Opportunities for writers, including writers conferences, workshops, contests, and submissions. Updated 3/23/2021.
Submit your opportunity to mail@indianawriters.org.
Have a short story, poem or other work you’re just dying to share? Check out these publication, workshop and contest opportunities:
*Advice on Writing Contests:
When considering contests, look to see how they handled winners’ work from previous years: Is there a list of previous winners? Where you can go to read or have access to the winning pieces of writing? Who are the judges? Are they people who you would read yourself? If you win, what kind of audience would you receive for your work? Research contests and their reputations online. Use places like duotrope.com, Poets and Writers (pw.org), the New Pages (newpages.com), or The Review Review (thereviewreview.net), to see whether there is any other information about the contest from other sources.
Opportunities for Writers:
The Flying Island: New Look for 2021!
Flying Island, the Online Literary Journal of the Indiana Writers Center accepts submissions on a rolling basis from Indiana residents and those with significant ties to Indiana.
- Fiction: up to 5,000 words
- Nonfiction: up to 3,500 words
- Poetry: up to three poems, no more than 50 lines each.
Visit the journal and submit your work.
Washington Post Seeking Op-eds
In our effort to bring in more voices from across America, the Washington Post’s op-ed department would like to hear from writers with a wide variety of backgrounds, interests and outlooks. The one constant should be that they are good writers with strong viewpoints, and value facts and reasoned argument over invective. We’ll welcome one-off submissions, or pieces on breaking news events that we solicit, but we also hope that some writers will develop into regular contributors.
The Washington Post maintains a high bar for acceptance: We receive a large volume of op-ed submissions and have limited space, so even worthwhile op-eds might not be accepted if they don’t meet our needs at the moment. But our having a designated venue for op-eds from across the country does expand the possibility that your submission could find a home here. (A good target length for op-eds is 750-800 words.)
Here are some examples of writing that would fit into this category. As you can see, the range of topics is broad – political, personal, analytical, humorous, legal, business-oriented, you name it. What ties them together is that they don’t originate in Washington or universities or think tanks or other common sources of opinion articles. They bring first-hand experience or on-the-ground knowledge to bear on matters that may be local to the writer but could easily be of interest to readers everywhere.
Extra note: It’s best to send pieces in both an attachment and pasted into the email (reading in the email is fastest, but if there are links within the text, they convert more easily from a document).
Send op-eds to Mark Lasswell, Mark.Lasswell@washpost.com
NICHES Land Trust Writer-in-Residence
NICHES Land Trust is seeking a creative writer for its Voyage of Discovery paddle trip on Wildcat Creek for 2021. The program offers a writer the opportunity to create written art that will help promote interest in and appreciation for Wildcat Creek. While this includes writers of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, multi-disciplinary artists who work with text and other mediums will be considered.
The two-week residency is open from May 24 to June 5, 2021. The residency will include a 3 day/ 2 night (May 25-27) camping trip down Wildcat Creek, Indiana’s longest section of state designated scenic stream. The trip is limited to 10 total participants, and will travel by canoe and camp on gravel bars that are owned by NICHES Land Trust. Experience paddling a canoe and camping is not essential, but comfort with canoe and camping is helpful.
The writer, while on the paddle trip, will be expected to work with and instruct general public paddle participants in the creation of written works related to the trip downstream at four reflection sites and at other points along the creek. All participant pieces are being archived as part of a 100-year interpretation and understanding of Wildcat Creek. The writer-in-residence will contribute new creative works, observations, or reflections from each of the four reflection sites to the Voyage of Discovery journals.
For the remaining 10 days of the residency, NICHES will provide a furnished house with full kitchen, bedroom and work area for the writer-in-residence to pursue new or existing creative projects. This two-story house, includes a first floor which is the central office of the organization and is located on 16 acres in a woodland setting, with public trails on Wildcat Creek near Lafayette, Indiana city limits. NICHES staff and the general public will be nearby and the writer-in-residence can interact with them at their discretion.
