Vermont Studio Center – Full Fellowship Awards

VSC holds three annual fellowship deadlines: February 15th, June 15th, and October 1st. We also offer occasional special fellowships at other times. Fellowship applications open approximately 6 weeks in advance of each deadline; during those periods, our current fellowship offerings will be listed on this page.

We accept general (non-fellowship) applications on a rolling basis year-round.

VERMONT STUDIO CENTER’S JUNE 15TH, 2016 FELLOWSHIP DEADLINE

The Vermont Studio Center is thrilled to announce the following 54+ fellowships available at our June 15th, 2016 deadline:

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OPEN TO ALL

25 VERMONT STUDIO CENTER (VSC) FELLOWSHIPS OPEN TO ALL VISUAL ARTISTS AND WRITERS LIVING AND WORKING ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, BASED ENTIRELY ON MERIT

These fellowships are for residencies scheduled between September 2016 – May 2017

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In addition to these 25 awards, we are offering the following special awards for writers and visual artists at this deadline:

FELLOWSHIPS FOR WRITERS

Emerging Artists Fellowships
Four fellowships for emerging artists and writers to be scheduled between September and December 2016. Each award, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, includes a $500 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY: This award is open to first-time VSC residents practicing writing at a professional level who are unpublished or are just completing their first book. (Writers who have published a standard trade edition of their work do not qualify for this fellowship; you may be considered if you have a first book under contract.)

James Merrill Poetry Fellowships
Three fellowships for outstanding American poets with demonstrable financial need. These awards, in honor of the literary and philanthropic legacy of the poet James Merrill and supported by the Hellen Plummer Charitable Foundation, each include a $500 stipend.

Grace Paley Fiction Fellowship
One fellowship open to all fiction writers in honor of long-time VSC friend and visiting writer Grace Paley  and based entirely on merit.

Sustainable Arts Foundation Fellowships
Two 2-week fellowships for artists and writers who are raising young children. Each residency fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend to cover lost income, travel, child care, or other costs related to taking time away from the family.

ELIGIBILITY: Please include a copy of a tax return (or other documentation) that demonstrates you have dependents under the age of 18. 

Henry David Thoreau Fellowship
One fellowship for a poet whose creative work directly engages environmental issues and embodies the life, work, and spirit of Henry David Thoreau.

ELIGIBILITY: To be considered, please include a brief statement (250 words or less) that describes how your poetry engages environmental issues and embodies the life, work, and spirit of Henry David Thoreau.

VSC/Cave Canem Fellowship
One month-long residency fellowship for a Cave Canem Fellow. The $25 application fee is waived for eligible Cave Canem applicants; award includes a $1,000 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY:  Please indicate when you were a Cave Canem Fellow.

VSC/Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Creative Writing Fellowship
One 4-week residency open to Native writers who are alumni of the MFA Creative Writing program at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) for a residency to be scheduled between October 2016 and August 2017. This award includes roundtrip travel to Vermont Studio Center and a $500 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY: Please indicate when you graduated from the MFA Creative Writing program at IAIA. 

VSC/Kundiman Fellowship
One month-long residency fellowship for a Kundiman Fellow. The $25 application fee is waived for eligible Kundiman applicants; award includes a $1,000 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY:  Please indicate when you were a Kundiman Fellow.

 

FELLOWSHIPS FOR VISUAL ARTISTS

Civil Society Institute Fellowship
One award for an east coast artist of color with demonstrable financial need. The $25 application fee is waived for eligible CSI applicants. Award includes a $500 travel stipend.

ELIGIBILITY: To be considered for this award, please complete the cultural background portion of VSC’s application and include financial documentation (a copy of the first page of your most recent income tax return, a recent W-2, a statement of need, etc.). Preference will be given to those artists with current addresses in the New Haven, Jersey City, and Baltimore areas.

Emerging Artists Fellowships
Four fellowships for emerging artists and writers to be scheduled between September and December 2016. Each award, supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, includes a $500 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY: This award is open to first-time VSC residents practicing art at a professional level who have not yet had a solo show in a major urban commercial gallery.

Marshall Frankel Fellowship for Chicago Artists and SAIC Alumni
One fellowship sponsored by the Marshall Frankel Foundation . This award is open to all Chicago-area artists, as well as faculty and alumni of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

ELIGIBILITY: To be considered for this award, please provide a current Chicagoland address and/or verification of your affiliation with SAIC.

Jon Imber Fellowship
1 Fellowship for a painter in honor of VSC friend and Visiting Artist Jon Imber, who lost his battle with ALS in April 2014. The Fellowship will be awarded to a painter whose work embodies the spirit of Jon Imber.

Oregon Artists Fellowships
Two fellowships open to “mid-career” visual artists in Oregon. These fellowships, sponsored by The Ford Family Foundation, each include a $750 stipend.

ELIGIBILITY:  For these awards “mid-career” artists are defined as artists who have already launched their creative practice as demonstrated by a seven-year history of documentable work in the form of exhibitions, catalogues, etc. and who are age 30 or older. Eligible artists must also currently reside in Oregon.

Zeta Orionis Fellowship
One fellowship for a female painter, age 45 or older, living and working in the U.S.  Award based on merit.

Sustainable Arts Foundation Fellowships
Two 2-week fellowships for artists and writers who are raising young children. Each residency fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend to cover lost income, travel, child care, or other costs related to taking time away from the family.

ELIGIBILITY: Please include a copy of a tax return (or other documentation) that demonstrates you have dependents under the age of 18. 

VSC/Pollock-Krasner Foundation Fellowships
Five fellowships for visual artists of outstanding talent from the United States.

Windgate Craft Artists Fellowships
Four fellowships for visual artists working in traditional craft media (clay, fiber, glass, metal, wood). These fellowships, sponsored by the Windgate Charitable Foundation include a $1,000 stipend.

Last call: 7th Annual Oaxaca FilmFest –

 • Select a Category of Entry to continue.

Feature Narrative

In order to qualify as a Feature Narrative Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction with a running time of 60 minutes or more. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *Animated, experimental, and “mockumentary” projects MAY be entered into this category for consideration. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, favor de escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Gracias ! Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com

Feature Documentary

In order to qualify as a Feature Documentary Film, the submitted project must be non-fiction and with a running time of 60 or more. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *If your documentary contains some dramatization of actual events, you may submit in this category, but we will ultimately decide which program is best suited for your project, Para calificar como un Largometraje Documental, el proyecto presentado debe ser de no-ficción , y con una duración de 60 minutos o más. Si su película ha sido estrenada a través de cualquier canal de vídeo doméstico o transmitido por televisión o Internet en su totalidad, NO es elegible para participar. Las películas que han sido estrenadas en cines no son elegibles. * Si su documental contiene alguna dramatización de hechos reales, puede inscribirse en ésta categoría, aunque el festival se reserva el derecho de decidir cuál programa es el más adecuado para su proyecto, Sólo las películas que son Estrenos en México son elegibles para esta categoría.

Short Narrative

In order to qualify as a Narrative Short Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction with a running time of less than 60 minutes. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *Animated, experimental, and “mockumentary” projects may be entered into this category for consideration. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, gracias por escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com

Short Documentary

In order to qualify as a Documentary Short Film, the submitted project must be non-fiction and with a running time of less than 60 minutes. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, gracias por escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com Para calificar como un Cortometraje Documental , el proyecto presentado debe ser de no-ficción , y con una duración de 59 minutos o menos. Si su película ha sido estrenada a través de cualquier canal de vídeo doméstico o transmitido por televisión o Internet en su totalidad, NO es elegible para participar. Las películas que han sido estrenadas en cines no son elegibles.

