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. The August issue, packed with dozens of opportunities, went out to all subscribers late last week. If you haven’t had a chance to peruse it yet, you’ll find it here.

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.

• Open as of this past weekend (and remaining so until August 15): THE FIFTH CORNER, which publishes “dark and speculative fiction attentive to voice, atmosphere, structure, and emotional depth.” Pays: “CAD $150.”
• Also open as of this past weekend (and remaining so until August 31): YELLOW ARROW JOURNAL, which seeks “creative nonfiction and poetry by authors identifying as women” for an upcoming issue on the theme of “Vigil.” Payment: “$10.00USD and a PDF of the journal issue. Note that payments are through PayPal; while we try to accommodate those who do not have a PayPal account, this is not always possible, especially for people outside of the U.S.”
• From Washington Writers Publishing House/WWPH WRITES: “DC, Maryland, and Virginia writers — we’re looking forward to reading your work!” They feature one poet and prose writer per issue and pay $25. No deadline indicated.
• The Des Moines Public Library “is again partnering with Little Village magazine to host a short story competition! Each entrant is asked to create an original, self-contained work of short fiction based on the theme ‘After the Storm’ and develop a story dealing with the aftermath of an external or internal upheaval.” Prizes: “First Prize: Publication in the January 2027 edition of Little Village magazine; $200 cash prize; and publication on the Des Moines Public Library blog after the exclusivity period ends. Second Prize: $100 cash prize; and publication on the Des Moines Public Library blog. Third Prize: $50 cash prize; and publication on the Des Moines Public Library blog. Semi-finalists and Finalists will receive the opportunity to have their story on display at the Des Moines Public Library’s Central Branch’s Art Gallery during the month of January 2027.” NB: “open to anyone residing in Iowa who is 18 years of age or older.” Deadline: August 31.
• The Eugene Paul Nassar Poetry Prize ($3,000) “is given annually for a poetry collection published in the previous year by a resident of upstate New York. The winner will also give a reading and teach a master class at Utica University.” Deadline: August 31.
• “The Washington Monthly,a 57-year-old independent print and digital media outlet known for its crusading, solutions-oriented journalism, is seeking a skilled Executive Editor to oversee its new dedicated book review section. The editor will have an exciting opportunity to shape a new, freestanding books section at a time when so many legacy media outlets in America have reduced or eliminated their books coverage.” Salary: “The annual base pay range for this role is between $70,000 and $90,000 depending on experience and other factors.” No deadline indicated.
• “The Atlantic is seeking an ambitious and experienced reporter for the Books desk to cover the biggest ideas and developments in the publishing and literary realm. This writer will produce stories that explain how books shape—and are shaped by—the culture and politics of the world around us.” Salary: “Salary minimum: 120,000; Salary maximum: 180,000.” NB: “This job is based in New York City or Washington, D.C.” No deadline indicated.
• In Maine, Bowdoin College’s Department of English “invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty appointment in creative writing at the Assistant Professor level, beginning July 1, 2027. The subfields for this position are poetry and fiction, with a primary specialization in poetry and a secondary specialization in fiction.” Salary: “$92,000 – $98,000 per year.” Deadline: “Review of applications will begin Friday, September 18 and continue until the position is filled.”