Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – September 2019

It’s back to school time and here to help you go straight to the top of the class are over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in September 2019!

This month, I’ll be reading at Books Upstairs as part of the Rowan Tree Readings series next Sunday 8 September at 3pm, alongside poets Ali Whitelock and Gerard Smyth, with music from singer/songwiters Shona Blake and Claire Watts, of Three Women Sing fame. It should be a lovely afternoon and it would be great to see you there!

Later in September, I’ll be at the Bray Literary Festival leading a workshop for emerging poets on prepping work for submitting to journals and competitions. It’s great value at only €10 and we still have a few spaces left – just click on the link above to book. Festival highlights include John Boyne, Jess Kidd Mia Gallagher, Éilis Ní Dhuibhne, Katie Donovan, Paul Perry, John O’Donovan, Wendy Erskine, Rob Doyle, Declan Burke and many more. In addition to the poetry, there are workshops on fiction, crime writing, memoir, drama with Maire T. Robinson, Patricia O’Reilly, Louise Philips, Csilla Toldy and David Butler, plus a children’s story writing workshop with Fighting Words for 7-11 years olds. For event details and to book, go to the Bray Literary Festival website.

On the publishing front, I’m delighted to have a poem included in the very first issue of the Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal – a beautiful new UK print journal with a rigorous and diverse editorial team. There is exciting new work from 2016 Laureate’s Choice Geraldine Clarkson (who I’m delighted to see has a full collection coming out soon) and a gorgeous sequence from emerging poet, Ellora Sutton – a name to watch out for. Issues are available to order via Amazon and submissions are now open for Issue 2 (see list below). Highly recommended!

Whatever you’re up to in September, keep writing and best of luck with your poetry submissions. If you appreciate the monthly list and would like to support it, consider making a small donation via the Paypal donation button (right) and/or share the link on your own blog or social media pages. Thank you!

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September 2019

Black Warrior Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Poetry International Chapbook – Poetry manuscript (7-24no. pages) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Poetry on Planes – Poetry – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Pleiades Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Sonder Midwest – Poetry, Fiction, Photography, Art (emerging writers/artists) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Account – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Coniston Prize – Poetry manuscript (3-6 poems, women only) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Tiny Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Oxford Brookes International Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

The Wild Word – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Desire – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

Waterford Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

Dogwood Literary Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction– closes 5 Sept (submit online)

The Listowel Writers’ Week Irish Poem of the Year – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction– closes 6 Sept (submit online)

Into the Void – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Art – closes 7 Sept (submit online)

Healing Words Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Mental Health (5no. categories) – closes 8 Sept (submit online)

Anthropocene – Poetry – closes 9 Sept (submit online)

Primers: Vol. 5 – Poetry (unpublished poets, UK only) – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

Stormy Island Publishing – Poetry (unpublished poets, UK only) – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

The Write Launch – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction & more – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

New Flash Fiction Review – Prose Poetry, Flash – closes 12 Sept (submit online)

Black Bough Poetry – Micro Poetry – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Causeway Lit – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Dempsey & Windle National Poetry Day Competition – Poetry – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

FishFood – Poetry, Flash, Micro Fiction, Essays and more – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Gingko Prize – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Essays and more – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Grist Journal – Poetry, theme: Eco-poetry – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Jan Michalski Foundation Residencies – All disciplines – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

MacDowell Colony Fellowship – All disciplines – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Visual Verse – Poetry, Flash, Non-Fiction – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Dilberg Writer in Residence Programme – All disciplines – closes 16 Sept (submit online)

Gutter Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 16 Sept (submit online)

The PBS & Mslexia Women’s Pamphlet Competition – Poetry manuscript (max. 20 poems/24 pages, unpublished poets) – closes 16 Sept (submit online)

The PBS & Mslexia Women’s Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 16 Sept (submit online)

Scottish Book Trust Next Chapter Award – Writers over 40 (unpublished, Scotland only) – closes 18 Sept (submit online)

Granada Writers in Residence Programme – All disciplines – closes 20 Sept (submit online)

Jonathan Swift Creative Awards – Poetry, Fiction – closes 20 Sept (submit online)

Manchester Writing Prizes – Poetry, Fiction – closes 20 Sept (submit online)

Poetry Jukebox: Song of Myself – Poetry (poets who self-identify as disabled) – closes 23 Sept (submit online)

Manchester Irish Language Writing Competition – Poetry, Fiction (Irish only) – closes 24 Sept (submit online)

The Cormorant – Poetry, Flash – closes 24 Sept (submit online)

The Puritan – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 25 Sept (submit online)

Allingham Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 26 Sept (submit online)

Cullman Center Fellowship – Poetry, Fiction, Drama – closes 27 Sept (submit online)

The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Traffic – closes 28 Sept (submit online)

2021 Miller Williams Prize – Poetry manuscript (60-90 pages) – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Cinnamon Press Ogham Tree Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Denali National Park Artist in Residence – All disciplines – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Indigo Dreams Press: Dear Dylan Anthology – Poetry, Letters, theme: Dylan Thomas – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Hedgehog Press ‘Postcards from the Hedge: A Bestiary of the Night’ Single Poem Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Hedgehog Press ‘White Label Collection – Trois’ Debut Pamphlet Competition – Poetry manuscript (20 poems max.) – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Jester to the Kingdom Humourous Verse Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (submit by post)

New Orleans Writers’ Residency – All disciplines – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Poetry Birmingham Literary Journal – Poetry, Essays – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Shearsman Magazine – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Strix – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Wallace Stegner House Residency – All disciplines – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Wellspring Anniversary Residency Contest – Poetry, Prose, Art – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Funicular Magazine – Poetry, Flash, Fiction – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

Peter Porter Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

Storyscape Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Art – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

Kenyon Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Essays & more – opens 15 Sept  & closes 1 Oct (submit online)

The Missouri Review’s Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

Vermont Studio Centre Fellowships – All writers & artists – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

The Aryamati Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 3 Oct (submit online)

The Word Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: ‘Light in our Darkness’ – closes 3 Oct (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

Ó Bhéal Five Words – Poetry – deadline each week, annual prize (submit online)

Rattle: Poets Respond – Poetry, theme: current events – deadline each week (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN SEPTEMBER:

Abridged 0-58: Kassandra – Poetry, Art – closes 4 Oct (submit online)

Dalkey Creates Writing Festival Competitions – Poetry, Fiction – closes 6 Oct (submit online)

Waltham Forest Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 7 Oct (submit online)

The Ogham Stone – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction and more – closes 18 Oct (submit online)

2 Elizabeths – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

400 & Falling – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Artwork (emerging writers) – (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

Agenda – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit online)

Amaryllis – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apple Picking Press – Poetry – open (submit online)

A New Ulster – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Antiphon – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

Bear Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Artwork – open (submit online)

Brittle Star – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

By and By Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Carve Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Cheat River Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Disclaimer Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Journalism, themes: Politics, Economics, Art – open (submit online)

