FICTION / NONFICTION — MAY / JUNE 2023

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: debut poetry and short story collectionS

Tin House

SUBMISSION PERIOD: May 6, 2023 (at 12:01 am PT) - May 7, 2023 (at 11:59 pm PT)

INFO: Three times per year, 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 okay). Per our schedule below, we accept works of fiction, literary nonfiction, 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.

SUBMIT: From May 6th at 12:01 a.m. PT to May 7th at 11:59 p.m. PT, our Submittable link will be live for debut poetry and short story collection submissions. You can click below to submit then!

tinhouse.com/book-submissions/

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Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship

National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum

DEADLINE: May 7, 2023

INFO: The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy at the Japanese American National Museum (NCPD@JANM) is thrilled to announce the Irene Yamamoto Arts Writers Fellowship.

This year’s inaugural fellowship provides two $5,000 unrestricted awards to promising writers of color who are focused on art criticism and/or reporting about the visual, performing, or media arts.

The Yamamoto Fellowship recognizes that writers of color have knowledge and experiences that differ from dominant Eurocentric ones, and that their perspectives can give art produced by marginalized communities the depth of attention and consideration it deserves. The Yamamoto Fellowship encourages arts writers of color to continue writing about art from their own cultural and political perspectives in order to enrich and broaden arts writing as a practice and profession. By supporting and highlighting these voices, the fellowship seeks to broaden public discourse around art and strengthen its ties to diverse communities.

SEEKING: Two promising writers who have demonstrated commitment to writing about the art of communities of color and whose unique perspectives or points of view contribute to arts writing.

SELECTION:

All eligible applications will be reviewed by a selection panel of professional writers who cover the arts. Selection criteria is based on the following:

1. Your writing ability and promise

2. Your demonstrated commitment to writing about the art of communities of color

3. The unique perspective or point of view you contribute to arts writing

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible applicants must:

• Reside in the United States 

• Identify as a member of a community with ancestry in one of the original peoples of Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, or Pacific Islands

• Have two to five years of demonstrated publication experience, which may include a blog or self-publishing

• Be at least 18 years of age 

Immediate relatives of a JANM or NCPD employee, or of a review panelist or funder, are not eligible.

janm.org/ncpd/arts-writer-fellowship

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Open call for submissions of art & writing

Genre: Urban Arts

DEADLINE: May 7, 2023

INFO: Genre: Urban Arts is a group of creatives who utilize print and digital platforms to share their creativity.

Show us what you’ve been working on by submitting your original and unpublished art and writing to Genre: Urban Arts’ No. 12 Signature Print Publication.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this dynamic celebration of creativity and add to your publishing credits.

FIRST PUBLICATION RIGHTS REQUIREMENT: All submitted work must be ORIGINAL and UNPUBLISHED. Read more in additional considerations below. 

CATEGORIES:

Music Review

• Include 2-3 images (file size no greater than 64MB).

• Reviews should be 1000 words or fewer.

Nonfiction or Creative Nonfiction

• Limit your submission to 1000 words or fewer.

Poetry

• Submit 2-4 poems, each with 50 lines or fewer.

Fiction

• Limit your submission to 1000 words or fewer.

Art (Visual Arts)

• The "Art Envisioned" category welcomes submissions from visual artists. Please send photographs of your original artwork.

• Include title, medium, and 1-3 images (file size no greater than 64MB).

• Include a brief artist statement.

Photography

• Include title, medium, and 5-7 images (file size no greater than 64MB).

• Include a brief artist statement.

Fashion Editorials

• Include 4-6 high-resolution images (file size no greater than 64MB).

• Provide a brief description of the editorial theme or concept.

Additional Considerations:

1. Formatting: Use a standard font and size (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) and include your name, email address, and title on the first page of your submission.

2. Multiple Submissions: Limit yourself to one submission per category.

3. Simultaneous Submissions: We do not accept simultaneous submissions.

4. File Types: Submit each item as an individual file. Acceptable file formats are PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, and PNG.

5. There is no monetary exchange for published submission.

6. First Publication Rights Requirement:By submitting your work to Genre: Urban Arts, you agree to grant us the First Publication Rights upon acceptance of your submission. This means that if your work is selected for publication, we reserve the exclusive right to be the first platform to publish and showcase your work. After the initial publication in Genre: Urban Arts, the copyright reverts back to you, the author or creator, and you are free to republish your work elsewhere. However, we kindly request that you acknowledge Genre: Urban Arts as the original publisher in any subsequent publications. This requirement helps us maintain the freshness and uniqueness of our content, ensuring that our audience has access to original and previously unpublished works. By granting us the First Publication Rights, you contribute to our mission of promoting and celebrating urban arts and culture.

genreurbanarts.submittable.com/submit

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Anne LaBastille Memorial Writers Residency

The Adirondack Center for Writing

DEADLINE: May 10, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: The Adirondack Center for Writing offers a free, two-week residency annually in autumn to poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers at a lodge on Twitchell Lake in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. Six residents will be chosen, three from the Adirondack region (aka “The North Country”… see FAQ below for specifics) and three from anywhere in the world. Quality of written submissions is the primary consideration when accepting applications.

This residency was generously provided by the estate of Anne LaBastille, who wrote books capturing challenges of the region, including Woodswoman and Beyond Black Bear Lake from her cabin on Twitchell Lake. During the residency, the writers will paddle to the site of her property, and explore the lake with locals. For more info on applying, see below.

Please note: The Lodge at Twitchell Lake provides an abundance of physical space, and each resident has their own bedroom and bathroom. There are dozens of writing spaces in and around the property. Internet access is available, but limited (email ; Zoom )

Requirements: Proof of vaccination is required for selected residents. Selected residents who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons will be required to provide proof of negative test upon arrival to the lodge and will contact ACW to ensure proper protocols are maintained and residents can enjoy the residency safely! Please reach out with any questions to info@adirondackcenterforwriting.org.

Fee: There is no cost to attend the residency, though there is a $30 application reading fee.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Cover Letter: Include a brief bio and a work plan for the residency. Copy and paste your text into the space provided in the application (do not attach a document for the cover letter)

2. Writing Sample: Please send up to 10 manuscript pages of your best writing in the genre you will working in at the residency. Prose: 10 pages max. Poetry: 10 poems max. NOTE: Make sure your name is removed from manuscript file names or anywhere else on the material (except in cover letter). In order to remain unbiased, we will be forced to disregard any submissions that include your name.

3. Application fee: $30. We enlist many readers (past residents, board members) to help us process applications, and that work has value. Your application fee ensures that the residency can remain free to selected applicants.

Quality of written submissions will be our primary consideration when accepting applications. Application period will be open April 10 – May 10 2023. We will not accept print applications. For questions, please contact info@adirondackcenterforwriting.org with the subject line “Residency.” Or, give us a call at (518) 354-1261.

adirondackcenterforwriting.org/residency/ 

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el retorno: writing hasta las raÍces WRITER'S RETREAT

Dominican Writers

DEADLINE: May 12, 2023 by 11:59 pm EST

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: This international writing experience will fill your life with enchantment, wonder and empowerment. We encourage all BIPOC writers to participate in our writing workshops on fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry with focus on the craft of writing and engaging in cross-cultural conversations around literature created by Dominicans of the diaspora and Quisqueya.

Join us in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic as we create space for and with nuestra gente to lean into your writing voices and reconnect with our land. It offers you the possibility to concentrate on thinking, reading, and writing in a sustained way, to recharge your battery, and to gain new inspiration. For individuals and groups, with meals, room and board included in the subsidized tuition fee.

Cabarete/Sosua is a resort town on the Dominican Republic's northern coast. Along the coast you will find Encuentro Beach is known for its surf breaks, Cabarete Beach known for its water sports, and calm sky blue beaches like Sosua Beach. This town is also filled with restaurants, bars and a nightlife. This writer’s retreat is open to writers of all levels, and it operates on a non-competitive basis. To participate you will need to complete an application, pay a modest application fee, answer questions about writing goals, and submit a writing sample for admission.

Included in the writing retreat are daily workshops in English and Spanish, craft discussions, feedback on writing, and time to work on projects. Writers can also enjoy walks along the beach to the many restaurants and shops in town.

TUITION / FEES:

• EARLY BIRD PRICE - $1200 (due by May 12th, 2023 (11:59 PM EST) - Early bird price is $1200 with a non-refundable tuition Deposit of $200 due upon acceptance. The deposit confirms your spot. The deposit counts towards the overall $1200 tuition payment. Balance of $1000 can be paid in one full payment, weekly or bi-weekly. Upon acceptance participants will receive payment plan options via email.

• LATE TUITION - Workshop tuition will increase to $1700 for folks who apply after May 12th. Various payment plan options are available.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Scholarships will be considered based on financial needs. If you require assistance please email mariela@dominicanwriters.com and and the program committee will consider it.

Payment plans options are offered to those whose application are approved.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Participants are responsible for booking their flights as soon as possible for arrival to STI or POP Airports as they are the nearest to the lodging.

TUITION CANCELATION POLICY:

• Deposits are non-refundable. A deposit is due immediately upon acceptance to confirm your seat.

• Full refund if cancelled 60 days or more prior to the start of the retreat.

• 50% refund if cancelled 30-59 days prior to the start of the retreat.

• No refund if cancelled less than 30 days prior to the start of the retreat.

EXCEPTIONS:

• In the event of a medical emergency, a full refund will be issued if a doctor's note is provided.

• If the retreat is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster, all participants will be issued a full refund.

• Please note: All cancellations must be made by email to mariela@dominicanwriters.com. Cancellations made by text or phone will not be accepted.

• Refunds will be issued within 30 days of the cancellation date.

RETREAT ACTIVITIES:

Writers who will be attending retreat will receive the full agenda...

