A few weeks ago we gave you our Fall Literary Forecast, a list of publications that reopened for submissions in the fall, along with a look at upcoming themed issues. Even with submission season just beginning, September has exciting opportunities for writers represented by the following deadlines. Check out the list and polish those stories!
Greensboro Review – The Robert Watson Literary Prize, offered by The Greensboro Review is open for submissions. A prize will be awarded in both fiction and poetry. The winners will receive $1000 and publication in The Greensboro Review. Submit no more than 25 pages of fiction or 10 pages of poetry. Submit here. Entry Fee: $14 Deadline: September 15
Structo – Structo’s most recent call for submissions is a little different. In order to submit, you must show proof that you’ve recently purchased a lit mag. Read more about that here. If you can provide proof, then submit your fiction or poetry by September 20. Please note that they do not accept simultaneous submissions, but do offer quick response times. Writers are awarded with contributor’s copies. Details here. Deadline: September 20
Mslexia Novel Writing Competition – Women writers. If you have a manuscript of at least 50,000 words, consider submitting to this competition. Winners receive £5,000 and manuscript feedback, as well as agency review. Four honorable mentions receive feedback and review. Details on the competition can be found here. Entry Fee: £20 Deadline: September 21
Litro – Litro is looking for short fiction, flash fiction, nonfiction and artwork based on the theme of “Space.” Not in the Outer-Space sense, but in the sense that everything takes up space. They want to know, “How and where do you find the space to breathe, to grow, to create, to be?” 4,000 words is the rough maximum for submissions. Submit here. Entry Fee: None Deadline: September 25
The Puritan – The Puritan is seeking submissions for their Thomas Morton Memorial Prize in Literary Excellence. This year’s guest judges are Ian Williams in poetry and Miriam Toews in fiction. The winner in each genre will not only be published in The Puritan’s Fall 2015 issue, but will also receive $1000 and a prize pack of books. Fiction must be under 7,500 and over 1,000. Poetry submissions may include up to 4 poems, or up to 4 pages. Submit here. Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: September 30
Glimmer Train Open and Family Matters – We always include the Glimmer Train contests because it’s such an amazing publication and a real benchmark for writers. This month, the venerable lit mag is open to its Family Matter’s contest and is free to submit to their general category, only open three times a year. Details to submit to both categories can be found here. Entry Fee: $20 and $0 Deadline: September 30
Stonecoast Review – Send Stonecoast Review your fresh and original voices; your modern, postmodern, experimental poetry; your honest and unflinching creative nonfiction. But do it before the 30th, as that’s when their submission window closes. Details here. Deadline: September 30
Cheap Pop – Micro Fiction that pops!. Submissions must be under 500 words. There is no limit to the number of pieces that you may submit, but keep in mind that each submission requires a $5 entry fee. There is a $500 prize for the first place winner, $250 for second, and $100 for third. These three winners, along with three honorable mentions, will be published with Cheap Pop. The guest judge for this contest is author and poet Phillip Sterling. Submit here. Entry fee: $5 Deadline: September 30
Zoetrope All Story Fiction Contest – This well-known contest offers amazing visibility for the winning writers. The three prizewinners and seven honorable mentions will be considered for representation by William Morris Endeavor; ICM; the Wylie Agency; Regal Literary; Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency; Markson Thoma Literary Agency; Inkwell Management; Sterling Lord Literistic; Aitken Alexander Associates; Barer Literary; the Gernert Company; and the Georges Borchardt Literary Agency. $1,000, $5000, and $250 will be awarded to the top three stories. This year’s contest is judged by the amazing Adam Johnson. Submit here. Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 1
Missouri Review Editors’ Prize – Another big one. $5000 is awarded in three categories, paying out the top writers in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This award is entering its 25th year. Get those stories in! Details here. Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 1
Boston Review Aura Estrada Short Story Contest – Jennifer Egan judging! A prize of $1,500 and publication in Boston Review is given annually for a short story. Submit a story of up to 5,000 words. Submission details here. Entry Fee: $20 with subscription Deadline: October 1
The American Literary Review – Three prizes of $1,000 each are awarded for a poem, short story, and essay. Submit up to three poems, stories up to 8,000 words, or an essay up to 6,500 words. Details here. Entry Fee: $15 Deadline: October 1
The Masters Review Fall Fiction Contest – Our own Fall Fiction Contest doesn’t close until October 31st, but it’s being judged by the incredible Jeff VanderMeer and his wife, award-winning editor Ann VanderMeer. Winners receive letters from the judges about why their stories were chosen, $2000, and publication. Fifteen finalists will be recognized and second and third place stories also receive feedback, $200 and $100 respectively, and are awarded publication. Full contest details can be found here. Submit now! Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: October 31
By Cole Meyer and Kim Winternheimer