• • The Island Prize For a Debut Novel From Africa is currently open.

The Island Prize for fiction has commenced accepting entries for 2025. The prize initiative is in its fourth year and it seeks to recognize and provide support for emerging literary talents from Africa. It invites submissions of unpublished debut literary manuscripts from authors across the African continent.

Eligibility for The Island Prize 2025

The Island Prize is open to African writers aged 18 and over regardless of place of residence.

For the purposes of the competition, we define “African writers” as writers born in or having citizenship of any African country.

1. 1. You must not be represented by a literary agent or currently under contract with a publisher. If you receive an offer of representation while your novel is under consideration, you must inform them and withdraw.
   2. Non-fiction, poetry and short story collections, as well as fiction for children are NOT eligible.
   3.  There is no restriction as to specific genre – anything from literary fiction to crime thriller is welcome.
   4. The complete novel should be between 35,000 words and 100,000 words. Please make sure to work within those parameters.
   5. Entrants must not have previously published a novel; this includes self-published or eBook-only editions. To clarify: authors may have previously published poetry collections, short story collections and non-fiction.
   6. Authors with manuscripts that they would like to see in full will be contacted by 31 March 2025 – though this date might have to be extended slightly, depending on the volume of entries received.
   7. Authors MUST have a full manuscript to submit within 3 days of this date, otherwise they will be disqualified and removed from the longlist.
   8. They will announce the shortlisted authors will be in the first week of May 2025
   9. They will announce the winner sometime in mid-May 2025. 

Submission Guidelines

To enter:

1.  To send in your entry, submit: a. The first three chapters or up to 10,000 words of their completed novel, accompanied by a short synopsis 

b. A covering statement giving EACH of the following (please make sure you have included them all):

1.   the word count,
2. name,
3. address,
4. nationality
5. preferred pronouns of the author,
6. the title,
7.  a brief, two-sentence description of the main subjects and themes of the novel;

c. A one-page synopsis setting out the basic story.

2. Format:

a. Entries should be in a simple font, size 12 – Times New Roman, Garamond, Arial, Calibri are all fine.
b. Please ensure entries are double or 1.5 spaced.
c. All entries should be in Word doc or docx.

Please note that the literary quality of 1b and 1c is not taken into account in judging, so
please keep them clear and informative.

Submissions should be made to submissions@theislandprize.com

Prize

• From the submitted entries, no more than TEN and no fewer than FIVE authors will be invited to submit their full manuscript. These authors will be provided with optional feedback.
• From this shortlist the winning three entries will be chosen, with prize money of £500 for first, and £200 for each runner-up.
• The winning three manuscripts will all be considered for publication and be read by an agent.

Deadline:

February 16, 2025, at 12 AM CAT

Goodluck on this! If you wish to apply to other contest or job opportunities, check this creative writing submissions guide out!

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The Defenestrationism Flash Suite Contest invites submissions of at least three flash fiction pieces (each up to 1,000 words) that correlate in some way.

A single piece of the Defenestrationism: Flash Suite Contest may have been previously published, while the others must be unpublished.

Finalists will be published daily, and Fan Voting will follow for two weeks. Winners are determined by a judging panel, with Fan Voting counting as an additional vote. You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.

Eligibility Criteria 

• Open to all writers.
• There is no entry or reading fee.

Submission Guidelines For Defenestrationism: Flash Suite Contest

• Each short story must be 1,000 words or less.

• The entire suite must form a cohesive longer work but each piece should stand on its own.

• At least ten thorough edits are recommended before submission.

• Titles are important; use individual titles for each piece and one for the entire suite.

• No zombie fiction is allowed.

• A single previously published piece is acceptable, but the rest must be original and unpublished.

A.I. Policy

The use of A.I. is discouraged. Writers are urged to rely on their own skills and creativity.

Submission Process

To submit your work for the Defenestrationism: Flash Suite Contest, please email your submission in a single downloadable document (no PDFs) to:

pnrenterprizes@gmail.com

Subject line: FLASH SUITE Contest

• Email all you wish us to consider in a SINGLE, DOWNLOADABLE document.
• No PDFs, please, as they are difficult to transcribe to their site.
• Include the title of your overall work at the beginning of the file name of the downloadable document that you submit. If that sentence is confusing, feel free to query.
• Include a PHONE NUMBER, in case their emails end up in your spam. It will not be distributed.

Additional Information

• Winners will be announced on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20th, 2025.
• Electronic Rights, including Archival Rights, are required; authors retain all future rights.
• Fan Voting runs from January 5th to January 18th, 2025. Click here for info on how they judge. 

