Color Your Autumn with Great Lit!
NewPages Newsletter #150 Featuring 47 Submission Opportunities & Upcoming Events
Happy Monday! I hope you had a restful weekend and if you live in a part of the country that is alive with autumn’s colors, that you got a chance to step back, step out, and enjoy the beauty before it disappears. If you are also in an area with unseasonably warm weather for October, take your writing and reading outside to enjoy some sunshine, great literature, or be inspired! As always, NewPages is here to help you with your reading and submission goals.
First off, our October 2024 eLitPak was sent to our current newsletter subscribers last week with flyers featuring priority deadlines for writing programs, writing contests, book prizes and awards, and more from University of North Carolina - Greensboro MFA, Alternating Current Press, December Magazine, Caesura Poetry Workshop, the National Indie Excellence Book Awards, Colorado Review, Ashland Poetry Press, Third Street Review, and Black Fox Literary Magazine.
This week on the Magazine Stand, you can discover more about fledgling literary journal DisLit Youth Literary Magazine. Providing a new open access online platform to share the power of writing, DisLit is a magazine with a mission to empower youth with disabilities or mental/physical illness. You can view their full feature as part of the New Lit on the Block series on October 23.
“Writing is important because of the voices represented through its art,” says DisLit Youth Literary Magazine Founder and Editor-in-Chief Miley Weiner. “Writing is a way that people, for centuries, have been able to communicate with one another and express themselves. Even in times long ago when people were separated from their loved ones, writing brought them closer together again. Writing can act as a bridge in people’s lives in whatever form that may be, and because of that, the power of words cannot be denied.”
If you are looking for some book recommendations, head on over to the Book Stand where you can learn about new and forthcoming titles primarily from indie and university presses. With football season officially underway, Detroit Lions, An Illustrated Timeline by award-winning reporter Dave Birkett is a perfect book for football lovers! Birkett vividly recounts the most important people, games and moments of the franchise’s first 90 seasons, from the early days of Earl “Dutch” Clark, the team’s first superstar, to the 10 Hall-of-Famers who played for the team in the ‘50s, to the spine-tingling performances of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson and the team’s resurrection under beloved head coach Dan Campbell.
On October 25, discover Joe Taylor’s Persephone’s Escalator! This is a title perfect to read this spooky season! The world is all we know, claims the philosopher Wittgenstein. But Professor Dean Kirby is painfully learning this is not so, for his new neighbor in the mid-state swamps of Florida has turned his wife into a zombie, has turned him into something taunted by a darkly evil alter ego, and she has driven his son into suicidal insanity.
Looking for even more book recommendations? Head on over to the blog for a bevy of book reviews to help you pick your next read. Jami Macarty reviews Ali Blythe’s third collection of poems, Stedfast, which takes John Keats’s last sonnet and “reconceives and transforms” it into “a book-length nocturne” of love poems. Macarty also reviews Barbara Tran’s Precedented Parroting which tackles memories specific and unique to a Vietnamese family, their immigration, and the anti-Asian sentiments and violence they survive/d.
Kevin Brown dives into Matthew Desmond’s title Poverty, By America, a title he believes should be a recommended read for the next US President, whoever that may be. In his book, Desmond lays out a solid argument that the poverty in America isn’t accidental, and it isn’t a result of laziness on the part of those who are poor. Instead, poverty is due to a concerted effort by politicians and corporations.
Eleanor J. Bader tackles Carrie N. Baker’s Abortion Pills: US History and Politics which takes place at the intersection of public health and political posturing and is even more relevant with the overturn of Roe in 2022 with information on abortion pills, public access to them in the US, and the growing numbers using them.
Come back to the NewPages Blog throughout the week for more reviews of Robert Colman’s Ghost Work, Joel Edward Goza’s Rebirth of a Nation: Reparations and Remaking America, Song of the Ground Jay: Poems by Iranian Women 1960 to 2023, and Robin Bernstein’s Freeman’s Challenge.
Inspiration
Last week I shared a personal photograph I took with my cell phone as I did not have enough notice to try to get my Nikon setup for an evening photo shoot of Northern Lights. Living in Michigan’s lower peninsula and out in the country, Northern Lights are actually not a phenomenon I am used to seeing, although my aunt has said she remembers seeing them in years past when she was younger. I do know that the lights are stronger at the poles, but I was completely unprepared for the fact that you cannot actually see the lights well with the naked eye depending on your location.
My eyes picked up on the green portions of the aurora but could not even register it as color as it appeared more like an odd cloud or lighter streak in the sky. When taking the photograph and looking back at it, I was amazed by the wider spectrum of colors. Being out later at night, it was even eerier as there was a clear and fast-moving display of light and shadow, but obviously with no cars passing by or clouds over the moon to create such an effect.
