Content of this newsletter:
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
- PAID CONTENT
- WRITING CONTESTS
Dear readers, writers, and publishers:
Welcome to the shortest month of the year! A great time to promote your books if you have written anything that fits in the theme of Black History Month, Library Lovers Month, or anything related to Romance - think Valentine's Day. The February Newsletter offers an array of opportunities you can benefit from. For example, several invitations for WRITER’s RESIDENCIES.
- PUBLISHING NEWS & TIPS
Encouragement:
Tips for writing consistently
Cross-post to gain a diverse readership
https://link.medium.com/n4mTrKcojIb
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Do You Want to Write for Medium?
Try These Tips for Success
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The Pros and Cons of Writing on Substack
For those of you unfamiliar with Substack, it can be described as a blog and newsletter combo. You write an article, and it’s emailed automatically to people who have signed up for your Substack.
https://www.mixtusmedia.com/blog/to-substack-or-not-to-substack-a-comprehensive-guide-for-authors
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On Writing:
Stephen King’s Writing Tips to Remember
https://link.medium.com/iOawKsCP2Hb
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- WRITERS RESIDENCIES, FELLOWSHIPS, & GRANTS
Red Room Poetry Fellowship - Australia
$1000 stipend. A one-week fellowship opportunity (Monday 24 August - Monday 31 August 2026), offered on-site at Varuna Residency (five offered): Includes all meals and accommodation. Travel to and from Varuna must be arranged and paid for by the Fellows. Location Australia. Deadline February 3
https://redroompoetry.org/projects/fellowship/
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DR Gavin Wallace Fellowship
This year-long opportunity offers one Scotland-based, established writer the rare chance to develop new work in a supported, creatively rich environment, guided by the theme UNFOLDING Scotland. The Fellowship invites writers working in fiction, creative nonfiction, hybrid forms, spoken word, experimental writing, and graphic fiction to apply for a residency beginning in March 2026. The chosen Fellow will receive a £24,000 stipend, alongside structured support, time in Dumfries and Galloway, and meaningful engagement with our region’s diverse creative community. Deadline February 9
https://dgunlimited.org/dr-gavin-wallace-fellowship/
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McDowell Residencies
About 300 artists in seven disciplines are awarded Fellowships each year, and the sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence. MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. Location: Peterborough, NH.
Deadline February 10
https://www.macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
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McDowell Fellowships
About 300 artists in seven disciplines are awarded Fellowships each year, and the sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence. MacDowell encourages applications from artists of all backgrounds and all countries in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. Deadline February 10
https://www.macdowell.org/apply/apply-for-fellowship
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World Press Institute Fellowship
Successful candidates will travel to the United States in August-November and participate in a demanding nine-week cross-country program that begins and ends in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Pay is round-trip airfare, US travel, lodging, and a daily food allowance. Deadline February 15
https://apply.worldpressinstitute.org/2026
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Pigsty Residency - United Kingdom
The Pigsty Residency is an incredible opportunity for a two-month stay at a beautiful location in Allanton with private studio space, designed to give you space, time, and inspiration to create and connect. Residencies usually run for two months between the dates of 8th June and 22nd of August. This residency is open to all creative disciplines, from visual artists to performers, writers to musicians. Pauline and Charlie are particularly interested in providing space to those starting and developing a new project or finishing and rounding up a project. Deadline March 5
https://hugoburgefoundation.submittable.com/submit
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- PAID CONTENT
The Real News Network
At The Real News Network (TRNN), we are committed to working with independent journalists, filmmakers, photographers, and media workers who bring depth, clarity, and justice-centered perspectives to their work. We pay fairly, set clear expectations upfront, and pay quickly upon publication. Short News Article / Dispatch 700–1,000 words $250–$400. Standard Reported Story 1,000–1,500 words $400–$600. In-Depth Feature 1,500–2,500+ words, often with original reporting, $600–$1,200. Investigative Series or Special Assignment, Multi-part or deeply reported, $1,200–$2,000+. Op-Ed / Commentary 600–900 words, strong point of view, $200–$350.
https://therealnews.com/freelancers
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Zoning Practice
The editors of Zoning Practice (ZP) welcome proposals from outside contributors, including those who may be writing for the publication for the first time. Each edition of ZP includes one long-form feature article (4,000–4,500 words) on a single topic. ZP tries to maintain a clear, professional writing style that emphasizes trend analysis and practical recommendations. Standard payment for a lead article is $750.
