VOYAGE SHORT STORY AWARD
Voyage
DEADLINE: April 2, 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 great contributors a chance to see their name in print! We will be publishing hardcover, paperback, and ebook editions. Winners of this Short Story Prize will be published in Fall 2023, alongside the winners of the Poetry, Novel Excerpt, and Creative Nonfiction Prizes.
You can also submit your poems right now too! Just head to voyage.submittable.com/submit. Novel Excerpt and CNF Prizes will be open April - May.
The anthology will be edited by the Voyage 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.
One of the reasons we founded Voyage is that we wanted to see more short fiction writers celebrated in the YA category. So, naturally, we’re dedicating a portion of our next anthology to short-form YA stories and all their glory!
Can you give us a compelling YA short story in 5,000 words or fewer?
Send us your best YA contemporary, romance, fantasy, science fiction, genre-bender, and more! We read widely in YA, and we’re simply looking for a well-told story.
COMPENSATION: For the anthology, we are flexible with the number of winners, but all short story contributors will be compensated accordingly:
Short Stories: $500
GUIDELINES:
Voyage submissions are open to all writers working in English.
International submissions are allowed.
Submission must be an original short story 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).
5,000-word count maximum.
We’re open to any genre or style you can throw at us—just send us the best you’ve got.
Previously unpublished work only, please.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 short story collections 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.
voyage.submittable.com/submit/250707/short-story-award-for-voyage-anthology-2
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: poetry, short fiction, & non-fiction
Lampblack Magazine
DEADLINE: April 7, 2023
INFO: We are now accepting submissions for the next issue of Lampblack Magazine! We invite you to submit poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction essays on the subject of labor.
GUIDELINES: We ask that you submit no more than 10 pages of poetry or 20 double-spaced, paginated pages of prose in 12-point font to magazine@lampblacklit.com. You can submit individual poems, as long as they total 5 separate pages, sent in the same document. Please include your name, the title of your piece, and the genre you are submitting to in the subject line of your offering.
COMPENSATION: If your submission is selected, you will be awarded $350 and an invitation to read your work alongside other authors upon publication.
We encourage you to read our Founders’ and Diaspora issues to gain a sense of our aesthetic, which is available on our website and in local independent bookstores. If you cannot afford to purchase one of our earlier issues and would like to read it before submitting, please reach out to us at magazine@lampblacklit.com informing us of your situation and we will ensure you are provided with a digital copy of the magazine free of charge.
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Pitch us: Abolition Week and Project Abolition
Scalawag
DEADLINE: April 9, 2023 by 11:59 pm EST
INFO: Scalawag is seeking submissions for our fourth-annual Abolition Week, during which we exclusively publish the work of currently incarcerated folks. This year, we are expanding our focus to include people affected by open-air prisons.
What Scalawag is looking to publish during Abolition Week:
Essays, poetry, short fiction, audio or visual content from currently, formerly incarcerated people or folks living in open-air prisons in the South and worldwide, including folks living in or who have lived in Gaza.
Reported stories, interviews, or other news stories that explore the impact and conditions of open-air prisons (instances of apartheid, occupation, labor camps, refugee camps).
Essays that explore how prison impacts women, especially Black women, women of color, and trans women.
Personal Testimonies of 200-500 words from intimate partners, children, and loved ones of incarcerated people to the following prompts:
How did the arrest of your loved one(s) impact you?
Did/do prisons and police make you feel safer?
How do we truly protect women and children?
Academic and personal essays or reporting about the conditions, policies, and ideologies that proliferate in and around prisons and explore the following questions:
What counts as crime vs. what is law-breaking?
State-sponsored myths about safety and security.
What does abolition mean to you as someone who has experienced being incarcerated?
Context-setting analysis of the effects of recent prison reforms, expansion of surveillance, or the expansion of police budgets against the popular narrative around defunding police.
Writers submitting stories for Abolition Week need to be directly impacted by the issues they're covering. Specifically, we're seeking stories from currently or formerly incarcerated people, as well as folks living in open-air prisons, labor camps, or refugee camps—including those currently living in or who have lived in Gaza. (If you aren't directly impacted by these forces, you can still pitch us on these topics for publication outside of Abolition Week under Project Abolition—more on that below!)
RATES: Our base pay rates range from $800 to $1500 depending on the level of reporting involved. We will work with incarcerated writers to ensure that payments are made in the way that is most easily-accessible for them.
If you are directly affected by incarceration, please pitch us your story for Abolition Week using the form below. Currently incarcerated folks in particular, for whom this pitch process is clunky or impossible, may also send physical mail to our P.O. box: Scalawag, P.O. Box 129, Durham, NC, 27702; or reach out to our editors directly: da'shaun@scalawagmagazine.org, alysia@scalawagmagazine.org, lovey@scalawagmagazine.org
If your pitch is accepted, our editors will work with you to develop your story throughout April and May. All abolition week stories will be published on our website the week of June 19th.
Outside of Abolition Week, Scalawag is also looking for stories to publish for the rest of the year as a part of Project Abolition. This especially applies to essays on figurative prisons and their connections to abolition, i.e.: Gender as a prison, the body as a prison, environmental hazards as a prison. We are also seeking stories about community responses to police reforms since 2020, including the ways movement has responded to urban policing as cities across the South generate new methods of carcerality. We want to know what's going on at the local level, big and small—from Cop City and the surrounding protests, to individual police departments training with Israeli security forces. If you are interested in publishing for Project Abolition outside of Abolition Week, please check the appropriate box on the pitch form.
scalawagmagazine.org/project-abolition/
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FSG Writer’s Fellowship
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
DEADLINE: Extended to April 10, 2023 by 11:59pm EST
INFO: The FSG Writer’s Fellowship is a yearlong program designed to give an emerging writer from an underrepresented community additional resources to build a life around writing: funding, editorial guidance, and advice on how to forge a writing career. It offers the unique opportunity for a writer to spend time with and enjoy the support and mentorship of the FSG community. The fellowship celebrates the spirit of the FSG list and its commitment to invention, curiosity, and extending the limits of literature.
THE FELLOWSHIP AWARD:
Prize: $15,000 paid over two installments: half paid at the start of the Fellowship program, half paid in February 2024
Mentorship:
Yearlong mentorship with an FSG house author
A representative from each department at FSG will meet with the Fellow to discuss their field of specialty and help the writer build a broader understanding of the publishing business
Through the editorial department and others at FSG, the Fellow will be introduced to key participants in the publishing industry, including agents
The Fellow agrees to offer to FSG the Fellow’s first book-length work before submitting to, or soliciting offers from, any other publisher
The Fellow will have the opportunity to contribute to FSGworkinprogress.com throughout the fellowship
FSG and an FSG house author will host a public event where the Fellow will have the chance to read from their current project
The Fellow will receive a collection of FSG classics
TIMELINE:
Five finalists will be interviewed in July 2023
The Fellowship winner will be announced in August 2023
The Fellowship begins September 1, 2023
The Fellowship runs from September 2023 to August 2024
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must submit:
A sample of work—fiction, nonfiction, or poetry—aimed at an adult audience
For fiction and nonfiction, the sample must be between forty and fifty double spaced pages
For poetry, the sample must be eight to twelve pages
The sample can include previously published work and does not need to be from a single section of the work
A Statement of Purpose of no more than 500 words
The applicant’s name and contact information must not be anywhere on the writing sample or the Statement of Purpose—this includes within the uploaded file name
ELIGIBILITY:
The applicant must not have published a book-length work in any genre, have a book under contract, or be negotiating a contract either in the United States or abroad by the time the fellowship begins. Having published short poetry chapbooks will not exclude an applicant from eligibility
Applicants must submit in only one category (fiction, nonfiction, or poetry).
