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.

• ICYMI: The December issue of The Practicing Writer 2.0 has already gone out to subscribers. It’s packed with 50+ fee-free, paying/funded opportunities across poetry/fiction/creative nonfiction that are now or will soon be open for submissions. Find it here.
• But I don’t catch everything in time for the monthly newsletter! To wit: the application window for 2025 residencies at Minnesota’s Tofte Lake Center, which opened yesterday and will close December 31. A variety of residency opportunities are available, all of which provide lodging (no stipends at this time). (Hat tip: Funds for Writers.)
• June Road Press‘s current reading period will close January 1 (subject to change “if submission volume reaches 400”): “We’ll be choosing one or two new book projects that align in a special way with the character and direction of the press for publication in the fall of 2025. Though our scope might expand in future seasons, this reading period is once again limited to full-length poetry collections. We’re looking for original, well-structured, polished manuscripts of (about) 40 to 60 poems, with a preference for first or second books by women (inclusively defined). We’re particularly interested in work with ecological/environmental themes or that engages in meaningful ways with nature or place. This cycle, we’re aiming to broaden the range of voices the press represents and highlight regions of the country not yet emphasized in our catalog (such as the South, the Southwest, or California), though we’re open to submissions by writers from all backgrounds and parts of the United States.” Pays: “a standard advance for accepted authors at the time of signing in lieu of royalties (covering up to a set sales threshold, with further compensation if that threshold is later exceeded). We also supply a generous number of author copies and cover several post-publication award entry fees for each book.”
• At Vine Leaves Press, they’ve just opened for unagented submissions (and will remain so through January). “We are looking for: novels and novellas (all genres accepted, but with a literary bent), memoirs/biographies/autobiographies, creative nonfiction, writing/publishing reference books, short story collections, and poetry and vignette collections. For shorter works, such as poetry and vignettes, we will not accept anything shorter than 60 pages.” Compensation: “You will receive a 40% net royalty on all eBook and print sales.”
• At Will Media “is seeking a reporter/writer to identify original non-fiction stories to be created into a podcast or longform journalism piece. The ideal candidate has a keen eye for story, ability to identify and create rapport with key sources, and a proven track record of creating narrative story arcs. Strong research skills are a must.” This telecommuting position lists compensation as “25 hrs at $1,000 / week (for 6 weeks).” No application deadline indicated.
• The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA) is “currently looking for a candidate to help manage the 2025 Nebula Conference.” This contract position is open to US-based applicants who are eligible for legal employment; it’s a hybrid gig (remote and then on-site for the conference, which I’m inferring may be taking place in Kansas City). Compensation: “$15,000 for the scope of the project, paid in milestone installments.” Deadline: December 15, “or until filled.”
• “The Creative Writing Program of the Department of English and Comparative Literature (ECL) at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill invites applications for professor of fiction writing for a one-year teaching appointment, for the 2025- 2026 academic year, which begins in August 2025. The purpose of the Kenan Visiting Writer program is to provide an early-career writer with the opportunity to teach enthusiastic and talented undergraduate students while working on a second book. This one-year appointment carries an annual salary of $40,000. Benefits are not included.” Apply by December 31.