Global Script Challenge

In order to qualify for The Oaxaca FilmFest Screenwriter Competition the original non developed script must be for a Feature Narrative. All scripts MUST be in English, Spanish or French. *Animated, experimental, and “mockumentary” projects may be entered into this Section for consideration. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, gracias por escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com

Animated Short

In order to qualify as a Animated Short Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction with a running time of less than 60 minutes and must be animated in nature. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, gracias por escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com

Experimental Short

In order to qualify as a Experimental Short Film, the submitted project must be either scripted or improvisational fiction with a running time of less than 60 minutes and must be experimental in nature. Only films that are Mexican Premieres are eligible for this category. If your film has been released via any home video outlet or broadcast on TV or the Internet in its entirety, it is NOT eligible for submission. Films that have been released theatrically are not eligible for submission. *Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, gracias por escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com

Visit the website for details on how to enter:  https://www.withoutabox.com/03film/03t_fin/03t_fin_fest_01over.php?festival_id=9336

Last call! The Seventh Edition of the Oaxaca FilmFest

“One of the Top 50 Festivals in the world ”
-MovieMaker Magazine

 

Awards & Prizes

The Festival Recognizes and Awards All Competitive Categories.

Rules & Terms

1. DATES:

• October 21, 2015 – Opening Date

• January 31, 2016 – Earlybird Deadline

• March 31, 2016 – Regular Deadline

• May 31, 2016 – Late Deadline

• July 31, 2016  – xtended Deadline

• September 15, 2016 – Notification Date

• October 8 – 15, 2016

The Seventh Edition of the Oaxaca FilmFest will be held from October 8-15, 2016 in the City of Oaxaca, Mexico.

2. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

Projects submitted to the Festival for consideration may apply to just one category. Please select the category that best fits your project. The Festival reserves the right to determine eligibility of any project for any Festival program or submission category. For more details (INCLUDING DEADLINES) please review all guidelines for each specific category.

3. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

SUBMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED ONLY VIA OFFICIAL OAXACA FILMFEST SUBMISSION PLATFORM PARTNER.

*Producciones mexicanas requieren un “Fee Waiver”. Para recibirlo, favor de escribir a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com. Gracias !
Todos los directores/guionistas mexicanos interesados en inscribir su proyecto en la sección Hecho en México o Escrito en México al Festival pueden contactar a submissions@oaxacafilmfest.com.

YOU MAY SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE PROJECT AND PREVIOUS PROJECTS THAT WERE REJECTED MAY BE RE-SUBMITTED IF THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES MADE TO THE PROJECT. YOU MAY NOT RE-SUBMIT A PROJECT THAT WAS PART OF THE OFFICIAL SELECTION OF A PREVIOUS EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL.

There are three options for submitting material to the Festival:

1) Uploaded via the Secure Online Screener function of Official Submission Partner.
2) Secure VIMEO link.

Language (SUBTITLE POLICY)
For Submission purposes your film may be in any language. However, if not in English or Spanish the film must have either English or Spanish subtitles.

IF YOUR FILM IS SELECTED for screening at the festival:
-If the film is in Spanish it must have English Subtitles.
-If the film is in English it must have Spanish Subtitles.
-All other languages will be exhibited in the original language and must contain DUAL subtitles both English and Spanish that project simultaneously

All screenplays must be in English, Spanish or French.

Once a Project has been submitted for participation it cannot be withdrawn.

4. PROGRAMMING:

Upon completion of the Festival selection process, the Festival will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Project’s acceptance status. The Festival disavows any responsibility and will not be held responsible for, any failure to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the Festival selection period.,

The Festival is under no obligation to provide to the Applicant or any other representative of the Project any comments or feedback regarding the submitted Project, any information relating to the manner in which the Project is, will be, or was reviewed; any views that the Festival or any reviewers of the Project may hold concerning the Project; any reasons why the Project, should it not be accepted for exhibition at the Festival, was not accepted; or any other information relating to the Festival’s review, consideration and/or selection process regarding the Project specifically or submissions generally beyond the information set forth in these Rules and Regulations.

Projects accepted by the Festival will be placed, at the sole and absolute discretion of the Festival Programming department, in one of the program sections. Applicants may NOT submit their Projects directly to any specific section. The only exception to this policy is exclusively for Mexican Filmmakers who may submit directly to HECHO EN MEXICO OR ESCRITO EN MEXICO sections.

The Film Festival Management will establish the schedule of the films submitted. The Festival also reserves the right to designate appropriate category/section for each project.

5. SELECTION COMMITTEE AND JURORS:

The Selecting Committee will be national and foreign individuals recognized in the cinema and cultural world. The Festival Management will appoint the members of the Official Jury who will assign the Official Awards to the competing sections. Individuals who participated in the production or promotion of any of the competing films will not be eligible as jury members.

The decisions of the Jury will be FINAL.

Furthermore, Filmmakers are responsible to adhering to all guidelines and deadlines needed to ensure the highest quality exhibition of their film.

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS:

All information above shall supersede any other guidelines associated with the Festival. The Festival is entitled to make interpretations in any case not considered in these rules and regulations and may make exceptions whenever justified. The Festival Management will review unforeseen cases. Whenever a controversy arises from the interpretation of any of the articles in these rules and regulations, the ruling document shall be the original document in English.

A submitted project implies full agreement with this document. Failing to comply with any of these articles may result in denying the participation of a project in the Festival.

Oaxaca FilmFest has the right to add, alter, change, or delete any portion of the guidelines at anytime without notice.

Visit the website for details on how to enter:  https://filmfreeway.com/festival/OaxacaFilmFest

These are the current annual contests sponsored by Winning Writers.

Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

• All styles and themes
• Submission period: April 15-September 30, 2016
• Total prizes: $4,000
• Accepts published and unpublished work
• Special award for verse that rhymes or has a traditional style

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North Street Book Prize

• For self-published books
• Categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir
• Submission period: February 15-June 30, 2016
• Total prizes: $6,000
• Top winners receive expert marketing services

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Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (no fee)

• Seeks humor poems
• Submission period: August 15, 2016 – April 1, 2017
• Total prizes: $2,250
• No fee!
• Accepts published and unpublished work

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• Visit the website for details:  https://winningwriters.com/our-contests

 

Are you looking for our online database of The Best Free Literary Contests? Click here

 

Call for submissions: Lagos Literary and Arts Journal

Lagos Literary and Arts Journal is always in search of exceptional talents to promote.

If you feel you believe you are a good writer whose voice should be heard all over the world, send us your best short fiction, essay or poem.
If you have taken some extraordinary photographs, and you think you should rank amongst the best, send them to us with your bio.
If you have written a review about a book you have just read, and you want other people to know about the same book, send us the review and we will pass the message along.
If you have met a great artiste (writer, musician , artist) you think is so amazing and is worth promoting, send us your report .
If you have interviewed any of them, all the better, send us the interviews and some pictures, we will do our best

Lagos Literary and Arts Journal publishes all genres of creative writing and media related to creative endeavors – including but not limited to poetry, fiction, essay, memoir , drama; political essays, satire, profiles, book reviews, anything to stimulate public interest in Nigerian art and culture. As much as possible please keep the length of all submissions below 2500 words; and the size of other media (image. video. audio) less than 3MB
You may submit files of following type; doc , rtf, jpg , gif , png,
Submissions are invite from all over the world.
All work to be considered for publishing should be sent to the editor at the following : editor@lagosliteraryjournal.com.

