Sunspot Lit accepts all types of prose including essays, memoir, travel, teleplays, film and stage scripts. Submissions under the Flash category can be one or two pieces of flash fiction or nonfiction, with the length of the entire submission not to exceed 1,000 words.

Up to three poems are also accepted under this call, with the total submission not to exceed three pages.

Flash graphic novels of 1 to 4 pages are welcome.

Artwork can be one or two images

Note that mix submission formats(for example, provide one poem and one flash piece as a single entry) are not accepted for this open call. 

Send in your work before the quarterly deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Authors & Artists Eligible

Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest. Literary or genre works accepted; the only requirement is quality. 

Rigel offers $500 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on theme or category. The length for prose is restricted to a maximum of 5,000 words for short stories, or ten pages for poetry, scripts, and graphic novels. 

Excerpts from longer works are eligible, should start with the beginning of the manuscript, and must include a synopsis. The synopsis counts toward the entry’s total word/page count. An excerpt selected as the winner or as a finalist will be offered publication only for the submitted sample.

Titles do not count toward the limit for any prose piece. Epigraphs are included in the word count for works of prose. Artwork should consist of a single piece. 

Feedback is available for fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for an additional fee. This is entirely optional and will not impact the judging process. The written comments will consider the work’s strengths, point out critical weaknesses, and make recommendations for any changes that would make the work stronger. The commentary will be provided 4-6 weeks after the contest closes. 

Open: April 1, 2023

Close: May 31, 2023

Entry fee: $10

Prize: $500 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists. 

Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual print edition. 

Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.  

Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected. Enter through Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks works of fiction or nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 7,501 words up to 17,500 words in their Supernova category. 

Graphic novels should be 26 to 40 pages. 

A single poembetween 11 and 15 pages is also accepted. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit’s poetry editor, Morrow Dowdle, offers feedback for poets.

Dowdle is the author of the chapbook Nature v. Nurture (Artagem Graphic Library). Her poetry has been featured in River and South Review, Poetry South, Dandelion Review, NonBinary Review, Pink Panther Magazine, Panoply, APIARY, The Schuylkill Valley Journal of the Arts, Edison Literary Review, River Poets Quarterly, The Griffin, Philadelphia Stories, and Prism, among other publications. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net.  She is an active member of the Living Poetry collective in the North Carolina Triangle area.

Sunspot is happy to offer three different options for feedback based on the length of the poem. Please note that poets can submit only one poem every three months.

Find out more by reviewing the guidelines on Sunspot’s Submittable page.  

Authors & Artists Eligible

Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest. Literary or genre works accepted; the only requirement is quality. 

Rigel offers $500 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on theme or category. The length for prose is restricted to a maximum of 5,000 words for short stories, or ten pages for poetry, scripts, and graphic novels. 

Excerpts from longer works are eligible, should start with the beginning of the manuscript, and must include a synopsis. The synopsis counts toward the entry’s total word/page count. An excerpt selected as the winner or as a finalist will be offered publication only for the submitted sample.

Titles do not count toward the limit for any prose piece. Epigraphs are included in the word count for works of prose. Artwork should consist of a single piece. 

Feedback is available for fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for an additional fee. This is entirely optional and will not impact the judging process. The written comments will consider the work’s strengths, point out critical weaknesses, and make recommendations for any changes that would make the work stronger. The commentary will be provided 4-6 weeks after the contest closes. 

Open: April 1, 2023

Close: May 31, 2023

Entry fee: $10

Prize: $500 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists. 

Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual print edition. 

Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.  

Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected. Enter through Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks fiction and nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 17,501 to 29,000 words in their current open call for novelette length works. 

Graphic novels should run 41 to 85 pages. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks all types of fiction and nonfiction including essays, memoir, travel, teleplays, film and stage scripts. Single works of fiction or nonfiction should run between 1,001 and 3,500 words.

Graphic novels should run 5 to 10 pages.

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

Send in your work before the quarterly deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks fiction and nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, between 3,501 and 7,500 words. 

Graphic novels should run 11 to 25 pages. 

A single poemof 4 to 10 pages is also accepted.

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks fiction and nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 29,001 to 49,000 words in their current open call for novella-length prose. 

Graphic novels are included in this call, and should run between 51 and 100 pages. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks fiction and nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 17,501 to 29,000 words in their current open call for novelette length works. 

Graphic novels should run 41 to 85 pages. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Sunspot Lit seeks works of fiction or nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 7,501 words up to 17,500 words in their Supernova category. 

Graphic novels should be 26 to 40 pages. 

A single poembetween 11 and 15 pages is also accepted. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

Angel Leya, a staff member of Sunspot Literary Journal, offers feedback on genre fiction, which includes short stories and novel excerpts. She specializes in fantasy and paranormal, with experience in light sci-fi, contemporary romance, and YA.

