For your perusal: freelance writing jobs, competitions, and places to publish.
Each month we scour the myriad opportunities out there and come up with a carefully selected list of competitions, fellowships, grants and jobs for you to browse. But this is just a slice of what's out there. Want more? Sign up to our Bloc Boost service, and have a personal, curated list of opportunities delivered to you.
Otherwise, you can also check out writing jobs or writing opportunities pages which are updated daily.
Writing Awards and Competitions
The Brian Dempsey Memorial Poetry Competition
The competition opens on 1st January 2018 and the closing date for entering poems is 31st March. The competition will be judged anonymously by Janice and Dónall Dempsey. Prizes: 1st Prize: £75 plus publication of a 30 page pamphlet and 10 copies. 2nd Prize £50 3rd Prize £25. All shortlisted and winning poems will be published in our 2018 Anthology, along with selected poems by invited poets. All the contributors will receive a copy of the book when it's published and launched on July 2nd 2018. Poems may be of any length and on any subject. They should not have been published before, online or in print.
CLOSING 31/03/18
2018 Colin Roderick Award
This $20,000 award is presented alongside the H.T. Priestley Medal for the best original book of the year dealing with any aspect of Australian life, first published by an Australian publisher in 2017.
CLOSING 28/02/18
The Fiction Desk Ghost Story Competition
'Ghost story' can mean a lot of different things, from an encounter with an actual phantom to more unusual paranormal phenomena and unexplained events. All types are welcome, so feel free to experiment: we're very unlikely to disqualify a story for stretching the definition of a "ghost". This year there is a first prize of £500, a second prize of £250, and a third prize of £100.
CLOSING 31/01/18
The Fountain Essay Contest 2017
Hurricanes, tropical storms, earthquakes … More and more, humans are being affected by natural disasters. But life’s challenges do not come only in the form of natural disasters – individuals have to face all sorts of disasters in their personal lives. Sometimes it’s the loss of a loved one or a job, or even a loss of faith; it could be having to abandon one’s home due to war or persecution at the hands of a tyrant. Some disasters may seem smaller at first glance, but can feel just as consequential – a first gray hair, a failed class, getting passed over for a promotion … the list goes on and on.
A life with no disasters is a fantasy. All of us face them – both personally and globally – sooner or later. Then, how should we face a disaster? Just as we take measures while constructing buildings on a fault line, can we be always prepared? How do we defend our inner peace when facing danger?
CLOSING 31/01/18
The Hope Prize short story competition
Australia is the proverbial ‘lucky country’, yet amid our remarkable prosperity too many pockets of poverty and disadvantage persist in our cities, regions and remote areas. This narrative deserves to be explored through evocative writing.
The Hope Prize encourages writers to explore people's resilience in the face of poverty and disadvantage, to look beyond all too common stereotypes to depict the strengths that people and communities show in dealing with hardship.
Short stories entered for The Hope Prize can be fiction or fact. Whatever the genre, the story submitted must convey the experience of people facing hardship in their lives.
The total prize pool is $17,500, while two Women’s Writing Career Development Scholarships — of $5,000 each — will also be awarded. Authors must be Australian residents and entries must be between 2000 and 5000 words. The closing date for entries is January 31, 2018.
CLOSING 31/01/18
International Radio Playwriting Competition 2018 (BBC)
Writers from around the world are invited to submit scripts for the International Radio Playwriting Competition 2018. The global competition hosted by BBC World Service and the British Council, in partnership with co-producers The Open University, offers the unique opportunity for playwrights to have their radio play heard across the globe by the BBC World Service's millions of listeners.
Whether you're an established or a completely new writer, the International Radio Playwriting Competition welcomes scripts from anyone outside of the UK. The radio dramas can be on any subject you like, as long as they are 53 minutes long.
This year the two first prizes can come from either the English as a First Language or the English as a Second Language category. Both winners will travel to London, attend an award ceremony and see their plays recorded before they're broadcast on the BBC World Service.
There is also a third award — the Georgi Markov prize — which celebrates the most promising script from the shortlist, in honour of BBC World Service Journalist and writer Georgi Markov (1929—1978). The winner of this prize will also travel to London for the award ceremony and spend two weeks being mentored by BBC Radio Drama and BBC World Service.
