FICTION / NONFICTION — JANUARY 2026

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS: Spirituality in Black Artistry

BIPOCRYPHA Bulletin

DEADLINE: None

INFO: BIPOCRYPHA Magazine is an online literary and arts publication dedicated to the exploration and celebration of the rich tapestry of spiritual beliefs and practices within the African diaspora.

BIPOCRYPHA is now on Substack as BIPOCRYPHA Bulletin, a newsletter where we invite your contributions alongside our annual themed literary magazine, as we pursue our vision to challenge the Western Canon, enrich the Black Canon, and expand the Biblical Canon by highlighting new perspectives and aesthetics rooted in the experiences of African American religious traditions. The newsletter surrounds the theme of spirituality in Black artistry, which is deeply intertwined with themes of freedom, identity, and resistance.

We are seeking visual artwork, personal essays, and short fiction created by Black artists/writers that engage with the above motifs. Key aspects of spirituality in Black artistry also include:

• Themes of freedom and resistance

• Cultural and religious synthesis

• Focus on community and the self

• Personal and relational faith

• Spirituality’s influence on modern writing

HOW TO SUBMIT:

Please send all solicited and unsolicited submissions to BIPOCRYPHA@gmail.com. Accepted formats include short essays, short fiction, photography, design, paintings, and digital artwork, etc. Newsletter submissions are selected on a rolling basis.

All submissions should include the following information:

In the subject line: BIPOCRYPHA Bulletin Submission- Essay/ Fiction/ or Art

In the email body:

1. Your name.

2. Title of submission(s).

   1. For personal essays, 1 essay, 500-1500 words (6 pages max).

   2. For short fiction, 1 piece, 500-1500 words (6 pages max).

   3. For art, 3 images max.

3. An artist’s statement of up to 150 words, addressing the theme(s) of the submitted pieces.

4. Bio of up to 150 words.

5. If you have any, please include a link to your artist’s web-page or social media handles.

Attached:

For Prose: Submit 1 personal essay OR 1 piece of short fiction inside a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf file (up to 6 pages total), using Times New Roman. Prose should be 500-1500 words.

For Art: Please attach 3 representative images of topically, graphically, or thematically related art in one of the following formats: .gif, .jpg, .png, and .tif. If you have one, please include a link to your artist’s webpage or online gallery in your bio.

If you have any questions, email us at BIPOCRYPHA@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram @BIPOCRYPHA. To share with Black faith-based artists you know who are interested in having their work published, please link them to this submission page.

At this time, all newsletter submissions are gratuitous, and we thank you deeply for your voluntary efforts as we endeavor to create a more rewarding framework, recognizing the importance of compensating Black creators.

bipocrypha.substack.com/p/newsletter-submissions

_____

2026 INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING FELLOWSHIP

The Ida B. Wells Society

DEADLINE: January 3, 2025

INFO: The Ida B. Wells Society Investigative Reporting Fellowship is back for 2026! This no-cost, intensive program will bring professional journalists to Atlanta to sharpen their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the most accomplished reporters and editors in the industry. During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms.

WHO SHOULD APPLY:

• The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply. 

• Journalists with 3-5 years of professional experience are encouraged to apply.

IN-PERSON TRAININGS:

The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from March through July to delve into topics related to investigative reporting including: 

• The Investigative Reporting Mindset 

• Data Journalism 

• Process and Development 

• Interviewing and Writing for Investigations 

Interested applicants must work with their newsroom leadership to ensure their availability to attend. Proposed projects should also be cleared by leadership to ensure their publication upon completion. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience. 

• The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, digital and multimedia journalists. 

• Applicants must provide a resume, examples of previous written work, a project pitch, and be available for phone interviews if requested.  

• Applicants must be able to participate in four weeklong training sessions in Atlanta, (approx. 16 days of instruction; 24 days including travel, which will call for arriving in Atlanta on Sundays and departing on Fridays or Saturdays). Training weeks will be scattered throughout the year.  

• Applicants must submit letters from their employers indicating that they will be allowed to participate in the fellowship program and that their investigative work produced during the program will be published (more details of employer requirements below). 

• Freelancers must have a news organization willing to write a supportive statement and agreement to publish their work. 

REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICANT’S EMPLOYER:

• Allow participants to continue to earn their salaries while taking part in training in Atlanta without using any accrued vacation time. There will be four weeklong training courses scattered throughout the year. 

• Provide support and guidance to the participants as they take part in the program and work to develop a proposed project. 

• Publish the project. 

idabwellssociety.org/news/2026-investigative-reporting-fellowship-applications-are-now-open/

_____

STEINBECK FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies / San Jose State University

DEADLINE: January 4, 2026

INFO: The Steinbeck Fellows Program, endowed through the generosity of Martha Heasley Cox, offers emerging writers of any age and background the opportunity to pursue a significant writing project during their fellowship tenure. The emphasis of the program is on helping writers who have had some success but have not published extensively, and whose promising work would be aided by the financial support and sponsorship of the Center and the University's creative writing program.

The Steinbeck Fellowship Program is named in honor of author John Steinbeck and is guided by his lifetime of work in literature, the media, and environmental activism. The program offers the opportunity to interact with other writers, faculty, and graduate students, and to share your work in progress by giving a public reading during the fellowship. Fellowships include a stipend of $15,000.

Award recipients will be required to reside within the counties of the San Francisco Bay Area or adjacent counties of the California central coast or central valley during most of the fellowship period. The fellowship period is for one academic year (approximately September - May).

FELLOWSHIP OFFERED:

Currently, SJSU offers one-year fellowships in Steinbeck scholarship and in creative writing, including fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and biography. Applications in poetry will not be accepted. In awarding fellowships, the selection committee considers the quality of the candidate's proposal and writing sample, as well as any factors that would lead to expectations of future publication and further achievement. The creative writing fellowship does not require that there be any direct connection between your work and Steinbeck's.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Proposal or prospectus for work to be written (one to three pages including basic timeline)

• Resumé

• Three letters of recommendation (sent directly from recommender—the online system will prompt you for their email addresses)

• Writing sample of no more than twenty-five pages

TIMELINE:

• Deadline: January 4

• Announcement of Awards: May

BEST PRACTICES FOR APPLICANTS:

• Your writing sample may include excerpts from more than one project, however we encourage you to include a sample from the work you intend to pursue during the fellowship.

• Extensive publication history isn’t necessary. However, the majority of our applicants have previously published in literary journals or other media.

• Academic credentials are not required. Many fellows have completed advanced degrees, but admission is based on the merit of the writing sample and proposal or prospectus.

• Manuscripts should follow standard formatting: double-spaced, 1” margins.

• If you are not awarded a fellowship this year, please feel free to reapply.

• Although we would like to offer feedback or notes on the manuscripts, we are unable to do so due to the volume of applications we receive.

sjsu.edu/steinbeck/awards-fellowships/steinbeck-fellowship/apply.php

_____

2026 RESIDENCY

Saltonstall

DEADLINE: January 4, 2026 by 11:59pm ET

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Saltonstall announces their Call for Entries for the 2026 Residency season! Residencies will begin May 29 and run through October 29.

They welcome submissions from artists and writers living in New York State and Indian Nations therein working in the following disciplines:

• Poetry

• Creative Nonfiction

• Photography & Filmmaking

• Painting | Sculpture | Visual Arts

Saltonstall is located eight miles east of Ithaca, New York on the traditional, ancestral, and contemporary lands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' Nation (generally known as the Cayuga Nation), one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

A Saltonstall residency is a small community. We strive to provide a quiet, inviting, respectful, and nurturing community for creative individuals looking for uninterrupted time to focus on their craft.

