There are various writing opportunities this April; contests, fellowships, magazines and anthology submissions, among others. The ones listed here are fee-free submissions, so take advantage of this month by submitting your work to them. Remember to read the rules for each call. And keep this page saved to check for updates.

 

Random Photo Journal

This journal welcomes all genres, with an optional theme of ‘Fruit of Labour’—exploring the rewards and challenges of hard work. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: Grand Prize: ₦150,000 + Print and Online Publication. Runner-Ups: Online publication. 

Deadline: April 2, 2024.

 

 

The Hurston/Wright Crossover Award 

Open to Black writers 18 and older, this award is open to those seeking recognition for their unpublished literary nonfiction. Submissions can be stand-alone essays or excerpts from works in progress. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $2000. 

Deadline: April 2, 2024.

 

Fabula Press Short Story Contest 

You can enter this contest with your original short stories of between 2500 and 7000 words. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $500 (1st) | $250 (2nd) | $100 (3rd) | All published authors will also receive a US$75 honorarium. 

Deadline: April 3, 2024.

 

Bacopa Literary Review

Bacopa is accepting submissions in genres of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $200 (First) | $160 (Runner-Up) – in each genre. | All published will also receive $20 and a copy of the print journal, plus promotion online. 

Deadline: April 4, 2024.

 

Young Sports Journalist Competition 

Pitch Magazine invites submissions of not more than 600 words from writers aged 14-21. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: £50 | Work experience at Pitch HQ | Publication online and in the Summer Issue of Pitch Magazine. 

Deadline: April 5, 2024.

 

The Classical Association Poetry Competition 

This competition features two categories: Original and Translation, with three age categories: Junior (11 and under), Senior (12 to 18), and Open (19 and above). Submissions should not exceed 1,000 words. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<< 

Prizes: £200 (for each category). 

Deadline: April 5, 2024.

 

The Slab Press Anthology

This is an anthology seeking humorous science fiction stories on the theme, ‘Laughs in Space,’. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Deadline: April 7, 2024. 

Payment: Up to £55, £10 per 500 words.

 

Flame Tree Anthologies

For ‘Sun Rising,’ an anthology blending science fiction, fantasy, folklore, and myth, Flame Tree invites submissions on fresh interpretations of sun-based mythology. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<< 

For ‘Moon Falling,’ an anthology blending supernatural, fantasy, folklore, and myth, Flame Tree invites submissions delving into ancient deities like Khonsu, Innana, Artemis, and Thoth, or exploring modern interpretations of moon-based tales. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Payment: $0.08 per word (for original works).

Deadline: April 7, 2024. 

 

53-Word Story Contest

Submit a flash fiction of exactly 53 words, based on the provided prompt. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: Publication and a free book. 

Deadline: April 15, 2024.

 

The F. Sean Hodge Prize for Poetry in Medicine 

This prize is open to current medical students, residents, fellows, or physicians who have completed post-graduate training. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $250. 

Deadline: April 15, 2024.

 

Iskanchi Writing Competition 

This prize is aimed at celebrating African literature. They’re calling on writers to embrace literary rebellion, “our editors seek the most irreverent, disobedient, and wayward voices.” Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: Publication | Iskanchi Magazine Prize | $200 (1st) | $150 (2nd) | $100 (3rd) | Longlisted writers each receive $50. 

Deadline: April 15, 2024. 

 

Writers Space Africa (WSA) Magazine 

For its 90th edition themed “INNER CHILD”, Writers Space Africa seeks submissions on categories including creative non-fiction, children’s literature, flash fiction, poetry, and short stories. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Deadline: April 15th, 2024. 

 

Sprinng Writing Fellowship

This free 6-week online mentorship program is for budding writers from Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and South Africa, aged 18 to 25, who haven’t published a book, and want to learn poetry, fiction, non-fiction, book reviews, plays, and blogging.

Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Deadline: April 15, 2024.

 

Casa Africa 

They’re inviting micro-stories related to Africa, written in Spanish, English, French, or Portuguese, with a maximum length of 1500 characters. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: £750 (1st) | £375 (2nd) | £225 (3rd). 

