Offering a variety of competitions established to encourage and promote writers, the Anthology Creative Writing Awards provide a platform for emerging creatives to publish their work. There are six categories: Photography, Cover Art, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Travel Writing, Poetry, Nature Writing and Personal Memoir. The winner of each category will win a cash prize and publication in a future issue of the internationally-distributed Anthology magazine.
Literature
Call for Letters
What I Meant to Tell You
Open call for letters to the living world
An Anthology of Gratitude and Apologies to the Living World
Curated by Shannon Amidon – Verdant Publishing
The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing invite submissions for What I Meant to Tell You, a participatory anthology of letters and notes addressed to any element of the natural world. The anthology will be published in February 2027 – International letter writing month
We are seeking words of gratitude, apology or both to a species, a landscape, a body of water, a single tree, an insect, a season, a place, or any living or once-living thing. A letter, or illustrated letter with a sketch or artwork, feel free to get creative. No writing or art experience required, submissions are welcome from all ages and all places as long as they are sent through the mail.
Guidelines
Submissions can be handwritten or typed and printed and must be postmarked by October 9, 2026. Contributors must also complete a digital submission form, which handles permissions.
Letters written in languages other than English are welcome with an English translation included. For contributors under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required on the submission form.
Every submission will be included in this project. A curated selection will appear in the printed book; the rest will be featured in the online public archive. Contributors will be notified by December 15, 2026 whether their submission will appear in the printed anthology or in the online archive.
Contributors retain copyright. The Verdancy Project and Verdant Publishing hold a non-exclusive license to publish submissions in print and/or digitally. This license is limited to publishing and promoting What I Meant to Tell You, including the printed anthology, the online archive, and related promotional materials (such as social media posts and press coverage about the project). We will not use your submission for merchandise, products for sale, or any purpose outside this project without contacting you first for separate permission. Not every letter will appear in the printed anthology, some will be featured in The Verdancy Project’s public online archive instead. Contributors selected for the printed book receive a complimentary digital copy of the anthology.
How to Submit
– Visit https://forms.gle/hpLTxS1ZXJTcPCp59 and fill out the submission form.
– Write, type, illustrate, or create your letter.
– Mail it to: The Verdancy Project 30310 SE Division DR. Troutdale, OR 97060 by Oct. 9, 2026
Novella-length Fiction and Nonfiction
For a limited time, Sunspot Lit is calling for single works of novella-length fiction or nonfiction in any category, including memoir, literary, genre, and historical. Open April 1 through April 30. See guidelines and submission form, along with the journal’s other open calls (including art), here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.
Geminga Contest 2026
Authors and artists can submit to Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest, which honors the power of micro works in all genres/categories. Opens January 1, closes January 31. Entry fee: $5. Prize: $100 cash and publication. See guidelines and entry form, along with the journal’s other open calls, here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit.
Open Call
Sunspot, an international magazine, seeks unique works. All genres accepted. The call for novelette-length works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and graphic novels up to 29,000 words closes November 15. Guidelines for each category and submission form here: https://sunspotlit.submittable.com/submit/308974/novelette-fiction-cnf-poem-graphic-novel-2025.
Consultant, Los Angeles Program and Engagement – Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
PEN America, a nonprofit organization working at the intersection of literature and human rights, seeks a consultant to lead, execute, and produce the Los Angeles team’s public literary programming, membership engagement, and fundraising events in consultation with the region’s managing director. This consultancy, estimated to require approximately 30 hours per week, will be contracted for an initial six months, with the possibility of an extension for two to three additional months.
The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of preparing and producing meticulously planned events, and be creative, accountable, and capable of juggling multiple timelines and workload demands with poise under pressure. Assignments may also include other fundraising and cultivation events and projects, developing communications and marketing materials, engaging with stakeholders and partner organizations, and liaising with our finance and communications teams as necessary.
The successful candidate will be an energetic self-starter who is ambitious, organized, has excellent follow-through, and has a polished and systematic approach. The candidate should be a creative thinker and problem solver who has awareness of writers and the literary world to draw on, and be able to comfortably converse with supporters, writers, celebrities, and activists. The candidate should be committed to PEN America’s mission and work, with a demonstrated track record of managing and delivering meaningful programmatic experiences with multiple moving parts.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead, execute, and produce the Fall 2025 through Spring 2026 slate of PEN America public programs and events, including literary programs and Free Expression events
- Develop a slate of revenue-generating Author’s Evenings and other donor engagement opportunities
- Establish Emerging Voices alumni programming
- Manage all logistical aspects of programs, including liaising with authors, authors’ representatives, host donors, venues, partner organizations, and other service providers; development, production, and distribution of event-related materials; track event participation and prepare event graphics, outreach, and follow-up emails; and process contracts and invoices, and ensure budget reconciliation
- Represent PEN America and/or prepare representatives at events, as required
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of two years of fundraising and/or event planning experience at a nonprofit organization
- Superb written and verbal communications skills, copy editing and proofreading skills, familiarity with brand-conscious design, and ability to compose digital communications
- Demonstrated success as a team player, engaging in both big picture thinking and minute details
- Must be self-driven, able to take initiative, and able to work independently; has demonstrated creative problem-solving skills
- Willingness and the ability to travel around the Los Angeles metro area, as required
- Local candidates with pre-existing connections within the Los Angeles creative community strongly preferred
- Prior work or familiarity with PEN America is a plus
- Excellent judgment, strong decision-making and negotiation skills, and a collaborative and results-oriented approach
- Experience with human rights and/or arts and culture fundraising is a strong plus
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including Publisher; familiarity with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, or Canva; familiarity with Asana; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge is a plus
Consultancy Fees: The consultancy fee will be $6,000 per month for an initial term of six months. Any reasonable expenses incurred in the execution of duties will be reimbursed, as approved by the managing director.
TO APPLY:
Please submit a complete application (including a cover letter, resume, and unedited writing sample) via BambooHR. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
PEN America is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices, and in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
No phone calls or solicitations, please.
ABOUT PEN AMERICA:
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