• Daily writing workshops taught by faculty in English & Spanish

• Transnational conversations on the state of publishing in Dominican Republic

• Discussions on the past, present, and future of the interplay between arts and organizing

• Presentations of participant work, including a public reading by faculty

• Collaborative writing sessions

• Free time and fun activities, including swimming, hiking, yoga, games, and karaoke.

dominicanwriters.com/dwa-retreat

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2023 Kimbilio National Fiction Prize

Kimbilio

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023 by midnight EST

READING FEE: $15

INFO: Applications for the Kimbilio National Fiction Prize are now open for submissions. Published by Four Way Books, The Kimbilio National Fiction Prize is a celebration and affirmation of the best in contemporary fiction. The competition is open to writers of the African Diaspora and we  look forward to publishing the third prize in this series in Spring 2024.

The final selection for the 2023 contest will be made by literary award winning author Deeshaw Philyaw.

MANUSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS:

• Entries may be novels, novellas, or short stories. Combinations of novellas and short stories are also welcome.

• The fiction must be previously unpublished.

• You should submit the full-length manuscript.

• At this time we are only accepting manuscripts written in English.

• The first page of the manuscript should be a single cover page with the title of the manuscript only. All manuscripts are screened anonymously. Submittable provides fields to fill in your contact information: name, address, telephone number, and email address. Manuscripts that contain any identifying information about the author will be disqualified and not read by our judges.

• Please use standard manuscript formatting (double-spaced, 1/4-inch margins, etc.) in Times New Roman or Helvetica.

• Simultaneous submissions to other publishers or contests are permitted, as long as you notify Kimbilio promptly if the manuscript is accepted elsewhere.

• The online Submittable system automatically confirms receipt of your manuscript.  Please check your spam folder before contacting us or re-submiting.

• At the end of the judging period, approximately mid-September, you will receive a notice through the Submittable site about the judges' decision.

• All manuscripts must arrive through the Submittable Portal. No exceptions.

kimbiliosubmissions.submittable.com/submit/8d933aa3-7daf-4b6d-9bd1-9ee55f4505d4/the-2023-kimbilio-national-fiction-prize

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50TH ANNIVERSARY FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS OF COLOR

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA)

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: Conceived during VCCA’s 50th anniversary year in 2021 and established in 2022, the 50th Anniversary Fund provides free first-time VCCA residencies for 50 artists of color a year. 

Each 50th Anniversary Fellow receives a free residency of up to two weeks at Mt. San Angelo, VCCA’s artist residency program in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. All VCCA residencies include a private studio, a private bedroom with en-suite bath, three prepared meals each day, and access to a community of more than 20 other artists in residence.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

• Eligibility: Artists of color (writers, visual artists, and composers) who have not previously been in residence at VCCA

• Length of Fellowship: Up to two weeks with flexible scheduling

Next available for:

• Winter 2024

• Residencies Available: January 2 – April 30, 2024

• Application Deadline: May 15, 2023

• Notification by: August 31, 2023

To be considered as a 50th Anniversary Fellow, complete the “Application for Mt. San Angelo Residencies, VCCA in Virginia,” selecting your fellowship interest in Question 2.

* If the application fee presents a significant barrier to application, please write to vcca@vcca.com by May 10, 2023, to request an application fee waiver.

VCCA intends the term artist of color to broadly include those creating original work in a wide variety of literary, visual art, and/or musical/sound disciplines who self-identify as part of one or more of these U.S. census groups: American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian; Black or African American; Hispanic or Latinx; Middle Eastern or North African; Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; Multi-Racial. If you have a question about whether VCCA’s studio spaces would be suitable to the nature of your creative work, please write to Artists Services at vcca@vcca.com in advance of the deadline.

Applicants must submit an online application by the deadline, complete with recent work samples, a project description, and a variety of biographical and logistical details. VCCA no longer requires letters of recommendation. Applicants will be considered for a VCCA residency and as many funding opportunities for which they are eligible.

vcca.com/apply/fully-funded-fellowships/50th-anniversary-fellowships-for-artists-of-color/

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2023 EMERGING WRITER'S CONTEST 

Ploughshares

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023

ENTRY FEE: 

• Subscribers: $0

• Non-Subscribers: $24

INFO: The Emerging Writer's Contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book. 

AWARD: We award publication, $2,000, review from Aevitas Creative Management, and a 1-year subscription for one winner in each of the three genres. Submit to the Emerging Writer's Contest through our submission manager. You must be logged in to access our submission manager.

JUDGES: The 2023 contest judges are Gish Jen (Fiction), Sandra Cisneros (Poetry), and Meghan O'Rourke (Nonfiction). 

PUBLICATION: The winning story, essay, and poems from the 2023 contest will be published in the Winter 2023-24 issue of Ploughshares. 

ELIGIBILITY:

You are eligible if you:

• Have yet to publish a book (including eBooks, translations, books in other languages/countries, self-published works, and poetry chapbooks with a print run of more than 300).

• Have no book forthcoming before April 15, 2024.

• Are not affiliated with Emerson College or with Ploughshares as a contributing author, volunteer screener, intern, student, staff member, or faculty member.

• Will not have a relationship with Emerson College before April 15, 2024 (example: if there is a chance you will attend the Emerson MFA program in the coming year or if your work has been accepted for publication for an upcoming issue).

SUBMITTING:

• Fiction and Nonfiction: Under 6,000 words

• Poetry: 3-5 pages

Submit one entry per year via our online submission manager. 

• No entries via email or mail will be considered for the contest.

• Submitted work must be original and previously unpublished in any form.

• For poetry, we will be reading both for the strongest individual poem and the general level of work, and may choose to publish one, some, or all of the winner's submitted poems.

• International submissions welcome.

• We cannot accomodate revisions once a manuscript has been submitted. 

• Cover letters are not necessary. Please remove all identifying information from your submission as they will be read anonymously. 

SIMULTANEOUS VS. MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS:
We only consider one submission per author for the duration of the contest, regardless of genre. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are fine as long as we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere via email (pshares@pshares.org) or our online contact form. 

pshares.org/submit/emerging-writers-contest/guidelines

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OutWrite 2023

DC Center for the LGBT Community

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023

INFO: OutWrite, Washington, D.C's annual free LGBTQ Literary Festival, is accepting event submissions for the 2023 festival, which will be August 11-13, 2023. We're seeking readings, panels, and workshops exploring and celebrating all aspects of the LGBTQIA+ identity and literary space!

PLEASE NOTE:

• We encourage diverse panels and readings.

• Submit your event with as full a lineup of readers or panelists as you can. We cannot feature readings with one individual author.

• The event coordinator refers to the person who submits the event idea.

• We are looking forward to bringing OutWrite 2023 back with in-person events as well as virtual offerings.

thedccenter.org/outwrite/

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Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction

Philadelphia Stories

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023

READING FEE: $15 per entry

INFO: This is an annual national short fiction contest that features a first place $2,500 cash award and invitation to an awards dinner; a second place cash prize of $750; and a third place cash prize of $500. The winner stories will be published in the print issue of Fall of Philadelphia Stories. The Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction is made possible by the generous support of the McGlinn and Hansma families. We especially encourage writers from underrepresented groups and backgrounds to send their work.

CONTEST SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Previously unpublished works of fiction up to 8,000 words. Please note, “published” includes any work published in print or online, including online magazines, blogs, public social media sites, etc.

• Multiple submissions will be accepted for the contest only. Simultaneous submissions are also accepted, however, we must be notified immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

• Only authors currently residing in the United States are eligible.

• Submissions will only be accepted via the website. Please email PhiladelphiaStoriesContests@gmail.com if you are having any trouble with your submission.

• All entrants will receive a complimentary copy of the Philadelphia Stories contest issue.

ABOUT THE 2023 JUDGE:

Oindrila Mukherjee grew up in India and now lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she teaches creative writing at Grand Valley State University. She has a PhD in literature and creative writing from the University of Houston and an MFA from the University of Florida. She has been the recipient of fellowships from Emory University, Inprint Houston and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She created a series called Bottom Shelf for the Indian magazine Scroll, where she discusses lesser known or forgotten books with an Indian connection. She also serves as a contributing editor for Aster(ix), a literary and arts magazine committed to social justice. Her debut novel, The Dream Builders, was published in the US by Tin House Books in January, and is forthcoming in the UK, Australia, and India.

philadelphiastories.org/fiction-contest/

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2024 Residencies and Fellowships

Ragdale

DEADLINE: May 15, 2023 by 11:59pm CST

APPLICATION FEE: $25

INFO: Ragdale is a non-profit artists’ community located on architect Howard Van Doren Shaw’s country estate in Lake Forest, IL, 30 miles north of Chicago. In 1976, Shaw’s granddaughter, Alice Judson Hayes, transformed her family’s summer home into an artist's retreat to provide time and space for artists to create important new work.

Today, Ragdale annually hosts nearly 150 visual artists, writers, composers, and interdisciplinary artists at all stages of their careers for 18-day residencies, making it one of the largest interdisciplinary artist communities in the country. Ragdale offers a retreat setting where at any given time, a dozen creative individuals experience uninterrupted time for dedicated work, a supportive environment, family-style dinners, and dynamic artist exchanges within a backdrop of 50 acres of idyllic prairie.

Residency Awards, up to 150 awarded in 2024
18- day residency. Fees are income-based and calculated upon a sliding scale. Admitted residents are responsible for their own travel.

Fellowship Awards, up to 30 awarded in 2024
18- day fee- waived residency. Stipend of at least $1000 to participate in the Ragdale In Schools educational outreach program. Admitted fellows are responsible for their own travel.

ELIGIBILITY: Up to 150 residencies and fellowships are now offered annually. Ragdale encourages applications from artists representing the widest possible range of perspectives and demographics, and to that end, emerging as well as established artists are invited to apply. While there are no publication, exhibition or performance requirements for application, applicants should be working at the professional level in their fields. Ragdale encourages artists of all backgrounds to apply, and does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of age, disability, gender, origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

GUIDELINES:

All applicants submit electronic materials through the Submittable application portal.  Please note the following requirements to complete your application:

A completed online application form which includes:

1. A one-page artist’s statement and work plan explaining your work and what you plan to do while in residence.

2. A one-page CV or resumé that summarizes your professional background.

3. Work samples that show previous work from the past 2-3 years. All media is acceptable. Most electronic file types and sizes are accepted. 

