40 Writing Contests in August 2026 - No entry fees! - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today, Panzer made a stop at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There he found a list of contests with August deadlines.

 

Erica Verrillo's list contains contests for fiction both novels and short stories, nonfiction, poetry and more.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines before you submit." 

 

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

 

To read the list tootle over to Writing Contests in August

Short story prize clears winners of AI allegations after month-long review - The Independent

Think before you say something.

Panzer's second stop today was at The Independent site.

 

There he found a post about the Commonwealth short story prize winners. After investigation of online speculation about the stories being AI-generated, it's been determined that's not true. Several links to other information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty did wonder why humans were saying all the stories were AI-generated."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to Commonwealth Prize 

 

Cutting Down the Daggers - The Rap Sheet

Let's see what's next.

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the hoopla took him to The Rap Sheet site. There he found a post about Britain's Crime Writers' Association's Dagger Awards.

 

J.Kingston Pierce's post contains the shortlists for each of the 12 Dagger Awards categories.

 

Panzer says, "Recognize any names on the lists? This little kitty does."

 

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

 

To read the post tootle over to The Daggers 

Killer Nashville Magazine Update

Read it while you can.

Panzer found the latest online update to this month's Killer Nashville Magazine.

 

Added are a new short story, a poem and two writers craft features.

 

This is probably the last post about Killer Nashville Magazine (KNM) Panzer will do. KNM announced today it's format change so it can be sold online at major retailers.

 

To read this issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

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

Killer Nashville Magazine December Issue Updates

Only 9 days until Santa Claws comes.

At the Killer Nashville Magazine site Panzer found new additions to the online issue.

 

Two short stories, one poem and one writer's craft article.have been added.

 

Panzer says, "That's an interesting writer's craft article for mystery writers."

 

To read the post tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

More Killer Nashville Magazine Online

Fifteen days until Christmas Eve

Traveling around in the Catosphere today, Panzer discovered the December issue of Killer Nashville Magazine has added more features to the online edition.

 

Additions to the issue include a writing craft article, two short stories and a poem. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

 

**** 

 

Note: As we get closer to the end of the year publishing news slows down. The week after Christmas everything is closed and the week after New Years is a slow week too.

Killer Nashville Magazine - September/October Issue Additions

Interesting new features.

Tootling around in the Catosphere, Panzer made a stop at the Killer Nashville Magazine site. There he found more features from the September/October issue have been released.

 

More articles, poems, short stories and flash fiction are available online.

 

To read the new material tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

New Killer Nashville Magazine Issue Online

Interesting issue.

Panzer found the Killer Nashville Magazine September/October issue online today.

 

There's a writing craft article, fiction stories and poems.

 

Enjoy.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine 

5 Canadian Writers Shortlisted for 70k Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize

There are novels and a short story collection.

Panzer's second stop today was at the CBC site. There he found an announcement about the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.

 

According to the post, the five authors and their books have been chosen for this year's prize shortlist. The post contains an explanation of the prize and the shortlist criteria. A short book description and author bio for each shortlisted book is included at the end of the post.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting mix of books"

 

Note: This is another long post, so you'll need to decide what you want to snack on while you read there too.

 

To read the post tootle over to Shortlist 

83 Calls for Submissions in July 2025 - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

There must be something here for you.

Today, Panzer found this post at the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

In her post Erica Verrillo lists 83 markets open to submissions during July, There are markets for fiction, nonfiction, short stories, flash fiction, and poetry.

 

Panzer says, "You know the drill: always read the guidelines before you submit. Some at the beginning of the list have July 1 and July 2 deadlines."

 

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

 

To read about the markets tootle over to 83 Calls for Submissions 

 

56 Writing Contests in June 2025 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Something for everyone.

Today's trip into the Catospher took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site.

 

Erica Verrillo;s post includes 56 writing contests with submission deadlines in June. There are long and short fiction and nonfiction contests. Some have June 1 deadlines, so you'll need to hurry with your entries.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the rules before you submit."

