Authentic Marketing Without the Meltdown
Why promoting your book should feel as good as writing it.
New month, new theme! Follow this link for May’s focus: “Show Up & Shine: Book Marketing Without Burn Out.”
Marketing can feel like a chore at best—and an existential crisis at worst. I know this because I've been there. In 2020, when all author events shifted online, imposter syndrome hit me hard. Every introduction felt like stepping onto a stage with a spotlight trained on my flaws. I'd cleverly maneuver myself to avoid introductions, laughing nervously, “Haha, I've written some stuff, gotten lucky. But what I really want to hear is…” and swiftly pass the buck to another author.
If cornered, I’d mumble through my pre-prepared bio, cringing and squirming in my seat. Looking back, it seems funny, but at the time, the fear of being exposed as a fraud was very real. I believed selling myself meant selling out. I was wrong.
The truth is, marketing isn’t meant to be soul-crushing. We often perceive it as scammy—like we're trying to sell water to mermaids—but ethical marketing is about addressing someone’s very real needs. People crave entertainment, education, and inspiration. Authors provide entertainment, education, and inspiration.
Q: What’s the difference between your favorite famous author announcing a new book and you sharing news about your latest work?
A: Your favorite author has learned to silence their inner imposter.
When done authentically, marketing becomes an extension of your creativity, not separate from it. Imagine baking a delicious apple pie but never inviting anyone to enjoy it. That’s precisely how marketing works: people have a need, and we're providing something they genuinely desire. It's fair and rewarding for all. Marketing your book is just like offering apple pie to hungry people. You are just offering words to nourish hungry minds.
Aligned Marketing: Branding That Feels Good
The key to stress-free marketing is aligning promotional efforts with your innate strengths and core values as a creative individual. Think of creating your branding like choosing the right pair of shoes: when they fit, you can walk comfortably for miles. Imagine hiking in stilettos or clubbing in hiking boots. Awkward, painful, and frustrating either way, right? That's exactly how misaligned marketing strategies feel. The discomfort isn’t marketing itself—it’s choosing strategies that don’t align with your authentic self.
Choose what fits, meet your readers’ needs and watch your marketing transform from chore to cheer.
Three Things to Remember About Ethical Marketing
Marketing is Serving, Not Selling Out: Marketing ethically means you're genuinely addressing someone's needs and not trying to trick people into buying something they don't need. Readers need books. Authors have books. Win-win!
Silence Your Inner Imposter: Remember, the only difference between you and authors that confidently market themselves is that they've learned to quiet their inner doubts. Marketing confidently is about believing (and ensuring) your work has genuine value.
Align Your Marketing with Your Authentic Self: Marketing should feel like an extension of your creativity, not a separate, uncomfortable task. Choosing strategies that align with your strengths and values turns promotion from unpleasant to a joyful part of your creative process.
This Week’s Download: Aligned Marketing Style Mini Workbook and Quiz
Ready to transform your marketing from a chore to something that works for you? This week I’m offering the Aligned Marketing Style Mini Workbook and Quiz! This friendly, interactive resource will help you uncover your natural promotional personality and guide you toward authentic and impactful marketing. Complete with insightful quiz questions, personalized results, a practical quick-start worksheet, and a fascinating look at how marketing has evolved from pushy tactics to purposeful authenticity, it's designed to align your creativity with your promotional efforts seamlessly.
Subscribers: Your download is available for just $8.88.
Supporting Subscribers: With deep appreciation for your generous support, your complimentary download awaits in your Supporting Subscriber area.
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My authortunities are organized by emoji!
🟢 opening for submissions
🔴 closing for submissions
⭐ events, classes, networking
♻️ reprints
🟢 WEEKLY· Reedsy Prompts is open until the following Friday for short fiction between 1,000 - 3,000 words based on one of five prompts. Writers have until the following Friday at 11.59 pm EST to enter. No fee to enter and have work posted. $5 fee to be eligible for the $250 cash prize. This week’s prompt is: This Was Not the Plan with Sincerely, Vee 😵💫.
