Inklings Scribbles Radar: The Writer’s News Source for Contests, Publication Opportunities and Updates on Inklings Publishing.
- K.M. Sokulski
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
It’s the second Monday of the month and that means it’s time once again for our Inklings Radar listings! The latter half of September's offered a slower turnout on the call for submissions front, but that's to be expected with October bringing us "Promptober" and November coming after with National Novel Writing Month. In the meantime, check out these opportunities for a writing workshop and a writing competition looking for various forms of writing! Don't forget to also check out your event reminders below--two contests from the start of September close tomorrow. If you're still interested in submitting, now's your chance!
Event Type: Writing Workshop
Event Date: September 18th, 2025
Event Location: Fulshear Branch Library
Registration Required
Website: Fort Bend County Libraries
Learn the basics of creative writing including story structure, characterization, setting, tone and more! If you are a budding writer this introductory class is for you! Registration is required.
Event Type: One Act Play, Poetry, Fiction & Very Short Fiction Contest
Deadline: October 15th, 2025
Entry Fee: $10.00-$25.00
$10-25 ENTRY FEE. Deadline Oct 15, 2025. 1st Place prizes range from $1,500-$500. Accepting Short Fiction (7,000 words), Very Short Fiction (1,000 words), Poetry, and One-Act Plays. Winning submissions will be published in either the French Quarter Journal or Bayou Magazine. Winning One-Act Plays will have a staged reading at our 2026 Festival. The story must be unpublished at the time of submission.
-- Event Reminders --
Event Type: Flash Fiction & Non-Fiction Submission Contest
Deadline: September 30th, 2025
Entry Fee: $12.50
Website: dreamswriting.com
Submit a fiction or nonfiction story of between 300 and 1000 words for your chance to win! The winner will receive $150 CAD and 2 print copies of the Dreamers magazine (1 print, 1 electronic).
In a flash story, it’s important to make every word count. Keep the idea of movement in mind and stay focused on propelling the story forward – concentrate on the hook, the climax, and the conclusion. And remember, although it's very short, it's still a story and as such, it should have all the standard elements of a story - plot, character, conflict, etc.
Submit 1 story per entry; enter as many times as you want.
Event Type: Poetry Submission Contest
Deadline: September 30th, 2025
Entry Fee: $25.00
Website: onepagepoetry.com
Don't forget to check out this amazing opportunity! One Page Poetry is now accepting submissions for their poem writing contest! Winners get cash prizes! Don't miss out on the chance to win some cash and get published—look at the submission requirements on their website today!
Event Type: Publication Pre-Order
Deadline: October 3rd, 2025
Pre-Order: Amazon
Website: houstonwritersguild.org
Embark on a journey into hope as ten talented authors invite us into their worlds, and give us their unique takes on how hope can change everything. Tasked with writing a short story in any genre that incorporates hope in some way, our authors present to you this collection as a testament to the power of healing, courage, and transformation. These powerful tales illuminate the many paths we take toward renewal. Whether grounded in gritty realism or tinged with the surreal, each story pulses with emotional truth and the promise of change.
Event Type: HWG Book Launch
Event Date: October 3rd, 2025
Entry Fee: $5.00
Website: houstonwritersguild.org
For just $5 admission, join us for an amazing celebration of our next anthology, Journey into Hope, and all the fantastic contest winners published in the book at @brazosbookstore this October 3rd, 2025!
Event Type: Inklings Author Appearance
Event Date: October 23rd - 25th, 2025
Event Location: Fallbrook Church & Brook Sports Facility
Ticket Fee: NBBF Ticket Options
Website: www.nationalblackbookfestival.com
The National Black Book Festival (NBBF) is an annual event, sponsored by Cushcity.com, one of the largest online sources for African-American authors and literature. The event attracts a wide array of authors, publishers, book clubs, libraries and individual readers from the Southwest U.S. and nationwide.
The 18th annual National Black Book Festival is scheduled for Oct. 23-25, 2025, at Fallbrook Church Brook Sports Facility, 12512 Walters Rd., in Northwest Houston and is sponsored by Cushcity.com, one of the leading websites promoting African-American literature.
Important note on library events and workshops! Author appearances and writing classes have become increasingly popular to host at the library. Be sure to check your local library's calendar for more events related to writing from their website. Know of any opportunities I missed? Did you submit to any of the above listings? Comment below! Depending on the deadline of the event, we may feature it on our next Inklings Scribbles Radar.
Scribble on, Inklingers!
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