Content of this newsletter:
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
- PAID CONTENT
- WRITING CONTESTS
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
Welcome to our August Newsletter!
Take it easy this month: In the US, National Lazy Day is August 10. National Relaxation Day is August 15. And August is also a wonderful month for stargazing! And reading, I would add. Every good writer is also an avid reader...
Content of this newsletter:
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
- PAID CONTENT
- WRITING CONTESTS
PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
15 Famous Authors Who Were Published After 40
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/2017/11/15-famous-authors-who-were-published.html
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Find a comprehensive guide to 25 notable writing contests for 2025,
including details on eligibility, submission guidelines, and prizes
https://www.hireawriter.us/creative/writing-contests-in-2025
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WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
Pat Conroy Center Residency
Available to writers of all prose genres. Located on a salt marsh, the residency at MarshSong Cottage provides an inspirational, creative space in the heart of Pat Conroy’s beloved Low Country. The residency location is a guest cottage on St. Helena Island, SC. The residency dates will be October 22 to 29, 2025.
Deadline August 11
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Banff Deep Winter Residencies
This 19-day self-directed residency offers the opportunity to work away from the constraints of everyday life, delve deep into a creative project, and take advantage of a community of artistic peers. Deadline August 20
https://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/literary-arts/deep-winter-writers-2026
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Bryn Du Mansion Residencies
The Bryn Du Artist in Residence program will provide an inspirational setting for the creation of artistic works by one artist at a time, of any discipline, over an 8 or 12-week time frame. All Artists in Residence are expected to provide a minimum of 2 community engagement activities per month. Stipends include $2000 for an 8-week residency and $3000 for a 12-week residency. Location: Granville, OH. Deadline August 31
https://www.bryndu.com/airapplication
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Storyknife Writers Retreat
Every aspect of a residency at Storyknife is steeped in a profound generosity of spirit so that each writer knows she and her work are valuable. Residencies at Storyknife in Homer, Alaska, are either for two or four weeks. The resident’s food and lodging are covered. Deadline August 31
https://storyknife.org/how-to-apply/
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PAID CONTENT
The Sojourner
They accept pitches for reported pieces, analysis, and commentary that address social justice issues or appeal to a well-informed faith audience. They are also looking for pieces that use a solutions lens when reporting on social issues. Feature articles are typically 1,800-2,000 words. Pay $150-$500 depending on the piece. https://sojo.net/magazine/write
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Breck Create
Rolling deadline. Breck Create’s Artist-in-Residence program offers regional and national artists of all disciplines an opportunity to focus on process rather than product while engaging with the local community in a meaningful way. Artists-in-Residence spend 2-4 months in a live/work studio in the Breckenridge Arts District. https://breckcreate.org/artists/air-opportunity
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Flow Space
A digital media platform focused on serving women’s health with content, community, and commerce. Its blog publishes science‑backed articles, personal stories, and expert interviews on topics such as menopause, chronic illness, and wellbeing. Writers don’t need to be in the 35–65 age range themselves, but must be able to write knowledgeably and sensitively for that demographic. Rates $200 to $300. Pitch Emily at ecegielski@shemedia.com.
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Giller Prize
Open to fiction books published in Canada in English between July 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025. Must be nominated by the publisher. Full-length novel or collection of short stories published in English, either originally or in translation. Prize: $100,000 to the winner and $10,000 to each of the finalists.
Deadline: August 15. https://gillerprize.ca/
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WRITING CONTESTS
The Walrus
A magazine that publishes original reporting, essays, fiction, poetry, and visual essays in the fields of politics, the arts, science and the environment, health, business, sports, technology, and international affairs. They publish articles of varying length, depth of reporting, and writing style, and compensate writers accordingly. For example, short essays of around 1,000 words start at $500; long-form reported features pay up to $1/word.
https://thewalrus.ca/about/submissions/
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The Yale Drama Series
Full-length play, with a minimum of 65 pages. Prize: $10,000, publication of the manuscript by Yale University Press. Deadline: August 15
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/yale-drama-series-rules-and-submission-guidelines/
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Omnidawn Poetry Open Book Contest
Prize: $3,000, publication, and 20 copies. There are no citizenship requirements or limitations. Approximately 40 pages to 90 pages of poetry.
$30 Entry Fee. Deadline August 16
https://www.omnidawn.com/contests/omnidawn-poetry-contests/
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Chicken Sour for the Soul
Funny Stories. Nonfiction. We are looking for 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? Payment: $200. Deadline: August 30
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
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Freelancing with Tim
Blog post about freelancing. Pitches only! Payment: $100. Deadline: August 31
https://www.freelancingwithtim.com/p/freelance-journalism-why-editor-rejected-pitch
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Master's Review Summer Short Story Award
Looking for spectacular stories—up to 6,000 words, fiction or creative nonfiction. The first-place winner of this contest will receive a $3,000 grand prize, along with online publication. Second- and third-place finalists will receive $300 and $200, respectively, along with online publication. All finalists will receive agency review from our six partnered agencies. $20 Entry Fee. Deadline September 7
https://mastersreview.com/short-story-award-for-new-writers/
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Joy Bale Boone Poetry Prize
There will be a $400 first-place VISA gift card, $240 second-place VISA gift card, and $100 third-place VISA gift card. Electronically submit no more than three (3) original, unpublished poems in any style, length, or genre in English. $10 Entry Fee. Deadline Oct 1
https://elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/community/theheartlandreviewpress/poetry-prize.aspx
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Aluminum Crown Short Story Contest
In the year 2101, due to environmental changes, the Melbourne CBD will be enclosed in a cube: the Central Business Cube, the CBC. We are looking for stories based on this speculative event in the future of Australia. We are asking you to think inside the box. Open to Australian and international writers. Word length between 1000-5000 words. Stories cannot be published elsewhere (including blogs/Facebook, etc). 1st place: $300 (AU), 2nd place: $150 (AU), 3rd place: $50 (AU). Deadline Oct 31
https://www.chokeandstroke.com/
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This month marks the start of the harvest season, a time of abundance and celebration. Despite the looming end of the season, August brings a wealth of natural beauty and seasonal activities. Enjoy summer and your life!
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