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 September issue, packed with dozens of opportunities, take some time to do so now.

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.

• Officially open for submissions (after a well-attended online launch last week): Canary Publishing, “a home for authentic Jewish voices, bringing their stories to readers everywhere….We consider it our duty to fill the world with fiction and nonfiction that reflect the breadth of Jewish thought and creativity. We especially favor work that has been canceled by the mainstream literary world.” No deadline indicated.
• According to this note, The Sunlight Press will reopen September 8, for “fiction, essays, and book reviews,” although a cap will apply as indicated. “We will remain closed to poetry and photography.” Payment for fiction, essays, and book reviews: $50.
• Starting September 10, Midstory Magazine, “for midlife women who refuse to disappear,” will be open for submissions of personal essays from all subscribers (free and paid) on the current month’s theme of “Reinvention.” Payment: “$30 (via Venmo, PayPal, or bank transfer).”
• Iron Horse Literary Review’s “Long Story” Competition will hold afee-free submissions day on September 15: Each fall, Iron Horse considers “marathon-long manuscripts most journals won’t consider. While we originally published three long pieces every year–one long poem, one long essay, and one long story, today, we select only one long prose piece–either an essay or a story.” Confers $1,000 prize and publication “e-single, in full-color, available for free download to all readers via ISSUU.” NB: Fee-free submissions will be capped at 25.
• Iron Horse Literary Review’s “NAPOMO” Competition will similarly hold a fee-free submissions day on September 15: “It’s been 18 years since we started publishing an annual issue dedicated to National Poetry Month! This is one of our most popular issues, and we always combine new voices with some established champions. Each fall, when we begin hunting the poems we will include, we’re excited to see what poets have been working on over the summer. Today, our NaPoMo issue is published electronically, via ISSUU, and anyone can read it–for free! So our contributors’ works reach a wider audience. We’re also more selective with this issue: instead of 25 poems, we select only the very best 10: one winner and nine finalists–much like our annual PhotoFinish issue. The issue is released in full color, each manuscript has its own artwork….The winner receives $1,000, two runners-up will receive $150 and $100, and the remaining finalists will receive $50.” NB: Fee-free submissions will be capped at 25.
• Open for applications until September 23: Can Serrat’s “new residency call for writers from all backgrounds and nationalities. The residencies will take place during summer and autumn 2027 in El Bruc, at the foot of Montserrat and 45 km from Barcelona. Since 1989, it has hosted one of the oldest international residency programs for artistic and literary projects in Catalonia.” Two funded residency grants are available (one for one month’s duration; the other for a two-month residency). (Hat tip: Sian Meades-Williams.)
• A message from Baltimore Review: “We haven’t forgotten our local roots. So we are adding a special Maryland Writers section to our fall 2026 issue. You must be a current Maryland resident to submit….This special section is in addition to our regular, still-open categories–and you can live anywhere in the world for those. We love to hear voices from everywhere! If you’re a Maryland writer who already submitted to one of the other categories when we opened on August 1, feel free to withdraw your submission and [resubmit], if you’d like.” Deadline: September 30. Payment (per general guidelines): “$75 via Amazon gift certificate or $75 through PayPal, if preferred, as well as a copy of the annual print compilation in which the author’s work appears.”
• Also open for submissions/proposals until September 30: Owlkids Books, “an award-winning independent publisher of books for young readers from ages 0 to 14.” NB: For Canadian writers and illustrators only.
• The Atlantic “is seeking a senior editor to build and lead The Atlantic Book Club, our forthcoming membership-exclusive reading program. This is a rare opportunity to shape one of the most distinctive editorial products we offer: a curated, opinionated, lively engagement with literature and people who, like you, love reading.” NB: “This position is based in Washington, D.C. or New York City. We will consider remote candidates but have a strong preference for in-person collaboration. Compensation: “Salary minimum: $105,000 ; Salary maximum: $180,000.” No deadline indicated.
• The Edinburgh International Book Festival is advertising for a Director of Programming. Salary: “£50,000 per annum.” Apply by September 24.
• In Massachusetts, “the English Department at Williams College invites applications for a one year Visiting Assistant Professor position in fiction writing, to begin Fall 2027, with the possibility of renewal for one additional year. Candidates should have a graduate degree or a strong publication record, and should demonstrate excellence and innovation in teaching fiction.” Salary: “$82,000 – $82,500 a year.” No deadline indicated.
• “The Department of English and the Programs in Writing at the University of California, Irvine, is conducting a search for an assistant, associate, or full professor specializing in creative writing (fiction). Candidates are expected to have a significant publication record. Candidates need to have a strong commitment to and preferably experience teaching in the studio arts model. Candidate will be expected to teach both graduate and undergraduate level courses.” Deadline: Apply by December 1 “to ensure full consideration by the committee.