4. Some fellowships require an eligibility statement of 500 words or less.

5. Optional (Does not count towards the numerical score submitted by jury members): up to two current letters of reference or surveys completed by people who know you personally and can address your professional capacity and suitability for a residency in a working community with other artists.  Reference letters and survey responses are confidential and are  submitted electronically through Submittable when you submit your  application. Letters of reference/ Reference Surveys are due 11:59 PM  CST June 1, 2023. *A 10-15 minute survey option has been  added to residency applications. Instructions for completing the  survey or letter of recommendation will be automatically sent to your  references when you submit your application.

EVALUATION:

Applications are reviewed by Ragdale’s Curatorial Board and staff. Evaluations of work are based on the following criteria:

1. Work Samples: Documented works are original, inventive, and exciting. Works are relevant in their contemporary field. 

2. Presentation: Work samples are high-quality and technically proficient in execution, and is professionally presented and documented.

3. Artist’s Experience: Artist statement reflects continued development of ideas, serious inquiry into subject matter, and exceptional aesthetic investigation in the chosen medium. Artist's resumé shows evidence of continued progress in the process.

4. Work plan: Artist demonstrates they will maximize the benefits of a residency at Ragdale. What is the reason for seeking time and space in this particular residency program and is there a sense of urgency reflected in the goals described?

5. *OPTIONAL: References are optional and do not count towards the juror's numerical scoring of the application. References reflect the artist’s ability to work well in an artist community.

NOTIFICATION: Applicants are notified of admission status via email three months after the application deadline, approximately mid-September.

COLLABORATIONS: Artists collaborating on a project must submit individual application forms and appropriate work samples, along with a joint description of the work they intend to do at Ragdale. Clearly specify your work and living space needs i.e. how many private studio and/or sleeping quarters are needed. You may also submit an example of a previous collaborative work (either completed or in progress). Any specific concerns can be directed to Regin Igloria, Artistic Director, before applying.

TIMELINE

• May 15, 2023: Application Deadline

• September 2023: Notification of Residency or Fellowship award.

ragdale.submittable.com/submit

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Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant

Creative Capital

DEADLINE: May 17, 2023 by 11:59pm ET

INFO: The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant supports emerging and established writers who write about contemporary visual art. Ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 in three categories—articles, books, and short-form writing—the grants support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences, from short reviews for magazines and newspapers to in-depth scholarly studies. The program also supports art writing that engages criticism through interdisciplinary methods and experiments with literary styles. As long as a writer meets the eligibility and publishing requirements, they can apply.

GUIDELINES:

You may apply for a grant in one of the following project types: Article, Book, or Short-Form Writing. Below are the project type descriptions; for more information, including eligibility requirements and writing sample instructions, please view the project-specific pages.

• Article - The Article category supports essays, magazine features, and extended exhibition reviews. Catalogue essays will be considered, except for exhibitions held at commercial galleries. Articles may be published in print or online. A confirmed publisher for a proposed article is not a prerequisite to apply. Article grants are $15,000 each.

• Book - The Book category supports a broad range of books on contemporary visual art, from general-audience criticism to academic scholarship. Projects on work in adjacent fields—architecture, dance, film, media, music, performance, sound, etc.—will only be considered if they directly and significantly engage the discourses and concerns of contemporary visual art. Writers working on experimental or non-traditional arts writing are also invited to apply. Book grants are $50,000.

• Short-Form Writing - The Short-Form Writing category supports the ongoing practice of writers who regularly produce short texts that respond to current exhibitions, events, and issues in contemporary visual art. By “short” we mean texts in the range of 250-1,500 words. By “writers who regularly produce” we mean writers who, on average, publish at least one text per month in print or online (magazines, newspapers, blogs, or other independent publishing platforms). Short-Form Writing grants are $30,000 each.

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible for this grant, an arts writer must be:

• an individual;

• applying for a project about contemporary visual art;

• an art historian, artist, critic, curator, journalist, or a writer in an outside field who is strongly engaged with the contemporary visual arts;

• a U.S. citizen, permanent resident of the United States, or holder of an O-1 visa (if your application advances to the final round, you will need to submit current documentation);

• at least twenty-five years old by Oct 1 in the application year;

• a published author (specific publication requirements vary depending on grant category; see the project-specific eligibility requirements).

By “contemporary visual art,” we mean visual art made since World War II. Projects on post-WWII work in adjacent fields—architecture, dance, film, media, music, performance, sound, etc.—will only be considered if they directly and significantly engage the discourses and concerns of contemporary visual art.

An arts writer is NOT eligible for this grant if they are:

• applying on behalf of an organization;

• applying for a project in which their primary involvement will be as an editor;

• a full-time student in a degree-granting program (with the exception of those students who are simultaneously maintaining professional careers as arts writers);

• an artist, writer, or curator writing an interpretive essay on their own practice;

• applying for a project that is primarily fiction, poetry (including ekphrasis), or memoir; 

• applying for a project based on a PhD dissertation or MA thesis;

• applying to conduct a Q&A interview (or series of Q&A interviews);

• applying to assemble an archive or database;

• applying for a project on Andy Warhol;

• applying for a project that will be published by a commercial gallery;

• applying for a Creative Capital Award for any project in the same grant year (including as a collaborator);

• applying with the same project for which they have received a Creative Capital Award (including as a collaborator);

• a grantee of The Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant;

• a current employee, consultant, board member, or funder of Creative Capital or the Andy Warhol Foundation, or an immediate family member of such a person.

artswriters.org/application/guidelines

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Call for submission: Issue 8

Tampered Press

DEADLINE: May 20, 2023

INFO: Tampered Press creates more platform and visibility for writers and visual artists in Ghana and Africa.

For our 8th issue, we are curating a selection of works that analyzes the relationship between African & Black people living on the continent, and Africans/Blacks living in the diaspora.

What are the nuances, complexities and epiphanies present in the existence of these relationships in the physical, virtual and emotional realms and how do they manifest?

Submissions should reflect on the diversity of black experiences, how they intersect and diverge, what challenges and or triumphs emerge, and what the future, present and past looks like. We encourage submissions that engage with historical and contemporary struggles for black liberation, and that reflects on the ongoing impact of colonialism, imperialism, and systemic racism on black communities worldwide.

GUIDELINES: Your work can appear in a variety of ways: nonfiction, fiction, essays, photo essays, illustrations, prose poems, free verse and newly invented forms; in unusual and splendid images and metaphor; through the use of place, structure, and language. We are open to broad interpretations.

We are open to all styles and themes and seek to publish voices from diverse perspectives. We are also open to hybrid work, uncategorized writing, artwork, illustrations and photography.

Work must be previously unpublished; this includes personal blogs/websites and social media. We encourage simultaneous submissions but request that this be noted in your cover letter. Your cover letter should include a brief bio of yourself.

Submit work in any of these categories:

• Poetry: 2-4 poems. Submissions should include work in one file in .docx or pdf

• Fiction: 4000 word limit. Submissions should include work in one file in .docx or pdf

• Non-fiction: 4000 word limit. Submissions should include work in one file in .docx or pdf

• Comics: 4 page submission limit.

• Visual art: Send low resolution images, if accepted, higher resolution will be requested.

tamperedpress.com/submissions/

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Moondancer: For Environmental and Nature Writers

Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow

DEADLINE: May 22, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $35

INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow (WCDH) is pleased to offer the 2023 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 June 26, 2023. Residency must be completed by December 31, 2024. Exceptions will be made for COVID-19 concerns.  

writerscolony.org/fellowships

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SPECULATIVE FICTION by writers from Africa & the African Diaspora

Omenana Magazine

DEADLINE: May 25, 2023

INFO: Submission to Omenana Magazine will open for submissions for the 26th edition from 25th April to May 25th 2023. 

For this edition, we are rooting for science fiction stories set in the depths of space or other planets, far away from Earth.

Please send us your speculative fiction!

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We want art, fiction, and non-fiction from artists and writers from Africa and the African Diaspora. If you are unsure whether that includes you, please read this definition by the African Speculative Fiction Society about who is African for clarity.

Fiction and art must be speculative (Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror or Magical Realism) and must involve characters, settings or themes directly related to the African continent. All stories and art must be in English (translations welcome), must be original works (no fan fiction, sorry), and previously unpublished.

We are very much interested in works that explore alternative futures for Africa and people of African descent. We would also like to see explorations of the past as well as new interpretations of myths, folklore and magic. 

Above all, we are looking for original ideas and excellent writing.

Non-fiction can be essays or reviews, but must deal with our interest in African speculative fiction.

We do not accept poetry, drama or film scripts.

We no longer accept simultaneous submissions. 

OUR REQUIREMENTS:

All work must be submitted by e-mail to sevenhills.media@yahoo.com as a single attachment in one of the following file formats: .doc, .docx, .rtf, .odt.

Include a cover letter in the body of your e-mail providing your contact details (name – not the pseudonym you write under – address, email and phone number), a brief publication history, a bio of no more than 100 words and a profile photo.

Both fiction and non-fiction should please follow this Standard Manuscript Format.

• Short fiction should be no more than 5,000 words.

• Creative non-fiction and essays should be no more than 3,000 words.

• Flash fiction pieces should not exceed 1,000 words each.

• Reviews should be between 800 and 2,000 words.

• Graphic fiction and visual art should be sent in as a .jpg file.

• Please don’t send revised drafts of works that you have previously submitted, unless we specifically ask for them.

• Do not send us art if it has been published anywhere other than on your portfolio unless we specifically request it.