The applicant must be a U.S. Permanent Resident (green card) or U.S. Citizen
There are no experience, degree credentials, or location requirements. This fellowship will take place remotely
The applicant should be writing for an adult audience in the English language
The applicant must be over 18 years of age
The applicant cannot be an employee or family member of an employee of FSG or any other Macmillan affiliate
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2023 My Time Fellowship
Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow
DEADLINE: April 10, 2023
APPLICATION FEE: $35
INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is pleased to announce the 2023 My Time fellowship funded by the Sustainable Arts Foundation. Writers who are also parents of dependent children under the age of 18 are invited to apply. Work may be any literary genre: poetry, fiction, plays, memoir, screenplays, or nonfiction. The successful application will demonstrate literary merit and the likelihood of publication. Prior publication is not a requirement.
Two fellowship winners will receive a one-week residency to allow the recipient to focus completely on their work, at least one to be awarded to a Person of Color. A $500 stipend will be provided to cover childcare and/or travel costs. Each writer’s suite has a bedroom, private bathroom, separate writing space, and wireless internet. We provide uninterrupted writing time, a European-style gourmet dinner prepared five nights a week, and served in our community dining room, the camaraderie of other professional writers when you want it, and a community kitchen stocked with the basics for other meals.
Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample and a non-refundable $35 application fee. There is a limit of one submission per application. The submission period opens on Monday, January 30, 2023. The deadline is midnight CST on Monday, April 10, 2023. The winner will be announced no later than May 1, 2023. Residencies may be completed at any time during 2023. This may be extended up to twelve months for extenuating circumstances including COVID-19 concerns.
www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
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Willa Cather Residency
Willa Cather Center
DEADLINE: April 15, 2023
APPLICATION FEE: $25
INFO: The was created in 2023 to commemorate the 150th year of Cather’s birth and to provide a unique opportunity for a small cohort of writers—and eventually artists of all media—to reside and create in Red Cloud, Nebraska for two weeks. A new initiative of the National Willa Cather Center, the program reflects the life-long reverence that world-renowned author Willa Cather had for art, storytelling, and her hometown—an inspirational setting amidst the Great Plains of Nebraska—from which she created the communities in half of her novels.
In a nod to the long road that Willa Cather traveled before she became free to focus on her own writing—a road that included freelancing, teaching, editing, and managing a national magazine—the Willa Cather Residency welcomes writers who are struggling to transition from a hectic career to a life in art. While open to all, our purpose is to assist such artists.
LOGISTICS:
Our select cohort of writers will live and work in Red Cloud over a two-week period from October 15-29, 2023. Each resident will be provided a private furnished room in the Cather Second Home Guest House—with its comfortable communal kitchen, dining, and living spaces—and a separate place to work. Residents will also receive $400 for provisions while in Red Cloud.
While knowledge of Cather’s work and personal connection to Nebraska is not essential, it is important that applicants—and selected artists—embrace and appreciate the relative isolation of Red Cloud and seek a quiet place to do their work. In addition to a $25 application fee, residents are expected to provide their own transportation to and from Red Cloud. Airport pickups may be arranged.
TIMELINE:
Late April 2023: Shortlist interviews
May 1, 2023: Announce inaugural cohort
October 15-29, 2023: Inaugural residency in Red Cloud
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2023-2024 TLR FELLOWSHIP@MINERAL SCHOOL
Mineral School
DEADLINE: April 15, 2023 (by midnight, PST)
APPLICATION FEE: $25
INFO: The Tahoma Literary Review Fellowship (1) at Mineral School will offer one writer of poetry or prose who identifies as part of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) community support for a two-week residency. Applicants may request that their submission be read solely for residency or also considered for publication in Tahoma Literary Review. TLR is supporting this fellowship and publication opportunity to recognize and uplift BIPOC voices.
Residency attendees are provided 3 meals daily (allergies/food sensitivities/special diets accommodated), linens are provided, and there are two optional programming opportunities (a visiting presenter, a residents' presentation). The fellowship also includes travel assistance from points (airports, Amtrak, bus stops, your pal's house) between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA along the I-5 corridor, if needed.
October 1-October 15, 2023 (all genres)
November 5-November 19, 2023 (all genres)
December 3-December 17, 2023 (all genres
March 3-March 17, 2024 (all genres)
ACCEPTED GENRES:
FICTION
NON-FICTION
POETRY
mineralschool.submittable.com/submit
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2023-2024 SPANISH-LANGUAGE FELLOWSHIPS@MINERAL SCHOOL
Mineral School
DEADLINE: April 15, 2023 (by midnight, PST)
APPLICATION FEE: $25
INFO: Mineral School es una residencia de artistas ubicada en una antigua escuela primaria de 1947 cerca de Mt. Rainier, en Mineral, Washington. En el 2023 y la primera mitad de 2024, ofreceremos residencias a un total de 24 personas. (Recibiremos por separado a ocho personas que reprogramaron las fechas de años anteriores o se unirán a nosotros en una residencia por invitación). Tendremos cuatro períodos de residencia de dos semanas, así como dos sesiones de residencias de una semana para escritores en español (una sesión para padres, y otra sin ese requisito), y una sesión especial de una semana para padres que escriben en inglés. Las solicitudes se abren el 2 de marzo de 2023 y se extienden hasta el 15 de abril de 2023.
Los artistas y escritores seleccionados gozarán de un espacio y tiempo para crear nuevas obras sin las interrupciones de la vida cotidiana, y de comidas saludables preparadas por personal de invitados culinarios que usarán mayoritariamente productos orgánicos locales. Cada residente se alojará en un antiguo salón de clases de 800 pies cuadrados con vistas panorámicas al lago Mineral Lake y al Mt. Rainier, que servirá también de estudio de escritura, con escritorio, silla, iluminación, biblioteca y pizarras. El edificio de la escuela cuenta con baños y duchas compartidos. Se servirán tres comidas todos los días (además hay acceso las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana a un refrigerador para refrigerios y una estación de café/té), los residentes tendrán la oportunidad de compartir sus obras con el público. Mineral cuenta con un lago con posibilidad para la pesca, alquiler de botes (o nuestros kayaks), algunas rutas de senderismo en la localidad, un bar, un B & B, una tienda, iglesias, una oficina de correos y gran cantidad de ciervos. Mineral está a 25 minutos en coche de la entrada de Ashford/Nisqually al Parque Nacional del Monte Rainier.
Autores y artistas visitantes: Durante cada residencia, contaremos con invitados especiales que harán una visita y presentarán sus trabajos. Por lo general, los presentadores son ex alumnos de la residencia y, quienes en algunos casos, vienen acompañados de un artista o invitado especial con quien presentan en la residencia de Mineral. Estos eventos son gratuitos y abiertos al público e incluyen postre.
Presentaciones de los residentes: si así lo desean, los residentes podrían compartir entre sí y con el público en cada sesión de "mostrar y comentar" ("show and tell") que se lleve a cabo durante la residencia. Estas presentaciones se llevan generalmente a cabo después de la cena en nuestra biblioteca/salón de usos múltiples y se trata de encuentros informales con postres.
