Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – December 2020

It’s December at last and the year from hell is almost over – hurrah! But there’s still time to eke some goodness out of 2020 by submitting to one of over 130 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in December 2020!

In her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston says: ‘There are years that ask questions and years that answer’. I don’t think there can be any doubt that 2020 was a questions year; it made us all reconsider so much that we take for granted, from how we operate as a society to the most basic acts of affection.

On a personal level, it asked me to consider absence, loss and grief, after my Dad died in March. Further losses followed, including a dear writer friend last week. We’ve all had to wrestle with loss this year. At a writing level, it has been a fallow year for putting pen to paper (though not for ideas) and I’ve been wondering how I can build the restorative writing practice for myself that I create for others. I’ve also been pondering how to adapt my teaching offerings to fit the world we’re living in and the levels of stress we’ve all been under for so long. I don’t have answers to all these questions yet but I trust they will come.

For the past 2 years, I’ve kicked off the New Year with a 30-Day writing challenge and I’m bringing it back again in January, with some key changes in keeping with the times. First, all of the Winter Wonderland 2021 prompts will focus on good news and upbeat ideas to get the year off to a positive start. Second, they’re not all writing prompts! I’ve built in ‘creative pit-stops’ – days where we’ll explore different approaches to creativity and tune up our imaginative skill sets as writers.

The challenge is a great way to set your writing intentions for the new year and avoid the January blues – it’s going to be a lot of fun!

There will be bite-sized daily exercises, inspiration and a supportive and encouraging community of writers in the private Facebook group. Fair warning though – my email list always gets first dibs on new events and the Facebook group is already two-thirds full! If you want to join us on 1 January, be sure to grab a spot before they’re all gone.

The email only version of the daily exercises has proven a winner in previous challenges, for those who want to avoid social media, and it’s back. Just select the ‘Email Only’ Paypal option at the link.

To find out more and book your spot, click the button below.

Tell Me More about writing in a winter wonderland 2021, please!

Thanks to a generous donation, there are two free places available to writers experiencing financial difficulties or from under-represented groups – if you’re a woman, a writer of colour, LGBTQ+, neurodivergent, disabled or working class, please drop me a line (in confidence) to claim one of these spots.

Or if you’d like to sponsor a spot for someone or gift a spot on a future writing challenge as a Christmas present – contact me and I’ll take care of it. For prezzies, I can even send you a personalised printable gift certificate so you have something to put under the tree!

In this strange year of loss and isolation, I’m tremendously grateful for the understanding, encouragement and support of this community of writers – who take part in my poetry events and who read this blog. I love working with you and helping you to send your words out into the world. I love hearing about your successes. Thank you so much for your support throughout this year and I hope these lists have helped you find homes for your work. If you’re in a position to give back (see below) it would be very much appreciated.

And as you’re ticking off your Christmas shopping list, remember – poetry makes the perfect stocking filler! Please support writers, small presses and independent bookstores this Christmas.

I wish you a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful holiday season and the very best of luck in sending out your poems this month. Take care and I look forward to seeing you in 2021!

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Annual Christmas Request

Creating this list is a labour of love, taking the best part of 20 hours to source, organise and write each month. If you find it useful and would like to show your appreciation, click the button below and make a small contribution toward a writer’s necessities in life, like:

€1.00 (a cheeky wee bar of chocolate or a new pen)
€3.00 (a piping hot creamy latte or a new notebook)
€5.00 (a lovely cold pint of Guinness or a competition entry)
€10.00 (a scrumptious pizza or a new book)

If you have the means, please consider making a monthly contribution. The competitions list is read between 8000-13000 times each month. If everyone who uses the list were to contribute just €1 per month, it would go a long way to supporting not just the list but my work as a writer.

To everyone who has contributed this year, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. May your poems go out into the world and shine!

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DeCember 2020

American Poetry Journal Chapbook Series – Poetry manuscript (42 pages max.) – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (60-95 pages) – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

Slice Literary – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Common – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Iowa Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Ralph Gustafson Prize – Poetry – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

Brunel International African Poetry Prize – Poetry (emerging – not yet published a full-length collection) – closes 2 Dec (submit online)

Lucent Dreaming Poetry Pamphlet Contest – Poetry manuscript (Under-represented diaspora poets in the UK, 20 pages) – closes 4 Dec (submit online)

Passengers Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Visual Arts – closes 4 Dec (submit online)

Cove Park Residency – Literature/Translation (UK-based only) – closes 7 Dec (submit online)

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

Mslexia Pamphlet Competition – Poetry manuscript (20 poems/24 pages max.) – closes 7 Dec (submit online)

Mslexia Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 7 Dec (submit online)

Under the Radar – Poetry, theme: The Elements – closes 7 Dec (submit online)

Bedtime Stories for the End of the World – Poetry, theme: Myth, Folk Tales – closes 11 Dec (submit online)

The Citron Review – Poetry, Flash, Non-fiction, Micro Poetry/Fiction/CNF – closes 14 Dec (submit online)

Columbia Journal Winter Contest – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Translation – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

Copper Nickel – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

C.P. Cavafy Prize – Poetry – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

Harvard Review – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Drama – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

New Ohio Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

The Folklore Prize – Poetry – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

The Test Site Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscripts (min. 48 pages) – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

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

Haleakala National Park Artist Residency – All Disciplines – closes 19 Dec (submit online)

Sonder – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 20 Dec (submit online)

Nightingale & Sparrow – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, Photography, theme: Blizzard – closes 21 Dec (submit online)

The Puritan – Poetry, Fiction, Essays – closes 25 Dec (submit online)

Arc Poetry Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

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

Dorset Prize – Poetry manuscript (48-88 pages) – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Drawn to the Light – Poetry, Art, Photography – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

LitMag – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Modern Poetry in Translation – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Modern Poetry in Translation: European Pandemic Issue – Poetry, theme: Responses to Covid19 crisis – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

ROPES – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Memoir, Essay – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Submissions Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Artwork – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

The Griffin Poetry Prize – Poetry collections published in 2020 – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

The Matchgirls 1888 Memorial Competition – Poetry, Flash Fiction, Phone Film, theme: The Matchgirls Strike 1888 – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

The Moth Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

The Two Sylvias Press Wilder Series Poetry Book Prize – Poetry manuscript (48-80 pages, female/identified poets over the age of 50 only) – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Waxwing – Poetry (note: 300 entry limit – may close earlier) – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

