They have published a number of anthologies that seemed to do well, and they have paid all contributors. The anthologies reflect a wide range of work.

At first they were solely focused on publishing their own work outside of anthologies, but that changed in late 2020 when they launched the Debut Horror Novel Series.

Cemetery Gates Media has excellent covers but they do not mention a print distributor, which usually means they do not have one.

They are currently seeking submissions for 40k+ word manuscripts from authors who’ve never published a novel. Unfortunately they do not list a deadline for submissions, but they opened to submissions on May 1st. They say that they will continue to read submissions till they sign a contract.

Their goal is to release one novel per year in this series. So far they have mostly met this goal. The first two books in the series are as follows.

#1 – Beulah by Christi Nogle (Published Jan 25, 2022)

#2 The Briars by Stephanie Parent (Publishd in May 2023)

#3 The Ghosts of Blaubart Mansion by Ivy Grimes (Published April 2025)

It is worth learning more about these books if you are serious about submitting, because the editors are seeking something along the same lines.

Authors can not submit if they have published a full length manuscript in the past but are still eligible if they have published novellas and short story collections. The manuscript must be previously published. 

They are offering a $500 signing bonus + $500 advance upon publication. As for the royalties, 60% go to the author on physical and electronic editions of the book.

In earlier editions of this call they stressed that all authors must have two paid writing credits. It is still mentioned that you must have two writing credits (no mention of payment), but only briefly. Please do not submit to them unless you have two writing credits.

To learn more about their formatting requests go here or to learn more about this particular call for submission, go here.

Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2022 Guide to Manuscript Publishers.

She regularly teaches three acclaimed courses on writing and publishing at The Writer’s Workshop at Authors Publish. You can follow her on Facebook here.

Black Coffee Review was launched in 2019, and since then they’ve published five issues. Each edition features poetry from around 25 contributors. Black Coffee Review accepts around 7% of the submissions they receive.

Black Coffee Review is currently published twice a year, in the fall and spring. They read submissions each year from April 1 through July 31 for the fall issue, and from September 1 through November 30 for the spring issue. Submitting authors can expect a response within three months.

Black Coffee Review only publishes poetry. Poets may submit three to five poems, totaling ten pages or fewer. Poets should submit only once per reading period.

Black Coffee Review accepts both unpublished and previously published poems. They accept submissions via email, not online or by post. They accept simultaneous submission but ask authors withdraw poems that are accepted elsewhere.

Black Coffee Review only accepts submissions that follow the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to Black Coffee Review, please visit their website here.

Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.

This is part of our ongoing series on how authors published their first book. You can read our other stories in this series, here, here, here, here, and here.

I’d been driving solo for a few hours. Long, golden stretches of West Texas blurred into New Mexico, and as I scanned the thin line of gray horizon forever ahead of me, I waited for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to emerge from cacti and brush.

It was the spring of 2019, when days vacillated between ochre dust storms and teasing hints of green, and I was on my way to a small mountain village for a weekend of rest, prayer, and focused writing. I had a book in me, I thought, because I’d been on a different journey – a spiritual one – for some time, and I believed I could use it to help or inspire others, if I could just find a way to write it. Get it into people’s hands. Publish it.

Look up books focused on faith, spirituality, or religion, and you’ll be inundated with options. The market is full of translations, devotionals, theological treatises, faith-focused fiction, and more. Hundreds of large and small publishers, including the “Big 5,” publish books in this vein. These books are important and valuable; matters of faith and spirituality provide many with sustenance, inspiration, and hope. But the sheer number of books on these topics – and which accompanying houses publish them – can be overwhelming.

My book was about a year I spent “searching” for Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and understanding her role in my Eastern Orthodox Christian faith. As a convert to Orthodox Christianity, I had a lot of questions about Mary, and for some time, I’d read, researched, and journaled everything I could about her. What emerged from that writing became a spiritual memoir about devotion to Mary and how it changed my faith during a time when personal sorrows would not stop coming. It was not a book, I knew, that would appeal to everyone, and that was okay. But it might appeal to a few people who were also searching for Mary (or at least wanted to know more about her).

So I spent that weekend in a quiet little mountain village hiking, praying, and typing the first words that would become A Long Walk with Mary: A Personal Search for the Mother of God. I also used that time to research Eastern Orthodox publishers.

Because of the unique focus of my book, I knew that A Long Walk with Mary would appeal most to an Orthodox Christian or Catholic publisher, but probably not to a Protestant or Evangelical publisher. I researched all the publishers of Eastern Orthodox and Catholic writing, including small, independent, and seminary presses, and made careful notes about their catalogs, proposal guidelines, market reach, and comparative titles. The reality is, there just aren’t a lot of publishers devoted to Orthodox Christian writing, which was both a positive and a negative for me.

