May 15, 2024

Spurl Editions: Now Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Updated June 13th 2024, due to an influx of submissions they are not currently open to submissions. Their tagline is “publishers of unusual literature”. On their About page they add the additional context, including the context that they are “specializing in works fitting for our current decrepit and apocalyptic world”. They have previously published a…

May 13, 2024

9 Exciting New Literary Journals (May 2024)

In my experience, there are many reasons to seek publication in journals that have been around for less than a year. When a literary journal is new, the editors tend to be a lot more passionate. I have gotten handwritten thank you cards from editors of new publications, something that has never happened when my…

May 9, 2024

The Orange & Bee: Now Seeking Submissions

Updated May 21st 2024: They closed to submissions before their deadline which is unfortunate. They reopen in August. The Orange & Bee is an online publication that aims to, “explore, expand on, and subvert the rich traditions of international folklore, including fairy tales, fables, myths, and legends.” They primarily publish fiction, poetry, and hybrid writing,…

81 Opportunities for Historically Underrepresented Authors in May 2024

We try to make it as clear as possible who the publisher is seeking work from. Sometimes the focus of the press is limited, even though there are no limitations on who can submit. A few of the opportunities are also limited by geography, again, we try to make this clear. There are always additional…

Press Box Books: Now Accepting Book Proposals

Press Box Books is an imprint of North Star Editions. North Star Editions is a Minnesota-based publishing company that publishes fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults. They have two other imprints that we reviewed in the past, Jolly Fish and Flux. None of their other imprints are regularly open to submissions.  Press Box…

How to Generate Plot Ideas for Flash Fiction

Ratika Deshpande My main struggle with writing fiction has always been coming up with a plot. I believe in writing the kind of stories one likes to read, but it’s not always easy to actually put that into practice. For example, I love reading about fantasy shops, scholars, palaces, and small villages. Yet it wasn’t…

May 6, 2024

35 Themed Submission Calls and Contests for May 2024

These are themed calls and contests from 35 outlets for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry; a few outlets have more than one call, and a few calls are for a limited demographic. Some call themes are: time travel; nightlife; food; tenacity; girlhood; howl (werewolves); bite; and strange mixology. THEMED CALLS Celestial Echo Press: Ruth’s and Ann’s…

May 2, 2024

5 Paying Literary Magazines to Submit to in May 2024

These magazines publish fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. They’re a mix of literary and genre magazines. Not all of them are open through the month. The Stinging FlyThis well-regarded Ireland-based magazine will open for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry later in May. They also accept translations. Please see their submission FAQ. Their submission portal will open when…

Tilbury House: Accepting Manuscript Submissions

Tilbury House is a press based out of Maine that publishes children’s books including board books, beginning readers, picture books and middle grade titles. They have published some very successful children’s books, including Talking Walls, Sheila Says We’re Weird, and Playing War. Each has a focused message involving a social issue. You can get a…

Moonday Mag: Now Seeking Submissions

Moonday Mag is a new print and online publication of “fantastically strange” writing. They publish science fiction, fantasy, magical realism, and more: “We’re interested in all things wondrous, fantastic, curious, strange, otherworldly, and chilling.” They welcome all voices, and they are especially interested in showcasing emerging and underrepresented writers. Moonday Mag plans to publish four issues…

How I Turned My First Short Story Acceptance Into Four More Publications

By Dannye Chase Three years ago, on a bright April day, I finally got up the courage to hit “send” on my first story submission, for Improbable Press’s Dark Cheer: Cryptids Emerging anthology. (Well, okay, technically I made my spouse hit “send” for me.) When the reply came, it took a moment for the word…