Residencies are cohort-based. There are just five individuals in residence at a time: one poet, one prose writer, one photographer or filmmaker, and two visual artists. Each group of five arrives and departs at the same time.

We believe in and value a diverse community of creative individuals. To that end, we hope that all artists and writers feel welcome to apply for a residency, regardless of one’s level of education, experience, race, ethnicity, age, sex, religious belief, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or national origin.

There is no cost to attend Saltonstall and no application fee associated with this application. Additionally, to help offset travel to Ithaca and other personal expenses, we offer stipends of $100/week to everyone who attends. Additional stipend support (up to $1,000) will be offered based on financial need and the median household income of an applicant's County. Artist- and writer-parents and full-time caregivers will each receive a $500 stipend.   

All applicants must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and must be residents of New York State or Indian Nations therein ** (all counties). Residencies are for individual artists and writers. We are unable to accommodate groups or pairs of people working together. Specific residency dates are inclusive. It is expected that those selected for a residency live at Saltonstall for the duration of the residency period and -- during the 2 - 4-week residencies -- participate in our Open House events.  

saltonstall.submittable.com/submit

_____

OPEN CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS

Abode Press

DEADLINE: January 5, 2025 at 12pm CT

INFO: In 2026, we want to continue our tradition of offering affordable, accessible virtual workshops to our audience(s). We cannot wait to read through your proposals!

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: We are looking for workshops from writers/leaders that align with our core values: anti-racism, anti-colonialism, intersectionality, and empathy. In addition, we want workshops that amplify marginalized voices to create more representation in the landscape. Since we currently are only able to publish writers who live in the U.S., we are looking for writers based in the U.S. as well to lead our workshops. Abode Press looks for work that focuses on identity, origin, and culture, so any workshops that can tie in these themes will be favorably considered. In addition, we love workshops that take risks, defy genre, and subvert our expectations.

WHO SHOULD SUBMIT A PROPOSAL: We want to work with workshop leaders who align with our mission and values at Abode Press: to uplift underrepresented voices with a commitment to anti-racism, anti-colonialism, intersectionality, empathy. In addition, we want to work with Instructors who are comfortable advertising their workshops because we have noticed an increase in signups when leaders advocate for their workshops in addition to our own marketing initiatives. We especially love to work with Instructors who belong to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and/or who are based in the South.

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeu4vwppJJWOgwoiJkS_AynkLFCqXSdbHcORlKCP70WYht3Fw/viewform

_____

call for literary horror stories

Harriet’s House

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: January 5, 2026

INFO: Harriet’s House publishes short stories between 1,200 and 5,000 words. While we are looking for submissions primarily in English, inclusions of other languages and dialects that don’t hinder the overall understanding of the narrative are, of course, welcome. Simultaneous submissions are allowed and writers retain all the rights to their work.

You can reach us at harrietshousemag@gmail.com.

FAQs

What should you send us?

Spellbinding work. Stories that will creep behind us all day long. Stories that will get under our skin. Stories that will make us grasp at our imaginary pearls. Stories that will make us sit quietly blinking at the computer screen. Stories that will haunt us.

What kind of horror are you looking for?

We are interested in but not limited to: gothic horror, speculative horror, supernatural horror, body horror, psychological drama and survival horror.

What is your response time?

We expect our response time to be between 3-5 months.

Do you compensate writers?

We are a volunteer run magazine and cannot currently compensate writers but we look forward to having the capacity to do so in the future.

harrietshousemag.com/submit/

_____

2026 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ* Voices

Lambda Literary

DEADLINE: January 8, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

APPLICATION FEE: $30

INFO: The Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is the nation’s premier LGBTQ writing residency. It is the only multi-genre writing residency devoted exclusively to emerging LGBTQ+ writers. The Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to develop one’s craft and find community.

The 2026 Writers Retreat will take place from August 1-8, 2026. As we did in 2025, we are holding our Writers Retreat online. This format allows for us to continue building our organizational resources while offering the same high-quality programming that remains accessible to folks who may not otherwise be able to attend in-person programs. Not only that, but the Virtual Retreat was a hit in 2025! Fellows and Faculty reported the Lambda Literary Virtual Retreat model was “one of the more accessible and inclusive retreats of its kind available to writers, and is driven forward by leadership who are dedicated to supporting queer artists and their development” (Sam Heyman, 2022/2025 Fellow).

TUITION, SCHOLARSHIPS, + FINANCIAL SUPPORT:

• Tuition for the 2026 Virtual Retreat is set at $1,100.

• Accepted fellows will no longer have to fundraise for their own tuition–Lambda Literary will provide financial support to those who need it. We are working hard to make our spaces as accessible as possible, and those who cannot pay their own way should not have to expend more time and energy just to attend. With this new plan, Lambda Literary will be offering financial support to make sure every accepted writer can attend, regardless of financial status.

• Find all available scholarships, financial support information, and other opportunities in the application form.

RETREAT DATES + LOCATION

The 2026 Writers Retreat will be held virtually from August 1-August 8, 2026.

APPLICATION DETAILS:

You may apply to more than one workshop, however, each application must be submitted separately and requires an additional fee. The fee for each application is $30.00 and is processed through Submittable's online portal. If you wish to pay by cash or check please contact retreat@lambdaliterary.org. 

A limited number of application fee waivers are available for QTBIPOC** members of our community who have never attended the Writers Retreat before. 

To inquire about a fee waiver, email retreat@lambdaliterary.org confirming your eligibility as:

• A member of the QTBIPOC community

• Someone who has never attended the Retreat before.

You do not need to provide any other identifying information. Waivers are given out on a first-come-first serve basis. Secure yours sooner rather than later!

To Apply, Please Prepare

1. An artistic/biographical statement (max 500 words).

2. a writing sample matching the genre of the workshop you’re applying for:

• A writing sample in .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF format. 

• For prose please double space and use a 12 point font. 

• For Screenwriting please use standardized scriptwriting format.

• The sample you apply with does not have to be the same sample you plan to workshop at the Retreat.

• Page limits per workshop:                                                  

  • For Fiction, Nonfiction, Romantic Fiction, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult Fiction: 15 pages maximum. This maximum applies to cross-genre samples as well as samples in verse.

  • For Playwriting and Screenwriting: 15 pages maximum from a full-length work, short play/script, or piece of theatre/film. This page limit includes dramatis personae/cast list/setting/description.

  • For Poetry: 8 pages maximum

3. Optional, not required for acceptance:

• Any publications of your work during the past two years, including anthologies, literary journals, magazines, websites, and books.

• Any other writing conferences, retreats, and workshops have you attended.

• Some scholarships, financial support, and additional opportunities require a scholarship statement (max 500 words).

 APPLICATION REVIEW + STATUS NOTIFICATION:

Applications are reviewed in three stages by a panel of retreat alumni and Lambda staff. Reviewers are given comprehensive guidelines and a rubric to evaluate each application for craft, inventiveness, voice, and form. Within that, we strive to serve a variety of writers with varying backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, genders, religions, races, ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and localities. 

