Literary Magazines and Contests with Deadlines in October

I hope everyone had a good equinox, balancing eggs or whatever writers do these days. If any of you are hoping to earn a bit of extra egg money, maybe you should contemplate the contests below.

River Teeth Journal – Portland’s Cheryl Strayed will be River Teeth’s judge as they read the best submitted works of literary nonfiction. Manuscripts must be between 150 and 400 pages. The submission fee includes a subscription to River Teeth. The winner receives $1000 and publication with The University of New Mexico Press. Details here. Entry fee: hard-copy submissions are $25; online submissions are $27. Due: October 15

Amy Lowell Poetry Travelling Scholarship – Every month, we have to put in at least one contest with an insane payout. This is that contest. American poet Amy Lowell’s will “established an annual scholarship to support travel abroad for gifted American-born poets.” Check out the guidelines. NO ENTRY FEE. Due: October 15

Masters Review – Not to belabor the point, but we are also having a contest. It’s gonna be hella haunted, so give us a look. $500 goes to the best bone-chilling work of literary fiction. Go for it. Entry: $13. Due: October 15

Sixfold – For less than the price of a cup of $3.01 coffee, you can enter writer-voted journal Sixfold’s short story contest. It includes $1000, $200, and $100 prizes. Submit here. Entry: $3 (!). Due: October 24

Glimmer Train Press – If you’ve been reading Masters Review Editorial Director Sadye Teiser’s (yes, that’s how she asks we address her, even in person) two-parter on flash fiction then I am sure you’re all over this month’s Glimmer Train contest, which calls for submissions below 3000 words. Entry: $15. Due: October 31

Indiana Review – With the accolades still rolling in for her recent essay collection (which we loved), Roxane Gay is likely a hot ticket for any literary contest judge. Well, non-profit lit mag Indiana Review pulled it off. Enter here.  Entry: $20. Due: October 31

Black Balloon Publishing – Wow, it’s semi-rare that an independent press as acclaimed as BBP offers anything like this: their Horatio Nelson Fiction Prize promises the winning author not only publication but also a $5000 prize. Check it. Did I mention that there’s NO ENTRY FEE. Due: October 31

Reed Magazine – The John Steinbeck Award is given to the best work of fiction up to 5000 words. And wouldn’t you know it, Reed also is looking for top-notch NF for their Gabriele Rico Creative Nonfiction Challenge. Rules for both can be found right here.  Entry: $15. Due: November 1

Southeast Missouri State University Press – SMSUP recognizes the importance of fresh voices and adding to the canon. Their Nilsen Literary Prize is given for the best first novel, novella, or collection of closely linked short stories by an author who has not yet published in those categories. Submit now! Entry: $25. Due: November 1

by Andrew Wetzel