Black Writing Bulletin #10 - Publishing and Employment Opportunities
Get paid for your writing.
Hello Creatives!
I was editing a piece that I was working on this week, and I must have read the same sentence 5 times, each time thinking that I could make it better. Was there anything wrong with the sentence? No. Did it accomplish what it needed to accomplish? Yes. Did it require editing? No. But there I was, agonizing over this one sentence anyway. Why was I doing this to myself?
This was a textbook case of a writer getting in his own way. Sometimes it is your inner critic, and sometimes it is the sheer desire to use that word or phame that sentence or create that metaphor that will knock the earth off of its axis. Whatever it is, it stops us from moving forward, it stifles our creativity, and it prvents us from finishing our work.
I’m here to tell you now: STOP IT.
Moving on will not make those words uneditable. You can change them later. An editor may make a suggestion. You might dream of the perfect sentence and scrawl it down the second you wake up. You might end up deleting them on a future draft. But none of those things can happen if you don’t keep moving forward. So keep moving forward.
- Daren
This week, there are featured opportunities to publish at:
DESPERATE LITERATURE PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION
The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with fourteen different literary and artistic institutions to not only offer cash prizes and writing retreats but also to ensure that all our shortlisters have the opportunity to be published in multiple print and online journals, have their work put in front of literary agents, and present their stories in multiple countries.Deadline: April 13
Entry Fee: €20Prize: €2000
Details here.
THE LORAINE WILLIAMS POETRY PRIZE
The Georgia Review
We are pleased to announce that Brandon Som will serve as the final judge for the 2025 Loraine Williams Poetry Prize. The winning poem will appear in The Georgia Review. All submitted poems will be considered for publication.Deadline: May 15
Entry Fee: $25Prize: first place receives $1500, three finalists receive $200 each
Details here.
Head over to the main Substack page to view previously shared opportunities.
This is your sign to get your work out there. Submit to literary journals. Get your essay published. Take your writing seriously.
Fiction Submission Opportunities
THE LEMONWOOD QUARTERLY
The Lemonwood Quarterly is open for submissions! We are seeking outstanding fiction and drama for both our Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 issues! We accept short stories and theatrical pieces between 2,000 and 10,000 words. All authors are paid a flat rate when their work appears in the magazine. All stories and plays published in The Lemonwood Quarterly are automatically entered in our annual contests: the $1000 Charlotte Ann Porter Prize for Fiction, or the $500 Hononegah Mack Prize for the Best Play.
Deadline: April 13
Submission fee: $4
Details here.
SEEMS
Seems is an irregularly published literary magazine that accepts poetry, short stories, flash fiction, and short creative nonfiction pieces. The magazine seeks pieces that exhibit sensory imagery and inventive diction. Common themes tend to encompass natural elements and the human condition, but acceptance is not limited to these factors. Really, we are looking for work that makes us ruminate, makes us pause, makes us look past the literal to the substance beneath.
Deadline: April 27
Pay: a copy of the issue in which a contributor’s work appears
Details here.
Non-Fiction Submission Opportunities
STAINED SILK MAGAZINE
We're thrilled to announce the launch of Stained Silk Magazine, a new digital and print literary magazine that takes an irreverent look at philosophy, meditation, psychology, and all things mindfulness and (mindlessness). We love personal narratives that wrestle with serious issues but don’t take themselves too seriously. If you’ve got an essay that blends introspection with a bit of edge—we want to read it. For our debut issue, the theme is open-ended. We’re looking for work that digs deep, makes us think, and maybe makes us laugh (or at least smirk knowingly). If accepted, your work will appear in both our print and online editions.
Deadline: April 15
Pay: $30 and a copy of the print issue
Details here.
Poetry Opportunities
STAINED SILK MAGAZINE
We're thrilled to announce the launch of Stained Silk Magazine, a new digital and print literary magazine that takes an irreverent look at philosophy, meditation, psychology, and all things mindfulness and (mindlessness). We love personal narratives that wrestle with serious issues but don’t take themselves too seriously. For our debut issue, the theme is open-ended. We’re looking for work that digs deep, makes us think, and maybe makes us laugh (or at least smirk knowingly). If accepted, your work will appear in both our print and online editions.
