117 Calls for Submissions in March 2025 - Paying markets

This March there are more than nine dozen calls for submissions. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays.

I post upcoming calls for submissions shortly before the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page, Calls for Submissions. You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.)

Also see Paying Markets for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre.

Happy submitting!

Note: I update this list continually throughout the month, so check back frequently for new submission calls.

(Image: Wikimedia)

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Brave Knights: Heroic Courage. Genre: Speculative Fiction. Theme: Bravery and courage still matter. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Offing Micro. Genre: Ten- to 560-character (including spaces) works in any genre. You may submit one to five Micros in a single submission. Payment: ? Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Solstitia. Genre: All genres and all submission types (fiction, non fiction, poetry, art). Word count up to 10,000. See theme. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Okay Donkey. Genre: One flash fiction OR one poem per author, per submission period. See website for details. Payment: $20. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025 and closes when cap is reached.

Sundog. Genre: Fiction, poetry, nonfiction, art. Payment: $50. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

Orion's Belt. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art. Length: 1200 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025.

IHRAM Publishes. Genre: Poetry, fiction, esssays, art. Theme: The Evolving Gaze: Society’s Voice for Masculinity. Payment: $50 for writing, $25 for art. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Forge Literary Magazine. Genre: Prose. They prefer stories under 3,000 words but will consider up to 5,000 words. Payment: $100. Deadline: Opens March 1, 2025. Free submissions open on the 1st of each month and close when cap is reached. 

Teach. Write. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, flash fiction, poetry, CNF. "I prefer writing that is either written by composition teachers and writing students OR about teaching and learning." Payment: $15. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Microcosm Publishing: Disability & Bikes in Space Anthology. Genre: Speculative feminist fiction about disability and bicycles. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Toronto Journal. Genre: Short stories from anywhere in the world. No word limit. "We will also consider non-fiction pieces that are either set locally or explore some local history (Toronto, GTA, and surrounding)." Payment: $50 CAD per piece. All published writers will also receive two printed copies of the issue in which they appear. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

table/FEAST. Genre: Prose, poetry, CNF, art about food. Payment: $10 per poem, prose $20, art $15. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Singapore Unbound: Suspect. Restrictions: Open to authors who identify as Asian. Genre: Fiction and essays (maximum 6,500 words) or poetry (maximum 10 pages). See theme. Payment: $100. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Parabola. Genre: Original essays and translations, poetry, reviews. See themes. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Thema. Genre: Fiction, poetry, and art on theme: The Lost Sock. Payment:  $10-$25 for short fiction and artwork, $10 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Book XI. Genre: Personal essays, memoir, fiction, science fiction, humor, and poetry with philosophical themes. See theme. Payment: $200 for prose; $50 for poetry. Deadline: March 1, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Horror Short Story Anthology. Genre: Horror and dark fantasy. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: March 2, 2025. Opens March 1.

Affirm Press Restrictions: They only accept Australians. Genre: Affirm Press accepts all literary and genre fiction. For non-fiction, they are interested in most subjects that have an author or authors based in Australia, and only manuscripts that haven’t been previously published. They only accept submissions on the first Monday of each month and twice yearly on their children’s & teen list. Read their submission guidelines here. Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Stone's Throw. Genre: Noir, dark fiction, crime short stories. Length: between 1,000 and 2,000 words. See theme. Payment: $25. Deadline: March 4, 2025. Note: This is a monthly call.

Androids and Dragons. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 5, 2025. Accepts reprints.

Talk Vomit. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry. Theme: The call is coming from inside the house. Payment: Fiction and nonfiction - $10-30; poetry - $5-15. Deadline: March 6, 2025.

Hexagon. Genre: Speculative fiction short stories, flash fiction, poetry, graphic stories, and visual art, in English or French. Payment: $5 for accepted poetry and cartoons, 0.01$ per word for all short stories up to 7,500 words, $40/page for comics and $150 for cover art pieces. (Payment in CAD). Deadline: March 7, 2025. Open to submissions the first week of every second month.

Black Inc. Restrictions: Accepts proposals from Australian writers only. Genre: General non-fiction, including history, current affairs, biography and memoir, and for fiction. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 7, 2025.

R&R Magazine. Genre: Poetry, poetry translations, and short fiction. Payment: $50 for 2-5 poems, and $75 for fiction. Deadline: March 7, 2025.

University of Queensland Press Genre: Adult non-fiction submissions that address environmental sustainability and the climate crisis. We are looking for potential new books that engage with current science, with themes of hope, resilience and innovation. Full or partial manuscripts (minimum 15,000 words) will be accepted. They do not publish books in the following categories: Genre fiction (including romance, science fiction, fantasy, and erotica), travel guides, cookbooks, self-help books, plays/scripts/music scores, textbooks, unrevised theses or conference proceedings. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 7, 2025. Open the first seven days of every month.

Northwords Now. Genre: Prose and poetry. Work can be in Gaelic, English, Scots and any local variants used in Scotland. Also does book reviews. Payment: "Modest." Deadline: March 8, 2025.

Cosmic Horror Monthly. Genre: Weird and cosmic fiction under 5,000 words. See theme. Payment: 3 cents (USD) per word. Deadline: March 8, 2025.

Bennington Review. Genre: Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, film writing, and cross-genre work. Payment: $120 for prose of six typeset pages and under, $250 for prose of over six typeset pages, and $25 per poem. Deadline: March 9, 2025.

Northern Gravy. Restrictions: Northern Gravy welcomes submissions from UK & Ireland writers of any background, including first-time writers. Genre: Fiction, Poetry and Kid Lit (writing for Middle Grade and Young Adult audiences) Payment: £100 per contributor. Deadline: March 9, 2025.

Catapult: No Contact. Genre: Personal essays and flash nonfiction on theme: Estrangement from family. Payment: $50 flash nonfiction / $100 essay. Deadline: March 9, 2025.

Moa Press is an imprint of Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a broad-ranging adult list, publishing everything from commercial to literary fiction, YA fantasy, and quality non-fiction from memoir to natural history. Moa Press aims to champion a diverse range of voices, representing a multitude of cultures and perspectives from within Aotearoa New Zealand. Read their submission guidelines here.   Deadline: March 9, 2025.

Samjoko Magazine. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, play, screenplay. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Eavesdrop Magazine. Restrictions: Canadian writers (anyone living in Canada for work, school, asylum, etc, as well as artists living on traditional, unceded territories, is welcome to submit). Genre: Queer-focused fiction, poetry, comics, plays, CNF, art. Payment: $30 per poem, $70 per short fiction, CNF piece, and short play, $70 per visual art piece, $30 per comic. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Mslexia. Restrictions: Open to women. Genre: Fiction, poetry. Stories must be no longer than 2,200 words and poems up to 40 lines. See theme. Payment: £25. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Horror Library. Genre: Horror short stories. Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: March 10, 2025.

Carcanet Press. Genre: Full-length poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 14, 2025.

Cast of Wonders. Genre: YA Speculative fiction. Podcast. See themes. Payment: $.08/word for original fiction up to 6,000 words. For reprints, a $100 flat rate for Short Fiction, and a $20 flat rate for Flash Fiction. Deadline: March 14, 2025.

Wordworks. Restrictions: Open to BC and Yukon writers. Genre: Nonfiction. Sometimes publishes poetry, flash fiction, short story, and creative non-fiction. See theme. Payment: $125 for articles of 400–600 words and $250 for articles of 800–1,100 words, $100 for cover art and $25 for other interior illustrations, $50 for reprints. Deadline: March 14, 2025.

