Calls for Submissions — August 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!
LITERARY MAMA OPPORTUNITIES
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.
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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.
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The Literary Reflections department seeks writing by mother writers, both established and emerging, focused on the creative process or on parenting as it relates to literature. We’re looking for first-person reflections with both intellectual and emotional resonance. You may choose to write about your reading, writing, or professional life. Submissions should range from 1,500-3,500 words, and more information can be found here.
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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.
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CONTESTS
Proximity extended the deadline for its annual contest: 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 7, 2016 (EXTENDED)
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Blue Earth Review’s annual flash fiction contest is now taking submissions. Submit up to two flash fiction pieces of no more than 750 words each. $5 fee. Winner will receive $500 (1st place), $250 (2nd place), and $100 (3rd place) plus publication in an upcoming issue of Blue Earth Review.
Deadline: August 12, 2016 (EXTENDED)
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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 14, 2016 (EXTENDED)
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2016 Tinderbox Poetry Journal contest is open to submissions of three poems / pieces (five pages max) per entry. No limitations in form or content; they are interested in everything from traditional forms to free verse to lyric essay to flash fiction. $500 for the winner; $250 for runner-up. $12 entry fee. More details here.
Deadline: August 21, 2016
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Lady Literary’s Write Stuff Contest seeks submissions on the theme: First Impressions. Entry Fee: $5. Prize: $100 and a month-long feature on the Lady homepage. Poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction entries will all be considered. Multiple entries are allowed in any genre; however, only one entry will be selected as the winner. Entries should be sent to contest@ladyliterarymag.com with the subject line “Write Stuff Contest” and should include title, author name, and genre. For detailed submission guidelines, click here.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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The 2016 Barthelme Prize for Short Prose is open for submissions of prose poetry, flash fiction, and micro-essays of up to 500 words. $1,000 and publication for the winner, $250 and publication for two honorable mentions. Judge: Jim Shepard. $18 entry fee.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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Verbolatry Laugh-a-Riot Contest is open for submissions of humorous essays and cartoons about writing/publishing. Details here.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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Black Warrior Review’s Twelfth Annual Contest is open to submissions of fiction/nonfiction (up to 7,000 words) and poetry (up to three poems). $1,000 and publication awarded in each category. $20 entry fee. They may consider any submission for general publication. Judges: Sofia Samatar (fiction), T Clutch Fleischmann (creative nonfiction), Hoa Nguyen (poetry). More details here.
Deadline: September 1, 2016
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Radar’s Coniston Prize is an annual award that recognizes an exceptional group of poems by a woman writing in English. The winner receives $1,000 and is featured in Radar’s dedicated contest issue, which is released in October of each year. Finalists are also awarded publication. Entry fee of $15. Submit 3-6 previously unpublished poems in a single document. More details here.
Deadline: September 1, 2016
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Still: The Journal’s 2016 Writing Contests are open for submissions of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Prose up to 6,500 words, poems should not exceed 80 lines. “Our emphasis is on the literature of the Southern Appalachian region, and we are committed to publishing excellent writing that does not rely on clichés and stereotypes. We want to feature writing that exemplifies the many layers and complexities of the region or that is written by an author with a connection to the region.” $200 each and publication for first place in each category. All other contest entries will be considered for possible publication. Judges: Amy Greene (fiction), Ellen Hagan (poetry), Sonja Livingston (creative nonfiction). $10 entry fee. More details here.
Deadline: September 6, 2016
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Haunted Waters Press is seeking submissions of short shorts for its flash fiction contest. $250 prize. Submission guidelines here.
Deadline: September 20, 2016
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Hippocampus’ Remember in November Contest for Creative Nonfiction is open for submissions. Previously unpublished memoir excerpts and personal essays of up to 4,000 words are eligible. $1,000 grand prize, plus complimentary registration to HippoCamp 2017; $150 runner-up; three $25 honorable mentions. $12 entry fee. For more details, click here. To submit, click here.
Deadline: September 23, 2016
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The Missouri Review’s 26th Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize is open to submissions of previously unpublished fiction or nonfiction up to 8,500 words or poems of up to 10 pages. $22 entry fee. Prizes of $5,000 in each category. Winners receive publication, invitation to a reception and reading in their honor, and a cash prize. Each entrant receives a one-year subscription to the Missouri Review in print or digital format.
