Here are 44 submission calls and contests for writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Themes include: border crossing narratives; botanicals; lost and found; crazy family; dogs; steampunk adventure; joy; work; romance; and ghost stories. Apart from these, there’s a short section at the end on unthemed grants, fellowships, and residencies, which are open for applications just now. And a few upcoming themed calls are also here.
THEMED SUBMISSION CALLS
Shenandoah: Border Crossing Narratives
This literary magazine is open for two weeks in September for fiction submissions on the theme of ‘Border Crossing Narratives’. The guidelines say, “Send us your stories of migrations, large and small, of crossings across multiple kinds of borders, physical, psychological, social, spiritual, temporal or theoretical. Send us stories that question who gets to create borders, whether on maps or on the body. How are borders enforced? What power dynamics shift when we cross them?” Hybrid forms are welcome. They accept comics year-round.
Deadline: 15 September 2021 for fiction; ongoing for comics
Length: Up to 6,000 words
Pay: $100 per 1,000 words for prose, up to $500; $50/page for comics, up to $500
Details here (guidelines) and here (Submittable).
Lackington’s: Botanicals
This magazine publishes speculative fiction. They want stories on the ‘Botanicals’ theme. Their guidelines say, “Plants and speculative fiction have always gone hand in hand. From healers to invasive species to the literal grotesque, botanical beings in fiction refuse to be ignored. Whether your thumb is green and you name every houseplant you own, or whether the thought of pollen turns your nose red, we want to read your stories. We’re fairly sure that “Botanicals” can go in any direction—but we’re hoping to be frightened, or educated, or mystified. Sentient plants are especially welcome!”
Deadline: 15 September 2021 (extended)
Length: Up to 5,000 words
Pay: CAD0.01/word
Details here.
Cricket Media: MUSE Magazine — Lost and Found; A Star is Born
Cricket Media’s Muse Magazine is a discovery (science, non-fiction) magazine for 9-14-year-olds. They publish feature articles (800–2,000 words, including sidebars), profiles and interviews, particularly of underrepresented STEM professionals (500–800 words), activities and experiments (500–800 words), photo essays (100–300 words), science fiction or science-focused fiction (800–1,200 words), and infographics. They are currently reading pitches two themes:
— Lost and Found: “What are the weirdest things in a lost and found office? Animals that were thought to be lost or extinct but surprised scientists; lost cities—finding Mayan cities in the jungle with radar, a comic legend for Atlantis; ships and planes that disappeared; people who disappear and suddenly reappear years later; searching for lost treasure; did pirates really bury their gold? Using forensics and technology on treasure hunts. Saxon hoards buried in fields; reconstructing things that have been lost with computer imagery. The first detectives. How to get found if you are lost in the woods.” Queries by 15 September 2021.
— A Star is Born: “Life cycle of a star. What are stellar nurseries? How long will our Sun last? Spectroscopy—how do we know what kind of star a little point in the sky is? Mythology: how did different cultures explain what stars are? How a star goes supernova. Solar wind. Astronomers debate: which is the best star?” Queries by 15 October 2021.
Pitch deadlines: 15 September 2021 for Lost and Found; 15 October 2021 for A Star is Born
Length: Various – see above
Pay: Unspecified
Details here.
Also see upcoming themes for Cricket Media’s ASK magazine, a nonfiction magazine about science and the world they live in, for children ages 7-10; they are reading pitches on Islands (pitch deadline 30 September), Wild in the City (pitch deadline 30 November), and other themes.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Ten themes
They accept themed true inspirational stories and poetry. See the end of the section on this publisher for links to theme details, guidelines, and submission portal.
— Angels: “Angels and miracles are all around us if we keep our eyes open. Have you experienced a divine intervention, answered prayer, or other miraculous occurrence courtesy of someone you think just might have been an angel. Do you have a guardian angel who seems to swoop in and help you when you need it?
We are looking for true personal stories about how an angel has touched your life – stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels.” They want work from writers of all faiths, including those that do not follow a particular religion. Deadline: 15 September 2021.