CLOSING 31/01/18
Keats-Shelley Prize 2018
A call for poems on the theme of Liberty: a celebration of Shelley's Prometheus Unbound The Keats-Shelley Prize is an annual competition for poems and essays on Romantic themes. Inaugurated in 1998, the Prize encourages all adult writers (over 18) to respond creatively to the work of the Romantics. Writers aged 16-18 are invited to enter the Young Romantics Prize. In 1818, Percy Bysshe Shelley began work on his first and most famous hymn to Liberty – ‘Prometheus Unbound’, based on the myth of the chained Titan Prometheus, who had stolen fire from the Gods of Olympus to give to mankind. “The nations thronged around, and cried aloud, As with one voice, ‘Truth, Liberty, and love!’” It was the forerunner to his ‘Ode to Liberty’ written two years later.The Prize Chair is Liz Lochhead, The Judges’ Panel for Poets will consist of Matthew Sweeney and Jo Shapcott; and for Essayists of Professor Simon Bainbridge and Professor Sharon Ruston.
CLOSING 15/01/18
The Plough International Poetry Prize
For previously unpublished poems on any subject. An Open Competition for a poem up to 40 lines plus, new this year, The Ronald Duncan Short Poem Competition – maximum length 10 lines. Both competitions will be judged by Michael Symmons Roberts. The prizes in each category: 1st prize £1,000 – 2nd prize £500 - 3rd prize £250
CLOSING 31/01/18
The Silver Gull Play Award
subtlenuance is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2018 Silver Gull Play Award. The Silver Gull Award recognises an outstanding play by a local writer that explores philosophical or political themes. The aim of the award is to encourage interest in theatre that both offers insight and encourages action. This year the total prize money for the award will rise to $5000. The winning playwright will receive $3000 and the remainder of the prize pool will be split evenly between the shortlisted writers.
CLOSING 30/04/18
Tasmanian Writers prize 2018 entry
These stories will be published in the Forty South Short Story Anthology 2018.
CLOSING 18/02/18
Residencies, Festivals, Fellowships and Funds
black&write! Writing Fellowships
black&write! encourages any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer, published or unpublished, working in fiction or poetry to apply. Not only will your work be assessed by a panel with extensive knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writing, you also have the opportunity to receive feedback to help you to improve your writing.
Two winners will each receive:
$10,000 prize money
Manuscript development with black&write! and a
Publication opportunity with Hachette Australia
Fellowship recipients will be expected to work co-operatively with the black&write! editors through to the completion of their manuscripts.
CLOSING 31/01/18
EWF - Internship Program: Creative Producers
The Emerging Writers’ Festival is looking for budding literary programmers and producers to be involved in the development and delivery of the 2018 festival.
This unique internship will be an ideal grounding for developing your career in the sector. Each Creative Producer will be exposed to all aspects of festival management, taking the lead on the programming and production of at least one event as part of the 2018 Emerging Writers’ Festival. You will work closely with the Artistic Director, General Manager and Program Coordinator to develop the skills needed for a career in literary arts and events management.
CLOSING 08/01/18
Foundation Jan Michalski - Switzerland
The Foundation features an original group of seven residential modules that are available to writers, translators, and other creative individuals for residencies of varying lengths. Hanging from the openwork canopy surrounding the Foundation, these living spaces are called “treehouses” and offer ideal conditions to anyone looking to start, continue, or put the final touches on a writing or translating project. Application forms for 2019 will open online in May 2018. The Jan Michalski Foundation lies at the foot of the Swiss Jura Mountains in Montricher. The village is around 30 minutes away from Lausanne and 45 minutes from Geneva. Residents’ travel costs to and from their home address will be covered by the Foundation. Residents will be granted a monthly allowance of CHF 1200.
CLOSING 31/01/18
Kat Muscat Fellowship
Express Media is honoured to present The Kat Muscat Fellowship, offering support and development for a young writer or editor.
The annual Kat Muscat Fellowship offers professional development up to the value of $3,000 for an editorial project or work of writing by a young female-identifying or non-binary person. Kat’s writing embodied her personal mantra of feminism, empathy and defiance, and each year the recipient of the fellowship is asked to take up her notion of challenge: exploring bold subjects, thinking deeply and critically about the world and the culture we consume, and reflecting and building on the craft of writing or editing.
Applicants must be female identifying or non-binary, and aged between 16 to 30 at the commencement of the Fellowship. The Kat Muscat Fellow is selected by the Custodial Committee of The Kat Muscat Legacy Projects, which includes members of Express Media’s board and staff, the Muscat family and appointed community members.
CLOSING 14/01/18
Kids & YA Festival 2018 - Callout
The NSW Writers’ Centre is delighted to announce that our Kids & YA Festival on Saturday 30 June 2018, will be directed by best-selling, internationally published children’s author Belinda Murrell. To ensure the Festival will cover the emerging trends and diversity of voices in the field, Belinda is calling for submissions from people involved in the writing community.