In the first round of review, the top 50 fellowship candidates in each genre are identified. In the second round, the top 30 fellowship candidates in each genre are identified. In the third round of review, the genre-specific faculty member makes final decisions and chooses 12 fellows and 5 waitlist applicants out of the top 30 pool. Writers Retreat faculty make the final determinations regarding accepted and waitlisted applicants. All applicants will be notified of their application status in April 2026.  

lambdaliterary.org/emerging-writers-retreat/

_____

CALL FOR PAPERS: A Sea of IslandS - US Territories in Relation

CENTRO

DEADLINE: January 8, 2026

INFO: CENTRO invites contributors to participate in “A Sea of Islands: U.S. Territories in Relation," a two-day symposium exploring shared histories, struggles, and solidarities across the inhabited U.S. territories and their diasporas.

We welcome individual paper submissions on the symposium theme of the US Territories (American Samoa, Guam, Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) in Relation, including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Land and Ecology

• Archives and History 

• Comparative and Relational studies of Colonialism

• Militarism, Peace Activism, Demilitarization

• Federal Representation, Plenary Power

• Issues of Statehood and Nationhood 

• Birthright Citizenship vs. US Nationals

• Data Representation for US Territories

• Queer and Feminist Resistance Strategies 

• Lessons of Solving Territorial Status/sovereignty

• Self-determination, sovereignty, and decolonial struggle(s)

• Black and Indigenous rights and representation 

• Intersections between American Indian Law and the territories

• Decolonial Love, Relationality, and Decolonization Projects

• Labor and Labor Rights

• Migration, Housing, Remittances

• Displacement, Dispossession, Destierro, Gentrification 

• Climate Change, Environmental Futures

• Theories, Practices and Methods of Relation that could be useful across these fields of study

We highly encourage proposals that engage with the other four US Territories, as well as other territorialized states, space, and nations including Hawai’i, the Philippines, Marshall Islands, and Tribal Nations from Turtle Island and Abya Yala, among others in dialogue with Puerto Rican Studies. We also welcome experimental, artistic, or moving image submissions for review.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

Participants interested in submitting an individual paper proposal, please include:

• Name, email and affiliation

• a paper title

• 250 word abstract

• audio/visual requirements 

CENTRO’s research team will review and assemble individual papers into panels. Please make clear how the proposed paper connects with the theme of the symposium. We ask that proposals also indicate any measures they will take to make their session accessible (i.e. pre-circulating papers, paper and/or digital copies to be distributed during the session to attendees who wish to read along, transcripts, captions, etc.

centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/opportunities/a-sea-of-islands-us-territories-in-relation/

_____

Narrative Shifts

Seventh Wave

DEADLINE: January 8, 2025

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: We are thrilled to open up applications for our Spring 2026 digital residency, Narrative Shifts. For more information about this program, please visit our site here. We have summarized some of the pertinent information below: 

• The logistics: Narrative Shifts is a genre-agnostic writing program that includes seven sessions over seven weeks, centering specific aspects of craft that any writer, reader, or thinker can wield both on and off the page. In 2026, we will be running two intakes — spring and fall — each with three cohorts of 12-16 residents. Each session is two hours long. 

• Benefits: Throughout these seven sessions, residents will learn concrete tools of craft, tips for submitting and publishing  work, best practices for cover letters, and more. Residents will get access to Seventh Wave's specially curated resources, an optional one-on-one with their facilitator, and the opportunity to practice public speaking by performing their work during the seventh session. There is also an eighth session — the bonus session — which invites an established author into the room. Past authors have included Ocean Vuong, Alexander Chee, Melissa Febos, Kaveh Akbar, Ruth Ozeki, and more. 

• Costs: This program costs $895, which is $125 per session. There will also be two fully-funded seats per cohort, and payment plans are made available to any paying participant.

• Application materials: In addition to general information, the primary application requirement is filling out our statement of interest, which asks three questions about you, your work, and why you want to join the residency.  

theseventhwave.org/programs/digital-residencies/narrative-shifts/

_____

Teen Writers Fellowship

The Muse Writers Center (Norfolk, VA)

DEADLINE: January 9, 2026

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: The Muse Teen Writers Fellowship is a unique mentorship program for sophomore and junior high school writers in the Hampton Roads area. Every year, we select eight talented writers who are passionate about expanding the craft of their creative writing. This competitive program provides teens with the opportunity to further their skills through mentorship, craft classes, public readings, and MFA-style workshops at the Muse Writers Center. Selected fellows receive:

• One-on-one mentorship from a professionally published writer

• Advanced craft classes and workshops

• Publishing industry education

• Free 10-minute meeting with professional literary agents or editors to discuss their projects and ask questions about the industry.

• Guidance on submitting their work, including a required submission to Musings, our student-led Teen Zine.

• Free attendance to the 2026 Muse Writers Conference

A limited number of fellow spots (8) are available.

The Teen Writers Fellowship is tuition-free, but is valued at more than $7,500 per student for the instruction, classes, feedback, mentorship, administrative fees, and supplies. It is the first program of its kind in Hampton Roads, and one of the leading teen programs nationwide. It is an opportunity for any 10th or 11th grader to develop their craft, gain professional skills, and experience an engaging literary community.

ELIGIBILITY: The fellowship is open to teens living in Hampton Roads who are high school sophomores and juniors, including students considering a future major in English or Creative Writing, or students interested in future publication.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

All class costs are covered, including lunch at the conference. Transportation assistance is available for in-person only classes and fellowship events at The Muse Writers Center and The Muse Writers Conference. Most classes and events are hybrid, and can be attended online or in-person.

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

Students will be required to:

• Attend Fellowship classes and Saturday Teen Classes (4 absences allowed for total program).

• Read at 2 of 3 readings, one of which must be the Fellowship Class reading. (1 Fellowship reading + 2 Teen Class Readings.)

• Turn in assignments on time, as requested, to their teachers.

• Complete a final Fellowship Project, a professional-level pitch package built around the Fellows' creative work.

• Provide notice of absences to their lead teachers.

• Reply promptly via email with teachers, administrative staff, and mentors.

• Communicate via email only with their mentors, no texting.

• Meet 4 times with mentors via an approved method provided to each mentor.

• Sign a media release for photos, video, or podcast recordings used to promote The Muse.

• Complete all feedback forms and surveys requested from teachers and Muse administrative staff.

• Engage in their writing community through participation, providing feedback to other students, and by making their voice heard in their own way.

• Make up missed classes by volunteering with The Muse for 2.5 hours per class missed.

• Communicate with parents/guardians or funnel parent/guardian concerns to Muse administration for clarification.

• Attend the Muse Writers Conference on September 26, 2026, which includes a pitch session with a literary agent or editor.

• Submit to the Teen Zine Musings.

the-muse.org/teen-writers-fellowship-2/

_____

WILD SEEDS RETREAT FOR WRITERS OF COLOR (SCREENWRITING, FICTION, POETRY)

DEADLINE: January 9, 2026 by 11:59pm ET

APPLICATION FEE: $25

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

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

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

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

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

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

3. Background information about you as a writer.

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

5. A writing sample (up to five pages). This will be a separate upload in the application below.

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

7. Scholarships are very limited. If you are requesting one, please include a rationale in your cover letter.

There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $25.00. How will you submit your application fee? You can either submit: 

• Postal mail with the signed and dated application. See the address below.

• Online (if online, CLICK HERE to submit your payment.)

