Calls for Submissions — May 2016
On the first Wednesday of each month, Literary Mama shares a list of current calls for submissions. Good luck sending your work out into the world!
CONTESTS
Ploughshares’ Emerging Writer’s Contest is now open. Submit fiction or nonfiction (under 6,000 words) or poetry (3-5 poems) for a chance to win $1,000 and publication. You are “emerging” if you haven’t published or self-published a book. $24 entry fee. Detailed guidelines can be found here.
Deadline: May 15, 2016 at Noon EST
~~~~~
Boulevard Poetry Contest for Emerging Poets 2016 will award $1,000 and publication for the winning group of three poems by a poet who has not yet published a book of poetry with a nationally distributed press. More details and the link to submit can be found here.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
The Mayborn Writing Competition is open to submissions in three categories: personal essay, reported narrative and book manuscript. In each, first place will be awarded $3,000, second $2,000, and third $1,000. The ten best narratives will be published in Ten Spurs, a literary nonfiction journal published by the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism. The winner of the book manuscript competition earns a cash prize, and an option to sign a provisional book contract with UNT Press. More details can be found here.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
American Fiction Short Story Award: New Rivers Press will publish approximately twenty short stories (max 10,000 words per story) in American Fiction Volume 16: The Best Unpublished Stories by Emerging Writers. “We seek well crafted, character driven literary fiction in any genre.” $16 entry fee. $1,000 1st Place, $500 2nd, $250 3rd; each of the selected story authors will receive national publication and distribution, author discount, and two complimentary copies. You can submit here.
Deadline: June 15, 2016
~~~~~
Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Prize 2016 is open for submissions of 17-24 pages of poetry (not including title page, table of contents, end notes). Winner receives $400, chapbook published as print book and eBook, 20 author copies, and an amethyst depression glass trophy (circa 1930). $15 entry fee; all submissions considered for publication. For more details and the link to submit, please click here.
Deadline: June 15, 2016
~~~~~
Under the Gum Tree Inaugural Anniversary Contest is open to creative nonfiction submissions (up to 5,000 words) on the theme (un)seen/(un)heard. “To us, this theme invites considerations of inclusion and exposure, both the lack and the excess thereof, in terms of content as well as form.” Judge: Brenda Miller. $20 entry fee; winner will receive $300, publication in January 2017 issue, and a one-year subscription to keep or gift. For more submission information, please click here.
Deadline: June 30, 2016
~~~~~
Mash Stories has announced the keywords for its latest flash fiction competition: “pizza,” “selfie,” and “corruption.” $100 for the winning story, max. 500 words. Submit here.
Deadline: July 15, 2016
~~~~~
The Mother’s Milk Books Pamphlet Prize is intended for debut poets as well as more experienced poets who may, or may not, have had full collections published beforehand. Submit a pamphlet of poetry and prose in keeping with the remit of Mother’s Milk Books, i.e. mindful parenting, empowering of mothers, fathers and children, breastfeeding, gentle discipline, family/sibling relationships, familial love, home etc. Judge: Angela Topping. Detailed submission guidelines here.
Deadline: July 31, 2016
~~~~~
Proximity announced The Narrative Journalism Prize (Judge: Bronwen Dickey) and Personal Essay Prize (Judge: Paul Lisicky). Prize Issue Theme: INSIDE | OUT. Issue Editor: Maggie Messitt. “We’re interested in true stories that push our understanding of what it means to be INSIDE and what it means to be OUTside. Where do you feel IN and where do you feel OUT, and what does this even mean? Show us where you’re lost, you’re unknown, you’re on the outside looking in–or deep-dive into spaces in which you’re deeply known but can see the barriers that creates for others.” $5 entry fee; winner receives $200. For more detailed submission guidelines, please click here.
