9 Submission Opportunities for August

 1. Anti-Heroin Chic due August 26^th https://heroinchic.weebly.com

2. Crescendo Magazine due August 30^th: https://crescmag.org/CM_submissions.html

3. Tyche Books: Slapshots in Space and Magical Marathons: A Speculative Sports Anthology - This anthology “invites contributors to re-examine sports through space opera, near- or far-future science fiction, alternative worlds, time travel, magical realism, fantasy, or other lenses that fall under the umbrella of speculative fiction. Steampunk, hopepunk, science gone bad, social commentary, or just plain laugh-out-loud fun—all of these and more are fair game. Writers can (but are not required to) explore questions such as: Will future athletes be forced to accept invasive technologies in the name of better performance? In a dystopian world, how might sport be a beacon of hope? How might fantasy elements change the way we engage in, and with, sport? Sports can be recreational or competitive, solo or teams, but for the purposes of this anthology we aren’t looking for stories and poems about board games, video games, etc. Any perspective (fan, athlete, coach, game official, broadcaster, etc.) is welcome.” They also say, “Humour is a bonus. Light or psychological horror will be an easier sell than blood-and-gore or outright violence. We will not accept pieces that promote or support racism, sexism, homophobia, or other forms of intolerance.” Please note, they may give preference to Canadian authors. Deadline: 31 August 2026. Length: 1,000-5,000 words for fiction, up to 60 lines for poetry (more for prose poems). Pay: $50/story, $20 per poem. Details here.

4. Cryptic Frog Quarterly: Endless Archives, Entrancing TomesThey want speculative fiction for their first anthology. “We are seeking speculative short stories with some kind of supernatural or futuristic library or book as a central component of the narrative. Speculative fiction consists of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, in all of their various subgenres. … All pieces (including horror pieces) must include speculative elements that are integral to the story.” Please read their detailed guidelines, including hard sells. Deadline: Open now. Length: 2,000-7,500 words. Pay: $10. Details here. (Unthemed submissions for speculative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for their magazine, Cryptic Frog Quarterly, will reopen on 1^st September 2026.)

5 - 9. https://authorspublish.com/5-paying-literary-magazines-to-submit-to-in-august-2026/

Presidential Library Visit

Confession time: I totally geeked out today. Working on a college campus in the state capital has a lot of drawbacks, but it also has a lot of advantages.

I absolutely immersed myself in one of those advantages today. I visited the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library and Museum. It's just one block from the University of Texas stadium in Austin. You can visit the website here.

I spent the morning and part of the afternoon pouring through archives. I had the opportunity to review letters written to the Presidential cabinet, and see the responses sent back. When I say I reviewed them, please remember this was the 60's - before computers. These are the ACTUAL physical letters and studies hand written or typed by citizens and staff. I could have spent days here!

The last part of the afternoon, before the library closed at 5, I spent perusing the museum. So many beautiful, and disturbing, relics of that part of our history. I saw everything from the President's (Oval) and First Lady's offices to memorabilia from the Civil Rights and Gender Equality  movements. I absolutely want to go back when I have more time!

I'm ashamed to say this is the first Presidential Library I have ever visited. I think everyone should visit one. Regardless of how you feel about a particular party, issue, or individual, it's so very interesting and moving to review the struggles we have gone through as a nation.

Have you visited a Presidential Library? If so, which one, and what was your favorite part?