Deadline: April 16, 2024.

 

The Letter Review Prize 

This is open to short fiction of up to 5000 words, poetry, and unpublished books. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: The top 2–4 winners will share equally in the prize pool of $1000.

Deadline: April 30, 2024.

 

Own Stories Award 

This is an award by Sleeping Bear Press, and it is open to new authors who identify as BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+. Applicants must be United States residents and at least 18 years of age. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $2,000 cash prize and a publishing contract with standard advance and royalties (Grand prize) | $500 cash prize and a consulting session with a Sleeping Bear Press editor. (Honor award winners).

Deadline: April 30, 2024.

 

The Author of Tomorrow Contest 

This is a contest for children and youth up to age 21, on the genre of adventure writing. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<< 

Prizes: £100 plus £150 book tokens for their school (For ages 11 and under, and For ages 12–15). | £1,000 (For ages 16-21). 

Deadline: April 30, 2024.

 

The Preservation Foundation Essay Contest 

For unpublished writers who have never earned over $250 in a year from their creative writing, this contest is open, on the genre of animal nonfiction. Share your true encounters with wild animals. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $200 (1st) | $100 (for runners-up). 

Deadline: April 30, 2024.

 

African Liberty Writing Fellowship 2024/2025

This year-long program aims to train young Africans interested in academia, media, public policy, or critical writing. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: Stipend available. 

Deadline: April 30, 2024. 

Rolling Submissions

These are open calls with recurring deadlines or without specified deadlines; be sure to check if they haven’t reached their submission caps or closed, before submitting.

 

D’LitReview

D’LitReview website is open for submissions. Send your poetry, fiction, non-fiction, essays, hybrid work, you name it! Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<< 

 

Furious Fiction

This flash fiction contest opens on the 5th of each month, with new story prompts unveiled, giving you 55 hours to craft your best 500-word story. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $500AUD. 

 

The 20Something Pub

Submit your 20s-themed stories to this mag, focusing on personal experiences, challenges, triumphs, and life lessons. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

The Kalahari Review 

This vibrant African literary magazine is seeking fresh, unconventional perspectives on modern Africa. They accept various genres, including fiction, essays, poetry, and visual art.  Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

Farafina Books Blog

Submit your short stories, poems, and reviews (minimum 500 words) to info@kachifo.com. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

 

Palimpset Press

As part of their commitment to breaking down barriers for BIPOC, Deaf, and Disabled authors, they are now accepting submissions year-round from authors who identify as above. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

 

The University of Wisconsin Press

They have introduced a new series called Women and Gender in Africa, inviting manuscripts from African-born authors. The series, edited by UW–Madison professors Jacqueline-Bethel Mougoué and Aili Mari Tripp, focuses on publishing original research in history, politics, and cultural studies. It seeks innovative works addressing topics such as women and religion, LGBTQI+ concerns, human rights, migration, and more. Manuscripts should engage in broad theoretical debates, demonstrate comparative insights, and incorporate discussions on literature and popular culture. Submissions will be evaluated based on significance, quality of scholarship, clarity, and marketability. Authors can inquire about their projects by contacting the series editors or submitting a brief email query. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

 

Naija Theatre

They are currently open for reviews, aiming to publish 1-2 reviews monthly. To submit, individuals are required to watch a Nigerian stage play, write a review, and share their name, email address, and the review itself. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: NGN50,000 for each accepted and published review.

Deadline: 25th of each month.

 

 

Shenandoah Literary

Fiction submissions for short stories and novel excerpts are now open on Shenandoah Literary. Only the first 250 submissions will be accepted.

Check the details and guidelines for submissions >>here<<

 

 

Illino Magazine

They’re looking for African fiction; afrofuturism, extended folklore, fantasy, mystic fiction, and young adult fiction by African writers who currently live in an African country.

Prizes: From $20.

Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

 

 

The War Cry

The Salvation Army magazine welcomes writings from freelance writers. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: If you create something new, they pay $0.35 for each word, and for articles they’ve published before, it’s $0.15 per word. 