Payment
LLAJ is primarily a promotional publication, aiming to bring to light the work of new talents. We generally only pay an honorarium of $20 ($10 for poetry) for any work used in the print edition.

To obtain a sample copy of the journal (N800), visit our editorial and fulfillment office at:
AM Book and Team Publishing Limited
1 Olanipekun Street, Ososami Road,
Ibadan

Visit the website:  http://www.lagosliteraryjournal.com/content/submissions

NCW Poetry Book Submissions

Welcome to the NCW Poetry Book Submissions page. Below is all you need to know to submit your work for consideration to this poetry anthology.

I look forward to reading your best poetry.

1. You must be a current member in good standing of Northern Colorado Writers (NCW) at the time of your submission.
2. All work submitted must be your own original, previously unpublished work.
3. Submit up to five (5) poems for consideration. The anthology will publish a maximum of three (3) poems per poet.
4. Submission deadline is June 30, 2016.
5. There is no reading fee. I am honored for the opportunity to read your poetry.
6. All genres of poetry are accepted. There is no theme for the anthology. Most likely hardcore erotica and horror won’t get in, but one never knows.
7. No line limits, but poems of 60 lines are less are preferred.
8. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Please inform me if your work is accepted elsewhere. Your poem won’t appear in the anthology but I will offer my utmost congratulations!
9. Complete the form below, including titles of the poems you are submitting and then email your poems to deankmiller(AT)liveDOTcom. Poems maybe be embedded in the body of the email or sent as a single MS WORD document attached to the email. Start each new poem on a new page in the document.
10. If accepted, you agree to grant rights for publishing your work in book and e-book formats. Also you grant electronic archival rights for occasional online publication, in full or in excerpt form, on this website or in advertising mentions.
11. All rights return to you after the book is published. If your work is accepted elsewhere afterwards, please consider mentioning the anthology as “published prior in . . .”
12. All accepted authors will be required to sign a “release/permission to publish” agreement.
13. Accepted poems may not be substituted later for one you just wrote. No replacements will be allowed. You may withdraw your poems anytime prior to the submission deadline above. After that date, all accepted work will be published.
14. At a minimum, accepted poets will be compensated with one (1) copy of the anthology.
15. Acceptance/non-acceptance decisions will be made on a rolling basis. If I love your work and want to publish it, I’ll let you know right away. Likewise, if I think there’s something else you should submit, I’ll let you know as well. Feedback on non-accepted work may or may not be provided.

Visit the website for submission details:  https://deankmiller.com/ncw-poetry-book-submissions/

 

Krampusnacht 2 submission info

As you may know, Krampus, Santa’s dark companion, is in the spotlight these days. Thousands of people across the globe celebrate Krampusnacht on December 5 of each year. And the movie, Krampus, was a hit during the 2015 holiday season. Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, which I anthologized, and World Weaver Press published, was a hit as well, so we’re publishing another volume. For now, it’s just called Krampusnacht Two. World Weaver Press andEnchanted Conversation are behind this anthology too.

Remember, Krampus is the “corrective” to Saint Nick or Santa’s indulgence and generosity. He carries a switch, and chains and sometimes throws very rotten children in a basket he carries on his back. He has horns, hooves, and a creepy, long tongue. He’s horrible and fascinating at the same time. You can learn a lot about him simply by Googling, and you should read Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus as well, to see what we like. But we are interested in new, fresh stories, not retreads of what we have already published. This site is especially great for Krampus information.
Although the book is yet to be named, we hope you’ll explore every possible Krampus angle via short stories. He’s a nasty old dude, and we hope your imaginations will get the better of you.

Now for the fine print. Rights and compensation: Payment: $10 from Enchanted Conversation and paperback copy of the anthology from World Weaver Press. We are looking for previously unpublished works in English. We are seeking first world rights in English and exclusive right to publish in print and electronic format for six months after publication date, after which publisher retains non-exclusive right to continue to publish for life of the anthology.

Deadline: August 15, 2016. 

Length: Under 10,000 words. But not less than 1,000.

Submission method: Email cover letter and story to enchantedconversation[at] gmail [dot] com with the subject line “Krampus Anthology – story title.” Cover letter should contain your name, contact info (email), story’s title, and approximate word count; no need to summarize the story, let it speak for itself. (Please make sure to check the email address you send the story from–it makes the editing process easier.) Then paste the full story into the body of the email following your letter. Please make it very clear where paragraphs break — this means if your email doesn’t let you indent paragraphs, you’ll need to put an extra space between each paragraph for submission purposes. Do not send unrequested attachments.

Simultaneous submissions = okay. Multiple submissions = no.

Must be 18 years of age or older.

Visit the website:  http://www.fairytalemagazine.com/p/you-know-jolly-old-elf-of-christmas.html

Note from Kate Wolford: I have a strict, no feedback policy about submissions, including why they were rejected. I also do not provide mid-process feedback.

Freelance Writing Markets & Jobs

WELL FAMILY – THE NEW YORK TIMES
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/category/family/?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/content/help/contact/directory.html
A new blog for news about parenting, child health and relationships, with advice also from experts to help every family live well. Pays $100.

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THE TABLET
http://www.tabletmag.com/about
Tablet is a daily online magazine of Jewish news, ideas, and culture. Tablet welcomes submissions from freelance writers. Please submit a full pitch — including a detailed description of what you’d like to write, a brief biography, links to previously published stories, and, if necessary, a short writing sample — to the appropriate section editor. Do not submit a completed piece.

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UPWORTHY
http://www.upworthy.com/pitch-us
Upworthy reaches a massive audience with meaningful stories every day, and we’re looking for original stories that support our mission of creating a better world. Pays up to $200 for 500-word pieces.

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TWOPLUSTWO MAGAZINE
http://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/contribute.php
The Two Plus Two Internet Magazine accepts articles on any topic related to poker or gambling. Articles should be about 1,000-2,000 words. If accepted, we will pay a fee of $200 (per article) by the end of the month after the article appears on www.twoplustwo.com.

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JOBS….

AUTUMN MAGAZINE SEEKS FREELANCER
http://azarts.gov/jobs/article-writers-autumn-magazine/
http://www.autumnmagazine.com/
Looking for someone who possesses strong writing and editing skills. Task is to write one article per month based on monthly theme. Articles are no more than 500 words per article. Examples can be seen in the digital magazine subscription of Autumn Magazine by subscribing for free at www.autumnmagazine.com/subscribe .
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Writing Topics Needed:

Deadline May 27, 2016

Quizzes – based on theme for the month; Art – Poetry, critique on current movies, tv shows, are books; and Media & Culture – Opinion pieces and reports on current events unfolding in the media or apart of our culture. Apply by sending an email to jayme@autumnmagazine.com with a writing example and category of interest.

GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, RESIDENCIES and such…

BINDERCON SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline May 31, 2016

The Out of the Binders Scholarship Program is designed to increase diversity by offering free admission to up to 25 promising writers who might not otherwise be able to attend due to financial hardship. Diversity includes but is not limited to: age; racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds; sexual orientation; gender identity; marital and parental status; disability. The scholarships include free attendance to all the events on Saturday, October 29, 2016 and Sunday, October 30, 2016 networking opportunities to meet agents and editors, and a ticket to the VIP party, but do not include airfare and/or accommodations, or food. (Some meals may be provided as part of the conference programming.) Additionally, we are thrilled to offer stipends to select applicants: parents who require financial assistance with childcare and out of town attendees in need of travel assistance. Please indicate if you would like to be considered for any of these stipends. .