The residency will culminate with a Zoom presentation in August 2021 of new creative work and a Q&A and trip summary with Executive Director Gus Nyberg.
Stipend of $300
Due date for application is April 1, 2021. View the application and find out how to apply.
2022 Call for Faculty Proposals: The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop
The Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop is seeking experienced teachers interested in presenting sessions at the March 24-26, 2022, workshop at the University of Dayton. Application deadline: April 5, 2021. Proposals will be reviewed and selected by the workshop’s programming committee. We are seeking a wide range of perspectives and encourage diverse candidates to apply. Successful applicants will receive a stipend, travel expenses, hotel arrangements and a complimentary registration to the workshop. Presenters will be notified in June 2021.
Submit your application to the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop.
Arts in the Park Veterans Workshop
Writing in Peace, a program of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library in partnership with Turkey Run State Park, is a writing workshop for veterans. Led by award-winning writer Bonnie Maurer, the program will occur at Turkey Run State Park with programs both outside in the park and inside a conference room at the park inn. Writer Kurt Vonnegut is the cousin of Richard Lieber, who created the Indiana parks system, and participants will learn about the parks system and write creatively in a natural setting. KVML is interested in helping veterans move on from their military experience to discover what future career or creative experience will help, as Vonnegut would say, “… make your soul grow.” The environment of camaraderie and networking will allow veterans to dream about what they want to do next in their lives and work through the steps to make their life goals come true.
Find out more and sign up for Writing in Peace.
Write for Sixty Inches from Center
Sixty welcomes writers and artists of all experience levels to pitch ideas for traditional and experimental arts writing around topics, and practices that are relevant to the cultural landscapes of the Midwest.
Priority will be given to writing by, about, and for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ artists, artists with disabilities, and the long list of writing, art-making, and cultural practices that have been neglected in mainstream conversations and canons about art and culture. We publish writing, photography, art, archive materials, video, and conversations that are thoughtful, generative, experimental, and relatable to a variety of readers.
Once a pitch is accepted, writers have full and free access to our editors, transcribers, translators, photographers, and illustrators to support the creation and completion of the final piece.
To see what type of articles they publish and other guidelines, visit the link.
Driftwood Press Submissions Open
John Updike once said, “Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity. Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better.” At Driftwood Press, we are actively searching for artists who care about doing it right, or better. Driftwood Press is a bi-annual literary magazine founded in Tampa, FL in 2013.
As of 2018, we pay our contributors (see guidelines for rates) for each contribution made to our magazine.
At Driftwood Press, we are actively searching for artists who care about doing it right, or better. We are excited to receive your submissions and will diligently work to bring you the best in full poetry collections, novellas, graphic novels, short fiction, poetry, graphic narrative, photography, art, interviews, and contests.]
Visit their website for more information and to submit your work.
Deadline Extended: OnyxFest Open Call for “Our Way”
OnyxFest 2021 provides a platform through which to shape the narrative of Black life and culture from the minds of those who know it best. This is the first and only theater festival exclusively for Black playwrights. If you or someone you know has an original, never produced concept, scripts are being accepted at OnyxFestARTI@gmail.com. The event is sponsored by the Africana Repertory Theater of IUPUI (ARTI).
The 30th Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship
Awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress, in 2021, by the James Jones Literary Society.
The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into modern culture exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction. Jones himself was the recipient of aid from many supporters as a young writer and his family, friends, and admirers have established this award of $10,000 to continue the tradition in his name. Two runners up awards of $1000 each may be given by the Jones Literary Society. All selections are at the discretion of the judges.
DEADLINES: Entries should be sent to jamesjones.submittable.com/submit. no later than midnight, March 15, 2021 Eastern Standard time.
Entry Fee: $30 plus a $3.00 processing fee.
Read all about eligibility and requirements.
Ida B. Wells Fellowship
Deadline March 14, 11:59 p.m.
