Short prose and poetry wanted for contests and anthologies

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BelangerBooks seeks short fiction for two anthologies: The Detective and the Clergyman, The adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Father Brown and Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of H.P. Lovecraft.

The Detective and the Clergyman: “In 1910, the first story of Father Brown, the East Anglican Roman Catholic priest and detective was published. Sometimes called the counter to Sherlock Holmes and the world’s second greatest detective, the plain mild-mannered Brown used intuition with his logic to solve cases. This anthology will feature stories where the two great detectives, the cold and calculating Holmes and the kind and meek Brown, team up to solve mysteries.” 

Stories for The Detective and the Clergyman should run 5,000–10,000 words (okay to go over the word limit) and should feature the traditional Holmes of the canon and G.K. Chesterton’s Father Brown. No stories based on TV/ film versions of the detectives.

Pays $50 or $100.

Deadline: October 15, 2022. Full guidelines here.

Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of H.P. Lovecraft: “Imagine Holmes investigating the disappearance of a college student in the mysterious town of Innsmouth, matching wits with a man who can reanimate the dead, or using his deductive skills to help fight creatures from beyond the realm of time and space. 

“These are just some of the stories which could be included in the new anthology Sherlock Holmes: Adventures in the Realms of H.P. Lovecraft. The anthology will feature traditional Sherlock Holmes stories blended with one or more of Lovecraft’s tales.”

Stories should run 5,000–10,000 words (okay to go over the word limit) and should have the traditional Holmes and Watson working with the traditional characters, creatures, and/or gods of H.P. Lovecraft. Remember, there was a logic to the writing of Lovecraft, a rationale behind the otherworldly beings even if humans couldn’t conceive it, that should blend well with the deductive skills of Sherlock Holmes.

Pays $50 or $100.

Deadline: November 15, 2022. Full guidelines here.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul has an ongoing need for story poems and true stories under 1,200 words. Chicken Soup stories are written in the first person and often close with a punch, creating emotion, rather than simply talking about it. 

Chicken Soup for the Soul stories have heart, but also something extra — an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general. A good story causes tears, laughter, goose bumps or any combination of these. 

Read their general guidelines here.

Pays $200.

As usual, Chicken Soup is calling for submissions for numerous anthologies. Here are a few:

Funny Stories: “Share your funny stories about something that happened to you in your life – in your relationship with a partner or spouse, a parent or child, a family member or friend, at work or at home – that made you and the people around you laugh out loud. Did you mean for it to be funny? Did the other person mean to make you laugh? Did a situation just get out of control? Did a misunderstanding turn into a comedy of errors?

“We can’t wait to hear your true stories. We want them to be silly, outrageous and hilarious, and they absolutely must brighten our day and make us laugh! Good clean fun—and sometimes a tiny bit risqué too.”

Deadline: October 15, 2022. Full guidelines here.

How stepping outside my comfort zone changed me: “We all have a tendency to get in a rut. We start to say no to new things, and that can only lead to a narrower and narrower life. When we try new things, we end up feeling energized and pleased with ourselves. There is tremendous power in saying “yes” to new things, new places, and new experiences. It makes you feel more dynamic, younger, and more of a participant in the world. You’re not distancing yourself from change any more. Get ready to step outside your comfort zone! Tell us your own stories about stepping outside your comfort zone and how that changed your life.”

Deadline: December 15, 2022. Full guidelines here. 

The power of positive thinking: “We know that using the power of positive thinking helps you to achieve your goals and lead a happy, purposeful, and productive life. Almost anything is possible if you think you can. You can dream big, overcome challenges, create the best life possible for yourself, and turn adversity into opportunity. How did you “think positive” and how did it change your life? Tell us your success story about using the power of positive thinking!”

Deadline December 15, 2022. Full guidelines here. 

Angels: “Angels and miracles are all around us if we keep our eyes open. We are looking for true personal stories, and poems that tell a story, about how an angel has touched your life – stories of true wonder and awe from people who have directly encountered or received help from angels. We’re looking for amazing stories that will make people say “wow” or give our readers chills. Have you experienced something otherworldly or celestial? Or had a personal experience with an angel or divine being? How did your angel manifest himself or herself to you? Were you the only person who saw your angel? How did your angel protect or guide you?”

Deadline: December 31, 2022. Full guidelines here.

Miracles: “All of us have experienced events in our lives that are completely unexplainable: the strange premonition that made you take a different route home causing you to miss an accident; the eerie feeling that you should call home… now, saving someone’s life; the mysterious communication from a loved one who has passed on. Divine timing, miraculous coincidences, answered prayers, premonitions that come true. Good things do happen to good people. Please share your unbelievable and amazing stories about the unexplainable events that have occurred to you. Share the awe, the faith, and the wonder with our readers. Writers of all religions or no religion are always welcome for Chicken Soup stories.”

Deadline: December 31, 2022.Full guidelines here.

The 2023 CBC Short Story Prize is now open for submissions. The winner will receive $6,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts, have the opportunity to attend a two-week writing residency at Artscape Gibraltar Point, a cultural hub on Toronto Island, and have their work published on CBC Books.

Four finalists will each receive $1,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts and have their work published on CBC Books. {And anyone who makes the short list is also welcome to have their piece published on Quick Brown Fox, after its made its debut on CBC}.

You can submit original, unpublished fiction that is up to 2,500 words. There is no minimum word requirement.

The entry fee is $25, which covers the costs of administering the prize.

Submissions are read by a panel of established writers and editors from across the country. The shortlist and winner will be decided by a jury comprised of three prominent Canadian writers.

Montreal writer Chanel M. Sutherland won the 2022 CBC Short Story Prize for her story Beneath the Softness of Snow. 

The CBC Literary Prizes have been recognizing Canadian writers since 1979. Past winners include Michael Ondaatje, Carol Shields, Michael Winter and Frances Itani.​

The 2023 CBC Nonfiction Prize will open in January and the 2023 CBC Poetry Prize will open in April. 

Have questions? Check out our frequently asked questions or email: canadawrites@cbc.ca.

Deadline: October 31, 2022. Full guidelines here.

 

Engen Books is looking for submissions for a new anthology: Fairy Tales from the Rock, to be available in Winter 2023.

“Over the last six years, the From the Rock series has become one of the preeminent anthology series’ in Atlantic Canada. Since 2018, each entry in the series has become a Canadian bestseller based on pre-orders alone!”

They’re looking for fairy tales inspired by Newfoundland and Labradour culture and new takes on popular fairy tales from the world over. Authors must be Canadian. Maximum 7,00 words. Pays 1 cent / word.

Deadline October 31, 2022, 11:59 Newfoundland time.  Full guidelines here.

Engen Books is also looking for submissions of Bisexual Thrillers. Deadline: February 27, 2023. Full guidelines here (and scroll down).

 

Quick Brown Fox welcomes your book reviews and your short stories, poems, and essays about reading, writing, favourite books, and libraries. Read a few essays on the blog to get a taste of what other writers have done (see here and scroll down).

Quick Brown Fox also welcomes reviews of any kind and of anything, anywhere or anybody. If you want to review your favourite coffee shops or libraries, babysitters or lovers (no real names please), go for it. See examples of book reviews here (and scroll down); other reviews here (and scroll down).

Submit to: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

Include a short bio at the end of your piece and attach a photo of yourself if you have one that’s okay.

 See Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.