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 a little over 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. And believe it or not, the May newsletter will be going out to you shortly! In the meantime, please be sure that you haven’t missed any of the multiple opportunities that are still open for submissions as shared within the April editionand weekly supplements.

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).

And now—the latest gleanings:

• “Has it been 4 years already?! To celebrate the 4th anniversary of the DarkWinter Literary Magazine launch, we’re hosting a writing contest…Submit your poetry (1 poem per entry, max. 500 words) or short fiction (1 story per entry, max. 2000 words) by the deadline….The longlist and shortlist will be published and the first place entries will receive a cash prize of $50. Please see our regular submissions guidelines to find out what kinds of things excite us.” Deadline: April 30. (Hat tip: @Duotrope.)
• “Each winter, one Canadian author is invited to spend up to five months living and writing in the historic Haig-Brown House—a serene retreat nestled along the Campbell River in British Columbia. This unique residency offers published authors a rare opportunity to step away from daily distractions and immerse themselves in their craft. The program provides a stipend of $2,000 per month (dependent on funding availability) and accommodations in the former home of renowned conservationist and author Roderick Haig-Brown and his wife Ann.” Deadline: April 30. (Hat tip: Event.)
• Trails Magazine has posted a “pitch cutoff” deadline of “early May” for an upcoming issue themed “Community.” The magazine’s focus is “on backpacking and other human/naturally-powered means of sleeping outdoors: bikepacking, canoe camping, even things like rafting or mountaineering are fair game (feel free to be creative with those criteria—we covered ‘skatepacking’ in Issue One).” Pays: “Features range anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 words or longer and we pay anywhere from $0.50 to $2 per word, depending on the difficulty of the story, the writer’s experience, and the commitment required.” NB: “Not all of the magazine is made of features. We have a large section towards the front of each issue made up of smaller, more regular rubrics and columns. If you’re a newer freelance writer, you’re much more likely to land a story here. We pay our writers a minimum of $0.50/word for these rubrics—that climbs based on the story and your experience.” (Hat tip: Freelance Writing Network)
• Opening for submissions May 1: The Truth We Carry: An Anthology of Survivor Voices, which is “published once a year, with its debut issue forthcoming in March 2027. The anthology is focused on publishing creative work from survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking.” NB: “We aim for ~75% of published work to be from Maine survivors.” Deadline: “June 30 or until a cap of 300 submissions is reached, whichever comes first.” Pays: “$100 and a copy of the anthology.” (Hat tip: @Duotrope.)
• Found on Bluesky: a call for op-eds from the opinion editor at The Canadian Jewish News. Pays: $200 CAD. No deadline indicated.
• As announced last week, Midstory Magazine is now open for submissions from both free and paid subscribers. “We’re seeking previously unpublished, honest, voice-driven work by midlife women about reinvention, loss and gain, desire and discovery, career shifts, caregiving, dating, creativity, and the small turning points that change a life.” Pays: $25 via PayPal or Venmo. No deadline indicated.
• A note from the Institute for the Critical Study of Antizionism’s Andrew Pessin about “the four-volume foundational encyclopedia” project he’s mentioned previously: “Early May we will begin sorting through the many proposals and expressions of interest (EOI) we have received so far, so if you’d like to contribute please get in touch soon!” (The previously-stated deadline: May 31.) The note links to the call for papers and provides additional instructions/info. “Remember that up to $2500 is available for accepted chapters!”
• Hebrew Union College (Los Angeles)’s Jewish Language Project is advertising a remote, part-time position for a Managing Director. “In general, the work may be done remotely from anywhere in the world. Our staff and volunteers are spread out from Alaska to Israel to India, and Zoom meetings are generally conducted between 10am and 2pm Pacific Time but may be as early as 8am. Travel may be required up to three times a year, including to attend retreats and conferences.” Compensation: “$35/hour, with the opportunity for increased salary and hours based on fundraising,” with a schedule of “60-80 hours/month.” Apply by April 30.
• From the Brooklyn Book Festival: “We’re five months away from #BKBF2026 and looking for two interns to join us this summer! Our internships give hands-on experience and insight into how we bring our nine day literary festival to life! Our internships are 12 weeks long and will run from June 1st-August 21st, 2026. They are hybrid schedule at 15 hours per week. Pay is $18.50 an hour.” Apply by May 1.
• In Vermont, Middlebury College is advertising for a Managing Editor to take “a central, collaborative role in the production and promotion of New England Review, including print and digital publications, events, and student experiences. Serves as an advocate and representative of the magazine and its mission. This is a full-time, benefits eligible, hourly position with a hiring range of $24.47 – $29.02 per hour. Full consideration will be given to applications received by May 1, 2026.” (Hat tip: Freelance Opportunities!)