COMPENSATION: Omenana will pay $20 for every story published. We pay for commissioned art, depending on our budget.

Only submissions that follow the criteria above will be accepted and we can only communicate with writers whose work we’ve accepted at the moment.

omenana.com/omenana-submissions/

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Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers

GrubStreet

DEADLINE: May 30, 2023

INFO: GrubStreet’s Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers provides financial and professional development support to two self-identified Black writers interested in teaching classes, participating in events, and working with our instructors and staff to deepen our curriculum. The fellowship includes compensation of $25,000, artistic mentorship, a showcase of the Fellows’ work, and access to the GrubStreet community and the Muse and the Marketplace conference. In time, the program aims to offer sustainable support to Black Writers and create a cohort of fellows who have direct access to GrubStreet resources, classes, and events. We also hope the fellows can influence GrubStreet’s pedagogy and cultural vision based on their experience and feedback.

There are even more reasons to apply this year! Even if your application isn’t accepted, by applying you’ll be given free access to a session focused on the topic of applying to fellowships, conferences, writing programs, and residencies taking place this summer.

DETAILS:

The Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers will provide the following compensation:

• $25,000 per fellow for the year.

• Access to mentorship from GrubStreet’s Artistic Director, the Head of Faculty, and fellow instructors.

• Free access to the Muse and the Marketplace during the fellowship year and the option to lead a paid session at the conference. 

• Access to additional GrubStreet events.

• Priority access to space at GrubStreet’s new home to work on personal writing projects.

• 60 hours (or roughly 20 weeks) of free GrubStreet classes, which can be taken during or after the fellowship.

• A two-year GrubStreet membership.

The teaching load and responsibilities for the fellowship year include:

• Teaching one ten-week class.

• Teaching one six-week class.

• Teaching one week-long teen camp.

• Teaching one three-hour seminar (plus, the option to teach more for additional payment).

• Moderate or participate in a Boston Writers of Color’s event. 

• Meet with the Head of Faculty and Education Director periodically to track progress.

• A showcase and conversation on our Writer’s Stage to end the year (additional stipend paid to Fellows for this).

• Meet with new fellows at the end of your own fellowship year.

The fellowship begins September 5th, 2023 and runs through the end of August 2024.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

This fellowship is open to writers who self-identify as Black, are 18 or older, are able to work with both adult and teen audiences, and have a passion for expansive pedagogy, curriculum development, and professional growth. Ideal candidates will have some publication and teaching experience. Preference will be given to those working on their first book or a larger project. MFAs, a long publishing record, or extensive teaching experience are not requirements to apply, though feel free to tell us if you have any of these things.

HOW TO APPLY:

The Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers Application Form will require the following:

• A personal statement (500 words max), which should include:

• Your background as a writer and teacher.

• Your personal philosophy or approach to creative writing workshops.

• How this particular fellowship fits your interests and goals as a writer and educator.

• Your CV or resume. 

• A writing sample (20 pages limit for prose; 12 pages for poetry; 25 pages for scripts; and 20 pages for other or fused genres) that best exemplifies your current trajectory as a writer.

• Two personal references (name, email, and phone number) who can speak to your experience and dedication to writing and teaching.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Final decisions will be announced at the end of June.

• Program kicks off on September 5, 2023 and runs through the end of August 2024.

grubstreet.org/programs/teaching-fellowship-for-black-writers/

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CITIZEN LITERARY FELLOWSHIP

Graywolf Press

DEADLINE: May 21, 2023

INFO: The Citizen Literary Fellowship is a paid, comprehensive ten-month fellowship designed to support a person who is interested in learning more about the publishing industry through an introductory, hands-on experience. Through substantial project-based work in the editorial and marketing/publicity departments, the fellow will gain a broad base in publishing and be prepared to launch or further a career in the field. There are no requirements regarding the educational background of the candidate, but this position is not intended for those attending school full time.

This fellowship is grounded in our belief that while diversity in the books and authors we publish is vital, it is equally important that the people publishing these books reflect that diversity. As a result, the fellowship is intended to attract candidates who otherwise would not have access to publishing, and to therefore increase the diversity and inclusivity of the industry. Throughout the year, the fellow will receive active coaching and encouragement from the whole Graywolf team. Our hope is that this fellowship will serve as a doorway to a successful career in publishing or a related literary field.

This is a part-time (24 hours per week), non-exempt ten-month position. Compensation includes $25,000 (paid twice monthly as regular wages), paid time off, and health and dental insurance. Strong preference will be granted to applicants able to work within commuting distance of our Minneapolis office. Though we remain open to the possibility of a remote fellowship under special circumstances, an in-person presence offers significant benefits to both the fellow and their colleagues. Remote applicants must be based in New York or California, the states in which we already operate.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The fellow will work closely with senior staff in both the editorial and the marketing/publicity departments as they follow new and forthcoming books through every stage of the publication cycle. In addition to attending virtual events and participating in remote meetings as a member of the staff, the fellow will also have an active role in Graywolf’s outreach efforts. When appropriate, we will tailor activities to align with a fellow’s particular interests and skills. 

Key editorial responsibilities may include: 

• Reading and writing reports on manuscripts under consideration. 

• Working with our editors to provide feedback to authors on manuscripts that are in development. 

• Soliciting endorsements and drafting catalog copy for forthcoming books. 

• Reading print and online magazines to discover emerging writers. 

• Researching other publishers’ titles to find market comparisons for Graywolf books. 

• Attending literary events and reporting on new and interesting writers. 

Key marketing responsibilities may include: 

• Researching and contacting new sales, media, and advertising outlets, including those that reach diverse communities. 

• Assisting with author events and tour publicity/promotion. 

• Assisting with the development of backlist marketing. 

• Assisting with creation, production, and distribution of seasonal Graywolf catalogs. 

• Assisting with the Graywolf website, as needed. 

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES AND EXPERIENCE:

We are looking for a motivated, creative, and enthusiastic candidate with the following attributes:

• Strong interest in book publishing, contemporary literature, and the literary community. 

• A commitment to increasing diversity in and access to literature, and experience working with diverse and BIPOC communities. 

• Prior experience that will help the candidate participate in the publishing process. Relevant experience is not exclusive to publishing or academia. 

• Strong writing skills. 

• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with a small staff. 

• Ability to take the initiative in proposing and identifying additional tasks and projects. 

• Tell us if you have any special—non-required—additional skills, such as design experience or familiarity with databases and/or web sites. 

IMPORTANT DATES: The 2023-2024 Citizen Literary Fellowship will extend from September 2023 through June 2024.

graywolfpress.org/about-us/jobs-and-internships

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Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships

The Center for Fiction

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

INFO: The Center for Fiction / Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships offer grants, editorial mentorship, and other opportunities to early-career New York City-based practitioners who are at a critical moment in their development as fiction writers.

During the one-year Fellowship period, grantees receive:

• A grant of $5,000

• The opportunity to have their manuscript revised and critiqued by an experienced editor

• Access to write in our Writers Studio

• The opportunity to meet with editors, authors, and agents who represent new writers at monthly dinners

• Two public readings as part of our annual program of events

• A professional headshot for personal publicity use

• Inclusion in an anthology distributed to industry professionals

• Tickets to our First Novel Fête and/or Annual Awards Benefit

• Complimentary admission to all Center events

• A 25% discount on writing workshops at the Center

• A workshop on reading as performance, conducted by Audible

GUIDELINES: Please submit a fiction writing sample, not to exceed 7,500 words, as a double-spaced Word document (.doc or .docx). The submission must include page numbers. The writing sample may be either a novel excerpt or one complete short story. If you write primarily “flash fiction” or “short shorts” (1,000 words or less) you are permitted to submit multiple stories as long as the total word count does not exceed the previously stated limit. Please do not include any personal or identifying information on your writing sample. Writing samples containing this information will not be read.

When your submission has successfully uploaded, please email a PDF or jpeg scan showing proof of residency to submissions@centerforfiction.org. A New York driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card is the preferred proof of residency. A PDF of a current utility bill, bank statement, lease/rental agreement, or recent pay stub may also be used to show residency. If you are a full-time resident of New York City but do not have any of these items, please e-mail submissions@centerforfiction.org to discuss other proof of residency that may be provided.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs and must remain in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply. This program supports emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their careers as fiction writers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who has not yet had a novel or short story collection published by either a major or independent publisher, and who is also not currently under contract to a publisher for a work of fiction. Eligible applicants may have had stories or novel excerpts published in magazines, literary journals or online, but this is not a requirement. If at any point during the judging process an applicant signs a contract for publication or accepts an offer to study in a degree-granting program, he or she must alert us immediately to have the application pulled from consideration.

centerforfiction.org/grants-awards/nyc-emerging-writers-fellowship/apply-to-the-nyc-emerging-writer-fellowship/

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FICTION Prize

Autumn House Press

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

READING FEE: $30

INFO: For the 2023 contest, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is Pam Houston.

PRIZE: The winner receives publication of a full-length manuscript and $2,500 ( $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book). We will announce the finalists and the winner of the contest by October 15, 2023. 

GUIDELINES:

• All finalists will be considered for publication

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

• 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

• 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 a 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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NONFICTION Prize

Autumn House Press

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

READING FEE: $30

INFO: For the 2023 contest, the Autumn House staff as well as select outsider readers serve as the preliminary readers, and the final judge is Jenny Boully.

PRIZE: The winner receives publication of a full-length manuscript and $2,500 ( $1,000 honorarium, and a $1,500 travel/publicity grant to promote their book). We will announce the finalists and the winner of the contest by October 15, 2023. 

GUIDELINES:

• All finalists will be considered for publication

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

• 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.)