Heroic Fantasy Quarterly. Genre: Sword and sorcery fantasy. Payment: $25 - $100 for stories, depending on length, and $12.50 - $25 for poems, upon publication. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Beach Reads. Genre: Light and fun stories. Payment: $20 or royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Graveside Press: Cryptid Anthology. Genre: Horror on theme: Cryptids. Payment: $0.02/word. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

swim meet lit mag. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction (think memoir and personal essay), visual art and photography. "Send us hybrids, work that pushes the boundaries of creativity, that you’d be proud to see published!" Payment: $30 AUD per poem and visual art piece, $50 AUD for prose and cover art. Only pays Australian writers. Deadline: March 15, 2025. See themes.

Kitchen Work. Genre: Writing about markets, cafes, urban picnics, tiny kitchens, and big dinner tables in your favorite city. Payment: $0.20 per word. Illustrators are paid $100 per accepted illustration. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Plott Hound. Genre: Speculative fiction starring animals. Payment: 8 cents/word. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Eye to the Telescope. Genre: Speculative poetry. See theme. Payment: $0.04/word, up to $25. Deadline: March 15, 2025. 

Philly Poetry Chapbook Review. Genre: Poetry and reviews of chapbooks coming soon or published in the past three years. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Book*hug Press is a Canadian independent literary publisher working at the forefront of contemporary book culture. "We specialize in bold and exciting literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry, and literature in translation. We champion emerging established writers whose work meaningfully contributes to and reflects contemporary culture and society, books that challenge and push the boundaries of cultural expectations. Please note that we do not publish children’s literature, genre fiction, cookbooks, textbooks, or self-help books." Read submission guidelines here. Payment: Roylties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Penumbric. Genre: Speculative fiction, poetry, art, animation, and music. Payment: $10. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Modern Mummies Anthology. Genre: Mummy genre horror. Payment: 5 cents USD per word for original fiction works and 1 cent per word for reprints. Deadline: Extended submission window exclusively for BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, Disabled, Neurodiverse, and other underrepresented voices: March 1 – March 15, 2025. Reprints accepted.

University of Wisconsin Press. Genre: Full-length manuscripts. "We publish a limited number of novels and short story collections. Historically, we have focused on works with LGBTQ themes or works set in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. We are open to considering well-written works of literary fiction that do not meet either of these criteria. However, we do not publish science fiction, fantasy, romance, young adult, and most other genre fiction." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Epoch. Genre: Poetry, prose, art and comics. Payment: $100 - $500 for poetry, prose, and comics, depending on length, and $350 for cover art. Deadline: March 15, 2025. No fee for snail mail submissions.

Quarter Press: Quarter(ly). Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art. See themes. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 15, 2025. Closes when cap is reached.

Christmas Spirits. Genre: Ghost stories suitable for sharing around a fire during holiday celebrations. Payment: $50 per work that appears in the printed magazine. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Meadowlark Books. Genre: Full-length memoir, poetry, short stories, novels. Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Harlequin: The Great Love Inspired Author Search. Genre: Romance. Harlequin is looking for new authors. Pitch only. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Demagogue Press. Genre: Original works from Oregon and Washington based writers that include a quest or chase element and prominently feature iconic (or soon to be iconic!) locations throughout the urban, wild, and lost places in our backyards. "We have an editorial preference for works in a “spooky speculative” vein including fantasy and light horror." Payment: $50. Deadline: March 16, 2025.

Futurepoem. Genre: Full-length poetry collection. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

ECO24: The Year’s Best Speculative Ecofiction. Genre: Speculative ecofiction published between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2024. Stories must be complete (no excerpts) and between 1,000 and 6,000 words. Payment: $0.01 (USD) per word + 1 physical print copy and 1 ebook copy. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

Profiles. Restrictions: Does not accept submissions of original writing from residents of the US or Canada (with the exception of Irish citizens). However, translators living in these countries are welcome to submit. Genre: Character-driven fiction and non-fiction — both original works and works in translation — between 1,000 and 5,000 words. Payment: €200. The cover artist will receive a flat fee of €500. Deadline: March 18, 2025.

Qwerty. Genre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry. Payment: $15 CAD. Deadline: March 19, 2025.

Rainy Weather Days. Genre: Defiant poems and prose. See theme. Payment: $10 per poem, $25 for prose. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Short Fiction. Restrictions: They accept submissions from the UK, Europe, the Commonwealth and every other country except for the USA. Genre: Short fiction between 500 and 5,000 words. Payment: 2p (£0.02) per word, to the nearest 100 words, with a minimum of £30 and maximum £100. Deadline: March 23, 2025.

new words. Genre: nw{p} is a trans and gender-expansive poetry and hybrid journal. Payment: $15. Deadline: March 25, 2025.

Stygian Lepus Magazine. Genre: Dark speculative fiction. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 25, 2025.

Flash Point Science Fiction. Genre: Speculative fiction stories from 100 to 1,000 words in length. "Send us your science fiction, fantasy, slipstream, and everything in between, so long as it’s short." Payment: 2 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

SAPP. Restrictions: Prioritizes work by Canadians. Genre: art, photography, and writing that captures what “imagined futures” means to you. Payment: Cover art: $100, $30 per accepted piece (poem, art, photography, short form, or hybrid). Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Island Magazine. Restrictions: Open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and residents only. Genre: Poetry. Payment: $175. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Reimagined AI. Genre: Poetry and short stories (max 2,500 words) on theme: AI. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Mascara. Genre: Creative nonfiction writing, poetry, and new experimental prose by disabled and neurodivergent First Nations and CaLD writers. Payment: $500. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Gutter. Genre: Poetry and prose in Scotland and beyond. Length: Poetry submissions can consist of up to five poems, totaling no more than 120 lines. Prose, up to 3000 words. Payment: £30. Deadline: March 31, 2025

Banshee Press: It doesn’t have to be this way. Genre: Speculative fiction. Payment: €250 for fiction/nonfiction; €75 for flash fiction; €50/poem. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Memezine. Genre: "We like stuff that blurs the lines between art, literature, and content. Send any work (traditional or hybrid) that engages with our participation in the digital landscape. Send us your best…oh screw it, send us your worst too. We encourage you to read our “About” page if this is your first time submitting, thank yewww <3" Payment: $5. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

THIS EXQUISITE TOPOLOGY. Genre: Slipstream, speculative—science fiction, horror, fantasy, weird— and fabulist pieces exploring the radiance, awe, and exuberant thrall of “This Exquisite Topology” in short stories (1k-6k), flash fiction (~500-1k), or poetry (no line limit).  Payment: $10 per poem and $25 per short story or flash (paid via PayPal). Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Marrow. Genre: Poetry written in, or translated into, English, from Australian and international poets. Payment: AU$40. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Stinging Fly. Genre: CNF on theme: Climate crisis. Pitches only. Payment: €45-1,200. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Metatron Press. Restrictions: Submissions are open to Canadian citizens and residents only. Genre: Poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction, as well as innovative or hybrid book projects that push the boundaries of contemporary literature and book art. "While we don’t have strict formatting or length requirements, our books typically range from 60–160 pages." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

New Orleans Review. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025. In celebration of Disability Awareness Month, there are no submission fees for writers living with both visible and invisible disabilities for the month of March.

