Submission Sunday 5.25.25
The Hope Prize, Mississippi Review, The Dial, University of Pittsburgh Press, Shooter Literary Magazine, Driftwood Press, MIT Technology Review, and Headlands Center for the Arts
Happy Sunday, writers! Thank you for subscribing. Every other Sunday, you’ll receive eight literary submission opportunities, varying in audience and genre, that have been selected for quality and relevance.
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This edition of Submission Sunday has calls and contests from The Hope Prize, Mississippi Review, The Dial, University of Pittsburgh Press, Shooter Literary Magazine, Driftwood Press, MIT Technology Review, and Headlands Center for the Arts. More details below.
☆☆☆ This week, we’re celebrating our latest (reported) submission success with Lucy Rodriguez-Hanley, who has been chosen as part of the PEN Emerging Voices Workshop after seeing the call for applicants here. Nice work, Lucy! ☆☆☆
The 2025 Hope Prize (Deadline October 31)
The Hope Prize is an international short story competition open to writers worldwide aged 18 and over. We’re seeking powerful, original stories of hope, fiction or non-fiction, from both emerging and established voices. The winner will receive $10,000 AUD, and shortlisted stories will be published in a Simon & Schuster anthology, with 100% of royalties supporting our charity partner. This year, we’re proud to partner with CAMFED, a global leader in girls’ education and women’s empowerment across Africa.
The Hope Prize was born from a belief that storytelling is a force. A force for empathy, action and real change. In a world where despair can feel unavoidable, we wanted to create a space for something else: hope. Calling for submissions from writers across the globe, The Hope Prize is a platform for stories of resilience, courage, and hope. We publish emerging and established voices, and partner with charities whose work changes lives.
Mississippi Review Call for Submissions (Deadline June 30)
Mississippi Review was founded by Gordon Weaver in 1972 at the University of Southern Mississippi. Frederick Barthelme took over the editorial reins in 1977 and along with managing editor Rie Fortenberry quickly turned Mississippi Review into a literary journal of national acclaim. Since 1972, we have been publishing award-winning Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry. We are currently accepting submissions for Mississippi Review 53.3, with a publication date of Winter 2026. We are particularly interested in nature-themed pieces for this issue.
University of Pittsburgh Press Drue Heinz Literature Prize (Deadline June 30)
The Drue Heinz Literature Prize recognizes and supports writers of short fiction and makes their work available to readers around the world. The award is open to authors who have published a book-length collection of fiction or at least three short stories or novellas in commercial magazines or literary journals.
Manuscripts are judged anonymously by nationally known writers. Past judges have included Robert Penn Warren, Joyce Carol Oates, Raymond Carver, Margaret Atwood, Russell Banks, Rick Moody, and Joan Didion. Winners receive a cash prize of $15,000, publication by the University of Pittsburgh Press, and support in the nation-wide promotion of their book.
The Dial is a new online magazine of culture, politics, and ideas with a focus on locally sourced writing from around the world. We welcome pitches for original reporting, pieces of criticism, and works of literature or translation. Most of our features will run about 2,000-3,000 words.
We are focused on stories from outside the United States. Each of our issues will revolve around a central theme, interpreted broadly. In the coming months, these will include:
Spectacle
Fathers
Fever
These themes are starting off points rather than rigid categories. We also publish pieces that don’t fit these themes — so, try us.
$25 Online Screenwriting Class – Refresh the Basics!
Saturday, June 14th at 9 am PT/12 pm ET
Introducing the debut event from DEATH or STORY, a new editorial & coaching company co-founded by award-winning screenwriter Paula Tiberius and Prague-based editor Dominique Buda. We’re offering a 90-minute workshop that breaks down loglines, structure, and character—because even seasoned screenwriters can unlock breakthroughs by refreshing the fundamentals! One hour of teaching, 30 minutes of Q&A. Start gathering questions and sign up today!
Let's Finish Your Novel with Chris L. Terry
Experienced author, editor, and creative writing professor Chris L. Terry is seeking clients for developmental edits and book coaching this summer. References available. Email Chris for more info.