Visit the website:  http://nyc.bindercon.com/apply-scholarship/

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MEXICO RESIDENCIES
http://azarts.gov/arts-op/self-directed-instructional-artist-writers-residencies-mexico/
http://www.arquetopia.org

Arquetopia is an international award-winning, Mexican official nonprofit foundation run entirely by artists. Has many opportunities for those in the arts, to include writers,

with deadline of May 29, 2016.

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AUSTRALIAN INDIVIDUAL ARTIST GRANTS
http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/funding/new-grants-model/arts-projects-for-individuals-and-groups/

Deadlines June 7 and October 4, 2016.

If you are applying as an individual or group, you must be a practicing artist or arts worker and an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Applications for funding to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander panel must come from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals or groups.

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THE CAMBRIDGE WRITERS’ WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS

Deadline June 10, 2016.

For student writers, diversity fellows, and writers who are parents. Join the CWW 2016 Summer in Barcelona and South of France Writing Retreat (July 18-26, 2016) and Summer in Granada, Spain Writing Retreat (July 28-August 5, 2016). Limited scholarships of $500-$1,500 are available for each program. Scholarships are available for student writers (for undergraduate or graduate students in literary fields), diversity fellows (for writers of color and writers from marginalized communities), and for writers who are parents.

Deadline June 10, 2016.

https://cww.submittable.com/submit/58767

https://cww.submittable.com/submit/52214

I MUST BE OFF CONTEST

2016 Travel Writing Contest — Submissions are Open!

It’s that time of year again: time to type up those travel articles, travel anecdotes and travel reflections. If it’s about travel, we want to read it. We want to read about that place that changed you.We want to read about the experiences you can’t wait to share with other travelers. Whether your work is humorous, informative, quirky or profound–we want to read it.

Submission Guidelines:

• Maximum 1200 words
• Edited to the best of your ability for spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Up to three photos may be submitted with your entry. Photos not necessary to win.
• Previously unpublished work only! Blog posts are considered published (and I research all finalists).
• No entry fee. Yes, that’s right. You have nothing to lose.
• Open to anyone worldwide, but you need (access to) a PayPal account
• Entries must be in English
• One entry per person
• Deadline for submissions: July 31, 2016
• Send entries with a 50-word third-person bio to christopher@imustbeoff.com with the heading TRAVEL WRITING CONTEST. Entries will be read blind by this year’s judge and travel writer, Paola Fornari. It is not necessary to delete identifying information from your entry. If your name appears anywhere, it will be removed before it’s forwarded to the judge.
• Word doc, docx and rtf files only. 
• Finalists announced in August 2016. Winners announced and published in late summer 2016.

The Prizes: 

• The Top essays will be published at I Must Be Off! (Authors retain copyright.)
• Second place prize: $50
• First place prize: $200
• Readers’ Choice Award ($50) based on unique hits and comments tallied on September 30, 2016.

Good luck and happy writing!

I must be off,
Christopher

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Christopher Allen is the author of Conversations with S. Teri O’Type (a Satire), an episodic adult cartoon about a man struggling with expectations. Allen’s writing has appeared, or is forthcoming, in Eclectica Magazine’s 20th-Anniversary Best of Speculative anthology, Indiana Review, Night Train, Quiddity, SmokeLong Quarterly: the Best of the First Ten Years anthology, Prime Number Magazine, [PANK] blog, Necessary Fiction, Word Riot, Bootsnall Travel, Chicken Soup for the Soul and lots of other good places. A finalist at Glimmer Train in 2011, Allen has been nominated for Best of the Net and the Pushcart Prize twice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Previous Winners and Placers:

“A Leaf on the Wind” by Joel Hindson
“Burning My Boots in Cabo Fisterra” by Gabriella Brand
“Discovering Hến Rice in Central Việt Nam” by Chris Galvin
“Oh, Calcutta” by Paola Fornari
“The Scarlet Mile” by Gillian Brown
“Bodrum, Turkey’s San Tropez” by Jack Scott
“The Children of Chitwan, Nepal” by Hannah Thompson-Yates
“God’s Own Country” by Saahil Acharya

    

      Pictured above: The 2016 Judge — Paola Fornari

Travel writer Paola Fornari was born on Ukerewe Island in Lake Victoria, Tanzania. She has lived in a dozen countries over four continents, speaks five and a half languages, dabbles in several others, and describes herself as an expatriate sine patria. In every new posting, her curiosity leads her to explore every corner of her host country, and experience as much ‘real life’ as she can.

Her travel and lifestyle articles have appeared extensively online, and in print magazines as diverse as Cycling World, Practical Fishkeeping The Oldie andThe Buenos Aires Herald.

She has judged several writing competitions, and was co-judge in Expatclic’s prestigious Travel Reflections competition in 2013.

In 2013 she won the Senior Travel Expert travel writing competition, and was third in the Go Walkabout competition.

Her relationship with I Must be Off goes back a long way. Apart from having several interviews published on the site, she was highly commended in the first I Must be Off travel essay contest in 2013, and won in 2014.

She recently moved from Dhaka, Bangladesh, to Accra, Ghana.

Visit the website:  http://www.imustbeoff.com/p/blog-page.html

SHORT STORY FICTION CONTEST

Deadline June 1, 2016

  ENTER NOW!

FIRST PLACE WINNER 

$250.00 Cash Prize
Plus
Cover of 5th Short Story bonus issue
Story published in bonus issue
Showcased in Southern Writers Magazine
Year’s online subscription to Southern Writers
_______________

SECOND PLACE

$100.00 Cash Prize
Plus
Photo insert on cover 5th Short Story bonus issue
Story published in bonus issue
Year’s online subscription to Southern Writers
_______________

THIRD PLACE

$50.00 Cash Prize
Plus
Photo insert on cover 5th short story bonus issue
Story published in bonus issue
Year’s online subscription to Southern Writers
________________

10 RUNNERS UP

Story published in 5th short story bonus issue
Year’s online subscription to Southern Writers

SHORT STORY FICTION CONTEST

ENTRY FEE:  $15.00

DEADLINE:  June 1, 2016

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. Entry must be original, unpublished (in any form). Must not be accepted by other publishers at time of submission.

2. Manuscript word count––1500 words maximum, 12 pt Times New Roman, double spaced.

3. Your name, phone number, email address, mailing address and word count must be on page 1 ONLY with title and story beginning on page 2.

4. No Erotica

Submit your story document online (see contact form below).

Send your $15.00 entry fee via PayPal (PayPal will appear once you have submitted your story.)