Dark Moments Monthly Challenge. Genre: Drabble. See theme. Payment: 4 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Behind the Shadows. Genre: Horror. There is no restriction as to how you incorporate the theme into your story as long as the genre falls within Speculative Fiction, including Sci-Fi or Fantasy. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Fiddlehead. Restrictions: Canadians only. Genre: Fiction, including excerpts from novels, creative nonfiction, art, poetry. Payment: $60 CAD per published page. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Haven Speculative. Restrictions: Open to submissions by authors of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and other underrepresented groups. Genre: Speculative fiction and poetry. Payment: 8¢ per word for fiction and $20 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Podcastle. Genre: Fantasy podcast. Length: Up to 6,000 words. Theme: Disability Pride & Magic. Payment: $0.06/word for original; $100 for reprints, $20 for flash fiction reprints. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Chestnut Review. Genre: Poetry, flash fiction, short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, visual media (art/photography). Payment: $120. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Submit early in the month to avoid submission fee.

Hearth Stories. Genre: Speculative fiction. "We publish fiction and poetry that explore connection, family, relationships, comfort, and the natural world. The stories often fall into a fantasy, science-fiction, or magical realism sort of “slice of life.” Payment: 1¢ per word for accepted stories (with a minimum of $20 regardless of length. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

MetaStellar. Genre: Science fiction, fantasy or horror. 1000 words max. Payment: 8 cents per word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

parABnormal. Genre: Nonfiction, poetry on the paranormal. "For us, this includes ghosts, spectres, haunts, various whisperers, and so forth. It also includes shapeshifters and creatures from various folklores." Payment: $25.00 for original stories, $7.00 for reprints.$6.00 for each poem. $20.00 for original articles, $6.00 for reprints. $7.00 for reviews and interviews. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Banshee. Genre: Poetry, essays, flash fiction, short stories. Payment: "Small" Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Small Harbor Publishing. Restrictions: Open to marginalized writers only. Genre: Chapbooks. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Tiger Bark Press. Genre: Poetry. "As part of Tiger Bark Press’s ongoing commitment to printing quality poetry by a diversity of voices, the press holds an open reading period throughout the month of March each year, for full-length book manuscripts by American poets who identify as Black, as indigenous, or as people of color. There is no entry fee for submission." Payment: Selected poets will be offered a standard publishing contract, with books scheduled for publication within one year of acceptance. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Riddle Fence is a Labrador and Newfoundland based quarterly magazine of arts and culture. Genre: Poetry, fiction, nonfiction, visual art, reviews and features. Payment: $30/page. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Hub City Press. Genre: Books of literary fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, regional nonfiction, nature, and art. "We are seeking new and extraordinary voices from the American South." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

SpecPoVerse. Genre: Speculative poetry. Payment: $5. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Hudson Review. Genre: Nonfiction. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: March 31, 2025. 

OCCUPYING BODIES – BODY HORROR ANTHOLOGY. Genre: Stories on the horrors of having human consciousness and occupying a body. Payment: Stories over 3,000 words will receive $10 USD. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Black Hare Press. Genre: Dark stories, in any genre. Payment: 5,000 to 10,000 words  – $20 USD, 10,000 to 17,000 words– $30 USD.. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Snafu: Contagion. Genre: Action-based horror. "Please ensure the action is central to the story, from start to finish, and don’t forget monsters! It really should be in the style of military or paramilitary action." Payment: 5 cents/word. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

khōréō. Restrictions: Open to writers who identify as an immigrant or member of a diaspora in the broadest definitions of the terms. "This includes, but is not limited to, first- and second-generation immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented migrants, persons who identify with one or more diaspora communities, persons who have been displaced or whose heritage has been erased due to colonialism/imperialism, transnational/transracial adoptees, and anyone whose heritage and history includes ‘here and elsewhere’. We especially encourage BIPOC creators who identify as the above to submit their work." Genre: Stories and art: fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and any genre in between or around it, as long as there’s a speculative element. Payment: 0,10/word for fiction, $100 for nonfiction, and $40-300 for art. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Serving House Books. Genre: Poetry collections. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Inked in Gray. Genre: Full-length romance. Marginalized communities preferred. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

My Galvanized Friend. Restrictions: Submissions must be LGBTQIA+ content created by LGBTQIA+ identified submitters. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction, and essays between 500 and 3,500 words as well as works of poetry and original works of art. Payment: $25 per fiction/nonfiction/essay and $10 per page of poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Bethlehem Writers Roundtable. Genre: Short stories and poetry. See theme. Payment: $50.00 USD for featured authors, or $20.00 USD for stories published on their &More page and $10.00 USD for poems. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

foofaraw anthology. Genre: Speculative and literary fiction. See theme. Payment: Fiction: $0.01 per word. Poetry: $5.00. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Palimpsest Press Genre: Full-length poetry, literary fiction, and non-fiction titles that deal with poetics, cultural criticism, and literary biography. "We look for poetry that displays technical mastery, precise language, and an authentic voice, and fiction that is rich in imagery, well crafted, and focused on character development. Our non-fiction titles are essays or memoirs written by poets, and books that examine Canadian poetry and the Canadian cultural landscape. In an effort to remove barriers for BIPOC, Deaf, and Disabled authors, Palimpsest Press is officially opening submissions year-round for authors who identify as BIPOC, Deaf, or Disabled. These guidelines take effect immediately. Please include “Year-round Submission” in the email subject line if you submit outside of our designated January1st-March 31st submission period." Read their submission guidelines here. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Terrain.org. Genre: Poetry, nonfiction, fiction, artwork, videos, and other contributions on place, climate, and justice. Payment: $50. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Spirit of the Wolf. Genre: Speculative fiction stories where wolves play a major role. Payment: $20. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Midnight & Indigo. Restrictions: Open to black women. Genre: Fiction, personal essays. Payment: $50 for essays, and $50-$75 for fiction. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Dragon Soul Press: Sea of Monsters. Genre: All pirate stories are welcome. The more monsters, the better. All genres accepted. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

JMS Books. Genre: LGBTQ romance stories, 12,000 words minimum. See theme. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Utopia Science Fiction. Genre: Utopian science fiction. See theme. Payment: $0.08/word for fiction, $30 for nonfiction, $25 for poetry. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Brother Mockingbird Press Genre: Full length Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery, Commercial literary fiction, Thrillers, Suspense, Traditional crime (i.e. 'cozies'), Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Supernatural, Young Adult. Their new imprint, Small Town Girl, focuses on fiction and nonfiction set in or about the 1980s. Payment: Royalties. Read guidelines HERE. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Split Lip Magazine. Genre: Fiction (flash and short stories), memoirs, and poetry. with a pop-culture twist. Payment: $75 for poems, memoirs, flash, fiction, and art, $50 for interviews/reviews, and $25 for mini-reviews web issues. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Closes when they reach capacity, so submit early.

Gordon Square Review. Genre: Poetry, short stories, personal essays, and hybrid prose works.  Payment: $25 per prose piece and $10 per poem. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

McClelland & Stewart is a division of Penguin Random House. Restrictions: Open to Black, Indigenous, and racialized writers, as well as those of other traditionally underrepresented communities. Genre: Full-length literary fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Payment: Advance and royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Adroit Journal. Genre: Fiction, poetry, art. Payment: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Cabin Reading Series. Genre: Poetry collections, speculative and non-speculative. Payment: Royalties. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Short Story Substack accepts one short story every month. Genre: All genres. Word count 6,000 - 10,000 words. Payment: Base Pay of $100 for the chosen story + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints accepted.

Poetry Substack accepts one poem every month. Genre: Poem. Must have a rhyme scheme or a rhythm scheme. No blank verse or free verse. Payment: Base Pay of $10 for the chosen poem + 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints accepted.