Prizes 

Winner: $75

Runner-Up: $60

Deadline

November 10th, 2024

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Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes outstanding work by student writers in the 11th grade in the U.S. or abroad.

Contest judges for the Leonard L. Milberg ’53 Poetry Prize are poets on the Princeton University creative writing faculty, which includes Michael Dickman, Katie Farris, Ilya Kaminsky, Lynn Melnick, Paul Muldoon, Kathleen Ossip, and Patricia Smith. You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.

Submission Guidelines For Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

• Submissions for the 2024-25 contest will be accepted from October 21 through the deadline of November 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

• Open to 11th-grade students globally.

• No late entries will be accepted after the deadline.

• A student may submit up to 3 poems, including published works.

• Submissions in other languages are allowed but must be translated into English by the student.

• Students may submit their contest entries using the online submission form, which will no longer be available after November 10, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

Prize Structure

First Prize: $1,500

Second Prize: $750

Third Prize: $500

Winners and honorable mentions will be notified directly and listed on the official website.

Past Winners Of Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize

The contest has honored many gifted young poets. The most recent winners of the Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize include:

2024 First Place: Acadia Reynolds, “Dissection of a Cow Eye”

2023 First Place: Vivian Huang, “Femininity Test for the Rotting Daughters”

For more information and past winners’ poems, visit the official Lewis Center for the Arts website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can submissions for the poetry contest be poems that are currently submitted to other contests?

Yes.

Can the poems also be poems that have won other contests?

Yes.

Can the poems be previously published?

Yes. If the poem(s) was published, please provide a reference for the date and media of publication.

I attend online school and/or I am home-schooled. Can I still participate in the contest?

Yes, any student currently enrolled in the 11th grade (or international equivalent) in the U.S. or abroad—in public, non-public, charter school, or a home-school setting—is eligible to participate.

How will I know that my entry was successfully submitted online?

After a student successfully submits their poems using the online entry form, the student will receive an email confirmation/copy of their entry sent to the student email address provided in the entry form.

Will students receive a certificate of participation for submitting entries to the contest?

No, due to the volume of entries, only the prize winners and honorable mentions will be recognized in the contest.

How will I learn about the contest winners?

Only the prize-winning students and those who earned honorable mentions will be contacted directly in advance of the contest prize announcement. The names of contest winners will be published to this web page.

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The Derricotte/Eady Prize, named after Cave Canem co-founders Toi Derricotte and Cornelius Eady, spotlights chapbook-length manuscripts.

Awarded to one poet annually, the prize recipient receives a monetary award, publication of their manuscript through O, Miami Books, a residency at The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel-South Beach, and a featured reading at the O, Miami Festival in April.

Cave Canem partners with O, Miami to produce the annual Derricotte/Eady Prize in collaboration with The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel-South Beach. If you are having a problem with your writing, please read this article: How to Overcome Writer’s Block (10 Tips + Personal Examples) 

Submission Guidelines For Cave Canem: Derricotte/Eady Prize

• Manuscripts must be submitted online via Submittable. Hard-copy submissions will not be considered.

• One manuscript per poet is allowed.

• The manuscript must include a title page with the title only and a table of contents. The author’s name should not appear anywhere within the uploaded document.

• Manuscripts must be paginated, using a font size of 11 or 12, and should be 25-30 pages long, inclusive of the title page and table of contents. Only one poem is allowed per page, though a poem may span multiple pages.

• Manuscripts not adhering to submission guidelines will not be considered.

• A cover letter should accompany the submission and must include a brief author bio (maximum 500 words) and a list of acknowledgments of previously published poems. This information must not be included within the manuscript itself.

• No post-submission revisions or corrections are allowed.

Eligibility Criteria For Cave Canem: Derricotte/Eady Prize

This prize is open to all unpublished, original collections of poems written in English. However, it is not a first-book award. The competition is open to Black poets, defined by Cave Canem as any poet who identifies as a member of the African Diaspora.

If an applicant has submitted the same manuscript to other book awards and receives an award, they must disclose this to Cave Canem.

Exclusions

Ineligible applicants include:

• Current or former students, colleagues, employees, family members, and close friends of the judge.

• Current or former employees and board members of Cave Canem Foundation or O, Miami.

• Authors who have published a book or have a book under contract with Jai-Alai Books.

Award

The 2025 Derricotte/Eady Prize winner will receive:

• A $1,000 cash prize.

• Publication of their manuscript through O, Miami Books.

• 10 copies of their chapbook.

• A residency at The Writer’s Room at The Betsy Hotel-South Beach.