Did you get to actually see the Northern Lights in your area for the first time? Were you able to pick up more colors with your bare eyes or a telescope? Are you one of the lucky ones who will see the lights this week? What inspiration can the lights have on your writing? Will they inspire a poem, or an eerie short story about the flickering and ghostly waves in the sky? Will seeing them in person make you research more into their origins and ability to see them and create a new essay?
Calls, Contests, & More
Below are this week’s writing contests, calls for submissions, and literary and writing events. Enjoy 47 opportunities to get your work published or to enhance your writing craft. Please note: only paid subscribers get access to this information usually! You can become a paid subscriber for only $5 a month and get early access to submission opportunities and events before they go live on our site. This week, we are offering up the submissions and events portion to all subscribers.
Events
Apply Now for the Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Join the 2025 Looking Glass Rock Writers’ Conference next May 15-18 to explore “A Sense of Place.” Conference faculty Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, Terrance Hayes, and Elizabeth Rush will lead immersive fiction, poetry, and nonfiction writing workshops to nurture your creativity and expand your writing. Hosted by the Transylvania County Library Foundation and Brevard College in the scenic mountains of western North Carolina, the conference features selective workshops (limited to 12 participants) and community readings. Scholarships are available, and acceptance is based on manuscript evaluation. Apply for free. For more details, visit our website.
Calls for Submissions
Submit to Ploughshares! Our Reading Period Is Open Until January
Deadline: January 15, 2025 at 12PM EST
Ploughshares is dedicated to finding and promoting the best contemporary voices in literature. Send us your poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and longform works by January 15, 2025 for the chance to appear in a future issue of the journal! Read our guidelines and submit here.
Black Lawrence Press Manuscript Consultations
For over a decade, the Black Lawrence Press manuscript consultation program has offered writers access to award-winning authors who are also experienced educators. Through our program, these authors provide the kind of thorough feedback and in-depth analysis that is difficult to find outside of MFA programs. Within a matter of a few weeks, our consultants respond with full critiques including a cover letter addressing global issues within the manuscripts and an updated manuscript files including detailed suggestions. Participants who submit chapbooks or full-length manuscripts may also schedule phone or Zoom conferences with their consultant at no additional charge. Visit site to learn more.
Call For Submissions From Girls Worldwide
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Girls Right the World is a literary journal inviting girls and young, gender-expansive writers and artists, ages 14–21, to submit work for consideration for the eighth annual issue. We believe girls’ voices transform the world for the better. We accept poetry, prose, and visual art of any style or theme. We ask to be the first to publish your work in North America; after publication, the rights return to you. Send your best art and/or writing, in English or English translation, via email by December 31, 2024. Please include a note mentioning your age, where you’re from, and a bit about your submission. Read previous issues at our website.
Plant-Human Quarterly Seeks Poems and Essays for Upcoming Issues
Deadline: Year-round
Plant-Human Quarterly reads year-round. We seek unpublished or published poetry and essays that explore the myriad ways writers manifest their relationship to the botanical world—whether through heavily researched pieces, keen observation, or more intuitive ways of knowing—that attempt to communicate across boundaries and approach a plant’s-eye-view of the world. Send no more than 5 poems or an essay of no more than 1500 words (flash essay or essay excerpt) in a single word document. Past contributors include Ellen Bass, Forrest Gander, Kimiko Hahn, Brenda Hillman, Jane Hirshfield, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Pattiann Rogers, Scott Russell Sanders, Arthur Sze. Full submission guidelines at our website.
AMERICA'S FUTURE, 2025 anthology from the Washington Writers' Publishing House
Deadline: December 31, 2024
The Washington Writers’ Publishing House’s 2025 anthology, AMERICA’S FUTURE, seeks poetry and prose (fiction or CNF up to 2,500 words) from writers from DC, Maryland, or Virginia, or anyone with a connection to the DMV area. Poetry or prose in translation that fits the prompt/guidelines are encouraged as well. Submittable fee: $5.00. Payment for contributors: $25.00. AMERICA’S FUTURE celebrates the Washington Writers’ Publishing House’s 50th anniversary. We are the longest, continuously operating nonprofit, cooperative literary press in the United States (established in 1975). We are not going back. Show us the way forward with your poetry and prose. Deadline: December 31, 2024. Complete anthology guidelines, including prompts, at our website.
