The Georgia Writers Association's LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants are designed to encourage and amplify the voices of emerging LGBTQIA+ writers in Georgia. Generously supported by the Hawthornden Foundation, four total grants will be awarded in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and play/screenwriting. Winning recipients will receive $500, and an invitation to read their work at the 2026 Red Clay Writers Conference (October 2026). There is no submission fee to enter, and unlike previous years, there is no age limitation.

Deadline: Thursday, April 30th, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be emerging LGBTQIA+ writers, residing and/or studying in the state of Georgia for at least one year. 
• We define "emerging" writers as having not published more than one book; in the case of play/screenwriting, no more than one professional production of their work. (If you have questions about what constitutes a professional production, please email us directly.)
• Previous applicants may apply again, but previous recipients of the grant are ineligible.

Guidelines: 

Writers may apply in only one genre and must submit the following:

—A completed grant application;

—An artist statement of 500 words (max.) describing your work and goals as a writer. Please tell us what inspires or challenges your writing career and how this grant will help you accomplish your goals;

—A writing sample of 10 pages (max.) in the genre in which you are applying: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, play/screenwriting. If submitting poetry, only one poem per page please. (Please do not include any identifying information in the writing sample.)

We Believe That Anyone Can Be a Storyteller.

About our Publication

• Waymark Literary Magazine is a fully online magazine in html format. We publish fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and art.
• Waymark accepts submissions from undergraduate students from North America (Canada, Mexico, North America, the Caribbean islands) and its affiliated territories. Work submitted by students residing outside of North America or work from non-undergraduate students will not be considered for publication.

About Our Issues

• Waymark publishes two issues every academic year, one per semester. Submissions for our Spring '26 issue open December 28, 2025 and close on April 19, 2026. Due to winter break, Waymark staff will return to reading submissions in late January. Any submissions turned in prior to the staff's return will be read ASAP.
• Please expect a turnaround time of 2-3 weeks for decisions on submissions. If you have not heard back within this time frame, please feel free to reach out to us at waymarkmagazine@gmail.com
• Any submissions submitted after the April 19th deadline can still be considered for the next issue instead.  

Submission Guidelines

• All pieces should be submitted with adherence to MLA formatting: 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, double-spaced, page numbers in the top-left.
• Waymark does not publish erotica or fan fiction of any kind. We reject works with excessive violence, hate speech, and unnecessary gore.
• All submitted works should be self-contained stories that are not parts of larger works. Waymark does not publish chapters of books or book excerpts.
• To see our guidelines for specific genres, please check out our website: https://waymarkmagazine.com/submission-guidelines/