AND A FEW MORE...

Escape Plan: Earth. Genre: Pulp Mad Science Fiction. Word Count: 5,000 – 10,000. Payment: A percentage of sales divided equally between the contributing authors. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Paris Review. Genres: Poetry. Payment: Not specified. Deadline: Opens April 1, 2025, and closes when they reach capacity.

Zero Street Restrictions: Open to LGBTQ+ writers. Genre: Full-length literary fiction. "Zero Street will be committed to LGBTQ+ literary fiction with commercial potential, providing marginalized authors opportunities for a wide readership in the trade fiction market. The series editors are Timothy Schaffert, bestselling author of The Perfume Thief, and SJ Sindu, author of Blue-Skinned Gods. The series seeks LGBTQ+ literary fiction of all kinds, from stories of modern life to innovations on traditions of genre and are particularly interested in BIPOC authors, trans authors, and queer authors over 50." Payment: Royalties. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Ex-Puritan. Genre: Poetry, fiction, reviews, interviews, essays, and experimental work. "The Ex-Puritan now seeks to publish the best in all forms of writing." Payment: $100 - $200 (CAD). Deadline: April 1, 2025.

Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores. Genre: Speculative stories. Payment: 8 cents/word for original work. 2 cents/word for reprints. Deadline: April 2, 2025. Opens April 1.

West Branch. Genre: Poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and translation. Payment: $50 per submission of poetry, and $.05/word for prose with a maximum payment of $100. Deadline: April 1, 2025.

The Other Stories (Audio). Genre: Horror on themes. Payment: 15 GBT. Deadline: April 1, 2025. See themes.

Ninth Letter. Genre: Fiction, CNF, Poetry. Payment: $25 per poem and $100 for prose. Deadline: April 1, 2024. Closes when they reach cap.

86 Free Writing Contests in March 2025 - No entry fees

This March there are more than seven dozen free writing contests for short fiction, novels, poetry, CNF, nonfiction, and plays. Prizes range from $27,000 to publication. None charge entry fees.

Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully.

If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to Free Contests. Many of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline has passed, you can prepare for next year.

Good luck! 

(Image: Picryl)

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United States/Japan Creative Artists Residencies. This is a 3-5 month residency in Japan. Grant: $24,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Jacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction. Restrictions: Open to BIPOC writers. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: $1,500 top prize. Deadline: Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Tales to Terrify. Genre: Horror. Length: 1000 words max. See theme. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Intrepid Times Travel Writing Contest. Genre: Factual, first-person travel story. Intrepid Times is inviting writers to explore the concept of the pilgrimage. Literary, secular, personal, or spiritual Prize: $300. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Iron Horse 2025 Chapbook Competition. Genre: Prose chapbook, between 40 and 56 pages (10,000 - 20,000 words) Prize: $1,000 honorarium and 15 copies. Deadline: Note: They will accept 25 free submissions on March 1, 2025.

North Carolina State Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to North Carolina residents (including out-of-state and international students who are enrolled in North Carolina universities) with no published books. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $500. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community. The prestigious award aims to provide promising writers a network for professional advancement. Since Poets & Writers began the Writers Exchange in 1984, 85 writers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have been selected to participate. Restrictions: Open to Indigenous Writers. Genre: Poetry and Fiction. Prize: A $500 honorarium; A trip to New York City to meet with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers. All related travel/lodgings expenses and a per diem stipend are covered by Poets & Writers. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Texas Review Press Southern Poetry Breakthrough Series: Virginia. Restrictions: Open to any poet born in Virginia, or currently residing in Virginia, or who lived in Virginia for 5 consecutive years at any point, who has not yet published a full-length collection of poetry. The author may have published chapbooks or books in other genres. Genre: Poetry collection. Prize: Winner will receive a standard royalty contract, and 20 copies of the published book. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Curae Prize. Restrictions: For writers who are also carers. "A carer is anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.: Genre: Short story and non-fiction/creative non-fiction. Prize: £500 top prize. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

The Ungar German Translation Award is bestowed biennially in odd-numbered years. Genre: Book-length literary translation translated from German into English and published in the United States between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024. Prize: $1,000, a certificate of recognition, and up to $500 toward expenses for attending the ATA Annual Conference in San Francisco, California. Deadline: March 1, 2025. 

Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Restrictions: Open to writers who were born in or are residents of Virginia or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme, are eligible. Genre: Books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Prize: $2,500. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Mississippi Artists Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to permanent residents of Mississippi. Genre: Fiction and poetry. (Plus many art forms) Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize. Genre: Pieces of any genre up to 2500 words on the theme (See website). Prize: £3,000 cash prize. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Alabama Arts Council Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to any author who has lived in Alabama for at least 2 years. Genre: Fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction of 10-20 pages. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Steve Miller BSFS Annual Poetry Contest. Sponsored by the Baltimore Science Fiction Society. Genre: Speculative poetry. Prize: 1st prize: $100; 2nd prize: $75; 3rd prize: $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

Deep Wild Graduate Student Prize. Restrictions: Open to students currently enrolled in graduate programs. Genre: Fiction and nonfiction. "We seek work that conjures the experiences, observations, and insights of backcountry journeys." Prize:1st Place prize is $200, 2nd Place $100, and 3rd Place $50. Deadline: March 1, 2025.

"It's All Write!" Teen Short Story Contest. Restrictions: Open to Grades 6-12. Michigan residents only. Genre: Short story, and flash fiction, unpublished. Prize: 1st Place $250, 2nd Place $150, 3rd Place $100. Deadline: March 2, 2025.

The American Buffalo Books Fiction Prize. Genre: Novels — from 40,000 to 80,000 words — that are set in or explore the Midwest, the Great Plains, and/or the alleged flyover portions of the West. Prize: $500 and publication. Deadline: March 2, 2025. Closes when they reach their cap so submit early. 

Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship is sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Restrictions: Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Genres: Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel. Prize: $7000 (CAN). Deadline: March 3, 2025.

David Nobbs Memorial Trust New Comedy Writing Competition. Restrictions: Entrants must have at least one credited broadcast comedy writing credit and live in the UK. Genre: Comedy scripts for radio or TV. Prize: £1,000 top prize. Deadline: March 3, 2025. 

Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowships. Restrictions: Applicants must reside in the U.S. or be U.S. citizens. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and no older than 31 years of age as of April 30, 2024. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $27,000.  Deadline: March 3, 2025. Please register for the online portal by February 24, 2025 if this is your first application.

Hurston/Wright College Award. Restrictions: Open to unpublished Black writers who are full-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs at a college or university in the United States. Genre: Full-length fiction and poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Pegasus Award for Poetry Criticism. Genre: This prize seeks to honor the best book-length works of criticism published in the US in the prior calendar year, including biographies, essay collections, and critical editions that consider the subject of poetry or poets. Prize: $10,000. Deadline: March 3, 2025 for all nominations except first time nominations.

Randall Albers Young Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to  all Chicago-area students currently enrolled in grades 9–12. Genre: Fiction, nonfiction. Prize: $250 top prize, Deadline: March 3, 2025.

Reedsy. Genre: Story on theme. See website. Prize: $250. Deadline: March 7, 2025.

The Waterman Fund Essay Contest. Restrictions: Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction on topics of wilderness, wildness, or the ethics and ecology of environmental issues are eligible. Genre: Personal essays between 2000 and 3000 words. "The  Waterman Fund seeks new voices on the role and place of wilderness in today’s world." Prizes: The winning essayist will be awarded $3000 and publication in Appalachia Journal. The Honorable Mention essay will receive $1000. Deadline: March 10, 2025. Extended deadline.

