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 not too long 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. You can consult the May issue—packed with 50+ opportunities—here. Make sure you haven’t missed anything relevant for your writing practice that’s listed (and still open for submissions and applications) there! (Which reminds me to mention that by this time next week, the June edition will have gone out to all subscribers.)

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 final point: I’m wishing a meaningful Memorial Day for all of us in the United States.

And now—the latest gleanings.

• “In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Maine Review is offering free submissions from May 22 to May 30, or until we reach our allowed free submission maximum.” NB: “All are invited to make use of this free submission window, as The Maine Review is dedicated to making contemporary literature accessible and to supporting representation, innovation, and literary artistry. We seek outstanding contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, including works in translation and hybrid forms, and are pleased to publish new, emerging, and established writers.” Payment: “Fiction and Nonfiction writers receive a $25 honorarium per published flash (1,000 words or fewer) and a $50 honorarium for work 1,001 words or more. Poets receive a $25 honorarium per published poem.”
• From Texas Observer: “Are you a poet writing about Texas, or a poet rooted in Texas? Submissions are OPEN for our magazine’s poetry section through May 31, 2026. Send in your best, previously unpublished poem of up to 45 lines. 1 poem per issue receives a $100 honorarium.” (Hat tip: Freelance Writing Network.)
• “To celebrate our first anniversary, Mouthful of Salt is launching a special poetry contest rooted in conversation with our archive. We’re inviting poets to engage directly with work we’ve published in Granules and past issues by responding to, resisting, reimagining, or remixing a specific poem, piece of prose, or artwork. We’re especially interested in submissions that take risks, enter into dialogue with intention, and offer fresh perspectives on the original work.” Confers $200 and publication for the winning entry. “One runner-up will also be chosen and will receive publication and an honorable mention.” Deadline: June 1.
• Nachtljocht, “a quarterly literary journal devoted to fiction and short plays,” is open for submissions until June 1. “Each issue brings together work from emerging and established writers across genres, forms, and styles, with an emphasis on fiction that is emotionally precise, formally confident, and unafraid of strangeness. The journal has no house style and no interest in literary gatekeeping; a quiet domestic piece may appear beside speculative fiction, horror, historical romance, or surrealism if the work feels necessary and fully realized.” Pays: “We pay $15 USD per accepted piece, sent via PayPal upon publication. Contributors also receive a complimentary copy of the print edition. (Please note at the current time with shipping costs as high as they are and nachtljocht being a fully self funded endeavour, we regret that we cannot ship complimentary copies to those residing outside of the USA, that being said, we are trying to find a solution asap!)” (Hat tip: @Duotrope.)
• “Funded by an anonymous investor, the Associates of the Boston Public Library’s Alan Andres Writer-in-Residence program makes a profound impact on the lives of emerging writers. The program is intended to provide an emerging children’s writer with the financial support, editorial assistance, and office space needed to complete one literary work for children or young adults.” NB: “The fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens or green card holders living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont).” Check the website for additional program details/application requirements. Apply by June 5.
• “Made in Ohio is an interdisciplinary anthology and exhibition exploring the contributions Ohio has made to the American story over the past 250 years for Bowling Green State University’s Jerome Library in the fall of 2026. Timed to coincide with America’s Semiquincentennial (US250), the exhibition and anthology highlights people, places, and things created in Ohio through visual art and the written word. The exhibition is built around people, places, and things, showcasing artists, writers, inventors, landscapes, institutions, and objects that reflect Ohio’s role in American history.” Payment for writing (“poetry and micro-essays [up to 500 words]”): $.05/word. Deadline: June 12.
• Now open: Yellow Arrow Publishing’s Vignette series, which this year is themed “Luminate.” They seek creative nonfiction, poetry (including spoken-word poetry), and cover art by creatives who identify as women; note that they’re “looking foremost for women-identifying creatives from the Baltimore region or who have a connection to Charm City. This means women-identifying writers/authors who currently live in, grew up in, or recently lived in the Baltimore or surrounding area.” Payment: $10 (via Paypal). Deadline (per this post): June 15.
• Epiphany is hiring a Development Officer, a “part-time position based in New York City.” Salary: “$20,000 annually, and the estimated flexible schedule is10 to 15 hours per week.” No deadline indicated.
• Also in New York, the Dramatists Guild Foundation is advertising for a full-time (hybrid) Communications Coordinator. Salary: $55,000. No deadline indicated.
• The Alabama School of Fine Arts is advertising for a Department Chair, Creative Writing. Salary: “$56,000 – $107,538 per year.” No deadline indicated.