishment

  • literal and metaphorical space

  • pain: its literary languages and visual representation

  • American television drug promotion

  • affect and chronicity (prolonged grief disorder, bipolar disorder, etc.)

ISSUE EDITORS:

  • NANCY K. MILLER, The Graduate Center, CUNY

  • TAHNEER OKSMAN, Marymount Manhattan College

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Scholarly articles should be submitted to WSQ.submittable.com. Upload one Word document that includes the anonymized, complete article. Directly in Submittable, not as an attachment, please write a cover page that includes the article title, abstract, keywords, and a short author bio. Remove all identifying authorial information from the file uploaded to Submittable. Scholarly submissions must not exceed 6,000 words (including un-embedded notes and works cited) and must comply with formatting guidelines at feministpress.org/submission-guidelines. For questions, email the guest issue editors at WSQEditorial@gmail.com.

Artistic works (whose content relates clearly to the issue theme) such as creative prose (fiction, essay, memoir, and translation submissions between 2,000 and 2,500 words), poetry (3 poems maximum per submitter), and other forms of visual art or documentation of performative artistry should be submitted to WSQ.submittable.com. Note that creative submissions may be held for six months or longer. We do not accept work that has been previously published. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable if the editors are notified immediately of acceptance elsewhere. Visual artists are also asked to submit a document containing captions for all works (including title, date, and materials), an artist’s statement and a short bio, each 100 words or less. For questions, email the guest issue editors at WSQEditorial@gmail.com.

For works that are difficult to categorize, including those that fall between academic articles and personal narratives or creative essays, please choose the hybrid works option on Submittable, and explain the nature of the work in your cover page. Please especially indicate whether the work requires academic peer review.

All submitters please note that if your submission contains images (including images embedded into a larger article or essay) please include them as separate attachments of 300dpi or more. Please also include a short bio and current email address [all submitters, directly onto the Submittable form, not as an attachment] as well as an artist’s statement and image caption [visual artists] or an abstract and keywords [academic submissions].

ABOUT WSQ:

Since 1972, WSQ has been an interdisciplinary forum for the exchange of emerging perspectives on women, gender, and sexuality. Its peer-reviewed interdisciplinary thematic issues focus on such topics as Unbearable Being(s), Pandemonium, Nonbinary, State/Power, Black Love, Solidão, Asian Diasporas, Protest, Beauty, Precarious Work, At Sea, Solidarity, Queer Methods, Activisms, The Global and the Intimate, and Trans-, combining legal, queer, cultural, technological, and historical work to present the most exciting new scholarship, fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, book reviews, and visual arts on ideas that engage popular and academic readers alike. WSQ is edited by Shereen Inayatulla (York College, CUNY) and Andie Silva (York College and the Graduate Center, CUNY), and published by the Feminist Press at the City University of New York. Visit feministpress.org/wsq.

feministpress.org/current-call-for-papers

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BAYARD RUSTIN RESIDENCY

Penington Friends House (New York City)

DEADLINE: March 15, 2025

INFO: Building on the social activist history of Penington’s founders, original board, and later residents, the Bayard Rustin Residency at Penington Friends House (PFH) is envisioned as an ongoing ladder to empowerment for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) working to end Systemic Racism and to create a culture of anti-Racism and intersectional equality in the United States of America. It is also intended to extend and strengthen the wider Quaker witness to equality.

Beginning in September of 2025, this residency will provide up to one year of room and board to a person who demonstrates a strong project that addresses ending Systemic Racism and who has a necessity to be in New York City for up to one year. They will reside at the Penington Friends House located in New York City’s Lower East Side of Manhattan. The Bayard Rustin Resident will demonstrate a need to live in Manhattan. Areas of focus of their work can include activism in the arts, policy change, human rights, community organizing, and other areas of activism focusing on ending racism and strengthening equality. Residents will meet regularly with the Residency Manager and will be expected to share their progress with the New York City community in the form of presentations or workshops.

The resident does not have to be Quaker but their work should be shaped by and in harmony with our tenets of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. The resident will be expected to be a full-time resident of PFH and be participating member of this intentional community. This includes eating chef prepared dinners with the other residents and participating in shared light house chores. ( 1 1/2 hour commitment per week on average.) The Penington Friends House’s approach to living collaboratively may be new to you. We encourage to look at our website and instagram account (@Penington_friends_house) to gain a better understanding of what we are. Feel free to call us as well with questions. We are LGBTQ embracing community. We believe Black Lives Matter. We are always working to be a safe space and an anti-racist community.

Resident selection is made through a BIPOC committee of Quakers and non-Quakers and is based on the strength of the applicants work and proposed project. Final approval of the Bayard Rustin resident is made by the Penington Friends House Residents and staff, in the same interview process that all other residents are approved to live at the Penington. Applicants should note that the Bayard Rustin Resident bedroom is on the 4th floor of an historic Brownstone. An elevator is not available. Bathrooms are shared with other floor residents. This residency covers the cost of rent, boarding (food) provided 5 nights a week, internet, cable, and heat/AC. Limited access ( starting at 3:30PM weekedays) to a studio space may be available. A stipend is NOT currently provided by this residency.

Here are a few types of artists and activists activities that we would be interested in considering. Please contact us before applying if you are not sure your project would fit our call. Questions can be directed to Todd Drake at outreach at penington dot org.

  • An artist working on a body of art that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • A writer working on a new book, play, screenplay, or collection that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • A performer creating a new dance piece that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • A community based artist designing or carrying out a community based project that addresses racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • An activist organizing communities to address racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • A social entrepreneur that is starting a non-profit focused on addressing racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • An inventor or designer working on solving a problem associated with systemic racism and/or intersectional issues.

  • A graduate student that has a strong and well defined anti-racism project that needs support and time to launch.

BACKGROUND: The residency is named after Bayard Rustin who was a Quaker and an attender at 15th Street Monthly Meeting in New York City. This meeting (Quaker house of worship) is next to the Penington Friends House. Rustin worked commitedly for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. He was an advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on nonviolence. Rustin was also a chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and a founding member of the Freedom Riders. He was an early advocate for gay rights. Rustin’s later work included a heavy focus on refugee affairs. Rustin served as Vice Chairman of the International Rescue Committee, helped to found the National Emergency Coalition for Haitian Refugees, and was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Freedom House. He died in 1987. In 2013, President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom. ( Source rustinfund.org)

We are currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Bayard Rustin Residency. This is our 5th Bayard Residency.

The Bayard Rustin Residency is supported with funds from the Society of Friends (Quakers) New York Yearly Meeting, the New York Quarterly Meeting, the Brooklyn Monthly Meeting, the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, and the Board of Penington Friends House. Donations are currently being accepted.

penington.org/rustin-residency/

FICTION / NONFICTION — JANUARY 2025

ANN FRIEDMAN WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP

Ann Friedman

DEADLINE: January 3, 2025 by 11:59pm PST

INFO: The Ann Friedman Weekly Fellowship is an annual program for nonfiction writers who are not yet established in their careers. It includes mentorship and editing; a $5,000 stipend; regular check-ins to provide structure and accountability; and space in my newsletter where fellows can publish and promote their work. This program is funded by paying members of the Ann Friedman Weekly.

For the 2025 fellowship, I will provide support and accountability to two writers, who will each write and publish a newsletter of their own. Each fellow will come up with an editorial focus (or hone an existing one), create a workflow, and integrate feedback as they build a body of self-published work. I will, of course, welcome conversation about other writing projects and offer broader advice throughout the year. But the newsletter will be their main fellowship focus.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • Who I’m looking for: Nonfiction writers who don’t have (m)any published clips, who aren’t well-connected to editors, who don’t have a substantial social media following. I’m looking for people who are already writing and developing their skills. I invite people from populations that are underrepresented in media to apply. (I know most job listings have a line like this, but I really and truly mean it. Please apply!) For reasons related to scheduling calls and time zones, I am limiting this to writers who live in the United States.

  • Compensation: A stipend of $5,000. This fellowship is not a full-time job and will not provide any health insurance benefits. Think of it more like a year-long, highly personalized workshop with steady mentorship.

  • Commitment: We’ll do a monthly Zoom check-in, and you will have space in my newsletter at least once a month, too. Your time commitment will be variable, but I think it’s safe to say a few hours per week. I expect you to engage with your fellow fellow (lol) and with me, and to meet the deadlines we set together.

  • Why I’m doing this: I’m eager to share what I know about the craft and profession of writing, and I love having colleagues. For more context, read this.

  • How to apply: Write me a letter, no longer than one page. In it,

  • Tell me a little bit about who you are and the writing you’re currently doing.

  • Then tell me about the newsletter you’d like to publish in 2025. It could be a limited series, or an ongoing project you hope to keep up after the fellowship ends. It could be just the germ of an idea, or something you’ve been working on for awhile that needs a refresh. Be as specific as you can.

  • Tell me about the nonfiction writing skills you’re most eager to develop in the coming year. (Examples: Conducting great interviews, writing compelling titles/headlines, making the personal resonate more universally.) Put another way: How do you hope to improve over the course of the fellowship year?

  • If you have a little space left, briefly tell me about the last thing you read and loved. What was so good about it?

  • Title the document “[Your Name] AF WKLY 2025”

  • Fill out this form and upload the letter. I will only consider applications submitted through the form.

  • TIMELINE: Applications are due by 11:59pm PST on January 3, 2025. This deadline is strict. I will be in touch with all applicants by February 15. Fellowships begin March 3, 2025 and run through the end of the calendar year.

annfriedman.com/fellowship

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SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIPS FOR WRITERS, ARTISTS, AND OTHER HUMANISTS

Newberry Library

DEADLINE: January 3, 2025

INFO: Newberry fellowships give researchers the time, space, and community required to pursue innovative and ground-breaking projects. Fellows advance scholarship in various fields, develop new interpretations, and expand our understanding of the past.

The Jan and Frank Cicero Fellowship - Offering one month of support for a person working in the visual and performing arts who wishes to advance their artistic practice through the use of the Newberry collection.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Artists and performers including (but not limited to) painters, sculptors, choreographers, dramaturgs, creative writers, composers, and others in artistic fields.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Fellowship for Independent Researchers - This fellowship is for writers, journalists, filmmakers, visual and performing artists, and other humanists who wish to use the Newberry’s collection to further their creative work. Preference is given to individuals working on projects that focus on social justice or reform.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Applicants must be individuals working outside of traditional academic settings.

The Historical Fiction Writing Fellowship - Offering one month of support for a person working in the area of historical fiction. We encourage applications relating to a wide range of historical fiction including novels, short stories, plays and theatrical works, or poetry.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Writers of historical fiction.

newberry.org/research/fellowships/short-term-fellowships

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: UNTHEMED SUMMER ISSUE

Mizna

DEADLINE: January 6, 2025

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: We write this call as the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza has passed its one year mark. In the midst of catastrophe and on the brink of new waves of fascism, we look towards cultural work— art, writing, music, film, and criticism— as the generative space in which our communities can come together in grief, rage, and solidarity as we redefine and upend our current world order. For this unthemed issue, we continue to encourage work that affirms the necessity of resistance and steadfastness against imposed structures of catastrophe; work that imagines new collectivities, new forms of struggle, new worlds.

We welcome writing which centers Palestine, Armenia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Morocco, Libya, and beyond, places directly affected by the worst of recent imperial devastations. As solidarity with Palestine continues to be met with harsher forms of censorship, doxxing, cancellation of awards and events, expulsion from universities, and firing from professional positions, we also encourage writing from our anti-Zionist comrades as well as those who have been subjected to the aforementioned silencing. While we welcome submissions from former contributors seeking a space for their work in this urgent moment, we also especially encourage submissions from writers who have never been published by us before

Mizna has long been a home for literature with innovative, experimental forms, as well as visual art that is published with high quality print production practices. As such, we especially encourage ongoing submissions of visual poetry work, or hybrid works that cross the arbitrary boundaries of genre. In general, literary works of poetry, visual poetry, fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction, creative nonfiction, comics, collage, invented forms, and any forms of mixed print or hybrid work will all be considered. 

GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Submitters do not need to be SWANA or Arab identified, but work submitted should be considerate of Mizna’s ethos and the social realities of our audiences, as well as aim to contribute to ongoing conversations in and beyond our communities. Submitters may also decide to expand these social realities altogether. We encourage submitters to read back issues of Mizna before submitting work for consideration.

Mizna focuses on debut writing; please submit previously unpublished work. We do not accept visual art submissions. Simultaneous submissions are permissible, though we ask to be notified as soon as possible if the submission is accepted elsewhere. There are no submission fees. Selected contributors receive a $200 honorarium, a one-year subscription to Mizna, and five copies of the issue.

Please include a short cover letter (200 words or less), with a brief overview of the work you are submitting and why you are submitting to Mizna. Include a note disclosing any simultaneously submitted works.

  1. Poets should list the poems they are submitting. 

  2. Prose submissions should include a brief, 1–2 sentence overview of the submission (e.g., a synopsis if it is a story or narrative essay, or an overview of the argument for more expository essays). Keep in mind that we are a literary magazine.

  3. Include a brief (50 words or less) author bio. 

  4. Add a maximum of one sentence for any additional information you would like the editorial team to know about the work. 

  5. Include contact information: email, phone number, and mailing address.

Please submit as .doc or .docx files. Submitting pdfs is allowable only for pieces with complex layouts. We do not accept other file formats (e.g., .pages). Prose submissions should be double spaced and limited to 5000 words. Please do not send us your term papers or thesis manuscripts for consideration. Poetry submissions should be limited to four poems of any length. Verses exceeding our page width will be treated with a run-over indent.

Submissions that do not adhere to these guidelines will NOT be considered. Unsolicited submissions sent to our email will be discarded.

COMPENSATION: Selected contributors receive a $200 honorarium, a 1-year subscription to Mizna, and 5 copies of the issue.

mizna.org/journal/submissions/

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

Asian American Arts Alliance (A4)

DEADLINE: January 7, 2024

INFO: What Can We Do? (WCWD?), presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4), is a grant opportunity for artists looking to support the Asian and AAPI communities in NYC with engaging, creative projects rooted in care.

The lingering effects of the pandemics of COVID and anti-Asian and anti-Arab hate – including Islamophobia – continue to be felt today. In response, many mutual aid groups, direct service organizations, and community and business leaders have stepped in to take care of elders and other vulnerable Asian and AAPI community members across the city.

In addition, the ongoing genocide in Gaza has left Palestinian communities feeling unsafe and unsupported. AAPI artists, organizers, and care workers have come together to demand a ceasefire, raise awareness around the conflict in Gaza, and organize campaigns in support of Palestinian American artists and cultural workers who have been censored and banned from opportunities.

WCWD? gives artists a chance to find their place in the care ecosystem either by complementing existing services and offerings, or creating their own.

PROGRAM GOALS: For this program, a minimum of 15 NYC-based artists will be selected as project awardees by A4. Each artist will receive $1,500 to create and carry out ideas to engage, aid, and care for the Asian New Yorker community with a focus on Chinatown, Manhattan; Flushing, Queens; and/or social justice projects focused on the support of NYC-based Palestinian creators and their communities.

The project engagements must be completed within a four-month period (February 4–June 3, 2025).

Projects may take many forms such as performing music for seniors waiting in line at food pantries, leading workshops with youth to create ‘zines that reinforce positive aspects of AAPI culture, or organizing creative activities in support of the Palestinian community. While we prefer projects to be in-person activities, we understand that for safety reasons, projects might need to be virtual. You can review past projects here.

INFORMATION SESSION: An information session for those interested in applying will be held on Tuesday, November 19 from 12:00-1:00 pm ET via Zoom. You can RSVP for the information session here.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Are you a NYC-based artist, community leader, or social justice organizer interested in exploring and/or developing a creative project with the aim to offer care for the Asian community in New York? Do you feel you want to do something about anti-Asian and anti-Arab hate and violence and its effects on the community, but don’t know how to get started? Your skills and talents can make a difference, and we want to hear from you.

What Can We Do? is seeking 15 participants with a range of artistic expression, social justice/social impact expertise, organizing frameworks, and lived experiences.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • A resident of New York City & primarily based in New York City during the program period

  • Must be at least 21 years of age

  • The project must benefit communities in Chinatown, Manhattan (District 1); Flushing, Queens (District 20); and/or social justice projects focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities.

  • All disciplines and stages of artistic exploration/developments, activism, community organizing, educational practice, and thought leadership are welcome; No prior organizing experience required

  • Demonstrate a willingness or an interest in community work and care for vulnerable populations

  • Create or develop an existing or new project that centers community building, healing, reflection, and joy, and not limited to being solely reactionary to moments of crisis or protest

  • Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate an intention to build an ongoing relationship and engagement with the community

  • Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received the award, but anyone can apply

  • The event(s) or project engagement(s) must take place within the four-month period between February 4–June 3, 2025

SELECTION CRITERIA:

After an eligibility screening, the A4 Team will be evaluating and selecting the awardees based on the following criteria:

  • Community Impact: Will your proposed project have an impact, and show support, and care to AAPI communities? If your project is focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities, how does it impact the groups most affected by the issue? Do you have existing relationships or a desire to build/deepen relationships with residents of the communities on a long-term basis? Do you have an understanding of issues facing AAPI communities?

  • Outreach Strategy: Do you have a clear plan to conduct outreach to community members? If you plan to work with a community organization, does your outreach strategy align with the scope and contents of your project? If your project is focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities, does your outreach strategy align with the goals and values of the movement and focus on local needs?

  • Project Development and Creativity: Does your project contain a clear display of innovation, imagination, and/or creativity? Will participation in the WCWD program help you realize or shape your project?

  • Ability to Commit and Viability: Is your project achievable given the proposed engagement dates and four-month timeline?

We strive for a balance of geography, populations served, and disciplines. These factors will also be taken into account when the applications are evaluated.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE + TIMELINE:

As part of the program, participants will:

  • Carry out their event(s) or project engagement(s) anytime between February 4–June 3, 2025, providing periodical progress updates to A4

  • Write and submit a simple, one-page report of their work including 2 photographs, the community they served, its impact, and any next steps

  • Present their final project in-person or virtually at the end of the program in a public share out

  • Receive an honorarium of $1,500 per awardee; please note that awardees will receive the first half of the honorarium ($750) upon signing the agreement and the second half of the honorarium ($750) upon completion of the final report

The program schedule is as follows:

  • November 12, 2024 – Application opens

  • November 19, 2024 – Pre-submission Information Session via Zoom (12-1pm ET)

  • January 7, 2025 – Deadline for all submissions (by 11:59 pm ET)

  • January 21, 2025 – Awardees selected and notified

  • February 4–June 3, 2025 – Awardees carry out their projects

  • June 5, 2025 – Final reports due

  • June 12, 2025 (Tentative) – Public Share Out

This program is presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) and is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to Council Members Christopher Marte and Sandra Ung. Projects focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities are supported by the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice.

aaartsalliance.org/opportunities/what-can-we-do

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Emerging Boston Art Writing Fellowship

Boston Art Review / Praise Shadows Art Gallery

DEADLINE: January 9, 2025 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: Now accepting applications for the 2025 art writing fellowship!

Presented in partnership with Praise Shadows Art Gallery, the program supports three individuals based in Boston ages eighteen through twenty-one who are interested in expanding their knowledge of the city’s contemporary art community through hands-on experience writing reviews, artist interviews, and exhibition texts while deepening their understanding of the operations behind a commercial gallery. This fellowship is not a traditional internship, but rather a curriculum-based program with learning at the center.

The program is a five-month commitment that begins with a crash course in art writing led by the team at Boston Art Review. In this part of the program (February–March), individuals participate in weekly workshops and field trips to cultivate their writing practices and relationships within Boston’s art community. Fellows will pitch, develop, and complete a project that is published with Boston Art Review in summer 2025.

For the second half of the program (April–May), fellows participate in paid, part-time internships at Praise Shadows Art Gallery in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner. Here, they learn the inner workings of a contemporary art gallery, including marketing and press release writing and engaging with the general public about the work on view.

In addition to workshops with local writers and arts leaders, past fellows have participated in sessions with editors from Triple Canopy and Book Art Review (part of Center for Book Arts) and met with an executive at Higher Ground (the Obamas’ media company). They also heard from Dr. Jovonna Jones, Nakia Hill, Jackie Houton, Jessica Shearer, and visited exhibitions at ICA / Boston, Boston Center for the Arts, and Northeastern’s Gallery 360.

Selected applicants must be available for virtual interviews January 21–23, 2025. The program will begin on February 4, 2025.

If you have questions about the fellowship program please contact Camila Bohan Insaurralde, programs and partnerships manager at camila@bostonartreview.com.

bostonartreview.com/writing-fellowship

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2025 BECHTEL PRIZE 

Teachers & Writers Magazine

DEADLINE: January 10, 2025

INFO: Each year Teachers & Writers Magazine awards the Bechtel Prize and a $1,000 honorarium for an essay describing a creative writing teaching experience, project, or activity that demonstrates innovation in creative writing instruction. 

The Bechtel Prize is named for Louise Seaman Bechtel, who was an editor, author, collector of children’s books, and teacher. In 1919, Bechtel became the first person to lead a juvenile book department at an American publishing house. Bechtel helped establish the field of children’s literature and was a tireless advocate for the importance of literature in children’s lives. This award honors her legacy.

We are looking for essays that describe a project or activity that got students excited about writing and fostered a vibrant and dynamic culture of creative writing in the classroom. We welcome essays about projects that carved a space for students to reflect on current events and social justice. The experience/project/activity should be one that:

  • Helped students identify as writers.

  • Opened new pathways to creative writing.

  • Engaged students in all parts of the writing process.

  • Promoted connections between reading and writing.

  • Supported the publication of student writing.

The essay itself should:

  • Share actual classroom experience, including how students engaged with the project (in other words, this should not be a planned project but one that has already taken place).

  • Focus on the classroom experience and what makes it innovative.

  • Focus on teaching creative writing (eg. poetry, fiction, memoir, playwriting).

  • Please do not send essays that have to do with teaching academic writing or teaching literature in general.


PRIZE: The essay selected to receive the Bechtel Prize will be published in Teachers & Writers Magazine, and the author will receive a $1,000 award.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Essays must be previously unpublished and under 2,500 words. They should include a cover page with the essay title, author’s name, e-mail address, phone number, and a brief bio (no more than 150 words).

  • Send submissions in Word or PDF format via Submittable.

  • Submissions will be judged anonymously. The author’s name and address must not appear anywhere on the essay.

  • Authors of the Bechtel Prize-winning essay and finalists must permit T&W to publish their essays in Teachers & Writers Magazine. T&W reserves the right to edit essays for publication.

  • Submissions are only accepted through Submittable.com. Please do not email submissions.

  • All submissions that conform to the above guidelines will be considered for general publication. Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be reviewed for the Bechtel Prize.

Selection criteria for the Bechtel Prize include the submission’s relevance and appropriateness for readers of Teachers & Writers Magazine, most of whom teach writing at the elementary, secondary, or postsecondary level. Teachers & Writers Magazine publishes work that is concise, lively, and geared toward a general audience. Prospective entrants for the Bechtel Prize are encouraged to visit the magazine to become familiar with the work of Teachers & Writers and to read past winners of the award. 

Questions regarding these guidelines may be sent to editors@twc.org. Please do not send submissions by email. 

teachersandwritersmagazine.org/bechtel-prize/

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Investigative Reporting Summer Internship

Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting

DEADLINE: January 10, 2025 at 11:59pm ET

INFO: The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting is proud to announce that it will partner with news organizations across the country to offer 17 investigative reporting internships to collegiate journalists and recent college graduates during the summer of 2025.

This reflects an increase of six internships from 2024, and that number could grow before the selection process concludes. Two of the internships will be exclusively remote.

The internship places students in paid 10-12 week assignments working alongside investigative reporters and editors at some of the nation’s top news organizations. Students from traditionally underrepresented groups and those attending HBCUs and MSIs are especially encouraged to apply.

The Society will enjoy partnerships with eight returning news organizations and nine new ones.

The 2025 internship sites include renewed partnerships with:

New partnerships include:

  • The New York Amsterdam News, the first Black Press partner in the internship program’s history.

  • Bloomberg News, one of the largest business news organizations on earth with more than 2,700 journalists in more than 100 global bureaus and headquartered in New York, NY.

  • The Current, a nonprofit accountability news organization serving the coastal region of Georgia, including Savannah, Brunswick and other communities. It is a part of the Scripps Howard Fund nonprofit newsroom internship program in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News.

  • Dallas Morning News, one of the nation’s top paid-circulation and award-winning newspapers.

  • The Kansas City Star, an award-winning daily that is part of the McClatchy news group. 

  • Louisville Courier-Journal, a celebrated award-winning newspaper in Kentucky, which is part of the Gannett/USA TODAY Network.

  • The Maine Monitor, an independent digital publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, which focuses on investigative and explanatory journalism that impacts residents of that state. It is a part of the Scripps Howard Fund nonprofit newsroom internship program in partnership with the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Two internships will be remote:

  • The Examination, a globally based independent nonprofit news organization that investigates preventable health threats and seeks to empower communities adversely impacted by harmful industrial products and practices. Its team of journalists is dispersed in such locations as Houston, New York City, Chicago, Mexico City, London, Washington, D.C., Hong Kong, and parts of California and the Midwest. 

  • Snopes, a fact-checking digital site and internet reference source that researches urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must be members of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting. Join for free at this link.

Rising college juniors, seniors and graduate students, as well as individuals who graduated from college within the past three years with multimedia journalism skills, including print and broadcasting are welcome to apply.

Candidates should be actively involved in campus media or have other news reporting experience and a demonstrated desire to incorporate investigative reporting techniques into their work as they aspire to advance their careers.

The application requires a cover letter, a resume, five work samples and two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak about your journalistic abilities and would be willing to answer any follow-up questions from the selection committee.

idabwellssociety.org/news/2025-internship-applications-are-now-open/

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Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color

Center for Black Literature

DEADLINE: January 10, 2025

INFO: The Wild Seeds Retreat provides writers of color with an opportunity to meet other writers; to workshop their writing among peers; and to engage with published writers about concerns and issues related to writing and publishing. Through its writing workshops leaders, the Retreat provides the public with an opportunity to become knowledgeable about the range and diversity of the work produced by writers of color.

Fellows will engage in daily writing, reading and sharing sessions with workshop leaders and cohort leaders. Fellows will also have an opportunity for one on one sessions with their workshop leader. A detailed itinerary will be provided to accepted fellows.

COST: Tuition is $400 for this VIRTUAL retreat. A limited number of scholarships are available, with a written rationale required upon applying.

DATES: The Online Retreat will take place February 20 – 23, 2025, from 10am-3pm each day.

FACILITATORS:

  • Ladee Hubbard (Fiction)

  • Phill Branch (Creative/Non-Fiction Memoir)

APPLICATION INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS:

The applicant’s submission packet must include a cover letter of introduction that includes:

  1. The reason you want to participate in the Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers ofColor.

  2. A statement about how you would benefit from this experience.

  3. Background information about you as a writer.

  4. Brief description of the project you are presently working on (if applicable).

  5. A writing sample (up to five pages).

  6. Two letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your writing. This will also be a separate upload in the application below.

  7. A rationale for a scholarship if you are requesting one. Scholarships are very limited.

OUR BACKGROUND: The Wild Seeds Retreat for Writers of Color (formerly the North Country Institute & Retreat for Writers of Color), began in 2004 as a collaboration with the Center for Black Literature, the English Department at SUNY, Plattsburgh, and the Paden Institute and Retreat for Writers. Today it continues to provide a writing community where established and emerging writers can focus on the craft of writing and create cross-cultural conversations around the literature created by writers of the African diaspora.

Writing fellows have an opportunity to draw upon their experiences as writers in a racialized society; to become knowledgeable about the issues facing other writers of color; and to study with a professional in the genres of fiction, memoir, and poetry.

Recognizing that the Writers Retreat should not be limited to a specific geographical region, the Center renamed the Retreat in honor of Octavia E. Butler, a speculative fiction writer known globally for blending science fiction with African American spiritualism. Butler's writing crossed many boundaries and represented varying diverse voices.

centerforblackliterature.org/wild-seeds-retreat/

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Call for debut novels

Tin House

SUBMISSION PERIOD: January 11 - 12, 2025

INFO: Tin House offers a two-day submission period for writers to submit their work. Eligible writers must not currently have an agent, and must not have previously published a book (chapbooks are okay). Per our schedule below, we accept works of fiction and poetry, both originally in English and in translation (please only submit translation projects which the translator has already been granted formal permission to translate), and ask that you do not send us a project unless you have a completed draft.

In particular, we are looking to engage with work by writers from historically underrepresented communities, including—but not limited to—those who are Black, Indigenous, POC, disabled, neurodivergent, trans and LGBTQIA+, debuting after 40, and without an MFA.

tinhouse.com/book-submissions

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2025 Memoir and Autobiographical Writing Workshop

Lewis Latimer House Museum

APPLICATIONS DUE: January 13, 2025 (Participants will be notified by January 27, 2025)

INFO: Queens, New York is known as the most diverse county in the United States. As our country grapples with issues of race and immigration in real time, the stories from our borough have an important role to play. The Lewis Latimer House Museum is pleased to present this fully funded opportunity to the writers of Queens!

Join our six-session writing workshop on memoir and autobiographical writing focusing on themes of race and immigration. We will dive into student work from day one, finding our voices, developing characters, creating context and backdrop, and honing our narratives. Everyone will have the opportunity to have their pieces reviewed in workshop three times, and will leave the course with a refined, voice-driven piece of personal writing.

Open to writers of all levels of experience.

INSTRUCTOR: Abeer Hoque

CLASS SIZE: 8 writers

COST: Free--All participants in the workshop will receive a scholarship from Lewis Latimer House Museum

WHEN:

*Participants must commit to all dates listed below.

  • Pre-workshop meet-up (in-person): Saturday, February 8, 12:00 p.m. -- 1:00 p.m.

  • Six Saturdays (virtual): March 8, March 22, April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, 2:00 p.m. -- 4:30 p.m.

  • Public reading (in-person): Saturday, May 31, 2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

  • Six workshop sessions via Zoom. Links will be shared with participants.

  • In-person meet-up and public reading at Lewis Latimer House Museum.

lewislatimerhouse.org/events/2025memoirwritingapplication

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2025 EARLY CAREER ARTIST RESIDENCY - FOR MN + NY ARTISTS

Anderson Center at Tower View

DEADLINE: January 14, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency Program offers month-long residency-fellowships at Tower View to a cohort of emerging artists from Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City for concentrated, uninterrupted creative time to advance their personal artistic goals and projects.

Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency is an ideal fit for early-career artists in need of focused time and dedicated space in an inspiring residency work environment that empowers them take risks, embrace challenges, and utilize unconventional approaches to problem-solving.

Thanks to generous support from the Jerome Foundation, selected emerging artists receive a $625/week artist stipend, documentation support, art-making resources, lodging & studio space, a travel honorarium, groceries, and chef-prepared communal dinners.

Anderson Center is an artist community founded in 1995 on the Tower View estate, a venerable research-and-development lab for the arts rooted in an expansive natural setting in rural Red Wing, MN (approximately 1-hour outside the Twin Cities metro).

The Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency is geared toward generative art making, as well as exchange across an interdisciplinary cohort. The program is well suited for vocational early-career artists in pursuit of time, space, and resources to truly commit to a project and explore new creative territories. Critiques, studio visits, and formal professional development are not offered.

The Anderson Center seeks to support emerging writers and artists with an uncompromising drive to create new work at Tower View in September 2025 that demonstrates significant potential for cultural and community impact, is technically accomplished, and engages diverse communities. The organization also believes that the environment and resources of Tower View, along with an exchange of ideas between artists working across disciplines, can serve as a catalyst for new inspiration and innovative directions for the work emerging artists create while in residence.

TO APPLY:

The application deadline for the Anderson Center's 2024 Early Career Artist Residency Program is Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 12 p.m. Noon, Central Standard Time. Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline in order to be considered in the jury review period. There is no fee for applying to this residency program.

Jury review will take place in late January and early February. Applicants will be notified by Feb. 7 as to the status of their application. A phone interview process with finalists will take place in late February following a second round of jury review. Selected artist residents, wait-list and runners-up will be notified by March 4, 2024.

ABOUT ANDERSON CENTER: Anderson Center nurtures a vibrant artist community based at Tower View, an expansive Historic Site and natural area in Red Wing, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Anderson Center has renovated and restored Tower View's historic buildings to support working artists and the creative process, including developing twenty-two active studio spaces and three galleries. A renovated barn serves as a performance and event venue, the historic main residence houses artists-in-residence, and fifteen acres support a sculpture garden. 

Anderson's signature Artist Residency Program, together with the Studio Artist Program, forms the core of the organization's artistic community. The Residency Program provides artists, writers, musicians, and performers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment with dedicated time and space to create, advance, or complete new work. In addition to community engagement activities through the artist residency program, the organization's additional outreach programs create connections and integrate the arts into community life through local partnerships, hosting annual arts events, and participating in other community-based initiatives.

ABOUT JEROME FOUNDATION: The Jerome Foundation, founded in 1964 by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill (1905-1972), honors his legacy through multi-year grants to support the creation, development, and presentation of new works by early career artists. The Foundation makes grants to vocational early career artists, and those nonprofit arts organizations that serve them, in all disciplines in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. The Jerome Foundation is generously providing support for the Anderson Center’s Emerging Artist Residency Program.

LOCATION: Anderson Center is located on the 350-acre historic Tower View campus, built by scientist & farmer Dr. Alexander Pierce Anderson between 1915 and 1921, on the western edge of Red Wing, Minnesota, and its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center features a large sculpture garden, and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Trail, a 20-mile biking and walking trail that runs from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. The Center is 45-60 minutes southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Transportation is provided between the Center and the Twin Cities airport on the first and last day of residencies only. Artist Residents that choose to drive will have access to private parking on the property.

The community of Red Wing, Minn., (pop. 16,000) is nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River.

DEFINITION OF “EARLY CAREER”: While Anderson Center’s general Artist Residency Program hosts artists with a wide range of talent and experience, its Early Career Artist Residency Program exclusively focuses on meeting the specific needs of artists who are in the early stages of their artistic development and career.

Anderson Center’s goal is to support artists early in their careers who create work that is and/or has the potential to be:

  • Compelling—offering distinctive vision and authentic voice;

  • Deeply considered, imaginative, and executed with attention to craft and with technical proficiency, providing artistic experiences that communicate unique perspective/s, and invite viewers to question, discover, explore new ideas in new ways;

  • Innovative and risk-taking—engaging, questioning, challenging or re-imagining conventional artistic forms.

Anderson Center defines an early career artist as someone in the early stages of their creative development with 2-10 years of generative experience, and:

  • have a focused direction and goals, even while still developing their artistic “voice”

  • have yet to be substantially celebrated within their field, the media, funding circles or the public at large

  • are vocational (as opposed to avocational, academic, amateur or educational) artists

Artists who have been in the field for longer than 10 years (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a dancer in work created by others; remounting the work of other choreographers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized. Age is not a factor in determining emerging artist status.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

The four primary eligibility guidelines for Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency are:

  1. Legal residency in the State of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City.

  2. Not enrolled in any degree-granting program from time of application through residency period.

  3. Self-identification as an “early career artist” with 2-10 years of generative experience in the field

  4. An artistic practice centered in generating and creating entirely new work.

Minnesota or New York City artists - Artists must currently be legal residents of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City and have been residents for at least one year prior to the submission of an application. Artist did (or will) file US federal taxes as a resident of Minnesota or New York City. Account address in Submittable must be within MN or NYC. Selected artists will be required to provide proof of Minnesota or New York City residency before a residency is formally offered. Artists must have a US Social Security Number or US Tax ID.

No students - Students enrolled in any degree-granting program from the time of application through the residency period are not eligible to apply for an Early Career Artist Residency at the Anderson Center (this includes any and all K-12, technical school, college, graduate, postgraduate, ABD studies). There are no exceptions to this eligibility criterion. If an artist is pursuing a degree-granting program in some form, they are not eligible. Please do not contact Anderson Center staff regarding technical situations or special edge cases around student status. This program supports vocational artists, not students. No matter the specifics or details, if an artist can be considered a student of a degree-granting program in any way, they are simply not eligible.

“Early Career Artist” Status – Eligible artists self-identify as an “early career artist” and are in the early stages of their creative development with 2-10 years of generative experience. The Anderson Center’s goal is to serve a spectrum of artists typically in their 2nd to 10th year of creative practice, post-student status (if applicable). This spectrum is framed by artists with some track record of creating and presenting full work (not beginning artists), and artists who are NOT at a point in their careers where they receive consistent development and production opportunities and significant recognition, awards, and acclaim (not mid-career or established artists).

Artists who have been in the field for longer than 10 years (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a dancer in work created by others; remounting the work of other choreographers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized.

Age is not a determining factor. Career stage is assessed by the cumulative number of years an artist has been generating their own work. Mid-career or established artists shifting from one artistic discipline to another will not be considered early career. For example, a composer with a substantial career in music who is now moving into film will not be considered early career.

Anderson Center has defined the 2–10 year span recognizing that some artists may experience enormous success and move past early career status well before their 5th year or 10th year. The organization recognizes that the number of opportunities afforded to artists may differ significantly based on discipline, race/ethnicity, class, gender, physical ability, and geography among other factors. Consequently, some artists may be past their 10th year and still be on the spectrum of early career status due to taking time out of active artistic practice for school or other circumstances. The Anderson Center understands that the lack of an absolute or rigid definition leaves room for interpretation but embraces this flexibility out of our value around diversity and in recognition of the many variables that impact artists’ careers.

New Work – Eligible artists are generating and creating entirely new work (rather than interpreting, translating, arranging, copying, remounting pre-existing work or the work of others). Generative artists are those who conceive and create new original work (e.g., choreographers, composers, playwrights and devisers, filmmakers, writers, visual artists, etc.). This program does not support artists who solely perform or develop/produce the work of others (e.g., dancers, musicians, actors, editors, journalists, etc.).

Collaboratives - Artists that are part of an artistic collective, partnership, or collaborative are welcome to apply, but collaborative residencies are also rare. The program is extremely competitive, and space is simply limited. Each artist must also complete their own application form. Obviously, each application will repeat things and have much overlap. That is OK. In the work plan for in each application, highlight that artist's contribution / skills, while making clear the collaborative nature of the project.

Notes - Artists of all disciplines are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted through the Anderson Center’s online webform via Submittable.

Please direct any questions regarding early career artist status and eligibility requirements directly to Anderson Center at Tower View staff at 651-388-2009 or info@andersoncenter.org.

APPLICATION: A completed application form includes a brief artist statement, a work plan, an early career statement, work samples, and a resume or CV. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the panel. You may begin your application, leave and return as many times as necessary to complete the form PRIOR to clicking the submit button at the bottom of the completed form. Important: do not submit your application form until you are completely finished editing as your application will be finalized at that time.

If you are a prior resident of the Anderson Center, you must wait one year from the time of your residency to apply again.

The Artist Statement, provides an opportunity for you to share, in 100 words or less, a brief statement or summary about your past and current work.

The Resume, CV, or Biographical Statement is a Word or PDF document that shows education, work experience, publications, awards, and previous residency experience. 3 pages maximum.

The Work Plan is a one page Word or PDF document that clearly and concisely describes what you are working on and what you’d like to accomplish at the Anderson Center. Successful applicants address how the timing, location, and cohort-based model of the residency would benefit their practice. Artists may also mention how specific amenities or resources at the Anderson Center (such as the surrounding natural environment, specific studio spaces or equipment) would advance their work. The statement can be single-spaced.

An Early Career Statement addresses, in 250 words or less, your status as an emerging artist or early-career artist. How would participating in this program impact or advance your practice as an early career artist? In what ways would this program meet your needs as an early career artist? Why is this residency important to this stage of your career path? How do you identify as an early career artist? 

Work Samples should be of recent work and should include:
     · For composers and musicians: 3 recordings
     · For visual artists: At least 5 images of work (300 dpi or larger)
     · For nonfiction and fiction writers: 10 pages of double-spaced prose
     · For playwrights & screenwriters: 10-page excerpt (does not need to be from the beginning)
     · For poets: 10 pages of poetry
     · For translators: 10 pages of translation and original text
     · For performance artists: 3 short video excerpts of performances (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
     · For filmmakers: at least 3 short film clips (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
     · For Scholars: 10 pages of work, including research abstracts and relevant diagrams

If you are an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary artist, you may "split the difference" on the work sample guidelines above at your own discretion. For example, including 5 pages of writing and 3 images, etc. 

Likewise you may also choose to simply submit a PDF or Word Doc with hyperlinks to work samples that meet the guidelines outlined above.

Regarding work samples, please put yourself in the shoes of a jury panel member. Make it easy for them to review your best work first. Yes, give the jury various ways to go deeper or experience more if they are motivated but focus first on presenting only your strongest work samples in the most compelling way possible. Please contact staff if you have questions about work samples, but reflecting on the jury and the many applications they have to review & score can serve as a helpful guide in deciding what to include, how much to share, how long it can be, and how to present it.

DURATION OF RESIDENCY: The Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency Program is a 4-week residency-fellowship the month of September 2025. Selected artists must commit to arriving on September 2 and departing on September 29. September is the only month the program takes place.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Each artist-in-residence receives:

  • $625/week artist stipend

  • Travel honorarium ($550 for New Yorkers and $150 for Minnesotans)

  • $450 documentation budget (services for photography, video, audio, etc.)

Evening dinners are prepared and presented by the Anderson Center chef Monday through Friday. The chef also shops for meal items for artist residents, and residents are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, and meals over the weekends. There are also housekeepers who clean and maintain the historic facilities.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each resident is provided room, board, and workspace for the length of the residency period in the historic Tower View residence. Visual artists are provided a 15' x 26' studio and are responsible for supplying their own materials.  Other workspaces on site include a dark room, and a print studio (with a Vandercook 219 letterpress and a Charles Brand-like etching press) for printmakers with demonstrated experience. Practice space is also available for dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Composers are provided with access to a 1904 Steinway piano and a Royale grand piano.

Residents have access to the many walking trails on campus and to the Cannon Valley Trail, which goes through the Anderson Center’s property. Bicycles are also provided. Residents have responded to many different aspects of the gorgeous Tower View campus through their work, including composers sampling natural sounds and visual artists harvesting plant materials to create site-specific natural inks.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The program is set-up to minimize distractions and other obligations so that artists have every opportunity to fully focus on their work. However, the Anderson Center was one of the first artist residency programs in the country to require that residents give back to the local community and connect with area residents & organizations through community engagement activities.

Staff work with artists to facilitate and customize at least one hour of mutually beneficial exchange with the Red Wing community that helps foster connection and greater a sense of place.

Within the last few years, Anderson Center residents have connected with schools in five area communities (ranging from elementary through college), senior centers, correctional or detention facilities, community organizations serving children and families, and community organizations serving adults. Residents have also engaged individuals from all walks of life through public workshops, events, discussions, and artful interventions -- both at the Anderson Center or in the community of Red Wing.

PROGRAM MISSION & VALUES: As an interdisciplinary arts organization, the Anderson Center embraces artists who are diverse in every way. Since its inception, the organization has intentionally worked with artists representing a wide range of disciplines, with the belief that the exchange of ideas is generative. The residency program supports artists from around the world, representing a wide range of cultures, races, sexual identities and genders. The Center strives to bring people and ideas together and operates with a spirit of welcome for all.

SELECTION TIMELINE:

  • January 14, 2025 (12:00 p.m. Noon CST) – application deadline

  • February 7, 2025 – Jury has selected Round 2 applications. All artists are notified of the status of their application.

  • February 25, 2025 – Jury has determined finalists. Phone interviews with finalists begin.  

  • March 4, 2025 – Final notification to selected artists, wait-list and runners-up

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection criteria include (in order of importance):

  1. Artistic excellence as demonstrated by work samples, resume and artist statement

  2. Potential benefit and impact on career as demonstrated by work plan

  3. Balance of artistic disciplines, identity, geography, etc within selected cohort

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Anderson Center provides equal opportunity for all people to participate in and benefit from the activities of the Center, regardless of race, national origin, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, in admission, access, or employment. The Anderson Center staff is willing to do what they can to accommodate residents with disabilities. Please call before applying to discuss special needs.

theandersoncenter.submittable.com/submit

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2025 ANDERSON CENTER RESIDENCY

Anderson Center at Tower View

DEADLINE: January 14, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: Anderson Center nurtures a vibrant artist community based at Tower View, an expansive Historic Site and natural area in Red Wing, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Anderson Center has renovated and restored Tower View's historic buildings to support working artists and the creative process, including developing twenty-two active studio spaces and three galleries. A renovated barn serves as a performance and event venue, the historic main residence houses artists-in-residence, and fifteen acres support a sculpture garden.

Anderson's signature Artist Residency Program, together with the Studio Artist Program, forms the core of the organization's artistic community. The Residency Program provides artists, writers, musicians, and performers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment with dedicated time and space to create, advance, or complete new work. In addition to community engagement activities through the artist residency program, the organization's additional outreach programs create connections and integrate the arts into community life through local partnerships, hosting annual arts events, and participating in other community-based initiatives.

ELIGIBILITY: The Anderson Residency Program is open to early career, mid-career, and established visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, multidisciplinary artists, musicians, performance artists, scholars, and translators from across the globe. The program is interdisciplinary and the organization welcomes applications from a wide range of creative and intellectual genres, including those that don't fit neatly into the above list.

To be considered, artists must submit an application through the Anderson Center’s online form via Submittable. Complete program details are below. Please contact the organization at 651-388-2009 or info@andersoncenter.org for any questions.

DURATION OF RESIDENCY: For the 2025 season, the Anderson Center is offering 2- or 4-week residency sessions during the months of August and October. Preference is generally given to 4-week residencies. That said, 2-weeks sessions are possible. There is a 48-hour turnover between residency sessions, no matter their duration, to allow time for housekeeping. Specific start and end dates are listed in the application form. Please plan your requested residency dates carefully. Provide as much detail as possible regarding your availability, as that information is incredibly helpful in assembling cohorts and organizing the waitlist.

September 2024 residencies are reserved for the organization’s Early Career Artist Residency.

2025 SCHEDULING & AVAILABILITY:

Each season the Anderson Center hosts a limited number of artists through its various exchanges, fellowships, and dedicated programs that reduce the number of spots available for artists submitting materials for this General Residency program opportunity. In 2025 exterior renovations to the residence limit the residency options to the months of August and October.

Availability as of September 2024:

  • August 2025 - Four 4-week spots (or eight 2-week spots); space for 4-6 artists depending on duration. 

  • October 2025 - Three 4-week spots (or 6 2-week spots); space for 3 – 5 artists depending on duration.

In general, for months that incorporate 2-week sessions, no fewer than four artists–and no more than six artists would be scheduled for 2-week residencies within that month.

Due to the competitiveness of the program, the organization's goal is to be upfront and transparent about the availability for the General Residency program in 2025 in an effort to help you make a decision about whether this year is the best time to submit an application. Again, please contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification here.

LOCATIONThe Anderson Center is located on the 350-acre historic Tower View campus, built by scientist & farmer Dr. Alexander Pierce Anderson between 1915 and 1921, on the western edge of Red Wing, Minnesota, and its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center features a large sculpture garden, and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Trail, a 20-mile biking and walking trail that runs from Cannon Falls to Red Wing.

The Center is 45- 60 minutes southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Transportation is provided between the Center and the Twin Cities airport on the first and last day of residencies only. Artist Residents that choose to drive will have access to private parking on the property. The community of Red Wing, Minn., (pop. 16,000) is nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River.

APPLICATION: A completed application form includes a brief artist statement, a work plan, work samples, and a resume or CV. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the panel. You may begin your application, leave and return as many times as necessary to complete the form PRIOR to clicking the submit button at the bottom of the completed form. Important: do not submit your application form until you are completely finished editing as your application will be finalized at that time. If you are a prior resident of the Anderson Center, you must wait one year from the time of your residency to apply again.

The Artist Statement, provides an opportunity for you to share, in 100 words or less, a brief statement or summary about your past and current work.

The Resume, CV, or Biographical Statement is a Word or PDF document that shows education, work experience, publications, awards, and previous residency experience. 3 pages maximum.

The Work Plan is a one-page Word or PDF document that clearly and concisely describes what you are working on and what you’d like to accomplish at the Anderson Center. Successful applicants address how the timing, location, and cohort-based model of the residency would benefit their practice. Artists may also mention how specific amenities or resources at the Anderson Center (such as the surrounding natural environment, specific studio spaces or equipment) would advance their work. The statement can be single-spaced.

Work Samples should be of recent work and should include:

  • For composers and musicians: 3 to 5 recordings

  • For visual artists: At least 5 images of work (300 dpi or larger)

  • For nonfiction and fiction writers: 10 pages of double-spaced prose

  • For playwrights & screenwriters: 10-page excerpt (does not need to be from the beginning)

  • For poets: 10 pages of poetry

  • For translators: 10 pages of translation and original text

  • For performance artists: 3 short video excerpts of performances (no videos longer than 5 minutes)

  • For filmmakers: at least 3 short film clips (no videos longer than 5 minutes)

  • For Scholars: 10 pages of work, including research abstracts and relevant diagrams

If you are an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary artist, you may "split the difference" on the work sample guidelines above at your own discretion. For example, including 5 pages of writing and 3 images, etc. 

Likewise you may also choose to simply submit a PDF or Word Doc with hyperlinks to work samples that meet the guidelines outlined above.

Regarding work samples, please put yourself in the shoes of a jury panel member. Make it easy for them to review your best work first. Yes, give the jury various ways to go deeper or experience more if they are motivated but focus first on presenting only your strongest work samples in the most compelling way possible. Please contact staff if you have questions about work samples, but reflecting on the jury and the many applications they have to review & score can serve as a helpful guide in deciding what to include, how much to share, how long it can be, and how to present it.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each resident is provided room, board, and workspace for the length of the residency period in the historic Tower View residence. Visual artists will be provided a 15' x 26' studio and are responsible for supplying their own materials. Other workspaces on-site include a dark room and a print studio for professional printmakers (with a Vandercook 219 letterpress and a Charles Brand-like etching press). Practice space is also available for dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Composers are provided with access to a 1906 Steinway piano and a Royale grand piano.

Dinners are prepared and presented by the Anderson Center chef Monday through Friday. This chef also shops for groceries for artists-in-residence. Residents are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, and meals over the weekends. There are also housekeepers who clean and maintain the historic facilities.