FECHAS DE RESIDENCIA 2023-2024:
Las sesiones de residencia con vacantes se llevarán a cabo durante los siguientes períodos:
16 de septiembre al 24 de septiembre de 2023 (sesión de escritores en español con Seattle Escribe para padres)
30 de marzo al 7 de abril 2024 (sesión de escritores en español con Seattle Escribe)
BECAS DE RESIDENCIA:
Seattle Escribe celebra la literatura en español y apoya a los poetas y escritores que producen literatura en español. En 2023 y 2024, Seattle Escribe y Mineral School se han asociado para ofrecer dos residencias de escritura en español a poetas y prosistas que actualmente viven en los Estados Unidos. La primera sesión, en septiembre de 2023, apoya a cuatro escritores que escriban en español y que también sean padres; la segunda, en marzo de 2024, está abierta a escritores radicados en Estados Unidos que escriban en español sean o no padres. La beca también incluye asistencia con el traslado desde Portland (Oregón) Seattle (Washington) o sus alrededores.
ACCEPTED GENRES:
· FICCION
· NO FICCIÓN
· POESÍA
mineralschool.submittable.com/submit
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Rhinebeck Residency
The Seventh Wave
DEADLINE: April 15, 2023
APPLICATION FEE: $0
INFO: Applications for The Seventh Wave’s 2023 Rhinebeck Residency are now open.
The residency, which is located in Rhinebeck, NY, is now a two-week artist residency open to four writers or artists. This is specifically for the artist or writer who is looking to work on a longer-length work, such as a chapbook, manuscript, film, or play. This is our longest-standing residency, and the property sits on 27 acres of wildness, providing an oasis of lush silence and creative space amid canopies of green and disappearing paths perfect for some natural inspiration. Known for, and as, The Crystal Cottage, our residents tend to congregate in the glass octagon attached to the side of the house, which offers incredible acoustics during rainstorms.
Held in the summer, the Rhinebeck Residency offers residents the opportunity to get a little lost. With 27 acres of disappearing paths, a wrap-around deck that faces west (think: sunsets), and a little glass greenhouse that provides for an acoustic environment that beckons the creative spirit, especially during rainfall. What used to be a three-day program designed to provide writers, artists, and creatives a physical interlude, is now a two-week artist residency catered toward the artist or writer working on a longer-length project, manuscript, or work.
2023 RESIDENCY: This residency will take place July 9-23 in the blues and greens of upstate NY. There is no cost to apply and no cost to attend; you just have to get yourself there + pitch in on a meal or two.
If shared meals, summer storms, and late-night chats on a wooden deck overlooking rolling hills call to your sensibilities as an artist, we want to hear from you. Those with larger projects and manuscripts are especially encouraged to apply.
Any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at residency@seventhwavemag.com anytime.
theseventhwave.co/rhinebeck-residency/
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2023 Fiction Contest
Bomb Magazine
DEADLINE: April 16, 2023 at 11:59 pm ET
READING FEE: $30
INFO: BOMB Magazine’s fiction contest is back, and we're honored to have author Jonathan Lethem as this year’s guest judge. Lethem will select one winner to receive a $1,000 prize and publication in our quarterly magazine.
GUIDELINES:
Manuscripts may contain no more than 5,000 words and consist of a single work of short fiction.
Work must be uploaded via Submittable.
All entries will be considered anonymously. Do not include author name on manuscript pages. Non-anonymous manuscripts will be disqualified.
Reading Fee: $30. Includes a year-long print subscription to BOMB for US entrants (a $60 value). All non-US entrants will receive a digital-only subscription. All new subscriptions begin with BOMB's summer issue, arriving on newsstands June 15.
Current subscribers to BOMB will receive details on discounted entry via email.
Work must be previously unpublished.
Simultaneous submissions are permitted as long as you notify us if your piece is accepted elsewhere, but the fee is non-refundable.
Email firstproof@bombsite.com with any questions. The winner and finalists will be announced in July 2023.
ABOUT THE GUEST JUDGE: Jonathan Lethem is the bestselling author of twelve novels, including The Arrest, The Fortress of Solitude, and Motherless Brooklyn, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award. He currently teaches creative writing at Pomona College in California.
bombmagazine.org/articles/2023-fiction-contest-judged-jonathan-lethem/
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2023 Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction
Gulf Coast Journal
DEADLINE: April 16, 2023
ENTRY FEE: $26 (includes a one-year subscription to Gulf Coast)
INFO: Gulf Coast is now accepting entries for the 2023 Gulf Coast Prize in Fiction.
AWARD: The contest awards $1,500 and publication in Gulf Coast to the winner. Two honorable mentions will be awarded $250. All entries will be considered for publication.
JUDGE: The judge for this year's contest is Alexandra Kleeman.
GUIDELINES:
Submit one story (twenty-five double-spaced pages max) in a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf file.
Only previously unpublished work will be considered.
The contest will be judged blindly, so please do not include your cover letter, your name, or any contact information in the uploaded document.
gulfcoastajournalofliteratureandfinearts.submittable.com/submit
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2023 Gulf Coast Prize in NONFiction
Gulf Coast Journal
DEADLINE: April 16, 2023
ENTRY FEE: $26 (includes a one-year subscription to Gulf Coast)
INFO: Gulf Coast is now accepting entries for the 2023 Gulf Coast Prize in Nonfiction.
AWARD: The contest awards $1,500 and publication in Gulf Coast to the winner. Two honorable mentions will be awarded $250. All entries will be considered for publication.
JUDGE: The judge for this year's contest is Ingrid Rojas Contreras
GUIDELINES:
Submit one essay (twenty-five double-spaced pages max) in a single .doc, .docx, or .pdf file.
Only previously unpublished work will be considered.
The contest will be judged anonymously, so please do not include your cover letter, your name, or any contact information in the uploaded document.
gulfcoastajournalofliteratureandfinearts.submittable.com/submit
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2023-2024 Pen Parentis Writing Fellowship for New Parents
Pen Parentis
DEADLINE: April 17, 2023 at 11:59 pm EST
APPLICATION FEE: $20 / $0 (for members)
INFO: This Fellowship was established to encourage and inspire new, high-quality writing by parents of children under 10. The word count is intentionally low (we recognize there are challenges inherent in raising kids during a pandemic!) and the count changes every year, to incentivize the creation of new work.
AWARD: One talented writer who is the parent of at least one child under 10 years old will receive $2000 to further their writing career, a year of mentorship as Title Member of Pen Parentis (including access to the accountability group of your choice) , and will be offered the opportunity to read their winning story online at the Pen Parentis Literary Salon on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. They will be reading with three established writers who are also parents, and will be offered a chance to interact personally with these authors. The confirmed readers will be available by September.
Second and Third Place winners will receive $500 and $250 and along with the winner will become part of our exclusive (and lovely) Fellowship Ring which includes a year of Pen Parentis Title Membership (with the accountability group of your choosing) -- we zoom twice per year.
(Thanks to our new sponsor The deGroot Foundation for doubling the prizes!)
The winning story will be published in Dreamers Creative Writing Magazine (both online and in print) as well as included in the annual Dreamers Writing Anthology.
The winner will reign as the Pen Parentis Fellow from November 2023 through November 2024, and will gain full access to Pen Parentis Title Member perks during that time period. (It's a lot, so knock our socks off with your writing!) From time to time, as career opportunities arise, they will be presented to the Fellow.
WORD COUNT / FORMAT:
Submissions call for a new, never-published fiction story—any genre, on any subject—of up to 531 words, double-spaced in Times New Roman 12 point or similar font, with one inch margins.
DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME OR ANY SORT OF CONTACT INFO ON THE STORY ITSELF--ONLY THE TITLE OF THE STORY AND WORD COUNT. Please number your pages.
penparentis.submittable.com/submit
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: DWA CUENTICOS
Dominican Writers Association (DWA)
DEADLINE: Extended to April 21, 2023 by 11:59 pm EST
INFO: Aligned with Dominican Writer's mission to amplify Dominican-American voices—and, in turn, create a thriving community of literary creatives—#dwaCuenticos nurtures and promotes the works of emerging & professional writers of ages 12 and up. Submissions will be featured on the DWA website and chapbook "Una Visa Por Tus Sueños: Finessing the Dominican Dream", and in this manner ensuring visibility and recognition in literary publishing.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
A question for first-generation Dominican-American as they immerse themselves in the culture of their home and partially forfeit the values of their parent’s birthplace.
Discuss the ensuing conflicts of acculturation, bilingualism, & identity.
Breaking Barriers. The educational attainment and financial freedom of Dominicans in the United States and carving a path without any guidance. (Ex: the negative and positive responses to seeking out higher education, navigating college applications & financial aid, financial burdens, and inequitable access to resources.)
The Latchkey Generation. The responsibility of translating for our parents, the obligation of raising ourselves, the guilt of wanting more, and the possibility of leaving family behind.
Straddling the privilege (burden) of two Cultures. The trauma & mental health toll of the “immigrant-paradox.” (The "no sabo" stigma, breaking away from conservatism, voting against our own interest.)
Fake Dominicans/Not Latino Enough. The perspective of “true” Dominicans towards those who are part of the diaspora. Which values do you choose to keep and which are rejected for fear of not being accepted into American society? (Ex: the concept of race, the preservation of the Spanish tongue, hypermasculinity, etc.)
WE ACCEPT:
For consideration, the piece must be a creative non-fiction essay on the month's topic.
Essays must be written in first-person, ranging from 1000-2000 words, in Times New Roman, Font size 12
Can submit in either English, Spanish, or Spanglish
Each submission should be a single file attachment in .doc or Docx (firstname_lastname_genre)
All submissions must include a captivating title that is likely to draw reader engagement.
Include a brief author bio of 250 max written in the third person.
Provide an image that speaks to the theme of the story.
OF IMPORTANCE TO NOTE:
We do not accept work that has been previously published online or otherwise.
DWA acquires exclusive rights to publish on the website and requests acknowledgment in subsequent publications.
Writers from any part of the world may submit.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjF6TvLPrQVM9KjzHmuk6JkCchHaANbiL4myDgERrBAceXbQ/viewform
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2023 Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant
Whiting Foundation
DEADLINE: April 25, 2023 by 11:59pm EST
INFO: The 2023 Whiting Creative Nonfiction Grant of $40,000 will be awarded to as many as ten writers in the process of completing a book-length work of deeply researched and imaginatively composed nonfiction for a general readership. It is intended for multiyear book projects requiring large amounts of deep and focused research, thinking, and writing at a crucial point mid-process, after significant work has been accomplished but when an extra infusion of support can make a difference in the ultimate shape and quality of the work. The program's chief objective is to foster original, ambitious projects that bring writing to the highest possible standard.
Whiting welcomes applications for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, science, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, graphic nonfiction, and personal essays, among other categories. Again, the work should be intended for a general, not academic, adult reader. Self-help titles, historical fiction, textbooks, books primarily for a scholarly audience, and books for young readers are not eligible. Examples of the wide range of previous grantees can be found on the program's website.
Projects must be under contract with a publisher in Canada, the UK, or the US by April 25 to be eligible, and the fully executed contract signed by all parties must be uploaded as part of the application. Contracts with self-publishing companies are not eligible.
The deadline to apply is April 25, 2023. All materials must be received by 11:59pm Eastern Time (i.e., New York City time) on this date; incomplete applications will not be considered. We will, however, accept publisher letters until May 2, although we strongly advise applicants to encourage referees to get these letters in as close to April 25 as possible.
Each project under submission will have two first-round readers who will evaluate for substance and execution (while understanding that they are reading a work in progress). Finalists will be considered by a separate panel of judges who will evaluate for need in addition to substance and execution. Readers and judges will consist of experts in the field and will serve anonymously to shield them from any external pressures. The grantees will be announced in the fall.
whiting.submittable.com/submit
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2023 SEE DIGITAL RETREAT
The Southern Esusú Endeavor
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023
INFO: The Southern Esusú Endeavor was founded in 2023 to help foster Black Diasporic poetry and hybrid CNF from the vantage point and place that many of us call home; the South. Our flagship event is our intimate, three day, digital conference where participants will both share and receive knowledge in workshops, presentations, a publishing panel, editor talks, networking, close reading, reading open mic, andmore! The Southern Esusú Endeavor Conference welcomes poetry and prose writing by members of the Black Diaspora, with our inaugural offering capped at twelve (12) seats in order to provide attention and care to each and every piece of writing, maintaining transparent communication, and making sure we are taking good care of our own digital mental health.
We are located in the South and are proud to espouse Southern aesthetics and homecoming for all Black writers from all walks of life, who have been incarcerated, come to writing late in life, who have or are applying for an MFA, have never gotten or plan to pursue an MFA, choose to drop out of school, etc. We are committed to fostering Afro diversity, and have reserved two (2) seats for Black Disabled writers and two (2) seats for Afro-Indigenous writers.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
On Topics Proposals
We believe that everyone has something to contribute to creating and fostering knowledge. To that end, all participants will give a 10-minute presentation on a topic they are passionate and educated on, whether that is formal academic learning, careful reading and personal study, or created exclusively for this conference.
We invite presentations in the following categories:
a Black Diaspora writer (famous, living, unsung, etc.)
a Black Diaspora form (Genesis, Gigan, Bop, Sweetelle, Mirror, Kwansaba, etc.)
Black writers working in genres of writing such as Ecopoetics/speculative/horror
Eras of writing such as Reconstruction, Harlem Renaissance, or
Geographic locations such as the Midwest, the Caribbean, Nuyorician, Affrilachian, etc.
Slam poetry, visual poetry, memorizing poems, stylistic similarities or inspiration to other forms of art such as music, painting, fashion, architecture, word evolution, methods of workshopping/revising, prison writing
Sample On Topics: Call and response forms
1. Censored in America: Maya Angelou
A 15-minute PP explains the story of how and why Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Still Sings was originally censored in Texas, controversy, and why being banned is a sign of honor.
Cites ALA, Maya Angelou's Oprah interview, and an article from newfricanmagazine.com, and provides the following writing prompts:
write a center aligned erasure poem of a topical article or a section of IKWCGS, and then write footnotes style comments for why the erased part was deemed too volatile.
write a poem about the first time you learned what censorship was
write a poem unearthing a time you felt you needed to censor yourself
write a poem on three levels or rows: what is taught in HS, what is known in Black families, and the true history of what happened in an event. This could be something small, like a micro aggression, something topical such as racism at sporting events or police interactions, family genealogy, or the history of a particular event or year like 1919, Philadelphia Bombing, or others.
2. Call and Response: Forms that Write How we Speak
If you understand the call and response spoken in your grandma's church, you can learn to write a Sweetelle poem! We'll study how and why Allison Josephs created the Sweetelle in order to spread awareness of contemporary forms by Black poets. I wrote a suite of Sweetelles last year, and I'm so excited to share how this form can be the perfect ode, or anti-ode! Cites: PoetryFoundation, Allison Josephs tweets. Prompts include:
writing a Sweetelle Ars Poetica
write a Sweetelle using a line from your favorite song
These presentations may make use of Power Point, short video clips, interviews, etc. We encourage creativity in your subject proposals!