The negative was that if A Long Walk with Mary couldn’t find a home with an Orthodox Christian publisher, it would be very hard to sell to a broader house. One of the top Catholic publishers I was looking at, for example, required agented work, and I knew I didn’t want to seek an agent.

The positive was that I knew I had a unique story to tell, one I couldn’t find a comparative title for in this niche market. Because there are so many religion/spirituality titles out there, it’s extremely important that writers make sure their work is one-of-a-kind and meets a need that hasn’t already been met by another book. Because of my research on Mary, I had a good idea of exactly what was out there in terms of modern-day memoirs exploring devotion to her (very little) and more specifically, books about Orthodox Christian converts integrating devotion to her (zero).

Ancient Faith Publishing, one of the largest publishers of Orthodox Christian writing in the English-speaking world, fit the bill for my book’s topic, voice, market reach, and need. When I returned from my mountain retreat, I buckled down and produced the best initial chapters I could and composed a book proposal, following all their requirements to the letter. Thankfully, Ancient Faith Publishing’s proposal guidelines were extremely detailed. My proposal had to include many elements, including a complete table of contents and sample chapters. Let me tell you, I labored over that proposal! Because of the small Orthodox Christian publishing world, I knew I only had one shot of making an impression since I had no personal relationships with anyone in the field. Submitting the most polished and professional proposal was my main goal.

After I submitted my proposal to Ancient Faith Publishing, I attended a “content creators” conference they hosted. It was a chance to meet other creators and learn more about what this publisher was seeking. This is where I encourage writers to participate in whatever skills-and-relationships building opportunities you can afford. Join professional organizations devoted to your genre. Save up and go to one conference, regional meeting, or local event to network and better your craft. Develop relationships with other authors and editors, and take advantage of online resources. While I was waiting to hear back on A Long Walk with Mary, I volunteered to be a book reviewer and joined some Facebook groups to connect with other creators in the Orthodox Christian world. I am convinced that anything can be a learning experience.

In June of 2019, news arrived. Ancient Faith Publishing was interested in publishing my book! What followed was a flurry of contract negotiations, writing the rest of the book, and – oh! – a pregnancy! The final book was scheduled to be submitted by May 2020, just a few months from my due date. Those precious, unplanned-for months with a newborn changed the course (and ending) of my memoir for the better. I edited the book and added an epilogue from my laptop while my infant son slept sprawled across my lap.

A Long Walk with Mary: A Personal Search for the Mother of God was released in ebook and print in March 2021, and over the summer of that year, I recorded the audiobook version. Since its release, I have been humbled and challenged by its impact. I have been a guest on several podcasts, spoken to book clubs, and even presented at a women’s retreat.

Reading this, you may think this case study is about one lucky chance at getting a book published right out of the gate, but I want to encourage you. In fact, I just had my second full-length book proposal, which I also labored over, rejected by my publisher. After my experience with A Long Walk with Mary, let me tell you, this rejection hurt! My debut book simply had a unique timing and journey; your books will have their own special journeys, too.

Today, I’m back at square one. Back to waiting for something to emerge from the horizon, to writing in the in-between times. Back to reading and journaling and asking myself the all-important question we must never stop asking ourselves:

“What am I going to write next?”

BIO: Brandi Willis Schreiber is the author of poetry, nonfiction, and prize-winning fiction. A longtime native of West Texas, her work has appeared in St. Katherine Review, New Texas: A Journal of Culture and Literature; Big Tex[t], The Texas Review, Red River Review, All Things Dickinson: An Encyclopedia of Emily Dickinson’s World, 2Elizabeths Literary Journal, and elsewhere. Her first full-length book and audiobook, the spiritual memoir, A Long Walk with Mary: A Personal Search for the Mother of God, were published by Ancient Faith Publishing in 2021. Her fiction has appeared in the Romance Writers of America’s anthology, Second Chances: A Romance Writers of America Anthology, and she was the 2017 grand prize winner of the 2Elizabeths “Love and Romance” writing contest. Forthcoming work includes a nativity devotional which is scheduled to be released by Ancient Faith Publishing in late 2023. You can connect with her and learn more about www.brandiwillisschreiber.com

This list consists of fellowships, residencies, and writing and journalism bursaries. Please read the full guidelines and requirements before you apply to these opportunities.

Scott Trust Bursary – The Guardian

The Guardian Foundation is this year offering six bursaries for aspiring journalists to study for an MA in journalism. This is for UK-based writers; see eligibility requirements here. The primary aim of these bursary awards is to assist students who face financial difficulty in attaining the qualifications needed to pursue a career in journalism, and who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the media.

The bursaries pay all course tuition fees and provide a subsistence allowance of £6,741 towards living expenses, and more for those in London. In addition, candidates take part in up to six weeks of work experience at Guardian News & Media and are paired with a Guardian mentor. The opportunity also provides the possibility of a paid fixed-term contract at the Guardian, following the successful completion of the scheme.