William Carlos Williams Annual Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Wolverhampton Literature Festival – Poetry, theme: Aspects of Love – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Laurence Goldstein Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 1 Jan (submit online)

Mississippi Review Annual Contests – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Jan (submit online)

The Penn Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Visual Art – closes 1 Jan (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

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

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN OCTOBER & November

Douglass in Ireland Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 7 Jan (submit online)

The White Review Poets Prize – Poetry – closes 10 Jan (submit online)

CCI Artists Residency – All disciplines – closes 12 Jan (submit online)

Magma Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 15 Jan (submit online)

Guernsey International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 15 Jan (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Ambit – Poetry, Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

Anthropocene – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Bending Genres – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Dreich Mag – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Dust Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Empty Mirror – Poetry, Non-fiction, Visual Art (committed to diversity & inclusion) – open (submit online)

Fecund Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Essay & more (POC only) – 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)

Frontier Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Fruit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+, with emphasis on unheard voices – POC, trans, working class) – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Ink Sweat & Tears – Poetry – 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)

Lunate – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

Marble – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Omelette Literary Magazine – Poetry, Visual Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction & more – open (submit online)

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

Orbis – Poetry – open (submit by post (UK) or online (overseas only))

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Palette Poetry – Poetry (under-represented and marginalized voices of all colors encouraged to submit) – open (submit online)

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

Pigeon Pages – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

POETRY Magazine – Poetry (submit online)

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

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

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

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

Porridge Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – open (submit online)

PN Review – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit by post)

Prole – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open 31 March 2020 (submit online)

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

Sine Theta Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art (Sino diaspora only. People of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage – rolling deadlines, email to express interest (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)

Stand Magazine – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

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

Tears in the Fence – Poetry – 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 Compass Magazine – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

The Dark Horse – Poetry – open (submit by post)

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

The Galway Review – 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 Lincoln Review – Poetry, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Essays and more (actively encourages writers, artists, and photographers who come from marginalised and underprivileged backgrounds) – open (submit online)

The London Magazine – Poetry, Non-Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

The Moth – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

The Offing – Poetry, Translation, Art and more – open (submit online)

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

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Poetry Review – Poetry – 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 Seventh Quarry – Short Poetry – 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)

The Times Literary Supplement – Poetry (submit by post)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – on hiatus until 2021 (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – 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 December 2020, 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 – September 2020

Summer is on the wane and with the nights drawing in you’ll need something to keep you busy so here’s a new list with over 130 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in September 2020!

It’s also the strangest ‘Back to School’ season ever. Whether you’re a parent, a student or a teacher, I wish you all well this Autumn as we broach yet another social and health frontier.

We had a fantastic time during the month of August on The Grand Tour 2020 Summer Writing Challenge – a whistle-stop virtual jaunt around Europe in the manner of old-timey toffs visiting France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkey, Greece, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, writing up a storm along the way! I’m planning one more challenge before the end of the year – be sure to jump on the mailing list so you don’t miss out!

Otherwise, be careful, mind yourselves and each other this month – we’re all in this together. As always, stay creative, stay grounded, stay connected and stay safe.

Whatever you are writing or sending out in September, I wish you the very best of luck. 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 2020

SAND – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Translations, Art – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

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

Tiny Fork Chapbook Series Contest – Poetry, Prose, Hybrid manuscripts (15-40 pages) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

For Women Who Roar – Poetry, Non-fiction, Art, Photography – closes 2 Sept (submit online)

Passengers Journal – Poetry, Non-fiction, Art, Photography – closes 4 Sept (submit online)

Dogwood Literary Prizes – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 6 Sept (submit online)

The Stirling Spoon Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Identity in America – closes 6 Sept (submit online)

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

Tiny Seed Journal – Poetry, Flash, Photography, theme: Through the Eyes of Nature – closes 7 Sept (submit online)

Arts Council Literary Project Award – All genres – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

Black Warrior Review Contest – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

Ellipsis Zine – Prose Poetry, Flash – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

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

Aurora Poetry Summer Contest – Poetry – closes 12 Sept (submit online)

Westival Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 13 Sept (submit online)

Oxford Brookes International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 14 Sept (submit online)

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

Cave Canem: Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize – Poetry manuscript (25-30 pages, Black poets only) – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

Robert Watson Literary Prize – Poetry, Fiction – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

The Moth Nature Writing Prize – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

The Southampton Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – closes 15 Sept (submit online)

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

Gutter Mag – Poetry, Prose (welcomes those underrepresented in literary publications: writers of colour; with lived experience of multiple socio-economic deprivation; from marginalised ethnic and national groups, LGBTQ writers, and those writing in minority languages) – closes 18 Sept (submit online)

2020 Manchester Writing Competition – Poetry, Fiction – closes 18 Sept (submit online)

Frontier Poetry Award for New Poets – Poetry (one collection published max.) – closes 20 Sept (submit online)

Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards – Poetry, Fiction – closes 26 Sept (submit online)

The Puritan – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 26 Sept (submit online)

La Napoule Arts Foundation Residency – All artists – closes 28 Sept (submit online)

The Allingham Festival Competitions – Poetry, Flash – closes 28 Sept (submit online)

Troubadour Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 28 Sept (submit online)

Anthropocene – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (or sooner, depending on numbers – submit online)

Creeping Expansion – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, theme: Community – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Drawn to the Light – Poetry – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

LossLit – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction (welcomes submissions from women, ethnic minority groups, LGBTQ+ community, and other under-represented groups in publishing) – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Lunch Ticket – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction – closes 30 Sept (numbers capped, may close sooner – submit online)

Nashville Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Neon Magazine – Poetry, Prose, Comics & Photography – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

New Writing Scotland – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Drama, Screenplay, Graphic Artwork – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Split Lip – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Memoir, Art & Photography – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

The A3 Press Chapbook – Poetry, Fiction, Art (max. 12-14 pages) – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

Tiny Seed Journal – Poetry, Flash, Photography, theme: Where is Your Wild? – closes 30 Sept (submit online)

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

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

The Adroit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

The Aryamati Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

The Honest Ulsterman – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Critical Writing – closes 2 Oct (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

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

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN SEPTEMBER:

Mslexia – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction (short pieces) – closes 5 Oct (submit online)

The London Magazine Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 12 Oct (submit online)

