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. If you haven’t yet had a chance to peruse the August issue, packed with dozens of opportunities, many of which remain open throughout the month and/or beyond, it will remain available to all subscribers until September’s replaces it (at that point, it will move behind the paywall).

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 thing: Since next Monday coincides with the final day of the month — and since that is the day when the next monthly newsletter will be going out — there will be NO “Opportunities Update” next week. The monthly newsletter itself will provide you with that week’s dose of #MondayMotivation!

And now—the latest gleanings.

• Free the Verse is open for poetry submissions, for an upcoming issue on the theme “Pandemonium,” until August 25. Payment: “We offer a USD $10 honorarium for each poem we publish. Payment is made via PayPal before the issue is published.” NB: They are also open year-round for their “Marginalia” feature, which presents “a first and final draft…as a standalone piece on our website,” for which payment is $20. (Hat tip: Sub Club.)
• Opening for applications August 25 (with a deadline of September 8): the Jennifer Weiner Fellowship, “dedicated to nurturing and empowering woman-identified emerging prose writers in the United States. Established through the generous support of acclaimed author Jennifer Weiner in partnership with Blue Stoop, this fellowship aims to elevate voices that often go unheard in the literary world.” Note that applicants must be “currently living in the greater Philadelphia area (Philadelphia County or Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery).” Fellowship package also confers $5,000.
• National Public Radio (NPR) is receiving applications for the Petra Mayer Memorial Fellowship, which “was established in memory of beloved NPR Books Editor Petra Mayer, by her parents, to support fellowships with NPR’s Culture News Team. The Petra Mayer Memorial Fellow will play a vital role in every aspect of our work, while also learning the core tenets of public service journalism, media ethics and multi-platform reporting and producing. Working alongside top professionals in the field, fellows are given real-world, hands-on responsibilities. The fellow will focus their term on Books We Love and the Book of the Day podcast, signature NPR products founded by Mayer. They will also assist reporters with research on critical stories, both long-term projects and breaking news. They will also learn the basics of production by researching and pulling tape, securing rights and excellent audio quality, and by learning to mix pieces featuring varied soundscapes. We will also look to our fellows for assistance in digital production, basic headline writing, creative selection of art and social media promotion.” NB: “This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at few days a week. The employee must also reside in Washington, D.C. / Maryland / Virginia.” Compensation for this temporary, part-time (20 hours/week) role: “The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $30.05 per hour.” Deadline: August 31.
• The UK-based Jewish Renaissance magazine is advertising an internship for 2026-27: “Your commitment will be 20 hours per week for one year and your working pattern (which may occasionally include evenings and weekends) will be mutually agreed with the Deputy Editor at the start of each month. Be prepared to allow for some flexibility depending on the point in the editorial cycle and what JR events are coming up. As an employee, you will be paid the London living wage (as of summer 2026 this is set at £14.80/h) plus on-costs of tax and national insurance. Your salary will be paid in arrears at the end of each month. We are open to doing this either as PAYE (as part of which you will also receive statutory sick pay, and 20 days holiday plus Jewish festivals) or as a self-employed freelance contractor, as per your preference.” Deadline: August 31.
• “The Fincham Press New Writers’ Series, in association with the MA Creative Writing programme at Roehampton, are delighted to announce the 2026 Roehampton Creative Writing Prize for Microfiction. We’re looking for submissions of original microfiction, of 300 words or less (the title doesn’t count), for the most small, but perfectly formed story of 300 words – or any number of shorter stories that add up in total to 300 words. What can you tell us in 300 words? Can you surprise, thrill, and move us? Experimental and innovative approaches are welcome, as are all forms of genre fiction – including crime, fantasy and science fiction – as well as autofiction, life-writing, and writing for young readers. Writing that takes risks (of any kind) will be particularly rewarded.” Open to writers internationally. “The first prize will be £200, with two runner-up prizes of £75 each.” Deadline: September 1. (Hat tip: Sian Meades-Williams.)
• Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Fellowships “are awarded for nonfiction project proposals which demonstrate impact, breadth and significance. Proposals for books, documentaries, cable series and other long-form projects are eligible. We also accept proposals for shorter term work such as video or audio projects for broadcast or online sites, articles for newspapers, magazines, online sites and niche news publications, among others. Proposals that deal with whistleblowers, business ethics or privacy issues will be given priority. It is intended to support work that will be primarily published or broadcast in the U.S. and in outlets where the primary audience will be at least a part of the American public.” Long-term project grants: “up to $4,000”; short-term project grants: “up to $2,000.” Award package also includes IRE membership and “a two-hour consultancy for reporting and legal services.” Deadline: September 1.
• Teach.Write. (“a literary journal for writing teachers”) is open, until September 1, for submissions in “a variety of genres and subject matter.” Note that the submission does NOT have to be about teaching or learning to be accepted,” although the editor prefers “writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning.” Pays: “$25 for the Write Your Own Feature (prose or poem along with prompt or explanation of prompt), $15 for short stories, creative non-fiction, and essays; $10 for poetry, upon or soon following, publication, payable via PayPal or Venmo.” (This one had, unfortunately, fallen somewhat off my radar although one of my own stories was published there back in 2022; thanks to Sub Club for the latest deadline info.)
• From the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts: “General Operating Support for Artists (GOSA) provides multi-year grants [$6,000 per year, for three years] for Rhode Island artists to work toward longer term, self-identified goals in their art practice. Rather than being focused on a specific project, this three-year, unrestricted funding supports their artistic goals however they need.” Deadline: September 1.
• Vermont Arts Council’s Artist Development Grants “support Vermont artists in activities that enhance mastery of their craft or skills, or that increase the viability of their artistic business. You may apply for any amount up to $2,000.” Deadline: September 7.
• In Maryland, Towson University’s College of Liberal Arts “invites applications for an assistant professor position in the English Department. Preferred start date is August 18, 2027. Applicants must have a terminal degree in creative writing (MFA or PhD) or related field, and a strong record of high-quality fiction publications or promise thereof and demonstrated excellence as a teacher. Expertise in other areas related to professional writing—such as editing, magazine production, freelance writing, or other types of creative writing—is desirable.” Salary: “Targeted salary range: $72,000 – $75,000 commensurate with experience.” Deadline: “Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled, with priority given to those received by November 2.”
• In New York, “the English Department at Marist University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of English position in Creative Writing (Fiction) beginning Fall 2027.” Salary: “$75,000 – $80,000.” Deadline: “Open until filled.”
• At Western University (Canada), “the Writing Program in the Department of English and Writing Studies invites applications for an appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor (Probationary Tenure Track). This position is expected to start July 1, 2027, and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.” Salary range is indicated as “$110,000 – $125,000.” No deadline indicated.