Deadline: August 1, 2016
~~~~~
The Profane Nonfiction Prize will be judged by Dinty W. Moore. The prize is $1,000 and a blurb from the contest judge. $10 entry fee, and you may submit 2 pieces in each entry, as long as they don’t exceed 7,500 words cumulatively. “There is no theme. Send us your best flash, essays, journalism, or narratives that will spoon out some space in our guts and take up residence there. Tell us something filthy and unflinching; bellow something unapologetic in our face.” Click here for more information and the link to submit.
Deadline: August 1, 2016
~~~~~
ANTHOLOGIES
Magic of Memoir asks writers to share their stories (max 3,000 words) of hard-earned wisdom during the process of writing memoir—from wrestling with the inner critic to practical tips and strategies, mistakes made and overcome, sources of inspiration, as well as dark times conjured by writing. Editors: Linda Joy Myers, President of the National Association of Memoir Writers, and Brooke Warner, Publisher of She Writes Press. $20 submission fee; prizes: 1st place: $400, 2nd place: $200, 3rd place: $100. For more information and the link to submit, please click here.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
The “Hysterical” anthology seeks to rewrite medical histories and make history at the same time. The ultimate goal: strip the medical establishment of sexist labels like “hysterical” so women can get the care they really need. With that goal in mind, “Hysterical” will publish nonfiction on themes such as painful conditions connected to childhood, times when someone in the medical profession dismissed your pain as psychosomatic, detrimental effects of pain medication, etc. For more specific guidelines and theme descriptions, please see here. Submissions of under 3,000 words can be sent as either a Word attachment, or through Google Docs, to hystericalanthology@gmail.com.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
The Shell Game is an anthology to be published by University of Nebraska Press featuring essays in which writers borrow readymade forms. “Within the recent explosion of creative nonfiction, a curious new sub-genre is quietly emerging. Hybrids in the truest sense, ‘hermit crab’ essays borrow their structures from ordinary, extra-literary sources (a recipe, a police report, a pack of cards, an obituary…) to use as a framework for a lyric meditation on the chosen subject.” Editor: Kim Adrian. Payment: $100, two copies of anthology, plus $100 coupon to UNP Books. Send previously unpublished manuscripts (750-8,000 words) via Submittable.
Deadline: August 1, 2016 (EXTENDED)
~~~~~
Mother’s Milk Books, publisher of work that empowers parents and normalizes breastfeeding, is looking for short stories and flash fiction (500-5,000 words) for a collection called The Forgotten and the Fantastical (the third in an annual anthology of fairy tales, sci-fi, and fantastical stories).
Submissions are free, but you need to purchase a copy of one of the previous collections to enter. Please click here for more information.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
~~~~~
MAY DEADLINES
Prairie Schooner is open to submissions of poetry, fiction, essays, and reviews. Detailed guidelines and the link to submit can be found here.
Deadline: May 1, 2016
~~~~~
Boulevard is now open to submissions. It strives “to publish only the finest in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. While we frequently publish writers with previous credits, we are very interested in less experienced or unpublished writers with exceptional promise. If you have practiced your craft and your work is the best it can be, send it to Boulevard.” Simultaneous submissions are fine, but work must be previously unpublished. Please click here for more detailed guidelines and to submit.
Deadline: May 1, 2016
~~~~~
The Boiler publishes new and emerging writers on a quarterly basis and is open to submissions of poetry (3-5 poems), fiction (short stories or excerpts up to 3,500 words), or creative nonfiction (up to 3,500 words). “Send us your best stuff. Show us how it does under pressure.” Detailed submission guidelines here.
Deadline: May 15, 2016
~~~~~
Understorey Magazine Call for Submissions: Women & Justice. Understorey seeks submissions on all aspects of social and legal justice related to women’s lives in Canada. Personal essays, fiction, poetry, spoken word, and visual art by new or established writers and artists who self-identify as women are welcome.
