Submission Opportunities August 2026

Please note that the listings below are abbreviated guidelines, and submitters should refer to the individual publications for complete rules and details.

The Forge Literary Magazine | Deadline: August 15

A literary magazine with a rotating system of editors looking for literary and nonfiction work written by humans.

Fee: $3 | Pay: $100

Type: Literary fiction (some genre elements accepted) and non-fiction work preferably under 3,000 words but will read up to 3,500

Note: Open to 200 free submissions on August 1st

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Epoch | Deadline: August 31

A twice a year print publication edited by Cornell University’s Creative Writing MFA students and staff.

Fee: $3 | Pay: $100-$500 depending on length

Type: fiction, poetry, essays, comics, and graphic art

Note: Free submissions are accepted by mail and accepted year round.

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The Carolina Quarterly | Deadline: August 31

The literary magazine of UNC – Chapel Hill publishing 3 print issues a year and exclusive online content.

Fee: $3 | Pay: $25 and copy of issue where their writing appears

Type: fiction, poetry, essay, and visual arts

Note: Fiction and non-fiction submissions must be double-spaced and less than 25 pages. Poetry submissions may include up to three poems submitted in one file.

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WestWord | Deadline: August 31

The current theme is shadow.

Fee: £5 | Pay: Varies

Type: Fiction – Micro (up to 350 words), Flash (up to 1,000 words), Short Story (up to 3,000 words)

Note: Submit only one story per category but may submit to multiple categories with separate entries.

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Best in Rural Writing Contest | Deadline: September 1

Author Will Weaver will serve as the guest judge.

Fee: $10 | Pay: First place – $500, Second place – $200

Type: Fiction and non-fiction up to 7,000 words

Note: Open to previously published submissions

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33nd annual Robert J. DeMott Short Prose Contest | Deadline: September 1

Guest Judge B.J. Hollars will select the winner and 2 runners up for publication in Quarter After Eight.

Fee: $15 | Prize: $1,008.15 + Publication

Type: Any prose writing up to 500 words

Note: Entry fee includes up to 3 pieces.

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Exposition Review – Flash 405 | Deadline: September 5

Submission open August 5. See the website for possible theme requirement.

Fee: $5 | Pay: Varies

Type: Fiction and non-fiction (up to 405 words), Poetry (up to 5 lines), Stage & Screen (up to 4 pages in the appropriate format)

Note: Annual issue submissions will open September 15.

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Dragon Soul Press | Deadline: Rolling Deadlines

Short-story anthologies published on a rolling basis by theme. Two themes running concurrently until August 31st are “Once Upon a Tale,” for horror stories, and “Curses and Crystals” for all stories witchy.

Fee: No | Pay: No

Type: Fiction 3,000 – 20,000 words

Note: Extensive submission guidelines available here.

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More Distant Shores | Deadline: None given

Fledgling, quarterly, online literary magazine seeking stories of the strange that also explore deep, complex ideas.

Fee: No | Pay: $.10/word

Type: Fiction 1,000 – 10,000 words

Note: Simultaneous submissions are NOT allowed as the editors aim for a 2 week turnaround time.

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Muleskinner Journal | Deadline: September 6

Online literary magazine whose theme this month is Curio. Search the flea market and attic, and empty your pockets. It’s about the objects, relics, artifacts, oddities, and hybrids that you find. They want the stories beneath the object and the characters that hold up the story.

Fee: Voluntary | Pay: No

Type: Fiction and Nonfiction up to 3,000 words

Note: Submit in only one category. Send no more than one submission per issue