TUITION: This is a tuition-based program.  If accepted, a tuition fee of $300.00 will be due.

centerforblackliterature.org/wild-seeds-retreat/

_____

Sunlit Residency: Summer '26 

Sunlit Residency (Ithaca, NY)

DEADLINE: January 10, 2026

PROCESSING FEE: $25

INFO: A residency for social justice, human rights and the arts in Ithaca, NY. 

This residency honors the legacy of anthropologist Dr. Sue-Je Lee Gage, pioneering scholar of Amerasians in South Korea, change maker, beloved teacher and mentor whose talents and interests spanned the fine arts, the humanities, and the social sciences. Scholars, artists, writers, and activists are invited to apply for short-term residencies in her former home in Ithaca, New York, to pursue projects related to the passions and interests that motivated Dr. Gage's work for social justice, human rights and the arts on a broad scale. 

Residents are responsible for their own transportation to and from Ithaca, New York.

All household amenities, including wi-fi, will be provided.

All questions and queries regarding the residency may be addressed to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please complete the Application Form.  Also email the following as Microsoft Word or pdf attachments to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com:

1. Project Description: Submit a statement (max. 1500 words) describing your proposed work, how it aligns with the goals of the Sunlit Residency, current stage of the project, goals for completion while at the Residency, and a schedule for how you plan to utilize your time while at the Residency.

2. Work Samples:  Scholars and creative writers are requested to submit two samples of written work.  Artists are asked to submit two fine art samples, or representations thereof.  Activists are requested to submit a brief (about 250-300 word) description of past activities relevant to the proposed project, or other evidence of such activities.

3. Updated Curriculum Vitae

4. A Confidential Letter of Reference: The letter should be emailed directly to Sunlitresidency@gmail.com by a professional colleague and/or supervisor who is familiar with your project and your goals.

5. Processing fee of $25: Payment should be made via our donation page on the website.

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage

_____

2026 BECHTEL PRIZE FOR INNOVATION IN CREATIVE WRITING INSTRUCTION

Teachers & Writers Magazine

DEADLINE: January 11, 2026 by 11:59pm

INFO: Teachers & Writers Magazine is now accepting submissions of essays describing a creative writing teaching experience, project, or activity that demonstrates innovation in creative writing instruction. We are looking for essays that describe a project or activity that got students excited about writing and fostered a vibrant and dynamic culture of literacy in the classroom. We welcome essays about projects that carved a space for students to reflect on current events and social justice. The experience/project/activity should be one that:

• Helped students identify as writers.

• Opened new pathways to creative writing.

• Engaged students in all parts of the writing process.

• Promoted connections between reading and writing.

• Supported the publication of student writing.

The essay itself should:

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

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

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

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

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

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Essays must be previously unpublished and under 2,500 words.

• Please double space and use a standard font such as Times New Roman. 

• Attach your submissions as a Word Document or PDF.

• The judge will select the winner anonymously. Do NOT include your name or any other identifying information in your document.

• We do not accept work generated by large-language models (colloquially referred to as AI). We believe in process-oriented work, and we want to hear from your unique voice and experience. Large-language models may be used as a critical source for your submission only if it: 1) is clearly cited within the body of your work, 2) is distinguishable in-text from a majority of author-generated content, 3) andis used to explore contemporary issues around AI in the classroom. If we feel this criteria has not been met, the submission will be rejected. 

• T&W reserves the right to edit essays prior to publication.

• Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Please notify us immediately if your submission is accepted elsewhere. 

• Previous winners (first place, runner-up, and honorable mention) must wait at least 2 years before submitting to the prize again.

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

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

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

JUDGE: This year’s prize will be judged by Diana Khoi Nguyen.

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

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

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

twc.submittable.com/SUBMIT

_____

call for applications: Writing On Race & Immigration - A Memoir Workshop

Lewis Latimer House (Flushing, Queens, NY)

DEADLINE: January 12, 2026

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

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

• Open to writers of all levels of experience with a focus on emerging voices.

• Participants will be notified by January 26, 2026.

• Instructor: Abeer Hoque

• Class Size: 8 writers

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

WHEN:

*Participants must commit to all dates listed below.

• Pre-workshop Meet & Greet (in-person): Saturday, February 7, 12:00 p.m. -- 1:00 p.m.

• Six Saturdays (virtual): March 7, March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 16, 2:00 p.m. -- 4:30 p.m.

• Public reading (in-person): Saturday, May 30, 2:00 p.m. -- 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:

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

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

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd4rylb1FUvJG3sGFQYUQxtgxQ3zHUTyQ16M8jpG77IVsI0wQ/viewform

_____

OPEN CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: OXBELLY RETREAT

Oxbelly

DEADLINE: January 14, 2026

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: The Oxbelly Retreat is an annual gathering of international storytellers, dedicated to the exchange of ideas, deepening of craft and broadening of artistic horizons through intercultural dialogue. In 2026, the Oxbelly Retreat includes programs for writers working in film and literary fiction – with the Screenwriters program led by Radu Jude and the Fiction Writers program led by Chigozie Obioma. There is no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.

FICTION WRITERS PROGRAM: The Fiction Writers program is designed to give fellows both a space to experience support for their work-in-progress as well as the opportunity to write in an ambient environment. The first 4 days consist of a series of writing workshops led by acclaimed writers, along with dedicated one-on-one sessions. The second half offers a mini-residence for the fellows to soak in the scenic and peaceful atmosphere of Costa Navarino and produce work. Fellows also engage in a session focused on enhancing their knowledge of the literary industry and how to promote their work.

Evenings consist of interdisciplinary programming for all attendees – a curated series of sessions exploring the craft of writing, readings, screenings and panel discussions that cut across multiple mediums. Fellows will also have the opportunity to engage with attendees from other creative sectors including the fellows and advisors from the Screenwriters program, which runs concurrently.

After the Retreat, Oxbelly offers fellows additional support for their writing and career. Avenues of support includes a partnership with Granta, one of the world’s leading literary platforms, where, once a year, fellows may submit unpublished work directly to the editors to be considered for potential publication.

The Fiction Writers program has no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.

Open Call for Greek and international applicants who are emerging writers of novels or short stories, including unpublished writers and students, 18 years old and over.

Finalists will be interviewed in late spring 2026.

SCREENWRITERS PROGRAM: The first four days consist of one-on-one sessions and workshops with experienced writer-director advisors.

The second half of the program expands to include special guests who range from established directors, actors, cinematographers, composers, editors to producers and industry professionals, as well as creatives from other fields such as theatre, visual arts, and literature.

While the 8-day program focuses solely on the creative writing process, the established creatives and industry who participate in Oxbelly become resources to the fellows' projects and careers post-Retreat.

Evenings consist of interdisciplinary programming for all attendees– a curated series of sessions exploring the craft of writing, readings, screenings and panel discussions that cut across multiple mediums. Fellows will also have the chance to engage with attendees from other creative sectors, including the fellows and advisors from the Fiction Writers program.

The Screenwriters program has no cost to apply and all expenses for fellows are covered.

Open Call for Greek and international applicants, 18 years old and over.

Finalists will be interviewed in late spring 2026.

The Screenwriters program is open to writer-directors applying with their second fiction feature film.

The application materials consist of a project synopsis, a writer’s statement, a treatment, a full script, a sample of their debut fiction feature film and a mood board (optional). Each applicant must be the author of the material they submit.