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · 4LPH4NUM3R1C Podcast seeks speculative poetry (up to 50 lines) and prose (up to 1,500 words) ideal for audio performance. Each accepted piece is paid $15 and featured in twice-monthly podcast episodes, with a year-end anthology starting in 2026. Submit via Duosuma.
https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/4-l-p-h-4-n-u-m-3-r-1-c-ynFf4
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · MEMEZINE is always open for hybrid work engaging with digital culture (text <1200 words, video <1 min). Simultaneous submissions and previously published work accepted. Payment: $5 per accepted featured piece (via Venmo or PayPal). No AI-generated or offensive content. Submit via Duosuma.
https://www.memezinelit.com/submit
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · NonBinary Review accepts speculative writing and art year-round, with rotating themed issues. Currently open for visual art, poetry, prose, and all genres via Duosuma. Submissions may close early if acceptance cap is reached.
https://www.zoeticpress.com/submit
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · MAYDAY Magazine seeks literary fiction (300–3,000 words), nonfiction (up to 5,000 words), poetry (1–3 poems, max 10 pages), translations, book reviews, interviews, culture writing, visual art, and MAYDAY:Black (nonfiction from Black writers). Simultaneous submissions encouraged. Payment: $20 (fiction, nonfiction, translations), $10 per poem, $50 (MAYDAY:Black). No AI-generated content or reprints. Submit via Submittable (free submissions July & December).
https://maydaymagazine.com/submit/
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · Lit Shark’s Poem of the Month Contest accepts poetry submissions (up to 5 poems or 10 pages) monthly on a rolling basis. No theme required; simultaneous submissions welcome; no reprints. Monthly winner receives $20, a digital broadside, featured publication, and inclusion in the annual Best Of anthology. Honorable Mentions also published. Submit via email: publishing@litshark.com.
https://litshark.com/submit-potm/
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · AAWW: The Margins accepts original and translated poetry (up to 5 pages total), fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, and interdisciplinary writing exploring Asian American culture, social justice, and literature. Payment: $50–$90 for poetry; payment varies for prose. Simultaneous submissions and unpublished digital reprints considered. Submit via Submittable.
https://aaww.submittable.com/submit/44797/poetry
🟢 ALWAYS OPEN · takahē Magazine accepts poetry submissions (up to 4 poems) year-round. Poems should engage with urgency, sensitivity, authenticity, and flair. Simultaneous submissions welcome. Payment: NZ$45 for first poem, NZ$35 each additional. Submit via Submittable.
https://takahemagazine.submittable.com/submit
🟢 MAY 3 · Asian American Writers’ Workshop: 2025-26 Poetry Coalition Fellowship is open until July 1 for applicants based in the NYC metro area. Fellowship runs from Sept. 2, 2025–June 30, 2026 (20 hours/week). Stipend: $20,000 plus $1,100 healthcare. Ideal candidates passionate about Asian diasporic literature and community engagement. Submit cover letter and resume via email: dmanibo@aaww.org.
https://aaww.org/about-us/opportunities/2025-26-poetry-coalition-fellow/
🟢 MAY 3 · Graveside Press: Spicy Monster Romance Anthology is open until May 15 for spicy monster romance stories with strong horror elements. Seeking stories featuring monsters, creatures, or cryptids from folklore, mythology, or original creations. Submissions should be 2,000–6,000 words with some level of spice (all heat ranges accepted). Characters involved in adult activities must be 18+. No non-consensual content.
https://graveside-press.com/call-for-submissions-monster-romance-anthology/
🟢 MAY 3 · Manawaker Studio: 100 Word Project (May Prompt: "Troll") is open until May 31 for original, unpublished 100-word drabbles inspired by the prompt "Troll." Family-friendly content only; no generative AI. Token payment of $1 per accepted story and contributor e-copy provided.
