✎STUDY HALL CREATIVE 10/31/2023✎

The Creative Opportunities newsletter is a twice monthly (!) compilation of lit mag submission opportunities, creative writing contests and prizes, and literary fellowships and residencies. This month’s newsletter is written by Sarah Yanni, who is currently planning a launch party for her queer zine project Lola Goes By Tom.

►To help make Creative better for all of our members, please let us know what we can do to improve the newsletter by emailing [email protected].

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GENERAL SUBMISSIONS:

–New Ohio Review––a national literary journal produced by Ohio University’s Creative Writing Program––is open for nonfiction submissions. They welcome one essay per submission, not to exceed 20 double-spaced pages, to be considered for print publication. There is a reading fee of $3 and the deadline to submit is November 15. 

-(RE-SHARING) The Beloit Fiction Journal––the celebrated contemporary fiction print journal that began in 1985––is holding their annual reading period, welcoming stories up to 13,000 words on any subject or theme. There is an entry fee of $3 and the deadline to submit is November 16. 

–Wigleaf is open for submissions of short fiction––their signature focus––which they define as stories under 1000 words. The deadline to submit is November 30 and there is no reading fee. 

–The Common––an award-winning print and digital literary journal based at Amherst College––is open for submissions of fiction, essays, poetry, and translation. All genres are considered for both print and online publication, and writers receive a $200 honorarium per prose piece, and $40 per poem.The reading fee is $3 per genre and the deadline to submit is December 1. 

–Bellingham Review welcomes submissions of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid works. Selected pieces will receive digital publication in the next issue of the Review. There is a reading fee of $3 for poetry and fiction categories, and the deadline to submit is December 1.

–Alchemy Journal of Translation welcomes submissions for their Winter 2024 issue: Revolutions. They are seeking “translated words and images documenting revolutions from the small spins to the seismic shifts, and encompassing organizing, resisting, revolting, and overturning.” There is no reading fee, and the deadline to submit is December 15

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CONTESTS + PRIZES: 

 

–The Perugia Press Prize recognizes a first or second poetry book by a woman writer (which includes trans women and women-identifying individuals.) The winner receives book publication, a $2,000 prize, 20 author copies, and a slate of mentorship, publicity, and editing support from the press. The entry fee ranges from $15-30 (and is waived for BIPOC poets.) The deadline to submit is November 15.

-(RE-SHARING) The Yale Younger Series of Poets is open for manuscript submissions from emerging poets who have not yet published a full-length book and who reside in the United States. The winner receives a $1000 advance and a publication contract from Yale University Press, as well as one of six writing fellowships offered at The James Merrill House in Stonington, CT. The current series judge is Rae Armantrout. The deadline to submit is November 15, and the reading fee is $25.

–The Nightboat Books Poetry Prize welcomes poetry manuscripts over 48 pages, to be published in Fall 2025-Spring 2026. Winners receive $1,000 advance, a standard royalty contract, and 25 free copies of the published book. This year’s judges are Lina Bergamini, Lindsey Boldt, Jaye Elizabeth Elijah, Gia Gonzales, Stephen Motika, Kit Schluter, Naima Yael Tokunow, and Santiago Valencia. There is an entry fee of $28 and the deadline to submit is November 15.

–LitMag’s Anton Chekhov Award for Flash Fiction welcomes submissions of short stories between 500 and 1,500 words. The first prize winner receives a $1,250 prize, publication in LitMag, agency review by Nat Sobel of Sobel Weber Associates, Erin Harris and Sonali Chanchani of Folio Literary Management, Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency, David Forrer of Inkwell Management, Monika Woods of Triangle House, Emily Forland of Brandt & Hochman, and Sarah Fuentes of UTA. Three finalists will receive $100 each. There is an entry fee of $16 and the deadline to submit is November 30.
–BOA Editions is holding their annual A. Poulin Jr. Poetry Prize, which awards a poet’s first book. The winner receives a $1,000 honorarium and publication by BOA Editions in Spring 2025. Judged this year by Matthew Shenoda, there is a reading fee of $25 and the deadline to submit is November 30.

–The African Poetry Book Fund, in partnership with Prairie Schooner and the University of Nebraska, welcomes submissions for the Sillerman Book Prize for African Poetry. This prize is awarded annually to an African poet who has not yet published a collection of poetry. The winner receives $1000 and book publication through the University of Nebraska Press and Amalion in Senegal. From the prize’s website: “An “African writer” is taken to mean someone who was born in Africa, who is a national or resident of an African country, or whose parents are African.” There is no reading fee and the deadline to submit is December 1. 

 

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RESIDENCIES + FELLOWSHIPS:

–Writing Between the Vines offers writers space and time through week-long residencies on Northern California vineyards. Funded through application fees and in partnership with wineries, applicants have the choice of two locations for their stay (slated for February 2024). There is an application fee of $35 and the deadline to apply is November 14.

–The Mesa Refuge Residency offers multiple 2-week-long residency sessions to writers focusing on nature, the human economy and social equity. The residency especially seeks writers of nonfiction books, long-form journalism, audio and documentary film. During the residency––located in Point Reyes, CA––three writers at a time are housed free-of-cost and are given space and time to work on their projects. There is a $50 application fee and the deadline to apply is December 1.

–The Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship offers seven-month residencies (October 1 through April 30) to a group of emerging fiction writers and poets. Each fellow receives an apartment and monthly stipend of $1,250, plus an exit stipend of $1,000. During this time, Fellows can pursue their work independently in a divers and supportive community of peers, located in Provincetown, MA. There is an application fee of $40 and the deadline to apply is December 15. 

 

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OPEN QUERIES:

 

–Kimberly Fernando at Olswanger Literary is open to queries for adult fiction and nonfiction. Submit queries through her Query Manager.

–Lauren Spieller of Folio Literary Management is open to queries of upmarket fiction, suspense/thrillers, RomComs, genre blends, and more. She also welcomes queries for contemporary YA novels that are speculative, twisting, or romance-focused. Read her full manuscript wish list here and submit queries through the Query Manager

–Sheyla Knigge of High Line Literary Collective is open to queries, especially seeking uplifting books by BIPOC and LGBTQIA writers. She seeks “myth, magic, and a healthy dose of smut when appropriate.” Submit through her Query Manager. 

 

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JOBS:

 

–The Hood Museum of Art at Dartmouth College seeks a Communications and Digital Content Assistant. This position will support the creation of content for museum platforms, assisting with content strategy and implementation, and supporting engagement with campus and local communities. The salary range is $52,000-$56,000. Cover letter, resume, and online application can be submitted through the application portal. 

–PEN America seeks a Senior Manager of Event Production to spearhead literary programs and key public events, including the World Voices Festival. The successful candidate will possess strong project management, event production and financial management skills, and a passion for PEN America’s mission of expanding literary voices and free expression. The salary range is $75,000-$85,000 and the position is based in New York City. To apply, submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Use “Senior manager, Event Production” and your name as the subject of your email, and please share where you heard about the position in the body of the email. 

–Northeastern University in Boston, MA seeks Part-Time Lecturers in the English Department. Lecturers teach required writing courses which include First-Year Writing, as well as a variety of Advanced Writing courses. M.A. in English or equivalent required. Apply through the university’s Workday page.