Deadline: May 15, 2016 (EXTENDED)
~~~~~
Creative Nonfiction is seeking essays (up to 4,000 words) about JOY: “Too often the moments that move us to write are bleak ones—stories of loss, hardship, or learning through painful interactions. For this issue we’re looking for well-crafted narratives that explore the brighter moments in life, those that teach and enlighten us through their beauty or humor.” $20 reading fee. $1,000 for Best Essay and $500 for runner-up. All essays considered for publication in a special “Joy” issue to be published in winter 2017. Click here for specific submission information.
Deadline: May 16, 2016
NEW CNF call for submissions (up to 4,500 words): Exploring the Boundaries (section of CNF). They’re looking for “ambitious writing that pushes against the conventional boundaries of the genre, plays with style and form, and makes its own rules.” Guidelines here.
Deadline: June 30, 2016
~~~~~
Reservoir Journal is open for submissions of art, fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Submission details can be found here.
Deadline: May 20, 2016
~~~~~
Brevity seeks submissions for its special issue on race. “We are looking for flash essays (750 words or fewer) that explore the lived experience of race, racialization, and racism, show the reader a new way to look at the familiar, or give voice to under-represented experiences.” Anchor authors: Claudia Rankine and Roxane Gay. Guest editors: Ira Sukrungruang and Joy Castro. For more details on how to submit, please click here.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
~~~~~
Spartan is now open to submissions of literary prose up to 2,000 words for its spring issue. To submit, paste the entire text into an email and send it to spartaneditor (at) gmail.com. No attachments. For more information, click here.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
~~~~~
Calypso Editions, a cooperative press dedicated to publishing quality literary books of poetry and fiction with a global perspective, seeks submission of translated manuscripts during its May 2016 open reading period! Please submit your manuscript of translated poetry (between 45-75 pages) or prose (short-stories/novellas/novels, up to 52,000 words) via their Submittable page. Free to submit.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
~~~~~
Noble / Gas Qtrly is open for submissions of fiction (up to 7,500 words), nonfiction (7,500 words), art & photography (10 images or 1 series), short circuits (1,000 words each), and poetry (5 poems). For genre-specific submission guidelines, please visit their Submittable page.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
~~~~~
Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading is open for submissions. Recommended Reading publishes one original story a week, each chosen by today’s best authors and editors. Submit fiction ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 words via their Submittable page. $300 payment for each contributor. Simultaneous, but not multiple, submissions welcome.
Deadline: May 31, 2016
~~~~~
JUNE DEADLINES
The Common‘s spring reading period is open. They’re accepting fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and dispatches “that embody a strong sense of place: pieces in which the setting is crucial to character, narrative, mood, and language.” Detailed submission guidelines can be found here.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
Helen: A Literary Magazine is open for submissions of short stories (1,500-4,000 words), flash fiction (50-1,500 words), poetry (4 poems, 12-page limit), and essays/personal narratives (1,500-4,000 words).
“We appreciate polished work in all genres and actively seek pieces that explore themes such as hope and perseverance. Our issues include poetry, flash fiction, short stories, essays, personal narratives, art, and photography. We also feature video exclusives from our print issues as well as in our ongoing blog series Friday Night Specials.”
No theme or genre restrictions. Send in your best! We offer token payment. Please click here to submit.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
Chelsea Station, a magazine devoted to gay literature, is publishing a special issue devoted to queer trans men and trans masculine people. The issue will publish original and unpublished fiction, nonfiction, poetry, essays, memoir, humor, narrative travelogue, interviews, and reviews (books, theater, television, and film) relating to queer trans masculine literature and queer trans men. Co-editors: Mitch Kellaway, a queer trans male writer and editor (www.mitchkellaway.com) and AJ Sass, a gay non-binary male writer and editor (@matokah). Submissions (of one prose work or up to four poems) should be sent to info@chelseastationeditions.com. For detailed submission information, please click here.
Deadline: June 1, 2016
~~~~~
The Vignette Review is seeking fiction submissions (300-900 words) for its second annual SUMMER issue. For detailed submission information, please click here.