On Topics should include a presentation title, brief explanation of which category is being explored, its personal relevance to you, why you can help educate others on this subject, and 2-3 prompts for other contributors to use in their own writing. We encourage creativity in topic subjects, as the Southern Esusú Endeavor Conference's ideal schedule is a variety of subjects, not just the first or most well-known people/practices in Black literary history. Example, although we love Phyllis Wheatley, we do not want 12 On Topics about her. Please dig deep into the wealth and breadth of Black writers/writing to craft something that will get people curious and excited to learn this aspect of our literary history.
All accepted participants will be required to practice their presentations by themselves and at least once with a staff member/volunteer/director prior to the Conference as a tech rehearsal.
Creative Legacy Statement
The Creative Legacy Statement is part cover letter, part history of your connection to Black writing. We want to know, what Black Diaspora writers have you studied? Both well known and unknown, contemporary, historical, international? How have they contributed to your writing? Who have you studied outside the Black Diaspora and brought into your writing? Please answer these questions in 500 words or less.
Writing Sample
At the Southern Esusú Endeavor Conference we will have small, intimate workshops to praise, ponder, and provide insight and suggestions for the next iteration of our piece. We ask that you submit 3 poems, in a range of needs a lot workshop, needs specific workshopping help, and needs only praise. Poems/CNF hybrid work may be single or double spaced, and on any topic, but must include Trigger Warnings/Content Warnings. Each poem must start on a new page, have page numbers, and be in Arial or Calibri size 12. Each individual poem may be of any length, with a maximum of three pages, and the total application sample must not exceed 9 pages of poems. Fiction writers may submit 5-10 pages of your best prose, in Arial, Calibri, or another easy to read font, size 12.
Please collect the On Topics proposals, Creative Legacy Statement, and Writing Sample in a single word document or PDF (preferred) and save it as LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_SEE2023.
docs.google.com/document/d/1QFhcLGFekkF4_fAAogsqNrlMadsd1nRIr3nCNlNDXRw/mobilebasic
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2023 craft SHORT FICTION PRIZE
CRAFT
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023
INFO: CRAFT’s 2023 Short Fiction Prize is now open!
Guest Judge Nana Nkweti will choose three stories from a select shortlist of fifteen. We're looking for short stories that ring with excellence on every level of craft—intricate characterization, meaningful narrative development, and unforgettable voice. We want openings that spark and fire, middles that maintain momentum and tension, and endings that resonate long after we leave the page. We'll curate the top fifteen entries for Nana Nkweti to review anonymously, and here's what she'd like to see:
Short stories are for savoring. The umami of a metaphor, well-met. The sweetness of syntax. The bite of characters in conflict with the world and with themselves. These narratives are incredibly self-contained yet offer up a smorgasbord of thoughts and emotions that stick to your ribs. I look forward to reading work that consumes me—with an image, a phrase, an epiphany that will take days if not months to fully digest. Let’s nourish and be nourished in the reading and writing of the works to come.
GUIDELINES:
CRAFT submissions are open to all writers.
International submissions are allowed.
Please submit work primarily written in English, but conceptually or stylistically necessary code-switching is warmly welcomed.
We seek short fiction only for this contest: 1,000 to 5,000 words in length.
We review literary fiction but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft.
Submit previously unpublished work only—we do NOT review reprints for contests (including work posted on blogs, personal websites, social media, etc.). Reprints will be automatically disqualified.
We allow simultaneous submissions—writers, please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is accepted for publication elsewhere.
We allow multiple submissions—please submit each piece as a separate submission accompanied by an entry fee.
This contest requires a $20 entry fee per submission.
All entries will also be considered for publication in CRAFT.
Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12.
Include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable).
We do not require anonymous submissions. However, we do anonymize the fifteen shortlisted stories before sending them to the guest judge.
Writers from historically marginalized groups will be able to submit for FREE during the first open week (or so) of the contest until we reach fifty free submissions. This free category will close when we reach capacity or on March 10, 2023.
We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication: work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review (you will be refunded, less fees).
AWARDS:
Winner receives $2,000 and a free four-issue subscription from Journal of the Month.
Runner-ups receive $500 and $300, respectively, for the second- and third-place finalists.
The top three stories will be published in CRAFT, each with an introduction by the guest judge.
Each publication will also include an author's note (craft essay) by the writer.
FINE PRINT:
Friends, family, and associates of the guest judge are not eligible for consideration for the award.
Our collaboration with editorial professionals in the judging of our contests and the awarding of our prizes does not imply an endorsement or recognition from their agencies/houses/presses/universities/etc.
Read our 2022 contest winners for examples of work chosen in the past.
As we only consider unpublished writing and will publish the winning pieces in October 2023, anything under contract to publish prior to January 2024 should not be entered.
OUR GUEST JUDGE: NANA NKWETI is a Cameroonian-American writer, Whiting Award winner, and AKO Caine Prize finalist whose work has garnered fellowships from MacDowell, Vermont Studio Center, Ucross, Byrdcliffe, Kimbilio, Hub City Writers, Stadler Center for Poetry, Wurlitzer Foundation, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Clarion West. Her book, Walking on Cowrie Shells, was hailed by The New York Times as “raucous and thoroughly impressive” with “stories to get lost in again and again.” The collection is a Saroyan International Prize shortlistee, a New York Times Editors' Choice, Indie Next pick, recipient of starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and BookPage; and has been featured in The New Yorker, Harper's Bazaar, Oprah Daily, The Root, NPR, andBuzzfeed, amongst others. The work features elements of mystery, horror, myth, and graphic novels to showcase the complexity and vibrance of African diaspora cultures and identities. She is a professor of English at the University of Alabama where she teaches creative writing courses that explore her eclectic literary interests, ranging from graphic novels to medical humanities onto exploring works by female authors in genres such as horror, Afrofuturism, and mystery. Find Nana on Twitter @nanankweti.
OUR CONTEST PARTNER: JOURNAL OF THE MONTH sends a new print literary magazine to your mailbox on a regular basis. Which one? What you receive changes month to month, but every participating magazine is a highly regarded actor in the contemporary literary scene that publishes exciting fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry from new and established voices.
OPTIONAL EDITORIAL FEEDBACK: You may choose to receive editorial feedback on your piece. We will provide line-level marginal notes, as well as a global letter discussing the strengths of the writing and the recommended focus for revision. While editorial feedback is inherently subjective, our suggestions are always actionable and encouraging. We aim to have feedback completed within a month after the final status update of the piece. Should your story win, no feedback will be offered and your fee will be refunded. Work that we critique is not eligible for future CRAFT contests.
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Call for Proposals: 2023-2024 CCSRE Mellon Arts Fellowship Program
Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity at Stanford University
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023
INFO: The Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity (CCSRE) and the Institute for Diversity in the Arts (IDA) at Stanford University invite artists who live and work in California to apply to be a 2023-2024 CCSRE Mellon Arts Fellow. Eligible candidates include California-based visual and performing artists, media makers, musicians, and writers whose artistic work focuses on issues related to race and ethnicity.
The CCSRE Mellon Arts Fellowship Program is part of the Centering Race Consortium (CRC), a multi-university collaboration involving race studies centers at Stanford, Brown, University of Chicago and Yale, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
AWARD: Selected fellows will receive $25,000, with an additional $7,000 for travel and expenses, to support their ongoing creative work. They will be expected to attend monthly in-person meetings at Stanford University where they will be in community with faculty, staff, and students; and have their work presented publicly on campus.
To apply please submit a project proposal, a personal statement, two references, and a portfolio of 2-3 work samples.
airtable.com/shrOMqfXizwnxwQkV
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REST RESIDENCY FOR SINGLE MOTHERS
The Old Knitting Factory
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023
INFO: The Old Knitting Factory exists to support single mothers and other twice-marginalized single parents. Here’s how you can apply for a retreat and support our work.