NEA Literature Fellowships are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts. Genre: Poetry.  Prize: $50,000 grants to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Deadline: March 12, 2025.

Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize. Restrictions: Open to first-time Canadian authors. Genre: Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, and one of three types of genre fiction: Romance, Speculative Fiction, or Mystery. Prize: $20,000 CAD. Deadline: March 13, 2025.

Beverly Hopkins Memorial Poetry Contest for High School Students. Restrictions: High school students living within 100 miles of St. Louis. Genre: Poetry. Prize: First prize $225, Second prize $125, Third prize $75. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Angela Jackson Award. Restrictions: Open to Black authors of published, original collections of poems written in English by Black poets who have had one full-length book of poetry published by a professional press. Cave Canem defines Black poets as any poet who identifies as a member of the African Diaspora. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1,000, publication by Northwestern University Press, and 15 copies of their book. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

DAG Prize. Restrictions: Open to US residents working on a second book. Genre: Second book of prose in the U.S., written in English. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award. Restrictions: This competition is open to African American poets only. Genre: Book-length poetry. Prize: $500 in cash and publication of the manuscript by Broadside Lotus Press. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

The Massachusetts Poetry Festival First Poem Contest. Restrictions: This contest is open to all New England writers or writers who have previously lived in New England. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $250 top prize. Deadline: March 15, 2025. For students and those for whom the entry fee represents a financial burden, a no-fee submission option is available.

Jacklyn Potter Young Poets Competition. Restrictions: Open to high school students. Genre: Poetry. Prize: Two high school students will be selected and scheduled to read their original work for Café Muse with established poet, Michelle Garcia King, Prince William Poet Laureate, emerita, on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. They will receive an honorarium. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

Lynn DeCaro Poetry Contest. Restrictions: Open to Connecticut Student Poets in Grades 9-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. Deadline: March 15, 2025.

53-Word Story Contest. Genre: Flash fiction of exactly 53 words based on monthly theme. Prize: Publication and a free book. Deadline: March 15, 2025. This is a monthly contest.

Forward Prizes. Genre: Collections and single poems published in the UK and Ireland are eligible for the Prizes. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £1,000 to £10,000. Deadline: March 16, 2025.

POPP Award: Poetry of the Plains and Prairies. Genre: Poetry of any style for their annual Poetry of the Plains and Prairies chapbook publication. "While the author(s) may call any place home, their submissions must deftly capture the feeling of, as well as the reality of, living on the plains and prairies. Authors may submit any number of poems equaling thirty to thirty-five pages in length, with no more than one poem per page. (Single poems may extend more than one page.) The selected poetry collection will be published as a limited edition chapbook, hand-printed with antique letterpress equipment." Prize: $200 and publication. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

The Lucien Stryk Asian Translation Prize. Genre: Book-length translations into English of either a) poetry or b) source texts from Zen Buddhism (which must not consist solely of commentaries). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $6,000. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

The Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize. Restrictions: Open to writers resident in the UK and Ireland who have yet to secure a publishing deal. Genre: Proposal for a book-length essay (minimum 25,000 words). Prize: £4,000 advance against publication with Fitzcarraldo Editions. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

Collaborature. Restrictions: Submissions must be written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry). Genre: Poetry, prose, art. Prize: $20. Deadline: March 17, 2025. Note: This is a monthly contest.

BBC National Short Story Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents or nationals, aged 18 or over, who have a history of publication in creative writing. Genre: Short fiction. Prize: £15,000 to the winner, £3,000 for the runner-up and £500 for three further shortlisted writers. Deadline: March 17, 2025.

American Literary Translators Association Italian Prose in Translation Award. Genre: Translation of a recent work of Italian prose (fiction or literary non-fiction). Both translators and publishers are invited to submit titles. Book must have been published in previous year. Prize: $5,000. Deadline: March 17, 2025. 

ALTA First Translation Prize. Genre: Debut literary translation from any other language into English published in the previous calendar year. Prize: 3,000, with $2,000 bestowed to the translator and $1,000 to the editor. Deadline: March 17, 2025. 

Nancy Ludmerer Fellowship for Flash Fiction and Nonfiction. Genre: One or more flash narratives up to 1,000 words. Award: A 5-night residency at Porches. Deadline: March 20, 2025. No entry fee for the first 20 submissions received on March 20.

Tempest Prize. Restrictions: Open to  LGBTQ+ writers based in the North of England. Genre: Poetry, fiction and narrative non-fiction. Prize: £1000, access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network and mentoring from Andrew McMillan. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Arvon Award. Restrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry or narrative non-fiction work in progress. Prize: Arvon course. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Northern Promise TLC Awards. Restrictions: Open to people who may have faced barriers to seeing their work progress for financial reasons or issues connected to disability, ethnicity and/or sexuality. living in the North of England at the time of entering and planning to remain here for at least another 12 months. Genre: Full-length work of fiction, poetry, narrative non-fiction, or children's book in progress. Prize: In-depth editorial report on their work in progress. In addition to the Free Read, writers will receive £500 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: Macrh 20, 2025.

Victor Howes Prize in Poetry. Restrictions: Undergraduate English majors currently enrolled at a New England college (2-year or 4-year). Genre: Poetry. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

The Finchale Award for Short Fiction. Restrictions: Open to writers based in the North of England. Genre: Short story of up to 1500 words. Prize: £1000 and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Sid Chaplin Award. Restrictions: Open to writers living in the North of England who identify as originating from a working-class background. Genre: Memoir, novel, young-adult novel, short-story collection or work of literary essays in progress. Prize: £2000; a manuscript appraisal from The Literary Consultancy; advisory sessions from the writer Michael Chaplin; an introduction to the North Agency; and access to the Northern Writers’ Awards Network. Deadline: March 20, 2025.

Havok. Genre: Flash fiction. See themes. Payment: $50 via PayPal for each one selected for an Anthology. No payment for online publication. Deadline: March 21, 2025.

Savage Mystery Writing Contest. Genre: Mystery short story. Prize: Winning stories are published in Toasted Cheese. If 50 or fewer eligible entries are received, first place receives a $35 Amazon gift card & second a $10 Amazon gift card. If 51 or more eligible entries are received, first place receives a $50 Amazon gift card, second a $15 Amazon gift card & third a $10 Amazon gift card. Deadline: March 23, 2025. Opens March 21.

BBC Young Writers Award. Restrictions: Open to UK residents, including residents of the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, aged 14 to 18 years old, Genre: Short fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: Publication and free workshop. Deadline: March 24, 2025.

Greater Good Science Centre: Spreading Love Through the Media. Restrictions: Open to journalists in North America. Genre: Stories on love—from magazine articles to podcast episodes to videos for the web and social media. Prize: Grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to report and produce stories on love. Deadline: March 24, 2025.

On The Premises. "For this contest, write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long in which someone or something important to the story is not where it/they always have been, or where it/they would be expected to be located, or is in the process of changing location from where it/they have always been. The distance it/they have moved or is traveling is not important, but the move itself must be important to the story. Whether this change in location is an improvement or a problem is up to you." Prize: $250 for first place, $200 for second, $150 for third. Deadline: March 28, 2025.

The Solitary Daisy Haiku Contest. Genre: Haiku. Prize: First place $25, second place $15, third place $10. Deadline: March 28, 2025.

