Local Writers. Local Support.
Journals and Contests
Below is a list of links to journals, magazines, contests, and prizes around the area. Each organization has its own submission guidelines and reading periods. Check websites for full details, and read all submission guidelines carefully. We are always looking for new resources for writers. Email bereawriterscircle@gmail.com with additional Kentucky submission opportunities.
Journals and Magazines
Appalachian Heritage
http://community.berea.edu/appalachianheritage/
Run through Berea College, Appalachian Heritage is a quarterly literary magazine for the Southern Appalachian area. They accept poetry, short fiction, literary criticism and biography, book reviews, and creative non-fiction, including memoirs, opinion pieces, and historical sketches. Prose pieces should stay under 3500 words, and poems cannot exceed 84 lines.
Submit to Appalachian Heritage: https://appalachianheritage.submittable.com/submit
Still: The Journal
This online literary journal with an emphasis in Central and Southern Appalachian literature publishes three times a year: Feburuary, June, and October. Their submission period is once a year in December. Submit poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Works of fiction and nonfiction are limited to 6500 words.
Submit to Still:
https://stillthejournal.submittable.com/submit
Jelly Bucket
http://www.creativewriting.eku.edu/jelly-bucket
Bluegrass Writers Studio's annual graduate-student-produced literary journal seeks works of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction, as well as visual art that incorporates text and/or features an aspect of the book arts. 5,500 word limit or 5 poems.
Submit to Jelly Bucket:
https://jellybucket.submittable.com/submit
Kentucky Monthly
http://www.kentuckymonthly.com
Kentucky Monthly seeks submissions for their annual literary section, which will appear in the November issue. Entries will be accepted in the following categories: Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Nonfiction. Please read the guidelines on their website before submitting your entries.
New Southerner
http://www.newsoutherner.com/submissions/
The New Southerner publishes nonfiction in the form of blog posts, articles, profiles, features, reviews and essays up to 500 words. They also publish photography and art. Content is written by our staff of volunteers and guest contributors. Longer literary nonfiction works, as well as fiction and poetry, is published in the annual New Southerner Literary Edition. To be considered for publication, you must enter their literary contest. Visit the website for submissions guidelines.
Lantern Review
Lantern Review aims to provide a virtual space in which to showcase Asian American poetry. They welcome submissions from anglophone writers of all ethnic backgrounds whose work has a vested interest in issues relevant to the Asian diaspora in North America, as well as work created collaboratively in a community context.
Submit to Lantern Review:
http://www.lanternreview.com/submissionsguidelines.html
The Lousiville Review
The Louisville review is associated with Spalding College. They are looking for previously unpublished works of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama from adults and K-12 students.
Submit to The Louisville Review:
http://www2.spalding.edu/louisvillereview/submissions/
Wind Magazine
Wind Magazine was founded in 1971 in Pikeville, Kentucky as a way to produce an eclectic, high-quality magazine while giving newcomers and emerging writers a chance at publication. Wind is seeking poetry, ficiton, photography, and community spotlight. Submit up to 10 pages of poety or 4,000 words of prose. Include a brief bio.
Submit to Wind Magazine:
A Clean Well-Lighted Place
A Clean, Well-Lighted Place is in its sixth edition and looking for fresh, inspired works of poetry and short fiction. It is an online and print journal dedicated to featuring new, emerging, and established writers.
Online submission:
http://www.lightedplace.com/submit.html
Contests and Prizes
Kentucky Women Writers Conference
http://womenwriters.as.uky.edu/gebehart-guidelines
Prizes for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Winners receive: $200, plus up to $100 in travel, lodging, or dining expenses (receipts required); the opportunity to read her winning work during the Kentucky Women Writers Conference; two 2-day passes for herself and one guest; and one space in a small-group writing workshop for winner (guest must pay workshop fee). Fee: $10
Print and mail entry form:
http://womenwriters.as.uky.edu/entry-form
Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning
http://carnegiecenterlex.org/event/writing-contest-opportunities/
The Carnegie Center in Lexington, Kentucky offers a variety of contests, workshops, classes, and events for writers at all levels.
Submit entries to:
The Carnagie Center,
251 W. Second St.
Lexington, KY 40507
Clearcreek Writers
Clearcreek writers of Shelbyville, KY offer contests for previously unpublished poetry and prose. Entry fees: $8 - $10. Poetry limit is 64 lines, prose limit is 1800 words. Visit their website for submission information.
Georgetown Review
http://www.georgetowncollege.edu/georgetownreview/
In association with Georgetown College, the Georgetown Review runs a yearly magazine contest and poetry contest. They are also open to general submissions to their magazine. Entry fee: $10 - $20
Submit to Georgetown Review:
https://georgetownreview.submittable.com/submit
Finishing Line Press
https://finishinglinepress.com
A prize of $1,000 and publication by Finishing Line Press is given annually for a poetry chapbook by a woman who has not published a full-length collection. Leah Maines will judge. Submit a manuscript of up to 26 pages with a $15 entry fee.
Submit to Finishing Line Press:
https://finishinglinepress.com/guidelines.php
Sarabande Books
Two prizes of $2,000 each and publication by Sarabande Books are given annually for collections of poetry and fiction. For the Kathryn A. Morton Prize in Poetry, submit a manuscript of at least 48 pages; Henri Cole will judge. For the Mary McCarthy Prize in Short Fiction, submit a manuscript of 150 to 250 pages of stories, novellas, or a short novel; Lydia Millet will judge. The entry fee for each contest is $27
Submit to Sarabande Books:
https://sarabandebooks.submittable.com/submit
Kentucky Arts Council
Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowships of $7,500 each are given biennially to Kentucky poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers. Emerging Artist Awards of $1,000 each are also given biennially to Kentucky writers in the early stages of their professional careers. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for the required entry form and complete guidelines.
Green River Writers
http://www.greenriverwriters.org
Green River Writes annual contest is a place for writers of all genres to enter a high-quality competitive arena where good work is recognized and rewarded. GRW members: $2 each entry or $12 for unlimited entries | Non-members: $3 each entry or $18 for unlimited entries.
Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards
http://www.writersdigest.com/popularfictionawards
Choose your favorite genre and enter your best in 4,000 words or less. The catagories are: crime, thriller, romance, horror, science fiction, and young adult. $25 entry fee.