— Messages from Heaven: “When our loved ones leave this world, our connection with them does not end. Death takes away their physical presence, but not their spirits, and we often sense them after they have gone. Sometimes we see or hear from them after they’ve passed, and they give us signs and a spiritual link from beyond. We want to hear from you if you have experienced communication from the other side or received a sign or signal from a loved one who has passed. Has someone who has died come to you in a dream? Given you counsel or comfort? Have you gone beyond, but returned to life with new knowledge, insight, or awareness? Have you intuitively known the moment someone died?
This book is for everyone who has a story, whether religious or secular.” Deadline: 15 September 2021.
— Miracles: “Everyone has experienced events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment. These miraculous happenings are completely and totally unexplainable. Why did these amazing things happen? How did these surprising and bewildering things occur?
We want your true stories, both religious and non-religious, that will awe us with examples of amazing events.” Deadline: 15 September 2021.
— Grieving, Loss and Healing: “Grieving is a personal process with different stages we go through on the way to recovery after we have suffered a loss. … Sometimes the loss feels overwhelming and like the pain will never end. While the hurt and sadness never completely fade, they will ease with time and recovery will happen. This collection of emotional and inspirational stories will provide comfort, support, and peace to those who have lost someone close to them. What helped you the most when you were grieving? Who were the people who helped you and what did they do? When did you know that you had finally “turned the corner” and were on the road to recovery?” Deadline: 30 September 2022.
— Kindness: “It is so wonderful and heartwarming to hear stories about people who have gone out of their way to do something kind for someone without being asked. Just because it was the kind thing to do. … Has someone performed an act of kindness for you? How did it feel? Did you pay it forward and do something kind for someone else? … We are looking for true stories about acts of kindness that have happened to you or stories about a kindness that you performed for someone else.” 30 September 2021.
— Humorous Stories: “Share your funny stories about something that happened to you in your life – in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Did the other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding turn into a comedy of errors?” Writers must submit the story or poem using real names, but can use pen names if the work is selected for publication for this theme. Deadline: 30 November 2021.
— Counting Your Blessings: “Please share your stories about handling challenges in your life, finding the silver linings, and counting your blessings, whether the challenges you are facing are COVID-19 related or other kinds.
Stories can be serious or funny, but definitely should be inspirational and heartwarming. Attitude adjustments, finding contentment and gratitude, a new way of handling your daily life, and other great ideas to inspire readers to find their own paths to happiness and to remember to count their blessings every day are what we are looking for.” Deadline: 15 January 2022.
— Cats: “We want your true funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about all the simply amazing things that your cat does. What have you learned from your cat? How does your cat improve your life? What crazy things does your cat do? Has your cat ever done anything heroic? How does your cat warm your heart and make you smile? We want to hear all about the absurd antics, funny habits and insightful behavior of your cat.” Deadline: 15 March 2022.
— Dogs: “We want your true funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mindboggling stories about all the simply amazing things that your dog does. What have you learned from your dog? How does your dog improve your life? What crazy things does your dog do? Has your dog ever done anything heroic? How does your dog warm your heart and make you smile? .. Stories can be serious or humorous.” Deadline: 15 March 2022.
— Crazy Family: “We all have that certain someone in our own family who, while lovable, sweet, and caring, is also nutty or weird. We love that person but, at the same time, that family member makes us crazy! … We are looking for true stories and poems about those family members. We would like your stories to be silly, outrageous, hilarious, and make us laugh, but they should also show the kindness and caring of your family member too.” Writers must submit the story or poem using real names, but can use pen names and change names of family members if the work is selected for publication. Deadline: 30 April 2022.
Deadlines: 15 September 2021 for Angels, Messages from Heaven, and Miracles; 30 September 2021 for 2021 for Grieving, Loss, and Healing, and Kindness; 30 November 2021 for Humorous Stories; 15 January 2022 for Counting Your Blessings; 15 March 2022 for Cats, and Dogs; 30 April 2022 for Crazy Family
Length: Up to 1,200 words
Pay: $200, and contributor copies
Details here (theme details – scroll down), here (guidelines), and here (submission portal).
