The Quarterly Contest

Poems and Short Stories

Current Theme: Resolution (Fall 2026)
Prize: $50 Gift Card to a Local Bookstore of Your Choice
Submissions Open June 26, 2026
Deadline: September 23, 2026

Winners of the prize will be announced on or before the end of the season on the Fall Equinox, September 23, 2026.

At the end of every path, no matter how difficult, is a resolution. It may not be the one that was initially pictured, but it is a resolution nonetheless. Mad Woman Publishing invites you to submit a poem or short story exploring an unlikely resolution and its consequences.

To participate in the contest, make your submission via the below form.

All submissions will be reviewed anonymously, so please be sure to follow the directions laid out in the form to preserve the integrity of this process.

Please only submit one piece to the contest. If you want to submit a larger collection of poetry for review, please do so via our direct manuscript submissions link. If multiple items are submitted, we will randomly select one of your pieces and treat that as your sole submission.