The Brush & Lyre Prize – Multimedia Poetry – closes 18 Oct (submit online)

404 Ink – Poetry, Short/Fiction, Non-fiction manuscripts (complete or project pitch) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Ambit Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Gingko Prize – Eco-Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

The Bedford Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award – Poetry – closes 5 Nov (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Ambit – Poetry, Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

Anthropocene – 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)

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

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

Dreich Mag – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Dust Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Empty Mirror – Poetry, Non-fiction, Visual Art (committed to diversity & inclusion) – open (submit online)

Fecund Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Essay & more (POC only) – 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)

Frontier Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Fruit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+, with emphasis on unheard voices – POC, trans, working class) – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Ink Sweat & Tears – Poetry – 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)

Lunate – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

Marble – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Omelette Literary Magazine – Poetry, Visual Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction & more – open (submit online)

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

Orbis – Poetry – open (submit by post (UK) or online (overseas only))

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Palette Poetry – Poetry (under-represented and marginalized voices of all colors encouraged to submit) – open (submit online)

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

Pigeon Pages – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

POETRY Magazine – Poetry (submit online)

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

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

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

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

Porridge Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – open (submit online)

PN Review – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit by post)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open 31 March 2020 (submit online)

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

Sine Theta Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art (Sino diaspora only. People of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage – rolling deadlines, email to express interest (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)

Stand Magazine – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

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

Tears in the Fence – Poetry – 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 Compass Magazine – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

The Dark Horse – Poetry – open (submit by post)

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

The Galway Review – 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 London Magazine – Poetry, Non-Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

The Moth – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

The Offing – Poetry, Translation, Art and more – open (submit online)

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

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Poetry Review – Poetry – 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 Seventh Quarry – Short Poetry – 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)

The Times Literary Supplement – Poetry (submit by post)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – on hiatus until 2021 (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – 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 2020, 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 – August 2020

After a month in seclusion, I’m back to some semblance of health and sanity, and come bearing a bright new shiny list of over 120 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in August 2020!

First of all, I’m hugely grateful to everyone who contacted me after last month’s list to wish me well during my time off. I was exhausted at the beginning of July but so touched by your lovely messages of support, and to hear how the work I put into the list each month is valued and appreciated by this writing community. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement.

This month also brings The Grand Tour 2020 Summer Writing Challenge – a 30 day virtual jaunt around Europe, with all the travel-themed prompts, ideas and poetic inspiration you’ll need to keep you writing every day in August!

The first writing exercise went live today and there are still a couple of spots available in the supportive Facebook group but, be warned, I’m pulling up the gangplank by end of day tomorrow (Aug 3) to avoid stragglers. Ready to pack a trunk and join us? Find all the info and deposit your shiny guineas here:

http://www.adreamingskin.com/thegrandtoursummerchallenge2020

Or, if you prefer to ‘wander lonely as a cloud’ on your Grand Tour, there’s a reduced-rate email version of the daily exercises, avoiding social media to work at your own pace – there’s no numbers limit on this option and it will remain available until 8 August.

If you’re too busy for either but would like a little inspiration in the coming weeks, here’s the basic prompt list we’re working with – feel free to dip in when the muse strikes. 

If you’d like to hear about future events, sign up to my mailing list for first dibs on the next challenge before it goes public!

Otherwise, be well this month, and mind yourselves – we’re still a long way from normality. Take care of yourselves and each other. As always, stay creative, stay grounded, stay connected and stay safe.

Whatever you are writing in August, I wish you luck. 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 2020

Impossible Archetype – Poetry (LGBTQ+, all genders) – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Porridge – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction, Art – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Shoreham Wordfest Poetry & Short Story Competition – Poetry, Fiction (10 lines / 10 words) – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

The North Magazine – Poetry – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Frontier: Types of Burns – All genres, under 1500 words (Black voices only) – closes 2 Aug (submit online)

The Dalkey Writing Prizes – Poetry, Fiction – closes 2 Aug (submit online)

Poetry News Members’ Poems Competition – Poetry, theme: Vision – closes 4 Aug (submit online)

Cill Rialaig Residencies 2020 – All genres – closes 5 Aug (submit online)

Second Light Poetry Competition – Long & short Poetry by women – closes 6 Aug (submit online)

The Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition – Poetry pamphlets (18-20 pages) – closes 10 Aug (submit online)

Patrick & Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship – Irish poets in middle years – closes 14 Aug (submit online)

Gigantic Sequins Summer Contests – Poetry, Flash – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Gloucestershire Poetry Society Open Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Grist Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Inklette Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Room Magazine 2020 Poetry Contest – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Boiler Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Essay – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Bray Literary Festival Competitions – Poetry, Flash – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Charroux LitFest Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Truths – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Vallum Award for Poetry – Poetry – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

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

Palette Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 16 Aug (submit online)

Modern Poetry in Translation: Dead Women Poets – Translations of work by dead women and non-binary poets (women translators encouraged esp. women of colour, LGBTQ women, working class women, d/Deaf women and disabled women, and those new to translation) – closes 17 Aug (submit online)

The Cormorant – Poetry, Flash – closes 20 Aug (submit online)

Buzzwords Open Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 22 Aug (submit online)

The A3 Review – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Habitat – closes 22 Aug (submit online)

The Red Line Book Festival Poetry Competition – Poetry (unpublished poets only) – closes 24 Aug (submit online)

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

Beloit Poetry Journal – Poetry – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

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

Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition – Poetry pamphlets (16-24 pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Pallina Press – Poetry pamphlets (25-40 pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Poems from Pandemia Anthology – Poetry, theme: Covid-19, Pandemic, Plague – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Reliquiae – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, theme: Landscape, Nature & Mythology – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Saveas Writers’ International Writing Competition 2020 – Poetry, Fiction, theme: Post Apocalypse – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Split Lip Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Memoir & Art (free entry for Black writers until the end of 2020) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

The 8th Annual Ó Bhéal International Poetry-Film Competition – Poetry films – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Waxwing – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Visual Art & more (monthly limit of 300 submissions) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Kinsale Literary Festival Words by Water Competitions – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

SAND – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Translations, Art – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

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

Tiny Fork Chapbook Series Contest – Poetry, Prose, Hybrid manuscripts (15-40 pages) – closes 1 Sept (submit online)

For Women Who Roar – Poetry, Non-fiction, Art, Photography – 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)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN AUGUST:

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

Arts Council Literary Project Award – All genres – closes 10 Sept (submit online)