Reckoning 6: Climate justice
Reckoning is a magazine of climate justice, and they want submissions for their sixth issue – speculative fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and translations. They want fiction “that shatters, stretches, or realigns mainstream Western ideas about relationships between individual humans, humans as a whole, and all other members of our environment”; nonfiction stories “of environmental racism, of mental health intertwined with climate justice, of reckoning with systemic inequities during natural disasters, be they incisive or philosophical, bleak or hopeful, private or macrocosmic”; and poetry that deals with the questions of: “how does social justice impact the manifestations, understanding and assimilation of environmental justice? How are attitudes toward preservation influenced—or complicated by—cultural roots? How have civil rights exposed or strengthened breaches in the makeup of activism?”
They specially want work from anyone who has suffered the consequences, intended or otherwise, of dominant society’s systemic disconnect with and mistreatment of the natural world.
Deadline: 22 September 2021
Length: Up to 20,000 words for prose; 3-5 poems
Pay: $0.08/word for prose; $30/page for poetry
Details here (general guidelines) and here (theme details).
Madhouse Books: Clockwork Chronicles; Dark Secrets
They have fiction submission calls for two themes: a steampunk anthology, and a horror anthology.
— Clockwork Chronicles: “A steampunk adventure anthology. Journey through an alternate history, where steam and steel rule.
Welcoming stories of adventure, mystery, and romance set within a retro-futuristic alternative history of either the Victorian era or the American wild west.” Submit stories of 3,000-7,000 words. Deadline: 30 September 2021
— Dark Secrets: “We all have secrets. We all have dark stories and hidden truths we hide from others. But some secrets are darker than others.” They want “short, horror stories of sinister secrets and hidden evil. We are seeking stories of the evil of mankind. We are not seeking stories with paranormal elements. Think serial killers, secret identities, and hidden pasts.” Submit stories of 3,500-7,000 words. Deadline: 30 November 2021
Deadlines: 30 September for Clockwork Chronicles, 30 November 2021 for Dark Secrets
Length: 3,000-7,000 words for Clockwork Chronicles; 3,500-7,000 for Dark Secrets
Pay: $10
Details here.
Black Coffee & Vinyl: The City
This is a multimedia art project that incorporates literature –including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry – visual art, songs, and music around a theme. For the second of four installments of this project, they will explore the theme of “The City.” “We are seeking art, words, and sounds that explore, critique, celebrate and interrogate the urban landscape, culture and environment. The city, a place, should play a central role in the work and should be a central character or focus. We are seeking a diverse range of city representation from large cities to small, from real to imagined.”
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Length: Up to 2,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; up to three poems, or songs
Pay: $50
Details here.
Sword & Kettle Press: Corvid Queen Magazine – Feminist tales
They publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and hybrid works – original feminist tales, feminist retellings of traditional tales, and personal essays related to traditional tales, pieces based on or related to fairy tales, folklore, myths, legends, and pop culture. For this round they are specially interested in non-Western retellings, stories about gorgons, hybrid or multimedia pieces, personal essays, and classic fairy tale romances.
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Length: Up to 5,000 words
Pay: $5
Details here.
Kenyon Review: Work; Climate
This well-regarded literary magazine is reading submissions on two themes: Work, and Climate. They are also reading unthemed submissions. They publish fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays. They also read flash, and excerpts from larger works. Payment is upon publication.
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Length: Up to 7,500 words for prose; up to 6 poems; up to 30 pages for drama and excerpts from larger works
Pay: Unspecified
Details here.