Kings River Review Call for 2-Year College Student Submissions
Deadline: March 15, 2025
The Kings River Review publishes artwork, creative nonfiction, short fiction, and poetry of current 2-year community college students. Submission Deadlines: March 15 for the spring issue and October 15 for the fall issue. Submission requirements: up to 5 pieces of artwork and photography sent as .JPEG files; creative nonfiction and fiction of up to 3,000 words; and up to 5 poems. Go to our website for full submission guidelines.
Feminist Horror Magazine Bloodletter Seeks Submissions for Issue Four: Lore
Deadline: November 1, 2024
Bloodletter is a feminist horror magazine showcasing personal and analytical perspectives on the horrific by women, trans, and non-binary writers. At Bloodletter, the definition of horror is expansive, cooperative, and inclusive. Bloodletter offers an exploratory space for writers to share their lived experiences of horror and the theoretical implications of the genre through fiction, nonfiction, film criticism, poetry, and cross-genre writing. A featured artist is selected to illustrate each issue of the biannual magazine, resulting in an unconventional and truly unique multidisciplinary digital platform. The theme for Issue Four is Lore, in its myriad meanings. Submission instructions and form can be found at Bloodletter's website.
Explore more calls for submissions:
Santa Clara Review. Volume 112.1. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, cross-genre, drama, screenplays, translations, art, photography. $2 fee. Deadline: October 30, 2024.
Kitchen Table Quarterly. Nonfiction, poetry, art, photography. No fee. Deadline: November 1, 2024.
Interim. Commemoration & Celebration of Las Vegas. Nonfiction, poetry, cross-genre, translations, art. $5 fee. Deadline: November 5, 2024.
Libre. Writing and art about mental health. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, graphic narratives, art, photography, video. $2. Deadline: November 11, 2024.
Voyage of Verse: A Poetry Anthology for High School Students. Fall 2024 volume. Poetry. No fee. Deadline: November 11, 2024.
Grey Matter. Nonfiction, poetry. No fee. Deadline: November 15, 2024.
Magazine1. Issue 3. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, cross-genre, drama, graphic narratives, screenplays, translations, art, photography, audio, video. No fee ($5 tip jar available). Payment: $40 bookstore gift card. Deadline: November 15, 2024.
Black Fox Literary Magazine. Winter 2025 Issue. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. No fee (donation and expedited response options). Payment: $20. Deadline: November 30, 2024.
Blueline: A Literary Magazine Dedicated to the Spirit of the Adirondacks. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. No fee. Deadline: November 30, 2024.
Third Street Review. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography. $3 fee. Payment: $25. Deadline: November 1-30, 2024.
Superpresent. Winter Issue: Secrets & Mysteries. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics, cross-genre, graphic narratives, translations, art, photography, audio, video. No fee. Deadline: December 1, 2024.
Apple in the Dark. Winter 2024 Issue. Fiction, nonfiction. No fee (tip jar available). Deadline: December 15, 2024.
Wising Up Press. Living Our Blessings: Aging, Mortality & Gratitude anthology. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. No fee. Deadline: December 31, 2024.
The Awakenings Review. Spring 2025 Issue. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, photography. No fee. Deadline: Year-round. *Must write from experience with mental illness in yourself, family, members, or friends.*
Blue Mountain Review. Prose, poetry, music, visual art. $5 fee. Deadline: Year-round.
The Fictional Cafe. Fiction. No fee. Deadline: Year-round.
Jewish Fiction (formerly Jewish Fiction .net). Winter & Spring Issues. Fiction, translation. No fee. Deadline: Rolling.
New Verse News. Current events poetry. No fee. Deadline: Year-round.
NOMADartx Review. Theme: Perspective. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, cross-genre, interviews, reviews, translations, art, photography. No fee. Deadline: Rolling.
Palooka. Chapbook manuscripts, fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art, photography, graphic narratives, comic strips. $3 fee (magazine submissions); $8 fee (chapbook submissions). Payment: Copies. Deadline: Year-round.
Yearling. Poetry. No fee for 1 poem; $10 for up to 3 poems. Deadline: Rolling.
Writing & Book Contests
Missouri Review's Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize Deadline Extended!
Deadline: October 21, 2024
The Missouri Review invites entries for the 34th annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize. Winners receive $5000 in cash, publication in the Spring 2025 issue of TMR, and promotion across our social media channels. Entry fee: $25. Each entrant receives a 1-year digital subscription and the latest anthology from Missouri Review Books, Life Support: Stories of Health & Medicine. New Deadline: October 21. Learn more about the contest guidelines and FAQs here.