https://manawaker.com/submissions/
🟢 MAY 3 · Dark Moments: Urban Myths (May Theme) is open until May 31 for drabbles (exactly 100 words) exploring modern folklore, urban legends, and myths lurking beneath city streets. Original work only, no reprints or simultaneous submissions. Payment is $0.04 USD per word. Submit via email to darkmoments@BlackHarePress.com with theme in subject line.
https://blackharepress.com/submissions/
🟢 MAY 3 · It Takes a Village Anthology is open until June 1 for poetry (sets up to 5 pages), flash fiction (up to 1,000 words), and short stories (up to 10,000 words, limited space over 5,000 words) about themes of community—building, maintaining, losing, or finding it—as adults. Canadian authors only, special interest in writers from British Columbia, former foster youth, or adoptees. Payment: $5 (poetry), $10 (flash fiction), $25 (fiction up to 5,000 words), +$2 per additional 1,000 words (up to 10,000 words). No reprints or AI-generated work. Submit via email: winterjewelpublishing@gmail.com
https://winterjewelpublishing.ca/2024/04/07/current-call-for-submissions-it-takes-a-village/
🟢 MAY 3 · Masque & Maelström: The Reluctant Exhumation of Edgar Allan Poe is open until May 31 for speculative fiction (flash to ~12,000 words; exceptions considered) across all open anthology themes. Payment: $5 USD per 1,000 words and contributor digital copy. Reprints, simultaneous, and multiple submissions accepted. Submit via email: editor@jayhenge.com (include anthology name and word count in subject).
https://www.jayhenge.com/submissions.html
🟢 MAY 3 · Professor Feiff's Trans-Dimensional Travelogue is open until May 31 for speculative fiction stories (flash to ~12,000 words) exploring interdimensional travel, parallel worlds, and alternate realities. Payment: $5 USD per 1,000 words and a contributor digital copy. Reprints, simultaneous, and multiple submissions accepted. Submit via email to editor@jayhenge.com (include anthology name and word count in subject).
https://www.jayhenge.com/submissions.html
🟢 MAY 3 · Pharmacopeia Obscura: The August Doctor’s Notes is open until May 31 for speculative fiction stories (flash to ~12,000 words) exploring medical oddities, strange remedies, unusual cures, and pharmacological mysteries. Payment: $5 USD per 1,000 words and contributor digital copy. Reprints, simultaneous, and multiple submissions accepted. Submit via email to editor@jayhenge.com (include anthology name and word count in subject).
https://www.jayhenge.com/submissions.html
🟢 MAY 3 · MEMEZINE: KAKISTOCRACY is open until June 21 for urgent writing—funny, serious, political, powerful—up to 3 pieces (maximum 5 pages total). Accepting poetry and short-form prose. Payment evenly split among up to 10 contributors ($200+ total). Previously uncurated work only (social media/blog posts allowed). No AI-generated content. Submit via Duosuma.
https://www.memezinelit.com/submit
🟢 MAY 3 · Dirty Magick Magazine is open until June 30 for original fiction (2,000–12,500 words) in urban fantasy, sword and sorcery, and supernatural horror. Special interest in fresh takes on fantasy races, humor, mystery/crime elements, and strong sense of setting. Payment: $50 per story. Simultaneous submissions and translations welcome; no reprints. Submit via email: submissions@dirtymagickmagazine.com.
https://dirtymagickmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/
🟢 MAY 3 · Hiraeth Publishing: The Drabble Harvest Contest is open until June 30 for 100-word drabbles on the theme "The Witch's Broom." Payment: $1 per drabble, with first place awarded $5 and second place $2; top submissions published. Send submissions in the body of the email to Terrie Leigh Relf at tlrelf@gmail.com.
https://www.hiraethsffh.com/drabble-contest
🟢 MAY 3 · Crystal Clear Books Writing Competition is open until June 30 for short stories (1,000 words), flash fiction (250 words), and poetry (16 lines max). No specific theme; all genres welcome except erotica and horror. Entry fee: £5 per submission. Winners in each category receive £75 and a publication contract; runners-up receive an e-copy of the anthology.