Books and Bikes in Space
Submissions are open for the 10th annual Bikes in Space anthology, and the theme this time is books. The stories have to be about bicycling and books, from a feminist perspective. Their guidelines say, “Send your most creative tales of bicycle-powered interlibrary loan on the moon, characters who literally leap out of books and go for a ride, a two-wheeled revolution sparked by seditious literature, the competing stories of steampunk velocipedists, a manual for futuristic bike messengers, a literal rewriting of gender norms…” Stories can be in any speculative or fantastical genre — hard science fiction, space opera, epic fantasy, alternative history, paranormal romance, hope punk, modern fairy tales and anything around or in between. This anthology will be funded via Kickstarter.
Deadline: 1 October 2021 (extended)
Length: 1,000-6,000 words
Pay: At least $50
Details here.
The Last Line Literary Journal
They want fiction submissions, with the last line provided. For the forthcoming issue, it is: ‘Welcome to the family’. All stories should end with this line. They accept multiple submissions.
Deadline: 1 October 2021
Length: 300-5,000 words
Pay: $20-40
Details here.
Quill & Crow Publishing House: Grimm & Dread
They want deconstructed, twisted, or revamped tales inspired by the Brothers Grimm – “short stories … that give Grimm’s Fairy Tales a unique and creative twist – extra points for maintaining a Gothic feel. We are excited to see some of the less common stories come to life and even more excited to see some of the horrific aspects of the original tales come back in a fresh way.” They are looking for deconstructed Grimm’s tales, gothic horror, historical horror, dark folklore, gothic/macabre elements, and modern adaptations will be considered only if they maintain a Gothic feel. Also look at the list of things they are not looking for, including Young Adult and extreme horror.
Deadline: 5 October 2021
Length: 5,000-8,000 words
Pay: $40 and contributor copy for US-based authors; $45 and an eBook copy for non-US-based authors.
Details here.
(Also see these horror submission calls: From the Yonder: Volume III anthology – a horror, short story collection of regional legends and tall tales from around the world. Length 1,000-7,500 words; deadline 19 September 2021, pay $10; and Cicada’s Lament Literary Magazine: (re) birth – Southern Gothic/horror fiction and poetry only from marginalized creators, particularly Disabled and/or LGBTQIA+ folx, on the (re) birth theme. Length up to 5,000 words; deadline 1 October 2021; pay $5.)
Mirror, Mirror anthology
Submissions are open for a speculative fiction and poetry anthology titled ‘Mirror, Mirror’. Their guidelines say, “Mirrors can be truth-tellers, wish-granters, face-concealers, illusion-makers, even monster-summoners. Maybe the mirror shows an evil twin, or an echo of the life that should have been. Or a portal to another world.
What happens when it shatters? … You’ve read the classic stories. Now write the lore you’ve always wanted to read. Reflect in your own creative mirror, informed by your roots, culture, and background. Imagine a canon of diverse characters for today’s readers to love and loathe. Tell us new stories, fables, folklore, and fairy tales about mirrors, real or metaphorical. What do you see, and what looks back at you?” They want fantasy, science fiction, horror, magical, history, and romance elements, and are open to classic or genre-bending, grim or whimsical. Stories must be PG-13.
Deadline: 15 October 2021
Length: Up to 5,000 words
Pay: $0.06/word
Details here.
Fat Coyote Literary Arts: Neurodivergent Voices
This is a new literary magazine that showcases the work of neurodivergent artists; writers have to be neurodivergent to contribute. They accept fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, as well as art and photography.
Deadline: 15 October 2021, or until filled
Length: Up to 6,000 words for prose, up to 3 poems
Pay: $0.03/word, up to $120, for prose; $1/line, up to $70, for poetry; up to $120 for comics
Details here (guidelines) and here (Duosuma submission manager).
Escape Pod: Joy
This science fiction online magazine and podcast wants submissions on the ‘Joy’ theme in September and October; they will resume accepting unthemed science fiction submissions from 1 November 2021. They also accept reprints.
Deadline: 31 October 2021 for the ‘Joy’ theme
Length: 1,500-6,000 words (up to 18,000 words for reprints)
Pay: $0.08/word
Details here (guidelines), here (schedule), and here (submission portal).
(Another magazine from the Escape Artists suite, PseudoPod, is open for horror fiction and reprints until 13 September – Details here.)
