Opportunities for writers – literary journals & contests
We’ve compiled a list of literary journals and writing contests in our region that offer opportunities for publication. If we’ve missed any, please let us know by emailing us at writers@lakesuperiorwriters.org.
Lake Superior Writers Blog
Lake Superior Writers hosts a blog on this website that focuses on writing. We invite current Lake Superior Writers members to submit guest posts for possible inclusion on the blog. Visit our Submission Guidelines page for more information.
Accepted submissions are also shared with our Facebook page, giving you even more exposure and views!
Literary Journals – Local
Bramble is a poetry quarterly published by the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP). Follow the link for complete details.
Split Rock Review is an online literary magazine founded in the Northwoods of Minnesota in 2012. Its name is inspired from the historic landmark, Split Rock Lighthouse, located on Lake Superior’s north shore. SRR provides a venue for writers and artists of any background, in any stage of their careers, to showcase their best work. Seeks poetry, creative non-fiction, fiction, graphic literature, and comics that explore place and the natural environment, though welcomes any work that finds new meaning in the familiar and inspiration from the stuff of everyday life. Accepts submissions on a rolling basis and publishes biannually.
The Freshwater Review is published by the College of St. Scholastica’s students and faculty. The annual journal showcases poetry, fiction, photography, and fine art produced by members of the College of St. Scholastica community.
The Nemadji Review is published annually by the University of Wisconsin-Superior. It is open to submissions from anyone (not just limited to UWS). They are interested in “all things creative” — research papers, short stories, poems, photography, paintings, and even musical works. Submission deadline is in December with publishing in May.
The Talking Stick is published annually by the Jackpine Writers’ Bloc in northwestern Minn. They accept submissions of poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction through a contest with cash prizes for winners. Selected writers read at an event.
Thunderbird Review is an annual anthology of creative writing and art published by the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College English Department in Cloquet. Submission eligibility includes current students who are at least eighteen years old or Post-Secondary Enrollment Options students who are enrolled at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, University of Wisconsin-Superior, University of Minnesota-Duluth, College of St. Scholastica, or Lake Superior College, along with residents of Carlton, St. Louis, Lake, Aitkin, and Pine counties in Minnesota, and Ashland, Douglas, Bayfield, Burnett, Sawyer, and Washburn counties in Wisconsin. The deadline is usually in winter. Check the college’s website for current information.
Up North Lit is a web-based journal for high school students in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin published by Superior High School in Wis. They accept prose, poetry, photography and art and have categories for high school students and adults. They also print a version of the journal.
Wisconsin Poets Calendar publishes poems annually by poets from Wisconsin or a connection to Wisconsin. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
Literary Journals – Regional
Great Lakes Review seeks short fiction, essays and poems that have some relationship to the Great Lakes region. The work should be set in the region or written by writers living in the region. If accepted, the piece will be published on their website, and will be considered for their “best-of” print issue at the end of the year.
Contests
Jade Ring Contest is an annual contest for members of the Wisconsin Writers Association. Submissions open in the spring, usually starting in May. Categories include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, humor. Cash prizes and critiques available.
Lake Superior Writers Contest is an annual event open to Lake Superior Writers members. Themes vary and are usually announced in January with an April deadline. Selected writers read their entries during a Spring member event and are published online. Cash prizes.
Wisconsin Academy of Sciences and Letters Writing Contest is held annually. Accepts submissions in fiction and poetry from Wisconsin residents. Cash prizes, publications in “Wisconsin People and Ideas,” and opportunity to read at the Wisconsin Book Festival.
Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets (WFOP) offer annual poetry contests: the Triad Contest with a deadline of Sept 1 and the Muse Contest with a deadline of Feb 1.
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