Where to Submit Your Work in March/April

22 places to submit work this spring featuring a wide range of tastes and genres

Well, if it isn’t spring. I live in the Sonoran desert and this time of year the wildflowers are in full bloom along the dry, dusty trails. Ah, my heart is happy.

Mid-February I shared my free poetry workbook featuring Substack poets I follow and admire. You can download it in my last post and follow along for the rest of the year as we dive into poetry together + write some of our own based on the prompts. I hope this gets your creative expression flowing so you have work to submit to some of the places include in this list.

This month’s offering includes something new…places to submit work for children! This little section is based on a deep dig I did last summer & I will continue to add to it in the forthcoming months.

It also includes more contests, small presses, and paid opportunities.

Shall we dig in?

Children’s Books and Stories

1). The School Magazine is Australia's esteemed children's magazine, is now accepting submissions. They're seeking engaging fiction (realistic, fantastical, or humorous, with contemporary or historical settings), articles, poetry, plays, and activities with literary and academic merit. They also publish comics and cartoons.

Currently, they have a special need for very short stories, plays, and nonfiction, particularly for younger readers (Countdown and Blast Off). Pays Fiction, Articles, Plays: AUD 0.50/word, Poetry: AUD 55-230

What they're looking for:

• Fiction: Clear, intriguing prose, original characters, and fresh storylines. Up to 1500 words (shorter stories preferred), with occasional serializations for longer works.

• Poetry: All styles considered.

• Plays: Engaging and age-appropriate.

• Nonfiction: Informative and engaging for young readers.

2). Hogs Back Books is accepting submissions for children's picture books and non-fiction books aimed at readers up to 10 years of age. They also review young adult novels and non-fiction books. Hogs Back Books accepts submissions directly from authors and literary agents. They are also looking for illustrators.

3). Clavis Publishing wants your children's book manuscript or artwork geared towards babies, toddlers, or older children. They're currently accepting submissions of manuscripts and illustrations. All genres considered.

4). Graffeg is eager to hear from both new and established authors! They are particularly interested in receiving submissions for children's books up to young adult reads. Illustrated non-fiction on heritage, food, travel, arts & culture, wildlife, design, and creative subjects are also highly welcome. Books with serialization potential are of special interest.

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Thriller, Contemporary, Horror, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Romance & Speculative Fiction +Nonfiction & Poetry

1). Literally Stories publishes a wide range of genres, excluding historical fiction. They're looking for crime/thriller/mystery, fantasy, general fiction, horror, humour, romance, and science fiction stories. Submissions should be between 500 and 3,000 words. Find the details here: [Link]

2). Dragon Bone Journal Dragon Bone Journal is accepting submissions of genre stories (100-3,000 words), nonfiction, and poetry. Fiction genres include (but aren't limited to): Romance, Fantasy, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Contemporary, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Western, Paranormal, and Historical. The deadline is April 30, 2025. Details here: [Link]

3). Lit Nerds believes in happy endings! They want well-written, enjoyable stories (700-3,000 words) where good triumphs over evil, characters make good choices, and the dog doesn't die. Romanticize everyday life, make them laugh, give them hope! All genres considered (contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi—anything!), as long as it's well-written. They also accept nonfiction and poetry. Details here: [Link]

4). Tamarind is a UK literary magazine seeking fiction (1,500-5,000 words) in any style or format, from short stories to free-form writing. Stories must relate to science, scientists, or the interaction of science and society. They welcome creative explorations of science and its philosophy. They also accept nonfiction and poetry. Works are published under a Creative Commons license (see guidelines).

5). Twenty Hills is open to poetry and short stories in March. They champion indie authors—highly recommend checking this opportunity out!

6). NecksNapMagazine wants your horror short stories, flash, and micro fiction for their inaugural issue. If you write in that genre, this is your chance to be part of something new.