🟢 MAY 3 · NonBinary Review: Issue #41 – Solarpunk is open until July 31 for speculative poetry, prose, visual art, and other genres exploring solarpunk themes. Submissions via Submittable (art, poetry, prose) and Duosuma (all genres). Acceptance cap applies, submissions may close early.
https://www.zoeticpress.com/submit
🟢 MAY 3 · Thalia Press: Time after Time Anthology is open until August 31 for historical or future-set mystery/crime short stories (up to 7,500 words). Cozy and dark mysteries welcome. Original works only, no reprints. Payment: $25, three author copies, and promotional ad space in the anthology. Submit via email to thaliapress@gmail.com.
https://thaliapress.com/now-accepting-submissions-for/
🟢 MAY 3 · Thalia Press: Cat-Themed Mystery Anthology is open until September 30 for mystery/crime short stories prominently featuring cats. Cozy, dark, and neo-noir styles encouraged. Original works only (up to 7,500 words), no reprints. Payment: $25, three author copies, and promotional ad space in the anthology. Submit queries, nominations, or stories via email to thaliapress@gmail.com.
https://thaliapress.com/now-accepting-submissions-for/
🟢 MAY 3 · Renaissance Press: AfriCANthology II is open until October 31 for short fiction (2,500–4,000 words, any genre) exploring the Black experience in Canada. Open exclusively to Black writers who are Canadian citizens or residents. Payment: $200 CDN per accepted story. Simultaneous and multiple submissions allowed; no reprints. Submit via email as a Word document.
https://www.africanthology.ca/submit
🟢 MAY 3 · Short Story Stack (Monthly Contest) is open until May 31 for short stories (6–10,000 words, any genre). One winner selected monthly receives $100 plus 50% of subscription revenue; reprints welcome. Submissions via email as Word or Google Docs.
https://shortstory.substack.com/p/coming-soon
🟢 MAY 3 · Forge Literary Magazine is open until May 15 (or until monthly quota reached) for literary fiction and nonfiction (strongly preferred under 3,000 words; exceptional work up to 3,500 words considered). Flash and micro-fiction encouraged; simultaneous submissions welcome. Payment: $100 per piece. Submit via Submittable (free submissions capped at 200/month). No AI-generated content.
https://forgelitmag.com/submit/
🟢 MAY 3 · The New Quarterly: Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest is open until February 28 for poems responding to or creating an occasion—personal, public, ordinary, or extraordinary (no word limit). Top prize: $1,000; additional $1,000 distributed among other winners; publication ($50/poem). Entry fee: $40 for up to 3 poems (includes 1-year subscription). Submit via online portal.
https://tnq.ca/nick-blatchford-contest/
🟢 MAY 3 · The New Quarterly: Edna Staebler Personal Essay Contest is open until March 28 for personal essays. Top prize: $1,000; selected essays considered for publication ($250 paid per published essay). Entry fee: $40 per essay (includes a 1-year subscription). Submit via online portal; anonymity preserved during judging.
https://tnq.ca/edna-staebler-contest/
🟢 MAY 3 · The New Quarterly: Peter Hinchcliffe Short Fiction Award is open until May 28 for outstanding short fiction. Top prize: $1,000; selected stories considered for publication ($250 per published piece). Entry fee: $40 per story (includes a 1-year subscription). Submit via online portal; anonymity preserved during judging.
https://tnq.ca/peter-hinchcliffe-award/
🟢 MAY 3 · Philly Chapbook Review: Original Poetry is open until June 15 for original literary poetry submissions (free verse strongly preferred; avoid traditional forms). Submit at least 3 poems per entry. Open only to North American residents. Payment: $10 honorarium, contributor feature, and award nominations. Simultaneous submissions allowed. Submit via Google Form.