Residents have access to the many walking trails on campus and to the Cannon Valley Trail, which goes through the Anderson Center’s property. Bicycles are also provided. There is a very basic home gym in the residence. Residents have responded to many different aspects of the gorgeous Tower View campus through their work, including composers sampling natural sounds and visual artists harvesting plant materials to create site-specific natural inks.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The program is set-up to minimize distractions and other obligations so that artists have every opportunity to fully focus on their work. However, the Anderson Center was one of the first artist residency programs in the country to require that residents give back to the local community and connect with area residents & organizations through community engagement activities.

Staff work with artists to facilitate and customize at least one hour of mutually beneficial exchange with the Red Wing community that helps foster connection and greater a sense of place.

Within the last few years, Anderson Center residents have connected with schools in five area communities (ranging from elementary through college), senior centers, correctional or detention facilities, community organizations serving children and families, and community organizations serving adults. Residents have also engaged individuals from all walks of life through public workshops, events, discussions, and artful interventions -- both at the Anderson Center or in the community of Red Wing.

PROGRAM MISSION & VALUES:

"This stay is particularly suitable for artists who want to devote themselves intensively to the realization of a concept. Here you can devote yourself to artistic work undisturbed and far away from everyday worries." - Eva Möseneder, 2012 resident

Anderson Center’s goal is for connections participating artists make with one another, as well as connections made with other creatives and community members, to outlast the duration of their residency visit. The organization believes that the environment and resources of Tower View, along with an exchange of ideas across disciplines, can serve as a catalyst for new inspiration and innovative directions for the work artists create while in residence.

As an interdisciplinary arts organization, the Anderson Center embraces artists who are diverse in every way. Since its inception, the organization has intentionally worked with artists representing a wide range of disciplines, with the belief that the exchange of ideas is generative. The residency program supports artists from around the world, representing a wide range of cultures, races, sexual identities and genders. The Center strives to bring people and ideas together and operates with a spirit of welcome for all.

SELECTION TIMELINE:

  • January 14, 2025 (12:00 p.m. Noon CST) – application deadline

  • February 7, 2025 – Jury has selected Round 2 applications. All artists are notified of the status of their status.

  • March 5, 2025 – Final notification to selected artists, wait-list and runners-up

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection criteria include (in order of importance):

  1. Artistic excellence as demonstrated by work samples, resume and artist statement

  2. Potential benefit and impact on career as demonstrated by work plan

  3. Balance of artistic disciplines, identity, geography, etc within selected cohort

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Anderson Center provides equal opportunity for all people to participate in and benefit from the activities of the Center, regardless of race, national origin, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, in admission, access, or employment. The Anderson Center staff is willing to do what they can to accommodate residents with disabilities. Please call before applying to discuss special needs.

theandersoncenter.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR FICTION SUBMISSIONS

Shenandoah

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: January 15, 2024

INFO: Submissions will be considered by Editorial Fellow Anes Ahmed. Here’s what he’s looking for:

“For the curation of my issue, there will be no themed call, as I personally find themes somewhat restrictive. Rather I seek all types of fascinations, panoramas and menageries. But, if it is of any value, I find myself chronically obsessed and drawn towards subversion, lingual and historical experimentations, as well as certain archetypes within prose—the destructive despot, the vanishing artist, the beautiful revolutionary, the anti-flaneur employee, the lost citizen, the consequential progenitor, the animate insentience, & the brief lover. Additionally, stories whose settings, characters, and telling exists outside the mythological container that is America are particularly welcome. The ideal word count would be 3,000 to 4,000 words, but if you’re a rule breaker like me, you’ll break whatever rules necessary to tell the full truth of your story.”

www.instagram.com

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CAI EMMONS FICTION AWARD

Red Hen Press

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025

ENTRY FEE: $25

INFO: To honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through Red Hen Press (Weather Woman, Sinking Islands, and Livid) and who passed away with dignity on January 2, 2023 after a hard-fought battle with ALS, Red Hen Press is proud to announce the Cai Emmons Fiction Award.

We are so grateful to Cai and her family for choosing to endow this award to keep Cai’s spirit and love of life-changing fiction alive.

We are looking for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded fiction manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors.

AWARD DETAILS:

  • $5000

  • Book publication by Red Hen Press

  • Judge: E.P. Tuazon

Notes: Name on cover sheet only, with a 25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font). Entries will be accepted via Submittable only.

GUIDELINES:

The award is open to all writers with the following exceptions:

  • Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press;

  • Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press;

  • Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors;

  • Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety.

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material.

Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

For questions or to withdraw a submitted entry, please contact editorial@redhen.org.

redhen.org/awards/cai-emmons-fiction-award/

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OPEN CALL: 2025 BIPOC ART RESIDENCY

Ma’s House

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Ma’s House’s Artist-In-Residency program is open to US-based creatives of color working in any genre of visual art, creative writing, and performance arts.

We encourage resident artists to pursue work that relates to or is inspired by Shinnecock’s history, the local landscape, community based work, and critical engagement in issues of diversity, race, and identity.

E:IGIBILITY - The Ma’s House Artist Residency is open to national and international BIPOC artists 21+ years of age. A variety of disciplines are accepted including, but not limited to: visual arts, media/new genre, performance, architecture, film/video, literature, interdisciplinary arts, and music composition. Solo artists are a eligible to apply. 

Applicants will be chosen based on project proposals, artistic merit, feasibility/logistics of the residency, and how the artist will benefit from working at Ma’s House and Shinnecock.

RESIDENCY LENGTH - Residencies will be scheduled by mutual agreement between accepted resident artists and Ma’s House year-round.

Residencies can be a minimum of a weekend and a maximum of two weeks. Artists from federally recognized tribes may apply for up to six months.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS - Residents will be required to participate in a minimum of one public program during their stay (open rehearsals, workshops, studio visits, lectures, or artist talks).

Engaging with or researching Shinnecock artists, east-end artists, and local art institutions  is strongly recommended before arrival.

RESIDENCY COSTS - There is no fee to apply or fee to attend. Residents will be responsible for their own groceries and meals.

Thanks to the Creatives Rebuild New York grant, we are grateful to offer $250.00 per week honorariums for visiting artists. (Or about $35.70 per day if staying more or less than a week)

RESIDENCY EXPERIENCE - Ma’s House is located in a quiet and remote part of the Shinnecock Reservation. Applicant artists should expect a retreat-style residency.

The lead artist of Ma’s House (Jeremy Dennis) also lives at Ma’s House.

SHINNECOCK INDIAN NATION - Ma’s House & BIPOC Artist Residency is located on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation, a sovereign self-governing nation in Southampton, NY.

The residency presents a privilege of being a guest of the nation. We ask that you be respectful to our community by respecting the privacy and space of others on the reservation and to not wander alone through the territory. 

TRANSPORTATION, RESIDENCY CAR, & LOCATION - Ma’s House is located on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY (about two hours from NYC).

Resident artists traveling from NYC have the option of using the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Hampton Jitney, or drive with their own vehicle. We can arrange for pickup and drop off at the train station or bus stop in Southampton.

As of 2023, we now have a donated vehicle dedicated to resident artist use. Resident artists may use public transit or drive their own car to Ma’s House and decide to use our vehicle. Resident artist will be asked to fill out an additional car usage form and car use is restricted to a one hour radius drive around Ma’s House and no overnight trips with the vehicle.

Uber, Lyft, and car rentals are available nearby.

FACILITIES - Ma’s House has an assortment of woodworking tools, basic art materials including tempera paints, brushes, scissors, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, hot glue guns, exacto knives, assortment of beads, and more.

At the moment we do not have a ceramic kiln, metal working tools, 3d printing, or a formal dance platform, but hope to one day!

THE HOMEBODY FELLOWSHIP - Announcing an open call fellowship for QTBIPOC artists based in the San Francisco Bay Area for the Artist Residency Program at Ma’s House! Two chosen artists will be awarded an unrestricted $750 during the residency which spans 2-4 weeks at Ma’s House on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY.

This opportunity is made possible by the Homebody Fund, a small donor-advised fund at East Bay Community Foundation, resourcing POC—especially QTPOC—spiritual/healing spaces that support community leadership and cultural transformation in decolonial movements for liberation, especially in the East Bay Area.

.mashouse.studio/residency/

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REGULAR READING PERIOD

Ploughshares

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025 at noon EST

INFO: Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during our regular reading period. The literary journal is published four times a year: blended poetry and prose issues in the Winter and Spring, a prose issue in the Summer, and a special longform prose issue in the Fall. Our Spring and Summer issues are guest-edited by different writers of prominence.

Guest editors are invited to solicit up to half of their issues, with the other half selected from manuscripts submitted to the journal and screened for them by staff editors. This guest-editor policy, which we have used since our founding in 1971, is designed to introduce readers to different literary circles and tastes, and to offer a fuller representation of the range and diversity of contemporary letters than would be possible with a single editorship.

MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES:

We accept up to 6,500 words of prose, and 1-5 pages of poetry. 

If you are submitting to our Fall Longform issue, we accept up to 15,000 words. Please note that past Longform issue contributors may not be published again in a future Longform issue. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained, and translations are welcome if permission has been granted by the original author. 

Queries to the Look2 Critical Essay series are welcome (see guidelines here).

It would be much appreciated if you kept the following in mind when submitting your work:

  • Typed, double-spaced pages. (Single-spacing is welcome for poetry).

  • Numbered pages.

  • If in hard copy, submit with text on one side of the page.

We do not consider:

  • Unsolicited book reviews and criticism.

  • Previously published work. If your submission is part of a forthcoming book, let us know in your cover letter and the expected publication date.

  • Work written by individuals currently affiliated with Ploughshares or Emerson College as a volunteer screener, intern, student, staff member, or faculty member.

We cannot accommodate revisions, changes of return address, or forgotten SASEs. We cannot be responsible for delay, loss, or damage.

COVER LETTERS:

We encourage you to include a short cover letter with your submission. It should reference:

  • Major publications and awards.

  • Any association or past correspondence with a guest or staff editor.

  • Past publication in Ploughshares.

CONTRIBUTOR HONORARIUM:

Payment is upon publication:

  • $45/printed page, $90 minimum per title, $450 maximum per author.

  • Two contributor copies of the issue.

  • A discounted rate for additional contributor copies.

  • A one-year subscription.

SIMULTANEOUS VS. MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS:

We do not consider multiple submissions, so please send only one manuscript at a time, either by mail or online. Do not send a second submission until you have heard about the first. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere. 

If you are working on submissions with an agent, or are an agent submitting work on behalf of an author, please read our note on simultaneous submissions with an agent.

SUBMIT ONLINE:

Submit via our online submission manager

If this is your first time submitting, please fill out the submission form first, then click “Add to Cart.” You will then be prompted to create an account on our website.

  • There is a $3.75 service fee for online submissions (current subscribers may submit online without charge). This is not a reading fee.

  • Upload your submission as a Word (.doc, .docx), rich-text format (.rtf) file, or PDF. No .Pages, .txt, or Open Office Documents.

  • Upload only one file containing one prose piece or one to five pages of poems.

  • Type or paste your cover letter into the provided “Cover Letter” field.

  • From the drop-down genre menu, be sure to select the appropriate genre of the work you are submitting. Please select “Longform” for longform submissions, regardless of genre.

FREE ONLINE SUBMISSIONS:

Subscribe to Ploughshares and submit online for free. You may subscribe here. If you are a current subscriber, you will still be prompted to checkout, but you will not be required to enter your credit card information and will not be charged.

SUBMIT BY MAIL;

We greatly prefer digital submissions, but you may mail submissions to:

Ploughshares
Emerson College
120 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116-4624

  • Mail your manuscript in a page-size manila envelope with your full name and address written on the outside (at least an inch down from the top, to account for USPS barcodes).

  • Identify the genre of your manuscript on the outside of the envelope.

  • You must include your email address in your cover letter.  All manuscript replies will be sent via email, and we cannot process a mailed submission without a corresponding email address.

  • If you are an incarcerated writer and do not have access to an email address, please provide the email address of a trusted individual or indicate in your cover letter that you do not have access to email. 

  • If you would like your full manuscript to be returned, indicate this in your cover letter and ensure that you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with adequate postage.

  • We cannot return manuscripts to international addresses, even with IRCs.

  • There is no service charge for mail submissions.

Unsolicited work sent directly to a guest editor’s home or office will be ignored and discarded; guest editors are formally instructed not to read such work.

ACCESSING YOUR SUBMISSIONS:

You can view the status of your current submission as well as a list of your past submissions at any time by logging in to your account and clicking “My Submissions.”

NOTIFICATIONS + QUERIES:

Expect three to five months for a decision (our backlog is heaviest during the fall and spring). We receive well over a thousand manuscripts a month, so please be patient. We accept queries after five months have passed. Queries as well as withdrawal notifications should be sent via email or the mail. They should include:

  • Your name.

  • The date, genre, and title of the submission.

  • Whether the submission was sent by mail or online.

  • A SASE, if you send your query via mail.

pshares.org/submit/journal/

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Short Story Contest

Driftwood Press

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025

SUBMISSION FEE: $30

INFO: Driftwood Press is currently open for submissions to its Short Story Contest.

To alleviate wait times on your end, we will be declining and accepting submissions as we read them. All submissions accepted will initially be given runner-up status. In April or May, one of the runner-ups will be awarded the Grand Prize.

Winner and runner-ups will be published in our annual anthology.

​AWARDS: ​​

  • The Grand Prize winner will receive $400 USD and five copies of the issue in which the story appears. The winner will also have the opportunity to be interviewed about their work; the interview will be published alongside the story.

  • Runner-ups will be offered publication, an accompanying interview, $200 USD, and one copy of the issue in which their work appears.

GUIDELINES:

  • Fiction only.

  • 1,000-5,000 soft word limit.

  • A standard, 12-point font and single-spacing is preferred.

  • The work must not have been previously published.

  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw the work if the story has been accepted elsewhere.

  • Submit works written in English only, no translations.

  • Please submit your manuscript in a .doc, .docx, or PDF format.

  • We read submissions anonymously, so please do not include your name, email, or any identifying characteristics on the manuscript itself. All work is considered by two editors.

  • While AI may be useful as a researching tool, we do not accept AI generated submissions.

  • Each submitter will receive a free copy of a Driftwood Press fiction title of their choosing in the mail. 

driftwoodpress.com/storycontest

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MACDOWELL FELLOWSHIP: FALL/WINTER 2025-2026

MacDowell

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 15 - February 10, 2025

INFO: The Fellowship application period for Fall/Winter 2025-2026 residencies at MacDowell will open on January 15, 2025.

MacDowell encourages artists to apply in any stage of their career, and from all backgrounds and countries. We invite applications in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. If your proposed project does not fall clearly within one of these artistic disciplines, contact the admissions department for guidance at admissions@macdowell.org.

MacDowell has no residency fees, and to defray expenses that accrue during an artist’s stay, we provide need-based stipends to cover rent, utilities, childcare, and lost income from taking time off from employment, as well as reimbursements for travel to and from the residency.

Fall/Winter residencies will take place between September 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026.

macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship

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VCCA RESIDENCIES

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

DEADLINE: January 15, 2024

INFO: Residencies can be transformative to an artist’s process and the effect on an artist’s career profound. A residency at VCCA gives artists the time and space to explore and go deeper into their work. Away from the constraints of “the real world” and in an accepting environment of talented peers, one can dream and create with the feeling that anything is possible.

VCCA’s Mt. San Angelo location in Amherst, Virginia, typically hosts 360 artists each year in residencies of varying lengths (no minimum; up to six weeks) with flexible scheduling. A residency at Mt. San Angelo includes a private bedroom with private en-suite bath, a private individual studio, three prepared meals a day, and access to a community of more than 20 other artists in residence.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VCCA is surrounded by natural wonders and hiking trails. Many local sites and additional inspiration can be found in short drives to Lynchburg (20 minutes), Charlottesville (1 hour), Roanoke (1.5 hours), or Richmond (2 hours).

FULLY FUNDED RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIPS:

The following fully-funded fellowships are available for the Fall 2025 residency period at Mt. San Angelo.

50TH ANNIVERSARY FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS OF COLOR

Eligibility: Artists of color who have not previously been in residence at VCCA
Opportunity:
Residency of up to two-week at Mt. San Angelo 
Residency available:
September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

ALONZO DAVIS FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: American writers, visual artists, and composers of African or Latin American descent
Opportunity: Two-week residency at Mt. San Angelo; $500 honorarium
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

EDITH LEONIAN WORDS AND MUSIC COLLABORATIVE FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: Two artists working together on an artistic project combining words and music
Opportunity: Two-week collaborative residency at Mt. San Angelo; $500 honoraria
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

ALISON LURIE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: Female-identifying fiction writers
Opportunity: Two-week residency at Mt. San Angelo
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

SARA PENNYPACKER FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: Composers creating substantive work for children
Opportunity: Two-week residency at Mt. San Angelo; $500 stipend
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

STEVEN PETROW AND JULIE PETROW-COHEN LGBTQ+ FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: Writers in any genre who self-identify as LGBTQ+
Opportunity: Two-week residency at Mt. San Angelo
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

RICHARD S. AND JULIA LOUISE REYNOLDS POETRY FELLOWSHIP

Eligibility: Poets
Opportunity: Three-week residency at Mt. San Angelo
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

MARIAN TREGER FELLOWSHIP FOR ENDURING CREATIVITY

Eligibility: Female-identifying fiction writers, screenwriters, or visual artists, emerging in mid-life and beyond, whose creative paths may have been detoured or hindered by chronic health conditions or disabilities
Opportunity: Two-week residency at Mt. San Angelo; $400 stipend
Residency available: September 1 – December 31, 2025

LEARN MORE

vcca.com/apply/fully-funded-fellowships/

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TRANSLATION PROJECT FELLOWSHIPS

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)

DEADLINE: January 16, 2025

INFO: Through fellowships to published translators, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) supports projects for the translation of specific works of prose, poetry, or drama from other languages into English. The work to be translated should be of interest for its literary excellence and merit. We encourage translation projects that feature languages, perspectives, and writers that are not well represented in English, as well as work that has not previously been translated into English. The NEA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering mutual support for the diverse beliefs and values of all individuals and groups.

Applying for a federal grant can be time consuming. We estimate that after registering, the process to draft and submit an application takes approximately 12 hours. Competition for fellowships is rigorous. Potential applicants should consider carefully whether their work will be competitive at the national level.

ELIGIBILITY: Individual U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who meet specific publication requirements are eligible to apply. To determine eligibility, review the complete list of requirements in the Grant Program Details document linked below.

An individual may submit only one application for FY 2026 Literature Fellowships funding. You may not apply for both a Translation Project at this deadline (January 16, 2025) and a Creative Writing Fellowship in Prose at the March 2025 deadline. See more information about the Creative Writing Fellowships program to determine which opportunity is the right fit for your literary work.

Funding is not available in this category for organizations.

FUNDING LEVEL: Grant amounts range from $10,000 to $25,000. Award amounts are determined by the National Endowment for the Arts.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Applications for Translation Fellowships are accepted annually.

  • Panel Review - Spring/Summer 2025

  • National Council on the Arts Meeting - Late October 2025

  • Notifications - December 2025

  • Earliest Project Start Date - January 1, 2026

GRANT PROGRAM DETAILS + INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Grant Program Details: This document includes a detailed description of the grant program, eligibility information, award information, an application calendar, application review details, FAQs, and federal award administration information. Review this information before you decide to apply.

  • Application Instructions: This document contains step-by-step instructions for assembling and submitting a complete application, including filling out the required Application for Federal Domestic Assistance—Individual form (SF-424), and creating the additional required application materials. Review this information while preparing your application.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submitting an application is a multi-step process. Detailed instructions on how to complete and submit the required application materials can be found in the Application Instructions PDF above.

  1. REGISTER with Login.gov and Grants.gov, or renew/verify these registrations. See the Grant Program Details document linked above for more information about how to register.

  2. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

    Clicking the link below will take you directly to the pre-populated application package in Grants.gov. See the Application Instructions document linked above with detailed instructions for preparing and submitting your application materials.

arts.gov/grants/translation-project-fellowships

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Winter/Spring '25 Guest Residency

Woodward Residency

DEADLINE: January 10, 2025

INFO: Applications are now open for our Winter/Spring '25 Guest Residency in Ridgewood, Queens.

ELIGIBILITY: Established/emerging artists and creative professionals in the fields of literary arts, design, music, and multi-disciplinary arts are encouraged to apply.

Please note that art forms that generate fumes (such as oil painting) cannot be accommodated. Also, with the exception of our piano residents who can use headphones, our space is best suited to less cacophonous artistic pursuits.

AWARD BENEFITS:

  • Access to the building from 9AM-5 PM, Monday through Friday for the duration of your Guest Residency.

  • Guest Residents will work in the communal Great Room, with library etiquette.

  • Open invite to weekly tea and cake gatherings, and occasional work shares and evening parties.

  • A supportive and engaged community of working creatives.

WORK SAMPLES + PERSONAL STATEMENT: Recent work samples and your personal statement should reflect your commitment to your work and clarify how the residency would benefit your work at this time. Please see our application for specific guidelines.

REFERENCES: Please provide the contact info of at least one professional and one personal reference (excluding family members or significant others).

If you are new to your field of interest and don’t have a professional reference to speak to your current creative pursuits, you are welcome to provide a reference from someone in another field who has worked directly with you.

RESIDENCY SESSION: Feb 10— June 20, 2025

EVALUATION PROCESS: A rotating panel of arts professionals will review all applications with the intent of supporting both established and emerging artists. Panelists include novelists, filmmakers, performance artists, literary agents, film/theater producers.

Selection criteria includes originality, commitment to your proposed field of work, interest in community, and demonstrated need for a work space.

We have limited space for Guest Residents and encourage all applicants to reapply if they don’t get a spot in the upcoming session.

NOTIFICATION: All applicants will be notified at least two weeks in advance of the start of their requested residency session.

woodwardresidency.co/guestresidency

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MVICW Fellowships

Martha’s Vineyward Institute of Creative Writing

DEADLINE: January 19, 2025 at 11:59pm

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

INFO: MVICW is committed to providing financial support to writers through our fellowship program. Our fellowships offer parent-writers, writers of color, educators, queer-writers, vineyard writers, and authors/poets with financial needs the opportunity to attend our Summer Writers’ Conference every year. Through generous donations, we are able to offer a wide range of  full and partial registration fellowships!

VOICES OF COLOR FELLOWSHIPS:

We are proud to announce the Leonard A. Slade, Jr. Poetry Fellowships for Writers of Color (established 2018) to honor poets of color, and The Voices of Color Fellowships (established 2017) to honor prose writers of color. The fellowships assist MVICW with our commitment to expanding the American literary canon by promoting voices from a wide array of cultural backgrounds, and to increasing philanthropic support for writers of color in the arts. Application for these fellowships is open to all writers of color, ages 18 and older.

Two Full Fellowship Winners (one prose and one poetry) will receive the Full Attendance Package to the MVICW Summer Writers' Conference which includes registration, lodging, and a manuscript session.

Please note: We only announce the names of our first place winners on social media and in our public announcements. Finalists will not be announced.

PARENT-WRITER FELLOWSHIPS:

We are proud to announce the MVICW Parent-Writer Fellowships (est. in 2016 thanks to support from The Sustainable Arts Foundation). Writers who are also parents have increased difficulties in making time for their writing. Our Parent-Writer Fellowships are intended to give parents both the time and financial support to devote a week to themselves and their writing at MVICW. These fellowships offer funding to attend programs held by the Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Application for these fellowships is open to anyone who has a child age 16 or younger living with them.

QUEER-WRITER FELLOWSHIPS:

Established in 2019, these fellowships assist with our commitment to increasing philanthropic support for LGBTQIA+ writers and expanding the American literary canon. Application for the fellowships is open to all queer-identified writers, ages 18 and older.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME IN THE TITLE, FILE NAME, SUBMISSION, OR LETTER OF INTEREST. Submissions will be judged anonymously.

  • For Poetry Submissions: Letter of Interest (approx. 750 words): Please tell us about who you are as a person and an artist. We'd like to hear about your life, your artistic career, and your creative work. If you have specific needs (financial or creative) which would be met by this award please outline them in your letter.

Submit your single best poem (1-3 pages max)

  • For Prose Submissions: Letter of Interest (approx. 750 words): Please tell us about who you are as a person and an artist. We'd like to hear about your life, your artistic career, and your creative work. If you have specific needs (financial or creative) which would be met by this award please outline them in your letter.

Submit one short story OR one flash fiction piece OR novel excerpt OR creative non-fiction entry. (The submission should not exceed 3,000 words)

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

  • You are welcome to submit more than one piece by submitting them separately and paying the submission fee for each entry.

  • The entry must be submitted in English and must be your own original work.

  • You may submit new or previously published material. As the manuscripts will not be published/reprinted, the author retains all rights to the work.

  • There is no restriction to style, content, or genre.

  • You must be a writer of color.

  • You must be 18 years old or older on the day the retreat begins to enter.

  • The submission must not include your real or pen name or any information that identifies you in any way.

  • You must submit before midnight on the deadline date.

  • Previous First Prize Fellowship & Contest Winners (who attended the in-person conference) are not eligible to apply. However, second-place winners and all virtual conference winners are eligible.

DETAILS ON AWARDS AND RULES:

Full fellowship recipients will receive registration, lodging, and a manuscript session for the MVICW Summer Writers’ Conference. The lodging for full fellowship recipients is a triple room with two other attendees at MVICW lodging. If a private room is preferred, the winning writer may choose to pay the difference. The prize does not include lodging outside of MVICW shared-lodging, but the winner may choose to forfeit the lodging stipend and arrange for their own accommodations on the island. The awards do not cover air/travel to the island or food/personal expenses.

You are not eligible to enter the competition if you are (a) our employee or independent contractor of MVICW; (b) a family member (spouses, domestic partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren) of our employees; (c) a judge involved in the competition, including any reviewer who participates in selecting the nominees and finalists; (d) a close friend of the judge so that the judge can identify your work; (e) a previous MVICW full fellowship/first place contest winner. However, first place winners of our Virtual Conference Fellowships are eligible to apply in hopes of winning attendance to our in-person conference.

We will notify potential winners via telephone or email. If potential winners decline the prize or fail to respond within seven (7) days after the first contact, the winners will be deemed to forfeit the prize and MVICW has the right to select alternate potential winner(s) in their place.

mvicw.submittable.com/submit

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2025 Virtual Summer Retreat

Abode Press

DEADLINE: January 31, 2025

INFO: Starting June 8th, 2025, Abode Press is returning with our virtual retreat experience! With the success of our first retreat, we are coming back bigger and better than ever with more weekly offerings and two new cohorts: speculative fiction and one additional poetry cohort. We will also have workshops available in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, and attendees will also be able to attend 2-3 craft talks and lectures throughout the week (x2 as much than our first retreat).

Most retreat experiences are costly, tending to be upwards to $2000. At Abode, we are working tirelessly to increase accessibility for writers to attend much needed spaces to work on their craft and build connections without compromising their livelihood. This is why the retreat will only cost $250-$400 (sliding scale), but because of this low price, applicants will be selected based off the strength of their application and alignment with our press.

Applications will open via Submittable from December 15th to January 30th. It is FREE to apply (though we do appreciate donations!) and applicants will be notified of acceptance in mid-March. All funds will go towards paying our presenters, press operations, and paying Retreat admins.

FACULTY:

  • Nonfiction Faculty Leader: KB Brookins is a Black queer and trans writer, cultural worker, and visual artist from Texas. KB’s chapbook How To Identify Yourself with a Wound won the Saguaro Poetry Prize, a Writer’s League of Texas Discovery Prize, and a Stonewall Honor Book Award. Their debut poetry collection Freedom House won the American Library Association Barbara Gittings Literature Award and the Texas Institute of Letters Award for the Best First Book of Poetry. KB’s debut memoir Pretty released in May 2024 with Alfred A. Knopf. Follow them online at @earthtokb.

  • Speculative Fiction Faculty Leader: Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya is a lesbian writer of essays, short stories, and pop culture criticism living in Orlando. Her queer horror novelette Helen House (Burrow Press) was named one of the Best LGBTQ Books of 2022 by NBC News. She is the managing editor of Autostraddle and the former managing editor of TriQuarterly. Her short stories appear in McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, Catapult, The Offing, Joyland, Foglifter, and others. Some of her culture writing can be found in The Cut, The A.V. Club, Vulture, Refinery29, and Vice, and she previously worked as a restaurant reporter for Eater NY. She was a 2023-2024 Tin House Reading Fellow and a 2023 Lambda writer in residence. Her fiction will be featured in the upcoming anthology Be Gay, Do Crimes, out from Dzanc Books in 2025.

  • Short Fiction Faculty Leader: Stephanie Macias is a musician, writer, and artist based in Austin, TX. She has been performing since 2000. From 2011 to 2018 she performed under the name Little Brave. She has an MFA from the New Writers Project at the University of Texas. Her stories have been a finalist for the Jesmyn Ward Prize in Fiction and longlisted for the DISQUIET Prize. Her work has appeared and is forthcoming in Brink, No Tokens, Southern Humanities Review, and more. Between the years of 2003 and 2016, she made her living as a touring singer-songwriter, an illustrator, a photographer, and a painter. She is the managing editor at American Short Fiction and is currently working on a novel and a collection of short stories.

  • Poetry Faculty Leader: mónica teresa ortiz is a poet, memory worker, and critic born, raised, and based in Texas. Their work has appeared in Scalawag Magazine, The Tiny, Mizna, and the Brooklyn Rail. Their poetry collection, Book of Provocations (Host Publications) was published in 2024. Find them on Instagram @ridingwiththepoet. They call for the liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea, and believe empire will fall in our lifetime.

  • Poetry Faculty Leader: Ariana Brown is a queer Black Mexican American writer and the author of We Are Owed. (Grieveland, 2021) and Sana Sana (Game Over Books, 2020). A national collegiate poetry slam champion, Ariana holds a B.A. in African Diaspora Studies and Mexican American Studies, an M.F.A. in Poetry, and M.S. in Library Science. She lives and works in Houston, TX, where she teaches creative writing to teens. She has been writing, performing, and teaching poetry for over a decade.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

  • Since it is free to apply, we ask that applicants only apply to one genre to help lessen the reading load.

  • ​For fiction/speculative fiction/nonfiction, only one story, 4,000 words max.

  • For poetry, three to five poems, no more than 10 pages.

  • ​Once admitted, you can workshop a manuscript different from the one you applied with.

  • ​In addition to the writing sample, the application asks for an author bio and artist statement.

  • ​Applicants must be 21 years of age by March 1st, 2025 to apply.

  • International writers are welcome to apply as long as the dates/times for the workshops work for your schedule.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

One person from each cohort will be granted a partial scholarship. In order to apply for this, all you must do is click "Yes" to the scholarship question on the Submittable application.

COST + DATES:

At Abode Press, we work tirelessly to provide accessible and affordable opportunities to writers at all stages. This is why we are pricing our virtual retreat at a reasonable cost. Please note that this means that all applicants who apply should be able to pay the Retreat cost. One partial scholarship will be granted to one person from each cohort, but all applicants should only apply if they can attend the Retreat.

Application Fee: Free! (Though donations are appreciated.)

Cost: $250 - $400, sliding scale. $250 is recommended for writers in need, and if writers are able, they are encouraged to pay more on the scale as this allows for fair pay towards presenters, admins, increasing Retreat offerings, and so much more.

Dates:

Mandatory Workshop Dates from 11am-2pm CST

  • Sunday, June 8th

  • Sunday, June 15th

  • Sunday, June 22nd

  • Sunday, June 29th

Please note, throughout the week attendees will have access to 2-3 weekly lectures, craft talks, and more from workshop leaders and renowned writers. There will also be multiple open mic opportunities for attendees to read their works, and friends and family are encouraged to attend! A comprehensive guide of Retreat Programming will be provided to accepted attendees.

If you have additional questions, please email us at info@abodepress.com

abodepress.submittable.com/submit

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Money for Women: Nonfiction + Poetry

Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Inc.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: In 2025, Money for Women will award grants in the categories of Poetry and Nonfiction. We are delighted again to offer individual grants up to $2000 to individual feminist women in the arts with primary residence in the US and Canada.

WE WELCOME:

  • Applications from feminist writers and visual artists who are women (cis, transgender, or nonbinary) and:

  • Exhibit high quality and originality in their work.

  • Use feminism as their central interpretive lens.

  • Value both personal and political changes that promote freedom and agency for women.

  • Validate differences that intersect with gender such as race, ethnicity, and class.

  • Express an inclusive vision of social justice while focusing on justice for women.

WE ARE INTERESTED IN:

Projects that are well underway and for which you have substantial work to show. Translation projects are eligible. Please take time to carefully read the guidelines and application form on Submittable.

WE DO NOT AWARD:

Film, video, theatre, dance, music, or performance projects. Scripts and musical compositions are also not eligible. We do not award work which is or will be self-published, or work that is generated by AI without acknowledgment or artistic rationale. We do not give loans or provide money for educational assistance, work on dissertations, or research (except research to be used in writing a book). We do not provide funds for the cost of editing services, business projects, or emergency money for people in need. We rarely give money to groups.

Former grantees must wait three years before reapplying.

MATERIALS FOR YOUR APPLICATION:

Below are the materials you will need to submit:

  • Project description (max. 400 words)

  • Budget (Click here for sample budgets)

  • Description explaining why you are applying to a feminist fund (max. 100 words)

  • Resume (max. 2 pages)

PROJECT SAMPLES: Poetry and Nonfiction - Submit 10-15 pages, using 12-point type. Please paginate and include your name and project title in the top right corner of each page. Double-space for fiction and nonfiction submissions.

demingfund.org/apply-pd-11.php


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The Avery Review Essay Prize 2025

The Avery Review

DEADLINE: January 31, 2025

INFO: The Avery Review, a journal of critical essays on architecture published by the Office of Publications at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, invites submissions for its eighth annual Essay Prize. The call is open to current students (undergraduate and masters) and recent graduates, whether in schools of architecture or elsewhere (eligibility details below). In keeping with the mission of the journal, we hope to receive submissions that use the genres of the review and the critical essay to explore the urgent questions animating the field of architecture. We’re looking for essays that test and expand the author’s own intellectual commitments—theoretical, architectural, and political—through the work of others.

We plan to award one first-place prize ($4,000) and three second-place prizes ($2,000) across the various categories of eligible participants. The winning essays will be published in our June 2025 issue.

Submissions should use the Chicago Manual of Style’s note and shortened notefootnote formatting, with complete citation information. Images should be submitted separately from your Word file as jpegs. Whether a pitch for a review or a long-form think piece, we welcome your thoughts—with the simple request that they critically engage the work of someone else. Please send all submissions, queries, and comments to editors@averyreview.com.

averyreview.com/submissions

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VERMONT WEEK

Vermont Studio Center

DEADLINE: January 31, 2024

INFO: For one week in May, 30 talented, Vermont-based, artists and writers are the recipients of a week-long, fully funded fellowship to be in residence at Vermont Studio Center. In addition to a studio, private lodging, and wonderful, locally sourced meals, residents have access to Vermont Studio Center’s renowned Visiting Artist and Writer program which provides residents with studio visits, consultations, and manuscript reviews.

Vermont Week is for artists and writers who have been a resident of Vermont for a minimum of one year. For additional information visit VTWK FAQ.

Vermont Week 2025 - May 5 to May 12

  • Monday, May 5 - Arrival Day

  • Wednesday, May 7 - Visiting Writer Reading with Carolyn Kuebler

  • Thursday, May 8 - Visiting Artist Talk with Misoo Bang

  • Sunday, May 11 - Vermont Week Open Studios, 2 to 4pm

  • Monday, May 12 - Departure Day

vermontstudiocenter.org/vermontweek2025

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Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing 2025–26

Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University

DEADLINE: February 1, 2025

INFO: Named for Bucknell's renowned literary alumnus and initiated in the fall of 1993, the Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing offers up to four months of unfettered writing time for a writer working on a first or second book in any literary genre. The residency provides lodging in Bucknell's "Poets' Cottage" and a stipend of $5,000.

In the spring semester of 2025, the Stadler Center will accept applications for the 2025–26 Roth Residences (Aug.–Dec. 2025 and Jan.–May 2026). The application deadline for both residencies is Feb. 1, 2025. Please note: The Roth Residency is now open to writers in ANY literary genre: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, hybrid works, graphic fiction, etc.

bucknell.edu/academics/beyond-classroom/academic-centers-institutes/stadler-center-poetry-literary-arts/programs-residencies/philip-roth-residence-creative-writing

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LITERATURE GRANT

Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC

DEADLINE: February 3, 2025 (or if we reach our limit of 40 applications, which ever comes first)

INFO: The world is a story and the writer, the story teller. In writing stories we are trying to make sense of our world by seeking what is real, by rejecting what is false, and by exercising the greatest of our mortal gifts in pursuit of the immortal.

DESCRIPTION: Café Royal Cultural Foundation NYC will award a writing grant to authors of fiction / creative nonfiction and poetry.  

SUBMISSIONS: To ensure that each submission receives the attention it deserves we will be only accepting 40 application for each of our categories.

AMOUNTS: Up to $10,000.00  

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Authors in fiction / creative non-fiction and poetry.

  • The applicant must be the originator of the written materialS.

  • Grants will not be made for the purpose of research only. 

  • Grants will not be made for equipment.

  • Writers applying applying must be a current citizen or resident of the United State and must currently reside in New York City and have lived there for a minimum of one year prior to applying and plan to be a resident through the completion of their project.

Grants awarded in this category may fund costs associated with continuing the composition of work submitted. Such as:

  • Course Reduction (if you're a Teacher/Professor)

  • Salary Replacement

  • Living Expenses

  • Research Expenses

  • Travel Research Expenses

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Up to and no more than a 15 page PDF of the work, for the Café Royal Cultural Foundation Selection and Executive Committee to download and read. Please make sure your links are correct and not password protected. If they are not correct or have password protection your application will be declined and not reviewed by the Selection Committee.

  • A short description of the project.

  • A short author biography of the person(s) involved.

  • Budget must not exceed the amount of $10,000.00.

  • List of costs of how you plan to use the grant funds.
    (Please review our lists of Approved and Ineligible Budget Items for Literature Grant Funds, located below)

  • Travel and Research costs within the United States must demonstrate a direct correlation to the project for which you are applying.

  • You may not apply for International Travel and Research Costs.

  • If you are hiring fact checkers / editors / research assistants please be aware that we prefer that individuals providing these services are located in the NYC area.

  • Writers applying must be a current citizen or resident of the United State and must currently reside in New York City and have lived there for a minimum of one year prior to applying and plan to be a resident through the completion of their project.

  • We ask that the completion of your manuscript is no sooner than 90 days after this application's due date (no sooner than May 4, 2025) and no later than 12 months after your grant’s award date (no later than March 24, 2026).

  • Applicants can only apply with the same project twice.

  • You may apply in a different cycle with a different project.

REVIEW PROCEDURES: The Café Royal Cultural Foundation Selection Committee Judges will review and score all applications. The top five scored applications will move to a next round and will be reviewed Executive Committees. In recognition of the time, effort, and professional expertise that our Selection Committee Judges devote to the grant selection process, Café Royal Cultural Foundation provides a stipend to honor their commitment.

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating grant application:

  • Creativity, originality, ideas and concepts, writing style

  • Importance of the Project/Cultural Relevance

  • Promise of future achievements in writing

    Please note you do not need to have a publisher to apply for this grant.

GRANT APPLICATIONS: 
We accept applications all year round, please view our submission dates in our Grant Schedule.

We ask that the completion of your manuscript is (no sooner than May 4, 2025) and no later than 12 months after your grant’s award date (no later than March 24, 2026).

caferoyalculturalfoundation.org/literature-page

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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TRANSLATION COLUMN

The Margins / AAWW

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins seeks work from writers for an ongoing monthly column on language, culture, and translation from Asia. We consider Asia as an umbrella term that encompasses all of its regions (South, Southeast, East, Central, and North Asia, and SWANA) and the many diaspora communities of Asians all over the world.

We welcome essays, hybrid works, translations, and translator’s notes that engage with Asia’s literature, cultures, subcultures, languages, and diasporas. We are also interested in works that grapple with the concept of the Transpacific, colonialism, history, and empire, especially as they relate to language and translation.

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

Examples of work we’re interested in:

  • Translator’s notes: Essays on the philosophy, craft, and art of translation

  • Translator’s diaries: Writings about the experience and choices for a particular book in translation

  • Essays and translations of essays on languages and multilingualism

  • Essays on power and empire as they relate to translation

  • New translations/re-translations of essays by important Asian scholars, thinkers, philosophers, and revolutionaries

  • Reportage on the writing, reading, publishing, and translation culture of a particular place

  • Photo essays about bookstores and literary salons in Asia or that feature Asian literature

  • Interviews with independent publishers, writers, artists, and thinkers in Asia or the Asian diaspora

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Send pitches of up to 500 words or finished pieces from 1,000-2,500 words to Soleil David, senior editor, at translation@aaww.org. For translations into English, translator must have already obtained permission from the copyright owner.

We read submissions year round and in all languages spoken and read in Asia. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know via email if your pitch/essay has been accepted elsewhere. Writers can expect a reply within three to four months.

aaww.org/submissions-translation-column/

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CALL FOR AUTHORS

Vanderbilt University Press

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: Vanderbilt University Press acquires books in the areas of Latin American and Hispanic studies; global and public health; human rights and civil rights; anthropology; history and postwar studies; and studies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We also publish books with a regional focus on Tennessee and the South, including, for example, books on Nashville and country music.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Initial inquiries about potential book projects should be queried to the acquisitions department via email. We do not accept full manuscripts until requested. First, ensure that VUP publishes in the disciplinary area that your project represents.

If that is the case, please send a cover letter and book proposal that includes the following:

  • A short book abstract

  • A brief but detailed statement outlining the manuscript’s arguments, themes, and significance to the field

  • A table of contents that clearly summarizes the content and structure of each chapter

  • Assessment of the work’s fit with existing literature, comparison with published books on the topic, and discussion of the intended audiences and market for the book

  • Statement of the anticipated word count of the manuscript; plans for tables, figures, or other illustrations; and schedule for completion

  • Sample chapter (optional)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • If your manuscript is based on a dissertation, please discuss how the material and research has been developed, reframed, or otherwise revised. VUP does not publish unrevised dissertations.

  • If your manuscript is an edited collection, please include information about each of the contributors and note if any of the chapters are previously published.

  • If your manuscript is a translation, please describe why the author’s work warrants translation into English, as well as any and all information on rights to the work and the book’s history in its native language.

Keep a file or a copy of your proposal materials. We do not return proposals. Please do not call the Press to inquire about the status of your proposal or manuscript. We review all material received, and you will be contacted when a decision has been made. We aim to communicate whether a proposed project is being pursued further no more than eight weeks after the receipt of the proposal.

For more information about specific series initiatives, visit our Series page.

vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/resources/submission-guidelines-for-prospective-authors/

FICTION / NONFICTION — DECEMBER 2024

LITERARY ARTS GRANTS

South Arts

DEADLINE: December 4, 2024

INFO: As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is excited to announce grants for literary arts projects for writers and publishers. These grants deepen our commitment to amplifying literary traditions and practices of the American South through directly funding the initiation, development, and completion of literary arts projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (playwriting and screenwriting).

Literary Arts Grants will be made to writers, independent literary publishers, and small presses: 

  • LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR WRITERS: South Arts will award literary grants up to $5,000. Applicants (writers or organizations) must apply through Salesforce and include writing samples and other required attachments specified in these Guidelines.

  • LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR PUBLISHERS: South Arts will award literary arts grants up to $5,000 to support Southern independent publishers and small presses. Applicants must apply through Salesforce and include the publisher’s representative work samples and other required attachments as specified in these Guidelines. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Deadline to Apply: 12/4/2024

  • Awards Announced: February 2025

  • Funding Cycle: March 1, 2025 – August 30, 2026 (18 months)

The award announcement may be earlier or later than the date listed above, depending on the number of applications and judging process.

Applicants who are not selected for an award will receive notification via the email on their application form before the award announcement.  

South Arts reserves the right to not consider incomplete or improperly submitted applications without informing the applicant.  

Judges do not communicate any information or details of their review. Given the volume of applications received, South Arts cannot provide individual feedback on the application and from the panel.

Applicants who move from the South Arts Region after they submit their application are encouraged to notify South Arts and will not be eligible to receive a grant award. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

ELIGIBLE ENTITIES

  • All applicants are eligible to receive only one grant award.

  • Current, full-time resident or Headquartered in the South Arts Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and at receipt of the award.

For Writers

  • One application per artist or arts organization per funding cycle will be accepted.

  • Applicant artists must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Applicant artists must not be enrolled in a literary arts/writing academic program at time of application and at receipt of award.

  • Current, full-time residents for at least the prior 12 months s of the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application during the project period.

  • Works authored by more than one person are ineligible.

For Literary Arts Organizations

  • For Publishers: Independent nonprofit publishers and small presses including journals.

  • Based in the South Arts Region for at least the prior 12 months (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and during the project period.

  • Other non-profit organizations with a literary arts mission.

INELIGIBLE ENTITIES

  • Units of government

  • Colleges/Universities are ineligible to apply for this grant.

UNALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES

  • General operating support. 

  • Support for a full season of programming. 

  • Courses or coursework in degree-granting or continuing education institutions. 

  • Literary publishing that does not focus on contemporary literature and/or writers. 

  • Publication of books, exhibition of works, or other projects by the applicant organization's board members, faculty, or trustees. 

  • Projects for which no curatorial, juried, or editorial judgment has been applied to the selection of artists or art works. 

  • Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks. 

  • Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable; generally, this includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue. 

  • Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement. 

  • Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, t-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops. 

  • Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities.

  • Sub-granting or regranting.

UNALLOWABLE COSTS

  • Cash reserves and endowments. 

  • Startup costs or other costs associated with establishing new organizations. 

  • Alcoholic beverages or other hospitality costs. 

  • Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs.

  • Gifts and prizes, including cash prizes as well as other items with monetary value (e.g., electronic devices, gift certificates).

  • Contributions and donations to other entities, including donation drives.

  • General miscellaneous or contingency costs. 

  • Fines and penalties, bad debt costs, deficit reduction.  

  • Marketing expenses that are not directly related to the project.  

  • Audit costs. 

  • Rental costs for home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the applicant.

  • The purchase of vehicles.

  • Costs incurred before the beginning or after the completion of the official project period. 

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS

All grants require a 2:1 cost share. South Arts matches $2 for every $1 the applicant contributes towards project costs.

Grants will pay up to 2/3 of the total cost of the opportunity, with a maximum award of $5,000. The applicant must cover remaining expenses, and South Arts requires a 2:1 match (2 South Arts: 1 grantee). Artists may include their own cash in the match. Examples:  

  1. Total Project Cost- $6,000, the applicant can request up to $4,000 and contribute the remaining $2,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions. 

  2. Total Project Costs are $15,000:  The applicant can request up to $5,000 and contribute the remaining $10,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions.

  3. Toal Project Costs are $3,000:  The applicant can request up to $2,000 and contribute the remaining $1,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions. 

Budget details should identify the source of funds (including self-funding, private contributions, institutional stipends, or additional grant funding) not requested from South Arts.

Total projected expenses must meet or exceed the request by 50%. 

Funds can be used for these eligible expenses directly related to participation in proposed activities:

  • For Organizations:  Itemize project personnel costs 

  • Travel (itemize air, ground, lodging, per diem, visa services) 

  • Equipment rental (itemize all equipment rental expenses) 

  • Office expenses (itemize supplies, and shipping/postage) 

  • Services/professional fees (itemize editorial, graphic design, photography/videography, financial, publishing, production, and distribution services, etc.) 

  • Marketing 

  • Facility expenses (itemize rent, space rental, utilities) 

  • Insurance 

  • Childcare or elder caregiver service costs that arise as a result of applicant planning and executing the proposed project 

southarts.org/grants-opportunities/literary-arts-grant

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INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING FELLOWSHIP

Ida B. Wells Society

DEADLINE: December 6, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST

INFO: The Ida B. Wells Society is thrilled to launch its investigative reporting fellowship for 2025! This no-cost, intensive program will bring professional journalists to Atlanta to sharpen their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the most accomplished reporters and editors in the industry. The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Up to 12 fellowships will be awarded. 

During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply. 

The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from February through July to delve into topics related to investigative reporting including: 

  • The Investigative Reporting Mindset 

  • Data Journalism 

  • Process and Development 

  • Interviewing and Writing for Investigations 

Interested applicants must work with their newsroom leadership to ensure their availability to attend. Proposed projects should also be cleared by leadership to ensure their publication upon completion. 

ELIGIBILITY:  

  • Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience. 

  • The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalists. 

  • Applicants must provide a resume, examples of previous written work, a project pitch, and be available for phone interviews if requested.  

  • Applicants must be able to participate in four weeklong training sessions in Atlanta, (approx. 16 days of instruction; 24 days including travel, which will call for arriving in Atlanta on Sundays and departing on Fridays or Saturdays). Training weeks will be scattered throughout the year.  

  • Applicants must submit letters from their employers indicating that they will be allowed to participate in the fellowship program and that their investigative work produced during the program will be published (more details of employer requirements below). 

  • Freelancers must have a news organization willing to write a supportive statement and agreement to publish their work. 

REQUIREMENT OF APPLICANT’S EMPLOYER:

  • Allow participants to continue to earn their salaries while taking part in training in Atlanta without using any accrued vacation time. There will be four weeklong training courses scattered throughout the year. 

  • Provide support and guidance to the participants as they take part in the program and work to develop a proposed project. 

  • Publish the project. 

idabwellssociety.org/news/2025-investigative-reporting-fellowship/

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WRITERS RETREAT FOR EMERGING LGBTQ VOICES

Lambda Literary

DEADLINE: December 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: The Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is the nation’s premier LGBTQ writing residency. It is the only multi-genre writing residency devoted exclusively to emerging LGBTQ+ writers. The Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to develop one’s craft and find community.

Since 2007, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices has offered sophisticated instruction in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult fiction, playwriting led by the most talented writers working today. In 2022, the Writers Retreat expanded to include instruction in screenwriting and speculative fiction, and in 2025, we will introduce the newest cohort serving writers working in both and between playwriting and screenwriting.

In 2025, as we did in 2024, we are holding our Writers Retreat online. This format allows for us as an organization to continue building our resources while offering the same high-quality programming that remains accessible to folks who may not otherwise be able to attend in-person programs.

We are excited to announce that this year, we will be lengthening the typically week-long program to a 10-day virtual retreat, from Thursday, July 31-Saturday, August 9. In this new model, we will use the first two evenings on Thursday and Friday to build community and hold additional programming. We hope that this new model will build relationships and community, offer more learning opportunities, but we also aim to allow those attending the retreat from home to continue to sustain the elements of their livelihood outside of the Retreat program.