United Faedom Publishing: Romance anthologies
They are looking for submissions for three romance fiction anthologies: Cozy Romance (YA/clean adult), LGBTQ+ Romance (adult, mild erotica if desired), and Romantic Fantasy (adult, mild erotica).
Deadlines: 1 November 2021 for all themes
Length: 8,000-10,000 words
Pay: $20
Details here.
Worlds Enough: Fantastic Detectives
This is a fiction anthology about fantasy detectives. Their guidelines say, “This new anthology is targeted at those stubborn individuals who just won’t let crimes go unsolved. They could be members of the City Guard, soldiers, magicians, or anything else…but they all have one thing in common. They’ll do whatever it takes to find the answers they need.” They want stories about crimes in fantasy settings, ranging from “second world” settings to urban fantasies. Stories can have other elements such as romance, humor, action…but should primarily be about dealing with a crime (a theft, kidnapping, murder, etc.). Since these are fantasy stories, magic should be featured in some fashion. It can be: used in committing the crime, used in solving the crime, the reason for the crime, an intrinsic capability of a character, or something else.
Deadline: 30 December 2021
Length: 5,000-15,000 words
Pay: $20
Details here and here.
Workers Write! Tales from the Key of C
They want fiction and poetry from the music industry – “about music teachers, singer/band members, band managers, roadies, conductors, DJs, studio musicians, anyone who makes money making music”, according to their guidelines.
Deadline: 31 December 2021 (or until filled)
Length: 500-5,000 words
Pay: $5-50
Details here.
Imaginary Comma: Thirteen – Horror and Ghost Stories
Thirteen is an audio-drama/audio fiction podcast specializing in feature length (~ one hour) productions that are characterized by slow-burn, atmospheric stories horror and ghost stories. Stories with a first person central narrator and supporting characters work best for their format, as do well-crafted stories, full of atmosphere and compelling settings, that take their time getting to the scares. Also, “Submissions of 5,000 words or more are most likely to be selected for wide release. Shorter submissions may be selected for special double feature episodes or episodes exclusive to Patreon supporters and other financial supporters of Imaginary Comma. Any submission that is selected for production, regardless of platform, will be paid.” Pay is unspecified, and they’re open now for submissions.
Deadline: Open now
Length: Unspecified – but submissions of 5,000 words or more are most likely to be selected for wide release (see above)
Pay: Unspecified
Details here.
THEMED CONTESTS
(Also see the special section on grants and fellowships at the end.)
Hektoen Grand Prix Essay Competition
Hektoen is a journal of medical humanities. They want an essay of under 1,500 words. Their guidelines say, “Topics might include art, history, literature, education, etc. as they relate to medicine. In order to ensure the receipt of a wide variety of articles, we have decided to exclude those dealing with COVID 19 from this contest. We have many articles on medical history, so please search for your topic to see if it has been extensively covered before submitting an article.” Read the guidelines carefully – submission of an article implies consent to publish in Hektoen International; also, “…an article may be published at any time regardless of the outcome of the competition. If major edits are made, proofs will be sent to the authors before publication.”
Value: $5,000; $2,500
Deadline: 15 September 2021
Open for: All writers
Details here.
2021 Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize
The annual Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize is dedicated to the discovery of exceptional chapbook-length manuscripts by Black poets (25-30 pages – see guidelines). Apart from a cash award and publication, the winner also gets a residency at The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel in Miami, and a a featured virtual reading at the O, Miami Poetry Festival.
Value: $1,000, residency
Deadline: 15 September 2021
Open for: Black poets
Details here.
Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship
This is for fiction writers who were born in Africa or both of whose parents were born in Africa. Writers of non-fiction can also apply, and receive additional funds at the discretion of the foundation panel. Writers are asked to donate a percentage of earnings from sales of what they have written in the scholarship period to the Miles Morland Foundation – a moral obligation, though not a legally binding one. The money is paid monthly over a course of a year. For non-fiction writers, additional funds can be made available, and given over a period of 18 months.