Driftwood Press – Poetry, Fiction, Literary Criticism – open (submit online)

Fields Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

FIVE:2:ONE – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork by underrepresented writers (POC, LGTBQ, non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivors etc.) – open (submit online)

GFT Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Gravel – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit by post)

Guernica – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit by post)

HCE Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit online)

Hosking Houses Trust Residencies – Women writers over 40 (all genres – must have contract to publish / broadcast / perform) – open (submit online)

I Am Not A Silent Poet – Poetry, theme: protesting abuse – open (submit online)

Idler – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Inside the Bell Jar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: mental illness – open (submit online)

Irish Literary Review – Poetry – open (submit online)

Lighthouse Literary Journal – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Memorius – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

New Contrast – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

Noepe Center Residency Program – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Plays – open (submit online)

One – Poetry, a single poem – open (submit online)

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Review – Poetry – open (submit by post)

Poetry Salzburg – Poetry – open (submit by post or online)

Peepal Tree Press – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction manuscripts from Black & Caribbean writers – open (submit online)

Rattle – Poetry – open (submit by post and online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open (submit online)

Shakespeare & Co Tumbleweeds Residency – all writers – open (submit online)

South Bank Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Spry Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Squawk Back – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

Stepaway Magazine – Poetry, Flash Fiction, theme: walking in the city – open (submit online)

The American Journal of Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Brooklyn Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Humour – open (submit online)

The Cardiff Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash (preference given to students and unpublished graduates of Creative Writing, English Literature & Journalism) – open (submit online)

The Collapsar – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Curlew – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: the natural world – open (submit online)

The Curly Mind – Poetry, theme: experimental – open (submit online)

The Ellis Review – Poetry, published weekly – open (submit online)

The Galway Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Great American Literary Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Lake – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Lascaux Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

The MacGuffin – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Missouri Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Next Review – Poetry, Fiction, Reviews – open (submit online)

The Nottingham Review – Poetry & Fiction – open (submit online)

The Ofi Press Magazine – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Quill Magazine – Poetry, Prose, All Genres (new writers only) – open (submit online)

The Sea Letter – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Selkie – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Features (marginalised and/or under-represented voices incl. women (or identify as), people of colour, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and more) – open (submit online)

The Southeast Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Reviews, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Sun Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Interviews – open (submit online)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – open (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – open (submit online)

Vending Machine Press – Poetry, Flash, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Essay – open (submit online)

Wildness – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) Best of luck!

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If you have a competition or journal with a deadline in September 2019, and it is not included above, feel free to add the details with a link in the comments section below!

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(Illustration by Nicole Ray via Etsy)

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Submitting to Poetry Journals & Competitions: A Beginner’s Guide

Chatting to writers during the recent #JanuaryWriteOff 30 Day Challenge, it became clear many people find the process of submitting to poetry journals and competitions quite daunting. From formatting to bios to fees, there can be a lot of hoops to jump through and I thought it might be useful to walk you through the process.

What Goes into a Submission?

When you’re preparing work to send out into the world, you will need to prepare a package of information comprising some, or all, of the following:

• Your work, presented in accordance with the competition or journal’s Submission Guidelines;
• A short writer’s bio;
• A cover letter and/or a completed application form;
• An author’s photo;
• Competition or Submission fees (if applicable).

Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – August 2019

It’s August and the long, languorous days of Summer are almost on the turn but no sign of things slowing down on the poetry front as there are over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in August 2019!

July was a mad month for me poetry-wise. First up was the West Cork Literary Festival and a week-long poetry workshop with UK poet Liz Berry. There was definitely something in the air in Bantry Bay. The whole week was an experience of rare magic from Anne Carson‘s Lecture on the History of Skywriting, to Sinead Gleeson and Emilie Pine‘s discussion of women lives, health and bodies in essay form, to Liz Berry‘s reading alongside Doireann Ni Ghriofa and Jessica Traynor. All this and Liz’s inspirational daily workshops examining poetry as spells, incantations and play.

A wonderful experience with a really lovely group of writers, including Edinburgh-based poet Stephanie Green, who generously invited us to share her reading slot on the Festival’s Fringe programme – a triumphant end to an invigorating week!

And, as if there wasn’t enough witchcraft in the air, on my second day in Bantry, I discovered my poem ‘Child’ was chosen as the winner of this year’s iYeats International Poetry Competition by judges Rafeef Ziadah and John B. Keane – a huge, though very welcome, shock! Here I am reading the winning poem:

On returning from Cork, I immediately headed north to Armagh and The John Hewitt Society Summer School. I was lucky enough to receive a full bursary this year, which not only covered the full programme of talks, readings, discussions and performances, but also accommodation and a 3-day literary workshop. A huge thank you to The John Hewitt Society for their generosity, providing 60 bursaries and opening up this amazing experience to writers like myself, who might otherwise not be able to attend. Keep an eye out for the bursary application dates next year – it’s well worth it!

I chose to do UK-based American poet Kathryn Maris‘s workshop on ‘Fragments’, looking at how poetry can be created from literary remnants, found texts, random generators and more. A more experimental approach to writing that was new to me, and I really enjoyed both the process and our group discussions of work by Anne Carson, Wallace Stevens, Don Paterson, Emily Berry and more. 

The JHS Summer School is a full-on experience with 7-8 events scheduled every day, and a really interesting mix of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, drama and current affairs, fostering the cross-pollination of ideas, and including poetry readings by Mona Arshi, Zaffar Kunial, Mary Jean Chan, Fiona Benson, Billy Ramsell, Tamar Yoseloff, Sarah Clancy and Kerrie Hardie. Standout events for me were Jan Carson‘s conversation with Kevin Barry (such an amazing reader!) and Kathryn Maris reading with two-time US Poet Laureate Billy Collins.

A showcase on the final afternoon gave us workshop participants the opportunity to read pieces created during the week, highlighting the phenomenal writing talent currently at work in Ireland, North and South of the border.

With the arrival of August, I’m now diving into the 30 Days of Summer Challenge – Day 2 and already the group are producing amazing work! The challenge is fully booked but feel free to follow along with the summer-themed prompts at home.

I’m also busy preparing my workshop for emerging writers for the Bray Literary Festival in September – numbers are limited so be sure to book early! 

Whatever you’re up to in August, keep writing and best of luck with your poetry submissions. If you appreciate the monthly list and would like to support it, consider making a small donation via the Paypal donation button (right) and/or share the link on your own blog or social media pages. Thank you!