Applications are now open for a free one-week stay in the Old Knitting Factory’s residency space, including a cash stipend to apply to childcare costs. The residency is open to single mothers and other twice-marginalized single parents from anywhere in the world. Come enjoy the beauty and peace of Connemara, and take some time to rest and honor yourself and your children.
Inspired by the work of The Nap Ministry, adrienne maree brown’s Pleasure Activism, and The Mae House, I am offering it as a rest residency, meaning that you don’t have to be an artist to apply; you just have to be a single mom (or other twice-marginalized single parent) who could use some rest. And couldn’t we all?
RESIDENCY / STIPEND: You’ll have use of our residency space for any week of your choosing, and you are welcome to bring your children or not, as best suits your needs. The space features a double bed, fold-out single bed, futon, and pack-and-play crib. The resident will receive a €250 cash stipend toward childcare costs, to use at your discretion.
Please note: Travel costs are not included.
GUIDELINES: To apply, email us with a brief statement (up to 500 words, shorter is fine!) on why this residency would be useful to you and your children (whether they will come with you or stay with someone else while you rest).
oldknittingfactory.com/single-mother-retreats
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Children’s Book Writing Competition: Adapt Your Favorite Folktale
Yeehoo Press
DEADLINE: April 30, 2023
INFO: Attention all writers and storytellers! We are excited to announce our latest children’s book writing competition!
We are looking for talented writers to adapt a selected folktale into a children’s picture book. We would like to see a bold adaptation of the story to make it as suitable as possible for the picture book format. We highly recommend all participants to read The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, which is based on the traditional Chinese tale “The Fox and the Tiger” (狐假虎威). This is the perfect example of a folktale adapted into a picture book. The chosen folktale will be announced on our Yeehoo Press website and social media channels, and we encourage you to put your own unique spin on the story.
The winning entry will be possible published as a children’s book. And the author will receive a cash prize of $100 besides the royalty. This is a great opportunity to get your work out to more readers. The top three entries will be also featured on our Chinese publisher’s website as well as being distributed to young readers in China via Chinese social media.
To participate, please choose one following folktale to adapt and submit your manuscript, along with a brief author bio and contact information, to our email address by the deadline of Apr. 30th. Please note that only original work will be considered, and all entries must be in English. Please send your submission to Contest@yeehoopress.com. Please feel free to contact our Editor-in-Chief, Luyang if you have any questions: xueluyang@yeehoopress.com
We encourage writers of all ages and backgrounds to participate in this exciting opportunity to share their creativity and love of folklore with young readers. Good luck and enjoy writing!
*Notice: Participants must abide by the rules of the event and are not allowed to submit their entries to a third party before the results of each round are announced. By submitting an entry, participants agree to allow the organiser to use their manuscript for promotional purposes. Participants retain all intellectual property rights to their works. The organiser reserves the right of final interpretation for this event.
Sincerely,
Yeehoo Press
FOLKTALE OPTION 1:
邯郸学步, also known as “Learning to Walk in Handan”:
In ancient China, during the Warring States period. According to the legend, a man from the state of Handan traveled to the state of Chu to visit his friend. During his visit, he observed the local people walking in a strange and unique way that he had never seen before. The man was fascinated by this unusual walking style and decided to learn it for himself.
As he practiced the walking style, he became increasingly confident in his abilities. He believed that he had mastered the technique and was now ready to show off his new skill to the people of Chu. He began walking around the streets, imitating the unique style of the locals, feeling proud of himself for having learned something new.
However, to his surprise, the people of Chu began to laugh at him. They saw him walking in such an odd way that made him look foolish and clumsy. Despite his attempts to walk gracefully, he stumbled and fell repeatedly. The man from Handan was embarrassed and confused by the laughter of the Chu people, and he couldn’t understand why his efforts to learn something new had resulted in such ridicule.
It wasn’t until he returned to Handan and showed his new walking technique to his own people that he realized his mistake. The people of Handan laughed at him as well, telling him that the unique walking style he had learned in Chu was actually a form of walking that was only used by the locals to traverse slippery and uneven terrain. They explained to him that the reason why the Chu people walked that way was due to the slippery nature of their local environment, and that their technique was simply a practical solution to their particular situation.
The man from Handan realized that he had made a mistake by blindly imitating the walking style of the Chu people without understanding its purpose. He learned that it was important to understand the context and reasons behind the actions of others before trying to imitate them.
The fable of 邯郸学步 has become a popular story in China, often taught to children as a lesson in critical thinking and the importance of not blindly following others without understanding the reasons behind their actions.
FOLKTALE OPTION 2:
The Monkey and the Crocodile, a well-known fable from Indian folklore
Once upon a time, there was a clever monkey who lived in a tree on the banks of a river. One day, a crocodile who lived in the river swam up to the tree and struck up a conversation with the monkey. The crocodile explained that he was very hungry and asked the monkey if he would be willing to share some of his delicious fruit.
The monkey was happy to oblige and began to toss down some of his finest fruits to the crocodile. But as the crocodile ate, he began to think about how much he would like to eat the monkey as well. So he asked the monkey if he could come aboard his back and swim across the river to another fruit tree on the opposite bank.
The monkey agreed, and as they swam across the river, he suddenly realized what the crocodile’s true intentions were. So he began to hatch a plan to outsmart the crocodile.
The monkey told the crocodile that he had left his heart back on the tree and that he needed to go back and get it before he could continue the journey. The crocodile agreed to wait and let the monkey go back to the tree. Once there, the monkey quickly climbed up to the top of the tree and began to taunt the crocodile from a safe distance.
The monkey told the crocodile that he had been foolish to trust him and that he would never return to his back again. The crocodile, feeling embarrassed and betrayed, swam back to his side of the river empty-handed.
And so the clever monkey had managed to outsmart the hungry crocodile and save himself from becoming his dinner. The story teaches us the value of wit and quick thinking in dangerous situations, and the importance of not trusting those who have ulterior motives.
yeehoopress.com/writing-competition/
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Pigeon Pages Fiction Contest
Pigeon Pages
DEADLINE: May 1, 2023
SUBMISSION FEE: $15
INFO: Previously unpublished fiction pieces of 3,000 words or less are eligible for this contest.
AWARD: The winner will receive $250 and publication in Pigeon Pages. Honorable mentions will receive $50 and publication.
JUDGE: This year’s judge is Chelsea Bieker, author of Heartbroke and Godshot.
GUIDELINES:
Multiple submissions are allowed.
We do accept simultaneous submissions, but please let us know if the submitted piece is accepted elsewhere.
Please do not include personal information on your piece, as submissions will be read blind.
All submissions will be considered for publication in the general journal.
pigeonpagesnyc.com/fiction-contest
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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio Inc.
DEADLINE: Rolling
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 Shinnecock’s history, the local landscape, community based work, and critical engagement in issues of diversity, race, and identity.
ELIGIBILITY: The Ma’s House Artist Residency is open to national and international BIPOC artists 21+ years of age. A variety of disciplines are accepted including, but not limited to: visual arts, media/new genre, performance, architecture, film/video, literature, interdisciplinary arts, and music composition. Solo artists or collaborative groups (up to three people) are welcome 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.
LOCATION: Ma’s House is located on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY (about two hours from NYC).
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 one month. 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.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Stellium
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Stellium centers Black queer and trans creatives. We still accept work from other Black and QTPOC creatives. We seek those emerging and established (with an emphasis on emerging).
What type of work do you accept?
