contest

Ready to make your passion for writing pay off? Check out this current list of writing contests, grants, and jobs.

 

IN THE SNAKE MAGAZINE
http://www.inthesnake.com/submissions/
We are currently accepting short stories for our first issue to be published in October 2011. At this time we are only accepting fiction, although in the future we hope to expand the extent of our publication to include non-fictional accounts as well as essays, reviews, and other genres. We accept short fiction submissions that are up to 10,000 words. Please do not submit novel excerpts unless they are self contained as works of fiction. We are especially interested in stories that focus on character development, perception of self, and interpersonal relationships that reflect the nature and of the human experience. All genres are accepted. Pays$50 for one-time World-Wide-Web publication rights.

 

MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY PRIZE FOR IMAGINATIVE FICTION
http://www.rsbd.net/NEW/index.php
$10 ENTRY FEE
C/O Rosebud Magazine, N3310 Asje Rd., Cambridge WI 53523 Contest for original works of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, or horror, 4000w or less. Entries welcome any time. Deadline: September 1 in odd years. GRAND PRIZE: $1,000, 4 runners-up receive $100. All winners published in the magazine.

 

SCARE THE DICKENS OUT OF US GHOST STORY WRITING CONTEST
http://www.clarklibraryfriends.com
$5 or $20 ENTRY FEE
The Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story writing contest for 2011 is entering its third year. First place prize of $1,000, second place prize of $500 and third place prize of $250 will be awarded this year for the best original, previously unpublished ghost stories 5000 words or less that are submitted. For younger writers, The Junior Scare The Dickens Out of Us ghost story contest, which follows the same rules, offers $250 for first place for writers aged 12-18. This contest is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas. The main contest requires a $20 entry fee and the Junior contest a $5 entry fee. The contest is privately funded. All entry fee money goes directly to the Friends where it is donated to the library for library projects. Entries are accepted beginning July 1. The contest postmark deadline is October 1, 2011. No publication is involved. Writers retain full rights to their stories. The contest is open to published and unpublished writers, and to local, national and international writers as well. The only rules are that you write an original, unpublished ghost story and that it be 5,000 words or less in length.

 

DAILY SCIENCE FICTION
http://dailysciencefiction.com/submit/story/guidelines
Daily Science Fiction (DSF) is a market accepting speculative fiction stories from 100 to 10,000 words in length. By this we mean science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, etc. All that fits under the broader science fiction umbrella. We have a special and growing need for flash fiction, stories of 1,000 or fewer words. We pay 8 cents per word for first worldwide rights and for nonexclusive reprint rights. Additionally, we reserve the right to pay you more money for additional reprinting in themed Daily Science Fiction anthologies.

 

The 2011 Gemini Magazine FLASH FICTION Contest

http://www.gemini-magazine.com/contest.html

Grand Prize: $1,000
Second Place: $100
Four Honorable Mentions
Entry fee: $4
($3 for each additional entry)
Deadline: August 31, 2011
Maximum length: 1,000 words
All Six Finalists Will Be Published Online in the October 2011 Issue of Gemini. Absolutely no restrictions on content, style or genre. Simply send your best, most powerful work.

 

 

THIRD ANNUAL MARGUERITE McGLINN PRIZE FOR FICTION
E-mail Nicole@philadelphiastories.org
http://www.philadelphiastories.org/marguerite-mcglinn-prize-fiction-0
$10 ENTRY FEE
Judged by Steve Almond. Short fiction contest. The prize includes a $2,000 cash award, plus travel expenses to an awards dinner in Philadelphia in October. Deadline June 15, 2011. Previously unpublished works of fiction up to 8,000 words.

 

PARABOLA
http://www.parabola.org/submissions
Parabola is a quarterly journal devoted to the exploration of the quest for meaning as it is expressed in the world’s myths, symbols, and religious traditions, with particular emphasis on the relationship between this store of wisdom and our modern life. Each issue of Parabola is organized around a theme.
Parabola welcomes original essays and translations. We look for lively, penetrating material unencumbered by jargon or academic argument. We prefer well-researched, objective, and unsentimental pieces that are grounded in one or more religious or cultural tradition; articles that focus on dreams, visions, or other very personal experiences are unlikely to be accepted. All articles must be directly related to the theme of an issue.
Articles run 1000-3000 words
Book Reviews run approximately 500 words
Retellings of traditional stories run 500-1500 words

Article payment generally ranges from $150 to $400. The payment for epicycles and book reviews is $75.

 

 

EDITOR
Location Los Angeles, CA
http://journalism.berkeley.edu/jobs/detail/12364/
Creators Syndicate is an international content syndicate. We sign writers and artists who produce columns, comic strips and editorial cartoons; we then edit the content and sell and distribute it to newspapers and digital outlets worldwide. We are seeking a humble, hardworking individual to fill a hybrid editorial/creative position. We are looking for “brains” (commitment to excellence) and “heart” (motivation and a positive attitude).

Brief job description:

  • Editing columns
  • Editing comic strips
  • Evaluating potential writers and artists
  • Answering the phones
  • Working efficiently to meet deadlines
  • Writing ad copy
  • Creating, editing and working with PowerPoint presentations
    for Business Development team
  • Helping design layout and interface for websites and
    mobile/tablet apps

 

ENCHANTED CONVERSATION
http://www.fairytalemagazine.com/p/submissions.html
Issue Three: “Cinderella” theme, submission window opens at 12 a.m., EST, June 27, and closes at 11:59 p.m., June 30, 2011.

Issue Four: “Little Red Riding Hood” theme, submission window opens at 12 a.m., EST , Sept. 27, and closes at 11:59, Sept. 30, 2011 EST.

