by 
“We often miss opportunity because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas A. Edison
TIPS FOR NEW WRITERS: The search for places to send your poems or other literary creations can seem overwhelming. It’s not an easy task but it is part of the job. All jobs have aspects that are unappealing. The leads here are meant to help a bit, to lighten the load, to offer some insight into how this business works and – I hope – to encourage you to seek opportunities on your own.
YOU need to . . .
- familiarize yourself with publications (that is, READ them) so that you know whether the piece you want to submit is suitable for the journal, zine, magazine or anthology you’ve targeted [not in your best interest to waste your time or that of an editor];
- get ideas and inspiration for new works by learning just what editors are seeking and reading what other writers have written; and
- strategically submit your poetry, fiction or other art to publications and competitions.
It can help to attend classes and conferences where you will meet writers, publishers, and agents.
Commitment to your career dictates that you DON’T rely solely on market lists. That you do the research to find your opportunities. This involves sitting in the library studying literary magazines and doing deep internet searches.
Courtesy and professionalism suggest that you DON’T impose on working writers to ask where you should send your latest poem or manuscript. That’s your job and not doing your job marks you as a dilettante.
CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS
Opportunity Knocks
BRUSH TALKS, an English language journal about China, publishes essays, travel essays, profiles, memoir and narrative nonfiction, photographs and occasionally poetry. Details HERE.
CHEAT RIVER REVIEW publishes poetry, flash fiction and nonfiction. Submissions are open through October 7, 2018. Details HERE.
HOOT, a {mini} literary magazine on a postcard [charming!], accepts work on a rolling basis: flash fiction, poetry, memoir, non-fiction, book reviews. Payment. Submission fee ($2). Details HERE.
LONG LEAF REVIEW is open for submission of flash and short fiction, short creative nonfiction and poetry through September 1, 2018. Details HERE.
PARHELION LITERARY MAGAZINE is open for submission of poetry, fiction, nonfiction and visual art through September 1 for its October issue. Details HERE.
SAVANT BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS has an open call for submissions to its 2019 Annual Savant Poetry Anthology. Unpublished work only. Deadline: 31 December 2018. Details HERE.
THE SOCKDOLAGER publishes original 1,000 – 5,000 word genre fiction online. Currently this zine is closed for submissions but will announce reopening on Twitter and Facebook.
WALLOON WRITES REVIEW, a contemporary writers and readers companion has an open call for submissions to its fourth edition that ends on September 1, 2018. Of interest: original stories, poetry, creative writing and photography inspired by Northern Michigan and UP. Details HERE.
ATTENTION EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS
BEST OF THE NET ANTHOLOGY
Open call for submissions of poems, stories, essays, creative nonfiction to be considered for a Best of the Net Anthology published by Sundress Publications. Submissions must come from editors of journal, chapbook, zine and so on. Deadline is September 30, 2018. Details HERE.
RELATED:
- SUBMISSION FEES: Poets and Editors Weigh-in, The Poet by Day
The BeZine
Call for submissions for the September issue.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be. Submissions for the December issue – themed A Life of the Spirit – closes on November 10 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific .
Please send text in the body of the email not as an attachment. Send photographs or illustrations as attachments. No google docs or Dropbox or other such. No rich text. Send submissions to bardogroup@gmail.com.
Publication is December 15th. Poetry, essays, fiction and creative nonfiction, art and photography, music (videos or essays), and whatever lends itself to online presentation is welcome for consideration.
No demographic restrictions.
Please read at least one issue. We DO NOT publish anything that promotes hate, divisiveness or violence or that is scornful or in any way dismissive of “other” peoples.
- December 2018 issue, Deadline November 10th, Theme: A Life of the Spirit
The BeZine is an entirely volunteer effort, a mission. It is not a paying market but neither does it charge submission or subscription fees.
Previously published work may be submitted IF you hold the copyright. Submissions from beginning and emerging artists as well as pro are encouraged and we have a special interest in getting more submissions of short stores, feature articles, music videos and art for consideration.
The Poet by Day
WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT
Reminder:
Response deadline is Monday, August 13, at 8 p.m. Pacific. Poems are on theme are published on this site on Tuesday, the August 14. Details HERE.
COMPETITIONS
Opportunity Knocks
ANHINGA PRESS and CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO sponsor the PHILIP LEVINE PRIZE FOR POETRY [annual since 1983, a book contest] “open to all poets (except current or former students or faculty of CSU/Fresno). The winner receives a $2,000 prize and publication and distribution of the winning manuscript by Anhinga Press. The winning poet also receives 25 free author copies of the book.” Details HERE.
