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Magazine Stand :: Carve Magazine – Summer 2023

Carve Magazine Summer 2023 cover image

The Summer 2023 issue of Carve Magazine features short stories and interviews with Mary Grimm, Zeeva Bukai, Tobenna Nwosu, Ambata Kazi; new poetry from Barbara Tomash, James Davis, Isabel De Aguiar, and Paulette Guerin; and new nonfiction by Jeffrey Utzinger and Lauren Osborn. Additional features include Carve’s delightful “Decline/Accept,” in which an author previously declined by Carve but accepted elsewhere comments on the process along with Carve‘s reading committee and the publisher that accepted the work. “Harbor” by Kimberly Y. Liu is highlighted here. And, finally, “One to Watch” offers readers an excerpt from Take Creek, For Example by Chris Rugeley.

Find out more about many of these titles with our Guide to Literary Magazines and our Big List of Literary Magazines and Big List of Alternative Magazines. If you are a publication looking to be listed in our monthly roundup or featured on our blog and social media, please contact us.

Magazine Stand :: Carve – Fall 2022

Carve print literary magazine fall 2022 issue cover image

The fall issue of Carve means being able to read the winning entries of their annual Raymond Carver Short Story Contest!

First Place
“To Love a Stranger is Certain Death” by Brandon J. Choi

Second Place
“A Rugged Border” by Candice May

Third Place
“Don’t Speak” by Megan Callahan

Editor’s Choice
“Birdsong” by Abby Provenzano
“-K” by Ned Carter Miles

But that’s not all! The issue also includes interviews with each of the winners in a feature aptly titled “What We Talk About,” as well as Carve’s intriguing “Decline/Accept,” in which an author whose work Carve ‘declined’ was accepted elsewhere, giving the author a chance to explain their perspective on the rejection and the process that led to the work’s acceptance. This issue’s author is Steve Fox for his work “Then It Would Be Raining,” which Carve rejected and which went on to win the Whitefish Review Montana Prize for Fiction.

Readers can also enjoy poetry from Katy Aisenberg, William Erickson, Elizabeth Sylvia, Rachel Marie Patterson, and CooXooEii Black, nonfiction from Kimberly Knight, and the forward-looking “One to Watch” – an interview with Mazli Koca by Anna Zumbahlen.

2022 Raymond Carver Contest Winners

Carve Magazine Raymond Carver Short Story Contest logo image

Carve Magazine recently announced the winners of the 2022 Raymond Carver Contest judged by Dariel Suarez:

FIRST PLACE: Brandon J. Choi for “To Love a Stranger is Certain Death”

SECOND PLACE: Candice May for “A Rugged Border”

THIRD PLACE: Megan Callahan for “Don’t Speak”

EDITORS CHOICE: Abby Provenzano for “Birdsong” and Ned Carter Miles for “–K”

Winners will be published in the Fall 2022 Issue, which is currently in production. The contest runs annually from April 1 — mid-May.

Magazine Stand :: Carve – Summer 2022

Carve Honest Fiction literary magazine Summer 2022 cover image

The Summer 2022 issue of Carve “Honest Fiction” has a lot to offer readers to fill out the lazy days of summer reading: Fiction from Jason Ferris, Seher Fatema Vora, Patrick J. Zhou, and Susannah Rickards.; Poetry from Dan Wiencek, Sarah Dickenson Snyder, Stacey Forbes, and David Greenspan; “Deline/Accept” with Josh Rolnick; “One to Watch” with Matthew Vollmer by Kira Homsher; Interviews by the editors and reading committee; and Illustrations from Carve‘s resident artist, Justin Burks.

June 2022 eLitPak :: Submit to CARVE Year-round!

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Carve accepts submissions all year round, from anywhere in the world. We pay the writers we publish ($100 for fiction; $50 for nonfiction/poetry) and have generous word count limits: up to 10,000 for fiction/nonfiction and 2,000 for poetry. We publish all three genres in print, and fiction is also published online. Submit your best work today! View flyer for more details.

If you’re not subscribed to our weekly newsletter, view the full June 2022 eLitPak here.

Magazine Stand :: Carve – Spring 2022

Carve Honest Fiction literary magazine cover image

The newest issue of Carve: Honest Fiction offers readers fiction from Laura Perkins, Madison Cyr, Anna Stacy, and Elizabeth Hamilton; poetry from Taylor Supplee, Bradley Samore, T.E. Nordklev, and Justin Hunt; nonfiction from Shanta Lee and Abigail Ham; 2021 Prose and Poetry Contest winners Haley Rose Hanks, Carling McManus, and Hannah Hindley; and fun features like “Decline/Accept” with Garrett Candrea; “One to Watch” with Zaina Arafat by Anna Zumbahlen; illustrations from resident artist Justin Burks, and interviews. Carve is open to preorders for each issue as well as subscription rates.