https://www.planning.org/zoningpractice/guidelines/
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Barefoot Writer Magazine is committed to helping you learn to make money, work from home, and land freelance writing jobs to achieve your dream writer’s life. We pay $100 to $300 for published articles, with the fee depending on the assignment. Once published, we own all rights to the article.
https://www.thebarefootwriter.com/submission-guidelines
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The Sunday Long Read
Stories pays $2,000 with the possibility of covering expenses. Longform nonfiction in its many forms. We want you to do reporting and talk to people. Research is good too. We want you to show us things, not just tell us things, and we like stories that are character- or narrative-driven.
https://sundaylongread.com/sunday-long-read-seeking-original-story-pitches/
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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, New Years
True stories and poems. "Please submit your true stories and poems about the entire December holiday season, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s festivities too." Payment: $200. Deadline: February 28
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Cat Stories
True stories and poems. "We are looking for first-person true stories and poems up to 1200 words that highlight the unique personalities that cats have. Celebrate your cat, or a cat you know, with a wonderful story about what he or she does. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both." Payment: $200. Deadline: March 1
https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/possible-book-topics/
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- WRITING CONTESTS
Giller Prize
Open to books published in Canada in English. Books must be published in Canada in English between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2026, to be eligible for the 2026 Prize. Must be nominated by the publisher. Fiction. 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 February 14
https://gillerprize.ca/submission-guidelines/
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Jacob Wilber Prize for Short Fiction
Short fiction. Prize: $1,500 top prize. Note: There are two different deadlines on the submittable page, one for February 15 and another for March 2. I've chosen the earlier date. There is no entry fee noted on the Submittable page.
Deadline: February 15
https://prisminternational.submittable.com/submit
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Wiley-Silver Prize in Civil War History
First book or monograph in Civil War history published in the previous year. Books or monographs published by scholarly or popular presses are eligible. Prize: $2,000. Deadline: February 20
https://olemiss.edu/civil-war-research/wiley-silver-prize/
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Toronto Star Short Story Contest
Open to Ontario residents, 16 years of age or older. Short story. Prize: 1st prize - $5000; 2nd prize - $2000, 3rd prize - $1000. Deadline: February 25
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Diana Woods Memorial Award in Creative Nonfiction
Essay, maximum 5,000 words. Prize: $250 top prize.
Deadline: February 28
https://lunchticket.org/contests/dwm/
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Edinburgh Short Story Awards
Open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished. For short stories on any topic up to 2,000 words. We welcome stories in all genres: literary, historic, crime, romance, realism, contemporary, humour, and more. First prize £3,000. Second prize £500. Third Prize £250. 5 Commendations worth £100. £11 Entry Fee. Deadline February 26
https://www.scottishartstrust.org/short-story
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Chicken Soup: Dogs
You will receive a check for $250 and 10 free copies of your book. We are looking for first-person true stories of up to 1200 words. We want your funny stories, your heartwarming stories, and your mind-boggling stories about your dog. Deadline March 1, 2026
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Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize
Open to submissions from writers from the UK and Ireland. There is a limited number of free spaces for writers on a low income. First Prize is £1,000, 2nd Prize is £500, and 3rd Prize is £250. The twelve shortlisted stories will feature in the Brick Lane Bookshop Short Story Prize 2026 anthology. Word count 1000-3500 words.
£10 ENTRY FEE. Deadline March 2
https://bricklanebookshop.org/2026-short-story-prize/
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BBC Short Story Award
The Award, now in its 21st year, is worth £15,000 and will be given to one writer demonstrating exceptional skill and artistry in the short story form. The Award is for a single story of up to 8,000 words, written by an established author. Open to published writers who are British citizens and/or resident in the UK.
No Entry Fee. Deadline March 16
https://www.bbc.co.uk/send/u223748296
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Shady Grove Literary Contest
One submission per competition. 300 words maximum. Any style, genre, tone, etc. of flash fiction. 1st place - $100. 2nd and 3rd places- publication online. Shady Grove Literary has readers in multiple countries, but its home is in Thousand Oaks, California.
No entry fee. Submissions are accepted from November 1st to October 31st for each year's competition.
https://shadygroveliterary.wixsite.com/shadygroveliterary/submissions
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February 14 is not only Valentine´s Day, but also International Book Giving Day. Some ways you can make your book offers are by mentioning prominent charities (Book-Aid International, Room to Read) and organizations that donate books to children. Encourage your customers and newsletter subscribers to donate books by offering them first access to a new feature, product, or location where your next book launch is taking place.
Enjoy February, a month that is filled with activities.
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