Deadline: June 4, 2016
~~~~~
Green Mountains Review is seeking submissions from Latina/o, Lusa/o, and Indigenous poets, writers, artists, and photographers inspired by the works and influences of the first Latino Poet Laureate of the United States, Juan Felipe Herrera. For more information, click here; submit here.
Deadline: June 15, 2016
~~~~~
Into The Void Magazine is calling for submissions of short stories, flash fiction, nonfiction and poetry for Issue One. All genres and styles. “We are looking for stories that grab and enthral and refuse to let go. We prize heartfelt and genuine writing above perfect grammar and technique. Above all, we’re looking for writing that is screaming to be read. So, write the story, essay or poem that you simply have to write; the one that keeps you awake at night and says, ‘Write me! You know you have no choice!'” Previously unpublished writers welcome. Also seeking cover art submissions. For more about what they’re looking for and how to submit, please click here.
Deadline: June 25, 2016
~~~~~
JULY DEADLINES
KiCam Projects is accepting submissions for nonfiction books that tell stories of survival and recovery from illness, addiction, tragedy or other challenges that will inspire and empower audiences. KiCam’s mission is to change the world one great story at a time. In additional to a traditional compensation model, KiCam invites its authors and collaborators to select a nonprofit organization that will benefit from a portion of the proceeds of their books and projects. Submissions should include a cover letter, one-paragraph summary, author/artist biography, synopsis and table of contents. Please send to submissions@kicamprojects.com.
Deadline: July 29, 2016 (for fall 2017 releases)
~~~~~
Split Lip Magazine is accepting tip jar fiction, poetry, and memoir submissions ($3 per submission). For genre-specific guidelines and links to submit, please see here.
Deadline: July 31, 2016
~~~~~
SEPTEMBER DEADLINES
Jenny Magazine has announced a special theme issue dedicated to women writers and artists. For specific information on how to submit drama, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, please visit their Submittable page.
Deadline: September 10, 2016
~~~~~
OCTOBER DEADLINES
NANO Fiction seeks flash fiction submissions (max 300 words) particularly on the topics of milestones and transitions for Issue 10.1. “What happens when you reach a significant milestone? What challenges and joys await people or systems undergoing a kind of transition? What surprises emerge as things reach an anniversary or come to an end? How have different characters commemorated anniversaries or accomplishments, and how have those commemorations unfolded in unexpected ways? What happens after the big milestone? We’re thinking about cyclical events, rites of passage, death, rebirth, return. Send us your work on transitions, on endings, on anniversaries or apocalypse. Regardless of subject matter, we are looking for work that experiments with form while still balancing narrative.” You can submit here.
Deadline: October 1, 2016
~~~~~
DECEMBER DEADLINES
The Indianola Review is open to submissions of fiction (up to 7,500 words), nonfiction (up to 7,500 words), and poetry (3-5 pieces). Paying market. For detailed submission information, please click here.
Deadline: December 15, 2016
~~~~~
ROLLING SUBMISSIONS
Assay: A Journal of Nonfiction Studies is open to submissions in all disciplines. Assay “publishes the best peer-reviewed critical scholarship of creative nonfiction to provide a space for work that elevates the genre in an academic setting.” For more information on what they are looking for and how to submit, please click here.
~~~~~
The Atlantic’s Global channel seeks your “smart, original stories about what’s going on in the world.” For information about what makes a successful pitch, types of stories the Global editors love, what they rarely accept, submission formatting, and more, please read this helpful Freelancer’s Guide.
~~~~~
BoomerLitMag, a quarterly online literary magazine mostly by or about Boomers, is seeking previously unpublished stories, poems, and essays for its fourth (spring 2016) issue. Short stories particularly welcome.
Simultaneous submissions, if marked as such, accepted. Three to seven pages of poetry and up to 25 pages of prose. All subjects welcome. You don’t have to be a Boomer to publish here. When sending material, please type “poetry” or “prose” in the subject line. Email to submissions@boomerlitmag.com.