Cymera-Scotland’s Futures Forum-Shoreline of Infinity Prize for Speculative Short Fiction. Restrictions: Anyone living in Scotland or who identifies as Scottish by birth or inclination, aged 14 years or over. Genre: Speculative short stories. Prize: £150. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Haiku Competition for High School Students. Restrictions: Open to students in Grades 7-12. Genre: Haiku. Prize: $50. Deadline: March 30, 2025.

Ann Petry Award. Restrictions: Open to Black authors. Genre: Previously unpublished prose, either a novel or a collection of short stories or novellas, with a minimum of 150 pages. Prize: $3000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Airlie Prize. Genre: Poetry collection, 48 to 90 pages of original poetry in English, Prize: $1000 and publication. Deadline: March 31, 2025. No entry fee for BIPOC poets.

Garden Party Chapbook Contest. Genre: Prose, poetry, and hybrid between 20 and 30 pages. Prize: Publication. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Ilse Schwepcke Prize for Women’s Travel Writing. Genre: Women’s travel writing in English. Prize: £5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Tom Grass Spirit of Adventure Literary Prize. Genre: Stand-alone prose in either Fiction or Non-Fiction (1,500 - 3,000 words). "We invite writers to grapple with the spirit of adventure in any way they interpret." Prize: £1,000 to the winner and two runner-up prizes of £500 each. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Orwell Prize for Journalism. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Published journalism. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness. Restrictions: Open to a journalist for sustained reportage and/or commentary working in any medium. Genre: Reportage and/or commentary on homelessness. Entries will be encouraged from people who are experiencing or have experienced all forms of homelessness as well as journalists and others writing about or reporting on homelessness. Prize: £3,000 for the best political writing first published in the UK or Ireland between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. Genre: Poetry or literary prose. Translation of modern Arabic literature into English. Books must have been published and be available for purchase in the UK via a distributor or online. The source text must have been published in the original Arabic in or after 1967. Must be submitted by publisher. Prize: £3,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. Restrictions: Open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Genres: Science fiction, fantasy and dark fantasy up to 17,000 words. Prizes: Three cash prizes in each quarter: a First Prize of $1,000, a Second Prize of $750, and a Third Prize of $500, in US dollars. In addition, at the end of the year the winners will have their entries rejudged, and a Grand Prize winner shall be determined and receive an additional $5,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

City of Literature Paul Engle Prize. Genre: This prize does not recognize one work, nor is it solely limited to reflecting literary achievement. Rather, the award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works. Prize: $20,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Jack L. Chalker Young Writers' Contests. Restrictions: Open to writers between 14 and 18 years of age as of May 29 in the contest year who reside in, or attend school in Maryland. Genre: Science fiction or fantasy, 2,500 words max. Prizes: $150, $100 and $75. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Jack London Fiction Writing Contest. Restrictions: Open to U.S. students in grades 6-8. Genre: Unpublished stories. Length: 2,000 words maximum. "You and your group of friends go camping in the wilderness for a weekend adventure when an unexpected disaster strikes and leaves you stranded. Then one morning you all awaken to a set of mysterious footprints surrounding your campsite. Who or what has left them? Are they friend or foe? How will your group work together to make it out of the wilderness alive.” Prize: $250, $150, and $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Silvers Grants for Work in Progress. Restrictions: Open to Anglophone writers of any nationality. Genre: Long-form essays in the fields of literary criticism, arts writing, political analysis, and/or social reportage. Prize: Up to $10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for Students. Restrictions: Students in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Deborah Rogers Foundation Award. Restrictions: Applicants may not be under contract to any publisher for any work or title. Applications are only open to writers who have not previously published or self-published a full length book of their own prose writing (with the exception of a collection of poetry). Entrants must write in the English language and reside within the British Commonwealth and Eire. Genre: Excerpt: 20-30,000 words of a work in progress, fiction or non-fiction, which is not under option or contract. Prize: £10,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Biennial award.

Parsec Ink. Genre: Speculative short story up to 3,500 words. See theme. Prize: First-place receives $200 and publication in the Confluence program book. Second-place receives $100 Third-place receives $50. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Gwenn A. Nusbaum / WWBA Scholarship. Restrictions: Open to poets at the beginning of their careers, ages 25-35 years. Prize: $1800 scholarship. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

A Public Space Emerging Writer Fellowships. Restrictions: Open to writers who have not yet contracted to publish a book. Prize: $1000 and six months of editorial support from A Public Space editors to prepare a piece of prose for publication in the magazine. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Archibald Lamp­man Award. Restrictions: Open to residents of Canada's National Capital region (Ottawa). Genre: Book of any genre published by a recognized publisher. Prize: $1500. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award. Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Restrictions: Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

The Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction. Genre: A book-length work of imaginative fiction written by a single author published in the U.S. in English or in translation to English. Prize: $25,000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Foley Poetry Contest. Genre: One unpublished poem on any topic. The poem should be 45 lines or fewer and not under consideration elsewhere. Prize: $1000. Deadline: March 31, 2025.

Booker International Prize. The Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Prize: £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator. There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator. Deadline: For books published between May 1 and Sept 30, 2024 the entry form and physical materials are due by March 31, 2025.

#GWstorieseverywhere. Genre: Micro fiction or essay on theme. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag. Prize: Free Gotham class. Deadline: March 31, 2025. This is a monthly contest.

Apex Flash Fiction Contest. Genre: Speculative fiction, 1000 words max. Prize: 8 cents/word or $10, which ever is greater. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Note: Apex Magazine’s Flash Fiction Contest is open from the 7th until the final day of each month. The contest is themed.

Substack runs a monthly short story competition. Their mission is to "revive the art of the short story, support artists, and produce something wonderful." Genre: Short story. Length: 6000- 10,000 words. Prize: $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue to be sent by Paypal, Zelle, or check. Deadline: March 31, 2025. Reprints are ok so long as you still have the rights to distribute. 

35 Magnificent Writing Conferences and Workshops in March 2025

This March there are more than two dozen writing conferences and workshops. Some conferences and workshops will be held online, but most will be held in person or use a hybrid format.

These writing events offer everything a writer might want: intensive workshops, pitch sessions with agents, to how to market yourself and your books, discussions - there is something for everyone.

For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see Writing Conferences. If you miss an application deadline, put it on your calendar for next year. Quite a few conferences offer scholarships, so apply early. Plan ahead!

Be sure to check out Highlights list of workshops. They offer many throughout the year. 

(Image: Amelia Island: Flickr)

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Amelia Island Book Festival. March 1, 2025: Fernandina Beach, FL. During the Festival, Authors have opportunities to engage with over 1300 Readers in an up-close and personal way to showcase and sell their books. Readers will be able to engage with more than 100 exhibiting authors in a personal way about their work and what inspires them.  There are numerous Author breakout presentations, including several led by New York Times best-selling authors, book signing session, food trucks, and a variety of activities designed to keep both Authors and Readers engaged, educated, and entertained through activities throughout the day.  ​

The 2025 South Carolina Writing Workshop. March 1, 2025: Charleston, SC. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total).

The Gotham Writers Genre Fiction Conference. March 1 - 2, 2025: Zoom. There will also be at least two in-person pitching roundtable at the Gotham Writers Headquarters in NYC. The Gotham Writers Genre Fiction Writers Conference happens in March 2025, for writers of mystery, horror, and science fiction & fantasy books. There will be panels, presentations, and pitch sessions with agents.

