Sci-fi poetry and prose wanted, a nonfiction contest, and other places to send your short stuff

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Polar Starlight and Polar Borealis {https://polarborealis.ca/} are online non-profit magazines dedicated to speculative fiction.

“The primary purpose of these zines is to encourage beginning writers. I welcome experienced authors but am particularly interested in beginning writers who haven’t made a sale yet.”

Both zines are currently open to submissions of poetry. Poems can be science fiction, fantasy, or horror.  Canadians, landed immigrants and long-term residents only. Pays $10 flat rate.

Deadline: September 30, 2023.

In October, Polar Borealis will open to short story submissions. Prefers stories 1,000 words or less; will accept a few 2,000 words or less, and will publish only one story of 3,000 words or less. 

“In short stories I prefer Science Fiction over Fantasy, though of course SF can include fantasy elements, so I’m flexible. Weird Fantasy would intrigue me. Also interested in Horror with SF aspects. Have a weakness for Lovecraftian Horror. Nothing obscene or ultra-violent. Idea-driven combined with character-driven would be ideal.”

Pays $10 for one thousand words or less, $20 for two thousand words or less (but reasonably above one thousand), $30 for three thousand words or less (but reasonably above two thousand). 

Deadline: October 31, 2023.

Guidelines for poetry and short stories here.

 

Hi, Brian.

EVENT Magazine is running its annual Non-Fiction Contest, and we thought Quick Brown Fox readers would be interested in submitting.

Prize: $3,000 in prizes plus publication in EVENT. EVENT reserves the right to award the prize money as it sees fit (e.g., two prizes valued at $750, three at $500, or one at $1000 and one at $500, etc.) in accordance with the judge’s decision. Published entries will be paid our standard publication payment in addition to any prize money.

Cost: $34.95 per entry; includes a one-year subscription to EVENT and all applicable taxes and shipping—a great deal!

Three Ways to Submit:

Use our online submission form

Email entries to event@douglascollege.ca (Subject: Non-Fiction Contest Entry) and pay the entry fee on our buy page via PayPal.

Or send your manuscript, along with a cheque or international money order, payable to EVENT, to the address below. (American entrants please pay in US dollars.)

EVENT
Non-Fiction Contest
PO Box 2503, New Westminster, BC
Canada, V3L 5B2

Deadline: October 15, 2023. Full contest details here. 

Thanks so much!

Justin Neal

Interim Managing Editor

EVENT also accepts regular submissions of fiction, poetry and book reviews.

Fiction: We look for compelling characters, plots that surprise us, narratives that move us, stories that have something new to say.

Poetry: We love poems that are lyrical without being overwrought, and profound without being pretentious. We look for honesty of emotion, and images that arrest us.

Nonfiction: Due to limited page space, nonfiction usually comes from the annual contest. We look for real-life experiences told as riveting narratives with distinct voices. We publish essays that feel artful and true.

Reviews: If you have opinions on books and know how to articulate them, we’d like to feature you as a reviewer! Read samples reviews on our blog for an idea of our style, and contact our Reviews Editor.

EVENT accepts general, unsolicited submissions by Submittable only. We have two open submissions periods during the months of August-September and December – January. Please note: We are accepting fiction submissions beginning Sept 1, 2019, until we have reached capacity. Due to the overwhelming response for poetry submissions from the previous submissions period, poetry submissions will be accepted at a later time. Please check back.

Full submission guidelines here.

 

The South Shore Review is published in Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and features artists across Canada as well as from all around the world. They give a platform to writers, poets, visual artists, media artists — artists of all kinds, emerging and established. 

The South Shore Review likes:

• Flash Fiction (up to 3 submissions of 300 to 1000 words each)
• Microfiction (up to 5 submissions of 150 words or less each)
• Short stories (1 submission of 1500 to 4000 words)
• Creative Non-Fiction or Essays (1 submission with no length restriction)
• Poetry (5 poems per submission)
• Reviews (1 review outline per submission). Please include a summary of your idea in your document.

Submissions always accepted. Guidelines here.

 

Quick Brown Fox welcomes 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.

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