Additionally, we will be adding a brand new cohort to our Writers Retreat: the screen/play/writing cohort. This cross-genre cohort is meant for performance writers who work outside of the stage/screen binary, those who waft between genres, and those who are working in adaptations. We invite all screenwriters and playwrights in this cohort to consider how their work can move between genres, between stage and screen, while centering writing for performance. Coming back for another year after an astounding stint as Playwriting Faculty in 2024, we welcome back Roger Q. Mason to lead this inaugural cohort!

SCHEDULE:

We’ve extended the typical length of the retreat from 7 days to 10:

  • We will have a mix of synchronous programming and asynchronous programming, and on days when we offer all day programming, fellows can expect to have ample breaks and rest from screens.

  • Thursday, July 31-Friday, August 1: Programming begins at ~7:00 pm EST/ 4:00 pm PST

  • Saturday, August 2-Friday, August 8: All day programming

  • Saturday, August 9: Programming ends at ~6:00 pm EST/3:00 pm PST
     

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Applications to attend the 2025 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ* Voices open on November 1, 2024 and close at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on December 8, 2024. You may apply to more than one workshop, however, each application must be submitted separately and requires an additional fee.

We are offering a number of application fee waivers for the QTBIPOC** (Queer and Trans folks who are or identify as Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) folks who would be attending the Retreat for the first time. Please email retreat@lambdaliterary.org to request an application fee waiver.

To Apply, Please Prepare

1. An artistic/biographical statement (max 500 words).

2. a writing sample matching the genre of the workshop you’re applying for:

  • .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF format.

  • For prose, double spaced, 12 point font.

  • For Fiction, Nonfiction, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult Fiction: 15 pages maximum. This maximum applies to cross-genre samples as well as samples in verse.

  • For Playwriting/Screenwriting and Play/Screen/Writing: 15 pages maximum from a full-length work, short play/script, or piece of theatre/film.

  • For Poetry: 8 pages maximum.

  • The sample you apply with does not have to be the same sample you plan to workshop at the Retreat.

3. Optional, not required for acceptance:

  • Any publications of your work during the past two years, including anthologies, literary journals, magazines, websites, and books.

  • Any other writing conferences, retreats, and workshops have you attended.

  • If you're applying to scholarships, a scholarship statement (max 500 words).

TUITION + SCHOLARSHIPS:

Writers Retreat tuition is currently set at $1,625. However, we are working on raising funds to lower this price for fellows. This means there is a possibility that the price of tuition will go down, but it will not go any higher than $1,625.  All accepted/waitlisted applicants will be notified of the final price of tuition before accepting their fellowship.

Lambda Literary has a host of full and partial scholarships that are available for accepted applicants.

Ability to pay is in no way part of the decision-making process. We have a robust and ever-growing host of scholarships available thanks to our intensive fundraising efforts and generous donors. Lambda also supports fellows in their own fundraising efforts using our fundraising platform. Many fellows who used our peer-to-peer fundraising platform in 2024 raised their entire tuition fee.

The $30.00 application fee is processed through Submittable's online portal. If you wish to pay by cash or check please contact retreat@lambdaliterary.org.

APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS:

Writers Retreat Faculty make the final determinations regarding accepted and waitlisted applicants. All applicants will be notified of their application status in April 2025.

lambdaliterary.org/emerging-writers-retreat/

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ANTON CHEKHOV AWARD FOR FLASH FICTION 

LitMag

DEADLINE: Extended to December 8, 2024

CONTEST FEE: $16

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Entries must be short stories between 500 and 1,500 words. Please use 12pt type, preferably Times New Roman, and submit your short story as either a Word doc or a PDF. Only previously unpublished short stories are eligible. Writers may submit multiple stories, each of which requires a separate submission. Submissions through Submittable only.  Notification: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. The winning short stories and finalists will be announced publicly on our Web site and social media as well as by email to all contestants in May 2023.

FIRST PRIZE: $1,250 + publication in LitMag + agency review by  Sarah Fuentes of UTA, Molly Glick of CAA, Erin Harris and Sonali Chanchani of Folio Literary Management, Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency, David Forrer of Inkwell Management, Monika Woods of Triangle House, Emily Forland of Brandt & Hochman, and Nat Sobel of Sobel Weber Associates

FINALISTS: Three finalists will receive $100 each. All finalists will be considered for possible agency review and publication.

litmag.submittable.com/submit

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FREE RESIDENCIES FOR TEACHERS

Saltonstall

DEADLINE: December 8, 2024 at 11:59pm ET

INFO: Saltonstall is once again offering two special residencies in 2025 for local public school teachers. These 5-day, 4-night residencies are designed as an artistic retreat for teachers with a creative practice in the following disciplines:

  • Creative writing (any genre)

  • Photography / film / video

  • Painting / Sculpture / Visual Art

The residencies are FREE to attend. Six teachers will be selected through a lottery system for each residency.

We have accessible accommodations! Our new accessible space includes a one-bedroom suite with a roll-in shower, a private studio (for artists or writers), and a kitchen.

Residency dates are:
February 17 - 21, 2025 (winter recess)
April 14 - 18, 2025 (spring recess)

Teachers working in the following districts are eligible: Dryden, Groton, Ithaca, Lansing, Newfield, and Trumansburg.

saltonstall.org/residencies/residency-for-teachers/

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2025 Open City Editorial Fellowship

Asian American Writers Workshop

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024

INFO: The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW) is excited to announce the Open City Editorial Fellowship, a new iteration of AAWW’s long-standing Open City Fellowship. In 2025, the program will focus on editorial and journalistic development, offering one emerging writer and editor a unique opportunity to contribute to Open City, a section of The Margins devoted to the life, senses, and politics of immigrant and Muslim communities in the New York tristate area. 

The ideal fellow is passionate about telling the stories of immigrant communities in New York City and beyond. They will work directly with the Senior Editor of Open City and other members of the editorial team, gaining invaluable experience in researching, editing, and occasionally writing stories. The selected fellow will be based in New York City and will dedicate at least four hours per week to the fellowship from February 2025 to January 2026.

The fellow will be expected to occasionally meet in person at AAWW’s offices in Chelsea and will receive:

  • A $5,000 stipend;

  • Access to AAWW events, conferences, and workshops;

  • Use of the AAWW office and library;

  • Mentorship from The Margins editorial team.

FELLOWSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

The fellow will assist with the editorial operations of Open City by:

  • Collaborating with the Senior Editor on story edits;

  • Screening pitches and fact-checking articles;

  • Writing original stories for Open City;

  • Copyediting stories with a quick turnaround;

  • Researching potential stories and writers;

  • Meeting with the Senior Editor or AAWW staff every two weeks.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We are looking for individuals with a passion for Asian, Asian American, and Asian diasporic literature, politics, and history, with a particular focus on the experiences of immigrant and Muslim communities in the tristate area. The ideal candidate will have:

  • Strong writing and verbal communication skills;

  • A firm grasp of journalistic standards and practices;

  • Some experience in editing and fact-checking;

  • A collaborative approach to writing and editing;

  • Familiarity with The Chicago Manual of Style and copyediting (preferred);

  • On-the-ground knowledge of immigrant and Muslim communities in the tristate area (preferred).

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should apply through submittable, and should submit:

  • A cover letter;

  • Résumé;

  • A pitch for a story you would like to write for Open City;

  • Two writing samples of journalistic work.

This fellowship offers an exciting opportunity to develop your editorial and writing skills while amplifying stories from underrepresented communities in New York City. We look forward to reviewing your applications!

aaww.org/fellowships/open-city/

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Developmental Editing Fellowship for Emerging Writers

The Kenyon Review

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $18 (If this fee poses a hardship, please contact us at kenyonreview@kenyon.edu)

INFO: The Kenyon Review Developmental Editing Fellowship for Emerging Writers is designed to nurture and develop new voices in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The fellowship will provide support for emerging writers who demonstrate exceptional talent, promise, and commitment to their chosen craft. Participation in the program involves one-on-one mentorship by an experienced editor on the KR team over a period of four months. Fellows can expect to have monthly hour-long conversations with a Developmental Editor, who will provide feedback and suggestions on a book draft.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Applicants must be twenty-one years of age or older.

  • This fellowship opportunity is open to any writer who is not currently enrolled in a degree-granting creative writing program.

  • Applicants should not have published a full-length literary book with a major publisher, university press, or other established press, or be under contract for a book. Published work in literary magazines or journals is acceptable.

  • Writers from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing industry are especially encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION:

Include…

  • a project description (max 500 words). Please note any challenges or particular areas of concern within the work.

  • a poetry or prose writing sample of the project. The writing sample should be 10–15 pages (double spaced for fiction and nonfiction).

  • a recent copy of your CV.

  • All fee-paying applicants are invited to claim a complimentary half-year Print plus Digital subscription toThe Kenyon Review (for domestic addresses) or a half-year digital subscription (for international addresses) through December 31, 2024.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Our Developmental Editors (members of the KR editorial team) will review the applications and select the Fellows they will work with. They will reach out to the Fellow and arrange for an initial conversation by phone or Zoom. Fellows and Developmental Editors will collaborate on a work plan, establish goals, and determine deadlines and a schedule for monthly hour-long conversations. Over the course of four months, they will meet by phone or Zoom to discuss the progress of the writing project. Winners will be announced in early 2025.

kenyonreview.org/fellowship/developmental-editing-fellowship/

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SHE WHO HAS NO MASTER(S) MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

She Who Has No Master(s)

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: She Who Has No Master(s) offers creative writing mentorships uniquely designed for and led by women and nonbinary writers of the Vietnamese and SE Asian diaspora. The centering of this perspective is important because in most educational settings the focus on subject matter and perspectives of women/nonbinary SE Asian diasporic women is marginalized, if not totally unaddressed.

In offering one-on-one mentorships guided by established writers and artists in our collective, we create a uniquely nourishing experience where aspiring writers can explore, embrace their particularities, and create more expansively. Our mentorships are conducted remotely. The next mentorships cycle will take place in 2025.

FAQs:

Who are you, and what is this? 

She Who Has No Master(s), or SWHNM, is a collective of womxn and nonbinary writers of the Vietnamese diaspora who engage in collaborative, polyvocal, and hybrid-poetic works to enact a politics of connection across diasporic boundaries. Through a collaborative writing and art process, SWHNM explores multi-voiced collectivity, encounters, in-between spaces and (dis)places of the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian diaspora. SWHNM has a fluid and evolving membership.

She Who Has No Master(s) initiated a creative writing mentorship program in 2022 led by and designed for Vietnamese and SE Asian diasporic women and nonbinary writers through the Diasporic Vietnamese Artist Network (DVAN). SWHNM is now an independent collective and our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and this mentorship program has no affiliation with DVAN. 

The centering of Vietnamese and SE Asian perspectives is important because in most educational settings the focus on subject matter and perspectives of women/nonbinary SE Asian diasporic women is marginal, if not totally unaddressed. In creating educational spaces that center those viewpoints, we create a nourishing space in which aspiring writers can see themselves, explore, and embrace their own particularities, and create more expansively. These mentorships will address both creative and professional aspects involved in the writing life. These offerings fulfill a dire contemporary need in our nation’s current environment for creative writing education.

Who are the mentors, and what do they do? 

The SWHNM mentors range depending on the cycle. During the inaugural mentorship program in 2022, there were 4 mentors (all members of the SWHNM collective) partnered with 4 writers and literary artists based out of the United States, Vietnam, and Switzerland. 

The mentors are writers who have benefited from belonging to supportive and inclusive writing and artist communities who wish to mentor promising writers of Vietnamese and/or SE Asian descent–folx who are at earlier stages in their writing careers than we are.

Our mentors compose poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, criticism, as well as hybrid and multimedia forms (including graphic forms, among others), and are looking to pair with mentees working in these forms. 

Our mentors are published authors and/or established artists who are members of or connected to SWHNM and thus experienced with the collaborative and creative ethos of our collective that also informs the spirit of our mentorships.

Past mentors include: Diana Khoi Nguyen, Hoa Nguyen, Lily Hoang, and Vi Khi Nao.

For our 2025 cycle, mentors will be: Cathy Linh Che, MyLoan Dinh, Abbigail Rosewood, Sophia Terazawa, Nhã Thuyên.

The SWHNM mentorship program in 2025 expands its concept and its community by reaching out to the writers who live inside Vietnam with writing practices in Vietnamese, with the hope to create a more open space for a plurality of Vietnamese literature. 

How does the mentorship work? 

The first year of mentorship took place in 2022. This year (2025) will be our second. Each mentor takes on one mentee. Mentors and mentees (fellows) will meet virtually for at least 30 minutes every month to discuss topics pertinent to each pair. These topics may range from: prompts for writing, feedback fellows’ writing, and craft elements to professional details such as submitting to publications, finding an agent, writing a book proposal, sending a manuscript out to contests/open reading periods, applying to graduate school, to name a few. Some of us, though not all, are willing to read and give feedback on fellows’ work—within certain limits, which mentors can specify. On your application you may specify what types of mentorship you are looking for. If you are selected for a mentorship, we will use the information in your application to make the best mentor match for your needs.

In addition, mentors may periodically arrange panels and events for the mentorship collective; we hope to host panels on topics helpful for fellows as a group, and will collaborate with fellows to determine these topics. We may also offer some events and panels that are open to the general public.

SWHNM is a collective and makes decisions as a group, as well as shares the labor of running both the collective and this mentorship. That said, the particulars of individual mentors’ engagement with fellows depends on their particular circumstances and on the nature of each pairing’s relationship. The only requirement of the mentorship is the monthly meetings.

Who are the Fellows, and what do they do? 

Mentees should be passionate and committed to exploring creative writing, ready to generate new creative work, engage in revision processes, and be capable of working both independently as well as from writing prompts given by mentors. Mentors will work with mentees to tailor creative writing guidance that meets the mentees’ specific interests and needs.

Past fellows have been promising writers and artists who are serious and dedicated to their journey as a writer/literary artist. Just like with the mentors, the depth of individual fellows’  involvement depends on their particular circumstances. The only requirement for fellows  is the monthly meeting with mentors. 

There may be opportunities for further engagement with the mentorship program and SWHNM collective such as planning panels and events, as well as participating in collective readings, performances, and exhibitions. We are interested in hearing what fellows think would be useful and beneficial for the program and collective.

What are you looking for in fellows? 

We’re so glad you’re reading this. We’re looking for fellows who identify as a woman or nonbinary person of Vietnamese and/or SE Asian descent, who live outside and/or inside Vietnam. There is no nationality requirement, and fellows must be at least 18 years of age. Fellows’ writing should show promise, and are relatively early in their (writing) careers.

In particular, we would especially like to award mentorships to those with limited past access to writing communities or writing guidance. We strive to equalize access so that writers can achieve their goals regardless of their background and affiliations.

Most of our mentors write predominantly in English. However, some of us are also fluent in Vietnamese and may also be willing to work across language barriers. Please indicate in your application what language (or languages) you write in and/or are interested in working in. 

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program in creative writing, you are not eligible for mentorship. You are also not eligible if you have published a book (or have one under contract) with a major U.S. press in a genre in which we mentor. 

The SWHNM mentorship program is competitive; in our inaugural 2022 year, we received over 80 applications for only 4 mentorship spots. 

Our number of available mentorship spots will differ each year depending on the mentors. In 2025 we will offer 5 mentorship spots.

How can I apply? Is there an application fee?

Please find detailed guidelines on our “How To Apply” page.

When you are ready to apply, submit your materials via our Application Form (this link will take you to a Google form for uploading + submitting your application materials).

If you need the Application Form in Vietnamese, click here. Nếu bạn cần nộp đơn đăng ký bằng tiếng Việt, vui lòng nhấn vào đây.

There is an application fee of $25, which helps us to cover administrative costs. You may request a fee waiver. Applicants residing in Vietnam may also receive a fee waiver. 

If you have questions or issues regarding how to send us your application materials, or if you are in need of an application fee waiver, please DM us (with “Fee Waiver Request 2025” in the subject field) at: she.who.has.no.masters@gmail.com

Is any of the work paid? Is there a financial cost for anyone involved?

Mentors are paid a modest stipend for their time, while members of the SWHNM collective organize and facilitate the mentorship program on an unpaid basis since we are a collective of writers who want to, and are able to, participate in this vibrant community. 

We are committed to the idea of supporting Vietnamese and SE Asian diasporic women and nonbinary writers. This mentorship program is one that exists outside of any institutions. Some of the mentors may be affiliated with institutions such as universities but we don’t have outside funding or other institutional support for this project. It’s just us–a labor of care and love. 

Who assesses applications, and how are they assessed?

The mentors for each cycle, along with volunteer members of the collective, read and assess the applications based on promise and need. From there, a smaller committee determines which few candidates might benefit the most from a SWHNM mentorship based on their current access to writing resources and commitment to craft and career, their financial need, and other factors.

There are a few writers with whom I’d especially love to be matched. Can I specify that?

No, though we welcome for you to share what you’re looking for in a mentor.

How far along should a writing sample be?

You should submit your best work, whether it’s published or not. A sampling of different pieces—representing various genres or not—is fine.

I have a question that isn’t addressed here, or something else I want to get in touch about.

You can email us at she.who.has.no.masters@gmail.com

shewhohasnomasters.com

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Widening the Pipeline Fellowship:Year-Long Fellowship for U.S.-Based Journalists of Color

National Press Foundation

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024

INFO: U.S. journalism has an ongoing diversity crisis. There simply are not enough reporters and editors of color to inform, engage and accurately reflect our society.

To combat this, the National Press Foundation’s Widening the Pipeline Fellowship will provide trainings in Washington, D.C., as well as virtual workshops to support journalists of color staying in – and leading – the newsrooms of tomorrow.

NPF welcomes U.S.-based journalists from any medium with seven years or less of professional newsroom experience to participate in this career-defining cohort.

In Widening the Pipeline’s first two years, 45 journalists from across America received skills training, mentoring and peer support to help them navigate America’s newsrooms, where people of color comprise less than a quarter of positions. And too often, early career journalists of color leave the industry due to lack of support and mentorship–before they can build the strategies and skills that could help them make much-needed contributions to communities across the country.

Our fellows have learned from journalism veterans – including Ron Nixon, VP of News and Investigations with the Associated Press; Catalina Camia, Deputy Director at Bloomberg Law; Politico’s Senior Managing Editor Sudeep Reddy; and The Atlantic columnist and author Jemele Hill – and been paired with mentors, such as “CNN News Central” Anchor Boris Sanchez, PBS Newshour Deputy Editor Kenichi Serino and Reckon Editor R. L. Nave.

This support has helped nearly half of Widening the Pipeline fellows land new jobs or receive pay raises. All of the fellows say the program renewed their commitment to an industry that urgently needs their diverse lived experiences shaping coverage.

No one can describe the value of the training better than the fellows themselves:

This competitive fellowship is open to U.S.-based reporters and editors working in print, television, radio or online media. We greatly value diversity in all our programs and applicants from across the nation are encouraged to apply. Through its John C. and Ethel C. Eklund Scholarship Fund, the foundation will cover airfare, hotel, some ground transportation and most meals for the two in-person trainings in Washington, D.C., held in February and December 2025. A virtual training day will be held roughly every month, with the following schedule:

2025 session dates:

  • Jan. 13 (virtual)

  • Feb. 19-21 (Washington, D.C.)

  • March 3 (virtual)

  • April 7 (virtual)

  • May 5 (virtual)

  • June 2 (virtual)

  • Sept. 8 (virtual)

  • Oct. 6 (virtual)

  • Nov. 3 (virtual)

  • Dec. 8-11 (Washington, D.C).

nationalpress.org/training/apply-by-dec-15-widening-the-pipeline-fellowship-2025/

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Long-term Public Humanities Fellowships

Folger Institute

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024 by 11:59 pm ET

INFO: Folger Institute Long-term Public Humanities Fellowships, new for the 2025-26 year, are designed to support significant, full-time research and public humanities project implementation related to the histories, concepts, art, and objects of the early modern world (ca. 1400-1800) and its legacies. This fellowship is open to college and university faculty, independent scholars, artists, public scholars, writers, PhD candidates, postdocs, community leaders, cultural workers, educators and other knowledge holders. Applicants are not required to hold a terminal degree but should describe their equivalent training and industry-specific experience in their CV. 

For the 2025-26 year, the Folger Institute will offer one Long-term Public Humanities Fellowship at $70,000 for a standard period of 9 months (approximately $7,777 per month). 

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

The successful applicant will draw on the strengths of the Folger’s collections, exhibitions, and programming themes to devote 75% of their residency to research and 25% to implementing public humanities engagement for Folger audiences, in cooperation with Folger Institute staff. This can include–but is not limited to–onsite or virtual programs such as readings, talks, videos, podcasts, workshops, community activations, and performances, as well as digital humanities work hosted on non-Folger platforms such as games, interactives, and online resources. In their fellowship application, applicants must propose and detail one type of public humanities engagement they will develop and implement to take place during each of the Folger’s four program seasons: 

  • Summer 2025: July 1 to August 31 

  • Fall 2025: September 1 to November 30 

  • Winter 2026: December 1 to February 28 

  • Spring 2026: March 1 to May 30 

Please note that the Folger will not acquire or archive any materials, physical or digital, resulting from the Public Humanities Fellowship for our collections at this time. 

Long-term public humanities fellows can take up to 3 months of their 9-month fellowship virtually. This virtual time may be taken at any point in the fellowship and does not have to be taken concurrently. Applicants may propose any research schedule that best fits their project’s needs. 

In their proposals, applicants must describe how they will utilize the onsite and virtual (if applicable) portions of their fellowship. Applicants may propose virtual fellowship time to cover any combination of the following full-time work: research with online collections, writing, editing, creative work, and studio time as they relate to the proposed project. Please note, virtual months may also be used to support research for applicants who have dependent care responsibilities. 

folger.edu/research/the-folger-institute/fellowships/apply-for-a-fellowship/long-term-public-humanities-fellowships/

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FINE ARTS WORK CENTER FELLOWSHIP

Fine Arts Work Center

DEADLINE: December 16, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $65

INFO: Each year, the Work Center offers 20 seven-month residencies to a juried group of emerging visual artists, fiction writers, and poets. Each Fellow receives an apartment, a studio (for visual artists), and a monthly stipend of $1,250 plus an exit stipend of $1,000. Residencies run from October 1 through April 30. During this time, Fellows have the opportunity to pursue their work independently in a diverse and supportive community of peers.

THE RESIDENCY:

During the course of the Fellowship, each Writing Fellow is invited to give a public reading and each Visual Art Fellow is given a solo exhibition opportunity. Readings and openings are attended by current and past Fellows, local residents, visitors to Provincetown, leadership of the town’s numerous cultural institutions, and the many illustrious artists and writers who make their homes in Provincetown. Events take place in the beautifully renovated public spaces of the Work Center: the Stanley Kunitz Common Room and Hudson D. Walker Gallery.

VISITING ARTISTS + WRITERS

While in residence, Fellows also help select a series of visiting artists and writers. These visiting artists and writers meet with the Fellows for studio visits and manuscript reviews and give public readings and artist talks that draw thousands from Provincetown and beyond. Visiting guests have included presidential inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel; winner of the National Book Award for Poetry Mark Doty; Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress Robert Pinsky; artist and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Judy Pfaff; and Katherine Porter, whose work is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. 

The Work Center’s founders believed that seven months was the minimum amount of time needed for artists and writers in the crucial early stages of their careers to learn to structure their lives around their creative practice. Each generation of Fellows ideally moves on from the Work Center with a firm belief in their ability to pursue a life as a practicing artist or writer.

fawc.org/apply/

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Call for Papers: Katrina’s America

Southern Cultures

DEADLINE: December 16, 2024

GUEST EDITOR: Andy Horowitz (University of Connecticut)

INFO: Southern Cultures, the award-winning, peer-reviewed quarterly from UNC’s Center for the Study of the American South, encourages submissions from scholars, writers, and artists for a special issue, Katrina’s America, to be published Fall 2025. We will accept submissions for this issue through December 16, 2024.

Nearly twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina sent a storm surge into the Gulf of Mexico. When the levee system surrounding metropolitan New Orleans collapsed, hundreds of people died, tens of thousands of people lost their homes, and years of suffering and struggle followed. At the time, many people understood Katrina as an unprecedented disaster, or a catastrophe that could only occur on the underprivileged margins of American wealth and power. From today’s vantage, however, Katrina no longer looks like an exception. The two decades since the flood have brought more water, fire, and pandemic, surging racist violence, widening economic inequality, and seemingly irreconcilable political conflict. The past two decades have brought, too, emboldened community organizing, ambitious visions for addressing the climate crisis, and other creative efforts to build a more humane future. In all of these domains, Katrina does not appear to be retreating into the past so much as resounding in the future. It is increasingly clear that we live, today, in Katrina’s America. 

In the Fall 2025 issue, Southern Cultures explores Katrina as augur and author of the twenty-first century United States. We seek scholarly articles, personal essays, interviews, photography, and art that make sense of Katrina’s significance, and how its meaning has changed over time. We understand Katrina as an acute event that took place in the summer of 2005 in the attics of the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans East, Chalmette, and other flooded neighborhoods. We also understand Katrina as an ongoing process that continues on the Gulf Coast, in the places displaced people went, in the halls of power in Baton Rouge and Washington, DC, and in politics and culture across the country and around the world. We are interested in submissions that map Katrina’s America at any or all of these local, national, and global scales. We especially seek submissions that are informed by the time that has passed since the flood.

Submissions can explore any topic or theme, and we welcome investigations of the region in the forms Southern Cultures publishes: scholarly articles, creative nonfiction, memoir (first-person or collective), interviews, surveys, photo and art essays, and shorter feature essays. 

Topics and questions to explore might include:

  • “where are they now?”

  • accounts of contemporary New Orleans, its suburbs, the Alabama and Mississippi coasts, and other flooded places

  • evacuation, displacement, resettlement, and the ongoing Katrina diaspora

  • gentrification, and the intersection of economic and environmental change

  • infrastructure, and the relationships between structural inequality and the built environment

  • racism, poverty, and the construction of vulnerability 

  • the legacy of Katrina among volunteers, Teach for America alumni, and others who spent time in New Orleans after the flood and then left

  • Katrina and charter schools, policing, public housing, public health, and other reform movements

  • Katrina and disaster policy, insurance policy, water infrastructure, and climate adaptation

  • Katrina and George W. Bush’s presidency, Barack Obama’s election, Black Lives Matter, the Confederate Monuments debate, the Green New Deal, the COVID-19 pandemic, and etc.

  • Katrina and the ways people experience or imagine race, class, and the climate crisis

  • the significance of popular culture in shaping Katrina’s meaning, and responses to Katrina in music and art

  • reflections on iconic images of the disaster

  • efforts to memorialize Katrina

  • Katrina and the meanings of justice and community

southerncultures.org/call-for-papers-katrinas-america/

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2024 Memoir Prize

Narratively

DEADLINE: December 19, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

INFO: Narratively is accepting entries for our 2024 Memoir Prize. We’re on the hunt for revealing and emotional first-person nonfiction narratives from unique and overlooked points of view. Entries will be judged on a rolling basis in four rounds: the first three by experienced Narratively readers and staff, and the final by our incredible and generous guest judge, critically acclaimed writer Jami Attenberg!

Jami Attenberg is the New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, including The Middlesteins, All Grown Up, the recently published A Reason to See You Again and a memoir, I Came All This Way to Meet You: Writing Myself Home. She is also the creator of the annual online group writing accountability project #1000wordsofsummer, which inspired the USA Today bestseller 1000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round. Jami has also written for The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and others. Her work has been published in 16 languages. She lives in New Orleans.

We’ll award the top three writers the following cash prizes, as well as publication on Narratively.com and inclusion in a special Narratively 2024 Memoir Prize Digital Collection:

  • Grand Prize: US$3,000

  • Finalist: US$1,000

  • Finalist: US$1,000

Further, Narratively editors will work with the finalists to potentially adapt their stories into larger projects in different mediums (TV, film, podcasts, etc.).

COMPETITION INFO:

  • Prize period opens: 9 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 28, 2024. 

  • Prize period closes: 9 p.m. EDT on December 19, 2024. We will not accept entries once the prize period closes.

  • Final decision announced: On or around February 27, 2025. Entrants will be notified via Submittable and/or email.

  • Entry fee: US$20, nonrefundable and due at time of entry; free entry for paid subscribers (become one here!). If you’re already a paid subscriber, first of all, thank you for supporting indie journalism! Second of all, just email us at prizes@narratively.com to request the (paid) subscriber-only free submission link.

  • Eligibility: Open to folks 18 years of age or older on or before 9 a.m. EDT on October 28, 2024, and who are not employed by, related to or sharing living quarters with Narratively staff or our guest judges. This competition is open to anyone, including past and current Narratively contributors. Current and former Narratively editors are ineligible.

What should my entry look like?

As with all Narratively stories, submissions should be composed of vivid, active scenes, unique characters and an engaging narrative arc. We have a few rules to follow, but encourage maximum creativity within these guidelines. The best way to get a sense of what we’re looking for is to read the stories on the list of examples we love below. 

Here are a few examples of first-person Narratively pieces we love:

Why do we charge a fee? Your entry fee will allow us to compensate the people who are helping us effectively and fairly evaluate every single Prize submission — from our freelance readers to our Prize editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, visual editors and producers. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Ready-to-publish pieces only — no pitches accepted

  • Word count: 2,000 to 7,000

  • Nonfiction, written in the first person and in English (translations permitted)

  • Original and previously unpublished as a written work

  • Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but must notify Narratively if entry is accepted elsewhere.

  • Multiple submissions from a single author are permitted, but each must be submitted and paid for individually.

  • Adaptations from other media (podcasts, scripts, etc.) are permitted with disclosure.

  • Any citations should be in endnote form and listed at the end of the Submission.

  • Please remove your name and contact information from your Submission.

  • Narratively prefers common fonts such as Times New Roman and Arial, at 10-12-point size, double spaced, for ease of reading. Please do not include images or graphics.

To answer your questions: 

  • This competition is open to anyone, including past and current Narratively contributors. (Current and former Narratively editors, however, are ineligible.)

  • The Grand Prize Winner and Finalists will be required to sign our standard Contributor Agreement.

  • These are a few of the key points in our agreement:    

  • You retain print publication rights, should you pursue a book version of your story now or in the future.

  • Narratively has the right to pursue TV and film projects based on the work. These projects could be either unscripted/documentary or fictional (inspired by your story).

  • Revenue from any TV or film projects is shared with contributors.

  • We publish Narratively Out Loud, which features read-aloud audio versions of all Narratively stories, so the contract also gives us the rights to produce those.

narratively.submittable.com/submit

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Call for Submissions: ‘Crashing Out’ Issue

Post No Bills Mag

DEADLINE: December 29, 2024

INFO: Post No Bills, a literary magazine showcasing and publishing writing, art, and photography centered around Black/brown/queer folxs of NYC, seeks art, photography, essays, poems, interviews, etc. for its “Crashing Out” issue.

{THEME} Quarterlife Crisis: Navigating the messy middle—where uncertainty and transitions collide with disillusionment and self-discovery. It’s all about figuring out who we are while everything else keeps changing.

Email all work to postnobillsmag@gmail.com

instagram.com/p/DDITH11y04p/

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The Anthony Veasna So Scholarships IN FICTION

The Adroit Journal

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $15

INFO: Anthony Veasna So (1992-2020) was an American writer of short stories that often drew from his upbringing as a child of Cambodian immigrants and were described by the New York Times as "crackling, kinetic and darkly comedic." His debut short story collection, entitled Afterparties, was published posthumously by HarperCollins in 2021 and was simultaneously named a New York Times Bestseller and a winner of the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize for Best First Book.

Anthony was not just one of the most talented new writers to grace this decade—he was also a member of the Adroit family, having served as a prose editor for four years. Anthony was as an inspiration to all of us, and to so many writers around the world. In honor of Anthony's contribution to both the Adroit Journal's staff community and the world's fiction readers, we will recognize six emerging fiction writers each year as Anthony Veasna So Scholars in Fiction.

All emerging writers who have not published full-length collections or novels are eligible (regardless of age, geographic location, or educational status), and are encouraged to submit. Writers with forthcoming debut full-length collections are eligible so long as collections won't appear earlier than April 2025.

Anthony Veasna So Scholars receive $200 and publication of one piece from their portfolio in a future issue of the Adroit Journal. Finalists will be awarded copies of Anthony's collection, Afterparties, and a list of semifinalists determined by the editors will be released with results.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Submissions may include up to three stories (max of 9,000 words total). Simultaneous submissions, previously published submissions, and submissions recognized by outside organizations are accepted, provided that a) a full catalogue of publication history for enclosed work is included in the submission (please note publication history at the top of the submission and in the cover letter) and b) at least one piece in the submission remains unpublished. Submitters should promptly add a note to their entry on Submittable if work disclosed as unpublished is accepted elsewhere. If the entire submission is published, it will be disqualified. 

Writers are welcome to additionally submit enclosed work to the Adroit Prizes as well as through our general submission portal during those submission periods. We are also happy to consider revisions of work previously submitted to the Adroit Prizes, to the Veasna So opportunity, or through the general submissions portal (including work currently in progress or work that has recently received an editorial decision). Finally, please note that each writer may not send more than one entry per year for Veasna So Scholars.

As mentioned above, all emerging writers who have not published full-length collections are eligible (regardless of age, geographic location, or educational status), and Anthony Veasna So Scholars will receive $200 and publication in a future issue of the Adroit Journal.

We have set a non-refundable submission fee of $15. If you require financial assistance, you may submit a fee waiver with the Veasna So Scholars fee waiver request form. You can find both fee waiver request forms by clicking here.

Please direct any questions to editors@theadroitjournal.org.

adroit.submittable.com/submit

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18th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

Ernest J. Gaines Award

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

INFO: The Ernest J. Gaines Award serves to enhance the visibility of emerging African-American fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature.

CRITERIA + SUBMISSION:

  • A work of fiction (novel or collection of short stories) that is published between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024. Galleys for a 2024 publication are also accepted.

  • The nominee must be a rising author, not yet widely recognized for their work.

  • Author must be an African-American U.S. citizen.

  • Self-published books will not be accepted. Self-published defined as publishing one's work independently and at one's own expense.

  • Emailed entries will not be accepted. 

  • The winning author must be willing to attend the award ceremony in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2024 and participate in media and educational outreach activities during that week.

TO ENTER A PUBLISHED BOOK OR GALLEY FOR REVIEW, SEND THE COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORM AND EIGHT (8) COPIES TO:

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
c/o Baton Rouge Area Foundation
100 North St., Suite 900
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

Non-winning entries will be donated to an area nonprofit. Ineligible entries will not be returned.

TIMELINE:

  • May 1, 2024 – December, 2024  Eligible entries for the 18th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence will be accepted. See eligibility criteria and submission instructions above. All entries for the book award will receive written notification of receipt.

  • Spring 2025 – The winner will be selected by a national panel of judges. The judges reserve the right not to issue the award if they feel the selection pool lacks an acceptable candidate. Once the winner is selected, written notification will be sent to all eligible entries.

  • 2025 – The 18th Annual Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence Ceremony will take place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

For additional information, please email gainesaward@braf.org

ernestjgainesaward.org/criteria

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Jesmyn Ward Prize in Fiction

Michigan Quarterly Review

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

INFO: The Michigan Quarterly Review has established this prize for fiction in honor of Helen Zell Writers’ Program alumna Jesmyn Ward and her significant contributions to the literary arts.

AWARD: One short story submitted for this prize will be awarded $2,000 and publication in MQR. All submissions for the prize will be considered for publication. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Please submit one unpublished short story of 1,500–7,000 words. Simultaneous submissions are welcome but please withdraw your submission as soon as it is accepted elsewhere. We ask entrants not to include their names or contact information within the document they upload to Submittable, its title, or its file name. Affiliation with the judge, MQR, or the Helen Zell Writers Program may disqualify a submission; please consult the prize details on Submittable for more information about exclusions.

The 2025 judge is Ghassan Zeineddine.

Ghassan Zeineddine is the author of the story collection Dearborn and co-editor of the creative nonfiction anthology Hadha Baladuna: Arab American Narratives of Boundary and BelongingDearborn was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction, a finalist for the CLMP Firecracker Award for Debut Fiction, shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, and longlisted for the Story Prize and the PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection. The story collection was also awarded the 2023 Khayrallah Book Prize and named a 2024 Michigan Notable Book, a 2024 American Library Association Notable Book, and a Best Fiction Book of 2023 by Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, the Chicago Public Library, Powell’s, and the Writer’s Bone, and a Good Housekeeping Best Book of Fall and a Washington Post Best Book of September, among other honors. Zeineddine lives with his wife and two daughters in Ohio, where he’s an assistant professor of creative writing at Oberlin College.

sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/submit/

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Pages in Progress 2025: An AAWW Fiction Contest

Asian American Writers’ Workshop

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

INFO: The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), Plympton, and Third State Books proudly present an open call/competition for fiction novels in progress.

AWARD:

Winners will receive:

  • One-month residency with Writing Downtown in Las Vegas, Nevada; 

  • One-hour virtual consultation with Third State Books, a new publishing house amplifying stories from Asian America; 

  • One-hour virtual consultation with an AAPI literary agent;

  • One complimentary seat to an AAWW workshop;

  • One full-day pass to the AAWW’s 2025 Publishing Conference. 

Winners will also receive invaluable networking and mentorship through the AAWW, Plympton, and Third State communities. Please note that travel costs are not included for any of the prizes.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • All genres of fiction will be considered, including but not limited to: speculative fiction, fantasy/science-fiction, young adult, horror, mystery, thriller, and romance.

  • All submissions should include a one-page synopsis or overview of the work

  • Our ideal manuscript is a nearly-complete draft of 50,000-100,000 words – let us help you get your book over the finish line!

  • Please attach manuscripts in either Word .doc, .docx, or PDF format

  • All work must be original; translations will not be accepted

  • Previously published or forthcoming manuscripts will not be considered

aaww.submittable.com/submit

_____

call for submissions: Issue 18: Radical Futurity

Seventh Wave Mag

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $7

INFO: We are now open for submissions to Issue 18: Radical Futurity. Below, you will find everything you need to know in order to submit a competitive piece for publication. We can't wait to read your work. Any questions, reach out: submit@seventhwavemag.com. 

IMPORTANT DATES. We are open for submissions until December 31, 2024. You will be notified of the status of your submission by end of February 2025.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS. You will submit three items: 1) a bio of 2-6 sentences, 2) a 250-500 word statement (addressing the four questions below), and 3) your submission as a Word Document or PDF. These are not optional.

STATEMENT + QUESTIONS. In your statement — this will be a text field in the form on the next page — please tell us in 500 words or less: 1) What are the driving forces behind your work? Tell us what your particular aesthetic or voice will bring to this issue; 2) What are recent social issues, political decisions, or cultural mishaps that sparked meaningful conversation and inspired you to create art, write stories, or otherwise communicate your thoughts to the world? 3) Tell us a little about what you hope to get out of this editorial process; and 4) How does your submission relate to our topic?  

FAQs: We highly recommend you read our Submit page and our FAQ page. There is plenty of information there: why we don't read "blind," why we charge a $7 fee, why we require a cover letter/statement, the type of work we're (not) looking for, etc. You should also read this post on our Well-Crafted bulletin: 7 tips on submitting work to the Seventh Wave

GENRE / FORM: We welcome prose and poetry, hybrid work, and visual art. For prose, a good limit is 3,000 words (though this isn't a strict cut-off). For hybrid work, a good limit is 10 pages (keep in mind how your work might appear on a digital platform). For poems, you can submit up to four poems (please let us know if they are all part of a series, etc). For art, please keep in mind that we will be publishing your work on a website. We have some visual capabilities — accordion scrollers, galleries and lightboxes, and even a flipbook, as well as audio capabilities — but we are primarily built to handle written pieces. 

SUBMISSION FORMATS: For prose and poetry, you'll upload a Word Doc or PDF. For art, send whatever format you think will help our selection committee get the best understanding of your work.  

FEE WAIVER: If our $7 submission fee is prohibitive, no problem. Just email your full submission to submit@seventhwavemag.com by the deadline, no questions asked. Please write "Issue 18 • [Last Name] [Genre]" in the subject line. Our submission fee helps us honor our team's time and labor in reviewing submissions.

NOTE ON EDITING STYLE: Our editorial process is intimate. We host an orientation session for all contributors once selected; you work with two editors toward publication; and you'll get to know others in your cohort. If you are just looking to get your work published, our magazine likely isn't for you. Everything we do is rooted in community, conversation, and collaboration.

MULTIPLE / SIMULTANEOUS SUBMISSIONS: Multiple submissions are not accepted. Please only submit once for each open call. We do, however, accept simultaneous submissions. Please just let us know if any of the poems/pieces you submit get picked up by another magazine/platform.

PAYMENT: We are committed to paying our contributors. While it can vary by submission, generally speaking, we offer $100 for prose, film, plays, multiple poems, and multiple pieces of artwork; for individual poems, images, and artwork, we offer $75.

seventhwavemag.submittable.com/submit

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Fiction and Poetry Contests

Third Coast 

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $10

INFO: Submissions to the 2024-2025 Third Coast Fiction and Poetry Contests are open. This year’s judges will be Misha Rai (Fiction) and Jamaal May (Poetry)

AWARD: Winners receive $1,000 and publication in Third Coast. All contest entries will be considered for publication in Third Coast.

GUIDELINES: Submit one previously unpublished story of up to 9,000 words or up to three previously unpublished poems at a time, in one file. All manuscripts should be typed and fiction manuscripts should be double-spaced. Please include entry title and page numbers on all manuscript pages. Because judging is blind, the author’s name and identifying information (address, email, phone number, and bio) should appear only in the “cover letter” section of the Submittable form; identifying information must not appear anywhere on the manuscript itself. Manuscripts including identifying information will be disqualified.

Simultaneous submissions are permitted, though if work is accepted elsewhere, we ask that it be withdrawn from the contest immediately. If a piece is chosen as a finalist, we ask that it be withdrawn from other publications’ consideration until our judge selects a winner. Multiple entries are permitted, but each entry must be submitted separately.

Writers associated with the judges, WMU, or Third Coast are not eligible to submit.

thirdcoastmagazine.com/contests/

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2025 Plentitudes Prizes

The Plentitudes

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

INFO: Our 2025 Plentitudes Prizes is now open for submission!

JUDGES: Guest judges Annell Lopez, Melody Nixon, Dana Isokawa, and Celine Aenlle-Rocha will select winners in Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, and Flash, respectively.

AWARD:

  • First-place winners in each genre will receive $1,000

  • Second-place winners will receive $300

  • Third-place winners receive $200

  • The winning entries will be published in our Spring 2025 issue.

GUIDELINES:

  • Multiple submissions by the same writer is permitted, though each must be submitted under a separate entry. You may retain your name on the submission but you may not submit if you are personally connected to any of the guest judges and/or the editors. Simultaneous submissions are fine, as long as you contact us if the work is accepted elsewhere.

  • All writers who enter will be notified by email of the judges’ decisions, which will be final. Winners will have seven days upon the receipt of email to confirm their publication agreement; otherwise, the offer is considered rescinded. Submissions must be must be an original, unpublished work, written by the submitter. Submissions also must be primarily in English, though we welcome writers to leverage their linguistic diversity. 

  • The Plentitudes acquires First Rights for accepted works for publication. Upon acceptance of publication, The Plentitudes Journal retains the right to be the sole publisher of the works for the first year from the initial date of publication. Thereafter, contributors may republish their works, with The Plentitudes Journal credited as the initial publisher. The Plentitudes Journal retains the right to re-publish works designated for print publication in an anthology and on our social media platforms. 

  • Marginalized voices, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Disability writers, are particularly encouraged to submit.

theplentitudes.com/prizes

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OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature

Bocas Lit Fest

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

ENTRY FEE: US$45 (TT$300) per title

INFO: The OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature is an annual award for literary books by Caribbean writers, first presented in 2011. Books are judged in three categories: poetry; fiction — both novels and collections of short stories; and literary nonfiction — including books of essays, biography and autobiography, history, current affairs, travel, and other genres, which demonstrate literary qualities and use literary techniques, regardless of subject matter.

There is a panel of three judges for each genre category, who determine category shortlists and winners. 

The three category winners are then judged by a panel of four judges — consisting of the chairs of the category panels and the prize chair — who determine the overall winner. 

The author of the book judged the overall winner will receive an award of US$10,000. The other category winners will receive US$3,000

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for entry for the 2025 prize, a book must: 

  1. Have been first published in the calendar year 2024 (1 January to 31 December); 

  2. Have been written by a single author who either holds Caribbean citizenship or was born in the Caribbean (this must be verified by the publisher), regardless of current place of residence; 

  3. Have been written by an author who is living on 31 December, 2024; 

  4. Have been written and first published in English originally (i.e. translations are not eligible); 

  5. Be a new work, previously unpublished in book form (though collections including poems, stories, essays, or other short pieces that have individually appeared in print in periodicals or anthologies are eligible). 

bocaslitfest.com/awards/ocm/

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Kevin McIlvoy Book Prize

WTAW Press

DEADLINE: December 31, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $30

INFO: We welcome submissions of full-length books of prose (novels, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, essay and story collections, and hybrid works) from new, emerging, and established voices and from writers of all backgrounds.

Manuscript Anonymity - Identifying information for the author must not be included anywhere in the manuscript, including in the file name or title field in the submission manager. Manuscripts containing identifying information in any way will be automatically disqualified, and the entry fee forfeited.

Previously Published Material - The manuscript, in its entirety, must be previously unpublished. It may contain some previously published portions, but the majority of the work should be new. Any previously published material in the manuscript must be credited in the cover letter (see cover letter guidelines below). Acknowledgements of previously published material may not be included in the manuscript file. Manuscripts containing acknowledgements will be automatically disqualified.

Originality and AI Restrictions - All material must be the author’s own, original composition and free from copyright restrictions. Submissions generated by AI tools or language models are not accepted.

Simultaneous Submissions - Simultaneous submissions are welcome, but by submitting a manuscript, the author agrees to notify WTAW immediately if the manuscript is accepted elsewhere for publication and to withdraw it from Submittable.

Multiple Submissions - Multiple submissions are accepted, provided each is accompanied by a separate entry fee. Each submission must be unique.

Submission Finality - Submissions cannot be edited once submitted. Manuscripts selected for publication will undergo an editing process with the editors.

Manuscript Formatting - Manuscripts should be submitted as a .doc or .docx file, in a 12-point standard font such as Times New Roman, double-spaced, with at least 1-inch margins, and paginated. Include a title page with the total word count and, if applicable, a table of contents.

Cover Letter Guidelines - Cover letters must be entered into the appropriate field in the submission manager. They may not be included in the manuscript file. Submission files that contain a cover letter will be automatically disqualified.

Cover letters must include the following information:

  • Author contact information (address, phone, email)

  • The work’s title, genre, and word count

  • A list of credits for any previously published portions

  • A brief synopsis of the work (short paragraph)

  • A brief author biography, including author website address and social media handles, and, if applicable, publishing history

  • An indication if the manuscript is submitted simultaneously, with acknowledgment of the requirement to withdraw it if accepted elsewhere

  • Where you heard about the Kevin McIlvoy Book Prize

Disqualification - Any submission that doesn’t follow the guidelines will be disqualified, and the submission fee forfeited.

Responses - WTAW responds to every submission through the submission manager at the email address provided with the submission.

Thank you for considering the Kevin McIlvoy Book Prize. We look forward to reading your work.

wtaw-press.submittable.com/submit

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Ann Friedman Weekly Fellowship

Ann Friedman

DEADLINE: January 3, 2025 by 11:59pm PST

INFO: The Ann Friedman Weekly Fellowship is an annual program for nonfiction writers who are not yet established in their careers. It includes mentorship and editing; a $5,000 stipend; regular check-ins to provide structure and accountability; and space in my newsletter where fellows can publish and promote their work. This program is funded by paying members of the Ann Friedman Weekly.

For the 2025 fellowship, I will provide support and accountability to two writers, who will each write and publish a newsletter of their own. Each fellow will come up with an editorial focus (or hone an existing one), create a workflow, and integrate feedback as they build a body of self-published work. I will, of course, welcome conversation about other writing projects and offer broader advice throughout the year. But the newsletter will be their main fellowship focus.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • Who I’m looking for: Nonfiction writers who don’t have (m)any published clips, who aren’t well-connected to editors, who don’t have a substantial social media following. I’m looking for people who are already writing and developing their skills. I invite people from populations that are underrepresented in media to apply. (I know most job listings have a line like this, but I really and truly mean it. Please apply!) For reasons related to scheduling calls and time zones, I am limiting this to writers who live in the United States.

  • Compensation: A stipend of $5,000. This fellowship is not a full-time job and will not provide any health insurance benefits. Think of it more like a year-long, highly personalized workshop with steady mentorship.

  • Commitment: We’ll do a monthly Zoom check-in, and you will have space in my newsletter at least once a month, too. Your time commitment will be variable, but I think it’s safe to say a few hours per week. I expect you to engage with your fellow fellow (lol) and with me, and to meet the deadlines we set together.

  • Why I’m doing this: I’m eager to share what I know about the craft and profession of writing, and I love having colleagues. For more context, read this.

  • How to apply: Write me a letter, no longer than one page. In it,

  • Tell me a little bit about who you are and the writing you’re currently doing.

  • Then tell me about the newsletter you’d like to publish in 2025. It could be a limited series, or an ongoing project you hope to keep up after the fellowship ends. It could be just the germ of an idea, or something you’ve been working on for awhile that needs a refresh. Be as specific as you can.

  • Tell me about the nonfiction writing skills you’re most eager to develop in the coming year. (Examples: Conducting great interviews, writing compelling titles/headlines, making the personal resonate more universally.) Put another way: How do you hope to improve over the course of the fellowship year?

  • If you have a little space left, briefly tell me about the last thing you read and loved. What was so good about it?

  • Title the document “[Your Name] AF WKLY 2025”

  • Fill out this form and upload the letter. I will only consider applications submitted through the form.

  • TIMELINE: Applications are due by 11:59pm PST on January 3, 2025. This deadline is strict. I will be in touch with all applicants by February 15. Fellowships begin March 3, 2025 and run through the end of the calendar year.

annfriedman.com/fellowship

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Short-Term Fellowships for Writers, Artists, and Other Humanists

Newberry Library

DEADLINE: January 3, 2025

INFO: Newberry fellowships give researchers the time, space, and community required to pursue innovative and ground-breaking projects. Fellows advance scholarship in various fields, develop new interpretations, and expand our understanding of the past.

The Jan and Frank Cicero Fellowship - Offering one month of support for a person working in the visual and performing arts who wishes to advance their artistic practice through the use of the Newberry collection.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Artists and performers including (but not limited to) painters, sculptors, choreographers, dramaturgs, creative writers, composers, and others in artistic fields.

