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Useful Resources : Websites for Poets and Writers : Markets and Contests for Writers
Advice on How to Sell Poetry
Published poet Neile Graham offers a useful basic overview of manuscript formatting, submission etiquette, and researching markets for your work.
| | American Literary Translators Association: Grants and Awards
Contests, fellowships and programs for literary translators, ordered by deadline month. Check for new opportunities every two months or so. Translators may also be interested in a similar list of competitions maintained by The Translators Association of London.
| | Anthologies Online
Posts guidelines for anthologies that are currently seeking submissions on various topics (poetry, fiction and personal essays), and features articles on writing, tools and resources.
| | ASBPE Editorial/Magazine Publishing Resources
The American Society of Business Publication Editors' website offers this extensive page of links for journalists, including trade associations, reference sites, job markets and legal basics.
| | Ask About Writing
UK writing competition and festival listings, literary news, trivia contests and other information for creative writers.
| | Authors Access
This site features free downloadable podcasts of interviews with people around the world who can help authors better manage their writing careers. Popular guests have included Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of 'The Frugal Book Promoter'; Jo Virgil, a community relations manager for Barnes & Noble; and publicist Maryglenn McCombs.
| | Between the Lines
Webzine associated with The Editorial Department, a well-established manuscript-editing service, offers original interviews, craft articles, essays, forums and blogs to keep writers and publishing professionals informed about today's book publishing market. The Editorial Department offers a range of editing and marketing services for your prose manuscript or screenplay. We like their transparency with respect to price, which is not always the case with their competitors.
| | Book Promotion Newsletter
Biweekly e-zine for authors in all genres contains articles on marketing, publicity, self-publishing and more. Articles are contributed by subscribers. Most useful for writers of commercial fiction and nonfiction. Subscription is $5/year, includes 20% discount on 'Book Marketing from A-Z,' a 400-page compilation of the best marketing strategies of 325 subscribers to this newsletter (retails for $18.95).
| | Book That Poet
State-by-state directory of poets available for readings aims to match them with local libraries, bookstores and historical societies looking for speakers. Most listings are in Wisconsin at present, but site owner hopes to expand its reach. Poets pay $12 per year to be listed.
| | BookCatcher
Post a press release about your book or announce an upcoming reading (free registration required). Browse articles about book marketing in their Reading Room, or search for literary events on their daily calendar.
| | BookTour.com
Large, free directory of author events. Authors can create a page showcasing their biography, books, and upcoming engagements. Publishers, booksellers, events managers, and even just well-informed readers can add tour dates by simply filling in a few blanks. Nice feature: website can tell the visitor's location and automatically pulls up events in your region when you access their home page.
| | boxofwords.com
Egg Box Publishing offers an A-Z list of the United Kingdom's most prestigious writing contests, including many prizes for published books.
| | Breaking Into the Greeting Card Market
In this article from Writing-World.com, Shery Ma Belle Arrieta covers the basics of writing and selling greeting card verse.
| | British Literary Prizes
A useful list of substantial literary contests in Britain, mainly fiction but also some major poetry prizes.
| | Chapbookfinder.com
Resource website for chapbook publishers, authors and agents to promote their recent titles. Site also includes listings of chapbook contests and publication opportunities.
| | Colossal Directory of Children's Publishers
Links to hundreds of children's book and magazine publishers. In many cases, the submission guidelines page is broken out as well. It's wise to read the advice columns before sending out your manuscript. They will multiply your chances and save you much wasted effort.
| | Creative Writers Opportunities List
Allison Joseph, award-winning poet and moderator of the late Conpo list, is back with a similar list on Topica. Get well-screened notices about literary contests, calls for submissions from literary journals and anthologies, and opportunities such as residencies and fellowships. Listings are posted without comment. Join free. Editors and contest organizers should submit messages to crwropps@aol.com.
| | Creativity in Motion
This foundation offers the biennial Thatcher Hoffman Smith Prize of $40,000 for a visionary creative work in process. The award is meant to recognize the power of original thought and expression in possibly enriching the world around us. Past honorees have spanned the genres of visual, literary and performance arts as well as activism, academic studies and commercial writing. The deadline for initial proposals falls in August of even-numbered years; 50 applicants will be invited to submit full-length applications.
| | Directory of Writers' Circles
Bulletin board with listings for major UK competitions, plus information about local writing workshops and organizations.
| | Dublin Writers Workshop: Irish Literary Competitions
Several dozen quality prose and poetry competitions. Some are only for residents of Ireland, others are international.