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

2020 Manchester Writing Competition – Poetry, Fiction – closes 18 Sept (submit online)

Troubadour Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 28 Sept (submit online)

The Adroit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – closes 1 Oct (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Ambit – Poetry, Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

Anthropocene – 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)

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

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

Dreich Mag – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Dust Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Empty Mirror – Poetry, Non-fiction, Visual Art (committed to diversity & inclusion) – open (submit online)

Fecund Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Essay & more (POC only) – 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)

Frontier Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Fruit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+, with emphasis on unheard voices – POC, trans, working class) – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Ink Sweat & Tears – Poetry – 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)

Marble – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Omelette Literary Magazine – Poetry, Visual Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction & more – open (submit online)

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

Orbis – Poetry – open (submit by post (UK) or online (overseas only))

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Palette Poetry – Poetry (under-represented and marginalized voices of all colors encouraged to submit) – open (submit online)

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

Pigeon Pages – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

POETRY Magazine – Poetry (submit online)

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

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

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

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

Porridge Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – open (submit online)

PN Review – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit by post)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open 31 March 2020 (submit online)

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

Sine Theta Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art (Sino diaspora only. People of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage – rolling deadlines, email to express interest (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)

Stand Magazine – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

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

Tears in the Fence – Poetry – 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 Compass Magazine – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

The Dark Horse – Poetry – open (submit by post)

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

The Galway Review – 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 London Magazine – Poetry, Non-Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

The Moth – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

The Offing – Poetry, Translation, Art and more – open (submit online)

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

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Poetry Review – Poetry – 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 Seventh Quarry – Short Poetry – 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)

The Times Literary Supplement – Poetry (submit by post)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – on hiatus until 2021 (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – 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 2020, 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 Grand Tour Summer Writing Challenge – a 30-Day Virtual European Odyssey!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This August, you are cordially invited to join The Grand Tour Summer Writing Challenge 2020!

On our 30 day European odyssey, you will be following in the footsteps of the great writers and thinkers of the Enlightenment – Byron, Wordsworth, Bosworth, Shelley et al – encountering the cities, landmarks, sights and people of this magnificent continent. A feast for the imagination and the senses, all to be captured in your own writing style and personal travelogue.

Yes, it’s summer and as many of us cannot travel as we usually would, the 30 Day Writing Challenge returns in August with a whistle-stop virtual tour of Europe, in the style of ‘The Grand Tour’ – a traditional right-of-passage in the 17th & 18th centuries for writers, thinkers and aristocratic types in search of art, culture, experience and adventure.

As always, there will be lots of topical travel and locality-themed prompts to spark your imagination and get you writing every day in August.

While our real-life jaunts may be curtailed, The Grand Tour Summer Writing Challenge will whisk you away to pastures new, with bite-sized daily exercises, inspiration and opportunity to explore or vent in equal measure, and a supportive and encouraging community of writers in the private Facebook group.

Whether you’re looking for focus, connection or a creative kick-start, the challenge offers a pleasurable summer escape.

Numbers in the Facebook group are limited and spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis – please book early to avoid disappointment as the last challenge sold out in 24 hours!

Once again, I’m also offering an email only version of the challenge as a reduced price for those who want to avoid social media and the internet right now. You’ll receive all the materials direct to your inbox, without any external distractions. And no need to worry about meeting the challenge timescale – the prompts will be waiting for you in your inbox whenever you feel ready to engage.

All the information is on the website – just click the link or button below for details.

I completely understand that this might not be the right timing for you to take part in a challenge and that’s OK. Nurture your creative self in any way you can during this difficult time – ALLOW YOUR IMAGINATION TO TRAVEL – play, read, make art, make something with your hands, knit, sew, mend, grow seeds, try something new. Stay grounded.

Angela x

join the #thegrandtour summer writing challenge!

Image by Amy Shamblen for Unsplash.

Black Lives Matter: What Can I Do As a Writer?

For those of you waiting for the new list of poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in June 2020, it will be published tomorrow. Thank you for your patience.

I’ve held it back a day for #BlackOutTuesday – to show respect for the death of George Floyd, highlight the senseless loss of black lives due to police brutality and protest the disturbing use of state force against the citizens of the US right now.

We all live in a world shaped by racism and now more than ever, we need to acknowledge and understand that Black Lives Matter. This quote from a 2014 essay by Scott Woods is particularly resonant.

In immediate response to the murder of George Floyd, here’s a great summary of direct action options from Black Lives Matter.

If you want to better understand the issues surrounding racism, the POC Online Classroom is curated by and for people of colour and has a fantastic database of reading and resources, including articles, essays and poems on everything from identity to organizing to self care with writing by Audre Lorde, Bell Hooks, Angela Davis, Langston Hughes, Marlon James, Angel Nafis and more. Here are a few relevant sections to check out:

• White supremacy & empire

• Prisons, police, and state violence

• Self care, mental health and healing for people of color and within activist movements

I’ve been thinking about how I could better educate myself and help amplify black voices within the literary community. If you feel as helpless as I do and want to know what you can do to take a stand against racism, here are some of the things I’m pledging to:

