October 13, 2022

Cider Mill Press: Now Accepting Manuscript Proposals

UPDATED August 11, 2023. They now appear permently closed to submissions. Cider Mill Press was an independent publisher of cookbooks,  humor books, children’s books and a variety of nonfiction related to alcohol.  In  late 2022 Harper Focus acquired Cider Mill Press. Most of what they publish could be loosely categorized as “gift books”. They are…

Invisible City: Now Seeking Submissions

Invisible City is an online journal of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, produced by the MFA in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco. They like writing that, “makes the unseen seen, examining the world through previously unconsidered perspectives and angles.” They especially like to showcase emerging authors, and authors who identify with underrepresented groups….

21 Opportunities Writers for October 2022

This is a list of opportunities for writers, including a free writers conference in Japan, a job opening for an editorial assistant, many fellowships, and other great opportunities. Please note that some deadlines are fast approaching. The 2023 Open City Fellowship The Open City Fellowship is a unique opportunity for six emerging Asian American, Muslim,…

An Accidental Novelist

By Sarah Martin Of all the different kinds of writing I’ve practised over the years, novel writing is the most exhilarating. That’s partly because things don’t always turn out the way you planned. My writing life began with school reports where careful diplomacy ran a fine line between avoiding motherhood statements or being hurtful, and…

October 10, 2022

30 Mystery Publishers that Accept Direct Submissions (No Agent Required)

“Nobody reads a mystery to get to the middle. They read it to get to the end. If it’s a letdown, they won’t buy anymore. The first page sells that book. The last page sells your next book.” MICKEY SPILLANE Mystery is one of those genres that over the years has managed to accumulate a…

October 6, 2022

5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in October 2022

These magazines pay for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Not all of them are open through the month. Nightmare This is an award-winning magazine of horror and dark fantasy. They also publish nonfiction and poetry. They have opened a brief reading period for short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Deadline: 8 October 2022 for general submissions,…

Autofocus: Now Seeking Submissions

Autofocus publishes autobiographical writing. They launched in 2020 as an online journal and podcast, and in 2022 they also become a small press, Autofocus Books. Autofocus Lit Mag is published on a rolling basis. They post new content online frequently, averaging about 12 to 15 new published pieces each month. The lit mag is attractively…

Cleis Press: Now Accepting Manuscript Queries

Updated October 9th 2023, They are currently open only to agented submissions. I’m not sure if this is a permanent change or a temporary one. Cleis Press is the largest independent sexuality publishing company in the United States, and they focus on LGBTQ, BDSM, romance, and erotic writing for all sexual preferences. They publish LGBTQ+…

3 Questions to Answer Before Your Inciting Event

By Ashley Taylor Clark Story beginnings are infamously difficult to write. Since most major story beats don’t happen until the second act, many writers are left floundering with what feels like slow, tedious detail as they attempt to write their opener. If you’re a plotter, you may have even sought out templates or other tips…

Rock the Mic: Giving a Poetry Reading They Will Remember

By Allison Whittenberg Readings are everywhere: in coffee houses and cafes. Bookstores and libraries. Museums and art galleries. Colleges and universities. Chances are  wherever you live, you are within a stones throw or at the very most, driving distance from a reading. Perhaps the spotlight is on you this  time around. Here are some tips…