| | Duotrope's Digest (Markets for Writers)
Free searchable database of over 875 print and online periodicals that publish fiction and poetry. Profiles can be sorted by genre, submission policies, pay scale and more. Mainly for fiction writers, but poets will also find it useful. (Search for poetry markets in the "length" field, not "genre".) Unlike many link directories, this site is updated daily and fact-checked every week. You can sign up for their Weekly Wire e-newsletter to receive new listings in your inbox.
| | Editorial Freelancers Association
National nonprofit professional association of self-employed workers in the publishing and communications industries. The EFA works to improve conditions for freelancers and match them up with clients. Employers can post jobs for free.
| | EssentialWriters.com
UK-based resource site for writers offers literary news, competitions listings, brief book reviews, and free blog hosting for members.
| | FilmMakers.com: Screenwriting Contests Database
Alphabetical listing of screenwriting contests. Expired and current links are mixed in together, but list is a good starting point for researching this market.
| | Forwriters.com
Excellent resources for writers, with special attention to science fiction, fantasy, horror and speculative fiction. Links to markets, publishers, contests, agents, writers groups, author sites, writing resources and conferences. Active discussion forum.
| | Funds for Writers
Grants, contests and markets for writers. Resource-packed online newsletters include TOTAL FundsforWriters, FFW Small Markets, and WritingKid (young writers). Editor C. Hope Clark also offers ebooks with specialized marketing resources for poets, fiction writers and more.
| | Gather.com Short-Form Writing Competition with Amazon Shorts
Members of Gather.com, an online content-sharing and discussion forum, can enter this monthly free contest and vote for the winners. Writers post their short-form work and compete to sell their writing on Amazon.com. Monthly winners will be the 3 entries with the highest number of votes and average rating, along with 1 editors' pick.
| | Helium
Online writing community for freelance journalists and general-interest essayists. Membership is free, with possible payment for articles accepted for publication on the site. Members also get access to contest listings and publishers' guidelines.
| | Jeffery Bahr's Resources for Literary Journals
Poet Jeffery Bahr reveals how many submissions get published in various American literary journals. See statistics on acceptance rates and response times. The most competitive magazine is The Atlantic, which publishes about 50 of the 75,000 unsolicited submissions it receives each year. Emerging poets can use Bahr's research to target quality journals where they'll have better chances of being published. Bahr's list of Awards and Competitions for First-Time Authors is also valuable. In his blog, Whimsy Speaks, Bahr provides a knowledgeable introduction to the current state of poetry manuscript contests - essential reading for anyone trying to get their poetry published today. He describes the typical odds, links to important recent winners, and emphasizes the importance of "unity of style" in your manuscript. You'll also find sources of information about quality contests (including a kind word for Winning Writers - thanks, Jeffery). http://www.whimsyspeaks.com/archives/2004/10/index.html#000069
| | Just Markets
Up-to-date listings of paying freelance and telecommuting jobs for writers. Try their free biweekly newsletter, or get daily updates for $9.95/month.
| | Life for Change: Perpetual Writing Contest
Ongoing contest publishes your story submissions online and awards prizes based on readers' votes. Stories should be between 1,000 and 10,000 words. After you submit a story, people may vote for it. When the Payout Progress Meter reaches $100, the author of the story with the most votes earns the payout. Stories should be submitted through the online form, not by email. Remember that each person may vote only once for a story or it will be disqualified.
| | Life in the Slush Pile
Witty and commonsense advice on making your unsolicited submissions stand out, from Simon DeDeo, editor of the poetry journal absent.
| | Literary Magazine Database at Poets & Writers
Poets & Writers Magazine offers this free online database featuring submission guidelines for hundreds of literary journals. The database is searchable by name, keyword, genre, openness to simultaneous and electronic submissions, geographic region and more. A very useful service.
| | MovieBytes: Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online
Frequently updated links page for screenwriting contests and markets. Complete the brief, free registration to access Contest Report Cards. Includes contest advice, news of recent script deals and interviews with entrants about their experiences with various contests.
| | Muse Online Writers' Conference
Unique free online conference, held annually in October, includes audio presentations from authors, publishers and editors who specialize in different aspects of building writing careers; live chat with presenters; and online writing workshops. Speakers have included Hope Clark of FundsforWriters.com, Marshall Turner of WebforAuthors.com, and Shel Horowitz of FrugalMarketing.com. The conference is sponsored by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of 'The Frugal Book Promoter', and Lea Schizas of The MuseItUp Club. Email Lea with questions or to register for the conference.
| | MysteryAuthors.com
Webzine showcases the work of aspiring writers of mystery fiction. They are seeking submissions of flash fiction for their quarterly e-zine, Minute Mystery.