Deadline: October 1, 2016
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Sequestrum is pleased to announce their second annual New Writer Awards, in which over $500 will be awarded to up-and-coming writers and poets. The contest will accept both prose (fiction & creative nonfiction) and poetry submissions, with first-prize winners selected in each genre. $15 entry fee. Fiction and nonfiction: entries up to 12,000 words accepted. Poetry: up to three pieces per submission. Most Sequestrum poems average under 40 lines. Please see the contests page for full guidelines.
Deadline: October 15, 2016 (tentative)
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Mash Stories has announced the keywords for its latest flash fiction competition: “chicken,” “bathrobe,” and “potato.” $100 for the winning story, max. 500 words. Submit here.
Deadline: October 15, 2016
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Bath Flash Fiction Award is an international rolling flash fiction competition (300 word limit). Each award runs for 4 months. Judging takes place quickly with a top prize of £1000, £300 second, and £100 third. At the close of each competition, the next competition begins. All entrants considered for publication in forthcoming Bath Flash Fiction Award Anthology, due out the end of 2016. Submission details here.
Deadline: October 16, 2016
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Tupelo Press’ Sunken Garden Chapbook Prize is a prestigious national poetry prize for adult writers. Submit a previously unpublished, chapbook-length poetry manuscript with a TOC. Winner receives $1,000, an introductory reading at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, and publication. Final judge: Maggie Smith. Detailed submission guidelines here.
Deadline: October 31, 2016
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ANTHOLOGIES
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
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Little Fiction’s ROADS LESS TRAVELLED will be a fiction and nonfiction anthology of stories that often go untold. But that we all need to hear.
“The road can be any kind of journey — a life experience that details a metaphorical path, or a fictional story about a road trip. Or vice versa. We want to know about the paths that are unique to your life (your struggles / your joys) or the lives of your diverse characters.”
Submissions should be somewhere between 1,500 – 2,500 words, previously unpublished, and can be sent to anthology@littlefiction.com. For more detailed information, click here.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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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: September 1, 2016
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Janeland: Women Write More about Leaving Men for Women (Cleis Press, 2017) seeks essays (2,000-4,000 words). Editors: Candace Walsh and Barbara Straus Lodge. “Six years have passed since the publication of Lambda Literary Award finalist Dear John, I Love Jane: Women Write about Leaving Men for Women, a groundbreaking exploration of sexual fluidity through intimate, firsthand stories. This anthology remains a crucial resource for women who find themselves deliciously (and distressingly) floundering in the knowledge that although they have always identified as straight, they are now madly in love with another woman.” Please send your proposal or submission (Word document, double-spaced), along with a short bio and full contact information to: janeland.book@gmail.com.
Deadline: September 15, 2016
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AUGUST DEADLINES
Gigantic Sequins seeks submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, art & comics, book reviews, and more. Detailed guidelines can be found here.
Deadline: August 15, 2016
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The Dandelion Review is open to submissions of poetry (3-5 in one Word doc) and creative nonfiction (up to 3,000 words). Send submissions to: thedandelionreview@gmail.com. Detailed guidelines here.
Deadline: August 15, 2016
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Mom Egg Review is seeking the best work (poetry, fiction, prose) by mothers who are writers and by others about mothering and motherhood. Full guidelines here.
Deadline: August 15, 2016
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Creative Nonfiction magazine seeks original essays (up to 4,000 words) about teaching—whether in a traditional classroom or online; in summer camp or college; in preschool or in a prison; in the woods or in a workshop. “Above all, we are looking for narratives—true stories, rich with scene, character, detail, and a distinctive voice—that give insight into what it means to teach.” $1,000 for best essay, $500 for runner-up, all essays considered for publication in its spring 2017 issue. $20 reading fee (waived for current subscribers). More info here.
Deadline: August 29, 2016
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Split Lip Magazine is open to FREE submissions of flash fiction, fiction, poetry, memoir through the end of August. Especially seeking memoir! For detailed guidelines and the link to submit, please click here.