https://phillychapbookreview.org/submissions/#Original_Poetry
🟢 MAY 3 · Lucky Jefferson: Spring 2025 – "Fissure" is open until June 30 for poetry (3 poems per submission), flash fiction and creative nonfiction (up to 1,000 words), and art (up to 3 pieces). Exploring themes of cracks, instability, and collapse—both personal and societal. Payment: $15–$25 per accepted piece. Submit via online portal.
https://luckyjefferson.com/submit/
🔴 MAY 4 · In The Mood Magazine: Issue 13 – TEEN closes for submissions exploring teenage experiences in film, TV, and pop culture. Seeking personal essays, conversations, poetry, film diaries, visual art, and unconventional criticism up to 1,000 words. Payment of CAD $30 per accepted piece. Submit via email to inthemoodmagazine@gmail.com.
https://duotrope.com/magazine/in-the-mood-magazine-35526
🔴 MAY 4 · brainrot Digital Anthology closes for poetry (up to 3 pages), prose (up to 1500 words), and hybrid/experimental writing by queer, trans, and gender variant authors. Token payment of $5 per accepted piece. Reprints accepted.
https://fifthwheelpress.com/anthsubs
🔴♻️ MAY 3 · Collaborature Monthly Contest is open until the 17th of the month for fiction and poetry “written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry).” Reprints are allowed. Payment is $20 USD.
https://collaborature.blogspot.com/p/contests.html
🔴 MAY 4 · Adi Magazine: Spring 2025 Fiction Call closes today for short fiction exploring alternative political visions. Seeking stories that center marginalized perspectives, especially from the Global South, and engage with themes of resistance, solidarity, and reimagined futures. Accepting unpublished short fiction up to 5,000 words and flash fiction under 1,000 words. No AI-generated content. Payment is $500 for short fiction and $200 for flash fiction.
https://adimagazine.com/submissions/
🔴 MAY 4 · Adi Magazine closes for submissions of short fiction on the theme "Alternative political visions for a world in desperate need of them." Payment: $200 for flash fiction; $500 for short stories. Simultaneous submissions policy unspecified; no reprints. Submit via Submittable.
https://adimagazine.com/submissions/
⭐ MAY 4 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🟢 MAY 7 · Apex Magazine Monthly Flash Fiction Contest Submissions open to all for speculative flash fiction until the last day of the month at midnight. Winner will be announced no later than the 15th of the following month and be paid $0.08/word or $10, whichever is more and published on the Apex Magazine Patreon as an exclusive the month following and will be included in the forthcoming issue of Apex Magazine.
https://apexbookcompany.moksha.io/publication/apex-magazine-flash-fiction
⭐ MAY 7-10 · Nonfiction Writers Conference begins today for its virtual event. The conference offers live sessions with industry experts, agent pitches, and one-on-one consultations, focusing on writing, publishing, and promoting nonfiction books. Registration closes with the start of the event.
www.nonfictionwritersconference.com
🔴 MAY 8 · Cave Canem Prize closes for submissions of debut poetry collections (48–75 pages) by Black poets of African descent. Prize: $10,000 and publication by a partnering press. Simultaneous submissions allowed; no reprints; one manuscript per entrant. Submit via Submittable.
https://cavecanempoets.org/programs/
🔴 MAY 9 · Rattle Magazine’s “Poets Respond” challenge calls for poems inspired by “a news story or public event from the previous week, and has been written in the time since.” Selected poems will appear as the Sunday poem at Rattle.com which appear to over 10,000 people via RSS feed and daily email service. Poets will receive $100 and a free print magazine subscription. Each week's deadline is Friday midnight PST.
https://rattle.submittable.com/submit/30232/poets-respond-online
🟢 MAY 10 · MEMEZINE: KAKISTOCRACY is open until June 21 for urgent writing—funny, serious, political, powerful—up to 3 pieces (maximum 5 pages total). Accepting poetry and short-form prose. Payment evenly split among up to 10 contributors ($200+ total). Previously uncurated work only (social media/blog posts allowed). No AI-generated content. Submit via Duosuma.