Fiction - We welcome long- or short-form fiction. If you submit flash fiction (up to 2k words), you can submit up to three pieces of similar length. The sweet spot is around 2k to 5k words but we'll consider all lengths.
Nonfiction - We're seeking creative nonfiction submissions. Please note the following before submitting. We welcome personal essay, memoir, biography, autobiography, the Audre Lorde-invented “biomythography," new journalism or literary journalism, diary entries, and more. No academic papers. The sweet spot is around 1k to 4k words but we'll consider all lengths.
“The stories that only you can tell. Stories about your most closely-held revelations or your brightest lightbulb moments, whether about your own life or about the world at large or both. Those 2000-word-long musings scribbled in your Notes app between shifts? Those clever tweet threads that make you go “dang, Twitter should pay me for this”? Those are great places to start.” - former CNF editor Kim Wong-Shing
See work from Akwaeke Emezi in The Cut and from Brandon Taylor in them.
Prose poetry - We do not accept traditional poetry. Please note the following before submitting. Prose poetry is "not broken into verse lines, [but] demonstrates other traits such as symbols, metaphors, and other figures of speech common to poetry." Write in paragraphs and with a poetic flow, and we'll want to see it. Please submit a maximum of five poems.
“Think poetry without line breaks. Think a really poetic tweet without character limits. Think an expressive, detailed letter or e-mail to the homie. Think run-on sentences, runaway thoughts. Think IDGAF about punctuation all like that but I care about the feels & the mood & the setting & maybe i’mma slide in a slant rhyme or 2 or as many as necessary.” - former prose poetry editor Nefertiti Asanti
See [Kills bugs dead.] and Elliptical by Harryette Mullen.
Art - We accept high-quality scans of any original, visual art.
So how do I submit?
Please use the following format when submitting, otherwise, your entry may be discarded.
Craft an e-mail to submissions (at) stelliumlit.com
In the subject line, clarify your submission as genre: title, your name
example: “Fiction: Fifteen Little Birds, Janelle Doe”
In the body, please share:
your bio (any length) including your name, pronouns, and creative background
social media links or an alternative way to contact you outside of e-mail (to confirm you’re not a plagiarist)
submission summary (at least a sentence, even for art submissions)
answer: has this work been submitted elsewhere?
your submission as a DOCX or PDF attachment, or as a JPG or PNG for art submissions
within the e-mail body is fine but an attachment is preferred
no other file formats are accepted at this time
Do y’all pay?
We do! In the past, we’ve offered $50 for each accepted submission, even for art and poetry. However, we’re still in the running for grants and hope to offer more than that in the future. For now, you can expect our standard minimum payment and, if we’re able to offer more, we will announce it and update the text here. If you’d like to support us, feel free to make a contribution today via our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas.
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CARNEGIE FUND FOR AUTHORS
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Carnegie Fund for Authors awards grants to American authors who have been published by a mainstream publisher and who are in need of emergency funds.
ELIGIBILITY: The applicant must be an American author who has published at least one full-length work — fiction or nonfiction — that has been published by a mainstream publisher. Applicants cannot have eligibility determined by a work that they paid to have published. A work may have been published in eBook format only, or in hardcover or softcover format, or in more than one format.
If you believe you qualify for a grant, you should take the next step and register with the site. After you are registered with your email address and a password, you may then proceed to the Online Application section to fill out your application. Be sure to fill out the form completely. We do not want a box number but a street address. We want to know where you live.
An applicant must demonstrate need; the emergency may be because of illness or some other urgent need or emergency such as fire, flood, hurricane, etc. Documentation must be included with the application: a doctor’s letter or other proof of the emergency situation, such as the first two pages of the 1040 (redacted). If you have difficulty attaching documentation, email it to carnegiefundforauithors@gmal.com, and we’ll upload. But applicants who do not supply documentation cannot be considered.
If you have received a grant from Carnegie Fund within the past five calendar years, you cannot apply.
Once you complete your application, please keep in mind that the process can take a while. Before the pandemic, it often took at least six weeks for an application to be processed. We now cannot give out an estimate. Rest assured that we are working as quickly as we can, so please don’t slow us down further with emails. Do not contact us. That does not speed us up; it slows us down. We realize that it can be difficult to be patient, but please do so.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: We cannot accept applications without documentation. Please upload relevant files that can help us understand your need for a grant; you may submit a physician's letter, the first two pages of your 1040 (redacted), or other documentation. Do not send books, CVs, reviews, or manuscripts.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BLACK + BROWN ARTISTS
Emergent Literary
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Emergent Literary is a new journal that welcomes the work of Black and brown makers in all genres, as well as work that reaches across multiple genres or obscures the boundaries between them.
The work must be previously unpublished in print or online.
Before submitting, we ask that you take a look at our mission statement in order to get a sense of the journal.
Please send all submissions to editors@emergentliterary.com with the genre in all caps as the subject line, i.e. POETRY. If your work is multimedia or doesn’t exactly fit into one category, list MULTI as your genre. Feel free to include a short note in the body of the email, and your work as an attachment.
We’re cool with simultaneous submissions, just let us know by email if one or all of your pieces are accepted elsewhere!
We will try our best to get back to you within 6 months. We’re a small team! If you have not received a response by then, you can send us an email, but please wait until then to do so.
Poetry: Please submit three to five poems in a standard font. Please include page breaks between poems and clearly delineated titles.
Fiction, Creative Nonfiction and other narrative work (including reviews) Please submit up to 1500 words, double-spaced in a standard font.
Photography and Visual Art: Please submit up to four images as an attachment to your email with the title(s) of the work(s) as the file names.
Audio and Video: Please submit up to 7 minutes of video or audio, with audio files attached as .mp3 or mp4.
Recipes: Yes, please! If you have accompanying photographs, please attach them to the email.
We warmly welcome mixed/multimedia work!
We look forward to engaging with your work.
emergentliterary.com/submission-guidelines
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ESSAYS ON RADICAL HEALING
That’s No Longer My Ministry
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Hi! We’re journalists, editors and content creators Foram Mehta and Nadia Imafidon. And we’re teaming up to publish a first-of-its-kind anthology that aims to tell a different story about healing. As an extension to the evocative podcast series of the same name, the collection will tell the stories of marginalized folk in their own words about how they’re actively purging years of conditioning and the consequences of never being centered.
These stories acknowledge and move through trauma; they hold space for radical self-liberation and using “No.” as a complete sentence. They remind us: We don't have to hold onto the things that no longer serve us because that's no longer our ministry.
Publication Details
Accepted essays will be edited by us (Foram & Nadia) and curated together for a book that will be available for purchase as an e-book or as a paperback. Print copies of the book and one-hundred percent of proceeds from subsequent sales will be donated to Aakoma Project, an organization that aims to
Compensation
Writers whose essays are accepted for final publication will be credited with a byline in the book and a complimentary paperback copy of the completed anthology.
A note about writing for free: As writers ourselves, we know writers are highly underpaid and undervalued, but we also know the joy of contributing to a collaborative body of work for the sake of storytelling, for the sake of healing together. Everyone on this project (including us) is a non-paid contributor donating their time and work for the benefit of Aakoma Project.
We say this while also acknowledging that we live in a world that operates on money, and spending time to write for free is not a privilege afforded to everyone. That’s also why we’re asking for non-exclusive rights only to contributors’ essays (more details to be provided in the contributor’s agreement).
build the consciousness of youth of color and their
caregivers on the recognition and importance of mental health. They do this by offering free
therapy and workshops to youth and their families, helping to influence systems and services to
receive and address the needs of youth of color and their families.
