August 4, 2022

Bluemoose Books: Now Accepting Manuscript Queries

Bluemoose Books is an award winning independent publisher based in the UK. It was founded by Kevin and Hetha Duffy. For a small press, the books they have published have gone on to win major prizes, including the Walter Scott Prize, Portico Literature Prize, and many more have been long and shortlisted. They are a…

Querencia: Now Seeking Submissions

Querencia is a small independent publisher of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid writing. They aim to showcase writing that has been overlooked by other publishers, especially writing that has been ignored for speaking too loudly. “We want to create a safe space for writers and artists to share their stories,” the editors say. They publish…

How to Write a Great Opening Line

By Ashley Taylor Clark It’s impossible to overstate how important your opening line is. It’s your first opportunity to introduce readers to your story and motivate them to keep reading, meaning the pressure is on to make that first line stand out. You’ve most likely been told to “hook” your readers — to get them…

August 1, 2022

35 Themed Submissions Calls for August 2022

These are themed submission calls and contests for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Some themes are: creepy railway tales; cats; dogs; funny stories; from the depths (sea fantasy and intrigue); ominous visitors from deep space; speculative humor; nostalgia; oceans; joy is resistance; unravel; and Sherlock Holmes. Please see this list for a few more upcoming deadlines….