https://www.memezinelit.com/submit
🔴 MAY 10 · The Pink Hydra closes for submissions of fiction and narrative nonfiction. Payment: $3–$17 USD or 1 ZAR/word (R50 minimum for Southern African writers). Simultaneous submissions and reprints allowed. Submit via email.
https://www.thepinkhydra.com/submissions/
⭐ MAY 11 · Inspirational Indie Authors podcast with the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and Howard Lovy. Dive deep into personal stories of indie authors, understanding their pathways to success, challenges faced, and lessons learned. 1 pm GMT.
https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/inspirational-indie-author-interviews-podcast/
⭐ MAY 11 · Bi-Weekly Open Mic Night Join The Mad Poet and host Jordan Francis for a NeighborHub community open mic every other Sunday at 8 pm EST. Prose and poetry readings welcome. A welcoming and supportive group that encourages creative growth. For members of the Authortunities NeighborHub. Membership is free.
https://www.authortunitieshub.com
⭐ MAY 11 · Rattlecast livestreams, is part interview and open mic with a prompt-based open mic. Hangout with Rattle editor Timothy Green and Katie Dozier. Each Rattlecast begins with an interview, a writing prompt, and poets reading from the last week’s prompt. | Rattlecast at 8 pm EST.
🔴 MAY 15 · Forge Literary Magazine closes monthly submissions for literary fiction and nonfiction (strongly preferred under 3,000 words; exceptional work up to 3,500 words considered). Flash and micro-fiction encouraged; simultaneous submissions welcome. Payment: $100 per piece. Submit via Submittable (free submissions capped at 200/month). No AI-generated content.
https://forgelitmag.com/submit/
🔴 MAY 15 · Graveside Press: Spicy Monster Romance Anthology closes for spicy monster romance stories with strong horror elements. Seeking stories featuring monsters, creatures, or cryptids from folklore, mythology, or original creations. Submissions should be 2,000–6,000 words with some level of spice (all heat ranges accepted). Characters involved in adult activities must be 18+. No non-consensual content.
https://graveside-press.com/call-for-submissions-monster-romance-anthology/
🔴 MAY 15 · Tableware Magazine closes today for original, unpublished submissions of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, visual art, photography, and reviews. Payment is $50 per accepted piece. Submit via email to tablewaremag@gmail.com.
https://bigtablepress.com/tableware-magazine/
🔴 MAY 15 · Archive of the Odd: Issue 6 is closed for submissions of found fiction—stories told through documents like emails, reports, or transcripts. Accepting flash fiction (500–1,000 words), short stories (1,000–7,500 words), and novelettes (7,500–8,000 words). Payment is 1.5 cents USD per word.
https://archiveoftheodd.com/submissions/
🔴 MAY 15 · Chaotic Merge Magazine: Issue 9 closes today for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art, screenplays, and short films exploring boundary-pushing creativity. Payment is $3–$5 per accepted piece.
https://chaoticmergemagazine.com/submit-2/
🔴 MAY 15 · The 11th SUSPECT Poetry Contest is closing for poems that use the word "fable" or its variants in an imaginative fashion, along with Gaudy Boy's April 2025 publication of Mandy Moe Pwint Tu's FABLEMAKER. The contest is open to everyone, with awards of $300, $200, and $100 USD for the top three winners. Winning poems will be published in SUSPECT. No entry fee.
https://singaporeunbound.org/opp/suspect-poetry-contest-11
🔴♻️ MAY 17 · Collaborature Monthly Contest is closing for fiction and poetry “written by more than one author or include a collaboration of two people (i.e., art and poetry).” Reprints are allowed. Payment is $20 USD.
https://collaborature.blogspot.com/p/contests.html
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