Summer 2026 ~~ Markets, Contests, and Literary Magazines

New Contests and Places to Explore

A random assortment of opportunities taken from Facebook announcements at https://www.facebook.com/groups/215582485899899/ and from my e-mail. You’re free to join the group. Check out whatever appeals. If you don’t see anything that’s right for you, please tell us what you’re looking for. Thanks!

First though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t encourage you to look at Writer Advice’s Flash Prose Contest. 

Annual poetry contest open! Winners will be published in both the magazine and in our beautiful print Anthology. Submit here https://streetlightmag.com/2023-poetry-contest/

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Synkroniciti’s current call is “Dignity,” closing July 15th. There are contests in poetry, short play, and visual art. The submission fee is $3.

https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/submissions/

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Not long now till the deadline for The Ajuda Foundation Creative Writing Competition

Take the theme Mental Health & Wellbeing, and twist it, turn it, transform it and make it yours: Story, poem, or memoir… go for it in your own way.

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If you have not yet submitted, head over to Hollowpointpress(dot)ca/submissions.

CONCEIT MAGAZINE SHORT STORY CONTEST, https://sites.google.com/site/conceitmagazine/ and

CONCEIT MAGAZINE ANTHOLOGY V1#1

DEADLINE: December 01, 2026

Any theme, Any Subject

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And from Winning Writers   the Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest

• All styles and themes
• Submission period: April 15-October 1
• Total prizes: $12,000
• Accepts published and unpublished work
• Special award for verse that rhymes or has a traditional style

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

• All styles and themes, fiction and nonfiction
• Submission period: October 15-May 1
• Total prizes: $12,000
• Accepts published and unpublished work

North Street Book Prize

• For self-published and hybrid-published books
• Categories: Mainstream/Literary Fiction, Genre Fiction, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir, Inspirational/Self-Help, Poetry, Children’s Picture Book, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel & Memoir, Art Book
• Submission period: February 15-July 1
• Total prizes: $23,500
• Top winners receive expert marketing services
• Feedback available for everyone who enters online

Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (no fee)

• Seeks humor poems
• Submission period: August 15-April 1
• Total prizes: $3,750
• No fee!
• Accepts published and unpublished work

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From C. Hope Clark:

Memoir Showcase Season Has Officially Begun!

This year’s theme: Home.

Submissions Close: August 1

To Submit Go To: https://sdmwa.org/showcase-2025/

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Great list from The Forever Workshop, by Chill Subs, which is on Substack

What other contests should we be sharing? Please send us the name of the contest, the website, the closing date, and a 1-2 sentence description. Thanks!