59 Calls for Submissions in February 2026 - Paying Markets - Publishing ... and Other Forms of insanity

Another long day.

At the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site Panzer found a post about writing markets open for submissions in February.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes markets for fiction, short stories, nonfiction and poetry. All are paying markets.

 

Panzer says, "Some have restrictions, so read the submission guidelines."

 

Note: This is a long post. You decide what you want to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Calls for Submissions

The London Book Fair Announces Plan to Move to Excel in 2027 - Publishing Perspectives

It's not really that far away.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishing Perspectives site. There he discovered a post about the London Book Fair.

 

According to Andrew Richard Albanese's post, the London Book Fair will move to the Excel Center in 2027. The new site has a larger capacity and wi-fi among other improvements.

 

 Panzer says, "Wi-Fi is necessary now."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to London Book Fair to

Glencaire Crystal Crime Short Story Competition

You've got time to write for the competition.

Panzer discovered the annual Glencairn Crystal Crime Short Story Competition is open for submissions.

 

The competition is open to short crime fiction under 2,000 words. The theme is the main character must be from Scotland. (Remember Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival) The competition closes March 31.

 

The Glencaire Crystal site has all the submission rules.

 

To read the competition rules tootle over to Crime Short Story Competition

Watson, Chien, Smith Win 2026 Newberry, A, Printz Awards - Publishers Weekly

After all this I need a nap.

Panzer found this post on the Publishers Weekly site. It's a compilation of several award competitions.

 

The post contains award winner information from Emma Kantor, Iyana Jones and Nathalia op de Beeck. It includes information about several winners of awards other than those listed above.

 

 Panzer says, "This little kitty didn't know there were so many awards available."

 

 Note: This is a very, very, very long post. You might want to bring you dinner for this one.

 

To read the post tootle over to Awards

Killer Nashville Magazine Online Update

Each week they add to it.

The final online update for the January issue of the Killer Nashville Magazine is posted now.

 

A new writers craft article, short story, flash fiction, and poem have been added.

 

To read the new additions tootle over to January Killer Nashville Magazine 

18 Fabulous Writing Conferences and Workshops in February - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Always read the rules.

Panzer stopped in at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site where he discovered the February post of writing conferences and workshops for February is up.

 

 Erica Verrillo's list includes conferences and workshops which may be in-person retreats or online. All are in February, but some run into March.

 

Panzer says, "Always check the application deadlines and any restrictions."

 

Note: This is a long list so you'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writing Conferences and Workshops 

Computers can't surprise - aeon*

It's heavy reading.

Here's an interesting post Panzer found at the aeon site about writers and creativity and LLMs.

 . 

According to author Richard Beard, arguing about 'computers' impact on writing and creativity have been around since the 1800s.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty says, LLMs can't project the depth of emotion in the creative human brain."

 

Note This is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to AI Writing

 

 

* A tip of the kitty hat to Publishers Daily for the link to the post. 

88 Writing Contests in February 2026 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today's first stop in the Catosphere for Panzer was at the Publishing ...and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our little inquisitive kitty boy found a post about free writing contests in February.

 

Erica Verrillo's list includes fiction, novels, short stories, plays, nonfiction, and poetry. They're all free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "If you can't find a contest for your work, you're not looking hard enough."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the contest list tootle over to Writing Contests

A Monday Panzerism

Panzer on exercise equipment:

 

Mom bought me a scratching post. She said it's like her treadmill, only for cats. 

 

Next time I'll tell you what I wanr.

Kind of silly, huh?

 

 It doesn't have handlebars. I don't have any laundry or raincoats to hang over them even if it did.

 

Nope. ... It's a waste of money, Mom.

 

 

 

 

 From Cat Wisdom for humans 

Today's Jigsaw Puzzle: It's simple. No.

Hint

Here's your new puzzle.

 

Remember at the puzzle site to click the square in the lower left corner to see the finished puzzle.

 

Have fun. 

 

To do the puzzle tootle over to  Cat Puzzle