The National Indie Excellence© Awards
Deadline: March 31, 2025
The National Indie Excellence© Awards (NIEA) are open to all English language printed books currently for sale including self-published authors, small to midsize independent publishers, and university presses. Now in our nineteenth year, NIEA is a proud champion of self and independent publishing and authors of all genres who produce books of excellence and distinction. Eligible books must have been published within the two calendar years prior to our deadline. Please visit our website for more information about our prizes, awards, and how to submit.
Vita Poetica Writing & Art Contest Deadline Extended!
Extended Deadline: October 22, 2024
Prizes of $100 will be awarded in each of four categories: poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art. We are looking for excellent work that also engages thoughtfully with faith and spirituality. All winners and runners-up will be published in our 5th-anniversary print issue and will receive a copy of the journal. New deadline: Oct. 22, 2024. Entry fee: $10 per submission. All entries will also be considered for publication in our regular online issues. To find more details and submit, visit our submissions manager.
2025 Press 53 Award for Short Fiction
Deadline: December 31, 2024
Awarded to an outstanding, unpublished collection of short stories. Reading Fee: $30. Award: $1,000 cash advance, publication, and 53 copies. Enter: Submit online with Submittable or by mail until December 31, 2024. Press 53 short fiction editor Claire V. Foxx will serve as the only judge. Winner and finalists announced by May 1, 2025; advance review copies sent to major reviewers and outlets; publication in May 2026. Complete details at our website.
$1,000 + Publication: New Letters Editor's Choice Award
Deadline: November 13, 2024
This year our editors are looking to read your best short narratives, whether they are stories, essays, poems, or hybrid forms. The only requirement is that each entry must be brief—1,000 words or fewer. View the guidelines and enter online here.
New Deadline for Rutsala Book Contest
Extended Deadline: November 15, 2024
The deadline for submissions for the Cloudbank’s Vern Rutsala Book Prize 2025 has been extended to November 15, 2024. A $1000 prize and 50 free books are awarded to the contest winner, as well as publication of the manuscript. Submissions from contest finalists will also be considered for publication. Cloudbank Books publishes two or three books each year. Submission guidelines at Cloudbank Books' website. Judge is Christopher Buckley. Contact Cloudbank Books via email with questions. Revive us with your fire.
Explore more writing & book contests
Alternating Current Press. Futurist Debut Book Award. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, cross-genre. $18 fee. Prize: $1,000, book publication, digital medallion, certificate, and 30 gold medallion seals. Deadline: October 31, 2024.
Alternating Current Press. Luminaire Prose Award. Fiction, novelettes, short plays, hybrid prose. $4.99 fee. Prize: $100 and publication. Deadline: October 31, 2024.
Ashland Poetry Press. 2nd Annual Poetry Broadside Contest. Poetry. $10 fee. First Prize: $250, broadside publication, 50 copies. Deadline: November 1, 2024.
December Magazine. 2025 Marvin Bell Memorial Poetry Prize. Poetry. $20 fee (includes copy of prize issue). Prizes: $1,500 & publication (winner); $500 & publication (honorable mention). Guest judge: Maggie Smith. Deadline: November 1, 2024.
Raven Chronicles. Inaugural Awards for Innovative Fiction & Nonfiction. Fiction, nonfiction. $10 fee. Prize: $1,000, book publication, and 50% of net revenues. Judges: Paul Hunter, Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor. Deadline: November 1, 2024.
CAPTRS. AI Writing Contest. Nonfiction. No fee. First Prize: $5,000 and online publication. Deadline: November 9, 2024.
Baltimore Review. Winter Contest. Flash fiction, flash creative nonfiction, prose poetry. $8 fee. Prize: $400/category and publication. Final Judge: Francine Witte. Deadline: November 30, 2024.
Haiku Crush. 2024 Haiku Search. Haiku. $9 fee. First Prize: $150 and anthology publication. Judges: Reid FitzGerald, Tatiana Roberts, Steve FitzGerald. Deadline: November 30, 2024.
Black Fox Literary Magazine. Black Fox Prize: Fragments of Time. Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. $12 fee. Prize: $325 and publication in Winter 2025 issue. Deadline: December 1, 2024.
L’Esprit Literary Review. Leopold Bloom Prize for Innovative Nonfiction. Nonfiction. $10 fee ($15 expedited response option). Prize: $500 and print publication. Judge: Michael Nath. Deadline: December 2, 2024.
Interim. Test Site Poetry Prize. Poetry. $25 fee. Two Prizes: $1,000 and book publication. Deadline: December 15, 2024.
Colorado Review. 2025 Colorado Prize for Poetry. Full-length poetry manuscript. $28 fee (includes 1-year subscription). Prize: $2,500 honorarium & book publication. Final judge: Craig Morgan Teicher. Deadline: January 14, 2025 (5-day grace period observed).