Markets and Jobs for Writers

Background of a keyboard, mug of coffee, and wallet on a tabletop; text label indicating "Markets and Jobs for Writers: No fees to submit work/apply. Paying gigs only."

Each week in this space, Practicing Writing shares no-fee, paying markets for writers of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction: competitions, contests, and calls for submissions. These weekly posts complement monthly issues of The Practicing Writer newsletter, where you’ll always find more listings, none of them limiting eligibility to residents of a single municipality, state, or province. (But this blog does share those more localized opportunities, including jobs.)

As always, if you’d like to share a specific opportunity listed here, please credit the blog for the find. Thanks for respecting the time and effort that I put into researching, curating, and posting this information! I do notice, and I appreciate the courtesy.

  • Downcity Ink, “a literary newsletter about Rhode Island’s quirkiest traditions and oddest fun facts,” has extended its submissions deadline to March 25. “We’re looking for your best words about Rhode Island. We want essays full of humor and life, want parodies of conversations between Rhode Islanders bumping into one another out of state, we want love letters to Providence, we want essays about Twin Oaks and inheriting your Dad’s low-number license plate and working at McCoy Stadium etc. etc. etc. If you’ve got it, send it—the only real parameters are that it must be about Rhode Island, by Rhode Islanders, for Rhode Islanders. Your audience is you—other folks with strong relationships to the Ocean State. If it’s about Rhode Island and you live here, lived here, loved here, loathed here, we’ll read it.” Pays: “a minimum of $100 for accepted, unpublished submissions. We’ll discuss reprint fees on a case-by-case basis.” [UPDATED TO REFLECT A CHANGE MADE ON THE SITE.]
  • SICK, which “only accepts work from those who consider themselves chronically ill/disabled,” is open for submissions until March 26. Pays (in GBP and via Paypal): 11 pence/word and £50 for poetry/art.
  • From TriQuarterly: “We’re currently accepting submissions in all genres! And the best part? Submissions are FREE through the end of the month!” Pays: “honoraria.”
  • From Coastal Shelf: “We’re open for no fee poetry and prose submissions for a limited time” (ending March 31). Pays: $30.
  • From The Statesider: “We’re looking for a new crop of creative pitches on US travel and culture, and we’re not just looking for traditional written stories this time — we’re also interested in maps, infographics, graphic stories/comics/illustrations, and photo essays.” Pays: “$500 flat rate for a story of 1200+ words,” with additional information on the website.
  • Book B*tches Literary Magazine “is a competition and publication platform dedicated to publishing the voices of women and non-binary people of colour. Four writers will be selected per genre to feature in the print edition of the magazine, with runners up receiving a £100 cash prize, and a 30 minute 1-2-1 session with an agent at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Winners will receive a £200 cash prize, a one hour consultation with an agent, and a 30 minute mentoring session with Illumicrate founder, and previous fiction panel judge, Daphne Tonge. Submissions must be a short story or extract not exceeding 3,000 words. Writers can only submit one short story, and must be based within the UK & Ireland.” (Hat tip: Mslexia.)
  • Another March 31 deadline: Centrum’s Emerging Writers Residency, which “was created in order to support and lift burgeoning writers of the diverse Pacific Northwest [defined as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia], particularly those whose work takes risks, is experimental, reveals unexpected truths about the human experience, and represents under-recognized narrative forms. Jurors representing major literary institutions and community-rooted writing practices select emerging writers, defined as writers that have already begun the journey of seeking to establish their writing career, writers who are on the cusp of leveling up their practices and visibility. The program also aims to bring equity to historically under-supported identities and backgrounds.” Residency awards confer lodging and writing space, a stipend of $1,500 for meal and travel reimbursement, and other benefits.
  • Also closing March 31: applications for the Hugo Fellowship program, which “provides education, space, and resources for up to six emerging writers in the Seattle area per year to support the development of new work. Applicants are selected for the program based on the excellence of their writing and ability to complete the proposed project. Projects may include (but are not limited to) completing the first draft of a novel, developing and workshopping a solo play, or creating a manuscript of poetry.” Fellowship confers a $1,200 annual class scholarship stipend among other benefits.
