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Current Writing Opportunities

The information provided is for informational purposes only. No guarantees are made about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. Any reliance on such information is strictly at your own risk.

OPEN CALL: HORROR MARKETS

A place for Publishers and Writers to post open calls for professional rate paying horror publications (defined as $25 USD or above).. All posts should have viable links, and contain payment information. No thanks necessary for being added to the group.

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OPEN CALL: SCIENCE FICTION, FANTASY & PULP MARKETS

This is a group for the posting of calls for submissions ONLY. Promotions, links, memes, spam, and any other posts will be deleted. NOTE: Admins will from time to time post informational posts (such as Writer Beware) that are helpful to our members.

2. All posts require the approval of an admin, so don’t bother trying to get around Rule # 1.

Open Submission Calls for Romance Writers

Have you heard of an open submission call from a publisher? Then post here and share with the group! That way, we can keep each other in the loop of special calls from publishers.

Please note that anyone sharing links here is just a sharing of information about open calls, and not to the legitimacy of the call or of the company promoting the open call. Please do research before submitting a piece to any company.

Submission call discussion, searches, questions, legitimacy concerns, etc. is allowed and encouraged in this group.

When posting an open call, please include if the call is for a paying market. If unknown, please post unknown.

OPEN CALL: Crime, Thriller, Mystery Markets

A place for Publishers and Writers to post open calls for CRIME THRILLER OR MYSTERY Publications. All posts MUST have viable links. ALL SPAM WILL BE DELETED WITHOUT WARNING! No thanks necessary for being added to the group

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OPEN CALL: Speculative Markets - Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy

A Facebook group for posting and finding open calls. Although the focus is on speculative markets, all genres are welcome.

Authors Publish Magazine Call for Submissions

41 Themed Calls for Submissions


These are calls and contests for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Some of the call themes are: folk horror; holiday; the unmaking; thresholds; arms & armor; alchemy; who gets to be American?; communication; long-term relationships; cats; the language of flowers; eerie Christmas; and soilpunk.

IFW Institute for Writers

This is a wesbiste that is all about learning to write.  However, they do hold contests. 


Contests are a great way to sharpen your submission skills, stretch your imagination, and get your work out in the world. That’s why the Institute runs adult and kidlit writing contests throughout the year. 


Each children’s book writing contest culminates in a Winners Webinars where we announce the winners and critique the winning entries to help all entrants improve their skills. Plus, each contest has cash prizes for the top five entries.

(Image from IFW website) 

Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

NOTE: Please read all submission guidelines.  This webiste link is provided for you to help you find avenues for writing. 


Erica Verrillo has written seven books and published five. She doesn't know why anyone with an ounce of self-preservation would ever want to publish. But, if you insist on selling your soul to the devil, learn how to do it right: marketing, literary agents, book promotion, editing, pitching your book, how to get reviews, and ... most important of all ... everything she did wrong.

Conferences / Seminars / Webinars

These are writing events in Virginia sponsored by other writing organizations. 

December 31, 2025

Submission Information for Various Magazines

We Send You Publishers Seeking Submissions.

Sign up for our free e-magazine and we will send you reviews of publishers seeking short stories, poetry, essays, and books.

Subscribe now and we'll send you a free copy of our book Submit, Publish, Repeat

February 27, 2026

The Mid-Atlantic Romance Writers Conference

February 27 to March 1, 2026

The Mid-Atlantic Romance Writers Conference is an event focused on the craft of writing romance fiction, taking place in Richmond, VA from February 27 to March 1, 2026. The conference offers workshops, deep dive sessions, pitch appointments, networking, and an author book signing. It is hosted by local chapters like Virginia Romance Writers and Washington Romance Writers.

Key Information:

  • Dates: February 27 - March 1, 2026.

  • Location: Richmond, VA.

  • Focus: Crafting romance fiction, with sessions for writers of all levels.

  • Activities:
    Workshops on writing craft.
    Pitch appointments with agents and editors.
    Networking events.
    Author book signing.
    Award ceremonies.Social events, including the Scavenger Hunt.

March 7, 2026

Williamsburg Book Festival

At the Williamsburg Book Festival, our mission is to celebrate and support the art of literary composition while connecting authors with the reading public.


Our annual, family-friendly event showcases a diverse range of authors, poets, speakers, illustrators, and publishers from Virginia and beyond. The 2026 festival will take place on March 7th. Enjoy a day filled with literary engagement and immerse yourself in a community that promotes reading.


Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevGjtqCiP7pYLKTHW-XLv0Mx6soQV9NO0mxugFkEsW7FaF5w/viewform 

March 26, 2026

Writer's Workout Conference

Mark your calendar for March 23-29, 2026, when you can enjoy a full week of totally bonkers, fully free and accessible video workshops.

Since this is just the teaser and I can't gush (yet) about the awesome, incredible, amazing stuff we have planned, here's a taste of what we're looking forward to:

step-by-step guides

how your life helps you write

what even is it

all the genre stuff

cobbling your ideas into a thing

sharing that thing

selling that thing

how, when, where, and why

...and MULTIPLE PANELS!

Look for the 2026 presenter + presentation information in November and join us March 23-29, 2026 on our YouTube channel. You might even catch some presenters in Discord!

Massive thanks to S.E. Reed, who, as usual, did most of the work reaching out to these delightful volunteers.

Chesapeake Bay Writers
A 501c3 Non Profit 
CBWreply@gmail.com
Founded in 1991, Chesapeake Bay Writers is a chapter of the Virginia Writers Club. CBW serves writers from the Middle Peninsula, the Northern Neck and Williamsburg and adjacent areas. 
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