The Arthur and Lila Weinberg Fellowship for Independent Researchers - This fellowship is for writers, journalists, filmmakers, visual and performing artists, and other humanists who wish to use the Newberry’s collection to further their creative work. Preference is given to individuals working on projects that focus on social justice or reform.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Applicants must be individuals working outside of traditional academic settings.

The Historical Fiction Writing Fellowship - Offering one month of support for a person working in the area of historical fiction. We encourage applications relating to a wide range of historical fiction including novels, short stories, plays and theatrical works, or poetry.

  • Stipend: $3,000/month

  • Length: 1 month

  • Who can apply: Writers of historical fiction.

newberry.org/research/fellowships/short-term-fellowships

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WHAT CAN WE DO?

Asian American Arts Alliance (A4)

DEADLINE: January 7, 2024

INFO: What Can We Do? (WCWD?), presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4), is a grant opportunity for artists looking to support the Asian and AAPI communities in NYC with engaging, creative projects rooted in care.

The lingering effects of the pandemics of COVID and anti-Asian and anti-Arab hate – including Islamophobia – continue to be felt today. In response, many mutual aid groups, direct service organizations, and community and business leaders have stepped in to take care of elders and other vulnerable Asian and AAPI community members across the city.

In addition, the ongoing genocide in Gaza has left Palestinian communities feeling unsafe and unsupported. AAPI artists, organizers, and care workers have come together to demand a ceasefire, raise awareness around the conflict in Gaza, and organize campaigns in support of Palestinian American artists and cultural workers who have been censored and banned from opportunities.

WCWD? gives artists a chance to find their place in the care ecosystem either by complementing existing services and offerings, or creating their own.

PROGRAM GOALS: For this program, a minimum of 15 NYC-based artists will be selected as project awardees by A4. Each artist will receive $1,500 to create and carry out ideas to engage, aid, and care for the Asian New Yorker community with a focus on Chinatown, Manhattan; Flushing, Queens; and/or social justice projects focused on the support of NYC-based Palestinian creators and their communities.

The project engagements must be completed within a four-month period (February 4–June 3, 2025).

Projects may take many forms such as performing music for seniors waiting in line at food pantries, leading workshops with youth to create ‘zines that reinforce positive aspects of AAPI culture, or organizing creative activities in support of the Palestinian community. While we prefer projects to be in-person activities, we understand that for safety reasons, projects might need to be virtual. You can review past projects here.

INFORMATION SESSION: An information session for those interested in applying will be held on Tuesday, November 19 from 12:00-1:00 pm ET via Zoom. You can RSVP for the information session here.

WHO SHOULD APPLY: Are you a NYC-based artist, community leader, or social justice organizer interested in exploring and/or developing a creative project with the aim to offer care for the Asian community in New York? Do you feel you want to do something about anti-Asian and anti-Arab hate and violence and its effects on the community, but don’t know how to get started? Your skills and talents can make a difference, and we want to hear from you.

What Can We Do? is seeking 15 participants with a range of artistic expression, social justice/social impact expertise, organizing frameworks, and lived experiences.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • A resident of New York City & primarily based in New York City during the program period

  • Must be at least 21 years of age

  • The project must benefit communities in Chinatown, Manhattan (District 1); Flushing, Queens (District 20); and/or social justice projects focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities.

  • All disciplines and stages of artistic exploration/developments, activism, community organizing, educational practice, and thought leadership are welcome; No prior organizing experience required

  • Demonstrate a willingness or an interest in community work and care for vulnerable populations

  • Create or develop an existing or new project that centers community building, healing, reflection, and joy, and not limited to being solely reactionary to moments of crisis or protest

  • Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate an intention to build an ongoing relationship and engagement with the community

  • Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received the award, but anyone can apply

  • The event(s) or project engagement(s) must take place within the four-month period between February 4–June 3, 2025

SELECTION CRITERIA:

After an eligibility screening, the A4 Team will be evaluating and selecting the awardees based on the following criteria:

  • Community Impact: Will your proposed project have an impact, and show support, and care to AAPI communities? If your project is focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities, how does it impact the groups most affected by the issue? Do you have existing relationships or a desire to build/deepen relationships with residents of the communities on a long-term basis? Do you have an understanding of issues facing AAPI communities?

  • Outreach Strategy: Do you have a clear plan to conduct outreach to community members? If you plan to work with a community organization, does your outreach strategy align with the scope and contents of your project? If your project is focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities, does your outreach strategy align with the goals and values of the movement and focus on local needs?

  • Project Development and Creativity: Does your project contain a clear display of innovation, imagination, and/or creativity? Will participation in the WCWD program help you realize or shape your project?

  • Ability to Commit and Viability: Is your project achievable given the proposed engagement dates and four-month timeline?

We strive for a balance of geography, populations served, and disciplines. These factors will also be taken into account when the applications are evaluated.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE + TIMELINE:

As part of the program, participants will:

  • Carry out their event(s) or project engagement(s) anytime between February 4–June 3, 2025, providing periodical progress updates to A4

  • Write and submit a simple, one-page report of their work including 2 photographs, the community they served, its impact, and any next steps

  • Present their final project in-person or virtually at the end of the program in a public share out

  • Receive an honorarium of $1,500 per awardee; please note that awardees will receive the first half of the honorarium ($750) upon signing the agreement and the second half of the honorarium ($750) upon completion of the final report

The program schedule is as follows:

  • November 12, 2024 – Application opens

  • November 19, 2024 – Pre-submission Information Session via Zoom (12-1pm ET)

  • January 7, 2025 – Deadline for all submissions (by 11:59 pm ET)

  • January 21, 2025 – Awardees selected and notified

  • February 4–June 3, 2025 – Awardees carry out their projects

  • June 5, 2025 – Final reports due

  • June 12, 2025 (Tentative) – Public Share Out

This program is presented by the Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) and is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Special thanks to Council Members Christopher Marte and Sandra Ung. Projects focused on the support of Palestinian creators and their communities are supported by the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice.

aaartsalliance.org/opportunities/what-can-we-do

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2025 Bechtel Prize 

Teachers & Writers Magazine

DEADLINE: January 10, 2025

INFO: Each year Teachers & Writers Magazine awards the Bechtel Prize and a $1,000 honorarium for an essay describing a creative writing teaching experience, project, or activity that demonstrates innovation in creative writing instruction. 

The Bechtel Prize is named for Louise Seaman Bechtel, who was an editor, author, collector of children’s books, and teacher. In 1919, Bechtel became the first person to lead a juvenile book department at an American publishing house. Bechtel helped establish the field of children’s literature and was a tireless advocate for the importance of literature in children’s lives. This award honors her legacy.

We are looking for essays that describe a project or activity that got students excited about writing and fostered a vibrant and dynamic culture of creative writing in the classroom. We welcome essays about projects that carved a space for students to reflect on current events and social justice. The experience/project/activity should be one that:

  • Helped students identify as writers.

  • Opened new pathways to creative writing.

  • Engaged students in all parts of the writing process.

  • Promoted connections between reading and writing.

  • Supported the publication of student writing.

The essay itself should:

  • Share actual classroom experience, including how students engaged with the project (in other words, this should not be a planned project but one that has already taken place).

  • Focus on the classroom experience and what makes it innovative.

  • Focus on teaching creative writing (eg. poetry, fiction, memoir, playwriting).

  • Please do not send essays that have to do with teaching academic writing or teaching literature in general.


PRIZE: The essay selected to receive the Bechtel Prize will be published in Teachers & Writers Magazine, and the author will receive a $1,000 award.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Essays must be previously unpublished and under 2,500 words. They should include a cover page with the essay title, author’s name, e-mail address, phone number, and a brief bio (no more than 150 words).

  • Send submissions in Word or PDF format via Submittable.

  • Submissions will be judged anonymously. The author’s name and address must not appear anywhere on the essay.

  • Authors of the Bechtel Prize-winning essay and finalists must permit T&W to publish their essays in Teachers & Writers Magazine. T&W reserves the right to edit essays for publication.

  • Submissions are only accepted through Submittable.com. Please do not email submissions.

  • All submissions that conform to the above guidelines will be considered for general publication. Submissions that do not conform to the above guidelines will not be reviewed for the Bechtel Prize.

Selection criteria for the Bechtel Prize include the submission’s relevance and appropriateness for readers of Teachers & Writers Magazine, most of whom teach writing at the elementary, secondary, or postsecondary level. Teachers & Writers Magazine publishes work that is concise, lively, and geared toward a general audience. Prospective entrants for the Bechtel Prize are encouraged to visit the magazine to become familiar with the work of Teachers & Writers and to read past winners of the award. 

Questions regarding these guidelines may be sent to editors@twc.org. Please do not send submissions by email. 

teachersandwritersmagazine.org/bechtel-prize/

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2025 Early Career Artist Residency - For MN + NY artists

Anderson Center at Tower View

DEADLINE: January 14, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency Program offers month-long residency-fellowships at Tower View to a cohort of emerging artists from Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City for concentrated, uninterrupted creative time to advance their personal artistic goals and projects.

Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency is an ideal fit for early-career artists in need of focused time and dedicated space in an inspiring residency work environment that empowers them take risks, embrace challenges, and utilize unconventional approaches to problem-solving.

Thanks to generous support from the Jerome Foundation, selected emerging artists receive a $625/week artist stipend, documentation support, art-making resources, lodging & studio space, a travel honorarium, groceries, and chef-prepared communal dinners.

Anderson Center is an artist community founded in 1995 on the Tower View estate, a venerable research-and-development lab for the arts rooted in an expansive natural setting in rural Red Wing, MN (approximately 1-hour outside the Twin Cities metro).

The Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency is geared toward generative art making, as well as exchange across an interdisciplinary cohort. The program is well suited for vocational early-career artists in pursuit of time, space, and resources to truly commit to a project and explore new creative territories. Critiques, studio visits, and formal professional development are not offered.

The Anderson Center seeks to support emerging writers and artists with an uncompromising drive to create new work at Tower View in September 2025 that demonstrates significant potential for cultural and community impact, is technically accomplished, and engages diverse communities. The organization also believes that the environment and resources of Tower View, along with an exchange of ideas between artists working across disciplines, can serve as a catalyst for new inspiration and innovative directions for the work emerging artists create while in residence.

TO APPLY:

The application deadline for the Anderson Center's 2024 Early Career Artist Residency Program is Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 12 p.m. Noon, Central Standard Time. Applications must be submitted on or before the deadline in order to be considered in the jury review period. There is no fee for applying to this residency program.

Jury review will take place in late January and early February. Applicants will be notified by Feb. 7 as to the status of their application. A phone interview process with finalists will take place in late February following a second round of jury review. Selected artist residents, wait-list and runners-up will be notified by March 4, 2024.

ABOUT ANDERSON CENTER: Anderson Center nurtures a vibrant artist community based at Tower View, an expansive Historic Site and natural area in Red Wing, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Anderson Center has renovated and restored Tower View's historic buildings to support working artists and the creative process, including developing twenty-two active studio spaces and three galleries. A renovated barn serves as a performance and event venue, the historic main residence houses artists-in-residence, and fifteen acres support a sculpture garden. 

Anderson's signature Artist Residency Program, together with the Studio Artist Program, forms the core of the organization's artistic community. The Residency Program provides artists, writers, musicians, and performers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment with dedicated time and space to create, advance, or complete new work. In addition to community engagement activities through the artist residency program, the organization's additional outreach programs create connections and integrate the arts into community life through local partnerships, hosting annual arts events, and participating in other community-based initiatives.

ABOUT JEROME FOUNDATION: The Jerome Foundation, founded in 1964 by artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill (1905-1972), honors his legacy through multi-year grants to support the creation, development, and presentation of new works by early career artists. The Foundation makes grants to vocational early career artists, and those nonprofit arts organizations that serve them, in all disciplines in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. The Jerome Foundation is generously providing support for the Anderson Center’s Emerging Artist Residency Program.

LOCATION: Anderson Center is located on the 350-acre historic Tower View campus, built by scientist & farmer Dr. Alexander Pierce Anderson between 1915 and 1921, on the western edge of Red Wing, Minnesota, and its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center features a large sculpture garden, and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Trail, a 20-mile biking and walking trail that runs from Cannon Falls to Red Wing. The Center is 45-60 minutes southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Transportation is provided between the Center and the Twin Cities airport on the first and last day of residencies only. Artist Residents that choose to drive will have access to private parking on the property.

The community of Red Wing, Minn., (pop. 16,000) is nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River.

DEFINITION OF “EARLY CAREER”: While Anderson Center’s general Artist Residency Program hosts artists with a wide range of talent and experience, its Early Career Artist Residency Program exclusively focuses on meeting the specific needs of artists who are in the early stages of their artistic development and career.

Anderson Center’s goal is to support artists early in their careers who create work that is and/or has the potential to be:

  • Compelling—offering distinctive vision and authentic voice;

  • Deeply considered, imaginative, and executed with attention to craft and with technical proficiency, providing artistic experiences that communicate unique perspective/s, and invite viewers to question, discover, explore new ideas in new ways;

  • Innovative and risk-taking—engaging, questioning, challenging or re-imagining conventional artistic forms.

Anderson Center defines an early career artist as someone in the early stages of their creative development with 2-10 years of generative experience, and:

  • have a focused direction and goals, even while still developing their artistic “voice”

  • have yet to be substantially celebrated within their field, the media, funding circles or the public at large

  • are vocational (as opposed to avocational, academic, amateur or educational) artists

Artists who have been in the field for longer than 10 years (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a dancer in work created by others; remounting the work of other choreographers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized. Age is not a factor in determining emerging artist status.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

The four primary eligibility guidelines for Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency are:

  1. Legal residency in the State of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City.

  2. Not enrolled in any degree-granting program from time of application through residency period.

  3. Self-identification as an “early career artist” with 2-10 years of generative experience in the field

  4. An artistic practice centered in generating and creating entirely new work.

Minnesota or New York City artists - Artists must currently be legal residents of Minnesota or one of the five boroughs of New York City and have been residents for at least one year prior to the submission of an application. Artist did (or will) file US federal taxes as a resident of Minnesota or New York City. Account address in Submittable must be within MN or NYC. Selected artists will be required to provide proof of Minnesota or New York City residency before a residency is formally offered. Artists must have a US Social Security Number or US Tax ID.

No students - Students enrolled in any degree-granting program from the time of application through the residency period are not eligible to apply for an Early Career Artist Residency at the Anderson Center (this includes any and all K-12, technical school, college, graduate, postgraduate, ABD studies). There are no exceptions to this eligibility criterion. If an artist is pursuing a degree-granting program in some form, they are not eligible. Please do not contact Anderson Center staff regarding technical situations or special edge cases around student status. This program supports vocational artists, not students. No matter the specifics or details, if an artist can be considered a student of a degree-granting program in any way, they are simply not eligible.

“Early Career Artist” Status – Eligible artists self-identify as an “early career artist” and are in the early stages of their creative development with 2-10 years of generative experience. The Anderson Center’s goal is to serve a spectrum of artists typically in their 2nd to 10th year of creative practice, post-student status (if applicable). This spectrum is framed by artists with some track record of creating and presenting full work (not beginning artists), and artists who are NOT at a point in their careers where they receive consistent development and production opportunities and significant recognition, awards, and acclaim (not mid-career or established artists).

Artists who have been in the field for longer than 10 years (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a dancer in work created by others; remounting the work of other choreographers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized.

Age is not a determining factor. Career stage is assessed by the cumulative number of years an artist has been generating their own work. Mid-career or established artists shifting from one artistic discipline to another will not be considered early career. For example, a composer with a substantial career in music who is now moving into film will not be considered early career.

Anderson Center has defined the 2–10 year span recognizing that some artists may experience enormous success and move past early career status well before their 5th year or 10th year. The organization recognizes that the number of opportunities afforded to artists may differ significantly based on discipline, race/ethnicity, class, gender, physical ability, and geography among other factors. Consequently, some artists may be past their 10th year and still be on the spectrum of early career status due to taking time out of active artistic practice for school or other circumstances. The Anderson Center understands that the lack of an absolute or rigid definition leaves room for interpretation but embraces this flexibility out of our value around diversity and in recognition of the many variables that impact artists’ careers.

New Work – Eligible artists are generating and creating entirely new work (rather than interpreting, translating, arranging, copying, remounting pre-existing work or the work of others). Generative artists are those who conceive and create new original work (e.g., choreographers, composers, playwrights and devisers, filmmakers, writers, visual artists, etc.). This program does not support artists who solely perform or develop/produce the work of others (e.g., dancers, musicians, actors, editors, journalists, etc.).

Collaboratives - Artists that are part of an artistic collective, partnership, or collaborative are welcome to apply, but collaborative residencies are also rare. The program is extremely competitive, and space is simply limited. Each artist must also complete their own application form. Obviously, each application will repeat things and have much overlap. That is OK. In the work plan for in each application, highlight that artist's contribution / skills, while making clear the collaborative nature of the project.

Notes - Artists of all disciplines are eligible and are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted through the Anderson Center’s online webform via Submittable.

Please direct any questions regarding early career artist status and eligibility requirements directly to Anderson Center at Tower View staff at 651-388-2009 or info@andersoncenter.org.

APPLICATION: A completed application form includes a brief artist statement, a work plan, an early career statement, work samples, and a resume or CV. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the panel. You may begin your application, leave and return as many times as necessary to complete the form PRIOR to clicking the submit button at the bottom of the completed form. Important: do not submit your application form until you are completely finished editing as your application will be finalized at that time.

If you are a prior resident of the Anderson Center, you must wait one year from the time of your residency to apply again.

The Artist Statement, provides an opportunity for you to share, in 100 words or less, a brief statement or summary about your past and current work.

The Resume, CV, or Biographical Statement is a Word or PDF document that shows education, work experience, publications, awards, and previous residency experience. 3 pages maximum.

The Work Plan is a one page Word or PDF document that clearly and concisely describes what you are working on and what you’d like to accomplish at the Anderson Center. Successful applicants address how the timing, location, and cohort-based model of the residency would benefit their practice. Artists may also mention how specific amenities or resources at the Anderson Center (such as the surrounding natural environment, specific studio spaces or equipment) would advance their work. The statement can be single-spaced.

An Early Career Statement addresses, in 250 words or less, your status as an emerging artist or early-career artist. How would participating in this program impact or advance your practice as an early career artist? In what ways would this program meet your needs as an early career artist? Why is this residency important to this stage of your career path? How do you identify as an early career artist? 

Work Samples should be of recent work and should include:
     · For composers and musicians: 3 recordings
     · For visual artists: At least 5 images of work (300 dpi or larger)
     · For nonfiction and fiction writers: 10 pages of double-spaced prose
     · For playwrights & screenwriters: 10-page excerpt (does not need to be from the beginning)
     · For poets: 10 pages of poetry
     · For translators: 10 pages of translation and original text
     · For performance artists: 3 short video excerpts of performances (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
     · For filmmakers: at least 3 short film clips (no videos longer than 5 minutes)
     · For Scholars: 10 pages of work, including research abstracts and relevant diagrams

If you are an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary artist, you may "split the difference" on the work sample guidelines above at your own discretion. For example, including 5 pages of writing and 3 images, etc. 

Likewise you may also choose to simply submit a PDF or Word Doc with hyperlinks to work samples that meet the guidelines outlined above.

Regarding work samples, please put yourself in the shoes of a jury panel member. Make it easy for them to review your best work first. Yes, give the jury various ways to go deeper or experience more if they are motivated but focus first on presenting only your strongest work samples in the most compelling way possible. Please contact staff if you have questions about work samples, but reflecting on the jury and the many applications they have to review & score can serve as a helpful guide in deciding what to include, how much to share, how long it can be, and how to present it.

DURATION OF RESIDENCY: The Anderson Center’s Early Career Artist Residency Program is a 4-week residency-fellowship the month of September 2025. Selected artists must commit to arriving on September 2 and departing on September 29. September is the only month the program takes place.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Each artist-in-residence receives:

  • $625/week artist stipend

  • Travel honorarium ($550 for New Yorkers and $150 for Minnesotans)

  • $450 documentation budget (services for photography, video, audio, etc.)

Evening dinners are prepared and presented by the Anderson Center chef Monday through Friday. The chef also shops for meal items for artist residents, and residents are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, and meals over the weekends. There are also housekeepers who clean and maintain the historic facilities.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each resident is provided room, board, and workspace for the length of the residency period in the historic Tower View residence. Visual artists are provided a 15' x 26' studio and are responsible for supplying their own materials.  Other workspaces on site include a dark room, and a print studio (with a Vandercook 219 letterpress and a Charles Brand-like etching press) for printmakers with demonstrated experience. Practice space is also available for dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Composers are provided with access to a 1904 Steinway piano and a Royale grand piano.

Residents have access to the many walking trails on campus and to the Cannon Valley Trail, which goes through the Anderson Center’s property. Bicycles are also provided. Residents have responded to many different aspects of the gorgeous Tower View campus through their work, including composers sampling natural sounds and visual artists harvesting plant materials to create site-specific natural inks.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The program is set-up to minimize distractions and other obligations so that artists have every opportunity to fully focus on their work. However, the Anderson Center was one of the first artist residency programs in the country to require that residents give back to the local community and connect with area residents & organizations through community engagement activities.

Staff work with artists to facilitate and customize at least one hour of mutually beneficial exchange with the Red Wing community that helps foster connection and greater a sense of place.

Within the last few years, Anderson Center residents have connected with schools in five area communities (ranging from elementary through college), senior centers, correctional or detention facilities, community organizations serving children and families, and community organizations serving adults. Residents have also engaged individuals from all walks of life through public workshops, events, discussions, and artful interventions -- both at the Anderson Center or in the community of Red Wing.

PROGRAM MISSION & VALUES: As an interdisciplinary arts organization, the Anderson Center embraces artists who are diverse in every way. Since its inception, the organization has intentionally worked with artists representing a wide range of disciplines, with the belief that the exchange of ideas is generative. The residency program supports artists from around the world, representing a wide range of cultures, races, sexual identities and genders. The Center strives to bring people and ideas together and operates with a spirit of welcome for all.

SELECTION TIMELINE:

  • January 14, 2025 (12:00 p.m. Noon CST) – application deadline

  • February 7, 2025 – Jury has selected Round 2 applications. All artists are notified of the status of their application.

  • February 25, 2025 – Jury has determined finalists. Phone interviews with finalists begin.  

  • March 4, 2025 – Final notification to selected artists, wait-list and runners-up

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection criteria include (in order of importance):

  1. Artistic excellence as demonstrated by work samples, resume and artist statement

  2. Potential benefit and impact on career as demonstrated by work plan

  3. Balance of artistic disciplines, identity, geography, etc within selected cohort

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Anderson Center provides equal opportunity for all people to participate in and benefit from the activities of the Center, regardless of race, national origin, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, in admission, access, or employment. The Anderson Center staff is willing to do what they can to accommodate residents with disabilities. Please call before applying to discuss special needs.

theandersoncenter.submittable.com/submit

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2025 Anderson center residency

Anderson Center at Tower View

DEADLINE: January 14, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: Anderson Center nurtures a vibrant artist community based at Tower View, an expansive Historic Site and natural area in Red Wing, Minnesota. Founded in 1995, the Anderson Center has renovated and restored Tower View's historic buildings to support working artists and the creative process, including developing twenty-two active studio spaces and three galleries. A renovated barn serves as a performance and event venue, the historic main residence houses artists-in-residence, and fifteen acres support a sculpture garden.

Anderson's signature Artist Residency Program, together with the Studio Artist Program, forms the core of the organization's artistic community. The Residency Program provides artists, writers, musicians, and performers of exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishment with dedicated time and space to create, advance, or complete new work. In addition to community engagement activities through the artist residency program, the organization's additional outreach programs create connections and integrate the arts into community life through local partnerships, hosting annual arts events, and participating in other community-based initiatives.

ELIGIBILITY: The Anderson Residency Program is open to early career, mid-career, and established visual artists, writers, composers, choreographers, multidisciplinary artists, musicians, performance artists, scholars, and translators from across the globe. The program is interdisciplinary and the organization welcomes applications from a wide range of creative and intellectual genres, including those that don't fit neatly into the above list.

To be considered, artists must submit an application through the Anderson Center’s online form via Submittable. Complete program details are below. Please contact the organization at 651-388-2009 or info@andersoncenter.org for any questions.

DURATION OF RESIDENCY: For the 2025 season, the Anderson Center is offering 2- or 4-week residency sessions during the months of August and October. Preference is generally given to 4-week residencies. That said, 2-weeks sessions are possible. There is a 48-hour turnover between residency sessions, no matter their duration, to allow time for housekeeping. Specific start and end dates are listed in the application form. Please plan your requested residency dates carefully. Provide as much detail as possible regarding your availability, as that information is incredibly helpful in assembling cohorts and organizing the waitlist.

September 2024 residencies are reserved for the organization’s Early Career Artist Residency.

2025 SCHEDULING & AVAILABILITY:

Each season the Anderson Center hosts a limited number of artists through its various exchanges, fellowships, and dedicated programs that reduce the number of spots available for artists submitting materials for this General Residency program opportunity. In 2025 exterior renovations to the residence limit the residency options to the months of August and October.

Availability as of September 2024:

  • August 2025 - Four 4-week spots (or eight 2-week spots); space for 4-6 artists depending on duration. 

  • October 2025 - Three 4-week spots (or 6 2-week spots); space for 3 – 5 artists depending on duration.

In general, for months that incorporate 2-week sessions, no fewer than four artists–and no more than six artists would be scheduled for 2-week residencies within that month.

Due to the competitiveness of the program, the organization's goal is to be upfront and transparent about the availability for the General Residency program in 2025 in an effort to help you make a decision about whether this year is the best time to submit an application. Again, please contact us if you have any questions or need further clarification here.

LOCATIONThe Anderson Center is located on the 350-acre historic Tower View campus, built by scientist & farmer Dr. Alexander Pierce Anderson between 1915 and 1921, on the western edge of Red Wing, Minnesota, and its buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Center features a large sculpture garden, and is adjacent to the Cannon Valley Trail, a 20-mile biking and walking trail that runs from Cannon Falls to Red Wing.

The Center is 45- 60 minutes southeast of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Transportation is provided between the Center and the Twin Cities airport on the first and last day of residencies only. Artist Residents that choose to drive will have access to private parking on the property. The community of Red Wing, Minn., (pop. 16,000) is nestled amidst the scenic bluffs of the upper Mississippi River.

APPLICATION: A completed application form includes a brief artist statement, a work plan, work samples, and a resume or CV. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed by the panel. You may begin your application, leave and return as many times as necessary to complete the form PRIOR to clicking the submit button at the bottom of the completed form. Important: do not submit your application form until you are completely finished editing as your application will be finalized at that time. If you are a prior resident of the Anderson Center, you must wait one year from the time of your residency to apply again.

The Artist Statement, provides an opportunity for you to share, in 100 words or less, a brief statement or summary about your past and current work.

The Resume, CV, or Biographical Statement is a Word or PDF document that shows education, work experience, publications, awards, and previous residency experience. 3 pages maximum.

The Work Plan is a one-page Word or PDF document that clearly and concisely describes what you are working on and what you’d like to accomplish at the Anderson Center. Successful applicants address how the timing, location, and cohort-based model of the residency would benefit their practice. Artists may also mention how specific amenities or resources at the Anderson Center (such as the surrounding natural environment, specific studio spaces or equipment) would advance their work. The statement can be single-spaced.

Work Samples should be of recent work and should include:

  • For composers and musicians: 3 to 5 recordings

  • For visual artists: At least 5 images of work (300 dpi or larger)

  • For nonfiction and fiction writers: 10 pages of double-spaced prose

  • For playwrights & screenwriters: 10-page excerpt (does not need to be from the beginning)

  • For poets: 10 pages of poetry

  • For translators: 10 pages of translation and original text

  • For performance artists: 3 short video excerpts of performances (no videos longer than 5 minutes)

  • For filmmakers: at least 3 short film clips (no videos longer than 5 minutes)

  • For Scholars: 10 pages of work, including research abstracts and relevant diagrams

If you are an interdisciplinary or multi-disciplinary artist, you may "split the difference" on the work sample guidelines above at your own discretion. For example, including 5 pages of writing and 3 images, etc. 

Likewise you may also choose to simply submit a PDF or Word Doc with hyperlinks to work samples that meet the guidelines outlined above.

Regarding work samples, please put yourself in the shoes of a jury panel member. Make it easy for them to review your best work first. Yes, give the jury various ways to go deeper or experience more if they are motivated but focus first on presenting only your strongest work samples in the most compelling way possible. Please contact staff if you have questions about work samples, but reflecting on the jury and the many applications they have to review & score can serve as a helpful guide in deciding what to include, how much to share, how long it can be, and how to present it.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each resident is provided room, board, and workspace for the length of the residency period in the historic Tower View residence. Visual artists will be provided a 15' x 26' studio and are responsible for supplying their own materials. Other workspaces on-site include a dark room and a print studio for professional printmakers (with a Vandercook 219 letterpress and a Charles Brand-like etching press). Practice space is also available for dancers, choreographers, and musicians. Composers are provided with access to a 1906 Steinway piano and a Royale grand piano.

Dinners are prepared and presented by the Anderson Center chef Monday through Friday. This chef also shops for groceries for artists-in-residence. Residents are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and lunches, and meals over the weekends. There are also housekeepers who clean and maintain the historic facilities.

Residents have access to the many walking trails on campus and to the Cannon Valley Trail, which goes through the Anderson Center’s property. Bicycles are also provided. There is a very basic home gym in the residence. Residents have responded to many different aspects of the gorgeous Tower View campus through their work, including composers sampling natural sounds and visual artists harvesting plant materials to create site-specific natural inks.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: The program is set-up to minimize distractions and other obligations so that artists have every opportunity to fully focus on their work. However, the Anderson Center was one of the first artist residency programs in the country to require that residents give back to the local community and connect with area residents & organizations through community engagement activities.

Staff work with artists to facilitate and customize at least one hour of mutually beneficial exchange with the Red Wing community that helps foster connection and greater a sense of place.

Within the last few years, Anderson Center residents have connected with schools in five area communities (ranging from elementary through college), senior centers, correctional or detention facilities, community organizations serving children and families, and community organizations serving adults. Residents have also engaged individuals from all walks of life through public workshops, events, discussions, and artful interventions -- both at the Anderson Center or in the community of Red Wing.

PROGRAM MISSION & VALUES:

"This stay is particularly suitable for artists who want to devote themselves intensively to the realization of a concept. Here you can devote yourself to artistic work undisturbed and far away from everyday worries." - Eva Möseneder, 2012 resident

Anderson Center’s goal is for connections participating artists make with one another, as well as connections made with other creatives and community members, to outlast the duration of their residency visit. The organization believes that the environment and resources of Tower View, along with an exchange of ideas across disciplines, can serve as a catalyst for new inspiration and innovative directions for the work artists create while in residence.

As an interdisciplinary arts organization, the Anderson Center embraces artists who are diverse in every way. Since its inception, the organization has intentionally worked with artists representing a wide range of disciplines, with the belief that the exchange of ideas is generative. The residency program supports artists from around the world, representing a wide range of cultures, races, sexual identities and genders. The Center strives to bring people and ideas together and operates with a spirit of welcome for all.

SELECTION TIMELINE:

  • January 14, 2025 (12:00 p.m. Noon CST) – application deadline

  • February 7, 2025 – Jury has selected Round 2 applications. All artists are notified of the status of their status.

  • March 5, 2025 – Final notification to selected artists, wait-list and runners-up

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Selection criteria include (in order of importance):

  1. Artistic excellence as demonstrated by work samples, resume and artist statement

  2. Potential benefit and impact on career as demonstrated by work plan

  3. Balance of artistic disciplines, identity, geography, etc within selected cohort

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: The Anderson Center provides equal opportunity for all people to participate in and benefit from the activities of the Center, regardless of race, national origin, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, in admission, access, or employment. The Anderson Center staff is willing to do what they can to accommodate residents with disabilities. Please call before applying to discuss special needs.

theandersoncenter.submittable.com/submit

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Cai Emmons Fiction Award

Red Hen Press

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025

ENTRY FEE: $25

INFO: To honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through Red Hen Press (Weather Woman, Sinking Islands, and Livid) and who passed away with dignity on January 2, 2023 after a hard-fought battle with ALS, Red Hen Press is proud to announce the Cai Emmons Fiction Award.

We are so grateful to Cai and her family for choosing to endow this award to keep Cai’s spirit and love of life-changing fiction alive.

We are looking for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded fiction manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors.

AWARD DETAILS:

  • $5000

  • Book publication by Red Hen Press

  • Judge: E.P. Tuazon

Notes: Name on cover sheet only, with a 25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font). Entries will be accepted via Submittable only.

GUIDELINES:

The award is open to all writers with the following exceptions:

  • Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press;

  • Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press;

  • Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors;

  • Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety.

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material.

Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of recusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

For questions or to withdraw a submitted entry, please contact editorial@redhen.org.

redhen.org/awards/cai-emmons-fiction-award/

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Regular Reading period

Ploughshares

DEADLINE: January 15, 2025 at noon EST

INFO: Ploughshares welcomes unsolicited submissions of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction during our regular reading period. The literary journal is published four times a year: blended poetry and prose issues in the Winter and Spring, a prose issue in the Summer, and a special longform prose issue in the Fall. Our Spring and Summer issues are guest-edited by different writers of prominence.

Guest editors are invited to solicit up to half of their issues, with the other half selected from manuscripts submitted to the journal and screened for them by staff editors. This guest-editor policy, which we have used since our founding in 1971, is designed to introduce readers to different literary circles and tastes, and to offer a fuller representation of the range and diversity of contemporary letters than would be possible with a single editorship.

MANUSCRIPT GUIDELINES:

We accept up to 6,500 words of prose, and 1-5 pages of poetry. 

If you are submitting to our Fall Longform issue, we accept up to 15,000 words. Please note that past Longform issue contributors may not be published again in a future Longform issue. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained, and translations are welcome if permission has been granted by the original author. 

Queries to the Look2 Critical Essay series are welcome (see guidelines here).

It would be much appreciated if you kept the following in mind when submitting your work:

  • Typed, double-spaced pages. (Single-spacing is welcome for poetry).

  • Numbered pages.

  • If in hard copy, submit with text on one side of the page.

We do not consider:

  • Unsolicited book reviews and criticism.

  • Previously published work. If your submission is part of a forthcoming book, let us know in your cover letter and the expected publication date.

  • Work written by individuals currently affiliated with Ploughshares or Emerson College as a volunteer screener, intern, student, staff member, or faculty member.

We cannot accommodate revisions, changes of return address, or forgotten SASEs. We cannot be responsible for delay, loss, or damage.

COVER LETTERS:

We encourage you to include a short cover letter with your submission. It should reference:

  • Major publications and awards.

  • Any association or past correspondence with a guest or staff editor.

  • Past publication in Ploughshares.

CONTRIBUTOR HONORARIUM:

Payment is upon publication:

  • $45/printed page, $90 minimum per title, $450 maximum per author.

  • Two contributor copies of the issue.

  • A discounted rate for additional contributor copies.

  • A one-year subscription.

SIMULTANEOUS VS. MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS:

We do not consider multiple submissions, so please send only one manuscript at a time, either by mail or online. Do not send a second submission until you have heard about the first. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere. 

If you are working on submissions with an agent, or are an agent submitting work on behalf of an author, please read our note on simultaneous submissions with an agent.

SUBMIT ONLINE:

Submit via our online submission manager

If this is your first time submitting, please fill out the submission form first, then click “Add to Cart.” You will then be prompted to create an account on our website.

  • There is a $3.75 service fee for online submissions (current subscribers may submit online without charge). This is not a reading fee.

  • Upload your submission as a Word (.doc, .docx), rich-text format (.rtf) file, or PDF. No .Pages, .txt, or Open Office Documents.

  • Upload only one file containing one prose piece or one to five pages of poems.

  • Type or paste your cover letter into the provided “Cover Letter” field.

  • From the drop-down genre menu, be sure to select the appropriate genre of the work you are submitting. Please select “Longform” for longform submissions, regardless of genre.

FREE ONLINE SUBMISSIONS:

Subscribe to Ploughshares and submit online for free. You may subscribe here. If you are a current subscriber, you will still be prompted to checkout, but you will not be required to enter your credit card information and will not be charged.

SUBMIT BY MAIL;

We greatly prefer digital submissions, but you may mail submissions to:

Ploughshares
Emerson College
120 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02116-4624

  • Mail your manuscript in a page-size manila envelope with your full name and address written on the outside (at least an inch down from the top, to account for USPS barcodes).

  • Identify the genre of your manuscript on the outside of the envelope.

  • You must include your email address in your cover letter.  All manuscript replies will be sent via email, and we cannot process a mailed submission without a corresponding email address.

  • If you are an incarcerated writer and do not have access to an email address, please provide the email address of a trusted individual or indicate in your cover letter that you do not have access to email. 

  • If you would like your full manuscript to be returned, indicate this in your cover letter and ensure that you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with adequate postage.

  • We cannot return manuscripts to international addresses, even with IRCs.

  • There is no service charge for mail submissions.

Unsolicited work sent directly to a guest editor’s home or office will be ignored and discarded; guest editors are formally instructed not to read such work.

ACCESSING YOUR SUBMISSIONS:

You can view the status of your current submission as well as a list of your past submissions at any time by logging in to your account and clicking “My Submissions.”

NOTIFICATIONS + QUERIES:

Expect three to five months for a decision (our backlog is heaviest during the fall and spring). We receive well over a thousand manuscripts a month, so please be patient. We accept queries after five months have passed. Queries as well as withdrawal notifications should be sent via email or the mail. They should include:

  • Your name.

  • The date, genre, and title of the submission.

  • Whether the submission was sent by mail or online.

  • A SASE, if you send your query via mail.

pshares.org/submit/journal/

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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TRANSLATION COLUMN

The Margins / AAWW

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins seeks work from writers for an ongoing monthly column on language, culture, and translation from Asia. We consider Asia as an umbrella term that encompasses all of its regions (South, Southeast, East, Central, and North Asia, and SWANA) and the many diaspora communities of Asians all over the world.

We welcome essays, hybrid works, translations, and translator’s notes that engage with Asia’s literature, cultures, subcultures, languages, and diasporas. We are also interested in works that grapple with the concept of the Transpacific, colonialism, history, and empire, especially as they relate to language and translation.

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

Examples of work we’re interested in:

  • Translator’s notes: Essays on the philosophy, craft, and art of translation

  • Translator’s diaries: Writings about the experience and choices for a particular book in translation

  • Essays and translations of essays on languages and multilingualism

  • Essays on power and empire as they relate to translation

  • New translations/re-translations of essays by important Asian scholars, thinkers, philosophers, and revolutionaries

  • Reportage on the writing, reading, publishing, and translation culture of a particular place

  • Photo essays about bookstores and literary salons in Asia or that feature Asian literature

  • Interviews with independent publishers, writers, artists, and thinkers in Asia or the Asian diaspora

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Send pitches of up to 500 words or finished pieces from 1,000-2,500 words to Soleil David, senior editor, at translation@aaww.org. For translations into English, translator must have already obtained permission from the copyright owner.

We read submissions year round and in all languages spoken and read in Asia. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know via email if your pitch/essay has been accepted elsewhere. Writers can expect a reply within three to four months.

aaww.org/submissions-translation-column/

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CALL FOR AUTHORS

Vanderbilt University Press

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: Vanderbilt University Press acquires books in the areas of Latin American and Hispanic studies; global and public health; human rights and civil rights; anthropology; history and postwar studies; and studies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We also publish books with a regional focus on Tennessee and the South, including, for example, books on Nashville and country music.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Initial inquiries about potential book projects should be queried to the acquisitions department via email. We do not accept full manuscripts until requested. First, ensure that VUP publishes in the disciplinary area that your project represents.

If that is the case, please send a cover letter and book proposal that includes the following:

  • A short book abstract

  • A brief but detailed statement outlining the manuscript’s arguments, themes, and significance to the field

  • A table of contents that clearly summarizes the content and structure of each chapter

  • Assessment of the work’s fit with existing literature, comparison with published books on the topic, and discussion of the intended audiences and market for the book

  • Statement of the anticipated word count of the manuscript; plans for tables, figures, or other illustrations; and schedule for completion

  • Sample chapter (optional)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • If your manuscript is based on a dissertation, please discuss how the material and research has been developed, reframed, or otherwise revised. VUP does not publish unrevised dissertations.

  • If your manuscript is an edited collection, please include information about each of the contributors and note if any of the chapters are previously published.

  • If your manuscript is a translation, please describe why the author’s work warrants translation into English, as well as any and all information on rights to the work and the book’s history in its native language.

Keep a file or a copy of your proposal materials. We do not return proposals. Please do not call the Press to inquire about the status of your proposal or manuscript. We review all material received, and you will be contacted when a decision has been made. We aim to communicate whether a proposed project is being pursued further no more than eight weeks after the receipt of the proposal.

For more information about specific series initiatives, visit our Series page.

vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/resources/submission-guidelines-for-prospective-authors/

FICTION / NONFICTION — NOVEMBER 2024

fall 2024 submissions

One Story

SUBMISSION OPEN: November 1, 2024 (and close when they reach their submissions cap)

INFO: One Story is seeking literary fiction. Because of our format, we can only accept stories between 3,000 and 8,000 words. They can be any style and on any subject as long as they are good. We are looking for stories that leave readers feeling satisfied and are strong enough to stand alone.

FAQs:

Does One Story pay?
Yes. One Story pays $500 and 25 contributors copies for First Serial North American rights. All rights will revert to the author following publication.

Does One Story accept previously published material?
No. One Story is looking for previously unpublished material. However, if a story has been published in printoutside of North America, it will be considered. Stories previously published online—on blogs, personal websites, online literary magazines, or other forums—will not be considered.

Does One Story accept simultaneous submissions?
Yes, but please withdraw your submission immediately if your submission is accepted for publication elsewhere.

What file types can I submit?
We accept PDF, RTF, DOC, and DOCX files. Please include the story title and all writer contact info on the first page of the submitted file.

Will you send me comments on my story?
No. One Story receives over 5000 submissions a year. Unfortunately,  we do not have time to comment on individual stories.


Can I change the story I submitted with an updated draft?
We strongly prefer that you only send us final drafts, but if you must upload a new version, please withdraw your submission through Submittable and resubmit.

Can I send a revision of a story that was previously rejected?
No. Please send us new work. Revisions of previously rejected stories will not be considered and will be automatically declined.

Do you consider translations?
Yes. Please include the name of the original author and language, as well as the name of the translator on the first page of your submission.

How soon can I expect to hear about my submission?
We do our very best to respond to submissions within 3 months after they are received. If you don’t hear back from us within that time, please be patient! It is our goal to make sure that each submission gets a good read.

Can I submit the same story to One Story and One Teen Story?
No. One Story and One Teen Story are looking for different kinds of stories. For more information on submitting to One Teen Story, go here.

one-story.submittable.com/submit

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CALLS FOR SUBMISSION: DEBUT FICTION

Aster(ix)

DEADLINE: November 6, 2024 at 11:59pm PST

INFO: At Aster(ix), we are proud to be a writers’ first publication, especially for those from marginalized identities whose work may have not found a home by mainstream outlets. Our upcoming issue will focus on debut fiction.

We’re honored and excited that Cleyvis Natera, best-selling author of Neruda on The Park (Ballantine Books, 2023), will be the guest editor for our SPRING 2025 ISSUE: DEBUT FICTION. Cleyvis is wonderful writer, editor, and teacher. She also deeply understands the journey of the debut author — Aster(ix) actually published a a chapter excerpt from Neruda on the Park in 2019! This is your opportunity to return to your stories and novels and consider sharing your work with us!

What we’re looking for in THE DEBUT FICTION ISSUE:

  • 1) short stories by writers who have not yet published any fiction in a literary journal.

  • 2) self-contained novel chapters of an unpublished debut novel (excerpts of forthcoming debut novels under contract will be considered). Writers who have published short stories but have not yet published a novel excerpt are also eligible to submit.

  • For both categories, we favor submissions under 6000 words.

  • Please send only one submission per author for this call (i.e. a short story or a standalone novel chapter). If multiple submissions are sent, none will be reviewed. Focus on one piece and send us your best draft!

  • Please note that Aster(ix) is a transnational feminist literary arts journal committed to social justice and translation, placing people of color at the center of the conversation. We’re looking for the intimate, the honest, and the beautiful. Explore previously published fiction here.

For this special issue, we are pleased to share that we can pay $100-250 per piece based on length. We only accept submissions via Submittable.

asterixjournal.com/fall2024call/

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call for submissions: Recommended Reading

Electric Lit

DEADLINE: November 10, 2024 at 11:59pm PST

INFO: Recommended Reading publishes fiction between 2,000 and 10,000 words. (For fiction shorter than 2,000 words, check for open submission periods to The Commuter.)

  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately if a piece is accepted elsewhere. Work previously published in any form cannot be considered.

  • Response time is six to eight months.

  • Upon acceptance, we can offer authors $300 for publishing rights.

  • During the general submissions periods, writers may submit one piece per period. (This does not apply to year-round submitting members. For more information on member submissions, please refer to the welcome email you received when you signed up as a member or reach out to wynter@electricliterature.com.)

  • Writers with a submission pending with The Commuter can still submit to Recommended Reading.

  • Please do not submit a story already previously rejected by Electric Literature, even if the story has been revised (unless you've been invited to do so by an EL editor).

For candid advice from our editors on how to polish your first pages and revise your work, check out our "Submission Roulette II" event and our video "How to Get Published in Recommended Reading." 

electricliterature.submittable.com/submit

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MONTHLY MENTORSHIP: RIGHT TO WRITE AWARDS

Writability

DEADLINE: November 12, 2024

INFO: Each year, two Right to Write Awards are given to outstanding applicants who have already been accepted into the Monthly Mentorship program. The award supports BIPOC and Veteran writers by waiving their tuition. Applicants must apply and be accepted to Monthly Mentorship before or in tandem with applying to the Right to Write Award.

Monthly Mentorship program dues are $4150. Recipients of a Right to Write Award will receive $3650 and are asked to pay the balance of $500, which covers fees Maximum Impact incurs for software, streaming, and tech features that help bring the program content to you in accessible ways. Application details are below.

writeability.org/rtwa

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RISING WRITER PRIZE

Autumn House Press

DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

READING FEE: $30

INFO: The 2025 Rising Writer Prize is for a first full-length book of fiction. The Autumn House staff and select outsider readers will serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is K-Ming Chang.

PRIZE: The winner receives publication of their full-length manuscript and $2,000. We will announce the contest’s finalists and the winner by March 15, 2025. 

GUIDELINES:

  • Must be the author’s first full-length fiction book (previous publications of chapbooks and full-length books in other genres are fine)

  • The winners will receive book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,000 travel/publicity grant to promote their book

  • All finalists will be considered for publication

  • Submissions should be approximately 100 – 200 pages

  • The reading fee is $30 (We will waive the submission fee for those undergoing financial hardship or living with limited means. Before you reach out to request a waived fee, please read our full statement and instructions here. If the guidelines are not followed, we will not be able to offer a waived fee.)

  • All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of sub-genres are eligible

  • The book should be previously unpublished

  • We only accept original manuscripts; AI-generated or AI-supported works are not accepted

  • Do not include your name anywhere on the actual manuscript; if your name appears within the body of the text, please omit it or black it out

  • You may include a brief bio in the “cover letter” section of Submittable

  • Do not include an acknowledgments page in the manuscript

  • Feel free to include a table of contents

  • Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but please let us know immediately if your book was accepted elsewhere

  • Friends, family members, and former students of judges or Autumn House editors may not submit to the contest. Students do not include interactions at short-term residencies or fellowships

  • Former employees of Autumn House, including interns, may not submit to the contest

ABOUT THE JUDGE: K-Ming Chang is a Kundiman fellow, a Lambda Literary Award winner, a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, and an O. Henry Prize Winner. She is the author of the New York Times Book Review Editors’ choice novel BESTIARY (One World/Random House, 2020), which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and the Otherwise Award. In 2021, her chapbook BONE HOUSE was published by Bull City Press. Her story collection GODS OF WANT (One World/Random House) won a Lambda Literary Award and was a NYT Editors’ Choice. Her latest novel is ORGAN MEATS (One World, 2023), a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and CECILIA, a novella (Coffee House Press, 2024).

autumnhouse.org/submissions/rising-writers-prize/

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Call for Pitches: Nearest & Dearest: An Anthology of Dyke Domesticity

Combos Press

PITCH DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

INFO: Combos Press is now accepting pitches for our first print issue of Nearest and Dearest: An anthology of dyke domesticity.

Nearest and Dearest is a physical anthology of art and writing celebrating and archiving the experiences of domesticity amongst lesbians. We want to know: how does domesticity take shape in your life? What are historical examples of dyke domesticity that can help connect us to our present experiences as lesbians? What are perspectives about homemaking and community care that are only made possible when we consider the experiences of dyke domesticity?

We are hoping to elevate stories connected (but not limited) to homemaking, kitchen/home gardening, child-rearing, homeschooling, marriage, partnership, separation, kinship, communal living, future-planning/longing, demonstrating commitment, and/or birthwork, etc.* Ever wanted to interview your gay aunts? Break down what it was like having kids? Draw a chosen family tree? Nearest and Dearest is the place for all of that and more.
*We acknowledge that this is not necessarily a comprehensive list of all the ways people experience domesticity. Feel free to interpret domesticity in whatever way is relevant to your experience.

WHO CAN PITCH:
 We are hoping to feature work from multiple generations of lesbianism and encourage pitches from within our elder community, our trans community, our BIPOC community as well as pitches from first-time and unpublished contributors. Nearest and Dearest is not geographically limited, so feel free to pitch no matter where in the world you live.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

  • Essays - either personal, or researched/academic/reported (final pieces no more than 2000 words)

  • How-to guides

  • Interviews/profiles - proposed interviews should be edited for brevity and clarity (final pieces no more than 3000 words). If you are open to being interviewed/conducting an interview, please submit a bio/explanation of what you’d like the interview to be.

  • From the archive: are you affiliated with a queer focused archive? We would love to feature examples of dyke domesticities from your collections and elevate your work!

  • Visual pitches - photo series, paintings, illustrations, prints, etc.

CONTRIBUTOR PAYOUT
We are a small self-funded press. Every contributor will be paid the same flat-rate amount of $75. You will be paid via Venmo, Paypal, or check after Nearest and Dearest is printed. Every contributor also receives 1 free copy.