1. Make a donation – to the family of George Floyd, to Black Lives Matter, to Reclaim the Block who work to make communities like George’s safer, without police intervention, or to Minnesota Freedom Fund to help with bail funds for protesters who have been arrested. In Ireland, you can tackle racism by supporting MASI (Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland) or MERJ (Migrant & Ethnic-Minorities for Reproductive Justice). Petition your local TDs and councillors to end Direct Provision. If you are in the UK, check out this poem and list of resources by poet, Salena Godden.
2. Educate myself. Do the work to understand the insidious nature of racism and how it impacts on everyone’s lives. None of us are free from its impact, as Scott Woods explains above. Don’t ask black friends or colleagues to do this work for me. The information is widely available. There are lots of resources being shared under the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag on Twitter and Instagram right now. Here are a few ideas to get started:
   • How to Be an Anti-Racist, Ibram X. Kendi;
   • This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work, Tiffany Jewell;
   • Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, Reni Eddo-Lodge;
   • Me and White Supremacy, Layla F. Saad;
   • Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehesi Coates;
   • So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo;
   • This thread on racism in Ireland by Dr. Justine Akase.
3. Support the work of black writers and poets. As a writer, read and share their work. Here are some great books to get started:
   • Citizen, Claudia Rankine;
   • Don’t Call Us Dead, Danez Smith;
   • Incendiary Art, Patricia Smith;
   • The Evidence of Things Not Seen, James Baldwin (pretty much anything by Baldwin);
   • White Teeth, Zadie Smith;
   • The Black Flamingo, Dean Atta;
   • Don’t Touch My Hair, Emma Dibiri;
   • This Hostel Life, Melatu Uche Okorie;
   • Correspondences: An Anthology to Call for an End to Direct Provision, ed. Stephen Rea and Jessica Traynor;
   • The Jhalak Prize is also a great reference point for recent work by British BAME writers.
4. Amplify. I actively seek out and highlight submission opportunities for Black writers, as well as other marginalised groups, in my monthly poetry list but am painfully aware how few journals and competitions make their work a priority. As an editor or publisher, please ensure your submissions policy is inclusive toward black and other marginalised groups of writers. Make space for their voices.
5. Listen. Who am I following on social media? Whose voices and experiences am I paying attention to? Am I only listening to voices and experiences that chime with my own? Break out of the echo chamber. Accept that my opinion is neither relevant nor necessary in every conversation.
6. Know that I will make mistakes. Know that those closest to me will make mistakes and some will not be interested in doing the work. Don’t dig in behind these errors. Learn from them. Apologise and pledge to do better. Continue to hold myself and others accountable for words or actions that are harmful to others. Do this with compassion.

Will you join me?

Don’t forget, when buying books, please try and support local, independent and/or black-owned bookshops. 

For some poetry to read right now, here’s a great compilation of Poems of Protest, Resistance, and Empowerment by Poetry Foundation. It includes one of my all-time favourite poems: Rosa Parks by Nikki Giovanni.

…they noticed his stutter and probably understood
why his mother wanted him out of Chicago during the summer
when school was out. Fourteen-year-old Black boys with limps
and stutters are apt to try to prove themselves in dangerous ways
when mothers aren’t around to look after them.

Rosa Parks – Nikki Giovanni

Update: Here’s a fantastic thread of poems and recommended reading by black poets from Luther X. Hughes on Twitter.

Update: Here’s a link to an Antiracist Allyship Starter Pack from Kandice Le Blanc’s post ‘Dear White People, This is What We Want You to Do’, with thanks to writer and editor Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi for sharing on FB.

Update: Here’s a link to Racial Equity Tools: Arts & Culture Strategies, with thanks to Chiamaka, as above, for sharing on FB.

Update: For those who prefer visual materials, Two Thumbs Up: Movies and Documentaries to Use (and Avoid) When Teaching Civil Rights, an article by Hasan Kwame Jeffries at Zinn Education Project, is a great run-down of good, bad and downright ugly documentaries and films covering civil rights history.

I realise this only scratches the surface of a pervasive problem and if you have any other ideas or reading recommendations, please feel free to add them in the comments section below. I’ll keep updating this post as more ideas about useful information come to me.

Featured Image: Black Lives Matter

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 put together 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 – October / November 2020

Well, 2020 is the unwanted gift that keeps on giving. The usual October list, alas, became a casualty of a spooky convergence of tech troubles over the past 4 weeks. But never fear! I have donned a tinfoil hat, drawn a circle of salt, cast spells to ward off witching season hexes and put traps down for those pesky mercury retrograde gremlins – all to bring you a bumper crop of over 160 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in October & November 2020!

Here in Ireland, we’re heading into another 6 weeks of social isolation today and if you’re in need of something to beat lockdown lethargy and the Covid-19 blues, the 30 Day Writing Challenge is back in November to help you make the most of this ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’.

30 Days of Autumn promises fun Autumn-themed and topical prompts to spark your imagination and get you writing every day in November, with bite-sized daily exercises, inspiration and a supportive and encouraging community of writers in the private Facebook group. Places fill up fast in the group so book early to guarantee a spot – click the button for more info.

Tell me more about 30 days of autumn writing challenge please!

Or, if you prefer to avoid social media right now and work at your own pace, there’s a reduced-rate email version of the daily exercises. There is no limit of participants on this option and it will remain open until 8 November. Just select the ‘Email Only’ Paypal option at the link above.

And if the timing isn’t right for you but you’d like to hear about future challenges, be sure to jump on the mailing list so you don’t miss out on the fun in 2021!

It looks like its going to be a long, tough winter but we’re all in it together so please be careful, mind yourself and each other and take care. As always, stay creative, stay grounded, stay connected and stay safe.

Whatever you are writing or sending out in October and November, I wish you the very best of luck. 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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OctoBER & NOvember 2020

Fly on the Wall Press – Poetry & Fiction manuscripts – closes 23 Oct (submit online)

Passengers Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Art – closes 23 Oct (submit online)

Manchester Irish Language Writing Competition – Poetry, Prose, theme: Change – closes 23 Oct (submit online)

2 Meter Review – Poetry, Photography – closes 28 Oct (submit online)

Palette Poetry: Voices for Change from Nigeria – Poetry (Nigerian poets only) – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer in Residence (Irish Language) – Dublin City University – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer in Residence – NUI Galway – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer in Residence – University College Cork – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer in Residence – University College Dublin – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer in Residence – University of Limerick – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Writer’s Fellowship – Trinity College Dublin – All literary genres – closes 29 Oct (submit online)

Book of Kells Competition – Poetry, Fiction, Artwork – closes 30 Oct (submit online)

F(r)iction Fall Contests – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – closes 30 Oct (submit online)

192 Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

404 Ink – Poetry, Short/Fiction, Non-fiction manuscripts (complete or project pitch) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Ambit Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Banshee Lit – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Essay – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Bath Magg – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Benjamin Saltman Poetry Award – Poetry manuscript (48-96 pages) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Black River Chapbook Competition – Poetry manuscript (16-36 pages) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Broken Sleep – Poetry manuscripts (up to 40 pages) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Cannon Poets Sonnet or Not Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Cinnamon Literature Award – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Fruit Queer Literary Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+ only) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Gingko Prize – Eco-Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

KAIROS Editors’ Prizes – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

National Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Ninth Letter (Print Edition) – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, theme: Touch – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

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

The Bedford Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

The Broken Spine – Poetry, Photography, Artwork – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

The Frogmore Papers – Poetry, Fiction – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

Tupelo Press Sunken Garden Chapbook Prize – Poetry manuscript (20-36 pages) – closes 31 Oct (submit online)