March 2022 eLitPak :: Take 10% off CARVE Online Writing Classes

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Take 10% off Carve’s peer group online classes! Learn on your own schedule how to improve your short stories through all original content. The Fundamentals class introduces how to use Character & Plot, Point of View, Dialogue, Inner Monologue, Description. The Techniques class introduces Use of Senses, Imagery, Metaphors & Similes, Rhythm & Pacing, and Threading. Visit website.

View the full March 2022 eLitPak Newsletter here.

February 2022 eLitPak :: CARVE Editing Workshop begins March 28

screenshot of CARVE's flier for the February 2022 eLitPak newsletter

Benefit from 10 rounds of intensive editing by an experienced editor on several of your short stories or essays and two one-on-one meetings. You may choose up to five stories or essays to work on through the course of the workshop. Deadlines are flexible and accommodate your schedule. Registration deadline: March 28, 2022. Visit website.

View full February 2022 eLitPak Newsletter.

January 2022 eLitPak :: CARVE Magazine

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Get 30% off a One-year Subscription

Exclusive for NewPages fans: Get 30% off a one-year print or digital subscription to CARVE. That’s four issues featuring new HONEST FICTION, poetry, essays, interviews, illustrations, and more. Discover a new borderless and diverse community within the pages of CARVE. Use code NEWPAGES22 at checkout—hurry, our next issue ships soon! Visit website.

View full January 2022 eLitPak newsletter.

Carve 2022 Online Classes Announced

CARVE has announced their upcoming 2022 schedule of online classes.

Short Story Writing: Fundamentals consists of five lessons on Character & Plot, Point of View, Dialogue, Inner Monologe, and Description. The course runs for 6 weeks. Available dates are January 3 – February 13, March 28 – May 8, June 20 – July 31, and September 12 – October 23.

Short Story Writing: Techniques is also a 6-week course comprised of 5 lessons on Use of Senses, Imagery, Metaphors & Similies, Rhythm & Pacing, and Threading. Available dates are February 14 – March 27, May 9 – June 19, August 1 – September 11, and October 24 – December 4.

Each class needs to have at least five students and there will be weekly deadlines to completed writing exercises and provide peer feedback. There is no instructor feedback for these courses.

Subscribers to CARVE can receive a 10% discount on these classes. Learn more at CARVE‘s website.

2021 Raymond Carver Contest Winners

The Fall 2021 issue of Carve is out now and features the winners of the Raymond Carver Contest, guest judged by Leesa Cross-Smith.

First Place
“Habits” by Morgan Nicole Green

Second Place
“The Pit” by Chris Blexrud

Third Place
“Field Dressing” by Mariah Rigg

Editors’ Choice
“What Happened With the Librarian?” by Haley Hach
“Kingdom of the Shades” by Nina Ellis

You can learn more about each story by checking out the author interviews following each piece. Print and digital issues are available at Carve‘s website.

Contest :: Carve Magazine 2021 Prose & Poetry Contest

Screenshot of CARVE's flier for their 2021 Prose & Poetry Contest
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Deadline: November 15, 2021
Carve Magazine‘s Prose & Poetry Contest is open October 1 – November 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but work must be in English. Max 10,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; 2,000 words for poetry. Prizes: $1,000 each for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. All 3 winners published in Spring 2022. Entry fee $17 online only. Guest judges are Lydia Conklin for fiction; Julietta Singh for nonfiction; and Jihyun Yun for poetry. www.carvezine.com/prose-poetry-contest/

Carve’s Short Story Writing: Fundamentals Starts Monday, September 13

And there’s still time to register! The Short Story Writing: Fundamentals class consists of five lessons: Character & Plot, Point of View, Dialogue, Inner Monologue, and Description. The best part is that each weekly lesson can be completed on your own schedule.

The lessons also include detailed explanations, examples, Carve short stories to read and respond to, and up to two short writing exercises. You are also expected to provide peer feedback to at least two other students (minimum of 5 students required for the class).

The class will run September 13 through October 21. If you’re interested, register here.

If you are interested more in help with Techniques, their next class for that starts October 25th.

Carve Announces 2021 Raymond Carver Contest Results

Literary magazine CARVE offers the Raymond Carver Short Story Contest annually in the spring with winners appearing in their fall issue. The contest awards $3,000 across five prizes and is open to stories written in English from around the world.

