“Thanks for uplifting everyone’s morale, for pushing the boundaries and lifting everyone during the difficult times. You are an excellent writer.” ~~Anonymous
Contests and Markets to Start 2021
New Policy: During the last quarter I kept adding opportunities—especially in November and a few times in December.
I plan to keep doing that and as I get into the habit, I’ll post more. I’ll often announce when I’ve added something on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writeradvice. Newest information will always be at the top of the page. Feel free to check this page often if you are looking for places to publish. For that matter, feel free to “Like” it and share it with your writing peers.
NOTE: If you’d like me to include an opportunity for writers to submit their work, please send me the name of the organization, the URL or contact e-mail, and the deadline. If you’d like to post about Writer Advice Contests as reciprocation, we’d be honored. Contest expectations are listed on our Guidelines page.
Here are some new opportunities. Look at the pages to find out what they are seeking. More will be posted soon:
January 2021:
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING Q2 CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST
$12 ENTRY FEE. Deadline January 31, 2021 (courtesy of Funds for Writers)
The Bangalore Review – ongoing
http://bangalorereview.com/submissions/
New Reader Magazine – ongoing
https://www.newreadermagazine.com/contribute/submission
The New Guard Literary Review – 1/11/21
https://www.newguardreview.com
New American Poetry Prize – 1/15/21
http://www.newamericanpress.com
Palette Poetry – 1/17/21
February 2021:
Wordrunner eChapbook seeks Fiction, Memoir/CNF, Poetry for Themed Issue — February 28
• Inkshares All-Genre Contest
(fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to be judged by website member votes – February 28)
• Misfit Magazine
(contemporary narrative poetry and free verse – February 28)
HACHETTE CHILDREN’S NOVEL AWARD
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 18, 2021 (courtesy of Funds for Writers)
NORTHBOUND BOOK AWARD
NO ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 18, 2021. (courtesy of Funds for Writers)
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING WINTER FLASH FICTION CONTEST
$10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline February 28, 2021. (courtesy of Funds for Writers)
Slippery Elm Literary Review – 2/01/21
https://slipperyelm.findlay.edu
March 2021 and beyond:
I became aware of the first three contests through a Winning Writers newsletter.
Write a story on any topic that uses exactly 80 words. The winner takes away a cash prize.
Deadline In 3 Days. Mar 25th
Write a poem with only 6 words. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline In 5 Days. Mar 27th
A cinquain is a five-line poem that follows a specific format. Read the announcement for a sample poem. This contest has a cash prize.
Deadline In 10 Days. Apr 1st
No deadline given for Tillism. They promise to get back to you in one week.
Flash Fiction Deadline Extended to March 31:
WERGLE FLOMP HUMOR POETRY CONTEST – NO FEE
Deadline: April 1. 20th year. $3,500 in prizes, including a top award of $2,000. Final judge: Jendi Reiter. Both unpublished and previously published work accepted.
• WayWords
(poetry, fiction, and essays about “heritage” – March 15)
• 20.35 Africa Anthology
(poems by African writers aged 20-35 – March 16)
Wilderness House Literary Review – 3/01/21
There are more, for a variety of dates, listed at http://www.ardorlitmag.com/literary-magazines-for-new-writers.html