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August 2019

Impossible Archetype – Poetry (LBGTQ+) – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

The Blue Nib – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Versify 2019 – Spoken Word Poets (Ireland only) – closes 2 Aug (submit online)

Finished Creatures – Poetry, theme: Risk – closes 4 Aug (submit online)

Second Light Poetry Competition for Long & Short Poems – Poetry (Women only) – closes 6 Aug (submit online)

The London Magazine Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 7 Aug (submit online)

Parentheses Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Art, Photography – closes 10 Aug (submit online)

The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award *EXTENDED* – Poetry manuscript (20 pages, unpublished poets – Ireland/Irish only) – closes 14 Aug (submit online)

F(r)iction Poetry Contest – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Indiana Review 1/2K Prize – Any genre (max. 500 words) – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

International Poetry Film Competition – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Jacar Press Broadside Contest – Poetry, theme: Identity – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Kore Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (48-100 pages by woman, trans or non-gender-conforming poet) – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Palette Poetry: The Emerging Poet Prize – Poetry (2 collections or less) – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

ROOM Poetry Contest – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Boiler – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, Art – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Charroux Memoir Prize for Poetry or Prose – Poetry, Prose – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Visual Verse – Poetry, Flash, Non-Fiction – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Writer in Residence, NUI Galway – All genres – closes 16 Aug (submit online)

Proms Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 18 Aug (submit online)

Culpepper Remedy’s Poetry Booklet Competition – Poetry manuscript (up to 36no. poems) – closes 19 Aug (submit online)

Masque & Spectacle – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Hybrid Fiction & more – closes 20 Aug (submit online)

Tin House – Broadside Thirty – Poetry (30 lines max.) – closes 22 Aug (submit online)

Red Line Book Festival – Poetry (unpublished poets only) – closes 23 Aug (submit online)

Robert Graves Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 23 Aug (submit online)

Buzzwords Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 24 Aug (submit online)

The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Money or the Box? – closes 24 Aug (submit online)

Gloucestershire Open Poetry Society Anthology – Poetry, theme: Magic – closes 30 Aug (submit online)

GPS Annual Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Aug (submit online)

The Bangor Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Elements – closes 30 Aug (submit by post)

The Kavanagh Fellowship – Poetry (Irish poets in middle years with body of published work) – closes 30 Aug (submit by post)

Westival Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Aug (submit online and by post)

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Brett Elizabeth Jenkins Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Grindstone International Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Honey & Lime – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, Art (especially welcomes work by women, LGBTQ+, POC, survivors of trauma, the neurodivergent and the disabled) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

James Tate Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (24-28 pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Magma – Poetry, theme: The Resistencia – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Prole Poetry Pamphlet Competition – Poetry manuscript (up to 35no. pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Saveas Writers’ International Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Sentinel Literary Quarterly Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Spilled Milk Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Verve Poetry Festival Competition – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Black Warrior Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Poetry International Chapbook – Poetry manuscript (7-24no. pages) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Poetry on Planes – Poetry – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Pleiades Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Sonder Midwest – Poetry, Fiction, Photography, Art (emerging writers/artists) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Account – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Coniston Prize – Poetry manuscript (3-6 poems, women only) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

The Tiny Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

Oxford Brookes International Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

Waterford Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

Ó Bhéal Five Words – Poetry – deadline each week, annual prize (submit online)

Rattle: Poets Respond – Poetry, theme: current events – deadline each week (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN AUGUST:

Dogwood Literary Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction– closes 5 Sept (submit online)

The Listowel Writers’ Week Irish Poem of the Year – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction– closes 6 Sept (submit online)

Into the Void – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Art – closes 7 Sept (submit online)

Healing Words Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Mental Health (5no. categories) – closes 8 Sept (submit online)

Primers: Vol. 5 – Poetry (unpublished poets, UK only) – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

2 Elizabeths – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

400 & Falling – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Artwork (emerging writers) – (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

Agenda – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit online)

Amaryllis – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apple Picking Press – Poetry – open (submit online)

A New Ulster – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Antiphon – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

Bear Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Artwork – open (submit online)

Brittle Star – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

By and By Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Carve Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Cheat River Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Disclaimer Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Journalism, themes: Politics, Economics, Art – open (submit online)

Driftwood Press – Poetry, Fiction, Literary Criticism – open (submit online)

Fields Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

FIVE:2:ONE – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork by underrepresented writers (POC, LGTBQ, non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivors etc.) – open (submit online)

GFT Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Gravel – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit by post)

Guernica – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit by post)

HCE Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit online)

Hosking Houses Trust Residencies – Women writers over 40 (all genres – must have contract to publish / broadcast / perform) – open (submit online)

I Am Not A Silent Poet – Poetry, theme: protesting abuse – open (submit online)

Idler – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Inside the Bell Jar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: mental illness – open (submit online)

Irish Literary Review – Poetry – open (submit online)

Lighthouse Literary Journal – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Memorius – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

New Contrast – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

Noepe Center Residency Program – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Plays – open (submit online)

One – Poetry, a single poem – open (submit online)

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Review – Poetry – open (submit by post)

Poetry Pea – Haiku – open (submit by post)

Poetry Salzburg – Poetry – open (submit by post or online)

Peepal Tree Press – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction manuscripts from Black & Caribbean writers – open (submit online)

Rattle – Poetry – open (submit by post and online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open (submit online)

Shakespeare & Co Tumbleweeds Residency – all writers – open (submit online)

South Bank Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Spry Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Squawk Back – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

Stepaway Magazine – Poetry, Flash Fiction, theme: walking in the city – open (submit online)

The American Journal of Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Brooklyn Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Humour – open (submit online)

The Cardiff Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash (preference given to students and unpublished graduates of Creative Writing, English Literature & Journalism) – open (submit online)

The Collapsar – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Curlew – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: the natural world – open (submit online)

The Curly Mind – Poetry, theme: experimental – open (submit online)

The Ellis Review – Poetry, published weekly – open (submit online)

The Galway Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Great American Literary Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Lake – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Lascaux Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

The MacGuffin – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Missouri Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Next Review – Poetry, Fiction, Reviews – open (submit online)

The Nottingham Review – Poetry & Fiction – open (submit online)

The Ofi Press Magazine – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Quill Magazine – Poetry, Prose, All Genres (new writers only) – open (submit online)

The Sea Letter – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Selkie – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Features (marginalised and/or under-represented voices incl. women (or identify as), people of colour, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and more) – open (submit online)

The Southeast Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Reviews, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Sun Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Interviews – open (submit online)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – open (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – open (submit online)

Vending Machine Press – Poetry, Flash, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Essay – open (submit online)

Wildness – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) Best of luck!

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If you have a competition or journal with a deadline in August 2019, and it is not included above, feel free to add the details with a link in the comments section below!

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(Illustration by Nicole Ray via Etsy)

JOIN THE 30 DAYS OF SUMMER WRITING CHALLENGE

Do you want to keep your daily writing practice on track this summer? Fancy having 30 crisp new first drafts by 1 September?

Following the success of the January & April Write-Offs, the 30 Day Writing Challenge returns next month with #30DaysofSummer – a series of fun summer and sun-themed prompts to spark your imagination and get you writing every day during August 2019.

Writers on my mailing list always get first dibs on new opportunities and places on the new challenge have already been snapped up overnight. Numbers are limited and the remaining spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The challenge takes place online – follow at your own pace at home or interact with the Facebook group and community, it’s up to you. All the information is on the website – just click the button below for details. And if you have any questions, drop me a line.

