Welcome to the March Writing and Publishing Newsletter!
Content of this newsletter:
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
- PAID CONTENT
- WRITING CONTESTS
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” ~Audrey Hepburn
The same can be said about “writing is to believe in tomorrow”.
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- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
Grant MacEwan Creative Writing Scholarship
Sponsored by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. Authors must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate creative writing program of study or mentorship. (Max age 25) Alberta residents only. Poetry, Short Fiction & Creative Nonfiction, Drama, or Graphic Novel.
Prize $7,000 (CAN). Deadline March 2
https://www.affta.ab.ca/funding/find-funding/dr-macewan-literary-arts-scholarship
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Safe Haven Fellowship
The NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship supports scholars at risk. It is designed for established scholars, artists, writers, and journalists who are unable to carry out their work in their current location or circumstances due to conflict or war. A Safe Haven Fellowship is granted for a period of 5 months (Sept-Jan or Feb–June). Fellows are provided with an office, research facilities, communal lunch, participation in the NIAS community, and commuting travel expenses or subsidised accommodation in Amsterdam. Fellows receive a stipend of €3,500 per month. Deadline March 31
https://nias.knaw.nl/fellowships/safe-haven-fellowship-for-scholars-at-risk
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Vermont Creation Grants
Grant awards are a flat amount of $5,000. Creation Grants support Vermont artists or artist groups in creating new work. This highly competitive program is reviewed by an independent panel of practicing artists and arts professionals. Individual artists and artist groups may apply. Both established and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.
Deadline April 5
https://www.vermontartscouncil.org/grants/find-a-grant/artists/creation/
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O’Shaugnessy Fellowships & Grants
The O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants program unites the world’s most bold and undiscovered researchers, builders, and creatives from all over the world to discover, build, and spread path-breaking ideas. Fellowships of $100,000 and Grants of $10,000. Deadline April 30. https://www.osvfellowship.com/
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Peter Bullough Foundation
They provide intimate, focused residencies to artists and writers, with diverse backgrounds and interests. The ideal applicant will be self-directed, motivated, able to work independently, and interested in engaging with the local community. The Peter Bullough Foundation offers free accommodations for three artists at a time in Dr. Bullough’s former home, a renovated 1840’s house with private bedrooms, shared bathrooms, and common spaces. Location is Winchester, Virginia. Fall residencies begin in August, September, and October, and November, and spring residencies start in late January, February, March, and April. Applications are open for 5–6 weeks at a time, opening in mid-January for fall residencies and in mid-April for spring residencies.
https://www.peterbulloughfoundation.org/spring-and-fall-residencies
- PAID CONTENT
Hothouse
Hothouse publishes investigative reporting about climate solutions. Each month, we publish two deep dives on a topic — either reported features or essays — that analyze the people and projects behind climate solutions. The topics we’ve covered so far include seafood, investing, changing careers, electric vehicles, funerals, and (beyond) organic agriculture. We’re open to any and all ideas. We pay 50c per word. Profiles are up to 800 words long, and features are up to 1500 words. Hothouse is primarily for US and UK audiences.
https://hothouse.substack.com/about
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Design Observer
It has built an extraordinary community of professional designers who have lent their perspective, expertise, and passion to the conversation about the value of design in an always-evolving world. Online is our pitch guide for the types of contributors and stories we have traditionally amplified: designers; professional journalists focusing on business, design, education, equity, justice, and beyond; and book publishers and film festival producers. We pay an honorarium of $150 for art-eds, op-eds, and essays (~800–900 words) by design leaders, practitioners, thinkers, and writers.
https://designobserver.com/how-to-pitch-design-observer/
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Liberal Currents
They pay $200 per published article, $350 per published essay. Essays are longer than 1500 words. Articles are 1500 words or fewer and are published frequently. This does not mean they are 1600 words. On average, they are 2000 to 3000 words, but they can be longer. Regardless of the final length, we pay $350 per essay published. Our mission is to create a home for mere liberalism, where the many conflicting currents of the liberal tradition can enter into productive conversation.