The Ida B. Wells Fellowship promotes diversity in journalism by helping to create a pipeline of investigative reporters of color who bring diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests to their work.
The one-year fellowship helps reporters complete their first substantial work of investigative reporting by providing a $20,000 award and editorial guidance from a dedicated editor at Type Investigations. Fellows will also receive funds to cover travel and other reporting costs, and the costs associated with attending the annual Investigative Reporters and Editors conference, as well as a one-week data reporting boot camp. They will enjoy access to research resources, legal assistance, professional mentors and assistance with story placement and publicity.
Type Investigations holds an annual competition in the spring to select the fellows, who will be expected to publish or air their findings in a U.S. media outlet within one year of the start of the fellowship. We’ll be selecting five fellows in 2021.
Find out more about the fellowship, including how to submit.
Sisters in Crime Pride Award Open for Submissions
Submissions are open January 15 – March 15. Decisions will be made by June 1.
Sisters In Crime has a new award to support the work of an emerging LGBTQIA+ crime writer. Crime fiction holds multitudes of styles, and there’s room for everyone.
-The writer doesn’t need to be published or even finished with their project.
-The writer doesn’t need to be a member of Sisters in Crime; in fact, we’ll fix that, if you win or are a runner-up.
-It’s free to submit; you literally have nothing to lose, and much to gain.
If you’re an LGBTQIA+ writer interested in mystery, thriller, suspense, or in any story where crime and justice play a role, we want to hear from you! Full details and guidelines here.
Poetry Sought to Honor Marshall “Major” Taylor
Deadline March 31
Indiana Humanities, in partnership with the Arts Council of Indianapolis, seeks to commission an Indiana-based poet to write an original poem inspired by the life, career, and legacy of Marshall “Major” Taylor. The poem will accompany a new mural of the famous cyclist that will be installed during the summer of 2021 as part of the Arts Council’s Bicentennial Legends mural project.
COMMISSION: $1,000 (plus appearance/reading fees)
ELIGIBILITY: Any poet age 18 or over and living in Indiana at the time of application
DEADLINE: Apply by March 31, 2021. If commissioned, poem must be completed by June 15.
Project Overview
In 1899 Marshall “Major” Taylor, who was born and raised in Indianapolis, became the first African American world-champion professional cyclist and only the second African American world champion in any sport. He was also the U.S. sprint championship in 1899 and 1900, and became a pioneering role model for other athletes facing racial discrimination.
The commissioned poem should aim to bring further context and understanding to the life of Major Taylor, allowing readers to experience the struggles and triumphs of Taylor’s remarkable life. The poem will be posted alongside the mural, with hopes that visitors to the mural will read and reflect, finding connection and inspiration in Taylor’s life through the written word.
Find all the details for this opportunity and application form submission over at the Arts Council.
Poets Laureate of Lawrence Seeks Submission for New Literary Journal
Seeking submissions for Volume One of Laureate – The Literary Journal of Arts for Lawrence.
Theme: How does creative expression open us? Seeking poetry, fiction, and prose exploring the ways in which art, poetry, writing, dance, story, theater, and community arts organizations help open us to life and each other.
Guidelines: send up to 5 poems and/or 1 piece of fiction or prose by the deadline of March 31st, 2021, by email only to lawrencepoets@gmail.com.
INverse Poetry Archive Now Accepting Entries
Deadline April 30
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) in partnership with the Indiana State Library announced Indiana’s poetry archive, INverse, is accepting entries.
Now in its second year, INverse, an initiative of former Indiana Poet Laureate Adrian Matejka, celebrates and preserves the diverse range of Indiana poetry for future generations of Indiana writers and readers. The works of 32 poets were added to the poetry archive in October.
“An archive is a valuable tool to collect a legacy of creative expression and embodies the perspectives, voices and passions of our people. We are pleased to have the INverse poetry archive in Indiana.” said Lewis Ricci, Executive Director of the Indiana Arts Commission.
All creative residents of Indiana are encouraged to submit poems to the archive online for review.