 

 

Contingent Magazine 

A history magazine currently accepting pitches. They’re interested in various formats. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes:

– $250 for shorts, field trips, and reviews.

– $100 for mailbags and mini-essays.

– $50 for postcards.

 

 

The Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)

This nonprofit magazine is on the lookout for pitches. They are specifically seeking pieces for their new column called “We Stood Up,” which features the voices of individuals working towards economic justice in their workplace. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $300.

 

 

Post-Mortem

They are currently open for pitches. They feature retrospectives of life experiences in the style of a Big Tech post-mortem, written by funny and witty people. If you have a humorous take on life experiences, they want to hear from you. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $100. 

 

 

Meridian

This magazine focused on untold stories in tech, is open to pitches at all times. Prize: The pay ranges between $0.80 and $1 per word. If you have an interesting pitch, you can send it to meridian@mercury.com. Before pitching, it’s a good idea to check their website to get a sense of the kind of work they publish. Check it out >>here<< 

 

 

Type Investigations 

This is a nonprofit investigative newsroom with a focus on pressing issues such as racial and economic justice, climate and environmental health, and civil and human rights. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: They typically offer compensation ranging from $3,000 to $6,000, which includes coverage for travel and reporting expenses. 

 

The Progress Network 

This is a movement striving for a brighter future amidst a world often filled with pessimistic voices. They are eager to receive substantive good news, solutions journalism stories, constructive opinions on current affairs, and progress-oriented perspectives on various themes including history, psychology, philosophy, and culture. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: The compensation for contributions ranges between $250 and $650.

 

 

The Drift

Positioning itself as a “magazine of culture and politics,” they’re seeking socially engaged cultural criticism, class-sensitive analysis, pieces addressing overlooked or evaded aspects in politics, media, arts, or academia, along with upbeat cynicism, un-self-serious screeds, generous takedowns, entries from the margins, fiction, poetry, and concise book, movie, TV, or art reviews. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $2,000 for essays, $500 to $1,000 for short stories, $150 for poems, and $25 for Mentions. 

 

 

The New Yorker

They accept fiction, poetry, shouts & murmurs and daily shouts, cartoons, and other type of writings. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Benefit: Publication.

 

Flora Fiction 

They welcome submissions of artwork and offer a platform for artists to share insights related to creativity, including processes, inspiration, critical thinking, and more. The submission categories include Flash Fiction, Poetry & Prose, Photography, and Drawings & Illustration. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Benefit: Publication.

 

 

Apex Magazine 

Their submission portal for short fiction is currently open. If you have a speculative fiction piece ready, this is your chance to submit. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $0.08 per word

 

 

The House of Gamut 

Fiction and poetry submissions are currently open. If you have stories fitting the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror, thrillers, neo-noir, new-weird, transgressive fiction, magical realism, or literary fiction leaning into the genre, this is your chance to submit. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $0.10 per word (fiction). $50 per poem for new work and $25 per poem for reprints. (Poetry) 

 

 

The Cosmic Background

If you enjoy crafting flash fiction stories that don’t necessarily follow a conventional narrative and love the bizarre and unusual, this is your chance to submit. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $0.08 per word

 

 

The O’Shaughnessy Fellowship 

This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for innovative creators worldwide. It is a one-year remote program open to individuals above eighteen years old. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: up to $100,000 in funding, along with access to founders, investors, and experts who will provide support in bringing your projects to life.

 

 

The RCDIJ Africa Fund 

They are actively providing support for small to mid-scale data and/or investigative journalism projects across various crucial topics, including education, health, security, environment, democracy, corruption, economy, migration, technology, culture, and development. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: Successful projects can be awarded funding ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. 

 

 

Eco Punk Literary Magazine 

They offer a continuous submission window for writers and artists interested in contributing Eco Poetry and Artwork. If you have environmentally-themed poetry or artwork, this could be an excellent platform for your creative expression. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $10.

 

 

Menagerie 

They accept submissions in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prize: $50.

 

 

Palette Poetry 

They exclusively accept submissions in the Poetry genre. Read the details and guidelines for submission >>here<<

Prizes: $50 per poem, up to $150.

 

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