• Personal essays and memoirs are eligible

• The book should be previously unpublished

• 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 (first name is fine, but last name must be omitted)

• 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 a 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/nonfiction/

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Voyage Novel Excerpt Contest

Voyage Journal

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

READING FEE: $20 per entry

INFO: Big changes are at work for Voyage this year! We are moving all of our prize opportunities to two biannual anthologies dedicated to top-notch YA writing. We want to give our incredible contributors a chance to see their name in print! We will be publishing hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions. Winners of this Novel Excerpt Contest will be published in Fall 2023, alongside the winners of the Short Story Award, Poetry Prize, and Creative Nonfiction Prize.

You can also submit your creative nonfiction pieces now, too, in addition to your novel excerpts! Just head to voyage.submittable.com/submit. 

The anthology will be edited by Voyage’s editorial staff, and we will soon announce the contributing author who will share publication space with all of the emerging voices coming through our submissions.

Have you written a gripping and captivating YA novel? Enter our Novel Excerpt Contest for a chance to showcase your talent! We warmly invite you to send us your favorite chapters from your YA novels! We want the chapter that makes us hungry for the rest of the book, that makes us desperate to spend more time in the world of your creation!

We’re so excited to read your submissions and to discover all the wonderful books waiting for their readers!

AWARD: For the anthology, we are flexible with the number of winners, but all novel excerpt contributors will be compensated accordingly:

          Novel excerpts: $800

GUIDELINES:

• Submissions are open from April 3 to May 31, 2023. 

• Voyage submissions are open to all writers working in English.

• International submissions are allowed.

• Submission must be an original novel excerpt that would be categorized as young adult fiction (from the point of view of a young adult, meaning through the lens of a teen protagonist).

• Please adhere to the 5,000-word count maximum.

• We’re open to any YA subgenre or style you can throw at us—just send us the best you’ve got.

• Submit previously unpublished work only, please.

• Simultaneous submissions are fine—just notify us and withdraw your entry if it’s picked up by someone else.

• Multiple submissions are okay—please submit each as a separate submission.

• Every entry will be considered for our regular publications as well.

• Please: 1) double space, 2) use Times New Roman 12, 3) have one-inch margins, and 4) put the page number in the top right-hand corner.

• Tell us in a brief cover letter your publication history (if applicable, no worries if not), along with any relevant information about your writing career.

For reference, some of our favorite YA anthologies include: Fresh Ink, edited by Lamar Giles; Welcome Home, edited by Eric Smith; Our Stories, Our Voices, edited by Amy Reed; Three Sides of a Heart, edited by Natalie C. Parker; Because You Love to Hate Me, edited by Amerie; Meet Cute and Summer Days and Summer Nights/My True Love Gave to Me, both edited by Stephanie Perkins. 

Note: To ensure the protection of our volunteer readers, and to keep Voyage a safe space, please let us know in your cover letter if your work can be triggering in any way. This will have no bearing on your submission or our decision—we just want to ensure the best possible environment for our readers. Thank you for your understanding. 

voyage.submittable.com/submit/258304/novel-excerpt-contest-for-voyage-anthology-2

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Voyage Creative NonFiction Prize

Voyage Journal

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

READING FEE: $20 per entry

INFO: Big changes are at work for Voyage this year! We are moving all of our prize opportunities to two biannual anthologies dedicated to top-notch YA writing. We want to give our incredible contributors a chance to see their name in print! We will be publishing hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions. Winners of this Creative Nonfiction Prize will be published in Fall 2023, alongside the winners of the Short Story Award, Poetry Prize, and Novel Excerpt Contest.

You can also submit your novel excerpts now, too, in addition to your creative nonfiction pieces! Just head to voyage.submittable.com/submit. 

The anthology will be edited by Voyage’s editorial staff, and we will soon announce the contributing author who will share publication space with all of the emerging voices coming through our submissions.

Submitting to our Creative Nonfiction Prize gives you a chance to showcase your unique voice and perspective! We are looking for personal stories that capture the nature of the teen experience. True stories that read like fiction are preferred. We read widely in YA, and we’re simply looking for a well-told personal story. 

PRIZE: For the anthology, we are flexible with the number of winners, but all creative nonfiction contributors will be compensated accordingly:

          Creative nonfiction pieces: $500

 GUIDELINES:

• Voyage submissions are open to all writers working in English.

• International submissions are allowed.

• Submission must be an original creative nonfiction piece that would be categorized as young adult (from the point of view of a young adult, meaning through the lens of a teen protagonist).

• Please adhere to the 5,000-word count maximum.

• We’re open to any YA subgenre or style you can throw at us—just send us the best you’ve got.

• Submit previously unpublished work only, please.

• Simultaneous submissions are fine—just notify us and withdraw your entry if it’s picked up by someone else.

• Multiple submissions are okay—please submit each as a separate submission.

• Please: 1) double-space, 2) use Times New Roman 12, 3) have one-inch margins, and 4) put the page number in the top right-hand corner.

• Tell us in a brief cover letter your publication history (if applicable, no worries if not), along with any relevant information about your writing career.

For reference, some of our favorite YA anthologies include: Fresh Ink, edited by Lamar Giles; Welcome Home, edited by Eric Smith; Our Stories, Our Voices, edited by Amy Reed; Three Sides of a Heart, edited by Natalie C. Parker; Because You Love to Hate Me, edited by Amerie; as well as Meet Cute and Summer Days and Summer Nights/My True Love Gave to Me, both edited by Stephanie Perkins. 

Note: To ensure the protection of our volunteer readers, and to keep Voyage a safe space, please let us know in your cover letter if your work can be triggering in any way. This information will have no bearing on your submission or our decision—we just want to ensure the best possible environment for our readers. Thank you for your understanding. 

voyage.submittable.com/submit/258303/creative-nonfiction-prize-for-voyage-anthology-2

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Marble House Project artist residency

Marble House Project

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

APPLICATION FEE: $35.00

INFO: Marble House Project is a multidisciplinary artist residency program (ie: Fiction, Non Fiction, Poetry, Playwriting/Screenwriting, Film and Video, etc.) that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas, by providing an environment for artists across disciplines to live and work together. The residency integrates sustainable practices, including small-scale organic food production and waste conservation. Residents sustain their growth by engaging with the grounds while working on their artistic practice. Marble House Project is founded on the belief that the act of creating, whether in the studio or in nature, is how human potential expands and community thrives.

Marble House Project accepts approximately 60 residents and is open to artists living in the United States and abroad. You must be at least 21 years old.   Each session accommodates eight artists and is specifically curated to bring together a diverse group of creative workers, to maximize potential for collaboration and dialogue while in residence and beyond. 

RESIDENCY DATES FOR 2024:

• March 5th - 26th

• April 2nd - April 23rd

• April 30th - May 21st

• May 28th - June 18

• September 17th - October 8th

• October 15th - November 4th

ABOUT THE RESIDENCY:

All residents live together in the historic, eight-bedroom Manley-Lefevre house, a communal space organized around responsibilities-sharing systems which highlight sustainability and community. The residency is an opportunity to develop and carry out practices of mutual support, group conversation, and to cultivate adaptive relationships with the environment. This can take the form of discussions with guest multidisciplinary artists, thinkers, and activists and other individual and group activities that benefit our community of residents.

Residents will be paired and asked to cook for shared dinners three times over the course of their residency, Monday-Friday. . Each session culminates with a short video interview and artists are invited to share their work with our community and each other. Marble House Project provides private bedrooms, food, private studio space, and artist support. We are not able to cover costs related to travel or materials. There is no fee to attend the residency.

Applications are accepted in all creative fields including but not limited to writing, dance and choreography, performance, music composition and sound, film and video, visual arts, and culinary arts. Applications are reviewed by a jury of alumni and staff. Artists are selected based on quality of work, commitment to practice, and project description. Please choose the application that best describes your work. Two artists may apply together as a collaborative, and should complete one application. Within each application you will be asked to select the session dates best for you. 

marblehouseproject.submittable.com/submit

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Writing Workshops Paris (September 2023)

Writing Workshops Paris

DEADLINE: May 31, 2023

INFO: Writing Workshops Paris brings together Fiction, Nonfiction, and Children's Book Writers for an intensive week of workshops, craft seminars, one-on-one conferences, and in-depth discussions on the craft and business of writing. Our program is inclusive, intentionally small, and takes place in the middle of Literary Paris, rich with history and inspiration.

Each genre workshop will have no more than 10 participants. All writers will submit two completed pieces of writing. One submission will be workshopped by your genre-cohort and instructor and a second piece will be submitted for your one-on-one meeting with your workshop leader. Daily craft talks are open to all participants and led by program staff or faculty.

Our workshops are open to writers who want to strengthen their voice, develop a greater understanding of craft, and forge a path to publication along the way. We take your writing seriously and place the highest importance on teaching the craft of writing so that students can produce meaningful and memorable work that has the opportunity to find a readership beyond the workshop. Our mission is to bring your writing out of the wilderness and into community, and for a week every September we think there is no better place to do this than in the heart of Paris, France.

SEPTEMBER 2023 FACULTY:

• Fiction Instructor Christine Pride 

• Nonfiction Instructor Mira Ptacin

• Children's Book, YA & MG Instructor Ying Chang Compestine 

WHAT WILL MY APPLICATION INCLUDE?

• Brief bio informing us of your involvement in the writing and literary community and any prior or forthcoming publications. (500 words  max)

• Purpose statement explaining why you would like to participate in Writing Workshops Paris. You can also discuss current manuscripts or writing projects that you might choose to workshop. (500 words max.)

• Writing sample excerpt. This does not have to be published work, though that is acceptable, nor does it have to be a piece you plan to workshop. Complete works under the word count are not required; excerpts are acceptable. (writing sample should be no more than 3000 words max).

writingworkshops.submittable.com/submit/260809/writing-workshops-paris-september-2023-application

JUNE

The Editor-Writer Mentorship

The Word

DEADLINE: June 4, 2023 at 11:59pm US Denver/Mountain Daylight Time

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 due to the generosity of our volunteer editors.