| | National Association of Writers' Groups
UK-based NAWG sponsors its own literary contests and provides information about two dozen others around Britain. The contest listings are updated several times each year. From the NAWG home page, click the Competitions link.
| | New York Foundation for the Arts Database
Large directory of opportunities for visual artists, performers and writers. Search by genre, geographic eligibility, type of funding and more.
| | On the Survival of Rats in the Slush Pile
British book-world commentator Michael Allen advances a provocative thesis about the role of randomness in determining a book's commercial success, and how this information can help both writers and publishers manage their expectations. Available as a free PDF download.
| | Operation Homecoming
The National Endowment for the Arts created Operation Homecoming to help U.S. troops and their families write about their wartime experiences. Their letters, poems, stories, and memoirs will be collected into a national archive, and the best submissions will be published in a literary anthology. The anthology submission deadline is May 31, 2005; submissions after this date still will be included in the archive.
| | Pioneer Drama Service: Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
Free contest from a leading publisher of middle-school, high-school and community-theater plays. Winner receives a $1,000 royalty advance in addition to publication. Pioneer specializes in farce and musical comedy that would be appropriate for family audiences. Postmark deadline is March 1 each year.
| | Places for Writers
This sharp-looking site provides news, resources and market information to Canadian writers. Don't miss the links to contests, submission calls, book and magazine awards, and grants and funding.
| | Playscripts, Inc.
This service aims at matching authors of new plays with producers who are looking for specific types of work. Searchable database allows you to sort scripts by genre, duration, and casting requirements, and read samples online.
| | Poemeleon Mystery Box Contest
Online journal Poemeleon seeks poems inspired by a "mystery box" depicted in a photo on their website. The winner and runners-up will be published in Poemeleon, and the first-prize author will receive the box. Deadlines are irregular; check website.
| | Poetry Machine
Awards, US and international markets, and other links for poets. Contains links to many worthwhile literary journals.
| | Poetry Publishers Who Accept Online Submissions
Rutgers professor emeritus Louie Crew maintains this useful alphabetical list of links to magazines that accept poems by email.
| | Poetry Super Highway
Be sure to sign up for the weekly email update highlighting emerging poets and new poetry links.
| | Poets & Writers: A Frequent Winner's Advice
In this interview with Poets & Writers Magazine from January 2009, award-winning poet Cynthia Lowen offers tips for maximizing your success with writing contests.
| | Readerjack.com Awards Listing Page
Online self-publishing company Readerjack maintains this alpabetical directory of links to several hundred literary contests.
| | Sally Stuart's Christian Writers' Market Guide
Alphabetical online directory provides names and addresses of hundreds of Christian magazines and book publishers. Purchase the annual print directory for full guidelines for these publications, as well as markets for greeting cards, artwork, poetry, and other specialties.
| | Save the Short Story
Site devoted to preserving and expanding the market for literary short fiction has links to dozens of literary journals publishing this genre, and to websites featuring modern masters of the form.
| | Scribe & Quill
This free monthly ezine for writers suggests contests and markets, publicizes the successes of its readers. The motivational articles are particularly valuable.
| | Small Press Database at Poets & Writers
Poets & Writers Magazine offers this free online database featuring submission guidelines for over 100 small literary presses. The database is searchable by name, keyword, genre, openness to simultaneous and electronic submissions, geographic region and more. A very useful service.
| | StoryMash
This online community for collaborative creative writing offers several contests throughout the year, with prizes in the $100-$200 range, awarded by reader vote. Free registration required to enter.
| | The Authors Show
This program carried by online broadcaster WNB Network West features interviews with authors about their published and self-published books. Fill out their contact form to be considered for an interview.
| | The Blog Tour Spot
Publicist Tina Howard will help you get your book reviewed on blogs during a specified period (a virtual book tour). Services include setting up a website, sending out review copies, following up with reviewers, and arranging author interviews. The Blog Tour Spot has a special interest in Christian fiction and nonfiction.
| | The Frugal Editor
Book-promotion expert Carolyn Howard-Johnson offers tips for perfecting your business letters, query letters, book manuscripts, and book proposals. Readers of this award-winning blog are encouraged to submit questions that may be answered on the site.
| | The Great American Poetry Show
Hardcover poetry anthology is open year-round to submissions of poems in English on any subject and in any style, length and number. Submit by mail or email. Each anthology contains about 100 poems; publication schedule is about 2 years between volumes. Simultaneous submissions and previously published poems are welcome. Response time is usually 1-3 months. Each contributor receives one free copy of the volume in which his/her work appears. See website for table of contents and contributors' list from Volume 1. Site also has an extensive directory of poetry links.