Value: £18,000 for fiction writers, possible additional funds for non-fiction writers
Deadline: 18 September 2021
Open for: African writers
Details here.
Beechmore Books: Perspective
Beechmore is a London-based design studio that makes notebooks. They want fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for a contest, on the theme of ‘Perspective’. Their guidelines say, “Everyone’s perspectives have all been altered this year. Priorities have been re-orientated, the importance of connection and community has been highlighted like never before and many people’s world views have shifted, choosing to slow down, and re-evaluate what’s important in life.” Apart from cash prizes, the winners will also receive Beechmore journals.
Value: £200; £100
Deadline: 25 September 2021
Open for: Unspecified
Details here.
Ayn Rand Institute: Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
This is an international essay contest for students. It is for 12th graders, college undergraduates and graduate students. Write an essay of 800-1,600 words on one of three specific topics centred around Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged — click on ‘Topics’ under the ‘Atlas Shrugged’ tab. (Submissions are also open for student contests centered around Anthem and The Fountainhead, with deadlines next year.)
Value: $10,000, three prizes of $2,500 each, five prizes of $500 each
Deadline: 27 September 2021
Open for: All 12th graders, college undergraduates and graduate students
Details here.
The César Egido Serrano Foundation VI International Short Tales Contest
This is a popular international microfiction contest. Writers who are over 14 years old can send up to two stories of up to 100 words each. And though the competition is open under a slogan, writers do not have to send themed entries. Entries can be in Spanish, English, Arabic or Hebrew; apart from the main prize, the best stories in the remaining three languages will get $2,000 each. Please read the terms carefully – the audience plays a big role in longlisting entries.
Value: $20,000; three prizes of $2,000 each
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Details here and here.
The Writers College: My Writing Journey Competition
They want a 600-word piece on ‘The best writing tip I’ve ever received’. The contest is open to writers all over the world.
Value: AUD200/£100
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Open for: All writers
Details here.
International Human Rights Arts Festival: Two awards
They have two awards for writers.
— Creators of Justice Literary Awards: They want submissions of fiction (up to 2,500 words), essays, and poetry that celebrates justice – writers can send one submission in each category. Their guidelines say, “This ideal may be imagined in any manner in which the writer sees fit, however, it must be based in our signature values of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability and engagement. We do not publish work or engage with artists whose work is based in anger, or stems from an “us v. them” mentality.”
Value: $150, $100, $50 each for fiction, essays, and poetry
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Details here.
— Art of Unity Creative Award: They accept literary (poetry; essays and short stories under 2500 words); video; music; dance; performance or visual work around the theme: “Never again: Remembering to heal and overcome. The most important hallmark of Holocaust remembrance and education is the phrase ‘never again.’ Unfortunately, tribal divisions, ethnic cleansing and genocides continue in the 21st Century. We are looking for submissions in any creative media (which can be exhibited online), and which highlight aspects of human unity, and positive cross-pollination between groups, ethnicities, religions and/or nations.” Each writer can send in one submission.
Value: $150, $100, $50
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Details here.
Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest
They want a short story on any theme. Stories should ideally be up to 3,000 words, though those up to 5,000 words are accepted. Readers of the magazine are interested in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Their newsletter subscribers include publishers, artists, musicians, and fellow writers. Their guidelines say, “While your writing should appeal to a reader with these interests and in these creative professions, all story themes are considered.”
Value: $100
Deadline: 30 September 2021
Open for: All writers
Details here.
Speculative Literature Foundation: Working Class Writers Grant
This grant is to help writers of speculative literature. This grant is awarded annually to assist working class, blue-collar, poor, and homeless writers, and writers from these backgrounds, who have been historically underrepresented in speculative fiction due to financial barriers. Unlike their other grants, writers may receive this grant anonymously or pseudonymously. They have other grant submission periods coming up – for the Gulliver Travel Research Grant, and the A C Bose Grant for South Asian/South Asian Diaspora writers.