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/submission-guidelines/
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Inkstick
Written explicitly by and for you: a broad, inter-generational, and diverse group of real people impacted by global security. Inkstick pays only for original, reported articles. We expect journalists to work ethically and rigorously, conscious of ethical codes of the profession, intentional listening, and harm reduction. Freelance reporters, please inquire about current rates. Pay around $500.
https://inkstickmedia.com/contribute/
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Chicken Soup
Nonfiction. Married? In a long-term relationship? We know you have stories! Share the ups and downs, the funniest moments, the most romantic moments, and all your tips and advice for other couples. We want to know how you got together and how you stay together! Payment: $200. Deadline: March 31
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
- WRITING CONTESTS
Waterman Fund Essay Contest
Writers who have not published a book-length work of fiction or narrative nonfiction on topics of wilderness, wildness, or the ethics and ecology of environmental issues are eligible. Personal, scientific, adventure, or memoir essays between 2000 and 3000 words. The winning essayist will be awarded $3000 and publication in Appalachia Journal. An Honorable Mention essay will receive $1000. Deadline: March 15
https://www.watermanfund.org/essay-contest/enter-essay-contest/
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Papatango New Writing Prize
Open to anyone resident in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Script of roughly 25–50 pages. Prize £8,000. Their scripts will be produced as audio plays and tour the UK in free listening stations. The scripts will also be published digitally by Nick Hern Books. Deadline: March 16, 2026.
https://papatango.co.uk/new-writing-prize/
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DAG Prize
Open to US residents working on a second book. Genre: Second book of prose in the U.S., written in English. Prize $20,000. Deadline March 18
https://www.dagfoundation.org/the-dag-prize
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City of Literature Paul Engle Prize
This prize does not recognize one work, nor is it solely limited to reflecting literary achievement. Rather, the award seeks to recognize a writer, like Engle, who makes an impact on his or her community and the world at large through efforts beyond the page. It also seeks to raise awareness about Engle and his works. Prize $20,000. Deadline March 15
https://www.iowacityofliterature.org/paul-engle-day/#1655230881973-dc276dbb-7391
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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness
Nonfiction. We are looking for true stories about random acts of kindness that have happened to you or stories about a kindness that you performed for someone else. Stories can be serious or funny, but they should definitely inspire readers to look for ways how they can perform kind acts. Payment: $200. Deadline March 31
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
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Ilse Schwepcke Prize for Women’s Travel Writing
Women’s travel writing in English. Prize £5,000. Deadline March 31
https://societyofauthors.org/prizes/other-prizes/ilse-schwepcke-prize/
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Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award
Sponsored by Sisters in Crime. Open to emerging writers of color. An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. Prize $2,000. Deadline March 31 https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/ETBAward
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Silvers Grants for Work in Progress
Open to Anglophone writers of any nationality. Long-form essays in the fields of literary criticism, arts writing, political analysis, and/or social reportage. Prize: Up to $10,000. Deadline March 31
https://silversfoundation.org/grants/
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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Positive Thinking
Nonfiction. We are looking for stories of optimism, faith, and strength to encourage our readers to use positive thinking. What was the situation that inspired you to use positive rather than negative thinking? How did you change your attitude — from negative to positive? How did that turn your life around? These inspirational stories will remind readers to use positive thinking, focus on hope, and show them that each day holds something to be grateful for. Payment $200. Deadline March 31
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
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New Orleans Review
Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Payment: $300 for prose, $100 for poetry. In celebration of Disability Awareness Month, there are no submission fees for writers living with both visible and invisible disabilities. Deadline March 31 https://www.neworleansreview.org/submit/
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March is National Reading Month in the USA — perfect when it is still a bit chilly outdoors. But reading can be listening too, think audiobooks! Listen to stories while walking the dog, gardening, cooking, or lounging. Enjoy the beautiful first days of spring.
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