ther than in the romance arena, men writers outnumber women. Or let’s say that published men writers outnumber women. Rather than get into a debate about the reasons for this oddity, let’s consider the opportunities that exist in the writing world just for women.
Contests, grants, markets and publishers actually exist just for the female writer. Hoorah for the souls who recognize that women can contribute in a mighty way to the literary world.
WOW! Women on Writing does a marvelous job of enlightening and entertaining women writers. I not only enjoy writing for WOW, but I adore reading the other pieces as well as admiring the layout design of this creative staff. But who else is so dedicated to women in giving them a place to be published?
There are women dramatists like Lillian Hellman, women poets like Maya Angelou, women novelists like Nora Roberts and Alex Kava women columnists like Maureen Dowd. We don’t just write romance and children’s stories, although we’re darn good at both. We write critical essays, social commentary, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy and editorial op-eds. We know and enjoy writing about politics, science, sports and health, not just home life, clothing accessories and birthing babies.
“Just because half the population cannot compete with you doesn’t mean the competition isn’t stiff.”
From the FundsforWriters archives, learn where you can submit your writing just because you are female.
Just because half the population cannot compete with you doesn’t mean the competition isn’t stiff. As with all contests, only submit your absolute best material, polished to a fine sheen.
A WOMAN’S WRITE
https://www.awomanswrite.com/
A Good Read Fiction Competition. Submit $25 entry fee and first 100 pages of a novel. $500 prize. Deadline in November.
THE GATEWOOD PRIZE
https://switchbackbooks.com/contest.html
$25 entry fee. The Gatewood Prize is Switchback Books' annual competition for a first full-length collection of poems by a woman writing in English between the ages of 18 and 39. It is named after Emma Gatewood, the first woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. $1,000 and publication by Switchback Books. Deadline October 1, 2007.
GLASS WOMAN PRIZE
https://www.sigriddaughter.com/GlassWomanPrize.htm
No entry fee. For a piece of short fiction or creative non-fiction written by a woman. The prize is $380 and online publication.
PERSEA BOOKS LEXI RUDNITSKY POETRY PRIZE
https://www.perseabooks.com/LexiRudnitskyPrize.html
$20 entry fee. For a poetry collection by an American woman poet who has yet to publish a book of poems. The winner receives $1,000 and publication of her collection by Persea. Entries must be postmarked between September 1 and October 31, 2007.
PERUGIA PRESS POETRY CHAPBOOK - BY A WOMAN
https://www.perugiapress.com/contest.html
$22 entry fee. Prize: $1,000 and publication. Send between 48 and 72 pages. Poet must be a living US resident. Poet must have no more than one previously published book of poems. Entry must be postmarked between August 1 and November 15.
WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS' INITIATIVE (WPI)
https://www.womenplaywrights.com/call-for-scripts.htm
No entry fee. Call for scripts August 1 - October 1, 2007. Open to women playwrights in nine states of the Southeast: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA. The winning submission(s) tentatively presented as a part of the 2008 Orlando International Fringe Festival. The winning playwright(s) is expected to be in Orlando for the production, be willing to consider script development work with the director, and will receive a stipend to assist in travel and other expenses.
“Funds to enable you to write are heaven-sent.”
Funds to enable you to write are heaven-sent. These few organizations provide funds to women to pursue their writing or professional endeavors. One mentions fiscal sponsorship, which means you are taken under the organization’s wing, and they use their nonprofit status to apply for grants that are out of reach for individuals. For more information about fiscal sponsorships, go to the tutorial at The Foundation Center at https://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/faqs/section_5c.html to learn answers to your questions about this wonderful opportunity.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMAN
https://www.aauw.org/fga/fellowships_grants/index.cfm
The AAUW’s Career Development Grant supports women who hold a bachelor's degree preparing to advance their careers, change careers, or re-enter the work force.
A ROOM OF HER OWN FOUNDATION
https://www.aroomofherown.org/home.html
The foundation provides annual Gift of Freedom grants of up to $50,000 to women with creative vision.
KENTUCKY FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN
https://www.kfw.org
Opportunities for feminist artists to enhance their abilities and skills to make art for positive social change. Applicants may request funds for a range of activities including: artistic development, artist residencies, the exploration of new areas or techniques, and the creation of new art. Individual artists based in Kentucky may apply. Typically $3,000 to $5,000.
LEEWAY FOUNDATION
https://www.leeway.org
Funding for women and artists seeking social change. Mainly in the Delaware Valley Region of the US.
OPEN MEADOWS FOUNDATION
https://www.openmeadows.org/
A grant-making organization for projects that are led by and benefit women and girls. Grants normally around $2,000.
SISTERS IN CRIME
https://www.sistersincrime.org/grants.html
Events grants for mystery writer members.
THE FUND FOR WOMEN ARTISTS
https://www.womenarts.org/share/
Some direct grants but also provides fiscal sponsorship for artists with definite projects in mind, which opens doors to more grants outside the organization.
“While they’ll accept male writers, they usually seek a woman’s twist to entertain their readers.”