Hope to see you in the Challenge!

join the #30daysofsummer writing challenge!

 

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – July 2019

Temperatures are finally starting to climb here in Ireland giving us a taste of proper summer weather, at last – there’s even talk of a heatwave! And with the sun comes a brand new list of over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in July 2019! I’m planning to visit a few literary festivals around Ireland over the summer and maybe even squeeze in some writing time along the way. This month, I’m looking forward to attending a week-long series of poetry workshops with UK poet Liz Berry, whose gorgeous pamphlet Republic of Motherhood is a personal fave – the title poem won the 2018 Forward Prize – and a rare opportunity to hear Canadian poet, Anne Carson read her work. Both are appearing at the West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry, Co. Cork. I’ll also be designing and creating workshops for later in the summer, including one for emerging writers preparing for publication, at Bray Literary Festival in September – numbers are limited so be sure to book early! And keep your eyes peeled for news of something fun happening in August that I’ll be sharing in the next couple of days…

Whatever you’re up to in July, happy writing and best of luck with your poetry submissions. If you appreciate the monthly list and would like to support it, consider making a small donation via the Paypal donation button and/or share the link on your own blog or social media pages. Thank you!

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July 2019

Barbara Mandingo Kelly Peace Poetry Award – Poetry – closes 1 July (submit online) Bellevue Literary Review Prizes – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 July (submit online) Counterclock – Poetry, Prose, Art – closes 1 July (submit online) Duende – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art and more, theme: Food – closes 1 July (submit online) PENfro Book Festival Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Radio Drama – closes 1 July (submit online) Winter Tangerine Awards – Poetry, Prose (emerging writers only) – closes 1 July (submit online) iYeats Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 3 July (submit online) Can Serrat Writers’ Residency – Poetry – closes 3 July (submit online) Charlotte Mew Chapbook Contest – Poetry manuscript (35no. pages max., lesbian-identified poets) – closes 5 July (submit online) iYeats Summer School Scholarship – Poets with min. 2 collections published (Irish or Irish-resident) – closes 5 July (submit online) SAND – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Art and more – closes 6 July (submit online) Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 8 July (submit online) Live Canon International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 8 July (submit online) I’ll Show You Mine: A Sex Writing Symposium – Poetry – closes 10 July (submit online) Faber Residency: The Future of Cultural Instititions – Multi-disciplinary – closes 12 July (submit online) The Stephen Spender Prize – Poetry in translation – closes 12 July (submit online) Barren Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative non-fiction, Photography, theme: Oppression, Fervour, Colour, Community, Justice – closes 14 July (submit online) Narrative Poetry Contest – Poetry  – closes 14 July (submit online) Anton Chekhov Prize – Prose Poetry, Flash – closes 15 July (submit online) A Poem and a Pint – Poetry – closes 15 July (submit online) Asheville Poetry Review – Poetry – closes 15 July (submit online) Frontier Poetry Industry Prize – Poetry – closes 15 July (submit online) Rattle Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 15 July (submit online) The Blue Nib Chapbook Contest – Poetry manuscript (8 poems) – closes 15 July (submit online) The Muriel Craft Bailey Memorial Award – Poetry – closes 15 July (submit online) Visual Verse – Poetry, Flash, Non-Fiction – closes 15 July (submit online) Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 18 July (submit online) Pastimes Past Times Summer Competition – Poetry – closes 19 July (submit online) The Tangerine Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Art – closes 19 July (submit online) The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Carpentry & Home Economics – closes 22 July (submit online) The Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award – Poetry manuscript (20 pages, unpublished poets – Ireland/Irish only) – closes 22 July (submit online) Hedgebrook Writers in Residence – All genres – closes 23 July (submit online) Burning House Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Art, theme: Secrets & Lies – closes 24 July (submit online) Varuna Residential Fellowship – Poetry, Prose – closes 30 July (submit online) Amsterdam Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Essay, Art, theme: Borderlands – closes 31 July (submit online) A Poem for Europe – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online) Boyne Berries – Poetry, Flash, Fiction – closes 31 July (submit online) Bray Literary Festival Competitions – Poetry, Flash – closes 31 July (submit online) Broken River Prize – Poetry manuscript (20-40 pages) – closes 31 July (submit online) Carcanet Press – Poetry manuscript (6-10 pages) – closes 31 July (submit online) Channel Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 31 July (submit online) Culture Matters Anthology – Poetry, theme: Working Class Lives – closes 31 July (submit online) Fairy Tale Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essay (submissions from women, indigenous writers and writers of color, LGBTQIA+ writers, and members of otherwise marginalized or underrepresented groups encouraged) – closes 31 July (submit online) Indigo Dreams Collection Competition – Poetry manuscript (15 pages) – closes 31 July (submit online) Modern Poetry in Translation – Poetry in translation, theme: Extinction – closes 31 July (submit online) Not Very Quiet – Poetry, theme: Earth – closes 31 July (submit online) RHINO – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online) Seashores – Haiku/Senryu – closes 31 July (submit online) Sentinel Poetry Book Competitions – Poetry manuscript (up to 70 pages) – closes 31 July (submit online) The Compass Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online) The Gloucester Poetry Society V20 Pamphlet – Poetry manuscript (20 poems) – closes 31 July (submit online) The Rumpus Original Poetry – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online) Virginia Quarterly Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 31 July (submit online) Winchester Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online) Words by Water Creative Writing Competition – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 July (submit online) Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, YA – closes 31 July (submit online) Impossible Archetype – Poetry (LBGTQ+) – closes 1 Aug (submit online) The Blue Nib – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Aug (submit online) Poetry Ireland Versify 2019 – Spoken Word Poets (Ireland only) – closes 2 Aug (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

Ó Bhéal Five Words – Poetry – deadline each week, annual prize (submit online) Rattle: Poets Respond – Poetry, theme: current events – deadline each week (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN JULY:

Finished Creatures – Poetry, theme: Risk – closes 4 Aug (submit online) Kore Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (48-100 pages by woman, trans or non-gender-conforming poet) – closes 15 Aug (submit online) Palette Poetry: The Emerging Poet Prize – Poetry (2 collections or less) – closes 15 Aug (submit online) Aesthetica Creative Writing Award – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Aug (submit online) Magma – Poetry, theme: The Resistencia – closes 31 Aug (submit online) Verve Poetry Festival Competition – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online) 2 Elizabeths – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online) 400 & Falling – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Artwork (emerging writers) – (submit online) Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online) Agenda – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit online) Amaryllis – Poetry – open (submit online) Apple Picking Press – Poetry – open (submit online) A New Ulster – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online) Antiphon – Poetry – open (submit online) Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online) Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online) Bear Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Artwork – open (submit online) Brittle Star – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online) By and By Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online) Carve Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction – open (submit online) Cheat River Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) Disclaimer Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Journalism, themes: Politics, Economics, Art – open (submit online) Driftwood Press – Poetry, Fiction, Literary Criticism – open (submit online) Fields Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online) FIVE:2:ONE – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork by underrepresented writers (POC, LGTBQ, non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivors etc.) – open (submit online) GFT Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – open (submit online) Gravel – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit by post) Guernica – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit by post) HCE Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit online) Hosking Houses Trust Residencies – Women writers over 40 (all genres – must have contract to publish / broadcast / perform) – open (submit online) I Am Not A Silent Poet – Poetry, theme: protesting abuse – open (submit online) Idler – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online) Inside the Bell Jar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: mental illness – open (submit online) Irish Literary Review – Poetry – open (submit online) Lighthouse Literary Journal – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online) LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays – open (submit online) Memorius – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online) New Contrast – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online) Noepe Center Residency Program – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Plays – open (submit online) One – Poetry, a single poem – open (submit online) PANK – Poetry – open (submit online) Poetry Ireland Review – Poetry – open (submit by post) Poetry Pea – Haiku – open (submit by post) Poetry Salzburg – Poetry – open (submit by post or online) Peepal Tree Press – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction manuscripts from Black & Carribean writers – open (submit online) Rattle – Poetry – open (submit by post and online) Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open (submit online) Shakespeare & Co Tumbleweeds Residency – all writers – open (submit online) South Bank Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online) Spry Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Artwork – open (submit online) Squawk Back – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online) Stepaway Magazine – Poetry, Flash Fiction, theme: walking in the city – open (submit online) The American Journal of Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online) The Brooklyn Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Humour – open (submit online) The Cardiff Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash (preference given to students and unpublished graduates of Creative Writing, English Literature & Journalism) – open (submit online) The Collapsar – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) The Curlew – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: the natural world – open (submit online) The Curly Mind – Poetry, theme: experimental – open (submit online) The Ellis Review – Poetry, published weekly – open (submit online) The Galway Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online) The Great American Literary Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online) The Lake – Poetry – open (submit online) The Lascaux Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online) The MacGuffin – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online) The Missouri Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) The Next Review – Poetry, Fiction, Reviews – open (submit online) The Nottingham Review – Poetry & Fiction – open (submit online) The Ofi Press Magazine – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online) The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online) The Quill Magazine – Poetry, Prose, All Genres (new writers only) – open (submit online) The Sea Letter – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online) The Selkie – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Features (marginalised and/or under-represented voices incl. women (or identify as), people of colour, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and more) – open (submit online) The Southeast Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Reviews, Artwork – open (submit online) The Sun Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Interviews – open (submit online) Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – open (submit online) Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – open (submit online) Vending Machine Press – Poetry, Flash, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Essay – open (submit online) Wildness – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online) Best of luck!

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If you have a competition or journal with a deadline in July 2019, and it is not included above, feel free to add the details with a link in the comments section below!

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(Illustration by Nicole Ray via Etsy)

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – June 2019

The start of another month means it’s time for a brand new list of over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in June 2019!

It’s a Bank Holiday weekend here in Ireland and I’m just back from facilitating a poetry workshop at the Mountshannon Arts Festival on the banks of beautiful Lough Derg, in County Clare. In keeping with the watery location, the workshop took place in the harbour, on a barge undergoing renovation by the local heritage society – a wonderfully quirky and inspirational setting.

The theme for the festival was ‘Roots and Wings’ and we spend a productive morning exploring various interpretations of these words, while considering poems by Mary Oliver, Naomi Shihab Nye, John Piller and Doireann Ni Ghriofa. I’m always amazed at how a couple of simple writing prompts can take a group of writers in so many different directions and how the ideas ripple out when they share their work with one another.

An added bonus was getting to meet some participants of the January & April Write Offs who travelled from around Ireland to take part. My thanks go out to the organisers and supporters of the festival for all their hard work creating this lovely event, especially Roisin and Margaret for taking such good care of me and the group during our visit.

Last month also saw the prize-giving for the Trocaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition at the National Library of Ireland. My poem Shells was selected as a runner-up in the Adult Published category and I was delighted to be invited to read at the event. It’s one of my favourite annual poetry competitions that I always try to support as it shines a light on the work carried out by Trocaire in emergency situations around the world.

Whatever you’re up to this month, happy writing and best of luck with your poetry submissions! If you appreciate the monthly list and would like to support it, consider making a small donation via the Paypal donation button and/or share the link on your own blog or social media pages. Thank you!

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June 2019

Breakwater Review – Poetry, Prose, Art, theme: Climate Change – closes 1 June (submit online)

Helen Literary Magazine – Poetry, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Art and more – closes 1 June (submit online)

Marsden the Poetry Village Competition – Poetry, theme: Together – closes 1 June (submit online)

Creative Future Writers’ Award – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Home – closes 2 June (submit online)

Writers’ Digest Annual Writing Competition – Poetry, Fiction, Essay, Script – closes 3 June (submit online)

Granta – Poetry – closes 7 June (submit online)

Into the Void – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction – closes 7 June (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary – Mid Career Poet (min. 2 published collections) – closes 7 June (submit online)

The Honest Ulsterman – Poetry, Fiction, Critical Writing – closes 7 June (submit online)

Mslexia – Poetry, Fiction, Script, theme: Journey – closes 10 June (submit online)

FourXFour – Poetry – closes 12 June (submit online)

Kingdoms in the Wild Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (15-30 poems) – closes 14 June (submit online)

Michael Hartnett Poetry Award – Poetry collection in Irish (2nd or subsequent collection) – closes 14 June (submit online)

Street Cake Magazine Writing Prize – Poetry, Fiction (young writers, aged 18-26) – closes 14 June (submit online)

The Cormorant – Poetry, Flash – closes 14 June (submit online)

Akron Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (48-90 pages) – closes 15 June (submit online)

Bitter Oleander Press Library of Poetry Award – Poetry manuscript (48-80 pages) – closes 15 June (submit online or by post)

Bomb Cyclone: A Journal of Ecopoetics – Poetry, Prose, Translation, Mixed Media – closes 15 June (submit online or by post)

Segora International Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Play – closes 15 June (submit online or by post)

The Blue Nib Chapbook Contest – Poetry manuscript (8 poems) – closes 15 June (submit online)

Up the Stairs – Poetry, Art, theme: Harrow (paranormal) – closes 15 June (submit online)

Vermont Studio Center Fellowships – All writers and artists – closes 15 June (submit online)

Visual Verse – Poetry, Flash, Non-Fiction – closes 15 June (submit online)

Palette Emerging Poet Prize – Poetry – closes 16 June (submit online)

Canterbury Festival Poet of the Year – Poetry – closes 17 June (submit online)

Omnidawn Poetry Chapbook Contest – Poetry manuscript (20-40 pages) – closes 17 June (submit online)

Poetry Kit Spring Competition – Poetry – closes 17 June (submit online)

McLellan Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 21 June (submit online or by post)

Black Bough Poetry – Micro-Poetry, theme: Space, Cosmic – closes 22 June (submit online or by post)

The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Carpentry & Home Economics – closes 22 June (submit online)

