NOTE: If you're not already on our mailing list, please consider subscribing so that you'll always be up to date on submissions announcements including open reading periods, special calls, etc.
***
Please read our full submission guidelines, here, before submitting.
***
What we publish in Hippocampus Magazine
During our submission periods –March 1 through May 31 AND Sept. 1 through Dec. 23 – we accept the following:
- Personal Essays & Memoir Excerpts, max 4,000 words.
- Flash Creative Nonfiction, max 800 words.
Reviews, interviews, craft articles, and writing life articles by invitation.
What are we looking for in submissions?
True tales from your life. Honesty that possesses both the situation AND the story. Intensely personal experiences that reflect universal truths about what it means to be human. Firsthand accounts from the full spectrum of humanity – folx from the LGBTQIA+ community, Black writers, Indigenous writers, and writers of Color, disabled writers, writers of all genders, backgrounds, experiences, lifestyles, and identities.
What we publish elsewhere:
- Memoirs, Essay Collections, Craft Books: View our Books by Hippocampus manuscript submission guidelines.
- Anthologies: Open anthology calls are also listed at our Books by Hippocampus submissions page.
***
Dates & Deadlines
- We're open for magazine submissions twice per year: March 1 through May 31 AND Sept. 1 through Dec. 23
- We're on hiatus from for book queries through Aug. 1, 2023.
Reminder
Please read our full submission guidelines, here, before submitting.
Hello, creative nonfiction friend! Below, you will find our abbreviated essay submission guidelines; Please read full guidelines on our website first if you have not done so already. Otherwise, please fill out the brief form, including checking off if your piece is an essay or memoir excerpt.
Essay submissions should be:
- No more than 4,000 words
- Double-spaced, with pages numbered
- Free of your name in header/footer, title page, and file name. (We do realize that in creative nonfiction, your name might be necessary within the content. Please use your judgment.)
Hello, creative nonfiction friend! Below, you will find our abbreviated essay submission guidelines; Please read full guidelines on our website first if you have not done so already.
Flash CNF submissions should be:
- No more than 800 words
- Double-spaced, with pages numbered
- Free of your name in header/footer, title page and file name. (We do realize that in creative nonfiction, your name might be necessary within the content. Please use your judgment.)
Submitters: Please include your original title (in case you changed that) and date of your first submission in your cover letter; this will help us keep track of its progress.
Note: Submitting a revision does not guarantee acceptance; it is vetted just the same.
If you use this category and were not invited to re-submit, your submission will be declined.
Friends of Hippocampus Scholarship
made possible in part by HippoCamp attendees and Friends of Hippocampus Magazine
This scholarship is to support writers of any gender, race, age, or identity who require financial assistance to complete their journey to HippoCamp 2022.
AWARD DETAILS
Two winners will receive full conference registration ($549 value) and attendance to the pre-conference workshop of their choice ($45-89) plus a $200 travel stipend to cover train, plane, or automobile fare.
Two runner-ups will receive a partial scholarship in the form of a $250 discount on their conference registration.
HOW TO APPLY
Winners will be chosen based on quality of writing, articulation of personal goals, and financial need. You will complete an application form that includes the following:
Essay Question (750 words):
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned that had a profound impact on you. It can be as simple as a book, a teacher, or a workshop you took part in, or something more abstract.
Short Answer (200 words):
How would you benefit from attending HippoCamp? Please be specific, focusing on this time in your life, at this stage in your career, about what you hope to gain, where you hope to go from here.
Short Answer (200 words):
Please explain how and why you need this scholarship; for example, from a financial perspective, how would this prize help you participate in an event that you might not otherwise get to attend?
Note: We highly recommend working on the application questions in a Word document, outside of the Submittable form, so you can spend time and/or save your work, rather than work directly in the form. Then, you can return to the form and paste in your answers. This also is a great way to ensure your responses are the right word count.
DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Deadline for all scholarships: Submit by June 15, 2022
Judging:
- A panel of HippoCamp 2022 scholarship committee members, and respective scholarship sponsors, will read all entries, and decisions will be based on the quality of writing, articulation of goals, and financial need.
- Decisions will be made by June 30, 2022
Rules and Eligibility:
- The award is for complimentary conference registration and a $200 travel stipend only, and it does not include hotel accommodations; please take that into consideration before you apply, as we want to be sure the winner is able to attend; hotel and travel information is located on the conference website under “Location & Lodging.” (You may use the $200 travel stipend as you wish, such as toward lodging, train ticket, etc.)
- Recipients must confirm/accept their attendance by July 10, otherwise it will be forfeited and will be offered to the first runner-up.
- Attendees who already have registered for the conference may still apply for the scholarship; if someone already registered should be selected for the scholarship or as a runner-up, their conference registration will be refunded (minus the credit card processing fee, for which our organization has already paid.)
- Hippocampus Magazine and HippoCamp staff and volunteers, their relatives, spouses, and current mentees/students are not eligible to enter. Recipients of HippoCamp scholarships and partial scholarships within the last two years are not eligible to enter.
- Note that travel stipend will be issued prior to the conference on the honor system; if for some reason the recipient does not/cannot attend; it will be expected that the award is returned.