CONTACT: For any information, please email contact@oxbelly.com

oxbelly.com

_____

PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CREATIVE WRITING AWARDS

Penguin Random House / We Need Diverse Books

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026 by 3:00 pm CT

INFO: Penguin Random House is passionate about encouraging the next generation of readers and authors and promoting diverse voices and stories. For over 30 years, Penguin Random House has supported this mission through the Creative Writing Awards, which in 2019 entered into an innovative new partnership with national advocacy nonprofit We Need Diverse Books. Through this program, Penguin Random House will award college scholarships of up to $10,000 each to six public U.S. high school seniors, nationwide.

Creative Writing Awards winners have gone on to become professional and award-winning authors. Since 1993, this program has awarded more than $2.9 million dollars to public high school students for original poetry, memoir/personal essay, fiction/drama, freedom of expression prompts, and spoken-word compositions. This signature program continues to empower and celebrate hundreds of young writers each year.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants to the Penguin Random House Creative Writing Awards Program in Partnership with We Need Diverse Books must:

• Be current high school seniors at a public high school in the United States graduating Spring of 2026

• Be 21 years of age and under

• Plan to enroll in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or approved vocational-technical school Fall 2026

• Submit one original literary composition in English in one of the following genres of poetry, spoken word, fiction, personal essay/memoir, or book bans prompt.

AWARDS:

Awards will be distributed as follows:

• $10,000 Maya Angelou Award for Spoken Word

• $10,000 Amanda Gorman Award for Poetry

• $10,000 James Baldwin Award for Fiction

• $10,000 Michelle Obama Award for Memoir

• $10,000 Chinua Achebe Award for Freedom of Expression

scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/penguinrandomhouse/#awards

_____

KUNDIMAN RETREAT

Kundiman

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm ET

INFO: In order to mentor and build community among Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual creative writing Retreat. During each Retreat, six nationally renowned poets and fiction writers conduct craft classes and mentorship meetings. Readings, writing circles, and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging AAPI writers. 

CRAFT CLASSES & MENTORSHIP MEETINGS: The Kundiman Retreat is generative in nature, so craft classes are focused on new work that is written at the Retreat. An acclaimed writer facilitates each craft class, which is small (not exceeding six students) and includes a craft talk, readings, and writing exercises. Retreat attendees, known as Kundiman Fellows, take three craft classes during the Retreat — one with each Faculty member in their genre. 

Each Fellow also attends a 25-minute mentorship meeting where they can speak with a Faculty member about craft, career questions, and the writing life. Our hope is that these craft classes and mentorship meetings inspire Kundiman Fellows to forge deeper relationships to their artistic processes and encounter their work with renewed focus and energy.  

LOCATION & DATES:

The 2026 Kundiman Retreat will be held at Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn Campus in Brooklyn, New York from Monday, June 15th to Saturday, June 20th. 

If you have any questions about accessibility or if you need any accommodations, please email info@kundiman.org.

ELIGIBILITY:

Anyone who self-identifies as AAPI and is at least 18 years old can apply to the Retreat. 

LOGISTICS:

It is expected that Fellows and Faculty are in residence for the duration of the Retreat. We will ask that you not invite in outside visitors, or make plans to meet with visitors during the Retreat. If you know that you will not be able to be in residence for the entirety of the Retreat, it is recommended that you select another year to attend.

Everyone in attendance will commit to co-creating an inclusive, respectful, and courageous space that honors both self care and community care. Community care includes taking reasonable steps to protect one another from contagious illnesses such as COVID. Further guidance on COVID protocol will be provided to admitted Fellows at a later date.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Between December 15th and January 15th, apply to the Kundiman Retreat by clicking on one of the below buttons. Submit a cover letter and brief writing sample (5–7 pages of poetry or 5 pages (1250 words max) of prose).

Notification on application status is expected to be given by mid March.

kundiman.org/retreat

_____

2026 open-call residency program for BIPOC artists

Ma’s House (Shinnecock Indian Reservation, a sovereign self-governing nation in Southampton, NY)

APPLICATION FEE: $0

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

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

There is no work expectation for the Ma’s House residency aside from leading one public program, including, but not limited to, a hands-on workshop, a public performance, a reading, open studios, and more.

ELIGIBILITY:

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

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

RESIDENCY LENGTH:

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

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

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS:

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

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

RESIDENCY COSTS

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

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

mashouse.studio/residency/

_____

2026 GEORGIA REVIEW PROSE PRIZE

The Georgia Review

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

INFO: The 2026 Georgia Review Prose Prize will be judged by Kiese Laymon.

PRIZE: The best short story and essay will both be published in The Georgia Review. The overall winner, chosen between the two, will receive $1,500. The runner-up will receive $600. All entries will be considered for publication. We invite writers from all backgrounds to submit.

ABOUT THE JUDGE: Kiese Laymon is a Black Southern writer from Jackson, Mississippi. Laymon is the author of the genre-bending novel Long Division and the essay collection How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America. Laymon’s bestselling memoir Heavy won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, the Christopher Isherwood Prize for Autobiographical Prose, and the Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media, and was named one of the “50 Best Memoirs of the Past 50 Years” by The New York Times. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair and Oxford American, Laymon is at work on several new projects, including the long poem Good God, the horror comedy And So On, the children’s book City Summer, Country Summer, and the film Heavy: An American Memoir.  He is the founder of the Catherine Coleman Literary Arts and Justice Initiative, a program aimed at getting young people and their parents more comfortable reading, writing, revising, and sharing.

thegeorgiareview.com/the-georgia-review-prose-prize/

_____

Cai Emmons Fiction Award

Red Hen Press

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

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

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

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

AWARD DETAILS:

• $5000

• Book publication by Red Hen Press

• Judge: TBD

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

GUIDELINES:

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

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

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

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

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

PROCEDURES + ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

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

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

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

In order to qualify, authors must agree not only to on-time delivery of manuscript, clear and timely responses to communication, and attention to detail, but also to full participation in the promotion of their book—in short, publicity. A robust and personalized book promotion campaign requires a committed partnership between the author and RHP. To this end, authors will be expected to engage in the following:

1.  Appearing as podcast guest

2. Running social media

3. Building and maintaining an author website

4. Curating a broad contact list for personal outreach

5. Building and maintaining a Substack

6. Doing long-read pitches

7. Potential events with friends

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

redhenpress.submittable.com/submit

_____

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: THE REBEL’S ZEITGEIST

Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice

Deadline: January 15, 2026

INFO: Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice is excited to announce a call for submissions for our quarterly digital publication, The Rebel’s Zeitgeist.

We invite Black writers from around the world to submit their original poetry, short fiction, essays, book reviews, short plays, and music reviews for consideration for our Spring 2026 issue. Our journal is dedicated to amplifying voices that explore themes of social justice, radical resistance, and the revolutionary liminal spaces that shape identity.The Rebel’s Zeitgeist seeks to publish work that challenges the status quo, offers new perspectives on systemic injustices, and celebrates the rich diversity of the Black experience. The Spring 2026 issue's theme is, "Beyond the Bearing of Witness." Contributors will be those who have work that speaks to the nature of resistance and the fight for liberation. We will be accepting poems, essays, and short stories.  