Futurescapes. March 6 - 9, 2025. Workshop the first 3,500 words of your Novel; 7:1 Student-Faculty Ratio; Work with Top Agents & Authors in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror; Our Faculty have won Hugo, Nebula, Newbery & World Fantasy Awards; Apply Early - Seating is Capped and Competitive.

The 2025 Texas Writing Workshop. March 7 - 8, 2025: Online. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). 

2025 Carolina Writing Workshops. March 7 (Charlotte) and March 8 (Raleigh), 2025. "The workshops are both one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Colrain Classic. March 7 - 10, 2025: Via Zoom. "The Colrain Manuscript Classic is a highly focused, 3.5 day conference designed for poets with manuscripts in progress. The Classic features in-depth pre-conference work and candid, realistic evaluation and feedback from nationally-known poets, editors and publishers. In preparation, participants work at home on pre-conference assignments and then, in the workshop, review, arrange, and winnow their work based on the pre-conference work. In addition to the manuscript preparation workshop and editor sessions, there will be an editorial Q&A, and an after-conference strategy session." 

Writing Your Queer Nature: A Generative Writing Workshop. March 8, 2025. Via Zoom. Join us for a generative writing workshop and discussion with a queer ecofeminist writer and the author of 18 books. The workshop will address the relationships between environmental diversity and the healing power of embracing our queer identities within different aspects of ourselves and our communities. Participants need not identify as queer to attend, as everyone will be welcomed. Together, we will practice different genres of writing from journaling to poetry to fiction, and participants will have the opportunity to generate new writing or work on existing projects in a safe and supportive way.

Bay to Ocean Writers Conference. March 8, 2025: Wye Mills, Maryland. Sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers Association. "Featuring six tracks and over 30 sessions sure to fit all your writing needs, this year’s Bay to Ocean Writers Conference celebrates a quarter of a century of helping writers develop their craft, edit, publish, and market their writing.  This year’s sessions, all 50-minutes in length, are carefully designed to help you generate solid writing, hone your craft, and ask pointed questions from published and award-winning presenters about the process."

Getaway to Write - Florida. March 11 - 16, 2025: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. "Our retreats revolve around the belief that when writers leave behind the distractions of their busy lives to gather in an encouraging community, they are able to make important breakthroughs in their writing. Each workshop will offer craft discussion, writing prompts, writing time, feedback, motivation and inspiration. By spending the entire week in one workshop, you will venture deeper into your writing, making more progress than you thought possible. You may choose to spend the week working on your poetry or prose."

Alabama Writing Workshop. March 14, 2025: Birmingham, Alabama. "A one-day writing workshop full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We will also have literary agents onsite to give feedback and take pitches from writers, as well."

Ossabaw Weekend Writer’s Retreat. March 14 - 19,  2025: Ossabaw Island, GA. Workshops and seminars led by nationally recognized faculty, and evening readings (special emphasis on ghost stories) by faculty and participants. Application deadline: February 1.

Atlanta Writing Workshop. March 15, 2025: Atlanta, GA. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome." 

The 2025 Writing Workshop of South Florida. March 15, 2025: Fort Lauderdale / Pompano, Florida. This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (150 total).

Practical Matters in Children’s Book Publishing: A Two-Night Mini with Editor Harold Underdown. March 18 - 20, 2025. Online. Curious about breaking into children’s book publishing? Join editor Harold Underdown for a smart, engaging two-night course covering everything from book types to contracts—plus a chance to ask your pressing questions!

Breakout Novel Intensive. March 18 - April 22, 2025: Online. Included are new or revised units on story discovery, strong voice, standout characters, the inner journey, compelling story worlds, beautiful writing, creating resonance and finding meaning in both story and process. Breakout fundamentals are also covered: strong characters, inner conflict, personal stakes, plot layers, powerful scenes, micro-tension, practical theme techniques and much more. Instructor: Donald Maass. 

a lot of curiosities. March 19, 2025: Via Zoom. This generative, crafty workshop aims to introduce a series of tools, ideas, and curiosities to storytellers of all levels, but especially those looking to dip their toes into creative writing for the first time. The workshop will consist of a short discussion asking the question: what is creative writing? And a guided session of an open writing prompt, titled “The Hands That Make Us.” Through this generative prompt, we’ll explore the stories in our hands, literally. Participants will come out with either a poem or piece of hybrid prose.

University of North Dakota Writers Conference. March 19 - 21, 2025: Grand Forks, North Dakota. Founded in 1970 and held every year since, the UND Writers Conference is a three day event featuring six to eight authors annually. Authors ranging from Gwendolyn Brooks and August Wilson to Tommy Orange and Colson Whitehead, the UND Writers Conference is committed to community outreach, engagement, and finding ways to increase audience access to literature. The conference is free, but workshop space is limited to twenty participants; registration is first come, first served. 

Beall Poetry Festival. March 19 - 21, 2025: Waco, TX. Baylor University’s Beall Poetry Festival is a three-day celebration of contemporary poetry, with poetry readings, a panel discussion, and the Virginia Beall Ball Lecture on Contemporary Poetry. The festival is supported by the John A. and DeLouise McClelland Beall Endowed Fund, established in 1994 by Mrs. Virginia B. Ball to honor her parents and to encourage the writing and appreciation of poetry.​

Virginia Festival of the Book. March 20 - 23, 2025: Charlottesville, VA. "The Festival is the largest community-based book event in the Mid-Atlantic region and has attracted audiences of more than 20,000 for each of the past thirteen years. We have presented a captivating list of authors, ranging from international bestsellers to topical specialists to debut authors." Book exhibits, talks by authors, readings, workshops on book promotion, finding an agent, poetry, publishing, agents roundtable - you name it, this conference has it. 

WTP. March 20 - 23, 2025: NY. NY. "The goal of this conference, and all its companion editorial and development programs, is to set you on a realistic path not only to publication, but to becoming a career author. The Write to Pitch utilizes a time-tested methodology that works to get writers published. Pitching TV/Film pros, literary agents, and publishing house acquisition editors is a vital component (see the Schedule), of course, but when asked what specific elements make the event unique and better than other writer conferences, our response lists a number of game-changing factors, both major and minor." Limited to 65 participants, so apply early.

The 2025 Colorado Writing Workshop. March 22, 2025: Denver, CO. "This is a special one-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Courtyard Denver Airport at Gateway Park. In other words, it’s one day full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Western Reserve Writers' Conference. March 22, 2025, South Euclid, Ohio. This free one-day writing conference takes place at Cuyahoga County Public Library's William N. Skirball Writers' Center, located in the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch library. It features a choice of breakout sessions, a keynote address, and private sessions with editors. 

Chesapeake Writing Day Workshop. March 22, 2025. Online. A full-day “How to Get Published” event. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more."

Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference. March 22, 2025: Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference (ASPC) is dedicated to serving self-published authors and the independent publishing market. No matter whether you're curious about the self-publishing market or you want to learn how to grow your independent author business, our conference will help you launch your career forward.

The 2025 Oklahoma Writing Workshop. March 22, 2025: Oklahoma City, OK. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total). 

From Spark to Story: A Fiction Workshop. March 24 - April 21, 2025. Online. In this five-week short fiction course, we’ll delve into the elements that make short stories most compelling. Through generative writing exercises and discussions about contemporary short stories, we’ll experiment with plot, character development, point of view and more. During each weekly session, we’ll workshop works-in-progress we want to improve, or entirely new pieces we write during the course. We’ll assign small workshop groups for each coming session, and everyone will read their group’s work ahead of class to be prepared to discuss each in a safe, supportive setting. By the end of this workshop, you will have the tools and feedback you need to complete a short story or two, and to continue honing your future writing. Limited to 12 participants. 