  • In Boston, Ploughshares is advertising for an Assistant Director, Business and Development. “The majority of Ploughshares employees are working remotely during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This position is required to go into the Ploughshares office, on Emerson’s campus in downtown Boston, at least 1 day per week to accomplish some finance-related tasks that require access to on-campus technology and Emerson employees. COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are required for all employees that work from campus.” Salary: “$62,600.00 – $65,600.00.”
  • The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW) seeks a Digital Communications Coordinator. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this position will temporarily be a remote position as the AAWW staff continues to telecommute. Candidates based in New York City preferred.” Salary: “$41-44k, commensurate with experience.”
  • Astra, “a new international literary magazine launching in April 2022,” is advertising for an Editorial Assistant. “Currently, our staff reports to the office two days a week (though this is subject to change) and the successful applicant must reside within commuting distance of Manhattan.” Salary: “38-44.”
  • In DC, Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop is hiring a Prison Book Club Facilitator. “This position is not inside a correctional facility….This is currently a hybrid position requiring in-person attendance at Free Minds programs. The position is expected to be primarily in-office by late 2022.” Salary: “up to USD $42,000/year.”
  • Seattle’s Hugo House is recruiting “two Writers-in-Residence: one in poetry and one in prose! Applicants for the position should be practicing, published poets and prose writers as well as accomplished and dedicated writing teachers who are experienced working with writers of all levels in a traditional workshop setting, as well as on a one-on-one basis as a mentor offering criticism and professional-development advice.  Applicants should have a specific artistic project they are working on during their residency (e.g., developing a manuscript for publication) and should have a special interest in helping writers become better writers and fostering an appreciation of the craft.” Responsibilities and compensation detailed within the announcement. Deadline: March 31. Note: “Writers-in-Residence must be a resident of the Seattle area at the time of application and through completion of the fellowship period.”
  • In North Carolina, “the Creative Writing Program in UNC’s Department of English and Comparative Literature seeks to bring an emerging talent to campus for a one-year as a Visiting Writer in Non- Fiction for the 2022- 2023 academic year beginning July 1, 2022….This one-year permanent appointment carries an annual salary of $50,000, and benefits are included. In the Fall 2022 semester this position will function as a as a Writer in Residence. The selected candidate will give one major public reading, lead a workshop, be available for student meetings, and otherwise participate fully in the life of the Creative Writing Program. In the Spring, this position will teach two undergraduate courses in Creative Non-Fiction, most likely at the introductory and intermediate levels. The selected candidate will be involved in various other workshops and events as prescribed by the Director of Creative Writing and be expected to participate fully in the life of the Creative Writing Program. Due to the nature of this position, applicants will need to relocate to Chapel Hill by the start date for this position.”
  • Utah Valley University’s Department of English and Literature “invites applicants for a tenure-track position in Creative Writing specializing in Nonfiction.”
  • In New Mexico, the Institute for American Indian Arts “invites applications for a fulltime professor in creative writing with a focus on fiction or creative nonfiction and/or journalism. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate creative writing coursework, both online and face-to-face, and will assist with the development and review of creative writing curriculum and assessment. The candidate will also participate in scholarship and/or creative activity and service to Institute of American Indian Arts and to the wider community.”
  • “Seton Hill University’s MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program seeks a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing to begin May 15, 2022. The program seeks candidates currently publishing with one of the ‘Big Four’ publishers, or their equivalent, in any of the following genres: romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, horror, or young adult. Responsibilities will be negotiated depending on candidate’s interests/abilities. As the program is low-residency, candidates are only required to attend residencies in Greensburg, PA, in person for one week in January and one week in June; all other duties may be performed online, although a candidate able to travel to campus as needed is preferred. Experience teaching is preferred but not required for those with substantial publishing records.”
on a tabletop: a keyboard, a mug of coffee, and a wallet with cash, plus a text label announcing Markets and Jobs for Writers