We welcome writers Synnika Alek-Chizoba Lofton and Khari Dawson as guest editors of this issue. Synnika Alek-Chizoba Lofton is an award-winning poet, educator, and publisher. Lofton is the author of more than 35 collections of poetry and more than 177 spoken word albums. His poems have appeared in Clock House Journal, Revenge, UpStreet, Experience Reality Magazine, Quay, Dissident Voice, The Skinny Poetry Journal, Mid-Atlantic Review, and Blue-Collar Review. In 2024, his poem “To Honor Her Bold Walk” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Khari Dawson is a multi-genre writer and musician based in Maryland. Published in multiple publications, including the 2025 Jan/Feb issue of POETRY magazine, she has enjoyed support for her work through grants and fellowship opportunities with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Art Under a Minute program, the Martha’s Vineyard Creative Writing Institute, and the Smithsonian exhibit project, “Gen Z Speaks: A Right to the City.” She is a 2024 Watering Hole Poetry fellow.

We are particularly interested in pieces that:

• Poetry: Captures the essence of resistance and resilience through evocative and powerful verse.

• Short Fiction: Tells compelling stories that highlight struggles and triumphs in the fight for justice and equality.

• Essays: Provides insightful analysis and commentary on contemporary social issues and historical events impacting Black communities.

• Book Reviews: Critically examines works by Black authors, focusing on themes of social justice and transformative change.

• Short Plays: Presents dramatic works that engage with revolutionary ideas and the complexities of identity.

• Music Reviews: Analyzes and discusses music and artists that push through conventions with sonic innovation and creativity.

We welcome submissions from both emerging and established writers who are passionate about using their craft to promote peace and social justice. Each piece should reflect a commitment to these ideals and contribute to the ongoing dialogue around equity and liberation.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Format: Submissions must be in digital format (Word or PDF).

Length:

• Poetry: Up to 3 poems, not exceeding 100 lines in total.

• Short Fiction: Up to 5,000 words.

• Essays: Up to 3,000 words.

• Book Reviews: Up to 1,500 words.

• Short Plays: Up to 20 pages.

• Music Reviews: Up to 1,500 words.

HOW TO SUBMIT: Send your submission to submissions [at] blackwritersforpeace.org with the subject line “Submission: [Category] – [Your Name]”.

Guest editors will be announced in 2026.

blackwritersforpeace.org/literary-journal 

_____

Monson Arts RESIDENCY

Monson Arts

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

APPLICATION FEE: $25

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 $500 stipend ($250 for 2-week programs). 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, woodworking, movement, screen and playwrights). Open calls for residency applications currently take place 3 times throughout the year with deadlines on January 15, May 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. For those working in time and sound based media: apply to the Writing category if quiet contemplation would be best for your project or the Visual Arts category if you need room and the opportunity to make and play sounds out loud.

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 / 5 minutes of 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 reference names

2026 SPRING RESIDENCY SCHEDULE:

• 3/30 – 4/23 – Residency – (With Abbott Watts Resident)

• 4/27 – 5/21 – Residency

• *5/26 – 6/5 – Residency – (With Abbott Watts Resident) 2 week residency (Tuesday start for memorial day)

monsonarts.slideroom.com/#/login/program/87435

_____

UCROSS FELLOWSHIP FOR NATIVE AMERICAN ARTISTS

UCROSS Foundation

DEADLINE: January 15, 2026

APPLICATION FEE: $0

INFO: Our dedicated fellowship supports the work of contemporary Native American visual artists, writers, and performers. Selected fellows are offered a four-week residency, which includes uninterrupted time, private studio space living accommodations, meals prepared by our professional chef, a stipend, and the experience of the majestic High Plains. The  Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists also includes an award of $2,000 and the opportunity to present work publicly, such as a featured exhibition in the Ucross Art Gallery, a reading, or a performance. 

The fellowship began in 2018 by supporting Native American visual artists, thanks in large part to a grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Following the success of the first two years, in 2020, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) granted Ucross funds to continue the program for visual artists and expand its reach to include Native American writers. In 2024, the NEA granted Ucross additional funds to include Native American performers. 

ELIGIBILITY: Residencies are open to Native American writers who meet the criteria below. They must:

• Be a practicing contemporary writer who is currently producing works in one or more of the following genres, including but not limited to FICTION, NONFICTION, POETRY, DRAMA, SCREENWRITING, PLAYWRITING, and HYBRID FORMS;

• Be an enrolled member of a state-recognized or federally-recognized Tribe, Pueblo, Nation, Native Community, Political Entity, or Alaskan Native Village.

FICTION WORK SAMPLE: Your writing sample should represent the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Writing samples should be double-spaced and include your full name. * Appropriate sample: 20 pages of fiction, which could be a novel excerpt, a story, several stories, or a combination.

NONFICTION WORK SAMPLE: Your sample should represent the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Writing samples should be double-spaced and include your full name. * Appropriate sample: 20 pages of nonfiction.

POETRY WORK SAMPLE: Your sample should represent the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Poetry submissions may be single-spaced and should include your full name. * Appropriate samples: 10 pages of poetry.

PLAYWRITING WORK SAMPLE: Your sample should represent the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Writing samples should be double-spaced and include your full name. * Appropriate samples: One complete play (documentation of production may be included, if relevant), noting the 20 pages that you would like the reviewers to read.

SCREENWRITING WORK SAMPLE: Your sample should represent the genre in which you plan to work while in residence. Writing samples should be double-spaced and include your full name. * Appropriate samples: One complete screenplay (documentation of production may be included, if relevant), noting the 20 pages that you would like the reviewers to read

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Ucross Foundation acknowledges with respect that it is situated on the aboriginal land of several Indigenous communities, including the Cheyenne, Crow, and Lakota nations. Indigenous people continue to live in this area and practice their teachings and lifeways. Today, this region remains an important place for many Indigenous peoples. As a Wyoming institution, we recognize and respect this historical context and are working to build reciprocal relationships with the Native nations on whose lands we are situated. In partial fulfillment of that commitment, Ucross established Fellowships for Native American Visual Artists in 2017, Writers in 2020, and Performers in 2024.

ucrossfoundation.submittable.com/submit

_____

Emerging Boston Art Writing Fellowship

Praise Shadows Art Gallery / Boston Art Review

DEADLINE: January 21, 2026 at 11:59pm

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

This program will run across two semesters (spring and fall 2026), with a break over the summer.  The first half of the program (February–May) will be led by Boston Art Review, where fellows will partake in weekly workshops, field trips, and studio visits to cultivate their writing practices and relationships within Boston’s art community. Fellows will be expected to pitch, develop, and complete written pieces that will be published with Boston Art Review. 

For the second half of the program (September–November), fellows will participate in a two-month paid, part-time internship at Praise Shadows Art Gallery. Here, they will learn the inner workings of a contemporary art gallery, including installation, marketing, writing, and engaging with the general public about the work on view. In addition to workshops with local writers and arts leaders, past fellows have participated in sessions with editors from Triple Canopyand Book Art Review (part of Center for Book Arts) and met with an executive at Higher Ground (the Obamas’ media company). They also heard from Dr. Jovonna Jones, Devin Gordon, Nakia Hill, Julian Sorapuru, and visited exhibitions at the ICA (with Tessa Bachi Haas), the MFA (with Kendall DeBoer, Boston Center for the Arts (with Julia Szejnblum), and numerous local university art galleries.

TIMELIME:

• Interviews will be held virtually February 2–5, 2026.

• Fellows will be notified on February 6.

• The program will begin the week of February 9, 2026.

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

bostonartreview.com/writing-fellowship

_____

NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)

DEADLINE: January 27, 2026 at 5:00pm ET

INFO: The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship is an $8,000 unrestricted cash grant available to artists living in New York State and/or one of the Tribal Nations located therein.

This grant is awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period (five categories a year) and the application is free to complete. The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship is not a project grant, but is intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, at all levels of their artistic development.

