July 31, 2023

22 Memoirs that Every Aspiring Memoir Author Should Consider Reading

As a writer, I’m a firm believer that you should also be a reader. I think the best way to learn the craft of writing is to read. I also believe that it’s important to be well-read in your chosen genre. It’s easier to pick up the tools of that genre if you are reading…

July 27, 2023

Golden Storyline Books: Now Accepting Manuscript Queries

Note: Usually we keep our updates in chronological order starting with the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom but because of the amount of updates required here, and their relationship to each other, we’ve condensed and reorganized all the updates to go here. The latest update for this note, is…

Cape Magazine: Now Seeking Submissions

Cape Magazine in an online publisher of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and everything in between. They delight in both traditional forms and experiments that aren’t defined by genre: “We have no genre expectation, just send us something that is utterly you.” They publish all forms and styles of writing, and they love discovering unheard voices: “from…

3 Mistakes That Eventually Led to a Small Press Contract

By Jean Burgess If you are one of those “full steam ahead” types, who are too impatient to learn from your mistakes, then stop reading now. However, if you are willing to learn how, as a novice fiction writer, I made a few major mistakes and still ended up landing a contract with a small…

How to Make Your Emotional Scenes Believable and Engaging

By Emily-Jane Hills Orford Are you writing a tear-jerker scene? Or a passionate love scene? How about something humorous? Emotions are a powerful tool to engage readers. You want them laughing, crying and getting involved with the characters. What are some of the techniques you can use to embellish the emotions? From asking the famous…

July 24, 2023

31 Publishers that Accept Direct Submissions of Speculative Fiction

Speculative fiction is generally defined as a genre of fiction where the setting is not in the world as we know it because of supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements. Three genres are covered by this umbrella term: Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. This term is used to cover work that doesn’t fit exactly in one…

July 20, 2023

White Cresset Arts Journal: Now Seeking Submissions

White Cresset is a new journal of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and writing that defies genre boundaries. A cresset is a metal container that holds something flammable, like oil, and is burned as a light. In the same way, White Cresset aims to be, “the fuel and receptacle for your flames.” They’re looking for intense,…

Blue Star Press: Accepting Proposals

Updated August 1st, 2024 Blue Star Press is based out of Bend, Oregon, and is distributed by Penguin Random House Publisher Services. The work they publish includes work focused “on the arts, creative processes, wellness, and witty non-fiction”. They were founded in 2015 in San Antonio Texas. They link to press coverage about their books…

How to Use Reels & Shorts to Grow Your Author Platform

by Syris Valentine Whether you’re pursuing indie or traditional publishing, practically every author needs their own platform to help market their books. The world of author marketing can be overwhelming at times. Even when you’re only concerned with social media, there’s a lot to decide. Do you choose Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or any of…

Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Writers this July

This list of publishers meet our guiding principles, but are only open to free submissions from historically underrepresented writers or focus on publishing content produced by historically underrepresented writers. Some of these publications are open to a wide range of writers including writers of color, gender non-conforming and LGBTQ+ writers, and those living with disabilities….

July 16, 2023

29 New Literary Journals

These are new literary journals – they published their first issue roughly a year ago, or less; a few are reading for their inaugural issues now. They publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry, as well as other genres like cross-genre and drama, and are a mix of literary and genre magazines. Some of these magazines pay writers….

July 13, 2023

Spare Parts Literary Magazine: Now Seeking Submissions

Spare Parts is an online literary magazine of poetry, fiction, plays, and novel excerpts. They aim to showcase writing that doesn’t fit elsewhere, and authors that feel like outsiders: “Spare Parts Lit was born out of the hopelessness of feeling like a spare part.” They hope to reframe the rejection that authors often experience as…

Flyaway Books: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Flyaway Books is a children’s book publisher focused only on children’s picture books. The focus of their books is on “diversity, inclusivity, compassion, care for each other, and care for our world”. They are an imprint of Westminster John Knox Press which is part of the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, but many of the books that…

10 Fellowships, Grants and Other Opportunities This July 2023

by NmaHassan Muhammad This list ranges from fellowships, grants, residency to internships, scholarships and mentorship. Some deadlines are fast approaching while a few are farther out. Before you apply to these opportunities, however, please read carefully the requirements and eligibility. Boston Review Fall Editorial Internship (full- and part-time) Fall editorial internships at Boston Review run…

Writing Tips that Help Me Sleep: Plus Thoughts From Other Authors

By Tom Vandel I started writing because I couldn’t sleep. I’d lie awake at night thinking of a story (mine was about getting lost in Montana) and my mind would conjure and ponder and wonder what if, what if, on and on, until I realized I had to write the damn thing in order to…