The Puritan – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 25 June (submit online)

Queen Mary Wasifari New Writing Prize – Poetry – closes 28 June (submit online)

The Blue Mountain Review – Poetry, Prose, Art – closes 28 June (submit online)

Crabbe Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 29 June (submit online)

Barrow Street Book Contest – Poetry manuscript (50-80 pages) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Battered Moons Poetry Competition – Poetry (UK only) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Copper Canyon Press – Poetry manuscript (45-200 pages) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition – Poetry manuscript (16-24 pages) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Griffin Poetry Prize – Poetry collection published in 2019 (48+ pages) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Hastings Litfest Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – closes 30 June (submit online)

Hedgehog Press ‘Nicely Folded Paper – Deux’ Pamphlet Competition – Poetry manuscript (20 poems) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Los Angeles Review Literary Awards – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 30 June (submit online)

Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 June (submit online)

Milkweed Editions Max Ritvo Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (48+ pages, US only) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Paper Swans Poetry Pamphlet Prize – Poetry manuscript (18-24 poems) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Poetry Birmingham – Poetry, Hybrid Forms – closes 30 June (submit online)

Poetry Space Competition – Poetry – closes 30 June (submit online)

Sonder – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Essay – closes 30 June (submit online)

Split Lip Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Memoir – closes 30 June (submit online)

The Interpreter’s House – Poetry, Fiction – closes 30 June (submit online)

University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor’s International Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 30 June (submit online)

Wells Festival of Literature Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Children’s Book – closes 30 June (submit online)

Barbara Mandingo Kelly Peace Poetry Award – Poetry – closes 1 July (submit online)

Bellevue Literary Review Prizes – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 July (submit online)

Counterclock – Poetry, Prose, Art – closes 1 July (submit online)

Duende – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art and more, theme: Food – closes 1 July (submit online)

PENfro Book Festival Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Radio Drama – closes 1 July (submit online)

Winter Tangerine Awards – Poetry, Prose (emerging writers only) – closes 1 July (submit online)

iYeats Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 3 July (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

Ó Bhéal Five Words – Poetry – deadline each week, annual prize (submit online)

Rattle: Poets Respond – Poetry, theme: current events – deadline each week (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN JUNE:

Bray Literary Festival Competitions – Poetry, Flash – closes 31 July (submit online)

Channel Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 31 July (submit online)

2 Elizabeths – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

400 & Falling – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Artwork (emerging writers) – (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

Agenda – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit online)

Amaryllis – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apple Picking Press – Poetry – open (submit online)

A New Ulster – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Antiphon – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

Bear Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Artwork – open (submit online)

Brittle Star – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

By and By Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Carve Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Cheat River Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Disclaimer Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Journalism, themes: Politics, Economics, Art – open (submit online)

Driftwood Press – Poetry, Fiction, Literary Criticism – open (submit online)

Fields Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

FIVE:2:ONE – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork by underrepresented writers (POC, LGTBQ, non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivors etc.) – open (submit online)

GFT Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Gravel – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit by post)

Guernica – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit by post)

HCE Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit online)

Hosking Houses Trust Residencies – Women writers over 40 (all genres – must have contract to publish / broadcast / perform) – open (submit online)

I Am Not A Silent Poet – Poetry, theme: protesting abuse – open (submit online)

Idler – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Inside the Bell Jar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: mental illness – open (submit online)

Irish Literary Review – Poetry – open (submit online)

Lighthouse Literary Journal – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Memorius – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

New Contrast – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

Noepe Center Residency Program – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Plays – open (submit online)

One – Poetry, a single poem – open (submit online)

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Review – Poetry – open (submit by post)

Poetry Saltzburg – Poetry – open (submit by post or online)

Peepal Tree Press – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction manuscripts from Black & Carribean writers – open (submit online)

Rattle – Poetry – open (submit by post and online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open (submit online)

Shakespeare & Co Tumbleweeds Residency – all writers – open (submit online)

South Bank Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Spry Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Squawk Back – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

Stepaway Magazine – Poetry, Flash Fiction, theme: walking in the city – open (submit online)

The American Journal of Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Brooklyn Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Humour – open (submit online)

The Cardiff Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash (preference given to students and unpublished graduates of Creative Writing, English Literature & Journalism) – open (submit online)

The Collapsar – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Curlew – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: the natural world – open (submit online)

The Curly Mind – Poetry, theme: experimental – open (submit online)

The Ellis Review – Poetry, published weekly – open (submit online)

The Galway Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Great American Literary Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Lake – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Lascaux Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

The MacGuffin – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Missouri Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Next Review – Poetry, Fiction, Reviews – open (submit online)

The Nottingham Review – Poetry & Fiction – open (submit online)

The Ofi Press Magazine – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

The Quill Magazine – Poetry, Prose, All Genres (new writers only) – open (submit online)

The Sea Letter – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Selkie – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Features (marginalised and/or under-represented voices incl. women (or identify as), people of colour, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and more) – open (submit online)

The Southeast Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Reviews, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Sun Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Interviews – open (submit online)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – open (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – open (submit online)

Vending Machine Press – Poetry, Flash, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Essay – open (submit online)

Wildness – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Best of luck!

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If you have a competition or journal with a deadline in June 2019, and it is not included above, feel free to add the details with a link in the comments section below!

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(Illustration by Nicole Ray via Etsy)

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – May 2019

Today is the festival of Bealtaine in Ireland, the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice – it marks the start of summer and is generally regarded as a time of optimism and growth. What better time to send your work out to one of over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in May 2019?!

And, as if the start of Summer weren’t enough to celebrate, tomorrow is also National Poetry Day in Ireland, with events throughout the country. I’m delighted to say my poem ‘English Lessons With a Polish Colleague on the Blessington Bus’ is one of several selected by Poetry Ireland to promote this year’s theme of ‘Truth or Dare’, alongside Vona Groarke, Jean O’Brien, Colette Bryce, Eleanor Hooker, Maurice Devitt, Liz Quirke, Stephanie Conn and more. The poems are featured on the Poetry Ireland website, their pocket poetry postcard series and on public transport around Ireland!

I have a couple of signed copies of my postcard poem to give away – if you’d like a chance of winning one, simply pop over to the Poetry Ireland Discover Poetry page and tell me which is your favourite Truth or Dare poem.

Send your answer by email to angela (@) angelatcarr (dot) com, with ‘TRUTH OR DARE’ in the subject line. Please include your name and postal address. Names will be drawn at random on 8th May and the winners announced on the blog and social media.

Happy National Poetry Day! And whether you’re writing or submitting poems this month, I wish you the very best of luck!

