Erika Dreifus

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.

• Kweli Journal, which welcomes “original, unpublished work from emerging and established writers of color,” remains open until tomorrow (May 30). Pays (but I haven’t located specified amount[s]). (Hat tip: The Sub Club Newsletter.)
• You have until May 31 to send in work for Issue 15 of long con magazine, which “publishes art about art” (be sure to read their explanation about how they define this). Note: “While based in Kjipuktuk, Mi’kma’ki (known by settlers as Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada), we welcome submissions from established & emerging artists across the world.” Compensation: “$50 Canadian for most contributions, and $25 Canadian for all short literary contributions (poetry under 50 lines total or prose under 1000 words total). Compensation is delayed: we are in the process of paying all past contributors but will reach out as soon as our payments catch up to the issue in which your work appears.” (Hat tip: Chill Subs newsletter.)
• Fee-free submissions from writers of color are welcome until May 31 for the Sundress Publications E-chapbook Competition. “Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and hybrid work are welcome as are visual poetry, poetry comics, and visual hybrid works….The winner will receive $200, plus publication as a beautiful full-color PDF available exclusively online; the editor’s choice prize will receive $100 and publication. Runners-up will also be considered for publication.”
• The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Grant for Children’s and Young Adult Novelists “is offered annually to an author of children’s or young adult fiction for a novel-in-progress. Previously called the PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship, the award was developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and assist a writer at a crucial moment in their career to complete their novel. The author of the winning manuscript, selected blindly by judges unaware of nominees’ names, will receive an award of $5,000.” Deadline: June 1. (As always, check the guidelines for detailed eligibility criteria.)
• Coming soon: the June issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0. As always, the new issue will be packed with curated fee-free opportunities (that pay for winning/published work) that are not limited to entrants from single cities/counties/states/provinces. In the meantime, be sure that you haven’t missed anything listed in the May issue (some of the opportunities listed there are still open!).
• One Story “is seeking a paid apprentice to join our team from September 2023 to May 2024. The apprentice will have a chance to learn about all aspects of a literary organization, including the editorial process, grant writing, and online educational programming. This is an entry-level position for those looking for a career in publishing with a focus not just on editorial work, but also on future leadership roles in nonprofit management and online education. We are specifically seeking applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the publishing industry who are recent college graduates or in their final year of college (class of 2023 or 2024) and not enrolled in a graduate program. Candidates should be creative, eager to work with a small, dedicated team, and have a demonstrated interest in the literary community and publishing world.” This is a 15-hour/week hybrid position that confers “a stipend totaling $10,000 for the 9 month period, which will be paid on a biweekly basis for the duration of the apprenticeship.” NB: Candidates “should reside within commuting distance of our office in Gowanus, Brooklyn.”
• “Hey Alma, a digital Jewish culture publication from 70 Faces Media, is looking for a Deputy Managing Editor to join our small, collaborative team. We are looking for someone who understands and is excited by Hey Alma and eager to experiment with new ideas to help push the publication forward. The ideal candidate is an experienced editor and strong writer who appreciates Hey Alma’s playful tone and has an interest in pop culture, arts, politics, feminism, social justice and issues that impact Jews around the world. Creativity, strong attention to detail, a sharp editorial eye and the ability to stay on top of a variety of tasks are key to success at this job. Familiarity with Jewish culture and traditions is helpful. This is a full-time, remote position with full-time benefits. The salary is $60,000-$65,000 and working hours will be roughly Monday to Friday, 9-5 EST.”
• Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation is advertising for a Digital and Audience Engagement Editor. The job involves “enhancing and maintaining the Nieman Foundation’s profile online, ensuring that its fellowship opportunities, journalism, events, and other initiatives achieve greater impact on campus, nationally, and internationally.” Note: “Harvard University supports a hybrid workplace model which will actively support some remote work. Specific days and schedules for on-site work and remote work will be discussed during the interview process. Please note hybrid workers must reside in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CA, CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, and WA).” Minimum salary appears to be $58,965.
• In Washington, “Pacific Lutheran University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Creative Writing (Fiction and Nonfiction) & Composition beginning September 2023.”
• In North Carolina, “the Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) program and Creative Writing Program, housed within Appalachian State University’s Department of English, invite applications for a Visiting Assistant Professor in Creative Writing (poetry) and composition. This position is a one-year renewable contract.”