August Deadlines: 12 Magazines and Contests with Deadlines This Month

There are a great number of opportunities for submission this month and we’ve listed our favorites below. Get those summer stories into the queue with these deadlines and refocus for September with new work! (Need help on a piece? Our online workshop with Tin House editor Michelle Wildgen will get your story fit for fall. Check it out!)

The Boiler – The Boiler is looking for submissions for their fall issue. Send them your very best poetry, fiction or creative nonfiction. Submit three to five poems at a time, and keep the prose under 3,500 words. They also accept artwork on a rolling basis. Reading Fee: Nothing ($3 Tip Jar submissions) Deadline: August 15^th

Indiana Review – The 2015 1/2k Prize contest is open for submissions. Submit one to three pieces of 500 words or less of any genre for the chance to win $1,000 and publication in The Indiana Review. This year’s guest judge is Kim Chinquee, author of three collections: OH BABY, PRETTY, and PISTOL. All entries will be considered for publication. Details here. Entry Fee: $20. Deadline: August 15^th

Luna Station Quarterly – Luna Station Quarterly is looking for submissions of speculative fiction written by women. They are looking for stories between 500 and 7,000 words, anything from Fantasy to New Fairy Tales. There is a small $5 payment per story published, but they also include a lifetime subscription to the magazine. Submit here. No Reading Fee. Deadline: August 15^th

Lowestoft Chronicle – Submissions for Issue #23 for Lowestoft Chronicle are closing soon. They are looking for submissions of fiction, poetry and nonfiction, and ask that pieces are under 3,000 words. Lowestoft Chronicle prefers submissions that are humorous and have an emphasis on travel. Submit here. No Reading Fee. Deadline: August 15^th

Qu – Qu, the literary magazine from Queens University of Charlotte is looking for submissions for their third issue. Submit your very best fiction, essay or script excerpt under 8,000 words, or your very best three poems. Published pieces in prose will be rewarded with $100, while poetry that is selected will earn $50. Details here. No Reading Fee. Deadline: August 31^st

RHINO – RHINO’s submission window for their 2016 issue will be closing soon. They are reading for previously unpublished poetry, translations and flash fiction. Submit three to five poems, three to five translations of poems, or flash fiction under 500 words. All poetry submissions will be considered for their Editor’s Prize as well, which offers cash awards for the top three submissions of the year. The First Place winner will also be nominated for a Pushcart Prize. No Reading Fee. Deadline: August 31^st

The Collagist – The Collagist’s reading period will be ending on the 31^st. They are looking for submissions of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and novel excerpts to be published in their monthly issues. Send in your stories, essays, novellas, one to three short-shorts, or one to three poems, but only submit twice during each reading period. Additionally, if you have a novel that is due to be published in the next three months, The Collagist publishes an excerpt in each issue. No Reading Fee. Deadline: August 31^st

Driftwood Press – Driftwood Press is looking for submissions of fiction, poetry, literary criticism & interviews, and visual arts. In all their submissions, they prefer experimental and literary pieces that push boundaries. For an idea of what they’re looking for, a list of their favorites in each are helpfully included in their submission guidelines. Submissions are free, but they do offer a paid option for faster responses. Details here. Entry Fee: Zip ($3.50 Premium Fiction [One Week Response] | $2.00 Premium Poetry [One Week Response]) Deadline: August 31^st

Tethered by Letters – These guys are hosting several contests that close at the end of the month including a Short Story Award, Flash Fiction award, and Poetry contest. TBL strives to publish writers with engaging stories, vivid characters, and fresh writing styles. All winners will be published in F(r)iction. For details on prize money (up to $500) and entry details, visit their site, here. Entry Fee: Varies ($7 – $15). Deadline: August 31st

New Millennium Writings – This “Love Wins” contest calls for entries up to 4500 words on the topic of: What does Marriage Equality mean to you? There are no style restrictions, just your best words. Over the past 20 years, New Millennium Writings has published more than 1,500 new and emerging writers and awarded over $200,000. More details here. Entry Fee: $20, includes subscription. Deadline: August 31st 

Midwestern Gothic – Midwestern Gothic is currently reading for their annual Lake Prize, which awards the fiction and poetry that represents the Midwest the best. In order to be eligible for this prize, all writers and entries must have a verifiable connection to the Midwest. First Place for both poetry and fiction will win $500 and publication in Issue 20, Winter 2016. Two finalists in both categories will also win $100 and publication in Issue 20. This year’s guest judges are Charles McLeod and Marcus Wicker in fiction and poetry respectively. Submit here. Entry Fee: $5 per story or group of 3 poems Deadline: August 31^st

Gulf Coast – The Barthelme Prize for Short Prose was established in 2008, and awards prizes to the very best prose poetry, flash fiction, and micro-essays of 500 words or fewer. The winner each year receives $1,000 and publication in the journal, while two honorable mentions receive $250. All entries are considered for paid publication as an Online Exclusive. This year’s guest judge is Steve Almond. Learn more here. Entry Fee: $17 – includes a one-year subscription to Gulf Coast Deadline: August 31^st

by Cole Meyer