• A featured reading at the O, Miami Festival in April.

Deadline

The application period runs from October 1, 2024, to November 6, 2024. Manuscripts submitted after 11:59 PM ET on November 6, will be ignored. 

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The Diann Blakely National Poetry Competition is an annual poetry contest held in the fall and judged by the Diann Blakely Visiting Poet.

The competition offers poets the chance to win $500 and 25 broadsides of their poem. The poem will also be archived on the competition website.

The 2024-2025 competition will be judged by Vivek Narayanan. If you are having a problem with your writing, please read this article: How to Overcome Writer’s Block (10 Tips + Personal Examples) 

Submission Guidelines For Diann Blakely Poetry Competition

• Submissions must be written in English.

• Poets may submit only one poem per year.

• Each entry should be 50 lines or fewer.

• No simultaneous submissions are allowed.

• Submissions must be original and unpublished in any form.

• Entries will be read anonymously, so the poet’s identifying information must not appear on the poem or in the file name.

What They Want

• The contest seeks a single poem submission from each poet.
• Poems should not exceed 50 lines, you might want to read this article on editing poetry.
• Each poet may only submit once per year.
• All entries will be judged based on merit by the year’s Visiting Poet.

Eligibility Criteria For Diann Blakely National Poetry Competition

• The contest is open to all poets except for those affiliated with the University of Georgia, including students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

• Intimate friends, relatives, colleagues, and former or current students of the judge are also ineligible.

• Past winners must wait three years before entering again.

Author Rights

By submitting, the author grants the University of Georgia a non-exclusive right to use the poem for judging, permanent storage, and presentation on the English Department’s website. The poem may also be used for advertising and promoting the competition, though the University is not obligated to do so.

Payment

The winner of the Diann Blakely National Poetry Competition will receive a cash prize of $500 and 25 broadsides of their winning poem.

Deadline

Submissions for the 2024-2025 contest open on November 1, 2024. While the exact deadline has not been specified, previous contests have remained open for one month. Click here to submit. 

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The Fresh Voices Fellowship, offered by Epiphany journal, aims to support emerging Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or other writers of color in prose or poetry.

This fellowship is geared towards writers who have not earned an MFA in creative writing or an advanced English degree (MA, PhD) and are not currently enrolled in a degree-granting program.

In addition to a stipend, the fellowship offers the winner the opportunity for publication and engagement in the editorial process of a small non-profit literary magazine.

Submission Guidelines For Epiphany: The Fresh Voices Fellowship

• Applicants must submit a work sample in either prose or poetry, which will be evaluated as part of the selection process.

• Applicants also must not have published or be contracted to publish a book.

• Please include a 5-page sample (double-spaced for prose) of previously unpublished work that you feel most represents you, your interests, and your literary style.

• If you’re sending a novel excerpt, please include a short synopsis of the novel and an explanation of where, in the story, the excerpt falls.

• Epiphany seeks submissions from writers of color whose work stands out in storytelling or poetry.

• As part of the fellowship, the selected writer will have their work published in a print issue of Epiphany and will have the chance to contribute to an online essay series during their fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria For Epiphany: The Fresh Voices Fellowship

• Applicants must identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, or a writer of color.
• Applicants must not have an MFA in creative writing or any advanced English degree (MA, PhD).
• There is no entry fee.
• Applicants cannot be currently enrolled in a degree-granting program.

Author Rights

The fellowship winner will maintain the rights to their submitted work. However, they will grant Epiphany the right to publish it as part of the fellowship benefits.

Payment

The winner of the Fresh Voices Fellowship will receive:

• A $2,000 stipend
• Publication in a print issue of Epiphany
• A one-year subscription to Epiphany

Deadline

The deadline for the Fresh Voices Fellowship is November 1, 2024. All submissions must be made by this date to be considered.

Additional Benefits

• Participation in the editorial and publication process of Epiphany, a small non-profit literary magazine.

• The opportunity to engage with the editorial team and contribute to the magazine’s mission.

• A free digital subscription to Epiphany will be offered to all applicants who submit work for the fellowship.

For more details and to apply, visit this page.

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ENDS Europe is a European environmental policy news service that provides reliable, accurate, and concise reporting on EU environmental policy.

They publish news, analysis, interviews, and updates on national and EU laws. ENDS Europe is looking for pitches for both news and feature articles from freelance writers, focusing on environmental policy. If you are not an experienced writer, please read this article: 10 Creative Writing Tips For Beginners

Submission Guidelines For ENDS Europe

• Writers are encouraged to pitch story ideas related to EU environmental policy.

