“I want to write books that unlock the traffic jam in everybody’s head.” John Updike

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Once again, Minotaur Books and Mystery Writers of America are sponsoring a First Crime Novel Competition. Previously unpublished writers may submit a manuscript of at least 40,000 words that features a murder or other serious crime at the heart of the story. The winner will receive a publishing contract with Minotaur (a division of St. Martin’s Press) and a $10,000 advance against royalties. The deadline to enter is December 14, 2015. Get all the details here. 

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Joey Magazine, an online literary journal, is looking for 750 – 1,000 word short stories that are “fun and entertaining, or that make us cry.” Payment is $50 per story. Check our Joey here. Then review their guidelines here. 

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Romance publisher The Wild Rose Press is looking for manuscripts for a few upcoming special themed anthologies. The editors are seeking Arranged Marriage stories (primarily historical, but if you can create a plausible contemporary arranged marriage storyline, they are open to that as well.) These stories must feature an announcement or advertisement for a spouse in the first 20 pages of the story, as the catalyst for the story. Manuscripts should be 20,000 words and up.

Real Men Wear Kilts will feature kilt-wearing men in all sub-genres of romance — historical, contemporary, paranormal, futuristic, suspense, M/M and wherever your imagination takes you. 20,000 to 40,000 words. Deadline for submissions is October 1, 2015.

Read all about these special calls and others here. 

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Fictuary is sponsoring a free short fiction contest. The contest is open to any type of fiction, 1,000 to 4,000 words. The deadline to enter is August 31, 2015. The winner will receive $50 and publication in Feed Me Fiction magazine. Get the details here. 

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