Only stories and poems based on the chosen theme story or its variants will be accepted. But any aspect or character can be the focus of stories or poems. Pay isten cents/word and flat rate of $50 for poems. Enchanted Conversation is for lovers of fairy tales all over the world. We hope to entertain and enlighten our readers, and give opportunities to writers and poets to have their work published.

 

BUZZ MAGAZINE

http://www.buzzymag.com/submissions/

Buzzy Mag is looking for original science fiction, fantasy and horror short stories up to 10,000 words. Thriller, suspense and paranormal tales that cross into traditional speculative fiction are welcome.We are interested in pieces that may be able to be developed into full length novels for publication by Buzzy Multimedia at a future date. Buzzy accepts submissions from both authors and literary agents. We do not accept e-mailed submissions. All submissions must be sent via regular mail.

 

MIDNIGHT BLACK INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
http://www.midnightblackinternational.com/Poetry.htm
ENTRY FEE: $5 for one poem or 4 poems for $15. Most poets write about love, flowers and puppy dogs. Midnight Black isn’t interested in that. We want you to express your dark side. We want death, war, hopelessness, dementia whatever your twisted mind can come up with. Poetry from around the world is accepted but fees are to be paid in US funds. There is no limit to the length of the poems as long as they are dark natured. The deadline is the Autumn Equinox – 5:00 AM on September 23, 2011. Prizes: $100 US for first place, $50 US for second. Top 50 poems will be published in the Midnight Black Anthology – poets will share the royalties.

Here’s a list of publications and websites looking for writers to give money to!

 

TIN HOUSE

http://www.tinhouse.com/magazine/submission-guidelines.html

Tin House accepts submissions September 1 through May 31, and, as always, our summer and winter issues are not themed. Please submit only one story or essay (ten-thousand-word limit), or up to five poems at a time.

Fall 2011 theme: THE ECSTATIC – We are looking for poetry, fiction, and essays addressing the ecstatic and its counterparts–the comedown and ecstasy thwarted, whether by internal or external means. Deadline: April 1, 2011.

Winter 2011 theme: BEAUTY – We are looking for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that confronts notions of beauty across cultures, economic strata, genders, and races. We’ll also be looking for pieces that look into the marketing of beauty, and how notions of beauty are used to create celebrity and at the same time to marginalize and exclude. Deadline: April 1, 2011.

Spring 2012 theme: WEIRD SCIENCE – From nanobots and neutrinos to architeuthis, the real is often stranger than the most speculative sci-fi. We are looking for fiction, poetry, and nonfiction that goes beyond the headlines into current, past, and future scientific explanations of “reality.” We are open to speculative fiction, if there are humans involved. Deadline: November 1, 2011.

 

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DEADLY INK 2011 SHORT STORY COLLECTION

http://www.deadlyink.com/short.html

NO ENTRY FEE

All stories must be no more than 5,000 words, contain mystery, murder or mayhem and take place in New Jersey. Winners will be announced at the Deadly Ink Mystery Conference luncheon. First Place: $25 and free registration to 2011 conference. All other published entries: $25. All profits from the sales of the 2011 anthology by Deadly Ink will be donated to the Christopher Reeve Foundation. The 2011 Deadly Ink Anthology will be available for sale at the 2011 conference. You do not need to attend the conference to enter the contest. Entries must be sent to info@deadlyink.com as a word .doc or .rtf file by March 31, 2011.

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TRADING CARD FICTION CONTEST
http://stymiemag.submishmash.com/Submit
$5 ENTRY FEE
Limit 100 words. Stymie Magazine will publish the winning short story along with a selection of other finalists as part of a limited edition Trading Card Fiction set available in mid-2011. The winning story will receive a cash prize of $150. All finalists will receive a complimentary Trading Card Fiction set. Deadline March 15, 2011.

 

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WOW Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest

http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. We are open to all styles of writing, although we do encourage you to take a close look at our guest judge for the season and the flavor of our sponsor, if you are serious about winning. We love creativity, originality, and light-hearted reads. That’s not to say that our guest judge will feel the same… so go wild! Express yourself, and most of all, let’s have some fun! OPEN PROMPT. We’re open to any style and genre. From horror to romance! So, get creative, and most of all, have fun.

Word Count – 250 to 750 words

Deadline – May 31st 2011

 

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SHOCK TOTEM

Open for submissions – http://www.shocktotem.com/guidelines/

WHAT WE WANT:

Fiction: We consider original, unpublished stories within the confines of dark fantasy and horror—mystery, suspense, supernatural, morbid humor, fantasy, etc. Stories must have a clear horror element. We’re looking for short stories up to 5,000 words (firm).

Nonfiction: We want journalism, well-researched and emotionally compelling nonfiction about real horrors—disease, poverty, addiction, etc. We will also consider work on other, relative subjects within the confines of dark fantasy and horror.

Flash Fiction: We interested in tightly woven flash fiction, 1,000 words or less.

Microfiction: To avoid blank pages in future issues, we’re now looking for very short flash pieces, 200 words or less.

Poetry: We’re interested in dark poetry on a limited basis. Submit no more than three poems at a time.

Artwork: We typically solicit artwork. But if you think your work fits our style, please submit it.

 

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CHI ZINE

Open for submissions – http://www.chizine.com/submissions_fiction.htm

FICTION SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

  • Dark.
  • Well-written.
  • 4,000 words or less.
  • Rich Text Format (.rtf), Microsoft Word (.doc) attachments, or, preferably, Open Office format (.odt).
  • No reprints.
  • A simultaneous submission is okay, as long as you tell us it’s simultaneous.
  • No multiple submissions.
  • Be sure to write your name and the story’s title in the Subject line of the email.

Payment (on publication): 7 cents per word (USD). Email submissions to fiction@chizine.com.

Response time: up to 3 months