October Deadlines: 12 Contests and Magazines With Deadlines This Month
New month, new courage: submit yourself to these fellowships, magazines, awards and internships. Remember, too, acceptances and rejections are by-products of this journey—crafting your authentic art is the goal. And as always, submit poetry for free to our New Voices or Fellowship.
Featured Opportunity: The 2019 Previously Published Poem Prize Presented by Palette Poetry
Our sister magazine Palette Poetry is looking for work that has already been published. They want to reprint your favorite piece that has drifted off into the inevitable poem-ether. Send them your previously published poems (that haven’t wont a prize of $500 or more already).
Submission Fee: $20
Deadline: October 15
2019 Cave Canem Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Chapbook Prize
Judged by award-winning poet Danez Smith, the 2019 Toi Derricotte & Cornelius Eady Prize is eligible to Black poets writing in English. Manuscripts must be approximately 25-30 pages in length, with no identifiable information concerning the poet contained therein. Cave Canem is an extraordinary foundation, continually providing opportunities and creating spaces for Black poets. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your work considered by such a prestigious and caring institution. Submit here.
Submission Fee: $12
Deadline: Sep 30
Nashville Review Poetry General Submissions
Nashville Review is accepting unsolicited poetry submissions for their next issue! Don’t miss this opportunity to have your work considered by the Vanderbilt University literary publication. Submit up to three poems here.
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: Oct 1
Kenyon Review Poetry General Submissions
Don’t miss the Kenyon Review’s very short submission window! Open for just two weeks “in anticipation of a new editor,” the Kenyon Review is accepting unsolicited poetry submissions to both the print and online publication. Make sure you have up to six poems ready for this opportunity! Submit here.
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: Oct 1
Cherry Tree Poetry General Submissions
Submit up to seven poems to the fantastic publication coming out of Washington College! Note that all submissions will also be considered for Cherry Tree’s timely and urgent column, Literary Shade, which is “interested in poems, short stories, or essays that throw shade at the institutions that have whitewashed our literature and history.” Submit here.
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: Oct 1
The Journal Wheeler Poetry Prize
Offering publication to one full-length manuscript by Mad Creek Books, the Wheeler Poetry Prize is run by The Journal at Ohio State University. Manuscripts will be judged by The Journal’s editorial staff and the winner will be selected by Kathy Fagan. The submission fee covers entry as well as a one-year subscription to The Journal’s print magazine. Submit here.
Submission Fee: $23
Deadline: Oct 10
Brooklyn Poets Hudson Valley Retreat Fellowship
This fellowship covers “the full cost of double registration (boarding with a roommate) for its inaugural Hudson Valley Retreat for students in need.” Poets eligible are those who have not yet published a book of poems and those who have not received a degree in creative writing. Submit a writing sample of 4-5 poems as well as a cover letter detailing interest in the retreat as well as the necessity for financial need here.
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: Oct 13
Washington Square Review Poetry General Submissions
Don’t miss this opportunity! Washington Square Review is open for submissions for just two more weeks. Submit up to five poems or a maximum of ten pages of poetry to NYU’s literary journal here.
Submission Fee: Free
Deadline: Oct 15
Sixth Finch’s Chapbook Contest
Sixth Finch, a wonderful indie magazine and publisher, is looking to publish 2 chapbooks from their slush this year—send them 20-30 pages via email with a paypal fee.
Submission Fee: $12
Deadline: Oct 15
Rhino Poetry Founder’s Prize
Offering a first-place prize of $500 and nomination for a Pushcart Prize, the Founder’s Prize is run by the Chicago publication Rhino Poetry. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your work considered by one of the most formally interesting and prestigious journals out there today. Submit here.
Submission Fee: $15
Deadline: Oct 16
American Poetry Review Honickman First Book Prize
Judged by poet extraordinaire Li-Young Lee, the Honickman First Book Prize offers $3000 and same-year publication by Copper Canyon Press. “The prize is open to poets who have not published a book-length collection of poems with a registered ISBN.” Submit a paginated manuscript of 48 pages or more with acknowledgments and table of contents here.
Submission Fee: $25
Deadline: Oct 31
Raleigh Review General Poetry Submission
The North Carolina publication Raleigh Review is accepting unsolicited poetry submissions until the end of the month! Don’t miss your opportunity to have your work included in this fantastic journal. Submit up to five poems here.
Submission Fee: $3
Deadline: Oct 31