• Writers interested in submitting pitches are also encouraged to review past content from ENDS Europe to ensure their ideas align with the magazine’s scope.

• Submissions should be sent via email to simon.pickstone@haymarket.com.

• The submission should clearly outline the proposed angle of the story and its relevance to the readership.

• There is no specific deadline for submissions. Writers can send pitches on a rolling basis for consideration.

• You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.

What They Want

ENDS Europe is seeking pitches for news articles and features on topics related to environmental policy within the European Union. This may include:  

• Legislative developments  
• Environmental regulations and their impact  
• EU and national policy updates  
• Interviews with policymakers or experts  
• Analyses of pressing environmental issues in Europe  

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to freelance writers with an understanding of EU environmental policy.

• There is no entry fee.

• Pitches must be relevant to ENDS Europe’s focus on environmental news and policies.

Author Rights At ENDS Europe

They retain first rights to all published content and may use it in their online or print publications.

Payment

Payment details may vary based on the scope of the article, but writers should inquire about specific rates when submitting their pitches. Their masthead is here.

The post ENDS Europe Is Accepting Pitches/ How To Pitch (Payment: TBD) appeared first on Creative Writing News.

Shooter Literary Magazine is a biannual publication that features high-quality short stories, poetry, and non-fiction from emerging writers, along with original artwork. 

They are currently seeking submissions for their upcoming issue with the theme “Coming of Age.” If you are having a problem with your writing, please read this article: How to Overcome Writer’s Block (10 Tips + Personal Examples) 

Submission Guidelines For Shooter Literary Magazine

• Writers should submit one short story or non-fiction piece (2,000-6,000 words) or up to three poems.

• The theme for this issue is “Coming of Age.”

• Submissions should be in Word format, 1.5 or double spaced, with the word count at the end of prose pieces.

• Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but writers must notify the magazine if their work is accepted elsewhere.

• All work must be previously unpublished.

• Send your work to submissions.shooterlitmag@gmail.com.

What They Want

Shooter is looking for stories, essays, memoirs, and poetry related to the transition to adulthood. This includes themes such as:  

• First love  
• Hormonal angst  
• Part-time jobs  
• Encounters with the law  
• Experimentation  
• Gaining independence  
• Losing virginity  
• Reflections on books that influenced adolescence  
• College life and early career experiences  

Eligibility Criteria For Shooter Literary Magazine

• Submissions are open to both UK and international writers.
• All submissions must adhere to the thematic focus of “Coming of Age.”
• Submissions must be in English and meet the specified word limits.
• There is no entry fee.

Author Rights

Shooter Literary Magazine acquires first rights for print and online/e-book publication. The magazine also reserves the right to feature published work on its website and social media.

Payment

• £25 for short prose (2,000-6,000 words).  
• £5 for poems and prose below 2,000 words.  
• Artists are paid £25 for use of their work as magazine illustration.  

UK contributors will receive both payment and a copy of the issue; non-UK contributors may choose between payment or a magazine copy.

Deadline

The submission deadline for the “Coming of Age” issue is October 20, 2024.

Additional Information

• Writers should include a brief biography in their submission email, noting any prior publishing experience.

• Non-fiction or journalistic work selected for publication will be fact-checked.

• Successful writers will hear from Shooter within a few weeks of the deadline; all others will be informed of the outcome within two months.  

• Artwork submissions should be sent to a separate email address: artwork.shooterlitmag@gmail.com.

• For more details, visit the Shooter Literary Magazine social media page or contact submissions.shooterlitmag@gmail.com.

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Writer’s Digest is the No. 1 magazine for writers, focusing on the craft of writing and the challenges of today’s publishing environment.

It features content by bestselling authors, newcomers, and editors who provide valuable advice and real-life experiences to inspire and support writers in their journey.

The magazine accepts both completed manuscripts and original pitches, offering opportunities for new and established writers.

General Submission Guidelines For Writer’s Digest Magazine 

Writer’s Digest accepts completed manuscripts and article pitches on a wide range of topics related to the writing life, including writing techniques, author profiles, and market reports.

Submissions should include a thorough outline of the article’s purpose, the key points to be covered, and how the article will benefit the magazine’s readers.

What They Want 

Writer’s Digest Wants:

Inkwell: 1,600-word lead stories or shorter articles of 1,200 words related to trends, humor, or the writing world.

Author Profiles: 800–1,200-word profiles of lesser-known or specialized authors.

Writing Technique Articles: 1,200–2,500 words on specific writing techniques for fiction, nonfiction, freelance, poetry, or scriptwriting.