The 2021 contest was judged by Leesa Cross-Smith who chose the top three prizewinners.

First – $2000: “Habits” by Morgan Green in Abington, PA

Second – $500: “The Pit” by Chris Blexrud in New Orleans, LA

Third – $250: “Field Dressing” by Mariah Rigg in Eugene, OR

Editors’ Choice – $125: “What Happened with the Librarian?” by Haley Hach in Rhinebeck, NY

Editors’ Choice – $125: “The Kingdom of the Shades” by Nina Ellis in London, UK

Finalists

“Disappear” by Patricia King

“Eyrie Hours” by Stephanie Pushaw

“Mapping the New Hell” by Shana Hartmann

“Those People” by Melissa Gardea

“St. Felix Dance & Bowl” by Joshua Wales

Carve’s Short Story Writing: Techniques Class Begins August 2

CARVE‘s next online group writing class will launch on August 2 and run through September 12. This is a six week course which includes five weekly progressive lessons building a greater understanding of craft. Each of the lessons includes detailed explanations and examples, readings from the CARVE archive, and short exercises. The creative writing exercises are shared by class participants for peer feedback.

Lessons include Use of Senses, Imagery, Metaphors & Similes, Rhythm & Pacing, and Threading.

With this online class there is no scheduled meetings or instructor-led feedback. Coursework is online and remote. There is still some time to enroll. If you’re a current print or digital subscriber to CARVE, you can receive a 10% discount.

June 2021 eLitPak :: Submit to CARVE Year-round!

screenshot of Carve's flier for the NewPages June 2021 eLitPak
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Carve accepts submissions all year round, from anywhere in the world. We pay the writers we publish ($100 for fiction; $50 for nonfiction/poetry) and have generous word count limits: up to 10,000 for fiction/nonfiction and 2,000 for poetry. We publish all three genres in print, and fiction is also published online. Submit your best work today!

May 2021 eLitPak :: CARVE Critiques and Editorial Services

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Carve offers critiques for prose on a per-word and for poetry on a per-page basis. Get a candid assessment of what’s working, what isn’t, and push your writing one step closer to publication. We also offer in-depth editorial services via Limpede Ink.

View the full NewPages May 2021 eLitPak Newsletter. Don’t forget to subscribe today to get it delivered to your inbox every month along with weekly updates on calls, contests, lit mag news, book news, and more.

Carve Magazine – Spring 2021

The Spring 2021 issue features short stories by and interviews with Sydney Rende, Sam White, Kimm Brockett Stammen, and Caroline Kim. New poetry by Michael Quinn, Ruth Baumann, Will Thomas, and Mureall Hebert and nonfiction by Jory Pomeranz and Christie Tate. Prose & Poetry Contest winners: Mona’a Malik, Ryan Little, and Alisha Acquaye. Read more at the Carve website.

Contest :: Carve Magazine Raymond Carver Contest

Screenshot of NewPages April 2021 eLitPak flier for CARVE Magazine
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Deadline: May 15, 2021
Carve Magazine‘s Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is open April 1 – May 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but story must be in English. Max 10,000 words. Prizes: $2,000, $500, $250, + 2 Editor’s Choice $125 each. All 5 winners published in Fall 2021 issue and reviewed by lit agencies. Entry fee $17 online. Guest judge Leesa Cross-Smith.

April 2021 eLitPak :: CARVE Magazine 2021 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest

Screenshot of NewPages April 2021 eLitPak flier for CARVE Magazine
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Carve Magazine‘s Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is open April 1 – May 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but story must be in English. Max 10,000 words. Prizes: $2,000, $500, $250, + 2 Editor’s Choice $125 each. All winners published in Fall 2021 issue and reviewed by lit agencies. Entry fee $17. Guest judge Leesa Cross-Smith.

View the full April 2021 NewPages eLitPak newsletter here. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get weekly updates on lit mags, presses, writing programs, literary events, and more along with the monthly eLitPak newsletters.

March 2021 eLitPak :: Take 10% off CARVE Online Writing Classes

screenshot of CARVE March 2021 eLitPak flier
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Use code NEWPAGES for 10% off CARVE’s group online writing classes with 6 weeks of lessons and peer critiques. Short Story Writing: Fundamentals starts March 29 and covers Character & Plot, Point of View, Dialogue, Inner Monologue, and Description. Short Story Writing: Techniques starts May 10 and covers Use of Senses, Imagery, Metaphors & Similes, Rhythm & Pacing, and Threading.

View the full March 2021 eLitPak Newsletter.