​ELIGIBILTY:

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 DETAILS:

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. 

thewordfordiversity.org/editor-writer-mentorship

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NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)

DEADLINE: June 6, 2023 by 5:00pm ET

INFO: The NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant program will distribute one-time cash grants of $1,000 to artists with a disability who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis to cover art related expenses. The grant will be open to visual, media, music, performing, literary, and multidisciplinary artists who live in New York State.

NEW FOR CYCLE 3: NYSCA/NYFA Artists with Disabilities Grant is now open to artists who live in New York State, including those who live within the five boroughs of New York City.

Applicants will need to be practicing artists and be able to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their arts practice and career. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they have participated, created, or maintained their artistic practice and provide documentation from any time over the past 4 years (2019 to date). Applicants are encouraged to share a past public engagement such as an exhibition, show, community-based program, performance, or other public presentation of the artist’s work within their application. Only those who are current New York State residents and have maintained residency for a minimum of twelve months will be considered.

Grant recipients will not be made public, and personal information will never be disclosed or publicized without prior consent.

APPLICANTS NOTIFIED: June 2023

nyfa.org/awards-grants/nysca-nyfa-artists-with-disabilities-grant/

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Imagine 2200: climate fiction short story contesT

Grist

DEADLINE: June 13, 2023 by 11:59pm PST

ENTRY FEE: $0

INFO: Grist invites you to submit a climate fiction short story for our third annual contest, Imagine 2200: Climate Fiction for Future Ancestors.

Imagine 2200 celebrates stories that envision the next 180 years of equitable climate progress, imagining intersectional worlds of abundance, adaptation, reform, and hope. Stories must be set between today and the year 2200, in a future that shows the path to a clean, green, just world. We are looking for stories that showcase creative climate solutions and community-centered adaptations. We especially want to read — and share — narratives that center solutions from the communities most impacted by the climate crisis and stories that envision what a truly equitable, decolonized society could look like. 

In 3,000 to 5,000 words, show us the world you dream of building.

We love to see stories that are rooted in cultural authenticity (a deep sense of place, customs, cuisine, and more) and rich subcultures that uplift traditions not often seen in mainstream literature. In addition, we love rich characters with fully-fledged identities, stories that challenge the status quo of extraction and oppression, and stories that incorporate real world climate solutions or climate science. Stories need not be overly optimistic or rosy — the path to climate progress will involve hard work, struggle, and adaptation, and we invite you to show that, too. 

Finally, we are also excited to see climate themes in stories from across genres — love stories, fantasy adventures, mysteries, comedies. Give us YOUR take on climate fiction and what hope for our future means to you.

We’ll be looking for these core elements:

• Creative climate solutions

• Hope in action

• Vivid characters

• Compelling story

• Decolonized futures

We will also judge submissions based on the quality of artistic voice, originality, craft, and technique.

What we’re offering to winners: 

• Cash prizes

• Publication on Grist and Grist partner sites as part of our Imagine 2200 collection

• A reason to stay hopeful

AWARD: The winning writer will be awarded $3,000, with the second- and third-place finalists receiving $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. An additional nine finalists will get $300 apiece. All winners and finalists will have their story published in an immersive collection on Grist’s website. 

INSIRATION: Imagine 2200 draws inspiration from Afrofuturism, as well as Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, disabled, feminist, and queer futurisms. The contest is also grounded in hopepunk and solarpunk — literary genres that uplift equitable climate solutions and continued service to one’s community, even in the face of despair. 

We are excited to see what you write and to dive into the worlds you create!

Imagine is produced with support from NRDC.

GUIDELINES:

• The contest is open to writers anywhere in the world, except where participation is prohibited or restricted by applicable law. 

• Authors must be 18 years or older at the time of submission.

• Submissions must be fictional stories between 3,000 and 5,000 words.

• Submissions must be written in English. We are not able to translate stories from other languages at this time.

• Submissions must not have been previously published, nor received a prize or distinction in another contest.

• We do not accept simultaneous submissions (stories can only be submitted to this contest and not to others, until we have informed you of the result).

• Only one submission will be accepted per entrant.

• Submissions can be co-authored by more than one entrant. Only one of the co-authors should submit the story. The submissions form will offer a way to list the other co-author(s). If a co-authored story is selected for publication, all authors will be credited, and prize money will be divided between them. 

• Submissions will only be accepted through Submittable — click the “submit” button at the bottom of this page when you’re ready! If you need accessibility accommodations, please email the team at imaginefiction@grist.org.

• Stories will be judged by a board of literary experts, including acclaimed authors and editors Nalo Hopkinson, Sam J. Miller, and Paolo Bacigalupi.

• The first-prize story will be awarded $3,000; second prize is $2,000; and third prize is $1,000. Nine additional finalists will each receive $300.

• All 12 final stories will be published on Grist’s website and partner sites as part of our Imagine 2200 collection.

• Worldwide copyright and ownership of each story remains with the author.

HOW TO PREP YOUR STORY FILE:

• Your short story should be uploaded as a word document (.doc acceptable; .docx preferred.)

• Your word document should be named as such: title of your story, submission date. Ex. “Story Title, 2/15/2022”.

• Your document should not contain any identifying biographical information (including your name).

• The first page of your document should include your story’s title and word count at the top in Arial 14-point font.

• The rest of your document should be in Arial 12-point font with double line spacing, and at least one-inch margins.

• All document pages should include a header in the upper right-hand corner with the correct sequential page number, starting on page 1, and your story’s title.

grist.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Creative Nonfiction

Electric Lit

DEADLINE: June 15, 2023

INFO: Electric Lit announces their first ever Creative Nonfiction submission window.

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 two to four 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 alyssa@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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ARTISTS & WRITERS RESIDENCY

Vermont Studio Center

DEADLINE: June 15, 2023

INFO: Each month, VSC welcomes over 50 artists and writers from across the country and around the world to our historic campus in northern Vermont.

All of our residencies include:

• A private room in modest, shared housing

• 24-hour access to a private studio space in one of our 6 medium-specific studio buildings

• 3 communal meals per day (plus fresh fruit, coffee/tea/cold beverages, and cereal available around the clock)

Most residents stay with us for 1 month, so our sessions adhere to a 4-week calendar however, residencies can be scheduled in 2-week increments ranging from 2 to 12 weeks if a shorter or longer stay better suits your needs. Although we accept residents for stays for 2 weeks, we recommend a minimum stay of one month for the fullest experience.

Each 4-week session includes:

• Opening Night Dinner & Reception

• 7 Resident Presentation (“Res Pres”) Nights

• 2 Open Studios Nights

• Public Slide Talks / Public Readings from our Visiting Artists & Writers

• Visiting Writer Craft Talks (open to writers only)

• Opportunities for studio visits/manuscript critiques with Visiting Artists/Writers

Most months, numerous other spontaneous events take place--intimate readings, pop-up shows, group hikes or swims, performances, site-specific installations, movie screenings, dance parties, and bonfires, to name a few.

All events in our monthly program are optional. Our program is designed to enhance your studio practice by providing opportunities to engage with a supportive creative community; you are welcome to participate in as many or as few of these activities as you like. 

FELLOWSHIPS:

• VSC Fellowship - Nine fellowships for exceptional writers based on the merit of their work. Available for a 2-, 3-, or 4-week residency as best meets the needs of the writer.

• Voices Rising Fellowship - One fellowship for a Black American woman fiction writer with demonstrable financial need. Given in honor of women writers of color such as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Zora Neale Hurston, whose voices have inspired so many. Available for a 4-week residency in 2023 and includes a $2,000 stipend.

• Brian P. Kennedy Fellowship - One two-week fellowship for a poet. This award is based on merit and is given in honor of VSC’s recent Interim Executive Director, Brian Kennedy, with gratitude for his dedication to VSC and its mission, and his commitment to supporting creative practice.

vermontstudiocenter.org/

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Narrative Prize

Narrative Mag

DEADLINE: June 15, 2023

INFO: The $5,000 Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative.

The prize is announced each September and is given to the best work published each year in Narrative by a new or emerging writer, as judged by the magazine’s editors. In some years, the prize may be divided between winners, when more than one work merits the award. Entries selected for publication are eligible for the Narrative Prize, which is not a contest but an award.

narrativemagazine.com/great-stories/narrative-prize

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Monson Arts’ Residency Program

Monson Arts

DEADLINE: June 15, 2023

INFO: Monson Arts’ residency program supports emerging and established artists and writers by providing them time and space to devote to their creative practices. During each of our 2-week and 4-week programs throughout the year, a cohort of 5 artists and 5 writers are invited to immerse themselves in small town life at the edge of Maine’s North Woods and focus intensely on their work within a creative and inspiring environment. They receive a private studio, private bedroom in shared housing, all meals, and $1,000 stipend ($500 for 2-week programs). New for 2022, the Abbott Watts Residency for Photography offers access to the photography studio and darkroom of Todd Watts in nearby Blanchard, adjacent to the former home of Berenice Abbott. Click here to read more about this unique opportunity specifically for photographers.

Applications for a residency at Monson Arts are open to anyone at any stage of their career, working in visual arts, writing, and related fields (i.e. audio, video, photography). Open calls for residency applications currently take place 3 times throughout the year with deadlines on January 15, June 15, and September 15. Each application period corresponds to specific residency offerings 3-6 months out.

Residents’ studios are located in newly renovated Main Street buildings that have been designed specifically for visual artists and writers. All of our studio spaces are outfitted to be as flexible as possible so that we can accommodate a variety of creative practices. Our visual arts studios are spacious and light-filled with large work tables and sinks. Shelving and portable storage carts are available as needed. Access is available to woodshop and metal shop facilities in nearby buildings for any fabrication needs. Our writing studios are comfortably furnished with work tables, office chairs, bookshelves, and reading chairs.