HOW TO PITCH
Fill out this Google form by the deadline

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Email clare@combospress.com to chat or set up a phone call. 

docs.google.com/document/d/1xOhAGnX5gLpWt2h6N8bz4gG5pXLcD-nY0gcdVQ4bwec/edit?tab=t.0

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Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship

Fine Arts Work Center

DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $40

INFO: Each year, the Work Center offers 20 seven-month residencies to a juried group of emerging visual artists, fiction writers, and poets. Each Fellow receives an apartment, a studio (for visual artists), and a monthly stipend of $1,250 plus an exit stipend of $1,000. Residencies run from October 1 through April 30. During this time, Fellows have the opportunity to pursue their work independently in a diverse and supportive community of peers.

THE RESIDENCY:

During the course of the Fellowship, each Writing Fellow is invited to give a public reading and each Visual Art Fellow is given a solo exhibition opportunity. Readings and openings are attended by current and past Fellows, local residents, visitors to Provincetown, leadership of the town’s numerous cultural institutions, and the many illustrious artists and writers who make their homes in Provincetown. Events take place in the beautifully renovated public spaces of the Work Center: the Stanley Kunitz Common Room and Hudson D. Walker Gallery.

VISITING ARTISTS + WRITERS

While in residence, Fellows also help select a series of visiting artists and writers. These visiting artists and writers meet with the Fellows for studio visits and manuscript reviews and give public readings and artist talks that draw thousands from Provincetown and beyond. Visiting guests have included presidential inaugural poet Elizabeth Alexander; Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel; winner of the National Book Award for Poetry Mark Doty; Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress Robert Pinsky; artist and MacArthur Fellowship recipient Judy Pfaff; and Katherine Porter, whose work is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. 

The Work Center’s founders believed that seven months was the minimum amount of time needed for artists and writers in the crucial early stages of their careers to learn to structure their lives around their creative practice. Each generation of Fellows ideally moves on from the Work Center with a firm belief in their ability to pursue a life as a practicing artist or writer.

fawc.org/apply/

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Call for pitches

Chutney Magazine

DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

INFO: Chutney is looking for a handful of stories to accompany commissioned pieces for Issue 04, launching Spring 2025. As always, the focus is on everyday stories of culture & identity from voices of the Global Majority and its diasporas. Previous issues have explored (home)land, colonial history, craft, family, food, language... There’s no specific theme (more info about our editorial structure on the website), but as we collectively bear witness to multiple gen*cides, we’ve also been reflecting on: relations with Land & More-Than-Human Beings, Resistance, technology, aesthetics, surreality. 
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We accept essays (personal or investigative), photo series, criticism and fiction. We're not accepting poetry at the moment. Please refer to the stories on the Chutney website to get a sense of the magazine’s tone. 

WRITERS + PHOTOGRAPHERS: Please send a 200-300 word pitch to hello@chutneymag.com, with the subject ‘ISSUE 04, PITCH’. Outline a specific topic you’d like to explore, your connection to the topic, as well as the format (essay, photo series etc), as well as a couple of lines about yourself + interests! Links to previously published work are also welcome, but not necessary.
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PHOTOGRAPHERS: please also include any relevant image samples alongside your written pitch.
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ILLUSTRATORS: we occasionally commission illustrations, so if you’d like to be considered in the future, please get in touch with some work samples. See our website gallery + posts for a sense of our graphic style.

Spaces and budget are unfortunately always tight, so we can only accept a limited number of pitches—this is not necessarily a reflection of the quality/importance of your story, but influenced by factors such as topics, geographies, and voices already included the issue. 

Wherever you are in the world —we’ll aim to notify everyone within a week’s time. Any questions, please reach out via DM or email. Selected contributors will be paid a small fee (£50 min, tbc) and receive a free copy of the new issue.

TIMELINE:

  • Contributors Notified: November 22, 2024

  • First Draft Due: December 20, 2024

  • Final Draft Due: January 31, 2025

instagram.com/p/DB1c_YICQjd/?img_index=1

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2024 KWELI EMERGING WRITER FELLOWSHIP

Kweli Journal

DEADLINE: November 19, 2024

INFO: Kweli has been mentoring underrepresented writers since December 2009. Designed to help emerging Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) writers hone their craft, this fellowship provides 11 months of editorial support from Kweli editors along with the following benefits:

  • a $2,000 stipend,

  • free enrollment in our annual International Literary Festival and Color of Children’s Literature Conference,

  • publication in Kweli Journal,

  • all-expense paid writing retreat,

  • admission-free enrollment in three professionally led writing workshops on literary fiction, creative nonfiction and poetry, and

  • participation in four public readings

ELIGIBILITY: Eligible candidates are early career vocational writers living in New York City, who are not enrolled in degree-granting programs and self-identify as Black, Native/First Nations, POC, and/or Arab American.  

Writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book are invited to apply.  

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Please submit the following:

  • A cover letter containing a one-paragraph biographical statement; one paragraph that is a favorite of yours from a book you've read recently; and a brief statement telling us why this particular passage is meaningful to you. Please also note in your cover letter if you are a resident of one of New York City's five boroughs.

  • A CV or résumé  

  • A brief statement of your career goals and what you expect to accomplish as a Kweli Fellow.  

  • A 10 page writing sample. There is no word-count requirement. Eligible genres are fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and cross-genre writing, whether written for adults, young adults, or children.

kwelijournal.submittable.com/submit

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2025 McKnight Fellowships for Writers 

The Loft

DEADLINE: November 19, 2024 at 11:59pm

INFO: The intent of the McKnight Artist and Culture Bearers Fellowships program is to recognize and support artists and culture bearers who are beyond emerging and have sustained experience in their area of practice. Fellows demonstrate achievement, commitment, and high level proficiency in artistic and/or culture bearer practice that contributes to their field and impacts and benefits people in Minnesota.

The McKnight Fellowships for Writers provide Minnesota writers who are beyond emerging with an opportunity to work on their craft for a concentrated period of time.

One $25,000 fellowship is awarded each year in children’s literature, including poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. This year’s award is offered to a writer for children 8 years old and older. 

Four $25,000 fellowships are offered in alternating years to writers of creative prose and poetry/spoken word. The 2025 year cycle is in creative prose.

The Loft administers the McKnight Fellowships for Writers. Five $25,000 awards are presented annually to accomplished Minnesota writers and spoken word artists. Four awards alternate annually between creative prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry/spoken word. The fifth award is presented in children’s literature and alternates annually between writing for ages under eight years old and writing for children eight years and older.

ELIGIBILITY:

General Requirements

Applicants must have been legal residents of Minnesota for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline (since November 19, 2023) and must reside in Minnesota for the duration of the fellowship.

Full-time students in a degree granting program (if you're a student at the time of application and/or if you will be starting your program during the fellowship year, which begins in 2025 and goes till April 2026) are not eligible to apply.

Applicants may apply for only one McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship per year. You may not apply for the Award in Creative Prose and also apply for any other McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowships, including the Award in Children’s Literature or a McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship in an alternate discipline, such as ceramics or music.

Recipients of the McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship in any discipline in the last five years are not eligible to apply, so recipients of a 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024 McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship in any discipline are not eligible to apply. Honorable mentions are eligible. 

Recipients of a McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship prior to 2020 must demonstrate a new body of work since their last McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship.

Loft and McKnight Foundation staff and board members are not eligible. Immediate family members of staff or board members of the Loft or McKnight Foundation are also not eligible.

If you have questions about your eligibility for the McKnight Fellowships for Writers, please email Marion Gómez, program manager of awards, at mgomez@loft.org by November 13, 2024.

Additional Requirements for the Loft Awards in Creative Prose

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, applicants must have:

  • Published a book (e.g., novel, memoir, collection of short stories or personal essays) OR

  • Published at least five pieces of original creative prose (fiction, creative nonfiction, or a combination of the two) in no fewer than three literary journals or magazines that regularly feature creative prose as part of their format. Work published in an online journal that has an editorial process is eligible. Work published in an anthology is eligible. The same piece printed in a journal and in an anthology may only be counted once; applicants may not use multiple publications of the same work to meet the five required pieces.

  • Authors counting a self-published book for eligibility must include a brief letter from the publisher confirming that the manuscript underwent an editorial process. Please upload this in the eligibility requirements.

  • Work that is pending publication and will be published before April 1, 2025, is eligible. When asked for proof of eligibility, please upload a letter from the editor or publisher stating the date of publication with proof of publication.

Additional Requirements for the Loft Award in Children’s Literature

In addition to the general eligibility requirements, applicants must have

  • Published a book for children eight years of age or older, in any genre other than educational textbook material, OR

  • Published at least three pieces of original work in one or more publications that regularly feature creative work for children eight years of age or older as part of their format. Work published in an online journal that has an editorial process is eligible. Work published in an anthology is eligible. The same piece printed in a journal and in an anthology may only be counted once; applicants may not use multiple publications of the same work to meet the three required pieces.

  • Work that is pending publication and will be published before April 1, 2025, is eligible. Please provide a letter from the editor or publisher stating the date of publication with proof of publication.

Ineligible Work in Both Awards:

  • Student-only publications

  • Self-published books that did not go through an editorial process

  • Work published on personal home pages or online sites that do not have an editorial process.

  • Work in a genre outside the category in which you are applying (e.g., published poetry may not be used to meet the publication requirements for the Award in Creative Prose and writing for children younger than eight years of age may not be used to meet the publication requirements for the Award in Children's Literature/Older Children).

  • Work that has previously won a McKnight Artist Fellowships for Writers. If you are a previous winner, you must submit a manuscript different from the one for which you received the earlier award.

  • Translations.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

You must apply through Submittable, and you will need to create a Submittable account if you do not already have one. If you have technical submission questions, please contact Submittable technical support at help.submittable.com.

In addition to the form in Submittable, you will need to prepare three files to upload with your submission (see descriptions further down the page for details):

  • a work sample

  • proof of Minnesota residency

  • proof of publication

  • if self published, or have work pending publication, a letter from the editor

WORK SAMPLE

Please prepare your writing sample.  Work samples may be published writing. All work samples must be anonymous. If your name appears as part of the manuscript text, omit it, use a pseudonym, or redact it out so it is illegible. Do not include your name as part of the writing sample file name. Identifying information should only be included in the Submittable application form--these parts of the form are not accessible to the judge. Identifying information anywhere in the submitted work sample file will disqualify your submission.

Loft Awards in Creative Prose: Applicants should submit at least 20 but no more than 25 pages of a typed (12-point font), double-spaced manuscript. Pages must be consecutively numbered.

Loft Award in Children’s Literature: Applicants should submit a manuscript that is at least five but no more than 20 pages in length and that is written for ages eight and older. Manuscripts may be in prose or poetry or a combination of the two. All manuscripts must be typed in a 12-point font. Prose manuscripts should be double-spaced. Poetry may be single- or double-spaced. All pages must be consecutively numbered.

Work samples may be submitted as PDF, DOC, DOCX, RTF, MP3, WAV, MP4, or MOV files.                                          

PROOF OF RESIDENCY

The Loft requires finalists to provide proof of Minnesota residency. This may be a scan or digital photo of a valid Minnesota driver’s license, ID, or utilities bill with name and address and date. Name, address, and date should be clearly legible.

PROOF OF PUBLICATION

Applicants must submit proof of each publication necessary to meet eligibility. For books, we will need a photocopy or scanned image of the title and copyright pages. For journals, we will need photocopies or scanned documents of either the cover or title page of the journal as well as the table of contents page and the pages on which your work appears. For self-published books, please provide a brief letter from the publisher confirming an editorial process.

  • Applicants should include a brief biographical statement—you will see a field for this in Submittable. Do not attach the biographical statement to your manuscript. The biographical statement is used for publicity purposes only when the winners are announced. Biographical statements are not seen by the judges.

Please contact program manager of awards, Marion Gómez at mgomez@loft.org with any questions.

loft.submittable.com/submit/307565/2025-mcknight-fellowship-for-writers-creative-prose-childrens-literature-for

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WRITING CIRCLE

One Story

DEADLINE: November 19, 2024

INFO: The One Story Writing Circle is a year-long education program and accountability group, hosted and moderated by One Story.

When you join the One Story Writing Circle, you join a small cohort of fiction writers looking to devote a year to improving their craft and process. Writing Circle members will be granted access to an online portal, facilitated by One Story staff, where they will set personal writing objectives, both creative and professional. 

Each month will feature motivational essays, writing prompts, and resources aimed at helping writers achieve their targets. One Story will track individual and group goals so we can celebrate our progress together each month, and will host Zoom meetups with Circle members throughout the year for writers who want to connect and share their progress.

Circle members will also receive access and discounts to select One Story classes for 2025. To get an idea of the kinds of courses we offer, visit our classes page.

As with One Story’s other online course offerings, the Writing Circle is geared toward fiction writers.

While there will be space for writers to share questions and ideas with each other, there will be no individual evaluations or reviews. The One Story Writing Circle is not a place for criticism or critique. It is a supportive space to help you reach your writing goals.

The Writing Circle will launch in mid-January and will be limited to 30 students. Writers can be at any level, but to ensure a consistent and committed community, all applications must be received by November 19, 2024 and writers must commit to the full year. 

We are seeking writers:

  • with a clear project in mind

  • with a need for community

  • who are excited to be a part of a group environment and ready to get to work

  • who are able to commit to and participate in monthly check-ins

  • who are eager to take part in our online classes

  • who are comfortable connecting with other writers in an online setting

The One Story Writing Circle costs $595 for One Story patrons and $625 for non-patrons. There is a $10 application fee.

What you get:

  • Free access to all of One Story’s 2025 asynchronous open-enrollment classes and self-guided courses

  • Access to our 2025 Lecture Series

  • 50% off Craft Courses and Reading Groups

  • Exclusive access to the One Story Writing Circle portal, featuring goal setting, essays on writing, accountability check-ins, readings, and a discussion board to share your progress with fellow members

  • A small writing community built solely for support and encouragement

  • Extended access to One Story online class material: all Writing Circle members will have unlimited access to 2025 asynchronous classes for one year after the course start date (regular students only receive access for 5 weeks after the class’s start date)

HOW TO APPLY:

Please visit Submittable for complete application instructions. Applications will consist of a statement of intent so that we can learn about you and your project and a few other questions to gauge your experience in online group settings and where you are in your writing career.  Applicants will be chosen based on their interest in and commitment to the class as demonstrated in their application. There is no writing sample required for this class. The deadline to apply is 11:59pm ET on November 19, 2024. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by early January.

FAQ:

Will the One Story Writing Circle provide critiques or feedback on my writing?

No. The Writing Circle provides educational programming and a cheering squad to help you reach your writing goals, but will not be providing critiques or individual feedback on your writing.

When can I apply for the One Story Writing Circle?

The application period is open through November 19, 2024.

What are the application requirements?

We are seeking writers at all stages in their careers who are ready to commit to their writing goals and who are willing participate in a year-long online community.

How does the portal work?

Once a month, Writing Circle members will log in to our portal on Thinkific to track their progress toward their goals and share any updates  on the discussion board.

This is also where we’ll also share craft essays, resources for writers, and the occasional writing or discussion prompt. We will also meet for live Zoom sessions throughout the year that will include readings by Writing Circle members and chances to share resources and connect with one another.

How many members are in the Writing Circle?

The Writing Circle will be capped at 30 members.

Is participation on the Writing Circle discussion board required?

Yes. In addition to helping writers create a sustainable writing practice, we hope to build a community of writers who can support you and your work long after the class is over. It is for this reason that we are seeking applicants who can commit to participating in class discussions.

Is there homework?

Yes. Circle members will be expected to track their goal progress and share updates on that progress with the group. Moderators will review methods for tracking goal progress at the beginning of class.

How much time will the Writing Circle take?

Plan to spend at least an hour per month reviewing the monthly lessons and resources, plus however much time you’d like on the discussion board.

Can I take it on my phone?

Yes, though we recommend using a tablet or a computer for easier access to class materials.

Can I participate in the monthly meetings if I’m not a member of the Writing Circle?

No. These monthly meetings are only offered to Writing Circle members. You are still welcome to register for our other online course offerings.

What classes will the Writing Circle give me access to?

Writing Circle members will receive access to all open-enrollment asynchronous classes and all of our self-guided classes. They will receive 50% off our craft courses and reading groups if they choose to enroll. They will not receive access to online workshops or our Writers’ Conference, though they are welcome to apply.

Do you offer scholarships or financial assistance for the Writing Circle?

There are no scholarships or financial assistance available for the Writing Circle.

DISCOUNT + POLICIES:

Our online classes are designed to be safe spaces for all who participate. One Story will not tolerate hate speech, bullying, or harassment directed toward instructors or fellow students, and reserves the right to remove participants who engage in such behavior from our classes.

Patron Discount: In order to qualify for our member discount, you must either be an active Patron or register for a Patron membership by the application deadline for this opportunity. Please note that the discount is for our Patrons only. Patrons commit to annual donations and receive benefits that allow them to participate in the organization in more meaningful ways. Not all One Story subscribers are Patrons. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Patron, you can do so here.

Refund Policy: One Story classes are nonrefundable after the class start date. A full refund policy will be made available upon acceptance. For questions about the refund policy, or if you are unable to take the class after you have registered, please contact maribeth@one-story.com.

If you have any questions, please contact edu.support@one-story.com.

one-story.com/learn/writing-circle/

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Call for Submissions: To the End: Divorce narratives from queer, trans, non binary, gay, bisexual, lesbian, two-spirit, gender-expansive, and intersex writers

Morty Diamond, LCSW

DEADLINE: Extended to November 20, 2024

INFO: This anthology aims to explore the full depth and breadth of divorce narratives from queer, trans, non-binary, two-spirit, genderfluid, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and intersex writers. Divorce can be painful, clarifying, freeing, extremely messy, and/or full of renewed life. What story are you called to share about your divorce and how it relates to your LGBTQQI experience?

I am interested in all of the narratives on divorce. Looking at divorce through a wide lens, the book will include stories of hurt, frustration, anger, compassion, transcendence and acceptance.

Essay prompts that might be useful (you do not need to write about these topics):

  • What lessons about identity did you discover through your divorce?

  • What did you gain and/or lose during your divorce?

  • Are you disillusioned with marriage now that you have gone through divorce? Why or why not?

  • Some of us looked to marriage as a way to legitimize and/or normalize our lives. Did marriage accomplish this? Did divorce change this?

  • If you are trans: How did your trans identity complicate divorce? For example: were you in a marriage that ended when you came to terms with your trans identity or transitioned?

  • Were there unique stressors related to your gender and/or sexuality found in your marriage that led to divorce?

  • How did the narrative of gay marriage fit into your understanding of what being married meant and how did it ultimately affect your divorce?

TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK:

  • Please email your non-fiction personal essay of no more than 6000 words to: mortydiamond@gmail.com.

  • Formats preferred: MS Word or link to a Google Document.

  • Contributors will be paid for their work and will receive copies of the book.

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Morty Diamond is a trans/queer therapist, social worker, artist, and writer living in California. Morty experienced his own divorce in 2020 and has since been interested in bringing more clarity and insight into the social and emotional aspects of divorce for LGBTQQI people. His last two anthologies, Trans/Love and From the Inside Out FTM and Beyond, are both published by Manic D Press. He is a lecturer at San Francisco State University in the School of Social Work.

mortydiamondlcsw.com/totheendbook

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Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship Program (AUSTRALIA)

Writing NSW

DEADLINE: November 25, 2024

INFO: The annual Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship is now open.

Presented by Writing NSW and Text Publishing, with support from the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN), the mentorship is awarded annually to an unpublished Indigenous writer who has made substantial progress on a work of fiction or non-fiction. The intention of the program is to support the writer to develop their manuscript and to facilitate a pathway to publication.

The program pairs an emerging Indigenous writer from anywhere in Australia with an established Indigenous writer for a structured year-long mentorship. The writer receives 20 hours of mentorship over the following year, including feedback on their work in progress and general advice on writing and developing a publishing career. If possible, an opportunity to meet with the mentor face to face is provided. The writer also receives editorial feedback and manuscript development from Text Publishing and access to Writing NSW professional development services.

At the conclusion of the mentorship, Text Publishing have the exclusive first right to consider the winning manuscript for publication, under terms to be negotiated with the writer. Since the establishment of the mentorship in 2019 three of the mentored writers, John Morrissey, Lenora Thaker, and Allanah  Hunt, have been offered publishing deals by Text Publishing.

HOW TO APPLY: Writers do not need to have a full manuscript at the time of submission, though they must have made substantial progress on a manuscript, which they intend to complete (refer to submission requirements). Applicants must not previously have had a full-length work of fiction or non-fiction professionally published. 

Submissions must be either a work of fiction (including short-story collections) or narrative non-fiction for adult, kids (middle grade) or young adults. Please note that poetry, plays, picture books and practical non-fiction are ineligible.

writingnsw.org.au/getsupport/prizes-opportunities/boundless-mentorship-2025/

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Fall 2024 Story Contest

Narrative

DEADLINE: November 26, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST

SUBMISSION FEE: There is a $27 fee for each entry. With your entry, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

INFO: Our fall contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. We’re looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win Whiting Awards,the Pulitzer Prize, the Pushcart Prize, and the Atlantic prize, and have appeared in collections such as Best American Short Stories,Best American Nonrequired Reading, and many others. View the recent awards won by Narrative authors.

As always, we are looking for works with a strong narrative drive, with characters we can respond to, and with effects of language, situation, and insight that are intense and total. We look for works that have the ambition of enlarging our view of ourselves and the world.

We welcome and look forward to reading your pages.

AWARDS:

  • First Prize is $2,500

  • Second Prize is $1,000

  • Third Prize is $500

  • Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each

  • All entries will be considered for publication

  • All contest entries are eligible for the $5,000 Narrative Prize and for acceptance as a Story of the Week.

JUDGING: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. Winners and finalists will be announced to the public by December 31, 2024. All writers who enter will be notified by email of the judges’ decisions, which will be final. The judges reserve the option to declare ties and to designate and award only as many winners and/or finalists as are appropriate to the quality of contest entries and of work represented in the magazine.

GUIDELINES: Please read our Submission Guidelines for manuscript formatting and other information.

narrativemagazine.com/fall-2024-story-contest

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Logic(s)’ Palestinian Journalist Fellowship in Collaboration with Arab Reform Initiative

Logic(s)

DEADLINE: November 27, 2024

INFO: Every Palestinian is a living archive of collective memory and freedom dreaming. Palestinian journalists provide a crucial mechanism through which these collective stories are deepened and circulated globally. With extensive military aid from the US government, Israeli Occupation Forces subject these journalists and their families to forced disappearances, imprisonment, and execution. More than ever, it is critical that journalists be anchored in the communities they report on and with, and that we act quickly to move resources to Palestinians while they are still alive. These dual commitments are what instigated Logic(s)’ development of this one-year fellowship for Palestinian journalists, co-administered with the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI). 

The purpose of this program is to support community-led storytelling on Palestine and its relationship to technology, to strengthen the magazine’s contributions to Palestine reporting, and to redistribute resources to Palestinian journalists. Logic(s) will provide training, workshops, and informal mentoring to fellows on domain-specific topics like secure communication, algorithmic models, and techno-culture. ARI provides bilingual (English/Arabic) programming including a workgroup on tech in the Middle East North Africa region. Fellows have the option to participate in their workgroups and publications if they are interested.

Each of the four Palestinian journalists selected will receive a stipend of 20,000 USD over the course of their fellowship year. They will participate in the Logic(s) magazine editorial board and have the option to participate in programming on critical technology studies alongside members of the ARI. Fellows are required to contribute at least one article to the magazine over the fellowship year but have the option to commission and publish up to two pieces per issue. We are a technology magazine that thinks about technology very broadly, publishing in a range of genres, including nonfiction essays, photography, graphic stories, poetry, and speculative fiction. Given that we publish only twice a year, we look for stories that take a step back to provide analysis on the larger historical, political, and technical context, rather than just-the-facts reporting better suited for daily news.

The fellowship is open to any Palestinian journalist and/or storyteller, anywhere in the world. Special priority is given to early career applicants who are either currently located in Palestine or in refugee camps, and/or have been recently displaced.

This fellowship was made possible through the generous support of Distributed AI ResearchMigration and Technology MonitorPillars Fund as well as individual Logic(s) readers and supporters who gave between $5 and $45,000 each.

For those who are ready to hit the ground running right now, they can submit within six weeks for an expedited consideration. For those who need more time, you can submit by November 27. At least two slots will be reserved for those who apply by the second date.

PITCH GUIDELINES:

In terms of length, our pitches are usually around two short paragraphs. In terms of content, we’re generally looking for the following:

  1. Specificity: The more details, the better. How does the thing or process you’re describing work, at the most intimate level? The kind of detail can vary widely: it might involve technical detail if you’re describing a technology, or reported detail if it’s a reported piece. But specificity is critical to any good piece. It not only helps make for an interesting piece of writing; it also establishes your credibility as the one writing it. The details you foreground illustrate why you should be the one writing this piece.

  2. Stakes: Why does this piece matter? Why should the reader read past the first few paragraphs? A successful piece should answer the “so what?” question early and often. It’s possible that a few readers will come to your piece already interested in the particular subject you’re discussing—but the vast majority won’t. How will you make the case to your readers that they should keep reading?

  3. What makes you uniquely positioned to write this? Who are you? Where do you come from? This can be an opportunity to focus on either your personal or professional background, depending which feels most relevant to the pitched story.

We define technology very capaciously. To get a sense of the range we publish, please check out Beaconssupa dupa skies: move slow and heal thingspolicy: seductions and silences, and our most recent issue, Medicine and the Body. Reading through these issues will also give you a sense of how writers have approached the above considerations

FAQs:

What are the education requirements?

None.

What topics does Logic(s) cover?

We prioritize stories that are outside of the US and think critically about race, gender, sexuality, and disability but, we are open to pitches on any topic that has a connection to technology. The most important part is that we don’t publish “just-the-facts reporting”; we are interested in pieces that have a unique and in-depth analysis.

Can I publish in Arabic or another language?

Our editorial board only has capacity to conduct developmental editing in English, but we will provide additional funding to translate pieces into Arabic or any other relevant language.

Who will be deciding which applicants are selected?

We have four Palestinian advisors who will be leading the selection process. Logic(s) editorial leadership will be involved as well, but the advisors have the majority vote.

If you have any additional questions that are not listed here, please reach out to editors@logicmag.io and we will do our best to respond quickly.

logicmag.io/palestinian-journalist-fellowship/

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CALL FOR PITCHES: issue 8: Dreaming 

sweet-thang

Deadline: November 29, 2024, 23:59 GMT

INFO: Welcome! Thank you for your interest in contributing to sweet-thang Issue 8. 

Please fill out all sections marked with an asterisk (*). If you have any questions or if anything is unclear, feel free to email us at sweetthanginfo@gmail.com.

Remember, this is just a pitch. We’re not looking for finished work (though if your piece is already complete, that’s cool too). The pitching process helps us understand your idea, your creative vision, and whether it’s the right fit for the issue.

UNDERSTANDING THE FORM:

"Title of Your Pitch" = A working title of what you want to submit. This can be the actual artistic title or a literal description, for example: "A short story discussing freedom and hope."

"Short Description of Your Pitch" = A short explanation of what the piece of work is, for example: "Speculative fiction about a character unpacking what it means to find hope in the face of life's challenges. The story follows x y z and touches on themes of x y z. This relates to the theme of dreaming because..."

Please note: the work must be original and not published elsewhere within the past three years.

We’re looking for:

  • Photography

  • Collages

  • Poetry

  • Illustrations

  • Journal scans

  • Long + short-form creative writing

  • Speculative fiction

  • Personal essays

& more - as long as it can be expressed in print form. 

ACCESSIBILITY:

You can also submit your pitch in video format by recording your responses to each section and emailing it to sweetthanginfo@gmail.com with the subject line: “Video Submission: Issue 8 Pitch - [Your Name].”

If you have any questions about accessibility or require this form in another format, please send us an email.

As we only have space to accept 20 pitches, please don’t be disheartened if your pitch isn’t selected. We will get back to everyone regardless of the outcome and will do our best to provide feedback.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwmRk9xCUpavqJRVRPi3wq_SQF3rymxn-1uTMYu6AKsS16Wg/viewform

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Long Form Mentorship

Diaspora Dialogues

DEADLINE: November 29, 2024 by 11:59pm

INFO: Diaspora Dialogues invites submissions from emerging writers in both the GTA and across Canada who currently have a full or near-full draft of a manuscript. We accept novels, short story collections, creative non-fiction/memoir, works intended for young adults and poetry. Complete or near complete means that the writer has up to 85,000 words or 300 double-spaced pages of prose; or up to 25 poems (50 pages maximum). Submissions will consist only of excerpts from these works (see guidelines below).

Diaspora Dialogues is committed to supporting a literature that is as diverse as Canada itself. Writers are encouraged to keep this mandate in mind, but addressing this theme directly is not essential in the submission.

Notifications will be made at the end of December. The mentorships will begin in early 2025 and run for six months. Assigned mentors are at the discretion of Diaspora Dialogues.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Work from which the excerpt is submitted must be in a full draft or near-full draft stage.

  • Excerpts submitted can be one chapter or one short story from the collection up to but not exceeding 5,000 words; poetry can include up to 10 poems but not exceed 15 pages.

  • Submissions must include a one-page description of the project.

  • Submissions must include a short biography in paragraph form (no more than 250 words.)

  • The work must be original and not previously published.

  • Submissions must be in English.

  • Each writer may submit only one manuscript.

  • A completed submission form must be included.

  • Submissions will be accepted by electronically.

  • Commentary/feedback is not available on submissions.

  • Applicants who live in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area must submit to the GTA Long Form Program.

FORMATTING YOUR SUBMISSION:

  • All prose submissions should be double-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12.

  • Please do not adjust the margins.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Writers must not have a previously published full-length manuscript (although appearances in magazines and/or anthologies are acceptable).

  • Any writer of any age can apply.

  • Writers must be citizens or permanent residents

diasporadialogues.com/mentorship/

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DREAMing Out Loud

PEN America

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024

INFO: DREAMing Out Loud is a paid, tuition-free creative writing workshop series for migrant writers, primarily those who are undocumented, DACA recipients, and/or DREAMers who came to the United States when they were children. By providing community and professional support to the next generation of immigrant writers, the program seeks to counter anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. and to amplify the voices of many living in this country who are marginalized because of their immigration status.

In 2025, three workshops will be in-person and two workshops will be virtual. Instructors Álvaro Enrigue's and Claudia Rueda's in person workshops will be held at the PEN America office (120 Broadway 26N Floor, New York, NY 10271). The in person playwriting workshop will be held at The Drama Book Shop (266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018). Instructors Charlie Vázquez and Cherry Lou Sy's workshop will be virtual. If selected, attendance and commitment to the program, whether in-person or virtual, is expected and required.

BENEFITS:

In workshops led by established writers from migrant backgrounds or connections to the migrant community, 40 participants are provided a modest stipend to develop original fiction, poetry, nonfiction, plays, and picture book writing.Participants are invited to perform or have their work performed at a public reading and invited to voluntarily publish in various print and digital formats, including an annual anthology. The program provides access and connections to professionals in the publishing and theater industries and empowers DREAMers to develop their own unique artistic voice and craft to ensure that any future literary canon will include their stories, perspectives, and lived experiences. Participants receive access to resources tailored for migrant artists, including at least one author-led talkback about writing and publishing each year.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must identify as an immigrant, reside and/or go to college in New York City, and be 18 years or older to apply. Limited space will be reserved for and DREAMing Out Loud alumni. College graduates are welcome to apply.

The official deadline (Saturday, November 30, 2024 by 11:59 pm) is rolling and may close if all slots are filled. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance via email.

ARTIST RIGHTS AGREEMENT pertaining to The DREAMing Out Loud Anthology:

  • Ownership: The artist retains full ownership and copyright of all original works submitted for publication or exhibited in any public events and in the DREAMing Out Loud anthology.

  • Right to Remove: The artist reserves the right to request the removal of their submitted work at any time. Upon such request, the work will be removed in a timely manner.

  • Attribution: The artist will be properly credited for their work in all instances of publication and exhibition.

  • Usage Rights: PEN America may use the submitted work for promotional purposes of the program and PEN America, provided the artist is notified and credited accordingly.

  • Modifications: The artist retains the right to modify their work prior to the final deadline provided. This agreement aims to protect the artist's rights while allowing for collaborative opportunities.

ROYALTIES AND PROFITS pertaining to The DREAMing Out Loud Anthology:

This anthology is published by PEN America, a nonprofit organization, and as such, no profits or royalties will be generated from this publication. Any and all proceeds from the sale of the DREAMing Out Loud anthology will be reinvested into the organization’s mission and activities supporting the program. Please note that this work is printed on demand, ensuring that each copy is produced specifically to meet reader requests without excess inventory. Thank you for your support and understanding.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the Program Coordinator (TC. Mann, tcmann@pen.org).

pen.org/program/dreaming-out-loud/

_____

call for Essay Collection/Memoir/Nonfiction-Hybrid Manuscripts

Split Lip Press

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024

INFO: We are currently looking for previously unpublished essay collections, memoirs, and nonfiction-hybrid full-length book manuscripts. Individually published pieces within the manuscript are absolutely fine (and expected!) but the book should not have been published as a BOOK before. We won't define "full-length" for you (you're the author, after all) but books over 100 and under 300 pages tend to hit our sweet spot. If your book is shorter, keep us in mind for our chapbook reading period!

We're looking for manuscripts that question boundaries (physical, emotional, metaphysical, meta-emotional—you get the gist). Dazzle us with your version(s) of truth! When it comes to genre-based boundary bending, we love to see imaginative essays, autofictions, fictionalized memoirs, lyric essaying, formal and layout-based experimentation, etc. Please note: while we are big fans of poetry, we aim to publish prose and mostly-prose/prose-esque manuscripts. If your project includes more than a handful of poems, it may not be the best fit for this submission call.

To get an idea of what we love, please check out our current full-length NF/hybrid offerings. We'd love it if you'd add a copy of any (/all) of our books to your submission, and we'll happily throw in free shipping as a thanks! 

  • jade vine's forthcoming essay collection Hold Me

  • Sean Enfield's essay collection Holy American Burnout!

  • Sarah Fawn Montgomery's essay collection Halfway from Home

  • Esteban Rodriguez's essay collection Before the Earth Devours Us

  • Jeannine Ouellette's memoir-in-essays The Part That Burns

  • Athena Dixon's essay collection The Incredible Shrinking Woman

  • Melissa Matthewson's memoir-in-essays Tracing the Desire Line

  • Melissa Wiley's essay collection Antlers in Space and Other Common Phenomena

Historically under-represented perspectives are WELCOME and ENCOURAGED and HIGHLY SOUGHTwe want to help bring your voice to the world!

OUR PRESS MISSION: We publish boundary-breaking fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid books, lifting the transition boards that prevent fluidity and smashing those we cannot pry up. We love work that questions the concept of truth, and work that reinterprets what we think we know. We prize experimentation (physical, emotional, metaphysical, meta-emotional); we welcome the unanswerable. We want to see the dark and the light side of the moon—or we want to see it obliterated. If your book is a wedge in a crack, Split/Lip Press is the hammer helping you split the wall apart.

All books published at Split/Lip Press have been discovered during our open reading periods—we do not solicit manuscripts and do not accept manuscripts sent outside of our reading periods. Every author has the same opportunity to join us! However, Split/Lip Press does not tolerate manuscripts celebrating racist, homophobic, or misogynistic perspectives, and will discard such manuscripts unread. We believe in breaking boundaries at Split/Lip, but we will not assist agendas of hate.

BASIC FORMATTING DETAILS: TNR 12 (or similar), double-spaced (unless you are specifically using special formattingwhich we'd love to see), and PLEASE remove your name from the manuscript and file nameour readers want to review your manuscripts without names attached. There is a box on the submission form where, if you choose, you may indicate any information about positionality which may be helpful for the readers to know.

Please note that while we love and welcome work which includes images/diagrams/etc, we are unable to reproduce color images and they would need to appear as black-and-white images within a 6" x 9" printed book, so please keep that in mind when submitting.

HUGS + THANKS: We work closely with our authors on all elements of their book, from design to promotion. We are engaged in the literary community, and as writers ourselves, we know how important it is to have a book that you love that is supported by a press that loves you. We'd love for you to be part of the Split/Lip Press family.

Simultaneous submissions are obviously welcome. Our reading process is a process and we move quickly and efficiently, but we also don't interrupt it prematurely. So if another publisher snags you first, we just ask that you withdraw your submission (and congrats to you!).

We intend to reply to all submissions by February 15, 2025, so please do not query about the status of your manuscript before that date. If you haven't seen anything from us by 2/15/25, check your status in Submittable and double-check your email spam filter because Submittable's messages sometimes get stuck there—we will definitely respond!

Thank you for considering Split/Lip Press as the home for your book.

P.S.: The reading fee helps cover our costs as a press, and our nonfiction/hybrid reading team will be splitting 25% of the submission fees collected during this reading period as compensation for all of their hard work. But we don't want a fee to keep us from finding the best work out there. If you can't afford the fee, please send an email to splitlipthepress@gmail.com before submitting to receive a manuscript fee waiver, no questions asked.

splitlippress.submittable.com/submit/121154/essay-collection-memoir-nonfiction-hybrid-manuscripts

_____

QUILL PROSE AWARD

Red Hen Press

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $10

INFO: Queer literature is often found in the side stacks, in the back of the bookstore, under “Gay and Lesbian.” These authors are put into a genre that barely fits them, excluded from mainstream funding, and alienated by submission questionnaires and prying questions about identity and the underlying, “What are you?” The contradiction is that though labels can be alienating, they can also be empowering and community building. Red Hen Press seeks to work against the negative politics of labeling while honoring and empowering authors who identify as queer.

AWARD DETAILS:

  • $1000

  • Book publication by Red Hen Press

  • Final Judge: Raymond Luczak

Note: Name on cover sheet only; 25,000-word minimum (approximately 150 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt font); prose (fiction or nonfiction) by a queer writer only.

Submissions are currently open for this award.

GUIDELINES:

The award is open to all writers with the following exceptions:

  • Authors who have had a full-length work published by Red Hen Press, or a full-length work currently under consideration by Red Hen Press

  • Employees, interns, or contractors of Red Hen Press

  • Relatives of employees or members of the executive board of directors

  • Relatives or individuals having a personal or professional relationship with any of the final judges where they have taken any part whatsoever in shaping the manuscript, or where, for whatever reason, selecting a particular manuscript might have the appearance of impropriety

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

To be certain that every manuscript finalist receives the fairest evaluation, all manuscripts shall be submitted to the judges without any identifying material.

Bios, acknowledgments, and other identifying material shall be removed from judged manuscripts until the conclusion of the competition.

Red Hen Press is committed to maintaining the utmost integrity of our awards. Judges shall recuse themselves from considering any manuscript where they recognize the work. In the event of refusal, a manuscript score previously assigned by the managing editor of the press will be substituted.

redhen.org/awards/quill-prose-award/

_____

Emerging Writer Award

The Bridge Awards

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024 at 23:59pm

INFO: The Emerging Writer Award is open to unpublished prose writers (fiction) living in the UK with a collection of short stories or novel in development. Writers can be writing for any age group (including children and young adults) and may have had excerpts or articles published in the past, but have not yet published any major body of work. We would particularly encourage applications from those who experience barriers to the writing process.

Poetry, playwriting, screenwriting and works of non-fiction are all ineligible. Writers who have had a major body of work published in a form other than fiction are also ineligible (e.g. a poetry collection, or a non-fiction book-length work).

Writers who are agented and otherwise meet all the eligibility criteria are eligible. Writers who have only self-published their works are eligible.

APPLICATION:

Please apply by sending one document, preferably in Microsoft Word format, which includes:

  • A cover letter outlining your work in progress and how this award will benefit your work (up to one A4 page)

  • A 2000-word sample of work.

    • This does not need to be directly related to work in progress, but please make clear if that is not the case.

    • We will allow up to 10% over the 2000-word limit if the piece requires it

  • Judging takes place anonymously. Please include your name in the document title only. The document will be renamed before being sent to the judging panel. Do not include your name within the document. You can include any non-identifying information on your writing and/or career in your cover letter if relevant.

AND

We would also appreciate if you were able to complete our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Monitoring Form, link to online form here. The information in this form is gathered anonymously.

moniackmhor.org.uk/writers/awards-residencies/the-bridge-awards/

_____

call for submissions: essays

Cutleaf

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: Cutleaf is now open to nonfiction submissions, and we can't wait to read your work!⠀

We are interested in essays in both standard and hybrid forms. We welcome new approaches such as speculative nonfiction, essays based in metaphor, essays in verse, and other re-imaginings of the format. We welcome work about literature, travel, music, visual art, and film in multiple formats. We are less interested in journalistic approaches than in work that shows the larger and smaller truths about being human. We are generally interested in essays of less than 6,000 words. Longer work must be exceptionally compelling, and we may publish longer works in installments.

Cutleaf is a journal run by writers. We try to treat writers as we want to be treated:

  • We pay from $100 to $300 per published nonfiction piece.

  • We reply to submissions in a timely manner, usually not later than three months and generally much sooner.⠀

cutleafjournal.com/submit/

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Open call for 2024 fiction submissions

The Hudson Review

DEADLINE: November 30, 2024 at 11:59pm

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: The Hudson Review is open to fiction submissions. Online submissions close at 11:59 p.m. on November 30; mailed submissions must be postmarked by November 30.

GUIDELINES:

  • 10,000 word limit.

  • No simultaneous submissions.

  • No previously published work (if your story has appeared in any form, including online—in a blog, social media posts, etc.—we consider it to be previously published work).

  • Submit online or by mail (enclose SASE) to 33 W. 67th St., New York, NY 10023.

  • Reading is not blind; feel free to include contact info in your manuscript. (We’re not picky about formatting.)

Questions? Email us at info@hudsonreview.com

hudsonreview.com/news-events/open-call-for-2024-fiction-submissions/

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Scholars-in-Residence Program Fellowship 2025-26

The Schomburg Center

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

INFO: The Scholars-in-Residence Program offers both long-term and short-term fellowships designed to support and encourage top-quality research and writing on the history, politics, literature, and culture of the peoples of Africa and the African diaspora, as well as to promote and facilitate interdisciplinary exchange among scholars and writers in residence at the Schomburg Center.

LONG-TERM FELLOWSHIPS provide a $35,000 stipend to support postdoctoral scholars and independent researchers who work in residence at the Center for a continuous period of six months. The Scholars-in-Residence Program provides funding for six fellows each year, three of whom are supported by funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Selected fellows can choose to begin their term either in September or in January. Fellows are provided with individual office space and a computer, research assistance, and full access to the unparalleled resources of the Schomburg Center. In addition to pursuing their own research projects, fellows also engage in an ongoing interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, sharing their research with one another in a weekly work-in-progress seminar. While in residence, they are also exposed to the vibrant intellectual life of the Schomburg through its public exhibitions, panels, screenings, and events.

SHORT-TERM FELLOWSHIPS are open to postdoctoral scholars, independent researchers, and creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets) who work in residence at the Center for a continuous period of one to three months. Short-term fellows receive a stipend of $3000 per month. (These short-term fellowships are a recent addition to the Scholars-in-Residence Program, having been offered for the first time in the 2017-18 application cycle; they are funded by an endowment provided by the Ford Foundation and the Newhouse Foundation.)

Both long-term and short-term fellowships are awarded for continuous periods in residence at the Schomburg Center. Fellows are expected to devote their full time to their research and writing. They are expected to work regularly at the Schomburg Center and to participate in the intellectual life of the Scholars-in-Residence Program. Fellows may not be employed during the period in residence, except on sabbaticals from their home institutions. Those selected as Scholars-in-Residence are encouraged to supplement their stipends with funding support from their home institutions or other non-residential fellowships or grants if the requisite approval is received from the Schomburg Center.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Scholars-in-Residence Program is intended for scholars and writers requiring extensive, on-site research with collections at the Schomburg Center, the pre-eminent repository for documentation on the history and cultures of peoples of African descent around the globe. Fellows are expected to be in full-time residency at the Center during the award period and to participate in scheduled seminars and colloquia. The Program is intended to support research in African diasporic studies undertaken from a humanistic perspective; projects in the social sciences, science and technology, psychology, education, and religion are eligible if they utilize a humanistic approach and contribute to humanistic knowledge.

Candidates who need to work primarily in the New York Public Library's other research libraries – the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, and the Science, Industry and Business Library – are not eligible for this fellowship, nor are people seeking funding for research leading directly to a degree. (Applications are accepted from current doctoral students, as long as they will defend their dissertation and graduate before starting the fellowship tenure.) Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals who have been resident in the United States for the three years immediately preceding the application deadline may apply.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

A complete application must include:

  • The Schomburg Center Scholars-in-Residence Application.

  • A 1500-word description of the proposed study.

  • Curriculum vitae (limit to 3 pages).

  • Names of references (long-term fellows must submit three recommendation letters; short-term fellows must submit a minimum of two letters). References will receive an e-mail instructing them how to upload their recommendations.

In no more than 1500 words the applicant should provide a detailed description of the proposed study, including but by no means restricted to the following elements:

  • A statement of the topic under consideration with specific reference to the major questions, problems, and theses being investigated.

  • An outline of the plan for carrying out the study or project.

  • Discussion of the sources in the Schomburg Center and other research units of The New York Public Library that the applicant plans to use for the study and plans for examining them.

  • Description of research methods.

  • Applicant's competence in the use of any foreign languages needed to complete the study.

  • The place of the study in the applicant's overall research and writing program.

  • The significance of the study for the applicant's field and for the humanities in general.

  • The final objective and expected outcomes of the project. Plans for publications, lectures, exhibitions, teaching, and other vehicles of dissemination should be detailed. Fellows will be expected to share and discuss their research and writing with other scholars-in-residence in the weekly work-in-progress seminar during their residency.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

Applications for the Scholars-in-Residence Program will be reviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of five external reviewers, a rotating panel of accomplished scholars and writers with expertise across the fields of study covered by the fellowship. The Selection Committee is convened and chaired by the Director of the Scholars-in-Residence Program.

Fellows will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Relationship of the project to the resources of the Schomburg Center.

  • Qualifications of the applicant.

  • Quality and feasibility of the project plan.

  • Importance of the proposed project to the applicant's field and to the humanities.

  • Relationship of the project to the humanities.

  • Likelihood that the project will be completed successfully.

  • The provisions for making the results of the project available to scholars and to the public at large.

Applicants selected for the Program will be notified in late March.

If there are any questions, please email sir@nypl.org.

nypl.org/about/fellowships-institutes/schomburg-center-scholars-in-residency/application

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CALL FOR PAPERS: A FURIOUS FLOWER BLOOMS–HONORING THE INTELLECTUAL AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF DR. JOANNE V. GABBIN

Furious Flower

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

INFO: This is an announcement to share a call for papers celebrating and honoring the intellectual and political contributions of Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin, founder of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, the nation's first academic center for Black poetry. The papers will be a part of an anthology on the contributions of Dr. Gabbin, which will be edited by Jaimee A. Swift, executive director and founder of Black Women Radicals and Assistant Professor of Black Politics in the Department of Political Science at James Madison University. 

Dr. Joanne Veal Gabbin has given so much to our world. An activist, educator, poet, scholar, and community organizer, Dr. Gabbin’s work spans the intellectual, political, and cultural gamut. A pioneering visionary, her leadership has and continues to inspire generations of poets, educators, activists, and more in the United States and beyond.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Gabbin earned her B.A. degree in English from Morgan State College in 1967 and her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in English and Literature from the University of Chicago in 1970 and 1980, respectively. Gabbin began her career as an instructor of English at Roosevelt University in Chicago in 1971, and later was hired as an Assistant Professor of English at Chicago State University in 1972. From 1973 to 1975, she was the program director and instructor of Catalyst for Youth, Inc., in Chicago, a non-profit organization created to help young people to become emotionally stable, socially responsible, and physically healthy contributing members of society.  

In 1977, Gabbin became an Assistant Professor of English at Lincoln University and was later promoted to Associate Professor of English in 1982. After serving in this position until 1985, she was hired as an Associate Professor of English at James Madison University (JMU). Despite her contending with the ills of racism, discrimination, and sexism in the Department of English at JMU, she refused to allow the ignorance of some to deter her from her mission of excelling as a professor, educator, and scholar. In the spirit of fortitude and resilience, Gabbin persevered and later became Director of the Honors College, a position she held until 2005. In 1987, she founded the Wintergreen Women Writers’ Collective, an intergenerational gathering, communion, and literary sisterhood of Black women writers.  

In 1994, Gabbin organized the first academic conference on Black poetry, titled, “Furious Flower: A Revolution in African American Poetry” at James Madison University. Named in honor of renowned Pulitzer-Prize winning poet and former U.S Poet Laureate, Gwendolyn Brooks, and an ode to her 1968 poem, “The Second Sermon on the Warpland”, the conference brought together over 400 attendees and featured prominent Black poets including Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni, and Sonia Sanchez. The conference was hailed by The Washington Post as a “historic gathering.” After the successes of the first and second Furious Flower Poetry Conferences, Gabbin established the Furious Flower Poetry Center at JMU, the first academic center dedicated to Black poetry in the United States.  

Gabbin is also the author and editor of several works including Sterling A. Brown: Building the Black Aesthetic Tradition; Furious Flower: African American Poetry From the Black Arts Movement to the Present; and The Furious Flowering of African American Poetry. She is the executive producer of the Furious Flower video and DVD series. After 37 years at JMU, she retired in 2022 and JMU’s Gabbin Hall is named in her honor. 

We invite submissions of academic articles, reflective pieces, poetry, and review essays on Dr. Joanne Gabbin’s substantial and wide-ranging scholarship and community work.

Themes and topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Impact of the Furious Flower Poetry Center and Furious Flower Poetry Conferences

  • The Future of the Furious Flower Poetry Center 

  • Wintergreen Women’s Writers’ Collective 

  • Joanne Gabbin and Black Poetry

  • Joanne Gabbin and Black Women’s Poetics 

  • Joanne Gabbin and the Black Arts Movement 

  • Joanne Gabbin and Community Organizing

  • The World of Black Poetry 

  • Black Feminist Thought and Politics 

  • The Power of Black Women Writers

  • Public scholarship and community-based organizing and interventions

  • Black Poetics in the African Diaspora

  • The Futurity of Black Poetry and Prose

  • Black Women’s Sisterhood, Intimacies, and Solidarity 

  • Reflections of African American Women Writers 

  • Impact on Gwendolyn Brooks and Margaret Walker on Joanne Gabbin’s Leadership

  • Black Women and Community Building 

  • Black Poetry, Archives, and Memory Work

  • Misogynoir and Black Women in Academia 

  • Revolutionary Black Literature

Paper Submission

Authors are invited to submit papers for this anthology to gabbinanthology@gmail.com

When submitting, in the subject line, please put LAST NAME, FIRST NAME - GABBIN ANTHOLOGY. 