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Nimrod International Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, theme: Endings & Beginnings – closes 1 Nov (submit online)

The Bangor Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 1 Nov (submit online)

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

The Columbia Review – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction, Art – closes 1 Nov (submit online)

Tiny Seed Literary Journal – Poetry, Flash, Photography, theme: Facing the Fire – closes 1 Nov (submit online)

Ninth Letter (Web Edition) – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, theme: Touch – closes 3 Nov (submit online)

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award – Poetry – closes 5 Nov (submit online)

Nine Arches Press – Poetry collection manuscript (20 page sample) – closes 7 Nov (submit online)

Abridged 0-67: Nyx – Poetry – closes 8 Nov (submit online)

The Poetry Society Members’ Competition – Poetry, theme: Youth – closes 9 Nov (submit online)

Granta – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 10 Nov (submit online)

Poetry Wales – Poetry – closes 12 Nov (submit online)

Carve Magazine Prose & Poetry Contest – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 15 Nov (submit online)

Libretto – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art and more – closes 15 Nov (submit online)

The 2020 Frontier OPEN – Poetry – closes 15 Nov (submit online)

The NORward Prize for Poetry – Poetry – closes 15 Nov (submit online)

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

Dublin City Council Arts Grants & Bursary Awards – All disciplines – closes 16 Nov (submit online)

Poets & Players Poetry Prize – Poetry, theme: Re-Emergence – closes 16 Nov (submit online)

The Arts Council Professional Development Award – All disciplines – closes 19 Nov (submit online)

Blue Diode Press – Poetry manuscripts (full collections only, welcomes submissions from disabled, working class, latinx, black and Asian poets, LGBTQ+ poets, and any other groups traditionally under-represented in UK poetry) – closes 20 Nov (submit online)

Tealight Press – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Confessions (queer writers only) – closes 23 Nov (submit online)

Wales Poetry Award – Poetry – closes 27 Nov (submit online)

East Riding Festival of Words Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: My Companion, My Best Friend – closes 28 Nov (submit online)

Anthology Magazine Poetry Prize – Poetry, theme: Expectations – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Beloit Poetry Journal: Chad Walsh Chapbook Series – Poetry manuscript (20-35 pages) – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Brunel International African Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (10 poems, unpublished writers only) – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Cafe Writers Open Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Crannog Magazine – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Flipped Eye Publishing – Poetry, Fiction, Translation – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Lammergeier – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

LitMag (Online) – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Littoral Press Nature Poetry Competition – Poetry manuscript, theme: Nature/Spirit/Environment (50-100 pages) – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Magma – Poetry, theme: Avatars – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Nimrod International Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Poetry Birmingham – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Split Lip Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Memoir & more – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

The Charles Causley International Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

The Boiler Prize – Prose Poem/Flash/Hybrid – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

The Stinging Fly – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Trim Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Under the Radar – Poetry, Fiction, theme: The Elements – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

Waxwing – Poetry (note: 300 entry limit – may close earlier) – closes 30 Nov (submit online)

American Poetry Journal Chapbook Series – Poetry manuscript (42 pages max.) – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

Hollis Summers Poetry Prize – Poetry manuscript (60-95 pages) – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

Slice Literary – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Common – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Iowa Review – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

The Ralph Gustafson Prize – Poetry – closes 1 Dec (submit online)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH RECURRING DEADLINES

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

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN OCTOBER & November

Cove Park Residency – Literature/Translation (UK-based only) – closes 7 Dec (submit online)

Copper Nickel – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Translation – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

C.P. Cavafy Prize – Poetry – closes 15 Dec (submit online)

The Moth Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 Dec (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Ambit – Poetry, Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

Anthropocene – Poetry – open (submit online)

Apartment Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Atrium – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Bending Genres – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Dreich Mag – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Dust Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Empty Mirror – Poetry, Non-fiction, Visual Art (committed to diversity & inclusion) – open (submit online)

Fecund Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Essay & more (POC only) – 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)

Frontier Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Fruit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+, with emphasis on unheard voices – POC, trans, working class) – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Ink Sweat & Tears – Poetry – 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)

Lunate – Poetry, Fiction, Flash – open (submit online)

Marble – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Omelette Literary Magazine – Poetry, Visual Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction & more – open (submit online)

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

Orbis – Poetry – open (submit by post (UK) or online (overseas only))

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Palette Poetry – Poetry (under-represented and marginalized voices of all colors encouraged to submit) – open (submit online)

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

Pigeon Pages – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

POETRY Magazine – Poetry (submit online)

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

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

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

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

Porridge Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – open (submit online)

PN Review – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit by post)

Prole – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction – open (submit online)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open 31 March 2020 (submit online)

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

Sine Theta Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art (Sino diaspora only. People of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage – rolling deadlines, email to express interest (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)

Stand Magazine – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

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

Tears in the Fence – Poetry – 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 Compass Magazine – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

The Dark Horse – Poetry – open (submit by post)

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

The Galway Review – 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 Lincoln Review – Poetry, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, Essays and more (actively encourages writers, artists, and photographers who come from marginalised and underprivileged backgrounds) – open (submit online)

The London Magazine – Poetry, Non-Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

The Moth – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

The Offing – Poetry, Translation, Art and more – open (submit online)

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

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Poetry Review – Poetry – 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 Seventh Quarry – Short Poetry – 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)

The Times Literary Supplement – Poetry (submit by post)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – on hiatus until 2021 (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – 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 October or November 2020, 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 – July 2020

Is it just me or does it feel like the beginning of 2020 was about a million years ago? June was a hell of a month but it’s finally over and I’m here with a new list of over 130 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities open or with deadlines in July 2020.

I’m still reading and thinking a lot about the impact of George Floyd’s death, Black Lives Matter and how to be actively anti-racist in my local and literary community. I’ll probably write more about this soon but in case you missed it here’s my piece from last month with resources, reading lists and work by Black writers and poets – Black Lives Matter: What Can I Do As A Writer?

We’re now in Phase 3 of re-opening after Covid-19 in Ireland with the final phase due to kick off on 20 July and, like many others, I’m both exhausted from the stress and grief of the past few months and nervous about what comes next. The pandemic hit at the end of a particularly difficult 12 months for me and, for my own well-being and to manage ongoing health problems, I’ve decided to switch off in July.

