Rather than listing out current calls for submissions—of which there are thousands, yes thousands!—I figured it would be really useful to provide a list of aggregate resources – websites, newsletters, social media outlets and more—that maintain up-to-date open calls for submissions. This way, you’ll always have a single hub to refer back to for all your submissions: right here, on Aspiring Author.
Ample opportunities to get published
It might seem like opportunities to get published are hard to come by, but this certainly isn’t the case in my experience. From literary magazines, small presses, and foundations, to themed submissions, grants, and paying markets, there’s always somewhere looking to publish your work. You just have to find the right place to submit and keep on top of all those deadlines. I recommend compiling a master submission spreadsheet for this, so that you can track all your submissions in one place.
It should go without saying that I strongly encourage you to submit to places that accept simultaneous submissions. Exclusive submissions stink. Anywhere that asks for an exclusive submission and expects you to wait around for six months twiddling your thumbs while they judge your work is deluded. Spread your net far and wide, but with a tailored approach.
What are they looking for?
Calls for submission might be looking to publish any and all of the following:
- Fiction
- Creative non-fiction or essays
- Poetry
- Book-length manuscripts
- Chapbook-length manuscripts
- Themed submissions
- Hybrid or cross-genre submissions
- Age-specific submissions
- Artwork
- Video
- Photography
- Entry to writing conferences, workshops, or MFA programs.
Curated list of calls for submissions
Here’s our curated list of the best places to find calls for submissions. This list is not exhaustive; merely, the places we think you’ll find the most leads. We’ve listed alphabetically for ease. If you see any missing, please let us know.
1. Adam Morgan
2. A Dreaming Skin
3. Call for Submissions: @callforsubs on Twitter
4. Calls for Submissions: Facebook Group
5. Calls for Submissions (Poetry, Fiction, Art): Facebook Group
6. Catapult: Don’t Write Alone
7. Cathy’s Comps & Calls
8. Community of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP)
9. Creative Writers Opportunities
10. Erika Dreifus
11. Freedom with Writing
12. Funds for Writers
13. Literary Mama
14. Heavy Feather Review
15. New Pages
16. Poets & Writers: Classifieds
17. Published to Death
18. The Submission Grinder
19. Submittable
20. Trish Hopkinson
21. Winning Writers: Best Free Literary Contests
22. Write Jobs
23. The Writer’s Newsletter
Recommended reading
Here at Aspiring Author, we love recommending bestsellers and fawning over hot new releases. On this real time recommended reading list, you will find a list of top rated books on the publishing industry, craft, and other books to help you elevate your writing career.
Poet's Market 34th Edition: The Most Trusted Guide to Publishing Poetry
$20.99 (as of January 24, 2025 17:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Leave a Lasting Legacy: A Practical Guide and Template for Writing and Publishing your Memoir or Autobiography
$7.99 (as of January 24, 2025 17:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
How To Write A Novel Chapter By Chapter: A Complete Guide To Outlining, Plotting And Editing Any Novel
$13.99 (as of January 24, 2025 17:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Publication Manual (OFFICIAL) 7th Edition of the American Psychological Association
$31.64 (as of January 24, 2025 17:05 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