To submit by regular mail, your check must be attached to story, made out to Southern Writers Magazine.
Mail to Southern Writers Magazine, 1016 W Poplar Ave., Ste. 106-177, Collierville, TN 38017

OFFICIAL RULES
1. Winners will be chosen from all entries received between May 1 and June 1, 2016. Entries will be judged by a panel of editors on the basis of writing quality, creativity, style, grammar and overall appeal. Judges will not know the identity of the entrants. Submissions must be the sole work of the entrant and previously unpublished in print or internet. Submission constitutes understanding and acceptance of rules and guidelines and grants Southern Writers Magazine first rights to publish the winning stories. Entrant retains all other publishing rights. Multiple entries accepted ($15 first entry, $10 each additional). First Place, Second Place and Third Place winners will provide high-quality JPG photo. Inclusion will be at the discretion of the publisher, but every effort shall be made to secure a suitable photo. Publisher will also request a brief bio from winners to accompany their story.
2. Winners will be announced after all entries are evaluated and winners chosen. Expected date of bonus publication is August 2016.
3. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to all U.S. Residents and U.S. Citizens abroad, 18 years and older; except for the staff and families of Southern Writers Magazine.

HOW TO ENTER, VISIT: 

http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/shorts.html

THE PAZ PRIZE FOR POETRY 2016-2018

Deadline:  June 15, 2016

The Miami Book Fair established The Paz Prize for Poetry in partnership with The National Poetry Series in Spring 2012.

The award recognizes a previously unpublished poetry book written in Spanish by a poet residing in the U.S. The winning book will be published in a bilingual edition by Akashic Press, and its author will receive a $2,000 cash prize. Achy Obejas, a writer cemebrated for her work across various genres will serve as judge.

The second winner of The Paz Prize for Poetry is Carlos Pintado, for his collectionNueve Monedas/Nine Coins, chosen by judge Richard Blanco.

“The stories of America’s diverse cultural landscape don’t come in just one language or one color. The Paz Prize recognizes this,” said Blanco. “This important award bridges understanding through the power of poetry, and honors the value of Spanish-speaking cultures contributing their stories through the arts to the story of the United States.”

The first winner of the winner of the award was Dinapiera Di Donato for her collection, Colaterales, chosen by the prize’s inaugural judge, Victor Hernandez Cruz.

Guidelines
Miami Book Fair will award one prize annually for the publication of a previously unpublished book of poetry originally written in Spanish by an American resident. The prize will recognize book-length manuscripts of poetry written in Spanish. Translations, works of literary criticism and scholarly texts do not qualify.

The winner will be selected by an esteemed Spanish-speaking poet. The chosen book will be translated into English by an experienced translator, and will be published in a bilingual edition. The Spanish Prize will be administered through The National Poetry Series.

Entrants should submit the following from May 1 – June 15, 2016 to: The National Poetry Series, The Paz Prize for Poetry, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540

1) A single-spaced copy of the manuscript. All manuscripts must be previously unpublished, although some or all of the individual poems may have appeared in periodicals. Chapbooks, small groups of poems, and books previously self-published are not eligible. Manuscript length is not limited. However, a length of approximately 48 pages is suggested. All manuscripts should be paginated and typed on one side of the page only.

2) Two cover sheets, both including the title of the manuscript, author’s name, address, email, and phone number, along with a brief description of the work and biography of the author (200 words).

We regret that manuscripts cannot be returned. There will be no additions, deletions, or substitutions once a manuscript is submitted. Entrants should inform The National Poetry Series immediately if the manuscript is selected for publication elsewhere.

Finalists for the award will be notified in late July, and the winner will be announced in September. Information relating to the competition will be available atwww.nationalpoetryseries.com and www.flcenterlitarts.com.

The winning poet will be given a chance to make final changes prior to publication.

For more information, please contact the Coordinator, The National Poetry Series, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540. Phone: 609.430.0999 Fax: 609.430.9933

Bases
El Centro de Literatura y Teatro del MDC (The Center @ Miami Dade College) otorgará cada año un premio para la publicación de un poemario inédito escrito originalmente en español por un (a) autor(a) residente en los Estados Unidos. Sólo se aceptarán manuscritos de poesía con extensión de libro redactados en español. Las traducciones, obras de crítica literaria y textos académicos no serán elegibles.

El poemario ganador será seleccionado por un (a) prestigioso (a) poeta de habla hispana. El libro escogido será traducido al inglés por un traductor experto, y será publicado en una edición bilingüe.

El Premio Paz será administrado por The National Poetry Series. Los participantes deben enviar lo siguiente, desde el 1 de mayo al 15 de junio, a la siguiente dirección: The National Poetry Series, The Paz Prize for Poetry, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540

1) Copia del manuscrito escrito a un solo espacio. Los manuscritos deben ser inéditos, aunque algunos de sus poemas pueden haber aparecido en publicaciones periódicas. Las plaquettes, pequeños grupos de poemas y libros publicados por el propio autor no son elegibles. No hay límite de extensión. Sin embargo, se sugiere un libro de 48 páginas aproximadamente. Los manuscritos deben estar paginados y escritos en una sola cara.

2) Dos hojas de presentación con el título del manuscrito, nombre del (la) autor (a), dirección, dirección de correo electrónico y número telefónico, y una breve descripción de la obra y biografía del (la) escritor (a), con 200 palabras de extensión como máximo. Lamentablemente, los manuscritos no serán devueltos. Una vez presentado el manuscrito, no se permitirán adiciones, eliminaciones ni sustituciones de texto. Si el manuscrito es seleccionado para su publicación en otra editorial, el (la) concursante deberá informárselo de inmediato a The National Poetry Series.

Los finalistas del premio serán notificados a finales de julio, y el nombre del (la) ganador (a) se dará a conocer en septiembre. Para obtener información acerca del concurso, visite los sitios Web www.nationalpoetryseries.com y www.TheCenteratMDC.org.

El (la) poeta que gane el premio tendrá la oportunidad de hacerle cambios finales al manuscrito antes de su publicación.

Para más información, póngase en contacto con: The Coordinator, The National Poetry Series, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08540. Tel: 609.430.0999 Fax: 609.430.9933

UNDER THE GUM TREE CONTEST

UNDER THE GUM TREE CONTEST

$20 ENTRY FEE.
The theme of this contest is (un)seen/(un)heard. For this contest, we are particularly interested in true stories, articulated in any form (straight-ahead narrative, lyric, modular, etc.), that invite us as readers and people into a space, experience, examination, or contemplation that brings us closer to our raw, complex, and varied humanity/ies, and challenges us to deeper authenticity with ourselves and fuller empathy toward others.

Deadline June 30, 2016.

Limit 5,000 words. One winner will receive a modest $300 (and more, if submission fees permit!), publication in our January 2017 issue, and a one-year subscription to keep or gift.

Visit the website:  http://www.underthegumtree.com/contest

The Biggest Error of a New Writer

Here lately I’ve received a rash of emails asking me how to become a freelance writer and make money. Well, actually, they ask how they can write and get paid by me, and then they ask me to mentor them so that their writing is good enough.

So, let’s look at this for a moment . . . I’m supposed to take on someone who is not a commercial writer, teach them how to write such that it IS marketable, then pay them $50 for 500 words that fit FundsforWriters.

Some submitters become quite disgruntled when I refuse them. Some pitch me anyway, then when I reject (always with reasons to help them learn), they get angry that I am not giving a new writer a chance by educating them how to write it better.

Note to writers everywhere: It is not an editor’s job to teach you how to write. When you pitch, you are professing to already know the craft. It should be only a matter of the writer’s pitch fitting the need of the publication.

The best ways to learn how to write for a publication:

1) Read all the freelance chapters in a Writers Market.
2) Read enough of the publication you’re pitching to understand their style.
3) Read the guidelines and study the editorial calendar (if available).
4) Ensure your writing is polished enough so that the editor wants to read more.
5) Know the Chicago Manual of Style.