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May 2019

Poetry London Clore Prize – Poetry – closes 1 May (submit online)

Skylight 47 – Poetry, theme: Language, Landscape & Migration – closes 1 May (submit online)

Storyscape Journal – Poetry, Prose, Art – closes 1 May (submit online)

The Mairtin Crawford Award – Poetry, Fiction – closes 1 May (submit online)

The Blue Nib – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 1 May (submit online)

Waltraud Field International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 1 May (submit online)

Magma – Poetry, theme: Loss – DEADLINE EXTENDED – closes 2 May (submit online)

Poetry Jukebox: EPIC – Poetry, theme: Hunger & Migration – closes 3 May (submit online)

Wexford Literary Festival Awards – Poetry, Fiction, Drama – closes 4 May (submit online)

Cordite Poetry Review – Poetry – closes 5 May (submit online)

Writers’ Digest Annual Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Memoir, Essay, Drama and more – closes 6 May (submit online)

Dromineer Literary Festival Writer-in-Residence – All genres – closes 7 May (submit online)

The Stinging Fly Summer School – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 9 May (submit online)

Bennington Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction  – closes 15 May (submit online)

Breadcrumbs – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction  – closes 15 May (submit online)

Crab Creek Review Poetry Contest – Poetry  – closes 15 May (submit online)

Hedgehog Press Handwritten Poem – Poetry, theme: Your Best Friend/Pets  – closes 15 May (submit online)

Janet B. McCabe Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 15 May (submit online)

Pleiades Press Editors’ Prize for Poetry – Poetry – closes 15 May (submit online)

Ploughshares Emerging Writers; Contest – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – closes 15 May (submit online)

The Boiler Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Essay – closes 15 May (submit online)

Vallum – Poetry, theme: Fear – closes 15 May (submit online)

Visual Verse – Poetry, Flash, Non-Fiction – closes 15 May (submit online)

Abridged: Issue 0-404 – Poetry, theme: Delete – closes 19 May (submit online)

Antithesis – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art and more, theme: Devotion – closes 19 May (submit online)

New Letters Writing Contests – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – closes 20 May (submit online)

Mental Health Narrative Project – All genres – closes 21 May (submit online)

The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Four – closes 25 May (submit online)

Iota Shot Pamphlet Award – Poetry manuscript (16-20 pages) – closes 28 May (submit online)

Granta – Poetry – closes 28 May (submit online)

AGNI – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 31 May (submit online)

Coast to Coast to Coast – Poetry – closes 31 May (submit online)

Crazyhorse – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 31 May (submit online)

Frogmore Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 May (submit online)

Hedgehog Press: Conversationally Yours – Poetry manuscripts, 2 poets (20 pages max.)  – closes 31 May (submit online)

Hedgehog Press: Selected or Neglected – Poetry manuscripts (40 pages)  – closes 31 May (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – closes 31 May (submit online)

Longleaf Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – closes 31 May (submit online)

River Styx International Poetry Contest – Poetry – closes 31 May (submit online)

Sentinal Literary Quarterly Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 31 May (submit online)

Strix – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – closes 31 May (submit online)

The A3 Press Chapbooks – Poetry manuscript (12 pages) – closes 31 May (submit online)

The Bridport Prize – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Novel – closes 31 May (submit online)

The Gettysburg Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essay – closes 31 May (submit online)

The Lord Whisky Sanctuary Fund Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Sanctuary – closes 31 May (submit online)

Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Prize – Poetry (17-24 pages)  – closes 31 May (submit online)

Willow Springs – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – closes 31 May (submit online)

ZYZZYVA – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 31 May (submit online)

Breakwater Review – Poetry, Prose, Art, theme: Climate Change – closes 1 June (submit online)

Helen Literary Magazine – Poetry, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Art and more – closes 1 June (submit online)

Marsden the Poetry Village Competition – Poetry, theme: Together – closes 1 June (submit online)

Creative Future Writers’ Award – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Home – closes 2 June (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

Ó Bhéal Five Words – Poetry – deadline each week, annual prize (submit online)

Rattle: Poets Respond – Poetry, theme: current events – deadline each week (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN MAY:

Into the Void – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction – closes 7 June (submit online)

The Honest Ulsterman – Poetry, Fiction, Critical Writing – closes 7 June (submit online)

Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition – Poetry manuscript (16-24 pages) – closes 30 June (submit online)

Poetry Birmingham – Poetry, Hybrid Forms – closes 30 June (submit online)

2 Elizabeths – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

400 & Falling – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Artwork (emerging writers) – (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

Agenda – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit online)

Amaryllis – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apple Picking Press – Poetry – open (submit online)

A New Ulster – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Antiphon – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

Bear Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Artwork – open (submit online)

Brittle Star – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

By and By Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Carve Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Cheat River Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Disclaimer Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Journalism, themes: Politics, Economics, Art – open (submit online)

Driftwood Press – Poetry, Fiction, Literary Criticism – open (submit online)

Fields Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

FIVE:2:ONE – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Artwork by underrepresented writers (POC, LGTBQ, non-binary, neurodivergent, trauma survivors etc.) – open (submit online)

GFT Press – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Gravel – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit by post)

Guernica – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit by post)

HCE Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Photo Essays – open (submit online)

Hosking Houses Trust Residencies – Women writers over 40 (all genres – must have contract to publish / broadcast / perform) – open (submit online)

I Am Not A Silent Poet – Poetry, theme: protesting abuse – open (submit online)

Idler – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Inside the Bell Jar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: mental illness – open (submit online)

Irish Literary Review – Poetry – open (submit online)

Lighthouse Literary Journal – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

Memorius – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

New Contrast – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

Noepe Center Residency Program – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Memoir, Plays – open (submit online)

One – Poetry, a single poem – open (submit online)

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Poetry Ireland Review – Poetry – open (submit by post)

Poetry Saltzburg – Poetry – open (submit by post or online)

Peepal Tree Press – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction manuscripts from Black & Carribean writers – open (submit online)

Rattle – Poetry – open (submit by post and online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open (submit online)

Shakespeare & Co Tumbleweeds Residency – all writers – open (submit online)

South Bank Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Spry Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

Squawk Back – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

Stepaway Magazine – Poetry, Flash Fiction, theme: walking in the city – open (submit online)

The American Journal of Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Brooklyn Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation, Humour – open (submit online)

The Cardiff Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Flash (preference given to students and unpublished graduates of Creative Writing, English Literature & Journalism) – open (submit online)

The Collapsar – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Curlew – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: the natural world – open (submit online)

The Curly Mind – Poetry, theme: experimental – open (submit online)

The Ellis Review – Poetry, published weekly – open (submit online)

The Galway Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Great American Literary Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Reviews, Plays – open (submit online)

The Lake – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Lascaux Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – open (submit online)

The MacGuffin – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Missouri Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

The Next Review – Poetry, Fiction, Reviews – open (submit online)

The Nottingham Review – Poetry & Fiction – open (submit online)

The Ofi Press Magazine – Poetry & Short Fiction – open (submit online)

The Quill Magazine – Poetry, Prose, All Genres (new writers only) – open (submit online)

The Sea Letter – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Selkie – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Features (marginalised and/or under-represented voices incl. women (or identify as), people of colour, immigrants, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent and more) – open (submit online)

The Southeast Review – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-Fiction, Reviews, Artwork – open (submit online)

The Sun Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Interviews – open (submit online)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – open (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – open (submit online)

Vending Machine Press – Poetry, Flash, Memoir, Non-Fiction, Essay – open (submit online)

Wildness – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction – open (submit online)

Best of luck!