Submissions must be original and should not have been published previously or be under consideration for publication while being evaluated for this anthology. 

Important Dates

  • Submission Deadline : December 1, 2024. 

  • Notification of Acceptance : January 10, 2024

  • Final Edited Manuscript Due: March 15, 2024

  • Publication Date: Determined by the Editor. 

Manuscript Requirements

The final revised manuscript – in a Word document – should be double-spaced, in a 12-point font, must have a title, and must have a complete bibliography of all sources cited. Ensure the word count is between 2,500 - 3,000.

For poetry, please keep the word count between 1,000 - 2,000 words

Subheadings should be in bold typeface. Refer to the Chicago Manual of Style (latest edition) for grammatical guidance. Avoid page layout formatting. Please insert page numbers. 

Please make sure to add an author’s short bio at the end of the Word document.

Please direct any inquiries about the anthology to Jaimee Swift: (swiftja@jmu.edu).

blackwomenradicals.com/blog-feed/call-for-papers-dr-joanne-gabbin

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Storyteller Initiative

Voice of Witness

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

INFO: The Storyteller Initiative is a new fellowship program from Voice of Witness that supports artists, oral historians, storytellers and story gatherers, documentarians, and multidisciplinary changemakers from historically marginalized communities. VOW will assist participants to plan, develop, and activate a project of their choosing. While the projects do not need to be presented in oral history form, the work should be rooted in oral history methods and ethical storytelling. 

This initiative will provide institutional support and mentorship to a cohort of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or otherwise underrepresented narrative changemakers working to uplift stories from their own communities. Grassroots storytellers have deep insight into the issues facing their communities—and yet, they often struggle to carry out projects due to lack of funding and resources. This program aims to provide this support; expand and democratize the kinds of stories that get told; and contribute to narrative change efforts.

The Storyteller Initiative will provide funding for up to two years, depending on the project, with a $10,000 stipend per year. In addition, fellows will receive oral history training (so don’t let an unfamiliarity with oral history methodology discourage you from applying!), editorial guidance, and networking opportunities. VOW will draw from our 15+ years of experience conducting ethics-driven oral history, documentary, and human rights storytelling work to offer guidance and amplify the fellows’ work. Staff will share insights on project planning and development, relationship building, holistic and trauma-informed interviewing, narrative editing, and more.

PURPOSE: Narrative change is the strategy of shifting the patterns, ideas, and themes embedded within the stories we tell. The Storyteller Initiative aims to transform the harmful patterns in dominant narratives shared about marginalized communities by recentering storytelling from within those communities themselves. The fellows in this program will illuminate critical issues through dynamic, impactful storytelling. We hope the projects generated will deepen our collective understanding of the issues they explore, build community, advance public knowledge, and drive social equity.

TIMELINE: The fellowship will begin on March 3, 2025. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media (InstagramLinkedInFacebookX) to stay updated on dates and details.

FELLOWSHIP SCOPE: The VOW Storyteller Initiative will provide comprehensive support to each fellow and their project, including regular 1:1 coaching, group training, and skill-building workshops. Fellows selected for the program will also benefit from co-working sessions, guest speakers, and revision guidance. In addition, the program will tap into VOW’s expertise in publishing to offer various resources and access to peer and mentor support. The program concludes with an online public showcase, where fellows have the opportunity to present their work to oral history professionals, multidisciplinary artists, editors, and the general public. This multi-faceted approach is designed to develop your skills and project, connect you with others exploring similar work and questions, and provide opportunities to share your stories with a wider audience.

MORE INFO + FAQs

For details about the program, read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

An informational session will take place on Zoom on November 7th, 2024 at 11am PT / 2pm ET where the program coordinators can answer any additional questions. Attendance is not required to apply but is recommended. Register to join here.

voiceofwitness.org/oral-history-projects/storyteller-initiative/

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Micro Prize

Fractured Lit

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

READING FEE: $20

INFO: Fractured Lit has always been a place that celebrates the use of writing craft to tell small stories with big impacts. In the return of our Micro Prize, we want to honor stories of 400 words or fewer that tell a complete story and have us marveling at the depth of character and language.

As an added opportunity, writers can also register for a generative workshop with Editor-in-Chief Tommy Dean called “Writing Micros with Urgency and Immediacy” from October 01 to October 31. The class will be held on November 7.

We're thrilled to partner with Guest Judge Deb Olin Unferth, who will choose three prize winners from a shortlist. We're excited to offer the first-place winner of this prize $2,500 and publication, while the second- and third-place place winners will receive publication and $600 and $400, respectively. All entries will be considered for publication.

Deb Olin Unferth is the author of six books, including the novels Barn 8 and Vacation, the memoir Revolution, a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, two story collections, and the graphic novel I, Parrot. Her fiction and essays have appeared in over fifty magazines and journals, including Harper’s Magazine, The New York Times, The Paris Review,Granta, and McSweeney’s. She has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, three Pushcart Prizes, a Creative Capital Fellowship for Innovative Literature, and fellowships from the MacDowell, Yaddo, and Ucross residencies. She’s a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, where she teaches for the Michener Center and the New Writers Project, and she also directs the Pen City Writers, the prison creative writing program at a south Texas penitentiary. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Austin with the philosophy professor Matt Evans.

GUIDELINES:

  • Your $20 reading fee allows up to three stories of 400 words or fewer each per entry—if submitting more than one microfiction, please put them all in a SINGLE document.

  • We allow multiple submissions—each set of three microfictions requires a separate submission accompanied by a reading fee.

  • Writers from historically marginalized groups will be able to submit for free until we reach our cap of 25 free submissions. No additional fee waivers will be granted.

  • Please send microfiction only—400 word count maximum per story.

  • We only consider unpublished work for contests—we do not review reprints, including self-published work (even on blogs and social media). Reprints will be automatically disqualified.

  • Simultaneous submissions are okay—please notify us and withdraw your entry if you find another home for your writing.

  • All entries will also be considered for publication in Fractured Lit.

  • Double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12 (or larger if needed).

  • Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable). In the cover letter, please include content warnings as well, to safeguard our reading staff.

  • We only read work in English, though some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.

  • We do not read anonymous submissions. However, shortlisted stories are sent anonymously to the judge.

  • Unless specifically requested, we do not accept AI-generated work. For this contest, AI-generated work will be automatically disqualified.

We will announce the shortlist within 12-14 weeks of the contest's close. All writers will be notified when the results are final.

SOME SUBMITTABLE HOT TIPS:

  • Please be sure to whitelist/add this address to your contacts, so notifications do not get filtered as spam/junk: notifications@email.submittable.com.

  • If you realize you sent the wrong version of your piece: It happens. Please DO NOT withdraw the piece and resubmit. Submittable collects a nonrefundable fee each time. Please DO message us from within the submission to request that we open the entry for editing, which will allow you to fix everything from typos in your cover letter to uploading a new draft. The only time we will not allow a change is if the piece is already under review by a reader.

OPTIONAL EDITORIAL FEEDBACK:

You may choose to receive editorial feedback on your piece. We will provide a two-page global letter discussing the strengths of the writing and the recommended focus for revision. Our aim is to make our comments actionable and encouraging. These letters are written by editors and staff readers of Fractured Lit. Should your story win, no feedback will be offered, and your fee will be refunded.

fracturedlit.com/fractured-lit-2024-micro-prize/

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Fall 2024 Black Fox Prize

Black Fox

DEADLINE: December 1, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $12

INFO: Black Fox is accepting submissions for its Fall 2024 Black Fox Prize. The theme for this round is “Fragments of Time.” We are open to loose interpretations of the theme in any genre, as always.

When we think of time, we often think of a ticking clock. But time is more than merely seconds, minutes, hours, or measurements. Time also has the power to shape our lives. It can be a fleeting moment, a seemingly endless stretch, or a loop. Time can be a guardian of memories, the signal for change, and the constant that connects us to the world around us.

For this contest, we’re looking for writers to explore the intricacies of time: How does it mold us, ruin us, or set us free? Is time a friend or an enemy? Does time heal or wound? Whether it’s traveling through centuries, racing against the clock, or pausing in a single, spectacular moment, we want work that investigates the mysteries, difficulties, joy, or wonder of time.

Please submit your strongest fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and we will choose one winner that we feel interprets the theme best. The prize is $325 and publication in the Winter 2025 issue. All submissions are considered for publication in the Winter 2025 issue. The contest entry fee is $12, and submissions must be submitted before midnight (EST) on December 1, 2024.

Please make sure your manuscript is double-spaced with 12-point font. Submissions should be no more than 5,000 words. For poetry, send up to three poems in the same document. For flash fiction, send up to two stories in the same document. Author’s name and page number should appear in the top right-hand corner of every page. We also ask that you specify the category/genre of your work in the cover letter. Submissions are accepted through our submission manager, found here.

Please DO NOT submit work that isn’t ready. Take your time and polish your work to the best of your ability before sending it in. No changes can be made to your submission after we receive it.

We will select a winner by the end of January 2025, and each entrant will receive a response to their submission.

blackfoxlitmag.com/contests/

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One Teen Story Contest

One Story

DEADLINE: December 2, 2024

INFO: One Teen Story publishes 3 stories a year and accepts submissions from teen writers ages 13-19. For a list of writers we have published in the past and short samples of their stories, please visit our past issues page.

For our One Teen Story contest, we ask writers ages 13-19 to enter their original, unpublished fiction. We are interested in great short stories of any genre about the teen experience—literary, fantasy, sci-fi, love stories, horror, etc. What’s in a great short story? Interesting teen characters, strong writing, and a beginning, middle, and end.

PRIZE: The winning stories will be published on our website. The contest winners will receive $500 upon publication. The contest winners will also have the opportunity to work with a One Teen Story editor prior to publication. Honorable mentions will be chosen in three age categories: 13-15, 16-17, and 18-19, and each will be announced on our website, by email announcement, and on social media.

GUIDELINES: 

  • To enter, you must be between the ages of 13-19 as of December 2, 2024.

  • Short stories should be between 2,000 to 4,500 words and be the writer’s own original, previously unpublished work.

  • Previously published stories and stories forthcoming at other publications cannot be considered. This includes stories that have been self-published online on personal websites or other publishing platforms, including blogs and school publications.

  • By submitting your work, you are acknowledging that it is your own creation, that it has not been borrowed from any other person’s work (including film, video, and online content), that it has not been created with any assistance from AI tools or software, and that the characters and situations are of your own invention.

  • Stories should have teens as their main characters and be about the teen experience.

  • No entry fee is required.

  • Only one submission per person.

  • One Teen Story reserves the right to approve all final, edited content.

  • A parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of winners who are under the age of 18 on our website and social media platforms.

  • A parent must sign a consent form for One Teen Story to publish the names of the winners and honorable mentions on our website.

  • You must submit through Submittable.

  • Proof of age must be provided by all winners and finalists.

HOW TO SUBMIT:

When you are ready to submit, please go here and select One Teen Story Contest followed by your age group (13-15, 16-17, 18-19). You will receive a confirmation email upon submitting. This is also where you can view the status of your submission or withdraw a submission.

IMPORTANT: Please note that we only accept work by writers ages 13-19. If your story is being considered for publication, we will ask that you provide us with proof of your age. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS:

Teachers: if you would like to use this contest for a class project, please email us at otscontest@one-story.com and we’ll send you a PDF of one of our previous winners to share with your classroom.

one-story.com/write/one-teen-story-contest/

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literary arts grants

South Arts

DEADLINE: December 4, 2024

INFO: As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is excited to announce grants for literary arts projects for writers and publishers. These grants deepen our commitment to amplifying literary traditions and practices of the American South through directly funding the initiation, development, and completion of literary arts projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (playwriting and screenwriting).

Literary Arts Grants will be made to writers, independent literary publishers, and small presses: 

  • LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR WRITERS: South Arts will award literary grants up to $5,000. Applicants (writers or organizations) must apply through Salesforce and include writing samples and other required attachments specified in these Guidelines.

  • LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR PUBLISHERS: South Arts will award literary arts grants up to $5,000 to support Southern independent publishers and small presses. Applicants must apply through Salesforce and include the publisher’s representative work samples and other required attachments as specified in these Guidelines. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

  • Deadline to Apply: 12/4/2024

  • Awards Announced: February 2025

  • Funding Cycle: March 1, 2025 – August 30, 2026 (18 months)

The award announcement may be earlier or later than the date listed above, depending on the number of applications and judging process.

Applicants who are not selected for an award will receive notification via the email on their application form before the award announcement.  

South Arts reserves the right to not consider incomplete or improperly submitted applications without informing the applicant.  

Judges do not communicate any information or details of their review. Given the volume of applications received, South Arts cannot provide individual feedback on the application and from the panel.

Applicants who move from the South Arts Region after they submit their application are encouraged to notify South Arts and will not be eligible to receive a grant award. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

ELIGIBLE ENTITIES

  • All applicants are eligible to receive only one grant award.

  • Current, full-time resident or Headquartered in the South Arts Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and at receipt of the award.

For Writers

  • One application per artist or arts organization per funding cycle will be accepted.

  • Applicant artists must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Applicant artists must not be enrolled in a literary arts/writing academic program at time of application and at receipt of award.

  • Current, full-time residents for at least the prior 12 months s of the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application during the project period.

  • Works authored by more than one person are ineligible.

For Literary Arts Organizations

  • For Publishers: Independent nonprofit publishers and small presses including journals.

  • Based in the South Arts Region for at least the prior 12 months (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and during the project period.

  • Other non-profit organizations with a literary arts mission.

INELIGIBLE ENTITIES

  • Units of government

  • Colleges/Universities are ineligible to apply for this grant.

UNALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES

  • General operating support. 

  • Support for a full season of programming. 

  • Courses or coursework in degree-granting or continuing education institutions. 

  • Literary publishing that does not focus on contemporary literature and/or writers. 

  • Publication of books, exhibition of works, or other projects by the applicant organization's board members, faculty, or trustees. 

  • Projects for which no curatorial, juried, or editorial judgment has been applied to the selection of artists or art works. 

  • Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks. 

  • Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable; generally, this includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue. 

  • Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement. 

  • Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, t-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops. 

  • Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities.

  • Sub-granting or regranting.

UNALLOWABLE COSTS

  • Cash reserves and endowments. 

  • Startup costs or other costs associated with establishing new organizations. 

  • Alcoholic beverages or other hospitality costs. 

  • Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs.

  • Gifts and prizes, including cash prizes as well as other items with monetary value (e.g., electronic devices, gift certificates).

  • Contributions and donations to other entities, including donation drives.

  • General miscellaneous or contingency costs. 

  • Fines and penalties, bad debt costs, deficit reduction.  

  • Marketing expenses that are not directly related to the project.  

  • Audit costs. 

  • Rental costs for home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the applicant.

  • The purchase of vehicles.

  • Costs incurred before the beginning or after the completion of the official project period. 

MATCHING REQUIREMENTS

All grants require a 2:1 cost share. South Arts matches $2 for every $1 the applicant contributes towards project costs.

Grants will pay up to 2/3 of the total cost of the opportunity, with a maximum award of $5,000. The applicant must cover remaining expenses, and South Arts requires a 2:1 match (2 South Arts: 1 grantee). Artists may include their own cash in the match. Examples:  

  1. Total Project Cost- $6,000, the applicant can request up to $4,000 and contribute the remaining $2,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions. 

  2. Total Project Costs are $15,000:  The applicant can request up to $5,000 and contribute the remaining $10,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions.

  3. Toal Project Costs are $3,000:  The applicant can request up to $2,000 and contribute the remaining $1,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions. 

Budget details should identify the source of funds (including self-funding, private contributions, institutional stipends, or additional grant funding) not requested from South Arts.

Total projected expenses must meet or exceed the request by 50%. 

Funds can be used for these eligible expenses directly related to participation in proposed activities:

  • For Organizations:  Itemize project personnel costs 

  • Travel (itemize air, ground, lodging, per diem, visa services) 

  • Equipment rental (itemize all equipment rental expenses) 

  • Office expenses (itemize supplies, and shipping/postage) 

  • Services/professional fees (itemize editorial, graphic design, photography/videography, financial, publishing, production, and distribution services, etc.) 

  • Marketing 

  • Facility expenses (itemize rent, space rental, utilities) 

  • Insurance 

  • Childcare or elder caregiver service costs that arise as a result of applicant planning and executing the proposed project 

southarts.org/grants-opportunities/literary-arts-grant

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Investigative reporting fellowship

Ida B. Wells Society

DEADLINE: December 6, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST

INFO: The Ida B. Wells Society is thrilled to launch its investigative reporting fellowship for 2025! This no-cost, intensive program will bring professional journalists to Atlanta to sharpen their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the most accomplished reporters and editors in the industry. The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Up to 12 fellowships will be awarded. 

During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply. 

The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from February through July to delve into topics related to investigative reporting including: 

  • The Investigative Reporting Mindset 

  • Data Journalism 

  • Process and Development 

  • Interviewing and Writing for Investigations 

Interested applicants must work with their newsroom leadership to ensure their availability to attend. Proposed projects should also be cleared by leadership to ensure their publication upon completion. 

ELIGIBILITY:  

  • Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience. 

  • The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalists. 

  • Applicants must provide a resume, examples of previous written work, a project pitch, and be available for phone interviews if requested.  

  • Applicants must be able to participate in four weeklong training sessions in Atlanta, (approx. 16 days of instruction; 24 days including travel, which will call for arriving in Atlanta on Sundays and departing on Fridays or Saturdays). Training weeks will be scattered throughout the year.  

  • Applicants must submit letters from their employers indicating that they will be allowed to participate in the fellowship program and that their investigative work produced during the program will be published (more details of employer requirements below). 

  • Freelancers must have a news organization willing to write a supportive statement and agreement to publish their work. 

REQUIREMENT OF APPLICANT’S EMPLOYER:

  • Allow participants to continue to earn their salaries while taking part in training in Atlanta without using any accrued vacation time. There will be four weeklong training courses scattered throughout the year. 

  • Provide support and guidance to the participants as they take part in the program and work to develop a proposed project. 

  • Publish the project. 

idabwellssociety.org/news/2025-investigative-reporting-fellowship/

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Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices

Lambda Literary

DEADLINE: December 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: The Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is the nation’s premier LGBTQ writing residency. It is the only multi-genre writing residency devoted exclusively to emerging LGBTQ+ writers. The Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to develop one’s craft and find community.

Since 2007, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices has offered sophisticated instruction in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult fiction, playwriting led by the most talented writers working today. In 2022, the Writers Retreat expanded to include instruction in screenwriting and speculative fiction, and in 2025, we will introduce the newest cohort serving writers working in both and between playwriting and screenwriting.

In 2025, as we did in 2024, we are holding our Writers Retreat online. This format allows for us as an organization to continue building our resources while offering the same high-quality programming that remains accessible to folks who may not otherwise be able to attend in-person programs.

We are excited to announce that this year, we will be lengthening the typically week-long program to a 10-day virtual retreat, from Thursday, July 31-Saturday, August 9. In this new model, we will use the first two evenings on Thursday and Friday to build community and hold additional programming. We hope that this new model will build relationships and community, offer more learning opportunities, but we also aim to allow those attending the retreat from home to continue to sustain the elements of their livelihood outside of the Retreat program.

Additionally, we will be adding a brand new cohort to our Writers Retreat: the screen/play/writing cohort. This cross-genre cohort is meant for performance writers who work outside of the stage/screen binary, those who waft between genres, and those who are working in adaptations. We invite all screenwriters and playwrights in this cohort to consider how their work can move between genres, between stage and screen, while centering writing for performance. Coming back for another year after an astounding stint as Playwriting Faculty in 2024, we welcome back Roger Q. Mason to lead this inaugural cohort!

SCHEDULE:

We’ve extended the typical length of the retreat from 7 days to 10:

  • We will have a mix of synchronous programming and asynchronous programming, and on days when we offer all day programming, fellows can expect to have ample breaks and rest from screens.

  • Thursday, July 31-Friday, August 1: Programming begins at ~7:00 pm EST/ 4:00 pm PST

  • Saturday, August 2-Friday, August 8: All day programming

  • Saturday, August 9: Programming ends at ~6:00 pm EST/3:00 pm PST
     

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Applications to attend the 2025 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ* Voices open on November 1, 2024 and close at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on December 8, 2024. You may apply to more than one workshop, however, each application must be submitted separately and requires an additional fee.

We are offering a number of application fee waivers for the QTBIPOC** (Queer and Trans folks who are or identify as Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) folks who would be attending the Retreat for the first time. Please email retreat@lambdaliterary.org to request an application fee waiver.

To Apply, Please Prepare

1. An artistic/biographical statement (max 500 words).

2. a writing sample matching the genre of the workshop you’re applying for:

  • .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF format.

  • For prose, double spaced, 12 point font.

  • For Fiction, Nonfiction, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult Fiction: 15 pages maximum. This maximum applies to cross-genre samples as well as samples in verse.

  • For Playwriting/Screenwriting and Play/Screen/Writing: 15 pages maximum from a full-length work, short play/script, or piece of theatre/film.

  • For Poetry: 8 pages maximum.

  • The sample you apply with does not have to be the same sample you plan to workshop at the Retreat.

3. Optional, not required for acceptance:

  • Any publications of your work during the past two years, including anthologies, literary journals, magazines, websites, and books.

  • Any other writing conferences, retreats, and workshops have you attended.

  • If you're applying to scholarships, a scholarship statement (max 500 words).

TUITION + SCHOLARSHIPS:

Writers Retreat tuition is currently set at $1,625. However, we are working on raising funds to lower this price for fellows. This means there is a possibility that the price of tuition will go down, but it will not go any higher than $1,625.  All accepted/waitlisted applicants will be notified of the final price of tuition before accepting their fellowship.

Lambda Literary has a host of full and partial scholarships that are available for accepted applicants.

Ability to pay is in no way part of the decision-making process. We have a robust and ever-growing host of scholarships available thanks to our intensive fundraising efforts and generous donors. Lambda also supports fellows in their own fundraising efforts using our fundraising platform. Many fellows who used our peer-to-peer fundraising platform in 2024 raised their entire tuition fee.

The $30.00 application fee is processed through Submittable's online portal. If you wish to pay by cash or check please contact retreat@lambdaliterary.org.

APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS:

Writers Retreat Faculty make the final determinations regarding accepted and waitlisted applicants. All applicants will be notified of their application status in April 2025.

lambdaliterary.org/emerging-writers-retreat/

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Anton Chekhov Award for Flash Fiction 

LitMag

DEADLINE: Extended to December 8, 2024

CONTEST FEE: $16

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Entries must be short stories between 500 and 1,500 words. Please use 12pt type, preferably Times New Roman, and submit your short story as either a Word doc or a PDF. Only previously unpublished short stories are eligible. Writers may submit multiple stories, each of which requires a separate submission. Submissions through Submittable only.  Notification: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. The winning short stories and finalists will be announced publicly on our Web site and social media as well as by email to all contestants in May 2023.

FIRST PRIZE: $1,250 + publication in LitMag + agency review by  Sarah Fuentes of UTA, Molly Glick of CAA, Erin Harris and Sonali Chanchani of Folio Literary Management, Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency, David Forrer of Inkwell Management, Monika Woods of Triangle House, Emily Forland of Brandt & Hochman, and Nat Sobel of Sobel Weber Associates

FINALISTS: Three finalists will receive $100 each. All finalists will be considered for possible agency review and publication.

litmag.submittable.com/submit

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She Who Has No Master(s) Mentorship Program

She Who Has No Master(s)

DEADLINE: December 15, 2024 at 11:59pm PT

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: She Who Has No Master(s) offers creative writing mentorships uniquely designed for and led by women and nonbinary writers of the Vietnamese and SE Asian diaspora. The centering of this perspective is important because in most educational settings the focus on subject matter and perspectives of women/nonbinary SE Asian diasporic women is marginalized, if not totally unaddressed.

In offering one-on-one mentorships guided by established writers and artists in our collective, we create a uniquely nourishing experience where aspiring writers can explore, embrace their particularities, and create more expansively. Our mentorships are conducted remotely. The next mentorships cycle will take place in 2025.

FAQs:

Who are you, and what is this? 

She Who Has No Master(s), or SWHNM, is a collective of womxn and nonbinary writers of the Vietnamese diaspora who engage in collaborative, polyvocal, and hybrid-poetic works to enact a politics of connection across diasporic boundaries. Through a collaborative writing and art process, SWHNM explores multi-voiced collectivity, encounters, in-between spaces and (dis)places of the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian diaspora. SWHNM has a fluid and evolving membership.

She Who Has No Master(s) initiated a creative writing mentorship program in 2022 led by and designed for Vietnamese and SE Asian diasporic women and nonbinary writers through the Diasporic Vietnamese Artist Network (DVAN). SWHNM is now an independent collective and our own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and this mentorship program has no affiliation with DVAN. 

The centering of Vietnamese and SE Asian perspectives is important because in most educational settings the focus on subject matter and perspectives of women/nonbinary SE Asian diasporic women is marginal, if not totally unaddressed. In creating educational spaces that center those viewpoints, we create a nourishing space in which aspiring writers can see themselves, explore, and embrace their own particularities, and create more expansively. These mentorships will address both creative and professional aspects involved in the writing life. These offerings fulfill a dire contemporary need in our nation’s current environment for creative writing education.

Who are the mentors, and what do they do? 

The SWHNM mentors range depending on the cycle. During the inaugural mentorship program in 2022, there were 4 mentors (all members of the SWHNM collective) partnered with 4 writers and literary artists based out of the United States, Vietnam, and Switzerland. 

The mentors are writers who have benefited from belonging to supportive and inclusive writing and artist communities who wish to mentor promising writers of Vietnamese and/or SE Asian descent–folx who are at earlier stages in their writing careers than we are.

Our mentors compose poetry, fiction, nonfiction, memoir, criticism, as well as hybrid and multimedia forms (including graphic forms, among others), and are looking to pair with mentees working in these forms. 

Our mentors are published authors and/or established artists who are members of or connected to SWHNM and thus experienced with the collaborative and creative ethos of our collective that also informs the spirit of our mentorships.

Past mentors include: Diana Khoi Nguyen, Hoa Nguyen, Lily Hoang, and Vi Khi Nao.

For our 2025 cycle, mentors will be: Cathy Linh Che, MyLoan Dinh, Abbigail Rosewood, Sophia Terazawa, Nhã Thuyên.

The SWHNM mentorship program in 2025 expands its concept and its community by reaching out to the writers who live inside Vietnam with writing practices in Vietnamese, with the hope to create a more open space for a plurality of Vietnamese literature. 

How does the mentorship work? 

The first year of mentorship took place in 2022. This year (2025) will be our second. Each mentor takes on one mentee. Mentors and mentees (fellows) will meet virtually for at least 30 minutes every month to discuss topics pertinent to each pair. These topics may range from: prompts for writing, feedback fellows’ writing, and craft elements to professional details such as submitting to publications, finding an agent, writing a book proposal, sending a manuscript out to contests/open reading periods, applying to graduate school, to name a few. Some of us, though not all, are willing to read and give feedback on fellows’ work—within certain limits, which mentors can specify. On your application you may specify what types of mentorship you are looking for. If you are selected for a mentorship, we will use the information in your application to make the best mentor match for your needs.

In addition, mentors may periodically arrange panels and events for the mentorship collective; we hope to host panels on topics helpful for fellows as a group, and will collaborate with fellows to determine these topics. We may also offer some events and panels that are open to the general public.

SWHNM is a collective and makes decisions as a group, as well as shares the labor of running both the collective and this mentorship. That said, the particulars of individual mentors’ engagement with fellows depends on their particular circumstances and on the nature of each pairing’s relationship. The only requirement of the mentorship is the monthly meetings.

Who are the Fellows, and what do they do? 

Mentees should be passionate and committed to exploring creative writing, ready to generate new creative work, engage in revision processes, and be capable of working both independently as well as from writing prompts given by mentors. Mentors will work with mentees to tailor creative writing guidance that meets the mentees’ specific interests and needs.

Past fellows have been promising writers and artists who are serious and dedicated to their journey as a writer/literary artist. Just like with the mentors, the depth of individual fellows’  involvement depends on their particular circumstances. The only requirement for fellows  is the monthly meeting with mentors. 

There may be opportunities for further engagement with the mentorship program and SWHNM collective such as planning panels and events, as well as participating in collective readings, performances, and exhibitions. We are interested in hearing what fellows think would be useful and beneficial for the program and collective.

What are you looking for in fellows? 

We’re so glad you’re reading this. We’re looking for fellows who identify as a woman or nonbinary person of Vietnamese and/or SE Asian descent, who live outside and/or inside Vietnam. There is no nationality requirement, and fellows must be at least 18 years of age. Fellows’ writing should show promise, and are relatively early in their (writing) careers.

In particular, we would especially like to award mentorships to those with limited past access to writing communities or writing guidance. We strive to equalize access so that writers can achieve their goals regardless of their background and affiliations.

Most of our mentors write predominantly in English. However, some of us are also fluent in Vietnamese and may also be willing to work across language barriers. Please indicate in your application what language (or languages) you write in and/or are interested in working in. 

If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program in creative writing, you are not eligible for mentorship. You are also not eligible if you have published a book (or have one under contract) with a major U.S. press in a genre in which we mentor. 

The SWHNM mentorship program is competitive; in our inaugural 2022 year, we received over 80 applications for only 4 mentorship spots. 

Our number of available mentorship spots will differ each year depending on the mentors. In 2025 we will offer 5 mentorship spots.

How can I apply? Is there an application fee?

Please find detailed guidelines on our “How To Apply” page.

When you are ready to apply, submit your materials via our Application Form (this link will take you to a Google form for uploading + submitting your application materials).

If you need the Application Form in Vietnamese, click here. Nếu bạn cần nộp đơn đăng ký bằng tiếng Việt, vui lòng nhấn vào đây.

There is an application fee of $25, which helps us to cover administrative costs. You may request a fee waiver. Applicants residing in Vietnam may also receive a fee waiver. 

If you have questions or issues regarding how to send us your application materials, or if you are in need of an application fee waiver, please DM us (with “Fee Waiver Request 2025” in the subject field) at: she.who.has.no.masters@gmail.com

Is any of the work paid? Is there a financial cost for anyone involved?

Mentors are paid a modest stipend for their time, while members of the SWHNM collective organize and facilitate the mentorship program on an unpaid basis since we are a collective of writers who want to, and are able to, participate in this vibrant community. 

We are committed to the idea of supporting Vietnamese and SE Asian diasporic women and nonbinary writers. This mentorship program is one that exists outside of any institutions. Some of the mentors may be affiliated with institutions such as universities but we don’t have outside funding or other institutional support for this project. It’s just us–a labor of care and love. 

Who assesses applications, and how are they assessed?

The mentors for each cycle, along with volunteer members of the collective, read and assess the applications based on promise and need. From there, a smaller committee determines which few candidates might benefit the most from a SWHNM mentorship based on their current access to writing resources and commitment to craft and career, their financial need, and other factors.

There are a few writers with whom I’d especially love to be matched. Can I specify that?

No, though we welcome for you to share what you’re looking for in a mentor.

How far along should a writing sample be?

You should submit your best work, whether it’s published or not. A sampling of different pieces—representing various genres or not—is fine.

I have a question that isn’t addressed here, or something else I want to get in touch about.

You can email us at she.who.has.no.masters@gmail.com

shewhohasnomasters.com

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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TRANSLATION COLUMN

The Margins / AAWW

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins seeks work from writers for an ongoing monthly column on language, culture, and translation from Asia. We consider Asia as an umbrella term that encompasses all of its regions (South, Southeast, East, Central, and North Asia, and SWANA) and the many diaspora communities of Asians all over the world.

We welcome essays, hybrid works, translations, and translator’s notes that engage with Asia’s literature, cultures, subcultures, languages, and diasporas. We are also interested in works that grapple with the concept of the Transpacific, colonialism, history, and empire, especially as they relate to language and translation.

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

Examples of work we’re interested in:

  • Translator’s notes: Essays on the philosophy, craft, and art of translation

  • Translator’s diaries: Writings about the experience and choices for a particular book in translation

  • Essays and translations of essays on languages and multilingualism

  • Essays on power and empire as they relate to translation

  • New translations/re-translations of essays by important Asian scholars, thinkers, philosophers, and revolutionaries

  • Reportage on the writing, reading, publishing, and translation culture of a particular place

  • Photo essays about bookstores and literary salons in Asia or that feature Asian literature

  • Interviews with independent publishers, writers, artists, and thinkers in Asia or the Asian diaspora

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Send pitches of up to 500 words or finished pieces from 1,000-2,500 words to Soleil David, senior editor, at translation@aaww.org. For translations into English, translator must have already obtained permission from the copyright owner.

We read submissions year round and in all languages spoken and read in Asia. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know via email if your pitch/essay has been accepted elsewhere. Writers can expect a reply within three to four months.

aaww.org/submissions-translation-column/

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CALL FOR AUTHORS

Vanderbilt University Press

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: Vanderbilt University Press acquires books in the areas of Latin American and Hispanic studies; global and public health; human rights and civil rights; anthropology; history and postwar studies; and studies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We also publish books with a regional focus on Tennessee and the South, including, for example, books on Nashville and country music.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Initial inquiries about potential book projects should be queried to the acquisitions department via email. We do not accept full manuscripts until requested. First, ensure that VUP publishes in the disciplinary area that your project represents.

If that is the case, please send a cover letter and book proposal that includes the following:

  • A short book abstract

  • A brief but detailed statement outlining the manuscript’s arguments, themes, and significance to the field

  • A table of contents that clearly summarizes the content and structure of each chapter

  • Assessment of the work’s fit with existing literature, comparison with published books on the topic, and discussion of the intended audiences and market for the book

  • Statement of the anticipated word count of the manuscript; plans for tables, figures, or other illustrations; and schedule for completion

  • Sample chapter (optional)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • If your manuscript is based on a dissertation, please discuss how the material and research has been developed, reframed, or otherwise revised. VUP does not publish unrevised dissertations.

  • If your manuscript is an edited collection, please include information about each of the contributors and note if any of the chapters are previously published.

  • If your manuscript is a translation, please describe why the author’s work warrants translation into English, as well as any and all information on rights to the work and the book’s history in its native language.

Keep a file or a copy of your proposal materials. We do not return proposals. Please do not call the Press to inquire about the status of your proposal or manuscript. We review all material received, and you will be contacted when a decision has been made. We aim to communicate whether a proposed project is being pursued further no more than eight weeks after the receipt of the proposal.

For more information about specific series initiatives, visit our Series page.

vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/resources/submission-guidelines-for-prospective-authors/

FICTION / NONFICTION — OCTOBER 2024

open Call for criticism pitches

The Margins (Asian American Writers’ Workshop)

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins is open year-round to pitches and submissions of critical essays on Asian American literature, film, visual art, and culture. 

We specifically seek essays that—through close engagement with art—might challenge the Asian American community to think or act in a new way. We are open to criticism of any artform, of works from any time period, so long as the writer speaks in some way to how we live now. Critics are encouraged to foreground their own voice and style in the pursuit of this goal, but should ultimately keep focus on their chosen objects of study. 

Possible forms include but are not limited to:

  • A review of a single title with ambitions and analysis that extend beyond the title under review. E.g., “The Banality of Hate” by Sanjena Sathian (The Margins)

  • An essay where personal experience or voice is used to drive a critical study. E.g., “Death, Mediated” by Ismail Ibrahim (The Margins)

  • A study of an emerging phenomenon—referencing multiple recent works—with an eye toward the future. E.g., “Mixed-Race Metaphor” by Andrea Long Chu (Vulture)

  • A critique of a persistent, underexamined issue in our literature or literary community. E.g., “Blunt-Force Ethnic Credibility” by Som-Mai Nguyen (Astra)

  • An essay that puts new work into conversation with older works (or emerging artists into conversation with established artists) to make an argument about the evolution of a form or genre. E.g., “Controlled” by Noor Qasim (The Drift)

Additional notes on book reviews: We prefer criticism of works by more established writers, or posthumous criticism. We are generally not interested in list-style or roundup reviews, but are open to pieces that put multiple books in conversation with each other, or to reviews of anthologies. It is useful, but not a requirement, for a pitch to be timed to a publication date.

Send pitches of up to 500 words or drafts from 1,500-3,000 words to Spencer Quong, criticism editor, at criticism@aaww.org. Writers can expect a reply within one month. Please do not use the criticism@aaww.org inbox to pitch interviews. 

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

aaww.org/criticism/

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2025 Right of Return Fellowship

The Center for Art & Advocacy

DEADLINE: October 11, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

INFO: The Center for Art & Advocacy will accept applications from U.S.-based creatives working in visual art, film, music, creative writing, performance, design, and multidisciplinary practices for the 2025 Right of Return Fellowship from September 1, 2024, through October 11, 2024.

The Right of Return Fellowship is open to directly impacted creatives from every discipline. For the 7th annual cohort, a panel of external reviewers will select six new 2025 Right of Return Fellows from our open-call applicant pool to receive a $20,000 grant, mentorship, and community building.

The Center for Art & Advocacy’s Right of Return Fellowship invites directly impacted artists to propose art projects aimed at transforming our criminal legal and immigration systems, to reduce their scale and reach.

Artists have always played a critical role in social movements as culture-makers and catalysts for change. Right of Return Fellows exist and work at the forefront of social movements and have the unique power to translate complex and nuanced ideas into powerful experiences. The goal of the Right of Return Fellowship is to support the creation of new bodies of work that uplift the voices of people directly impacted by the criminal justice system, reflect the humanity of criminalized and incarcerated people, and build public will for ambitious and visionary change.

ARTIST RETREAT: If selected, Right of Return Fellows will be asked to commit to participating in a group retreat in spring 2025 and be invited to a multi-cohort retreat in following years. The Right of Return retreats are meant to foster community, develop political advocacy skills, and support practice sustainability. If COVID-19 or other circumstances makes in-person convenings impossible, abbreviated versions of the retreat will be held online.

THERAPY INITIATIVE: During the course of this fellowship, all fellows are encouraged to engage in at least 6 hours of a trauma healing modality of their choice. The Center will be responsible for coordinating the logistics and ensuring services are financially covered. Fellows are welcome to try multiple modalities including but not limited to: talk therapy, EMDR, somatic coaching, group therapy, art therapy, and more.

FELLOWSHIP GRANT: The Right of Return Grant is $20,000 total: $10,000 artist award, $10,000 for project materials and production. Selected fellows will be asked to provide a proposed overall budget for the project and a project summary upon completion. A project budget is not required for the application.

ELIGIBILITY:

The Right of Return Fellowship seeks to support directly impacted artists with a demonstrated capacity to advance social change and a clear vision for utilizing their creative practice to end mass incarceration.

More specifically:

  • Directly impacted artists of all creative disciplines, age 18 or older at the time of the application. We do not fund organizations or non-profits, only individual artists.

  • We define the word “artist” in broad terms to include creatives who work in visual art, film, music, creative writing, performance, design, and multidisciplinary practices.

  • In the context of this Fellowship, “directly impacted” includes those who have themselves been incarcerated, charged, or convicted, including felony convictions; people who were detained in migrant detention centers but who have now attained U.S. citizenship by the time of this application’s open.

  • Artists must collaborate with an advocacy organization during the development and/or execution of their proposed project (collaborating organizations do not need to be secured at the time of application and The Center for Art & Advocacy can help connect fellows to advocates).

  • Artists may be at any stage of their career, with or without formal training.

  • Projects and applicants must be U.S. based. This includes all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico.

  • The Center for Art & Advocacy seeks a diverse cohort of fellows with regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and experience.

FELLOWS NOTIFIED: Mid-December 2024

centerforartandadvocacy.org/fellowships/

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call for submissions: ‘Kinship’ Issue

Myriad (Hexagon Mag)

SUBMISSION PERIOD:

  • Initial Deadline: October 14 - November 1, 2024

  • BIPOC Deadline: October 14 - November 8, 2024

INFO: Kinship is at the heart of all humanity. Myriad is looking for stories that examine how and why people form communities in a micro or macro sense. It’s about finding your place and your people, whether it’s through chosen family, solidarity, co-working, or grassroots activities.

We want stories that utilize the speculative to explore beyond the traditional notions of kinship, be it familial (nuclear family) or romantic (monogamous relations.

Send flash fiction (1,000 words or less) that interrogates:

  • Can humans get along?

  • How can technology or magic change how humans live with one another?

  • BFFs til the end of the world.

COMPENSATION: CAD $18.00

hexagonmagazine.ca/myriad/

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OPEN SUBMISSIONS: NONFICTION

Hub City Press

DEADLINE: October 15, 2024

INFO: Hub City Press publishes books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South who have written well-crafted, high-quality works. We are particularly interested in books with a strong sense of place. We believe strongly that the publishing industry needs to promote a more diverse range of experiences, and so have committed ourselves to spotlighting lesser-heard Southern voices including: people of color, members of LGBTQ and gender diverse communities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, as well as ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities. Hub City is a small press, publishing eight to ten titles per year. In general, our publication schedule operates at least 12-18 months in advance of release.

Hub City publishes writers living in or from the South. What's the South? A complicated issue, to say the least, but the short answer for our purposes: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia. (Are you from a border state like Missouri, Oklahoma, or Ohio? If you feel like your book is a good fit for us, make a case in your query.)

We do not publish romance, science fiction, true crime, mystery, cookbooks, how-to books, horror/paranormal or specific-religion inspirational books. We do not publish books for young people (YA, middle grade or childrens). Please do not send us a query if your book has already been self-published, even only as an e-book. We are looking only for full length works, rather than single stories, essays, or poems. We will automatically reject works with evidence of AI authorship.

WHAT TO SEND US:

  • A brief, informative query letter about your manuscript (include the title, genre, length, description of the work, author background and publication history)

  • Any credentials that particularly qualify you to write your book. If you have access to special markets or promotional opportunities for your book, we’d like to know about them as well.

  • Your full manuscript (.doc and .docx preferred) Please note incomplete manuscripts will be automatically rejected.

/hubcity.submittable.com/submit

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2025 RESIDENCIES

Vermont Studio Center

DEADLINE: October 15, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: Vermont Studio Center invites applications for 2025. Nestled in the Green Mountains, VSC hosts an inclusive, global community of artists and writers. Enjoy private studios and lodging, fresh - local meals, and a vibrant Visiting Artists & Writers Program.

VSC’s residency program welcomes artists and writers working across all mediums and genres for two, three, and four week sessions.

Residents enjoy well-lit, private studios within a short walk to residency housing, dining hall, and local amenities. Studio spaces range from 170 - 300 square feet. Accommodations include a private room and shared common areas. The campus features include a print shop, digital lab, and metal, wood, ceramic facility. Studios are open 24 hours a day.

A VSC residency provides artists and writers the time and space to focus on their creative practice in an inclusive, international community within a small Vermont village. Residents can explore swimming holes, hiking and biking trails, as well as the rural charm of neighboring towns, while expanding their creative potential and building a solid network of friends and mentors.

PROGRAMMING

During each session, Visiting Artists and Visiting Writers are invited to join us for presentations, craft talks, one-on-one manuscript consultations, and individual studio visits. Residents can also enjoy open studio nights, resident presentations, and exhibition openings. All scheduled activities are optional. Residents are encouraged to unplug, completely immerse themselves in their work, and work at their own pace.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION

VSC is committed to community building both locally and on campus. Every resident has the opportunity to participate in our Community Contribution Program for 3 hours per week, by assisting in one of these areas: Kitchen, School Arts Program, Visual Arts, and the Writing Program. No prior experience is necessary.

vermontstudiocenter.org/apply

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ART OMI: WRITERS RESIDENCY

Art Omi

DEADLINE: October 15, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

INFO: Art Omi, a not-for-profit arts center with a 120-acre sculpture and architecture park and gallery, offers residency programs for international artists, writers, translators, musicians, architects and dancers. Art Omi believes that exposure to internationally diverse creative voices fosters acceptance and respect, raises awareness, inspires innovation, and ignites change. By forming community with creative expression as its common denominator, Art Omi creates a sanctuary for the artistic community and the public to affirm the transformative quality of art.

Art Omi: Writers hosts authors and translators for two weeks to one month throughout the spring and fall. The program’s strong international emphasis provides exposure for global literary voices and reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is essential to Art Omi’s mission.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Each applicant is required to provide 4 (four) separate items in total:

  1. A cover letter, which provides the following details: country of birth, country of residency, the language in which you write, your preferred residency dates. Please note we have two sessions per year: Spring (March 27 - May 28) and Fall (September 4 - November 5). Additionally, please let us know how you heard about Art Omi: Writers, why you want to come to Art Omi: Writers and what you expect to get from the experience.

  2. A brief (2 pages, maximum) statement about your work history, referencing publications, performances and writing credits. This can be submitted in CV format.

  3. A writing sample, no more than 25 pages. The work sample does not have to be published or related to your current project and can be a combination of multiple samples.

  4. A one page description of the work to be undertaken while at Art Omi: Writers.

Your writing sample does NOT have to be an English translation; please submit your writing sample in your mother tongue. All other documentation must be submitted in English.

Your cover letter should be provided in the designated Cover Letter field. Items 2-4 should each be provided as separately uploaded files.

Alumni of the program are eligible to reapply after 5 years.

RESIDENCY DATES: 

Spring: 

  • Thursday, March 27–Tuesday, April 22, 2025

  • Thursday, May 8–Wednesday, May 28, 2025 

Autumn: 

  • Thursday, September 4–Wednesday, October 1, 2025

  • Thursday, October 9–Wednesday, November 5, 2025

DECISION NOTIFICATION: January, 2025

artomi.submittable.com/submit

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The Adina Talve-Goodman Fellowship

One Story

DEADLINE: Extended to October 16, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Each year, together with the Talve-Goodman Family, One Story awards one writer the Adina Talve-Goodman Fellowship. Honoring the memory of author and former One Story Managing Editor Adina Talve-Goodman, this educational fellowship offers a year-long mentorship on the craft of fiction writing with One Story magazine. Our hope is to give a writer outside of the fold a significant boost in their career.

THE FELLOW RECEIVES:

  • Access to One Story online classes.

  • Admission to One Story’s Writing Circle.

  • Stipend ($2,000) and free admission to One Story’s week-long summer writers’ conference, which includes craft lectures, an intensive fiction workshop, and panels with literary agents and publishers.

  • A full manuscript review and consultation with One Story Executive Editor Hannah Tinti (story collection or novel in progress up to 150 pages/35,000 words).

REQUIREMENTS:

This fellowship calls for an early-career writer of fiction who has not yet published a book and is not currently nor has ever been enrolled in an advanced degree program (such as an MA or MFA) in Creative Writing, English, or Literature, and has no plans to attend one in the 2025 calendar year. We are seeking writers whose work speaks to issues and experiences related to inhabiting bodies of difference. This means writing that centers, celebrates, or reclaims being marginalized through the lens of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, class, religion, illness, disability, trauma, migration, displacement, dispossession, or imprisonment. All applicants must be at least 21 years of age as of January 1st, 2025.

TO APPLY TO THIS FELLOWSHIP YOU WILL NEED:

  • A fiction writing sample (3,000 – 5,000 words)

  • A personal statement (600 – 1,100 words)

  • Two professional or personal references who can speak to your commitment to writing (no recommendation letters required but please provide: name, email, phone)

  • A current resume detailing any work or educational experience. Please also list any writing classes you have taken, along with writing-related awards, fellowships, publications, and residencies (if any).

  • All applications will be received via Submittable

The winner of the 2025 Adina Talve-Goodman Fellowship will be publicly announced in January 2025

one-story.com/learn/fellowship/

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Writers Mentorship Program

Latinx in Publishing

DEADLINE: October 16, 2024

INFO: The Latinx in Publishing Writers Mentorship Program offers the opportunity for unpublished and unagented writers who identify as Latinx (mentees) to strengthen their craft, gain knowledge about the traditional publishing industry, and expand their professional connections through work with experienced Latinx authors (mentors).

WMP 2025 WILL ACCEPT MENTEES IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:

  • Adult Non-Fiction

  • Adult Horror Fiction

  • Adult Romance Fiction

  • Poetry

  • Young Adult Fiction

ABOUT THE WRITING MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:

  • The next cycle of the program runs from February 2025 through October 2025.

  • Mentees must complete an application, state which mentor they are applying to work with, and submit 20-30 pages of sample writing for their writing project in the appropriate genre/category. If you are applying in the picture book author-illustrator or graphic novel categories, please include a link to illustration samples along with your writing sample.

  • Your application should be tailored to the mentor you would like to work with, meaning that your writing sample should be in the genre that mentor works in. You may submit applications for up to 3 different mentors, but in that case, each application form will likely require a different writing sample.

  • Participants will be notified of Latinx in Publishing’s admission decisions in December 2024, and mentors and mentees will be formally connected in January 2025.

  • Mentors and mentees will connect for a minimum of one hour per month over the course of ten months.

  • The program will close in November 2025. If the mentor and mentee would like to continue their mentor relationship after that point, it is entirely at their discretion.

  • Please be aware that the Latinx in Publishing Writers Mentorship Program is a volunteer-run initiative. Latinx in Publishing will not be held responsible for mediating any relations between mentors and mentees once the program ends.

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A MENTEE:

  • Must identify as Latinx (does not include individuals of Spanish origin)

  • Must be unagented and unpublished

  • Must have an active interest in writing books and a project in mind to work on during the mentorship

  • Must be located in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) and be at least 18 years of age

  • Must be available to dedicate at least one hour per month for a minimum of ten months for a meeting with their mentor

  • Must be available to attend mandatory program events that are scheduled with notice, about once a month or once every two months.

latinxinpublishing.com/mentorship

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The Kenyon Review Fellowships

Kenyon Review

DEADLINE: October 18, 2024

INFO: In 2012, The Kenyon Review welcomed the first of its KR Fellows. This initiative was inspired by the great tradition of Kenyon Review literary fellowships awarded in the 1950s to writers such as Flannery O’Connor and W.S. Merwin in their formative years. These fellowships represent a significant fulfillment of one aspect of our continuing mission: to recognize, publish, and support extraordinary authors in the early stages of their careers. We believe that after two years, these KR Fellows will be more mature and sophisticated writers, teachers, and editors. As a result, they will be extremely attractive candidates for academic positions as well as for significant publishing opportunities.

This post-graduate residential fellowship at Kenyon College offers qualified individuals time to develop as writers, teachers, and editors. The fellowship provides an annual stipend, plus health benefits. Fellows are expected to:

  • Undertake a significant writing project and attend regular individual meetings with faculty mentors.

  • Teach one class per semester in the English Department of Kenyon College, contingent upon departmental needs.

  • Assist with creative and editorial projects for The Kenyon Review.

  • Participate in the cultural life of Kenyon College by regularly attending readings, lectures, presentations, and other campus activities.