Deadline: April 15
Pay: $30 and a copy of the print issue
Details here.
Contests, Awards, and Fellowships
EMMA HOWELL RISING POET PRIZE
Willow Springs Books
Willow Springs Books is seeking submissions for the Emma Howell Rising Poet Prize, a first poetry book prize for poets 35 years old and younger who have not yet published a book-length poetry manuscript. Poets who have previously published chapbooks are welcome to submit. The competition is open for submissions from 11/1/2024 to 4/1/2025. Finalists will be selected in March, and the winner will be announced in April. The winning poetry manuscript will be selected by the series’ judge, changing yearly.
Deadline: April 1
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: $2000 plus publication
Details here.
DESPERATE LITERATURE PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION
The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with fourteen different literary and artistic institutions to not only offer cash prizes and writing retreats but also to ensure that all our shortlisters have the opportunity to be published in multiple print and online journals, have their work put in front of literary agents, and present their stories in multiple countries.
Deadline: April 13
Entry Fee: €20
Prize: €2000
Details here.
2025 BREAKOUT WRITERS PRIZE
Epiphany Magazine
The 2025 Breakout! Writers Prize is officially open for submissions. The Breakout! Writers Prize brings visibility to and supports outstanding undergraduate and graduate student writers. Winners have won the PEN/Dau Prize and gone on to get agents, publish books, and discover new careers in publishing. This year’s prize judges are: Victoria Chang for poetry, and Hilary Leichter for prose.
Deadline: April 15
Entry Fee: $10
Prize: $1000 plus publication
Details here.
THE LORAINE WILLIAMS POETRY PRIZE
The Georgia Review
We are pleased to announce that Brandon Som will serve as the final judge for the 2025 Loraine Williams Poetry Prize. The winning poem will appear in The Georgia Review. All submitted poems will be considered for publication.
Deadline: May 15
Entry Fee: $25
Prize: first place receives $1500, three finalists receive $200 each
Details here.
PLOUGHSHARES EMERGING WRITER'S CONTEST
Since 1971, Ploughshares has been committed to promoting the work of up-and-coming writers. Over the years, Ploughshares has helped launch the careers of great writers like Edward P. Jones, Sue Miller, Mona Simpson, Tim O’Brien, and many more. In the spirit of the journal’s founding mission, the Ploughshares Emerging Writer’s Contest recognizes work by an emerging writer in each of three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. We consider authors “emerging” if they haven’t published or self-published a book in any genre. One winner in each genre per year will receive $2,000 and publication in the literary journal. The winners will also receive a conversation with our partnering literary agency, Aevitas Creative Management, regarding their work and writing careers. The 2025 contest judges are R . O. Kwon in fiction, Joshua Bennett in poetry, and Elisa Gabbert in nonfiction.
Deadline: May 15
Entry Fee: $30
Prize: $2000 plus publication
Details here.
Positions and Residencies
VISITING PROFESSOR - CREATIVE WRITING (FICTION)
Carnegie Mellon University
The Creative Writing Program in the Department of English at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for a one year Visiting Assistant Professor in English (with the possibility to renew for a second year) with a specialization in Creative Writing (Fiction), to begin Fall 2025. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong track record of publication as well as the ability to teach a variety of courses in fiction at the undergraduate level, including an introduction to form and technique in short fiction, beginning and advanced fiction workshops, and readings in fiction. The successful candidate will be engaged in helping to sustain, and to continue to develop, a top-ranked writing program. We thus seek a candidate with experience working in diverse undergraduate communities with a commitment to adaptive and inclusive teaching strategies. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and/or service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community. We strongly encourage applications from minority candidates. Those with additional specializations in other creative genres are especially encouraged to apply.
Deadline: until position filled
Payment: not specified
Details here.
EDITORIAL FELLOW
Words Without Borders
The Editorial Fellow will gain hands-on experience with all aspects of the publication of a digital literary magazine—from commissioning and planning to online promotion. Responsibilities will include participating in editorial meetings; preparing and loading magazine content for digital publication; preparing contributor contracts and maintaining editorial schedule; researching and identifying art possibilities for WWB content; helping select excerpts of forthcoming books in translation to be featured on WWB; contributing at least one piece of site content; proofreading and editing content; supporting archive projects, including cataloging and categorizing content from past WWB issues; helping staff WWB’s virtual and in-person events; contributing to WWB’s evolving digital transformation; and more. The fellow will become familiar with the special considerations and skills required for editing literature in translation and working within the context of a nonprofit organization.
