Antioch University Los Angeles Creative Writing MFA program publication Lunch Ticket is accepting submissions for its debut issue: poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, YA fiction and art. Theme: Occupy. Non-themed work also welcome.

The Los Angeles River Review is seeking 'forward-thinking and refined poetry' for their premiere issue (print). No light verse, slam poetry, rhyming poetry or sonnets. Payment: contributors copies. Deadline: October 15, 2012.

FreeFall Magazine (Canada) seeks poetry, fiction, non-Fiction, creative non-fiction, and flash fiction for the Winter issue. Deadline: August 31, 2012. Payment: up to $100.

Leaf Press (BC) is gathering poems for an anthology about the 'newly born, the almost born, the journey in-between.' Previously published poems accepted. Deadline: January 30, 2013. Selected poets paid $50, plus copy.

Switchback is accepting submissions for Issue 16 (pub. November). Theme: Current. Open to previously unpublished fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and art. Deadline: August 31, 2012.

Seeking true stories, 500 to 2500 words for a new anthology series, Not Your Mother's Book (US). Pays in books or royalties. Deadline: June 1, 2012 (Themes: On Being a Woman and On Dogs) and August 1, 2012 (Theme: On Travel).

Poetry magazine Turbulence (UK) is reading for issue #10. Send up to 6 poems (30 lines max.) and a brief, third person biographical note (less than 50 words) to turbulencemagazine@gmail.com. Open to international writers.

Quarterly journal Steel Bananas seeks submissions of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, film, and visual art. Theme: Touching/exposure, specifically the biopolitical reality of touching as it manifests in political performance, demonstration, and compassion. Deadline: June 1, 2012.

The Ontario Poetry Society is accepting entries for The Ultra Short Poem Competition. Maximum 8 lines with a maximum of 8 words per line. First prize: $100. Selected poems published in a chapbook. Deadline: October 30, 2012.

The Ontario Poetry Society is accepting entries from Canadian poets for The Arborealis Prize for Poetry 2012. First prize: $250. Selected poems to be published in perfect bound anthology. Entries should be in the people poet's tradition. Deadline: July 31, 2012. Entry fee: $15 for 3 poems.

Entries are open for the The New Quarterly's Peter Hinchcliffe Fiction Award. Open to Canadian writers who have not yet published a novel or story collection. First prize: $1000; all entries will be considered for paid publication ($250). Deadline: May 28, 2012. Entry fee: $40 (includes subscription).

Emmerson Street Press (Canada) seeks manuscripts from writers 'who are proud to be a part of the centuries old literary tradition.' Also seeking academics interested in writing an introduction (up to 1000 words) to a reprint classic. Deadline: May 31, 2012.

Geist (BC) invites entries for their Erasure Poetry Contest. Details: Copy the passage an excerpt from 'How Should a Person Be?' a creative non-fiction novel by Sheila Heti and erase words to create a poem. Deadline: August 1, 2012. First prize: $600. Entry fee: $20 (includes subscription).

Sterling Magazine (Canada) is accepting submissions of fiction, poetry and comics of all genres. Max length for fiction: 3000 words; poetry: 3-5 pieces. Payment for accepted material is $25 (CAD). Deadline: June 1, 2012.

Essays for Hope (Canada) is seeking essays on a variety of topics for upcoming anthologies (print and ebook). No payment. Bio and backlinks can be included with submission. Profits donated to charity.

A new Canadian digital magazine centering on the paranormal is looking for fiction story submissions for its inaugural issue. Deals primarily with ghosts and myths. No aliens. Length: 1500 word max. Deadline: May 20, 2012. Send to crwbaird@gmail.com.

The Poetic Pinup Revue (US) is seeking poetry & flash fiction for two upcoming issues: 'Bridges & Things That Burn Them' (Deadline: July 1, 2012) and "Contumulation & Carrying On' (Deadline: September 1, 2012). Payment: contributor copy plus commission.

Entries are invited for the Cha Flash Fiction Contest (China, UK). Theme: Misinterpretation. First prize: £50, Second: £30, Third: £20. Free entry. All three winning pieces will receive first publication in a special section in the fifth anniversary issue of Cha. Deadline: July 15, 2012.

Poets not yet published in book form (48 pages or more) are encouraged to submit up to three poems. $1000 CAD prize. Deadline: May 1, 2012. Entry fee: $25: US$30 for US residents.

Developing SF and Fantasy online magazine Fantastic Frontiers seeks nonfiction, fiction, comics, artwork, and multimedia for premiere issue. Deadline: April 25, 2012.

Matrix Magazine (QC) is searching for poetry and short fiction submissions to the 2012 Litpop Awards. Prize: trip to POP Montreal Festival plus publication. Entry fee $25. Deadline: July 1, 2012.

Fat Daddy's Farm (U.S.) is seeking submissions for an upcoming anthology titled 'Trash Told Tales: Trash Talkin' from Whitetrashistan.' Focus on the topic of white trash culture, literature ,and experiences. Accepting short fiction, poetry, plays, creative non-fiction, and various types of artwork.

Print publication Stone Voices (US) is looking for articles, essays, fiction, and poetry about the connection between art and spirituality as it relates to the making of art, history of art, spiritual awakening, mindfulness, and more. Questions can be sent to info@stonevoices.co. Deadline: July 15, 2012 for August review and October 15, 2012 for November review.