Submissions may come from authors, illustrators, e-book and traditional trade publishers, independent publishers, agents and other interested parties. Involvement may take the form of panel speakers, chair responsibilities, mentoring or manuscript feedback sessions.
CLOSING 28/01/18
The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award
Early-career nonfiction writers who want to focus on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition can apply for funding.
The Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University invites applications for the Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award, in honor of the late journalist who reported empathetically on the human condition and died on assignment in Uganda in March 2014.
The winner will receive US$12,500, NYU ID and full online and onsite NYU Bobst Library research and reference privileges, as well as an office at the NYU Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, space allowing. A runner-up will be chosen to receive US$4,000.
CLOSING 20/02/18
Playwriting Australia – Seeking Stageplays
Playwriting Australia is seeking original plays. They approach the selection of plays with care and precision. It is a multi-stage process that involves a number of different readers assessing plays across a detailed list of criteria. It is a process that also allows for readers to be in conversation with them and with each other, ensuring quality control of readers' responses.
They believe terrific new writing must be produced and they do this reading to give playwrights opportunities to develop and/or showcase their best new plays in order to see the work reach production. All plays submitted to Playwriting Australia are read in their entirety.
Submissions are ongoing.
The Lighthouse Works’ Fellowship
The program accepts artists working in a wide range of disciplines, but we are best able to accommodate visual artists and writers. Fellowships are six weeks in length, occur year-round and provide fellows with housing, food, studio space, a $250 travel allowance and a $1,500 stipend. Artistic excellence is the primary criteria for acceptance as a Lighthouse Works fellow. We are located in the Annex Building on Fishers Island, NY.
CLOSING 15/02/18
Rabbit Island Residency
Each year our residents receive funding to live and work on Rabbit Island amongst the forest, rocks, and wildlife; and the vast waters of Lake Superior that surround it. In addition to a generous honoraria, artists may be invited to participate in our annual exhibition, event series, and publication, presented in partnership with the DeVos Art Museum in Marquette, Michigan. The Rabbit Island Residency provides time and space to investigate and challenge creative practices in a wilderness environment. Artists live and work on the island for 2-4 weeks, engaging directly with the landscape, responding to notions of conservation, ecology, and sustainability via their individual practices. The residency reflects on the American continent’s 400-year history of settlement and division of land, and stems from the idea that in a developed society intelligent organization of wild spaces is one of the most civilized things we can pursue. The residency is open to visual artists of all disciplines, as well as writers, poets, architects, designers, musicians, filmmakers, composers, and choreographers.
CLOSING 28/01/18
Reporting Grants for Women's Stories 2018
Women journalists with three or more years of professional experience can apply for reporting grants. The International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF), with support from The Secular Society, is offering Reporting Grants For Women’s Stories.
The initiative aims to promote reporting on untold stories surrounding issues that impact women and girls’ daily lives worldwide. Grants, averaging US$5,000, may cover reporting-related costs including travel (flights, ground transportation, drivers), logistics, visa fees and payment for fixers/translators.
CLOSING 19/01/18
Publications Seeking Submissions
Write for Archer
Archer publishes articles and images about sexuality, gender and identity from a diverse range of writers/artists, from all levels of experience.Archer is aimed at all individuals interested in sexuality, gender and equality. Archer promotes inclusivity, regardless of gender identity, geographical location, ethnic identity, sexual orientation or level of education.
We accept pitches for the Archer website all year round. We often source writers from our website. If our editor thinks a piece may be suitable for the print edition, you will be contacted.
Pitch to The Big Issue
We accept unsolicited material, if it is polished and fits the tone and style of the magazine, is clearly targeted at a particular section of the magazine and falls within the word counts relevant to a particular section. (For example 750 words for 'My Word' submissions or 1800 for a four-page feature; see the attached 'Word Counts' information box.)
Alternatively, writers can pitch story ideas by email first. To be considered, your pitch should explain which section of the magazine the story is intended for, be one paragraph long, contain a topic sentence, a sample introductory sentence and explain the story angle, writing tone, suggested word length, a list of possible interviewees (if appropriate) and whether or not photographs and/or illustrative material is available.
If your story is linked to a particular event (or date, or anniversary) you must pitch it at least two months before the event takes place. Important note: as a national publication, we are unlikely to accept stories that have a specifically local focus. If we like your idea, we will call or email you to discuss it further.
Earth Island Journal Submissions
Earth Island Journal is always looking for compelling and distinctive stories that anticipate environmental concerns before they become pressing problems, stories that scan the horizon for the next big issue. We want stories that will surprise, provoke, and entertain our readers and that explore new territory overlooked by other publications.