| | The Great First Impression Book Proposal
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of five how-to books for writers, including 'The Frugal Book Promoter', has condensed her expertise into a brief manual, 'The Great First Impression Book Proposal: Everything You Need to Know About Selling Your Book in 20 Minutes', which is available as an e-book on Amazon Shorts for just 49 cents. Check out other useful resources on her website at http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com .
| | The Muse's Muse: Songwriting Contests
Jodi Krangle has done a great job of finding interesting songwriting contests and other resources for songwriters. Subscribe to her free newsletter, and enjoy articles and tools for both novices and professionals. We especially liked "Six Easy Steps to Writing Hit Lyrics."
| | The Poetry Market Ezine
Free monthly ezine publishes contest listings, reviews of poetry books and chapbooks, and other news of interest to writers. Reviewers' guidelines: Reviews may not be a review of the reviewer's own poetry book or chapbook. Reviews may be up to 800 words or 1 to 1 1/2 pages. Shorter reviews are preferred. Reviews must include the name of the item reviewed, where to purchase, ISBN if applicable, and author contact info (of both the author of the item if applicable and the author of the review). Submit reviews in body of email to thepoetrymarket@yahoo.com. No attachments. Put "Poetry Review Submission" in the subject line. Include brief bio of 2-4 lines and cover letter. Submit 1-3 reviews at a time. Will consider reprints, but there is no payment for reprints. Pays $5 via paypal.com per review. No simultaneous submissions. Responds in 1-2 months.
| | The Practicing Writer
Very useful free monthly e-newsletter for writers of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction, featuring articles, interviews, contests, calls for submissions, and more. Editor Erika Dreifus (Ed.M., M.F.A., Ph.D.) is a Massachusetts-based writer and writing instructor with many publication credits, who serves as contributing editor of The Chattahoochee Review. Dreifus says, "Our mission is to support the craft and business of excellent writing."
| | The Writer Gazette
Big directory of job sites for writers and other practical links. Free weekly newsletter alerts you to new resources, places to publish your work, tips and advice.
| | The Writers' Union of Canada: Awards & Competitions
Canadian writers should take note of these quality fiction and nonfiction contests. Prizes are awarded for individual pieces, collections, writing for children and short-shorts.
| | TheNovelette.com
This site offers serialized women's fiction for the web: ongoing novelettes delivered in daily installments of about 500 words. They also offer periodic free contests for short-short prose and poetry on specified themes. The site's readers and editors vote on the winners, who receive $25 gift certificates to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.
| | Top Ten Topics for Writers
Basic information on submission etiquette, getting published, writers' conferences and degree programs, avoiding scams, and promoting your work. From the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine.
| | UK Poetry Competitions
These sites link to quality poetry competitions in the UK: CommuniGate, http://www.communigate.co.uk/london/justpoets/page1.phtml. Poetry Library, http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk/competitions/
| | Working Writers Newsletter
Biweekly free email newsletter for writers and screenwriters features upcoming contests, calls for submissions, literary conferences and events, and the latest news from the publishing industry.
| | Writecorner Press
Online publisher and writers' resource site offers a selection of well-crafted short fiction and nonfiction by emerging and established writers, including the winners of Writecorner's $1,100 E.M. Koeppel Short Fiction Award. Copies of novels, short fiction collections, poetry books, oral history works, and memoirs from established publishers will also be accepted for possible review on their site.
| | WritersMarket.com
Contact information for thousands of editors and agents. Search by keyword and category. Monthly access is $2.99. Annual access is $29.95, with a 30-day money back guarantee. Includes advice on improving your query letters and answers to common questions. Daily industry updates.
| | Writer's Market UK
Writing resource site maintained by British publisher David & Charles Ltd offers a free database of writing competitions, publishers,
magazines, broadcast media and agents, plus industry news and articles about writing. (Site is affiliated with Writer's Digest, the US publisher of the Writer's Market directory.)
| | Writing for Dollars
Biweekly free email newsletter includes articles on marketing your writing and listings of publications that pay for your work.
| | Writing for Money
Online journal for freelance writers features market reports, career tips, and an extensive links directory (some content is subscription-only). Editor John Clausen, author of a Writer's Digest guide to freelancing, answers your questions in his expert advice column.
| | Writing It Real: Sheila Bender's Blog
Writing It Real is a writers' resource site that offers lessons in turning your personal experience into creative work. Visit editor Sheila Bender's blog for announcements of contests and calls for submissions, as well as news of interest to writers.
| | Writing-World.com
Concise tips and essays for writers of all kinds. Now offering a searchable contest database. Essays in the poetry section explore such themes as cowboy poetry, tips on translations, and the form of the triolet. Also provides selected links to poetry resources.
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