This is open to those who have already completed their degree and those who are still currently studying. Please note that you must have graduated before the Masters course starts. They do not accept deferred applications. Please check out the available courses, application instructions and the FAQs page before you apply. Also, you’ll be required to sign up for a free account on the website.

Deadline is May 15, 2023. More details here and here.

AIR–Artist in Residence

AIR–Artist in Residence Niederösterreich offers living and working spaces for architects, visual artists, musicians and writers in Krems an der Donau for a period of one to three months. Studio apartments and a monthly stipend of €1300 shall be awarded based on the premise that foreign artists are to be given the opportunity to work in Lower Austria and get to know different art and cultural institutions in the country. By bringing foreign artists in contact with the Austrian artist scene, AIR–Artist in Residence Niederösterreich seeks to contribute to the internationalization of art in the country and to promote a process of interdisciplinary exchange in the arts. This international exchange takes place primarily on an institutionalized level once a year during their open call.

The basic prerequisite for funding is a degree in a field of art (university level). If the applicant does not have a university degree, proof of equivalent ability must be provided through his or her artistic career. In any case, the applicant must demonstrate regular artistic activity in the proposed areas of funding. Applicants can be artists from the areas of building culture, visual arts, digital arts, literature and music. Austrian artists and artists residing in Austria are not eligible to apply.

A couple of requirements of a literature application are sample text and planned project description. An 80% attendance at AIR–Artist in Residence is compulsory.

Deadline is May 21, 2023. More details here. Submission here (you’ll be required to register before applying).

Jessica George Bursary

Jessica George Bursary is aimed at offering comprehensive support to an underrepresented writer seeking agent representation. The winner will receive: a non cash prize valued at £1200; a full manuscript assessment (which includes an editorial report and a follow up conversation); agent one-to-ones; ticket to the Festival of Writing; a day-ticket to Jericho Writers’ Festival of Writing in October 2023; a lifetime Premium Membership; a lifetime Jericho Writers Premium Membership and tailored support. Two runner-ups will each receive an online one-to-one and a lifetime Jericho Writers Premium Membership.

You must have a completed manuscript that you’re ready to seek agent representation with. Your manuscript must be general adult fiction, fitting under commercial or literary. Genre fiction is not eligible (this includes sci-fi, fantasy, thrillers, romance, historical fiction, etc.). The bursary is exclusively open to residents of the United Kingdom who identify as underrepresented.

To apply, you will need: the first 500 words of your manuscript; a full synopsis of maximum 1 page; and a short introduction to yourself, including how you qualify as underrepresented, and what winning the bursary would mean to you.

Deadline is May 22, 2023. More details here.

Grubstreet Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers

GrubStreet’s Teaching Fellowship for Black Writers provides financial and professional development support to two self-identified Black writers interested in teaching classes, participating in events, and working with our instructors and staff to deepen their curriculum. The fellowship includes compensation of $25,000, artistic mentorship, a showcase of the Fellows’ work, and access to the GrubStreet community and the Muse and the Marketplace conference, and a two-year GrubStreet membership. The program offers sustainable support to Black writers and creates a cohort of fellows who have direct access to GrubStreet resources, classes, and events. They also hope the fellows can influence GrubStreet’s pedagogy and cultural vision based on their experience and feedback.

The teaching load and responsibilities for the fellowship year include: teaching one ten-week class, one six-week class, one week-long teen camp, one three-hour seminar (plus, the option to teach more for additional payment). The fellow will also moderate or participate in a Boston Writers of Color’s event, meet with the Head of Faculty and Education Director periodically to track progress and end the year with a showcase and conversation on their Writer’s Stage (additional stipend paid to Fellows for this).

Meet with new fellows at the end of your own fellowship year.

This fellowship is open to writers who self-identify as Black, are 18 or older, are able to work with both adult and teen audiences, and have a passion for expansive pedagogy, curriculum development, and professional growth. Ideal candidates will have some publication and teaching experience. Preference will be given to those working on their first book or a larger project. MFAs, a long publishing record, or extensive teaching experience are not requirements to apply, though feel free to state if you have any of these things. Submission materials include: a personal statement (500 words max); CV or resume; a writing sample (20 pages limit for prose; 12 pages for poetry; 25 pages for scripts; and 20 pages for other or fused genres); and two personal references (name, email, and phone number).

Deadline is May 30, 2023. More details here. Submission here.