Of course women can write for any magazine or periodical, but some publications are just more conducive and open-minded toward women writers. These are such magazines. While they’ll accept male writers, they usually seek a woman’s twist to entertain their readers.
AUDREY MAGAZINE
https://www.audreymagazine.com/contactus.asp
English-language magazine with stories that interest Asian-American women nationwide. Covers fashion to beauty, celebrities to health, dining to décor, relationships and current events.
BIKER ALLY MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINEn
https://www.bikerallymag.com/
A motorcycle magazine geared for women.
HER SPORTS
https://www.hersports.com/contribute.html
Her Sports is for smart, active women who use sports and fitness to balance their busy lives. Pays $150 to $450.
HORIZONS
https://www.pcusa.org/horizons/resources/abouthorizons.htm
The magazine for Presbyterian women.
JOURNEYWOMAN
https://www.journeywoman.com/writers_guidelines.html
The premier travel resource for women.
MSLEXIA
https://www.mslexia.co.uk/menu/submit.html
Offers women writers the change for publication, payment and attention as many publishers and agents read the publication. Submit to features, book reviews, flash fiction and autobiography sections. Also offers a poetry and prose section for new writers.
SCARLET
https://www.scarletmagazine.co.uk/editorial_contributors.html
https://www.scarletmagazine.co.uk/freelance_contributors.html
Features should be edgy and original. Scarlet pays £100 per 500 words.
SEATTLE WOMAN MAGAZINE
https://www.seattlewomanmagazine.com/guidelines.htm
Covers from food to fashion, profiles to business, politics to everyday practical how-to hints.
SKIRT!
https://www.skirtmag.com/contributor.shtml
Skirt! is all about women...their work, play, families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls.
WOMAN POKER PLAYER
https://www.womanpokerplayer.com/
A lifestyle publication for women who enjoy playing poker. Covers strategies, tournament reports, profiles of professional women players, fashion and wellness.
WOMEN ENGINEERS
https://www.eop.com/we.html
A trade publication free to qualified women engineering, computer-science, and information technology students and professionals.
WOMEN IN THE OUTDOORS
https://www.nwtf.org//tv_magazines/womenintheoutdoors-magazine.html
National Wild Turkey Federation publication dedicated to informing and entertaining women about the outdoors. Covers topics like camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, bird watching, gardening, fitness and more.
WORKING MOTHER
https://www.workingmother.com/?service=vpage/140
Prefers articles between 700 and 1,500 words about mothers juggling job, home and family.
“No obstacles in trying to make someone understand where you’re coming from.”
How wonderful to speak to an editor who understands your feminist viewpoint, or your feminine voice, or your message to educate all women. No obstacles in trying to make someone understand where you’re coming from. Take your manuscript to those who know what you’re trying to say.
AUNT LUTE BOOKS
https://www.auntlute.com/submissions.htm
Aunt Lute Books is a multicultural women's press that seeks to cultivate new bodies of thought and understanding. The priority of our staff is to publish work by women not traditionally served by mainstream publishers, particularly works by women of color.
FEMINIST PRESS
https://www.feministpress.org/
The mission of the press is to publish and promote the most potent voices of women from all eras and all regions of the globe.
LADYBUG BOOKS
https://www.ladybugbooks.com/publish.htm
Offers three ways to publish women voices. Traditional, free on CD or their new Partners in Publishing program.
SEAL PRESS
https://www.sealpress.com/about/index.html
Publishes books that represent the diverse voices and interests of women. Covers topics like health, parenting, outdoor, travel, culture, gender and women’s studies.
SPINSTERS INK
https://www.spinsters-ink.com
Publishes fiction and nonfiction dealing with issues in women’s lives.
SUMACH PRESS
https://www.sumachpress.com/
Fiction and nonfiction publisher of books on issues of concern to women.
WISH PUBLISHING
https://www.wishpublishing.com/
The first sports publishing company devoted to women’s topics.
WOMEN’S PRESS (CANADA)
https://www.cspi.org/womenspress/
Canada’s oldest English-language feminist publisher. Is committed to enhancing the well-being of women with good writing that contributes to women’s cultural and social identity in Canada.
WOMEN’S PRESS (UNITED KINGDOM)
https://www.the-womens-press.com/
Publishes feminist fiction and nonfiction by women writers from all around the world.
The perks of women writing organizations come not only in the form of networking, but in networking with those who understand your craft, your career, your hunger to see your name in print…as a woman. Organizations can be tremendously uplifting and empowering when you feel you’re all alone writing and climbing that uphill battle to write well and become published.
ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN WOMEN WRITERS
https://acwws.org/
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S WRITING GUILD
https://www.iwwg.com/
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN WRITERS
https://www.naww.org
SOUTHERN WOMEN WRITERS CONFERENCE
https://www.berry.edu/academics/humanities/english/swwc2007/
Are you empowered yet? Seeing groups that respect you as a writer excites you a bit, tingles that sleep-drunk muse who hasn’t sharpened her pencil lately. Part of being a writer is setting goals. Knowing that you have a publisher who might understand, or a contest that fits your style, or a magazine that carries your style, can recharge your battery. Pick just one of these avenues and set a goal. Show the world what a woman writer can do!