  • Hold no other teacher, graduate study, or fellowship obligations for the duration of the Kenyon Review Fellowship

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Applications must be submitted electronically through Kenyon’s employment website. Completed applications must be submitted by October 18, 2024 to guarantee full consideration. There is no application fee.

A complete application must include the following:

  • A one-page cover letter

  • A curriculum vitae

  • An 8-10 page writing sample

  • A one-page course proposal for an undergraduate introductory level multi-genre creative writing class

  • An unofficial transcript

  • Two letters of recommendation, one of which should directly address the applicant’s teaching ability

ELIGIBILITY:

Who can apply for a KR Fellowship?

Any writer who has completed an MFA or PhD degree between January 1, 2019 and September 15, 2024.

I’m not a U.S. citizen. Can I still apply?

Yes, but all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. Any non-U.S. citizen who receives a fellowship will qualify for a J-1 Visa.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

No.

I don’t have a graduate degree in creative writing, but I have many publications and awards. May I apply for a fellowship?

No. To be eligible for a KR fellowship, applicants must have completed an MFA in creative writing or PhD in creative writing, English literature, or comparative literature between January 1, 2019 and September 15, 2024.

I am receiving my MFA in May 2025. Am I eligible?

No. Applicants must have an MFA or PhD in hand at the time of application, hence the September 15, 2024 degree completion deadline.

What kind of teaching experience is required?

Applicants must have professional teaching experience in creative writing and/or literature at the undergraduate level.

Will you only accept applicants who write fiction or poetry?

No. We invite applications from all genres, including creative nonfiction and playwriting.

kenyonreview.org/fellowship/

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Moondancer Fellowship For Environmental + Nature Writers

The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow

DEADLINE: October 21, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $35

INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is pleased to offer the 2024 Moondancer Fellowship for authors who express their passion for the natural world and concern for the environment through their writing. This fellowship is open to poets, fiction writers, playwrights, screenwriters, essayists, memoirists, and columnists.  Prior publication is not a requirement. The successful applicant will demonstrate insight, honesty, literary merit, and the likelihood of publication or production.

The fellowship winner will receive a two-week residency at WCDH to focus completely on their writing. Each writer’s suite has a bedroom, private bathroom, separate writing space, and wireless internet. We provide uninterrupted writing time, a European-style gourmet dinner prepared five nights a week and served in our community dining room, the camaraderie of other professional writers when desired, and a community kitchen stocked with the basics for other meals.

Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample and a non-refundable $35 application fee. Only one writing project may be proposed per application. Writers proposing more than one project must submit a separate application and fee for each one.

The winner will be announced no later than November 20, 2024. Residency must be completed by December 31, 2025.

writerscolony.org/fellowships

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Call for essay submissions: Writings on Diasporican Visual Artists

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College (CENTRO)

DEADLINE: October 21, 2024 by 11:59pm EST

INFO: The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College (CENTRO), the largest university-based research institute, library, and archive dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the United States, invites art critics, curators, art historians, and art or art history students to submit their original works focusing on contemporary diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists to be included in our Diasporican Art in Motion database initiative. This community of artists is understudied and as a result, they are underrepresented in the field of Arts and Arts criticism. This underrepresentation stems from the fact that diasporic Puerto Rican visual artists often fall outside the boundaries of American, Latin American, Caribbean, and sometimes even Puerto Rican art. 

As a research center focused on the Diasporic Puerto Rican experience, we are committed to promote the creation of knowledge of our cultural heritage and expressions. Diasporic Puerto Rican Artists have been at the forefront of identity issues and their work often examines and expands the national representation boundaries. The production of knowledge based on Diasporic Puerto Rican Artists will not only help the understanding and promotion of their work, but will enlighten the understanding of ourselves and of our diasporic journeys. 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Essays should be no more than 1000 words and focus on an artist currently included in the Diasporican Art in Motion database.

  • Essays can take the form of an artist profile, exhibition review or response, short interview, or response to a specific artwork.

  • Submissions should follow the same standard requirements of our CENTRO Journal Style Guide, with the exception that submissions won’t be sent by email but through a digital form instead.

  • Any writer can submit more than one writing for different artists. Manuscripts can be submitted either in English or Spanish.

  • Writings should be original and not previously published.

  • We encourage writings on artists whose work has not been widely studied.

OVERVIEW OF MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION PROCESS:

  • Complete the form below, ensure all mandatory fields are completed, and review and confirm your submission.

  • We will email you to confirm receipt of your form.

  • Your manuscript undergoes a rigorous review process where independent experts in your field evaluate its quality, originality, and relevance. The decision to publish your article will be based on the outcome of the peer reviews. Depending on the availability of peer reviewers, this process may take up to six months.

  • We will email you with our decision and, if applicable, further steps.

COMPENSATION FOR SELECTED ESSAYS: $300

centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/opportunities/writings-on-diasporican-visual-artists/

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John Lewis Writing Grants

Georgia Writers

DEADLINE: October 28, 2024 by 11:59 pm EST

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

INFO: Georgia Writers’ John Lewis Writing Grants are inspired by the late civil rights icon and his more than three decades of service as Georgia’s 5th District representative. The John Lewis Writing Grants will be awarded annually in the categories of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. The purpose of the grants is to elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of Black writers in Georgia.

Lewis' works includes Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, the March series, and Run: Book One. Lewis received the Georgia Author of the Year Award for Memoir in 2017 for March: Book Three.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Applicants must be 18 years of age and emerging writers who are Black or African-American residents of Georgia for at least one year, or full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award.

  • Applicants are ineligible if they have published more than one traditionally published book. Promising writers without publication will be considered.

  • Writers who are eligible may apply annually but may only win a grant once.

  • Applications will be reviewed anonymously.

  • Applicants are ineligible if they are of relations to any of the Georgia Writers staff or board of directors.

PRIZE:

Winners in each genre will receive:

  • A grant of $500 to present a workshop or reading at a selected Georgia venue

  • A scholarship to the next annual Red Clay Writers Conference

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Writers may apply in only one genre and must submit the following:

  • A completed grant application

  • An essay of at most 500 words as a concise description of your work and goals as a writer. Please tell us what inspires or challenges your writing career.

  • No more than a ten-page writing sample of a published or unpublished piece in the genre in which you are applying--fiction, non-fiction, or poetry. If submitting poetry, one poem per page please.

georgiawriters.org/john-lewis-writing-award

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The Helena Whitehill Book Award (FOR POETRY + CREATIVE NON-FICTION)

Tupelo Press

DEADLINE: October 31, 2024

INFO: The Helena Whitehill Book Award is a prestigious INTERNATIONAL prize for adult writers. This year we are beyond thrilled to announce it will be judged by the inimitable Ilya Kaminski, a decorated poet who in 2019 was named among “12 Artists who changed the world” by the BBC.

PRIZE: The Helena Whitehill Book Award includes a cash award of $1,000 in addition to publication by Tupelo Press, a book launch, national and international distribution by the University of Chicago Press, a one-week residence at Gentle House on the Olympic Peninsula, and unlike our other prizes, open to submissions of poetry, chapbook or full length, no page limit, and also open to creative non-fiction, no page limit. Manuscripts are judged anonymously and all finalists will be considered for publication. Please read the complete guidelines before submitting your manuscript.

Sally Whitehill writes: “My mother, Helena Whitehill, loved words, and in particular, poetry. She believed creative expression should and could be for everybody, and passed this belief on to me and to my sisters. In Tupelo Press and Jeffrey Levine, I am excited to find partners who share this doctrine. The anonymous nature of the submission process for the Helena Whitehill Book Award is one way we have put this belief into action. I can think of no better way to honor my mother than to support this prize and other writers.”

tupelopress.org/helena-whitehill-book-award/

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ESSAYS

The Rumpus

DEADLINE: October 31, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: We welcome essay submissions up to 4,000 words in length. In addition to personal narrative-driven essays we are interested in non-traditional forms of nonfiction. Essays should explore issues and ideas with depth and breadth, illuminating a larger cultural context or human struggle. Regardless of topic, we are looking for well-crafted sentences, a clear voice, vivid scenes, dramatic arc, reflection, thematic build, and attention to the musicality of prose. 

Because the volume of submissions is so high and it takes time to read work carefully, it is generally not advisable to send time-sensitive work. Essays that deal with current events in ways that do not rely on timeliness are very welcome. 

Essays must be previously unpublished. This includes personal blogs and social media. Please submit only one essay for consideration at a time; we ask that you wait until a decision has been made on that essay to submit again.

A cover letter is also welcome. Tell us a little bit about yourself, why you chose The Rumpus, where your work has appeared before, or anything else you think might be important for us to know. Simultaneous submissions are fine, but do withdraw your submission if your essay is picked up elsewhere.

Thank you for taking the time to proofread your submission. Double-spaced text is appreciated. If you have not heard a decision from us after 3 months, feel free to check in.

therumpus.submittable.com/submit

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2025 Fresh Voices Fellowship

Epiphany

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024 at 11:59pm

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: The Fresh Voices Fellowship supports one or more emerging Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or other writer of color who does not have an MFA and is not currently enrolled in a degree-granting creative writing program.

One or More Writers, in Prose or Poetry, Will Receive:

  • A $2000 stipend

  • Publication in a print issue of Epiphany

  • A one-year subscription to Epiphany

  • A close relationship with the editorial team and participate in the editorial and publication process of a small non-profit literary magazine

  • The opportunity to contribute an online essay series during their fellowship

We encourage writers who work outside the traditional literary and academic systems to apply, and applicants must not have an advanced degree in English, creative writing, or other related fields, and must not be enrolled at the time of application in any degree-granting program. Applicants must also have not have published or be contracted to publish a book.

Work Sample: Please include a 5-page sample (double-spaced for prose) of previously unpublished work that you feel most represents you, your interests, and your literary style. (If you’re sending a novel excerpt, please include a short synopsis of the novel and an explanation of where, in the story, the excerpt falls.)

We are also offering everyone who applies to the Fresh Voices Fellowship a free digital subscription to Epiphany. If you apply for the fellowship, the code for a free digital subscription will be included in our initial response letter.

epiphanymagazine.submittable.com/submit

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PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers

PEN America

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

INFO: The PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers recognizes twelve emerging writers each year for their debut short story published in a literary magazine, journal, or cultural website, and aims to support the launch of their careers as fiction writers.

Each of the twelve winning writers receives a cash prize of $2,000 and the independent book publisher Catapult will publish the twelve winning stories in an annual anthology entitled Best Debut Short Stories: The PEN America Dau Prize, which will acknowledge the literary magazines and websites where the stories were originally published.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:

  • Stories must be submitted by editors of literary magazines, journals, or cultural websites and published in the English language. Publications may be based and/or distributed anywhere in the world, so long as the story submitted was originally written in and published in English. Authors may not submit their own work.

  • Participating publications include literary magazines, journals, or cultural websites published on a recurring schedule.

  • Stories must have been published or forthcoming in the applicable calendar year.

  • Editors from eligible publications may only submit a writer’s debut short story. “Debut” is defined as the writer’s absolute first fiction publication in any language, which has undergone an editorial review process and been accepted and published in a literary outlet that the author is not academically or professionally associated with. Translations are ineligible. Writers who have published one or more books which have undergone editorial review are ineligible.

  • Editors from eligible publications may submit up to four eligible stories from debut authors in a given award year. Stories may not exceed 12,000 words in length.

  • Submitted story files should not include the journal name or other identifying information.

  • Both the editor and debut author must agree to and sign the award’s declaration of eligibility at the bottom of this form.

pen.org/program/pen-dau-short-story-prize/

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Shearing Fellowship

Black Mountain Institute

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

INFO: The Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute hosts residential fellowships every academic year. Visiting fellows join a community of writers and scholars in a thriving literary scene in Las Vegas and on the campus of UNLV; they are supported by individuals and groups that share the commitment to bringing writers and the literary imagination into the heart of public life.

For emerging and distinguished writers who have published at least one book with a trade or literary press, this fellowship includes: 

  • compensation of $46,500 paid over a nine-month period;

  • a nine-month-long letter of appointment;

  • eligibility for optional health coverage;

  • office space in the BMI offices on the campus of UNLV;

  • housing (fellows cover some utilities) in a unique and vibrant arts complex in the bustling district of downtown Las Vegas—home to The Writer’s Block, our city’s beloved independent bookstore; and

  • recognition at BMI as a “Shearing Fellow.”

While there are no formal teaching requirements, this is a “working fellowship” located in Las Vegas. BMI’s visiting fellows will maintain office hours (10 per week), and will offer regular service to the community. In addition to the primary goal of furthering one’s own writing during their term in Las Vegas, visiting fellows are expected to engage in a substantial way with BMI’s community, in ways that connect to their interests and skills. Upon acceptance into the program, each fellow will craft a plan in partnership with BMI. This is equally weighted against the writing sample and proposed literary project for the residency. Here are some examples of activities a visiting fellow might pursue:

  • Offer readings, craft talks, and other public presentations to the readers and writers of UNLV and Southern Nevada.

  • Offer workshops or seminars.

  • Curate events or programs.

  • Provide support to one of BMI’s publications(e.g. judge contests or consult on editorial processes).

Please feel free to move beyond these examples in your application – BMI wants to find new ways to serve the Las Vegas community, especially beyond the UNLV campus.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

Please submit:

  1. A one- to three-page personal statement,* which includes 1) your interest in being part of the Las Vegas literary community, 2) a practical description of how you envision fulfilling your service hours and engaging the Las Vegas community, and 3) the writing project(s) you will work on while in residency.

  2. A writing sample (10 pages maximum,* double-spaced, 12 pt. font).

  3. A résumé or CV.

*Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.

Finalists will be asked to send copies of their books. (Applicants must have at least one book published by a trade or literary press.) Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.

blackmountaininstitute.org/fellowships/apply/

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CALL FOR FICTION SUBMISSIONS: SPRING ISSUE 10.1

Foglifter

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

INFO: Foglifter is now open for submissions for our Spring Issue 10.1.

GUEST EDITOR: This issue's guest fiction editor is Jonathan Ayala, a writer from El Paso, Texas and a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso’s MFA program in Creative Writing. He has studied at the Tin House Summer Workshop and the Macondo Summer Writers’ Workshop. His stories have been published in journals such as Foglifter, Rio Grande Review, and The Acentos Review. In addition to writing, he works in health equity and writes, "Cultural Analysis/Cultural Activism," a newsletter about art and culture responding to the HIV epidemic.

GUIDELINES:

  • Please send a single Word document with up to 7500 words of fiction (up to three flash fiction pieces). Make sure it is in standard double-spaced formatting and a readable font.

  • For grant purposes, we cannot consider submissions that do not include a completed demographic survey with their submission.

Foglifter aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ literary community in our award-winning journal. Fill out our anonymized Demographics Survey to be considered for publication—then take a screenshot of the thank-you screen at the end and attach it along with your submission.

foglifter.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR HYBRID + DRAMA SUBMISSIONS: SPRING ISSUE 10.1

Foglifter

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

INFO: Foglifter is now open for submissions for our Spring Issue 10.1.

GUEST EDITOR: This issue's guest hybrid editor is Jai Dulani (he/him), a twice Pushcart nominated multi-genre writer. He was a finalist in the 2023 New Michigan Press / DIAGRAM chapbook contest and the Rose Metal Press 2023 Open Reading Period. His poetry and creative non-fiction have appeared in The Rumpus, Best New Poets, Alaska Quarterly Review and elsewhere. Dulani served as the Assistant Managing Editor of the Bellingham Review, where he co-founded “Resilient Pieholes,” a food feature noted in the New York Times.

GUIDELINES:

  • Send up to 20 pages of cross-genre work, text-image hybrids, or drama. 

  • PDFs are accepted in this category.

  • For grant purposes, we cannot consider submissions that do not include a completed demographic survey with their submission.

Foglifter aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ literary community in our award-winning journal. Fill out our anonymized Demographics Survey to be considered for publication—then take a screenshot of the thank-you screen at the end and attach it along with your submission.

foglifter.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR NONFICTION SUBMISSIONS: SPRING ISSUE 10.1

Foglifter

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

INFO: Foglifter is now open for submissions for our Spring Issue 10.1.

GUEST EDITOR: This issue's guest nonfiction editor is Jai Dulani (he/him), a twice Pushcart nominated multi-genre writer. He was a finalist in the2023 New Michigan Press / DIAGRAM chapbook contest and theRose Metal Press 2023 Open Reading Period. His poetry and creative non-fiction have appeared in The Rumpus,Best New Poets, Alaska Quarterly Review and elsewhere. Dulani served as the Assistant Managing Editor of the Bellingham Review, where he co-founded “Resilient Pieholes,” a food feature noted in the New York Times.

GUIDELINES:

  • Please send a single Word document with up to 7500 words of nonfiction (up to three flash nonfiction pieces). 

  • Please make sure it is in standard double-spaced formatting and a readable font.

  • For grant purposes, we cannot consider submissions that do not include a completed demographic survey with their submission.

Foglifter aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ literary community in our award-winning journal. Fill out our anonymized Demographics Survey to be considered for publication—then take a screenshot of the thank-you screen at the end and attach it along with your submission.

foglifter.submittable.com/submit

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Mesa Refuge Residency

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $50

INFO: Mesa Refuge welcomes a diverse community of writers—both emerging and established—who define and/or offer solutions to the pressing issues of our time. Particularly, it is our priority to support writers, activists and artists whose ideas are “on the edge,” taking on the pressing issues of our time including (but not limited to): nature, environment and climate crisis; economic, racial and gender equity; social justice and restorative justice; immigration; health care access; housing; and more. 

We especially want writers of nonfiction books, long-form journalism, audio and documentary film. Occasionally we accept poetry, fiction (Young Adult/Adult Literary), screenwriting and playwriting, photojournalism, personal memoirs (as a vehicle to tell a larger story) and graphic narrative. We tend not to accept academic writing. The potential impact and distribution of your project is also important.

We aim to support a diverse community of writers and welcome applicants that represent a broad spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, religion or ability. Please see our DEI statement for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

As a small nonprofit, our application fee of $50 helps underwrite the cost of application review. However, we do not want the application fee to be a barrier to apply. To request a fee waiver, please email us directly here.

GUIDELINES: The questions on our application are mostly short answer. We require one writing sample (max 2,000 words or 10 pages), a current resume, headshot photo and two references (we do not require letters of recommendation). Applicants will be contacted approximately 10 weeks after the application deadline.

Our residencies are two weeks long and there is no residency fee. Additional residency expenses like travel, transportation and food are your responsibility. Our facility accommodates three residents at a time.

When you click the button, below, you will be transferred to our application on Submittable. Our residency application will be available on June 1, 2024.

For more information, read our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact us at info@mesarefuge.org.

mesarefuge.org/residencies/application/

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Commonwealth Short Story Prize

Commonwealth Foundation

DEADLINE: November 1, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $0

INFO: The search for some of the Commonwealth’s best short story writers has begun again. Commonwealth citizens aged 18 and over can enter a short story of 2000-5000 words for a chance to win £5,000.

Submissions should be made via the online entry form. The eligibility and entry guidelines can be found here.

An international judging panel of writers will select a shortlist of around twenty stories, from which five regional winners are chosen. One of the regional winners is then selected as the overall winner, who receives £5,000. The regional winners will receive £2,500. All five regional winning stories will be published on Granta.

Scroll down to read answers to frequently asked questions about the prize, including who can enter, how stories are judged and what languages we accept.

For any inquiries regarding the prize, please email: creatives@commonwealthfoundation.com

commonwealthfoundation.com/short-story-prize/

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MONTHLY MENTORSHIP: RIGHT TO WRITE AWARDS

Writability

DEADLINE: November 12, 2024

INFO: Each year, two Right to Write Awards are given to outstanding applicants who have already been accepted into the Monthly Mentorship program. The award supports BIPOC and Veteran writers by waiving their tuition. Applicants must apply and be accepted to Monthly Mentorship before or in tandem with applying to the Right to Write Award.

Monthly Mentorship program dues are $4150. Recipients of a Right to Write Award will receive $3650 and are asked to pay the balance of $500, which covers fees Maximum Impact incurs for software, streaming, and tech features that help bring the program content to you in accessible ways. Application details are below.

writeability.org/rtwa

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Rising Writer Prize

Autumn House Press

DEADLINE: November 15, 2024

READING FEE: $30

INFO: The 2025 Rising Writer Prize is for a first full-length book of fiction. The Autumn House staff and select outsider readers will serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is K-Ming Chang.

PRIZE: The winner receives publication of their full-length manuscript and $2,000. We will announce the contest’s finalists and the winner by March 15, 2025. 

GUIDELINES:

  • Must be the author’s first full-length fiction book (previous publications of chapbooks and full-length books in other genres are fine)

  • The winners will receive book publication, a $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,000 travel/publicity grant to promote their book

  • All finalists will be considered for publication

  • Submissions should be approximately 100 – 200 pages

  • The reading fee is $30 (We will waive the submission fee for those undergoing financial hardship or living with limited means. Before you reach out to request a waived fee, please read our full statement and instructions here. If the guidelines are not followed, we will not be able to offer a waived fee.)

  • All fiction sub-genres (short stories, short-shorts, novellas, or novels) or any combination of sub-genres are eligible

  • The book should be previously unpublished

  • We only accept original manuscripts; AI-generated or AI-supported works are not accepted

  • Do not include your name anywhere on the actual manuscript; if your name appears within the body of the text, please omit it or black it out

  • You may include a brief bio in the “cover letter” section of Submittable

  • Do not include an acknowledgments page in the manuscript

  • Feel free to include a table of contents

  • Simultaneous submissions are permitted, but please let us know immediately if your book was accepted elsewhere

  • Friends, family members, and former students of judges or Autumn House editors may not submit to the contest. Students do not include interactions at short-term residencies or fellowships

  • Former employees of Autumn House, including interns, may not submit to the contest

ABOUT THE JUDGE: K-Ming Chang is a Kundiman fellow, a Lambda Literary Award winner, a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, and an O. Henry Prize Winner. She is the author of the New York Times Book Review Editors’ choice novel BESTIARY (One World/Random House, 2020), which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize and the Otherwise Award. In 2021, her chapbook BONE HOUSE was published by Bull City Press. Her story collection GODS OF WANT (One World/Random House) won a Lambda Literary Award and was a NYT Editors’ Choice. Her latest novel is ORGAN MEATS (One World, 2023), a Lambda Literary Award finalist, and CECILIA, a novella (Coffee House Press, 2024).

autumnhouse.org/submissions/rising-writers-prize/

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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TRANSLATION COLUMN

The Margins / AAWW

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins seeks work from writers for an ongoing monthly column on language, culture, and translation from Asia. We consider Asia as an umbrella term that encompasses all of its regions (South, Southeast, East, Central, and North Asia, and SWANA) and the many diaspora communities of Asians all over the world.

We welcome essays, hybrid works, translations, and translator’s notes that engage with Asia’s literature, cultures, subcultures, languages, and diasporas. We are also interested in works that grapple with the concept of the Transpacific, colonialism, history, and empire, especially as they relate to language and translation.

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

Examples of work we’re interested in:

  • Translator’s notes: Essays on the philosophy, craft, and art of translation

  • Translator’s diaries: Writings about the experience and choices for a particular book in translation

  • Essays and translations of essays on languages and multilingualism

  • Essays on power and empire as they relate to translation

  • New translations/re-translations of essays by important Asian scholars, thinkers, philosophers, and revolutionaries

  • Reportage on the writing, reading, publishing, and translation culture of a particular place

  • Photo essays about bookstores and literary salons in Asia or that feature Asian literature

  • Interviews with independent publishers, writers, artists, and thinkers in Asia or the Asian diaspora

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Send pitches of up to 500 words or finished pieces from 1,000-2,500 words to Soleil David, senior editor, at translation@aaww.org. For translations into English, translator must have already obtained permission from the copyright owner.

We read submissions year round and in all languages spoken and read in Asia. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know via email if your pitch/essay has been accepted elsewhere. Writers can expect a reply within three to four months.

aaww.org/submissions-translation-column/

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CALL FOR AUTHORS

Vanderbilt University Press

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: Vanderbilt University Press acquires books in the areas of Latin American and Hispanic studies; global and public health; human rights and civil rights; anthropology; history and postwar studies; and studies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We also publish books with a regional focus on Tennessee and the South, including, for example, books on Nashville and country music.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Initial inquiries about potential book projects should be queried to the acquisitions department via email. We do not accept full manuscripts until requested. First, ensure that VUP publishes in the disciplinary area that your project represents.

If that is the case, please send a cover letter and book proposal that includes the following:

  • A short book abstract

  • A brief but detailed statement outlining the manuscript’s arguments, themes, and significance to the field

  • A table of contents that clearly summarizes the content and structure of each chapter

  • Assessment of the work’s fit with existing literature, comparison with published books on the topic, and discussion of the intended audiences and market for the book

  • Statement of the anticipated word count of the manuscript; plans for tables, figures, or other illustrations; and schedule for completion

  • Sample chapter (optional)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • If your manuscript is based on a dissertation, please discuss how the material and research has been developed, reframed, or otherwise revised. VUP does not publish unrevised dissertations.

  • If your manuscript is an edited collection, please include information about each of the contributors and note if any of the chapters are previously published.

  • If your manuscript is a translation, please describe why the author’s work warrants translation into English, as well as any and all information on rights to the work and the book’s history in its native language.

Keep a file or a copy of your proposal materials. We do not return proposals. Please do not call the Press to inquire about the status of your proposal or manuscript. We review all material received, and you will be contacted when a decision has been made. We aim to communicate whether a proposed project is being pursued further no more than eight weeks after the receipt of the proposal.

For more information about specific series initiatives, visit our Series page.

vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/resources/submission-guidelines-for-prospective-authors/

FICTION / NONFICTION — SEPTEMBER 2024

CHANGEMAKER AUTHORS COHORT 

Narrative Initiative / Unicorn Authors Club

DEADLINE: Extended to September 3, 2024

INFO: The Changemaker Authors Cohort is a yearlong intensive coaching program supporting full-time movement organizers and social justice practitioners to complete books that create deep, durable narrative change to restructure the way people feel, think, and respond to the world.

To help create new networks of opportunity, Narrative Initiative partnered with the Unicorn Authors Club to offer this unique writing cohort for Changemaker Authors. Our first Changemaker Authors Cohort launched in early-2022; the 2023-2024 Cohort began on November 2023. Applications are opening June 1st for the 2025 Cohort. 

The Changemaker Authors Cohort supports those working towards racial, economic, and social justice to write and publish books that create durable narrative change. This can include books that are about communities establishing and using their power through organizing and activism, as well as those contributing to the plurality of voices in the broader artistic and cultural discourse. Visit the cohort pages for 2022 and 2024 to get a sense of some of the projects supported within this program. 

This 12-month virtual program begins on March 1, 2025 and supports cohort members to make significant progress with their project at the end of each 4-month term. This can include manuscript completion or having a submittable manuscript or proposal ready for an agent or publisher, through coaching, regular writing cafés, craft talks, and resources about crafting stories and the publishing industry. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the upcoming Cohort year can be found here

Please email (changemakerauthor@narrativeinitiative.org) for any additional questions about the Changemaker Authors Cohort  application or the program.

narrativeinitiative.org/changemaker-authors-program/

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ESSAYS — PERSONAL NARRATIVES

Electric Literature

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 3 - 17, 2024 (or when they reach a cap of 750 submissions)

INFO: Calling all essay writers! Electric Lit is seeking personal narrative submissions.

GUIDELINES:

  • Submissions must be full drafts of personal essays submitted via Submittable

  • While there are no restrictions on form or subject matter, submissions should center narrative and consider what it means to essay; in other words, write to interrogate, investigate, adventure, and introspect

  • Submissions must be between 2,000 and 6,500 words in length

  • Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know immediately if a submission is accepted elsewhere

  • Previously published work will not be considered

  • Response time is approximately six to eight months

  • Writers may submit once per submission period, but writers can have active submissions across other EL categories. (This does not apply to year-round submitting members. For more information on member submissions, please refer to the welcome email you received when you signed up as member, or email wynter@electricliterature.com.)

  • Upon acceptance, we can offer authors $100 for publishing rights, with 90-day exclusivity

  • For more information on what we’re looking for, please watch our salon on EL’s General Nonfiction Program

electricliterature.submittable.com/submit

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Winter Writers’ Retreat for Storytellers of Color

Roots. Wounds. Words.

DEADLINE: September 8, 2024

INFO: The Roots. Wounds. Words. Winter Writers’ Retreat for Storytellers of Color is a sacred space wherein BIPOC stories are celebrated, and BIPOC storytellers immersed in liberation. At the Writers’ Retreat, Storytellers receive literary arts instruction offered by award-winning BIPOC writers in the fields of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, speculative fiction, and young adult fiction.

In January 2025, Roots. Wounds. Words. Fellows will commune online where they will workshop their literary art, perform their work, participate in BIPOC-centered healing and liberation modalities, as well as receive literary arts pedagogy from renowned BIPOC storytellers.

To attend this offering, submit an application through our online system. Prior writing experience is insignificant. Whether you’ve attended a writing workshop before or not holds no weight. All applicants are judged on the merits of their full application, which includes an artistic statement, bio, and writing sample.

Our Writers’ Retreat provides BIPOC storytellers with a transformative opportunity to push your pen, strengthen your craft, access literary art professionals, rest and restore, and build the tribe you need to support your writing goals.

The Roots. Wounds. Words. Writers’ Retreat is for Us.

RETREAT LOCATION: Online / Virtual

RETREAT DATES: January 5 - January 11, 2025

TUITION: $1,500 (partial scholarships and payment plans are available)

2025 WINTER WRITERS’ RETREAT FACULTY:

  • FICTION FACULTY - Jamil Jan Kochai (he/him) is the author of The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories, a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award and a winner of the 2023 Aspen Words Literary Prize and the 2023 Clark Fiction Prize. His debut novel 99 Nights in Logar was a finalist for the Pen/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. His short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and The Best American Short Stories. His essays have been published at The New Yorker, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Kochai was a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University, a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, and a Truman Capote Fellow at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. He teaches creative writing at California State University, Sacramento.

  • NONFICTION FACULTY - Nadia Owusu (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and urbanist. Her memoir, Aftershocks, was selected as a best book of 2021 by over a dozen publications, including Time, Vogue, Esquire, and the BBC, and has been translated into five languages. It was a New York Times Editors’ Choice pick, named one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year, and selected by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai for her Literati book club. Nadia is the winner of a Whiting Award in nonfiction. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Orion, Granta, The Paris Review Daily, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure, and others. She teaches creative writing at Columbia University and at the Mountainview MFA program and is the Director of Storytelling at Frontline Solutions.

  • POETRY FACULTY - porsha olayiwola is a native of chicago who writes, lives and organizes in boston, where she is the current poet laureate. olayiwola is a writer, performer, educator and curator who uses afro-futurism and surrealism to examine historical and current issues in the black, woman, and queer diasporas. she is an individual world poetry slam champion and the founder of the roxbury poetry festival. porsha olayiwola is currently teaching in her role as assistant professor of poetry at Emerson College. she is the author of i shimmer sometimes, too. her work can be found in or forthcoming from with triquarterly magazine, black warrior review, the boston globe, essence magazine, redivider, split this rock, the nba, the academy of american poets, netflix, wilderness press, the museum of fine arts and elsewhere.

  • SPECULATIVE FICTION FACULTY - Andrea Hairston (she/her) is a novelist, playwright, and L. Wolff Kahn 1931 Professor Emerita of Theatre and Africana Studies at Smith College. Novels: Archangels of Funk; Will Do Magic For Small Change, a New York Times Editor’s pick and finalist for the Mythopoeic, Lambda, and Otherwise Awards; Redwood and Wildfire, Otherwise and Carl Brandon Award winner; Master of Poisons on the 2020 Kirkus Review’s Best Science Fiction and Fantasy; and Mindscape, Carl Brandon Award winner. Her short fiction appears in So Long Been Dreaming: Postcolonial Visions of the Future; New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color; Trouble the Waters and Lightspeed Magazine. Plays and essays appear in Lonely Stardust.

rootswoundswords.org/2025-winterretreat

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MACDOWELL FELLOWSHIP

MacDowell

DEADLINE: September 10, 2024

INFO: About 300 artists in seven disciplines are awarded Fellowships each year and the sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence. There are no residency fees, and need-based stipends and travel reimbursement grants are available to open the residency to the broadest possible community of artists. 

MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. Any applicant whose proposed project does not fall clearly within one of these artistic disciplines should contact the admissions department for guidance. We aim to be inclusive, not exclusive in our admissions process.

macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship

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PRINCETON ARTS FELLOWSHIPS

Lewis Center for the Arts

DEADLINE: September 10, 2024 at 11:59pm ET

INFO: Princeton Arts Fellowships, funded in part by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, David E. Kelley Society of Fellows in the Arts, and the Maurice R. Greenberg Scholarship Fund, will be awarded to artists whose achievements have been recognized as demonstrating extraordinary promise in any area of artistic practice and teaching. Applicants should be early career visual artists, filmmakers, poets, novelists, playwrights, designers, directors and performance artists—this list is not meant to be exhaustive—who would find it beneficial to spend two years teaching and working in an artistically vibrant university community.

Princeton Arts Fellows spend two consecutive academic years (September 1-July 1) at Princeton University and formal teaching is expected. The normal work assignment will be to teach one course each semester subject to approval by the Dean of the Faculty, but fellows may be asked to take on an artistic assignment in lieu of a class, such as directing a play or creating a dance with students. Although the teaching load is light, our expectation is that Fellows will be full and active members of our community, committed to frequent and engaged interactions with students during the academic year.

A $92,000 a year stipend is provided. Fellowships are not intended to fund work leading to an advanced degree. One need not be a U.S. citizen to apply. Holders of Ph.D. degrees from Princeton are not eligible to apply.

Past recipients of the Hodder Fellowship and individuals who have had a sustained and continuous relationship with Princeton University are not eligible to apply. Those who have had an occasional and sporadic relationship with Princeton may apply.

To apply, please submit a curriculum vitae, contact information for three references (should the search committee choose to contact references, please do not request letters or have letters sent in advance of a request from the search committee), and work samples (i.e., a writing sample, images of your work, video links to performances, etc.). Please also submit a 750-word proposal that includes how you would hope to use the two years of the fellowship to develop your work, how you would contribute to Princeton’s arts community through teaching and/or production, and how you have encouraged diversity and inclusion and furthered accessibility in your artistic practice, teaching, and/or research.

Applicants can only apply for the Princeton Arts Fellowship twice in a lifetime.

arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/princeton-arts-fellowship/

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The WNDB Mentorship Program

We Need Diverse Books

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024

INFO: The WNDB Mentorship Program aims to support writers and illustrators by pairing them with an experienced professional in the field. Our mentors work one-on-one with a mentee and their completed draft of a manuscript over the course of a year, offering advice to improve craft and to better understand the publishing industry.

For 2025, WNDB is offering fifteen mentorships split among the following categories: Picture Book Text (PB), Middle Grade (MG), Young Adult (YA); and Illustration (IL).

The winners will communicate with their mentor for approximately one year in a mentor/mentee custom-defined program, and the mentorship period will run from January to December 2025.

Applicants are encouraged to research our 2025 mentors to figure out who would be the best fit. You can find their professional bios and mentor statements on our website.

diversebooks.org/programs/mentorship-program/

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VCCA RESIDENCY

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: Residencies can be transformative to an artist’s process and the effect on an artist’s career profound. A residency at VCCA gives artists the time and space to explore and go deeper into their work. Away from the constraints of “the real world” and in an accepting environment of talented peers, one can dream and create with the feeling that anything is possible.

VCCA’s Mt. San Angelo location in Amherst, Virginia, typically hosts 360 artists each year in residencies of varying lengths (no minimum; up to six weeks) with flexible scheduling. A residency at Mt. San Angelo includes a private bedroom with private en-suite bath, a private individual studio, three prepared meals a day, and access to a community of more than 20 other artists in residence.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VCCA is surrounded by natural wonders and hiking trails. Many local sites and additional inspiration can be found in short drives to Lynchburg (20 minutes), Charlottesville (1 hour), Roanoke (1.5 hours), or Richmond (2 hours).

SELECTION PROCESS: VCCA Fellows are selected by peer review on the basis of professional achievement or promise of achievement in their respective fields. Separate review panels are created for each category (poetry, fiction, nonfiction, playwriting/screenwriting, children’s literature, performance, film/video, book arts, drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, music composition, etc.). Panelists undergo periodic review and rotate regularly to ensure VCCA admission decisions are guided by high caliber artists who represent a diversity of styles and tastes.

All VCCA residency and fellowship applications are accepted online via SlideRoom. The standard application fee is $30. If the application fee presents a significant barrier to application, artists should reach out to Artists Services at vcca@vcca.com to request an application fee waiver at least five days before the deadline.

FELLOWSHIPS / FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: A variety of fully-funded fellowship opportunities are available at each application deadline. In addition, significant financial assistance is available throughout the year.

vcca.com/apply/residencies-at-vcca/

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The People of Color in Publishing Mentorship Program

People of Color in Publishing

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024

INFO: The People of Color in Publishing Mentorship Program is a volunteer-based initiative that aims to create mentorship relationships between entry-level and experienced-level POC industry professionals. The initiative’s goal is to provide entry-level POC professionals a personal resource for support, guidance, and encouragement, as they begin to navigate a career in publishing.

The mentorship program lasts for 6 months, beginning January, with each mentor/mentee pair determining the scheduling, pace, structure, and circumstances of their mentorship. Mentors are asked to spend at least an hour per month one-on-one (whether by phone, Skype, gchat, or in person) with their mentee in order to provide the kind of attention and information they can put to good use in their careers. This amounts to a total commitment of 6 hours between the mentor and mentee across the 6 month mentorship period.

Each pair is assigned one member of the subcommittee as their point person, who will be there to give guidance, advice, and to take feedback and address concerns. We welcome any and all comments that may help us improve and refine this program so that it truly works to combat the disproportionate lack of POCs in the publishing industry.

pocinpublishing.com/mentorship

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PIGEON PAGES FLASH CONTEST

Pigeon Pages

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024

INFO: Submit to Pigeon Pages’ Flash Contest!

Previously unpublished fiction and nonfiction pieces of 850 words or less are eligible for this contest.

PRIZE: The winning author will receive $250 and publication in Pigeon Pages.

JUDGE: Rachel Lyon is the author of Self-Portrait with Boy, a finalist for the Center for Fiction's 2018 First Novel Prize, and Fruit of the Dead, an NEPM (New England Public Media) Book Club pick, which The New York Times called “superb” and “refreshing.” Rachel’s short work has appeared in One Story, The Rumpus, Electric Literature, and elsewhere. A cofounder of Ditmas Lit (Brooklyn, NY) and The Dream Away Reading Series (Becket, MA), and a creative writing instructor for various institutions, most recently Bennington College, Rachel has been appointed the 2024 Paris Writer in Residence by the Paris School of Arts and Culture, the American University of Paris, and the Centre Culturel Irlandais. She lives with her husband and two young children in Western Massachusetts.

pigeonpagesnyc.com/flash-contest-2024

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Call for Papers: Special Issue on Puerto Rican Migration: 
Diasporic Puerto Rican Communities in Transformation

CENTRO Journal

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024

INFO: This special issue of CENTRO Journal aims to acknowledge, document, and examine Puerto Rican migration to traditional and non-traditional destinations of migration, and the transformations/changes undergone by emerging, maturing, and declining communities resulting from these new patterns of migration. 

Recent decades have witnessed economic, political, ecological, and socio-demographic changes that have engulfed Puerto Rico, with out-migration a common response to such transformations. While the Puerto Rican diaspora was once concentrated in New York City and Chicago, Puerto Ricans from the States and the archipelago continue to migrate to non-traditional destinations across the country, with the current majority residing in Florida. In the last decade, states like Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina have experienced significant growth in their Puerto Rican population. 

Cascading events in the past two decades such as the expiration of Section 936 tax breaks, a prolonged economic recession, Puerto Rico’s unaudited debt and the subsequent imposition of the Puerto Rican Fiscal Oversight and Management Control Board (la Junta), Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the earthquakes of 2019–2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic, all have contributed to migration. Exploitative labor recruitment of Puerto Ricans from the archipelago by stateside companies continues to draw people away. Concurrently, the Puerto Rican diaspora has grown, and Puerto Rican communities have diversified, though less is known about how Puerto Rican families and communities in the diaspora have become heterogenous through patterns of exogamy, cultural identities, regionalism, social mobility, and other factors. We are interested in papers that examine this heterogeneity and how it manifests itself through the migration experience seen in mobility patterns within and among US states. 

The editors seek papers that use a diversity of approaches and methods to understand the state of Puerto Rican migration and placemaking and its consequences for diasporic communities and Puerto Rican institutions. 

GUEST EDITORS

  • Elizabeth Aranda, University of South Florida

  • Delia Fernández-Jones, Michigan State University

  • Simone Delerme, University of Mississippi

SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Patterns of settlement and the formation and transformation of Puerto Rican diasporic communities 

  • Labor recruitment that has drawn Puerto Ricans to traditional and non-traditional sectors 

  • Social, cultural, political, and/or economic incorporation in different communities 

  • The impact of factors like race, social class, gender, sexuality, disability, and other identities on migratory experiences 

  • Comparisons to other diasporic communities 

  • Transformations to emerging and/or maturing communities 

  • Relationships and interactions between Puerto Ricans, other Latinos/as/es/xs, and/or other ethnic and racial groups 

  • Residential patterns and homeownership 

  • Various forms of placemaking including but not limited to economic, cultural, and religious 

  • Political and civic engagement at various levels 

  • The effect of return and/or circular migration on diasporic communities

  • The effect of long standing economic and/or colonial policies on new patterns of migration 

POSSIBLE SUBMISSION FORMATS:

Contributors are invited to submit pieces in one of the following formats (with listed word counts, inclusive of references and notes): 

  • Articles (12,000 words) 

  • Short essays/interviews (2,000 words) 

  • Digital humanities projects 

TIMELINE: 

  • Abstract submission deadline: September 15, 2024 

  • Notification of abstract approval: September 30, 2024 

  • Final manuscript submission: December 15, 2024 

  • Publication of this special volume (v. 37, n. 3): winter 2025

ABSTRACT + MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Please send a 250-word abstract of your work and a 50-word bio to the following link (https://bit.ly/centro_journal_fall_2025_abstract). We accept abstracts and manuscripts in English and Spanish. 

Approved manuscript submissions should be uploaded to the following link (https://bit.ly/centro_journal_fall_2025_manuscript). All submissions should follow CENTRO Journal’s style guidelines (https://bit.ly/centro_journal_style_guide) and will be sent out for peer review. Please include a cover letter with your manuscript title, the word count (including references and notes), your full name, a short bio (of no more than 75 words), institutional or organizational affiliation (if applicable), email address, and phone number.

Questions should be addressed to the guest editors Elizabeth Aranda (earanda@usf.edu), Delia Fernández-Jones (dmf@msu.edu), and Simone Delerme (sdelerme@olemiss.edu), or to the journal editor Gustavo Quintero Vera (journal@hunter.cuny.edu).

centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/opportunities/centro-journal-fall-2025/

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2025 Writer - Winter / Spring Residency

Jentel Artist Residency

DEADLINE: September 15, 2024 at noon MST

APPLICATION FEE: $30

ELIGIBILITY Residencies are intended as professional development opportunities for visual artists in all creative disciplines and writers in creative non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. Proposals for self-directed, creative residencies must be compatible with available working studio spaces, facilities, and resources. Artistic merit and promise are the basis for selections. Mature as well as emerging artists are encouraged to apply. Individuals enrolled in a degree program at the time of application are ineligible for residency. Artists and writers over age 25 residing in the United States and US citizens abroad are eligible. Four visual artists and two writer residencies are awarded each session. 

DURATION OF RESIDENCY All residencies start on the 15th of each month and end on the 7th of the next month. No exceptions, please.

CHARACTER STATEMENTS: During the application process, Jentel requests contact information for three (3) individuals who know them on a day-to-day personal basis, are familiar with their creative work habits, and have the ability to engage congenially in small groups. Jentel will be considering these applicants for a residency award. Submittable will generate an email to the three (3) individuals with a link to submit a brief character statement on behalf of the applicant. (Jentel does not accept statements from Inter-Folio.)

AWARDS A rotating panel of experts and professionals in the arts and humanities independently reviews applications and supporting materials. Final awards of residencies are at the discretion of Jentel. In some instances, artists and writers are invited to participate without submitting an application.

COUPLES Couples who are artists or writers may apply individually, understanding that one partner may be accepted and the other may not. Each artist or writer accepted for a residency will be offered a separate studio or workspace. Jentel is unable to invite spouses or partners to accompany artists in residence under any other circumstances.

COLLABORATORS Collaborators may be accepted for a residency; however, both need to submit separate applications along with a joint proposal. Please indicate in the proposal the requirements for the workspace.

REAPPLICATION After five years have lapsed, previous residents may reapply for a residency by submitting a new application with new work and new character statement contacts. Artists who have applied previously may reapply by submitting a new application and a new work sample.

LOCATION The Jentel Artist Residency Program is located on a working cattle ranch 20 miles southeast of Sheridan (Population nearing 20,000). Set in the rolling sage hills along Piney Creek, numerous buildings cluster one of the original ranch houses, which serve as a reception center.  Spectacular views of the Big Horn Mountains are set against an ever-changing backdrop of light and sky. 

FACILITIES Residencies provide time, space, and facilities for research, experimentation, and production of work and ideas in the visual and literary arts. Residents are at liberty to structure their own time and activity. They may choose to maintain their privacy or to engage with other residents and activities at Jentel. Each resident is offered separate living accommodations and workspace. Large, well-lighted studios are equipped with running water and adequate light for late work. Writers need to bring their own writing materials and laptops. Areas inside and outside are reserved for residents. Common spaces include a library, a recreation area, and a great room. A large kitchen adjacent to the living area may be used for food and meal preparation. A weekly stipend is provided to help defray personal expenses.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT A monthly stipend is distributed in three (3) separate installments of $100 at the end of each week in residence. Residents are responsible for their own personal living expenses, food and beverage, supplies, telephone charges, and any expenses related to the production of work during the residency. Travel and shipping expenses to and from the Jentel Artist Residency Program are also the responsibility of the resident.

FEES: There are no fees charged for the residency. The receipt of a $100 reservation deposit is due within two weeks of notification of the residency award and confirms the residency. The reservation deposit is returned during orientation at the residency. When an artist or writer cancels a residency reservation less than two months prior to the beginning of the residency, they waive the return of the reservation deposit. Application fees are non-refundable.

CHILDREN Accommodations for children and family members are not provided.

PETS Pets are not allowed at Jentel.

VISITORS Accommodations for visitors are available in Sheridan, 20 miles northwest of Jentel.

SMOKING/VAPING Jentel is a vape and smoke-free environment.

PRIVACY All application materials and work samples are confidential and retained for the use of the Jentel Artist Residency Program only.

COMMUNITY Although no services are expected of residents during their stay, interaction within the community is welcomed and graciously supported.

Questions?
Please see the Application/FAQs on the website: www.jentelarts.org.

jentelartistresidency.submittable.com/submit 

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HUMAN RESIDENCY FELLOWSHIP

Ragdale / Lake Forest College

DEADLINE: Extended September 15, 2024

APPLICATION FEE: $10

INFO: Ragdale is pleased to announce the HUMAN Residency Fellowship, an exciting new partnership with Lake Forest College made possible by the Mellon Foundation.

This multi-year collaboration invites artists from diverse disciplines to explore the intersection of the humanities, artificial intelligence, and social justice. Ragdale encourages applications from individuals whose work addresses questions about the impact of bias on AI outputs, the influence of dominant historical narratives on current AI technologies, and the ethical considerations for integrating AI into daily life.

ELIGIBILITY: Emerging, midcareer, and established writers, dancers, musicians, composers, and visual artists are encouraged to apply.

AWARD: Ragdale will award the HUMAN Residency Fellowship to 6 artists.  This award includes an initial 6-day Group Residency in spring 2025 (dates TBD) with fellow HUMAN Residency Fellowship recipients and comes with a $1,000 stipend to offset travel and expenses. This AI-themed residency session will be followed by a full, individual, 18-day, fee-waived residency to be scheduled in the subsequent two years (2026 or 2027).

Full residencies are comprised of cohorts of up to 14 multidisciplinary artists working on their own projects. Awardees will receive a second stipend of $3,000 during the 18-day residency. All applicants who apply for the HUMAN Residency Fellowship will be asked to participate in a program, such as a panel talk, visiting artist lecture, workshop, or other related event as part of a culminating AI symposium in 2027. Program details will be determined after the cohort is selected.

The HUMAN residency at Ragdale is part of the Lake Forest College’s $1.2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation for HUMAN: Humanities Understanding of the Machine-Assisted Nexus, led by Professor of English and Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities, Davis Schneiderman.

GUIDELINES: All applicants submit electronic materials through the Submittable application portal. Do not email or mail any application materials. Please note the following requirements to complete your application.

A completed online application form includes:

  1. A one-page artist statement and proposal. Proposals should describe how a residency would support the applicant’s work in exploring the intersection of the humanities and artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, with an emphasis on questions of equity and social justice.    

  2. A one or two-page CV or resume that summarizes your professional background. 

  3. Work samples that show work from the past 2-3 years. All media is acceptable. Most electronic file types and sizes are accepted. 

PLEASE NOTE: Letters of recommendation are not required nor accepted.

ragdale.submittable.com/submit/293033/2025-human-residency

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2024 Beauchamp Prize in Critical Writing

Gulf Coast

DEADLINE: September 16, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $0

INFO: The Prize invites submissions of expository writing, scholarly essays, and exhibition reviews that have been written–or published–within the last year. 

No specific word count requirement, but our arts publications typically hover around 2,000 words per industry standard. 

Securing image permissions is incurred on the writer and, when relevant, reprint consent if the essay has been previously published.

The Prize is judged anonymously, so please withhold biographic details, including your name, or any contact data in the uploaded document. This information should only be pasted in the “Comments” field.

gulfcoastajournalofliteratureandfinearts.submittable.com/submit

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2025 Guggenheim Fellowships

John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

DEADLINE: September 17, 2024 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: Guggenheim Fellowships are intended for mid-career individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts and exhibit great promise for their future endeavors.

Fellowships are awarded through an annual competition open to citizens and permanent residents of the United States and Canada. Candidates must apply to the Guggenheim Foundation in order to be considered.

The Foundation receives approximately 3,000 applications each year. No one who applies is guaranteed success in the competition and there is no prescreening; all applications are reviewed. Approximately 175 Fellowships are awarded each year.