I try to be a good literary citizen online, sharing info on FB, Twitter and Instagram but it really sucks you in, between literary news, social activism, local horror stories like the latest round of sexual abuse revelations involving the comedy, music and entertainments communities in Ireland. I want to be supportive but I also need to look after myself and, right now,  I need a break.

Aside from the poetry list updates, I’ll be unplugging from social media and the online world. If you are currently waiting to hear from me regarding a book order or a mentoring session, I’ll be in touch this week with confirmation and/or available dates from August onward. Thanks for your patience.

If you need to contact me for any other reason, please use the website contact form and I’ll be in touch when I’m back up and running in August.

Otherwise, I hope you are all well and keeping it together whether you are still isolating or if restrictions are now easing. Take care of yourself and each other. As ever, stay creative, stay grounded, stay connected and stay safe.

Whatever you are writing in July, I wish you luck. 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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July 2020

Carte-Blanche – Poetry, Comics, Translation, Photography, theme: Anxiety – closes 1 July (submit online)

Penfro Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Ecology – closes 1 July (submit online)

The Barbara Mandingo Kelly Peace Poetry Awards – Poetry, theme: Peace & the Human Spirit – closes 1 July (submit online

The Blue Nib (Web) – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction & more – closes 1 July (submit online)

The Second Shelf – Essays, Creative Non-fiction – closes 2 July (submit online)

Charlotte Mew Chapbook Contest – Poetry manuscript (35 pages max, lesbian-identified poets (see submission guidelines)) – closes 4 July (submit online)

Mineral Lit – Poetry (Black writers only) – closes 5 July (submit online)

Ireland Chair of Poetry Trust Special Commemorative Anthology – Poetry, Essay, theme: Poetry Mentors (emerging Irish/NI writers, especially those under-represented on the basis of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the Traveller community; as well as writers from diverse socio-economic backgrounds) – closes 6 July (submit online)

Black Lives Matter Anthology – Poetry, Micro-fiction, theme: any of the images, issues, triggers, histories, lives, demands and outcomes that are being highlighted by Black Lives Matter and current and past protests – closes 7 July (submit online)

Wine Cellar Press – Poetry, Visual Art – closes 8 July (submit online)

Abridged 0-60: Echo – Poetry, Art, theme: Echo & Narcissus, Communication – closes 10 July (submit online)

Write by the Sea Writing Competitions – Poetry, Fiction, Memoir – closes 10 July (submit online)

Los Angeles Review Literary Awards – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction – closes 14 July (submit online)

Ambit Annual Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Cataclysm – closes 15 July (submit online)

The Bellevue Literary Review Prizes – Poetry, Fiction, Non-Fiction, theme: Health, healing, illness, the mind and the body – closes 15 July (submit online)

Vallum Award for Poetry – Poetry (strongly encourages submissions from LGBTQI2S, Indigenous writers, writers of colour, gender non-conforming writers, differently abled writers or persons with mental or physical challenges) – closes 15 July (submit online)

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

Ledbury Poetry Festival Poetry Competition – Poetry – closes 16 July (submit online)

The Stephen Spender Prize – Poetry in Translation – closes 16 July (submit online)

Narrative Magazine Annual Poetry Contest – Poetry – closes 17 July (submit online)

Frontier Poetry Industry Award – Poetry – closes 19 July (submit online)

Feral Journal – Poetry, Art, theme: The Body – closes 20 July (submit online)

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

Varuna Residential Fellowships – Poetry, Flash, Art, theme: Heroes – closes 29 July (submit online)

192 Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Amsterdam Quarterly – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, Art & Photography, theme: Choices – closes 31 July (submit online)

Arc Poetry Magazine – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Bring Your Limericks to Limerick Competition – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Columbia Journal – Poetry, Non-fiction – closes 31 July (submit online)

Channel Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Essays, theme: The Natural World – closes 31 July (submit online)

Dreich Chapbook Competition – Poetry manuscript (20 poems) – closes 31 July (submit online)

Finished Creatures – Poetry, theme: Stranger – closes 31 July (submit online)

Fly on the Wall – Poetry, Flash, Fiction, Reviews & Art, theme: Unite (BAME only) – closes 31 July (submit online)

Into the Void: We Are Antifa Anthology – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction, theme: Fascism, Racism and/or Police Violence – closes 31 July (submit online)

Lunch Ticket: Amuse-Bouche – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction & more – closes 31 July (submit online)

Magma – Poetry, theme: Dwelling – closes 31 July (submit online)

Not Very Quiet – Poetry, theme: Memoir – closes 31 July (submit online)

Poetry London Mentoring Scheme – Poetry (incl. travel bursary) – closes 31 July (submit online)

Poetry Wales – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Poets Meet Politics International Poetry Competition – Poetry, theme: Anything related to politics – closes 31 July (submit online)

Robert Graves Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Rhino Poetry – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Seashores – Haiku, Senryu – closes 31 July (submit online)

The Haibun Journal – Haibun – closes 31 July (submit online)

Winchester Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 31 July (submit online)

Impossible Archetype – Poetry (LGBTQ+, all genders) – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Porridge – Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Non-fiction, Art – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Shoreham Wordfest Poetry & Short Story Competition – Poetry, Fiction (10 lines / 10 words) – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

The North Magazine – Poetry – closes 1 Aug (submit online)

Frontier: Types of Burns – All genres, under 1500 words (Black voices only) – closes 2 Aug (submit online)

The Dalkey Writing Prizes – Poetry, Fiction – 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)

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JOURNALS / OPPORTUNITIES WITH OPEN SUBMISSION PERIODS IN JULY:

Second Light Poetry Competition – Long & short Poetry by women – closes 6 Aug (submit online)

The Magma Open Poetry Pamphlet Competition – Poetry pamphlets (18-20 pages) – closes 10 Aug (submit online)

Patrick & Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship – Irish poets in middle years – closes 14 Aug (submit online)

Inklette Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

The Bray Literary Festival Competitions – Poetry, Flash – closes 15 Aug (submit online)

Palette Poetry Prize – Poetry – closes 16 Aug (submit online)

The Red Line Book Festival Poetry Competition – Poetry (unpublished poets only) – closes 24 Aug (submit online)

Fool for Poetry International Chapbook Competition – Poetry pamphlets (16-24 pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Pallina Press – Poetry pamphlets (25-40 pages) – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