~~~~~
Break the Parenting Mold seeks submissions of syndicated or original posts. This is an online community dedicated to strength in community, lifting up parents of children with special needs and offering support by sharing individual stories. Lists (at least 400 words) or essays (at least 600 words) welcome.
~~~~~
The Chaos is a new journal of personal narrative that seeks creative nonfiction essays (250-2,500 words) from emerging and established writers for its inaugural issue. They’re committed to supporting storytellers with strong voices and unique perspectives on the chaos that is life. Email submissions to thechaosjournal [at] gmail [dot] com, and see their website for more information.
~~~~~
Compose: A Journal of Simply Good Writing is reading for its Fall issue. They publish work by both emerging and established writers and accept fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, articles on the craft of writing—both practical and inspirational, interviews with established writers, literary agents, editors, etc., excerpts from traditionally published works, photography and artwork. Detailed submission guidelines can be found here.
~~~~~
The Fem, a literary journal that publishes feminist, diverse, and inclusive creative works, is now open to feminist poetry, fiction, and nonfiction submissions. For detailed submission guidelines, please click here.
~~~~~
Front Porch is now accepting flash fiction, short stories, poetry, and creative nonfiction. “Please submit only one piece of fiction and nonfiction at a time (up to or around 5,500 words), and no more than five poems at a time as DOC or RTF files only. Make sure your name and the page number appear on each page of the document.” For more information and the link to submit, please click here.
~~~~~
The Good Men Project is seeking stories of raising boys to be good men. How do you handle the pressure of parenting a boy? What are the values you are instilling in him and how are you leading by example? If you are married, divorced or single, how does that affect the equation? Detailed guidelines and the link to submit can be found here.
~~~~~
Gravel is “interested in fiction and creative nonfiction anywhere from 25 to 3,000 words in length, poetry (no more than 3 poems per submission, and you can submit all of them at the same time on Submittable), photo essays, artwork, comics, video, hybrid—look, we’ve got eclectic tastes here.” Detailed guidelines and the link to submit can be found here.
~~~~~
KERNPUNKT Press is currently reading manuscripts of literary fiction, art & architecture, science fiction, historical fiction, and children’s books. For more information and the link to submit, please click here.
~~~~~
Mamalode announced a May theme of “Cherish.” This online magazine pays for publications. Submissions are ongoing, including topical pieces not related to the theme. You can submit here.
~~~~~
MidAmerican Fiction & Photography is seeking short fiction of no more than 8,000 words. All genres except erotica. Either the story must take place in the American Midwest or the author must be from the Midwest. Email the story as an attachment to MAFP@comcast.net, along with a bio. They strive to respond within two weeks. Detailed submission guidelines are here.
~~~~~
Minola accepts poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, and visual art exclusively from those who identify as women. They are “interested in the fearless and unsympathetic, featuring only work that goes where others are uncomfortable or afraid to go, collecting raw yet well-crafted work to create a space that is honest about the otherwise under-represented female experience.” Email submissions and cover letter to minolareview@gmail.com. Specific submission guidelines can be found here.
~~~~~
Moonglasses Magazine is a new, student-run literary journal seeking fiction, nonfiction, poetry, flash, and other eclectic work like “Between the Couch Cushions” and “Things We Wrote When We Had Acne.” “We’re interested in weird, experimental writing that contains absurd and irreverent humor, meta-fictional elements, and works that subvert/push the boundaries of typical fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.” For more specific submission guidelines, click here.
~~~~~
Mothers Always Write, an online literary magazine for mothers by mother writers, is seeking submissions of poetry (up to 3 poems) and essays (up to 2,000 words) about the parenting experience. Tell us your beautiful story about motherhood. Please see their writer’s guidelines for specific requirements and suggested monthly themes at the site.