For All Ages: 1,200-word guest columns on writing for children, middle grade, and young adult readers.

Nonfiction: 1,200-word guest columns on nonfiction writing (e.g., personal essays, memoirs).

Market Reports: Articles detailing publishing trends in specific markets like fantasy or romance.

Eligibility Criteria

• Writer’s Digest encourages submissions from both new and experienced writers. However, published authors who have demonstrated success in the topic area they are pitching are given preference.
• Writers must provide evidence of expertise in their field, including relevant publication credits.
• There is no entry fee.

Author Rights

For print submissions, Writer’s Digest purchases first world rights for one-time print use and perpetual electronic use.

Authors are paid 25% of the original payment for any reprints in non-electronic formats.

For unsolicited online articles and guest posts, there is no payment except in rare cases where the content is highly specialized.

How to Submit

• Manuscripts and article proposals should be submitted electronically in text-only or Microsoft Word format.

• Please submit pitches to the print magazine using one of the pitch forms on the editorial calendar. 

• If you have a question about their submission guidelines, please email writers.digest@aimmedia.com.

• Response times range from 2–4 months.

Pay Rates At Writer’s Digest 

They offer $0.50 per word for accepted print articles. For rare cases of highly specialized online content, payment ranges from $50 to $100.

Contributors to the print magazine receive copies of the issue in which their work appears. No payment is offered for unsolicited online articles unless otherwise specified.

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Runner’s World is a magazine and website dedicated to running, offering readers content on every aspect of the sport, including tips for beginners, training plans for competitive runners, and human interest stories.

They welcome pitches from writers, including freelancers, and aim to publish stories that inspire and motivate all types of runners.

Their content covers a wide range of topics, from fitness and nutrition to human interest pieces and investigative features. If you are having a problem with your writing, please read this article: How to Overcome Writer’s Block (10 Tips + Personal Examples) 

Submission Guidelines For Runner’s World Magazine 

• Writers interested in submitting should focus on the needs of Runner’s World’s audience, which includes a diverse range of runners, from casual joggers to experienced competitors.

• Pitches should be clear and explain why the story is relevant specifically for runners.

• Writers are encouraged to check the website for similar content to avoid redundancy and to ensure their pitches bring fresh perspectives.

Submissions should include:  

• A sample headline  
• Information on sources and any pre-reporting done  
• An explanation of why the story is timely and relevant for runners  
• Notes on imagery, if applicable  
• Links to previous work or a portfolio  

Pitches are reviewed promptly, though writers should allow a few days for news stories and up to a month for features before assuming the pitch was not accepted.

What Runner’s World Magazine Wants

1. Service Content (Training, Health, Nutrition): High-quality, science-backed stories on fitness, nutrition, health, weight loss, and performance, all filtered through the perspective of a runner. They also accept stories on the latest running-related books, podcasts, and playlists.  
2. News/Human Interest/Culture: Inspiring stories about runners or running communities, with a focus on why the story matters now. Timeliness is key for news stories.  
3. Features: Longform, in-depth stories between 2,000-6,000 words, including profiles, travel/adventure narratives, personal essays, and investigative reports. These stories should be rich in detail, with a clear narrative arc and diverse subjects.  
4. Art/Photo: Visuals are important to Runner’s World. Writers are encouraged to suggest relevant imagery or collaborate with photographers. Freelance photographers can also pitch visual projects.

What They Don’t Want  

Runner’s World Magazine doesn’t want:

• Redundant content that has already been covered on the site unless there is a new angle.  
• Stories that are too general or too niche for the broad running audience.  
• Full drafts of stories at the pitching stage. Only pitches are needed initially.  

Eligibility Criteria  

Runner’s World is committed to working with writers from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, and encourages submissions from writers who bring fresh perspectives to the running world.

Read: How To Write A Story 

Author Rights  

Once a story is accepted, all materials may be edited for length and clarity. Hearst Magazines, Inc. retains copyright for all published material.

Writers are expected to submit original work and disclose any material that may have been published elsewhere or is under consideration by another publication.

Payment  

According to their health and fitness director, they pay $350 to $5,000 per story depending on length, research/reporting, turnaround time, etc.

Contact Information  

Training-Health-Nutrition: hmdrwservice@hearst.com  

News-Culture Stories: hmdrwnews@hearst.com  

Feature Stories: hmdrwfeatures@hearst.com  

Art/Photo: hmdrwphoto@hearst.com

Writers are encouraged to check out the latest issues of Runner’s World to familiarize themselves with the brand’s voice before pitching.

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