June Newsletter: Hot Workshop Summer
Open calls, SO MANY WORKSHOPS, nature prompt, & more!
Hi, poetry lovers!
I got burnt out from NaPoWriMo and ended up only writing two poems this month. But I did edit a lot of poems, AND I finished ordering my Stardew Valley-themed chapbook manuscript. Still deciding if I want to submit it to contests/presses or self-publish. Since it’s a chapbook, I’m also thinking about printing locally (if I self-publish).
A brief list of other things I did this month:
Pet a horse
Booped a goat
Visited the Museum of Illusions at MOA
Fell in love with Stillwater, MN
Booked a sternum tattoo (eek!)
Went to the Minnesota Scultupre Art Fair on a whim
Didn’t kill my partner’s plant while he was out of town
Had a job interview and didn’t die
Happy summer!
Love,
Kait
Patron / Subscriber Shoutout!
Shoutout to my Patrons & paid Substack subscribers for making this newsletter and so much more possible!
Marie Bonnici • Paula Dixon • Amy Kay • Emily Perkovich • Jim Swenson
Where to Submit This Month
NOTE: Provided info is geared toward poetry. Listed resources may also accept other forms of writing and art.
Journals:
Mslexia. Open to women/women-identifying writers. Issue 107 Theme: Blue. Payment: £30 + contributor copy. Submit up to 4 poems (up to 40 lines each). DEADLINE: June 9. NO FEE.
Wild Greens. Current Theme: Sweat. Payment: Yes (more like a tip). Submit up to 5 poems. DEADLINE: June 15. NO FEE.
Yellow Arrow Vignette. Open to women-identifying creatives who currently live in, grew up in, or recently lived in Baltimore, MD or the surrounding area. Current Theme: BLAZE. Payment: $10. Submit up to 3 poems, up to 30 lines each. DEADLINE: June 15. NO FEE.
Blue Daisies Journal. Issue IV: Warmtime; Theme: Summer. Submit up to 3 poems. DEADLINE: June 22. NO FEE.
Trans Poetica Anthology. Open to poets who identify as trans+. Submit 1 poem (up to 50 lines). DEADLINE: June 23 (subs open June 9). NO FEE.
Contests:
Shooter Poetry Competition. PRIZES: Winner - £150 + publication in the Spring/Summer 2025 issue & on website + social media promotion; Runner Up - £50 + publication on website + social media promotion. Submit up to 3 poems per entry (up to 100 lines each). DEADLINE: June 22. FEE: £4 per poem or £10 for three poems (multiple entries ok).
Free the Verse International Poetry Competition 2025. Theme: Remembering. PRIZE: $100 + publication. Submit 1 poem per entry (multiple entries ok). DEADLINE: June 30. FEE: $3.49 per entry
Fellowships, Residencies, & Scholarships:
Stove Works Residency, Chattanooga, Tennessee
When/Length: 1 to 3 months in 2026
Cost: $100 refundable security deposit
Includes: private studio, bedroom, & bathroom + shared kitchen & living space; laundry access
Submit: residency goals, artist statement, CV, link to website, listening question
DEADLINE: June 15
APPLICATION FEE: $20 (June 1 – 7) / $30 (June 8 - 15)
Porches Writing Retreat – Open Doors Poetry Fellowship, Norwood, Virginia
When/Length: 1 week
Includes: private room in main house OR private cottage; bed linens, tissues, toilet paper, paper towels (must bring your own towels); laundry facilities; internet; communal kitchen (must bring your own groceries)
Requirements: First time, new visitors with one published collection.
Submit: 5 poems (up to 10 pgs total), 300-500 word personal statement, resume and cover letter
DEADLINE: July 1
NO APPLICATION FEE
(Note that Porches is always open for paid retreats. Cost is per night.)
Join my $5 tier on Patreon to get the full list of upcoming open calls.
Want more? Join my Patreon for monthly prompt lists featuring 15-30 prompts!
Upcoming Classes & Workshops
In Full Bloom: Writing Toward the Wild and Radiant Self (4 weeks) – with Michelle Awad
June 4 to June 25 (Wednesdays) @ 6:30 – 8 PM (CT)
Cost: $120 for the full series OR $50 per workshop
Oracle Poetry: Pushing the Veil Between the Spirit Realm and Our Writing – with Hillary Leftwitch via Lighthouse Writers
June 7 @ 11 AM – 1 PM (ET)
Cost: $85
Playlist: Turning Songs Into Poetry – with Matt Mason via Nebraska Poetry Society
June 14 @ 10 – 11:30 AM (CT)
Cost: $40
Beyond the First Draft: Revising Poetry in 6 Weeks – with Rebecca Jamieson via The Loft Literary Center
June 18 to July 30 (Wednesdays) @ 6 – 8 PM (CT)
Cost: $222
(I am attending this class!)
Subjects and Speakers: Attending to Poetry's Perspectives – with Edward Sambrano III via The Loft Literary Center
June 21 @ 10 AM – 1 PM (CT)
Cost: $55.50
(I am attending this class!)
Political Poetics (4 weeks) – with Darius Simpson via Button Poetry
June 22 – July 13 (Sundays) @ 2 – 4 PM (CT)
Cost: $85
Join my $5 tier on Patreon to get the full list of upcoming workshops.
Recommended Reading
“Will You Fall in Love With This Poem? I Did.” – A.O. Scott disects “Romantic Poet” by Diane Seuss in the best way.
“Spring” by Safia Elhillo – A nostalgic poem to say farewell to spring.
“Atomic Habits for Your Writing Life” – Lessons in applying James Clear’s Atomic Habits to your writing practice from Maya C. Popa.
“White Peonies” by Reginald Dwayne Betts - “The peonies are so lovely they frighten me.”
Thank you so much for reading! My newsletter is available for free. You can support my work (should you feel moved to) by:
Upgrading to a paid subscription
Ordering my books and/or self-guided workshops
Liking and sharing my posts
Awesome book snags in Stillwater. It’s been a long time since I’ve been that way! Wondering if you have heard of Bottlecap press? It’s a good place to submit chapbooks. A place I’m considering submitting.
Cannot reiterate enough how *useful* and cute I think your substack is <3