~~~~~
Motherwell, a new publication that tells all sides of the parenting story, is open to submissions of personal essays (up to 1,200 words), opinion pieces (1,200 words), dialogues (1,000 words), and dilemmas (800 words). Original submissions only. Paying market. Co-founders: Randi Olin and Lauren Apfel. Website will launch in late May. For genre-specific submission guidelines, please visit their Submittable page.
~~~~~
Multiples Illuminated, a site for parents of multiples, is open to submissions on an ongoing basis. They are looking for parents of twins, triplets or more to share their story, advice and/or tips. Types of essays may include stories and/or advice on raising multiples at all ages, from birth to teens and adulthood, infertility and trying to conceive, experiences in the NICU, breastfeeding, and even birthday party ideas. They accept syndicated posts as well as those not previously published. For original posts, submit a pitch first. Email all submissions to multiplesilluminated@gmail.com. Click here for more detailed submission information.
~~~~~
MUTHA Magazine, exploring real-life motherhood from every angle, at every stage, seeks personal essays (~1,500 words), comics / graphic narratives / photo essays, and select interview pitches. MUTHA is a labor-of-love for all involved and does not pay at this time; ongoing open submissions; no reading fees; may take 3-4 weeks to respond to submissions (sometimes faster!). Editor: Meg Lemke c/o muthamagazine@gmail.com.
~~~~~
Mystery Weekly, a short story mystery magazine, seeks short mysteries (up to 8,000 words). Published in both weekly and monthly editions, Mystery Weekly Magazine presents crime and mystery short stories by some of the world’s best established and emerging mystery writers that run the gamut from cozy to hardboiled fiction. They hope to build and nurture an online community of mystery enthusiasts and create a new market for talented crime fiction writers. Simultaneous and multiple submissions allowed. Click here to read their guidelines and submit your story.
~~~~~
Outsider Poetry, a literary review for those who create with mental illness, are self-trained, or create art and poetry that challenges cultural and academic norms, is accepting submissions at all times and is open to poets of all experience levels. Submit work via email to either Olivia Suchs at oliviasuchs@gmail.com or Thomas Vaultonburg at vaultonburg@gmail.com. Editors will respond to submissions promptly.
~~~~~
Pithead Chapel, an online journal of gutsy narratives, seeks essays (personal, memoir, lyric, experimental, etc.) under 4,000 words. For detailed submission guidelines and to submit, please see here.
~~~~~
Raising Mothers seeks well-written, original first-person essays (1,000-2,000 words max) about anything and everything related to motherhood. All are welcome, but an effort is made to highlight the voices of multiracial/multi-cultural families and mothers of color. Essays should have a literary quality: strong, engaging work without it being at all academic. Excerpts of larger works and poetry (up to 3 poems) also accepted. At this time, they are specifically looking for pieces on step-parenting, raising a child with special needs, and adopting children of color. Submission details can be found here.
~~~~~
Storm Cellar, a national literary arts magazine with a special emphasis on the Midwest, is open to submissions of unpublished, amazing writing (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, flash) and images. They’d love to see more art, photos, diagrams, graphic narratives. For more detailed information, please visit their Submittable page.
~~~~~
Storychord is now seeking visual art, short fiction, and songs for publication. Every other Monday, Storychord.com features one story + one image + a one-song soundtrack—each by a different, underexposed artist—for a collaborative, multi-media storytelling experience. For detailed submission information, click here.
~~~~~
Tell Us a Story publishes stories (less than 2,000 words) that are true and happened to the author. One new story every Wednesday, occasionally with original art. Also interested in very short stories (flash [non]fiction), experimental stories, poems, or plays as long as they are true. You can find submission details here.
~~~~~
The Time Gap aims to promote intergenerational dialogue and understanding through the sharing of user submitted essays and stories. May’s theme will be “When I was 20…” focusing on events that happened to someone when they were 20, essays capturing what it is currently like to be 20, or young people discussing their hopes and goals for when they are 20. Interviews of children welcome.