The 8th Annual Ó Bhéal International Poetry-Film Competition – Poetry films – closes 31 Aug (submit online)

Acumen – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Ambit – Poetry, Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

Anthropocene – 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)

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

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

Dreich Mag – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Dust Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Empty Mirror – Poetry, Non-fiction, Visual Art (committed to diversity & inclusion) – open (submit online)

Fecund Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Essay & more (POC only) – 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)

Frontier Poetry – Poetry – open (submit online)

Fruit Journal – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Hybrid (LGBTQI+, with emphasis on unheard voices – POC, trans, working class) – open (submit online)

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

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

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

Ink Sweat & Tears – Poetry – 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)

Marble – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

Omelette Literary Magazine – Poetry, Visual Poetry, Fiction, Flash, Creative Non-fiction & more – open (submit online)

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

Orbis – Poetry – open (submit by post (UK) or online (overseas only))

PANK – Poetry – open (submit online)

Palette Poetry – Poetry (under-represented and marginalized voices of all colors encouraged to submit) – open (submit online)

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

Pigeon Pages – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction – open (submit online)

POETRY Magazine – Poetry (submit online)

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

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

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

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

Porridge Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art – open (submit online)

PN Review – Poetry, Essays, Reviews – open (submit by post)

Riggwelter – Poetry, Short Fiction, Visual Art – open 31 March 2020 (submit online)

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

Sine Theta Magazine – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction, Art (Sino diaspora only. People of Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, or Macau heritage, who live anywhere away from the original ‘homeland’ of that heritage – rolling deadlines, email to express interest (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)

Stand Magazine – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

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

Tears in the Fence – Poetry – 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 Compass Magazine – Poetry – open (submit online)

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

The Dark Horse – Poetry – open (submit by post)

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

The Galway Review – 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 London Magazine – Poetry, Non-Fiction, Art – open (submit online)

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

The Moth – Poetry, Fiction – open (submit online)

The Offing – Poetry, Translation, Art and more – open (submit online)

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

The Poetry Village – Poetry – open (submit online)

The Poetry Review – Poetry – 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 Seventh Quarry – Short Poetry – 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)

The Times Literary Supplement – Poetry (submit by post)

Three Drops From a Cauldron – Poetry, Flash, theme: Myth, Folklore, Fables, Fairytales – on hiatus until 2021 (submit online)

Tinderbox Poetry Journal – Poetry – 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 2020, 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)

TIMEY RYMEY: A FREE ONLINE WRITING CHALLENGE FOR POETRY DAY IRELAND 2020

‘Time is a storm in which we are all lost.’ – William Carlos Williams

‘…it’s more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.’ – The Doctor

‘There Will Be Time’ is the theme for Poetry Day Ireland 2020 and to celebrate you’re invited to become Time Lords for the day and explore the phenomenon of Time in all its glory in this FREE online writing challenge!

We are living in the eye of a global storm right now but through poetry we can write the words to change the weather, unravel the wibbly-wobbly bits or find our way home.

The rules of the challenge are simple. 

• Read the Time-themed prompts and poems.

• Listen to the Time-themed tunes.

• Write for 15 minutes.

• Share your poem in the Facebook group.

• Read and respond to other posted work.

Most of all, be creative and enjoy yourself!

how do i join the writing challenge?

Here’s what to do:

• Sign up for the FREE challenge on Eventbrite by clicking the button below.

• Join the Timey Rhymey Challenge Facebook group on 29 April.

• Get ready to enjoy a day of Timey Rhymey poetry writing fun!

What are you waiting for? Click here to sign up:

join the Timey Rhymey Poetry Day Ireland 2020 Challenge!

The group opens on the 29 April, with a welcome, introductions and time-related stuff to get you in the mood for writing.

The challenge proper kicks off on Thursday 30 April for Poetry Day Ireland 2020, with poet Angela T. Carr sharing new prompts and inspiration throughout the day.

This event is hosted in conjunction with Poetry Ireland as part of their Bright Ideas programme for Poetry Ireland Day 2020.

what’s next?

Please share the challenge on social media with the hashtags #PoetryIrelandDay #ThereWillBeTime #TimeyRhymey.

Don’t forget to tag me @adreamingskin and @poetryireland (Twitter & Instagram).

JOIN THE 30 DAYS OF SPRING WRITING CHALLENGE FOR NAPOWRIMO 2020

What a strange time we’re living through right now. Wherever you are, I hope you are staying safe and well as we move into Spring with all its promise of endurance and rebirth. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed in uncertain times. Our physical and mental health are in such sharp focus at the moment that flexing the creative muscle might not seem like a priority, even when it has the potential to do us so much good. 

If you need to reclaim that creative space, this is a reminder that it’s almost April and National Poetry Writing Month or NaPoWriMo – the annual call to write a poem a day for 30 days. Once again, I’m running a 30 Day Writing Challenge with plenty of topical and Spring-themed prompts to spark your imagination and get you writing every day.

If ever there was a year to get things off your chest and onto the page, it’s 2020. There’s so much going on in the world and all of it moving so quickly, it’s hard to focus on big projects or ideas. The 30 Day Challenge helps you tap back into your writing, with bite-sized daily exercises, inspiration and opportunity to explore or vent in equal measure, and a supportive and encouraging community of writers in the private Facebook group.

Whether you’re looking for focus, connection or a creative kickstart, the challenge offers a reprieve from the world – plus a chance to conquer the inimitable #NaPoWriMo. Numbers in the Facebook group are limited and spots are allocated on a first come, first served basis – please book early to avoid disappointment as the last challenge sold out in 24 hours!

For the first time, I’m also offering an email only version of the challenge as a reduced price for those who want to avoid social media and the internet right now. You’ll receive all the materials direct to your inbox, without any external distractions. And no need to worry about meeting the challenge timescale – the prompts will be waiting for you in your inbox whenever you feel ready to engage.

All the information is on the website – just click the button below for details.

For those of you using this time to send your work out, a new poetry list will be out in a couple of days and there are still plenty of opportunities available in the March Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities list!

I completely understand that this might not be the right timing for you to take part in a challenge and that’s OK. Nurture your creative self in any way you can during this difficult time – DO WHAT YOU LOVE – play, read, make art, make something with your hands, knit, sew, mend, grow seeds, try something new. Stay grounded.

 

join the #30daysofspring writing challenge!

 

Image by Riz Mooney for Unsplash.