Value: $1,000
Open for: All writers
Details here (grant details) and here (schedule for all grants).
The Furious Gazelle’s 2021 Halloween Writing Contest
The Furious Gazelle literary magazine wants submissions of Halloween-themed poetry, fiction, short plays, and creative non-fiction. Each writer can submit either one short story (max 4,000 words) or up to three shorter pieces (any combination of flash pieces / poems is ok as long as they don’t exceed 3 submissions). Poems shouldn’t exceed one page; flash pieces should be capped at 1,500 words each.
Value: $50; $5
Deadline: 1 October 2021
Open for: All writers
Details here.
The Perito Prize
They want fiction of 1,000-2,000 words, centred around the theme of accessibility, inclusion, diversity & inclusive environments. Apart from the cash prize, the winner will also receive mentoring, as will the runners-up. Commended stories will be included in an anthology. Submission is via the Zealous platform.
Value: £500
Deadline: 1 October 2021
Open for: All writers
Details here.
A couple of contests with later deadlines are: the 2022 Commonwealth Short Story Prize (a contest for writers from the Commonwealth – send a piece of short fiction of 2,000-5,000 words. They take entries in several languages apart from English. The top prize is £5,000, and the deadline is 1 November 2021); the Philosophy Essay Prize (the theme this year is Self and Society; send essays of up to 8,000 words. The prize is £2,500, and the deadline is 1 December 2021); and the ECW Press Best New Speculative Novel Contest (for a speculative fiction novel of 40,000-150,000 words by a Canadian writer; the prize is CAD3,000, and the deadline is 31 October 2021).
UNTHEMED GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS
Apart from the couple of themed grants in the list above, there are several other grants/fellowships/residencies accepting applications now for writers of various disciplines. There are major ones, which pay up to $80,000+:
— the Radcliffe Fellowship at Harvard University (deadline 9 September, pays $78,000);
— the Princeton Arts Fellowship, a two-year program with teaching duty attached; you can apply for this twice in a lifetime (deadline 14 September, pays $86,000 per year);
— the Hodder Fellowship at Princeton University (deadline 14 September, pays $86,000);
— the Guggenheim Fellowships for US and Canadian citizens (deadline 17 September);
— the Cullman Center Fellowship (deadline 24 September, pays $75,000);
— Getty Scholar Grants (deadline 1 October, pays $21,500-65,000);
— the Canada Council for the Arts’ Explore and Create Grants for Canadians (deadline 6 October, pays up to CAD25,000), and
— the Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship for US-born poets (deadline 15 October 2021, pays approximately $62,500).
There are also some other grants/residencies for writers, which, while extremely competitive, may not be quite as competitive as the ones above:
— the Stiftung Künstlerdorf Schöppingen Scholarship for various disciplines, including art and literature (deadline 15 September, residency at Schöppingen, Germany, pays €1,500 per month less rental and operational costs);
— the Fulbright Scholarships for US citizens, the largest program of its kind in the US, awarding over 800 fellowships annually, to teach, research and conduct professional projects in more than 135 countries for various disciplines, including journalism – see here for the list of projects/awards for the upcoming cycle (deadline 15 September);
— the Fondation Jan Michalski Residencies for Writers for all types of writers engaged in literary creation; priority to writers and translators, but also open to any other discipline as long as writing is at the heart of the project; collaborators can apply in pairs (deadline 21 September, residency at Montricher, Switzerland, pays round-trip travel, CHF1,200 per month);
— the Camargo Core Program for artists (including writers, playwrights and translators) and scholars/thinkers, to think, create and connect; applicants should have a publication and/or grant track record (deadline 1 October 2021, residency at Cassis, France, pays $250/week and basic travel);
— the Art Omi residencies for published writers and translators of every type of literature – fiction, non-fiction, theater, film, poetry, etc. (deadline 15 October 2021; residency at Ledig House, overlooking the Catskill Range; accommodation, food, local transport and public programming provided).
Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She is the author of 182 Short Fiction Publishers. She can be reached here.