Second note to writers: Editors are not there to edit your work for you. They are there to edit for the publication, to find the best topics for their readers and then edit the stories to fit the space.

Take the time to learn how to write well. Then take the time to learn how to pitch smart. Do not use editors for your trial and error learning process. Find beta readers and critique groups to test drive your work.

You cannot undo a first impression, and yes, many editors remember. An idea that doesn’t quite fit is one thing….not knowing how to write is quite another.

Freelance writing resources for the new freelance writer:

http://www.therenegadewriter.com/
http://www.makealivingwriting.com/
http://www.writersmarket.com/

By C. Hope Clark, award-winning author of the Carolina Slade Mystery Series, creator and editor at http://www.fundsforwriters.com 

Switchback Flash Contest

Switchback is an online publication of the MFA in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco. We are a biannual journal because that’s about all we can handle. We generally open submissions for a few months at a time, then catch our breath while we put together the issue. Please read the guidelines below carefully before submitting. On behalf of everyone here at Switchback, thank you for considering us!

General Guidelines OR Things You’ll Want to Know about Us Quickly

1. We only consider previously unpublished works. No exceptions. Thank you.
2. We do not accept submissions via email or postal service. You can submit your work to us through Submittable. If you run into any technical difficulties in uploading your submission, please contact us at submissions@swback.com.
3. We do accept simultaneous submissions; however, we ask that you notify us as soon as humanly possible if your work is accepted elsewhere. If you’re exclusively submitting work to us, we appreciate the thought.
4. If you’re submitting prose, please limit your submission to one story or essay at a time. And make sure your work clocks in at or under 7500 words. We won’t consider any prose pieces over 7500 words. Period. Sorry, but dem’s the breaks.
5. If you’re submitting poetry, please submit to us no more than three poems. We like things in threes: Olympic medals, wishes, Cerberus heads, jazz ensembles. We don’t like things in fours, except when it comes to lists of things in threes.
6. Before submitting, please read some of our back issues to familiarize yourself with the content we choose to publish. It’s all readily available on our Web site, so there’s really no reason not to.

Following these guidelines will allow us to take you and your work more seriously. If you break the rules, we will swiftly and speedily fail to read your work.

How to submit:  http://www.swback.com/call

Now a quick word from our respective genre editors.

FICTION MANIFESTO:

This issue the fiction team anticipates receiving more submissions than ever before; and trust me, there were a lot before. What can you do to make your story stand out? Fancy type won’t do it. Unneccessarily strange structure won’t do it. And length won’t do it either. All you can do is send us something that is so good, we’re sad when we get to the last page. We love to read. We’re excited to read your story. Give us something great.

-Carrie

NONFICTION MANIFESTO:

We want good essays, personal or not. Send us the story of a family through generations or a history of the thimble. Send us whatever true thing you want, and make it pretty. There’s nothing we won’t look at, and no subject we believe unworthy.

– Robert

POETRY MANIFESTO:

We are looking for inventive poetic connections. Send us poems that are artful, intelligent, and inspired by the world around you. We seek work which embodies a broad view, even while exploring the minutia of everyday life. We encourage poems with an eye on social justice themes (but save us from reading rants, please). Send us informed pieces that use form and structure as essential scaffolding of your poetry, whether that is in a form, prose, or using white space. We love complexity balanced with simple poetic moments. Switchback accepts pieces from well-read writers, attentive to not only the American poetry lineage, but poetry’s global roots as well. Please remember, three poems at a time.

– Virginia

LITERARY REVIEWS MANIFESTO:

Switchback regularly publishes reviews of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry on our Web site. As a rule, we generally prefer to read reviews of lesser known works, of books you’re less likely to come across in the New York Times Book Review or Publishers Weekly, but we’re open to all good writing. Reviews should fall somewhere between 500 and 2000 words. Please state in your cover letter what genre your review falls under, so we may pass it along to the correct genre editor. Publicists interested in sending us catalogue listings or review galleys of forthcoming titles should send a query to editor@swback.com.

ART MANIFESTO:

Switchback features artwork in a number of different contexts. If possible, please include a statement with your submission indication how you envision your art being featured in Switchback.

1. As “cover” art, used as the background art for our issue.
2. Single pieces, to be displayed alongside an individual work of writing.
3. As part of a “featured artist” feature. To be considered as one of Switchback‘s featured artists, we ask that you submit a series of at least five pieces, along with an artist’s statement about the work.

Questions? Just email editor@swback.com.

Once again, Switchback no longer accepts email or hard copy submissions. SUBMIT TO SWITCHBACK USING SUBMITTABLE. If you experience any technical difficulties uploading your submission, please contact us at: submissions@swback.com.

 

Short Story Award For New Writers

The Short Story Award for New Writers is open from May 15 – July 15, 2016 and will award $2000 to the winner — the best piece of fiction by an emerging writer. Second and third place prizes will be $200 and $100, respectively, and all three stories will earn publication on the site and agency review by Amy Williams of The Williams Agency, Victoria Marini by GELFMAN SCHNEIDER / ICM PARTNERS and Laura Biagi from Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc. in New York.

DEADLINE: July 15, 2016

PRIZE: $2000 and publication to the winner. $200, $100 and publication to second and third place stories, respectively. Agency review by Victoria Marini of GELFMAN SCHNEIDER / ICM PARTNERS and Laura Biagi from Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc. in New York, and Amy Williams of the Amy Williams Agency.

GUIDELINES:

6000 word limit
Fiction only
No writing preferences. Just your best work
Emerging Writers Only (have not published a novel at the time of submission. You may have a book under contract. Short story collections are not considered novels and therefore you qualify. We welcome work from self-published writers.)
$20 to enter
Previously unpublished work only
Multiple and simultaneous submissions are allowed, but please notify us if your story is accepted elsewhere
International submissions allowed

To submit a story or learn more about our guidelines:

https://mastersreview.com/short-story-award-for-new-writers

10-minute Play Fest 2016

Scripts are being accepted in two categories: 

Category 1: An LGBT individual’s self-disclosure about their sexual orientation.

Category 2: Any interpretation of “Out of the Closet” literal or figurative. Plays may be comedy or drama. Both individual authors and collaborative teams are eligible.

• Grand Prize Winner will receive $200.00 cash, a trophy and production of their play.
• First Prize winner will receive $150 cash and production of their play.
• An additional 4-6 runner-up scripts will also be produced.

RULES:

1. Submissions must be original, unproduced plays.
2. Contestants must be 18 years of age or older.
3. Running time must be between 5 and 10 minutes.
4. No monologues, musicals or children’s plays..
5. Playwrights may submit one play in each category. (2 plays maximum.)
6. Scripts will not be returned. ETC does not assume any responsibility for the loss or damage of scripts. All reasonable care will be taken.
7. All entries must be received by June 30th, 2016.
8. Winners will be announced by July 30th, 2016.
9.  Plays will be staged in a black box setting (there will be no set beyond a closet door). Please write accordingly.
10.  Plays must have 2-6 characters.

Winning plays will be staged at Theatreworks September 9 – 11, 2016!

How to enter

• Submit 2 copies of your 10-minute script.
• Your name should not appear on your script.
• Include a cover sheet with your name, address, phone number, email address and the title (s) of your play(s).
• Enclose a $10.00 entry fee for each play entered.
• Make checks payable to Emerald Theater Company

MAIL TO:
Caroline at “Out of the Closet”
c/o ETC
P.O. Box 41408
Memphis, TN 38174

Visit the website:  http://www.etcmemphistheater.com/10-minute-play-fest-2016.html

 

We look forward to reading your work!

