Erika Dreifus

For many years—since long before Substack arrived on the scene—I’ve been curating weekly “Monday Markets and Jobs” posts on the Practicing Writing blog, where everyone can still find them (albeit later in the day than in the past). But just about a year ago, I began sharing this information early every Monday morning via Substack, too, as a benefit for paid subscribers.

Reminder: These weekly posts are supplements to the free monthly newsletter, allowing me to amplify opportunities that I may not have caught in time for each month’s edition.

Another note about these Monday posts: Unlike the monthly newsletter, which filters out listings that may be limited to writers in a single city/state/province, these posts do carry such localized opportunities (jobs included).

But in all cases, calls and competitions must not charge submission or application fees, and they must offer (specified) payment for winning/published work (or, in the case of residencies, they must not charge application or participation fees).

One more reminder: Although you can expect the April newsletter to go out to all subscribers tomorrow, some opportunities listed in the March edition remain open for submissions and applications.

And now—the latest gleanings:

• Deadline for this one is today (March 30): “In honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences has launched a national showcase for local freelance journalism….We seek pitches about a wide variety of communities across the country, showing how they are living out the Declaration’s themes of freedom, equality, democracy, disagreement, collaboration, history, and the meaning of being American. The Academy is paying a rate of $1 per word with the expectation of commissioning 10-12 stories ranging from 500-2000 words. You will retain full copyright and therefore the ability to publish in other outlets simultaneously.” (Hat tip: Freelance Opportunities!)
• Update from The Sunlight Press: “Upon reopening to submissions after the holidays in early January, we fairly soon after closed again to first poetry then fiction, due to heavy volume. Stay tuned for reopening dates soon. Additionally, next Tuesday, March 31, we will close to essays. We will remain open to book reviews, artists on craft essays, and photography.” Pay rates, and more, are detailed within their guidelines.
• Death Camas: Best New England Crime Stories 2026 is open for anthology submissions until March 31. “This anthology is open to writers who currently live in one of the six New England states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island). Stories do not need to be set in New England. We are seeking original short fiction in the following genres: mystery, thriller, suspense, caper, historical, and horror.​” Payment: $25.
• March 31 is also the submissions deadline at Magpie Zine, “a collection of somewhat unusual, possibly urgent, and slightly unhinged human expressions, existing somewhere between feral and fancy or a rock and a highbrow. The mag was born from an affinity for early underground zines—subversive, intelligent, uniquely collaborative, and vigorously imaginative. We are devoted to the spirit of that counterculture and the heart and soul of originality. We support writers and artists whose aesthetic is an experience.” It appears as though they’ve reached their cap for poetry, but at last check they were still open for submissions in fiction, nonfiction, “experimental/wildly unclassifiable,” visual art, and an intriguingly specific humor category (hint: think “terrible pitches” and “middle school book reports”). Compensation: “$15 per published written piece and $15 per artist for artwork.” (Hat tip: Sub Club.)
• Version Originale, “a bilingual literary magazine in print that is inclusive and intersectional,” has extended its current submissions deadline to March 31. “The theme of the fourth issue of Version Originale is Hunger. As always, we welcome a wide range of interpretations of this theme, whether it’s a strictly food-driven approach or a more metaphorical desire. Let your creativity be your guide! We invite submissions of short stories and memoirs, literary essays and poems. We accept submissions in French or English. The sporadic use of words or phrases in other languages is accepted.” Pays: “We pay contributors a fee of 50€ for each submission.” (Hat tip: Jeanne Lyet Gassman.)
• Barrelhouse is seeking essay submissions for its monthly newsletter. “Each newsletter features an original essay, along with brief updates on whatever we have going on: calls for submissions, Writer Camp applications, a new book, etc. In the past, the essays have been solicited. But we’re opening up for submissions.” What they’re looking for: “Original personal essays (under 1,000 words) on a pop cultural obsession. We can define ‘pop culture’ pretty broadly here. But the personal is particularly important. We’re not interested in a movie review, or a book recommendation. Rather, we want to read about your idiosyncratic relationship to whatever ‘thing’ you’re writing about. Maybe you went down some weird rabbit holes watching failed marriage proposal videos on YouTube. Or you’re fascinated with the hair and wardrobe choices in the ‘80s vampire movie The Lost Boys. Or the music of Megadeath still conjures up sweet memories of your first love. We don’t want to be too prescriptive! We just want good writing, and interesting perspectives.” Pays: $50. Deadline: “We’ll accept pieces on a rolling basis, and will close (or pause) submissions when the queue gets out of hand or when we’ve accepted several months of newsletter essays.”
• The Washington Diplomat, “an established print and digital publication covering the international community in Washington, D.C.,” is advertising for “an experienced freelance feature writer to contribute to its Embassy Directory publication. This opportunity is ideal for a journalist with strong long-form storytelling skills, a background in feature writing, and the ability to conduct in-depth, in-person interviews with diplomats, government officials, and cultural figures.” NB: This is an opportunity for someone in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area—“in-person reporting required.” Compensation: “$400–$500 per feature.” No deadline indicated.
• From Johns Hopkins University: “The Advanced Academic Programs (AAP) division seeks non-tenure-track adjunct faculty to teach courses within the MA in Writing program. Our classes are offered online–asynchronously in Canvas or in real-time via Zoom. We are looking for fiction and nonfiction writers who have published extensively. The ideal candidate will have published at least one book and will have online teaching experience. Of particular interest are candidates who have experience engaging students from diverse backgrounds.” Compensation: “Starting at $5,460.” Deadline: “open until filled.”
• “Cottey College, a private liberal arts college for women, is seeking a virtual writer in residence to teach a synchronous online introduction to creative writing course during the Fall 2026 semester and to conduct an online reading/workshop in Spring 2027. The course focuses on the writing of poetry and fiction, with emphasis on contemporary practice of both. The reading/workshop will consist of one or two synchronous online meetings and will take place in January or February 2027. The ideal candidate will have a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 hours in English, a record of creative writing publication, and experience teaching online with Canvas. Salary is $5,000. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.”
• In Indiana, Valparaiso University “invites applications for the position of Visiting Assistant Professor of English in Creative Writing and/or Literature, in the Department of English….Preferred areas of specialization and teaching proficiency include: tabletop role-playing and/or video game writing, poetry writing, business and professional writing, health sciences writing, and modern/contemporary diverse American literatures. This is a one-year position, with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will teach courses in creative writing and/or literature, as well as general education writing intensive courses (WICs) in business and professional writing and/or health sciences writing, typically with a 24-credit teaching load for the year. Candidates should have a Ph.D. (ABD considered) in Creative Writing or Literature or MFA in Creative Writing or a closely related field. The expected starting salary will be in the range of $53,00 to $55,000, depending on experience.” Deadline: “Applications will be considered until the position is filled; however, applicants are encouraged to apply by May 1 for timely consideration.”