Deadline: August 30, 2016
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Tahoma Literary Review is open to submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and flash for their eighth reading period. Details here.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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The Matador Review is an online literature and art quarterly that seeks poetry, fiction, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art submissions for its Fall 2016 issue. They invite all unpublished literature written in the English language (and translations that are accompanied by the original text). An “alternative” magazine, their purpose is to promote work that is thought-provoking and unconventional; “we want the controversial and the radical, the unhinged and the bizarre; we want the obsessive, the compulsive, the pervasive, the combative, and the seductive.” Submission information can be found here.
Deadline: August 31, 2016
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SEPTEMBER DEADLINES
The Fourth River seeks submissions (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual artwork) for print Issue 14, Juvenescence, a themed feature that explores what it means to be young in our environments, whether urban or rural, human-made or natural. With this feature, we hope to emphasize and celebrate the ways in which the place we begin shapes the person we become. Payment is two copies of the journal. Detailed submission info here.
Deadline: September 1, 2016
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Geometry, a new literary journal, welcomes the submission of original, unpublished stories and creative nonfiction up to 8,000 words in length. Poems should be no longer than 50 lines. Writers are paid anywhere between $10-$50 for poetry, artists $10-$50 per page, and 1-3 cents per word for fiction and nonfiction. Contributors will also recieve one free copy of the printed journal. Details here.
Deadline: September 1, 2016 (for Issue One)
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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
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WTAW Press, an independent publisher of exceptional literary books, seeks full-length books of prose for 2017 publication. Building on the tradition of their award-winning Bay Area reading series, Why There Are Words, they will publish voices that need to be heard, and welcome submissions from writers unpublished, extensively published, and in between. Submission info here.
Deadline: September 15, 2016
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New South is open to micro prose submissions (up to 500 words) for publication online. Details here.
Deadline: September 30, 2016
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Multiples Illuminated is seeking honest, heartwarming, heart wrenching, and humorous stories about raising multiples from the ages of two to 12 for their upcoming second anthology (as yet untitled). Original and unpublished work only, and accepted submissions will be paid. More information can be found here.
Deadline: September 30, 2016
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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
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weirderary is open to submissions of art, flash, comics, fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and more. This magazine was “founded on the idea that difference should be embraced, not condemned. In writing, we enjoy the unusual. We want to be surprised. We appreciate humor, but that doesn’t only mean light-hearted and goofy. Feel free to go dark. Get serious, just do it in a form or from a perspective we don’t see very often. Cross genre lines and experiment. Send us the work you don’t know how to define.” Detailed guidelines here.
Deadline: October 1, 2016
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Proximity is open to submissions for Issue 13: Guns. “We’re interested in your true, lived experiences around guns. We want you to push our understanding of what it means to exist in a gun culture, wherever you’re located inside of it. How do you relate to the alluring, effective, fearsome, reviled tool called the gun? Comfortable? Terrified? Somewhere as yet undefined? Show us your gun rights and wrongs, uncover something unknown, stand outside and look in, or deep-dive into spaces you (think you) already know. Bring us inside a space we’ve yet to witness.” Submit long-form (6,000 words max), mid-range (2,000 words max), flash (500 words max), photo essay/multimedia, or other alternative forms of true stories. Detailed guidelines here; submit here.
Deadline: October 15, 2016
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Timberline Review welcomes new work from established and emerging writers. Short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, poetry — tell us about life! Tell us a story! Prose submissions should aim for under 5,000 words; up to five poems per submission. $5 submission fee for non-members. Each published contributor will receive a payment of $25 and one copy of the journal. Click here for more detailed guidelines and the link to submit.
Deadline: October 15, 2016
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3Elements Review is now accepting submissions for Issue 13! The elements are Glaze, Thread, and Murmur. All three words must be used in any poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction submissions. Art and photography submissions must represent at least one of those elements. To submit, please click here.
Deadline: October 31, 2016
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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
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ROLLING SUBMISSIONS
Akashic Books (of Go the F*ck to Sleep fame) seeks submissions for their Terrible Twosdays series. “Are you a parent going through the Terrible Twos? Did you live through them and survive? Terrible Twosdays is a place to commiserate over the unending shenanigans of your Darling Children (as the online parenting communities say).” Stories must not exceed 750 words. E-mail your submission to info@akashicbooks.com. More details here.