Last call! HARD TIMES ESSAY CONTEST

HARD TIMES ESSAY CONTEST

Deadline: Postmarked by May 30, 2016

 

AWARDS:

 

1st Place: Your choice of a 2 night stay at our Mountain Muse B&B; or 2 free workshops (in person or on-line); or 50 pages line-edited and revised by our editorial staff.

2nd Place: Two free workshops, in person or on-line; or 35 pages line-edited.

3rd Place: One free workshop; or 25 pages line-edited.

10 Honorable Mentions

GUIDELINES:

 

Write about a difficult experience in your life, how you overcame this obstacle, and how you were changed by it. Winning stories will be chosen for originality and creative writing style. Stories should be previously unpublished, and should not exceed 4,000 words (double-spaced, 12 point font). Multiple entries are accepted.

Your name, address, email and title of work should appear on the first page. The entry fee is $25 ($20 for Workshop members) per entry.

Enclose legal size self-sealing SASE for critique and list of winners.  Make check or money order payable to The Writers’ Workshop, and mail to:  Hard Times Contest, 387 Beaucatcher Road, Asheville, NC  28805. Entry fee is payable online at www.twwoa.org.

Emailed submission may be sent to writersw@gmail.com, with “Hard Times Contest” in the subject. Comments will be emailed, so no SASE is necessary. The entry fee is payable online at www.twwoa.org, or by mail.

Write your story, change the world

New Contest Seeks to Change the Future Contest Partners with Award-Winning Author to Elevate New Voices A university-based civic innovation office has launched a new writing competition to create a roadmap for the city of tomorrow. FutureScapes Writing Contest seeks short works of fiction of up to 8,000 words that envision life in future “Cities of Empowerment.” The contest offers a $2,000 first-place prize, a $1,000 second-place prize, and $500 to each of four additional finalists as well as publication in an anthology that will be distributed to mayors, governors, and members of Congress. There is no entry fee, and winners will be published alongside prominent, established authors of science fiction. “This contest really takes seriously the notion that ‘life imitates art,’” said Luke Peterson, contest director. “We want to use fiction to give policymakers a vision of what might be.” Finalists will be judged by Hugo Award-winning author Mary Robinette Kowal. This year the theme of the contest is “Cities of Empowerment,” and those interested in entering are encouraged to carefully read the rules and theme for the contest before preparing a contest entry. Deadline: JULY 15, 2016 Visit the website for details on how to enter:  http://futurescapescontest.org/

Sponsored by Utah Valley University

The Bridport Prize 2016

Deadline: Midnight (BST) on Sunday 31st May 2016

The mission of the Bridport Prize is to encourage emerging writers and promote literary excellence through its competition structure. The Prize was founded by Bridport Arts Centre in 1973 and has steadily grown in stature and prestige. Right from the start the competition attracted entries from all parts of the UK and from overseas.

One of the richest writing competitions in the UK, the Bridport Prize is open to all nationalities aged 16 years and over.

The poem and short story categories each have a first prize of £5,000, second prize £1,000 and third prize £500. An additional 10 supplementary prizes (for each category) of £50 each are awarded.

A new category for flash fiction with a prize of £1,000 was launched in 2010. There is a second prize of £500, 3rd prize of £250 and 3 supplementary prizes of £50.

In 2014 the Peggy Chapman-Andrews first novel award, named after the Prize’s founder, was launched (open to UK residents only).

The Dorset Award is a prize specifically for Dorset writers. Thanks to the sponsorship ofThe Book Shop of Bridport, £100 is awarded to the highest placed Dorset writer in the Bridport Prize each year.

Fay Weldon CBE, patron of the Bridport Prize, says “Mention the Bridport Prize and the eyes of writers everywhere light up. It’s not just the money – though that’s not to be sneezed at – it’s a prize really worth fighting for in terms of prestige and genuine literary accomplishment”

Entry Categories

All entries submitted can be on any subject, and written in any style or form.  However, organisers do not recommend poems or stories written for children.

Poems (entry fee £9.00)

Judge: Patience Agbabi

Line limit: 42 lines (no minimum). Title not included.

Entry fee:  £8 for each poem submitted.

Prizes: 1st £5,000, 2nd £1,000, 3rd £500 + Highly Commended 10 x £100

The top 4 poems are submitted to the Forward Prize for best single poem

 

Short Stories (entry fee £10.00)

Judge: Tessa Hadley

Word limit: 5,000 words (no minimum). Title not included.

Entry fee:  £9 for each short story submitted.

Prizes: 1st £5,000, 2nd £1,000, 3rd £500 + Highly Commended 10 x £100

The top winning stories, poems and flash fiction will be published in the Bridport Prize 2016 anthology

The winning stories and shortlist will be read by leading London literary agents with a view to representing writers

The top thirteen eligible stories are submitted to the BBC National Short Story Award(£15,000) and The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award (£30,000)

 

Flash Fiction (entry fee £8.00)

Judge: Tim Stevenson

Word limit: 250 words (no minimum). Title not included.

Entry fee:  £7 for each flash fiction submitted.

Prizes: 1st £1,000, 2nd £500, 3rd £250 + Highly Commended 3 x £100

What is flash fiction?

Flash fiction is a style of fictional literature of extreme brevity. There is no widely accepted definition of the length of the category. Some are as low as 250 words (such as ours), while others consider stories as long as a thousand words to be flash fiction.

Other names for flash fiction include sudden fiction, micro fiction, micro-story, short short, postcard fiction and short short story, though distinctions are sometimes drawn between some of these terms; for example, sometimes one-thousand words is considered the cut-off between “flash fiction” and the slightly longer short story “sudden fiction”. The terms “micro fiction” and “micro narrative” are sometimes defined as below 300 words.

Flash-fiction often contains the classic story elements: protagonist, conflict, obstacles or complications, and resolution. However, unlike a traditional short story, the limited word length often forces some of these elements to remain unwritten – that is, hinted at or implied in the written storyline.

Visit the website for details:  https://www.bridportprize.org.uk/

ROLL OF THUNDER PUBLISHING CONTEST

The Contest is open to people of color (or those who self-identify as other than white) who are residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions, 18 years of age or older at time of entry and who have not had any works of fiction published in any medium prior to entering the Contest.

In 1974, the Council on Interracial Books sponsored a writing contest seeking out diverse voices. Mildred D. Taylor was the winner of the African-American segment for the manuscript that becameSong of the Trees (Dial, 1975), her first book. It introduced the Logan family and was followed byRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1976), which won the Newbery Medal.

Deadline June 21, 2016.

The submission must be in English, between 25,000-75,000 words and must not have been previously published in any medium. The confirmed winner will receive a book publishing contract for the publication of a novel for ages 8-14 by Penguin Random House LLC, with an advance of $35,000, plus royalties.

Visit the website for details:  http://www.rollofthunderbook.com/

The Hummingbird Flash Fiction Prize

Got something short, sharp and snappy to tell?  Wow us with your most economical and brilliant storytelling.  This contest is for short fiction under 1000 words.  Want feedback on your story?  Get a professional critique from one of the Pulp Literature editors for only $15 more.

Contest opens:  1 May 2016
Deadline:  15 June 2016
Winner notified:  15 July 2016
Winner published in:  Issue 13, Winter 2017
Prize:  $300

Entry fee: $15
Earlybird fee (before 15 May): $10
Entry fees include a 1-year digital subscription to Pulp Literature.