February 2021 eLitPak :: CARVE Editing Workshop Begins March 15

Screenshot of Carve February 2021 eLitPak flier
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Registration Deadline: March 15, 2021
In this intensive all-remote workshop, you’ll spend 10 weeks working one-on-one with Carve’s publisher on up to 5 of your short stories or essays (4000 words max ea.) You’ll receive weekly edits and revise your stories or essays multiple times, culminating in submitting at least one polished story or essay to a tailored list of 10 lit mags or journals. www.carvezine.com.

View the entire February eLitPak here. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get first access to future eLitPaks.

Carve Magazine – Winter 2021

This issue of Carve features eleven stellar writers. In the short fiction and accompanying interviews: Vincent Anioke, Toby Lloyd, Stephanie Macias Gibson, and James A. Jordan. Also in this issue, we celebrate Stacy Trautwein Burns’s publication of “Shelter Break” in Ruminate. In Gustavo Hernandez’s poem, we reach toward the future. In Rose Auslander’s, we consider tactility and embodiedness. We also sit with Kerry James Evans’s meditation on I, and Robert Carr’s billowing loss. Emily Breese writes on familial bonds. And finally, in a conversation with Anita Felicelli: illuminating thoughts about reality and identity, song and story, social norms, societal relationships, and simultaneous conflicting truths. Read more at the Carve website.

January 2021 eLitPak :: CARVE Magazine: Get 30% off a One-year Subscription

CARVE January 2021 eLitPak Flier screenshot
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Exclusive for NewPages fans: Get 30% off a one-year print or digital subscription to CARVE. That’s four issues featuring new HONEST FICTION, poetry, essays, interviews, illustrations, and more. Discover a new borderless and diverse community within the pages of CARVE. Use code NEWPAGES21 at checkout—hurry, our next issue ships soon! Discount expires 2/28/2021. Visit our website.

View the full January 2021 eLitPak Newsletter. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on our weekly newsletter and monthly eLitPaks.

Carve Magazine – Fall 2020

The Fall 2020 issue features the winners of the 2020 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest: Lindsay Kennedy, C. Adán Cabrera, Ella Martinsen Gorham, Anna Prawdzik Hull, and L. Vocem. New poetry by Beth Spencer, Cho A., Anthony Aguero, Andrew Navarro, and Esther Sun. New nonfiction by Sarah Yeazel and Clinton Crockett Peters. Additional features include Christine Heuner in Decline/Accept, Grace Talusan interviewed by Sejal H. Patel in One to Watch, and illustrations by Justin Burks. Read more at the Carve website.

Contest :: Carve Magazine Prose & Poetry Contest Extends Deadline

Carve Prose & Poetry Contest 2020 Extended DeadlineExtended Deadline: November 20
Carve Magazine‘s Prose & Poetry Contest deadline has been extended to November 20. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but work must be in English. Max 10,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; 2,000 words for poetry. Prizes: $1,000 each for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. All 3 winners published online in Spring 2021. $23 late entry fee. Guest judges are Shruti Swamy for fiction; Kendra Allen for nonfiction; and Roy G. Guzmán for poetry. www.carvezine.com/prose-poetry-contest/

Contest :: Reminder Carve’s 2020 Prose & Poetry Contest Closes November 15

Flier for Carve Magazine's Prose & Poetry Contest 2020Deadline: November 15
Carve Magazine‘s Prose & Poetry Contest deadline is November 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but work must be in English. Max 10,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; 2,000 words for poetry. Prizes: $1,000 each for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. All 3 winners published online in Spring 2021. Entry fee $17 online only. Guest judges are Shruti Swamy for fiction; Kendra Allen for nonfiction; and Roy G. Guzmán for poetry. www.carvezine.com/prose-poetry-contest/

Contest :: Carve Magazine 2020 Prose & Poetry Contest

Flier for Carve Magazine's Prose & Poetry Contest 2020Deadline: November 15
Carve Magazine‘s Prose & Poetry Contest is open October 1 – November 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but work must be in English. Max 10,000 words for fiction and nonfiction; 2,000 words for poetry. Prizes: $1,000 each for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. All 3 winners published online in Spring 2021. Entry fee $17 online only. Guest judges are Shruti Swamy for fiction; Kendra Allen for nonfiction; and Roy G. Guzmán for poetry. www.carvezine.com/prose-poetry-contest/

Carve Magazine – Summer 2020

In the newest issue of Carve, find short stories by Caleb Tankersley, Danielle Batalion Ola, Ronald Kovach, and Kirsten Clodfelter, as well as interviews with the authors. New poetry by Jane Zwart, Abbie Kiefer, Collin Callahan, and James Ducat, and new nonfiction by Feroz Rather and Kabi Hartman. In “Decline/Accept,” is “Clean Kills” by Greg November. Read more at the Carve website.