Writers of Color Scholarship
made possible in part by HippoCamp attendees and Friends of Hippocampus Magazine
AWARD DETAILS
Three winners will receive full conference registration ($549 value) and attendance to the pre-conference workshop of their choice ($45-89) plus a $200 travel stipend to cover train, plane, or automobile fare.
Two runner-ups will receive a partial scholarship in the form of a $250 discount on their conference registration.
HOW TO APPLY
Winners will be chosen based on quality of writing, articulation of personal goals, and financial need. You will complete an application form that includes the following:
Essay Question (750 words): Tell us about a writing lesson you learned that had a profound impact on you. It can be as simple as a book, a teacher, or a workshop you took part in, or something more abstract.
Short Answer (250 words): How would you benefit from attending HippoCamp? Please be specific, focusing on this time in your life, at this stage in your career, about what you hope to gain, where you hope to go from here.
Short Answer (250 words): Please explain how and why you need this scholarship; for example, from a financial perspective, how would this prize help you participate in an event that you might not otherwise get to attend? Note: We highly recommend working on the application questions in a Word document, outside of the Submittable form, so you can spend time and/or save your work, rather than work directly in the form. Then, you can return to the form and paste in your answers. This also is a great way to ensure your responses are the right word count.
DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Deadline for all scholarships: Submit by June 15, 2022
Judging:
- A panel of HippoCamp 2022 scholarship committee members, and respective scholarship sponsors, will read all entries, and decisions will be based on the quality of writing, articulation of goals, and financial need.
- Decisions will be made by June 30, 2022
Rules and Eligibility:
- The scholarship is for complimentary conference registration and a $200 travel stipend only, and it does not include hotel accommodations; please take that into consideration before you apply, as we want to be sure the winner is able to attend; hotel and travel information is located on the conference website under “Location & Lodging.” (You may use the $200 travel stipend as you wish, such as toward lodging, train ticket, etc.)
- Recipients must confirm/accept their attendance by July 10, otherwise it will be forfeited and will be offered to the first runner-up.
- Attendees who already have registered for the conference may still apply for the scholarship; if someone already registered should be selected for the scholarship or as a runner-up, their conference registration will be refunded (minus the credit card processing fee, for which our organization has already paid.)
- Hippocampus Magazine and HippoCamp staff and volunteers, their relatives, spouses, and current mentees/students are not eligible to enter. Recipients of HippoCamp scholarships and partial scholarships within the last two years are not eligible to enter.
- Note that travel stipend will be issued prior to the conference on the honor system; if for some reason the recipient does not/cannot attend; it will be expected that the award is returned.
Jean Snow Memorial Scholarship
sponsored by Athena Dixon
This scholarship is to support an unpublished writer of color who is planning to attend HippoCamp 2022. Athena named it for her late godmother who was a lover of the arts and a kind, encouraging soul who wrote a beloved children’s story for the young people in her life. She would want to help a writer step onto their creative path and ease into the world of writing conferences through an intimate, focused gathering designed to foster community and connection for writers of all skill levels, backgrounds, and identities.
AWARD DETAILS
One winner will receive full conference registration ($549), plus a seat in Creative Writer’s Survival Handbook pre-conference workshop.
HOW TO APPLY
Winners will be chosen based on quality of writing and articulation of personal goals. You will complete an application form that includes the following:
Essay Question (750 words):
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned that had a profound impact on you. It can be as simple as a book, a teacher, or a workshop you took part in, or something more abstract.
Short Answer (250 words):
What story will attending HippoCamp support you in telling? We want to hear about your perspective, the essay or book or article (or whatever) that you most want to bring into the world.
Short Answer (250 words):
What do you hope to gain from attending HippoCamp? How will gathering with other creative nonfiction writers to learn, share, and connect support your goals?
Note: We highly recommend working on the application questions in a Word document, outside of the Submittable form, so you can spend time and/or save your work, rather than work directly in the form. Then, you can return to the form and paste in your answers. This also is a great way to ensure your responses are the right word count.
DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Deadline for all scholarships: Submit by June 15, 2022
Judging:
- A panel of HippoCamp 2022 committee members, and respective scholarship sponsors, will read all entries, and decisions will be based on the quality of writing, articulation of goals, and financial need.
- Decisions will be made by June 30, 2022
Rules and Eligibility:
- The award is for complimentary conference registration only, and it does not include hotel accommodations; please take that into consideration before you apply, as we want to be sure the winner is able to attend; hotel and travel information is located on the conference website under “Location & Lodging.”
- Winner must accept the prize by July 10, otherwise it will be forfeited and will be offered to the first runner-up.
- Attendees who already have registered for the conference may still enter the essay contest; if someone already registered should win the grand prize or runner-up prize, their conference registration will be refunded (minus the credit card processing fee, for which our organization has already paid.)
- Hippocampus Magazine and HippoCamp staff and volunteers, their relatives, spouses and current mentees/students, are not eligible to enter. Winners of previous HippoCamp scholarships and partial scholarships for the immediate past two conferences are not eligible to enter.