During the rigorous selection process, applicants will first be pooled with others working in the same field, and examined by experts in that field. The work of artists will be reviewed by artists, that of scientists by scientists, that of historians by historians, and so on. The Foundation has a network of several hundred advisers, who either meet at the Foundation offices to look at applicants’ work, or receive application materials to read offsite. These advisers, all of whom are Guggenheim Fellows from previous years, then submit reports critiquing and ranking the applications in their respective fields. Their recommendations are then forwarded to and weighed by a Committee of Selection, which then determines the number of awards to be made in each area. Occasionally, no application in a given area is considered strong enough to merit a Fellowship.

We guarantee our advisers and Committee of Selection members, as well as those who submit letters of reference, absolute confidentiality. Therefore, under no circumstances will the reasons for the rejection of an application be provided.

The Committee of Selection then forwards its recommendations to the Board of Trustees for final approval. The successful candidates in the United States and Canada competition are announced in early April.

FAQs:

What are Guggenheim Fellowships?

Guggenheim Fellowships are grants awarded to around 175 selected individuals every year. The purpose of the Guggenheim Fellowship program is to provide Fellows with blocks of time in which they can work with as much creative freedom as possible. As such, grants are made freely, without any special conditions attached to them; Fellows may spend their grant funds in any manner they deem necessary to their work. The United States Internal Revenue Service, however, does require the Foundation to ask for reports from its Fellows at the end of their Fellowship terms.

How does the Foundation define “advanced professional”?

The Foundation understands advanced professionals to be those who as writers, scholars, or scientists have a significant record of publication, or as artists, playwrights, filmmakers, photographers, composers, or the like, have a significant record of exhibition or performance of their work.

How does the Foundation define “performing arts”?

The Foundation understands the performing arts to be those in which an individual interprets work created by others. Accordingly, the Foundation will provide Fellowships to composers but not conductors, singers, or instrumentalists; choreographers but not dancers; filmmakers, playwrights, and performance artists who create their own work but not actors or theater directors.

What is the amount of a grant?

The amounts of grants vary, and the Foundation does not guarantee it will fully fund any project. Working with a fixed annual budget, the Foundation strives to allocate its funds as equitably as possible, taking into consideration the Fellows’ other resources and the purpose and scope of their plans. Members of the teaching profession receiving sabbatical leave on full or part salary are eligible for appointment, as are those holding other fellowships and appointments at research centers.

gf.org/how-to-apply/

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2025 Periplus Fellowship

Periplus Collective

DEADLINE: September 20, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET

INFO: Applications for the 2025 Periplus Fellowship are open!

Periplus is a community of writers who provide mentorship and guidance to early-career BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) writers in the United States so they can achieve their own professional and artistic goals.

During the year-long fellowship, mentors and fellows meet monthly to discuss various topics, which might include, for example, building writing into a daily routine, making money as a writer, considering craft concerns like structuring a book or magazine article, and approaching career-related problems like finding an agent, pitching magazines, or applying to graduate school.

There are also opportunities for Fellows to engage with the broader Periplus community such as planning panels, talks, meet-ups, readings or other events; attending those events; sharing support and resources; and doing whatever else they think would be useful and interesting.

bit.ly/periplusfaq

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: KIN KEEPERS Live Storytelling Presents: Friendship

Literary Liberation

DEADLINE: September 20, 2024

INFO: Do you have a story about friendship that’s itching to be told? We want to hear it! Prepare a 5-8 minute story sharing your unique take on friendship. Whether it's a heartwarming tale of lifelong bonds, a humorous anecdote about unexpected friendships, or a moving reflection on the ups and downs of maintaining connections. Tell us about meeting, keeping, or losing a friend at any age.  Tell us how friendships have shaped and/or enriched your life.

Selected storytellers will be notified the week of September 27th.

MORE DETAILS:

We are selecting 7-10 participants

  • Submissions must be true personal narratives (with the exception of names and place to protect the identity of others).

  • Stories should be original, unpublished, and 700-1000 words max. (5-8 minutes long)

  • Include your name, contact information, time zone, and a brief bio (50-100 words) with your submission.

  • Upload your story submission as a PDF or Word document

literaryliberation.substack.com/p/submit-now-kin-keepers-live-storytelling

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Rooted & Written 2024 Conference

The Writers Grotto

DEADLINE: September 22, 2024

INFO: Rooted & Written was founded in 2019, and this year marks our fifth year of empowering writers of color and we're excited to continue the tradition.

This year, The Writers Grotto in San Francisco, California will again host Rooted & Written, the first fully-funded, tuition-free professional writing conference for writers of color in the country.

Forty Rooted & Written Fellows will be selected to attend seven days of classes, workshops, and mentoring, plus the opportunity to participate in lunchtime “Conversations” with featured literary luminaries. Rooted & Written will take place on October 27- November 2, 2024

All Rooted & Written Fellows are awarded full scholarships to the entire seven-day conference and workshops.

The week kicks off with an orientation for our Fellows on Sunday, October 27, featuring keynote speakers, seminars, classes, and workshops.

The Rooted & Written 2024 Keynotes will be held virtually and are open to the public. Our keynote speakers include literary luminaries such as Susan Kiyo Ito, a celebrated writer and professor, who made a significant literary impact this year with the publication of her acclaimed memoir I Would Meet You Anywhere, will be the keynote speaker, sharing her insights on storytelling, family, and resilience. Eirinie Carson, a dynamic writer whose debut memoir The Dead are Gods has captivated readers with its raw and powerful exploration of grief and identity, will be the keynote speaker, offering her profound insights into the healing power of storytelling.

In addition, during the weekdays, Fellows will participate in craft classes led by our core faculty across various disciplines, including Fiction, Screenwriting, Poetry, Memoir/Essay/Creative Nonfiction, and Screenwriting.

On Thursday and Friday, October 31 and November 1, 2024, Rooted & Written Fellows and all conference applicants will participate in Rooted & Written 'Flash Classes'—a menu of three 60-minute courses each day, covering all genres and featuring invaluable talks by agents and editors focused on professional development.

The week will conclude on Saturday, November 2th with the "Words of Color" literary reading featuring all 40 Rooted & Written Fellows. The “Words of Color” event will be held in person and open to the public at The Writers Grotto in San Francisco as well as via Zoom.

Rooted & Written was first conceptualized and founded by Salvadoran writer Roberto Lovato as a free conference by The Writers Grotto for Bay Area-based BIPOC writers, and has since evolved into a full-blown writing conference and curriculum featuring internationally renowned speakers, faculty, and seasoned professionals in the literary industry.

rooted-written.org

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2025–2026 CULLMAN CENTER FELLOWSHIP

The New York Public Library.

DEADLINE: September 27, 2024 at 5 p.m. EDT

INFO: The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers offers Fellowships to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the research collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Renowned for the extraordinary comprehensiveness of its collections, the Library is one of the world’s preeminent resources for study in anthropology, art, geography, history, languages and literature, philosophy, politics, popular culture, psychology, religion, sociology, sports, and urban studies.

The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards fifteen Fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers—academics, independent scholars, journalists, creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets), translators, and visual artists. 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. People seeking funding for research leading directly to a degree are not eligible.

The Cullman Center looks for top-quality writing. It aims to promote dynamic communication about literature and scholarship at the very highest level—within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows’ published work.

BENEFITS: A Cullman Center Fellow receives a stipend of $85,000, the use of an office with a computer, and full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources. Fellows work at the Center for the duration of the Fellowship term, which runs from September through May. Each Fellow gives a talk over lunch on his or her current work-in-progress to the other Fellows and to a wide range of invited guests, and may be asked to take part in other programs at The New York Public Library.

nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/center-for-scholars-and-writers/fellowships-at-the-cullman-center

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Gold Line Press Chapbook Contests

Gold Line Press

DEADLINE: September 30, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $15 (however, free submissions are availble for BIPOC writers and writers facing financial hardship)

INFO: Gold Line Press, a student-run press housed in the Creative Writing and Literature PhD program at the University of Southern California, seeks submissions for its annual contests.

They seek submissions for chapbook-length (30-page max for prose and 5000-15000 words for prose) projects in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The judges are 'Pemi Aguda (fiction), Jaquira Díaz (nonfiction), and Diannely Antigua (poetry).

PRIZE: The winner in each genre will be published by Gold Line Press, receive a $750 prize, and 50 author copies of their published chapbook.

goldlinepress.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: YA OPEN

Voyage YA by Uncharted

DEADLINE: October 1, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $20

INFO: Voyage YA by Uncharted is pleased to announce our newest contest, the YA OPEN, judged by Voyage editors. Send us your wildest, most electric YA prose. We want to see drama, enigma, and tension. Your prose should glimmer with energy, with passion in every sentence. Make our heads turn. Write something that it is impossible for us to ignore. Show us what you needed to read when you were a teen.

PRIZE: First place will win $1,000, second and third place will win $600 and $400, respectively. All three winners will be published on our website.

For this contest, Voyage YA by Uncharted is open to all prose: Short Fiction, Flash Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Creative Nonfiction, and Hybrid Prose. We will not accept traditionally lineated poetry nor excerpts of longer works. Please see below for specific guidelines.

GUIDELINES:

  • All entries must be in the YA genre.

  • The $20 reading fee allows for the submission of one <5,000 word short story or two flash pieces <1,000 words apiece. If submitting two flash pieces, please put them in the same document.

  • Writers from historically marginalized groups may submit for free until we reach a cap of 25 submissions in this category. No additional fee waivers will be granted for this contest. [The cap for this category has been reached.]

  • Stories must be written primarily in English, but some code-switching/meshing is welcomed.

  • We encourage multiple submissions, but each entry must be submitted separately, each with a separate reading fee.

  • Reprints are not eligible. If your story has been published anywhere else, even on a blog or social media, it will be automatically disqualified from the contest.

  • If your story is a simultaneous submission, please withdraw immediately if it’s accepted elsewhere.

  • Submissions should be double-spaced and use Times New Roman 12, or larger if needed.

  • All submissions should include a cover letter, however brief, with your publication history, if applicable.

  • We do not accept anonymous submissions.

  • Please include a content warning, if applicable. This information will not factor into whether your submission is accepted, but rather simply serve to safeguard our staff.

  • AI-generated stories will be automatically disqualified.

OPTIONAL EDITORIAL FEEDBACK:

Participants are invited to request a two-page editorial feedback letter about their submission for an extra fee of $69, or three editorial letters from three different editorial consultants for $179. These letters will provide the recipient with valuable and personalized input from a qualified editor. Please allow up to twelve weeks from the close of the contest to receive your feedback. If your work is chosen for publication, no feedback will be given and your fee will be refunded.

unchartedmag.com/ya-open-contest/

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: A SPECIAL ISSUE ON MIGRATION

Michigan Quarterly Review

DEADLINE: October 1, 2024

INFO: MQR is calling for submissions for a special issue on the theme of migration, with particular interest in texts that record, analyze, re-document/re-interpret, and ruminate on the various aspects of displacement and erasure at the convergence of global instabilities caused by war, economic pressures, political instability, racial/ethnic/religious/gender hostility, and/or climate change. 

We are particularly interested in more experimental or innovative writings that subvert and re-contextualize common understanding around themes of documentation, statelessness, migration, and/or asylum/refugee status as it pertains to the lived stories that detail the physical, emotional, and/or psychological consequences of those who are deported, denied: citizenship, permanent resident status, asylum, temporary protected status; and/or those forced to live in severe states of legal uncertainty after arrest such as indefinite detention without recourse for a trial. We are also looking for texts from the lived realities of people (or their descendents) displaced from their native countries such as Palestine, and/or who currently reside in their native country whose borders are the active sites of contestation; this includes indigenous people of the U.S and elsewhere whose land, citizenship, and autonomy has been stolen.  

We welcome texts in all genres (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art, and researched essays). In addition to original, previously unpublished works in all genres, we also welcome collaborative works, translations, and visual works that can be presented in print or digitally on MQR Online. 

GUEST EDITOR: Marcelo Hernandez Castillo 

GUIDELINES:

  • The issue will be published in Spring 2025.

  • Maximum length for articles, essays and works of fiction is 7,000 words.

  • Poetry submissions must not exceed 10 pages.

  • If Submittable is not accessible to you, please email mqr@umich.edu with your concern.

sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/submit/

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Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative Contest

Principal Foundation / Short Édition / The Center for Fiction

DEADLINE: October 2, 2024 by 11:59 pm PDT

ENTRY FEE: $0

INFO: Principal Foundation has launched the second edition of the Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative contest. The national short story contest, hosted in collaboration with Short Édition and The Center for Fiction, aims to destigmatize and encourage conversations about money through the power of storytelling.  

ELIGIBILITY: Adults ages 18 and older in the U.S. can submit short stories now through October 2, 2024.

PRIZE: One winner and up to 20 finalists will be selected by a panel of literary experts including Zakiya Dalila Harris, Casey Parks, Joe Wilkins, and Cecily Wong. The winner will receive $1,000 and each finalist will receive $150. Those stories will also be distributed through unique short story dispensers located in New York, NY; Charlotte, N.C.; Los Angeles, CA; Iowa City, IA; Seattle, WA; and Washington, D.C. 

short-edition.com/en/contest/principal-foundation

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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: TRANSLATION COLUMN

The Margins / AAWW

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: The Margins seeks work from writers for an ongoing monthly column on language, culture, and translation from Asia. We consider Asia as an umbrella term that encompasses all of its regions (South, Southeast, East, Central, and North Asia, and SWANA) and the many diaspora communities of Asians all over the world.

We welcome essays, hybrid works, translations, and translator’s notes that engage with Asia’s literature, cultures, subcultures, languages, and diasporas. We are also interested in works that grapple with the concept of the Transpacific, colonialism, history, and empire, especially as they relate to language and translation.

We pay all writers and translators. Please refer to our rate sheet for more details.

Examples of work we’re interested in:

  • Translator’s notes: Essays on the philosophy, craft, and art of translation

  • Translator’s diaries: Writings about the experience and choices for a particular book in translation

  • Essays and translations of essays on languages and multilingualism

  • Essays on power and empire as they relate to translation

  • New translations/re-translations of essays by important Asian scholars, thinkers, philosophers, and revolutionaries

  • Reportage on the writing, reading, publishing, and translation culture of a particular place

  • Photo essays about bookstores and literary salons in Asia or that feature Asian literature

  • Interviews with independent publishers, writers, artists, and thinkers in Asia or the Asian diaspora

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Send pitches of up to 500 words or finished pieces from 1,000-2,500 words to Soleil David, senior editor, at translation@aaww.org. For translations into English, translator must have already obtained permission from the copyright owner.

We read submissions year round and in all languages spoken and read in Asia. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know via email if your pitch/essay has been accepted elsewhere. Writers can expect a reply within three to four months.

aaww.org/submissions-translation-column/

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CALL FOR AUTHORS

Vanderbilt University Press

DEADLINE: Rolling

INFO: Vanderbilt University Press acquires books in the areas of Latin American and Hispanic studies; global and public health; human rights and civil rights; anthropology; history and postwar studies; and studies of race, class, gender, and sexuality. We also publish books with a regional focus on Tennessee and the South, including, for example, books on Nashville and country music.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Initial inquiries about potential book projects should be queried to the acquisitions department via email. We do not accept full manuscripts until requested. First, ensure that VUP publishes in the disciplinary area that your project represents.

If that is the case, please send a cover letter and book proposal that includes the following:

  • A short book abstract

  • A brief but detailed statement outlining the manuscript’s arguments, themes, and significance to the field

  • A table of contents that clearly summarizes the content and structure of each chapter

  • Assessment of the work’s fit with existing literature, comparison with published books on the topic, and discussion of the intended audiences and market for the book

  • Statement of the anticipated word count of the manuscript; plans for tables, figures, or other illustrations; and schedule for completion

  • Sample chapter (optional)

  • Curriculum vitae

  • If your manuscript is based on a dissertation, please discuss how the material and research has been developed, reframed, or otherwise revised. VUP does not publish unrevised dissertations.

  • If your manuscript is an edited collection, please include information about each of the contributors and note if any of the chapters are previously published.

  • If your manuscript is a translation, please describe why the author’s work warrants translation into English, as well as any and all information on rights to the work and the book’s history in its native language.

Keep a file or a copy of your proposal materials. We do not return proposals. Please do not call the Press to inquire about the status of your proposal or manuscript. We review all material received, and you will be contacted when a decision has been made. We aim to communicate whether a proposed project is being pursued further no more than eight weeks after the receipt of the proposal.

For more information about specific series initiatives, visit our Series page.

vanderbiltuniversitypress.com/resources/submission-guidelines-for-prospective-authors/

FICTION / NONFICTION — AUGUST 2024

CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST

Prairie Schooner

DEADLINE: August 2, 2024

ENTRY FEE: $20, which includes a copy of the Spring 2025 issue of the Schooner, in which the winning essay will appear.

INFO: Our annual summer nonfiction contest seeks all types of creative nonfiction essays up to 5,000 words.

PRIZE: The winner will receive $1,000 and publication in our Spring 2024 issue.

JUDGE: Safiya Sinclair was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She is the author of the memoir How to Say Babylon, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, finalist for the Women’s Prize in Non-Fiction and the Kirkus Prize, and longlisted for the OCM Bocas Prize. How to Say Babylon was one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of the year, a Washington Post Top 10 Book of 2023, a TIME Magazine Top 10 Nonfiction Book of 2023, one of The Atlantic’s 10 Best Books of 2023, a Read with Jenna/TODAY Show Book Club pick, and one of President Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2023. 

GUIDELINES: 

  • Entries will consist of three parts: a cover letter, the essay manuscript, and the entry fee.

  • Cover Letter: In the cover letter, include the submission's title and your contact information, including e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address. Your name and contact info must not appear anywhere within the manuscript itself (double-check headers and footers!).

  • Essay Manuscript: The contest is open to all types of creative nonfiction essays up to 5,000 words. We're interested in reading imaginative essays of general interest. (Scholarly articles requiring footnote references should be submitted to journals of literary scholarship.) Manuscripts should be double-spaced and use a standard font, and, again, the submitter's name and contact info should not appear within the manuscript itself.

Multiple submissions are welcome and encouraged, but a separate entry fee must accompany each submission.

This contest is administered anonymously. Editorial Assistants, Assistant Nonfiction Editors, the Guest Judge, and the Editor in Chief of the Schooner are not privy to submitters' identifying information.

If you have a problem with your submission, please write to Managing Editor Siwar Masannat at prairieschooner@unl.edu.

prairieschooner.submittable.com/submit

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2024-2025 ARTS WRITING INCUBATOR

The Black Embodiments Studio

DEADLINE: August 2, 2024

INFO: Participants in the Arts Writing Incubator meet to discuss contemporary black art, sharpen our understanding of the practice of arts writing, and to develop our own publishable arts writing.

This year will feature a single cohort of 5 people who convene October 2024 - May 2025. The cohort will convene virtually every month to discuss assigned arts writing and to workshop writing-in-progress. They are tasked with seeing black art in their own locales on their own time, maintaining a writing practice that engages this art, and will be expected to pitch and ideally publish at least once during their session. Their writing will also be collected in the annual BES journal, A Year in Black Art.

The cohort will also gather for an in-person convening—details TBD—where they will participate in closed-door sessions with invited artists, arts writers, and arts workers.

Cohort members will receive a humble $1,000 for their participation.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

The application consists of a 2-page letter of interest describing your critical practice, how using writing to think through contemporary black art will be generative to your practice, and what you hope to gain through engaging with The Black Embodiments Studio.

We welcome applicants coming to BES with a variety of interests and experiences in arts writing. This year, however, we are emphasizing the formal and conceptual strategies necessary for two often distinct poles of arts writing: short-form arts journalism, where the arts writer often has to churn out short reviews with high frequency, and longer-form catalogue essays, where writers are often given months if not a year plus to write. This emphasis reflects the national and global conversation about the “death'“ of arts journalism (moving apace with fears about the broader death of traditional journalism, particularly print journalism) as well as the distinct forms, stakes, and ethics that comprise fine art publication practices.

Application materials should be sent in PDF format to blackembodiments@gmail.com by August 2, 2024. 5 people will be notified of their acceptance by September 6, 2024 and publicly announced shortly thereafter. Our organizational capacity unfortunately makes it impossible to respond with individual feedback on applications.

BEST PRACTICES:

You do not have to have any experience in the arts or in arts writing to apply! But you should be experienced in self-directed thinking, invested in contributing to conversation, and able to dedicate time for reading arts writing and for seeing art on your own time. You should also have proficiency in reading, thinking about, and discussing race, and doing so from an anti-racist perspective.

Things to think about when writing your application: be specific!

  • Nearly every applicant will discuss their commitment to black art(s) and their need or desire to be amongst other critical black arts thinkers. The routes to these commitments, desires, and needs can be very different, however. Your application should show us how specific people, conversations, ideas, works, and/or artists, etc. have helped shape how you have arrived at this opportunity—and what you might make of it.

  • You don’t have to have any arts writing experience to participate in the AWI but writing is the tool through which BES operates. It is important to discuss the stakes of (arts) writing for you, your practice, and the contributions you want to make in the (arts) world(s) you are a part of.

  • There may be plenty you don’t know and want to learn through participating in the AWI—you might not even know what you don’t know! When describing your goals, needs, and/or desires to use BES and the AWI as a learning space, be clear on any specific tools, methods, strategies, frameworks, etc. that you hope to develop and why.

  • The AWI requires participants set their own schedules for experiencing, reflecting on, and writing about black art. Your letter should discuss how you are currently or will be intentionally engaged in cultural practices in your region, and ways that you are or will be intentionally engaged in some sort of reflection on those practices.

blackembodiments.org/apply

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Editor-Writer Mentorship

The Word

DEADLINE: August 4, 2024 at 11:59pm MT

INFO: The Editor-Writer Mentorship pairs upcoming writers from underrepresented groups with experienced book publishing editors!

Our Editor Mentors provide substantive feedback to help raise a strong manuscript to its best position for submission to potential agents and editors. This is an opportunity to learn from the knowledge of experienced acquiring editors. This program is free of cost to ensure wide accessibility, which is made possible due to the generosity of our volunteer editors.

ELIGIBILITY:

Aspiring or upcoming writers from underrepresented groups (see explanation below) with a completed, unpublished manuscript in the above outlined categories may apply. Applicants may apply in only one category.​

HOW TO APPLY:

Step 1: Download the full application instructions.

Remember to follow all formatting requirements when you apply! 

Step 2: Take a look at this example submission attachment to double check yourself.

Step 3: Submit your application via this form.​

MORE ABOUT UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES:

How do we focus our search for underrepresented voices? We promote the inclusive representation of experiences in literature, including a diversity of experiences based on: racial, cultural, ethnic, or religious identity; gender identity; sexual orientation; physical, cognitive, or emotional disability; socioeconomic adversity; and personal experiences of adversity or injustice. 

*We recognize that personal experiences of adversity occur in many forms and we believe that the impact of each must be respected. To guide the use of our resources, we focus on experiences that lack representation in literature, based on our best knowledge and research. ​

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFO:

Mentors and mentees will determine their contact schedules and frequency based on the needs of both parties. All mentors and mentees will be provided guidelines and resources to help promote productive working relationships. The mentorship relationship does not guarantee publication of any completed work and mentors are not expected to provide any referrals to acquiring agents, editors or others. The program’s goal is to support the development of the mentee writer’s work.

Mentors and mentees will have a minimum of two meetings over a 6-9 month mentorship relationship. Feedback may be written or oral, as is determined by each volunteer editor. Additional meetings and feedback will be determined by each mentor/mentee pair, based on the volunteer editor's availability and the needs of the mentee. ​

OUR 2024 EDITOR MENTORS

NAOMI GIBBS
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Pantheon Books
2024 Adult Fiction Mentor

Naomi Gibbs is an Executive Editor at Pantheon Books. Previously, she worked in the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt trade division. She acquires literary and upmarket fiction, both American and international, as well as some select memoir, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Some of her recent and forthcoming titles include the National Book Award finalist Chain-Gang All-Stars and Friday Black by New York Times-bestselling author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree; Mina’s Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa, finalist for the National Book Award; How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by nationally bestselling author Alexander Chee, winner of the Publishing Triangle Award and Lambda Literary honoree; Thin Skin by Jenn Shapland, finalist for the National Book Award; No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin, winner of the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay; Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen, one of President Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year; and The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami, finalist for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

CHARLOTTE PETERS
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Dutton
2024 Adult Romance Mentor

Charlotte Peters joined Dutton in May 2022. In fiction, she is interested in commercial, genre, and literary fiction, especially anything in unique, atmospheric settings that involve gothic, fantastical, or magical elements, escapist romance imbued with magic (in the literal and figurative sense!), and immersive, character-driven fantasy and romantasy with a feminist bend and clever takes on unique perspectives and experiences. In nonfiction, Charlotte gravitates towards relatable pop culture-focused works that appeal to enthusiastic fanbases, publicity-driven memoirs, and fun, quirky history. Upcoming titles include Cats of the World by Hannah Shaw and Andrew Marttila and The Knox by Karen Winn.

RACHEL DIEBEL 
EDITOR
Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group)
2024 Young Adult Fiction Mentor

Rachel is an editor at Feiwel & Friends (an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group), acquiring middle grade, young adult, and graphic novels. Throughout her career, she has worked on multiple New York Times bestsellers, as well as celebrity projects including books by Lili Reinhart, Jimmy Fallon, and Jake Gyllenhaal. She lives in the Seattle area with her partner and one very silly tuxedo cat.

LEYLA ERKAN
ASSISTANT EDITOR
HBG/Little, Brown/Christy Ottaviano Books
2024 Middle Grade Mentor


Leyla Erkan is an Assistant Editor at Christy Ottaviano Books. Prior to joining the team full-time at LBYR, Leyla interned with Christy for two seasons while at Macmillan. She has also worked with NYU Press and The Bronx is Reading as a freelance designer, supported COB author Jennifer Bertman with her Book Scavenger website, and interned at Nike in their Global Internal Communications department. Leyla played Division I tennis at Florida State University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in Creative Writing and Communications/Media Studies.

TJ OHLER​​​
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Zando


2024 Picture Book Mentor
TJ Ohler is an Assistant Editor at Zando, acquiring across age categories for young readers with a focus on YA and YA crossover as well as adult romance, select adult genre fiction, and IP. Prior to joining Zando, they were a literary assistant at Andrea Brown Literary Agency and a bookseller and assistant store manager at the beloved NYC-based children’s bookstore, Books of Wonder.

FAQs

Is this opportunity open to writers whose subject-matter may not directly reflect their personal identity?

We recognize that the perspectives of individuals from marginalized backgrounds will influence their works in a variety of ways. We further recognize that identity is a complex question. We, therefore, do not have any subject-matter limitations for this opportunity. 

I’ve read the explanation of “underrepresented voices” but I’m still not sure if my background fits within the underrepresented category. Should I submit?

Our mentorship is focused on providing support for individuals whose background has proved a challenge to their writing path and entry into the publishing space, as well as focused on stories that are underrepresented among published books. We ask that you consider whether your identity and background have offered challenges on your writing path, and whether you think that your work will contribute to our mission to achieve greater inclusivity among those groups that have been regularly marginalized. If based on those considerations you believe that your work is the right fit for this program, we welcome your submission.  

Is this opportunity open to agented writers or writers who have been previously published?

We don’t require that a writer be unpublished or unagented. Given the high volume of interest and need, we do ask all writers to consider whether you are truly in need of this opportunity. 

The manuscript for which you are seeking feedback must be unpublished. 

What can I expect from my mentor-editor if selected for the program?

This mentorship pairing is for the purpose of providing our Mentee Writers with editorial feedback on one full-length manuscript. Mentees will have at least two touch points for feedback during the mentorship program (approximately 6-9 months in length), and each pair will determine the method of feedback that will be provided (e.g.,: editorial letter, oral feedback, or feedback in multiple rounds).

Can I submit to more than one category? 

Applicants may only submit one manuscript for consideration per application year. Applicants should not submit multiple manuscripts, even if in different categories, or this will result in disqualification. 

What category should I apply for?

 Editor Jessica Anderson generously demystifies the KidLit genres for us. Learn about the differences between Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult books. Here is the link to the video and skip to the 24-minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-_120Rj4k4

 Does my manuscript have to be complete for me to apply? 

Yes, your manuscript must be complete. If you are chosen as a finalist, you will be required to submit your complete manuscript for the Editor-Mentors to evaluate and chose their mentee. This mentorship program is meant for authors who are looking to prepare a manuscript for agent or editor submissions, which requires a completed piece of work. 

Are you accepting graphic novel submissions?

 At this time, we are NOT accepting graphic novel submissions.

 For picture books: What if my manuscript is less than 10 pages? 

 You should submit your entire manuscript in your initial application materials if it is less than 10 pages.

 For picture books: Should my manuscript include directions on page breaks and art direction or art notes? 

 As long as your manuscript does not exceed 10 pages, and meets all other formatting requirements listed in the application instructions, it can be formatted in whatever way you feel best communicates your vision.  

For my pitch, should I include comp titles? 

 Write your pitch in whatever way you think will best represent your manuscript. What you choose to include is up to you as long as it does not exceed the word limit set in the application instructions. 

 Can non-US citizens or non-US residents (international applicants) apply?

 You are welcome to apply for our mentorship program regardless of your location. Keep in mind that all of our editors are located in the US, and so if you are chosen as a mentee, when it comes to scheduling times to chat, meet, and do critiques, you'll have to be a lot more flexible with their schedules. But if that's not a problem, then please apply!

 Can co-authors submit? 

We unfortunately can only accept submissions for one writer mentee.

thewordfordiversity.org/editor-writer-mentorship

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"MY TIME" FELLOWSHIP

Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow

DEADLINE: August 5, 2024 by midnight CST

APPLICATION FEE: $35

INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is pleased to announce the 2024 "My Time" fellowship funded by James Dean. Writers who are parents of dependent children under the age of 18 are invited to apply. Work may be any literary genre: poetry, fiction, plays, memoirs, screenplays, or nonfiction. The successful application will demonstrate literary merit and the likelihood of publication. Prior publication is not a requirement.

PRIZE: Four fellowship winners will receive a one-week residency to allow the recipient to focus completely on their work. A $500 stipend will be provided to cover childcare and/or travel costs to each recipient.

Each writer’s suite has a bedroom, private bathroom, separate writing space, and wireless internet. We provide uninterrupted writing time, a European-style gourmet dinner prepared five nights a week, and served in our community dining room, the camaraderie of other professional writers when you want it, and a community kitchen stocked with the basics for other meals.

Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample and a non-refundable $35 application fee. There is a limit of one submission per application. The winner will be announced no later than September 9, 2024.

Residencies may be completed anytime before December 2025.

writerscolony.org/fellowships

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: VOL. 7 (SUMMER/FALL 2024) - THE DRAG ISSUE

Just Femme and Dandy

DEADLINE: August 5, 2024

INFO: We are currently taking submissions for our 7th issue! The theme is DRAG. Our definition of drag is expansive, and we invite you to consider how drag as the performance of gender shows up in your lives. We want to hear about how/when/where gender is performed, the day to day lives behind the makeup, the politics of gender and normativity, different forms of drag, how this all coincides with fashion and dress. While we would love to hear from up and coming drag artists and independent fashion designers, this theme is for everyone, not just drag artists and enthusiasts. If you have something to say about gendered performance, we want to hear it! You are welcome to send us submissions outside of the theme, but submissions that relate to the theme are highly encouraged. We accept anything that can be displayed on a website: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, tutorial, illustration, comix, photography, painting, video, drag, costume/fashion designs, hot takes, interviews, and so on!

COMPENSATION: We pay 50 USD per text-based submission and up to 150 USD (note, this is a change from previous issues) per multimedia submission (video, photography, image + text, fashion spread + interview, etc.), determined by the editor who accepts the piece for publication. We pay using Venmo or PayPal and we are unable to work with any other payment services.

GUIDELINES:

Please only submit ONE submission. Pitches that don’t fall under any specific category (or multiple categories) can be sent to info@justfemmeanddandy.com, but please do take some time to consider which section it most applies.  

Some of our sections have changed! Read below.

We take submissions for consideration in features, manivestoes (queer futures & radical identities), sew what (DIY/shift/makeshift), genderfuckery (isn’t it obvious?), fat + furious (fatshion), life is but a drag (BRAND NEW!), and cancel & gretel (ethics & inclusion). We also take submissions for not what it seams, a column housed within sew what that focuses on costuming.

Please send your submissions to the following emails for each section:

We take interviews, artist profiles, complete submissions in any genre that can be housed on a website, as well as pitches and inquiries. Email the specific section you believe your submission fits.

Please include with your submission a short bio of no more than 150 words, your headshot (including image description), any images, video, and/or audio (including alt-text - descriptions of images and video, transcriptions for audio, etc), along with a note of how your submission fits our mission and the particular category you are submitting to for consideration. We have no word count limitations, but we ask you be thoughtful about length as it relates to screen fatigue.

Headshots are not mandatory, so feel free to not include them if you would not like them included, just let us know in your submission.

We do expect you to consider yourself part of the LGBTQIA+ community, but we won’t be policing/asking directly.

We love all your many names and monikers, but please make it explicitly clear which name you would like to be published under.

We do expect all submissions to directly relate to LGBTQIA+ fashion/aesthetics, but our framework for that is flexible. We do not expect nor do we require anyone to be an “expert” on fashion. We see every human as a unique vessel, and we’ve long observed that fashion, aesthetics, and style to be a powerful language and reclamation for the LGBTQIA+ community. One of the reasons we do what we do is to intervene in the elitist, inaccessible, ableist, white supremacist, gatekeeping frameworks that have surrounded mainstream fashion.

ACCESS/DESIGN NOTE: Your submission MUST include descriptions for all visuals, including images, headshots, and audio descriptions/transcripts for video. Please send images separately instead of embedding them in the document, and make clear which description describes which image (by labeling it the same name as the file, etc.). If you’d like images to be placed in a specific location within the text, please make that clear as well. Please do not include more than 10 images for editing concerns and capacity. 

Please ask if you need help/support for resources on how to write alt text, and we’re happy to direct you to resources.

NOTE: Your submission will be considered incomplete until you have submitted all of these materials.

AI NOTE: We will not accept ANY SUBMISSION that uses AI. If your submission is accepted and we discover that it has been created using AI, we will pull your publication/submission and ask for you to repay your honorarium. We have no interest in participating in or contributing to a system that steals from artists.

justfemmeanddandy.com/call-for-submissions

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Walter Grant

We Need Diverse Books

DEADLINE: Extended to August 14, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

INFO: The Walter Dean Myers Grant program was established to provide grants of $2,000 each to promising diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished. Since 2015, we have awarded over 55 grants, and our grant recipients have now published over 50 books.

For this cycle, they are offering up to 15 Walter Grants.

They accept submissions from diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished, and encourage Black, Native, and Palestinian creators to apply.

ELIGIBILITY:

  • Applicants must identify as diverse, as per WNDB’s definition of diversity

  • Applicants must be unpublished as illustrators and/or authors. This includes both trade publishingand self-publishing. If the applicant has a book deal for an as yet unpublished book, the applicant is considered published for purposes of this grant. Applicants may have published shorter pieces, such as essays, short stories, and articles.

  • Applicants who have books on submission to publishing houses are not eligible for the Walter Grant. Books on submission to procure an agent, however, will be considered.

  • Applicant must be working toward a career as a children’s author and/or illustrator. This includes but is not limited to: Picture Books, Early Reader Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction, Poetry.

  • Applicant cannot be applying for funding to self-publish their project.

  • Applicant must be a U.S. resident or a refugee living in the States. (Note for refugee applicants: receiving a grant might affect your income limitations and any government assistance you may receive. You may want to reach out to appropriate officials, like an immigration attorney, for advice.)

  • Applicant must be at least 18 years in age.

diversebooks.org/programs/walter-grant/

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The Nightboat Editorial Fellowship

Nightboat Books

DEADLINE: August 15, 2024

INFO: Nightboat staff designed the Editorial Fellowship to explore a new editorial model that incorporates community input and expands access to editorial decision-making to those of diverse circumstances and identities.

Seeking to support the labor of editors of color, we are delighted to open applications for our second Editorial Fellowship. We are looking for an aspiring BIPOC editor to work alongside Nightboat staff to develop a book project of their choosing over the course of two (2) years. Black and Indigenous editors are strongly encouraged to apply. Projects should not be comprised of the applicant’s original work. 

We hope to work collaboratively with this Editorial Fellow to foreground undervalued or little-known forms of experimental writing across a range of communities. As such, we’ll be providing the selected Fellow with the resources and mentorship necessary to acquire, edit, and guide to publication a project specific to their interests. 

 WHAT YOU’LL GET OUT OF THE FELLOWSHIP:

  • Familiarity with the full life-cycle of a book and the guidance of Nightboat staff and other project mentors through the 2-year process.

  • Experience working collaboratively with an editorial team to research and pursue potential projects and clarify editorial perspectives. 

  • Experience with developmental and conceptual editing, line editing, copy editing, permissions, design, cataloging, production, publicity, and marketing.

  • A personalized program of meetings with Nightboat staff, external editorial mentors, and workshops based on your needs and interests.

  • An in-depth understanding of the publication process that can be applied to future jobs and projects.

  • $10,000 (paid in installments—$5,000 per year of the fellowship or according to the fellow’s individual needs) for their work and participation in the program. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

  • Someone who is interested in the editorial and book-making process and can commit to a two-year project that will result in a finished book. 

  • Experience in editorial work is preferred but not required. Our goal is to increase access to editorial work. Therefore we do not require that you have any formal institutional and/or academic experience. We welcome a variety of editorial experiences and visions.

  • Applicants do not need to have a pre-existing editorial project in order to apply, so long as they can demonstrate an editorial perspective and intent. Projects should not be comprised of the applicant’s original work.

  • We are open to poetry, prose, nonfiction, archival projects, and what coalesces in the gaps between. We are, as always, excited by the provocative, the strange, the queer, what activates genre, and what’s been elided or excised from the archive. 

  • The Fellow must feel confident working independently. Since this is not an hourly position, attention will be paid to setting up an individualized meeting/workshop schedule and supportive project management structure that functions with the Fellow’s unique employment situation in mind. 

  • The fellowship involves some administrative work i.e.: sending and responding to emails from collaborators and Nightboat staff, scheduling meetings, updating collaborators on the status of your work, staying organized, and working within deadlines. You will need access to a computer and the internet. Nightboat will share our project management resources, offer examples and templates whenever possible, and work with you to set and manage deadlines. 

  • Applicants do not have to be based in NYC but must live in the United States and be able to attend scheduled Zoom meetings and workshops. 

  • We approximate that this fellowship will require a commitment of 400 hours at $25/ hour in total, approximately 15 hours/month over the course of 2 years.

Finalists will be chosen through an open application process by a committee of current and former Nightboat editors before meeting with Nightboat staff members for a final interview process this fall. Selections will be made based on the applicant’s ability to provide a unique perspective on experimental literature; to reimagine, expand, or illuminate archival projects; to explore the complex relationships that arise between social, political, and aesthetic concerns; to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of Nightboat’s mission and an interest in expanding it productively. 

The selected Fellow will start work at Nightboat in January 2025. Dates TBA & schedule subject to change.

TO APPLY:

Please provide the following using our online Submittable application.

  1. A statement summarizing your editorial interests and previous literary experience (500 words)—what are you reading/listening to/watching right now? What writing, performance, events, and community organizing have you participated in?

  2. An example of a project(s) you’d be interested in bringing to Nightboat. This can be purely speculative (200 words)—is there a writer whose work you think deserves collecting? What kinds of aesthetic forms are you invested in? Are there communities outside of experimental writing you’d like to collaborate with and engage? Please note, if you are awarded the Editorial Fellowship, you will not be required to pursue this particular project.

  3. A current CV.

ELIGIBILITY - APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color. We will not make judgments in relation to the boundaries of that category; we trust that those who apply will do so in good faith.

  • Be able to commit to the two-year fellowship position.

  • The applicant must live in the United States and be authorized to work within the U.S. This includes: U.S. Permanent Residents, DACA recipients, and U.S. Citizens.

nightboat.org/editorial-fellowship/

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2024 1/2K Prize

Indiana Review

DEADLINE: August 15, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

INFO: Send us one to three pieces of 500 words (or fewer!) each, for a chance at $1000 + publication. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry are all welcome, as long as each individual piece is 500 words or fewer. Each paid submission also gets you a year-long subscription to Indiana Review. Please note the following:

  • Previously published works and works forthcoming elsewhere cannot be considered. 

  • Multiple and simultaneous submissions are permitted; however, each submission requires a separate reading fee. Please withdraw your piece immediately if it is accepted elsewhere. If you need to withdraw one piece from a packet with multiple, please leave a note on your submission.

  • Do not include your name on or in your submission file.

  • IR cannot consider work from anyone currently or recently affiliated with Indiana University or the prize judge(s). This includes people who have studied or taught at Indiana University in the past four years.

  • All entries will be considered for regular publication in Indiana Review.

This year's prize will be judged by K. Iver, author of Short Film Starring My Beloved's Red Bronco.

indianareview.submittable.com/submit

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call for submissions: fiction

khōréō

DEADLINE: August 15, 2024

INFO: khōréō is dedicated to diversity and amplifying the voices of immigrant and diaspora authors and artists. We welcome, but do not require, a brief description of the author’s identity in their cover letter.

We invite you to submit if you identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. This includes, but is not limited to, first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, persons who identify with one or more diaspora communities, persons who have been displaced or whose heritage has been erased due to colonialism/imperialism, transnational/transracial adoptees, and anyone whose heritage and history includes ‘here and elsewhere’. We especially encourage BIPOC creators who identify as the above to submit their work. 

When reading submissions, we take in good faith that you identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora as described above. If you still aren’t sure if you should submit, please email contact@khoreomag.com.

We kindly request individuals who do not identify as such to support the magazine by reading our stories, subscribing, and helping spread the word instead. 

WHAT WE WANT:

We are looking for short speculative fiction under 5,000 words. Because we are a young journal, we have a stricter budget and therefore prefer stories under 3,500 words.

As a new magazine, we’re still finding our identity: therefore, please don’t self-reject because you’re not sure if your work is a good fit. We won’t know until we see it, so please give us a chance to look!

Please submit stories through our Moksha system. Please submit based on length — stories ≤1,500 words should go into our flash queue, while stories 1,501-5,000 words should go into the short story queue. Writers may submit one story each to the Flash and Short Story queues every submission period.

Please format your story using the Shunn modern manuscript format (details at this link: https://www.shunn.net/format/story/). Writers may omit their mailing address for submission, but accepted stories will require a mailing address for our contracts. 

WHAT WE OFFER: Payment at SFWA pro rates ($0.10/word). 

WHAT WE DON’T WANT: Please do not send us stories with gratuitous gore or violence; fridging (where a character dies or undergoes pain in service of the protagonist’s story or to serve as character development); overwhelming racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic, xenophobic, etc. elements that are not subverted or challenged; clichés; “it was all a dream” endings; stories where a person from a non-marginalized group experiences life as someone from a marginalized background. 

We are currently not accepting novelettes or novellas, but hope to expand in the future. We may also consider serialized stories one day. 

We do not accept multiple submissions within one category, unsolicited resubmissions, reprints, or AI-generated submissions.

Please do not withdraw and resubmit the same story in one submission window; stories that are caught doing this will be rejected

Stories over 5,000 words will be rejected without being read. Please don’t try to “trick” us. 

ADDITIONAL INFO: The remainder of the information may be helpful for those who want more details on our submission process, how to write a cover letter, and more information on content warnings.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

1. First round of reading

A First Reader will read the piece in its entirety, then provide a rating out of 10 and an initial recommendation of the story’s potential to the editors.

2. Second round of reading

An editor will review each story, taking into account the reader’s feedback, before finalizing their decision (reject or hold for discussion). The writer will receive a notification at this point once the editor’s decision is made. 

This will usually be one of the following:

  • Rejection

  • Rejection with an expression of interest in the work/request to submit again in the future

  • Notice that we’re holding the submission for further consideration

  • Notice that there’s a technical problem with the submission

  • Query about you and/or the submission because we need additional context

We endeavor to respond to all submissions within two weeks of each submission period closing. 

3. Third round of reading

Stories that are held for further discussion will be shared with the entire editorial team. All editors will read and review the stories in this longlist, and then discuss and make a decision on each piece. 

The writer will then receive a notification from us, usually one of the following:

  • Rejection with an expression of interest in the work/request to submit again in the future

  • Request to revise & resubmit (usually with substantial feedback offered in the letter or in conversation)

  • Provisional acceptance requesting specific edits and/or additions

  • Acceptance, possibly with some suggestions for edits

4. Final decisions and publication process

Once the writer has formally accepted our offer of publication, we provide a contract and an overview of the publication process. 

This will include:

  • A short editorial process to clarify any outstanding issues

  • Author approval of copy edits

  • Author communications with the audio department on casting and audio preferences

  • Author communications with the editor and art director on spot art

All stories go through these steps and no changes are made without the author’s input and approval.

5. Notes

We usually receive ~400 stories per submission period, and about ~80 stories make it to the longlist. As we only publish ~5 stories per issue, there are often many stories we love that we have to pass on, but we will always want to see more work from you in the future!

If you made a truly horrific mistake (like, you submitted the wrong file), reach out to eic@khoreomag.com when you make the discovery and we’ll figure out if there’s a way to make things right.

A typo does not count as a horrific mistake; we haven’t rejected a single story because of a typo. Realizing you could have rewritten a few sentences or added/killed a paragraph does not count as a horrific mistake either, and stories that are accepted go through a revision process; however, please make sure your story is ready and final before submitting it.

khoreomag.com/submissions-fiction/

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Call for Manuscript Submissions 

Ricochet Editions

DEADLINE: August 15, 2024

SUBMISSION FEE: $15 (Free submissions are available for self-identifying POC and Indigenous writers and writers facing financial hardship)

INFO: Ricochet Editions invites manuscript submissions that are unpredictable. We are looking for purposeful experimentation with language and form that challenges or plays with convention—whether textual or visual, contemporary or historical, personal or cultural. Send us your texts that merge genres and languages, that draw on found forms, that are collaboratively or collectively authored, that collage, fragment, and blend mediums to expand the limits of the book form. 

Ricochet Editions is committed to publishing and promoting innovative, risk-taking work. Since 2012, we have published genre-blurring, hybrid, and unconventional manuscripts, ranging from chapbooks to full-lengths. We publish writers at any stage of their career​​—established and emerging authors alike. We welcome work from underrepresented voices, including BIPOC writers, LGBTQIA+ writers, writers from non-academic backgrounds, and writers with disabilities.  

Writers are encouraged to read our previously published books to get a sense of Ricochet’s aesthetics: Sympathetic Little Monster by Cameron Awkward-Rich, The Hatchet and the Hammer by Caitlin Scarano, People I’ve Met From the Internet by Stephen van Dyck, of being neighbors by Daniel Biegelson, As I Said: A Dissent by Abby Minor, ryman by Christian Schlegel, and Temporal Anomalies by Matt Broaddus. All titles are available for purchase at the Ricochet Catalog page.

GUIDELINES: Your manuscript should be between 40 and 200 pages, although we’re open to exceptional work outside these limits.  

If your manuscript is selected for publication, you will receive $1,000 and 50 copies of the perfect-bound book with ISBN. The staff will also send out copies to venues for reviews and (if applicable) awards.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

  • Multiple submissions are acceptable, as long as they are submitted separately with separate entry fees.

  • Simultaneous submissions are fine, but please be sure to withdraw your submission via Submittable if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  • Please update any changes in contact information via your profile on Submittable.

  • No revisions to submitted manuscripts will be considered. Authors whose manuscripts are accepted will have the opportunity to make revisions prior to publication.

  • Current students of English or Creative Writing at the University of Southern California and recent alumni (graduating years 2018 to present) are not eligible to submit. Please direct any further questions to editors(at)ricocheteditions(dot)com.

goldlinepress.submittable.com/submit

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FALL ‘24 GUEST RESIDENCY

Woodward Residency

DEADLINE: August 16, 2024

INFO: Applications are now open for the Fall '24 Guest Residency in Ridgewood, Queens. This year we're offering two longer residencies (instead of our usual 3).

Established/emerging creatives in the fields of literary arts, design, film, and multi-disciplinary arts are all encouraged to apply. We also have two pianos in the space for musicians and composers.

FALL DATES: Sept 16, 2024 — Jan 31, 2025

ELIGIBILITY: Established/emerging artists and creative professionals in the fields of literary arts, design, music, and multi-disciplinary arts are encouraged to apply.

Please note that art forms that generate fumes (such as oil painting) cannot be accommodated. Also, with the exception of our piano residents who can use headphones, our space is best suited to less cacophonous artistic pursuits.

AWARD BENEFITS:

  • Access to the building from 9AM-5 PM, Monday through Friday for the duration of your Guest Residency.

  • Guest Residents will work in the communal Great Room, with library etiquette.

  • Open invite to weekly tea and cake gatherings, and occasional work shares and evening parties.

  • A supportive and engaged community of working creatives.

woodwardresidency.co

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Individual Artist Residencies: November & December 2024

Trillium Arts

DEADLINE: August 16, 2024 at 11:59 pm EST

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Trillium Arts residencies offer secluded space for rejuvenation and creating in a beautiful, remote setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our location is ideal for an individual artist to complete an existing work, or develop and incubate new material. Our current facilities are best suited to the disciplines of literary arts, photography, visual arts and arts administration.

Individual artists who do not require a rehearsal studio (such as writers and photographers) are encouraged to apply for a one week residency. Performing artists (such as choreographers and theater artists) are also welcome to apply, with the understanding that studio space is not available during the colder months. 

There is ample land and outdoor space available for ideation and research. We are currently unable to accommodate groups or collaboratives on the Trillium property. Individual artist residencies are on a solo adventure during their time here and your residency will not overlap with other awarded artists. If an artist would like to bring collaborators, there are a variety of AirBnB’s available for rent in the immediate area. A list of recommended AirBnB’s is available upon request.

DATES: Applications are currently being accepted for residencies one week in length during November & December 2024. Specific date ranges are listed in the application form.

2024 RESDENCIES INCLUDE:

  • Private accommodations in a freshly renovated one-bedroom, ground floor suite. (Phil and Heather live upstairs but resident artists have a private entrance).

  • Welcome dinner

  • Shared use of the grounds, including firepit, hot tub, walking paths and waterfall area

  • Use of onsite creative spaces that include a contemplation gazebo and a 380 square foot open air, covered workspace. Learn more about creative spaces HERE

  • Basic kitchen supplies and all household goods (towels, linens, paper products, etc.)

  • Access to high speed fiber optic internet

  • Laundry facilities

  • Mentorship services (optional for an additional fee)

All 2024 residencies are modestly priced and one week in length. 

Artist arrival is on Saturdays with a check-in at 3:00pm or after. Welcome dinners are hosted on Sunday evening. The residency week ends with a