2019 Carve Prose & Poetry Contest Winners

Carve annually hosts the Prose & Poetry Contest for submissions in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. There is one winner in each genre category, each awarded a $1000 prize.

Readers can find the winners of the 2019 contest in the Spring 2020 issue.

Fiction
“A Simple Case” by Nancy Lundmerer

Nonfiction
“From the Book on Pit Firing Pottery” by Sarah Sousa

Poetry
“Cleft” by Jason M. Glover

The judges for this past year’s contest were Lydia Kiesling in fiction, Analicia Sotelo in nonfiction, and Benjamin Busch in poetry. Submissions for this year’s contest will reopen at the beginning of October.

Contest :: Raymond Carver Short Story Contest Deadline is May 15

Don’t forget that May 15 is the deadline to submit short fiction of no more than 10,000 words to Carve Magazine‘s 2020 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest. Submissions welcome from writers world-wide as long as they are written in English. Prizes: $2,000, $500, $250, + 2 Editor’s Choice $125 each. All 5 winners published in Fall 2020 issue and reviewed by lit agencies. Entry fee $17 online/$15 mailed. Guest judge Pam Houston. www.carvezine.com/raymond-carver-contest/

Learn Online with Carve Magazine

Carve Online Writing ClassesBesides being both an online and print literary magazine, Carve also offers online writing classes and online workshops. Did you know that?

They currently offer two writing classes on the Wet Ink platform: Short Story Writing: Fundamentals and Short Story Writing Techniques. Theses classes both run five weeks and are held multiple times during the year.

Fundamentals consists of five lessons: Character & Plot, Point of View, Dialogue, Inner Monologue, and Description.

  • June 15 – July 19
  • August 24 to September 27

Techniques consists of five lessons: Use of Senses, Imagery, Metaphors & Similes, Rhythm & Pacing, and Threading.

  • May 11 – June 14
  • July 20 – August 23
  • September 28 – November 1

Their Online Writing Workshop is devoted to editing for short stories or essays. This is a 10-week course where you get one-on-one attention from a Carve editor. Their next workshops start on June 1 and September 14.

Carve Spring 2020 Preorder Week

Carve Magazine screenshotThat’s right! This week is the week you can preorder Carve Magazine‘s Spring 2020 issue. From now until April 12, you can reserve your copy of the special print edition and receive automatic free shipping to anywhere on print preorders. You also get 15% off a 1-year print or digital subscription. Need more reasons to preorder this issue? It features four new stories, five new poets, two essays and the winners of the 2019 Prose & Poetry Contest selected by Lydia Kiesling, Analicia Sotelo, and Benjamin Busch.

Contest :: Carve Magazine 2020 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest

Carve Magazine flierCarve Magazine‘s Raymond Carver Short Story Contest is open April 1 – May 15. Accepting submissions from all over the world, but story must be in English. Max 10,000 words. Prizes: $2,000, $500, $250, + 2 Editor’s Choice $125 each. All 5 winners published in Fall 2020 issue and reviewed by lit agencies. Entry fee $17 online/$15 mailed. Guest judge Pam Houston. www.carvezine.com/raymond-carver-contest/

“Tent People” by Kate Arden McMullen

Carve Magazine - Winter 2020Magazine Review by Katy Haas

Carve Magazine never fails in bringing readers fresh fiction. In the Winter 2020 issue, Kate Arden McMullen opens her story “Tent People” with a paragraph introducing our narrator, Baby, and her family: Lily, Elis, and Daddy. As the scene unfolds, Baby’s mother is notably absent. The story wraps around this absence as Baby wanders around in her newly found womanhood (“I’m full-grown now Mama says since I got my first-ever period last month,” she notes). Continue reading ““Tent People” by Kate Arden McMullen”

Carve Magazine – Winter 2020

Carve Magazine - Winter 2020

The Winter 2020 issue of Carve Magazine features short stories by and interviews with Alissa Hattman, Emily Howorth, Sam Simas, and Kate Arden McMullen; poetry by Lucia Orellana Damacela, Jessica Hincapie, Cindy Juyoung Ok, and E. Kristin Anderson; and nonfiction by Brittany Coppla and Joel Clotharp. Additional features include Decline/Accept with “Fit” by Rayne Ayers-Debsksi, a “One to Watch” interview with Brandon Taylor by Anna Zumbahlen, and illustrations by Justin Burks.