The Brief Encounters Scholarship for Flash Writers
sponsored by Rae Pagliarulo and Aisha Wiley
Sponsored by Rae Pagliarulo and Aisha Wiley, members of Hippocampus’ Flash Review Team, this scholarship is aimed at supporting a flash CNF writer in completing their journey to the 2022 HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers. Generally speaking, flash essays clock in at under 1,000 words.
AWARD DETAILS
The award covers full conference registration (valued at $549) plus a seat in the Creative Survival Handbook for Writers pre-conference workshop (valued at $45).
One runner-up will receive a partial scholarship in the form of a $250 discount on their conference registration.
HOW TO APPLY
Winners will be chosen based on quality of writing and articulation of personal goals. You will complete an application form that includes the following:
Essay Question (750 words):
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned that had a profound impact on you. It can be as simple as a book, a teacher, or a workshop you took part in, or something more abstract.
Short Answer (250 words):
What story will attending HippoCamp support you in telling? We want to hear about your perspective, the essay or book or article (or whatever) that you most want to bring into the world.
Short Answer (250 words):
What do you hope to gain from attending HippoCamp? How will gathering with other creative nonfiction writers to learn, share, and connect support your goals?
Note: We highly recommend working on the application questions in a Word document, outside of the Submittable form, so you can spend time and/or save your work, rather than work directly in the form. Then, you can return to the form and paste in your answers. This also is a great way to ensure your responses are the right word count.
DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Deadline for all scholarships: Submit by June 15, 2022
Judging:
- A panel of HippoCamp 2022 committee members, and respective scholarship sponsors, will read all entries, and decisions will be based on the quality of writing, articulation of goals, and financial need.
- Decisions will be made by June 30, 2022
Rules and Eligibility:
- The award is for complimentary conference registration only, and it does not include hotel accommodations; please take that into consideration before you apply, as we want to be sure the winner is able to attend; hotel and travel information is located on the conference website under “Location & Lodging.”
- Winner must accept the prize by July 10, otherwise it will be forfeited and will be offered to the first runner-up.
- Attendees who already have registered for the conference may still enter the essay contest; if someone already registered should win the grand prize or runner-up prize, their conference registration will be refunded (minus the credit card processing fee, for which our organization has already paid.)
- Hippocampus Magazine and HippoCamp staff and volunteers, their relatives, spouses and current mentees/students, are not eligible to enter. Winners of previous HippoCamp scholarships and partial scholarships for the immediate past two conferences are not eligible to enter.
The Work Hard, Not Smart Neurodiversity Scholarship
sponsored by Alexis Paige
Sponsored by author and educator Alexis Paige, this scholarship is aimed at helping a neurodivergent writer complete their journey to the 2022 HippoCamp: A Conference for Creative Nonfiction Writers.
AWARD DETAILS
The award covers full conference registration (valued at $549) plus a seat in the Creative Survival Handbook for Writers pre-conference workshop (valued at $45).
One runner-up will receive a partial scholarship in the form of a $250 discount on their conference registration.
HOW TO APPLY
Any writer who identifies as neurodivergent is eligible to apply for this scholarship. Winners will be chosen based on quality of writing, articulation of personal goals, and financial need. You will complete an application form that includes the following:
Essay Question (750 words):
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned that had a profound impact on you. It can be as simple as a book, a teacher, or a workshop you took part in, or something more abstract.
Short Answer (250 words):
What story will attending HippoCamp support you in telling? We want to hear about your perspective, the essay or book or article (or whatever) that you most want to bring into the world.
Short Answer (250 words):
What do you hope to gain from attending HippoCamp? How will gathering with other creative nonfiction writers to learn, share, and connect support your goals?
Note: We highly recommend working on the application questions in a Word document, outside of the Submittable form, so you can spend time and/or save your work, rather than work directly in the form. Then, you can return to the form and paste in your answers. This also is a great way to ensure your responses are the right word count.
(What is neurodiversity? Neurodiversity can refer to the idea that differences in the human brain are natural and normal (VeryWellHealth). The broader term continues to evolve, and it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and other learning and neurological conditions (Harvard Health).
DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Deadline for all scholarships: Submit by June 15, 2022
Judging:
- A panel of HippoCamp 2022 committee members, and respective scholarship sponsors, will read all entries, and decisions will be based on the quality of writing, articulation of goals, and financial need.
- Decisions will be made by June 30, 2022
Rules and Eligibility:
- The award is for complimentary conference registration only, and it does not include hotel accommodations; please take that into consideration before you apply, as we want to be sure the winner is able to attend; hotel and travel information is located on the conference website under “Location & Lodging.”
- Winner must accept the prize by July 10, otherwise it will be forfeited and will be offered to the first runner-up.
- Attendees who already have registered for the conference may still enter the essay contest; if someone already registered should win the grand prize or runner-up prize, their conference registration will be refunded (minus the credit card processing fee, for which our organization has already paid.)
- Hippocampus Magazine and HippoCamp staff and volunteers, their relatives, spouses and current mentees/students, are not eligible to enter. Winners of previous HippoCamp scholarships and partial scholarships for the immediate past two conferences are not eligible to enter.
Scholarship: Work Hard, Not Smart Neurodiversity Scholarship