This contest is for previously unpublished works of fiction up to 1000 words in length.  Total entries limited to 300.

Visit the website:  http://pulpliterature.com/contests/

RAVEN SHORT STORY CONTEST

Raven Short Story Contest

We Pulp Literature editors collect stories like ravens in the woods, swooping down on what catches our eye and bringing the treasures — sometimes sparkling, sometimes grisly, but always fascinating — home to our nests.  Want feedback on your story?  Get a professional critique from one of the Pulp Literature editors for only $25 more.  Show us your most scintillating treasures in the form of short fiction up to 5000 words in length and you could be the one bringing home $500 to line your nest!

Contest opens: 1 September 2016
Deadline: 15 October 2016
Winner notified: 15 November 2016
Winner published in: Issue 14, Spring 2017
Prize: $500

Entry fee: $25
Editorial critique: $25
Earlybird fee (before 15 September): $20
Entry fees include a 1-year digital subscription to Pulp Literature

This contest is for previously unpublished short fiction between 500 and 5000 words in length.  Multiple entries welcome.  Total entries limited to 200.

Visit the website:

http://pulpliterature.com/contests/

A Smarter Way for Independent Authors to Advertise Books

ADVERTISE SMARTER

By A.R. Wise

Successful independent authors advertise. It’s as simple as that. You can’t publish a book and expect the world to notice. You must get the word out. However, not all types of advertising produce the same results, and it’s easy to waste an awful lot of money without seeing substantial return. Trust me, I’ve wasted plenty, and I want to help you avoid some of the same mistakes.

I only advertise books that are on sale, or free, and I look for sites with a substantial mailing list. I avoid sites that boast huge Twitter followings as their claim to fame, because it’s easy to artificially inflate social media stats. I also avoid doing banner advertisements on sites, because the click-through rate on those are abysmal. To get the most for your money, you must place your book in front of as many eyes as possible, and I haven’t found a better way to do that than working with the following sites.

Bookbub

Let’s address the behemoth first. I haven’t encountered a site that’s more consistently worth the investment than Bookbub. At first glance, it’s expensive, but an ad with them is worth every penny. On average, for a free book in the horror genre, I see around 8,000–20,000 downloads on the day my ad hits, and the effect continues for several days until gradually coming back down to average. Bookbub can be awfully picky about which titles they advertise, which might be discouraging if they decline your novel. Don’t be disheartened. Acquire more reviews on your book (which is part of their selection criteria), and give them another try in a month.

For tips on finding more reviews, see my article in last week’s FundsforWriters newsletter: How to Get Reviews – Without Cheating!

Freebooksy/Bargainbooksy

This is another pricey option that’s had consistent, positive results, although with nowhere near the same success as Bookbub. Their prices run between $40 and $200 depending on the genre of your book, and I usually see an uptick of about 1,000 downloads (for a free horror novel). Advertising with Bargainbooksy is considerably cheaper, but I’ve never seen an impressive result from them. In my opinion, you should only use this site when your book is being offered for free.

Kindle Nation Daily / Bookgorilla

It’s daunting to look at the pricing structure of this site’s advertisement packages. I’ve participated in several different options (including some of the frighteningly expensive ones) and surprisingly discovered that the best one is also the cheapest. If you’re offering a free book, then it’s worth your time to invest in the $29.99 Free Book Highlighter option.

OHFB

Another free book advertising opportunity. This one competes closely with Freebooksy in terms of price and results, although I only utilize it when I’m putting a slew of ads out all at once.

Bookbasset

Here’s one that’s still relatively cheap (get them while you can), but still manages to drum up impressive downloads. One of its options makes you the featured author for the day and can be used to advertise all of your books. This one runs $21.99 and is a good option if you’re hoping to advertise books that aren’t available for free. If you’re marketing a free book, then there’s an option that runs a meager $7.99, but will usually land you a few hundred downloads.

Good luck advertising your book! If you find a different site that’s worth advertising with, please reply with  a comment.

BIO-
A.R. Wise is the author of several horror, mystery, and comedy novels, including314, which has more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon. Several of his books, including 314, are available for free. If you enjoy his work, then do him a favor by writing a review.

www.arwisebooks.com
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NARRATIVE’S EIGHTH ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST

NARRATIVE’S EIGHTH ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST runs until July 20, 2016. In a continuing effort to encourage and support talented poets, we’re offering prizes and widespread publicity to all winners and finalists. Narrative is always looking for new voices, so all entries will be considered for publication in the magazine.

The contest is open to all poets. Entries must be unpublished and must not have been previously chosen as winners, finalists, or honorable mentions in other contests. Each entry may contain up to five poems. The poems should all be contained in a single file. You may enter as many times as you wish, but we encourage you to be selective and to send your best work.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK.

NOTES ON THE CONTEST: As with literary reading in general, poetry reading has been declining. There’s debate about the exact statistical rate and the causes of the decline, and there are many good venues for poetry today, yet the number of adults who read poetry, as surveyed by the NEA, decreased by approximately half in the past two decades. Less than 10 percent of adults read any poetry at all. More than ever, the economics of poetry are such that poetry is for the most part a subsidized, rather than a profitable, enterprise. Poets and poetry publishers are engaged in labors of love, aided by donors who believe in the importance of poetry.

Narrative is a nonprofit organization, and its poetry program, like its other programs, depends largely on the support of many dedicated individuals who contribute resources and time to make the magazine possible. We are committed to paying our authors as well as possible and to creating as much attention as possible for their work. The overall cost of publishing poetry (payments to authors, production costs, awards and prizes, promotion) is far more than what comes in from poetry-related reading and entry fees—the income is nowhere close to the expense. Our reasons for publishing poetry are not about submission fees but about wanting poetry to be an important part of what we do and wanting to give back as much as we can, because literature contributes so much to life.

Narrative has 220,000 readers, and our audience is steadily growing. With a sizable and engaged readership, Narrative places poets and poetry in front of many more readers than most venues can. We’re working hard to get the magazine, and all our authors and artists, into the world via digital and other means—for free—to as many people as possible.

Participating in Narrative, whether simply by reading, by becoming a donor, or by introducing a friend to the magazine, is a vote to encourage and sustain literary work at a time when its existence is challenged.

If you have any questions regarding the contest, please contact us.

We look forward to reading your poems and to the new pleasures and insights we may discover there.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK.

Awards: First Prize is $1,500, Second Prize is $750, Third Prize is $300, and up to ten finalists will receive $75 each. All entries will be considered for publication.

Submission Fee: There is a $24 fee for each entry. With your entry, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

All contest entries are eligible for the $4,000 Narrative Prize and for acceptance as a Poem of the Week.

DEADLINE: The contest entry deadline is July 20, 2016, at midnight, Pacific daylight time.

Judging: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. Winners and finalists will be announced to the public by September 30, 2016. All writers who enter will be notified by email of the judges’ decisions. The judges reserve the option to declare ties and to designate and award only as many winners and/or finalists as are appropriate to the quality of contest entries and of work represented in the magazine.

Submission Guidelines: Submissions may contain up to five poems. Your submission should give a strong sense of your style and range. We accept submissions of all poetic forms and genres but do not accept translations. Please read our Submission Guidelines for manuscript formatting and other information.

Other Submission Categories: In addition to our poetry contest, please review other Submission Categories that may interest you.