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If you have a competition or journal with a deadline in May 2019, and it is not included above, feel free to add the details with a link in the comments section below!

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(Illustration by Nicole Ray via Etsy)

Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – April 2019

Spring has just arrived here in Ireland (along with a deluge of hailstones and forecasts of snow) and, to celebrate the season and the birth of new things, here are over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in April 2019!

It’s also National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo or GloPoWriMo) where writers attempt to write a poem a day throughout April. My April Write Off 30 Day Challenge is now fully booked but here are the prompts we’re following, if you want to give it a go yourself.

Surviving NaPoWriMo: Tips for a 30-Day Poetry Challenge

NaPoWriMo kicks off on April 1 and writers around the world will attempt to write a poem a day for 30 days. I’ve taken part in NaPoWriMo and other 30-day challenges, and I’ve also hosted them. I thought it might be useful to share some tips about how to get the most out of an intensive creative challenge.

Why Do It?

Writing is a solitary experience – we are only accountable to ourselves and that can be isolating. A 30-day challenge provides the opportunity to:

• Focus: Put your writing front and centre for a set period of time.
• Commit: Show up at the page every day.
• Establish Boundaries: Protect your writing time as an integral part of your day.
• Create a Writing Habit: It only takes 22 days to form a habit.
• Be Part of a Community: Enjoy support and encouragement around a shared experience.
• Be Surprised: At what you can accomplish in a single month!

What to Expect?

Week 1 – enthusiasm, excitement, fun – it’s a novelty and you’re full of ideas!

Week 2 – life intrudes, miss a day and it feels like failure, habit starts to slip.

Week 3 – inspiration fades, repeating yourself, overwhelm, time to push through.

Week 4 – almost there, renewed spurt of energy, rush of adrenaline, triumph!

Top TIPS for Surviving NaPoWriMo

It’s easy to become overwhelmed and burn-out when doing an intensive challenge like this, or to miss a day due to the everyday responsibilities and feel like a failure. Here are some ideas to help you make it through.

1. Go easy on yourself: NaPoWriMo is a bit of fun, not another chore. If you miss a day, start again the following day. If need to take a day to catch your breath, same. Don’t write off the whole challenge because of a couple of missed days. At the end of the month, you will still have achieved much more than you normally would or had even thought possible.
2. Manage your mindset: The challenge is derived from NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month in November, where the focus is on quantity, not quality. Think of it as a 30-day scavenger hunt – you want to spark an idea, capture the essence of it and move on. Switch off your critical voice. Knowing that these are fast first drafts takes the pressure off. As Jodi Picoult says: ‘You might not write well every day but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.’
3. Limit your writing time: I recommend a 15-minute free-write. It’s enough time to explore an idea or prompt but not so much that it will interfere with the rest of your day. It keeps the bar nice and low and the challenge manageable. Setting your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier or taking the time out at the end of the day isn’t too much of a hardship.
4. Use prompts: Prompts focus the mind on finding the best way to write about a subject, rather than finding something to write about. It’s one less barrier to getting started and they can startle interesting responses that, otherwise, you might never have written. There are lots of resources online for writing prompts and the official NaPoWriMo site publishes a prompt every day.
5. Join a group: Because it’s a global phenomenon, there’s so much support out there for poets during the month of April. A group provides encouragement for when the novelty wears off and you need to dig a little deeper. Check in once a day to keep yourself accountable. I recommend a ‘no critique’ environment as the work is just at the first draft stage – the focus of the group should simply be on supporting and encouraging one another in the task.
6. Don’t try to write a complete poem in a day! Poems need time to come to fruition – this is about catching an idea, getting enough down on the page to pick up again later but do try to get the complete shape of the poem if you can. You’re creating a store of potential poems to come back to and develop.
7. Manage Expectations: Not every idea will be genius and that’s OK. There is more to be gained in showing up at the page every day. It trains your mind to be receptive and open to new ideas. Think of it as a month of new beginnings, of exploration rather than achievement.
8. Don’t Cheat: If you’re working with prompts, it can be tempting to pull a poem with a similar theme out of a drawer to give yourself a day off. The problem is your brain knows you didn’t do the work, that you’ve let yourself off the hook, and – because brains like problem-solving – it immediately goes looking for other ways to bunk off, the scamp! I recommend the fifteen-minute free-write for this reason – it’s achievable, even on the busiest of days. And if you need a day off, it’s better just to acknowledge this and start fresh the next day.
9. Experiment with Poetic Form: Not every poem has to be an epic! On the days when the words are in short supply, try one of the many short poetic forms like Haiku, Cinquain, Triolet or Sonnet. Here’s a great resource of 100 Poetic Forms to play with.
10. Ego & Competition: Challenges and group dynamics can quickly bring out your competitive streak – ignore it! The only person you are competing with in writing is yourself – your last poem, your best ideas. Don’t get caught up in ego trips or mind-games.
11. To share or not to share? It’s daunting to share a first draft with a group of strangers – I leave it up to you to decide if it’s the right choice for you. Other options are to share a line or two that you like from your free-write or to simply report how you got on that day. I do think it’s important to post something every day even if you’re finding it hard to write (especially if you’re finding it hard to write). It’s a good way to check in with your writing self and reading the group’s responses to the challenge may shake something loose!
12. Read other poems: Whenever I feel stuck in my writing, I’ll pick up a collection, start to read and within minutes ideas are sparking! In order to draw from the well of inspiration, we first have to fill it. A great resource is the Poetry Foundation’s Poem a Day – sign up to their mailing list and you’ll receive a poem a day in your inbox.
13. Enjoy!

If that’s whetted your appetite, there are still a few places left in my NaPoWriMo April Write Off – a private Facebook group with prompts, daily advice, inspiration and lots of feedback and encouragement. Click the button below to sign up.

join the #napowrimo 30-day challenge!

Featured image by Anna Sullivan for Unsplash.

Are you ready to Crush #NaPoWriMo in 2019?

Welcome to the April Write Off – A #napowrimo 30 day Challenge!

National Poetry Writing Month is almost upon us – the time of year when writers around the world take on the challenge of penning a poem every single day for a month.

Are you ready to make 2019 the year you conquer #NaPoWriMo???

Following the success of the January Write Off, I’m launching a brand spanking new 30 day challenge to spark your imagination and get those creative juices flowing in April.

It’s the perfect way to hold yourself accountable to your writing goals during #NaPoWriMo.

Writers on my mailing list always get first dibs on new opportunities and over half the spots have already been snapped up overnight. Numbers are limited and the remaining spots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

All the information is on the website – just click the button below for details. And if you have any questions, drop me a line.

Hope to see you in the Challenge!

join the #napowrimo 30 day challenge