Leya is the coauthor of the USA Today bestselling book, Shifted (Siren Prophecy series), with over 12 additional novels, novellas, and short stories to her name. She’s been published in  several anthologies, including Fiddlehead Press and The Alliance of YA Authors. She specializes in giving practical advice, with a bent toward characterization and dialog, as well as word flow, breaks in logic, and hooks.

Submissions are capped each month, and the form will shut off once the cap is reached. Visit Sunspot Lit’s Submittable page for options and guidelines.

Authors & Artists Eligible

Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation. Sunspot Lit is looking for the single short story, novel, novella, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that outshines all the rest. Literary or genre works accepted; the only requirement is quality. 

Rigel offers $500 plus publication to the winner, and offers publication to select finalists. No restrictions on theme or category. The length for prose is restricted to a maximum of 5,000 words for short stories, or ten pages for poetry, scripts, and graphic novels. 

Excerpts from longer works are eligible, should start with the beginning of the manuscript, and must include a synopsis. The synopsis counts toward the entry’s total word/page count. An excerpt selected as the winner or as a finalist will be offered publication only for the submitted sample.

Titles do not count toward the limit for any prose piece. Epigraphs are included in the word count for works of prose. Artwork should consist of a single piece. 

Feedback is available for fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels for an additional fee. This is entirely optional and will not impact the judging process. The written comments will consider the work’s strengths, point out critical weaknesses, and make recommendations for any changes that would make the work stronger. The commentary will be provided 4-6 weeks after the contest closes. 

Open: April 1, 2023

Close: May 31, 2023

Entry fee: $10

Prize: $500 cash and publication for the winner; publication offered to runners-up and finalists. 

Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of two months after contest completion, as well as in the annual print edition. 

Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.  

Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected. Enter through Submittable or Duotrope (Duotrope’s form will be available soon).

Sunspot Lit seeks fiction and nonfiction, including scripts and screenplays, from 29,001 to 49,000 words in their current open call for novella-length prose. 

Graphic novels are included in this call, and should run between 51 and 100 pages. 

Please note that collections are not accepted in this category.

This call is open for only a limited time. Send in your work before the deadline using Submittable or Duotrope.

This is from Rosemary’s House, a very cool residency program in Greece that offers workshops for writers. They have priority reviews available for anyone who applies before April 1, so have a look at the chance to write, work, and connect on an island rich with inspiring history.

Join us for a life-changing writing workshop residency at Rosemary’s House, in a location that the ancients used to call “phlegra” or “land of fire” in Greece.  With the support of esteemed mentors you’ll hone your craft in the company of just 13 select writers from around the world.

Whether you are working on a novel, memoir, play, musical, collection of poems, screenplay, pilot, or other genre-bending pursuit, this is an opportunity to propel your progress alongside a group of exceptional peers. 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will close on May 1st, 2023. 

(Apply before April 1st, 2023 to receive priority review)

2023 Schedule – Click your selected date below to learn more and apply:

We believe in multi-genre workshops, so you are welcome to apply to any of the residencies below. 

June 4-11 Mentor Ryan Calais Cameron

Credits include: Paramount, Sky Studios, West End’s Bush Theatre, Royal Court, BBC3, C4, Edinburgh Untapped Award; Ryan is also a prolific actor featured on multiple shows including BBC’s “Luther”. His most recent play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is premiering on the West End at the Apollo Theatre and was just nominated for “Best New Play” at the Olivier Awards. 

Jun 12-19 Journalist & Essayist Doreen St. Felix 

A renowned writer from Brooklyn, NY, Doreen is featured in: The New Yorker, MTV News, The Times, Vogue, Pitchfork, The Fader, Forbes “30 Under 30”, Huffington Post’s List “The Most Important Writing from People of Color in 2015”

August 24^th-31^st Mentor Rebecca Abrams 

Oxford University, MJA Open Book Award, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Amnesty International Press Award

September 1^st-8^th Mentor Sally Bayley 

Oxford University, Royal Literary Fund Fellow: Oxford Brookes University, Radio 4’s Book of the Week, The Spectator Book of the Year

September 9-16 Playwright, Screenwriter, and Lyricist Jake Brunger 

“Love Sarah” #1 New Zealand’s Box Office, #5 in Netflix Top 10 Films, West End’s Ambassadors Theatre, Old Vic Theatre, staff writer for multiple shows including an Emmy-Nominated Animated TV Series 

September 17-24 Writer, Poet, & Essayist Jenny Zhang 

Pen/Bingham Award for Debut Fiction, LA Times Art Seidenbaum Award, O. Henry Award, published with Lena Dunham’s Lenny Books via Random House, worked as a staff writer for HBO and Facebook, currently adapting her work “Sour Heart” into a feature-length film for A24 (Moonlight, Euphoria, Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Click Here to Apply Now and include the code SSLXRH in the “where did you hear about us” section of the application in order to receive priority consideration of your application. 

With limited spaces available on each residency, we’re looking for motivated and talented writers who are ready to harness the opportunity that this experience provides. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to apply@rosemaryshouse.org.In addition, we have recently launched our social media channels, so feel free to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.