Entries are due April 30, 2021.
Learn more and submit poetry here.
Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Prize 2021
Open for Submissions
Deadline: May 31st
Judge: Victoria Chang
Winner receives $500, chapbook published as print book, 20 Author Copies, and an amethyst depression glass trophy (circa 1930).
View the complete guidelines and submit.
Indiana Pizza Club Seeks Writers/Poets for New Literary Magazine Genuine Gold
Deadline September 30
Genuine Gold is a literary magazine produced by the Indiana Pizza Club that strives to publish high-quality, yet unpretentious, poems and short stories from Indiana writers. Obviously we are wild about pizza (It is the greatest food in the world.), but this magazine is dedicated to another couple of our passions – poetry and literature. Even though we are run by The Indiana Pizza Club, we have no specific interest in poems or stories about pizza. In fact, we aren’t particularly interested at all in pieces that deal with our favorite food. (We know that’s weird!)
Instead, we’re looking for poems of any length and short stories of no more than 1500 words that reflect creativity and unique perspectives on life. We welcome submissions of up to 3 poems and/or 2 short stories at a time.
We are interested in submissions from new and established writers and every piece will be reviewed by our editorial staff without seeing author names.
We gladly accept simultaneous submissions, but do ask that you alert us if one of your submissions is accepted by another publication.
You will receive a reply to your submissions within three months, but typically much sooner.
We ask for First North American Serial Rights and that you acknowledge Genuine Gold in the event of subsequent publication. At this time we cannot offer payment for publishing your work.
Submissions are now open and will be accepted until September 30. The inaugural issue of Genuine Gold will be published during the fourth quarter of 2021 in both print and ebook formats.
If you have any questions you can contact us at contact@indianapizzaclub.com
Extinction Rebellion Creative Hub Open for Submissions
Welcome to the Extinction Rebellion Creative Hub: an anthology of songs, fiction and poetry that’s inspiring, meaningful and original, and that reflects the principles, concerns and values of the Extinction Rebellion from a global, regional or local perspective.
This collection is a voice and a resource for Extinction Rebellion members everywhere, and a contribution to the global XR profile in the wider world.
Find out more and submit your work.
blankcoverpress.com
Submissions open in all genres!
For submissions, email: submissions@blankcoverpress.com
https://blankcoverpress.com
McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: A Force Outside Myself: Citizens Over 60 Speak
Deadline: Rolling
If you are 60 or older, we’re interested in your thoughts right now and hope you can write a short first-person narrative. (100-500 words) Send entries to Kitania Folk at aforce@mcsweeneys.net and watch our site for ongoing updates.
Awakenings Review Seeks Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction, Photography, and Art
Established in 2000, The Awakenings Review is an annual lit mag committed to publishing poetry, short story, nonfiction, photography, and art by writers, poets and artists who have a relationship with mental illness: either self, family member, or friend. Our striking hardcopy publication is one of the nation’s leading journals of this genre. Creative endeavors and mental illness have long had a close association. The Awakenings Review publishes works derived from artists’, writers’, and poets’ experiences with mental illness, though mental illness need not be the subject of your work. Visit www.AwakeningsProject.org for submission guidelines.
Hip Mama magazine is looking for unique, creative, strong, edgy, alternative parenting stories for upcoming issues.
Check out the magazine here.
Send submissions to: hipsubmissions@gmail.com
Complete Guide to 2021 Artist Grants & Opportunities
A list of the top international open calls, residencies, fellowships, and awards that we believe will benefit artists during the upcoming year! The complete list is broken down into six categories: grants, residencies & fellowships, calls-for-entry, publications, COVID relief funds, and opportunity sites.
This list will be updated throughout the year, so make sure to bookmark the page, check back often. View the list.
Poets & Writers: New Writing Contest Deadlines!
For information regarding writing contests and deadlines:Go Here
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR OPPORTUNITY LISTED HERE? Email the details to: mail@indianawriters.org