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Contest offering cash prize plus publication for authors and artists

Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and hints at more to come. A poem handles this differently than a flash piece, which handles an opening differently than a novel. The first photo, painting or frame presented in a…

Call for Longform Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Graphic Novel Closing March 17

Sunspot Lit seeks single works of fiction or nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, between 3,501 and 7,500 words.Graphic novels should run 11 to 25 pages.A single poem of 4 to 10 single-spaced pages (30 lines per page) is also accepted for this open call. Submit here before the closing date of March 17.

Rigel 2026: $100 for fiction, CNF, poem, art CLOSING SOON

Authors & Artists Eligible Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest. Literary or genre works accepted; the only requirement is quality. Rigel offers $100 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on…

Call for Novella-length Fiction, CNF, Epic Poetry Closing Soon

Sunspot Literary Journal is dedicated to hearing every voice. Part of that commitment includes publishing longform works, including those that qualify as novellas. For this call, single works of fiction or nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 29,001 to 49,000 words can be submitted. Graphic novels should run between 51 and 100 pages. A single poem between 86 and 105 pages is…

Sunspot Literary Journal, Volume 7 Issue 2 Now Available for Free

The latest edition of Sunspot Lit is now available for free download. Check out a novelette by Ron Pullins, translated poems from Pablo Neruda, and the strange and spectacular poetry and short fiction by other contemporary writers. Meditative art by Bangladeshi artist Surovi Akter graces the interior, with a collage by Robin Young on the cover. Download here. Please share the link to help support…

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Writing Residency in Greece

Just a reminder to check out this opportunity to spur your creativity in a lovely setting with Rosemary’s House. Calling for Applications: Writing Residency in Greece The Sunspot Lit community is warmly invited to apply to Rosemary’s House, a writing residency series in Greece with award-winning mentors. Apply now and use affiliate code SSL x RH to receive priority review on our rolling…

Write by the Aegean Sea in this residency based in Greece

Be inspired by stunning vistas and select writers at Rosemary’s House. Every year, they put together a seven-night residency that includes workshops, mentoring, locally sourced meals, evening readings and cultural excursions. Make your dreams come to life with special priority given to readers of Sunspot Lit’s blog and magazine. Here are some of the details direct from the organizers: The…

Closing Soon: $100 for a Flare of Creativity

Authors & Artists Eligible A solar flare is short-lived but has a huge amount of energy. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel or novella excerpt, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that provides a noteworthy flare of creative energy. Literary or genre works accepted. First prize is $100 plus publication. Runners-up and finalists are offered publication. No restrictions on…

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Closing soon: Geminga $100 for Tiny Fiction, CNF, Poetry, Graphic Novel, Art

Authors & Artists EligibleWith Geminga, Sunspot Lit honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. Word limit is 100 for fiction and nonfiction. Micropoetry is limited to 140 characters. Graphic novels should be 4 pages or less. Submissions may be excerpts from longer works. Titles are not included in the word count. Epigraphs are included in the word count. Compound words…

Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest

This is from our friends over at Winning Writers. This year, they’re offering more than $12,000 US in prizes. Here’s a brief rundown, with a link for more details: The 33rd annual Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction & Essay Contest is open for short story and essay submissions until April 15. Entry fee: $25. Prizes: $3,500 each for best story and essay, as well as $500 each for 10 Honorable…

Call for Flash, Poetry, Graphic Novel, or Art Ends September 30

Sunspot Lit accepts all types of prose including essays, memoir, travel, teleplays, film and stage scripts. Using this form, submit:One or two pieces of flash fiction or nonfiction; total length of submission not to exceed 1,000 wordsORUp to three poems, with each poem starting on a new single-spaced page; max 30 lines of poetry per page; total submission not to exceed three pagesORA graphic…

Feedback for Genre Fiction Closing September 27

Sunspot Lit’s Angel Leya offers feedback on genre fiction, with a particular emphasis on novel excerpts. She specializes in fantasy and paranormal, with experience in light sci-fi, contemporary romance, and YA.For works up to 5,000 words, you will receive a few paragraphs (about half a single-spaced page) of comments intended to strengthen your work. For works up to 12,500 words, you’ll receive…

Call for Short Fiction, CNF, Graphic Novel Closing September 23

Sunspot Lit accepts all types of fiction and nonfiction including essays, memoir, travel, teleplays, film and stage scripts. Using this form, submit a single work of fiction or nonfiction up to 3,500 words. Graphic novels should run 5 to 10 pages. In your cover letter, please indicate length and whether the piece is fiction, nonfiction, or poetry.Note that submissions that do not meet the…

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AI and Creativity Closing September 24

Sunspot Lit is launching a new initiative to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and creativity in prose, poetry, and art. For a limited time, the journal’s usual open calls will include an open call specifically for works created with the assistance of AI software, chatbots, or other programs. “Assistance” is being defined as moderate to significant reliance on AI to generate…

Sunspot Lit Vol 6 Issue 2 Now Available for Free Download

The second edition of 2024 is now available for free from Sunspot Lit. This issue showcases art by Aimee Bungard on the cover, a poem by Leah Skay selected for the Editor’s Prize, and the winners and finalists of the Inception, Solar Flare, and Goldilocks Zone contests. Enjoy these works and much, much more by visiting Sunspot’s website. To submit and possibly see your work alongside these new…

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Open Call from San Diego Writers, Ink

San Diego Writers, Ink is pleased to announce that submissions for their A Year in Ink, Volume 18 anthology will be open starting on July 15, 2024 and will remain open until September 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM. Open to San Diego residents and members of SDWI. Learn more at writeyourstorynow.org!

Fall Writing Retreats in Greece (and a Discount)

Rosemary’s House has some unique programs for writers in October. Apply early and receive a significant discount to the fees while moving through your current or new work. Residential Workshop Retreats: apply to one of our multi-genre residential workshops to expand your creative horizons, learn from talented peers, and receive diverse feedback. These retreats feature a daily group workshop and…

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Laine Cunningham