📚 Every other week, I’ll be making space for up to three online writing classes or programs (and the occasional retreat or conference) to advertise their upcoming offerings here. Learn more about getting your own classified ad. 📚
Shooter Literary Magazine Call for Submissions (Deadline June 22)
Shooter launched in January 2015 with the goal of supporting emerging writers of literary fiction, creative non-fiction, narrative journalism and poetry. Though based in the UK, Shooter publishes work in English by writers from anywhere in the world. The magazine publishes two print issues annually in winter and summer.
One of Shooter’s founding principles is to compensate writers and artists for their work. Far too many magazines and literary journals pay their contributors nothing. Financial acknowledgement sends a message that high-quality creative work is valued; even a small amount of money provides significant encouragement for emerging writers and artists. The future cultural landscape depends upon nurturing talent and connecting exciting new writers to readers. Shooter aims to make that connection.
Driftwood Press 2025 Adrift Short Story & Chapbook Contests (Deadline July 15)
John Updike once said, "Creativity is merely a plus name for regular activity. Any activity becomes creative when the doer cares about doing it right, or better." At Driftwood Press, we are actively searching for artists who care about doing it right, or better. Driftwood Press is an independent publisher and literary magazine founded in Tampa, FL in 2013, then moved to Austin, TX in 2024; currently, we have staff members in Austin, Tallahassee, New York City, Broomfield, Attica, and West Chester. We publish a variety of genres including poetry, fiction, comics, visual art, and more. Our yearly "Adrift" contests are judged by a revolving staff of contemporary writers. These contests are open from March to July each year.
MIT Technology Review Call for Pitches (“The Body” – Deadline May 30)
MIT Technology Review is seeking pitches for an upcoming print issue. The theme is The Body. We're looking for pitches for longer pieces: narrative features, compelling investigations, essential profiles, and super-sharp essays. This call for pitches is mostly aimed at journalists, but if you're an expert with a strong idea, please don't hesitate to reach out.
MIT Technology Review welcomes pitches from freelance writers across a broad range of topics. We encourage writers of all skill levels, and from all backgrounds, to pitch us. We are especially interested in hearing from writers with backgrounds that are traditionally under-represented in technology and science journalism, and from outside the United States.
Headlands Center for the Arts Residency Program (Sausalito, California – Deadline June 2)
Headlands Center for the Arts is located in Fort Barry in the Marin Headlands. We are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The Artist in Residence (AIR) program awards fully sponsored residencies to approximately 50 local, national, and international artists each year. Residencies of four to ten weeks include studio space, chef-prepared meals, housing, travel and living expenses. AIRs become part of a dynamic community of artists participating in Headlands’ other programs, allowing for exchange and collaborative relationships to develop within the artist community on campus.
Here’s a reminder of the deadlines coming up from previous posts. Hot tips:
If you go into the archives and revisit posts from this time of year during previous years, you’ll find additional calls that are open annually.
If you submit to any of the Submission Sunday calls and publish or win, let me know and I’ll broadcast your success in a future post.
NYC Midnight Flash Fiction Challenge (Starts on May 30)
Megacity Review Call for Submissions (Deadline May 31)
The Common Call for Submissions (Deadline June 1)
2026 PEN America Grants and U.S. Aid Initiative (Deadline June 1)
Lux + Dirt Call for Contest Submissions (“The Way We Work” – Deadline June 1)
Black Fox Literary Magazine Spring Fox Tales Prize (“Mixed Messages” – Deadline June 1)
Poetry Call for Submissions (Deadline June 14)
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize (Deadline June 15)
2025 Tusculum Review Fiction Chapbook Prize (Deadline June 15)
The Black List 2025 Unpublished Novel Award (Deadline June 27)
The Novelry: The Next Big Story (Deadline July 31)
Taco Bell Quarterly Call for Submissions (Deadline July 31)
F(r)iction Call for Submissions (“Censored” and “Fame” – Deadline August 30)
*This newsletter does not guarantee the unimpeachable behavior of all venues shared here but the odds are good.