Our readership is international, so please don’t pitch stories on local issues unless they have broader (read: national or international) interest or implications. Please read through our magazine’s current and back issues (archives are available online) to get a better idea of the kind of stories we publish before you send a query.
We pay writers 25 cents/word print stories. You can expect to earn about $750-$1000 for an in-depth feature story (about 4,000 words).
For online reports, the fee ranges from $50 to $100. Online reports are a great way to get into the Journal, especially if you are new to reporting and writing. We publish online five days a week and are always looking for fresh ideas.
Electric Athenaeum - Open Submissions
Electric Athenaeum is a Science Fiction and Fantasy magazine publishing short fiction, articles, poetry, and interviews. Each issue features an accompanying theme, and is available for free to readers. They are open to submissions for this issue’s theme, Future Generations, and consider any genre of speculative fiction. They pay 50GBP per story.
Forever Yours: Now Accepting Book Submissions
Forever is the romance imprint of Grand Central Publishing. Grand Central Publishing is an imprint of the Hachette Book Group, one of the big five publishers. Forever Yours is the digital sister of Forever, they focus on publishing unagented authors, and often publish authors without a publication history. They publish eBooks, but they an option to print on demand any book over 50,000 words in length.
Monthly Catch at Penguin
Do you have a manuscript you would like Penguin to consider? Penguin Group have what’s known as the ‘Monthly Catch’. During the first week of every month, you can submit unsolicited manuscripts for their consideration.
Manuscript Monday - Pan Macmillan
On the first Monday of every month only, between 10am and 4pm Australian Eastern Standard Time, we accept electronic submissions that comply with the guidelines set out below.
Manuscript submissions sent on any other Mondays or day of the month will not be read so we advise you to wait until the next month if you miss the deadline.
We are looking for:
Commercial fiction – women’s fiction, romance, thriller, crime, historical, humour, paranormal, fantasy
Literary fiction and non-fiction – novels, short stories, and narrative non-fiction only
Children’s books and young adult – junior and middle grade fiction, young adult/crossover fiction; we are not accepting picture book submissions
Commercial non-fiction – history, memoir, mind body spirit, travel, health, diet, biography
Please familiarise yourself with what we publish. We do not publish scripts, plays or poetry in Australia and will not assess them.
Academic submissions are not accepted during Manuscript Monday.
Right Now
Right Now is committed to covering human rights issues in Australia through free, accessible, creative and engaging online, print and radio media. Creative writing is a great way to explore human rights in Australia: from poetry to flash fiction to long and short pieces.
Scum Mag
Scum is interested in publishing feminist-friendly work of any variety, but as a general rule your piece should be under 1000 words (50 lines for poetry) and able to be classified as “fiction”, “culture”, “memoir”, “column”, “poetry”, and/or “review”. They tend not to publish traditional reviews of books and films—to get a feel for the reviews they do publish, check the review tag. Feel free to pitch to them if you’re not sure if your piece is a good fit. (Please note that they don’t accept pitches for fiction or poetry.)
Submissions to Scum are open the first week (from the 1st to the 7th) of every month. The rest of the month, submissions are closed. They pay $60 per piece of writing.
Seizure - Flashers
At Seizure, short-form work is living large. Flashers is the online home of Australian flash fiction.
Each week we publish work between 50 and 500 words that could be written in an hour and read in a minute. We are looking for short, sharp snippets of prose. But flash fiction is so much more than a quick-fix for the time-hungry wordaholic. Flash fiction attracts writers and readers for its peculiar challenges – and authors have to make every word count.
Accepted pieces will have an accompanying illustration by a volunteer artist that matches and complements the writing. Thanks to the Australia Council, we are able to pay our Flasher contributors $50 for each published piece.
Slice Magazine is open for submissions
SLICE magazine welcomes submissions for short fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We’re looking for anyone with a fresh voice and a compelling story to share—basically any work that really knocks our socks off. We’re not drawn to experimental or heavy-handed genre fiction. The best way to get a sense of Slice’s content is to read the magazine. You can subscribe here. At the core, Slice aims to bridge the gap between emerging and established authors by offering a space where both are published side-by-side. In each issue, a specific cultural theme becomes the catalyst for articles, interviews, stories, and poetry from renowned writers and lesser known voices alike. We offer all contributors of Slice a monetary award for their work ($250 for stories and essays and $75 for poems).
StylusLit Open Submissions
StylusLit is an Australian, bi-annual online literary journal, which publishes poetry, short fiction, novel excerpts, creative non-fiction, interviews and reviews in March and September.
Only previously unpublished work is accepted, that is, the work has not appeared on radio or TV, and has not been published digitally (any website) or in print. Copyright remains with the author.
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