May Deadlines: 13 Contests and Lit Mags With Deadlines This Month

Prairie Schooner

Prairie Schooner closes its open submissions on the very first day of May. They publish fiction, poetry, essays, and book reviews! There are no immediate guidelines regarding length for fiction and essays, but poets are invited to submit 5-7 poems. One important note: they do not accept simultaneous submissions. Submit to Prairie Schooner, here.
Submission fee: No Fee. Deadline: May 1

Fairy Tale Review: Translucent Issue Closes

Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest

Ploughshares considers writers “emerging” if a writers has not published or self-published a book, so if you fall into that category, submit up to 6000 words in fiction or nonfiction for a chance at $1000 and publication. Poets can submit up to 5 pages. Current subscribers can submit for free. Follow the link for full details and guidelines on the Ploughshares Emerging Writers Contest.
Submission fee: $24 Deadline: May 15

Carve Magazine’s Raymond Carver Short Story Contest

From the website: “Featuring prominent guest judges and offering $2500 across five prizes, the contest delivers exciting new fiction from writers all over the world.” The Carve Magazine guidelines page lists all the details on submitting, but winners will earn $1500, publication, and review from three literary agencies.
Submission fee: $17 Deadline: May 15

The Masters Review Short Story Award For New Writers – OPENS

Our own Short Story Award for New Writers opens this month! Fiction writers, submit up to 6000 words for a chance at $2000, publication, and agency review from Amy Williams of The Williams Agency, Victoria Marini from GELFMAN SCHNEIDER / ICM PARTNERS and Laura Biagi from Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency, Inc. in New York. This annual award recognizes the best fiction from emerging writers. Short Story Award details can be found, here.
Submission fee: $20 Deadline: May 15

Creative Nonfiction Magazine – Joy Issue Closes

For the upcoming issue of Creative Nonfiction Magazine, the publication is seeking essays on the topic of Joy. “Too often the moments that move us to write are bleak ones—stories of loss, hardship, or learning through painful interactions. For this issue we’re looking for well-crafted narratives that explore the brighter moments in life, those that teach and enlighten us through their beauty or humor.” All essays are considered, but the winner and first runner up will earn $1000 and $500 respectively. Full Creative Nonfiction Magazine guidelines can be found here, but writers take note, you can only submit up to 4000 words.
Submission fee: $20 Deadline: May 16

May 31 Submission Closures: ONE STORY, ZYZZYVA, HARVARD REVIEW

Three storied publications close to general submissions on May 31. One Story, which reopens Sept. 1, charges no fees and publishes one story between 3000 – 8000 words every three weeks.Submission details to One Story can be found here.No Fee. You won’t have to wait as long for Zyzzyva to reopen to submissions, but they won’t accept stories until August 1. To submit to Zyzzyva, postmark your previously unpublished fiction, poetry, and narrative nonfiction by May 31.Zyzzyva submission details can be found here. No Fee. The Harvard Review is closed to submissions until Nov 1, so submit your essays, fiction and poetry before the end of May to be considered. The publication is open to plays and book reviews in addition to fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Details here.No Fee.

The Flannery O’Conner Short Fiction Award

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