Building Worlds: An Online Poetry Workshop. March 26 - April 23, 2025. Online. In this five-week course, we’ll explore the art of world-building within the confines of poetry, creating vibrant, imaginative spaces that come alive with detail, emotion and resonance. Through generative writing exercises, prompts and discussions, we will learn how to develop poems that transport readers to fully realized universes rooted in fantasy, myth, memory or reality. The course will emphasize techniques for establishing mood and atmosphere, as well as infusing our work with dynamic characters, stories and themes. Together, we’ll read exemplary pieces from William Blake to Audre Lorde to Jamaal May and more to analyze how world-building enhances the emotional and narrative depth of a poem, making it engaging and memorable. Weekly workshops will provide a supportive environment for feedback, helping you refine your craft and push the boundaries of your imagination.

Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference. March 26 - 29, 2025: Los Angeles, California. "The AWP Conference & Bookfair is an essential annual destination for writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers. Each year more than 12,000 attendees join our community for four days of insightful dialogue, networking, and unrivaled access to the organizations and opinion-makers that matter most in contemporary literature. AWP’s is now the largest literary conference in North America." 

Algonkian Novel Retreat. Algonkian Park, Virginia, March 26 - 30, 2025. "In keeping with the spirit of this place and the goals of this retreat, you can be as goal-oriented or as hesitant in approach as you wish. You can show us your manuscript, improve your skills, clear your head, have your work read by our writer mentors, whatever works for you, whatever helps you grow and discover your vision as a writer. You discuss with us ahead of time via the Algonkian Writer Retreat Application the goals you wish to accomplish, and we'll work with you to make it happen. Do you desire a review of your short stories or flash fiction? A line edit? Do you wish to discuss the reality of the current fiction market, your novel project, plot and characters, or perhaps get feedback on the opening hook or a few sample chapters? Or would you simply like a relaxed and productive dialogue about your goals as a writer?" Registration is first come, first served.

National Black Writers Conference 2025 Biennial Symposium. March 27 - 29, 2025: Medgar Evers College, CUNY, Brooklyn, New York. This Symposium, a culturally enriched literary gathering of writers, educators, literary professionals and the general public, specifically targets Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) Literature by Black authors, a genre that has expanded over the last two decades. This genre serves as an energizing force for cultivating and nurturing the critical reading and writing habits of a cross-generation of readers and writers, helps to affirm students’ self-esteem, literacy, identity, and awareness of the contributions of literature by Black writers.

The 2025 Connecticut Writing Workshop. March 28, 2025: New Haven, CT. This in-person writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited seats at the event (125 total).

Power of Narrative. March 28- 29, 2025: Boston, MA. Over 30 journalists, directors, producers and editors lead three days of lively discussions geared to advance the knowledge of narrative storytellers. Approximately 500 persons attend. Early registration is encouraged. 

WonderCon. March 28 - 30, 2025: Anaheim, CA. HUGE comic book convention.

The 2025 Boston Writing Workshop. March 29, 2025: Boston, MA. "This writing event is a wonderful opportunity to get intense instruction over the course of one day, pitch a literary agent or editor (optional), get your questions answered, and more. Note that there are limited online “seats” at the event (200 total). This is a special two-day “How to Get Published” writing workshop. In other words, it’s two days full of classes and advice designed to give you the best instruction concerning how to get your writing & books published. We’ll discuss your publishing opportunities today, how to write queries & pitches, how to market yourself and your books, what makes an agent/editor stop reading your manuscript, and more. No matter what you’re writing — fiction or nonfiction — the day’s classes will help point you in the right direction. Writers of all genres are welcome."

Conferences with application deadlines in March 2025

Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops. June 22 – July 5, 2025 and July 13–26, 2025: Gambier, Ohio. At Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshops, talented high school students from around the world join a dynamic and supportive literary community to stretch their talents, discover new strengths, and challenge themselves in the company of peers who are also passionate about writing. Application deadline: March 1.

Sewanee Writers’ Conference. July 15 -  27, 2025: Sewanee, TN. Faculty will give readings and provide instruction and criticism through workshops and craft lectures, as well as meet individually with participants to discuss their manuscripts. The Conference will offer five fiction workshops, four poetry workshops, and a playwriting workshop supported by two professional actors. In addition, a substantial number of literary agents will attend. Application deadline March 1.

Write Stuff Writers Conference. April 13 -15, 2025: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Workshops, Agent./Editor pitch sessions, marketing consults plus lunch and Keynote address, Book Fair, Flash Literature Writing Contest, Door Prizes. Featuring: Tiffany Yates Martin. Registration closes March 2.

Community of Writers at Squaw Valley: Poetry Workshop. June 21 - 27, 2025: Olympic Valley, California. "We work together to create an atmosphere in which everyone might feel free to try anything. In the mornings we meet in workshops to read to each other the work of the previous twenty-four hours; each participant also has an opportunity to work with each staff poet. In the late afternoons we gather for a conversation about some aspect of craft. On several afternoons staff poets hold brief individual conferences." Registration deadline: March 10.

Community of Writers Workshop in Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, and Memoir. July 7 - 14, 2025: Olympic Valley, California. These workshops assist serious writers by exploring the art and craft as well as the business of writing. The week offers daily morning workshops, craft lectures, panel discussions on editing and publishing, staff readings, as well as brief individual conferences. The morning workshops are led by staff writer-teachers, editors, or agents. There are separate morning workshops for Fiction and Narrative Nonfiction/ Memoir. In addition to their workshop manuscript, participants may have a second manuscript read by a staff member who meets with them in an individual conference. During the week, a portion of our workshops is devoted exclusively to nonfiction. Memoir, narrative nonfiction, and essays are invited. Literary criticism and scholarly work will not be considered. Nonfiction applicants can use the same general form for submission. Application deadline March 10.

New York State Summer Writers Institute at Skidmore College. June 22 - July 19, 2025: Saratoga Springs, NY. Since 1987, the Institute has been offering students the opportunity to learn from an extraordinary faculty of distinguished writers led by director Robert Boyers. The program is an offshoot of the New York State Writers Institute created by Albany native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Kennedy. The curriculum is designed for college-aged students and adults, and the new virtual format will retain many of the Institute’s hallmark features:

• Creative writing workshops in poetry, fiction and non-fiction
• Small classes that offer individualized attention and workshop student writings
• Public readings and afternoon Q & A sessions with world-renowned guest writers
• Private tutorial sessions for student fiction manuscripts, book-length poetry, or non-fiction (available for an additional fee)
• Option to enroll for one-week, two-week, or four-week sessions
• Optional undergraduate credit for eligible students enrolled in one genre for four weeks
• Merit Scholarships for tuition

The deadline for Scholarship Applications is March 15

PJ Library Retreat: Picture Book Summer Camp. Application deadline March 16. August 24 - 28, 2025: Boyds Mills, PA. "If you’re a pre-published author with a Jewish picture book in progress (or no more than one published book) we invite you to apply for five-days of inspiration, mentorship, fun, and creativity on the beautiful campus of the Highlights Foundation." 

Whole Novel Workshop: A Virtual Course for Middle Grade and Young Adult Writers. May 7 - July 16, 2025: Online. A transformative opportunity to have your entire draft (up to 80,000 words) of a novel read by faculty, with detailed written feedback and a private consultation provided. This online program is for any writer of a middle grade or young adult novel. Apply by March 24.