Hello again,
How nice to actually be sending this on the first day of the month. I’m not sure that’s ever happened before. I like to think this happy coincidence is a good omen for all of your submissions this month.
I also felt like this image was appropriate because it portrays my struggles to write now that it’s finally sunny outside. Even if the picture actually appears to show someone paying their credit card bill.
And with those sparkling witticisms aside, let’s move on to the listings.
Closing soon
One un-agented neurodivergent writer can win a full manuscript critique from Lucy Powrie, who has just set up her own editorial service. See details here and get your emails over by 4 June. The book should be children’s, YA, or romance.
You have the weekend left to send something to Popshot Quarterly for the ‘Magic’ issue. Submissions close on 5 June — note the 9am UK time cut-off.
Last chance to send something to Antithesis Journal for their ‘Cosmos’ issue before 11 June. Payment is AU$50.
Submissions for issue six of Tolka Journal are open until 11 June. Their focus is on non-fiction: personal essay, memoir, reportage, travel writing, and more.
Don’t forget about Grist 2200, the huge climate fiction short story contest that awards a top prize of $3,000. It is free to enter! Submissions close on 13 June.
And another climate-themed opportunity comes from Non-Profit Quarterly. They are looking for short stories with imaginative visions for the future. They will pay $500 for “substantive science-grounded stories” and $300 for stories around 500 words.
Send work to Irish print journal The Storms by 24 June in order to be considered for their third issue.
If you are Scotland-based and have published at least two books, you could be eligible for this Coaching for Creatives mid-career coaching programme. Applications close 25 June.
Until 30 June, Chaotic Merge Magazine is looking at fiction and non-fiction. They have voluntary submission fees.
The closing date for The Moth Short Story Prize is approaching on 30 June. The fee is €15 per story, and the grand prize is €3,000.
The New Orleans Review is hosting a micro essay contest, which costs $10 to enter, and the top prize is $500 cash.
The deadline is also coming up for the Fairy Tale Magazine flash fiction contest, which costs $5 to enter and has $100 up for grabs. Closing 30 June.
Open now
The London Magazine’s Short Story Competition is open until 5 July. It costs £10 per entry (or £5 for low incomes) and the top prize is £500.
The theme for the next issue of the Griffith Review is ‘Animal Magic’. This is a non-fiction callout.
Small publisher Fly on the Wall Press is now open for novel and novella submissions. To submit you should have recently purchased one of their books, or alternatively you can make a £6 donation. The window is open until 6 September.
Essay submissions to The Rumpus are open now until the end of July.
Alien Magazine has an open reading period until 5 August for work including fiction. They pay $20 per accepted piece. They are also open for non-fiction year-around.
Beloved by the litmag community, Taco Bell Quarterly is open right now until the end of July.
The University of Tulsa’s Nimrod International Journal seeks work including short stories and non-fiction on the theme ‘Refuge’. They pay $10 per page and the deadline is 1 September.
Might be pushing the definition of prose a bit here, but in case you happen to be a multi-talented artist, the Faber/Observer/Comica Graphic Short Story Competition is open now, until 18 September. UK and Ireland residents only for this one.
Opening soon
For UK residents only, the Pen to Print Book Challenge offers 12 months of mentoring and publication of a finished book. The publishing package is “worth” £5,000 but it isn’t clear how much the author receives. Do read the terms and conditions carefully to decide if it’s right for you. Entries open 6 July.
It was around this time last year that the Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize opened for entries, so keep an eye on that.
Submissions should reopen for Salt Hill in July.
Ditto for the Virginia Quarterly Review, which pays very well (25 cents per word), though I can’t remember if they charge submission fees. Keep tabs on that here.
My friends over at Wizards in Space will be opening for submissions for their ninth and final issue soon. The theme is ‘Chapters’. They pay.