CAUSEWAYLIT an online zine of Dogwood: A Journal of Poetry and Prose, Fairield University is run by grad students who run a monthly contest and accept craft essays year round and poetry, fiction and nonfiction four times a year. Modest submission fees. $50 cash award to winner. Currently the deadline for poetry is August 31; fiction is September 31; and, nonfiction is August 31. Details HERE.
Discovery Poetry Contest, The Joan Leiman Jacobson Poetry Prizes
For over 60 years 92Y’s Discovery Contest has launched the careers of major poets like John Ashbery, Lucille Clifton, Mark Strand, Mary Jo Bang and Solmaz Sharif, to name a few. Will you be next? Four winners receive a reading at 92Y, publication, a two-night residency at the ACE Hotel and $500 each.
Read selections by last year’s winners
Applications must be submitted by Friday, January 11, 2019, at 5 pm.
To apply, read the guidelines and submit here.
This contest is endowed by Joan L. and Dr. Julius H. Jacobson, II.
DOGWOOD: A Journal of Poetry and Prose hosts an annual competition with a cash award for each for best essay, story and poem submitted during it’s reading period. Entry fee: $10. Deadline: September 5, 2018. Details HERE.
OTHER INFORMATION AND NEWS
- Between Solitude and Loneliness, Donald Hall, The New Yorker
- VS Naipaul, Nobel prize-winning British Author, dies aged 85, Richard Lea, The Guardian
- Actress Olivia De Havilland Turns 102, Wonderneed
- Gibran’s Hometown, Bcharreh, Lebanon in 25 photos, Grace H., the961.com
Accessible anytime from anywhere in the world:
The Poet by Day always available online with poems, poets and writers, news and information.
The Poet by Day, Wednesday Writing Prompt, online every week (except for vacation) and all are invited to take part no matter the stage of career or status. Poems related to the challenge of the week (always theme based not form based) will be published here on the following Tuesday.
The Poet by Day, Sunday Announcements. Every week (except for vacation) opportunity knocks for poets and writers. Due to other Sunday commitments, this post will often go up late in the day.
THE BeZINE, Be Inspired, Be Creative, Be Peace, Be – always online HERE.
Beguine Again, daily inspiration and spiritual practice – always online HERE. Beguine Again is the sister site to The BeZine.
YOUR SUNDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS may be emailed to thepoetbyday@gmail.com. Please do so at least a week in advance.
If you would like me to consider reviewing your book, chapbook, magazine or film, here are some general guidelines:
- send PDF to jamiededes@gmail.com (Note: I have a backlog of six or seven months, so at this writing I suggest you wait until June 2018 to forward anything.Thank you!)
- nothing that foments hate or misunderstanding
- nothing violent or encouraging of violence
- English only, though Spanish is okay if accompanied by translation
- your book or other product should be easy for readers to find through your site or other venues.
TO CONTACT ME WITH ANNOUNCEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION FOR THE POET BY DAY: thepoetbyday@gmail.com
TO CONTACT ME REGARDING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE BeZINE: bardogroup@gmail.com
PLEASE do not mix the communications between the two emails.
Often information is just that–information– and not necessarily recommendation. I haven’t worked with all the publications or other organizations featured in my regular Sunday Announcements or other announcements shared on this site. Awards and contests are often (generally) a means to generate income, publicity and marketing mailing lists for the host organizations, some of which are more reputable than others. I rarely attend events anymore. Caveat Emptor: Please be sure to verify information for yourself before submitting work, buying products, paying fees or attending events et al.
ABOUT
Poet and writer, I was once columnist and associate editor of a regional employment publication. I currently run this site, The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. I am the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group Beguines (originally The Bardo Group), a virtual arts collective I founded. I am a weekly contributor to Beguine Again, a site showcasing spiritual writers. My work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Levure littéraure, Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman. My poetry was recently read by Northern California actor Richard Lingua for Poetry Woodshed, Belfast Community Radio. I was featured in a lengthy interview on the Creative Nexus Radio Show where I was dubbed “Poetry Champion.”
* The BeZine: Waging the Peace, An Interfaith Exploration featuring Fr. Daniel Sormani, Rev. Benjamin Meyers, and the Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi among others
“Every pair of eyes facing you has probably experienced something you could not endure.” Lucille Clifton
Jamie Dedes' THE POET BY DAY Webzine 
Thank you!