December Deadlines: Contests and Lit Mags with Deadlines This Month

There is still time, writers! Your name in print might be the best present you give yourself this holiday season. Check out these great literary publications and contests with deadlines this month.

Headlands  – This New Zealand-based publication is looking for literary short fiction and creative non-fiction from New Zealanders as well as other talented writers across the world. Full guidelines and details can be found here! Entry Fee: None  Deadline: Dec 11th.

Kenyon Review
  – The Kenyon Review considers short fiction and essays (up to 7,500 words), poetry (up to 6 poems), and even plays and excerpts from larger works (up to 30 pages)… Basically, if it’s great, they’ll consider it. Learn more here! Entry Fee: None  Deadline: Dec 15th.

Litro Magazine
  – Litro is seeking themed submissions for its upcoming print issues, specifically the themes of “Love” (February 2016) and “Britishness” (March 2016). The full submission guidelines are available here. Entry Fee:  None Deadlines: the deadline for “Love” is Dec 18th, 2015; the deadline for “Britishness” is Jan 25th, 2016.

Lifted Brow
  – Lifted Brow is a quarterly print magazine focusing on literary arts & culture… and yes, they pay contributors! Nonfiction is especially welcomed. More details available here. Entry Fee: None  Deadline: Dec 20th.

Colloquium
  –  Northwestern University’s Poetry & Poetics journal, Colloquium, has announced its 5th annual Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize, a first-book award for poets of color. You can learn more here! Entry Fee: $15  Deadline: Dec 31st.

Tethered by Letters – TBL is currently accepting submissions for its third annual Fall Literary Competition. The categories are 1) short stories of any genre, 2) flash fiction, and 3) poetry. As in previous years, they are looking for engaging stories, vivid characters, and fresh perspectives and styles. More details here. Entry Fee: None  Deadline: Dec 31st.

Pilcrow & Dagger
  – is accepting submissions for its February 2016 issue, the theme of which is “Leprechauns and Love.” Pieces may be up to 5,000 words and anything from personal essays to recipes. (Yes, actual recipes!) More details here. Entry Fee: None Deadline: Jan 1st.

Tin House
  – Already time to look ahead to summer 2016 as Tin House will soon be accepting applications for its Summer 2016 Workshop. Submissions will be accepted in Short Fiction, Novel Writing, Creative Nonfiction/Memoir, and Poetry. The full guidelines are available here. Deadline: Jan 1st.

Glimmer Train  – Our friends at Glimmer Train are hosting their last Fiction Open of the year. Entries typically run from 2,000 to 6,000 words, but they have been known to take pieces up to 20,000 words! Full guidelines and details can be found here. Open to all subjects and themes! Entry Fee: $21 per story Deadline: Jan 2nd.