Deadline: March 28
Payment: $18 per hour
Details here.
Events
NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE READING
Online / 66 West 12th St. New York, NY
Each year, the National Book Critics Circle presents awards for the finest books published in English in six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism. In addition, NBCC awards the John Leonard Prize for the best first book in any genre, voted on by NBCC membership; the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing, which recognizes outstanding work by a member of the NBCC; and the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award and the Toni Morrison Achievement Award, which are given respectively to individuals and literary institutions for transformative contributions to book culture. The Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize, for the best book of any genre translated into English and published in the United States, will also be awarded. Please note: you must register to attend this event.
Date: March 19, 2025 6:30pm
Price: Free
Details here.
NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS
Online / 66 West 12th St. New York, NY
Each year, the National Book Critics Circle presents awards for the finest books published in English in six categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Poetry, and Criticism. In addition, NBCC awards the John Leonard Prize for the best first book in any genre, voted on by NBCC membership; the Nona Balakian Citation for Excellence in Reviewing, which recognizes outstanding work by a member of the NBCC; and the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award and the Toni Morrison Achievement Award, which are given respectively to individuals and literary institutions for transformative contributions to book culture. The Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize, for the best book of any genre translated into English and published in the United States, will also be awarded. Please note: you must register to attend this event.
Date: March 20, 2025 6:30pm
Price: Free
Details here.
MARTHA'S VINEYARD SUMMER WRITER'S CONFERENCE
Martha's Vineyard
The Martha’s Vineyard Summer Writers’ Conference brings together writers from around the world with the central belief that we can all learn from one another. Our program offers week-long classes on the craft of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, evening readings, panel discussions, and individualized manuscript sessions. Attendees study with award-winning Visiting Authors & Poets and celebrate writing on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard. For those interested in individualized feedback, we offer Manuscript Sessions with our Visiting Authors and Poets. These one-on-one sessions allow attendees to get individualized feedback on their works-in-progress as well as advice on how to seek publication. Our goal is to provide a nurturing place to create. While our panel discussions and Literary Journal Seminar address the process of seeking publication, the central focus of our conference is on generating new work and exploring the projects you’ve been longing to complete.
Date: June 8 -1 & June 15 - 20
Price: $2,000
Details here.
2025 ASPEN WORDS SUMMER WORDS WRITERS CONFERENCE
Snowmass Village, CO
Recognized as one of the nation’s top literary gatherings, Summer Words is a six-day celebration of words, stories and ideas held annually in an idyllic Rocky Mountain setting. Summer Words 2025 will return to Snowmass Village, Colorado, a vibrant community just 9 miles from Aspen, with incredible mountain vistas in addition to 2.8 million adjacent acres of wilderness open for activities and exploration. Snowmass is home to 30+ restaurants, shopping, unique special events and music. Full faculty lineup and workshop descriptions will be announced in early 2025!
Dates of Workshop: June 22 - 27
Application Deadline: open until capacity reached
Price: $650 - $1,925
Details here.
KAUAI WRITER'S CONFERENCE
Kauai, HI
Now in our eleventh year, the Kauai Writers Conference has grown to be widely regarded as one of the most meaningful and enjoyable writing and publishing events in the US. Twenty-one leading authors will teach four-day master classes on all aspects of the craft of writing. Fifteen carefully selected literary agents and editors come in search of new authors to represent. This year's authors include: Curtis Sittenfeld, Janelle Brown, Ariel Lawhon, Steven Rowley, Rebecca Makkai. Liz Moore, Jeanine Cummins, Joshua Mohr, Jean Kwok, Sadequ Johnson, Christina Baker Kline, Meg Wolitzer, Paula McLain, John Searles, Priya Parmar, lyn Liao Butler, Laura Lentz, Danielle Trussoni, Patti Callahan Henry and Ali Hazelwood.”
Dates of Conference: November 10-16
Price: $795
Details here.