The Center for Fiction/Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships

The Center for Fiction/Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellowships offer grants, editorial mentorship, and other opportunities to early-career New York City-based practitioners who are at a critical moment in their development as fiction writers. During the one-year Fellowship period, grantees will receive: a grant of $5,000; have their manuscript revised and critiqued by an experienced editor; access to write in their Writers Studio; meet with editors, authors, and agents who represent new writers at monthly dinners; two public readings as part of their annual program of events; a professional headshot for personal publicity use; inclusion in an anthology distributed to industry professionals; tickets to their First Novel Fête and/or Annual Awards Benefit; complimentary admission to all Center events; a 25% discount on writing workshops at the Center; and a workshop on reading as performance, conducted by Audible.

Deadline is May 31, 2023. More details here, here. Submission here.

Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence

The Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence is awarded annually to one outstanding, early-career artist who is developing new works that address plants, gardens, or landscapes in the broad sense.  This award is open to visual artists, literary artists, dancers, and musicians. The award includes a $10,000 individual grant and requires a 2-5 week stay at Oak Spring. While at OSGF, the Fellow will be able to meet with staff, explore their 700-acre landscape and their efforts in sustainable land management, and visit their rare book library that holds over 19,000 objects, including many examples of botanical art.

OSGF intends to award the Fellowship to an exceptional artist whose works show remarkable promise to contribute to a deeper understanding of the natural world, and humankind’s place in it.  The Fellow will be scheduled to visit when there are other Interdisciplinary Residents or Fellows on-site. This scheduling will allow the Fellow to join in communal meals, and optional activities and field trips with other artists, ecologists, researchers, or scholars working on projects related to OSGF’s mission. At the culmination of their stay, Fellows are encouraged, but not required, to give a 20-30 minute presentation with time for questions, to Oak Spring staff and any other Fellows, Residents, or program participants who might be on site.

Materials include: a resume/curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages); a 200 – 300-word statement on your artistic practice; a statement of 200 – 300 words stating how your work relates to Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s mission; and work samples.

Eligible applicants must be early-career artists not enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in 2024. They will consider individuals with a proven track-record of professionalism, but who are yet under-recognized, as early-career. Eligible early-career applicants will have some recognition in the form of exhibitions, commissions, performances, grant awards, residencies, Fellowships and/or publications. Individuals who have participated in an extensive number of solo exhibitions, or who have published a significant number of books are not eligible. They encourage those who are not eligible for this Fellowship to apply to the Interdisciplinary Residency. Please read the full guidelines before you apply.

Deadline is May 31, 2023. More details here. Submission here.

Pillars Artist Fellowship

The Pillars Artist Fellowship champions and mentors Muslim directors and writers, 18 years or older and based in the UK or US (at the time of the application). In addition to an unrestricted award of $25,000, ten (10) fellows will receive mentorship from industry experts on how to navigate the business of Hollywood, professional development and creative guidance in their fields, and access to an advisory committee of award-winning Muslim actors, directors, producers and writers. Please read their FAQs page for full eligibility and requirements.

Deadline is May 31, 2023. More details here and here. Submission here.

Global Africa Translation Fellowship 2024

The Africa Institute invites applications to the fourth cohort of the Global Africa Translation Fellowship for the year 2024. The fellowship welcomes applications from across the Global South for a grant of up to $5,000 to complete translations of works from the African continent and its diaspora, into English or Arabic. This is a non-residential fellowship that allows the recipient scholar to complete the work outside of The Africa Institute (Sharjah, UAE). The aim of the fellowship is to make important texts in African and African Diaspora studies accessible to a wider readership across the world.

Recipients will be chosen based on the quality of the proposal, and the demonstrated capacity of the applicant to complete the project. ​​Selected projects may be retranslations of old, classic texts, previously untranslated works, poetry, prose, or critical theory collections. The project may be a work-in-progress, or a new project feasible for completion within the timeframe of the grant.

Submitted applications must include a statement, sample, copyright status (if applicable), and CV, in that order into a single PDF file. Please read the full requirements and the format guidelines before you apply.

Deadline is June 1, 2023. More details here.

The Bard Fiction Prize

The Bard Fiction Prize is awarded to a promising emerging writer who is an American citizen aged 39 years or younger at the time of application. The winner will receive $30,000 and will be appointed as writer in residence at Bard College for one semester, without the expectation of teaching traditional courses. The recipient gives at least one public lecture and meets informally with students.

The prize is intended to encourage and support young writers of fiction, and provide them with an opportunity to work in a fertile intellectual environment. To apply, candidates should write a cover letter explaining the project they plan to work on while at Bard and submit a CV, along with three copies of the published book they feel best represents their work. No manuscripts will be accepted.

Deadline is June 1, 2023. More details here.

Bio: NmaHassan Muhammad writes and resides in Minna, Nigeria. He has been shortlisted for the new The Welkin Prize and is also a category prize winner. Like his picture books, he dedicates this win to Hamood, and all those children we have and lost. Follow him on Twitter @NmahassanM