ELIGIBLE DISCIPLINES:

2026 Award Cycle

• Craft/Sculpture

• Digital/Electronic Arts

• Nonfiction Literature

• Poetry

• Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts

WHO CAN APPLY:

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• 25 years or older by the application deadline date

• Current residents of New York State and/or one of the Tribal Nations located in New York State

• Must have maintained New York State residency, and/or residency in one of the Tribal Nations located therein, for at least the last two consecutive years (2024 & 2025)

• Not enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind

• Are the originators of the work, i.e. choreographers or playwrights, not interpretive artists such as dancers or actors

• Did not receive a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship in any discipline in the past five consecutive years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

• Cannot submit any work samples that have been previously awarded a NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship

• While collaborating artists are eligible to apply, the total number of artists cannot exceed three individuals (this includes the submitter). Each artist applying  must all meet the eligibility criteria for this award. Artists applying as a collaboration cannot apply separately as an individual in the same year

• Applicants can apply in a maximum of 2 categories each cycle

• Are not a current NYFA employee or have been in the last 12 months, a member of the NYFA Board of Trustees or Artists’ Advisory Committee, 2026 panelist, or an immediate family member of any of the above. 

• Artists that have been awarded five NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships receive Emeritus status and are no longer eligible for the award

nyfa.org/awards-grants/nysca-nyfa-artist-fellowship

_____

2026 Emerging Voices Fellowship

PEN America

DEADLINE: January 31, 2026 at 8:59pm PT / 11:59pm ET

INFO: PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship will select 10 emerging writers for a five-month mentorship program. The Emerging Voices Fellowship provides a virtual five-month immersive mentorship program for early-career writers from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing world. The program is committed to cultivating the careers of Black writers, and serves writers who identify as Indigenous, persons of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, writers with disabilities, and those living outside of urban centers. Through curated one-on-one mentorship and introductions to editors, agents, and publishers, in addition to workshops on editing, marketing, and creating a platform, the five-month fellowship nurtures creative community, provides a professional skill-set, and demystifies the path to publication—with the ultimate goal of diversifying the publishing and media industries. Ten fellows will be chosen in 2026. Each will be awarded an honorarium of $1,500.

GUIDELINES: Please read the following closely, as our application requirements may have changed and aspects of our program adjusted for 2026. Learn more information on the benefits and components of the program: https://pen.org/emerging-voices-fellowship/.   

FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE: The five months of the fellowship are designed for fellows to connect with mentors and their cohort, and refine their writing project while learning new skills and building relationships with publishing industry professionals, PEN America staff, and the literary community.           

•  January 1-31, 2026: 2026 Emerging Voices Fellowship Application period        

•  May 2026:  All applicants will be notified by May 15        

•  July-November 2026: 2026 Emerging Voices Fellowship period   

ELIGIBILITY:

• Applicants must be 21 years of age or older at time of application.

• Applicants do not need to be a U.S. permanent resident and/or citizen but must be residing in the United States at the time of applying for, and during the duration of, the fellowship.

• Applicants must be available to participate actively in all dimensions of fellowship programming, including mandatory virtual workshops, virtual gatherings and virtual public programs.

• Applicants cannot be enrolled in a degree-granting program at the time of the fellowship's start date (July 2026). Doctoral candidates who have completed all coursework are considered eligible.

• Applicants cannot be a recipient of an advanced degree in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.

• Applicants cannot have one or more books published through major or independent publishers, university presses, or established presses, nor have a book under contract to a publisher at the time of application. Chapbooks or work published in literary journals are acceptable.

• Former Emerging Voices Fellows are not eligible to reapply.

SELECTION CRITERIA + PROCESS: Given the highly competitive nature of the selection process for this fellowship, we advise using care in your project application. Though the application will be assessed as a whole, fellows will be selected primarily based on the strength of the writing sample by a committee of established writers and publishing professionals, former fellows, and PEN America staff. We encourage you to submit writing that best showcases your work.  

Closely review all required materials listed below. Please be mindful of the specific application requests. Failure to follow instructions carefully will result in disqualification. Late applications will not be accepted, without exception. We suggest you submit early to avoid technical issues. Applicants may only submit in one genre to the 2026 fellowship.  

The selection decisions of PEN America will be final and not subject to review. We regret that due to the volume of applications, we will not be able to provide any individualized feedback at any point during or after the application process. General questions about the application process sent to ev@pen.org will be answered at the discretion of PEN America.        

All applicants will be notified of decisions by May 15. 

pen.org/emerging-voices-fellowship/

_____

FLASH FICTION CONTEST: THE BLUE FROG

Flash Frog

DEADLINE: January 31, 2026

ENTRY FEE: $5 per story

INFO: The Blue Frog is Flash Frog’s annual flash fiction contest. Taking place each January, the contest features a new theme based on what type of stories we wish we had seen more of in the queue. Each year also features a new Guest Judge and Guest Artist. The Blue Frog awards a total of $700 in prize money as well as signed books and original art!

2026 THEME: “Family”

There are so many versions of family: given, chosen, absent. Families can be who we depend on for love and support. Families can also be our source of pain and trauma. And there’s a whole spectrum in between. In fact, people write whole novels centered around the complexities of family. But of course, we’d like you to do it in fewer than 1,000 words. Explore this term in all its meaning.

2026 GUEST JUDGE: Camille U. Adams

Dr. Camille U. Adams is a writer from Trinidad and Tobago. Camille is the author of the memoir, How To Be Unmothered: a Trinidadian memoir, released August 2025 with Restless Books. Camille also narrated the audiobook for the memoir, whereby the distinct poetic prose can be aurally enjoyed.  How To Be Unmothered has since been recognised by Electric Literature’s Best of 2025 Nonfiction List and Camille has been invited to several national book fairs and panels to discuss the ground-breaking concept of unmothering. Her manuscript was recognised as a finalist in the Restless Books Prize in New Immigrant Writing 2023. 

Camille earned her MFA in Poetry from City College, CUNY and a Ph.D. in Creative Nonfiction from FSU. She has been awarded Best of The Net – nonfiction 2024, has received five Pushcart Prize nominations and three Best of the Net nominations for her published CNF work in literary magazines. Her writing has also received recognition as a notable essay in Best American Essays 2022. Among Camille’s awarded fellowships is an inaugural Tin House Reading Fellowship, an inaugural Granta nature writing workshop fellowship, an inaugural Anaphora Arts Italy Writing Retreat Fellowship, a McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, a Community of Writers Fellowship, and a Roots Wounds Words Fellowship. Camille is also a Tin House alum and has received support from Kenyon Writers Workshop, VONA, and others. 

She has led a generative writing workshop for a Tin House workshop and served as a juried reader for Tin House for two consecutive years. Camille has also happily contributed to the literary community as a CNF editor at Variant Lit, and as an assistant editor at Split Lip Magazine and at The Account. Camille’s memoir writing is featured in Passages North, Citron Review, XRAY Literary Magazine, Variant Literature, The Forge Literary Magazine, Kweli Magazine, and elsewhere. She currently lives in NYC where she teaches and is hard at work on book two.