7). The Shore is an online poetry publication “seeking cutting, strange, and daring work from new and established poets alike. We want poems that explore the worlds of things and ideas, that recognize the liminality, the shifting of everything around us and our ability to name a thing whole. We want poems that press and push and ache and recede. Send us your best. We publish 4 times a year, once each season.” They are only open until March 1st, so don’t dally.

Motherhood and Women-Themed

1). Literary Mama reopened after a yearlong hiatus! They accept submissions from anyone who identifies as a mother or with the journey of motherhood. They are also open to work by fathers if that title better describes their caretaking role. They are looking for fresh perspectives, thoughtful language, innovative craft, and vivid imagery for poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

2). Her View From Home publishes heartfelt content year-round, including motherhood but not limited to it! They pay for the amount of views a piece receives, starting at $10 for 0-1000. This is my go-to place to send womanhood-themed essays because they are always looking to meet the voracious appetite of their large following! *

I continue to include them each round because they are a great starting point for any woman new to publishing work!

3). Mutha Magazine is interested in reading nonfiction about all aspects of the journey to becoming a parent. They are looking for essays and memoir/stories around 1,500 words, comics / graphic narratives / photo essays, and select interviews. They are also interested in poetry and select reprints.

Video Game Content

1). Lit Worth assembled a very nice list of 31 publications on the topic of all things video games.

Faith-based Magazines/Anthologies

1). Heart of Flesh seeks to publish Christian-themed literary and artistic work that is both excellent and thought-provoking. They are looking for work that explores themes of faith, doubt, and the human condition in a creative and engaging way. They accept submissions of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and visual art.

2). Clay Jar Review presents their Spring 2025 literary journal submission window now through April 14th. The theme is MIRTH and they want you to make them laugh. Read more on the theme here—it’s a good one!

3). Solid Food Press is hungry for your flavorful writing! They're open to submissions of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that packs a punch. Think bold flavors, unexpected ingredients, and dishes that leave a lasting impression. They're looking for work that's fresh, original, and pushes boundaries. Check out their full submission guidelines for specific details on genres, word counts, and what they crave most.

Short Story, Playwright, and First Chapter Contests

While some of the above presses also accept short stories, these two opportunities are specifically geared towards them, so send off that short you’ve polished and perfected.

1). ShortStory Substack this Substack-based project accepts short stories of 6 words to 10,000 words. They publish one short story a month!

The deets? Send them a story by the month’s end, and the winner will be announced by the 15^th of next month. They pay $100 + 50% of the subscription revenue!

2). The Great Gusty Novelist First Chapter Contest wants the first chapter of your unpublished novel. Submissions must be formatted correctly and submitted by the deadline. By entering the competition, you agree to share your winning chapter on the prize website. All entries must be made through Submittable. $20 entry fee.

3). "Monday's Child" Vignette Contest is a product of The Emerald Theatre Company. They seek original, 10-minute vignettes (10 pages max, 3 characters max) inspired by the "Monday's Child" nursery rhyme. Focus on adults embodying the characteristics of each day's child (fair of face, full of grace, full of woe, etc.). No children's theatre, musicals, or child-centered stories. All genres welcome (absurd, comedic, dark, dramatic, farce, tragedy, etc.). Work must be original and unproduced. Entry Fee: $15 (money order, check payable to Emerald Theatre Company, or CashApp at $EmeraldTheatreMphs). Deadline: May 31, 2025.

Prizes:

• 1st: $100 + medal + stage performance

• 2nd: $50 + medal + stage performance

• 3rd: Medal + stage performance

Winners announced July 1, 2025. Performances in September 2025.

4). Intrepid Times Travel Writing Competition: Pilgrimages is free to enter. Your story should be non-fiction, between 1200 and 1800 words, and written in the narrative style favored by Intrepid Times stories. The winning writer will be paid $300 USD and have their original story and accompanying photographs published in Intrepid Times. Up to four runners-up will also be selected for publication at our standard article rates. Deadline is March 1, 2025.

That’s it for this month’s list. As always, there’s room for all of us at the table!

Warmest Regards,