Residents live in newly renovated historic homes throughout town, within walking distance to studios and everything that downtown Monson has to offer. These are mostly 3 bedroom structures that are fully furnished and comfortable all four seasons of the year. Houses all have shared kitchens, bathrooms, and common areas with laundry machines, telephone, and other amenities as well. Wifi is available in all of our buildings through high speed fiberoptic service.

Application Requirements include:

• Up to 5 Images/Media OR 5 pages of writing examples

• A letter of intent for your time at the residency

• C.V. or Resume (limited to 6000 characters)

• Two references

Our next application period will be open May 1st – June 15th for residency sessions taking place in the Fall of 2023.

monsonarts.org/residencies/overview/

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Black Fox Summer 2023 Writing Contest: Secrets Unraveled

Black Fox

DEADLINE: June 18, 2023

ENTRY FEE: $12

INFO: Black Fox is accepting submissions for its ninth writing contest. The theme for this round is “Secrets Unraveled.” We are open to loose interpretations of the theme in any genre, as always.

We all have secrets. There are secrets we keep to ourselves, secrets we share with select people, and secrets we bury deep inside. But what happens when those secrets start weighing us down? When they become a burden we can no longer carry?

We want to know what secrets your characters or narrators have kept hidden. Maybe it’s a secret that has been hidden for years—a past mistake, a forbidden love, or a hidden talent. Or perhaps the secret is something recently discovered—a family secret, a long-held belief, or a buried memory. We’re looking for stories that explore the power of secrets—how they shape us, define us, and ultimately, how they can set us free.

Please submit your strongest fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, and we will choose one winner that we feel interprets the theme best. The prize is $300 and publication in the Summer 2023 issue. All submissions are considered for publication in the Summer 2023 issue. The contest entry fee is $12, and submissions must be submitted before midnight (EST) on June 18, 2023.

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. Please see our Submission Guidelines before submitting. Submissions are accepted through our submission manager found here.

We will select a winner by the end of July and each entrant will receive a response.

blackfoxlit.submittable.com/submit

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Heritage Journal

DEADLINE: June 21, 2023

INFO: The Heritage Journal is a biennial print publication, which celebrates the voices and narratives of Black, Indigenous, and POC creators and community members engaged or related to the slow living movement.

For written work, pieces cannot exceed more than 2,500 words. For longer written works and additional visual art pieces, we encourage artists to submit to our online library. See additional information below.

COMPENSATION: Accepted submissions to The Heritage Journal are paid. Written submissions are paid $25 per page and visual submissions receive $25 per piece.

readheritage.com/guidelines

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Roxane Gay Books/Grove Atlantic Fellowship

DEADLINE: June 22, 2023

INFO: We are currently seeking an editorial fellow interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the inner workings of an independent publishing house and developing a solid foundation for a career in publishing. The fellow will have exposure to the editorial, marketing, publicity, and rights departments of Grove Atlantic, and will directly support Roxane Gay Books, a new imprint at Grove Atlantic, in building an exciting list of fiction and nonfiction.

This is a one-year fellowship that will allow the fellow to gain experience in publishing with an emphasis on creating access for candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in publishing.

Duties for the new imprint will include administrative work, reading and evaluating submissions, and maintaining a submission log, author correspondence, and other editorial support. Projects for the Grove departments may include the above as well as writing tip sheets, catalog copy, pitch letters, buzz letters and lists, and other in-house and outward-facing publishing assets; assisting with bookseller outreach and sales reporting; light work with contracts, royalty statements, and databases; other administrative work. It will offer the opportunity to observe weekly departmental meetings in addition to sales launch and other all-staff meetings.

We are looking for someone who loves reading and writing, has a good editorial eye or is interested in developing one, is independent but also willing to work collaboratively, a good communicator, and organized. You do not need prior experience or an academic degree.

Fellows will receive a $25,000 stipend, for 24 hours a week of work, paid biweekly. The fellow is also eligible for health and dental benefits and paid time off. Candidates can be based anywhere in the United States.

Applications will open May 24. Please apply with a resume, cover letter, and list of three titles you loved that were published in the past year, to fellowship@groveatlantic.com through June 22.

https://groveatlantic.com/careers/ 

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2023-2025 BOOK PROJECT FELLOWSHIP

Lighthouse Writers

DEADLINE: June 24, 2023

INFO: In 2018, we launched the Book Project Fellowship, which covers partial or full tuition for the entire two-year program. Book Project Fellows will receive all the benefits of the program, including one-on-one mentorship with a published author, classes with fellow Book Project participants, weekend intensives and retreats, and publishing advice from our in-house expert. The Book Project Fellowship is supported in part by the Amazon Literary Partnership along with generous individual donors.

APPLICANT CRITERIA: Writers of fiction, nonfiction, short stories, memoir, and hybrid texts can apply for a Book Project Fellowship. Each application is reviewed by Book Project faculty and rewarded based on merit and financial need.

AWARD DETAILS: Book Project Fellows receive full or partial tuition for the Book Project. The number of awards depends on the funding received each year.

HOW TO APPLY: Follow the instructions for the Book Project application and select the fellowship option. You’ll be asked to include annual household income and a statement of financial need (500 words or less). Writers making it to the final round may be asked for income verification in the form of IRS filings.

FELLOWSHIP NOTIFICATION: Applicants will receive two notifications. The first will let you know whether or not you’ve been accepted to the Book Project in early July. The second, a week later, will let you know whether or not you’ve received the fellowship. Applicants not accepted to the program will not receive a second notification about the fellowship.

lighthousewriters.org/book-project-fellowships

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Emerging Writer Awards: Cecelia Joyce Johnson award for SHORT STORY

Key West Literary Seminar

DEADLINE: June 30, 2023 by 11:59 pm EDT. Letters of recommendation must be received by the following week.

APPLICATION FEE: Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we are implementing a $12 application fee to cover review costs.

INFO: Key West Literary Seminar is now accepting applications for the 2024 Emerging Writer Awards. These awards recognize and support writers who possess exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for lasting literary careers.

COVER LETTER: In approximately 350 words, please tell us about your background, your motivations as a writer, and your previous accomplishments. File name should adhere to the following model: “Lastname_Firstname_cover.doc” and your name should appear at the top-right-hand-corner of the page.

WRITING SAMPLE: Please submit a complete short story of 20 pages or fewer (12-point font, double-spaced). File name should adhere to the following model: “Title_of_Short_Story.doc” and your name should not appear on the manuscript.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter of recommendation is required. In the application form below, you will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender. Once you submit the application, they will receive an email from Submittable with a link to upload the recommendation letter. We suggest that you contact your recommender before you submit your application and alert them to expect this email.

*Applications missing the letter of recommendation are incomplete and will not be considered. Application deadline is June 30, 2023 and your letter of recommendation must be received no later than a week later.

REFERENCES: Please provide the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two additional persons who are familiar with you and your work.

ELIGIBILITY: Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility could be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Award winners will be notified by November 1.

kwls.submittable.com/submit/253011/2024-scholarship-ewa-cecelia-joyce-johnson-award-for-short-story

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Emerging Writer Awards: Marianne Russo Award FOR NOVEL

Key West Literary Seminar

DEADLINE: June 30, 2023 by 11:59 pm EDT. Letters of recommendation must be received by the following week.

APPLICATION FEE: Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we are implementing a $12 application fee to cover review costs.

INFO: Key West Literary Seminar is now accepting applications for the 2024 Emerging Writer Awards. These awards recognize and support writers who possess exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for lasting literary careers.

COVER LETTER: In approximately 350 words, please tell us about your background, your motivations as a writer, and your previous accomplishments.

File name should adhere to the following model: “Lastname_Firstname_cover.doc” and your name should appear at the top-right-hand-corner of the page.

WRITING SAMPLE: Please submit an excerpt from your novel of 25 pages or fewer (12-point font, double-spaced). Preface this excerpt with a single page containing a “pitch” of 250 words or fewer; this should provide an outline of your novel and any context that may be useful to the reader.

File name should adhere to the following model: “Title_of_Novel.doc” and your name should not appear on the manuscript.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter of recommendation is required. In the application form below, you will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender. Once you submit the application, they will receive an email from Submittable with a link to upload the recommendation letter. We suggest that you contact your recommender before you submit your application and alert them to expect this email.

*Applications missing the letter of recommendation are incomplete and will not be considered. Application deadline is June 30 and your letter of recommendation must be received no more than one week later.

REFERENCES: Please provide the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two additional persons who are familiar with you and your work.

ELIGIBILITY: Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility could be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

Award winners will be notified by November 1.

kwls.submittable.com/submit/253017/2024-scholarship-ewa-marianne-russo-award-for-novel

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CALL FOR PROPOSALS - Looking Forward: Black Women’s Studies in the 21st Century

Black Women’s Studies Association

DEADLINE: June 30, 2023

INFO: The Black Women’s Studies Association is thrilled to announce that our inaugural symposium will be held virtually on October 21-22, 2023. The theme, Looking Forward: Black Women’s Studies in the 21st Century, encourages those of us engaged in scholarship, activism, advocacy and creative work on Black women and girls to look ponder the future of Black Women’s Studies. In All the Women Are White, All the Blacks are Men, but Some of Us are Brave: Black Women’s Studies (1982) editors Akasha Gloria T. Hull, Patricia Bell Scott, and Barbara Smith set an agenda for Black women’s studies that repositioned Black women at the center of academic research, university curricula, and community engagement. At the time, women’s studies, more accurately defined as cis-heteronormative women’s studies, neglected the intellectual and artistic contributions of Black women and queer folks, and Black studies programs often centered straight Black men’s scholarly and creative contributions. Thus, Hull, Scott, and Smith were compelled to state that “Only a feminist, pro-woman perspective that acknowledges the reality of sexual oppression in the lives of Black women, as well as the oppression of race and class, will make Black Women’s Studies the transformer of consciousness it needs to be” (xxi).

