Contests:

1.  The Akron Poetry Prize 

The Akron Poetry Prize competition is now open for submissions. A prize of $1,500 and publication by University of Akron Press is given annually for a poetry collection. The entry fee is $25 and the contest deadline is June 15, 2014.

http://www.uakron.edu/uapress/akron-poetry-prize/

2. Rattle Poetry Contest

Open to writers, worldwide; poems must be written in English (no translations). Rattle‘s winter issue must be a potential first publication for all works submitted. No previously published works, or works accepted for publication elsewhere. Simultaneous submissions are allowed, but Rattle must be notified immediately by phone or email if any poems are accepted elsewhere. One $5,000 Winner and ten $100 Finalists will be selected in a blind review by the editors of Rattle and printed in the Winter 2014 issue; one $1,000 Readers’ Choice Award will then be chosen from among the Finalists by subscriber and entrant vote. Entry fee is $20, which comes with a one year subscription to Rattle. Contest closes on July 15, 2014.

http://www.rattle.com/poetry/prize/about/

3. American Fiction Volume 14: The Best Unpublished Stories by Emerging Writers 

New Rivers Press will publish approximately twenty short stories in American Fiction Volume 14: The Best Unpublished Stories by Emerging Writers. They are seeking well crafted, character driven literary fiction in any genre. There will be $1,750 in prizes for short fiction ($1000 for 1st Place, $500 for 2nd, $250 for 3rd). Each of the selected story authors will receive national publication and distribution, author discount, and two complimentary copies. Publication date is set for October 2015. Finalist judge is New York Times Bestseller and Pulitzer prizewinning author, Elizabeth Strout. Maximum 10,000 words per story. Reading Fee of $16 for each online submission from February 1 to June 15, 2014.

https://newriverspress.submittable.com/submit

4. Flannery O’Connor Short Fiction Award

The University of Georgia Press is proud to be the publisher of the Flannery O’Connor Short Fiction Award series. Winners are selected through an annual competition. Judges select seven to ten finalists each; the pool of finalist manuscripts is read by series editor Nancy Zafris, who makes the final selection of two winning manuscripts and a runner-up. Authors of winning manuscripts receive a cash award of $1,000, and their collections are subsequently published by the University of Georgia Press under a standard book contract. Entry fee is $25 and the contest ends on May 30, 2014.

https://georgiapress.submittable.com/submit

 Calls for Submissions:

1. Valparaiso Fiction Review

Valparaiso Ficion Review is now reading for the upcoming issue. Submissions to VFR should be original, unpublished fiction and should range from 1,000 to 9,000 words.

http://scholar.valpo.edu/vfr/guidelines.html

2. Bayou Magazine

Bayou Magazine is always looking for innovative and original short stories and poems, but they are especially hungry right now for creative non-fiction that excites. Literary non-fiction, creative personal essays, and lyric essays are what they’re looking for, rather than academic papers or reviews. Submission period closes on June 1, 2014.

http://bayoumagazine.org/submission-guidelines/

3. Mason’s Road: A Literary and Arts Journal

Mason’s Road: A Literary and Arts Journal is currently accepting submissions for the ninth issue. The theme for Issue #9 is “Truth,” and they are looking for unique and arresting takes on this topic. All submissions will be given thorough consideration for publication. However, your work will also be considered for the Mason’s Road Literary Prize, which includes publication and a $500 award. Deadline is May 15, 2014.

http://www.masonsroad.com/about-2/submission-guidelines/

4. Augury Books

This year, Augury Books is looking for poetry manuscripts, short fiction collections, and creative non-fiction manuscripts. Augury’s reading period is open from May 1st through July 31, 2014 and writers will be notified of a decision by December of 2014.  All books selected will be published in 2015.

http://augurybooks.com/submissions/

5. Blotterature Literary Magazine

Blotterature accepts a wide variety of prose, poetry, and artwork. They seek the nontraditional mixed with craft, detail, and process. Well-developed with an edge. Experimental but not aimless. Something with political intentions or just there to entertain. Thought out. Thrilling. Intelligent.

As always, Black Fox Literary Magazine is accepting submissions of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, art and photography. Happy Writing!