2026 GUEST ARTIST: Ali McLafferty

Ali McLafferty is an Austin-based artist and writer moonlighting as a high school history teacher. Her fiction has been published in The Forge, and Flash Frog has featured both her flash fiction and several of her art pieces. She loves working in acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite pencil, and believes every surface–paper, wood, walls, stone, or skin–is better with a little paint on it. When not writing or creating artwork, she spends her time gardening, mountain-biking, and dabbling in green witchcraft. Her biggest fans are all the neighborhood children who demand painted tattoos on every limb. 

PRIZES:

• 1st Place: $500 / Publication / Signed book by Guest Judge / Original artwork that accompanies your story

• 2nd Place: $150 / Publication / Signed book by Guest Judge / Original artwork that accompanies your story

• 3rd Place: $50 / Publication / Signed book by Guest Judge / Original artwork that accompanies your story

TIMELINE:

• Contest Runs: January 1 — 31st

• Finalists Announced: Early February

• Winners Announced: Late February

• Winners Published: Mid/Late March

HOW TO ENTER:

*Please read all contest rules before submitting*

Simple Two-Step Process:

1. Email your story as an attachment (.doc; .docx; .rtf) to flashfroglitmag@gmail.com or paste into the body of the email

2. Send the $5 contest submission fee using the Donate button below

   • You do not need to worry about removing identifying information from your submission. For all stories that become finalists, we will remove this info before sending to the Guest Judge.

   • If the name on your payment method is drastically different from the name on your email submission, please note that in your email.

   • You will receive a confirmation email (typically within 24 hours) once we have received both your submission and your contest fee.

RULES:

• Fiction only

• 1,000 words max (this is a hard limit)

• All submissions should be the author’s original work and not previously published elsewhere, this includes blogs, social media, etc. (And obviously no AI involvement. We hate we have to even say that now.)

• Multiple submissions are are okay, but each must be submitted as a separate entry (and there is no limit)

• Simultaneous submissions are okay, but please withdraw your story if it is accepted elsewhere for publication. There are no refunds in this case. Please keep in mind our quick turnaround time (especially for a contest!) when considering simultaneously submitting to other journals.

• Publication Rights: If published, we ask for the right to display the work for the duration of the journal. Copyright remains with the writer in all cases. If your work is subsequently reprinted elsewhere, please acknowledge Flash Frog as the site of first publication.

• All previous Flash Frog contributors are eligible to enter, regardless of when their story was published.

Other Things to Know:

• All submissions will receive a response before the finalists and winners are announced.

• All submissions are also eligible for standard Flash Frog publication.

• The Guest Judge will read all finalists’ submissions blindly. Flash Frog will remove all identifying information before sending the finalists’ stories to the Guest Judge.

• Winners are paid via PayPal on the day of their publication.

• All entry fee money goes to writers and artists. Here is a breakdown of where the entry fees go:

  • $700 goes to the prize money

  • Guest Judge and Guest Artist receive a small honorarium for their time and effort

  • Any remaining funds go towards Flash Frog authors and artists throughout the year to help ensure we are a paying market while keeping general submissions free for everyone

flash-frog.com/contest/

_____

Call for Submissions: Voices on Gender, Queerness & Becoming

IHRAM Press Literary Magazine

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

INFO: This edition will celebrate the uniqueness of every individual, whether gender queer, non-binary, agender, gender-fluid, transgender, or anyone within the LGBTQ+ community, including those who choose not to label themselves or are still embracing their journey. Each person decides their own path and identity.

We welcome work that reflects on:

• Experiences of feeling “othered” by societal rules and norms.

• Trans joy, resilience, and creativity as forms of resistance.

• Cultural perspectives on gender and identity, and how different societies approach openness.

• Reflections on restrictive laws or policies that deny freedom of expression, and the importance of resisting them through art-activism.

This magazine is not about “unconventionality”, but it is about uniqueness, freedom, and growing communities and care. Through stories, poems, essays, and art, we want to honor the joy, struggles, and resistance of queer and trans lives worldwide. We welcome submissions from all over the world, regardless of gender or identity.

humanrightsartmovement.org/ihram-submissions

_____

Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing 2026–27

Stadler Center for Poetry & Literary Arts at Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA)

DEADLINE: February 1, 2026

INFO: Named for Bucknell's renowned literary alumnus ('54) and initiated in fall 1993, the Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing offers up to four months of unfettered writing time for a writer working on a first or second book.

In the current application season, The Roth Residence is open to writers in any creative genre in the literary arts, including fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, hybrid work, graphic novel, etc.

The residency provides an apartment in Bucknell's Writers' Cottage and a stipend of $5,000.

GENERAL ELIGIBILITY: An applicant must be at least 21 years of age, reside in the United States, and not be enrolled as a student in an academic program or hold competing professional, academic, or fellowship obligations during the period of the residency. Some record of publication is desirable. Publication (or acceptance for publication) of a second book is disqualifying.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN APPLICATION:

• Letter of Application - We suggest commenting on your background as a writer, the project you intend to work on during the Residence, and your reason for seeking this particular residency program.

• Curriculum Vitae

• Writing Sample (20 pp. maximum) - The writing sample may consist of a complete work, an excerpt from a longer work, or multiple shorter works.

REFERENCES: Recommendation letters should be from teachers of writing or other writing/literary professionals who are familiar with your literary work. Ensuring that recommendation letters are submitted on time is the responsibility of the applicant. We recommend that you discuss the recommendation process with your recommender before completing your application. Please be aware that you may need to begin your application well in advance of the deadline in order to provide your recommenders with the time they need to prepare and submit their letters. We encourage you to check with your recommenders to make sure they receive our prompt.

stadlercenter.slideroom.com/#/login/program/86719

_____

call for short fiction + essays: Acquired Tastes anthology
(FROM young adults, ages 15-21)

Roxane Gay Books

DEADLINE: February 2, 2026 by 11:59pm PST

INFO: In 2014, I published an essay, “Not Here to Make Friends” where I wrote about the importance and delight of unlikeable female protagonists. Likeability, I said, was a very elaborate lie, a performance, a code of conduct dictating the proper way to be, a trap, constraining women to very narrow ideas about how they should be. In fiction, characters who don't follow this code are labeled as unlikable, as problems, as less worthy of taking up space on the page. I wrote the essay because of my own conflicted experiences with likability but also because I have spent a lot of time over the years thinking about unlikeable characters and how unfairly they are maligned. 

As I also noted in my essay, unlikable are characters I’m frequently drawn to. I want interesting characters to do bad things and get away with their misdeeds. I want characters to think ugly thoughts and make messy decisions. I want characters to make mistakes and put themselves first without apologizing for it. I want authenticity and to read stories about real people who aren’t always picture perfect. 

Because I remain fascinated by unlikable characters, I’m putting together Acquired Tastes, an anthology celebrating unlikeable characters: how we create them, how we understand them, how we love them and how they enrage us, and why they are so necessary to our stories. 

This call is for young adult writers, whose work I’d like to include in this anthology alongside some more familiar names. 

I’m looking for short fiction or essays, from young adults, ages 15-21. Submission guidelines are below. Please share widely with the younger writers you know who might be a good fit for this. Contributors will receive a payment of $1,000 upon publication in 2027 and a copy of the anthology.

GUIDELINES:

• Please submit via Submittable using the Acquired Tastes submissions option.  

• Only fiction and nonfiction will be considered. 

• An individual may only submit one submission, only as a Microsoft Word file.

• Submissions should not exceed 5,000 words. 

• Please include a brief (50-100 word) bio in your cover letter. If you don’t have a bio, that’s okay, too. Your writing will speak for you. 

gay.submittable.com/submit?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email