 The question becomes then, has Black Women’s Studies become the transformer of consciousness that it set out to be? There is no doubt that the field of women’s studies writ large has grown and transformed over the past 40+ years, but to what end? As recently as 2022, “settled” law such as Roe vs. Wade has been overturned, and more than 428 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced all over the United States. Police violence against Black women is at an all-time high, and we have yet to achieve wage-equality. In light of these set-backs and the continued oppression of Black women, gender variant folks, and LGBTQ folks, what work lies ahead for Black Women’s Studies? Our inaugural symposium, Looking Forward: Black Women’s Studies in the 21st Century seeks to address these questions.

 Our virtual symposium will be held October 21-22, 2023.

 We invite proposal submissions on a range of topics that address the theme, including but not limited to:

• Black Feminist Pedagogies

• Black Feminist/Womanist Ethics and Praxis

• Black Girlhood

• Black Feminist Futures

• Reproductive Justice

• Black Trans Rights

• Housing Insecurity

• Black Feminist Ecologies

• Black Feminist Community-Building Practices

• Black Women’s Joy and Pleasure

• Black Women’s Health and Wellness

• Black Women’s Cultural Work (including literature, film, and visual arts)

• Black Women’s Labor

• Black Women’s Intellectual Thought

• Black Women and the Law

SESSION PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORMATS 

Panels examine specific problems or topics from a variety of perspectives given that they include 3-4 participants and perhaps a moderator. Panels may present alternative solutions, interpretations, or contrasting points of view on a specified subject or in relation to a common theme. Panel members are expected to prepare papers addressing central questions described in the proposal. 

Roundtables include 4-6 presenters and one moderator who makes brief, informal remarks about a specific idea or project. They allow for extensive discussion and audience participation.  

Workshops provide an opportunity to exchange information or work on a common problem, project, or shared interest. Workshops are typically experientially oriented, grounded in a specific methodology or research agenda, and include brief presentations that allow adequate time for reflective discussion and interaction.  
 
Individual paper proposals are submitted individually and arranged into sessions with 3-4 presenters by the Symposium Review Committee. In paper sessions, authors present  brief papers followed by audience discussion.

 Submissions will ONLY be accepted from current members of the Black Women’s Studies Association. To join BWSA or renew your membership, click here. If you are unsure if your membership is current, please email membership@blackwomensstudies.com. 

 To submit a proposal, please upload a single file with the following information to a secure Dropbox folder using this link by Friday, June 30.  Please direct any questions to Dr. Stephanie Andrea Allen, BWSA Conference Chair, at conference@blackwomensstudies.com.

 Your proposal should be no more than 400 words, including a separate 100-150 rationale and representative works cited (if appropriate).

blackwomensstudies.com/symposium

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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: MEMORY - Envisioning Our Past as Future

Marías at Sampaguitas

DEADLINE: June 30, 2023

INFO: We're getting experimental with this one! We're examining memory, consciousness, manipulations of time & tense. We're reflecting on how we remember, why we remember, long goodbyes and forgetting.

We want to see:

• collage, homage, collaboration

• poems-as-monuments

• stories of befores & afters

• architecture of memory, cities on the moon

• family photos, histories, dreams

• things you'd caption "artist's rendition of"

• your colorized pictures of outer space

• the colorized pictures of your spaces

Most of all, make sure there is love. In all visions of our future, there must be love

Submission guidelines are on MariasAtSampaguitas.com, in the linktree in our bio. Please be sure to read and observe all General and Genre guidelines, to show care for our brave little all-volunteer editorial staff.

Accepted contributors will receive an honorarium of USD$5.

mariasatsampaguitas.com/submit/

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BLR Prizes

Bellevue Literary Review

DEADLINE: July 1, 2023

INFO: The BLR Prizes award outstanding writing related to themes of health, healing, illness, the mind, and the body. Winners are published in the spring issue of BLR. For each genre, first prize is $1000 and honorable mention is $300. 

Submissions to the 2024 BLR Prizes are open through July 1, 2023. Please see below for guidelines and the links to submit.

• Goldenberg Prize for Fiction, judged by Marie Myung-Ok Lee

• Felice Buckvar Prize for Nonfiction, judged by Edgar Gomez

• John & Eileen Allman Prize for Poetry, judged by Melissa Lozada-Oliva

Fiction: We seek character-driven fiction with original voices and strong settings. We do not publish genre fiction (romance, sci-fi, horror). We have only occasionally published flash fiction. While we are always interested in creative explorations in style, we do lean toward classic short stories.

Nonfiction: We are looking for essays that reach beyond the standard ‘illness narrative’ to develop a topic in an engaging and original manner. Incorporate engaging and creative analysis that allows anecdotes to serve a larger purpose. (Please, no academic discourses or works with footnotes. )

Poetry: We encourage poems that are accessible to a wide audience. Characteristics we look for are vivid writing, strong narrative, and rendering the familiar new. We encourage you to peruse back issues in our archive to get a sense of our ethos. 

GUIDELINES:

• We happily consider simultaneous submissions, but please inform us immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

• Manuscripts can only be accepted electronically via Submittable.

• Fiction/nonfiction word max is 5,000 words (though most of our published prose is in the range of 2,000-4,000 words.) Please submit no more than three poems. Each poem should be on a separate page within a single document.

• Do not put your name or other identifying information on the manuscript document (or in the filename) so that the submissions can be read blindly. No cover letter needed.

• Students/friends/colleagues/relations of a judge are not permitted to enter submissions to that judge’s genre.

• There is a $20 fee per contest submission. Contest submission qualifies you for a 50% discount on a BLR subscription. (The fee helps BLR fund the contest and the journal, but if it’s a hardship for you, please contact us.)

• Winners from each genre (poetry, fiction, nonfiction) receive $1000. Honorable mentions from each genre receive $300.

• Winners will be published in BLR Issue 46 in Spring 2024.

• All contest submissions are automatically considered for general publication as well.

• All submissions must be of previously unpublished work.*  BLR acquires First North American rights, and the right to reprint in anthologies and online. After publication, all other rights revert to the author and the work may be reprinted as long as appropriate acknowledgement to BLR is made.

blreview.org/blr-prizes/

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BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Caribbean-American Writer’s Prize

Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival

DEADLINE: July 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST

INFO:

• All entrants must be of Caribbean heritage/of Caribbean descent

• Work should not have appeared in any nationally distributed publication with a circulation of 5,000 or more

• Be a resident of the United States/Canada

• Be over the age of 18 years

• Be an unpublished writer in the genre. Self-published writers may apply

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

• Stories must be original works of fiction

• Word count: 3,000 words or less

HOW TO SUBMIT:

• Contest portal must be used to submit stories

• Emailed manuscripts WILL NOT be considered

• Please review submission guidelines carefully before selecting a category and entering your story

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• To submit your story, please click the SUBMIT ENTRY button below

• All stories should be submitted in English

• Entrants are allowed one (1) submission only. Entrants may not submit in both categories. Multiple submissions (of stories/award categories) will be rendered ineligible and disqualified from consideration

• Writers who use pen names may not submit multiple entries

• Review categories thoroughly to self-determine eligibility. The BCLF will not switch entry categories if there is a user error at selection. Queries to or clarifications on categories must be emailed to contact@bklyncbeanlitfest.com

• All stories must be the original work of the entrant. The BCLF appreciates your integrity in this regard

• The judges’ decision is final

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL LIST:

The writers of the selected stories will be announced in August via email, on our website, Facebook, Instagram account pages, and media partners. For more information, or to become a media partner, please e-mail contact@bklyncbeanlitfest.com

PRIZES AND PUBLICATIONS:

The writer of the winning story will receive:

• A US $1,750 cash prize

• Cafe Con Libros gift card

• A caché of books courtesy Akashic Books

• Author interview and profile on the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival website 

• Winner will be published in The Brooklyn Rail

• Online interview and publication in NY Carib News

• BCLF branded merchandise

• A feature episode on the acclaimed BCLF Always LIT Podcast

bklyncbeanlitfest.com/2023-eligibility-submission-guidelines-caribbeanamerican

_____

BCLF Elizabeth Nunez Award for Writers in the Caribbean

Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival

DEADLINE: July 1, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST

INFO:

• Exclusively open to unpublished and published writers who were born/raised and holding nationality in the Caribbean

• You may submit if you are currently on temporary assignment elsewhere in the world (except the US and Canada)

• Submitted stories must be original works of fiction

• All writers regardless of their publishing status may apply

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

• Stories must be original works of fiction

• Word count: 3,000 words or less

HOW TO SUBMIT:

• Contest portal must be used to submit stories

• Emailed manuscripts WILL NOT be considered

• Please review submission guidelines carefully before selecting a category and entering your story

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• To submit your story, please click the SUBMIT ENTRY button below

• All stories should be submitted in English

• Entrants are allowed one (1) submission only. Entrants may not submit in both categories. Multiple submissions (of stories/award categories) will be rendered ineligible and disqualified from consideration

• Writers who use pen names may not submit multiple entries

• Review categories thoroughly to self-determine eligibility. The BCLF will not switch entry categories if there is a user error at selection. Queries to or clarifications on categories must be emailed to contact@bklyncbeanlitfest.com

• All stories must be the original work of the entrant. The BCLF appreciates your integrity in this regard

• The judges’ decision is final

ANNOUNCEMENT OF FINAL LIST:

The writers of the selected stories will be announced in August via email, on our website, Facebook, Instagram account pages, and media partners. For more information, or to become a media partner, please e-mail contact@bklyncbeanlitfest.com

PRIZES AND PUBLICATIONS:

• A US$1,750 cash prize

• Cafe Con Libros gift card

• A caché of books courtesy Akashic Books

• Author interview and profile on the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival website 

• Winner will be published in The Brooklyn Rail

• Online interview and publication in NY Carib News

• BCLF branded merchandise

• A feature episode on the acclaimed BCLF Always LIT Podcast

bklyncbeanlitfest.com/2023-eligibility-submission-guidelines-caribbean-nationals