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Every new year I make a writing resolution. In past years, I have resolved to begin projects and to finish them. I've resolved to write what I most feared and to get more rejections than C. S. Lewis. (He got 800 before he was published.) To my credit, I have managed to fulfill all my resolutions - even C. S. Lewis' stunning number of rejections. (I've gotten well over a thousand, but that's counting rejections for everything I've written. So I've fudged that resolution a bit.) And I have resolved to stick to my guns in the face of those rejections, and be true to my work . This year, I am resolving to read. Sometimes writers forget that reading is how we nourish ourselves. It's true that we need to observe to world around us, to think, to ponder. But in order to write we must tackle the task of reading - not just for pleasure, but with the critical eye of a writer. Who are your favorite authors? If you had to give someone your personal list of the top te...

There are more than six dozen calls for submissions in January. All of these are paying markets, and none charge submission fees. As always, every genre, style, and form is wanted, from short stories to poetry to essays. I post calls for submissions on the first day of every month. But as I am collecting them, I post them on my page,  Calls for Submissions . You can get a jump on next month's calls for submissions by checking that page periodically throughout the month. (I only post paying markets.) Also see  Paying Markets  for hundreds of paying markets arranged by form and genre. Happy submitting! __________________ Cast of Wonders Podcast .  Genre : Speculative fiction for teens. Length: 3,000 words max.  Payment : 6 cents/word.  Deadline : January 1, 2021. The Cincinnati Review . Genre : Literary nonfiction (up to 20 pages), fiction, poetry, poetry translations, and art.  Payment : $25/page for prose in the journal, and $30/page for poetry....

This January there are more than three dozen writing contests calling for every genre and form, from poetry, to creative nonfiction, to completed novels. Prizes range from $100,000 to publication. None charge entry fees. Some of these contests have age and geographical restrictions, so read the instructions carefully. If you want to get a jump on next month's contests go to  Free Contests . Most of these contests are offered annually, so even if the deadline is past, you can prepare for next year. Good luck!  (Photo credit: Pixabay) _____________________________ The Reedsy Writing Prompts Contest . Genre : Short story. (See prompts) Prize : $50. Deadline : January 1, 2021. Vermont Writers' Prize .  Restrictions : Open to residents of Vermont.  Genres : Short story, poem, play or essay on the theme of Vermont - its people, places, history or values. Entries must be unpublished and fewer than 1,500 words long. Writers may submit only one entry per year.  Prize : $...

The new year kicks off with seven great conferences for writers. These conferences offer everything from intensive workshops and panels, to pitch sessions with agents and one-on-one tutorials. There is something for everyone. For a full list of conferences held throughout the year see  Writing Conferences . During the pandemic most of these are being held virtually at reduced rates. Quite a few offer scholarships, so apply early. (Photo credit: Pixabay) _____________________________ Pacific University Master of Fine Arts in Writing Residency Writers Conference . January 7-17, 2021: Forest Grove, Oregon. Writers seeking to deepen their craft and expand their professional community are invited to attend the Residency Writers Conference together with MFA students, faculty and guest speakers. Join us for 10 full days of craft talks, workshops, panels, classes, readings and more featuring some of the best minds of the literary world. This residency is a rare opportunity to engage i...

Here are five agents currently expanding their client lists. Barb Roose acquires adult fiction and non-fiction. Ameerah Holliday is primarily interested in young adult fiction, new adult fiction, fantasy/paranormal romance and novels in verse. For non-fiction she's interested in writing derived from performing arts or passion projects and discussions of mental health in minority communities. Jonathan Agin is looking for serious non-fiction—mainly history, politics, and popular culture. Amy Collins is seeking Business, How-To, Reference, History, Historical Memoir, Historical Fiction. Beth Marshea is actively seeking narrative nonfiction centering around cultural phenomena, adult fiction, YA, MG, and picture books . Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here:  Agents Seeking Clients . ________________...

Updated 8/25/21 Here are four new agents actively building their client lists. Elle Thompson is interested in a wide variety of genres within YA and Adult fiction. Jen Nadol is seeking fiction and general nonfiction as well as all types of children’s literature (picture books, middle grade, and young adult). Jolene Haley represents middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction. Haley Casey wants adult, YA, and MG fiction. Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here:  Agents Seeking Clients . _____________________ Ms. Elle Thompson of  Triada US Literary Agency   CLOSED TO QUERIES Elle Thompson joined Triada US as a literary assistant to Uwe Stender and is now looking to build her list with stories that are evocative, intelligent, and character-driven. She is interested in a wide variety of genres...