 

Note: This is a very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you study the contests.

 

To read the post tootle over to  56 Writing Contests in June 2025 - No entry fees

New Killer Nashville Magazine Issue Online

I always read the writer's craft articles first.

Today at the Killer Nashville Magazine site Panzer found the May issue posted.

 

As usual at the site just scroll down and click the article or story or poem you want to read.  Some of the material is from the previous issue and some is new.

 

This time there's a new writer's craft article, a short story and a poem.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

64 Writing Contests in May 2025 - No entry fees - Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity

Didn't want to wait until tomorrow to post this.

Today Panzer made a quick trip into the Catosphere to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our inquisitive kitty boy found a post about writing contests in May.

 

Erica Verrilla's post lists 64 writing contests with submission deadlines in May. There are contests for fiction, short stories, and novels and for nonfiction. None charge an entry fee.

 

Panzer says, "Be sure to read the guidelines. Some of these have submissions deadlines of May 1 and some have entry restrictions."

 

Note: Since there are 64 contests listed this is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on. 

To read the submission rules for the contests tootle over to 64 Writing Contests

More Killer Nashville Magazine April Issue Online

Every month they add to the Table of Contents.

Today, Panzer discovered another short story and more writers craft articles added to the Table of Contents list on the April issue of Killer Nashville Magazine on the site.

 

At the page click the tittle of interest to you in the Table of Contents list and you'll be taken to that page.

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

Free Podcast for Mystery Writers (and Readers): The Mystery Short Story

I'll bet you want more.

If you're a short story writer, mystery short stories in particular, Panzer found this podcast for you.

 

The Mystery Short Story Shedunnit Podcast episode includes examples from short stories and examinations of the stories. There's a list of the books and stories mentioned below the episode.

 

Find a comfy spot to relax and listen to this episode.

 

 Note: The episode does have advertisements.

 

To listen to the podcast tootle over to Shedunnit Podcast

77 Free Writing Contests in March 2025 - No entry fees

There are at least five I'd like to enter. How about you?

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity site. There our adventuresome kitty pilot found a post about writing contests in March.

 

Erica Verrillo's list has 77 writing contests and they cover every type of writing: fiction, short stories and novels, nonfiction, poetry and plays. And, they're all free to enter.

 

Panzer says, "With 77 contests there really is something for everyone."

 

Note: With all the contests this is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to  77 Free Writing Contests .

Free Killer Nashville Magazine Issue Online

Be careful. Don't get lost there.

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Killer Nashville site. There he discovered the February issue of the magazine has been posted. 

 

The magazine contains author interviews, writing craft articles and short stories. Following the link below will take you to the Killer Nashville Magazine main page. There click on the feature post you want to read. At the end of the feature you can return to the main page or stay at the feature post's end and follow the link there to another feature.

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

 

To read the issue tootle over to Killer Nashville Magazine

Wales' Dylan Thomas Prize Names Its 2025 Longlist - Publishing Perspectives

In his continuing travels in the Catosphere today Panzer stopped at the Publishing Perspectives site. There he found a post about this year's Dylan Thomas Prize.

 

According to Porter Anderson's post, the longlist of 12 nominees for this year's Dylan Thomas Prize has been announced. The list includes novels, short story collections, and poetry collections.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting collection of nominees."

 

Note:This is a long, short length post or a short, medium length post. Your choice. Bring a cup of tea to drink while you read the list.

 

To read the post tootle over to Dylan Thomas Prize Longlist

MWA Announces 2025 Edgar Award Nominations

Some Mom read to me. Some she hasn't yet.

On his travels today Panzer stopped in at the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) site. On the site he discovered the nominees for the Edgar Awards have been announced. The nominees for 13 awards are listed on the blog.

Panzer says, "They give awards for novels, TV shows, short stories and more."

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you look over the list.

 

To read the nominees list tootle over to 2025 Edgar Award Nominations