No pay (yet). Writers retain all rights. Submit a photo of the subject, if possible, for use on the site. Send all essay/interview submissions (preferably under 2,000 words) to thetimegap@gmail.com. Blog to launch May 1.
~~~~~
True Story is a new monthly magazine put out by Creative Nonfiction, set to debut this fall. Each issue will feature one exceptional work of creative nonfiction, distributed in print and digitally. They seek previously unpublished works of narrative nonfiction between 3,500 and 7,000 words on any subject, in any style. Writer will receive $300 upon publication and 10 free copies of the issue. Guidelines can be found here; submit here.
~~~~~
Vela has launched a new column on motherhood, Milestones, curated by Sarah Menkedick. The column “wants to encourage more women to explore the depths and possibilities of this fundamental subject, exploring motherhood as milestone; as consciousness; as daily routine; as radical or gradual shift; as feminist awakening; as voyage; as challenge; as corporeal and spiritual and intellectual condition.” Milestones will publish essays between 1,000 and 3,000 words, as well as occasional interviews and reviews. Please see Vela’s submission guidelines for more information.
~~~~~
YARN, an award-winning YA literary journal, is open for submissions for the Spring-Summer 2016 edition. YARN welcomes submissions of short stories, essays, and poetry written for a YA audience. Please read some of the journal, and their submission guidelines, before sending.
~~~~~
Youshare is seeking true, personal stories about life-shaping events or experiences – in the form of written essays, audio and video essays, and photo essays – from storytellers of all skill levels. Around 1,000 words recommended for print submissions; a 2-minute minimum is recommended for audio and video essays; a 5-photo minimum is recommended for photo essays. Please click here to learn more and submit.
~~~~~
LITERARY MAMA OPPORTUNITIES
The Blog seeks submissions for its After Page One series. We’re looking for 300- to 500-word guest posts that motivate, inspire, and encourage other mama writers about getting started, returning to a writing project, integrating writing with motherhood, reading, or having a positive attitude. Here are some questions to get you started and a sample After Page One post. Please send submissions to LMblogcontact (at) literarymama (dot) com in the text of an email and include “After Page One” in the subject heading.
~~~~~
The Profiles department seeks “profiles of writers who are mothers, or writers who write about motherhood (who may or may not be mothers themselves), or writers who have something to say to mothers.” Submissions should range from 750 to 2,500 words and may be Interview (Q&A) or narrative format. More information can be found here.
~~~~~
The Columns department seeks columns contracted for 11 installments (1,000-1,600 words) that are published either monthly or bimonthly.
This blog post from our senior columns editor provides details about the three essential ingredients to a successful column pitch: hook, roadmap, samples. You can review our current and retired columns to make sure your idea is one that covers new ground in new ways. Most of all, we want a story that is uniquely yours–one that you can’t wait to tell, and that we can’t wait to read.
Please send queries and submissions to lmcolumns (at) literarymama (dot) com in the text of an email. Include the word “Submission” in the subject line, and allow one to three weeks for a response.
~~~~~
The Literary Reflections department seeks “writing by mother writers, both established and emerging, focused on the creative process. We’re looking for first-person reflections with an intellectual as well as personal focus.” You may choose to write about your reading, writing, or professional life. Submissions should range from 700 to 3,500 words, and more information can be found here.
~~~~~
Literary Mama seeks photography submissions to pair with the posts on our site. We are looking for photos that offer unique perspectives on motherhood, and we like photos that are artful, versus those that appear staged, and that encourage us to reflect.
If you would like to feature your evocative, creative photography on Literary Mama, you can review complete submission guidelines here and send .jpg images to: lmphotos (at) literarymama (dot) com. We always give photo credits and provide a link back to the photographer’s website.
~~~~~
If you have information on calls for submissions not listed here that you think Literary Mama readers would appreciate, please e-mail us at lmblogcontact (at) literarymama (dot) com.