Pitching Guidelines
We are seeking pitches for non-fiction first-person essays from people of color who hold identities that are marginalized. This includes but is not limited to:
LGBTQIA+
Immigrant/First-generation
Refugee
Indigenous
People with disabilities
When submitting your pitch, please include a brief bio and a link to your portfolio and/or first-person writing samples. We understand that not everyone will have a portfolio, so please send us something to give us an idea of your writing style.
Your pitch should include:
Working title
A summary of your story. (Tell us why you’re the person who needs to tell this story.)
We aim to get back to everyone who submits a pitch, but please allow us some time to respond, as we anticipate a full inbox! We will send contributor agreements to writers whose pitches we accept. Please, do not submit fully written essays.
Submit pitches to nolongermyministry@gmail.com. Editorial Guidelines
After we accept your essay pitch, writers should use the following writing guidelines: ● First-person reflections
○ Use this creative, non-fiction writing guide for reference
● Non-fiction
● English (with creative use of language)
● 8th grade reading level (When in doubt, keep it simple!)
● 1,500-3,00 words recommended
● AP Style (reference guide)
We’re interested in your story, but we acknowledge that your story will likely include other people in it. For that reason, we ask that if you’re mentioning someone by their name that you get their permission to do so or change the name.
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TORCH FRIDAY FEATURE
Torch Literary Arts
DEADLINE: Rolling
ENTRY FEE: $0
INFO: Torch Literary Arts welcomes submissions of original creative work by Black women writers. We are interested in work that challenges and disrupts preconceived notions of what contemporary writing by Black women should be. Your stories and poems are valuable and necessary. Write freely and submit what you are excited to share with the world.
Reading Period
Submissions are accepted for Friday Features only. We accept submissions on a rolling basis.
Simultaneous Submissions
Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
Manuscript Submission Guidelines
Include a one (1) page cover letter noting the title(s) of the work(s) submitted.
Upload your text submission as a Word (DOC, DOCX) or portable document format/PDF (PDF).
Typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced) pages.
Numbered pages.
Margins should be set at no less than 1” and no greater than 1.5”.
Poetry: submit up to five (5) poems totaling no more than eight (8) pages.
Fiction, Hybrid genre: 12-point font. No more than ten (10) pages or 2500 words (whichever is achieved first). Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained.
Drama/Screenwriting: submit one act or a collection of short scenes no longer than ten (10) pages. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained. Indicate if a performance video or dramatic audio reading will be available with the text submission if selected.
Restrictions
We do not reprint previously published work for TORCH Friday Features.
Submitting Online
We accept submissions via our online submission management system only. Submissions via postal mail or email will be discarded without response.
Notifications and Queries
Please allow up to three months for a decision. Using our online submissions system, you will be able to track the status of your submission.
Publication & Compensation
Publication is online at TorchLiteraryArts.org, unless expressly stated for special publications.
Authors whose work is selected for a Friday Feature will receive a $50 (US) payment for publication.
All rights revert back to the author after publication.
Awards
All work accepted for publication will be considered for nomination for internal and external awards such as The Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, etc.
torchliteraryarts.submittable.com/submit
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OPEN CALL: EYEBEAM CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF JOURNALISM
Eyebeam Center
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: The Eyebeam Center for the Future of Journalism (ECFJ) is a grant-making program that supports artists producing innovative and revelatory journalistic work for major media outlets.
The funds distributed to artists will assist with research, travel, and other expenses many media outlets struggle to cover, allowing stories that are often out of reach in today’s climate to be produced. And, in an effort to be responsive to an ever-fluctuating news cycle, artists will be able to apply to ECFJ for support of their work on a rolling basis. Artists with longer-term, research-intensive projects are also encouraged to apply. Grant support will range from $500 to $5,000.
All applicants must read the ECFJ Open Call page before applying: https://eyebeam.org/ecfj
Eligibility:
Individuals and collectives can apply. Collectives must have work samples that reflect a history of working together.
International applicants are welcome.
Applicants must have an existing commission letter from an editor.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
At this stage of the program, all applications must be in English.
Criteria
ECFJ is a grant-making program that financially supports artists producing innovative journalistic work for major media outlets. Artists applying must have demonstrated track record of working with major media outlets.
Artists creating work with a focus on the following issues are encouraged to apply:
Data privacy
2018/2020 elections
Role of technology in society
Political influence campaigns
Interrogating harmful technologies
Countering disinformation
Artificial Intelligence
Each applicant must provide:
300-word project description
Assignment letter from editor
A reference contact or letter of support
Two samples of past work
Detailed budget of expenses (travel costs, per diem and research costs are acceptable)
At this time, final pieces must be in English.
All applications should be in alignment with Eyebeam’s core values of:
Openness: All the work here is driven by an open-source ethos.
Invention: We build on old ideas to generate new possibilities.
Justice: Technology by artists is a move towards equity and democracy.
Equity and Inclusion: Eyebeam aims to create a hub for conversation and practice-sharing that is aware and responsive to systemic inequities in technology and invests in the meaningful inclusion of historically marginalized groups and voices. Eyebeam is committed to and values diversity in its organization and programs as defined by gender, race, ethnicity, disability-status, age, sexual orientation, immigrant status, and socioeconomic status. With a history rooted in innovation and collaboration Eyebeam’s programs are grounded in artist-community dialogue. Eyebeam supports the meaningful access to technology for everyone.
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CALL FOR IMMIGRANT WRITERS
ẹwà
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: ẹwà is an independent journal that publishes original work exclusively by immigrant writers — foreign-born and first-generation — living in the United States. We are interested in poetry, fiction, memoir, personal essay, lyric, hybrid forms as well as non-academic cultural criticism.
A few things:
Submissions are accepted year-round, on a rolling basis.
We do not accept previously published material (in print or online).
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please notify us right away if your work is accepted anywhere else.
We accept multiple submissions in all genres of writing. We also accept co-/multiple-authored works, but please make sure that appropriate permissions have been granted.
To submit, please send your work in a single document containing no more than six pages of writing to submit@ewajournal.com.
TERMS: ẹwà requests first rights, worldwide, and the right to include the work on the ẹwà website indefinitely. After publication, all rights revert to the author. Copyright always remains with the author. Should your work be republished elsewhere in the future, please credit ẹwà with its first publication. Our terms will be updated as necessary.
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Unmute Magazine
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Unmute Magazine, is a digital mag that aims to lift the voices of BIPOC creatives who’ve been historically marginalized.
They are accepting the following submissions (must be arts-related):
Album/EP or concert review (600-800 words).
A review of your own music or art including a discussion of the inspiration behind it (600-800 words).
Art-related how-to article (600-800 words).
Interviews (an introductory paragraph and five written questions).
Reflections / Essays (up to 1,500 words).
Song or poem including a discussion of the inspiration behind it (may submit up to four for review).
Photograph(s), illustrations, art (JPEG or PNG format).
Have your own idea? Please pitch it to us!
Please submit the following with your piece:
A third-person bio of up to 100 words.
(Optional) Photo as JPEG or PNG format for your bio.
(Optional) Up to 3 links to social media (i.e. Spotify, Soundcloud, website, Instagram, etc).
Submission Rules:
Written works and bio must be submitted in Word or Pages format
By submitting you agree to be considered for publication in Unmute Magazine.
Work must be original.
Unmute Magazine retains standard first publication rights for submissions. All rights immediately revert to the creator upon publication.
It may take several weeks for a response, but your submission will be read. If accepted, you will be notified.
By submitting to Unmute Magazine, you agree to be added to our mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Please email your submission to Submissions (at) unmutemagazine (dot) com