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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.
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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.
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Catapult seeks essays. Questions and pitches can be emailed to nicole.soojung@gmail.com.
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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.
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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.
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The Establishment “is looking to unearth overlooked stories, produce original reporting, and provide a platform for voices that have been marginalized by the mainstream media. And yes, we want your humor, wit, and good old-fashioned satire, too. We publish originally reported features, interviews, long-form journalism, personal essays, and multimedia of all shapes, sizes, and creeds.” All contributors paid. Details on how to pitch can be found here.
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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.
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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.
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Glass Poetry Press is interested in poetry submissions that enact the artistic and creative precision of glass. “We are not bound by any specific aesthetic; our only mission is to publish collections of high quality writing. All styles, forms and schools of poetry are welcome, though easy rhymes and ‘light’ verse are less likely to inspire us. We like poems that show a careful understanding of language, music, passion and creativity.” To submit, click here.
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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.
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Ink In Thirds wants your poetry (up to 3 poems, no longer than 30 lines each), prose (300 words max), and photography (sent directly to submissions@inkinthirds.com). Submission details here.
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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.
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Lady Literary Magazine seeks fiction, creative nonfiction, essays on writing, and poetry from female writers of all ages. Fiction and creative nonfiction: up to 5,000 words; essays: up to 3,000 words; no word limit for poetry. As a literary magazine, they are seeking complex, multi-layered work. No genre fiction or simultaneous submissions. All pieces can be sent to submissions@ladyliterarymag.com. More information here.
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Little Fiction‘s submissions will reopen August 3.
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Mamalode announced an August theme of “Beyond.” This online magazine pays for publications. Submissions are ongoing, including topical pieces not related to the theme. You can submit here.
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Maximum Middle Age, a new online pop culture magazine for women of a certain age, is open for submissions in various categories (“Hardcore Feminist,” “The Domestic Arts,” “Back in the Day,” “Beauty Industrial Complex,” “Family Ties,” and Dr. Feelgood”). For more information on each category and submission details, click here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Motherwell is a publication that tells all sides of the parenting story. It 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. For genre-specific submission guidelines, please visit their Submittable page.
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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.
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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.
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One for One Thousand is a virtual literary journal that pairs photography and prose. Prose: Submit 1,000-word stories or narrative essays inspired by a photo. Photography: Submit photographs that inspire an opening into a potential world. Seeking submissions in both categories; they will include hyperlinks to the photographer’s or writer’s chosen site. They also provide a unique workshop and editing process that involves all of their editors with live commentary. More information on how to submit here.
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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.
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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.
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A Quiet Courage is an online literary journal that publishes microfiction and poetry 100 words or less (titles not included). “We seek your absolute best writing. No deadlines, submissions rolling. No submission fees. We are a non-paying market. We consider writing in Spanish too, with exact English translations. We have a special affinity for Holocaust-related writing, but we consider writing about all kinds of subjects and topics.” For more information and specific submission guidelines, please click here.
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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.
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SmokeLong’s Global Flash Series is now open to stories 600 words or fewer in French, Spanish, Danish, and German. Submit here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tethered by Letters launched Dually Noted, an online group writing project. New and established writers from around the world come together to create one ongoing story through weekly installments. Those interested in adding the next section of the story should submit their 500-word addition before the next Friday night deadline. The editor will publish the best submission at the beginning of each week. For submission specifics and formatting information, please click here, and submit here.
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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.
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Under the Gum Tree is a quarterly literary arts magazine that seeks creative nonfiction submissions year-round. For details, see here.
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Vela publishes nonfiction written by women. They are particularly interested in narrative nonfiction, essays with a research and/or reporting component, and literary journalism with a unique, compelling voice. For more detailed information, please see their submission guidelines.
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Waxwing is reading submissions of poetry, short fiction, and literary essays until May 1; translations of poetry and literary prose are read year-round. Poets should send one to five poems, and prose writers one story, essay, novella, or novel chapter (or up to three short-short stories or micro-essays). Submission details here.
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Willow Springs is open to nonfiction submissions all year. Contributors paid $100 per published long-form prose piece, $40 for short prose. $3 reading fee for all submissions. More info here.
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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.
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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.